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Jimin makes sure he looks straight into the eyes of everyone staring at him as he passes the group of teenagers on his way out of the convenience store. He’s sure there’s at least one couple amongst them – a Unit, as they like to call them – and he winks at the guy just for the satisfaction of seeing his girlfriend freak out and wrap her arm around him.
He scoffs and shakes his head while the door closes behind him.
“What you smirking about?” Taehyung asks as he steals a Coke can from one of the bags and drinks half of it in one go. He places it in the cup holder and starts the car as he waits for Jimin talk.
“People being ignorant.” Jimin simply answers and puts his seatbelt on, accommodating the bags at his feet.
“Oh.” Taehyung frowns, looking over at him at a stop sign. “Maybe I should’ve gone instead…” He muses.
Jimin sighs. “Nah, it’s fine.” He shrugs, looking out the window. “Not like I’m not used to it.”
“You shouldn’t be.” Taehyung says and Jimin turns back to him. He doesn’t answer but they share a smile and that’s the end of that conversation.
Hoseok takes the bags from him before he can even get inside their apartment properly and he watches fondly as Taehyung stops him from dropping all the drinks while he rummages through them. Jimin sits down at their dinner table as Hoseok’s going on and on about how Yoongi just texted saying he should be home late but that he’ll be there for sure because he would never miss Taehyung’s birthday like this and Jimin smiles into the hand that’s tucked under his chin, though some sadness seeps through it.
The three of them are the perfect Unit, truly made for each other, and Jimin envies it just a little bit. Not all Units are like this, some don’t even stay together despite being soulmates, and it warms his apparently non-existent feelings that his best friends are not like them. He knows they’re the real thing, share the purest type of love there is, and that nothing could tear them apart.
Jimin just wishes he could feel like this, too.
“…and I really don’t want people throwing up on our bed like last time.”
Jimin wakes up from his daze when he hears Taehyung’s voice go higher as it does when he’s been rambling for some time. He laughs, remembering the utter mess that was their house after Hoseok’s last party; he really doesn’t want anything like that to happen again because he just knows he’ll have to stay to help clean up.
“Agreed.” Jimin pipes in and Hoseok visibly deflates, looking at him as if he’s the biggest traitor in the entire universe. He sends a flying kiss his way and laughs even harder when he blushes.
Jimin excuses himself for the bathroom and can still hear Hoseok trying to convince Taehyung that a vodka fountain would be really cool, Tae!. He shakes his head and sighs as he unbuttons his jeans, mind travelling elsewhere and only coming back to the present when he’s already done washing his hands and facing the mirror.
The scar on his face looks extra bright today, especially after the incident at the convenience store. He looks at it for a moment, traces the line that goes from his forehead to the middle of his cheek, and sighs, lowering his hand. His eyes meet in the mirror and he wonders if he should take out the brown lens to hide the one that’s blue, yet another physical sign to remind him and everyone else of who – or what – he is.
A knock on the door makes him jump. “Jiminie?” It’s Taehyung, and it makes him question just how long he’s been in there. “You alright?”
He doesn’t answer, instead just opens the door and puts on a small smile. “All good.” Taehyung squints at him and Jimin hates how well he can read through him. “Okay, I was… thinking about something.”
“I already know what it is, but ask.”
“Are you sure you want me to stay?” Jimin risks and Taehyung rolls his eyes.
“We talked about this, you know I don’t care.” He starts off and Jimin nods. “You’re my best friend and I love you no matter what… We’re gonna keep our room locked and I’ll give you the key so you can stay there if you want but… I just want you here. Please?”
Jimin smiles weakly and looks down at their hands that Taehyung had linked while he was talking and squeezes his slightly. “Yeah, okay… Sorry for being selfish.” He rolls his eyes playfully. “Part of being a Taker, I guess.”
“Stop.” Taehyung reprimands and pulls him into a hug that Jimin doesn’t hesitate before reciprocating.
It’s comforting, how Taehyung isn’t scared of touching him. Since the day they met, he’s always been pulling him around by the hand, kissing his cheek or hugging him, even when they’re in public. Of course he’s aware of the looks they get, especially with Taehyung’s mark shining gold on his forearm, but he’s learned to let it go over the years.
Hoseok was easy to deal with too, though he’s never been one to be too touchy with anyone that’s not one of his soulmates. Yoongi took some time, though; Taehyung and Hoseok were already together when they met, and it was one hell of a shock to find that they formed a Tribus, a rare Unit made of three people and that is frowned upon by the old conservatives.
It was already hard for Yoongi to deal with all that, imagine what happened when he found out the best friend of one of his soulmates was a Taker. Worse yet, Yoongi comes from a traditional Captor family, which meant that his ancestors used to hunt and kill people just like Jimin back in the day.
Jimin considered leaving and moving again, like he had done so many times before, but Taehyung found out and stopped him. He argued with Yoongi over him, called him an ignorant asshole and yelled at him that,
“I’d rather not have a soulmate than be stuck with someone like you!”
Jimin was there for the whole thing and it was painful for him to watch. In a way, he understood why Taehyung was acting like that, why he had decided to take the matter into his own hands; he had always been protective of Jimin, calling out whoever he thought even looked at him the wrong way. On the other hand, he felt guilty that he was the cause for two soulmates to argue like that; breaking Units was in his blood and, while not in the traditional way, he was still doing it.
It took some time but Yoongi started to open up his mind and free himself from the prejudice passed down to him by his family. Now, he treats Jimin like a younger brother and glares at anyone that even breathes close to him in a way he doesn’t like.
Jimin is thankful for them, the little family he found so far from home, which is why he lets a single tear roll down his face when Taehyung pulls away from their hug. His friend only smiles and wipes it off for him; it’s usually how they work, with no words but through small actions and small smiles.
“Oh, and don’t you dare put the contacts on!” Jimin sighs. So that answers his doubts on whether he should hide his blue eye or not. “I also want to ask you something…”
“Okay?”
