Chapter Text
On the other hand, the others continued to do their own thing, talking, shouting, and laughing until Yoongi, who already had several degrees of alcohol in his blood, commented out loud.
"Ugh! If Jiminie was here, I would tell him to go get me another drink." This caught Hyerin's attention as she was sitting next to him.
"Ah, Hyung, I'll bring it to you," Jungkook offered.
"No, it's not the same. I just wanted to mess with him," Yoongi replied. He then beckoned the girl who was serving another table with his hand and pointed at the empty bottle, signaling her to bring him another one. Hyerin then said.
"Jimin is your friend who got sick that day, right?" Hyerin turned to Jungkook with genuine curiosity, to which Jungkook simply nodded. Then Hoseok couldn't help but ask.
"Jimin was sick?"
"Yes, on the first day of class, but I gave him some medicine and he was fine by the evening," he replied curtly.
"How dare Jimin disappear like that? this can't be," Yoongi said. He wasn't stumbling or feeling dizzy, but his high level of participation in the group dynamic was a clear indicator of his drunkenness. Yoongi took out his phone, searched for Jimin's contact but couldn't find it. However, he saw Taehyung's contact and initiated the call, putting it on speakerphone and drawing everyone's attention. After a couple of rings a hoarse voice could be heard.
"Yoongi-hyung, what's up?" Taehyung said, grunting with… pleasure? Jungkook opened his eyes, his attention focused on the device that Yoongi held in his hands.
"Hey! What are you guys doing? Why aren't you here?" Yoongi asked in an authoritative tone.
"Ah... Jiminie is giving me a massage, we're ree-eally tired," Jungkook unconsciously parted his lips and frowned slightly imagining the scene.
"You guys have to come, there are people you need to meet," Hoseok raised his voice towards the phone, smiling.
"No, no, no it's MY turn now," Jimin's voice could be heard in the distance from the other end of the phone. Jungkook now looked at the phone apathetically.
"You've heard it, no can do today, but I promise on behalf of both of us to be there next time," Taehyung commented, trying to sound solemn. "Haha, Jimin n-" was the only thing heard before Taehyung hung up.
"Hey! What the..." Yoongi couldn't finish the sentence as he heard the call disconnect. "Rude..." he snorted irritably and put his phone back in his pants. "Jimin is a good drinking buddy. '' Yoongi lamented internally as he thoughtfully stroked his chin. “Maybe I should stop drinking," he concluded out loud.
The others resumed their conversations, and talked about how strange it was that Jimin and Taehyung hadn't attended, then Hoseok commented about how rarely he got to see them on campus, but they never spoke much. Hyerin seemed intrigued, listening attentively about the two people she hadn't met yet, unaware of when Jungkook told her he would go out to get some fresh air.
Jungkook had stepped out without a jacket and felt a cold wind quickly run through his body. Jungkook hugged himself, but decided to remain outside. Suddenly, he didn't feel comfortable being there.
Had Jimin gotten angry with him? Taehyung had no reason to be angry, but could it be that Jimin was upset because he hadn't told him about Hyerin? That day, Why did he leave without saying goodbye?
Jungkook nostalgically recalled when he was 18 years old and due to the numerous exams and family issues caused by his older brother, he couldn't talk to Jimin for two consecutive days. This led Jimin to show up at his house and throw expired yogurt at his window, as a result of which Jungkook's mother intervened after hearing both sides. She helped them make amends and forced them to clean up.
After a while, Jungkook was able to explain to Jimin that his brother had been arrested at a party, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere at home due to Junghyun's repeated involvement in drunken fights. Jungkook could see that Jimin regretted his impulsive actions, especially since he kept repeating it while hugging him.
The truth was that Jungkook wasn't upset. In fact, Jimin's impulsive behavior was the only thing that managed to break the tension in his house after those stressful days. Jungkook was more grateful than anything. Nevertheless, that night, Jimin ended up cleaning everything on his own. Since then, Jimin always asked about Jungkook's family whenever he seemed sad, which was justified, given that his family was mainly responsible for his mood swings.
