Archive of Our Own

One.

Seokjin’s very fucking tired.

The elevators ding open and he unwillingly pushes himself off the wall into the new precinct. There’s a pair of americanos in his hand, one untouched and one partially mutilated. It’s not the amount of effort he used to exert in trying to make a dazzling first impression on his new colleagues. The whole process had lost his shine around his third transfer, and now he’s just doing it to keep the next few months(years?) of his term here smooth and free from office politics.

The 12th precinct is, at first glance, brighter than his last one. The sun has painted the entire floor gold, bouncing off earthy brown walls. Thankfully, at least most officers here look like they’re actually awake, and the precinct is abuzz with lively morning chatter. A few of them, cooped up near a filled-up whiteboard, are even laughing as they fight over the last of what Seokjin can make out as a box of bagels. He’s no stranger to good colleague dynamics in precincts, but being subjected to the 99th precinct and its gloomy morgue-like vibe for 6 months has clearly taken quite the toll on his cheerful personality, which frankly had no place there. As did he.

He walks up to them, judging them to be the most approachable at this point. They don’t take notice till he clears his throat, and then the laughter disperses immediately. They scatter away from their circle and regard him with polite smiles. Seokjin takes a closer glance at their well tailored suits and impeccable hair and wonders if they’re actually detectives or just models hired as poster boys for the department. Then he recognizes one of them from the department calendar he had co-featured on.

“Can we help you?” The shortest one asks, his hair a shade of shocking blonde. Seokjin realizes he might have been staring for longer than appropriate and goes red.

“Yes, I’m the new detective.” Seokjin replies. “From the 99th. Kim Seokjin.”

“Ah yes!” The tallest of them exclaims, and extends a hand towards him. “Sergeant Kim Namjoon, pleasure to meet you Seokjin.”

Seokjin cocks an eyebrow as he takes the proffered hand, but offers a good-natured smile. “You look too young to be a sergeant.” Namjoon smiles coyly, his crater-sized dimples coming into view.

The calendar boy jumps off the table right in between them. “He’s one of the youngest, this overachieving asshole. We have another one like him, but he isn’t here yet.” the guy punches Namjoon in the arm. Seokjin thinks the intensity might’ve crossed the line of ‘friendly’ but no one’s really paying attention to Namjoon’s yelps, so he figures it might be their ‘thing’.

“Kim Taehyung,” calendar guy says,pointing a finger to himself. “Park Jimin, Jung Hoseok, Min Yoongi. We’re all detectives.” The others wave cheerfully save for Yoongi, who looks as reserved as the nicest guy in the 99. Surprisingly, that’s what sets him at ease.

“That for us?” Hoseok points at the americanos in his hand, picking up the half full one. The straw is a victim to his nervous chewing, and Hoseok wrinkles his nose in disgust. He exchanges it with the full one and takes a sip. “Sorry, you’re a little short on the stock.” He passes the cup along to his colleagues.

Seokjin shouldn’t be this taken aback by his shameless cheekiness, having worked with Jaehwan - the poster boy for cheesy and unabashed- for a full two years. “I didn’t know the strength of the team so I just got one for whoever would be my partner for the day, sorry.” He pries the cup back from Yoongi’s hands. It’s a borderline tug of war, and when he turns back Yoongi’s longingly pouting at it. “ Sorry, it’s like fuel for him,” Jimin says sheepishly.

“Your partner will be here in a few minutes. A fair warning, though - he’s not really used to having an assisting hand on his cases.” Everyone’s looking at him with the kind of sympathy that is usually offered only when they’re about to dump a truckload of paperwork to be completed on short notice.

Seokjin only smirks. He’s seen and dealt every type of cop to be surprised by this new partner. “What, he’s some kind of legend?”

“You could definitely say that,” Namjoon says through gritted teeth. His eyes have a faraway look, filled with fond annoyance.

He’s shown his desk, all cleaned up but covered with scratches. He’s certain of finding week-old chewing gums stuck to the underside if he ever decides to explore. A few case files are dumped on him in order of priority and he’s asked to wait for his partner, a certain Jeon Jungkook to brief him in detail. After a cursory read through, he’s pulling his phone out for a far more important task at hand.

wat do u kno abt Jeon Jungkook

Jaehwan 87

Next to nothing

Except he’s like superman

Without the red underwear

y

What’s so gr8 abt him

Jaehwan 87

Ffs will you stop typing like a teenager

How hard is it to choose the predictive text

Dummy i don’t have time

He’ll be here any minute

Jaehwan 87

And why are you so interested

Do you want to fuck him

Why the fuck would i want to fuck someone when

I don’t even know them

Jaehwan 87

idk you’re wild

please keep it in your pants this time around

or they’ll make you move again

Why the fuck am i friends with you

Okay i think he’s here bye

Jaehwan 87

Because i’m resourceful

And i have gossip

Bye wait for a week before you defile him

“Sorry I’m late Namjoon,” the guy announces to the entire precinct even though Namjoon’s cabin is literally to his right. Seokjin whips his head to take a look and immediately puts his phone away.

“I brought in a suspect,” the proud voice booms and Seokjin notices the cuffed man behind him, a fresh bruise on his cheek as he shoots glares at the back of the officer’s head.

Namjoon scampers out of his office at that, jogging towards Jungkook with widened eyes. “You did what?”

Jungkook doesn’t stop to regard him, sauntering joyfully to the desk opposite Seokjin’s. If he takes notice that the previously empty desk across him is now occupied, he doesn’t let on. Seokjin tries not to get offended and pretends he just hasn’t been seen, because he’s only used to people either doing double takes when they first see him, or frozen in just a glance.

“There he goes,” Jungkook points towards the interrogation room. Namjoon sighs heavily and throws Seokjin an apologetic look. “Jungkook, you haven’t recovered completely. I reminded you yesterday, you were supposed to work on this case with the new detective.”

“And I told you I don’t need any new detective Namjoon. I need a conducive environment if you want me to get criminals off the street as fast as possible, and more people are just a distraction.”

Well, someone has an ego too big for his skull.

“An extra set of hands will get your job done faster, in my opinion. And save your life, in my experience.” Seokjin says to Jungkook’s back, rotating in his chair.

Jungkook’s shoulders go up in an arrogant huff, and he turns towards Seokjin. He doesn’t miss the slight falter of his smug smile when their eyes meet, indulging in the momentary satisfaction it brings. But when that’s gone and Seokjin can take a good look at the face, he’s baffled.

The guy’s a fetus.

“I don’t remember asking for your opinion or your experience, Mr….?”

“Detective,” Seokjin corrects. “Detective Seokjin, from 99. Well, not anymore.”