“My cousin is coming tonight…” Taehyung starts slowly. “He just moved here and he doesn’t really know anyone and well, I was thinking you could sta-“
“How many times do I have to tell you to stop trying to set me up with people?” Jimin raises an eyebrow, voice showing how annoyed he is by it. “No one wants a Taker, Tae- no, don’t even give me that look, you know that’s true.”
“It’s not that, I swear!” Taehyung says defensively. “It’s just that he’s really shy and doesn’t get along with a lot of people, especially other Units, so I thought you could help him let loose a little bit.” He finishes off and bites his lip. “You don’t have to, obviously.”
Jimin sighs. The things he does for Taehyung. “No, it’s fine. I’ll do it.”
It’s only ten minutes into the party and Jimin is already done with everyone staring at him like he’s a freak. He’s hanging out in the kitchen with Yoongi, the two of them drinking in silence as they try to keep away from all the noise that Hoseok and Taehyung’s friends bring to the house, and occasionally talking about something.
“Sorry it has to be like this for you, Jiminie.” Yoongi says eventually but Jimin only sighs.
“Well, they can’t all be like you.” He looks over at the older and finds him already looking back at him. “Thank you for changing, though… Means a lot.”
“I’m glad I did.” Yoongi smiles at him before downing all his beer in one go.
Taehyung emerges from the living room not too long after with an unknown guy around their age in tow. Must be the cousin, Jimin thinks.
“Okay, so…” He starts and the way he pauses for a second tells them that he’s already a bit more than tipsy. “Yoongi, you already know Jungkook.” They nod at each other and then it’s Jimin’s turn to be introduced. “Jungkookie, this is Jiminie. Jiminie, Jungkookie.” Taehyung giggles at the way he says their names and Jimin laughs fondly at him before turning to the newcomer.
The shock is evident in his face, and Jimin is scared of what comes next; he really doesn’t want to be the one to ruin Taehyung’s birthday party. He’s expecting rejection, disgust or any kind of bad reaction but it never comes. Instead, he gets a smile and a,
“So you’re my babysitter for the night?”
It takes Jimin a moment to get a hold of himself again after the initial surprise but when he does, he snorts and says, “Yeah, I guess I am. Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Jungkook is still smiling and Jimin can’t help but do it, too.
Taehyung leaves them to mingle around and welcome whoever just rang the doorbell. Yoongi goes to the living room, too, talking about having to find Hoseok before he drinks himself into a coma.
“So, do you not like parties or what?” Jungkook asks when he sits down next to him.
“Not like this…” Jimin answers and he really doesn’t want to elaborate on it but somehow Jungkook gets it because he hums and nods.
“Too many Units.”
“Yeah…” Jimin takes a sip from his cup. “How about you? Why aren’t you out there? You look like you could be a good dancer.”
Jungkook laughs. “I am, actually. But I don’t do well in places like this.” He shrugs and Jimin accepts it.
“Must be hard being related to Tae, then…” Jimin jokes.
“Oh, you have no idea. He’s always trying to set me up with his single friends.” Jungkook shakes his head, sounding just as exasperated as Jimin feels.
“You too?” He’s turned to face him completely by now, scar forgotten as he lets himself get lost in the conversation. “I swear, he never learns!” Jimin half-realizes he’s raising his voice and moving just a bit too much, but he’s had more to drink than he should and talking to someone new without being judged just makes him excited like that.
“I know!” Jungkook agrees, eyes widening and it’s possibly the most adorable thing Jimin has ever seen. “And I can’t even tell him I don’t want it because he never listens…” He pouts, then, and Jimin doesn’t know if he squealed for real or just inside his head.
“But, I mean…” Jimin can feel he’s about to talk too much but his intoxicated brain doesn’t really care. “You’re cute so you could probably have a few nice dates.”
He can see Jungkook’s blush despite the dimmed lights and they both sit there, smiling like idiots, until the younger clears his throat.
“You’re, um… you’re cute, too.” He says and, despite seeing all the sincerity in his eyes, Jimin still frowns.
“A-are you serious?”
Jungkook looks down at his lap, stunned by his own boldness – maybe it’s the change in scenery, he muses – and doesn’t answer until he hears his name being called.
“Hey, Jungkook-ah!” It’s a girl that was introduced to him when he got there, one of Taehyung’s classmates or something like that. “I’d be careful with that one if I were you.” She giggles with her friends as they look at Jimin before going back to the party.
The mood in the kitchen dampers down considerably after that. Jimin is staring at the inside of his cup, wondering if he should go through the trouble of getting up for another dose to help him end the night faster. Jungkook, on the other hand, is staring right at him, and thinking about how people can be so mean to each other.
“I’m sorry about that.” He finally says and Jimin looks up, a sad smile on his face.
“Nothing to apologize for.” He sighs. “Not your fault.”
Jungkook nods and they’re silent again. He thought he could identify with Jimin more than with Taehyung, given that he’s also not a Common, but he’s never been treated with so much judgment and disrespect like this so he really can’t put himself in Jimin’s place.
“Does it happen often?” Jungkook doesn’t know if he’s crossing a line, but he can’t help but to ask.
“More than you can imagine.” Jimin answers, though, so he can’t be doing anything too bad. He’s closed into himself now and Jungkook hates those girls and everyone that has ever made him feel bad about himself like this.
“Do you-“ He blurts out without thinking, making Jimin look up at him in curiosity when he doesn’t finish his question.
“Yes?”
“Um, Tae said you have the key to his room so…” Jungkook scratches the back of his neck. “Do you want to go upstairs, away from these people?”
Jimin looks so taken aback by the question Jungkook can’t help but regret it when he doesn’t answer right away. Then he laughs, eyes crinkling and he still looks very much surprised but it’s warm and not like he’s about to call Jungkook out for such a ridiculous idea.
“Yeah, okay.”
It’s not an easy task, crossing the living room to the upstairs; they have to avoid sweaty bodies as they press together not even bothering to hide the fact that they’re using dance as an excuse to just rub against each other.