Jungkook couldn't help but smile at the memory. Jimin had changed a lot. He was no longer as impulsive and explosive; now he was more considerate and affectionate. The change was for the better, but Jungkook would be lying if he said he didn't miss that Jimin who was easy to provoke and didn't hesitate to stand up against anyone. “ pft-... adorable. "
Jungkook and Jimin had always shared this close and unconditional friendship, which is why it didn't make sense for Jimin to suddenly forget about him and start hanging out alone with Taehyung without asking or anything. "He hasn't even sent me a message since then" he thought, now genuinely annoyed. He could admit that he was angry now. His best friend had brushed him aside to spend time alone with his "soulma-." Then something within him shifted, he thought for a while, and with shock and a stopped heart, he thought, " It can't be V-hyung and…. "
"Go to his house!"
Jungkook quickly turned around, searching for the source of that voice. It was familiar yet authoritative, a couple of tones deeper than his own. He couldn't think for much longer, as Hyerin appeared at the door and pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Jungkook-ah, are you okay?" Hyerin asked, concerned. Jungkook hadn't realized, but he had been outside the establishment without a jacket in that chilly weather for about 20 minutes. The guys inside had started to worry. "You've been out here for a while. Aren't you cold?" she asked with a sweet nursing tone, rubbing her hands against his shoulders to provide some warmth.
"Oh, no, I lost track of time, sorry," he said in a softer tone, taking her hands in his.
"They're talking about continuing the party at a karaoke place. What if we tell them we're too tired and go to my place?" Jungkook looked at her surprised, somehow forgetting that he had intended to lose his virginity.
"Um... well... Jimin-hyung asked me to go to his house to help him with something. I was just talking to him a while ago." Jungkook himself didn't understand why he was lying. He definitely wanted to lose his virginity. He was tired of masturbating, and porn was getting boring. "What the hell are you doing, Jeon Jungkook?!" Hyerin seemed disappointed, and something in him wanted to tell her it was a joke, but he couldn't. It was as if something was paralyzing him.
"Uh... well... is he…sick again? He didn't sound sick on the call before." "Of course, Jungkook, the call!" Now he couldn't back down. She would think he didn't want to be with her. "It's his brother..." Jungkook was giving his all to sound confident. Hyerin tilted her head slightly for better eye contact.
"His brother?" Hyerin inquired, visibly curious.
"He's going back to Busan, and it's been a while since we've seen each other," he said, sounding a bit nervous, not entirely sure why he was lying to his girlfriend.
"Ah, you're close friends..." Hyerin said more to herself, unable to hide the disappointment on her face.
"Yeah, we're good friends." Jungkook looked away. He was aware that this excuse wasn't enough, and seeing her like that, he wanted to tell her it was a lie and leave it at that, but something in him prevented him from backing down. "Tomorrow we can stay home and have a few drinks. How does that sound?" Jungkook tried to sound more enthusiastic, and Hyerin looked at him.
Hyerin nodded as she smiled sweetly. Hyerin thought she could wait; their relationship had barely begun, and Jungkook might want to take things slowly. Perhaps her libido was causing her to act more desperately than necessary. Feeling calmer with this reasoning, she took Jungkook by the arm.
"Let's go, and at least say goodbye to the guys," she said. Jungkook suddenly opened his eyes wide.
"Hyerin-ah, we can't tell them that Jimin's brother is here. He's only here for a short while, and they won't like that I didn't tell them," he said. Exactly WHAT THE HELL WAS HAPPENING TO HIM? Remorse was starting to weigh on him.
"Ah, it's fine, don't worry," she responded without thinking too much about it.
They both entered the place, and the guys began to whistle and laugh suggestively. Hoseok excitedly asked, "What were you two doing all this time?"
"Hyung!" Jungkook complained.
"It's for educational purposes," Namjoon joined in, setting his glass aside.
