Archive of Our Own

Jungkook waited until the last notes faded before he pulled his headphones down and placed them back on the rack. He glanced back at Namjoon who was sitting in front of Jungkook’s computer, serving as his personal sound engineer for this recording. “How was that, Namjoon hyung?”

“It sounded good. Your voice always sounds good, JK.” He flashed Jungkook a dimpled smile.

Any other time, Jungkook would have attributed the dizziness in his brain to Namjoon’s natural effect on him. The jolt in his brain at that moment, though, felt a lot more like déjà vu … really bad déjà vu .

He had experienced déjà vu before but never like this. One second he was looking at his buff, blond-haired boyfriend , and the next thing he knew, the Namjoon in front of him was slimmer and had dark hair. Their surroundings flickered too, looking very similar to his studio before they moved to the Hybe building.

Jungkook instinctively took a step back, earning him a worried look from the older man.

“Are you okay, baby?” Namjoon’s voice was odd; the first part of his sentence sounded like he was standing inside an echo chamber, before going back to normal at the end.

Jungkook blinked and Namjoon was back to his muscular, ash-blond self. 

“Baby?,” Namjoon repeated, his brows furrowed.

“I’m fine, yeobo.” Perhaps it was just a trick of the light?

“If you’re sure…” Namjoon stood up, relinquishing the seat to Jungkook so he could fiddle with the recording and the layers as he saw fit.

After a minute of arranging and rearranging, Jungkook spoke. “How about this?” 

R&B music emanated from the loud speakers, Jungkook’s pitch-perfect vocals hitting every note effortlessly. Jungkook bit his lip as he listened, watching Namjoon’s reaction carefully. If there was one thing he could count on, it was Namjoon being honest with him, but even though Namjoon’s comments were always helpful and encouraging, Jungkook still couldn’t help but feel anxious.

As Jungkook reached the high note, Namjoon’s part came on. Namjoon started bobbing his head along to the music. That was a good sign. Not that it was a surprise. Namjoon and Jungkook’s voices have always complemented each other well.

“We make magic together,” Namjoon commented as the music ended.

Jungkook grinned.

“You know, even without me, your mixtape is gonna be so good, Jungkook-ah.”

“I know, hyung,” he responded cheekily. “But I want you on it anyway.”

“I see.” Namjoon came closer, placing a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. “It’s not just because you want to spend more time with me?”

Jungkook reached up and squeezed Namjoon’s hand. “I don’t see you complaining.”

🌌

“How was that, Namjoon hyung?,” Jungkook said as he pulled one ear cup back to hear Namjoon’s answer. 

Namjoon took a moment to end the recording before turning to face Jungkook.“It sounded good. Your voice always sounds good, JK.” He smiled, dimples on full display.

A ripple of something crossed Jungkook’s mind and he gasped as his Namjoon hyung seemed to change before his eyes. His short, black hair changed to longer, light blond hair and his already fit body became much more muscular.

“Are you okay, Jungkook-ah?”

In the blink of an eye, Namjoon went back to his old self. Jungkook wondered if he had imagined it, perhaps the signals in his brain crossed mistakenly. Now that he thought about it, at one point he may have had a dream recently where Namjoon looked much like the Namjoon he saw for that split second. It’s not something he was ready to admit out loud, though.

“Jungkook-ah?”

Jungkook mustered a small smile. “I’m okay, hyung. Just felt weird there for a second.”

It must have been the lack of sleep, in addition to the stress he was under. Releasing a solo album was a lot more nerve-racking than releasing a group album. Everything was riding on him. He didn’t know how his hyungs did it. This was his second solo album. Namjoon and Hoseok had released their second solo albums a few months ago, while Yoongi was working on his third already.

No matter how much all three of them insisted that he was just as talented, maybe even more so than the three of them, Jungkook didn’t believe it. He was good at a lot of things, but writing lyrics and music didn’t come as easily to him as the others. 

His first album had been a success, and now there was even more pressure on him to deliver, even if no one said it out loud. 

A week later after the recording session with Namjoon, all three rapper hyungs were in Jungkook’s studio, listening to the songs he had recorded so far. If there was anyone’s feedback he valued the most, it was theirs. 

Yoongi and Hoseok sat on the longer arm of the L-shaped couch, while Namjoon sat on the shorter one. Jungkook bit his lip nervously as he watched them from his computer chair. 

Namjoon’s chin jutted out, jaw clenched, as he looked down at the floor. Yoongi was staring at the wall above Jungkook’s computer, while Hoseok was zoned out, nodding his head to the beat.

When the last notes of the song petered out, his eyes automatically drifted towards Namjoon.

There was a proud smile on his face and Jungkook felt like he could breathe again.

“It’s amazing, Jungkook,” Namjoon said.

Jungkook walked over to the space beside Namjoon on the couch.

“You have nothing to be worried about,” Yoongi added.

“As expected from our Golden Maknae! Nothing but the best!” Hoseok beamed.

On instinct, Jungkook slumped against Namjoon’s side. The moment his arm came into contact with Namjoon’s arm, his studio seemed to disappear and was replaced by a different studio altogether. It was larger, with paintings on the gray wall. If Jungkook didn’t know any better, it looked like it could be Namjoon’s studio, but Namjoon’s studio was smaller, brighter, and had more figurines than paintings. Across from him, Yoongi and Hoseok’s clothes had changed too.

He had barely opened his mouth to speak before his studio, and Yoongi and Hoseok’s outfits, went back to the way they were.

The three older men were deep in conversation, discussing changes they wanted to apply to a song, but Jungkook had lost track of the exchange and could no longer tell if they were talking about the song he had just played or a song the three of them were collaborating on. None of them seemed to have seen what he had and Jungkook wondered for the second time in a week if he was losing it.

🌏

The déjà vu didn’t happen again for a couple of weeks so Jungkook chalked it up to being one of those things he saw in a movie one time: a glitch in the Matrix. He hadn’t seen the film in years, but he does remember enough to hope that he doesn’t suddenly come across a sunglasses-wearing man in a suit.

He thought he had felt it right before they left for Las Vegas, but he wasn’t completely sure because it was only for a split-second. He had been leaning against Namjoon, as he often did, and as he listened to the three older men talk, he got that odd feeling again. In the span of a heartbeat, rkive disappeared around them and was replaced by what looked like his own studio but with a different layout. Yoongi and Hoseok looked about the same, except for their clothes. After he blinked, however, everything went back to normal.

Thankfully, nothing happened while they were in America, and now that Namjoon was back home with them, they had an impromptu successful-Grammy-performance-and-pre-comeback celebration at Namjoon’s (and his) apartment. 

Technically, Namjoon was the owner of the apartment but Jungkook slept over so often it might as well be their apartment. It certainly had enough of his things in it, as well as some amenities that Namjoon had gotten especially for Jungkook to enjoy. For example, the Nintendo Switch which, funnily enough, Namjoon played almost as much as Jungkook did.

The others had stayed until 1 AM before calling it a night and leaving the couple to do the cleanup. Namjoon and Jungkook had insisted they could do it by themselves and there wasn’t much protest from the rest because the rain hadn’t let up all evening and everyone was eager to get home.

“Are you feeling better now?,” Jungkook asked as he pinched Namjoon’s cheek playfully.

“A little, yeah.” Namjoon sighed. “Still nervous, but there’s nothing we can do about it now, right?”

“Don’t worry, hyung. The song is great, I promise. ARMY will love it. Everyone will love it.”

Jungkook saw uncertainty flash in Namjoon’s eyes before it changed into a more controlled expression. “I hope so.”

“Come on, yeobo. Let’s clean everything up so we can cuddle in bed.”

“This feels very domestic,” Namjoon commented as he picked up a couple of empty beer cans.

“It does, doesn’t it? This feels like a memory worth sharing.” Jungkook pulled out his phone and put his arm around Namjoon. He angled the phone so that the mess on the living room table was visible in the background. Namjoon’s hair was a little wild, now that he was growing it out, but in Jungkook’s opinion, it only made him look sexier, especially after he had dyed it black that morning.

While Namjoon went into the kitchen to toss the cans in the appropriate bin, Jungkook opened his Instagram app to post the picture. After double-checking the profile and the profile picture of the account he was logged into, Jungkook posted the picture, captioning it “husbands.”

His phone buzzed after a couple of seconds, notifying him that Hoseok had liked his post from his own private account. Jungkook grinned. He knew he could count on Hoseok to be supportive, both in public and in private.

“Why are you smiling? Something happened?”

Jungkook raised his gaze to find Namjoon staring at him, an eyebrow quirked but a hint of a smile softening his expression.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just posted the picture and Hobi hyung liked it.”

Namjoon nodded slowly as he made his way over to Jungkook. “I thought you were smiling because of something else.” He grinned and placed his hands on Jungkook’s waist.

“Oh?” Jungkook tilted his head up towards Namjoon. “What did you think I was thinking about?”

“I was hoping you were thinking about… me.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes. “If I was, what would you do about it?”

“Do you even need to ask?” He leaned down and Jungkook closed his eyes automatically.

Kissing Namjoon was always an experience, the best kind of experience, like floating in the ocean with the sun warming his face. Plush lips gentle against his own until they weren’t. 

They were so wrapped up in each other that Jungkook almost jumped out of his skin when a crack of thunder sounded sharply outside. He whipped his head around to look out the window and saw that the rain was now pouring heavily. He hoped the others were safely in their homes already.

“What the fuck?!”

“It’s just the thunder, hyung. It’s fine.” He absentmindedly patted Namjoon’s chest.

“That wasn’t me, Kook-ah.” Namjoon’s voice sounded strained.

Goosebumps rose on Jungkook’s forearms as he cautiously turned to look at Namjoon. He had never seen his boyfriend look as terrified as he did now.

“What. The. Fuck?” This time the voice was unmistakably Jungkook’s. The problem was, Jungkook hadn’t said a thing. 

Namjoon and Jungkook locked eyes. His jaw set in grim determination, Namjoon slowly turned around, angling his body to keep Jungkook hidden behind him the whole time. The sharp inhale he took had Jungkook scrambling to peek around Namjoon’s head.

Staring back at him were himself and Namjoon; or at least, someone who looked a little bit like them. They wore clothes in styles similar to what they wore on their days off, but the other Namjoon wasn’t as bulky as his Namjoon, and while their hair was the same shade of black, the other Namjoon had an undercut. The other Jungkook, on the other hand, had blond hair and no visible tattoos or piercings, other than the ones on his ears.

