Archive of Our Own

The seemingly immaculate idea proposed by one of Jungkook’s closest friend to take a summer job at the amphitheater downtown as security had followed through with its promise of being consistently exciting. Jungkook and five of his closest friend were able to be present for just about every concert that came to town, witnessing some of the most influential celebrities and listening to their music. Though, there were some drawbacks. Such as having to hold back throngs of people, getting kicked in the head by the performer, never even being able to turn around to look at the performance, blasting music ruining their eardrums, and many many more issues.

Jungkook was sure that these issues would have him quitting before summer’s end, that he would grow too sore, too deaf, and too irritated to deal with them each concert. And he almost did. The day that Jungkook was going to put in his notice - much to his friends’ irritation - was the day that one of the most famous people stepped onto that stage- Park Jimin.

“How is everybody doing?” Jimin called from the stage, surely waving excitedly at the mass of teenaged female girls in front of him, all screaming and holding out their hands as if they could actually touch the idol standing over five feet away from them.

Jungkook looked to his left briefly to see Hoseok struggling with a girl that was trying to climb the fence. Once he glanced back in front of him his nose was two inches from another preteen’s as she screeched loudly. He flinched back. Though he’d grown use to the sounds of the screaming, he was still surprised with the proximity. “Uh,” He cleared his throat, using his lowest octave, “Ma’am, please step back.”

She didn’t seem to notice him as she continued screaming at the top of her lungs, breathing onto Jungkook’s face.

Jungkook didn’t mind too much, she was just loud, and that wasn’t against the rules. So he simply stepped back just a little bit and suffered in silence as he continued surveying the crowd.

Another song began and the crowd calmed just a little bit as they listened for the moments to scream their obnoxious fanchant.

Jungkook took the short period to take a deep breath and look for his most problematic friend. Taehyung was blinking dazedly at the crowd in front of him, most likely listening to the song- Jungkook just hoped that his distractedness didn’t get his section overrun.

“So,” Park Jimin panted after he finished his song. He paused to take a drink of water, “what song would you guys like to hear next?”

Jungkook rolled his eyes, there was a predetermined setlist to this performance, Jimin was just catering to his fanbase.

Nonetheless the crowd erupted into something that vaguely reminded Jungkook of the sound of a beehive as girls shouted out the name of their favorite songs.

The teenager that had been standing directly in front of Jungkook seemed to overflow with sudden energy as she lunged forward, hooking her leg over the gate in front of her. Jungkook stepped forward, “Ma’am,” He set his hand on her shoulder, holding her back.

She continued screaming, fighting Jungkook’s hold.

“Ma’am, please calm down.” He pushed against her just a bit, trying to get her off the gate.

There was a sudden bustling next to him as one of the rare males present stumbled up, “Hey!” He barked, “Get yer hands off my girl-!” He was cut off by an alcohol induced hiccup.

Oh, this isn’t going to end well. was Jungkook’s last coherent thought before the boy’s fist was making hard contact with his nose. Jungkook stumbled backwards, hands flying to his face. He heard the crowd in front of him shift, but his eyes had begun watering too much for him to see clearly.

“-Hey! Oh my gosh!” An amplified voice had cut off mid sentence.

Suddenly, there were hands on him, supporting him. Jungkook blinked and saw Taehyung and Hoseok on either side of him looking at him worriedly, “Hey kid, you alright?” Hoseok asked, looking at the stream of crimson flowing from Jungkook’s nose.

Jungkook scowled at Hoseok, “Do I look alright?”

“Woah, everybody calm down! Stand back please!” The amplified voice was a little less amplified now, and much closer.

Jungkook craned his neck to see Park Jimin standing directly behind him on the stage, looking at the crowd that had began overflowing.

“Let’s all just calm down for a second! You guys don’t have to push, I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere-” Park Jimin crouched on the edge of the stage, knee brushing the back of Jungkook’s head.

Glancing back in front of him, Jungkook saw Namjoon and Yoongi grip the man that had assaulted him under the elbows, as they’d probably pulled him out from behind the gate.

“Hold on, you guy’s don’t have to escort him out, I don’t want him to miss the concert, he paid good money for his ticket.” Park Jimin called, stopping the pair.

Namjoon and Yoongi both stopped what they were doing, looking at the assaulter apprehensively before backing up and letting him disappear into the crowd.

“Are you alright?” Park Jimin’s voice was no longer amplified, but rather right next to Jungkook’s ear.

Jungkook blinked up at the idol. He hadn’t been able to look at the boy once since he’d walked onstage - part of the rules of being security meant he couldn’t look away from the crowd - and was met with dark black hair, pale skin, brown eyes, and a worried smile. Overall, Park Jimin was the most beautiful boy he’d ever seen, while being masked in makeup. “Uh, yeah- I’m good.” His voice sounded funny muffled by his hand and oddly nasally as he avoided speaking with his nose.

Park Jimin sighed, “I feel terrible, your nose is bleeding,” He straightened up, looking off stage and lifting the microphone to his mouth again, “Can we get him some ice and maybe some tissues?”

The whole crowd cooed and awed as Jimin performed his act well, actually looking like he cared about Jungkook’s well-being.

Jungkook rolled his eyes, “I’m fine, I’ll get some. Just- Just do your thing.” He muttered, pushing out of Taehyung and Hoseok’s hold.

He began walking towards the exit, but the ground began tilting before he could get three steps in.

“Woah, hold on- come up here for a second, let me help you.”

Jungkook felt a strong grip under his upper arm, leading him upwards towards the stage. He was about to protest before Jin stepped in front of him, helping to lift him onto the stage. He wanted to slap Jin’s hands away, but didn’t want to look like a complete asshole in front of all these cameras- he didn’t want all of campus seeing him act like an asshole to their God. So he instead helped by using his free arm to push himself up, accepting the help from the two boys- trying to ignore the fact that one of them was wearing more money than his entire family line combined.

“Here, let me help you.” Park Jimin’s soft, Busan lilted voice was close to his ear again as he wrapped an arm around Jungkook’s waist.

Jungkook almost pushed him away. But the cameras flashed and the fans squealed, so he swallowed his pride and held his nose as Jimin helped him off the stage.

“You got him?” Jimin grunted as one of the stagehands took his place, grabbing Jungkook with not nearly as steady of a grip.

Jungkook was led through the mess of cords and confusing control panels to a room in the back where he was set down on a couch.

“Get this kid some ice and a box of tissues, we still have a concert to finish- chop chop.”

Jungkook was glad he wasn’t working as a stagehand, this guy seemed like an asshole as he turned around, almost smacking Jungkook in the face.

The guy leaned down to be eye level with Jungkook. “Listen kid, just sit quietly and don’t even think about pressing charges or anything. Jimin isn’t to blame for any of this, you signed up for it.”

Jungkook scowled the best he could through his hand that he had splayed across his face. “Whatever man, just leave me alone.”

The guy straightened up, his lip curling. “Fucking security,” he muttered as he walked out, “all brawn… no common courtesy.” The door was shut with a bang.

Jungkook gathered his patience and kept his mouth shut. Instead, he opted for leaning back on the couch and closing his eyes. Now that it was silent, the throbbing in his head was ten times louder. Somewhere after five minutes an older woman scurried in with painkillers, ice, a towel, and a bottle of water. Jungkook was barely able to thank her before she was running out of the room again, shutting the door a little bit more quietly than the last guest.

It was hours later before somebody walked in again. “Hey, Jungkookie.” a cautious voice called as they snuck into the room.

Jungkook didn’t lift his head from it’s position on the back of the couch, but he knew it was Taehyung the second he stepped through the door, “Fuck off hyung, I’m pissed.”

“Yeah,” There was a nervous chuckle from that end of the room, “you want icecream or something? Maybe a new video game?”

“You’re not going to buy my forgiveness.” Jungkook growled from under the towel he’d draped over his eyes to block the fluorescents from penetrating his pulsating eyelids.

Taehyung stepped further into the room, “That’s how it usually works, c’mon Kookie, lighten up… Park Jimin was practically carrying you, isn’t that- like, what all your wet dreams are about?”

Jungkook picked the towel up off of his face and chucked it at Taehyung. “Fuck off hyung.”

Taehyung squeaked and dodged the bloody rag, “That’s disgusting!” He exclaimed, affronted. He whirled around and ran out of the room.

The silence once again engulfed the room, and Jungkook was left to listen to the pounding in his ears. His nose had stopped bleeding a few hours ago, and all he was left with was the immense pain plaguing his head.

The door clicked open, much more quiet, and much more timid than before. Maybe Taehyung was scared- like he should be.

Jungkook lifted his head up again to berate Taehyung, but was met with the wide eyes of Park Jimin instead- the last person he expected to see. “Uhm,” Jimin mumbled quietly as he stepped back in the doorway, “I’m sorry, you look angry, maybe I should come back later.”

“No,” Jungkook called, sighing as he shifted on the couch, “I’m not mad, I thought you were somebody else, you can come in.” He definitely didn’t want to be in bad standing with somebody so influential, so he might as well listen to what he had to say and see how incredibly scripted it was.

Jimin wrang his hands together nervously as he stepped into the room and shut the door softly behind him, “I really do want to apologize for what happened.”

Jungkook shook his head, “I don’t know why you’re apologizing, it’s not your fault that guy uses his fists instead of his brain.”

“No,” Jimin shook his head, “but it’s my concert, my fan, he’s here because I’m here.” He paused to sigh, and run a hand through his dark hair, “I wish my fans weren’t as crazy as they are. I’m sorry he was an asshole.”

Jungkook blinked, he hadn’t expected Jimin to take so much responsibility for what had happened. “Ah,” he swallowed, suddenly feeling younger, “It’s fine, really.” That was it for him, he’d lost his bravado.

The mood in the room had changed with the loss of Jungkook’s confidence. Jimin stepped forward, deeming it safe. He grabbed the stool from where it had been sitting in front of a mirror a few feet away. “I want to do something for you, but I don’t know what to do…” His eyes skimmed over Jungkook’s hunched form, before he found purchase, “Your shirt, it’s got blood all over it.”

Jungkook glanced down at his previously plain white t-shirt. “Oh,” there were red splatters all over the top, but not the cool kind of red splatters, they were kind of gross looking all dried up. “I guess- but it’s fine, it’s just a -.”

“No! I got it! I’ll pay for your dry cleaning!” Jimin clapped, smiling broadly, “Give me your shirt.” He exclaimed.

Jungkook blinked, not sure what to do. Did Jimin want his shirt now? Did he actually plan on dry cleaning Jungkook’s trashy t-shirt? Was Jungkook about to be shirtless in front of this very attractive man?

Another long pause filled the room as Jimin stared at Jungkook, his hand outstretched, patiently waiting for Jungkook’s shirt.

Jungkook broke the silence with a quiet stutter, “N-Now?”

Jimin smiled and nodded, “I want to do this, c’mon.” he wiggled his fingers, and Jungkook was suddenly aware of how small they were. This spurred Jungkook’s sudden revelation of how small Park Jimin was overall. He blinked again, probably looking like the owl eyed man at this point. He stood and gripped the hem of his shirt. He had nothing to hide, he went to the gym, he was pretty proud of the body he’d worked to achieve. He lifted his shirt over his head, and set it in Jimin’s waiting, outstretched hand.

Jungkook barely caught the moment of hesitation, where Jimin succeeded in looking at Jungkook’s stomach for one third of a second, Jungkook’s shirt for another third, and then turning beat red in the last third. Jimin’s facade had cracked as well.

A smirk crept onto Jungkook’s face as he realized he had the upper hand, the fact that he was talking to a celebrity slipping his mind as he regained his confidence. He stuck his hands into his pockets and flexed his arms a little, “What? Like what you see?”

Jimin blinked and met Jungkook’s gaze, “What?” He squeaked before clearing his throat and crossing his arms, “I’ve seen plenty of bodies way more impressive than yours.”

“But you’re admitting that my body is impressive.” Jungkook said pointedly, stepping towards Jimin.

Jimin clasped his hands in his lap and averted his gaze, “I’m not saying anything.”

“You just said something.”

Jimin huffed, “Well, yeah… But I mean, I’m not saying anything about how impressive your body is.”

“So it is impressive.” Jungkook sent Jimin a devilish grin, finally getting close enough to Jimin to have his knees touching his.

Jimin’s shoulders tensed, “Okay, this conversation sucks.” He hopped down from the stood abruptly, seeming not to notice Jungkook’s proximity until he was pressed flush against the other man’s bare chest. Jimin let out an unintentional squeak as he fell back into the stool. But since he had to jump just to sit down on the chair, stepping back into it only succeeded in making him trip over it and fall back with it as he knocked it over.

Jungkook’s eyes widened as he saw Jimin lose his balance. He quickly reached out and wrapped an arm around Jimin’s waist, pulling him up to be flush with his chest yet again. The sound of the stool clattering to the floor was the only sound in the room as the two boys stared wide eyed at each other.

“Ah,” Jimin started, moving to unclench his fists from in front of Jungkook’s chest, “Th-Thank you.”