Jungkook’s face eases in realization. “Oh, he’s the precinct hopper.” He giggles a little, unapologetically. Namjoon swats him like a frustrated mother trying to get their misbehaving child in order. Jungkook yelps but doesn’t counter argue, retreating to the safety of his desk. “Don’t mind him, he’s a little eccentric.”

“No, I’m just fun.” Jungkook jokes, nursing the spot that had been hit. “You hit me right on the injury.” He hisses to Namjoon and glances to see if Seokjin had caught his words. Seokjin feigns ignorance for his sake, still trying to imagine the baby face in front of him as a detective. Sure, he’s tall enough and his voice is deep enough. But that only makes Seokjin believe that Jungkook is an overgrown child hit recently by puberty. He can’t fathom anyone being intimidated by those doe eyes and bunny smile.

“You deserved it,” Namjoon retorts in a petulant tone he would have never expected from the sergeant. “Seokjin’s good at his job. Very very good, from what I’ve heard. And you need someone to have your back when you’re on field.”

“Yes, that’s why I have actual backup.” Jungkook argues, raising his voice. Namjoon pins him down with a stare and he sinks back into his seat.

“Backup takes time to arrive. You need a reliable partner, Jungkook. You're not actually bulletproof, and you have to learn to respect authority. Going after suspects without backup or informing the precinct-”

Jungkook’s not really listening anymore. “Is this supposed to be mine or did someone leave it?” he points to the americano next to Namjoon’s hand on the desk, only three quarters full now. Then he turns to Seokjin’s trash can, which has a similar but emptied cup lying in it.

Right. Seokjin was supposed to leave a dazzling first impression.

Now he’s regretting even bringing the americano. It makes him seem nice, and Jungkook neither needs nor deserves nice. What Jungkook needs is a huge blow to his ego and a smack to that cocky head of his. What Jungkook deserves is a spanking for being a naughty boy.

Wait.

“That’s actually for me,” Seokjin says, gesturing for Namjoon to pass it over.

“Oh.” Jungkook says, and if Seokjin were foolish he’d say Jungkook looked disappointed. “You’re quite the americano aficionado, then.” He smirks, then perks up like he suddenly remembered he had a suspect waiting for him. In a flash he’s up and taking long strides towards the interrogation room. “Follow me, partner!” he yells, stressing on the last word mockingly.

“You really took in a fetus.” Seokjin sighs and slides out of his chair tiredly.

“Oh, you really haven’t seen him yet if you’re calling him that.” Namjoon calls out behind him.

Their suspect is a white male in his 40s named William Darcy; he has no criminal record and looks pathetically innocent behind his metal-rimmed cylindricals.

Jungkook’s already in, towering over the man with his hands supported on the ends of the table. “We have a witness who saw you squabbling with Victoria outside the back door of her restaurant, just two days ago and yesterday she dropped dead.

Seokjin doesn’t know enough to make any questions but the general ones, so he rolls up his sleeves and stares down the suspect intimidatingly. Seokjin knows his handsome face might be too pleasant to intimidate, but he also knows exactly how cold he must look to make the other man shit his pants. And if that doesn’t work, he doesn’t go to the gym for nothing.

“Look, I didn’t do anything.” the suspect pleads. “I was going to ask her out; she was flirting with me for weeks now.”

“So she turned you down that day?” Jungkook doesn’t wait for him to answer. “And you were so strung by her that it hurt your tiny little man ego. If she couldn’t be yours, you wouldn’t let anyone have her-”

Jungkook cuts off with a sharp yelp, and the suspect has a death grip on his arm. “I did not. Do. It.” he yells aggressively, and Jungkook’s bending in on himself. Seokjin’s off his seat in a jiffy, grabbing the hand and twisting it behind his back till the man’s begging for mercy. He cuffs them to the chair and leans close.

“You’re already in trouble for contempt of cop,” Seokjin growls into his ear. Jungkook’s still wincing in pain, but he’s shaking it off. “You don’t want to be in for murder? Give us your alibi."

The suspect straightens, shivering as he turns to Seokjin. “Look, I was at home the whole day watching movies. But the reason she turned me down was that she had a husband. They were separated, but he was tailing her and pestering her to get back. I remember she told me he lives in Queens, maybe you might want to investigate him.”

“There’s no husband mentioned in her records,” Jungkook says, annoyed. He’s still clutching his arm in intervals, and Seokjin doesn’t like the pang of concern arising in him

“I’ve seen him, he exists alright. He’s ginger, average height, lot of tattooes. I could recognize him if you brought him in.”

Jungkook walks out very pleased with himself and something in Seokjin burns silently at that satisfied smile of his. It’s like he dumped his seething anger and frustration at the door before he left the room, like he hadn’t just been overpowered by an unarmed suspect. He can’t wait to switch partners with someone far more pleasant. Maybe Yoongi; Yoongi doesn’t seem like he’d talk beyond the case or offer extravagant reactions. Much more suited to Seokjin’s working style.

“ Partner,” Jungkook calls out from his desk, breaking Seokjin’s reverie. “We have a lead to follow. Now how can you be of use? Do you know how to drive?”

Seokjin exhales hard and grinds his teeth. “Yes, I do. I also know how to put bullets through people’s heads, and very accurately too.”

Jungkook grins wildly. Seokjin’s getting his buttons pushed by a fetus . “Ooh, Mr Marksman. Come on, we have a trip to make to the M.E first to confirm our lead.”

“Um,” Seokjin says hesitantly and points to the sleeve of his cream coat, speckled with spots of red around the bicep. “You might want to get that fixed before we follow any more leads.”

Jungkook follows his finger and throws his head back in frustration. “Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.” He rushes to the break room and Seokjin follows, enjoying the irritation on Jungkook’s face more than he should. Jungkook shrugs off his coat, and then goes to unbutton his shirt. Seokjin has lost the instinct to look away, but in hindsight he should have.

Suddenly Jungkook is not a fetus anymore.

He’s a whole man, and Seokjin cannot physically bring himself to tear his eyes away.

Seokjin stares a lot. Stares at his sharp jawline as Jungkook strains his neck to get a closer look at his bandages. Stares at the perfect curve of his biceps and his strong, muscular arms. Stares at his meaty thighs. Stares at his abs ( he has abs?) when his shirt rides up for a brief moment.

He swallows hard when he’s done staring, except he’s not really done staring. His subject is just out of view.

Lee Jaehwan

Why did you not inform me that this boy is some kind of imposter

He looks like a fetus but he is not

HE IS HOT VERY HOT SIZZLING HOT

I haven't been this gay in years

Jaehwan 87

Good going seokjinnie

I should reiterate

Do not fuck him for a week

I won't dw he's super arrogant and not my type in any way

Jaehwan 87

What other type do you need to fuck except the hot type

“Seokjin?”

Seokjin looks up and scrambles to tuck his phone. Deservedly, Jungkook cocks an eyebrow.

