Archive of Our Own ^beta

Welcome to Kindred Spirits.

The game where you'll either find your true love or die in denial.

Rule no.1: RUN RUN RUN. Traps. Traps. Traps are everywhere. You're in DANGER!

Rule no.2: Collect True Love's BLOOD, SWEAT and TEARS to complete the mission.

Rule no.3: Don't LIE and overcome the STIGMA.

Now, you're ready.

Good luck!

Press the red button to start playing or be stuck here for the rest of your pathetic life.

"Guess I have no choice. Don't want my pathetic life to just end without telling my parents to tell my dog that I love him."

"Hyung, don't be a push over. I won't fucking press that button. And your dog hates you anyway. We don't have to do this. Let's just stay here."

"Shut up. I want to get out. Here goes nothing!"

"The fuck?!."

Let the games begin.

RUN!

It's both too early and too late in the morning for the rain to start pouring down so heavily. Too early, because Jimin had only started his day like five minutes ago, and too late, because it's already fifteen minutes past ten o' clock in the morning.

"Shit!" Jimin cursed as he ran back to the dorm's lobby before his carefully styled jet black hair could be ruined by the downpour. "I guess today's brunch, which should have been an early breakfast, would be Burger King delivery. Yey."

The sarcasm was so blatant that Taehyung had to pull his brown-green-stained-bangs down to hide his not so guilty eyes. "How many times do I have to apologize Chim?"

A sigh escaped the smaller man's lips as he shook his head, looked down at his pristine white boat shoes and put his hands inside the pockets of his short khaki shorts. "You can stop now. I'm done with this shit anyway."

Panic ran through the taller guy which is why he instinctively just grabbed the other man's biceps before he could walk away. "Hey... Don't be like this."

Jimin just shrugged, unfurled the long slender fingers holding on to him tightly and made a show of dusting off his almost see through, white, long sleeved, button down shirt. "You shouldn't have been like this in the first place Taehyung. Then maybe... Maybe, everything will still be okay. But, hell. It's not anymore."

This time, the words hurled at Taehyung hit him hard and he swallowed guiltily. "Jimin."

It's rare for either of the two to call each other with their first names so formally. Both guys have invented too much pet names for each other. Jimin using Taehyung's name is a clear sign that he's done with the teasing and games while Taehyung on the other hand only uses Jimin's name when he knows he's fucked up.

"I'm sorry I forgot that today's our anniversary. You know that anatomy's been killing me for the past week. My brain got fried. I'm still recovering. " Taehyung whispered and played with the hem of the top of his white satin jammies.

"I understand that Ta-"

"But I'm more sorry that I'm such an ass earlier when you were trying to wake me up and I just grabbed you and hugged you into submission to give me more time to sleep." Taehyung exhaled and sadly looked at his pouting best friend. "Most of all, I'm sorry-est that I'm such a bad best friend that I let you go hungry and make you skip breakfast. So please, let's not skip brunch too? If I make you skip brunch today, you'll go to your dance practice with an empty stomach. You'll eventually tire yourself and decide that you're too worn out for dinner. Then, you won't be eating for an entire day because of me. What kind of best friend would I be?"

"A stupid one." Jimin murmured as he bit his bottom lip, trying not to laugh at Taehyung's close to tears face. "I said, we could order burgers and fries for brunch. Let's go eat junk to get us out of this funk."

Taehyung frowned at Jimin's rhyming and kept himself rooted on his spot despite the smaller man's strong tugging on his arm.

"We can't just eat those." Taehyung said as he tugged Jimin back, which surprised the other, making him fall on his broad chest. "It's our anniversary. Let's go check if that hole-in-the-wall cafe owned by one of the film major seniors has finally opened up for business."

Jimin, being pressed into his best friend's chest and having the other's arms wrapped around him like a boa constrictor, had no other choice but to squeak a quiet, "Okay."

"Perfect." Taehyung exhaled as he looked down on his best friend with his signature boxy smile. "I love you too much Chim. I promise I'll make this day better."

"Whatever TaeTae." Jimin rolled his eyes and flicked the taller's prominent nose, making his little mole on it his personal bull's eye. "Don't tell lies."

"But I didn't." Taehyung giggled as he loosened his hug and opted to hand holding instead. "I love you and I just promised. I didn't say I will make today better."

Jimin frowned and punched Taehyung's shoulder using their intertwined hands. "Fuck you."

"I know." Taehyung grinned again and stealthily picked up a random clear plastic umbrella from the nearby Lost&Found box. "You love me more."

"That's not wha-"

"Shhh." Taehyung clamped his hand over Jimin's mouth. "You're not you when you're hungry. It's okay Jiminnie. I understand."

Jimin, without second thoughts, licked Taehung's palm which made the other to reluctantly free him. "You dumbass! It's still raining too hard for us to go-"

"I have an umbrella, jerk." Taehyung retorted as he opened the umbrella he stole borrowed and kept walking while dragging Jimin along.

"I saw you steal it, stupid." Jimin huffed. "What you didn't think of is you're wearing white jammies and your freaking rainbow stuffed unicorn slippers while I'm wearing my favorite pair of shoes!"

"First, I care more about making things up to you than material things." Taehyung replied so sincerely that Jimin couldn't stop the wide smile spreading on his face. "Second, those are not your favorite shoes. Admit or I'll burn your burgundy Doc Martens. Or better, all your Doc Martens and our Prada couple shoes."

"Ugh." Jimin growled as he pushed Taehyung a little gentler than he really wanted to. "Just shut up and find that cafe you're talking about or I won't let you cuddle me to sleep tonight."

Taehyung abruptly stopped and wrinkled his nose while looking at Jimin. "If people hear what we talk about, they'll think we're dating."

"Gross." Jimin answered but still held on Taehyung's hand which was still holding on to his too.

"Maybe I should go find a new best friend." Taehyung said while nodding his head, still staring into Jimin's eyes.

"I agree." Jimin replied with his sweetest smile. "I can't stay best friends with a person who hungers me."

"Why do you always sound like you're a thirsty boyfriend?" Taehyung guffawed.

"Why do you always sound like you're a cheesy boyfriend?" Jimin countered, giggling.

"Fuck." Taehyung said as his laughter died down. "This happens when hunger strikes."

"Which is why we should never go hungry ever again." Jimin announced as he wiped away tears from his eyes. "Where's that hole-in-the-wall cafe anyway?"

"It's right there ChimChim." Taehyung whispered as he vaguely pointed at a red brick stone wall.

Jimin squinted, doubted Taehyung for a second and then gasped. The cafe is literally a hole in the wall with its circular glass door camouflaging with the brick stone wall. If Jimin didn't see the small hole like black spot that marks the door knobs, he would have  kicked Taehyung's balls already. "Cool."

"Yeah. Cool." Taehyung grinned and pulled the awed Jimin in to the cafe. "We're lucky they're finally open and there's no one inside due to the weather."

"Are we really lucky?" Jimin sighed as he found the cafe devoid of any other living thing aside from the plants and flowers scattered around.

"Oh look!" Taehyung perked as he caught a glimpse of an iPhone on one of the tables near the counter. "Maybe they're high-tech?"

"Didn't your parents taught you that touching things that ain't yours are bad?" Jimin frowned, totally not buying Taehyung's bullshit.

"If I listened to them that I shouldn't talk to strangers then we won't even be here." Taehyung bit back as he sat on the couch and grabbed Jimin's waist.

Jimin squeaked as he fell on Taehyung's lap.

"Now, let's see what's good here." Taehyung hummed as he picked up the phone and unlocked it.

"Did you see that light?"

"Nope."

"I swear I saw a burst of light outside."

"Stop worrying Hobi-hyung. You won't be dead yet. We just need to fix this a little more."

"I swear Jeon Jungkook, if I live after today, I will find a way to make you cum until you can't cum anymore."

"Kinky. I like that."

"Shut up Joonie. This is your fault. You shouldn't have trusted this brat."

"He loves me more than he loves you, hyung."

"I am definitely hurt."

"Stop teasing Kookie. Or I'll withhold all kinds of sex with you. No watching us too."

"Why do I feel like I'm just in this relationship for the sex?"

"Aren't you?"

"Hyung!!!"

"Fuck. I can't fix this."

"Do we need to call him?"

"Yes we do."

"Why do you look like you just saw us doing the Pinwheel?"

"We just got two more players."

"HOW?!"

Every gamer had definitely, once upon a time, wished that they could somehow enter and live a certain game universe. For example, Taehyung once, when he was way too young for sex but way too old to be still immature, dreamed to live a Sim life. Building his own house, doing the stupid missions for a while then eventually die peacefully, woohoo-ing all day. As fun as it sounds, if given a chance, Taehyung would never ever enter a game world he's never cheated on first. And making him tag his best friend along the experience would be a definite deal breaker. No one should bring Jimin into his shit. The guy doesn't deserve to suffer with him.

"I should have not let you make me push that button with you." Jimin growled at Taehyung, definitely angry and freaked out because of their current situation.

"But Jiminnie, didn't you hear what the narrator said? Press the button or get stuck here forever." Taehyung replied without looking at the smaller man beside him, too busy taking in the alternative universe around him. Their surroundings look exactly like the world they just left. Only difference is, this world looked like it's been upgraded to be one of the Hunger Games' arenas.

"I don't have a pathetic life!" Jimin shouted as he stomped and pushed Taehyung away from him. "I doubt I'd be stuck out there even if I didn't press that button."

"I'm sorry, okay?" Taehyung sighed, already weary of the expression. "Stop being mad."

"How can I not be mad? I'm hungry! I'm tired. I'm sad. I'll probably be late for dance practice because I'm stuck here, with you! How? How can I be mad when you fucked up my day just because you don't want to wake up and be a responsible adult for once?" Jimin screamed at his now guilty looking best friend, his eyes a little wet from unshed tears.

Taehyung had to look away. His best friend could be all muscle, swag and sex appeal when he wants to but when he gets emotional... Taehyung's heart couldn't just handle the tears, the splotchy reds on Jimin's cheeks and the bottom lip biting, mostly if he was the reason for it.

"Sorry to interrupt whatever you guys are arguing about but, we gotta RUN!"

Taehyung didn't even get a second to panic before a slightly taller, way broader and too good-looking man grabbed Jimin's wrist and dragged his best friend away from him.