A breathy laugh escaped Jungkook as he let go of Jimin, letting the other boy step back, “I’m pretty sure I would’ve gotten in big trouble if I let you hurt yourself.”

Jimin swallowed and ran a hand through his hair, “Honestly, yeah, you probably would’ve.”

The door was opened and a young woman stuck her head in, “Jimin, are you ready?” she glanced only briefly at the stool laying horizontal on the floor and the shirtless boy standing in front of Jimin.

Jimin nodded, bending down to pick up the shirt he’d dropped at some point during their altercation, “Yeah, I’ll meet you outside.”

The girl nodded and shut the door.

Jimin looked back over at Jungkook, shifting his shirt in his hand. “I need your phone number…” He said quietly, licking his lips.

“Oh- right.” Jungkook dove a hand into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. “Here.” He handed Jimin his phone, “The number’s at the top.”

Jimin nodded and set the shirt down on the vanity in front of the mirror before pulling out his own cell phone. He didn’t even touch the screens before he stopped. “I’ve…” He blinked down at the two phones in his hands, “I’ve never done this before.”

“Okay, it’s pretty easy,” Jungkook leaned over to look at the two phones in the other’s smaller hands. “Just click that plus sign in the corner…”

Jimin did as Jungkook said and followed his directions, soon Jimin had copied Jungkook’s number into his phone and vise versa. “Ah,” Jimin bit his lip, “I don’t know if I was allowed to do that… Just- Just don’t tell anybody, okay?”

The sudden trust from Jimin had Jungkook smiling and nodding, “Sure, I won’t tell anybody your number.”

“Thanks.” Jimin smiled back at Jungkook, his cheeks pushing his eyes into cute crescents.

Jungkook took a moment to take a mental snapshot of Jimin’s genuine smile.

“I have to go, but I’ll text you as soon as I can give your shirt back.” Jimin held up Jungkook’s t-shirt, “Thanks for letting me do this, I’m sorry you got hurt.”

“It’s fine.” Jungkook shook his head, “I won’t keep you, you have a tour to do.” He moved out of the way, allowing Jimin passage to the door.

Jimin smiled and bowed his head slightly, “Bye, I’ll text you.” He then opened the door and slipped out of the room.

It was five minutes later that Jungkook stepped into the empty hallway after finally catching his breath, though he was still shirtless and very confused.

“Jungkook-ah!” Taehyung whined from across the table, gripping his coffee between his hands, “Please get off your phone!”

The boy was met with silence as Jungkook pulled his phone closer to his face from atop his knees. Taehyung sat in the booth across from Jungkook, who currently had his knees pulled up to his chest and phone four inches from his face, his coffee untouched. It had been two weeks since he’d been punched in the nose.

“Jungkook-ah!” Taehyung tried again, tossing a wadded up napkin at the boy.

The paper bounced off the back side of Jungkook’s phone lightly, not even sparking Jungkook’s attention.

“Hey, brat!” Yoongi called to Jungkook as he stepped into the coffee shop, “I know you’re expecting some kind of call from your mistress or something, but the least you could do is acknowledge his existence!”

Jungkook’s eyes flicked up at the approaching figures, those being Yoongi and Namjoon. “Hey hyungs.” He mumbled before looking back down at his device.

Once they reached the table, Namjoon leaned forward quickly and plucked the phone from an unsuspecting Jungkook’s hands.

“Hey!” Jungkook gasped, reaching in vain for his phone as Namjoon’s arm retreated.

Namjoon turned the phone away from him and hit the off button, showing Jungkook the black screen, “I’m actually worried about your health at this point. When was the last time you ate?”

“Uhm…” Jungkook paused to think.

“See, if you can’t remember that’s a bad thing, I’ll order you something, for now, you can bare to look up at the outside world for a few minutes.” Namjoon turned around and headed towards the counter, sticking Jungkook’s phone in his pocket as he went.

Jungkook slumped in his seat and looked around the room before landing his eyes on an expectant looking Taehyung across from him. “Oh,” Jungkook mumbled, “hey hyung, when did you get here?”

Taehyung’s mouth fell slightly ajar.

The lecture was almost done, almost. He could make it. But alas, Jungkook’s eyes were falling and his hand was slackening around the pencil he’d been using to write notes.

“And so the era progressed…” The teacher was droning on about art history, and Jungkook could hardly care less. He loved art, he really did. It was just days like that one that he felt like sleeping would help educate him more than sitting in this lecture hall was.

Suddenly, his phone began buzzing in his pocket, jarring Jungkook awake. He glanced down at his jacket pocket, pulling his phone out just barely to see if the call was worth his time.

All he had to read was “im” and he had grabbed his notebook, pencil, and unzipped backpack and booked it out of the room, hitting the accept button as he ran, not noticing the wide eyed stares of his peers and professor. He cleared his throat as he stepped into the hallway, lowering his voice slightly, “Hello?”

“Hello?” Came Jimin’s soft, sweet, melodic voice. “Hi, this is Jimin… I think you already knew that, oops.”

Jungkook snorted, “What’s up Jimin-ssi?”

“I have your shirt.” Jimin said shortly. “Did I catch you at a bad time, or can I meet you somewhere to give it to you?”

Jungkook nodded, “No, I’m not really doing anything too important.” He glanced back at the closed door of the lecture hall. He stuffed his things into his bag and began walking in the opposite direction.

“Okay, can I meet you at that big coffee shop by the supermarket, off of Main Street in like twenty minutes?” Jimin asked, “I have a break in my schedule, but it’s short.”

Jungkook nodded, pushing the phone closer to his ear, “Yeah, I can meet you there.”

“Awesome, I’ll see you then.” Jimin replied. Jungkook could practically hear his smile over the line and he was reminded of how Jimin looked when he smiled. His stomach flipped.

“Okay, I’ll see you then, bye.”

“Bye.”

The line went dead and Jungkook broadened his steps towards the coffee shop that was close to his campus.

He got there in fifteen minutes, not minding too much, his mother had always taught him to be punctual.

He hadn’t been there very long before he heard somebody behind him call, “Jungkook-ah?”

Jungkook turned around quickly to see Jimin in a hoodie, blue jeans, and black sunglasses. Much different than the last time they’d met, but not any less attractive. He smiled and pulled his backpack further up on his shoulder as he stepped over to the smaller man. “Hey, I’m honestly surprised you’re able to just go out like this without anybody recognizing you.”

Jimin held up his index finger to his plump lips, “Don’t mention it, I’m doing good so far.” He looked around the busy room before taking his bag off his shoulder and unzipping it. He pulled out Jungkook’s white, freshly cleaned, t-shirt. “Here you go.”

Jungkook accepted the t-shirt and opened it up to see it perfectly clean and smelling vaguely of an orchard. He smiled, “Thank you.”

“No, thank you. Again, I’m so sorry about what happened…” Jimin craned his neck slightly, noticing Jungkook’s backpack, “are you in college?”

He nodded, “I go to school down the road.” he motioned vaguely in the direction of his college.

“What are you studying?” Jimin asked, seeming genuinely curious.

“Art.”

Jimin sighed, letting out a soft, “ah,” and then he smiled softly, “I’ve always been fascinated by artists, the way they’re able to just… create.”

“Well,” Jungkook laughed, looking at his feet, “I’m kind of lousy at it.”

Jimin shook his head, “I’m sure you’re amazing.”

Jungkook felt the sudden urge to change the conversation’s topic, “What… Uh, how was your tour- I mean,” He looked around at the large crowds, “your performances.”

“They were good,” Jimin shrugged, “I’m just glad to be back.”

Jungkook nodded, “Traveling so much must be tiring.”

“It is.” Jimin agreed.

Something behind Jimin’s head grabbed Jungkook’s attention, a sudden flash of light, something catching in the sunlight. In the booth next to the doorway, there sat a young man with a black medical mask over his mouth, obscuring the majority of his face. He had a backpack in the booth next to him, and one of his hands was dug into it. The flash that had caught Jungkook’s attention was something inside of the bag. The man was staring directly at them, and slowly, Jungkook saw the barrel of a gun protrude from the bag. It was pointed in their direction. Jungkook looked back at Jimin, who was staring at him, seeming confused with his sudden silence.

“Jungkook-ah? Are you okay?” he asked.

The sound of the gun being loaded practically echoed off the walls of the crowded cafe, and Jungkook looked back at the man to see that he’d aimed it more directly at them.

“What are you looking at?” Jimin began turning around to find the source of Jungkook’s interest, but just as soon as Jimin had looked away from him, Jungkook lunged forwards. He grabbed Jimin by the shoulders and put all his weight into pushing him to their left just as soon as a shot rang out.

The next thing Jungkook could see clearly was Jimin’s shocked expression as he looked up at Jungkook from the floor of the coffee shop, barely five inches from his face. Jimin’s mouth opened slowly, “Ju… Jungkook?”

Jungkook blinked down at the other man, “Are you okay?”

Jimin swallowed roughly, “Yes.”

“Good.” Jungkook nodded shortly, sighing.

Jimin averted his gaze towards the door to see the man from the booth pressed to the floor by a few people that had jumped up as soon as they heard the gun go off. Something light landed on the floor next to Jimin’s cheek and he quickly looked up to see dark crimson dripping from Jungkook’s shoulder. “Oh my God, Jungkook.” He yelped, quickly bringing his hands up in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

Jungkook blinked and looked down at his right shoulder. “Oh.” He mumbled. Suddenly, his right arm buckled and he fell on top of Jimin, his face resting on the floor next to Jimin’s head as he attempted to hold his weight off the person under him.

“Are you two okay?” A girl called, rushing over to them.

Jimin held up a hand, waving at the girl from under Jungkook’s larger frame, “I’m perfectly fine, he’s been shot.”

“Oh my gosh!” She exclaimed, “Call an ambulance!” She called to the shop owner.

Jungkook didn’t remember very much after that.

“So, he’s stable, he’s good?”

“Yes, he’s going to be okay, he’ll just need a little bit to recover.”

Jungkook blinked blearily, attempting to clear his vision enough to understand where he was. He picked up his head slightly, looking around the room. Ah, he thought to himself, it’s a hospital.

“Kookie!”

Jungkook looked over to see Seokjin in the doorway next to a doctor. He cleared his throat enough to croak, “Hey hyung.”

Jin waved the doctor away and stepped up to Jungkook’s bedside, “How are you feeling?” He asked, grabbing Jungkook’s hand, careful to avoid touching all the tubes surrounding him.

“I’m alright, I feel funny.” Jungkook answered.

Jin smiled slightly, “Then the painkillers are working. You’re going to be in a bit of pain for the next few weeks Kookie.”

“I know.” Jungkook sighed, looking at the bandage on his shoulder. He remembered everything pretty clearly up until when he passed out. He knew what he’d done, and didn’t have a single regret for his actions.

The silence in the room was broken by Jin. “Why did you do it Jungkook?”

“Do what? Take a bullet?”

Jin nodded.

Jungkook pursed his lips in thought, “Well,” He started, “I saw the gun, and I saw it aimed at Jimin… So I just- I don’t know, I didn’t really think about it.”

“That’s very noble of you.” Jin cooed, running a hand through Jungkook’s hair.

Jungkook rolled his eyes, “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to get shot. My plan was to just push him.”

Jin snorted, “That’s your luck. Go back to sleep, okay? Rest is really important.”

Jungkook nodded and settled back into his pillows. Before he shut his eyes he asked, “Where is everybody else?”

“Well,” Jin said looking back at the door, “this only happened recently, and since I was your emergency contact I was called first. I haven’t told them what’s happened yet.”

Jungkook closed his eyes, “Okay,” He mumbled, “you can call them. I’m supposed to meet Tae for dinner and he might get worried once I don’t show up.” With that, he fell back asleep.

The next time Jungkook opened his eyes, Hoseok was looking at him with pinched eyebrows and pursed lips.

“Hey hyung.” He mumbled through his mask.

Hoseok’s knees buckled, “Oh, Jungkookie.” He sighed, pressing his face into the rail on his bedside as he knelt next to him.

Jungkook scoffed at the act Hoseok was putting on, “Stop being so dramatic.” He mumbled, “Where is everybody else?”

Hoseok lifted his head from the rail, “Namjoon’s asleep over there,” he pointed vaguely to the corner of the room, “Yoongi and Taehyung have gone to the food court, and Jin has gone home to get you some things.”

Jungkook began pushing himself up so he could sit up better, and Hoseok moved quickly, pressing a hand to his back and helping to lift him from under his good elbow. “Thank you.” Jungkook said quietly once he was settled.

“So,” Hoseok sighed, “you got shot.”

Jungkook nodded, looking at his hurt shoulder.

“I can’t believe you,” Hoseok sighed, crossing his arms, “now you get to have a cool scar and you saved a celebrity.”

“ There’s an upside.” Jungkook grunted, trying to move his stiff arm.