“Catching up on porn?” he asks. “Hardly the place to do so, I'd recommend the third floor bathroom. It's abandoned and clean enough for you to sit on the lids.”

“Ew no,” Seokjin pulls a face.

“To the porn or sitting on the toilet lids?”

“ Both ,” Seokjin asserts. Jungkook's fully dressed now, wound freshly rebandaged. “Shall we leave?”

Jungkook nods. “The reports from the M.E are here.” He hands over a file to Seokjin. “The fingerprints on the objects in her apartment came up with someone from our criminal records. He was booked for DUI a couple months back in Queens. There is no official proof for their marriage though. She moved in a week ago, so even the neighbors don't know much.”

“And her friends and family?”

“Phone was found in the water, remember? And she was estranged from her family when she was 12. They didn't even know she was alive in the first place.”

“Okay,” Seokjin nods. “Let's head to the guy's place then.”

“Why are you coming though?” He whines. “I'm sorry in advance if this offends you, but you're not of any value addition to me. Literally. Anything you could do, I already can. And most probably better than you.”

There it is. The overconfidence that kills even the best in the field. Every ounce of attraction fizzles with his words. Seokjin's no legend, he knows. He did things in the appropriate timeline, at the correct pace. He has a very good success rate, but he still stumbles upon cases that leave him bamboozled beyond help. He doesn't claim any extraordinary achievement, but he’s smart. He knows when to trust his own instincts and when to lean on another’s shoulder for help. It's what has kept him alive through the most fatal situations, and that's where Seokjin's experience makes him a better cop than Jungkook.

“You probably can,” Seokjin nods in agreement. “Like when you pried yourself away from that wuss of a suspect so effortlessly without my help, right?”

Jungkook shoots him a glare that only serves to fuel Seokjin's glee. “Who was talking about not needing anyone to save him?”

“I could have freed myself in a minute-”

“And yet you didn't,” Seokjin counters. “You were paralyzed with pain. He could have clocked you once and you'd be unconscious.”

“Don’t think you're all that special. It's a precinct full of cops, I could have called anyone.”

“Bullshit, no one was watching us. It would have been too late before anyone came for help.” Seokjin walks up to him and places a hand on his back to steer him out towards the elevator. “Why is it so hard to admit you can't go solo? None of us can, and we're all okay with it.”

“Would you shut up?” Jungkook yells a little too loudly and punches the down button. “To think I was going to thank you,” he mutters almost incomprehensibly under his breath.

Seokjin bites down his smile as they take opposite ends of the elevator. This precinct is going to be a hoot.

Two.

In one month, Seokjin has gathered the following information about the 12th precinct: it's coming for everyone's ass when it comes to case closing rates, its employees would defile each other on their sergeant's desk to win dares, and everyone loves Jeon Jungkook.

He's not sure if he should include himself in everyone, because he's still in the process of coming to terms with the fact that he no longer associates the guy with the feeling of complete hatred and utter disgust. It has somewhat transitioned into awe and silent thirst.

A month of working on cases with the team has taught him this: everyone is commendably competent at the job but Jungkook is incredible on another level. He's determined, not afraid to take risks and a very astute observer. He's a formidable force on field and off. Seokjin has had to toughen up his gym routine by quite a few notches to build a physique that could rival Jungkook's.

In the starting weeks, Seokjin had been paired up with Jungkook more often than not, much to their chagrin. None of them really knew how to back down, and it had truly been luck that they hadn't been in tough spots during their cases that would have required mutual trust. Somehow their dislike for each other and constant need to beat the other had led to weekly sparring sessions, and while Seokjin had been winning in the initial ones, Jungkook had humiliated him the last two weeks.

(Seokjin ignores the Jaehwan-like voice in his head that says it might be because of Jungkook's sudden venture into shirtless sparring.)

They're walking out of this week’s session, soaking up the sweat in already drenched towels when Jungkook poses the question.

“Seokjin, you date right? Know any good places to go on a first date?”

“Occasionally,” Seokjin replies. “Are you coming to me for advice now? Thought we were supposed to despise each other for eternity.”

Jungkook pauses in thought for a moment. “Hmm...I don't think we hate each other anymore. Not as much as we show it.” nothing about his tone sounds genuine.

“No, I hate you.” Seokjin says solemnly.

“And you definitely hate me.”

“Eh, you're not that bad.” Jungkook dismisses his words with a wave. “Plus, you showed me the true importance of having a partner.”

“Is that why you take case files hostage and scurry away alone every chance you get? Don't bullshit me and spill - why me? Why not the others?”

“Okay fine,” Jungkook rolls his eyes. “I have a kinda sorta date with a one-night stand from few months back.”

“Are you old enough for those kind of things?” Seokjin jokes.

“You do know I'm technically in my mid twenties right? Mum? ”

“Ugh, don't ever call me that.” Seokjin shudders. He’s pretty sure mums don't have the kind of dreams he has had, about their sons.

“Yeah, you're right.” Jungkook shakes his head violently as well, looking equally appalled by the thought. “Back to the matter at hand. Date. Places. Go.”

Seokjin tries to recall the last few dates he had been on. “I don't know this place too well, but there's an Indian restaurant 20 minutes away that serves the best Biryani.”

“No. My stomach can't handle Indian. Not for a date.” He pales like he’s reminiscing a bad memory. “Next option.”

“Do you like French cuisine?”

Jungkook scrunches his nose up in disapproval. “Ew, pretentious food.”

Seokjin scowls at the comment. Amateurs, all of them. “I don't know then.” He finally says. “Why don't you just take him to Jack’s?”

“That's downstairs and cheap.” Jungkook says, drawing his eyebrows together in thought. After a second passes, he smiles wickedly. “Perfect.”

Seokjin smiles amusedly. If that was what Jungkook considered perfect... well, he was no one to judge. “Wait, why can't you tell the others?”

“Well...” Jungkook starts cautiously. “He wasn't exactly the best hookup.”

Seokjin chuckles. “What, he didn't give good head? Or did he-” His heart stops for a second. “Did he hurt you or something?”

“No, no.” Jungkook says. “Yugyeom’s a nice guy, he just...asked too many questions during...you know, the act.” he doesn't meet Seokjin's eye even if he doesn't say the words. Seokjin's determined to not find it cute.

“What kind of questions?”

“You know...He was an inquisitive fellow, he found my job really cool. He'd like ask me about the case I was working on-”

“In the throes of pleasure? What is this, a dirty version of 20 questions? For every thrust you get to ask a question?”

“That's not a bad idea actually,” Jungkook remarks. Seokjin isn't quite sure he isn't joking. “No that's not what I meant. I don't really know what I used to tell him, I'm just very….compliant, you know.”