The other pair looked as shocked as they felt, maybe even more so. Non-tattooed Jungkook’s wide eyes roamed over Jungkook’s body, gaze lingering on his lip piercing and tattoos. The other Namjoon was observing his Namjoon in that quiet, thoughtful way Namjoon usually took things in and it was an eerie sight to behold.

Namjoon squared his shoulders and tilted his chin up, jaw set as he addressed the intruders. “Who are you? What are you doing in my apartment?”

“Your apartment?,” the other Namjoon parroted back, eyes leaving them to survey their surroundings.

“Yeah, my apartment. Who are you?” Namjoon pitched his voice deeper, sounding more menacing than Jungkook has ever heard him be.

“I’m Kim Namjoon,” The man said before he gestured for his companion to speak as well.

“I’m Jeon Jungkook,” the other man said softly.

“Like hell you are,” Namjoon replied curtly. “I’m Kim Namjoon and,” he nodded his head towards Jungkook beside him. “This is Jeon Jungkook. Try again. Who are you? Who sent you? Was it someone from the other entertainment companies? Let me tell you know, Hybe’s lawyers are very expensive and very good. I don’t know what your game is but we’re not playing whatever it is.”

“Nobody sent us,” the other Namjoon insisted, his stance now mirroring Namjoon’s. “One minute we were at my apartment and the next thing we knew, we were here.”

Namjoon smirked. “So, what? Are you saying this is, like, a time travel thing? What date is it today?”

“April 22, 2022.”

Namjoon and Jungkook looked at each other uneasily. That was the correct date. As ridiculous as it was that they were even entertaining the idea, at least they could cross time travelers off their list. 

Personally, Jungkook thought the most likely scenario was that some big organization had found people who vaguely looked like him and Namjoon and maybe gave them surgery to look more like them? It sounded so weird and he wasn’t sure what that would accomplish, nor how they even got into Namjoon’s very secure apartment complex, much less into the apartment itself, but the other alternatives weren’t exactly realistic either.

“What do you do for a living, Namjoon ?” Namjoon grimaced, whether it was the awkwardness of calling someone else by his name or at the strangeness of the whole situation, Jungkook wasn’t sure.

The other Namjoon gave him a wary glance. “I’m a rapper and producer at Big Hit Entertainment. My stage name’s RM.”

Namjoon’s eyes widened a fraction before he turned his sharp gaze on the other Jungkook. “How about you?”

“I’m a singer, under Big Hit Entertainment too. Why? Why are you looking at each other like that?,” he demanded, hands on his hips. “What do you guys do? We shouldn’t be the only ones answering questions here.”

“You’re right,” Namjoon said, after a moment’s pause. He reached for Jungkook’s hand and squeezed it briefly before dropping it. Jungkook didn’t miss the way his look-alike watched the display of affection with a frown. “We’re idols.”

“Are you in the same group?,” the other Jungkook asked, eyes squarely on Namjoon.

“Yeah, BTS.”

“BTS?” The other Namjoon was pale, his words coming out strangled.

“Yes. Why?,” Namjoon asked apprehensively.

“We used to be in a group together before… with that name.”

“‘Used to’?”

“Yeah, we disbanded in 2018.”

Jungkook felt a chill run through him. Beside him, Namjoon clenched and unclenched his fist, hands shaking ever so slightly every time he opened it. 

“Fuck.” Namjoon started chuckling and shaking his head. “This has got to be a dream.”

“I’m glad you understand what’s going on because we definitely don’t.”

Namjoon looked the other Namjoon square in the eye. “We renewed our contract in 2018 and stayed together.” 

The two Namjoons went quiet, but Jungkook could practically see the gears turning in both of their heads.

“So what I’m getting is… we’re from parallel universes?,” the other Namjoon said unsteadily.

“Can’t believe Marvel was right,” the non-tattooed Jungkook quipped weakly. “Neither of you have Dr. Strange’s powers, right?”

“Well, the only magical thing I know of here is Namjoon hyung’s stroke game,” Jungkook said with a smile directed his parallel universe(?) counterpart, the strangeness of it all making him unable to stop the urge to joke inappropriately. 

“Jungkook!”

“What?,” Jungkook asked innocently, grinning up at his boyfriend who had gone red from Jungkook’s unsolicited praise of his bedroom skills. “It’s true! Why can you say it about me but I can’t say it about you?”

Namjoon turned a shade darker. “I said that one time, to the other members, and we were all halfway to drunk so it doesn’t count.”

Jungkook nodded in the direction of their guests. “But, yeobo, they’re pretty much us, though.”

“Aren’t they more like strangers?”

They turned to look at their parallel universe counterparts, both of whom had faces that rivaled Namjoon’s in color.

“Sorry. We joke about stuff like that with our friends sometimes. You guys are probably more private about this stuff, huh?”

“We, uh…” They looked at each other before the other Namjoon spoke. “We’re not actually together.”

“Oh. I didn’t– It didn’t occur to me that– I guess that makes sense. A lot of differences between our worlds.” On instinct, Jungkook reached for Namjoon’s hand. The other Jungkook still looked mortified but also kind of sad, and Jungkook wondered if maybe there was more to the story.

“It’s fine,” the other Namjoon said with a small smile.

Namjoon cleared his throat. “You guys must be tired. I kinda turned the spare room into a storage room, but my couch is big and it folds out.”

“That’s okay. We’ll take the couch. Thanks… uh, Namjoon?”

Namjoon laughed. “This is so weird, huh? Should I call you Namjoon too? Joon?”

The other Namjoon shook his head. “You know what, just call me RM. That’s what everyone calls me anyway. JK here is the only one who still calls me Namjoon hyung most of the time. Even Yoongi hyung and Hobi call me RM more than Namjoon these days.”

“I guess you can call me JK, then, if we’re gonna go by stage names.” JK glanced at Jungkook. “I changed my stage name, felt like I needed a new start.”

Jungkook nodded. “Okay. JK then.” He pointed with his thumb in the direction of the bedroom. “We’re just gonna get you some pillows and blankets, and maybe some clothes too. Make yourselves at home.”

RM’s gaze strayed towards the corner where a small orange tabby cat was sleeping on a fluffy cat bed. 

“Oh, don’t mind Bokboki.” Namjoon chuckled. “He keeps mostly to himself but he’s very sweet when he wants to be.”

“Where’s Moni?”

“Oh, he’s with Jungkook’s brother. He took care of Moni and Bam while we were in Vegas and we haven’t been able to visit him yet.”

Jungkook gripped Namjoon’s wrist and all but dragged him towards their bedroom. “Yeobo, what’s happening? Is it even safe for them to be here? What if it causes a rip in the space-time continuum?”

Namjoon stopped abruptly. “You know what, just to be on the safe side, don’t touch either of them.”

Jungkook pulled him again to get him to continue moving. “What are we gonna do now?”

“I guess they can stay here while we try and find a way to send them back.”

“Why do you think they’re here anyway? In movies when stuff like this happens, there’s something that needs to happen before they go back.”

“Like what?”

“I dunno. Maybe we need to…” Jungkook snapped his fingers. “We need to help them get together!”

Namjoon looked at him skeptically. “You think that’s it? That seems a bit…”

“Yeah, I guess…” 

As Namjoon opened the closet and started picking out extra pillows and blankets, Jungkook remembered something. “You know what’s weird, yeobo? I think I’ve seen them before.”

“Where?,” Namjoon asked distractedly, his focus fully on keeping the pillows and blankets in his arms from falling to the floor.

“Like, a vision, I guess? But I thought it was just deja vu?”

Namjoon finally glanced at him, his gaze contemplative. “Well, you’ve always been sensitive to things. I guess it makes sense that you’d be sensitive to things like this too.”

“Seriously, though, hyung,” Jungkook said as he started walking back to the living room. “Do you think they’ll be stuck here?”

“We’ll figure it out, baby. Don’t worry.”

And because it was Namjoon who said it, Jungkook was sure that everything would turn out okay.

🌌

Silence enveloped them as JK kept his gaze on the window. The only thing he could see outside was the night sky, but considering what had happened so far, it felt like the better option than what was behind him.

He and RM were lying on the fold-out couch in Namjoon’s living room. His back was turned to the other man, and he was fairly certain RM had his back turned to him too. 

The couch was comfortable, almost as soft as a bed, but still he couldn’t sleep. Any other time, he would be out like a light, but his nerves were like livewires inside him. He wanted to turn over and ask RM if he felt the same, if maybe this was a side effect of them being thrown into a universe that wasn’t their own. But how does he start?

JK’s mind flashed back to a couple of hours ago. He and RM were in RM’s new apartment. He had thrown a housewarming party and it had been a special one since it was the first real purchase he had made for himself and not as an investment.

Everyone had already left but he had stayed behind to help RM clean up. Yoongi had side-eyed him before he and Hoseok had left but JK pretended not to see.

Things had been innocent enough. They had worked quietly, as they often did when they were together. Silences weren’t awkward between them, and that time hadn’t been different. When everything had been cleaned and put away, they had stood together in the middle of the living room, and JK was on the verge of telling Namjoon that he was headed home. Before he could do so, though, his eyes met RM’s and everything around them seemed to fade.

He couldn’t remember who reached out first, but a moment later, they were tangled up in each other. RM’s lips were warm, soft, and everything he had imagined. His hands gripped at JK’s hips but his touch was gentle, like JK was something fragile he was afraid he would break. 

RM had paused then, resting his forehead on JK’s as he whispered if it was okay, asking him if he wanted it. And JK wanted it. He nodded and kissed RM back.

He didn’t know how much time passed, and if a sudden crack of thunder hadn’t startled them, they might not have stopped at just making out.

He knew they should have talked about it, what those kisses meant, but there hadn’t been time. They had blinked and suddenly they were at a stranger’s apartment. Well, not a stranger exactly, but definitely not RM’s place.

Meeting Namjoon and Jungkook was a shock. He was inclined to agree with Namjoon and RM’s theory of this being a parallel universe interaction, not just because they were literally the smartest people he knew in real life, but also because it would definitely explain Jungkook having tattoos and piercings.

