Work Text:
If you had told Jeon Jungkook he would be babysitting a love drunk shadowhunter some hours earlier he would scoff at you. Especially if said shadowhunter was none other than the unpredictable and rather brash Kim Seokjin who seemed to bring some sort of controlled chaoticness whenever he comes into vicinity.
He has been fighting off the other shadowhunter's disastrous attempts at offering him sensual canoodling, albeit semi successfully. Seokjin accidentally ingested a very potent "love" potion (more like a morally dubious aphrodisiac) that no runes can ward off. The young warlock is here spending what was supposed to be a nice weekend having a Pride and Prejudice movie marathon and instead he's now fending off Seokjin's come hithers.
The concoction named Lovelace was a mixture of several illegal ingredients only found in the black market. The liquid is supposed to make the person who drank it be seductive, bolder and desperate in propositioning those whom they first laid eyes on with added side effects of not feeling any hunger, thirst or drowsiness till they were able to have sex with their target within the first 24 hours of consumption. Once they were able to do it said attraction would be reciprocated. Such things were rather eyebrow raising and something Jungkook would never ever dabble with.
He was making a short visit to Warlock Wang's mansion party that Saturday night and was fortunately the first to see the nephilim hunching over the toilet before less than trustworthy creatures could have. Jungkook was furious at the carelessness and endangerment that has happened.
Once he was able to discuss with the master of the house apparently the culprit was one of the servants who wanted to bewitch the driver and put the drug in the punch which Seokjin unknowingly chugged. After some shameful attempts of publicly grinding on the warlock's lap by the nephilim, Jungkook was able to drag the shadowhunter home and inform Yoongi of the situation.
"Onggu-ah, give Seokjinnie kisses, Seokjinnie likes kisses." the shadowhunter in question keens. His slim crooked fingers pointing to his luscious lips that were poised to smooch. The nephilims whole body was flushed and he kept giggling, saying obscene scenarios he would like Jungkook to do with him, things that would make even a harlot blush. This has been going on for hours and the younger one hasn't slept a wink yet.
"It's a trap." Jungkook repeatedly mutters to himself as he brushes away the blue hairs that were sticking to his forehead. It was sweltering hot, with unwanted arousal rising making him increasingly uncomfortable. He shrugged his shirt off exposing his well built and inked body. This earns a breathy "ooh" from Seokjin flustering Jungkook. The warlock though mostly adept at resisting love potions could feel his resolve get weakened, as Lovelace was incredibly potent.
What does not help at all was that he's also hopelessly attracted to Seokjin ever since the shadowhunter barged into his book shop a year ago. The young warlock has always longed to feel those plush lips against his, to hold those dainty hands with his calloused ones and for their faces to be so close together their breaths would intermingle. And to add more difficulty for Jungkook was that it wasn't only lust, he was in it deep for Kim Seokjin.
He cannot recall when his primal desires morphed into something else entirely. He just woke up one day and realized there's a certain soft spot for the man and that he has never felt this strong of an affection as if he was cursed by Cupid.
The older one was a bundle of delightful contradictions. As Seokjin ideas were outlandish his wit was also sharp, as he was lax in attitude he was dedicated to his job and that despite his silliness outside work he was still dangerously competent and the first choice in being the next leader of the Seoul branch.
Kim Seokjin was unlike his more uptight nephilim brethren. He did not carry with him the certain prejudices most Shadowhunters had for downworlders or mundanes nor did he carry any pretense that he was better than everybody despite his confidence. He was respectful to those who deserved it and often bent the rules to favor everyone equally which earned him the ire of the more elder ones in their enclave but won him allies among outsiders.
The young shadowhunter was also infamous for being too close with non-nephilims. He tended to date them having been entangled with the werewolf Kim Namjoon and the messenger of the Seelie court Jung Hoseok. Seokjin was rumored to be liberal with his affections, often the subject of unsavory gossip by the other branches. Yoongi, his parabatai would usually put a stop to such rumors and fight anyone when they bad mouth Seokjin.
Jungkook on the other hand keeps to himself. He doesn't like mingling with the rest as he'd rather bury his nose in magic books. Most of the people he interacts with are Yoongi who was also his childhood neighbor and the opposite of him, a shadowhunter raised by a kindly werewolf and Taehyung his best friend in high school who got turned into vampire/lover by the current head of the Busan coven Park Jimin.