"Hyerin and I have to leave; I have to take her home," Jungkook lied again, almost instinctively, to his own surprise. Normally, the lie would have become evident a while ago. Hyerin nodded as the guys expressed their disappointment.
"Just when the party was about to begin, it's not fair!"
"Sorry, guys," Hyerin offered sweetly, which only increased Jungkook's guilt.
After more complaints and apologies, Jungkook and Hyerin left the establishment and headed toward the metro stop. Hyerin bid farewell to Jungkook with a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Send me a message when you get home," Hyerin looked at him a bit surprised. Even though Jungkook wasn't going to accompany her home, she hadn't seen this kind of consideration from guys before. Knowing that Jungkook was so attentive comforted her. She smiled and entered the station. Alone now, Jungkook bent down, gripping his hair tightly.
"What the hell is happening to you, Jungkook?"
"Why the hell did I do that?"
Stop complaining and go.
Jungkook suddenly turned, looking at the people around him and startling a lady who was walking by with her newborn baby in her arms.
Before, he had also thought he heard that same authoritative voice. The first thing that came to his mind was that someone was following him, but he didn't see anyone suspicious around him.
"Jungkook, isn't it?"
"God?" Jungkook asked, deducing that the voice was coming from within himself.
"I can't believe it... Wouldn't it be more reasonable to think you've gone crazy?"
Jungkook continued to look around, unsure of his own conclusions. Still confused, he started walking, hoping he would stop hearing the voice because he would lose the signal or something...
"Jungkook..."
"Who...?" Jungkook cautiously asked, still doubting whether he should be engaging in a conversation with the voice. If he was showing early signs of dementia, schizophrenia, or anything else, maybe he should refrain.
"You," the voice replied simply and sharply.
"Huh?"
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Jimin was sleeping on the couch after being sore from one of the most aggressive messages of his life. On the other hand, Taehyung remained enchanted, staring at the TV screen. He was supposed to start working on an assignment an hour ago, and it was due in two days, but the urgency clearly hadn't hit him yet.
Suddenly, Jimin's phone started ringing from where it was charging near the TV. Taehyung jolted and went to see who was calling, shaking Jimin.
"Jimin-ah," Taehyung said as he shook Jimin's leg. Jimin didn't respond. "Jimin, wake up, it's Jungkook." Jimin just shook the leg that Taehyung was holding.
Taehyung unplugged the phone and answered, "Hello? Jungkook?"
"Taehyung?" Jungkook inquired sounding, to Taehyung, annoyed…?
"Oh, Jimin can't come to the phone right now, pfft—" Taehyung had to suppress a laugh as he saw his friend scrunch up his nose at the mention of his name. Jungkook frowned.
"Open up, I'm downstairs," Jungkook said, sounding more authoritative than intended.
"What? Oh... okay." Taehyung was surprised both by the unexpected visit and the tone of the younger one. He went, opened the front gate and the door to the house, and went to wake up his friend by lightly shaking his shoulder.
"Jimin-ah, wake up, Jungkook's here, he's here." Jimin furrowed his brow as he forced his eyes open.
"What? Jungkook came?" Jimin ran his hand through his hair and looked at the door. After a few seconds, Jungkook appeared through the door with a takeout bag. Jimin and Taehyung exchanged puzzled looks.
"Jungkook-ah, come in. Weren't you with the guys today?" Taehyung asked, to which Jungkook replied amiably.
"Oh yeah, but they were going to a karaoke, and since I didn't feel like going and didn't have anything to do, I came to see how you guys are." Jungkook expertly lied.
"You were worried about us?" Jimin responded with a mischievous smile on his face. Jungkook felt his heart painfully constrict at the sight of Jimin, and an inexplicable ache settled in his throat, causing an overwhelming urge to cry. He couldn't explain why, but it was clear that Jimin had stirred up that feeling, which was all the more confusing.
Pretending normalcy, Jungkook finished entering the apartment and closed the door behind him, his heart pounding uncontrollably. “what the fuck?!”