"Hey fucker! Give me back my best friend!" Taehyung screamed as he stood on his spot, raising a fist at the backs of the mysterious guy and his smol best friend.

"He's not taking anyone away from you, stupid."

Another mysterious man appeared beside Taehyung. This time, said man, who's dressed in all black from his head to toe, is so pale and thin despite having shoulders almost as broad as first mysterious man's shoulders.

"Then why is he running away and dragging him along?" Taehyung growled. Mad at Milk Man. Mad at Greek God. Mad at his over dramatic best friend. (But really, he's just mad at himself.)

"Because it's the rules of the game." Milk Man murmured, his voice low and nonchalant.

"Then why aren't you running?" Taehyung huffed as he narrowed his eyes at the suspicious man.

"I'm not an imbecile like the three of you." Milk Man grinned, with his gums making an appearance, which Taehyung found to be surprisingly adorable. "I didn't press the fucking button."

"Then why are you here?" Taehyung asked, genuinely confused.

Milk Man just shrugged and pointed at a ginormous ball of rock illogically rolling down a flat, even road, seemingly heading towards Taehyung's spot.

Then ground started shaking as if a fifty feet tall giant that weighs a thousand tons decided to walk the earth, causing one of the worst earthquakes in the world. Taehyung will be squashed like an ant on the floor.

"Run, pretty boy. Or you might just die without finding true love." Milk Man chuckled and winked as he slowly walk away towards the direction Greek god and Jimin took.

"Hey! Don't leave me. I don't want to die yet." Taehyung yelled as he ran after Milk Man.

If asked about what happened next, Taehyung would never admit that he jumped on Milk Man's back, held on to him like a leech and prayed to all the gods that the Killer Ball of Rock would swerve and spare him his pathetic life.

"Seems like you really aren't a player, huh?" Greek God's voice entered Taehyung's brain like cold water after being stuck in a scorching desert. "The fucking ball just turned right when it all needed to do is just roll one more time to get rid of you and that kid."

"That. And because I'm a genius." Milk Man's voiced sounded laboured but there's a hint of a smile in it. "You. Can you get this bastard off my back? The little shit passed out as soon as he got to lock me in his arms."

"You're no genius Min Yoongi." Greek God's voice stopped Taehyung from falling asleep again.

"I'm sorry for my friend." Jimin apologized to someone (most probably, to Milk Man who seems to be named as Min Yoongi), sounding so breathless. "He does have a habit of hugging too tight and falling asleep soon after."

"That's not what happened." Milk Man, aka Min Yoongi, replied sharply.

"Oh fuck you." Greek God cursed. "Euphemism, Yoongichii. Euphemism."

"Hyung, I'd consider that if one of you would gladly switch roles with me right now. My back's already killing me." Yoongi whined, uncharacteristically which startled Taehyung to an almost awake state of consciousness.

"Poor Min baby." Greek God giggled and Taehyung felt something like a cloth brush his head for a millisecond and press onto the face next to his head.

"I'll go carry him. I'm sorry, again." Jimin pipped up from behind Taehyung which finally turned as the final straw to Taehyung's awakening.

"I'm up!" Taehyung yelled without thinking. All he wanted was Jimin not to carry his lame ass.

"Fuck!" Yoongi cursed strongly as he let go of the unwanted baggage on his back which resulted to Taehyung painfully falling down on his ass.

"Funny." Greek God laughed this time, sounding like someone's thoroughly wiping some glass windows.

"TaeTae!" Jimin squeaked as he ran towards the boy spread out like jelly on the ground. "Are you okay?"

Taehyung, even if his ass is killing him in a way he didn't liked, smiled at his best friend. "I'm fine ChimChim. Thanks."

"So... TaeTae and ChimChim?" Greek God asked with his head cutely tilted to the side like a big friendly dog while looking at the pair on the ground.

"No." Jimin replied as soon as he remembered that he was supposed to still be mad at his best friend. "It's Jimin and Taehyung."

Taehyung felt Jimin's sudden mood change as the other stood up without helping him up. "Yep. I'm Taehyung. He's Jimin."

"Nice meeting both of you." Greek God smiled and Taehyung might be a lot more gayer because of him. "I'm Kim Seokjin and this grumpy grandpa is Min Baby."

"Fucking hell, hyung!" The smaller man between the two groaned as he gave the taller man beside him the scariest death stare Taehyung had probably seen in his lifetime. "I'm Yoongi."

"Well, it's nice to meet you both too despite our current dilemma." Jimin politely replied as he bowed a little to the other two.

"So, what do we do now?" Taehyung ignored the curtsies both parties are giving each other. "How can we find true love in this hopeless place?"

"Rihanna? Seriously?" Yoongi snorted, judgmentally.

"Ignore him." Seokjin comments easily. "He used to listen to 'Work' 24/7 when he's working on his architectural plates."

"How'd you know?" Jimin asked, surprised that the two strangers intimately know each other.

"We're roommates." Yoongi answered as if saying those few words were just like breathing to him now, an involuntary needed action.

"Anyway," Taehyung deadpans, hating the interaction between the other pair and Jimin. "Again... What do we do now?"

Yoongi stares at Taehyung as if he's Hades, risen from the underworld, just to bring Taehyung's soul straight to Tartarus. "I guess, one of you needs to sacrifice himself and die for the greater good so the remaining two could start falling in love and eventually have their happily ever after while riding into the sunset."

Taehyung, on reflex, grabbed Jimin's wrist and held on to it as he stepped in front of him, protecting him from any possible harm while Jimin clenched his jaw and looked from Seokjin to Taehyung, feeling trapped in a small coffin, finally understanding how it is to have claustrophobia.

Seokjin sighed dramatically as he closed his eyes and pinched the bride of his nose between his thumb and index finger. "This doesn't have to get to that point."

Seokjin opened his eyes and the brown orbs actually sparkled. "We just need to survive right now."

Jimin and Taehyung held their breaths as Seokjin ended his performance with a single flying hand kiss and a wink.

Yoongi slow clapped and chuckled. "That's great, hyungie. You just made yourself the sacrificial lamb. Do you think this guys would fall for you because of that?"

Seokjin rolled his eyes and flicked Yoongi's forehead. "I'm too handsome to be sacrificed Yoongichii."

The light, teasing atmosphere enveloping Seokjin and Yoongi, and the quiet spell that enveloped Jimin and Taehyung, had been broken when a loud rumbling of Taehyung's empty stomach echoed through out the whole game world.

"Oh god. We still haven't eaten." Jimin sighed as his posture visibly fell lousy, obviously giving up any hopes of redeeming the cursed day.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Seokjin screamed, as if Jimin just offended him by saying that he's the ugliest person who ever walked the galaxy. "How can you guys skip breakfast, brunch and lunch?! Oh dear lord! The kids this days."

Yoongi, looking quite fond, just chuckled. "Hyung, not everyone is as obsessed with food as you."

"And you know that that's the sole reason why I opened up the cafe, Yoongi." Seokjin looked at his roommate with a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Us college students don't need to be obsessed with food but we have to realize that we need food to sustain us. Lucky for them, i'm the kind of chef who can make them crave for food at the exact time their body needs it, not just whenever they want it."

"Where do all your confidence comes from?" Yoongi replied unimpressed. "If only your food ain't bland."

"Fuck you." Seokjin slapped Yoongi's arm, harshly. "My food kept you alive all these years. You would have died even before you could reach our first year, first semester finals without me and my bland food."

"True." Yoongi agreed with his endearing gummy smile.

"Excuse me for interrupting your moment." Taehyung butted in the conversation after being fed up about the very low-key flirting between two people who claim to be just roommates. "But we haven't eaten yet. I'm obviously hungry, judging by the shameful noise my stomach's making. I just want to know if, do we have to hunt for food here just like tributes or we get gifts from sponsors if we kiss or something? And can we like hide somewhere safe? I don't want another trap chasing me to death this soon. I  haven't fully recovered yet."

"If we're really in the Hunger Games, I would enjoy killing you with my own bare hands." Yoongi whispered to Taehyung but his voice was loud enough to be heard by Jimin and Seokjin.

"Thankfully, we think we're just stuck in a failed magic experiment of our fucking friends." Seokjin announced cheerfully.

"We still don't know everything about this shit. Don't get your hopes up." Yoongi immediately killed the hopeful face Jimin was about to have. "All we know is we got here by magic and this whole shit is pure magic."

"We think we don't really need to find true love to get out of this but we're not sure if the traps here won't actually kill us. Magic can be fun but it could be pretty dangerous too, you know." Seokjin added.

"Why would your friends make something like this?" Jimin asked, horrified. Taehyung instinctively gently ran his hand up and down the expanse of Jimin's back rhythmically.

"We don't think they did this on purpose." Seokjin laughed a little. "Hoseok's a little shit who likes meddling with people's lives but with honest to god good intentions. He's probably responsible for the plot of the game where people would need to find love or they would die. He's desperately romantic like that."

"While on the other hand, Jeon fucking Jungkook is probably the brat who designed this game where players get attacked by shit every hour. It doesn't matter where you are." Yoongi continued explaining. "That brat is so obsessed with games. He hated games that aren't challenging so he unintentionally probably made this game intentionally too dangerous for real people to actually play." 

"Finally, we're probably stuck here because Namjoon, the dork with an IQ of 148 probably fucked up the spell that would make this game a virtual reality instead of an alternate reality." Seokjin sighed, as if that's the only thing left to do so he could somehow release some of the stress he's having because of their situation.

"We know that the trio trapped us in here. But why would they trap you guys here too?" Yoongi suddenly asked, as if he couldn't believe he just thought of asking it now.

"I don't think they trapped us in here." Jimin replied as he pushed his hair back. "We were in the cafe that I assume is Seokjin-ssi's. Taehyung found the phone lying on the table and had the brilliant idea that it was the menu."

Taehyung grinned widely then licked his lips. "Hey. I thought your cafe is high-tech not cursed by your friends."

"Whatever." Seokjin sighed again and looked at his watch. "Come on. Let's walk towards our apartment so I could cook up something for us to eat before the hour of peace is up and we start getting crap again."

"Great idea, hyung!" Taehyung giggled and bounded over Seokjin to koala hug the man.