He aims to have mastery over his powers and visit the spiral library someday, gaining access to unforeseen grimoires. Unlike most warlocks residing in Korea he was very young and hasn't been considered skilled yet so jobs asking for expertise were hard to come by and it's mostly thanks to his friends referrals that he can support himself so he is relentless in training with the goal of getting established as a veritable source of knowledge about magic.
Kim Seokjin and Jeon Jungkook were somewhat friends. They met through Yoongi who came back to Seoul, sharing an apartment with Seokjin and the warlock helped them move into their shared space. Their first meeting didn't exactly go along well as the shadowhunter would crack corny jokes at any expense which Jungkook didn't find funny at all.
As they began to cross paths more and more Jungkook becomes numb to Seokjin's attempts at silly banter. After being ignored for months the nephilim turned to rather lightful jabs at the warlock being a snob which would be returned with digs at Seokjin's love life. It's nothing personal really, their ongoing back and forths of teasing. Jungkook thinks they have a mostly cordial relationship and Seokjin was just asking for his attention like a puppy.
Once when Seokjin was about to face off with a siren Jungkook crafted him a protective charm which proved to be useful as he didn't hear their hypnotizing songs. From there on the shadowhunter when in need of assistance would often visit the warlock in his office inside a quaint bookshop, just downstairs where the younger one lived.
The nephilim would sometimes borrow books or ask for certain wards but on other days he would just loiter around trying to make small talk. They mostly chattered about incessant stuff like video games or work out routines over ginseng tea.
Seokjin would frequently comment on how small the price Jungkook was asking in exchange for help and as compensation the nephilim gave him rare books they had obtained when on adventures. The poor smitten warlock can't bring himself to say he is in fact providing him a huge discount and that he mostly has those grimoires in his shop already but he stashes them anyway in the trunk under his bed as a personal collection of some sort.
As he gets deeper into his memories the young warlock reminisces the last time they properly spoke to each other, some months ago when the shadowhunter once bought him tea and breakfast without any prompting whatsoever. Jungkook thinks maybe that time was when he realized he loves Seokjin far more than he could have initially imagined.
It was a dreary Monday morning and his mood wasn't the best. He was informed by the auctioneer that the thing he was looking for was in the hands of a very rich and influential fae and it would be difficult to buy it back. Jungkook was frustrated as it was an ultra rare amulet that was also his mother's heirloom. The guilt was eating him up as it got sold when they were scraping by for his education. He wanted to at least be able to return it to the Jeons.
The shadowhunter then called on the phone, maybe to pester him. "Is there anything you need from me Seokjin?" he curtly replied. There was a moment of stillness from the other line. Jungkook can only hear the pattering of the rain outside. "You never refer to me as Seokjin, just annoying nephilim…" the other trails off. The younger one was about to groan how he was busy but Seokjin already hung up.
He continued to work on his papers not minding their bizarre conversation but an hour later he heard a knock on his office door. Jungkook opened it and saw the shadowhunter carrying takeouts.
Seokjin breezes through the hallway, going inside the small kitchen and setting down the food. Jungkook observed him as the nephilim walked around as if he had owned the place. "You can take a seat, I'll prepare you tea." the other softly exhaled as he puts the kettle on the stove. "This is my turf you know?" Jungkook retorts, eyebrows quirked in half amusement and irritation. The shadowhunter didn't respond to that.
The warlock exasperated after getting ignored, grumpily dragged himself to his office desk. He peers into the paper bag and sees that Seokjin brought him sandwiches. His cheeks warmed in realization that the nephilim took note when he said his favorite thing to eat during the mornings was bread instead of rice. He unwrapped one of them and it was whole wheat buns filled with pulled pork and Kimchi sandwich. Seokjin even knew that he did not like sesame toppings.
"I had to go to another branch cause they ran out of Kimchi at the one near the headquarters." The other mumbled as he laid down the tray containing the teapot, Mason jars and honey. "How sweet do you like it to be?" Seokjin asked. Jungkook, feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the thoughtful gestures, laced his hands on top of the other and cheekily answered "As sweet as you are." The shadowhunter squeaks a tiny "Okay".
They proceed to eat quietly as Seokjin refills the tea for Jungkook, the only sound in the room heard was the wooden spoons being stirred. The warlock snuck glances at the other every now and then, contemplating how Nephilims have angelic lineage and that Seokjin's otherworldly beauty was a testament to that. Fawn like eyes, a cute round nose, and pretty pretty lips just begging to be kissed.