Jimin knows they’re lucky they don’t run into Taehyung or they would have to deal with him throwing kisses at them and making inappropriate comments.
“Units are so weird…” Jungkook says while Jimin is locking the door after they get inside, taking his shoes off and making himself comfortable on his cousin’s bed.
“Especially when they’re all in the same place like this…” Jimin fakes a shiver. “It’s like they’re competing to see who can make me throw up first.”
Jungkook laughs, hand going through his hair to mess it up now that he most likely won’t have to go back to the party anymore. Jimin watches him and a thought crosses his mind, one that should have bothered him since they met but that didn’t until now, after seeing Jungkook mock the Units over and over again.
“But wait, why don’t you like going on the dates Tae sets up for you?” Jimin asks as he joins him on the bed, genuinely curious as to why someone like Jungkook would run away from a chance like that. People their age never skipped an opportunity to get tied up with someone for eternity. “You could find your soulmate… Be gross in public together and all that.” He jokes and Jungkook makes a face.
“Ha, yeah, funny story…” Jungkook turns to Jimin and shows him his palms, where two red X’s sit, the scar tissue contrasting against his skin and making Jimin gasp. “I don’t have one.”
“Relicta…” Jimin whispers, hands going up unconsciously to touch Jungkook’s marks.
“What?” The younger asks, confused about the word Jimin just used.
“Um, it’s…” Jimin waves his hand, still startled that Jungkook isn’t a Common. “How Loners like you used to be called in the beginning. It’s latin, means ‘abandoned’.”
“Makes sense, I guess…” He nods, looking down at his hands in thought. “What were you called?”
“Profligo.” Jimin says, then scoffs. “It literally means ‘to destroy’ or… ‘to break up’.”
“Ouch.” Jungkook winces, analyzing Jimin’s face to make sure he’s okay with talking about this.
“Yeah…” Jimin sighs then a sarcastic smile places itself on his lips. “You know, they used to say we have powers… That Takers manipulate Commons into falling in love with us and neglecting their Beloveds…” He snorts. “The only thing I could ever make people do is stay away from me.”
There’s a pause because Jungkook doesn’t know what to say, and then he just blurts out, “My mom’s a Taker.”
Jimin looks at him with wide eyes. “What, really?”
Jungkook nods. “Yeah, and my dad’s a Common. But she never had to do anything to keep him away from his soulmate… He was already in love with her when he met his Beloved, so it just didn’t work out.”
“And you’re a Loner… Just like every other kid born from a Taker.”
“People say it’s punishment for what my parents did, betraying the Universe and all but… to be honest, I’d rather not be manipulated into staying with someone just because they were theoretically made for me.” Jimin smiles at the way he says all that; agrees with it, too, but he doesn’t think it’s his place to do so when he was born to steal soulmates, not to find his own. It feels like he’s desperately trying to erase his bloodline.
“So you don’t believe soulmates are real?” He asks instead of providing his own opinion on the subject.
“I do when I look at Tae, Hoseok and Yoongi, how could you not?” Jimin nods, agreeing. “But I don’t think True Units like them are all that easy to find.”
“Sometimes people just stay together because the mark tells them to.”
Jungkook looks up at Jimin when he says that, something unfamiliar shining in his eyes. “If you ask me, that’s way more manipulative than anything a Taker could do.”
Jimin wakes up to banging on the door and it takes him a full five seconds to figure out where he is and what is going on. He doesn’t remember falling asleep, but he must have talked to Jungkook until he did because said boy was lying right in front of him on Taehyung’s bed, arm under his head and facing him.
He gets up, blinking rapidly to wake himself up and thanks the heavens he didn’t drink enough to get hungover.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Jimin says as soon as he opens the door and finds Yoongi on the other side. He assumes the party is over because there’s no more music or loud chatter downstairs and idly wonders what time is it.
“It’s fine.” He shrugs it off. “Do you know if Jungkook went home?”
“Oh, Kook’s asleep too.” Jimin answers and Yoongi looks inside the bedroom to see that he is, indeed, passed out there. He squints at Jimin, who immediately widens his eyes. “We didn’t do anything, oh my God, Yoongi!”
The older breaks into laughter at Jimin’s freaked out response. “Whatever you say, Jiminie. Can you help me carry Tae upstairs? Kid really enjoyed his birthday to the limit.”
Taehyung barely opens his eyes on the way up and doesn’t care that there is someone else in his bed when he throws himself on it. Jungkook bounces on it twice but he barely twitches and Jimin thinks just how the hell he’s supposed to wake him up. Yoongi doesn’t offer him any piece of advice and he’s left to solve it on his own while the older goes back downstairs to help Hoseok, who is at least still awake though a bit more than dizzy, come up.
“Jungkook-ah…” Jimin calls softly, shaking him by the arm carefully; it doesn’t work. Jimin sighs and sits next to him on the bed. He watches him sleep for a moment and admires how peaceful he looks; there’s a warmth flowing through his body just by being this close to him and Jimin really wants to ignore it but it’s already too strong for him to do so. “Hey…” He tries again, hand going up to thread through Jungkook’s hair as he calls his name again and his eyes finally flutter open. “Come on, let the boys have their bed.” Jimin says as he helps him sit up. “Come to the guest room.”
They pick up their shoes and cross the small corridor to the spare bedroom. Jimin takes his backpack from the bed and throws it somewhere to the floor, too tired to even bother going through it for a change of clothes to sleep into.
“You’re sleeping here, right?” Jungkook mumbles into the pillow, eyes already half-closed. “I won’t hug you in your sleep, promise.” He smiles and he looks so much like a kid Jimin wants to coo at him.
“Yeah, I’ll just go drink some water…” Jimin answers and Jungkook nods, satisfied, but he’s asleep before the older can even leave the room.
Jungkook is still beside him when Jimin wakes up a few hours later. He has an arm thrown over his eyes and his lips are slightly parted, and Jimin wonders how he can feel so fond of someone he just met.