"Hyung?" Jimin scrunched his eyebrows a little.

"It's fine Jimin. I'm probably older than both of you anyway." Seokjin replied warmly as he pet Taehyung's hair playfully.

"Jinnie-hyung, please don't tell me that you think that that bastard is your true love." Yoongi whined as he pouted and followed the pair who managed to walk despite being woven together tightly.

"Would it be so bad?" Seokjin giggled as Taehyung made kiss-y faces at him.

"Maybe you should have pressed the fucking red button earlier so you could join and find your true love instead of being a fourth-wheel." Jimin whispered maliciously at Yoongi as he walked past him and caught up with Seokjin and Taehyung.

Yoongi just yawned and watched as the three players try to find subtly find out who among them could be each other's kindred spirit.

"Anyone dead yet?"

"Shut up Kookie. You shouldn't have made this too dangerous. We might kill one of them if they forget that they're in a game world."

"Don't be so worried Hobi. They'll survive. But you should probably haven't stuck your cute nose in Jin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung's business. You know?"

"Thank you for the compliment Joonie but how fucking dare you say that to me when you're the one who fucked up the spell?"

"Ohhh... That burns."

"Kookie, are you really just going to keep teasing us?"

"Nope. I'm actually being very helpful. I already called Headmaster. He's on his way."

They say that the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Taehyung could not agree more.

"Hyung!" Taehyung singsonged. "I think I'm already in love with you. You cook like a god."

Seokjin giggled and playfully hit Taehyung's shoulder. "Stop that. You liar. You just want dessert."

"Is it too obvious?" Taehyung ginned shyly. "But seriously hyung... I hope reality would meet your goals for your cafe. You deserve it."

"Thanks Tae." Seokjin smiled a little but it was enough to show how happy he is. "Jimin, want to help me bake a chocolate cake for your asshole of a best friend?"

"Hyung!" Taehyung whined as Jimin giggled.

"I'd love to." Jimin answered as he stood up from his seat, still smiling.

"Jiminnie! Jin-hyung is mine. I loved him first." Taehyung continued whining, still lazily melted on his seat.

"I guess he loves me more than he loves you though." Jimin replied teasingly.

Taehyung suddenly snapped and sat up straight on his seat. All that was missing is a turned on light bulb. "But logically, you guys are going to bake a cake for me. So... That means you guys both love me."

"Keep on dreaming." Yoongi suddenly drawled from his seat. Everyone thought he's fallen asleep after he ate and closed his eyes while leaning back on his chair.

"You scared me, hyung." Taehyung exclaimed as he clutched his chest exaggeratedly.

"Don't go dying yet Taehyung." Seokjin singsonged. "I still need my option b if Jimin won't be my true love."

"I am disgusted." Taehyung announced as he stood up, turned around to face the two men at the kitchen, busily preparing ingredients for the cake. "I'm not a stop along the way. I'm a destination."

"Gossip girl, huh?" Yoongi chuckled and smirked. Seokjin who was about to reply to Taehyung chose to just keep quiet, finding Yoongi, suddenly being talkative to strangers, quite therapeutic. "Always thought the whole series would have been better if Blair and Serena ended banging each other."

"Please don't desecrate the best TV series that had been created during 2007." Taehyung deadpanned in a way that could rival Yoongi's best bored out expressions. "How did you know about it anyway? You don't seem the type to watch those kind of things on TV."

"Netflix." Yoongi grinned. "Come on. You watched it during its TV airing? Did you even understand that shit? You were like twelve or something back then. I bet you were just watching it for Blake Lively's tits." Yoongi scoffed.

"Yes. I religiously watched it every fall. And you are so wrong." Taehyung replied as he walked over to the kitchen and started grabbing things that were already in Jimin's hands. Jimin just pouted and stared accusingly at his best friend. "I watched because of Blair. I like her better than Serena. Blair deserved to be treated like a queen like she is. Thankfully, she did have a happy ending with Chuck."

"I see." Yoongi snickered. "You liked how their romance played out, huh? Thought you're more of a best friends to lovers type of guy."

Taehyung almost burnt his hand as he jerked and almost hit his bare hand on to the heated bowl where the chocolate bars were melting. Thankfully, Jimin managed to catch his wrist before the disaster happened.

Taehyung cleared his throat and Jimin suddenly blushed, realizing the connection between what just came out of Yoongi's mouth and the way he was holding on to his best friend.

"You know hyung," Taehyung winked at Jimin and intertwined their fingers. "True bro's aren't scared to be teased and shipped." The bastard gently kissed the tips of Jimin's fingers that he was holding on to. "But people like Chuck who seemed so evil and averse towards the people they like... I think those people would always have a love-hate relationship with their roommate. Don't you think?" Taehyung looked up from his and Jimin's hands so he could stare into Yoongi's soul.

"I am no Blair Waldorf." Seokjin suddenly announced, making everyone jump out of their skins. "I may be handsome, rich and passionate like how beautiful, rich and passionate Blair is but I'm not a spoiled insecure brat who'll go through six seasons and 121 episodes before I could learn how to love myself, appreciate family and get my happily ever after."

Jimin had to smile proudly at what Seokjin just said about himself. He loved Blair Waldorf as much as Taehyung does but he's aware of the flaws the girl has. Hearing Seokjin's words though, he realized that Seokjin didn't deny or confirmed that he isn't or that he is going through what Blair has gone through. Instead, Seokjin in his statement, is claiming that he won't take too long to fix his life unlike what happened with the fictional character's life.

"Seokjin-hyung," Jimin called out shyly but completely full of admiration. "You're perfect."

Seokjin let his smile take over his face as his chest burst in happiness while he unconsciously let his naked hand take the bowl of melted chocolate away from the cooking range before the ganache burns.

"Fuck!"

Seokjin let go of the bowl immediately, making a mess on the kitchen floor as his eyes started to water with tears. Jimin froze in his spot guiltily while Taehyung panicked in place. Yoongi on the other hand was like lightning with how fast he's moved from his seat, to the fridge to get some cold water, to the kitchen counter to pick up a bowl where he's poured the cold water into and to Seokjin who's chuckling and sniffing at the same time.

"I guess baking and flirting shouldn't be done at the same time, huh?" Seokjin giggled despite his watery eyes. "Don't give me that face Jiminnie. This isn't your fault."

"Okay..." Jimin replied as he worried his bottom lip and started to clean up the mess on the floor.

"You don't have to clean it up Jimin." Yoongi grunted. "We're in a game world. It'll clean itself up."

"Doesn't matter hyung." Taehyung suddenly babbled. "Cleanliness is the best policy."

"What?" Seokjin exclaimed as he laughed squeakily, making both younger men feel at ease again. "By the way, thanks Yoongichii."

If Yoongi smiled and used his thumb to wipe away the remaining tears caught in Seokjin's eyelashes, none out of the four of them counted it as a score.

"Joonie, do you think we should have included saliva in the rule that needed to be collected?"

"What? Hobi, no!"

"But true love's kiss could break curses, right?"

"Hobi-hyung, we're not living the Disney life."

"But if we consider the spell we used, if they-"

"Oh look!"

"What is so important that you have to interrupt me so rudely, Kookie?"

"Damn. Joonie, they finally both got an item each."

"What about the other two though?"

"Joon-hyung, are you sure the spell won't take just any pair?"

"Positive. If it does, we could have been stuck in there too."

"Let's just hope Headmaster would be here soon before something worse happens."

SWEAT

A couple of hours has passed, the three players and Min genius Yoongi has survived a swarm of bees, exploding cars and an acid rain. Despite going through the challenges and having helped each other, all three players could admit to themselves internally that none of the other players could turn out to be their Kindred Spirit. Playing the actual mission of the game could actually get them out of the alternate dimension easier than waiting for three fucked up Casters to rescue them BUT find true love seems way too harder than just dying.

"I'm tired." Yoongi yawned and walked towards a random house to check if it was unlocked like every other house he's snooped in. "You guys go run around dodging shit while trying to fall in love. I'll take a nap."

"Eh?" Taehyung stopped walking alongside Seokjin and Jimin. "Wait, hyung! Take me with you?" He whined. "I'm tired too. This day is the most I've physically moved all day already. I need to sleep or I'll finally eternally rest in peace if I spend another hour of avoiding being killed."

"Look Taehyungie," Yoongi turned around before he closed the door at the face of his new dongsaeng that looks so much like a puppy, excited for belly rubs. "I'm not a player. I am not in danger like the three of you. I-"

"Hyung, that's exactly the reason why we should stick with you." Taehyung interrupted. "Maybe, the reason none of us is still hurt until now is because of you."

"Or, I might die later in the crossfire because of you guys." Yoongi countered.

"Hyung. I..." Taehyung was left speechless. Maybe he didn't really took the situation they were in, seriously.

"Oh Yoongichii. So dramatic." Seokjin laughed the tension away. "No one can really take away your precious date with your mistress, sleep, huh?"

"You know me hyung." Yoongi just shrugged and entered the house without closing the door behind him.

"Go get a wink of sleep Taehyungie." Seokjin murmured as he draped his arm on Taehyung's shoulder and dragged him inside the house. "You up to stay up with me Jiminnie?"

Jimin looked around the house and hummed his affirmation. Entering the house without its owner's permission felt like they're trespassing. They technically are, but since they're in another dimension...

"BOO!"

Seokjin barely escaped a quite heavy right punch coming from a startled Jimin.

"What the hell?" Jimin exclaimed in his high pitched voice. "I almost hit your handsome face."

"You think I'm handsome?" Seokjin grinned and gave Jimin a flying hand kiss despite them being a few inches apart.

"Who doesn't, hyung?" Jimin replied, giggling.

"Some people." Seokjin replied, trying to sound nonchalant but Jimin detected a hint of insecurity in the elder's voice despite just having met. It was weird for him to feel instantly connected to Seokjin when he usually takes a long time before he could get over being shy towards other people.

"Hyung, you're handsome. Despite what other people say. I think, even if it's cliche... I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Jimin smiles at Seokjin encouragingly who found his way inside the house's kitchen.

"Thank you, Jimin-ah." Seokjin smiled. It's genuine. But Jimin could still see that he didn't totally sold his idea to the older one. "Want some pizza? Beer? Kimbap? Apples?"