The shadowhunter's body wasn't also something to be ignored as though he was carefully and meticulously sculpted by God themself with wide shoulders, trimmed waist paired with delicate but strong limbs.
But most importantly was his kind and unwavering heart open to help anyone in need.
Seokjin continued to munch on his steak sandwich with some of the sauce smeared on his mouth, cheeks bunched up looking like a hamster. On any other day Jungkook would have scolded him for the lack of table manners but he was feeling nothing than genuine gratefulness for the attempt at cheering him up, his heart growing fonder by the second.
"You have some sauce in here." Jungkook swiped at the mess with his fingers, afterwards bringing it to his mouth to clean with his forked tongue. The nephilim blushed from head to toe, sputtering indignantly "That's so unhygienic" prompting the warlock to roll his eyes. "I don't get sick like regular humans do so even if I do lick it off from your skin directly and you have some illness it won't affect me." Jungkook chuckled.
Seokjin furrowed his eyebrows at that, giving the man across him a questioning look. "I have health runes so I don't get easily sick either" the nephilim scowled as he gingerly sips his tea, face screwing up in distaste.
As the minutes trickled by Jungkook stared at Seokjin wondering what the other would be like when in love. Would he be the teasing type? Would he be the attentive type? Or would he be the passionate type? Can he have all of this with Seokjin? Can they even be together?
All these thoughts ran through the warlock's head but he knew it's all for naught. He was an immortal and Seokjin was not. Jungkook thinks having a family doesn't suit him while the nephilim yearns to have one. And even if his love was returned it would only end up in heartache as both of them have vastly different lives.
It's just as his half-fae neighbor Yeonjun has said that sometimes there are people you don't "vibe" with and Jungkook thinks he and Seokjin don't vibe at all. Their philosophies greatly differ, the shadowhunter was too in the moment while he was a "save for a rainy day" type of guy. They clashed in so many ways. The warlock was content in telling everyone he's fine in being alone while the shadowhunter wants to love someone with all that he had.
All these negative thoughts swarmed him. He was aware they could try, other immortal beings have had their fair share of human lovers but he was afraid. He couldn't bear the thought of seeing Seokjin get old and die in front of him, that their time would be limited.
Jungkook stopped eating, his mood greatly dampened. He can't stop himself from falling in love and he isn't sure if he can hold himself back when the other is in close proximity. The warlock decided then and there to cut the shadowhunter off and save himself both of themselves from the inevitable heartbreak.
Jungkook waited for Seokjin to finish his share then tapped his black nails on the table to get the latter's attention. "Thank you for today, I'll be quite busy so don't visit the shop." Jungkook coldy announced, his eyes not looking at the man across him, feigning disinterest.
Seokjin's face falls, evidently hurt by the sudden 180 in attitude. He got up and bowed stiffly. "Oh... okay, I hope you're feeling fine Jungkook." the shadowhunter whispered, quickly scampering to the hallway and as he heard the soft click of the door shutting, he released a heavy sigh. Even though he was tempted to call the other back the warlock restrains himself.
He didn't respond to the texts telling him they were able to go home safely. Jungkook feels as if there's this gnawing pain in his chest the more he reassures himself that it was fine, that it was the best for both of them.
For the next few weeks Jungkook did his best to avoid Seokjin and if they ever came face to face it was mostly terse greetings. He could sense the sad gaze thehe nephilim casted upon him when he thought the warlock wasn't looking. A sorry was weighing heavily at the tip of Jungkook's tongue but he decided against it, hoping that Seokjin would move on eventually and forget him.
Jungkook glances at the clock and sees it will be six in the morning soon, the effects should have worn off by then once Yoongi arrives. They'll be back to people who merely know each other.
He observes the magic circle he used to contain the shadowhunter. It was a pocket dimension that prevents nephilims from stepping out of it until the owner says they could. As for going to the bathroom, he did some tweaking that will allow the other to relieve themself within the circle. He also placed aromatic candles that were said to have properties in helping anyone who smells it calm down and Jungkook hopes it can combat the rushing adrenaline given by Lovelace.
Seokjin took off most of his clothes earlier, leaving him in a loose tank top and very breezy strawberry boxer shorts. Miles and miles of soft smooth skin engraved beautifully with runes, his long and shapely legs just sprawled on the young warlock's wooden floor along with his black sparkly suit.