“No, I don't.” Seokjin says, licking his lips as he lets his eyes run over Jungkook's body. He imagines Jungkook pinned under him on a creaky mattress, flushed red and sweaty, letting him leave purple bruises along his collarbones, not caring if anyone could see come next morning. He stops himself right there, sensing the approach of a very uncomfortable situation, and holds his towel strategically.

“Of course you don't,” Jungkook says. “Anyways, don't let a soul know or they’ll have my head on a platter. Nosy fuckers.”

“Sure.” Seokjin says indifferently and heads towards the showers to deal with (quite literally) more pressing problems.

It's a lazy Thursday evening and the precinct is running low on cases, simultaneously a good and bad thing. Seokjin's the only one from the team on the floor, and he's just 2 pages away from finishing paperwork. Which obviously means he's going to procrastinate and mull over his volatile feelings towards Jungkook.

He's very ready to write it off as pure physical attraction that'll fade away if he stares at him long enough. But sometimes, just sometimes Seokjin’ll catch a glimpse of Jungkook hard at work way past his shift hours, with drowsy eyes and greasy hair, and feel just a small fraction of his heart melt. On the rarest of occasions, he'll find Jungkook with donut icing on his face and find it endearing instead of sloppy. And those rare moments of weakness are what throw him off. When he's not completely sure he can write Jungkook off as just another young hot boy he lusts after.

Just as he has filed away his thoughts for later and returned to the last of his paperwork, his table is surrounded.

“What do you want?” Seokjin asks without looking up. He enjoys their shenanigans most times, but right now he has no strength for whatever wild idea they're about to propose.

“We’re going for a drink downstairs, in an hour or two.” Jimin informs, and Taehyung hooks two fingers and under his chin to push his face up. “Coming?”

Seokjin sighs in relief. Alcohol is always doable. “Yeah, sounds good. What time?”

“Hold on.” Hoseok takes a few steps back, pulling out his phone as he does. Jimin and Taehyung grin at him wordlessly like madmen, and now he’s doubtful if their plans for the evening are as plain as they seem.

“Psk. Psk.” Hoseok hisses at them, and they’re by his side in no time. Seokjin’s mildly endeared by how adorable and childlike they look, whispering urgently to each other in their little huddle.

“Around 7,” Taehyung suddenly breaks away from the huddle and announces. They turn to Seokjin for confirmation, who offers a silent thumbs up.

He’s already regretting it.

It’s 8:30 pm and Seokjin’s down 2 cans of beer and a scotch when he realises he has been stood up.

He partly blames himself, not having acted on his suspicion when the guys had suddenly and simultaneously been occupied by some work or the other and asked him to go down early and save them a booth.

Now he’s been sitting all alone in a booth for 5 for an hour and a half, looking more pathetic than he does on most days, sitting alone by the bar. If it hadn’t been a slow day and the owner Jack didn’t know him well enough, he would’ve definitely been kicked out. There’s not much to do but the scan the scanty crowd and judge them inaccurately, or plot an elaborate revenge plan against the pesky minions that have duped him.

He’s in midst of the latter when he hears Jungkook’s voice in the adjacent booth.

“Sorry, I got caught up at work. Yugyeom's feeling better?”

Wasn't Yugyeom the guy he was supposed to go out with?

“Yeah, he's alright. A mild case of food poisoning never killed anyone...that I know of.” the other guy laughs awkwardly, and Jungkook joins him with a polite laugh of his own.

“So Jaebum, you like darts?” Jungkook asks. Seokjin absently thinks that he likes darts. He's good at darts. But Seokjin isn’t the one on a date with Jungkook; he's the one eavesdropping like a creep.

He orders more food for himself and tries not to catch every word of their conversation, but he does unwillingly. They're very loud in a very quiet bar, and Seokjin can't physically bring himself to leave. Jaebum and Jungkook seem to have hit it off, and Seokjin is admittedly jealous.

Then the conversation steers into a weird territory.

“So,” Jungkook starts, clearing his throat nervously. “I had a great time tonight.”

“As did I,” Jaebum says in agreement. “i really should thank Yugyeom. You know, I've always wanted a younger brother and now I have two.”

“Brother ?” Jungkook spurts out. Seokjin bites his tongue to suppress the snigger that arises. Apparently he'd been fretting over nothing.

“Yeah, something wrong?” Jaebum asks. Seokjin itches to walk over and see the gobsmacked look on Jungkook's face.

“Not really, not with you at least. It's just been a long time since I got laid.” Jungkook says. “I was kind of hoping to take things in that direction tonight.”

Jaebum laughs at that, and he hears a clap on the back. “You should have asked out a girl for a date then, bro.”

There's an awkward pause, like Jungkook might be trying to process his words. Seokjin on the other hand, who has been victim to this way more often, understands immediately. This is going to be a mess.

“Why would I do that?” Jungkook asks slowly.

“You just said you want to get laid right?” He replies with a hint of confusion.

“Jaebum, you do know I like guys, don't you?”

Jaebum scoffs indignantly. “Yeah, right. Good one, pal.”

Jungkook releases a high pitched questioning noise. “I wasn't joking.” He says in that same tone.

“What do you mean you aren't joking?”

“You didn't know I was gay? Who did Yugyeom tell you I was to him?”

Seokjin leans to his side and takes a peek. He can only see Jaebum, who looks as lost as Seokjin during a math test.

“Nothing.” Jaebum says. “He didn't really mention much apart from the address.”

Jungkook sighs. “So you're telling me you don't know me and Yugyeom were sleeping together?”

“...Like in the same bed?”

Jungkook buries his face in his palms and grunts. “Did you really think this was some kind of platonic dinner? I was being very obvious.” Seokjin can agree wholeheartedly.

“Obvious about what?”

“Oh fuck, stop being so obtuse!” Jungkook stands up. “ I’m wholly gay, Jaebum. Did you not realise that when i was grazing your bicep seductively during that game of darts? And for your information, your cousin is very gay too. We used to fuck - f-u-c-k fuck!”

“Jungkook, listen-” Jaebum says in midst of the outburst, but Jungkook’s not done yet.

“-no, it’s been quite a spectacular finish to this night, Jaebum - but if you don’t mind I’d like to go home now.” Jungkook’s sliding out of his seat, but Jaebum reaches out to grab his hand. Seokjin’s almost feeling sorry for him.

“Hey, hey. Sit down, please.” Jaebum tugs at his hand till he’s seated opposite him again. He runs a hand through his hair and drops his head to the table. “Sorry for that outburst; I must be more sexually frustrated than i thought.”

“It’s alright, Jungkook.” Jaebum smiles sweetly. “I want you to know I’m here for you.”

Jungkook chuckles, but nods gratefully. “Judging by your reaction, I'm not so sure if you can help with this, but thanks.”

“Oh, I can. We can cure you completely of this.”

Seokjin’s mouth drops in realization, and Jungkook falls speechless.