JK had always wanted them and he had planned on getting them at some point, but after they didn’t renew their contracts and he had to continue his career alone, he lost his nerve. If he had the other members’ support behind him, he would have gone for it. They would have stood up for him anyway, he thought, if he had gone ahead and gotten them, but it’s different if they had still been part of one team.

The biggest surprise wasn’t that, however, nor was it Namjoon’s more muscular body. The thing that shocked JK the most was Namjoon and Jungkook being in a relationship. The easy way with which they interacted with each other told JK that the two had been together for a while now. He wondered what Jungkook did that he hadn’t and if he had done whatever it was that Jungkook did, would he and RM be in a relationship now?

His mind drifted back to Jungkook’s comment about Namjoon’s… prowess and he felt his face start to warm. Inevitably it leads him to think about his Namjoon, RM. Not the sex part, but just what their relationship had been like the past few years and what happened between them now.

He got the urge again to turn around and talk to RM, but ultimately decided against it. There would be time for that soon enough, he hoped. With that final thought, JK finally fell asleep.   

Hours later, JK woke up to the sound of a frying pan sizzling and voices murmuring softly. He opened his eyes slowly. He had shifted in his sleep and was now facing RM. He was still sleeping, face relaxed and peaceful, and the sight made JK smile. He stayed like that for a few more seconds, just admiring his face. So this was what it was like to wake up with RM next to him.

JK got up from the bed carefully, making sure the bed didn’t jostle too much and end up waking up RM. 

In the morning light, and without the stress of their sudden travel through time and space, JK could finally take a good look at Namjoon’s living room. It was like being in a museum, if he was being honest. Every few feet there was a painting or a sculpture, most of them in shades of blue or brown. 

The most out-of-place thing was a blue massage chair in the corner (JK made a note to himself to ask Namjoon later if he could use it), but it was spot-on with the color scheme.

JK smiled. He didn’t know much about art. That was RM’s territory. It was Namjoon’s territory too, it seemed. That was one thing, at least, that remained the same in both worlds: Namjoon’s passion for art. Perhaps it was a core personality thing, like a basic setting for a video game character. You can upgrade, change their outfits, but that was one fundamental thing that would always be there. 

On the balcony outside, he could see a windchime with a fish at the end. Surely that wasn’t an art piece as well?

He made his way over to the kitchen and found Jungkook cooking while Namjoon stood off to the side, watching his boyfriend with hearts in his eyes. Jungkook moved around the kitchen with the ease and certainty of someone who has spent a lot of time there. JK felt a pang of envy as he observed the two of them, but he pushed the feeling away.

Namjoon looked up as he walked in and smiled warmly. “Hey! Did we wake you? Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” JK headed to the dining table and sat facing the kitchen.

“I’m making kimchi bokkeumbap. I hope that’s okay with you guys. Namjoon hyung really doesn’t keep his kitchen stocked most days. When I’m not around, he’ll just eat a banana for breakfast, if he eats anything at all.”

“That sounds delicious. I’m sure RM hyung will love it.”

“What would you like to drink?” Namjoon walked over to his large two-door refrigerator and peeked inside. “I have banana milk, beer –nope, too early for that– , iced coffee, and water.”

“I’ll just have water. Thank you.”

Namjoon handed him a cold water bottle before going back to stand by Jungkook’s side, murmuring in his ear every now and then and making him smile.

JK went back to studying Namjoon and Jungkook. Both of them looked freshly showered and alert. They must have been up for a while already. 

Namjoon noticed him staring. “If you want to shower first before eating, there’s still time. We still need to rest anyway. We went jogging earlier and we’re still not completely back in shape yet.”

“Yeah, okay, I’ll just go take a shower and come back.” JK stood up.

“We put some clothes for you guys in the guest dressing room. They should fit. I think we’re more or less the same size, maybe mine might be a little baggy, though,” Namjoon said.

“There are fresh packs of underwear in one of the drawers too,” Jungkook added.

“Thank you.”

JK went into the dressing room thinking it would be easy enough to guess which clothes were Jungkook’s and which ones were Namjoon. To his surprise, the first thing he picked out, a matching black shirt and pants set, was much too big, which probably meant it was Namjoon’s. He picked clothes randomly from the other pile, and with that and some underwear tucked under his arm, he headed into the guest bathroom.

JK hadn’t really looked around the bathroom too much when he got dressed the night before but now he could see that the bathroom was fully stocked, and that most of the products were the same ones that RM had in his house.

When he emerged from the bathroom 15 minutes later, the food was ready and RM was already in the dining room talking to Jungkook and Namjoon.

“Good morning, JK!” Namjoon greeted him cheerfully.

“Did you guys wait for me? You should have started without me.”

“No way,” Jungkook said firmly. 

They each took their share of the kimchi bokkeumbap and fried eggs and as they settled in, Namjoon nodded at RM. “You were telling us about how you guys got here?,” he prompted.

“Yeah. I had a housewarming party at my new apartment and JK helped me clean up after.” He glanced over at JK. “We were talking and, uh, just before he left…” His cheeks pinked up and JK wondered what he would say next. “There was a really loud crack of thunder and then we were here.” JK didn’t know what to think about RM omitting the part where they kissed. Was he embarrassed? Shy?

Across the table, Jungkook and Namjoon were huddled closer. 

“Sounds like thunder is the common denominator?” Jungkook asked Namjoon.

“So we have to wait for a thunderstorm before they can go back?”

“Probably.”

“The rainstorm last night was unusual for this time of year, though.”

“Yeah. Do you think they were transported because of the thunder and lightning? Or the lightning and thunder happened so they could be transported here?”

Namjoon shook his head. “I don’t know.” He continued eating, chewing slowly as his eyes started to glaze over as he contemplated their predicament.

RM cleared his throat. “I’m sorry if this sounds rude, but where are we anyway? This place has a different layout from my apartment so I don’t think we live in the same place.”

“We’re in Hannam-dong.”

JK looked curiously at Jungkook. “Do you live here too?”

Namjoon grinned, earning him a gentle elbow jab from Jungkook.

“Not exactly,” Jungkook answered. “I have my own apartment but I stay over here a lot.”

“How long have you guys been together?”

“Uh… a little over a year,” Namjoon answered, smiling softly.

JK’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow. That long?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s… wow. How did it happen?,” RM asked.

Namjoon and Jungkook looked at each other. Namjoon nodded sharply in their direction, eyes widening slightly. Jungkook glanced back at them.

“I guess it sort of started when we filmed Winter Package in Helsinki?” 

JK stared back blankly.

“That was in 2019. Hyung and I became closer then.” Jungkook ducked his head but JK could see the blush that started to color his cheeks. “A couple of weeks after we got back to Seoul, he asked me out on a date.” Jungkook paused. “A double date,” he added wryly.

“I thought you’d be more comfortable with Jiminie and Taehyungie there. And, you know, at that time, we weren’t really known for being that close so I figured people might start talking if they saw us by ourselves, you know?”

“So why’d you post our pictures on Twitter on Valentine’s day?”

“Because by then I realized, I didn’t really care who knew or who guessed. It was impulsive as hell, but I don’t regret it one bit.” Namjoon grinned at him, and Jungkook rolled his eyes affectionately.

JK felt a little bit envious at that. To be with someone who would risk everything just to be with you sounded like something out of both a romance movie and a fantasy. He supposed there might be someone out there who would be willing to do that for him, but there was only one person who JK wanted it to be.

“Does that mean ARMY knows about you two?” JK snuck a glance at RM.

Once again, Namjoon and Jungkook looked at each other meaningfully. This time, however, it was Namjoon who spoke. “No. I don’t think that’s something we can really do right now, especially at this point in our careers.”

“Oh.”

“We do have a plan, though.”

“Oh?” JK leaned forward, intrigued, food forgotten on his plate.

“We’re doing more stuff together, subunits, songs, selcas, vlives, whatever. Kinda get people used to seeing us together and how we interact. Hopefully, by the time we’re ready to announce that we’re a couple, it won’t come as a surprise to people and it’ll make it easier for them to accept us.”

JK nodded and out of the corner of his eye, he could see RM nodding along. It made sense. The plan sounded like something Namjoon would come up with.

Namjoon spaced out for a second before he started giggling. “You know, it’s funny. ARMY knows I love posting comeback hints and stuff because I enjoy seeing who gets it and who doesn’t, and seeing them realize I already gave hints before the announcement. But when I post hints about me and Jungkook? Nothing. Well, something sometimes but not a lot of people figure it out, you know?”

“What kind of hints are you posting? Maybe they’re too subtle?,” JK asked curiously

“Wel, I have to keep it subtle. On Valentine’s Day, I posted a picture of my and Jungkook’s statues at Hybe Insight museum. Those were the only solo statues I posted.”

JK was not impressed and Jungkook noticed his reaction. “Right?!” Jungkook turned towards Namjoon. “Hyung, while it’s very cute and sweet of you to post pictures of our statues, me picking ‘Dimple’ for the anthology is more obvious a hint than that.”

“I picked ‘Stay’ too!” Namjoon said defensively, pouting a little.

“I know, and I love you for it.” Jungkook leaned over to give him a peck on the lips. Namjoon whispered something in Jungkook’s ear that JK couldn’t hear, but he could definitely see Jungkook’s cheeks and ears turn scarlet. Jungkook swatted Namjoon’s arm, which earned him a laugh from the older man.

“It’s one of those instances where I want ARMY to know, but at the same time, not? Or I want ARMY to know, but not everyone else? Like, a wink wink , but with a shh .”

JK fought the urge to laugh. It was the funniest, most perfect description JK had heard in his life.

“They’re like those Easter egg features in DVDs. If you know to look for it, you’ll find it, otherwise you just go about your day.”

JK couldn’t contain himself anymore and a giggle escaped him.

“Must be hard to be a couple and not be able to just be like everyone else and post pictures and things like that,” RM said quietly.

“We do have someplace to post pictures actually. We have a private couple Insta account. The only followers we have on there are my sister, Jungkook’s brother, and the other members’ private accounts.”

Namjoon pulled out his phone and started tapping on the screen. Finally, he held it out to JK and RM. RM took the phone and positioned it in between himself and JK. The screen showed an Instagram account with a username made up of what seemed to be random numbers and letters. Better to keep people from finding it, he supposed. The display name and the bio were the same: 인연. 

JK smiled. Namjoon was a romantic through and through and, at least JK liked to think so, so was he. Of course their display name and bio would speak of fate and destiny.