"Nah, I just thought I'd be bored at home on a Friday, so I brought c—" Taehyung interrupted excitedly:
"Chimaek! Well done, Jungkook-ah!" Taehyung moved closer to Jungkook and swiftly took the bags to lead him to the kitchen and prepare the dishes.
"How have you been?" Jungkook asked Jimin, trying to sound uninterested while a hint of concern slipped into his tone.
"Ah, since that day, you mean?" Jungkook nodded - "Well... sometimes…, but Taehyung keeps a pretty close eye on me. Don't worry," Jimin replied with a smile, seeing the younger's dismayed expression. Jimin loved seeing Jungkook worry about him. His usually defiant and rebellious face and demeanor would transform into something more submissive and sweet. He could get sick every day just to see him like that. Jimin quickly dismissed that thought, suppressing a small laugh.
"That Taehyung again..." The authoritative voice suddenly made an appearance, surprising Jungkook.
"It's just a friend," Jungkook felt compelled to explain for some reason. "Anyway, why do you care?" Jungkook asked with a puzzled expression, not realizing he had been looking out the window for a few seconds. Jimin asked, slightly concerned.
"Jungkook, are you okay?" Jungkook turned to look at him and, snapping out of his reverie, answered with a smile, "Ah, yeah. I'll be right back. Gotta use the bathroom." He headed to the bathroom with deliberate steps, closing the door carefully.
“We're here now, so explain. Who or what are you, and why can I hear you?, I tried talking to you on the way here and you would not reply, so now talk.”
Jungkook wasn't going to deny that this whole situation was scaring him a bit. If it was some kind of spiritual entity, he was scared for his life. And if it was a voice created by his mind, the fear would be even greater because, clearly, he was going crazy! His heart raced as he imagined all the possible ways his life could start changing. He still had so much to live through.
"Alright, but first calm down," the voice sighed wearily. "As I told you, I'm..."
"SH*T, SH*T, SH*T! THAT'S IT!" It was official, Jungkook was going insane, and no one was going to be able to help him. He'd prefer it to be a spiritual being, an ectoplasm, or a curse. He'd go see a witch doctor, cleanse his chakras, perform any weird ritual, and that would be it. But this was worse, SO MUCH WORSE!
Jungkook's frantic thoughts were interrupted by a burning heat on his cheek, which, when he finally had a chance to analyze, came from a slap delivered by his own hand. Jungkook stared at his hand in horror.
"I've been wanting to do that for a while now." Jungkook still couldn't move or articulate a thought, so still in a daze, he decided to listen. "Like I was saying, I'm you." The voice paused, waiting for the interruption from the younger that never came. So, with the same calm and solemnity, it continued, "But I died what I assume is, a long time ago. My name is Guyang." Jungkook hadn't realized, but tears were streaming down his face as he grappled with the unavoidable thought that he might be developing a dissociative identity disorder. The voice, realizing this, let out a tired sigh.
"Jungkook, I'll tell you again, you're not going crazy." Jungkook's eyes widened in surprise, and he listened attentively, tears still flowing. "My death, or rather, our death, was quite bloody and unfair. Someone must have cursed my soul to awaken in this era." Jungkook still couldn't believe what he was hearing, but nonetheless, feeling calmer, he wiped his tears away by rubbing his palms against his eyes.
It was then that he heard Taehyung's voice from the living room, calling for him, excitement evident in it.
"Jungkook-ah, come, dinner’s ready!" Amidst all the chaos in his head, Jungkook had lost track of time.
"I-I'm coming!" he exclaimed nervously.
Jungkook turned toward the mirror above the sink and looked at his reflection with concern etched on his face. He seemed normal, healthy, and simple. Yet, THERE WAS A VOICE IN HIS HEAD. He would have to gather all his mental strength to keep from going crazy.
"Jungkook, you're not going crazy," the voice residing in my head said. Jungkook replied sarcastically.