“I’ve had friends who’ve had the same predicament as you,” he continues. “A few of them even claimed to like me in that way, can you believe it? You’re just confusing bromance for romance, is all. I know a guy who helps with this stuff, in no time you’ll be into girls once again.”

“Alright, I think that’s enough-” Jungkook announces firmly and stands up yet again, but Jaebum yanks him down with force.

“No, you must listen to me Jungkook. You’ve already corrupted my brother, I can’t let you continue. I can help you through this phase and bring you back to normal.”

“This is normal!” Jungkook retorts. “This is normal for me!”

“No it isn’t,” Jaebum shakes his head fervently. “How could it be? Back at home, it’s not even an option. I’m not letting you leave till you change your mind, Jungkook.” Jaebum tightens his grip, and Seokjin can't fathom why Jungkook hasn’t shown his true force and escaped already.

Suddenly, Seokjin has had enough of watching.

He stands up and summons every acting skill he’d learnt in his high school drama club, downs the rest of his scotch and stumbles his way to Jungkook’s table. Subtlety is key, he reminds himself as he walks exaggeratedly and trips on his own foot, right onto Jungkook’s lap.

“Sorry mate - heeeeeeey, it’s my ex!” Jungkook stares at him like a deer caught in headlights. Seokjin throws him a wink and snuggles closer to him. When he turns to look at his date, Jaebum has sunk into his seat, mouth open in disbelief.

“Jungkook, baby.” Seokjin pouts, toying with Jungkook’s earlobe casually. Jungkook catches on then and grimaces, trying to swat Seokjin’s hands away playfully. “Look at me, getting drunk over you on weekdays, and look at you moving on so soon.” Seokjin slurs, draping himself over Jungkook. He might be here to rescue Jungkook, but who said he couldn’t have a little fun of his own?

“We’re not on a date, are we?” Jungkook says and glares across the table, snaking arms around Seokjin’s waist. He’s close enough to get drunk on the scent of Jungkook’s cologne and the weight of his hands feel comfortable against him, like something Seokjin could get used to all too soon.

“No we aren’t,” Jaebum agrees, eyeing Seokjin warily. “Is this your...boyfriend?” He points at Seokjin, spitting the word ‘boyfriend’ with unconcealed contempt.

“He used to be,” Seokjin answers easily and frowns, dragging a finger across Jungkook’s jaw. A beat of silence passes, but he can sense Jaebum is about to start again. He leans in close enough and murmurs in Jungkook’s ear, “Do you trust me?” He doesn’t miss the way Jungkook shudders around him.

“What’re you planning?” Jungkook whispers back, searching his eyes for something unknown. There’s something raw and magnetic in the way he’s looking at Seokjin, something he could easily mistake for attraction if he let himself believe it.

“To blow his mind. It wouldn’t take much.”

Jungkook sneaks a quick glance and nods, his lips curving into a barely-there smirk.

Seokjin pushes forward aggressively and kisses him.

Jungkook’s lips are very warm and thin against his very cold and plump ones, but Jungkook kisses back like he’s chasing that coolness. Seokjin had originally wanted to make it open-mouthed and sloppy, so filthy that it would literally drive their offender away; but Jungkook’s lips are soft and he’s running his knuckles across Seokjin’s cheek so gently that Seokjin melts into him, pressing closer till they’re chest to chest, slipping his tongue past Jungkook's lips and his fingers into Jungkook’s hair. He doesn’t realize they’d actually been making out till they part for a long breath much later and the bartender whistles at them.

Seokjin searches his face for any signs of regret and finds none. He’s smiling genuinely at Seokjin with unabashed fondness. His hair is standing up, bridging their foreheads together and he looks...blissful. Seokjin wants to see that look again and again. Wants to be the one putting it on his face every time.

He might have fallen a little bit in love.

They’ve all but forgotten their company when Jaebum butts in and shatters the moment. “Is he the one who corrupted you?”

“OH MY GOD,” Jungkook screams, throwing Seokjin off his lap. Seokjin wobbles around and finally slumps lifelessly against Jungkook’s chest, hanging off his neck. “I think he’s about to pass out, I’ll have to take him home.” Seokjin lazily hums in agreement and tucks himself under Jungkook’s arm.

“No, wait.” Jaebum cries out. “You need an intervention, Jungkook! I’m going to help you-”

In an act of pure instinct - and quite forgetting that he’s not supposed to possess any hand-eye co-ordination according to his act - he lifts Jungkook off the ground and throws him over his shoulder, sprinting out the doors without stopping.

Seokjin’s lips are still tingling.

They halt at a deserted alley three blocks away and Seokjin finally lets Jungkook down, gasping for breath. “You’re welcome,” he pants, resting his hands on his knees.

“ No, ” Jungkook moans. “I can’t go around with one more favour from you, undo it. Take me back there-”

“What happened to you back there?” Seokjin cuts in sharply. “Why didn’t you just walk out when he started saying those things? Why did you let him hold you down like that? Why didn’t you talk back?”

Jungkook hangs his head down guiltily. It’s a scary sight to see. “Cut me some slack, okay?” He mumbles. “It’s my first time experiencing this kind of a person.”

“You’ve never encountered a homophobe before?” Seokjin asks incredulously. “Well, I suppose that’s a good thing.”

“Yeah, but it didn’t prepare me for today. I actually froze. Didn’t know what to say or do. He was so harmless but I was petrified. Ugh, that is frustrating.” he paces agitatedly along the alley. “Oh god, I'm talking about my feelings with you.”

“It's okay,” Seokjin reassures. “I can't promise it won't happen again, but I'll be a call away if you need someone to bail you out or kick their asses.”

“No, you don't understand. I can do this by myself, I don't need someone saving me like a damsel in distress.” Seokjin snorts at that but says nothing.

“I don't need anyone drunkenly dropping into my lap. I don't need poor actors inaccurately pretending to be my ex.” Jungkook sounds weirdly agitated and for a second Seokjin thinks he should be making an apology for 'overstepping his boundaries’.

Then he turns to Seokjin and curves his lips into a playful smile. “And I definitely don't need someone kissing me like that.”

Seokjin flashes him a wicked grin of his own as he edges closer. “Yeah, that was unnecessary.”

“But good,” Jungkook remarks, running his tongue swiftly along his upper lip. His eyes are rooted to Seokjin's mouth.

“Very good,” Seokjin nods in agreement. “So good that it would be a shame not to do it again?” He tilts his head in question.

“Such a shame,” Jungkook echoes, tugging Seokjin closer by his tie. They don't really stop walking, Seokjin leading him ahead till his back hits the wall. Jungkook's eyes are blown wide in lust, like he's sure there's going to be more than just kissing in this abandoned alley.

There's a final tug to his tie, but Jungkook stops millimeters close to his mouth and murmurs, “you know I still hate you right?”