The profile picture showed two people, but it was taken from behind so their faces were not visible. Both of them were wearing black bucket hats and black jackets, and in the background was a strange gradient of black and dark blue.

“Hobi took that picture when we all went to the beach one time.”

“Hobi hyung has been very supportive of us,” Jungkook added. JK wasn’t surprised in the least. His Hobi hyung was like that in their world too. He knew about his years-long crush on RM and Hobi always encouraged JK to talk to and work with RM.

RM clicked on the latest photo: a selca taken at night at the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. JK recognized the lights on the pillars of the bridge, peeking out from the bright blue sprays of water, right away. He had been there once, on his own, a couple of months after their contract ended. He had cried that night as he thought about the future. The sight of the pretty fountain show would forever be etched in his memory. 

In the picture, both of them were wearing dark-colored jackets and black face masks. Namjoon was wearing a black bucket hat while Jungkook was wearing a black baseball cap. It was funny seeing them wearing similar styles of clothes. JK and RM had different clothing styles, and even if they did wear something similar, JK didn’t think there would come a point in time where if someone wasn’t looking carefully, they could mistake them for each other.

It was almost unbearably cute how Namjoon and Jungkook were that type of couple, the kind who dressed similarly or shared clothes.

RM continued scrolling down the couple’s Instagram feed. A lot of the pictures seemed to be taken during private moments at official schedules, one or both of them making silly faces at the camera or looking like they surprised the other with a sudden selca. There were a few ones where one of them was kissing the other one on the cheeks or on the lips, but RM quickly moved past those.

There was one outdoor picture that stood out, though. Namjoon had light blond hair and his face looked thinner than it did now. It must have been taken a long time ago then. He was wearing a blue and white cardigan over a white turtleneck. Jungkook, on the other hand, was wearing a blue jacket over a blue sweater with white stripes. Namjoon was winking at the camera and Jungkook had his mouth shaped into a small O.

“I love that one,” Jungkook smiled fondly when he saw what they were looking at. “Some of the pictures were in the Winter Package DVD but not that one. That one’s just for us.”

RM tapped his fingers absentmindedly on the table. “Aren’t you scared someone will find this?” 

“Well, I mean, it’s a private account, so not really. We all have public accounts too and we update those– most of us do, anyway, so I’m hoping that satisfies their curiosity so they don’t go digging for stuff.”

“Oh, you guys are active on IG?” JK was intrigued. They seemed more private than he and RM were and yet they post on SNS more often than they did.

“Hyung is,” Jungkook answered.

“You are too,” Namjoon countered. “You even do those Insta questions.”

“I don’t post a lot of pictures, though.”

“That’s ‘cause you need to take pictures you can post on there, not just for our private account.”

Jungkook pouted. “But I like taking pictures of us.”

“I know, baby. I like it too. I think your Insta questions sessions make ARMY happier than any picture anyway.” He glanced at JK and RM. “Personally, I’m looking forward to unlocking the account when we reveal that we’re a couple. We have a lot of pictures I’ve always wanted to share.”

Again, JK was left in awe of Namjoon’s nonchalance and certainty. Saying ‘when’ instead of ‘if.’ Like Jungkook is it for him, as obvious a fact as needing oxygen to survive.

“You already posted some of our selcas last year, hyung. Wasn’t that enough?,” Jungkook teased, nudging Namjoon’s arm playfully. 

“That was, what, 3? I want there to be no doubt that we’re together. Wait ‘til they see the selcas of us kissing.” 

Jungkook’s jaw dropped. “I forgot about those. Just archive them before we go public.”

“I dunno… I think they’ll enjoy it.”

“If you don’t archive them before we go public, I’m gonna post that picture of you flexing shirtless at the gym! The picture I wanted to post for your birthday but you wouldn’t let me.”

Namjoon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Now that I think about it, it actually isn’t that bad. Are you sure you’d be okay with ARMY thirsting after me, though?”

Jungkook glared at him before hitting his arm, not forcefully, but solid enough to make a sound. “Hyung!,” he whined.

“I’m kidding!” Namjoon grinned, rubbing his arm where Jungkook hit him.

Hearing them talk about eventually admitting that they were a couple, as though it was only a matter of time, and acting like everything was going to be alright, even though in reality, it might not be that easy, made JK ache for what they had. They had someone they loved, who they knew was going to be there for them no matter what and it was enough, potential backlash be damned.

His Namjoon, RM, was like that but also not at the same time, and how he wished that that was what they were to each other. That RM could look at him in the same way Namjoon looked at his Jungkook.

RM smirked. “Gonna break the internet, huh?”

“That’s the plan.”

“ARMY really has no idea what’s going on between you two? Or you just think they don’t?”

“I guess there were a couple of times I was worried about ARMY finding out. Mostly because Hobi and Jimin love to tease us, even when we’re on camera, but so far, I think we’re okay.”

“If they haven’t figured out that Tae hyung and Jimin hyung are dating, I don’t think we have anything to worry about yet,” Jungkook said wryly.

RM pressed the back button on the phone, trying to get back to the profile page, but he ended up accidentally closing the app, causing Namjoon’s phone home screen to appear. JK couldn’t help but notice that it was a photo of Namjoon and Jungkook at a concert, possibly. Jungkook was wearing black jeans and a black jacket over a black shirt with a design of some sort printed on it. Namjoon was wearing the same shirt paired with denim jeans. Jungkook had his arm around Namjoon’s shoulder while Namjoon had his hand on Jungkook’s waist. In the foreground was a rainbow flag. 

“That was taken during our concert in LA last year. As soon as I saw it, I made it my wallpaper so I could look at it the whole time we were separated while we were on vacation.”

Jungkook’s expression soured, taking JK aback. Namjoon noticed it too, and moved his hand to rub Jungkook’s knee, probably in apology, JK reasoned. He certainly looked apologetic enough. Jungkook’s expression lightened a bit but not by much. 

JK and RM must have looked confused because Namjoon sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I stayed in the US for vacation and well, there was a lot of talk online about some things and long story short, both of us deleted the Twitter apps on our phones after that, for the sake of our mental health and our relationship. Sometimes it’s better not to know things so you’re not tempted to acknowledge or react to them.”

JK nodded even though he wasn’t sure he got the context. “Just the two of you?”

“Yeah. Hobi, Taehyung, and Jimin are the only ones with Twitter now. They let us know what’s happening there. I think they filter the things they tell us, but I’m sure it’s for the best. I think Yoongi hyung might still have the app on his phone too even if he never opens it.” 

They finished eating in silence. Eventually, the silence became awkward and JK scrambled for something to say. “Do you guys have schedules today?”

“Well, technically, no, but I was planning on going to the company building later and work on my mixtape. JK– Jungkookie was planning on doing the same.” He glanced at their guests uncertainly. “Do you guys want to come with us?”

“Can we?” RM asked with equal trepidation.

Jungkook and Namjoon glanced at each other. “I guess you guys could stay here if you want? But I don’t think you guys are here by chance. Maybe you guys have to go somewhere else or do something? Hybe’s a good place to start.”

RM looked at JK. “Do you wanna go or do you want to stay?”

JK breathed deeply. “I think he’s right, hyung. I think there’s a bigger purpose to us being here. There has to be, right?”

RM hesitated for a few seconds before nodding. “Yeah, probably.” He glanced back at Namjoon. “Okay. We’ll go with you guys.”

“Okay, we’ll go later after lunch.”

With that settled, RM and JK insisted on washing the dishes as their hosts went into their bedroom to rest. JK could only hope that they would find what they needed at Hybe, wherever that is, or else he and RM could be stuck here permanently.

🌏

“Sorry, this is probably a weird question, but what’s Hybe? Did BigHit move buildings again?,” JK asked Jungkook quietly. In front of them, Namjoon and RM had been talking in hushed whispers since the start of the ride.

Their company driver had been surprised to find out that they were bringing guests with them, but merely nodded when Jungkook and Namjoon had introduced JK and RM as their cousins. Their bodies may not have been much of a match for Namjoon and Jungkook, save for their height, but with both of them wearing masks and baseball caps, JK and RM’s eyes were visible and they looked very much like their present-world counterparts. Relatives was the only explanation that wouldn’t invite too much scrutiny.

Namjoon wore a black hoodie and shorts (both Jungkook’s but nondescript enough not to be obviously his) while Jungkook wore Namjoon’s old gray Fear of God hoodie, the one he wore in New Zealand, with his own black cargo pants. They had made this their thing: wearing each other’s clothes. At first it was a game, to see if anybody noticed. Over time, though, it just became part habit and part necessity. The closets in both of their apartments housed a mix of both of their clothes and sometimes it was hard to remember who owned what. 

As the car turned right onto Hangang-daero, Jungkook could hear RM tell Namjoon that he doesn’t remember that building from his world.

“Yeah. That’s Hybe, our company building,” Namjoon said when he saw which building RM was pointing at.

“The whole building?”

“Yup. We moved in last year.”

The car went into the underground parking lot, stopping at the employee entrance. 

“This way.” Namjoon bypassed a few elevators before stopping and leaning closer to the scanning device and the elevator doors opened. “This is an artist-only elevator. Facial recognition. Helps with security.”

The ride was smooth and at their designated floor, Namjoon guided them through a couple of other doors, both with face scanners. They passed by a huge painting and several sculptures in the hallway before finally stopping in front of a door. The sign on the entryway stated that this was “rkive.” Namjoon kissed Jungkook briefly on the lips before smiling and gently pushing him in the direction of his own studio.

Namjoon entered his studio’s passcode and ushered RM in. Jungkook could hear the door shut behind them as he steered JK in the direction of Golden Closet.

“We’re not going into Namjoon hyung’s studio?”

“No, we’re going to my studio.”

“You have a studio too.” It wasn’t a question.

Jungkook entered the passcode to Golden Closet and pushed the door open.

“It’s darker than I thought it would be.” JK looked around in awe. “It’s bigger than mine, though. And your equipment is better.” He walked over to Jungkook’s desk and eyed the decorations before picking up a small ceramic figurine of a golden retriever curled around a sleeping rabbit.

“Namjoon hyung gave me that. He said it reminded him of us.”

JK gently placed the figure back. “This place is amazing.” 

“You have a studio too?”

“Yeah. I’m trying to write more of my own songs these days. I’ve already written a few. Namjoon hyung, Yoongi hyung, and Hoseok hyung have produced a few songs for me too.”