He remembers talking to him for hours, about various subjects, some of which he usually never talks to anyone except for Taehyung about; Jimin knows he wants to get to know him better, get used to his presence and maybe even start to reciprocate the various flirty comments he ignored during their conversation.
But he doesn’t know how to, not yet anyways.
Jimin almost laughs when he gets to the kitchen and finds Taehyung draped over the kitchen table next to a considerably less-hungover Hoseok while Yoongi cooks them breakfast.
“Has he said he’s never drinking again yet?” He asks as he steals some food that is already done from Yoongi’s plate, smiling sheepishly at him as he does it.
“Yeah, about a hundred times.” Hoseok answers, his loud laugh echoing around the house. Taehyung only groans and slaps him weakly on the arm.
“Aw, that’s okay…” Jimin caresses Taehyung’s hair softly. “You have two soulmates to take care of you when you regret all your life choices like this.”
“And you?” Taehyung mumbles, eyes closed due to Jimin’s fingers in his hair.
“And me, of course. Just…” He checks the watch on the wall and frowns. “Not right now, I have a train to catch.”
Taehyung whines when Jimin takes his hand away from him but doesn’t say anything. He knows Jimin has to go or he’ll be late and his family really hates waiting. Besides, he always stays for his birthday parties even though he’ll be exhausted on his trip home for New Years with his parents and brother, so Taehyung knows he can’t complain.
“Tell Namjoon we said hi.” Yoongi says as he starts setting their food on the table.
“Will do.” Jimin leans down to give Taehyung a kiss on the forehead. “Love you, don’t forget to drink water.”
“Love you, too.” Taehyung answers, eyes back to being closed and not caring that there’s food right in front of him; he just wants to go back to sleep. “Text when you get there.”
“Bye guys, see you in a couple of days.” Jimin waves at them before he leaves.
When he’s outside, he realizes how much he wishes he had talked to Jungkook before leaving.
*
Jungkook calls him two days after he’s back from his family’s house and Jimin can only assume Taehyung gave him his number. Lucky for him, he is just having lunch with his best friend when it happens.
“Hey, Jungkook.” Jimin keeps his eyes on Taehyung when he answers it so of course he notices the little smile he tries to hide by stuffing his mouth with food.
“Hey, um…” There’s a pause and a door opening then closing. “Do you want to go out for lunch?”
“Oh, shit, sorry, I… I’m already having lunch with Tae.” He pouts, though Jungkook can’t see, and Taehyung looks up at being mentioned and starts gesticulating something that Jimin can’t really understand.
“Oh…” Jimin tries not to think too much about the obvious disappointment in his voice.
“But you can join us if you want?” He risks and Taehyung rolls his eyes, clearly displeased that he didn’t get what he was trying to tell him.
“Yeah, no, um…” Jungkook laughs humorlessly and only then, Jimin gets what Taehyung is mouthing at him. “I just remembered I have stuff to do.”
Ask to meet later. Just you two.
Jimin frowns as he thinks about Taehyung’s words and considers them. He remembers how well he got along with Jungkook at the party and how comfortable he made him feel, despite being what he is and how everyone else treats him. He knows he wants to see Jungkook again, and maybe not ignore the little spark in his chest this time.
“Well, um…” Jimin starts but has to clear his throat when his voice doesn’t come out the way he wants it to. “We could meet? For coffee? Later?” He grimaces at his pathetic attempt at being smooth and Taehyung has to cover his mouth with his hand so he doesn’t laugh out loud.
“Just us?” Jungkook sounds hesitant but Jimin can still tell he’s smiling even over the phone. Maybe he wants this just as much as he does.
“If you want.” Jimin answers, almost as a question, and Taehyung rolls his eyes yet again at his friend’s obliviousness.
“Of course, yeah…” Jungkook takes less than a second to answer and Jimin finds it adorable how he’s clearly trying not to sound too excited. “Just, uh, text me where to meet you.”
“Okay…” Jimin smiles but catches himself when he sees the look Taehyung is giving him. “Bye, Jungkookie.”
“See you later.”
When Jimin hangs up, he realizes he’s smiling again but he doesn’t even have to force himself to play it cool because Taehyung’s proud face makes his giddiness give place to a whole different feeling: suspicion.
Jimin squints. “You planned this, didn’t you?”
“I swear I didn’t.” Taehyung defends himself and, even though he’s laughing as he says it, Jimin can tell he’s being honest which only confuses him. “At my party, I really just needed someone to keep him company and I also wanted you to stay without feeling like you were obligated to just because it was my birthday. So I figured it was a good idea to introduce you because somehow I just knew you’d get along well.”
“But?” Jimin presses on, knowing there is a catch.
“But…” Taehyung starts and he’s smiling that smile Jimin hates because it means he knows something Jimin doesn’t. “After the party, Jungkookie came up to me and told me he really liked talking to you and what he could do to see you again.”
“So you gave him my number…” Jimin assumes.
“Yeah, I mean… He’s never been interested in anyone and he stopped hooking up with people about a year ago because the fact that this was temporary to them and not to him started taking a toll on him.”
“Because they’ll eventually find their soulmates and he won’t.” Jimin nods. He understands, way more than he wishes he did.
“So he closed into himself and, just…” Taehyung smiles again but this time it’s different, softer and genuinely happy. “To see him talking about someone like that and letting himself be open like he was with you, I… I was thrilled.” He looks at Jimin with such joy in his eyes that he can’t help but smile too. “Our parents don’t get along, I mean, he- he told you that his mom is like you, right?” Jimin nods so he continues. “Yeah, right, so they don’t really like each other but Jungkook is like a brother to me. And you’re my best friend in the entire universe. And I have no idea how I never thought of putting you together when it was literally so obvious, oh my God!”
Jimin sighs, looking down at his food as he absorbs everything he just heard. He can’t lie to Taehyung and say he didn’t feel anything talking to Jungkook that night, can’t deny their instant connection and how at home the younger had made him feel.