Something shifted in the corner of the room, and then Namjoon was on the other side of the bed, leaning over the railing to look at Jungkook’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me he was awake hyung?” Namjoon said, not looking away from Jungkook.

“He just woke up.” Hoseok said defensively

Jungkook did his best to smile at Namjoon from behind his mask, “Hi hyung.” He greeted as sweetly as he could. If anybody was going to be genuinely angry at him for this, it was going to be Namjoon.

“Don’t hi hyung me.” Namjoon hissed.

Jungkook swallowed, he hated being right all the time.

“How could you be so stupid as to get yourself shot?!” Namjoon berated, beginning his tangent. “You know you could’ve died?! If the bullet had moved two inches inward it would’ve hit your heart. You wouldn’t be sitting here right now, you’d be in a casket, or a body bag, or something. We would’ve had to bury you Jungkook!”

“Hey, Namjoon,” Hoseok said quietly, “lay off.”

“No! Why did you take a bullet? Why did you jump in front of a loaded gun for a complete stranger?!” Namjoon pressed, glaring down at Jungkook.

Jungkook shifted slightly, “Technically I didn’t jump in front of a gun, I was just trying to push him out of the way…” He mumbled, moving his mask from over his mouth.

Namjoon quickly retaliated by grabbing the mask and returning it to it’s position over Jungkook’s face, “You idiot!” He fumed.

“Hey!” Tae called from the doorway, “Don’t be mean to him! He’s a hero!” He ran over to Jungkook, mini powdered donuts in hand. “Hey Kookie!”

The tension in the room faded with his friend’s presence. “Hi hyung.” Jungkook said, thankful for the new company.

“I wanted to bring you some food, but they said you couldn’t eat this stuff yet.” Taehyung stuck out his bottom lip in a pout, looking at his donuts forlornly.

“That’s okay, I’m not very hungry.” Jungkook yawned. He was surprised, with the amount of sleeping he’d been doing, he felt extremely lethargic. It must’ve been the painkillers.

Yoongi stepped up, gnawing on some kind of jerky, “You’re going to fall asleep before Jin hyung get’s back?”

Jungkook nodded, pulling his blanket up further on his body, “g’night hyungs.” he mumbled.

“It’s two pm…” Yoongi muttered, but nobody said anything else as Jungkook drifted off once again.

“We’ll have to be leaving soon.”

“I know, just… five more minutes.”

Jungkook opened his eyes, not recognizing the voice immediately. That is, until he saw that God damned dark hair and those God damned sparkling dark eyes.

“Wow, you’re awake!” Jimin exclaimed, jumping towards him.

Jungkook blinked, “What are you doing here?” He asked, feeling his throat constrict slightly at the effort of using his voice after not for a long period of time.

“I…” Jimin licked his lips and wrang his hands together. “I wanted to… I don’t even really know what I could do at this point. First I get you decked and now you’re in the hospital… I don’t think offering to dry clean your ruined shirt is going to make up for this one.” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

Jungkook smiled, “That’s fine Jimin-ssi.” He pushed himself up slightly, feeling a sudden pain shoot through his arm. He winced, the painkillers must’ve been wearing off.

Jimin perked up at the pained expression on Jungkook’s face, “Are you okay? Do you need me to do something?”

“It’s fine,” Jungkook forced a small laugh, “just give me a second…” He settled back on the pillows and let out a shaky breath.

Jimin visibly swallowed, stepping up to the bed. “I wanna… I want to thank you for what you did.” He mumbled, “I would never have asked you to do that, but I’m extremely thankful you did.”

“Are you okay though?” Jungkook asked, surveying his figure.

“I’m completely fine, please don’t worry about me.” Jimin waved his hands in front of him frantically.

“No, I mean,” Jungkook looked at the man standing by the door, assuming that was his manager. “did they get the man that was trying to hurt you?”

Jimin nodded, “Yes, they took him to jail.” He looked down at his hands.

“Do you have a body guard?”

Jimin shook his head, “No, but they want to get me one… I don’t know if I want one. I’m not comfortable with the idea of being followed around…”

Jungkook nodded in understanding, “Well, if you want, after I’m recovered I could do it for you.” he said jokingly.

Jimin looked back at him with wide eyes, “Really?”

That wasn’t the response Jungkook had expected. He was thinking Jimin would laugh and thank him but politely refuse. “I mean,” he shrugged, “it doesn’t sound like the worst gig.”

Jimin’s mouth parted slightly, “That would-” He stopped himself, shaking his head, “wait, this isn’t right. You’re high on painkillers, and you’re not even qualified for that sort of thing.”

Jungkook shrugged, “I’m not desperate for the job, but it sounds cool and I think I’d like it. I used to be an athlete, and I work out, but I’ve never been a bodyguard. Working security at the amphitheater, they taught me some of the fundamentals of guarding celebrities though.”

The thoughts passing through Jimin’s mind were pretty visible. “I’ll text you.” He concluded, “We can talk when I’m sure you’re normal.”

Jungkook nodded, “Reasonable enough.”

“Okay,” Jimin stepped back, looking Jungkook over once more. “I’m really sorry.” He repeated, bowing his head.

Jungkook closed his eyes and shook his head, feeling tired yet again. “Seriously, don’t worry about it. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

Jimin gave him a pressed smile, “I'll text you then.” He said quietly, stepping towards his manager.

Jungkook nodded and bid him adieu with a short wave.

After Jimin and his manager had left, Jungkook was left to his thoughts. He wasn't completely sure why he’d offered to do that, but he was completely sure he didn't regret it.

The air was getting a little chillier, finals were fast approaching, and Jungkook had yet to receive a text.

“Oh Kookie, you look like a kicked puppy.” Hoseok sighed, setting a gentle hand on top of Jungkook’s head.

Jungkook’s shoulders slumped as he cowered into his coffee, trying to ignore his friend’s pitying tones.

Taehyung snorted, taking a drink, “Maybe we should call him “Jeon CanIgetatextback Jungkook’, I think it’d be suiting.”

“No,” Namjoon shook his head. Jungkook perked up, thinking his friend was coming to save him from Taehyung’s teasing. “That’s too long,” Namjoon continued, leaning back in his chair as he thought, “we need to come up with something shorter.”

Jungkook groaned, “You guys need to find something better to do with your time, like, maybe try studying.” He looked over at Namjoon, “Hell, hyung, you’re an engineering major, isn’t that like really difficult or something?”

Namjoon shrugged and sipped his coffee with a monotonous expression, “I think I’m becoming some kind of nocturnal animal… Except the catch is that I don’t just not sleep at night, but I also don’t sleep during the day.”

“That’s insomnia.” Taehyung said, looking at Namjoon worriedly.

Namjoon nodded slowly, “Yes,” He breathed slowly, “that’s the name for it…”

Taehyung looked at Hoseok with wide eyes, having some kind of mental conversation with the other man- the whole time Namjoon looked as if he were staring into an endless abyss of darkness, not noticing the pair. The conversation ended with Hoseok forcing a loud, abrupt laugh, “Namjoon!” He called, “Let’s head back to the apartment, yeah?”

Namjoon blinked once, “Huh?”

Hoseok stood from his seat and walked over to Namjoon, “Come on Joonie, let’s get you to bed.” He grabbed Namjoon under the elbow and helped him from his chair. “We’ll see you two later, yeah?”

Taehyung glanced over at Jungkook, who was pushing his half empty coffee cup between his hands absently. “Yeah, hyung,” Taehyung said, “if I can get Jungkook out of his slump, we might meet you for some games in the arcade later.”

Hoseok nodded, sending them one last wave as they left the shop.

“Aish, Jungkook-ah!” Taehyung leaned back in his chair, “This is great! Of the three of my hyungs that are in college with me, two of them are out of commision, and I think Hoseok hyung is going to lose his mind living with one of those and Yoongi hyung.”

Jungkook hummed an absent response, looking out the window.

“And you know Yoongi hyung, he stays out so late… Hobi hyung really does worry about him.” Taehyung shook his head, “And Jin hyung is going to have me losing my mind by the end of the week if he doesn’t stop recruiting me to eat his food! I can’t maintain my excellent figure under these conditions- Jungkook-ah are you even listening?”

“Huh?” Jungkook lifted his gaze slowly, “Oh- yeah, totally hyung.”

A scoff and Taehyung had leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, “Really?”

Jungkook nodded fervently, “Yeah! Jin hyung is going to drive you mad, and Hobi hyung is worried about Yoongi hyung, and Namjoon hyung is slowly becoming a zombie.”

“Alright, you’re good kid, I like you, you know how to read between the lines.” Taehyung nodded slowly, pressing his lips. He then leaned forward, leaning on his hand, looking at Jungkook, “Do you really think Jimin-ssi is going to text you back?”

Jungkook shrugged dejectedly, “I don’t know… maybe.”

Pity radiated off of Taehyung as he clicked his tongue, “Ah, Jungkookie… It’s a shame you’re so cute. How could that jerk just not talk to you again after you got shot for him- speaking of which, how are you doing?”

Jungkook shrugged, “It feels fine, still a little stiff though.” He swung his arm out to the side, testing the rotation. Sadly, with Jungkook’s luck, he felt it make contact with another body during one of his backward swings. He turned to his right immediately, “Ah, sorry!”

The person waved their hands out in front of them, “No, you’re fine, excuse me.” They adjusted their hood and began walking away but stopped halfway through their second step before backtracking and arching their back to look closely at Jungkook. Jungkook stared back at them with wide eyes, not understanding why this strange man in sunglasses and a hood was staring so inently at him. That is, until their lips parted in surprise, “Jungkook-ah?”

Jungkook blinked, “Yes? Do I know you?”

The chair across from Jungkook was suddenly pushed back as Taehyung rose quickly, “You’re-! He’s-!” He pointed at the man with urgency.

Jungkook looked from his friend to the man, the only distinguishable feature being his orange hair, and Jungkook didn’t know anybody with hair quite like that. It was such a ballsy hair color to have, only a celebrity could have it and still look good in it. Then again… This man did look rather nice as far as he could tell. Now that he thought about it, those were some pretty lips on that man, and his skin was shiny and pale.

The man smiled and took off his sunglasses, only after glancing over his shoulder to survey the room. He leaned down so that his hood obscured his face from everybody but Jungkook’s view.

Jungkook’s lips parted in surprise, “Ji-”

Jimin pushed his index finger to Jungkook’s lips, “Don’t be so loud Jungkook-ah! You don’t want to blow my cover!”

Jungkook nodded behind his hand, looking around at the many other customers. Once Jimin had removed his hand he whispered, “What are you doing here Jimin-ssi?”

The boy shrugged, “I wanted coffee.”

“Hey!” Taehyung piped, looking a little put-off, “Who do you think you are for ignoring Jungkook? You said you’d text him, it’s been over a month!” Jungkook glared and Taehyung dodged his slap, “What? Somebody had to say it!” Taehyung defended.

Jimin pursed his lips, “I’m sorry Jungkook, my schedule has been really crazy… I didn’t even realize so much time has passed.” He sat down next to the two, “If I’m being honest, I wanted to avoid dragging you into this… I was hoping you would have forgotten about our conversation.”

Jungkook shook his head, “I told you, I was completely conscious.”

“I know,” Jimin sighed, “it’s just- this is a dangerous game I’m playing, and if you’re around… you could get hurt.”

“That’s the point of a bodyguard Jimin-ssi, I get hurt instead of you.”

Jimin diverted his gaze to the table, “You’d actually do that? You don’t even know me.”

“I can tell you’re a good person, and you don’t deserve to get hurt. For some reason, I really feel like I need to do this.” Jungkook stared intently at Jimin.

The corners of Jimin’s lips twitched up, and he met Jungkook’s gaze with a certain glitter in his eyes, “How old are you Jungkook-ah?”

The boy blinked, “Why do you ask?”

Jimin stayed silent, awaiting Jungkook’s reply with an eager expression.

“I’m nineteen, a freshman in college.”

Jimin grinned, his eyes curving up, “You’re so cute Jungkook-ah!”

Jungkook’s cheeks flushed and he spluttered for a moment, “What? Do you think I couldn’t protect you because I’m young?”

“No! I just… I think you’re cute, I like your personality.” Jimin bubbled with laughter, staring at Jungkook’s blush.

Jungkook looked over at Taehyung to see the boy suppressing a grin. Jungkook let out a huff, “What’s with that face?”

Taehyung held his hands up in mock defense, “Nothing! It’s just- you’re really red Kookie.” He covered his mouth this the back of his hand- as if that would hide his amusement.

“Kookie,” Jimin giggled, “what a cute nickname.”

Jungkook stood from his seat, clenching his fists, “I’m not cute! I could kick anybody’s ass, any given day.”

Jimin nodded, “I know Jungkook-ah, I know- sit down.” He tugged on Jungkook’s sleeve, pulling the younger boy back down to his chair. He glanced over at Taehyung, “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“Of course not.” Taehyung stood to stretch his hand across the table, “I’m Kim Taehyung, a junior at the same college as Jungkook.”

Jimin took his hand and shook it with a firm grip, “What’s your major?”