“Have you collabed with any of them?”

“Just Namjoon hyung. We actually did a swap. I featured on one of the songs for his latest album and he was in a song for mine. I actually have the one he did for my album on my phone. Do you want to hear it?”

“Really? Yeah, of course.”

JK took out his phone and started fiddling with it. After a minute, the sound of a guitar riff playing over the steady drumbeat filled the room. After a full measure, JK’s voice came in.

Jungkook closed his eyes, trying to focus on the lyrics. The song was… sexy, to put it mildly. It started off sweet, talking about destiny, but come the second verse, the lyrics become more suggestive. By the time RM’s sonorous voice came on, Jungkook was metaphorically sweating. RM’s rap matched JK’s in sensuality and double entendres. It was non-gender specific, just like Namjoon’s lyrics tended to be, and it was easy for Jungkook’s mind to drift off into somewhat dangerous territory, imagining it was his Namjoon saying those things to him. 

“Amazing! But also, wow. I was not expecting those lyrics at all,” Jungkook said once the song ended.

JK laughed. “We almost didn’t release this one, actually. Pdogg PD-nim and the other producers weren’t sure about us singing this one, especially together, but RM hyung and I were able to convince them in the end.”

“I understand why they hesitated. You wrote the lyrics?” While Jungkook was no stranger to listening (and singing along) to songs with more explicit lyrics, he couldn’t imagine writing one. At least, not one he would perform himself.

“I wrote my part, and RM hyung wrote his.”

“Your parts sound like they’re answering each other.” It was just an observation on Jungkook’s part. Just like he noted that JK went red when he said it.

“I guess.”

“Was that intentional? Is there something going on between you and RM hyung?”

JK turned a shade darker. “It wasn’t intentional, I think.”

Jungkook felt like there was more to the story but JK looked uncomfortable so he dropped the subject. “How did people like it?”

“Well, we released the album a few months ago and it’s still charting on MelOn.”

Jungkook could see why. Borderline risqué lyrics aside, JK’s voice blended well with RM’s. Just like Jungkook’s and RM’s voices did. Flawless harmony in every universe.

“You’re close to RM hyung, huh?”

JK looked down. “I guess?” He glanced up and smiled shyly. “Out of everyone, he’s the one I’m closest to now. I still talk to everyone when I can, but when things were at their worst, Namjoon– RM hyung and I became each other’s lifeline.”

“Wow. Not Tae hyung and Jimin hyung?”

“They were… a little busy trying to save their relationship. I didn’t want to get in the middle of that.”

“Oh.” Jungkook smiled. “They’re together in your universe too?”

“They were. Not anymore, though.”

“Oh.” That was unexpected news to Jungkook. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Me too. They were good together. But I guess, there was too much hurt, after everything happened, for them to be able to fix it.”

“I’m glad you and RM hyung had each other to lean on, at least.”

“We’re not as dependent on each other now like we used to be, but we’re still really good friends. We just spend more time with our other friends now. I have the 97z and RM hyung has the art hyungs.”

“Namjoon hyung has the art hyungs here too.” 

Jungkook thought about asking JK if he ever felt jealous of the art hyungs, but was too shy to actually do so. Besides, JK’s and RM’s relationship was different from his and Namjoon’s relationship. Maybe he was just extra sensitive because there was more at stake for him. Namjoon wasn’t just his friend. He was his boyfriend too, and that added weight to everything.

Jungkook previously had significant others who had been jealous of his relationship with Jimin and Taehyung. Namjoon, however, hardly batted an eye. Whether it was because he had almost a decade to get used to how close the maknae line was or because Namjoon, by nature, wasn’t a jealous person, it was hard to tell.

Hoseok had remarked onc, after a schedule, that they were actually perfect for each other in that sense. Jungkook was very physically affectionate but quick to get jealous, while Namjoon wasn’t as physically affectionate and did not get jealous easily. 

“That’s why he said he cared even less if it was his significant other who helped peel his friend’s perilla leaf. He knows if ever anything like that ever happened, it was only because you were trying to help. He trusts you wholeheartedly, Jungkook-ah.” Hoseok poked his sides, trying to get him to laugh. “Do you really think if Namjoonie helped someone with their perilla leaves that he’d leave you for them?”

“No,” Jungkook had huffed. “Namjoon hyung wouldn’t do that.” And he did believe that so for the most part, he had learned to rein his jealousy in. He trusted Namjoon and knew he would never knowingly do something that would hurt him. 

Besides, Jungkook had met and hung out with the art hyungs a few times before and they had all been kind to him. He also knew how much art meant to Namjoon and he didn’t have the same passion for it that Namjoon and the hyungs did. The same way that Jungkook loved boxing and it wasn’t really something that Namjoon was interested in doing. 

Jungkook realized after a while that it made their relationship healthier to not always be attached at the hip when they didn’t have any official schedules. So now, except for the few times Jungkook went to parks with Namjoon (he took pictures for Namjoon’s Insta but never for or of himself so as not to give themselves away), they mostly did their own things during the day and talked about it when they came home to each other at night. Such was the relationship between an introvert and an extrovert, he supposed. 

🌌

RM cautiously followed Namjoon into rkive, sneaking a glance at JK’s retreating back before he stepped through the threshold.

The interior of rkive was filled with paintings, which explained all the artwork in the hallway leading to Namjoon’s studio. It was like water overflowing from a container. What couldn’t fit inside the studio was placed outside. 

“I know those paintings.” RM gestured at the Yun Hyongkeun paintings on the wall behind Namjoon’s computer and behind his couch. “You bought them?”

“Yeah.”

“I actually have that one in my studio as well.” RM pointed at the painting behind the computer. “I have some other paintings as well, but I mostly have figurines on my shelves. Probably too much, now that I think about it. These days, I’ve been trying to live more simply. I’ve taken to biking to and from work a lot, instead of taking the company cars.”

“I do that too sometimes, especially on the weekends or days off when I don’t want to bother the company drivers.” Namjoon nodded, a big smile on his face. He almost looked like he was glowing. RM doesn’t think he ever looked that happy in his life.

“Are you always this happy?”

Namjoon stopped. “Hmm… Not always, but lately, yeah, I have more good days than bad.”

“Must be nice to be in love,” RM teased.

“It’s not just because of Jungkookie, but he does play a big part in it.”

“It’s still amazing to me that you two are together and that you’ve been together for so long.”

“Technically we’ve only been a couple for a little over a year.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I…” Namjoon trailed off, staring into the distance. “I don’t know about you and the Jungkook from your world, but me and my Jungkook, we’ve sort of danced around each other for a long time. Probably since a few years before we even got together.” His eyes refocused on RM’s face.

“Timing is important.” Namjoon continued. “We got it right. If we would have gotten together earlier, I think we would have fucked it up somehow. Now, we’re both more mature and had more life and relationship experiences. I think it was for the best that it took us this long to get together. If we had been a couple earlier on in our careers, I don’t think we would have lasted. We weren’t in the right headspace and maturity to do that. I think we have a good chance now.” 

RM felt the sincerity in every word Namjoon spoke. “You really love him.”  

“Yeah.” Namjoon’s smile remained soft, but the hearts in his eyes disappeared as his gaze grew sharp. “You love JK too.”

RM’s heart started to beat a little harder in his chest. “Do you know for sure or are you just guessing?” 

“I assumed because I can’t imagine a world where I’m not in love with him.” 

They stared at each other for a second before they both started laughing.

“That’s kinda greasy.” 

“Greasy, but the truth.” Namjoon paused. “I think he likes you too.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. The others used to joke that we were so obvious that they didn’t understand how we could think that our feelings for each other were unrequited.”

“You’re probably just projecting.”

Namjoon laughed. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’m pretty sure I know Jungkook. And from what I’ve seen, JK and Jungkook are a lot alike.”

“But not the same.”

“But not the same,” Namjoon agreed. “Similar, though. Just like we are.”

“And you think one of those similarities is liking us?”

“Stranger things have happened.”

RM tried not to get his hopes up. “So if JK and I end up together, I’m gonna end up like you, hopelessly in love?”

“It’s not so bad. You’ll write one hell of a love song, that’s for sure.”

“Oh? You wrote another love song? Better than Trivia:Love?”

“Okay, I don’t like pitting the songs I wrote against each other, but… it’s for Jungkook so…”

Namjoon shrugged and RM took that as a yes. “Can I hear it?”

“I guess.” Namjoon turned around and opened Cubase on his computer. Before he could get so far as to open the song file, his phone started ringing. Namjoon’s brow furrowed as he stared at the screen. His eyes widened and he stood up quickly, offering RM a quick “excuse me” before he started walking towards the door of his studio.

“Hi, Abel!” Pause. “Thank you! Jungkook’s voice is amazing, yeah?” Another pause. “So for the duet part, I was thinking–”

The door shut behind him and RM was left alone in rkive. The silence was deafening. He let his gaze roam around the room while he waited for Namjoon to come back. Just when he thought he was going to fall asleep from boredom, he heard a knock on the door before it opened.

Yoongi peeked in. “Namjoon-ah, do you still have a copy of that beat I sent you a couple of months ago?”

“Yoongi hyung!,” RM blurted out.

Yoongi looked at him strangely. “Are you okay? Did I surprise you? I thought I told you I was gonna work today too.”

“Oh. I, uh. I must have forgotten. I’ll, uh, look in the computer.” RM got up and sat in Namjoon’s chair, silently hoping that Namjoon would forgive him for what he was about to do.

Yoongi stepped into the room and hovered over RM’s shoulder as he slowly tried to figure out where Yoongi’s file could be.

RM was glad he had kept his mask on. He was sure Yoongi would have realized something was wrong the moment he saw his face. Despite the air conditioning in the studio, the pressure of trying to find the file had RM sweating. He shrugged off his (Namjoon’s) jacket and resisted the urge to pull on the front of his shirt and start fanning himself.

Fortunately, Namjoon’s way of filing his files was similar to his own so he figured it would be easy enough to find it.

“What’s this?”

RM looked up, just as Yoongi poked his shoulder blade. “Ouch! What–?” He twisted his body, trying to see what Yoongi had pointed out, before he realized what exactly it was that caught Yoongi’s attention.

“Since when do you have a tattoo? You finally found a design you liked enough to get done?” Yoongi leaned closer to peer at it. “Is that a tree?”