“I thought I wasn't that bad,” he counters cheekily.

“That was before you made me look like a defenceless weakling,” Jungkook says, poking his sides in revenge.

Seokjin jerks away involuntarily, but the hand on his tie draws him back. “Sure. Yeah, I know. You know I hate you back?”

“Of course, I hope I haven't given any reason to feel otherwise.” His hand snakes up and under Seokjin's shirt, drawing lazy circles on his back.

“None at all. This means nothing, then.” He asks rhetorically, closing the distance between them. Maybe it doesn't mean nothing for him, but he couldn't care any less right now. Right now, he's yearning for the taste of whatever fruity cocktail Jungkook had sipped before they'd kissed, yearning for the tongue that sent shivers down his spine, yearning to pin Jungkook against the wall and make him dizzy enough to see stars.

“This means nothing,” Jungkook repeats in one quick breath before Seokjin pushes him up against the wall and kisses him soundly.

Two point Five.

I held out for more than a month where is my prize

Jaehwan 87

go jinnie

You can have like 10% of my winnings

What winnings

Smh not again Jaehwan

Jaehwan 87

3 of your precinct guys and I are about to milk a lot of money from the sergeant and that Blondie

Yoongi was betting too?

I'm not surprised actually he's a sneaky minx

Jaehwan 87

where did y'all do it

Was it in the precinct after hours

Please say you boinked on a desk

It was an alley actually

Did you bet on that too

Jaehwan 87

Shit

NOOOOO ofc not

Anyways when's the wedding

Never

It was a one off thing we made it very clear

He did atleast

Jaehwan 87

Believe me he does NOT want this to be a one time thing he is very obvious when he's not around you

Just ask him out

I estimate 3 yrs to your wedding day from now

Why what does he do

What does he say

Jaehwan ffs this is not the time to go offline

Come back

Jaehwan 87

You're just as pathetic

I'm telling you nothing just ask your soulmate out

Three.

“You know, I think I've lost some of my intimidating streak thanks to you.”

Seokjin hums noncommittally, jumping over a broken chair leg to get to the other side of the house. It's a dilapidated old building, and the present apartment in particular looks like it hasn't been inhabited since the 80's. The furniture is coated with thick layers of industrial dust and every wooden structure looks like it's rotting. There's green mold on the walls, and Seokjin already knows Jungkook's clenching his stomach uneasily at the sight of it. The things they do for evidence.

Jungkook follows him close. “What, you're not going to say anything about that? Take responsibility. An old lady from staff called me cute. Unprecedented behaviour.” he pulls on his pair of gloves, mirroring Seokjin.

“What's there to say?” Seokjin asks bluntly, ducking under a dangling doorframe to enter what looks like the bedroom.

“Yikes,” Jungkook grumbles. When Seokjin turns, Jungkook busy tugging his shirt (which was actually Seokjin's shirt, claimed silently by Jungkook when they had moved in together) which had snagged on a loose nail. He looks innocently at Seokjin for help. Seokjin pretends he doesn't see it and turns on his heel.

“You're mad at me.” Jungkook says, scanning the other side of the room.

“No, I’m not.” A blatant lie. “I don't have any reason to be mad.”

“You definitely don't mean that.” he pulls away the white cloth covering the cupboards, letting the dust fly along with it.

“I'm a simple man, Jungkook. I say what I mean.” Seokjin opens a few empty drawers and leaves them open as he moves on hastily to the next.

“Oh yeah,” Jungkook laughs sarcastically. “Remember when you said our kiss meant nothing and moved in with me 8 months later?”

Seokjin opens his mouth confidently, but nothing comes up in defense. He returns to his task at hand, avoiding Jungkook's face that he knows will be painted with that annoying, self satisfied smirk that makes Seokjin want to flip tables.

“Seokjin, communicate. What is my offence?” Jungkook pleads.

Seokjin lets the silence wash over them as he considers the request. Even the memory of the night, the storm of emotions he had been through, stings his eyes.

“I thought you were dead.”

“Huh?” Jungkook blinks dumbly.

“Last week, you didn't pick up your phone because you were on that case with Namjoon. You said you would be home for dinner, so I waited till 4 and I kept calling but the phone wasn't even ringing. Namjoon said you’d left the precinct too, so I gave you the benefit of doubt and went to sleep and then I woke up to an empty bed and you hadn't called or messaged, what was I supposed to assume? When I came to the precinct, you were sleeping on the break room couch peacefully, like it didn’t matter to you there was someone waiting back at home.”

Jungkook relaxes his shoulders. “You’re throwing a hissy fit over something from last week, that you didn’t even react to then, by the way?”

“What was I supposed to say?” Seokjin demands. “I was just relieved to see you alive then, but Jungkook you can’t keep living like you’re riding solo.”

“Don’t,” Jungkook puts up his palm. “Don’t do that overprotective act, I’ve had enough of it all my life. Don’t start with it again, I thought you were different, you understood how I worked.”

“So what do you expect me to do, Jungkook? Not worry about you when you go MIA? Just assume you’re alive somewhere and go about my day all jolly and dandy? Because I can’t function like that.” Seokjin stands up and exits the room with a huff.

“But I said sorry that day! God, why are you being so dramatic?” Jungkook shouts behind him, only infuriating him further. Seokjin pauses in the corridor and turns on his heel.

He clenches his fists tight and shuts his eyes. “I got a ‘sorry babe, got caught up solving a case’ and then you were gone for a shower. Honestly Jungkook, sometimes you make me feel like I’m way more invested in this relationship than you. Maybe you feel you’re better off alone-”

“-how the fuck could you say that?” Jungkook growls, clutching his pant pocket fiercely. The sudden reaction startles Seokjin, but one look at Jungkook’s face tells him it’s not anger that sparked it. It’s hurt.

“I’m sorry,” Seokjin says but Jungkook feels farther than he actually is. It’s just a bad day, Seokjin reminds himself. They’ve had bad days before. It’ll pass, like the others did.

There’s a crashing noise from the hall. Seokjin sprints towards it before Jungkook even moves, catching a glimpse of a man’s foot at the door just as he reaches. The whole room smells like freshly sprinkled kerosene.

“I’ll stay back and search for evidence, looks like they were here to destroy it.” Jungkook says. “Go after them.”

Seokjin nods and tails after the person. The elevator and staircase are at the opposite end of the hallway. Seokjin looks both ways and runs towards the staircase. The door is still swinging close when he reaches and he follows the noise of footsteps, Two flights down, Seokjin catches up to him, taking him down with a well-aimed kick to his back.

Seokjin clambers over him and presses him down to the floor, Seokjin cuffs him and pulls out his phone to let Jungkook know. “Caught him?” The voice comes, calm and unbothered.