“Creative writing.” Taehyung said proudly, sitting back down.

“It’s really nice to meet you.” Jimin looked back over at Jungkook who was still pouting in his chair. He smiled, “I’ll be sure to text you Jungkook-ah.” He set his hand over Jungkook’s, “I’ll let you know if I need a bodyguard, you’ll be the top of my list.”

Jungkook nodded, “Thank you.” He muttered. As Jimin stood up though, Jungkook straightened up, “Ah,” he looked sheepish, “be safe.”

“I will.” Jimin put back on his sunglasses and waved, “Goodbye Taehyung.”

Taehyung smiled and waved as well, “I hope to see you again soon.” He called as Jimin disappeared into the crowd of people near the counter.

Jungkook looked after him, keeping his eyes on the shorter man until he couldn’t see him any more. Once he’d resumed his position, Taehyung was staring at him with a quirk in the corner of his lips. Jungkook sighed, “What?”

“You know, you’ve always been the one so against celebrities…”

“I actually know who this one is, he’s nice. I’m sure all the other ones are jerks.” Jungkook sighed, “And what do you know about how I feel about him?” He lifted his lukewarm coffee to his lips.

“For starters, I can tell you’re whipped.”

Jungkook choked on his drink. Once he was able to breath properly again, he wiped his lips and spluttered, “E-Excuse me?”

“It’s all over you- the way your face changed once you realized it was him, the change in posture, the way you got shot for him, the change in attitude, the way you were looking at him- oh man the way you were looking at him was a dead give away.” Taehyung drawled on.

“What do you mean by that? I was just looking at him.”

Tae scoffed, “That’s bullshit and you know it. Your eyes got all sparkly, and you looked all worried whenever he walked away. I don’t know if there is anybody better suited to be that boy’s body guard.”

It was about 2:45 in the morning when Jungkook’s phone rang. He’d been up all night trying to finish his landscape painting, and actually hadn’t even noticed the time until he picked up the phone to answer the call. The screen read Chimchim , the name Jimin had put into his phone so nobody would know that was his number. Jungkook felt his heart lurch as he looked from the time to the caller ID. He immediately hit the answer button.

“Jimin-ssi?”

The sound of heavy breathing filled the line, but only that.

“Jimin-ssi, are you there? Hello?”

A soft whisper from the other end of the line, close to a whimper, “I need your help.”

“Where are you?” Jungkook stood from his chair, grabbing his coat off the back.

There was a short intake of breath, “Hold on…” was barely heard as Jimin had basically just breathed the words. There was a long pause of silence, and then a long sigh. “He’s gone. I- I’m… I’m by the stoplight on Main… The one near the liquor store.”

“Okay,” Jungkook stepped outside his dorm room, quickly locking the door and heading towards the staircase. “What’s going on?”

Jimin let out a choked sob, “Th-There’s this man… I don’t know who he is, but he- he started following me… Jung-Jungkook I’m so scared.”

“It’s okay, I’m on my way. Talk to me, stay quiet though, where were you? Why were you out so late?” Jungkook set into a jog once he reached ground level, running towards the liquor shop on Main Street.

He spoke slowly, “I was at the studio, my choreographer… he wanted to change something and it took a while to- to do…. Jungkook, I think he’s coming back.” Jimin’s breathing grew labored as he began panicking, “He’s coming.”

Jungkook began sprinting, “Stay calm, don’t say anything, I’m coming, I’m almost there…” He turned the corner, finding Main Street, and began running down the hill that it was set on. At the bottom of the hill, he saw a man standing on the street corner near a mail drop box. He was wearing a black hoodie and had his hands in his pockets as he surveyed the surrounding area. From this angle, Jungkook could see Jimin hiding on the other side of the mail drop box, kneeling with his phone pressed to his ear. Even from that distance, Jungkook could see Jimin shaking. As he got closer, Jungkook was able to see that the man had pulled a knife out of one of his pockets.

The man stepped in front of the blue mail drop and looked around, “Park Jimin!” He called lowly, “I know you’re around here somewhere!” Jungkook could hear his deep tone over the line and a shiver ran across his spine.

Jimin shoved his head into his hands as he tried to keep from screaming.

The man leaned around the mail drop, still not far enough to see Jimin, but getting far too close for comfort.

Jungkook approached quickly, not slowing his pounding steps. “Ahjussi!” He called, grabbing the man’s attention.

The criminal didn’t seem fond of looking away from Jimin’s hiding spot, but turned his head, shoving the knife back into his pocket as he tried to look inconspicuous. “Hey kid, it’s late-”

The second he was close enough, Jungkook pulled back his right arm and through his fist across the guy’s nose as hard as he could, making the man stumble back onto his rear. “Hey!” The guy yelped, gripping his face. He dug his hand into his pocket and yanked out the knife.

“Jimin-ssi, run and call the police!” Jungkook shouted to Jimin as he didn’t look away from the man.

It was only a moment before Jimin was stumbling out of his hiding spot and bolting down the intersecting road, holding his phone.

The man went to chase him, but Jungkook lunged forwards, tackling him. The knife skittered away, and Jungkook took the second that he had the upper hand to straddle the man and pin down his arms. He struggled under Jungkook, grunting as kicked his legs. Jungkook couldn’t help it as he glanced in the direction of where Jimin had run, seeing him still sprinting away, but with the phone up to his ear.

Sadly, the man saw Jungkook look away and took this moment to twist out of Jungkook’s grip and hit Jungkook on the temple with a broken piece of the sidewalk, knocking him off balance and flipping their positions.

Jungkook gasped as he felt the man’s grip around his wrists, and the concrete stabbing into the back of his hands.

He looked up at the man’s dark grin and felt his heart seize. “That was pretty ballsy kid, I’ll give you that.” He chuckled, easily keeping Jungkook pinned even as he struggled.

“Get the hell off of me you asshole!” Jungkook seethed, throwing all his weight into pushing against the man’s hold.

The man adjusted his grip, holding onto both of Jungkook’s wrists with one big hand, using the other to wrap it around Jungkook’s neck and press down hard, cutting off his airwave.

Jungkook gasped and tried to tug his hands free, but as moments passed, his chest began hurting and his arms grew weak. Soon his vision started dotting, and the street lights above him blurred out. His legs stopped kicking, his heels slid down on the pavement, falling limply.

Just as soon as his eyes started to roll back, the weight on his throat was removed, and he gasped in a deep breath of air. His head lolled to the side. The man was on the pavement next to him, unconscious.

“Jungkook-ah!”

He looked up to see Jimin, holding a metal pole, and looking very scared. “Jimin-ssi,” he rasped, waving his hand weakly, “you need to get out of here, run.”

Jimin looked over at the man, who still lie unmoving, “I think we’re okay for now. We both need to get out of here.” He leaned down and grabbed Jungkook’s hands, pulling him up, “The police are on their way, they can arrest him.” He pulled Jungkook’s arm over his shoulders and looped an arm around his waist, “Come on Kookie, can you walk?”

Jungkook nodded and began shuffling his feet forward, blinking rapidly as he tried to clear the fog from his head. They got about twenty feet away before they heard the man groan and roll over. Jungkook whipped his head around, seeing the man wake up. “In here, come on.” He pulled Jimin towards the nearest storefront, pulling the door until he heard the weak lock break. I’m sorry about your door, he thought as he pushed Jimin inside, but I think this is for a good cause .

Once inside, they were met with a large empty room. Jimin looked around, “This is the shop that’s for lease…” He mumbled, looking at the empty walls.

Jungkook pulled Jimin away from the door, hiding behind the wall adjacent to it- the only place in the room somebody outside couldn’t see in. “I wish I’d picked a better store- maybe one with more hiding places.” Jungkook sighed, looking around.

“Jungkook-ah…” Jimin whispered, looking at him closely in the dark lighting, “you’re bleeding.”

Jungkook blinked, “I am?” He touched the sore spot on his temple to be met with liquid, “Ah, I am… I didn’t even notice.”

There was a sniffle next to him, making Jungkook look up in alarm. Jimin had begun crying.

“I-I’m so sorry…” Jimin sniffled, swallowing hard.

Jungkook’s shoulders fell as he looked at the dejected boy, “Jimin-ssi…”

Jimin shook his head, rubbing his eyes, “You shouldn’t call me that anymore.” He whispered, “You can call me hyung.”

“Okay, I’ll call you hyung.” Jungkook wrapped an arm around Jimin’s shoulder and tugged him against his chest. “Are you okay?”

Jimin nodded fervently, “Don’t ask me that… Of course I’m okay, but only because you showed up.” He let out a broken sob, “I’m so sorry for calling you, I was- I was scared, and- and I- you were the first person-”

“It’s okay,” Jungkook soothed, running a hand through his orange hair, “It’s okay, I’m glad you called me.”

Jimin cried silently, getting the collar of Jungkook’s shirt wet, but he didn’t mind.

After a few moments, they heard footsteps from outside, “Hello?” A foreign voice called. Jimin made to turn around, but Jungkook held him back, keeping his back to the door.

He pulled away from Jimin, motioning for him to stay put. He leaned to the side until he could peek outside the storefront’s windows.

Outside, was the man, looking around as he spun around on the sidewalk. “Hello?!” He called again, “I know you’re around here somewhere!” He whirled around to look at the empty store they were in.

Jungkook quickly leaned out of sight, moving next to Jimin and motioning for them to be quiet. They could practically hear the pounding of eachother’s hearts as they waited to hear the door open. They heard the broken lock shift slightly in the door as the man went to open it. Jimin’s breath caught, and Jungkook was quick to put a hand over his mouth, pressing his lips together as he waited.

“Oh, would you look at that.” The man muttered, pulling open the door.

Jimin squeezed his eyes shut and leaned into Jungkook’s hand, a few tears slipping down his cheeks.

The man’s steps resonated off the tiled floor as he stepped inside. “Well,” He called, still in the hallway between the door and the main room, “this doesn’t look like a very good hiding spot.”

Jungkook’s muscles tensed, and moved his hand away from Jimin’s mouth slowly as he readied his attack. Jimin swallowed, clenching his fists and biting his lip to keep quiet.

The footsteps came closer, about to round the corner.

Jungkook lunged past Jimin, pushing all his weight into the man and shoving him against the wall. He decked him as quickly as he could, seeing blood bloom from his nose.

The man grunted and shoved Jungkook back against the other wall, “I swear I killed you!” the man shoved his forearm against Jungkook’s sore throat, but this time Jungkook was quick to bring up a knee and hit him right where the sun doesn’t shine.

The man cried out and stumbled back.

Jungkook grabbed the man by the front of his shirt and swung him towards the door, pushing him back outside and away from Jimin.

Distantly, Jungkook could hear sirens. So could the man, who began struggling in Jungkook’s hold, no longer making attacks, but trying to escape.

Jungkook held on tightly, backing him up against the brick wall and pinning him there by his shoulders.

The man punched Jungkook in the gut, but Jungkook held on. He punched Jungkook in the nose, but Jungkook held on. He grabbed Jungkook by the hair and yanked him forward, but Jungkook just through his weight onto the man.

The sirens were getting closer, and the man was getting more and more frantic. He grabbed the sides of Jungkook’s head and yanked him to the side, throwing Jungkook off balance. The man quickly slipped past Jungkook and began running, but not before shoving Jungkook into the wall as hard as he could.

As the man ran away, Jungkook’s vision blurred and he slid down the brick wall.

“Jungkook-ah!” Jimin cried, rounding the corner and crouching in front of him, “Oh my God are you okay?”

Jungkook nodded, sniffing as he felt liquid running from his nose. “I’m good.” He grunted.

Jimin leaned forward, pulling the sleeve of his black hoodie over his hand, and carefully wiped at the blood that ran from Jungkook’s bottom lip.

Jungkook furrowed his brow, “When did I get hit in the mouth?” He mumbled.

“Ah, there’s blood everywhere, Jungkookie.” Jimin’s lips were pulled down into a pout as he continued to clean up Jungkook’s face with his sleeve. “We need to go, I don’t want to get mixed up with the police.”

“Why?” Jungkook asked, accepting Jimin’s outstretched hand.

Jimin glanced over his shoulder as the sirens grew closer, “The publicity… I hope you’re okay with that.”

Jungkook shrugged, “I don’t care. Let’s go.” Jungkook led the way up the hill. “Do you want me to walk with you back to your place?”

“Yeah, you can come in, I have a first aid kit.”

Jungkook shook his head, “That’s okay, I have one back at my dorm.”

“Please,” Jimin said softly, “I’d really like to do this.”

Jungkook looked over at the shorter boy in surprise, seeing him looking at the ground pensively, “Okay.” He said, happy to see Jimin look up at him and smile at the word.

It wasn’t far from mainstreet to Jimin’s apartment. In fact, it was really close. Jungkook was surprised, though, that Jimin lived in such a normal place, he’d expected something extravagant.

Jimin noticed his expression and twitched a smile, “What?” He asked as he shut the door behind them.

