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“You okay there Jimin-ah?” Taehyung asks, pretty face twisted with worry. His clothes are drenched from the two hours they spent in the gym, curly hair glued to his forehead. Jimin watches a drop of sweat travel down his neck and closes his eyes, breath in breath out he thinks, just breath in breath out Jimin.
“Jiminie?”
“Yes” he grits outs. “Yes sorry Taetae, I got dizzy for a second” he lies, guilt setting like heavy stones in his chest at the look his best friend gives him. “I'm okay now, don’t worry.”
Taehyung looks at him unsure and Jimin sighs, “I promise i’m fine” he smiles, “It's just that the gym kicked my ass, that’s all” he says, trying to look as reassuring as he can. “Now let’s go! Yoongi said he’d cook for us.”
That catches his friend’s attention right away. “Is he making japchae? Oh i hope he is, i could make some ramen with it” Taehyung gushes excited.
“Wait, do you want me to carry you home?” he asks, sounding so earnest and looking so good that Jimin thinks, not for the first time, that the signals he's been receiving might be a projection of his own feelings.
Not wanting to delve further into what that may mean he shakes his head and takes off running. “Last one to get home has to do the dishes!”
“Hey that’s not fair!” Taehyung shouts somewhere behind him.
You are not fair, Jimin’s heart screams.
__________
The thing is that Jimin was supposed to be in control of his so called powers, or at least he thinks he is until he meets Taehyung again.
His habilites had manifested when he turned 18, and after completely freaking out and an embarrassing talk with his father about the real origins of his great great grandmother, Jimin discovers he has traces of demon blood running through his veins and that no, he isn’t going insane, he just inherited the family “gift” to sense when people were horny.
If he had to describe it he’d say it's like a radar for horniness. He can sense it like a kind of energy, a little alarm that goes off somewhere in his brain telling him someone is horny.
In the scale of superpowers it is not a very super one or a real power, more like an annoying sixth sense that he has to work really hard to learn to control and suppress.
It feels like an eternity until the intrusive little alarms going off inside his brain just shut off. His father praises him and confesses it took him way longer to learn how to control their family’s gift. They spend the rest of the afternoon laughing as Jimin’s dad shares ton of embarrassing stories involving their little gift.
He's still a little high on happiness and the soju they had been drinking when he gets a text. His heart jumps to his throat when he sees who is it from, Taehyung -Taehyungie- his phone corrects him, “hey there roomate it reads” and Jimin forgets out to breathe for a second.
The last time they’d seen each other they were crying, their separation feeling like the end of the world, and it was, at least their world, the one they had built.
When their parents gave them the news that the Kims were moving back to Daegu they’d been devastated. They spent the two weeks that took Taehyung's family to get everything in order to move clinging to each other, begging time to go by slowly.
“It’s only for two years” Taehyung had say trying to comfort him, “Then we’ll go to college together and then we’ll be together forever!”
Jimin had sniffled in his best friend shoulder, two years sounding like the longest time at his 16 years. “You promise?”
“I promise.”
At first they coped facetiming everyday for hours, desperate to keep their bond intact, but soon exams, school and life drove them to resort to messages, to little videos that became scarce with the passing of time. And then they decided to do their military service before college and their communication stopped.
Jimin gets another text “Check your mail roomate!” with a picture of Taehyung attached, smiling so brightly Jimin can’t help but smile too, he feels a tingle all over his body, has Taehyung gotten bigger?
When his phone rings again and again, with messages reading: “Check your mail, check your mail, check your mail”, he does as he’s told.
He stares at the words: Kim Taehyung and roomate for a good five minutes before he checks the source to make sure the mail comes from his college.
Holy shit, he thinks, realization finally hitting him, holy shit he’s seeing Taehyung again, he’s going to live with him.
By the time he checks his phone again he has 10 texts from Taehyung, all sounding happy and excited, and Jimin smiles at them. Remembering the last words they said to each other he writers: "Seems like you kept your word, you in three weeks Taehyungie" with trembling hands and sends it.
Something warm blooms on his chest when he reads Tae’s reply: "I promised, forever."
__________
Jimin moves two weeks later into what will be his and Taehyung's room for the next five years.