“Yeah,” Seokjin says, pressing the guy’s face to the floor. “You found something?”

“No, I’m in the bathroom right now,” Jungkook replies, his voice sounding preoccupied. Seokjin faintly catches the guy pinned beneath him sniggering, and something suddenly feels off.

Before he can react, there’s an explosive sound across the line and Jungkook’s phone clutters to the ground. Seokjin’s heart freezes for a second. “Jungkook?” he tries, but there’s no response. “Jungkook?”

“I’m here,” Jungkook says, voice getting clearer as he picks up the phone from the ground and brings it to his ear. “Okay, there’s a small fire outside, no big deal.” Jungkook narrates, voice trembling uncontrollably even as he tries to reassure Seokjin. All in vain, because Seokjin knows of Jungkook’s paralyzing Pyrophobia and there's only one feasible course of action for him now.

He clocks the guy in the head, waiting till he's motionless beneath Seokjin. Then he takes the stairs three steps up at a time, sensing the increase in intensity of the smoke as he gets closer. He quickly sends a call for backup and to the fire department and kicks open the blazing door to the apartment.

“Jungkook!” He calls out hoarsely between aggressive coughing bouts. He hadn't located a bathroom last time and with half the hall on fire, it's harder.

“Jungkook!” he yells again, and decides to take the same route he had followed the first time around.

Sure enough, Jungkook's lying unconscious in the bathtub. Seokjin heaves a sigh of relief and hoists him on his back, gasping from the lack of air.

Ten flights down, after a boyfriend having almost caught on fire and a pant leg having actually caught on fire, Seokjin collapses on the ambulance stretcher and thinks of what he could have lost. There's an intense need to chain himself to Jungkook now.

And Jungkook's concern is this: “he fucking vanished. How could you be foolish enough to let him go and come for me?”

“Well,” Seokjin smiles bitterly. “We have our own priorities.” He reaches out to brush a stray strand of hair off Jungkook's forehead, but stops himself. It's maddening how even a near death experience can't make him more important to Jungkook than his job.

“Yes we do,” Jungkook nods. His hand goes into his pocket yet again. “It’s scary to think that I am your first priority.”

“Take it or leave it,” Seokjin says, only half joking. “I can't give you any less, Jungkook.”

Jungkook stares at the wound on his exposed calf absently. He looks beautiful under the glowing blue and red lights, face covered in soot, the night breeze ruffling through his hair. Seokjin would die for him a thousand times over.

“I was going to ask you to marry me this week.” He says solemnly.

Seokjin sits up immediately. Jungkook's voice is cracking like it does when arguments go too far.

“You kind of shattered me when you said I'm not invested enough or I don't care enough, because I bought a ring - that's how invested I am, and you don't even know. You don't even know how much I love you and you could have died without knowing -”

He cuts off and buries his face into his lap.

“Jungkook,” Seokjin calls out softly, placing a hand on his knee.

Jungkook jerks up, eyes glistening with tears. “You scare the shit out of me, Seokjin. You've made me hopelessly dependent on you, and then you go risk your life for me like it's cheap change; I won't be able to function without you, and especially not with you if you keep throwing yourself into danger for my sake. There's a reason I've been doing things alone - I don't deal with loss very well.”

Seokjin draws closer and reaches a hand into Jungkook's pocket, trying to take hold of his hand. He feels the ring sitting inside and pulls it out. His heart constricts at the mere sight of the shining band of silver.

“I can't promise I won't repeat what I did today, Jungkook. You know you would do the same.” Jungkook widens his eyes in silent protest. “Tell me I'm wrong,” Seokjin prods and Jungkook comes up speechless.

“As for this,” Seokjin keeps the ring flat on his palm and offers it to Jungkook. “Ask me again later. A week later, or a month, or a year. I'll say yes when we're ready, when we trust each other enough.”

“I have a strange feeling you won't ever say yes,” Jungkook muses, pocketing it with a disappointed smile.

“Then you don't have faith in the love of the guy who would die for you,” Seokjin counters, shuffling around the ambulance till he's resting his head on Jungkook's shoulder. He places Jungkook’s hand against his heart and places his own against Jungkook’s. It's racing and unsteady, but it's soothing to his frazzled nerves.

“We're fine, it's fine.” Seokjin says, more as a reassurance to himself than to Jungkook.

Four.

Seokjin wakes up to an agonizing ache in his body and a dim, unfamiliar room.

He looks down at his clothes, takes in the smell of disinfectant and knows exactly where he is.

Jungkook's dozing on the chair next to his bed, and in the dim light of his bedside lamp he can make out the dried tear tracks on his face.

“Jungkook.” his voice comes out as a croak.

He startles at the sound, elbow sliding off the armrest. Relief washes over his features the minute their eyes meet, and suddenly Seokjin remembers why he's here.

“You're okay?” He extends an arm towards Jungkook and Jungkook takes his hand, clutching it tight.

“Bastard,” he says without bite. “You're the one who took a bullet to the chest.”

“It wasn't that bad,” Seokjin jokes. “I passed out quite instantly so I don't know.”

“It's a miracle you're alive Seokjin.” Jungkook looks away and wipes his face. “The bullet didn’t damage anything major, luckily. I told you not to make such rash moves-”

“-and I told you I wouldn't promise anything. What was I supposed to do, Guk? Watch it kill you? My body acted on its own.”

The scene flashes before his eyes: just another abandoned warehouse, a team of 6 searching for 2 gang leaders. It hadn’t happened in slow motion like he had imagined it would have; Seokjin had moved on pure reflex when he’d noticed a guy hidden to their left, gun aimed at Jungkook. The pain hadn’t lasted long either - he was out cold before he knew it. He doesn’t remember anything beyond Jungkook’s voice screaming his name.

“That's what I'm afraid of,” Jungkook whispers tearily. It sounds ominous.

Namjoon appears at the door, lighting up immediately. “You're awake, thank God!” He smiles genuinely back at Namjoon.

“We'll need to borrow your husband for a sec, Seokjin.” He looks hesitantly towards Jungkook.

“I’ll take some time, Namjoon. He just woke up.” Jungkook requests. Namjoon smiles fondly at him and nods. “They’re waiting to brief you, don’t take too long. Glad to have you back, Seokjin,” he says before ducking out.

There’s an awkward silence between them after he leaves. Jungkook’s drawing circles on the back of his hand, but his lips are pursed like he’s swallowing up something he wants to say. Seokjin’s too exhausted to bother. “So, are you going to kiss me or what?”

Jungkook cracks a smile and leans in, presses chapped lips against his own and holds his face like fragile glass. His stubble tickles and his tears dampen Seokjin’s cheeks. He pulls apart gently and tells him, “I fucking love you,” and kisses him some more. They share the hospital bed that night, clinging to each other desperately.