“I can tell you feel the same, Jiminie…” Taehyung says and Jimin looks up at him. “Even though neither of you know exactly what it is you’re feeling, you both know it’s there.” He adds, then wiggles his eyebrows. “Maybe it’s fate.”
Jimin scoffs. “There’s no such thing as fate for people like me, Taehyung… Or him, for that matter.”
“And that’s why it’s so perfect. You were both born without soulmates for a reason, have you thought about that?” Taehyung insists. “The Universe works in mysterious ways.”
“I really want to, he’s…” Jimin sighs, letting himself smile at the thought of Jungkook. “He’s the sweetest and, well, he doesn’t treat me like shit like everyone I’ve ever got involved with, but…”
Taehyung shakes his head. “There’s no ‘but’ here, Jiminie…” He reaches out over the table to hold Jimin’s hand. “Stop being so scared of being happy.”
Jimin knows listening to Taehyung is the right thing to do. It usually is, too, seeing as he’s been the one to help Jimin with pretty much all of his problems ever since they met. Right now, though, he can only feel scared as he waits for Jungkook at the coffee shop they decided to meet at.
He’s seated at a more secluded booth, hiding as best as he can from everyone’s stares and judging eyes. It was already bad when he walked in and all the heads turned to him at once, making him feel even worse than he already was. He tells himself and over and over that he is used to it but it never ceases to bother him how the world seems to forget he’s human just like them when they look at his face.
“Did that table do something to you, or…?” Jimin jumps when he hears Jungkook’s voice but he has no idea why he would say something like that. “You were frowning at it pretty hard.” He clarifies with a smile and Jimin only realizes he was frowning when he feels his face relax into a grin.
“Yeah, no, just… Just thinking.” He shrugs and Jungkook nods.
“Have you ordered yet?”
“Uh, no, I… I didn’t want to go up to the counter.” Which is weird because Jimin is always one to stand his ground and not show defeat in situations like this; maybe this whole Jungkook thing is messing with his brain.
“Oh.” Jungkook frowns and then shakes his head almost imperceptibly. “I got it, what do you want?”
“A caramel macchiato, please.” Jimin says without even having to think about it.
“Your wish is my command.” Jungkook answers with a flourish and Jimin giggles. “Oh, and you don’t have to pay me back for it.”
He leaves before Jimin can even protest because he was, indeed, ready to reach for his wallet for the money. Jimin sighs and sits back, accepting it because from what he had gathered about Jungkook so far was that when he put his mind to something there was nothing and no one that could change it.
Jimin watches him as he talks to the cashier, smiling and friendly. She looks at his hands for a second when he’s gesticulating but doesn’t bat an eye; Loners aren’t all that rare, after all, and they were never feared or hunted down for their ‘evil powers’. Jimin doesn’t mind not having a soulmate but he would much rather not be treated like a vicious murderer whenever he tries to talk to someone who doesn’t know him.
Jungkook comes back to their table not too long after and Jimin immediately takes a sip of his drink just so he has something to do. It’s weird, how at the night of the party he was able to talk to him so freely but now he feels and behaves like a high schooler with a crush.
Fortunately, Jungkook is not the same.
“How was New Years?” He asks to make conversation as he waits for his coffee to cool down a bit.
“Good.” Jimin smiles. ”Went to see my family and we had a nice dinner and all…”
“Just you guys?”
“Yeah…” Jimin bites his lip, figuring that he’s already shared a lot of his life with Jungkook so there’s no problem in continuing to do so. “My parents lost a lot of friends when I was born, which… understandable, I mean, no one wants a Taker around, right? It’s like a disease…”
“I do.” Jungkook says softly and Jimin can’t stop the incredulous laugh that escapes him.
“So, yeah…” He clears his throat, still taken aback by Jungkook’s words. “It was just us. My brother’s soulmate came to visit, too…”
“Is he nice?” Jungkook asks, genuinely interested in everything he has to say and it completely baffles Jimin that he can treat him like this.
“He’s great, really kind and has this, um… this young mentality, you know? Even though he’s older than him…” Jimin explains, and for once he’s scared he’s not talking too much or gesticulating too much because he knows Jungkook wants to hear it all. “Which is good because Namjoon can get awfully serious sometimes and he needs someone to pull him back.”
“That’s good.” Jungkook nods but makes a face when he goes to sip from his coffee and it’s still too hot. “Do you think they’re a True Unit?”
“I think so.” Jimin smiles, remembering the way they talked to and looked at each other. Then he turns his attention back to Jungkook, who has his tongue out cutely due to having just burnt it, and laughs. “How about you, what did you do?”
“Went to visit my parents, too…” He shrugs a little. “We had a family gathering and those always suck because my dad’s side is… difficult, to put it lightly.”
“Because your mom’s a Taker.” Jimin assumes and Jungkook nods with a roll of his eyes.
“They don’t really like me either, apparently I’m a disgrace to their bloodline or something, I don’t really care.” Jungkook says, full of attitude, making Jimin smile. “So usually I just stay with mom and her sister in the kitchen until they leave.”
“Are you two close?” Jimin asks, it’s his turn to watch the younger talk and be mesmerized by all his mannerisms.
“Very.” Jungkook nods with a look of pure fondness in his eyes. “Since I was a kid I guess I just always got along better with her than with dad… And yes, I did tell her about you.”
Jimin’s eyes nearly jump out of their sockets. “Um, wh- why would you do that?”
“Wanted to tell her I met someone like her.” He shrugs, nonchalant, then smirks. “Oh, and I also just wanted an excuse to talk about you.”
Jimin blushes and he swears he sees Jungkook’s hand twitch to touch his cheeks before he closes it over the table. “And, uh, what did she say?”
“That she wants to meet you.”
Jimin is sure the amount of times his heart already skipped a beat can’t be healthy for him. “Are you serious?”
Jungkook nods. “I’ll take her there someday. But first, I have a question for you.” He says and Jimin looks up at him like a deer in the headlights. “Is this a date?”