He had forgotten about his tattoo. RM had had it for a couple of years now so he didn’t really think about it anymore. “Yeah, it’s a cypress tree.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t send a picture in the GC when you got it. I can’t believe Jungkookie didn’t send us a picture when you got it.”

“I guess we forgot.”

“You forgot?,” Yoongi parroted. His eyes narrowed as he gazed down at RM. 

“Yeah, we, uh…” RM scrambled for something– anything– to say that made even a bit of sense. “Got a little distracted.”

Yoongi scrunched his nose. “Okay, I get it. No need to say anything more. I do not want to hear about what you and Jungkookie got up to.”

RM had barely let out the breath he had been holding when the door opened again.

“Sorry about that,” Namjoon said, his eyes still glued to his phone. “I just needed to go over some details for the collab with Abel.” Finally, he looked up.

RM could see the exact moment when Namjoon realized that Yoongi was in the room. “Yoongi hyung!” 

“Namjoon?” There was confusion and a tinge of fear in Yoongi’s tone.

Namjoon’s eyes darted frantically towards RM. “I see you’ve met my cousin.”

“Your cousin?” Yoongi looked down at RM. “Then why…”

RM grimaced. “Sorry, I panicked and pretended I was you.”

“Namjoon-ah.” Both Namjoons turned their heads to look at Yoongi and that seemed to finally break Yoongi out of his shock. He sat down on the couch, gaze flitting from one Namjoon to the other. “What’s going on? Have I been working too hard? Is that it?” He looked at Namjoon. “Cousin? Okay, yeah, that makes sense,” he muttered to himself.

They all glanced toward the door as it swung open.

“Namjoon hyung–” Jungkook stopped abruptly, causing JK to bump into him.

Had JK still been wearing his face mask, they probably could have stuck with the “cousins” story, but he had taken it off earlier and forgot to put it back. Yoongi stared at both of them. Their expressions were identical, and despite the lack of lip piercing and tattoos on JK, it was fairly obvious they weren’t just cousins.

“I think I need to lie down,” Yoongi said as he slowly lowered himself on the couch. He closed his eyes. “Are there really two of you too or am I hallucinating?”

“You’re not hallucinating,” Namjoon said quietly.

Yoongi’s eyes snapped open.

“Who are they?”

“Well, based on what they’ve told us so far, our theory is they’re our parallel universe selves from… a timeline split.”

“If you have a tattoo and Jungkook doesn’t, then I’m inclined to agree that they’re definitely from an alternate universe of some sort.” Yoongi sighed. “Why do you think they’re here? And how do you plan on getting them back?”

“We haven’t figured it out yet.”

“Does anyone else know?”

“No. We actually weren’t planning on telling anyone. I just forgot that you would be here today.”

“Hoseokie’s here too. He’s in his studio.”

Namjoon and Yoongi stared at each other, communicating telepathically, it seemed like. Not that RM was surprised. Him and his Yoongi hyung were like that too sometimes.

“Let’s just call everyone? Maybe they’ll have an idea what to do?”

“The dorm?”

Yoongi nodded. “I’ll get Hobi and call Jin hyung.”

“Okay, I’ll call Taehyung and Jimin. Meet at the dorm?”

“Yup.” Yoongi glanced sharply at JK and RM before getting up. “I think you guys might need all the help you can get.”

🌏

“So why are we here again?,” Jimin asked.

“Jungkook and I met some people who we think you should meet too.”

Taehyung perked up, jostling Jimin’s legs. “Oh. Are they musicians too? Is this for a collab or something?”

“I don’t think we can collab with them. Nobody would realize anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

Namjoon walked over to the spare room behind the kitchen. The door was open and Namjoon could see the pair waiting anxiously inside. Both of them had removed their face masks, hats, and jackets, and the similarity between him and Jungkook and these two were undeniable. He nodded his head in the direction of the living room and the two followed him reluctantly.

They stood in front of the other members, waiting for their reaction. Everyone was quiet, faces expressionless.

Hoseok was the first to regain his voice. “Who’re you?”

RM lifted his head almost defiantly. “I’m Kim Namjoon. You can call me RM.”

“I’m Jeon Jungkook. I go by JK.”

It was Jimin who started laughing first, followed by Hoseok, and soon most of the members were laughing, except for Yoongi, Namjoon, and Jungkook.

“April Fools’ Day was several weeks ago, hyung,” Jimin said once he was able to control his laughter. “Why are you trying to prank us now?”

“It’s genius, though, Jimin-ah,” Jin said. “Since it’s so long ago, you’ll second-guess yourself for thinking it’s a prank.”

“Although, wouldn’t it make more sense to have at least given the fake Jungkook some fake tattoos or something?,” Jimin asked thoughtfully.

“That Namjoon has a tattoo,” Yoongi quipped.

“No way!” Hoseok shrieked.

“It’s not a joke,” Jungkook said loudly.

“So you found two people who sort of looked like you two and ask them to pretend to be the two of you…?,” Hoseok asked, one eyebrow raised.

“No, why would we even do that?,” Jungkook asked exasperatedly.

“I dunno. Maybe couple pranks are your’s and Namjoonie’s thing, just like roleplaying is Jiminie and Taehyungie’s thing.”

“Well, it’s not,” Namjoon said firmly. “This isn’t a prank, even though the most likely explanation sounds more unbelievable than that.”

“What other explanation is there?,” asked Taehyung.

Namjoon hesitated. There really was no normal-sounding way to say it. “They really are Jungkook and me, but from a different universe and/or timeline.”

The others looked at the strangers doubtfully. RM and JK stood quietly, about a foot apart from each other.

“It’s so strange seeing them not touching. I remember when you and Jungkookie used to be that awkward around each other. I’d forgotten what that looked like.” Hoseok said, some of his skepticism melting away. “How do you know they’re from a different timeline?”

“They said they used to be in a group called Bangtan Sonyeondan, but that they didn’t renew their contract, and now JK is a solo artist and RM is mostly a producer but also occasionally a rapper.”

“So what’s the Hobi in your world doing now?,” Hobi asked.

“Hobi hyung is a producer and choreographer at Big Hit now. Sometimes he, Yoongi hyung, and Namjoon hyung perform together.”

Taehyung frowned. “What does the me in your world do, JK?”

“Taehyung hyung is an actor, just like Jin hyung. They sing in the OSTs of their shows sometimes but most of the time, they just act.”

Anticipating the next question, JK turned to Jimin. “Jimin hyung is a soloist too.” He nodded at Yoongi. “Yoongi hyung is a producer but he still raps sometimes, just like Namjoon hyung.”

“Why didn’t you renew?” Hoseok asked.

“I… we were tired and there was so much pressure and hate… Most times when we got together to try and talk, we would just end up fighting. I dunno. It seemed like the right decision at the time,” RM said. JK nodded beside him.

“It was like that for us too. What’s different? Did no one cry when Yoongi played ‘Tear’?” Jin asked jokingly.

“Why would Suga hyung play ‘Tear’?” JK looked at RM. “Didn’t Suga hyung write it after the contract ended?”

“Uh, he wrote the guide before that, I think.”

“Oh, okay, but it doesn’t make sense for him to play it for us? I mean, yeah, ‘Tear’ is a breakup song but for a romantic relationship. Right, RM hyung?”

RM looked troubled. “I don’t know about Suga hyung’s and Hoseokie’s parts, but for me, it was partly about the disbandment.”

“What? But the lyrics…?” JK frowned as he tried to recall the lyrics. “ Would you still love me again like before, with that smile with which you used to look at me.”

RM glanced helplessly at Namjoon and in the brief moment their eyes met, Namjoon had a feeling why. He nodded encouragingly at RM.

RM cleared his throat. “Funny you should pick those exact lines. Most of what I wrote was about the whole situation and the other members, but those lines? I was thinking of you when I wrote them.”

Somewhere to his right, Hoseok gasped. Namjoon couldn’t blame him. He didn’t think RM would be that bold. Apparently, neither did JK because he looked shell-shocked.

“What?,” JK asked softly.

RM shrugged and looked away. “That’s what– That’s the thing that weighed on me the most afterwards. I felt like out of everyone, you were the one I disappointed the most.”

“Why are you only telling me this now?”

“It never came up before.”

“You performed that song so many times with Suga hyung and Hobi hyung, and you always sounded so hurt and angry. I wondered who could have hurt you– all of you– like that, and it turns out it was us?” JK looked near tears and Namjoon could feel the tears welling up in his own eyes, a reflex. He snuck a glance at RM and saw that he too was tearing up as well.

“JK…” RM reached out to touch JK’s crossed arms, but let it drop before he got close. The gesture brought back unpleasant memories for Namjoon.

Namjoon felt it was now time to intervene. “The Yoongi hyung in your world never played it for everyone?”

JK and RM shook their heads.

“Suga hyung played it for me and Hobi later on and asked if we wanted to be a part of it. He didn’t say what it was about. I just heard the lyrics and I assumed it was about a normal breakup. Even so, the only thing I could think about was everyone else so I just made it ambiguous.”

“So… what, the timeline split was my fault?” 

Everyone turned to look at Yoongi. 

“Hyung… It wasn’t you, okay? You opened up to us and that’s one of the reasons we’re all still together,” Namjoon said, trying to be as reassuring as he could, given the implications of the revelation.

“You all are still friends, though, right?,” Hoseok asked worriedly.

“Yes, we still talk in the group chat when we can.”

“Do you still meet up?”

“Not so much now, since Jin hyung and Tae hyung are always busy filming dramas and commercials. The rest of us are busy too but we see each other a little bit more since we stayed at BigHit.”

Jimin nudged Taehyung. “Of course you’d be a famous actor. I’m so glad you could make time for me in your busy schedule.”

Taehyung rested his head on Jimin’s shoulder. “Like you wouldn’t be busy either. We probably live together or spend hours on the phone.” He looked up at Jungkook. “Or maybe they’re more chill than we are?”

“Actually, Jimin hyung and Taehyung hyung broke up years ago. They’re uh… both dating other people now. I’d rather not say who, though,  because I’m sure they exist in this world too and I don’t want to make it weird for anyone.”

This was news to Namjoon but apparently not Jungkook because he didn’t look the least bit surprised.

“It’s not one of the other members, is it?”

JK shook his head.

“Why did they break up?,” Jin asked.