“Nothing,” Jungkook said quickly, “just surprised you live so… humbly.”

Jimin laughed softly, “Bathroom is over here.” He said, leading him down the hallway by the living room.

Once they both stepped in, Jimin flipped on the light, providing them with the first good amount of lighting all evening. Jungkook immediately saw the unnatural tear in Jimin’s jeans, soaked with blood.

“Hey.” Jungkook muttered, bending down to look at Jimin’s knee.

Jimin backed away, “I’m fine, let’s get you checked out, yeah?” He pushed him back to sit on the closed toilet seat and went to grab the first aid kit out of the cabinet under the sink.

Jungkook watched Jimin as he carefully opened the box and pulled out antiseptic, gauze, cotton pads, and bandages. He turned back to Jungkook and leaned down, tilting his head slightly to see the wound on his temple.

“Do I want to see how bad I probably look right now?” Jungkook asked light heartedly.

Jimin pressed a sad smile, “Probably not…”

Jungkook sighed, “Man, this blows… I was trying to keep up this whole ‘I’m a really hot college student’ image when I was around you but I guess that’s ruined now.”

Jimin giggled, letting the tension in the room break. He paused, “This is going to hurt a little bit, okay?” He said as he doused the cotton pad with antiseptic.

Jungkook made a nervous face, “I don’t know… I have a really low pain tolerance.” He looked at the cotton pad with comically wide eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Jimin rolled his eyes and pressed the cotton pad to Jungkook’s temple.

He wasn’t going to admit it, but that stinging sensation hurt like a bitch.

Jimin cleaned off his temple for a bit before deeming it good and putting a bandage over it. He then moved to his cheek, repeating the action. All the while, Jungkook couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of Jimin’s eyes. He hadn’t ever been this close to him before, at least, not when he was conscious. Jimin’s eyes, though they looked pretty average from a distance, seemed to have a natural sparkle to them, making his dark irises look like the night sky. Jimin glanced up and met his gaze. Jungkook felt his heart seize for a moment.

“What is it?” Jimin asked, blinking.

Jungkook licked his lips, ignoring the coppery taste of the blood on them, “Nothing.”

Jimin narrowed his eyes slightly, quirking a small smile before returning to his task, carefully cleaning Jungkook up with small, nimble fingers.

Once he was done, he sat up straight, stretching his back out. “You look like you got hit by a truck, but at least now it won’t scar.”

Jungkook huffed a laugh, “Okay, now switch me, let me look at your knee.”

“It’s fine, really.” Jimin waved his hands out in front of him, backing away.

“Hyung.” Jungkook said quietly, looking at Jimin closely.

Jimin swallowed and dropped his hands, nodding and switched Jungkook places.

Jungkook knelt down and grabbed Jimin’s calf, lifting to rest it on his knee. He pulled at the hole in his jeans, but couldn’t get to the wound well enough. He glanced up at Jimin, “Can you put on shorts or something?”

Jimin nodded and stood, “I’ll be right back.” He slipped out of the bathroom and into the hallway.

The house was silent as Jimin moved around. Jungkook sat back on his heels and searched for his phone. It wasn’t in any of his pockets… The last time he remembered having it was before the encounter in the intersection. He swallowed as he realized he didn’t have it.

“Oh,” Jimin said softly, coming back into the restroom with shorts on and some clothing in his hand. “I have your phone, by the way, if that’s what’s got you so worried. I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you.” He dug into his pocket and pulled it out.

Jungkook let out a sigh of relief, “Oh thank God.” His heart slowed down and he was able to take a deep breath. He took the phone from Jimin.

“I think it cracked though… It kind of flew towards me whenever you tackled that guy.” Jimin said quietly.

Jungkook surveyed the phone, seeing that there was a single crack running down the screen, “It’s fine, thanks for grabbing it.”

Jimin nodded and sat back down after setting the clothes on the counter.

Now, Jungkook was able to see the scrape. It wasn’t too bad, it just looked like it hurt. “When did you do this?” Jungkook asked, looking up at Jimin.

“The guy grabbed me and whenever I was trying to run away I fell over the curb.” Jimin blushed, “I’m kind of clumsy…”

“Wait,” Jungkook’s brow pinched, “he grabbed you?”

Jimin nodded, “Yeah, as soon as I walked out of the studio… I think he was waiting for me or something.”

“So he knows where you rehearse?”

Jimin blinked, “I… I guess he does.” He swallowed and met Jungkook’s level gaze with a fearful one, “Am I being stalked?”

Jungkook pursed his lips, “I’m thinking probably…” He picked up the antiseptic and doused the cotton pad, “I’m not trying to get a job right now or anything, but I seriously suggest you get a bodyguard- me or not.”

Jimin sighed, “Yeah, you’re right… I’ll talk to my manager.”

Jungkook began cleaning up Jimin’s wound, apologizing when Jimin would visibly wince. Once he was done, he stood up and looked at the job he’d done, “It’s not perfect, you’ll probably want somebody with more experience to look at it to be sure it doesn’t scar.”

Jimin nodded, “Thank you.” He looked over at the clothes he’d set on the counter, “You can put those on, your clothes are looking pretty rough, the least I could do is wash them for you.”

This time, Jungkook didn’t bother turning down his offer, “Okay,” He said picking up the clothes.

“I don’t know how they’ll fit…” Jimin mumbled, standing up, “I’ll leave you to get changed then.” He stepped out of the bathroom, shutting the door.

Jungkook stood staring at the door for a long moment before deciding to move. Something, possibly the time of morning, was making him feel totally numb to the whole situation. He didn’t seem at all affected by the proximity of the celebrity, he wasn’t affected by the fact that he was putting on his clothes, he wasn’t affected by the fact that he was standing in his house.

He stepped out into the hallway, wearing new clothes, feeling better, but completely ready to pass out. His eyes drooped as he padded down the hallway, holding his old clothes. The light in the living room was on, and Jimin was standing in the middle of it, shuffling on his feet. Jungkook pursed his lips, making awkward eye contact with the other boy.

“Uhm…” Jimin started, “You can sleep here.”

Jungkook shook his head, smiling kindly, “That’s okay, I need to get back anyways, I have class…” He checked his watch, “in two hours.”

Jimin bit the inside of his cheek, “You won’t be able to focus if you aren’t well rested…” He mumbled, looking at his hands.

Maybe it was the way Jimin was standing, the shorts, the look on his face, but Jungkook felt his chest squeeze, “I haven’t missed a lecture all year… I could be absent for tomorrow.”

Jimin looked up smiling, though it faltered after a moment, “Now I feel bad, you should go to class.”

Jungkook scoffed, rolling his eyes, “You’re a hypocrite! What do you want?” He laughed, watching Jimin smile sheepishly.

“Ugh, don’t let me tell you what to do! Just… Sleep here or don’t sleep here, I don’t care!” Jimin threw his hands into the air in exasperation before stomping off down the hallway. Just as soon as Jungkook thought he had gone to his room, Jimin’s head popped out from the hallway.
“I’m down the hall if you need me-That is… if you stay.” He mumbled.

Jungkook couldn’t suppress his smile as Jimin licked his lips nervously before disappearing into the hallway again.

He looked over at the big, cushiony couch. It looked like it would swallow him once he laid down on it. So, he sent only one glance over his shoulder towards the hallway before walking towards the couch and letting gravity pull him down, connecting his face with the soft cushions. Without much else, he was out. He didn’t even bother getting a blanket or turning off the lights, because the fact that it was almost time for him to be waking up lulled him to sleep far quicker than he’d intended.

When he opened his eyes again, there was curtain-filtered dim light showering his face as the sun rose. The smell of pancakes was prominent and he could hear silverware colliding in the kitchen. It sounded so much like home he wanted to cry. He blinked, moving to rub his eyes, only to be met with the fur of a very very soft blanket. He looked to his left and saw a big fluffy pillow tucked under his head, and he was suddenly filled with the urge to burrow further into it. It smelled pleasant, like faint lavender. He closed his eyes, and let himself be engulfed by the feeling of pleasant safety.

Jimin’s soft footsteps faded into the room as he stepped onto the carpet, walking towards Jungkook, who kept his eyes shut, enjoying the peace. Jimin stopped in front of him, leaning down so close that Jungkook could feel his breath on his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes, meeting Jimin’s soft gaze. He went to speak, but found no voice. He attempted to clear his throat, but his voice did not return.

Jimin pouted his bottom lip, “I was afraid your throat would be sore… it’s covered in bruises.”

Jungkook sat up slowly, letting the blanket fall around his waist. He touched his pulsing cheek carefully. “Ow…” he whispered dejectedly.

“I made you food.” Jimin said smiling, his optimism permeating the room. “It’s been awhile since I’ve cooked, but I think pancakes is pretty simple.”

Jungkook nodded and pulled off the blanket, swinging his legs over the couch and standing up. His shoulder hurt, his nose hurt, his lip hurt, his cheek hurt, his head hurt, his throat hurt, his elbows hurt, basically his whole body hurt, but he couldn’t seem to bring himself to care as he watched the oversized shirt hang off of Jimin’s small frame, his small bare feet padding along the carpet as he led Jungkook to the kitchen.

Jungkook felt the urge to wrap his arms around the boy.

I must be concussed.

He swallowed the urge and stuck his hands into his pockets, standing behind Jimin as he filled a plate with a stack of pancakes. He handed him the plate, “Butter and syrup is on the table.” Jimin motioned to the small dining room table, the light of the blinds striping across it, casting shadows of the small vase of pink and yellow lilies with a small container of butter and a bottle of syrup in front of it.

Jungkook felt tears spring to his eyes, he wasn’t able to fully appreciate Jimin’s home last night, it’d been too dark, and he was pretty sure that this house was better experienced in this setting. It brought on a sad nostalgia, to when he was a child and his mother would make him breakfast on Sundays and she would help dry him off after he got out of the bath and he would run outside and play with the next door neighbor’s dogs and all was right with the world.

“Jungkookie?” Jimin’s soft voice cut through his thoughts, and Jungkook noticed there were tears running down his cheeks. “Are you okay?”

Jungkook quickly wiped at his eyes, letting out a breathy laugh, “Yeah,” he sighed, “it’s just… your home is really nice.”

Jimin looked down, humbled, “Thank you.” His cheeks turned pink.

Jungkook admired the pink dusting the boys cheeks for a moment before realizing that was creepy and kind of gay and turning around and walking to the table. He sat down and waited for Jimin, who took a moment to fill his own plate with a smaller stack. Once the other boy say down, Jungkook looked at his plate and asked, “Why so little?”

“What?” Jimin looked at his plate, “Oh… I’m kind of on a diet, I’m not even supposed to be eating these.”

Oh yeah… He’s famous. The fact that Jimin was a household name had totally slipped his mind, “Well,” He took a bite of his own food, “you should be sure to eat well, otherwise you won’t perform well.”

Jimin nodded and began eating as well.

They ate in a comfortable silence, only speaking once both of their plates were empty. “Thank you for the food.” Jungkook said, bowing his head slightly.

“It’s the least I could do,” Jimin took Jungkook’s plate and walked to the sink, “I still owe you so much for what you’ve done for me.”

Jungkook stood as well, “I should probably head back to school…” He dug into his pocket, fishing out his phone and seeing a stream of missed calls and texts.

[From Kim Gayhyung] 6:34: hey u wanna skip class?

[From Kim Gayhyung] 6:34: nvm u wont

[From Kim Gayhyung] 7:01: where r u

[Missed call from Kim Gayhyung]

[From Kim Gayhyung] 7:01: BITCH DID U SKIP W/OUT ME?!

[From Kim Gayhyung] 7:02: U MOTHERFUCKER

[From Kim Gayhyung] 7:05: I stg im gonna wring ur neck

[From Philosophomon] 7:10: Word is Tae is going to kill you for skipping.

[From Hobi] 7:11: R U OK? Y R NOT N CLASS

[Missed call from Hobi]

[Missed call from Hobi]

[Missed call from Hobi]

[Missed call from Hobi]

[Missed call from Hobi]

[From Yoongi] 7:17: Hoseok thinks ur dead… R u dead?

[From Hobi] 7:21: IM CALLING THE POLICE

[From Mom] 7:39: Nobody is calling the police, don’t worry. Where are you? Call me as soon as you can.

Jungkook checked the time on his phone. It was 8:23, Taehyung would still be in class, he could go meet him. He constantly thanked the Lord for Jin, Jin was the one to wrangle in everybody, and by everybody he means Hoseok and Taehyung. “Hey,” he called. Jimin turned around from the sink, “I’m going to make a phone call real fast.”

Jimin nodded and turned back around.

Jungkook walked into the living room and dialed Jin, it rang twice before it clicked.

“Hey Kookie,” Jin greeted, sounding slightly strained. Jungkook could hear Hoseok in the background crying out about how Jungkook didn’t call him.

“Hey Jin hyung, I’m sorry I worried you guys.” He started.

Jin laughed, “I honestly wasn’t too worried, you make good decisions. What happened, did you sleep in?”