Jimin scrunched his nose and shook his head. "Don't worry about me, hyung. I've ate too much during lunch. You were such a good chef I broke my diet."

The fond smile on Jimin's face quickly disappeared when he saw Seokjin's expression of surprise, disapproval and concern.

"I'm fine, hyung." Jimin tried to smile again but his own facial muscles betrayed him.

"Jimin," Seokjin whispered as he approached his new found dongsaeng and softly caressed his cheek. "You look fit and healthy already. What's this talk about food, diet and guilt?"

"It's nothing." Jimin answered as he pushed Seokjin's hand away before he stepped back from the older.

"Park Jimin." Seokjin called his name too seriously for Jimin's liking. "Rule number three: don't lie and overcome the stigma. We can't break rules in here. Or else, we die."

"How could my eating habits affect this game, hyung?" Jimin laughed sarcastically. "That's stupid."

"I've been here longer than you have." Seokjin explained. All the playfulness and cheer earlier in the day, gone. "Time out there is different from time in here. I... My fears haunted me."

"Nonsense." Jimin brushed off the concern of the elder and walked towards the house's impressive entertainment area.

"Wow."

Jimin turned around to see Seokjin has followed him and in now currently staring at the mini theater set up at the far end of the room. He would have enjoyed that part too if he's a film student like Seokjin but he's an art student, majoring in dance, which is why his interest was much more piqued by the big speakers and the mirrors at the side of the room.

Jimin was once again startled by Seokjin when the speakers suddenly started playing a beautiful song he couldn't recognize.

"it's beautiful, right?" Seokjin spoke to Jimin a lot more lighter than their conversation in the kitchen. "Namjoon composed the beat with the help of one of his boyfriends, Hoseok. They said it could be a dance piece but neither Namjoon's boyfriends, Hoseok and Jungkook, could dance to it the way they envisioned it. They said it would be a better fit for a contemporary or ballet dancer. Do you know Cha Hakyeon? They plan on giving it to him for one of his performances but... Maybe, as a peace offering for you, you'd like to own this song?"

"It's too beautiful just to be given to me, hyung." Jimin replied, subtly denying himself something he actually wants. But Seokjin noticed it.

"Don't deprive yourself of things you like Jiminnie." Seokjin talked softly like an angel while slowly making his way towards the tiny dancer. "You deserve great things in life. We all do."

"But-"

"No but's." Seokjin replied firmly. "Just dance with me. If by the end of the song and you could look me in the eye and tell me that you haven't fallen in love with the song, then I won't push you to take it. Just give it a chance to woo you first. Okay?"

"Okay." Jimin agreed with a small smile he was trying to hide. "Let's see how your body moves, hyung!"

Seokjin giggled as Jimin pulled him closer and pressed their bodies together while swaying and bending to the beat of the song and their uncontrollable giggles.

As soon as the song ended, Jimin's drenched in sweat while Seokjin stayed as fresh as the first time Jimin met him.

"Hyung, don't you sweat?" He chuckled, not believing how Seokjin could stay looking so immaculate after all they've been through.

"Nope." Seokjin giggled and pat the dancer's head affectionately. "I need to yeses from you. First would be you agreeing that the song's yours, second would be you, drinking a mean fruit shake made by me, with me, because dancing famished me."

"Hyung..." Jimin was already giggling even before he could finish his sentence. "You call your wiggling dancing?"

"You ungrateful brat!" Seokjin shouted, partly offended but mostly endeared that Jimin's back to teasing him rather than clamming up.

"Don't worry, hyung." Jimin smiled wide and hugged Seokjin tightly. "I still love you."

Seokjin shook his head, flicked Jimin's forehead before wiping the sweat on Jimin's face with the hem of Jimin's own white polo.

"Did you know that I was about to tell you that even if you're not the best dancer out here, you'd still be the cutest dancer to me?" Jimin groaned.

"What's the problem then?" Seokjin smiled evilly.

"You just-" Jimin didn't finish his sentence anymore for the make-up stain on his polo magically disappeared because, of course, game world. In most video games, outfits never tear or dirty. Unless...

"Come on. Time for fruit shakes!" Seokjin excitedly yelled, not caring if Yoongi and Taehyung were already sleeping, curled around each other like cats, in the house's master's bedroom.

"Did you find the clip?"

"Yes."

"How did it happen?"

"Hyung just wiped hyung's sweat. It's boring."

"It doesn't matter how it happens, Kookie. As long that it happened."

"If we're betting on hyung collecting everything... Then all he needs is blood and tears!"

"Then he and his Kindred Spirit just need to seal it with a kiss."

"I'm glad we're hopeful but I doubt any kissing will happen between these players."

"Don't say that."

"I bet the other two would definitely have some kinky sex once they get out of the game alive."

"Boring. Won't it be better if all four of them would?"

"They better film. That'll be quality porn. I'm out of new materials."

"We could film for you."

"Or I could film both of you."

"Why are we talking about this?"

"Because Headmaster isn't still here and the obstacles in the game are nearing the worst ones Jungkook has ever imagined?"

"I pray Headmaster comes soon or else those four would die. I went all out with the final obstacles."

"I hope their souls forgive me if they do die."

"I'll forever be hunted. I would never sleep again! To all of you beautiful olympian gods, please save my soul."

"Hyung, we'll just squish you between us every time we sleep if their ghosts start knocking."

"What about whenever we... You know."

"Well, you better put on a great show Hobi."

"What kind of boyfriends are you two?"

TEARS

They shouldn't have fallen asleep. They shouldn't have taken the risk. They should have known that the game that started out as a harmful obstacle course would eventually turn into something that could actually harm them.

Taehyung's dream of playing with his dog, Soonshim, while eating a sweet peach that was as plump as Jimin's ass had been brutally disrupted the moment the bed he lied on with Yoongi suddenly crashed through a solid cemented wall.

"Ow. Fuck. What was that?" Taehyung heard Yoongi groan beside him.

"Aydonnow" Taehyung struggled to talk. He's still sluggish. His brain isn't still catching up with his reality which isn't exactly his real reality.

"Taehyung." Yoongi's voice sounded urgent but he's learned to ignore urgency. Jimin was a great at training him. "Fuck. Taehyung, wake up!"

Taehyung has heard the same words spoken to him from different people and he's learned that the words never matter as long as he wants them not to matter.

"Taehyung, I won't be dying with you." Yoongi growled and a weight has lifted from Taehyung's side. "If you want to die sleeping, go ahead. Yolo."

Dying while asleep won't be a bad thing. Taehyung wondered why Yoongi, who's another sleep enthusiast sounded so disgusted about the idea.

"I'm so sorry." Yoongi sounded like he's going to murder Taehyung in his sleep even if he didn't want to do it. "I hope you somehow make it out safe. Wake up soon, okay? I'll go look for Seokjin-hyung and Jimin. Take care of yourself. Find us once you're up." Yoongi whispered as he ruffled Taehyung's hair and left.

After five more minutes which felt more like five hours more of sleep, Taehyung has finally awakened. He stretched his body on the bed and wiggled a little more, blindly looking for the warm body he fell asleep next to.

The smile that was stretched on his lips snapped like a rubber band that was released from being stretched the moment he remembered his weird dream.

"No." Taehyung immediately jumped out of bed and crumpled at the floor, dizzy. "Fuck. No. This isn't happening."

Taehyung had to bite his lip until he started to taste rust in his mouth just so he could stop himself from crying. How could he be such an asshole of a friend twice in a day during his and Jimin's best friend anniversary just because he values sleep more than people?

Taehyung was about to carefully stand up when he realized that he doesn't value sleep more that people. He's just way too selfish. He'll prioritize what he wants before what everyone needs.

 "I'd ask god why this is happening to me but..." Taehyung chuckled darkly. "It's karma. Probably."

Taehyung gritted his teeth and steeled himself for whatever he'll find next.

The house was in shambles. He seemed to have miraculously survived a mild earthquake. As soon as he got outside the house, it was as if nothing ever bad happens in the world he's currently at. No earthquake damage anywhere. The house was even starting to fix itself up. He wondered how his friends are. He wondered if people would be broken in this world, would they be fixed too?

Taehyung calmly walked around the area around the house while panicking in his head. If he runs, he'll get too exhausted. He would be useless if shit goes down. He needs to be able to help his friends survive.

Once, he taught he saw a glimpse of Yoongi's black on black on black outfit. He chased it as it kept turning around corners until he ended up finding a newspaper where obituaries for his whole family, Jimin and even for his dog were written in multiple pages. He had to throw up. Such taunting scenarios are too much for him to handle.

Next, he heard Seokjin and Jimin giggling behind him. He turned around and saw nothing but thin air hanging around him. But every time he turns his back, he could hear them as loud as the thunder during storms. He had to punch a glass wall to stop himself from turning insane.

"Taehyung?"

Taehyung kept his eyes closed as he relished the pain from the wounds he got from punching the glass wall in front of him.

"Oh god. Hyung, it's TaeTae."

Hearing Jimin's worried voice as he kept bleeding from his wounds made Taehyung whimper.

"Why?"

"Why what TaeTae?" Jimin asked as soon as he materialized beside the injured boy. "Fuck, how did you hurt yourself?"

"Why are you here?" Taehyung cried. "Go away. I don't need hallucinations right now. Can't you just let me die peacefully?"

"He's got the fears. Fuck. We're too late." Yoongi groaned angrily. "Taehyung, come on. Stand up. Fight whatever shit you're going through. You're stronger than that."

"I don't need your advice Yoongi." Taehyung replied with venom which surprised the trio. "You fucking left me alone. I know I'm such a hassle to wake up but how could you just leave me?"

"Tae, we didn't leave you alone. You left us." Seokjin explained. "This game... It fucks with our mind. It makes us see, feel, taste, smell or hear things that aren't there. Please fight these illusions."

Seokjin's sculpted face might look genuine but he's a film major. It sucks for him that he couldn't hide the insincerity in his voice.

"I don't need any of you." Taehyung stood up and walked away from the other three. "I'd rather die than choose one of you as my true love."

Taehyung broke into a maniacal laugh while sobbing in between. The whole day's been stressful. His whole life's starting to look like a mess.