“I didn’t really ask and they didn’t really tell me, but all I know is they were already having problems around the time the whole group did and then things fell apart for them after that.”

Jimin frowned. “I don’t like your world.”

“Sometimes I don’t like it either,” JK answered.

“Well, that got sad really fast. Why did we meet them again?” Taehyung asked, his tone edged with annoyance.

“We don’t know how to get them back to their own universe. We thought you guys might have some suggestions.” 

Yoongi crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Well, what happened before they showed up?”

“There was lightning and really loud thunder?”

“So you just wait for another thunderstorm,” Jin responded.

“It’s not really the season for that. They could be here for a long time. What if they’re still here when we have to leave for the tour?”

“You can always order a lot of groceries and then leave them in your apartment. Free housesitters!”

“Thanks, Jimin. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Seriously, I don’t know what to tell you. I mean, in movies and dramas, there’s usually a trigger or a doorway they have to pass through.” Taehyung looked solemnly at their guests. “Did either of you walk through a doorway before showing up in this universe?”

“No,” RM said as JK shook his head.

“So, not a doorway then. You just have to find what can trigger the path open.”

They ordered food as they discussed other possible ways to send JK and RM back, including possible contingency plans if the two were still around by the next month. 

On their way home, Namjoon sheepishly asked JK and RM if it was okay if they took a detour first. The two looked confused but agreed. 

At the first convenience store, Namjoon went in first and after buying what he needed, Jungkook went in next and came out carrying his own bag. JK and RM looked on curiously as Namjoon brought out his spoils: three pieces of Pokemon bread. Jungkook also brought out three Pokemon bread, two of which he gave to Namjoon. He opened the packaging of his  remaining Pokemon bread and handed the sticker inside to Namjoon. 

“Who did you get?,” he asked as he bit into the chocolate bread.

“Ggomadol again.” Namjoon frowned.

Jungkook laughed. “How many of them do you have?”

“I have, like, 10 of this already.”

“Cheer up, yeobo! Maybe the other ones, or the next ones we buy, are different Pokemons.”

Sadly, the next two stores they went to had no Pokemon breads in stock, and Namjoon had no choice but to call off the raid and they went home to Namjoon’s apartment. 

As Jungkook and Namjoon started to make their way to the master bedroom, JK approached them.

“Can I borrow your computer? My phone doesn’t have a lot of battery left and I kinda want to watch some things on Youtube.”

“Of course,” Namjoon replied warmly, beckoning him to follow. “You can borrow our chargers too. I’m not sure if they’re compatible, but I have a lot of different kinds in that drawer over there, so maybe one of them will work.” 

His home office was a sub room that led to the master bedroom. On the table in one corner was a laptop and a printer. Namjoon sheepishly tried to fix the mess of papers on one side of the table before opening the laptop for JK.

“Whose guitar is that?,” JK asked, eyeing the black guitar case propped up against the end of the table closest to the window.

“It’s mine.” Namjoon couldn’t keep the pride from showing on his face. “Jungkook and I have been studying for a while now. I’m not an expert or anything, but the goal is to one day play one of my mixtape songs at Muster.”

“Oh?” JK’s eyes widened. “Which one?”

“‘Joke,’” Jungkook said, coming up behind Namjoon to wrap his arms around his boyfriend’s waist.

“Haha. I was thinking more of ‘uhgood’? The hardest part is singing it while playing and not getting the rhythm confused during the faster lines. Jungkook’s much better than me since he practices more. He might play one of his songs at Muster before I do.” 

After entering his password, Jungkook clinging to him the whole time, Namjoon stepped back. “That should be good to go. Let me know if you have any problems accessing anything.”

JK nodded and eagerly turned back towards the computer. Namjoon started walking towards his bedroom, Jungkook trailing behind him. He was used to Jungkook’s clinginess, so while it took longer to get to the walk-in closet, they were able to manage.

“What do you think he needs the computer for, yeobo?”

“He’s probably bored? Maybe I should let him know he can watch Netflix on the TV,” Namjoon said distractedly as he rummaged through his drawer for some clothes.

“Yeah, I guess? But wouldn’t he ask, though?”

“Let’s freshen up first, baby, then we’ll check later, okay?”

“I’m gonna take a shower first, yeobo. You’re welcome to join me,” Jungkook grinned coquettishly. 

Namjoon smirked. “Yeah?”

“Did you lock the door?”

Namjoon raised an eyebrow. “Really? While we have guests?”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Jungkook huffed, turning his back to Namjoon, who quickly wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s waist.

“Who said I didn’t want to? The question is if you can keep quiet.”

“Well, I do love a good challenge. Let’s see.”

🌌

RM had taken a bath and gotten dressed for bed as soon as they arrived. He took his time, hoping that JK would be done with whatever it was that he needed the computer for so that they could talk, but when he returned to the living room, nobody was there. 

He peeked from the doorway of the home office and found JK watching the computer screen intently.

“Are you still mad at me?”

“I’m not mad at you, hyung.”

“Your face says differently.”

The lines on JK’s forehead smoothed. “No, I’m not. I’m just thinking.”

“About what?”

JK gestured for Namjoon to come closer. There was only one chair in the room so Namjoon remained standing.

On the screen was a black stage with green lighting, Hobi stood in the middle. RM immediately recognized the song. “Why are you watching that?”

“I just wanted to see if it was the same. It’s mostly the same, I think. I’m mostly sure that Hobi hyung and Yoongi hyung have the same lines.”

“So… mine’s different?”

“Just this part.”

JK clicked around, letting the song play for a couple of seconds each time until he found the lines he was looking for.

“If someone said they would turn back the time for me

Would I have been able to be a bit more honest? 

The bare face that only I know

The ugly and pathetic old friends within me”

JK paused the video. “That wasn’t– I don’t remember that part.”

“That’s because that’s not how it goes. What I wrote, I mean.” 

“How does it go again?”

His tone was curious, but in his eyes, RM could see that he knew the answer already. He took a deep breath and then he started rapping. 

“ If someone said they would turn back the time for me, 

Would I have been able to be a bit more honest?

Spoke all of the words I should have said

Before the galaxies in your eyes faded

Would you still love me again like before 

With that smile with which you used to look at me”

JK nodded. RM waited nervously as the silence stretched on, the only sound in the room was the video which JK had started playing again. He knew how the line sounded. It had been a moment of impulse when he wrote it and a moment of impulse when Yoongi had looked him in the eyes and asked him if he was sure he didn’t want to change anything and he had said yes. But he never regretted a single one of those words.

“Do you want to watch with me, hyung?”

Why the hell not? “Sure.” RM stood beside JK, one hand on the table, another at the back of JK’s chair. 

JK started typing and the BANGTANTV Youtube channel popped up. RM did a double take when he saw how many followers the channel had.  He was pretty sure that the last time he checked in 2019, they only had less than 15 million. Now it had 66 million subscribers. What had the BTS from this world been up to?

“‘Coldplay x BTS’?!” RM exclaimed, clutching at JK’s arm. “Is that for real? Coldplay? The real Coldplay?”

JK clicked on the video. They watched silently as words appeared on the screen.

“Holy shit! It really is Coldplay!” RM was stunned. “Jungkook-ah, that’s you! Well… sort of you,” he amended.

It was so surreal for RM to watch himself (!) singing in a song with Coldplay. Namjoon looked good. He’d have to try that hairstyle and color when he got back. If he and JK ever got back. 

The next video that caught their eye was the Grammys video. Then it was the video taken at the 2021 American Music Awards with a thumbnail that clearly had “Artist of the Year” written in the background.

The two of them browsed through all the videos on the channel, occasionally watching whichever video they found interesting. There were a lot. When that eventually ran out, they ended up looking at fancams and videos from tours. 

When RM’s eyes started to droop, he finally had the presence of mind to look at the time. The laptop’s clock said that it was now 1 in the morning. He looked back at the closed bedroom door. Neither Namjoon nor Jungkook had come out of the room since earlier that evening.

“They probably went to sleep already,” JK said.

“Yeah, probably.”

“Are you sleepy?”

“A little bit.”

JK immediately shut down the laptop. “Get to bed, hyung. I’ll just take a shower then join you.”

RM thought he would be asleep by the time JK came back, but his mind kept going back to the videos he saw and he couldn’t relax. He kept his eyes closed as he listened to the sounds of JK approaching the makeshift bed. He could feel the couch dip as JK lay down beside him.

He tried to keep his breathing even, hoping JK wouldn’t realize that he was still awake. He listened to the sound of Jungkook’s breathing, waiting for it to slow down. When JK’s breathing became steadier, RM slowly turned on his side to face JK. 

He opened his eyes and found himself staring right into JK’s doe eyes. For a moment, neither of them said a word, just quietly breathed in and out in alternating rhythms.

“Jungkook-ah.” RM said it quietly but it was loud in the silent room. “Do you think I was a good leader?”

JK’s brows furrowed. “Of course you were a good leader, hyung. Why are you even asking?”

RM tried to speak despite the lump in his throat and the effort made his voice crack. “I wonder, if I had been a better leader– if I had been as good a leader as the Namjoon of this world, would we still be together? Would we be as close as they are now? Would we have achieved the same things they did?”

JK usually hesitated before initiating physical contact with him. This time, JK reached out to gently grip RM’s shoulder. “Hyung, it wasn’t your fault, okay? You can’t make people stay if they don’t want to.”

“Did you want to stay?”

“I said I’d follow you wherever, right?” JK laughed. “I even followed you to this universe without meaning to. Fate agrees with my decision, I guess.”

“See, that’s one more thing. I don’t know what we’re doing here, Kook-ah. It feels like this is the universe punishing me for being a shitty leader. If I had been better, we could have had all these. A lot of the things they’ve done, I didn’t even dare imagine for us. This life is being dangled in front of me, of us, and we can’t have it.

RM could see the hurt in JK’s eyes. 

“If this is meant to be a punishment for you, Namjoon hyung, then why am I here? Maybe there’s a deeper purpose for us being here,” JK insisted. 

“Jungkook, the only thing worse for me than knowing that I failed all of you is knowing that you know exactly what a failure I am. You’re the last person I want to disappoint. You mean a lot to me. I hope you know that. I hope I’ve said it enough, if not when we were a band, then at the very least, afterwards.”