The anxiety that had plagued him as he waited for the day to come evaporates the moment he spots Taehyung’s boxy smile, the one that had always grounded him when they were younger, and although a lot of things have changed, Taehyung is broader, taller, more confident that the small shy Taehyung from his one from memories, his boxy smile still feels like home.
The first few days fly by as they get acquaintance with each other again, bond still as strong as before, only if a little rusty.
Jimin learns that Taehyung hates coffee and bitter things, Taehyung marvels at Jimin’s tattoos and piercings. They talk about life, school, the military service. They're having a few beers when they get to the people they've dated and with a blush high on his cheeks they share about what they've done what they haven't and what they'd like to try.
Jimin feels like he's getting to know another side of Taehyung, one that's a little spicier, playful and he likes it just as much as all the parts of his old Taehyungie that still shine bright.
It’s one night while they are watching The Notebook together for the first time in years, and everything feels like everything is back in place, that Jimin decides to confess one last thing to Taehyung.
He sweats as he tries to explain as reasonable as he can the story about his family’s lineage and what it means for him. Jimin watches Taehyung's face morph from intrigued to confused to embarrassed as he gets what it is that Jimin can do, or perceive.
"So you felt it when- when i-" Taehyung says gesturing at his crotch area, face red and Jimin chokes on his spit.
"No, oh my god, no, no, NO!" he splutters feeling hot under his collar. "I learned to control it, it took me almost a year but now i don't feel anything" he assures him.
A deafening silence falls upon them and Jimin squirms in his bed. He's just gotten Taehyung back and he’s not sure he can stand losing him again.
He swallows dry and his hands won’t stop sweating, this was all a mistake, what was he thinking-
“So would you qualify yourself as a xmen or would say you have a little devil in you?” Taehyung blurts surprising Jimin for a second before he bursts out laughing, soon followed by Taehyung.
They laugh until both end up sprawled in the floor.
When they finally calm down Jimin sighs in relief, happy to know he wouldn't be losing his soulmate again.
He's putting the leftovers of their dinner away when Taehyung pops up in the kitchen with a serious look. "Should we cancel the museum tour? It includes a visit to a christian church with a borroco decor" he says face blank.
Jimin is too stunned to say something until Taehyung can't pretend anymore and snickers.
"Kim Taehyung i swear to god!"
"You can't!" He shouts and runs off laughing.
Jimin lets out a loud chuckle and shakes his head fondly. It's the happiest he has been in a long time.
__________
It feels like he’s walking in a bubble of happiness for the next few days, he loves the classes he’s taking, he meets some cool seniors and he has his best friend by his side. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t notice it at first, too distracted by everything, unused to the signals.
They’re getting ready to go out, Jimin’s dancing to some song Hoseok’s blasting on his phone, finishing the last touches of his make up when he senses it, that tingling he had forgotten, a sudden spike of energy he doesn't recognize until his brain computes what it is..
He straightens up so fast his back pops loudly and he groans. He turns to look around and no matter how many retakes he makes it’s just him and Taehyung in the room.
Jimin wants blame it on the alcohol -eventhough he’s barely had a glass- but it's an unmistakable feeling, like a signal of his brain goes off and alerts him someone’s horny, and considering they're the only ones in the room that someone is Taehyung.
Heart beating to loud, Jimin glances at him and Taehyung just smiles and returns to fuss over his shirt.
Jimin shakes his head, maybe he got too comfortable and his walls slipped, he turns to his friend once more and nods, yeah that's probably it, besides he can hardly blame Tae, sharing room with someone hardly gives one privacy, and the shared showers even less.
Whatever, he can think about this in the morning he decides and walks up to the kitchen accepting the shot Yoongi offers him. He can think about Taehyung being aroused other day, he swallows hard and asks for another shot.
Once he gets it’s under control it won’t happen again.
__________
Except it keep happening.
At first Jimin decides to miss a few classes, scared to get as overwhelmed as he had gotten when his habilites had manifested, but after a quick run to the store, he discovers it's nothing like that, in fact he feels nothing at all, so he decides to test his walls.
He goes with Yoongi to the cinema where he meets his friend Namjoon and Namjoon’s Jungkook. He goes to his dance classes.
Nothing, he doesn't get anything at all.
Relieved Jimin assumes it was just a fluke and decides to stop for a slice of his and Taehyung's favorite cake to celebrate.