Turning on the faucet, Jungkook washed his face vigorously and put on his best face to act normal around his friends. The three of them sat around the small wooden table in the center of the living room, enjoying their meal and drinks. Eventually, Jungkook decided to ask something that had been lingering in his mind for longer than he'd like. He attempted to phrase it as casually as he could, as if the answer were trivial to him. However, when he was about to ask, he couldn't help but lower his head and stared at his drink as if he were afraid.
"Uh, guys..." Taehyung and Jimin looked at him, slightly surprised by his sudden serious tone. "What have you guys been up to?" Jungkook still didn't lift his gaze from his drink, while Taehyung and Jimin exchanged alarmed glances. They hadn't considered how strange it might seem that they had cut off contact with the group so suddenly. And Jimin hadn't thought about how strange it might seem to Jungkook that he hadn't received a single text or visit from him. There was also the small detail that Jimin knew about Jungkook's girlfriend through Hoseok and chose to avoid discussing the topic with Jungkook. Given everything going on in his life, that would be too much for him to handle. Should he clear things up and tell Jungkook what was happening?
"Jimin, what do we do? Should we tell him?" Jimin tried to ignore Taehyung's urgent voice. Looking at Jungkook, he could see the worry in his eyes. He couldn't afford to avoid Jungkook just because he was afraid to face the reality that Jungkook now had someone who was a priority over him. But he also couldn't afford to burden Jungkook with his own worries. He didn't want to worry anyone else until he understood this new situation and what it might mean for him.
"Sorry, Jungkook-ie, I didn't mean to worry you. I've just been having a tough time. My blood pressure has been acting up, and I've been feeling dizzy, so I haven't felt like going out." Jimin answered with a smile. He still didn't feel ready to deal with Jungkook's questions. Two people who knew the secret were already too many, and he wasn't ready to start explaining why he's the only person Jimin can't hear. What if it had something to do with the feelings he has for him? No, no, no. If there was anyone who shouldn't know right now, it was Jungkook.
But he had realized from Jungkook's disappointed expression that he hadn't believed what he had just told him, and he had reasons not to.
"Oh... I see..." Jimin couldn't help but furrow his brows. If he had a weakness, it was definitely Jungkook's mournful expression. But he still couldn't say anything.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier." Jimin moved closer to Jungkook, sitting on his own knees, and put his hands over them. With a playful pout, he asked, "Will you forgive me?" as he tilted his head to the side, Jungkook was dumbfounded. He hadn't had time to process it yet, but he was sure he had stopped breathing and suddenly, his heart began to hamer against his chest. He had never experienced one, but he was pretty sure this was what a cardiac arrest felt like. He could almost hear his blood rushing to his face. Something was wrong. This wasn't normal, Jungkook was confused, nothing like this had ever happened before. “Do you have anything to do with this?” he asked Guyang internally as he placed his hand on his chest.
Seeing Jungkook's stunned reaction, Taehyung and Jimin burst into uncontrollable laughter, struggling to keep their balance and falling to the floor while still laughing. Jungkook frowned, but upon seeing the lighthearted and cheerful atmosphere, he let out a sigh to himself and dropped his shoulders in resignation. A smile threatened to escape his lips. Jungkook took a sip of his drink and observed them as they attempted, unsuccessfully, to calm their laughter.
The rest of the night passed peacefully. The three of them drank, talked, and sang just like always, as if they hadn't gone weeks without talking. It was as it had always been between them. This made Jungkook feel calmer, and the little "incident" from two weeks ago lost its significance. Just typical things of their age, day-to-day events, trivialities – things that happen. With this reasoning, Jungkook was able to sleep soundly on the couch since Hyeonwoo had informed him that he would be staying over but would arrive a little late. That's what happens when you suddenly appear in someone else's home. But as had become routine, Jungkook had no problem with it.
"Damn, I didn't even tell them about Hyerin. Well, I'll do it tomorrow."