“I’m not disappointed in you, hyung.” JK scooted closer and gave RM a tentative hug. “It’s not like we’re failures now. We’re all successful in our own ways. Everyone has gotten awards on their own, charted on their own, achieved the goals they aimed for. Maybe that’s just how it is. The Jungkook and Namjoon in this world were meant to go down a different path than us.”

“Which path would you have preferred, if you had a choice?”

“It doesn’t matter which one as long as we’re still friends.” 

That didn’t make RM feel any better..

“You know, maybe I’m here to make sure that you don’t get too into your head.”

RM laughed, despite himself. He carefully placed his arm over JK’s waist. “Yeah, probably. Thanks, Kook-ah.”

“You want to sneak out and ride bikes along the Han one of these days, just like we used to when we were trainees?”

“Sure. We can go tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay.”

They stayed in each other’s arms, neither of them pulling away, until they eventually fell asleep to the sounds of their synced breaths.

🌏

Jungkook woke up slowly, like he usually did. He sleepily reached for Namjoon, his eyes still closed. When he found Namjoon’s arm, he scooted closer, hugging Namjoon’s arm tightly.

When Namjoon didn’t move or make a sound, Jungkook immediately opened his eyes. Namjoon was a light sleeper and always acknowledged Jungkook cuddling him, even if it was just a soft groan.

As he suspected, Namjoon was already awake and staring at the ceiling.

“Yeobo, are you okay?,” Jungkook asked softly.

Namjoon slowly turned his head to face his boyfriend. “Yeah, just thinking.”

“About what.”

“How to get our alternate-slash-parallel universe selves back to where they belong, what to do if we can’t get them back. Are they gonna stay here with us permanently?”

“They can stay at my place,” Jungkook said, nuzzling his cheek against Namjoon’s bicep.

Namjoon reached for Jungkook’s hand and rubbed his thumb in soothing circles over the back of it.

“Wouldn’t people notice, though? Our ‘cousins’ living together at your place?”

“I think they’ll be okay.”

“What about their universe, though? Would the balance of the universe change if there are two sets of us here and no one there?”

Jungkook sighed. “You’re right. But what can we do? How are we gonna get them back? It might not even be up to us or them.”

“Do you think they’re here for a reason? Like they have to do something or learn something while they’re here? Are we the ones who are supposed to learn something from them?”

“The only thing I learned was that I definitely like this universe more.”

“Because Bangtan is still together?”

Jungkook rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but not just that.” He playfully pinched Namjoon’s waist. “In this world, we’re together.”

“You’re cute.” Namjoon tapped him gently on the nose with his index finger. “What time is it anyway?”

Jungkook reached for his phone on the nightstand. ‘It’s 7. You wanna go for a run?”

Namjoon reluctantly got up from the bed to open the curtains. “Sure.” He dragged the curtains to the side, only to be greeted not by warm sunlight but by a dark sky and steady rain. “Huh.”

“Never mind.” Jungkook held the blanket up. “Come back to bed, yeobo.”

“Aren’t you sore from last night?,” Namjoon teased as he climbed back into bed.

“Like you’re not tired, either,” Jungkook retorted. “I just want cuddles.”

Namjoon grinned. That he could do. He put his arms around Jungkook and pressed his lips to  Jungkook’s forehead. “I love you.”

🌌

JK hadn’t slept next to anyone in a long time, so maybe he was wrong, but he could feel someone staring at him. He slowly opened his eyes and was greeted by the sight of RM staring at him.

JK narrowed his eyes. “Were you watching me sleep? Isn’t that what that vampire did in that movie Jin hyung likes?”

“I haven’t seen that movie and I wasn’t watching you sleep.” RM smiled sheepishly after a second. “Okay, I kinda was, but not like that. I was just thinking.”

“About?”

“The difference between me and the Namjoon from this world.”

“Didn’t we already talk about this, hyung? You’re just as good a leader as he was.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean?”

“I mean… he went for it.”

“Went for what?”

“He went after what he wanted and he got it, and now he’s happy.”

“You went after what you wanted too! That’s why you’re such a successful rapper and producer.”

RM sighed and raked a hand through his hair. “I’m not doing this right.”

JK shook his head slightly, a confused look on his face. “Wha–?”

“I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you for years. I– Hobi and Yoongi hyung told me you felt the same way but I was scared. I was scared that they were wrong, that you would reject me anyway for some reason, so I stayed quiet. And now it’s been years, and I’m still scared. I’m scared that I missed my chance with you.”

JK stayed stock-still throughout RM’s speech, eyes wide. 

RM took his silence as rejection. “It’s okay that you don’t feel the same way. I just– Shit. We might be stuck here forever and I just made things awkward, didn’t I?”

JK reached for him then, hugging him close and nestling his face into the crook of RM’s neck. “Shut up, hyung.” 

“Sorry, I know, I’m rambling–”

JK lifted his head and silenced RM with a kiss. He leaned backwards to get a better look at RM who was thankfully, finally, silent. “I’ve been in love with you since forever. I love you. Got it?”

RM huffed out a laugh in disbelief. “Could you kiss me again?”

“Sure.”

JK thought maybe they should be more careful. This wasn’t their apartment and Jungkook and Namjoon could come out of their room any second. However, he couldn’t find it in himself to care. This moment felt like it had been a long time coming. He was sure their other selves would understand.

They kissed languidly for a few minutes before RM pulled away with a sigh. He gently brushed a hand through JK’s hair. “This feels even more unreal than us showing up in this universe.” He hugged JK tight before kissing him on the forehead. “I love you.”

A sudden clap of thunder had them holding each other tighter. The deja vu feeling was worse this time, almost like seasickness. JK closed his eyes, hoping it would help the feeling subside. He clutched at RM’s back. He didn’t know if they could be separated on the journey (who knew how this universe travel thing worked?) but he wasn’t taking any chances.

The bed suddenly felt colder and harder under him and when JK opened his eyes, he found himself and RM on the marble floor of RM’s apartment. RM looked back at him, dazed and maybe a little bit confused too.

“Are we back?,” RM asked shakily.

“I think so.” JK sat up and looked around. It was definitely RM’s apartment: art pieces on the walls, although fewer than Namjoon had, and plants all around. Everything was as they had left them.

Suddenly, both of their phones started vibrating nonstop.

“What the hell?” RM pulled out his phone, just as JK did.

Notification after notification came in on both of their phones. Mostly app notifications, but also a few messages from their friends asking if they wanted to hang out over the weekend. JK checked the date and it was already Sunday morning. Time had passed at the same rate here then.

“It probably sounds weird to say this, but it feels strange to be back. Like… coming home after we go abroad. It’s home but it feels a little bit different.”

“Yeah, I get what you mean.”

They stared awkwardly at each other for a second before JK got the courage to speak. “So, what happens now, hyung?”

Namjoon blinked, contemplating what to do next. “I think… we should meet up with the others first. I feel like we should talk to them.”

“To tell them about the parallel universe? They’re never going to believe us.”

“No, not that. But I feel like we need to maybe mend the fences? Things didn’t end well, even though we all talk now, it’s not the same. I don’t think we can get it exactly back to how it was since we mostly all have separate lives already, but we can definitely make things better than they are now.”

“You’re right. Think they’ll be available for lunch?”

“It’s short notice, but we can try.” RM fired off a quick message in their group chat. 

“So what’s next?” JK asked, shifting from one foot to another as they waited.

“Next, we go out on a date.”

🌏

Jungkook rarely went out when they had days off, but he let Namjoon convince him to go walking around Jongno-gu just this once. That’s how they ended up walking along Cheonggyecheon Stream at 9 in the morning, sun bright in the sky, but not too hot that they were sweating through their clothes. Another good thing was that there weren’t a lot of people around since it was a Sunday.

They were halfway up the stream when Namjoon stopped and half-knelt to tie his shoelaces.

“Hyung, do you need me to tie your shoes?,” he teased. The feeling of deja vu overcame him and for a second, he saw RM in front of him, in similar colored clothes to the ones Namjoon was wearing, smiling up at him and saying, “I got it.”

Momentarily, Jungkook was terrified that JK and RM would crossover to their universe again, or worse, that this time they would be the ones to cross over.

“Hey.” Namjoon’s voice snapped Jungkook out of his reverie. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Jungkook shook his head. “I thought I saw RM again.”

Namjoon tilted his head, a wary look in his eyes. “What was he doing?”

“The same thing you were, tying your shoes.”

Namjoon burst into laughter. “Jungkook-ah.”

“What?”

“How sure are you that we were doing the same thing?” The smile didn’t leave Namjoon’s face and Jungkook started to get suspicious. 

“Yeah, I’m sure. He was pretty much in the exact same pose you’re in now. It’s kinda funny that your shoelaces got untied at the same time.”

“Yeah, imagine that.” Namjoon reached into his front pants pocket. “His probably wasn’t intentional, though.”

“What do you mean?”

Namjoon pulled out a small box. 

“Is that what I think it is? You better not be pulling a prank, Kim Namjoon,” Jungkook said faintly.

“I’d never joke about something like this.” He popped the box open, revealing a gorgeous silver band, inlaid with three diamonds. “Jungkook-ah, I know it’s probably gonna be awhile before we can actually get married, but just like how we met and how we ended up together, I think it’s only a matter of time because… us? Inyeon. Destiny. Fate. Whatever it’s called, I just know we’re meant to be together and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

Jungkook grabbed his arm and tugged him up, hugging him tightly to his chest. “Yes! Are you kidding me?!” He cupped Namjoon’s jaw and pulled him in for a quick kiss. He wished they weren’t in public, so they could celebrate better, but that could easily be remedied. “Let’s go home.”

Namjoon nodded eagerly, and they started walking again, not hand in hand, but with the backs of their hands brushing every now and then.

“How do you think JK and RM are doing now?”

When they had stepped out of their bedroom a few weeks ago, they weren’t surprised to find that the pair were gone. They checked the rest of the apartment just to be sure but they already knew that the two had probably gone back home because they had both felt the overwhelming ripple-like effect of the deja vu.

“I’m sure you’re fine. You saw RM, right? Which means he and JK are together.”

“You think they’re a couple now?”

“I think they are.”

“What makes you think that?”

“I don’t know about you, but I believe in every dimension, you and I are meant to be.”

Jungkook gave Namjoon a pleased smile and reached out to intertwine their fingers together. “Yeah, you’re right. We are.”