Why did he have to pick pre-med instead of art history? No one told him to choose practicality over his passion.

Why did he have to room with his best friend at the dorms? He knows he's a slob most of the time and Jimin would always take care of him anyway so why... Why does he suddenly feel like he's been taking advantage of Jimin by the best friend bond they have? And why... Why hasn't he started changing if he already knows what was wrong?

Why did he have to forget their anniversary? Why did he think of Seokjin's cafe? Why are Seokjin and Yoongi's friends such fucktards that mess with other people's lives?

WHY?!

Taehyung started to get angry at everything and everyone. Then he immediately started to loathe himself.

There's no one else he should be blaming for all the wrong things in his life but himself.

Maybe, he just need to be the sacrificial lamb just like what Yoongi said so he can let Seokjin and Jimin live and escape this shithole.

A loud creaking echoed through out the street.

The building of the glass door Taehyung just punched started collapsing downwards.

All of its glass, metal and cement materials came crashing down on the three men standing in front of it, waiting for him to comeback.

"Fuck. Run!" Taehyung screamed until his lungs burned while he ran head on straight into danger.

As soon as he got to the wreckage, he found Yoongi and Jimin pushed a meter away from the debris. Seokjin wasn't anywhere away from the havoc.

"Jin-hyung!" He screamed again. "Seokjin-hyung!"

He held his breath and stayed quiet for as long as he can, hoping he'd hear anything that could be a sign from the elder.

"Jin-hyung!" He cried out. "Fuck..."

 A warm hand cupped Taehyung's cheek. "I'm here Taehyungie. Stop crying. We're okay. You're okay."

Taehyung slowly cracked his eyes and found Seokjin and Jimin's face hovering above him. He squirmed a little in his position and found that Jimin's delicately cradling him in his arms while Seokjin was cupping his cheek and wiping away his tears.

"You were having a nightmare." Seokjin said as he looked behind him. Taehyung lifted his head a little away from resting on Jimin's chest to see that Yoongi just entered the room with a wet washcloth.

"Oh. The brat's fever finally broke?" Yoongi chuckled and gave the washcloth to Seokjin. "Welcome back to Kindred Spirits. Are you ready to continue playing?"

"Hyung, that's not even funny." Jimin groaned and let all the tension in his body finally seep out of him. Taehyung's finally safe.

"I deserve to be sarcastic." Yoongi announced as he sat down on the bed and flopped on to Taehyung who's finally starting to feel better with Jimin hugging him while Seokjin wiped away his tears and put the cool washcloth on his forehead. "You broke my heart for thinking that I would be like that in your dream. What kind of person do you think I am?"

"They're called fears for a reason, hyung. They're irrational. Stop grilling the poor kid." Jimin snaps at the elder.

"But Jimin, Taehyung needs to know that he made my Yoongichii's cold heart break which made him well up tears I never knew he has." Seokjin added to the teasing as Yoongi faked cried and Seokjin brushed away the tears with the back of his hand.

"Seokjin-hyung, you are not helping." Jimin whined and covered his eyes with his free arm.

"Calm down, tiger." Yoongi chuckled and then started gently patting Taehyung's stomach. "You hungry from your solo adventure?"

Before Taehyung could even form a coherent thought that could possibly answer the question thrown at him, his stomach already made its own decision and cried out like a dying whale.

"Guess I'll be cooking ramen tonight." Yoongi chuckled and languidly peeled himself off the bed.

"Please grill some meat? I think this house has some meat in its fridge." Seokjin called out before Yoongi could walk out the bedroom's door.

"Copy, sir." Yoongi saluted and walked out laughing out loud.

"Score?"

"2. 1. 1. 2."

"Hyung, don't you think his point is an unfair count? I do."

"Sucks for you. Everything is fair in love and war."

"It's 'all is fair in love and war' not everything."

"I did it for originality."

"Liars go to hell, hyung."

"But don't you think using people who use people's fears to torture them deserves a special place in hell too?"

"I agree with you. People who do that should definitely have a seat at the throne room in hell."

"I hate you."

"Why did we need a kid to third wheel in our relationship again?"

"You don't. But I'm too irresistible you guys actually wooed me."

"I regret everything I did in my life."

"Stop being over dramatic."

"How can I hate you hyungs again?"

BLOOD

The quartet survived a few more harmless obstacles until the third day Jimin and Taehyung had stepped into the game world.

"So..." Seokjin suddenly piped up during their afternoon delight. (No. It's not that kind of afternoon delight and YES, it is Seokjin who had this brilliant idea.) "One of you is my Kindred Spirit."

Jimin choked on his salted caramel frappe. Taehyung's strawberry milkshake spilled out through one of his nostrils. Yoongi just sighed and closed his eyes after taking a long sip of his iced americano.

"This again?" Yoongi asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"Why not this again? We're still stuck here." Seokjin retorted, quite uncharacteristically annoyed at everything.

"Hyung, what's wrong?" Taehyung immediately asked after he wiped away all the milkshake on his face and neck. "Please don't be so annoyed. Are you finally getting bored of us?"

"Taehyungie..." Seokjin murmured. "I'm not, bored... I just... I just feel like if we're actually in the real world, we'll probably be closer than we actually are right now, you know?"

"I get you, hyung." Jimin whispered, surprisingly agreeing with Seokjin. "I don't think that this game play would actually make people find love." He chuckled genuinely. "This is more like a game play for couples who've been together for at least three months already. It's more of a game play that tests a couple's bond than starting one."

"If so, maybe once we get out, we can find a way to get our friends be stuck in here." Yoongi suggested with a passive face. But, there's a glint of malice in his eyes.

"Hobi might die if we do that though." Seokjin smiled sadly. "I hope we get out of here soon... And I hope we could still be friends after this."

"Of course we will be hyung!" Taehyung exclaimed, displaying his boxy grin on his face. "Would probably even court you if you'd like."

Seokjin who had his chest feeling warm after what Taehyung said just rolled his eyes and laughed. "Oh dear. I think I found my Kindred Spirit."

"Boring." Yoongi complained. "That can't be how your game story ends. I'd probably sue the game creator if it does."

"Hyung, wanna try and see if we really are each other's Kindred Spirit?" Taehyung blatantly ignored Yoongi and just wiggled his brows suggestively.

"You gonna give me some of your blood, my Taehyungie?" Seokjin asked playfully while making his speech sound like a fanged vampire.

"Bite me!" Taehyung stands up from his seat and jumps on to Seokjin's lap which made Seokjin cackle like a mad witch while both Yoongi and Jimin just sent them judgemental looks. "Hyung, wait. Don't actually bite me. But, you think if I give you my blood stained hanky, it'll be counted as you collecting my blood?"

Seokjin looked serious before he answered. "Probably."

"Okay." Taehyung nodded, equally serious and done with the fun part of their conversation. "Have this, hyung."

"Wrap it on my arm like a lady's favour, Tae." Seokjin started the teasing again.

Taehyung then made a show of batting his eyelashes while clutching the bloodied hanky close to his chest. "My knight in shining armour!"

"Okay guys. I'm so happy you found each other but..." Jimin suddenly stood up, ignored the exaggerated actions of Seokjin and Taehyung and hid behind a still seated and bored Min Yoongi. "Aren't those ninjas?"

Everyone turned their heads to where Jimin was pointing at.

"Why would-"

"Fuck. Just- RUN!"

The whole city suddenly melted the moment the four men started running. Everything around them turned into a vast green grass field without anywhere to hide.

"We're fucked. We're going to die." Taehyung groaned as he looked around and noticed that they've been surrounded by Naruto who's using his famous multiple shadow clone technique.

"Who's fucking fear is Naruto?" Jimin laughed teasingly, trying not to think about the possibility of turning into a human pincushion of multiple kunais and other ninja weapons.

"Does Naruto really have to be a fear or our maknae just really likes Naruto and possibly thinks that killing people with him is cool?" Seokjin asked, playful but with a strained stressed voice.

"Either way hyung, it's fucked up." Jimin replied grinning, somehow a little more at ease.

"Just-" Taehyung stopped and suddenly jumped on Jimin's back, making them both crumple on the ground. "DUCK!"

"Quack! Quack!" Seokjin giggled as he hit the ground. But then, hell broke out.

A flurry of shurikens and kunais flew through the air. Yoongi was stuck motionless, standing at the center of the attack. The trio on the ground watched with eyes bulging out of their sockets as each weapon sail too close to Yoongi but always manages to not to touch even a stand of his hair.

After a few more breath stopping moments, the attack died down and ended.

"Hyung, how are you still alive?" Taehyung immediately stood up and ran towards Yoongi, voice thick with amazement.

"Hyung, are you okay though?" Jimin asked as he scanned Yoongi with his eyes from his head to toe. "Physically, I think you're unhurt. You really aren't a player, huh?"

"Maybe you should get your eyes checked Jiminnie." Seokjin whispered softly as his eyes zeroed on a spot on Yoongi's cheek. "He's got a scratch right here." He continued as he gently ran his thumb on the spot.

"Sorry. I was concerned about big ouchies than smaller boo-boos." Jimin smiled teasingly.

"Is it bleeding?" Yoongi asked, too conscious about the small imperfection on his cheek.

"Nope." Seokjin said as he reassuringly squeezed Yoongi's arm. "Not anymore."

"Hyung, do you think you need a Kindred Spirit to make your boo-boo feel better?" Jimin teased, giggling.

"I'll kiss it better, hyung." Taehyung rode the tease Min Yoongi train. "I'm a great kisser."

Seokjin had to laugh when Yoongi's face suddenly scrunched into an angry frown before licking his lips and grinning diabolically.

"I've got unparalleled tongue technology Taehyung. I don't kiss people who are sub-par." 

"That's savage." Jimin commented as he burst out laughing, clapping at Yoongi's punchline and hugging a Taehyung who looked like a kicked puppy.

"Tongue technology in every sense of the word, huh?" Seokjin chuckled and gave Yoongi a rare smirk coming from him which somehow made Yoongi swallow his tongue.

"I still can't believe-" Jimin suddenly stopped talking as he felt the ground starting to get squishy and sticky underneath his feet. He slowly looked down on the the ground while trying to calm down his fast beating heart.

"Jiminnie!"