The shadowhunter continues to sulk like a child, mussing up his once perfectly coiffed hair. Lips protruding and eyes blinking owlishly as if pondering why Jungkook keeps resisting his advances.
Jeon Jungkook allows himself to ruminate how insanely beautiful and alluring Seokjin was. Gazing into the other's eyes he notices that the pupils of the nephilim were heart shaped indicating the spell is still in effect.
Seokjin, seeing how the warlock shamelessly ogles him, bites his plump lower lip, making it shiny with spit with his eyes hazy and cheeks colored pink. Jungkook thinks if his morality chain were loose enough he would have devoured the shadowhunter right then and there.
But he's an inherently good person and was raised by a kind and righteous nephilim whom he considers his true mother. Jungkook stood by the principle that he would never ever take advantage of anyone in a vulnerable state.
He actively fights against any urges his demonic side whispers him with. He would occasionally get whispers from his demonic parent to surrender to his desires, that it's in his nature to take from humans but he resists such persuasions.
Jungkook's was brought out of his reverie when his phone pings with a notification. Yoongi texted him that he was now on the street and near the shop. It'll be a minute or two and the Lovelace won't be in effect anymore.
The warlock trudges towards the circle, disabling the lock. He bores his eyes on the shadowhunter in their disheveled state mentally noting how adorable the latter looked. Seokjin tried poking the once invisible barrier and after realizing it was no longer there his eyes lit up in excitement. Jungkook wanting to be a bit selfish opens up his arms knowing the shadowhunter won't hesitate leaping onto it.
The younger closes his eyes and feels a warm body crash into him. He immediately encircles the nephilim's waist who then buries his nose into Jungkook's shirt, inhaling the combined scent of fresh books and citron. He then repeatedly kisses the side of Seokjin's head whispering "I'm so sorry I can't be with you and love you the way you deserve. I'm selfish cause I can't be friends with you either and not want more than that. Once the spell is over I'll keep my distance again".
Jungkook's eyes prickled with tears as he disentangled himself from the shadowhunter. He then gently cups Seokjin's supple cheeks and slowly descends his lips on the latter's forehead as the alarm goes off, signaling that it is over. The nephilim uttered a muted "I love you" as their eyes fluttered shut, body going limp with exhaustion.
The elder was bigger than Jungkook in size but now he looked small, fragile and in need of protection. The warlock then tenderly lifts the shadowhunter with both of his arms to the door as he hears the doorbell ring.
The warlock sees in the hallway where Seokjin's parabatai was waiting, closely watching as he hands the other over to Yoongi. He stays behind for a bit viewing how Seokjin was carefully laid on the backseat of the car. Jungkook then gives a nod of acknowledgment to his childhood friend who waved him goodbye as Yoongi starts the engine of his car.
Jungkook scurries back inside his house, knees buckling from weariness. He laid face down on the sofa as his heart continued to beat fast, rewinding to the words he said earlier. One of the things with Lovelace was if unsuccessful they won't be able to recall any events that happened so Jungkook had the guts to confess earlier. It was a cowardly move but he felt as his chest eased up a bit as all of those pent up emotions flowed through him.
Yoongi-hyung :3
He's mostly resting now and doesn't remember anything that happened to him in the past 24 hours. I tried telling him he was under something else than lovelace to save himself from embarrassment.
Jungkook
Thank you so much. I owe you a lot hyung.
Yoongi-hyung :3
I'm not sure what happened between you two but I just want to let you know that he loves you. He really does and I am aware that you love him too. Sometimes overthinking things can complicate stuff when it doesn't need to be.
Jungkook couldn't reply to that. He wasn't sure what he could even say at that point. The fear has rooted deep inside him. He wanted to hope. He really did but he wasn't sure if it was worth it.
The next couple of days after that were a bit uneventful, mostly just Jungkook processing paperwork. He hasn't heard from Seokjin since then and Yoongi mostly tends to avoid bringing him up in conversations.
But one Sunday morning the nephilim shows up at his doorstep package in hand. The shadowhunter wordlessly shoves it to him, red as a tomato and hurriedly scrams. Bewildered he examines the contents and within it contains a concert ticket with the words "DATE" on the back and one of the first copies of A.H.H Memoriam.
In between the pages one was bookmarked with pressed morning glories and a certain passage was highlighted in pink "I hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all." with a smiley drawn next to it.