“U-Um, I…” Jimin stutters, almost choking on his macchiato. “I don’t know.”
“You should know, you’re the one that asked me out for coffee!” Jungkook teases, that damn smile in place.
“But you’re the one that payed for my drink, so…” Jimin tries to play nonchalant as he avoids eye contact. “Maybe you should know.”
“Okay then…” Jungkook says and Jimin looks up, not knowing what he’s going to do next. “It’s a date.” He adds simply, as if commenting on the weather.
Jimin can’t help the giggle that escapes him and then he’s hiding behind his hands so that Jungkook can’t see him blush. “God, am I really doing this?” He asks to himself but Jungkook hears it anyway because he smiles. “When- When did you get so bold?”
Jungkook just shrugs, taking a sip of his coffee. “You and Tae talk about everything; I just guessed he probably told you that I like you.”
Jimin can’t keep the smile off his face and he nods but doesn’t dare looking up at him. “Yeah, he mentioned something about that.” He says while tracing invisible patterns on the table with his fingers.
“He actually texted me…” Jungkook’s fingers join his and they play for a while until Jungkook catches Jimin’s hand in his and keeps it there. “Said I had to make the first move because you would never.”
“He’s right.” Jimin nods, eyes on their hands.
“Why not?”
“I just don’t want to get hurt?” It comes out a question and, well, Jimin himself doesn’t know why he’s so hesitant when it comes to Jungkook. “I’m used to being used as a test dummy before the real thing comes along.”
“The real thing being the soulmate.” Jungkook says and Jimin nods, still looking at their fingers intertwined.
“I think I lost count of how many times I’ve been used for sex because oh, you have no feelings, you don’t care.” Jimin mimics the voices of the many men that ever said that to him. Jungkook squeezes his hand in support. “The things I had to go through just for being born like this, I-“ He stops talking and shakes his head.
“I’m not-“
“I know.” Jimin interrupts him. “I know you’re not and could never be like that.” Their eyes finally meet. “I look at you and I see everything I’ve always wanted but only ever dreamed about.” He admits. “But I’m scared, Jungkook…” Jimin sighs. “I’m already getting dirty looks just by sitting here like this with you, I- I don’t want you to be targeted the way I am.”
“I don’t care.” Jungkook says after turning to the waitress staring at them from across the room and glaring at her, to which Jimin only shakes his head. “I obviously don’t know what it’s like for you but I know what it’s like to be around someone like you all the time and still get judged just by being in your presence.” He adds and Jimin mentally slaps himself for talking to him as if he didn’t have to grow up next to a Taker: his mom. “And I don’t care.” He repeats, trying to get the older to understand.
Jimin takes a deep breath and pulls his hand away from Jungkook’s to run his fingers through his hair and rub his eyes. He’s tired of this, of having to live like he’s some sort of freak and having to bow down to the ones that call themselves normal. Jimin wants to be happy, and he knows it’s about damn time he gets what he wants.
“Can we go somewhere else?” He asks after a moment of silence and Jungkook just nods as he finishes up his coffee; Jimin’s half-full cup is still in front of him but he doesn’t feel like drinking it anymore.
“I live just across the park… We can go there if you want and talk without all these eyes on us.” Jungkook offers, making Jimin smile in gratitude; they might have met less than a week ago, but it already feels like Jungkook knows him like the palm of his hands.
Speaking of hands, Jungkook takes one of Jimin’s into his as soon as they’re out of the coffee shop. Jimin looks down at where they’re touching then up at Jungkook who is already watching him carefully.
“Is this okay?” He asks, shyly, ready to pull away if he has to.
“Uh, yeah…” Jimin answers and looks away. “Just- um, not used to it.”
“Oh, well, I… I can hold your hand forever if you let me.” Jungkook says as if it’s nothing and Jimin really can’t face him right now, though he knows the younger sees him smiling like an idiot.
The moment is broken when they get to the park and walk past a group of men around their age.
“Is that a fucking Taker?” One of them yells.
Jimin feels his heart stop and he squeezes Jungkook’s hand involuntarily, making the younger switch sides with him so that he’ll be the one walking closer to the group and not Jimin. Jungkook’s actions towards Jimin keep surprising him and, despite the situation, he can still find it in himself to feel giddy because of it.
“Hey, Taker, who did you steal that from?” Jimin swallows and keeps walking, knowing clearly that he’s referring to Jungkook.
The group laughs and it only fuels him to keep going.
“You know this is only a pastime for him, right?” He scoffs as he stops right in front of them, stopping them from continuing on their path. Jungkook can’t hide the scowl on his face. “Hey, Taker, I’m talking to you.” He reaches out to lift Jimin’s chin so that he looks up at him but Jungkook bats his hand away.
“Don’t fucking touch him.” Jungkook says and his voice sounds so cold it’s scary. Jimin never thought he could look like this and it almost sends a shiver down his spine.
The man takes Jungkook’s wrist and turns it around, looking at the scar on his hand and laughing at it.
“Figures.” He says. “Freaks like you really should be together.” Jungkook holds onto Jimin’s hand harder, grounding himself so that he doesn’t do anything stupid. “What do you think makes you so wrong that you can’t even have a soulmate, huh?” He provokes them.
Jimin just wants to leave, wants to pull at Jungkook until he stops with their staring contest and they start walking again in the direction of the safety of his apartment.
“I’m okay like this, really…” Jungkook shrugs. “Better not have a soulmate than not being able to keep mine.” He looks down at the man’s arm, where his mark sits colored in black, a sign that his soulmate left him at their own will. “What, did they realize how awful you are and decided that no one should spend the rest of eternity tied up to someone like you?”
Jimin’s eyes go wide at Jungkook’s boldness; granted, had he been alone and had it been a different moment in his life he probably would have given the same answer, but right now all he can do is be scared that this man and his friends will beat the shit out of them.
“Kook-ah…” He calls, eyes on the guy in front of them. “Let’s just go.” Jimin takes a step to his side and pulls Jungkook with him.