“Uh, about that…” Jungkook glanced into the kitchen, “I didn’t make a very good decision last night.”

There was a short pause before Jin’s sharp, mom voice cut into the line, “ What? ”

Jungkook swallowed, “Okay… So it was about 2:30 and I got this phone call from Jimin-ssi and he was in trouble so I had to run out to help him and basically he just offered for me to sleep at his place since it was so late and I accidentally slept in.” He wasn’t going to share all the details in fear of Jin’s bad opinion of Jimin, because Jin would push this back on Jimin most likely.

There was a short pause, “So did you get dick?” This was Hoseok.

His eyes went wide, “Hyung, am I on speaker?” Jungkook choked.

“Yes.” Namjoon answered, “Answer the question, did you get some million dollar dick?”

“No! No, hyung, I didn’t.” Jungkook turned beat red having to answer the question, for some reason fearing that Jimin might’ve been able to hear.

There was a click of a tongue on the other end, “You had your chance Jungkook and you wasted it.” Yoongi sounded very disappointed in him.

“Shush Yoongi!” Jin scolded, picking up the phone again, “Okay you’re off speaker. Are you okay?”

Jungkook hesitated, he hadn’t seen himself in a mirror yet, but it couldn’t be too bad, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Okay, come meet me at the coffee shop.”
“Okay.” He ended the call and walked back into the kitchen to see Jimin just finishing the dishes. “My friend wants to see me.”

Jimin nodded, “Yeah! Go talk to them, I’m sure they were really worried.”

Jungkook paused, “I know you’re famous and all, and it might not be safe, but do you want to come? We’re getting coffee.”

“You drink a lot of coffee.” Jimin stated, thinking for a moment, “I don’t have any rehearsals today… Would I be intruding?”

“No, if anything it’d be nice if you were there, I’ll have to explain myself and it’d be nice to have a witness.”

Jimin nodded, “Okay, I’ll come. But let me replace your bandages first.”

After Jimin finished cleaning off his wounds again he said they were good to leave. As they approached the exit to the apartment complex Jimin stuck out his hand, stopping Jungkook from leaving. “Hold on.” He turned around and quickly ran back to his apartment. He returned wearing a hoodie and holding another one for Jungkook, “Put this on and pull up the hood, I don’t want tabloids putting you in the papers.”

Jungkook nodded and put on the jacket.

Once they stepped outside they were met with the cool fall air and a moderately busy street. They walked down the sidewalk back towards main street. It was strange to see everybody going about their way along the sidewalks and such after what happened on the empty street last night. As they passed the empty shop they saw a chain lock on the door, keeping people from getting in after Jungkook broke the lock. Jungkook glanced down at the sidewalk and grimaced as he saw his own blood spattered on the ground. Jimin saw too and visibly tensed. Jungkook stepped a little closer to the other boy, pressing his arm to the other’s. Jimin looked up at the contact. Jungkook gave him a small reassuring smile.

Jimin swallowed at seeing his features, “I’m scared your friends are going to want me dead…”

“Why?”

“You look like you were hit by a bus.”

Jungkook fished his phone out of his pocket and opened the camera. “Shit…” He muttered. He looked worse than he thought. There were dark bruises around his neck, hidden by the hood, his cheek had a bandage over it, but tinges of purple were peaking out from under it, his lip was visibly split and a little swollen, his nose was bruised and his temple had a knot on it stretching down to his cheek bone. Maybe Jimin shouldn’t have come.

He was about to tell him this when he heard Taehyung yell, “Jungkook you piece of crap!” from in front of the coffee shop.

He turned and there the four of them were, all waiting outside. Hoseok looked anxious, Taehyung looked pissed, Namjoon looked interested in the store across the street, Yoongi looked indifferent, and Jin looked expectant. Jungkook surely looked a bit scared.

Jin stepped up as they approached, “Who’s this?”

Jimin stuck his hand up, “Hello, I’m Park Jimin.” He bowed, “I’m sorry for making you worry about Jungkook.”

Jin looked at the bowing boy with wide eyes, “Wait, you’re the Park Jimin? Oh, wow, no you’re totally fine!” He looked over at Jungkook and then did a slight double take. “Oh my God Jungkook!” He rushed forward and shoved his hood down, seeing Jungkook’s injuries to their full extent.

Everybody looked at Jungkook with wide eyes, and then all of their gazes drifted over to Jimin, who pursed his lips and looked down.

Jin spoke first, “Are you okay, Jimin?”

Jimin looked up quickly, surprised, “Yes, I’m fine thanks to Jungkook.” He spoke quickly.

“Okay,” Jin lamented, nodding slowly in place of speaking.

Hoseok stepped over to Jungkook eyes trained on his throat, “Man…” He sighed, “What happened? You didn’t mention this on the phone.”

Jungkook opened his mouth and then looked around at the busy street, “Let’s go inside first, hyung.”

An hour later and Jungkook had told them everything that had happened.

“Wow Jimin-ssi.” Taehyung sighed, “Who could be after you?”

Jimin shrugged, “I’m fine, really, I’m sure that was just a crazy guy.”

“But from what you said,” Jungkook started, “it sounded like he was waiting for you- like he knew where you’d be practicing.”

Jimin didn’t know what to say to that.

“Have you told your manager about last night?” Namjoon asked.

“No, I wasn’t sure what to tell him.” Jimin said, “He tends to overreact about these sort of things.”

“Maybe this requires some overreacting though,” Yoongi said, “it sounds like that guy is targeting you.”

“Jungkook,” Jimin started, looking at the boy sitting next to him, “do you still want to be my bodyguard?”

Jungkook didn’t hesitate, “Of course.”

“Okay,” Jimin let out a deep breath, “I’ll bring you with me whenever I go talk to him again. I think I need you.” He didn’t seem pleased with it, “Better you than a stranger…”

“And Jungkook’s already taken all the classes for it too,” Taehyung said, smiling proudly at Jungkook, “so there’s no reason they shouldn’t take you!”

“We can’t take him.”

Jimin groaned, “What? Why not?!”

His manager motioned to Jungkook, “He’s just a kid, you need an adult, somebody with experience.”

“See, him being a kid is the best part, nobody will know he’s my bodyguard. He’s not all alpha male and big- No offence Jungkookie.”

Jungkook shrugged, “Nonetaken.”

“So if people come at me they won’t even realize what hit them.” Jimin leaned back in his chair, “Jungkook is good at defending himself and others.”

“How do you know that?” His manager asked pointedly.

Jimin swallowed, “Don’t get mad, but…”

“Congrats on the new job Jungkookie!” Hoseok cheered, holding up his beer filled glass.

The rest of the group all met his glass in the air, with their own, cheering loudly.

“I can’t believe they hired a freshman in college.” Yoongi muttered, taking a long drink.

Jungkook shrugged, sitting back in his chair, “I’m just glad they’re so flexible with my school schedule.”

“I mean,” Jimin sighed, “I feel bad you have to take extra classes and stuff over winter break to make up for the missed hours.”

Jungkook waved him off, “It’s not like I was going anywhere anyways.” He took a sip.

“Wouldn’t you celebrate Christmas with your family?” Jimin asked.

Everybody but Jungkook and Jimin froze, looking at Jungkook. Jungkook, though, shrugged indifferently, “I usually just celebrate it with them.” He motioned to the other boys, “They give the best gifts.”

“Is that all you like me for?” Namjoon asked, “My money?”

Jungkook looked at his friend from the brim of his glass, eyes wide with mock innocence, “Why else would I like you?”

Hoseok had to hold Namjoon back from throwing his drink. “Hey!” Hoseok shouted, wrestling Namjoon back down into his chair, “Jokes jokes! Calm yourself.”

Namjoon sent one last snarling glare to Jungkook before relaxing again.

Jimin looked around the table though, feeling the slight dip in mood. He knew something wasn’t right, but it was for a different time.

“So they’ve talked to administration and stuff?” Taehyung asked curiously.

Jungkook nodded, “They’ve made arrangements where I won’t be living in the dorms anymore and I have a shorter class schedule in exchange for taking winter and a few summer classes, I’ll only have classes that require me to be present to learn like the ones where we have to draw still lifes and stuff early in the morning, like 6:00 a.m. every Monday, and Wednesday. A lot of the other ones I can just take online.”

“Wow Jungkookie, look at you. You’re going out into the real world.” Jin wiped a nonexistent tear from his cheek, “You grow up so fast.”

It was much much later than Jimin expected it to be when one of Jungkook’s friends finally cornered him. Jimin expected this, he just wasn’t sure who it would be.

It was Yoongi.

“Hey, kid.” Yoongi called as Jimin walked back from the restroom.

Jimin walked over to Yoongi obediently, “Yes Yoongi-ssi?”

“First of all, you can call me hyung. Second of all, I want you to be really careful. I know it’s in his job description and stuff, but please try to make sure Jungkook doesn’t have to jump in front of another bullet for you.” Yoongi stood aloofly, but his words spoke otherwise.

Jimin nodded, “Okay, I will.”

“I mean it,” Yoongi said, “Jungkook is a really good kid… He’d take a bullet for a stranger,” He laughed dryly, motioning to Jimin, “I want him to have a life, I want him to be able to experience all those things you have on that bucket list as a kid to experience. You know, all that sappy bullshit about kissing and falling in love.”

Jimin smiled softly, Jungkook would be the type to have one of those bucket lists. “I understand.”

Yoongi nodded, “You’re a good guy, I can tell, otherwise I wouldn’t trust you with him. I just- It’s hard to hand over somebody so important to me. He’s had a rough upbringing, be gentle.”

The statement sparked some of that curiosity from earlier when everybody went silent at the mention of Jungkook’s parents, but he knew if there was somebody to ask about it, it’d be Jungkook. “Okay, thank you, for being such a good friend.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that.” Yoongi smiled, “Thanks Jimin.”

It didn’t take long for them to get into the swing of things, Jungkook staying in Jimin’s extra bedroom, basically just following him around everyday. They ate all their meals together, drove everywhere. Jungkook often sat behind the camera with all of the crew during Jimin’s interviews. His classes were going well, there was absolutely nothing wrong and there was never any reason for Jungkook to act on his duties.

That is, until Jimin’s first stage performance that Jungkook was present for.

The idea of the stage performance stressed Jungkook out to no end, knowing he couldn’t be as close as he wanted to be to Jimin while he was in front of a huge crowd. And while Jungkook had the backup of plenty other security guards, it didn’t calm his shaking hands.

“How is everybody?” Jimin called into the microphone, smiling and waving at the humongous mass of people in front of him.

They were inside a big stadium with a looming ceiling with thousands of lights shining down on Jimin. Jungkook could feel the heat from where he stood backstage, he couldn’t begin to imagine what it was like for Jimin.

The music began, Jimin sang, it was as wonderful and seamless as expected. It was only until after the concert that Jungkook felt his nerves leaking out of him. Nothing had happened this whole time, and while that should be a good thing, he felt it was a bad omen.

He was walking with Jimin through one of the back hallways towards his dressing room to get changed and cleaned up for an interview when there was a bustle of sudden movement in the crowd in front of them. Jungkook stuck out his hand, effectively stopping Jimin, who was in the middle of taking a drink of water.

“What is it Jungkookie?” Jimin asked quietly, leaning over to see past Jungkook’s taller frame.

Jungkook kept his eyes trained on whatever was happening in front of them, “I’m not really sure, hold on.”

Suddenly a shout rang out and then somebody yelled, “Hey, stop her!” and then there was a teenaged girl bolting towards Jungkook and Jimin at full speed.

While he knew she wasn’t a real threat, Jungkook was obligated to stop her, so he stepped in front of Jimin and grabbed her as gently as possible while she flailed in his arms. “Jimin-ssi!” She screamed.

“Hey,” Jungkook grunted, “Calm down and you might be able to talk to him.”

The girl suddenly stilled, staring forward expectantly at Jimin. Jungkook only loosened his grip a little bit.

“Hi,” Jimin greeted, smiling tightly, “What are you doing back here?”

“I wanted to see you.” She said breathlessly, “I love you.”

Jimin smiled big, “I love you too, but you should probably get back to the rest of your group, I’m sure they’re worried.”

She nodded, “Okay, whatever you say Jimin-ssi.” She looked up at Jungkook, “I’m leaving now so you can let go.”

Jungkook was still trying to adjust to her sudden calmness, so he nodded dumbly and turned to the backstage security. “Here, can you escort her out?”

“Why can’t Jimin-ssi escort me out?” She whined.

“I have to go to an interview,” Jimin said sadly, “otherwise I would. I’ll see you next time though?”

She nodded, letting security take her away.

Jimin let out a breath, “Are you okay Jungkook-ah?”

Jungkook blinked and let out a short chuckled, “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“She hit you at the speed of a moving train.” Jimin laughed, watching her go. “It’s a shame that I couldn’t do a fan meet this concert…”

“Maybe not,” Jungkook said as he pulled Jimin by the elbow towards his dressing room, “with fans like that, you don’t know what could happen.”