He arrives home soaking wet and groans when he realizes he left without his key. Hoping there's someone home he knocks and almost cries in happiness when Taehyung answers.
Freezing cold Jimin gives him the cake and quickly takes his soaking shirt off when he feels it, unmistakable this time, like and alarm that goes off. When he turns Taehyung’s already marched to the kitchen and he can hear him putting the things away.
Perhaps he celebrated before hand.
__________
Jimin comes to the conclusion that the mental walls he’s worked so hard building are failing around Taehyung and Taehyung only, and no matter how hard he tries to apply everything he learned he can't seem to turn off the alarms that tell him when his friend is horny, which to Jimin’s surprise is quite a lot.
They're laying under a big tree in the middle of campus, sick of being locked inside after a couple of bad days when Jimin spots Taemin, one of his seniors at the dance club and gets up to chat with him about a choreo they're working on.
It's when he's walking back to their spot where Taehyung is now sprawled on his belly taking some notes, that he feels it, in the back of his mind, the little devil in him like, Taehyung likes to call it, poches through.
He thinks he can spot a faint blush on his cheeks but it may be just the tree's shadow playing tricks with him.
“What happened? Little devil ratting horny people out?” Taehyung asks after a couple minutes and Jimin blushes realizing he was staring at his friend.
“Nah, he says you should buy your soulmate dinner” Jimin responds trying to sound nonchalant.
Tae laughs at that. “That’s a good idea, let me call Hoseok.”
“Hey!” Jimin whines.
Taehyung smiles at his pout and gets up, offering him his hand. “C’mon you big baby, let’s eat something, my treat.”
Jimin pretends that his heart leaps with joy at the prospect of food.
__________
It happens again when they're at Yoongi's house, about to have their weekly movie date.
They're alone, the rest of their friends on snack duty, and Jimin's playing with Holly when he senses it. He sits up from where he was crouching, playing with the pup but when he looks at Taehyung he is looking at something on his phone.
Something's up, he just needs to figure out what.
__________
Taehyung has a crush.
Jimin feels silly that it took him so long to realize when it’s so obvious, all the blushing, the random bursts of want. It's clear that Taehyungie has someone that he likes.
He wants to run and tease him about it, call him a horn dog, ask him who they are, what they look like, if he’s going to ask them out.
But then something heavier sets in the pit of his stomach, something that twists painfully everytime his little alarm goes off, everytime Taehyung blushes, everytime they’re alone and it’s obvious he’s thinking of someone else.
Jimin tries to convince himself that it’s the fact that Taehyung hasn’t told him anything about it yet despite being best friends, despite sharing everything else, that that’s what leaves a bitter taste in the back of his mouth.
__________
He should have known no lie he told himself would be stronger that Taehyung’s smile.
They’re supposed to be buying something for dinner, he’s checking the ramen hile, tempted to just say fuck it and buy the extra spicy one, when Taehyung approaches with a pretty pout and something hidden behind his back.
“Jimin-ah” he says with the sweetest voice ever and Jimin shakes his head, “We came here for dinner and dinner only Tae.”
“Please?” Taehyung asks, puppy eyes in full force. Jimin can’t stop a smile and knows he has lost.
He shakes his head fondly. “What is it?”
Taehyung shoots him a blinding smile before showing him the strawberry cheesecake he’d been hiding. “For the two of us.”
Jimin sighs, they could always cut down a little on meat later. “Fine” he says and uffs a laugh when Taehyung cheers loudly, “Just the cheesecake though” he warns.
He squeaks when Taehyung wraps him in a bear hug. “I love you, i love you" he singsongs, "Let’s skip dinner and eat the cheesecake.”
“Now don’t be spoiled” Jimin says trying to sound stern but failing terribly.
“You made me spoiled” Taehyung counters, shooting him a wink and flying kiss before running off. Jimin watches him greet he cashier with a big beautiful smile on, and he curses, he’s in love with his best friend.
__________
Jimin would like to say he is a strong man, that having to learn how to control what runs through his veins enhanced his own self restraint but it would be a blatant lie.
He knows he's been moody and snappy but it's all because his stupid great grandfather decided to summon a demon and fuck them and now his bloodline is cursed forever with the stupidest ability known by men, and now on top of all that stupidity his stupid heart won’t stop hurting everytime Taehyung is with him but obviously thinking about someone else.