“Hey, man, come on.” One of the stranger’s friends comes from behind him and pulls him by the shoulders in the opposite direction. “Let them go, it’s not worth it.”
Jimin’s eyes meet his and he nods almost imperceptibly, to which the newcomer does the same and then he’s finally taking his friend back without a fight.
“Fucking unbelievable.” Jungkook mutters under his breath and shakes his head once they’ve put some distance between them and the group.
Jimin doesn’t say anything, but he wraps himself around Jungkook’s arm as they walk, drawing small circles on his hand with his thumb.
They remain quiet on the way to Jungkook’s place, and Jimin can feel that the younger is still tense about what happened. He is, too, he can’t lie; he hates when something like this happens, and it’s always a mix of fear and anger for him but now it’s worse because Jungkook is also in the equation and it would kill him to have him get hurt because of something like this. Jimin doesn’t want to be the reason something bad happens to Jungkook.
“Are you okay?” He finally asks when they’re already inside the elevator, hating the heavy atmosphere between them.
“I’m pissed, does that count as not being okay?” Jungkook answers only when they’re already on his floor and he’s opening his front door.
“Yes.” Jimin says, simply. “Talk to me.”
Jungkook sighs and locks the door behind them, taking his shoes off as he starts talking. “I’m just sick of innocent people getting shit for something they have no control over.”
Jimin smiles, shaking his head fondly. “You’re way too good for this world, Jungkookie.” Jungkook rolls his eyes at him but he’s smiling too as he pulls him to the couch. “Thank you for defending me… at the park.” He says, feeling guilty that he had to go through this because of him. “You didn’t have to.”
“Of course I had to, Jimin.” Jungkook moves closer to him on the couch and takes his hands. “How many times do I have to tell you that none of this is your fault and that people are, mostly, assholes and that I’ll be here for you for as long as you let me?”
“A lot of times.” Jimin answers honestly and smiles sadly.
“I’ll do it.” Jungkook says without missing a beat. “However many times you need me to.” He kisses Jimin’s cheek softly and the older gasps, pulling away in surprise; Jimin bites his lip and he can’t help but notice how Jungkook follows the movement.
“They say Takers are really good kissers.” Jungkook mutters with his eyes glued to Jimin’s lips.
“You wanna test that theory?” Jimin asks in the same tone, also looking straight at Jungkook’s mouth.
“Yeah.” It comes out as a whisper as he leans in.
Jimin closes his eyes just before he feels Jungkook’s lips on his. It’s slow and chaste, almost shy as Jungkook pecks him a few times before actually kissing him. His lips are soft against Jimin’s, not demanding like he’s used to, and it feels good to have that change for once.
He’s just starting to deepen it when Jungkook pulls away, smiling at him. Jimin smiles, too, and he can feel how hard he’s blushing.
“Your eyes are really pretty.” Jungkook caresses his cheek as he says it, and Jimin knows they must be starting to glow from the intimate physical contact. He hates it, but the way Jungkook is looking at him makes him accept himself just a bit more.
“No one’s ever told me that.” Jimin whispers, dying to break eye contact but not being able to.
“I’m telling you now.”
They kiss again but this time Jungkook isn’t so shy anymore. He licks at Jimin’s bottom lip, then inside his mouth when he opens it up for him, cupping his face in his hands as if he’s the most precious thing he’s ever held. Jimin’s arms find their way around Jungkook’s neck and he pushes himself closer, angling his head so that he can deepen the kiss, and he loves the way Jungkook’s warmth seems to envelop him completely.
Jungkook’s hands travel down Jimin’s torso until they reach his hips and he holds him there for a moment before toying with the hem of Jimin’s shirt and slowly slips his fingers inside, touching the soft skin and sending shivers down Jimin’s spine.
Jimin sighs against Jungkook’s lips and tangles his fingers in his hair, pulling at the strands lightly and making the younger groan into the kiss before they pull away.
“Oh, wow…” Jungkook says, breath coming out in pants and eyes unfocused. He looks away from Jimin and blinks slowly, and only then does Jimin realize what’s happening.
He takes Jungkook’s hands away from him and stares down at his own shaky ones. When he looks back up, he sees the reflection of his glowing eyes in Jungkook’s dazed ones and he hates himself for it.
“I should get going…” Jimin clears his throat when his voice comes out hoarse and tries getting up from the couch but Jungkook stops him.
“N-no, stay.” Jungkook pleads and pulls Jimin into a sitting position again, not wasting time before he straddles him. “Keep kissing me, Jimin.”
Jimin wishes he could say he stopped Jungkook but he didn’t. He gives in to what he’s feeling and lets his desire blind him the way he is so used to. It usually didn’t happen this fast but Jungkook had been different from the start so of course he would be the one to get under his self-control easier.
As they kiss, it gets more desperate. Jimin’s hands find Jungkook’s thighs and he squeezes them hard, bringing their hips together and making them both wish they didn’t have so many layers of clothing between them.
“Fuck, your lips are amazing.” Jungkook whines into Jimin’s ear as he pulls his lobe into his mouth and Jimin shivers, his grip tightening where they moved to Jungkook’s ass.
Jimin then proceeds to bite down the column of Jungkook’s neck, leaving angry marks and turning into an even bigger whimpering mess above him. Jungkook is so sensitive, wherever Jimin touches him, and he loves all the reactions he’s getting.
He tugs at Jungkook’s shirt once and the younger gets what he means, lifting his arms over his head so that Jimin can take it off him. Jimin’s nails scratch down the expanse of Jungkook’s chest and abs, admiring the view and watching the way his muscles twitch at the simplest of touches.
“Your body is incredible…”
Jimin barely has time to finish his sentence and Jungkook is kissing him again, grinding against him shamelessly as he feels them both start to harden inside their jeans. Jimin changes them into a lying position, settling in between Jungkook’s legs on the couch, not breaking the kiss and swallowing all of his pretty sounds as he keeps up a steady rhythm with his hips.