Taehyung's voice sounded so far away from him that Jimin had to look up and away from the white substance that was slowly engulfing him from his feet.

"Tae?"

Taehyung, Seokjin and Yoongi are all five meters away from him.

Apparently, he's slowly sinking into the white substance with no chance of being helped by being pulled out of it by his friends.

"Jiminnie!" Seokjin called out. Thankfully, his voice was powerful enough to pull Jimin away from sinking into his thoughts while sinking into something he suspects to be associated to one of Jimin's fears. "Remember the fears? Figure out what's wrong and what you have to do right. You'll survive this."

"You're strong kid. Fight!" Yoongi yelled, even if it took a lot of energy from his lazy ass.

"If you need help, just tell me. I'll be there." Taehyung shouted.

"We'll all be here for you Jiminnie!" Seokjin cheered. "Fighting!"

Jimin's heart somehow stopped pounding in his chest like it wants to break out and run off so it could live longer in peace away from him.

Jimin's sense of smell finally worked and he instantly knew what the substance was and what he needed to do.

Then, he wanted to just die.

"Hyung. Hyung. Hyung!!!"

"What happened?"

"Hyung, hyung's got blood, sweat and tears!"

"Oh thank merlin's beard!"

"But how about the others?"

"Still incomplete."

"Will they make it?"

"I don't know... I don't know who they are. I don't know a thing about their fears. I don't know what our magic would do with it. What if my game kills them?"

"They won't Kookie. Our game's perfect. They'll get to the happily ever after too. No one's going to die in that game. Not today."

"But hyung, how about tomorrow?"

"Fucking Jeon Jungkook. My punchline's already perfect! Why would you ruin it?"

"Because he's a brat?"

"Why do I love you again?"

"Because I'm your brat."

"And anyway, Headmaster just sent me an SMS saying he'll be here in an hour so Hobi's right. No one's going to die. Not today."

"Yeah... Maybe, they won't die in our game today but maybe tomorrow, we'll all die because of our game."

"Ugh! Kookie!"

"Come back here you brat! Let me spank you while I still can."

"Uhhh... Daddy. No!"

 DETOUR

Art is always associated with beauty even though it never should be.

Art is about the artist's expression of his feelings, ideas, memories, advocacies, culture and etc.

Art doesn't have rules.

Art isn't a competition.

Art should be felt and appreciated.

Art should never be judged and compared against each other.

But the world isn't perfect.

Art should have beauty to be appreciated.

That's where Park Jimin's fear was planted until it bloomed and thrived.

"Jiminnie!" Seokjin screamed after watching the white substance closely. His nose twitched and he knew he's right about his theory. The only thing he couldn't figure out is why. "I think it's-"

"It's manggaetteok." Jimin said it before Seokjin could finish his sentence. Even though Jimin felt like he just whispered to himself, his voice seemed to have echoed through out the whole alternate dimension.

"Maggaetteok?" Taehyung repeated the word with a dazed look in his eyes.

"Taehyung, what's wrong?" Seokjin and Yoongi immediately asked.

"Jimin used to get teased for having plump squishy cheeks when we were younger. He was cute and chubby during middle school. Then he started working out during high school. He managed to get thick thighs and biceps for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He eventually worked out a lot and acquired a defined washboard abs but no matter how much he went to the gym, his cheeks still wouldn't leave him alone." Taehyung looked at the white substance with complete abhorrence then at Jimin with overflowing anxiety. "Despite his new gym produced body, he was still called as manggaetteok. Because of that, he started overworking himself at the gym and putting himself in a strict diet where he sometimes would skip eating for a whole day and work out thrice during the same day. By senior year, he had the sharpest jaw out of all the boys in our year. People dropped the manggaetteok title and started calling him prince Erick from the little mermaid. He liked it a lot. But summer came and all the fatigue and starvation he went through just to be a Disney prince came back to haunt him. We spent summer before college at the hospital. Him as an anorexic patient while I'm the loyal visitor."

By the end of Taehyung's short and rushed history telling, Yoongi was left speechless with his mouth opened in a small O shape. Jimin seemed to be too sweet to live the life Taehyung had told them but alas, it is the truth. Jimin has to face his fears. Seokjin on the other hand swallowed the bitterness he felt. He grew up loving food. He grew up appreciating food. He could believe how food, his first ever best friend, managed to cause so much trouble for someone like Jimin. He felt cheated on. He wanted to claw at the manggaetteok surrounding Jimin so he could save him and teach him that food doesn't hurt people. He want to hold Jimin in his arms and teach Jimin that food loves people as much as people need food. 

"Jiminnie?" Taehyung called out, his voice shaking a little. "You're awfully quiet and I can't see you anymore. Are you still there?"

"Yeah. Still here. The... The mang-" Jimin breathed in shakily. "manggaetteok is up to my neck now. It's kinda hard to talk so... I think you guys should leave. I'm fine. I'll look for you as soon as I get out."

"Liar." Yoongi accused Jimin without any hesitation. "Come on man! We didn't took care of your ass for you just to be killed by a fucking rice cake. Fight."

If Jimin had the energy, he would have giggled about the way Yoongi talked as if they've been friends forever. It was ridiculous how a few near deaths make Seokjin and Yoongi feel a lot closer to him than some of his childhood friends back in Busan.

"Jiminnie... I think you know what to do." Seokjin called out. His voice equally encouraging and guilt tripping. "Please, just take a bite."

If Jimin bites and it doesn't immediately disappear, it would mean that Jimin would need to keep eating the rice cake until he frees himself. He isn't ready for that circumstance. He'd rather bite the dust first.

"Jiminnie!" Taehyung yelled. "Don't you dare die on me. I still fucking need to make you happy for our friendship anniversary. Don't you fucking dare leave me best freind-less!"

Jimin could hear the tears in Taehyung's voice. He managed to chuckle a little. He wished he could ruffle Taehyung's hair one last time before he says good bye, but... He seems to be the unluckiest person alive on Earth. Before he could even open up his mouth, the manggaetteok managed to pull him down and trap him inside its mochi body, making him drown in its red bean filling.

"Hyung! Oh fuck."

"What now?"

"I killed someone!"

"What?!"

"He didn't fight against his fear. The manggaetteok swallowed him and I-"

"Shhh... It's okay Kookie. Don't worry. It's just a game. He won't really die."

"How sure are we, hyung? We shouldn't have messed up with fate in the first place."

"I'm so sorry Kookie."

"It wasn't your fault hyung. It isn't even Joonie-hyung's fault. I designed the game. If he dies... His blood will be on my hands."

"No. Kookie. Don't think like that."

"We love you."

"I know."

FINAL LAP

Jimin thought that his fears would manifest in a 'Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2' way where food would become animated and act like living creatures that are out to kill him. He thought that it would be as easy as pie to overcome but apparently, Yoongi and Seokjin's friends' magic were too good for everyone's own good.

He never thought, ever in his life, that he'd ever be stuck in a manggaetteok pool.

"Maybe I should go there and see if I could pull Jimin out before the pool realizes I'm on it." Yoongi immediately speaks after Taehyung realized that Jimin's gone under the surface.

"No. Stop risking yourself. I've known from the start that you're aware that even if you didn't press that damn red button, you've became an automatic player along with me." Seokjin exclaimed which both shocked Taehyung and Yoongi.

"You... knew?" Yoongi asked, unbelieving.

"We're roommates. I know when you're covering something up." Seokjin replied without looking at Yoongi. "Has none of us really managed to crack this game yet?"

"We're not idiots, hyung." Taehyung replied as he looked at the spot again where he last saw Jimin. "We're just stupid people who doesn't want to admit shit."

Yoongi chuckled darkly. "Gods. Jungkook have said it during the intro of the game! Find your true love or die in denial."

"We're each other's true love." Taehyung chuckled wetly, a little sounding more like sobbing.

"But I don't think Jimin's going to die denying who he loves." Seokjin murmured while studying Taehyung's side profile.

"Yeah." Taehyung sniffed, trying not to cry again like a big wuss he is. "He's going to die denying himself of something that he wants."

"Does he know that the person he wants, wants him back?" Yoongi asked carefully.

"No." Taehyung answered with all honesty. "I always thought I don't deserve him. You've heard me during my nightmare. You've heard what I did during our friendship anniversary... I'm a selfish bastard. I can't make him happy."

"You're stupid then." Seokjin replied with enough power to hurt Taehyung. "You've kept him alive through the years, despite the bullying and anorexia. You've helped him fight his demons. You might be a fucking brat but, shit, how can you not just let yourself love him the way you really want to?"

"It's complicated." Taehyung replied without much thought. He just need to say something. He doesn't want to go and ponder on things Seokjin was talking about. Feelings could be talked about later. He needs to figure out how to save Jimin. He needs to push away Seokjin and Yoongi for their own good too. "You give great advice hyung. Why don't you use it then?"

Yoongi swallowed as he saw Taehyung's blank face. He knows that Taehyung's about to hit targets and even if Taehyung, during one of their crazy adventures, turned out to be so bad with archery, he knows that when Taehyung talks... He never misses a bull's eye in the conversation.

"Seokjin-hyung, just kiss Yoongi-hyung so you guys could get out of here." Taehyung spoke softly. A total 180 degree turn around from what Yoongi was expecting him to be.

"Wait. What are you guys talking about?" Yoongi asked, confused.

"I think, the only rule Seokjin-hyung hasn't followed yet is rule number three... Don't lie and overcome the stigma." Taehyung replied to Yoongi's question but his gaze remained on Seokjin.

"Taehyung, if we leave, what would happen to you and Jimin, huh?" Seokjin tried steering the conversation down another road where Yoongi's happy to ride but Taehyung seemed to have written their script already.

"I need you guys out there." Taehyung replied with a sad version of his boxy smile that Seokjin wished he never had to see. "If you get out there, you'll know if Jimin's-"

"NO!" Yoongi growled, angry that Taehyung would even think it as a possibility.

"Hyung, don't be mad. Listen to me first. Please..." Taehyung sounded so broken already. He needed both his hyungs to listen to his request. "If you guys go out there, you'll finally figure out what's happening. Maybe you guys could help your friends figure out a way to save me and Jimin. But... In case that it's already too late, I'd... I'd like to be stuck in here forever. Because if you take me out back there without Jimin with me, alive... I'll just probably kill myself. At least, in here... I get to live like a game avatar. Plus, I could reminisce about Jimin here... Do you guys get me?"