Jimin’s on his bed finishing his History paper when he feels it again and just snaps. “Okay Tae who is it?” he shoots annoyed.
When Taehyung stares at him surprised, a chip halfway to his mouth, Jimin gets ups and walks up to him. “C’mon Tae! You know about my so called habilites, you really thought you could keep your crush from me?”
Taehyung blanches and that’s all the answer Jimin needs. “Yeah well in know” he says shooting a hurt look to his best friend. “I thought we told each other everything” he whispers hating the way his throat feels tight and the way his eyes stings. He feels silly because some part of him feels like he’s losing Taehyung but he also knows that’s not fair, that they’re allowed to have a life outside each other, to reach to other people, to love others.
Embarrassed after his little outburst Jimin sighs, “I’m sorry, i shouldn’t have raised my voice, i just” he stops, he just what?, loves Taehyung?, wants Taehyung to love him back?. He can’t say that, no matter how true those things are, but he doesn’t want to keep lying either, so he settles for part of the truth, “I guess i’m just kind of jealous, we’ve always shared our secrets with each other” he says shrugging.
“I’m gonna go out get dinner, i’m really sorry Taetae.”
That seems to pull Taehyung out of his stupor and he quickly stops him by the arm. “Oh Jimin-ah” he whispers softly and Jimin pouts feeling dumb.
“You really don’t know?”
Jimin sputtlers outraged, of course he doesn’t know! He wouldn’t have made a fool of himself if he did! “Of course i don’t” he spits and hates how whiny he sounds.
Still, Taehyung doesn’t seem fazed at all, and just smiles fondly at him.
“Are you sure you don’t know Jimin-ah?” he asks, and something in his playful tone has Jimin breaking in sweat. “Does my powerful Jiminie not know who i like?” he teases, a smirk forming in his pretty lips and Jimin can’t look away from them. "Can't the little devil in you tell?"
“I, i-” Jimin stutters, blushing when he looks up and Taehyung is looking at him with a mix of amusement and want and suddenly everything seems to click, all the moments they were alone, Taehyung’s hidden glances, his blush, it all falls into place.
“Oh.”
“Yeah” Taehyung chuckles, “And i don’t need any underworld super powers to know you have a crush on me too" he says and takes one of Jimin's hands in his.
Jimin closes his eyes and blushes, he can feel his heartbeat all the way to his ears, and there's a thread of fear creeping through his spine but Taehyung hold centers him. He clings so tight he fears he's hurting his friend but when he open his eyes Taehyung is still looking at him with a gentle smile. His heart soars with love at the sight and his eyes water.
"I gave myself away though" he chockes melting into Taehyung's chest.
"True" Tae says caressing his back with soft hands. "Or maybe i have some kind of super power too, maybe an angel to your devil?"
Jimin giggles at that, hitting him playfully. His breath hitches when Taehyung hold's his face, so gently, like always, he touches him like he's something precious and Jimin can't believe it took him so long to see.
The kiss is soft at first, Taehyung's lips feel like heaven and Jimin wants to seal ever moment in his memory.
Then Taehyung places a hand on his neck and Jimin whimpers. Taehyung kisses him with all the want Jimin's been feeling, with all the hunger and longing he's been projecting and Jimin responds with all of his desire.
"I can't believe you were jealous of yourself" Taehyung chuckles breathlessly and Jimin's heart does flip in his chest at the sight of his swolen red lips.
"Well you were horny a lot! Of couse I was curious" Jimin defends himself. "You're a horndog."
"Listen, have you seen yourself?" Taehyung asks with a delicious smirk that has Jimin tingling all over. "Wait, wait, i thought you had the thing under control?"
"I did- i have" Jimin corrects himself, "You are the only exception."
"Oh."
"Stop smiling" Jimin pouts. "I knew you'd like the sound of that."
"I do" Taehyung says softly and drops a kiss to his neck making him shiver. "Why do you think i am?"
He shrugs and buries his face in Tae's chest. "Maybe he likes you too."
"Who?"
"The devil in me."
Taehyung chuckles and Jimin feels giddy with happiness, warm.
"Well, tell him i like him too."