He goes back to Jungkook’s neck then, giving his swollen lips a break as he kisses the bruising marks he already left there and biting right over his pulse point, to which Jungkook gasps and holds onto him harder. Jimin leaves another hickey on his collarbone and goes down, hands holding his waist in place so he doesn’t move too much, kissing down his chest until he reaches his hips.
But Jimin has always been a tease so he goes back, licking up his abs and leaving small bite marks on his way.
Jungkook whines. “J-Jimin, come on…” He nearly sobs and Jimin smirks.
“What?” He recognizes the change in his tone of voice but shuts down the part of his brain that tells him to stop. “What do you want?”
“I-I want…” Jungkook pulls him into a kiss again and he looks so lost, completely rendered to lust. “Want you to suck me off.”
Jimin moans when Jungkook’s hands find their way under his pants and pulls him by the ass so that he’s grinding against him again.
“Ah- Jungkook…” Jimin pants, losing grip for a second. “Should’ve asked for that sooner, baby.” He bites Jungkook’s bottom lip before going back down his body.
“Ah, I’ve never-“ A loud moan interrupts him when Jimin catches one of his nipples between his teeth. “Never felt like this b-before.” He finishes and it’s like a flicker is switched inside Jimin’s head when he hears those words.
“Fuck, wait.” Jimin groans as he stops with the kisses and rests his forehead against Jungkook’s abdomen.
“You okay?” The younger asks, out of breath, fingers softly running through Jimin’s hair.
“Yeah, just…” Jimin gets up and clears his throat. “Shit. We really need to stop.” He shakes his head and blinks a few times but his eyes remain unfocused.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Jungkook sits up, taking Jimin with him and feels his own daze dissipating as he worries about him.
“Remember I told you people used to think Takers had powers?” Jimin asks him instead of answering and puts some distance between them. “Well, that’s sort of what I was talking about.”
“So you do have powers?” Jungkook asks, still controlling his breathing and trying not ignore the dirty thoughts flooding his brain in favor of the conversation he knows they’re about to have. It’s hard, when he can still feel Jimin all around him, taste his lips and all he wants is to have him on top of him again but he knows he should listen.
“Yes but… no?” Jimin sighs in frustration when his mind refuses to cooperate with him. “What are you feeling right now?”
Jungkook thinks for a while but whatever he’s feeling is too strong to be able to put it into words properly. “To sum it up? Desire.” He tries and, even though it doesn’t completely describe it, it’s good enough. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life.”
“Exactly.” Jimin nods as he picks up Jungkook’s shirt from the floor and gives it to him; the less distractions, the better. “This is why everyone’s terrified of touching Takers. Obviously it’s mostly unfounded fear because it’s not any touch that will make people like this; I mean, I hug Tae all the time but he’s not following me around, you know?” Jungkook nods. “It has to be intimate, at least a kiss on the lips, but it’s not just that… We both have to want it. The more we want it, the stronger I get and the harder you’ll fall under it.” Jimin explains, finally feeling his heartbeat go back to normal.
“So it affects you as much as it affects me…” Jungkook concludes. He still doesn’t know where Jimin is trying to get at but he’ll indulge him.
“A bit more sometimes… The idea is that we’re both blinded by lust and can’t stop because, well, that’s how Units are broken.” Jimin continues. He doesn’t like talking about this, knows most Takers don’t steal anymore, but he has to explain to Jungkook what getting involved with him will be like. “If it’s an unmarked Common it’s fine but when Takers sleep with Commons that already found their soulmate, they can never go back to their Units the same way they used to be.”
“Is that why they’re called Poisoned?” Jungkook asks, hating the way it sounds.
Jimin sighs. “Yeah… I just don’t want to cloud your judgement like that. You felt how hard it is to stop once we start and I want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
Jungkook smiles; he’s thankful for Jimin’s concern but he doesn’t really need it. “Okay, first of all… I’m not a Common, much less a marked one, so sleeping with you won’t ruin my life.” Jimin seems to accept that but he still looks dubious. “Second, I already said I like you.” At that, he blushes. “Third, you said it yourself that it’s only this strong because we both want it so much… You do want me, right?”
“You have no idea.” Jimin looks straight into Jungkook’s eyes as he says it and sees his own feelings reflected in them.
“Then stop worrying and do what you do best…” Jungkook pulls him down so that they’re lips are only brushing against each other. “Take me.” He whispers it and Jimin scoffs, letting himself be kissed once again.
“No, um…” He pushes Jungkook away softly and the younger looks one second away from whining until he gets what he wants. “Let’s do this the right way.” Jimin surprises both of them by saying. “Let’s go on dates and get to know each other better and-”
“Park Jimin, don’t tell me you actually want to be one of the disgusting Units.” Jungkook interrupts, fake mocking, and Jimin rolls his eyes.
“We will never be a Unit.” He deadpans, probably a bit colder than necessary because Jungkook puts some more distance between them and sighs.
“True.” He’s not looking at Jimin when he says it but the older can still see how it affected him.
“T-That’s not what I-“ Jimin tries to redeem himself but Jungkook talks over him again.
“I know.” He smiles sadly, playing with Jimin’s hands. “But I’d want it to be you…” He looks up at him. “You know, if I were to have a soulmate, I’d like it to be you.”
Jimin nods. “Yeah, me too.”
“I wouldn’t hate being a disgusting Unit if it was with you.” Jungkook smiles and leans in again, kissing Jimin deeply and making him forget, for a second, that they weren’t a normal couple.
His mind wonders for a bit, thinking about how good it is to be kissed by Jungkook, to feel his warmth around him as he touches his face softly. Jimin thinks about how Jungkook doesn’t care that he is what he is and still likes him that way, still thinks he’s beautiful.
Then he somehow ends up thinking about what people will say about them and groans as he pulls away and hides his face on Jungkook’s neck.
“Taehyung is going to be so smug about this.”
Jungkook only laughs before kissing Jimin again.