On the other hand, Jimin had tried to go to sleep without success. Even though he was tired, the lights were off, and Taehyung was deep into the REM phase, Jimin couldn't help but think about Jungkook and how he had looked saddened by Jimin's lie about why he had been ignoring him. It made him realize that he couldn't avoid Jungkook forever, just like he couldn't avoid the inevitable encounter with his girlfriend. It was true that with everything that had happened, he had been very focused on investigating and learning more about this new ability. But he knew he was lying to himself. That wasn't why he was avoiding talking or seeing Jungkook.
Jimin felt his throat tighten, and he knew exactly what it meant. His eyes watered, and in an attempt to stop the tears, he covered his mouth tightly.
He just wanted to protect his feelings, but he never seemed to get used to it. It always hurts the same. Whenever Jungkook introduced him to one of his girlfriends, it was the same, except that for some reason, the fact that he hadn't had a girlfriend for almost two years had given him a glimmer of hope, even if it was only in his subconscious.
Jimin knew that his efforts would be futile, and he covered his face with both hands, allowing his expression of pain to show freely. He couldn't help but let out occasional small whimpers.
Hearing about this girl had shattered all hope. Let's be honest, Jimin was reaching an age where he couldn't justify waiting for something from Jungkook anymore. Jimin knew he had to move on with his life and overcome this one-sided love that he had been carrying for so long. That's why that day hurt so much. Jimin knew it marked the end of this infatuation, or rather, the beginning of the end. From now on, it would be an uphill battle to uproot feelings that had been deeply rooted for so many years. It was going to be painful, and Jimin was well aware of that.
No one dies from love; there are only those who allow love to kill them. Jimin knew this well. He knew that someday he could look at Jungkook as a friend. Many of his friends had done that, even friends who had been in a relationship for years were able to remain friends after all, not all of them, but some cases proved this was possible. Jimin's situation wouldn't be anything compared to that. He was clear about it. He considered himself somewhat rational, but how was it that despite knowing this for a fact, despite being so clear about it, he couldn't avoid this pain? It was excessive, disproportionate. He had never been in a romantic relationship with Jungkook, but why did it hurt so much?
Jimin couldn't pinpoint exactly when he fell asleep, but at some point during the night, his tears dried on his face, his breathing evened out, his eyelids drooped, and sleep overtook him.
The next day, Jungkook woke up feeling sore and tried to stretch his joints as best he could, hearing several parts of his body crack.
That second-hand green couch had never been famous for its comfort. Even moving it was a nightmare. Four men struggled to fit it through the door, not because it was large, but due to its complicated shape and weight. "What a crappy sofa," he thought, but he couldn't hate it either. After all, it had been his refuge on many drunken nights, and he had grown attached to it. "Should we give it a name?" he wondered while brushing his teeth with his designated lilac toothbrush, the one he liked. It wasn't other’s consideration that gave it that designation. It was Jungkook's stubbornness and how he argued with Hyeonwoo, repeatedly saying, "I'm the smallest" or "What kind of adult are you?" Hyeonwoo, being the sacrificial and hardworking mantis that he was, had simply given in with a tired huff, doing the same as the rest of the world: pampering and indulging Jungkook.
"Pistachio. It would suit it, hehe."
"It's an object."
"But it's pretty."
"In my time, you would have died within two days."
Jungkook simply snorted in annoyance. Apparently, now he couldn't even think his thoughts without this old fart judging them.
Jungkook took a slice of bread from the pantry to prepare breakfast. As expected, Hyeonwoo had already left, he was always busy doing something. Jungkook struggled to imagine how a person could fill every second of their time that way. Sometimes he thought was all an act for others to admire him, thinking, "Wow, so diligent, so hardworking." He imagined Hyeonwoo, instead of going to work, would be hiding in a public restroom, playing games late into the night. Then he remembered the dark circles under Hyeonwoo's eyes every day, and that futile thought vanished without a trace.
“you are so childish, meddling into another man’s affair”
"You know, you're the one intruding here." Jungkook pointed at his head with his index finger.
"Not by choice."
"Well, that's not my fault."
"Nor mine."
"Yeah."