"Yes." Seokjin replied softly at the same time that Yoongi growled another "No!"

Taehyung had to laugh.

"I hope Jimin and I could be there to witness your wedding, hyungs." Taehyung giggled and winked at Seokjin.

Seokjin smiled sadly and prayed to all the gods, angels and saints that Jimin isn't dead yet.

Yoongi couldn''t keep up with the cryptic conversation Taehyung and Seokjin were having. The next thing he knew, Seokjin has grabbed his waist, pressed him close to him and captured his lips in an open mouthed kiss.

And even before he could reciprocate, someone else was hugging him already. Taking him away from Kim Seokjin, his roommate.

"Hyung!"

"Fuck. Hobi, let me go."

"You finally kissed!"

"You shouldn't watch people kissing Kookie. You're still a baby."

"Oh... Hyung. If only you know what that baby could do."

"What the fuck Hobi?"

"Yeah... What the fuck, hyung? Let's not tease the new couple. They haven't figured out each other's kink's yet."

"Who says they haven't? I've heard Jin-hyung call Yoongi-hyung Min baby multiple times already."

"Shut your fucking mouth Namjoon or else I would start demanding that you actually pay me every time I fix shit that you break. Good luck finding a better hyung than me."

"Hyung, don't do that to me. You know you're the best."

"I know. What else?"

"You're a genius!"

"That's right Jungkookie. What else? Keep this compliments coming in before I kill you all by myself."

"Please spare me, hyung. I'm your favorite."

"Don't worry Hobi, I plan on killing you last. I somehow know you're the root of all these evil."

"I'm sorry!"

"Aren't we being too happy right now?"

"Oh fuck. The other two guys."

"Fuck. How could I-"

"It's okay Yoongi-hyung. The dimensional travel sometimes makes you confused... We all felt relieved when you showed up. We all forgot what you left behind..."

"What do we do now?"

"Nothing."

"We wait."

"For what?"

"No. It's a who."

"Who's who?"

"Me."

FINISH LINE

Namjoon, Hoseok and Jungkook all jumped at the same time the moment they heard the familiar voice of their spell casting Headmaster just behind their backs.

"Bang seonsaeng-nim!" They greeted in sync as they all bowed down in half to the man who walked towards their little group. "We're so sorry to inconvenience you."

"Ah, nonsense. I would be more offended if you guys haven't called and asked for help immediately." The man stopped in his tracks in front of Seokjin and Yoongi. "I see that their spell worked on you two, huh?" He chuckled as he gently pet Seokjin's hair. "Guess all I need to do is to undo the spell on the phone to get Jimin and Taehyung out, correct?"

Five jaws dropped to the floor.

"How-"

"Namjoon, would I be the Headmaster of my school if I am not good with my own craft?" The elder cut the younger off while chuckling. "Why did you think I took so long to travel?"

"Heavy traffic?" Jungkook answered with his big round eyes, wide with innocence.

"Could have been." Headmaster Bang replied. "But I didn't drive my car to get here."

"You can teleport?" Yoongi asked, impressed, while he watched the older man take the cursed phone into his hands.

"With the right spells, anyone can do it. As long as they tap in to their magic." Headmaster Bang replied in a way that reminded Seokjin of Dumbledore from the movie he and Yoongi annually marathons a week before classes start.

"How can we save Jimin and Taehyung then?" Seokjin finally spoke again after reminding everyone about the other pair who unfortunately got stuck inside the alternate dimension. "Jimin... Jimin isn't dead yet, right?"

"No. None of you would have died in the game just because of Jungkook's game play. The obstacles were pure magic. These three don't dabble with black magic which is why the game, despite being dangerous, is filled with innocence. They did the spell with good intentions. They just did a wrong execution." Headmaster Bang replied with a smile on his face even if he still looked like he's going to reprimand the three young casters until their ears fall off. "Let this be a reminder for the three of you that every spell you make should be viewed by any of us, your elders, before you execute them. We're your advisers. Not your firemen. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, seonsaeng-nim." The three casters replied in sync. Both Seokjin and Yoongi wondered if it was natural to the three or was it a reaction from their Headmaster.

"Let's go save the other kindred spirits, yes?" Headmaster asked the the three casters with an encouraging smile. "Gather in front of me."

Seokjin and Yoongi both stood at the sidelines and watched as Headmaster Bang instructed their friends to draw intricate logos on the floor of the cafe with different colors of sand looking substance. Once they heard that it was time for spell casting, they hand in hand walked to the kitchen and prayed that Taehyung hasn't given up hope yet.

"PARK JIMIN!!!"

"Fuck. I"m so sorry Jiminnie. Fuck! Please... Please come back to me. I'll be a better man. I'll be good."

"Are you pulling a Jaymes Young on me? I thought you'd be more creative once I'm dead. How could Jaymes Young possibly resurrect me, huh?"

"Jimin?"

"Taehyung?"

"You're alive?"

"Feels like it."

"How?"

"Maybe because I'm done denying how much I love you more than I should love a best friend. Totally not because of your dramatic monologue shouting at an open field."

"This is fucking annoying."

"WHAT?!"

"I thought we'd get a better ending scene than Seokjin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung."

"Fucking hell."

"OW!"

"I hate you."

"Please don't say that. I'll die."

"I hope you do."

"You don't.

I wouldn't let you feel how I felt when I thought I've lost you forever."

"TaeTae...

I'm sorry I hurt you."

"You didn't Chim.

I just...

I just love you."

"Fucking sap."

"You love it anyway."

"I don't.

I love you."

"Who's the fucking sap now?"

"Just shut up and kiss me."

"Gladly.

Can I grope your ass too?"

"You've

Always

Have."

"This is time it's gonna be different.

I'll grope it like a boyfriend would."

"Before wasn't boyfriend yet?"

"That was no homo."

"Shut up. Try groping other people's ass that way, I'm gonna fucking kill you."

"So romantic... But don't worry ChimChim, your ass the only ass I wanna grope, eat or fuck for the rest of my life."

"Wait."

"Hey. Don't stop kissing me! Come back here."

"But... Did you just imply that my ass the only one who's gonna be fucked?"

"NO! Ugh."

"But you-"

"Jiminie, do I really have to tell you?"

"YES."

"Aside from groping, eating and fucking your ass... I also really wanna suck your inverted nipples until they peak and turn rock hard along with your chubby little dick that could pound my ass anytime you'd want."

"So... We switch?"

"To hell for people who doesn't."

"Now I'm scared..."

"Why?"

"Can't really say it if you're gonna kiss me like this."

"Come on... Say it already."

"Would you fit?"

BONUS ROUND

"I told you they're kinky!" An overgrown, muscular, tall kid with a bunny face shouted right as soon as Taehyung's hands were about to slip into Jimin's pants and right into ass-wonderland.

Taehyung groaned as JImin pushed him away too strong, making him slam on to a big pot of indoor plant and break it with a loud crash.

"Please don't destroy things in my cafe." Seokjin looked sternly at the newly arrived and finally rescued couple. "We're not in Kindred Spirits anymore. Things won't just clean itself up you know."

"Hyung!" Both men screamed as they ran and hugged Seokjin tight.

"What the fuck?" Yoongi's low, husky and drawled way of speaking immediately made Jimin and Taehyung's head snap from Seokjin to him. "I only left for a second and two fucking snakes are already all over my boyfriend?"

Jimin choked on a giggle while Taehyung just smiled widely, displaying all his teeth.

As soon as Yoongi blinked, the two bastards have transplanted themselves from Seokjin and onto Yoongi's sides.

"We miss you hyungs." Taehyung mock cried as he kept on pecking Yoongi's face like a little baby would.

"You should both thank Taehyung for pushing you guys together. Or else you would have died in the game as forever roommates." Jimin murmured while burying his head into Yoongi's chest like a spoiled little kid.

"The fact that Seokjin-hyung is smiling while watching two other people kiss and hug Yoongi-hyung makes me think that the foursome isn't really far fetched." A gorgeous man standing beside the bunny said as he pouted, making his lips look like a small little heart.

"Should I film? This looks like the start of those bad porn films with great sex." The man who looked like a tall flute of champagne beside the gorgeous man asked in a loud unabashed voice than a shy whisper.

"Uh... Wait. Who are they?" Jimin, who seemed to have finally got over the momentarily blur side effect of dimension travelling, asked, alert.

"Friends." The gorgeous man replied with a big smile on his face that could rival the sun on a perfect summer day. "I'm Hoseok."

"Namjoon." The flute of champagne introduced himself and gave a shy smile which displayed two cute dimples on his cheeks.

"And I'm Jungkook. Hi!" The bunny grinned.

"We're Seokjin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung's friends. And now that you and our hyungs seem to have bonded and ended up being friends too... I think it's good to assume that we're now technically friends too." Hoseok added enthusiastically.

Taehyung narrowed his eyes at the trio and crossed his arms over his chest. "So you were the friends who fucked up. Nice."

All three swallowed in sync due to guilt.

Seokjin and Jimin turned their heads, met eye to eye and laughed.

"Who said Seokjinnie-hyung and I are still friends with your sorry asses?" Yoongi asked teasingly with his gummy smile.

"Hyung, don't." Namjoon pleaded to Yoongi. It's already been a long day. Performing two spell casting rituals in one day could take a toll an any caster.

"I'm just playing, Joonie." Yoongi chuckled and walked over to Seokjin. "Hyung, I think, these kids need a good dinner despite kind of ruining our lives. Don't you think?"

"Hmmm... I agree." Seokjin looked at the three obviously exhausted looking casters then at the couple just a few steps away from him who's statures are screaming insecurity about being out of place around them. "Jimin, Taehyung, why don't you join the trio and talk about our experience in the game while Yoongi and I cook us dinner?"

"Uhm... Okay?" Taehyung replied with a still confused look on his face and a death grip on Jimin's wrist.

"Great!" Jungkook exclaimed as he bounded over the couple cheerfully. "Tell me, how did your lame asses survived my obstacles?"

"What the fuck?" Taehyung and Jimin gasped at the audacity of the caster.