It’s quite a beautiful beginning to their end.

Four point Five.

When Jungkook returns to the precinct from the morgue, Seokjin’s desk is cleared out and Namjoon’s watching him from his cabin window like a ticking time bomb.

“Where is he?” Jungkook asks loudly, browsing through the post-mortem files. There’s barely anyone in the precinct, and those who are there are accustomed to Jungkook’s disregard for silence.

Namjoon appears before him. “He didn’t tell you?”

Jungkook sighs impatiently. “I slammed the divorce papers on his desk, Namjoon. What do you think?”

“Back to the 87th,” Namjoon replies. “Jaehwan was more than happy to have him back.”

“Great,” Jungkook says flatly. At least Jaehwan won’t induce rash sacrificial tendencies in him.

He goes back to work, tucking his earphone buds in as he flips through the files. Namjoon lingers around awkwardly, but Jungkook takes a good 5 minutes to notice it. He pulls out a bud roughly. “Do you need something?”

Namjoon fidgets with his fingers nervously. “Do you need something?”

Seokjin. He needs Seokjin. “Why would I need anything?”

“You wouldn’t, would you?” Namjoon smiles sadly. It feels more condescending to Jungkook than it actually is. Lately, everyone does. “The guys are going to Jack’s for a drink tonight, care to join?”

Jungkook shrugs nonchalantly. It’s not like he has a husband to take out to dinner. “Sure. Now buzz off, I have work to do.”

He waits till Namjoon’s completely out of sight before he even glances towards Seokjin’s empty desk. He’d just been dealing with the lack of morning coffee on his desk, and now to see the seat Seokjin had warmed for 5 years cold and empty pinches his heart. It’s hard trying to convince yourself that you’ve made the correct decision when no one’s actually happy about it.

As long as it keeps him out of harm’s way , he reminds himself.

(“ If I wanted to be out of harm’s way, I wouldn’t have become a detective, Jungkook!”)

Then he reaches out for his phone and calls Seokjin.

The phone rings for long, and Jungkook begins regretting his decision. Maybe Seokjin isn't around his phone. Or maybe Seokjin saw his call and rightfully decided not to pick up. He’s almost about to cut the call when the ringing ceases.

“Guk?” Seokjin questions. Jungkook goes numb for a moment, and then the river of longing floods into his hollow heart, threatening to break through the dams in his eyes. He hasn’t heard Seokjin say his name like that - without no hint of contempt or disappointment in his tone - in months.

Jungkook gathers courage and prays his voice won’t break. “You didn’t have to leave.”

“I wanted the bigger desk,” Seokjin jokes. His voice is heavy and nasal, like a blocked nose would induce. Jungkook chuckles despite himself and Seokjin joins, squeaking softly.

“I did you a last favour, be grateful.” He says when the laughter dies down. “Saved you and the rest of the team from serious awkwardness.”

“They were your friends too, Seokjin.”

“They were yours first,” Seokjin reasons. “I’m used to precinct-hopping anyways; just stayed a little longer at this one than I would have expected.”

The memory of Seokjin excitedly telling him his plans to retire here, with his familiar team and their to-be family, revisits him. The tears are already pricking his eyes. Realizing he won’t last longer, he gets ready to say goodbye. “Have a good time there, Seokjin.”

He cuts the call before Seokjin can respond.

+One.

“What the fuck were you thinking?”

Jungkook smiles bright at Seokjin and motions the paramedic to give them a few minutes of privacy. It’s not an appropriate reaction, but he can’t help grinning. Seokjin is yelling at him like a concerned husband, his face pale with fear and nails bitten with worry.

“Just repaying my debts. You look good,” Jungkook remarks. Seokjin’s wearing a tailored grey jacket that like everything else he wears, is snug on his shoulders. He smells like his favorite ocean scent, and Jungkook guesses he might have rushed to the emergency call from a date.

Seokjin looks unimpressed. Very unimpressed.

“Taking a bullet for me is not the way, Jungkook.” He pinches the bridge of his nose, one hand on his hip like a disappointed parent. “How could you have lunged in front of me like that with no care for your life?”

“It was very easy,” Jungkook answers promptly. “As easy as it was for you.”

Seokjin’s face crumples, and Jungkook can tell he’s on the verge of tears. He tries not to enjoy the giddy feeling that keeps telling him that Seokjin still cares, still cries for him. He pats the empty spot next to him and beckons Seokjin over.

Seokjin settles down beside him, eyes glued to his sewn and bandaged wound. Jungkook tilts his head and pouts at him, hoping it’ll ease his worry even slightly. “Relax Seokjin, it only grazed the arm.”

“It could have done much more had you been a second late,” Seokjin snaps.

“ Yes, it could have killed you!” Jungkook retorts furiously, feeling the fear rush through him as his mind entertains the possibility. “Anyways,” he attempts pointlessly to calm them both down, “It didn’t. No point dwelling over things that happened.”

He looks away hastily and trains his gaze on his scarred hands. He’s only now realizing how Seokjin must have felt that night, just why it’s so easy to put yourself before anything or anyone threatening to take away the love of your life.

Only now does he understand that ripping their relationship apart would change absolutely nothing in the way he felt about that. The instinctive need to protect each other is drummed into their bones and muscles, etched into their soul.

There’s not much he can do with this realization.

“How was the date?” He enquires.

Seokjin wipes at his welled up eyes and offers him a weak smile. “You mean before it got interrupted? The guy was kind of boring, and they played our wedding song at the restaurant.”

They both grimace at the mention. “God, I hate that song.” Jungkook shakes his head in regret. Seokjin nods violently in support and laughs shakily. It’s a good moment to hold his hand. Seokjin’s cold hands and crooked fingers that he hasn’t let himself hold in a year.

Seokjin beats him to it, lacing their fingers together in a gentle, careful grip. “I didn’t give up our marriage to watch you die, dummy.”

“Neither did I.” he leans in till his head knocks against Seokjin’s temple, suddenly feeling the wave of exhaustion finally hit his body, making his limbs heavy.

“Can you give us a second chance?” is what he means to ask.

“How about I take you to a restaurant that definitely doesn’t play our wedding song?” he asks instead.

It’s all the same to Seokjin anyways.

There’s a dangerously long period of silence as Seokjin considers the offer. He’s preparing a neutral face for rejection, when Seokjin squeezes lightly at his fingers and blinks softly in affirmation. “I’d like that.”

The paramedic returns, ordering Seokjin to leave. Jungkook opens his mouth in protest but Seokjin’s already climbing out. Jungkook doesn’t let go of the hand he’s holding, too afraid he won’t get another chance to. He’s left grabbing at the wind when Seokjin delicately pries his fingers away, but Seokjin’s smile is hopeful and contagious, and Jungkook falls in love all over again when he turns around and says:

“See you outside, partner. ”