Jimin nodded shortly, letting Jungkook open the door to his dressing room for him.

“I’ll just wait right here.” Jungkook said, standing by the door.

“I know. I know,” Jimin teased, “you’re so obsessed with me, you never leave me alone.” He stepped into the room to get changed.

The hall fell into a comfortable bustle of people moving about, talking quietly about different things. Jungkook enjoyed the lull, feeling his muscles relax a bit as he remembered that the day was almost over.

The sounds of the hallway almost masked the sound of something hitting the other side of the wall he was leaning on. He perked up as he heard a slight thud. He might’ve pushed a chair against the wall or something. He was too jumpy.

The sound came again, this time a little louder. Before Jungkook could even start to speculate, he heard the doorknob rattle slightly.

Jungkook quickly turned around and yanked open the door.

Jimin was wearing the same clothes as before, just minus his jacket. He was standing in the middle of the room pushing a tall burly man back by his shoulders with as much strength as he could put forth as the man wrestled to push him back against the wall.

Jungkook was there in two steps, yanking the man away from Jimin. As the man stumbled back, Jungkook saw the glint of a knife in his hand and immediately looked over to Jimin who was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily.

The man ran at Jungkook, knife held high above his head. Jungkook used the vulnerability of the man’s exposed stomach to duck under his arm and jam his fist into his gut. As the man froze, Jungkook hooked his foot behind the man’s and shoved him backwards, effectively tripping him onto his backside.

“Jimin,” Jungkook called quickly, “call for somebody.”

Jimin stumbled over to the door, flinging it open and yelling into the hallway, “Help!” Once he’d returned, Jungkook had managed to flip the guy over and hold both of his wrists behind his back, putting all his weight on top of him to hold him down.

Two people squeezed through the door at once, frantic. “Call security.” One shouted into the hallway.

Within seconds, the big burly men were back with handcuffs. They grabbed the man off the floor and cuffed him before tugging him out of the room.

The second the man was out of his grasp, Jungkook stood and whirled around to Jimin. “Jiminie.” He breathed, looking him over as he leaned against the wall looking shellshocked, “Are you okay?”

Jimin nodded quickly before pausing and then shaking his head as tears sprung to his eyes.

Jungkook grabbed him under the elbow and pulled him out of the dressing room. He saw Jimin’s manager come running up just as soon as they were leaving. “Cancel the interview.” Jungkook said as they passed, “I’m driving him back to his apartment.”

The manager nodded, not knowing what to say.

Jungkook tugged Jimin into his side, wrapping his arm over around his waist, “Keep your head down.” To which Jimin obliged, tucking his head into Jungkook’s shoulder. He led Jimin out of the building without any more incident, everybody too preoccupied with what had happened to care about who it had happened to. They made it outside and into the black sedan in under two minutes. Jungkook opened Jimin’s door first and let him get in before jogging around the front of the car and getting into the driver’s seat. The shutting of his door began the first silence they’d heard all day.

He didn’t waste any time as he leaned over Jimin and tugged his buckle down and locking it in and then doing the same to himself. He turned on the car, put it in drive, and flew out of the parking lot.

The concert had been in Seoul, so, close enough to home, but it is a big city so the drive would at most be ten minutes. Most of the ride they were silent, Jimin staring absently at the dashboard, Jungkook watching the road with apt attention as he gripped the steering wheel tightly, the only sound being Jimin’s long breaths.

“Are you bleeding?” Jungkook asked.

Jimin took a moment before he looked down at his stomach and then back up at Jungkook and nodded. Jungkook drove faster.

Once they got back to the apartment, Jungkook got out quickly and ran around the car, opening Jimin’s door before he could even unbuckle. He leaned forward, stopping Jimin from getting out of the car to look at his stomach. Jimin’s shirt was black, but there was a rip running horizontally through the front of it, wet and sticking to his torso. Jimin paled as he saw the wound. “I don’t do well with blood.” He whimpered softly.

Jungkook grabbed the black mask that Jimin had been wearing before the concert out of his pocket and held it out to him, “Put this on.” While Jimin hooked the mask around his ears, Jungkook pulled off his black, leather jacket and draped it over Jimin’s shoulders to be covering his stomach. Lastly, he opened the glove box and pulled out the black baseball cap Jimin would wear if he wanted to stop somewhere without getting noticed. He put it onto Jimin’s head and tilted the bill down far enough to cover his eyes. He looped one arm under Jimin’s knees and the other under his shoulders and lifted him out of the car easily, not before putting his sunglasses on himself, just to be sure nobody recognized either of them.

“Jungkook, I can walk.” Jimin protested weakly, tugging the jacket up on his shoulders so it wouldn’t slip off.

Jungkook paid him no mind as he shut the car door with his foot. “Lean on my shoulder, act asleep.”

Jimin reluctantly rested his head on Jungkook’s shoulder and sat still.

The street was busy, and Jungkook knew they looked painfully obvious, but he called out to one of the young college students passing by, “Excuse me!”

The kid looked startled at the scene once he looked up from his phone, seeing a grown man holding another grown man bridal style in the middle of the street. “Uh, yeah?” He asked apprehensively.

“Could you open that door?” Jungkook nodded towards the front door of the apartment complex.

The kid looked between the two men and the door for a moment before coming to his senses and rushing over to the door and tugging it open.

“Thanks,” Jungkook said shortly as he stepped inside.

Once they made it to Jimin’s apartment door Jungkook maneuvered around, trying to open the door, until Jimin took pity and put in his key code and turned the knob.

Jungkook moved quickly to the couch and set Jimin down carefully, tugging his jacket off of his front.

Jimin slouched down on the couch, seeming out of breath. He pulled the hat off, but left the mask.

“Jimin, can you take off your shirt?” Jungkook asked, kneeling in front of him.

Jimin nodded and leaned forward, pulling the hem of his shirt over his head. Jungkook grabbed the bloodied shirt from him before he could dirty the couch.

Once revealed, Jungkook wasn’t able to see the wound to its full extent because of all the blood surrounding it. “Hold on…” He mumbled, standing up and running to the kitchen to get a wet rag. When he returned, Jimin had tilted his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. “Jimin, you okay?” Jungkook asked, getting in front of him again.

Jimin nodded, keeping his eyes shut, “I just really hate blood.”

“You didn’t seem to hate it when you were cleaning it off of me a while back.” Jungkook said pointedly, simply trying to distract the boy while he cleaned him off.

“That was different.” Jimin mumbled, “I don’t like seeing my own blood, other people’s doesn’t bother me as much for some reason.”

Jungkook swiped the rag over Jimin’s stomach repeatedly, cleaning it off to see that it was a long, thin, shallow gash that ran across the majority of his torso. “Is that why you didn’t want me to clean up your scraped knee?”

“I guess,” Jimin shrugged, “I don’t really remember that night… it was late.”

Jungkook let out a breathy laugh, “Yeah, it was.” He wiped around the wound just a little more before he sat back on his heels, “The cut isn’t deep or wide, it’s not bad… I don’t know anything about stitches, but I’m pretty sure you don’t need them. Do you want me to call a doctor.”

Jimin’s head shot up quickly, “ No. ” He said with enthusiasm before seeing the shocked expression on Jungkook’s face. He calmed himself, pursing his lips, “Just… Just patch it up, I trust you.”

“I don’t want to be responsible for not treating this correctly…” Jungkook sounded at odds with himself, looking at Jimin’s stomach.

Jimin bit his lip, “I just really really hate doctors…”

There was a long moment of silence while Jungkook thought. “I have… Okay, I have a friend that was an EMT for like a week a few summers back, but he knows more about medicine than me. I don’t know if you-”

“Call him,” Jimin cut in before tacking on a soft, “please.”

Jungkook nodded and tugged his phone out of his pocket, hitting Mom in his contacts. He stepped out of the apartment, into the hallway. It rang three times before a bedraggled sounding Seokjin mumbled, “Hey Kookie, what’s up?”

“I need your help-”

“What is it?” Jin sounded alert now, already moving around.

“It’s Jimin,” He started, looking at the wound on Jimin’s stomach, beginning to bleed again, luckily Jimin had laid his head back again. “Some guy came at him backstage with a knife-”

“ OhmyGodisheokay?!”

“Yes, hyung, I’m just not sure if he needs stitches or something.” Jungkook said slowly.

Jin paused, “Have you tried taking him to the hospital? Honestly Kookie, I thought you were more grown up than this…”

Jungkook rolled his eyes, “He doesn’t want a hospital… publicity and stuff.” He opted to not share Jimin’s irrational denial of doctors. “Is there any way you could…”

“ What?! Me?! No! ”

“Please hyung, you’re the only person that can help us. If you don’t… Jimin could die.” He might’ve embellished slightly.

A long silence filled the line before Jin lamented, “Text me the address.”

“Okay, thank you so much!” Jungkook squeezed in the sentence before Jin hit the end call button. He quickly sent Jimin’s address to Jin before turning around and going back inside.

Jimin glanced up from where he was staring a hole into the floor.

“He’s on his way.” Jungkook said, waving his phone shortly.

Jimin nodded and lifted himself up onto his hand to scoot to the other side of the couch, wincing as he did so. “Come sit down, you must be tired.” He patted the seat next to him with one hand, the other clutching his torso.

“Hey, be careful.” Jungkook took big steps towards him, “There’s nothing holding off the bleeding… Hold on.” He turned around and grabbed a towel from the kitchen. “Hold this on it.” He handed it to Jimin.

Jimin whimpered, averting his gaze from his wound as he pushed the rag onto himself weakly.

“You’ll have to hold it on harder,” Jungkook mumbled, sitting down next to him, “Here, let me.” He moved Jimin’s hand from the rag and replaced it with his own, pushing down.

Jimin slowly removed the mask from his face and looked at Jungkook with a long, steady gaze.

Jungkook glanced up, noticing the eyes he had trained on him. He quirked a smile, “What?”

Jimin shrugged, “Have I ever told you how attractive you are?” He said softly, blinking slowly.

“You’re out of your head.” Jungkook scoffed, looking back at the wound. The urge to run from the room was almost unbearable as a blush spread up his neck and cheeks.

“No,” Jimin sighed, shifting to be closer to Jungkook, “I’m perfectly sane…” He leaned towards Jungkook, causing Jungkook to look up, wide eyed at the proximity. “I’ve always thought you were really good looking… even when your nose was spewing blood the first time I met you. I thought- I thought ‘How can somebody who just got decked look so good?’ and… then you were so close to me when I got you on the stage…” Jimin closed his eyes and sighed, “I’m glad we are where we are right now, Jungkoookie…”

Jungkook laughed softly, hushing Jimin, “Try not to talk to much okay? I don’t want you passing out before Jin hyung gets here.”

“It’s just a little cut,” Jimin mumbled, “I like Jin hyung… He’s nice.” He looked up, meeting Jungkook’s gaze once again with a half lidded one, “Why is his name mom in your phone? Why is he your emergency contact?”

Jungkook pressed his lips together, “Well,” he swallowed, looking down at the rag in his hands, “my parents… They don’t support my major- you know, art. They want me to be a lawyer, like my father.” He stopped, glancing up at Jimin apprehensively, expecting him to be asleep or changing the subject in his state of mind. But the boy stared, waiting for him to continue. He looked back down, “I kept my grades up really high, didn’t get in any trouble, got great test scored… So when I got accepted to this school-” He motioned vaguely in the direction of his college, “with a full ride, I wasn’t surprised, but my parents were furious. They told me I couldn’t leave Busan, that I had to attend the law school there.” He bit his lip, “I ran away. I think they know where I am… I don’t know where else they’d expect me to be. I think they kind of disowned me at this point, I haven’t heard from them since the day I left.” His chest clenched with the memory of his parent’s cruel words the last time he saw them.

A gentle hand was set over Jungkook’s unoccupied one. “Jungkook-ah,” Jimin whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Jungkook shook his head, meeting Jimin’s gaze again putting on a strong facade, “It’s in the past, and I get to do what I want to do.” He turned his hand over, holding Jimin’s hand.

“It’s still terrible to live without parents,” Jimin sighed, his lip quivering.

Jungkook was taken aback. The only other person to be so emotionally affected by his past was Jin, and the other man was drunk when Jungkook told him.

“You’re so strong Jungkookie… I’m so happy to know you.” Jimin said quietly, a tear slipping down his cheek.

Jungkook quickly lifted the hand that held Jimin’s hand and wiped the tear from his cheek, cupping Jimin’s cheek gently, “Jimin-ah,” Jungkook didn’t know what to say, watching Jimin cry over his past felt strangely intimate. His heart beated heavily in his chest. “Stop crying.” He quietly ordered, “If you don’t quit I might start crying too… I don’t wanna look weak in front of you, I’m your bodyguard.”

“Not right now you’re not,” Jimin leaned into his hand, “you’re my closest friend Jungkook… That probably sounds really lame, but I only have you. Thank you.”

Jungkook’s stomach did a flip. “Have I ever told you how attractive you are?” He asked, mirroring Jimin’s earlier question.