Seokjin and Yoongi just shook their heads and made their way to the kitchen with their fingers intertwined while Namjoon and Hoseok chuckled, looked at Jungkook fondly as they sat on their favorite table at the cafe and invited the couple, who's talking animatedly with their boyfriend, to sit with them.

"Hyungie..."

"Hm?"

"How did you know?"

"That you're my true love?"

"Yes and No? I mean... How did you know that I'm still a player in the game even if I didn't press the button?"

"Yoongichii. For me, it had been obvious from the start. Kinda figured out that Hoseok probably got tired of waiting for us to call each other something more aside from being roommates."

"Then why didn't you just collected the items as soon as we got into the game?"

"Why didn't you?"

"I knew that you're my one true love but... I was scared that I might not be yours."

"Hearing you say that makes me think that maybe... The three actually did something right!"

"Just don't let them hear you say that hyung."

"Hyungie-"

"Is it too spicy?"

"No. It's perfect."

"Good."

"So..."

"Oh. Yeah. You were about to say..."

"Uh... I... How did you complete all the items? I also know that you've completed the items with Taehyung so... How come I was you Kindred Spirit?"

"Oy.Don't let the meat burn though."

"Sorry..."

"It's fine, baby."

"Hyung, don't. I'm not into that kink."

"I see..."

"Stop thinking about kinks. Answer my question first."

"Tell me the truth first... Would you have troubles cumming if I tell you not to call me hyung once we have sex?"

"Yes."

"Hah! Perfect."

"Don't smile like that. You look ugly."

"Fuck you."

"Later?"

"Sure."

"Hyung, how about my question?"

"Oh. Yeah. Right... Uhm...

I assumed that the person I got in to the game with is my automatic true love which was real anyway. I figured out that rule number two was there because we had to go though challenges that would make us sweat, cry and bleed so by the end... we'll become Kindred Spirits. I got your sweat when I wiped your forehead after you carried Taehyung when we first met them. Got your tears next when you pretend cried when Taehyung got his nightmare. Lastly... The scratch you had during the Naruto attack bled a little. I wiped it off with my thumb."

"I see..."

"Crazy, right?"

"Yeah."

"I think the reason nothing happened even if I've also collected all three items from Taehyung was because of rule number three."

"Don't lie and overcome the stigma."

"Namjoon really out did eveyone's motto with that statement."

"Would you have done it even if Taehyung didn't push you?"

"I'm not so sure Yoongichii..."

"Things do really happen for a reason, don't they?"

"Yeah."

EPILOGUE

I

A screaming Jungkook ran back to the big bedroom he's sharing with his two boyfriends.

"Fuck. Why are you screaming baby?" Hoseok asked as soon as he got over his initial panic. It's never good for anyone to wake up to someone screaming.

"Hyung..." Jungkook sniffed like a toddler who got reprimanded by his parents after being spoiled all his life.

"What?" Hoseok asked as he watched the younger dive into the bed, face first.

"Headmaster Bang just cursed us."

Hoseok froze in his place, his hand hovering over Jungkook's head. "WHAT?"

"Headmaster Bang cursed us." Namjoon repeated the information just like how he said it the first time, voice devoid of emotion.

Hoseok started to feel acid rising up to his throat.

"We are now cursed to never ever use advanced technology again!" Jungkook whined. "No phones, laptops, TV, Xbox, Wii and even ancient gameboys. Basically, no games and no microwave. How will I live?"

Despite having a mini heart attack earlier because of Jungkook's screaming and Namjoon's emotionless face, Hoseok started cackling. "Well I guess we've got more time to write spells?"

II

"Seokjin. Ugh. Fuck."

"Harder Yoongichii."

"Ah... Fuck. Can't."

"Uh. Yoongichii. More."

"Jin. Jin. Jin... Please. Fuck. Ah!"

"Fine."

"Oh gods. Thank fuck! Uh... Hyung! Hyung. HYUNG!!!"

Seokjin snorted while giggling as his boyfriend hid under the covers of their pushed together beds.

"I would never give or ask you for a massage ever again." Yoongi whined, still hidden away from his evil boyfriend, the pout on his lips evident in his voice.

"Aw... Did I finally turned you off?" Seokjin fake pouted even if Yoongi couldn't see him. 

Yoongi threw off the covers off himself so he could stare at Seokjin and give him his best withering look. "No."

"So what? You're just shy?" Seokjin giggled again as he draped himself on Yoongi.

"Yeah."

During the previous night, Seokjin and Yoongi had finally crossed the line between being roommates and Kindred Spirits. If you'd ask Seokjin, he would tell you that it was a religious experience. If you'd ask Yoongi, he would just clam up and transform into a human tomato.

"Hyung..."

"Hm?"

"What do you want for brunch?"

"I'm too fuck blissed. Can we just order japchae?"

"I could cook the shrimp in our fridge."

"You'd cook?"

"For you."

"I think I've fallen for a man."

"I love you too."

III

Compared to yesterday, the sky above Jimin and Taehyung's heads today are way brighter, sunnier and lighter. The breeze of air is the perfect kind for a picnic at the park.

"It's my last bite. Wanna taste?" Jimin asked as he offered the last piece of the bite-sized, heart shaped, baked scrambled eggs Taehyung managed to cook for his surprise one day late friendship anniversary breakfast.

Taehyung nodded wordlessly and opened his mouth. JImin giggled and shoved the whole thing into his best friend's mouth. (Yup. It's best friend. Taehyung wanted a week to prove that he could be a better best friend before he can be the best boyfriend JImin will ever have.)

"Tae," Jimin whispered softly as he reached out and pet the fluffy hair of the man beside him. "Do we really need to wait for a week?"

Taehyung enthusiastically nodded with his fully stuffed mouth that make his cheek puff out like he's some kind of a chipmunk. Jimin could only roll his eyes and give a quick peck to the mole on the tip of Taehyung's nose.

"I really wanna make it up to you, Chim." Taehyung murmured as soon as he swallowed everything that was in his mouth. "You deserve a better best friend."

Jimin, though touched by Taehyung's statement, still couldn't find it in his heart to be a hundred percent happy for them. He handed Taehyung the box of strawberry yogurt juice that he was drinking.

"Thanks." Taehyung whispered, flustered.

"Why does this feel awkward?" Jimin snorted as he laid down on his back and watched the clouds in the sky, searching for a condensation of water that would resemble something funny.

"Because we'd rather just make out on the couch than spend time with each other like this?" Taehyung answered with all honesty. "Maybe we wouldn't even get out of bed unless necessary judging by the kisses we've shared last night."

Jimin blushed like a bride. "Maybe."

Taehyung threw his body on Jimin and hovered his head above the other, his arms propping him up. "I promise I'll make this worth the wait. Not just the physical aspect. But with everything. Emotional. Social. Psychological. Spiritual. Financ-"

"Shut up." Jimin chuckled as he pinched Taehyung's lips close. "What are you saying?" He laughed a little more and let go of the other's lips, his hands framing the  other's face. "You sound like you're proposing for marriage already."

"Don't you see us married in the future, yet?" Taehyung asked purely just out of curiosity, not even a drop of bitterness in his voice.

"I've always wondered how it would be if we get a pet or a child even before we played Kindred Spirits." Jimin answered shy without looking at Taehyung for he's turned his head sideways.

Taehyung suddenly sat upright, startling Jimin a little. He gently placed Jimin's head on his lap and started massaging his head while petting his hair.

"If I did have brought home a stray cat before, we would have raised it together like it's our first born, is that what you're saying?" Taehyung asked as a clarification.

"Probably." Jimin chuckled. "But I'd be ballistic first. Then, eventually turn out to be a lot more overprotective than you."

"As long as I get to name it Husky, I promise I won't complain about your animal-parenting skills." Taehyung replied as he smiled so wide Jimin could see every single one of his teeth.

"Tae... Don't you think we've already waited to long to still not be together?" Jimin asked carefully, avoiding the possibility of hurting his best friend that he very much would want as his boyfriend.

"Well...' Taehyung swallowed nervously. "It's just a week ChimChim."

Jimin pouted and Taehyung almost wanted to swoop down and devour those plump lips. But Jimin stretched his body and sat up just like Taehyung. "So... what do we do next?"

"Today or with our relationship?" Taehyung asked, confused.

"Today, dumbass." Jimin giggled and stood up. "Pretty much sure that nothing will change in our relationship despite changing from bff's to bf's/"

"I agree." Taehyung smiled as he collected their things that scattered the whole property. He then carried his bag, the picnic basket and Jimin;s bag."Only difference would be us always having the best sex of our lives every time we fuck or make love."

Jimin squeaked in embarrassment and kicked Taehyung's shin.

"I think I already wanna break up." Jimin giggled as Taehyung tool his hand with his free hand. "And... you know, I can carry my bag so you won't be burdened."

"One, you can never ever break up with me. I'm your soulmate. Your Kindred Spirit!" Taehyung announced while they he started walking towards their dorm. "Two, you're never a burden to me."

"You're same to me." Jimin immediately replied which made Taehyung smile a little brighter.

"I love you." Taehyung whispered to Jimin's ear. "In every sense of the words."

"I love you, too." Jimin whispered back as he stood on his tiptoes and kissed the corner of Taehyung's mouth.

"One more week, and I'll love you most." Taehyung said, teasingly but quite seriously.

"Same." Jimin giggled as Taehyung almost kissed him smack on the lips.

"One week." Taehyung whispered like a pep talk to himself.

"One week." Jimin agreed as soon as they entered their dorm room.

"Fuck." Taehyung cursed when Jimin led Taehyung's hands to rest on his plump ass.

"Fuck." Jimin repeated, nodding his consent.

Jimin's phone vibrating in his pocket killed his and Taehyung's vibe.

Taehyung extracted the phone from the said pocket and answered the phone for Jimin, afraid to the verbal abuse the caller might get from his feisty best friend and soon to be boyfriend.

"Jiminnie! it's Kookie." The young voice coming out of the phone floated in the air like it new it disturbed something important. "You and Taehyungie-hyung wanna go vacation with us? Seokjin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung already agreed to come along. We'd really like it if you'll join us."

A month after the cursed phone call... Namjoon called Kim Sejin, a powerful warlock who could travel through dimensions and travel with packs of people along with him.