Jimin laughed and shook his head.

“I mean it,” Jungkook said, watching Jimin closely, his gaze flickering to his lips, “I’ve never liked celebrities very much, I always thought they were really fake. But I knew that you were different the second you stopped your concert for me. You’ve been the most interesting part of my life, and probably the best.”

“Why do I feel like you’re dying,” Jimin chuckled, swallowing.

Jungkook didn’t know what else to say but, “I like you a lot Jimin.”

Jimin’s eyes went wide, “Huh?”

“I like you.” Jungkook repeated steadily, “I think I’ve liked you for a while now… I just suck at labelling exactly what I’m feeling. But when I look at you my stomach feels all funny, and I feel this constant urge to make sure you’re okay and I don’t think it is because of my job. I want to make you happy, I like being the cause of your smiles. I don’t like it when you’re tired, or sad, or stressed out. I like it when you’ve just woken up and you walk around the house in your pajamas rubbing your eyes and trying to fix your crazy bed head, you look so naturally perfect.”

Jimin was a dark shade of crimson, “Jungkookie…” He looked at the hand on his cheek, “I like you too.”

Jungkook’s stomach did another flip and a smile fought its way to his lips. There wasn’t much else to do, so he closed the distance between them and kissed Jimin softly. Jimin took in a short gasp before leaning forward into the kiss. It didn’t last long, but it felt like it did. And when they pulled away from each other, they didn’t go far.

Jungkook watched as Jimin’s eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks, fighting off his blush. “You’re so pretty.”

“Shut up,” Jimin protested weakly, attempting to look away, but Jungkook pulled his gaze back to him by kissing him again. This kiss lasted longer, Jungkook moving over Jimin’s mouth to kiss him twice. Jimin leaned closer and set a hand on Jungkook knee as he kissed him back, letting a quiet noise escape the back of his throat.

There was a knock on the door.

The sound of the screaming crowd almost drowned out Jimin’s farewell as he stepped off the stage, waving cheerily.

It had been over a year since the man attacked Jimin and there hadn’t been any further incident other than the occasional wild fan. Of course, that didn’t change Jungkook’s attention span, he was as alert as ever, never dropping his guard.

Jimin stepped off stage, accepting the towel from a stage hand with a grateful smile. Jungkook fell into step next to him, walking close enough for their arms to brush. He leaned down, “Nice show.”

Jimin smiled up at him, “Thanks Kookie.”

Once Jimin had changed and showered, Jungkook led him back to their sedan and they made it home quickly.

Jimin walked in first, dropping his bag next to the couch and collapsing on it, letting out a long groan, “Aish, I’m so tired.” He laid back, stretching out his arms and yawning.

“It was hot,” Jungkook commented, taking off his jacket and setting it on the back of a chair. He rolled his shoulders back, trying to loosen his muscles.

“You always hold yourself so uptight while we’re out Jungkookie.” Jimin said, “You should relax.”

Jungkook laughed bitterly, “And what would happen to you the second I decide to hang out?”

Jimin shrugged, “I guess you’re right.” He sat up, “Come over here.”

Jungkook complied, walking over to the couch and sitting down next to Jimin, who shifted to sit behind him.

He set his hands on Jungkook’s shoulders and began massaging them, “Jeez Kookie, I know you’re built and all but you're so tense, you’re like a brick wall.”

Jungkook laughed and leaned into the touch. He felt his muscles untwist and fell pliant in Jimin’s grasp, letting his head loll back.

Jimin giggled, “Am I really that good at massages?”

“So good.” Jungkook groaned. He twisted around, facing Jimin and leaning in to kiss him.

Jimin smiled into the kiss and placed a hand on Jungkook’s jaw, tilting his head up to kiss him deeper.

Jungkook didn’t break the kiss as he turned around completely, moving to lean over Jimin, laying him down on the couch. He tilted his head to gain access into Jimin mouth, to which he was granted, Jimin moaning as his mouth was invaded.

“You’re tired,” Jimin protested weakly as Jungkook tugged off Jimin’s shirt. Jimin shifted up to lean on the back of the couch as the shirt was tugged over his head.

“Not too tired for this…” Jungkook said, pulling off his own shirt before leaning back down and meeting Jimin’s kiss again. He ran his hands up Jimin’s sides, brushing his thumbs over his nipples as he went.

Jimin gasped into the kiss, burying his hands into Jungkook hair as he bit the other boy’s lip.

Jungkook rolled his hips down, meeting Jimin’s and causing the boy under him to let out a choked moan as he pushed up against the touch. “More Kook-ah…” He whimpered, sliding his hands down to hold him at the nape of his neck and tugging him into another kiss.

Jungkook pulled at the button on Jimin’s jeans until they popped open and he was able to lift Jimin by the waist and tug his jeans off, leaving him in only his underwear. It was at this point that Jungkook slowed his roll, moving his hand leisurely over the growing bulge in Jimin’s briefs despite the boy’s whining protests and bucking hips.

“Please…” Jimin gasped, feeling deprived, “Kookie, please.”

Jungkook took mercy and palmed Jimin through his underwear, granting him a little bit more friction.

It still wasn’t good enough as Jimin let out a shaky sigh and brought his shaking hands to  Jungkook’s belt, quickly undoing it and then pulling the button on his jeans and tugging them down his hips as far as he could. “C’mon…” Jimin mumbled trying to get the jeans off of him, but Jungkook made a point of stopping him, intentionally straddling him further to keep the material from sliding down any further.

“Patience.” Jungkook said, chuckling as he leaned back down to kiss him again, pushing his tongue into Jimin’s pliant mouth.

Jimin moaned sinfully into the kiss and let Jungkook lift him to tug down his briefs and lay him further down on the couch. As soon as Jimin was laying flat on his back, Jungkook shifted down and took one of his nipples into his mouth, swirling his tongue around it and taking in the sweet sounds of Jimin’s high pitched mewling as he tugged at Jungkook’s dark locks. Jungkook used one hand to pinch the neglected bud and hooked his thumb on the waistband of Jimin’s briefs, tugging them down quickly. He continued his ministrations, ignoring Jimin’s leaking cock, instead running his hand up and down Jimin’s side until he finally slid it further down and found purchase in Jimin’s cock, switching his mouth over to the other nipple.

Jimin jumped and gripped the couch cushion, his eyes fluttering shut as Jungkook lazily stroked him. Jungkook led a trail of kisses down his torso until he reached his member, stopping only briefly before licking it softly. Jimin yelped and threw his arm over his eyes, shuddering at the touch.

Jungkook licked a stripe up the underside of his cock and then took the tip into his mouth, sucking gently. He went further down on him, bobbing his head ever so slightly the further he went. Once he reached the base he hollowed his cheeks and bobbed his head once more.

“J-Jungkoo- Ah!” Jimin gripped the couch with white knuckles as he held himself back from bucking up into Jungkook’s mouth.

Jungkook bobbed his head a few more time before releasing him with a pop.

Instead of whining at the loss, Jimin sat up quickly, grabbing Jungkook and pulling him into a messy, heated kiss. He tugged on Jungkook’s waistband of his pants once more, this time gaining some ground as he was able to pull them down until Jungkook finished the job and tossed them elsewhere in the room along with his underwear. He leaned down to Jimin’s bag and unzipped it, grabbing a bottle of lube out, but not finding the condoms. “Where are your condoms?” He asked, sitting up.

“Ran out…” Jimin mumbled tugging on his arm, “Doesn’t matter, we’ll be okay. I just really want you to fuck me right now.”

Jungkook’s dick twitched at the neediness in that one sentence. “Are you sure? We don’t know-”

“We are, remember that check up we both had to have a while back?”

“You’re sly Park Jimin, I don’t know how I didn’t notice the doctor checking me for STD's but it was sly.” He leaned back down, kissing him again.

Jimin smiled into the kiss, running his hands through Jungkook’s hair. Once Jungkook pulled away he opened the bottle of lube and squeezed it until the substance was dripping off his fingers and onto Jimin’s stomach.

“Hey!” Jimin jumped, “That’s cold!”

Jungkook laughed and rubbed his fingers together, heating it up before lifting one of Jimin’s legs to rest on the back of the couch. He ran his fingers over Jimin’s rim teasingly, but quickly pushed one in before Jimin could say any kind of complaint.

Jimin let out a content sigh and relaxed around Jungkook’s digit as he pumped it in and out,  “More Jungkookie…”

Not wasting any more time, Jungkook added a second finger scissoring him open and pushing further in until he was at his knuckles and then added a third finger. He moved his hand faster, pushing in deeper until he felt Jimin tense under him.

“Th-There!” Jimin squeaked, arching his back.

Jungkook abused that spot for just a little bit longer before he removed his hand completely. He quickly worked lube all around his cock until he felt like he was sufficiently ready.

While waiting, Jimin seemed to grow restless and then groaned, “I feel like shit, I haven’t done anything. Let me blow you.”

“Later,” Jungkook chuckled, swatting away Jimin’s grabbing hands, “I just want to fuck you right now.”

Jimin sighed and sat back, frowning but not protesting.

“What is it?” Jungkook smiled as he lined up with him, “I don’t want to have sex with you while you're grumpy, cheer up.”

Jimin stuck out his bottom lip and looked away, not saying anything.

Jungkook leaned down and pressed his lips to Jimin jaw, kissing him there before moving down to his collarbone and kissing slowly, careful to not leave marks.

“S-Stop it!” Jimin mumbled, pushing him away, “I just said I wasn’t doing anything, you can’t just continue not letting me-”

Jungkook cut him off by pushing in slowly, watching as his breath hitched and his eyes rolled back. He moved until he bottomed out completely, waiting for Jimin’s cue.

Jimin opened his plump lips and whispered, “G-Go.”

Jungkook moved slowly at first rolling his hips back until he was almost completely pulled out before ramming his hips back forward.

Jimin let out a long moan, opening his legs further to grant Jungkook further access.

He continued at this pace for a while, teasing Jimin and himself until he couldn’t take it anymore. Jungkook began moving a little faster, grabbing under Jimin’s knee and lifting it to almost be parallel with his own torso. Jimin stared up at him mouth slightly agape as Jungkook began fucking him harder. He let out soft sounds, running his hands up Jungkook’s back until he gripped him by his shoulders and tugged him down to meet his lips.

As the coil in his stomach tightened, Jungkook began moving faster, chasing his own orgasm as it approached. “Ch-” He started, tilting his head to kiss under Jimin’s ear, “I’m close.” He reached down and grabbed Jimin’s cock, pumping it at the speed of his thrusts.

Jimin yelped and threw his head back. “Kookie…” He mumbled senselessly, staring up with wide eyes and open lips, “ Ah! Kookie- there!” He practically screamed as Jungkook shifted his hips up to hit him at a different angle.

Jungkook continued to drill into him there until Jimin moaned, “I’m gonna cum.” and then there was white streaks shooting across Jimin’s stomach as he came, moaning and mewling, his toes curling as he scratched at Jungkook’s back.

The tightness surrounding him pushed Jungkook over the edge until he was cuming inside of Jimin, slowing down as he worked through his orgasm.

Jungkook sighed and pulled out of Jimin, looking at the fucked out boy under him. Jimin’s hair was mussed, the eyeliner that hadn’t quite been completely washed off by his shower was smudge, his skin was flushed, and there was a thin layer of sweat that shone against his panting chest. His eyelashes fluttered and he smiled contently, “Thank you Jungkook-ah.”

“Don’t thank me for good sex.” Jungkook laughed, standing up to pull on his jeans. He picked up his shirt off the floor and wiped Jimin off with it, starting at his thighs and then going to his stomach. Once he deemed Jimin clean, he bent down and hooked his arms under his shoulders and knees.

“I can walk, stupid.” Jimin mumbled, turning his head to breath in Jungkook’s natural scent as he was lifted from the couch.

Jungkook’s low chuckle resonated against Jimin’s cheek, “Did you want to though?”

Jimin chose not to reply. He wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s neck and kissed his collarbone as they walked.

Jungkook pushed open Jimin’s bedroom door and stepped inside, setting Jimin down on his bed carefully. “Go to sleep, you have an interview tomorrow.” He said quietly as he leaned down and kissed him lightly on the forehead.

“Sleep with me tonight.” Jimin mumbled, grabbing Jungkook’s hand.

Though he resisted weakly for a moment, Jungkook knelt on the bed, “Your manager will have a fit if he sees me sleeping with you again.”

“Set an alarm.” Jimin said dismissively, tugging Jungkook down to lay next to him.

“I left my phone in the living room.” Jungkook argued quietly, staring at Jimin’s relaxed features as he drifted off.

Jimin didn’t respond. He simply pulled Jungkook closer to him and buried his head in Jungkook’s chest.

While he was sure there would be hell to pay once his manager saw them sleeping like this (again), Jungkook couldn’t bring himself to care too much. Because he finally realized what it was that made him want to be Jimin’s bodyguard in the first place. It was to be as close to him as he is now.