Archive of Our Own

2 YEARS AGO

“Jiminie! I missed you!” Hoseok beams, welcoming Jimin with open arms.

Jimin snorts, but he hugs Hoseok back anyway. “We always see each other, hyung.”

“Yes, but you haven’t come back up here for like two days!” Hoseok exclaims, letting go of the hug.

Jimin chuckles. “I guess you’re right. I just had to finish up some stuff before I let go of my human.”

Human. That’s something that Jimin is definitely not.

Jimin is an angel – a literal guardian angel. He was born centuries ago, and he’s watched over a lot of humans of different kinds. There were humans that were so vicious that Jimin had to let go of his duty. You see, when humans commit very heavy sins, they lose their guardian angels. They become lone humans. Jimin’s been relieved of his duty a lot of times, since humans apparently liked doing heavy sins. Humans are really predictable and are really... easy. They get tempted and fooled so easily. So Jimin hasn’t really had such a great encounter with humans ever since he became a guardian angel.

To Jimin, being an angel is not that exciting. There are different kinds of angels, like archangels who are at the top of their hierarchy, then regular angels who work around in paradise, and guardian angels who head down to earth and watch over humans. When they’re old enough, they can decide whatever they want to be: a regular working angel or a guardian angel. Jimin chose to become a guardian angel, because he was curious of the human world when he was young and he heard all kinds of stories about the human world from the guardian angels. And although he was not that impressed with humans, he likes heading down into earth from time to time rather than just doing regular jobs in paradise.

“So you’ve been relieved huh? What’d your human do?”

“The usual,” Jimin sighs. “I think he committed adultery and committed a hit and run on someone.”

Hoseok frowns at that. “That’s horrible,” and then he squeezes Jimin’s shoulders for comfort. “Do you know when you’ll be assigned next?”

“I think Jinae noona is getting relieved from her duty, since she’s kind of needed in paradise. I might take over her human.”

“I see. I hope your next human will be much better than the one’s you’ve been getting assigned to lately.”

Jimin chuckles, shaking his head. “I doubt it.”

After a few days of working alongside with regular angels, Jimin finally meets up with Jinae to discuss about Jimin’s takeover. Jinae gives him the files and smiles softly. “Jimin-ah, this human... he’s something else.”

Jimin’s forehead creases. “What do you mean, noona?”

Jinae just shakes her head. “You’ll see when you meet him.”

Jimin nods slowly. “Okay... is it a good kind of different, or bad?”

“Good. He has a pure heart,” Jinae clasps her hands together and places it on top of the marble table. “He might have those small flaws that all humans have, but his heart is different. It makes him stand out.”

“I see,” Jimin mumbles.

“I know he’ll be in good hands with you,” Jinae says softly. “I heard from the other angels that you’ve been given very terrible humans.”

“It’s not that bad, nothing I haven’t handled before,” Jimin chuckles. “But I trust you noona.”

After meeting with Jinae, Jimin heads home and stares at the folder on the desk of his bedroom. He hasn’t read over the files completely yet. He only checked the first page, which contained basic information such as pictures, names, date of birth, etc. He should probably read over the files so he at least knows his human, but Jimin wants to see the human himself, and not just based on the files.

So heads down to earth. When he opens his eyes, he’s standing under a lamp posts in the empty streets of Seoul. The streets look a bit damp, like it had just stopped raining. He glances at the dark sky, seeing the crescent moon covered with grey clouds. He checks the time on his watch and sees that it’s almost one in the morning. Jimin flinches when someone walks past him briskly. Jimin glances at the human and immediately knows who it is. Jeon Jeongguk.

Jimin follows him calmly. The human, Jeongguk, seems to be in a hurry. He keeps walking for a few minutes, turning around corners, and then he finally enters a building. He climbs up the stairs two steps at a time, and then stands in front of a door. He takes a deep breath before he takes out the keys from the pocket of his coat and then he enters the room.

Jimin enters the room with him nonchalantly, since humans can’t see their guardian angels. The room turns out to be an apartment. Jeongguk walks different then he just did earlier on the streets; now he seems careful. He walks towards the figure sleeping on the sofa, another male human. Jeongguk gently taps him on the shoulder. “Hyung.”

The other human slowly wakes up, eyes adjusting to the brightness. “Oh, you’re home.”

“Yeah, I had to take another shift so I can buy some groceries and necessities for Haesoo.” Jeongguk explains. “I’m so sorry Seokjin-hyung.”

“Jeongguk, its fine,” the other human, Seokjin, gets up from the sofa and stretches. “Besides, I literally just live across you.”

“Still, I know you have to work early tomorrow.”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t matter. I’d pick babysitting Haesoo than my stupid ass day job anytime.”

Jeongguk laughs. “Thanks hyung. Where is he?”

“Fast asleep of course. He’s been asleep since eight.”

“Ahh that’s amazing hyung, exactly his bed time. You’re amazing.”

“I know,” Seokjin answers cockily. “I raised you, and I’m raising your child. Who’s doing it like me?”

Jeongguk just shakes his head, but he looks at Seokjin fondly.

Once Seokjin leaves, Jeongguk walks over to another door inside his apartment, opening it slowly. He walks inside and Jimin quickly follows, peeking inside the room from the door that’s been left ajar.

Jeongguk walks over to a crib near the corner of the small bedroom. Jimin tilts his head, gripping onto the door as he peeks in a bit more. The night light near the crib brings a bit of lightness to the dark room, and Jimin can clearly see how Jeongguk is looking into the crib, his eyes full of fondness and love. Jimin slowly lets go of the door and walks over to where Jeongguk was standing, settling just next to the human. He looks into the crib just like Jeongguk. Jimin smiles unconsciously when he sees a sleeping toddler in the bed, hugging a stuffed rabbit. Jimin has always had a soft spot for kids. He liked it when his human had kids, it made his job a bit more fun and entertaining. Kids were just so fun to watch, since they don’t really know much about the world yet so they’re so carefree.

Jeongguk starts to move from his spot, leaning down on the crib to give a kiss on the sleeping toddler’s forehead. “I love you so much.” He mumbles gently.

Jimin crosses his arms against his chest, tilting his head as he watches Jeongguk give his child another kiss. Maybe Jinae was right. There was something different about Jeon Jeongguk that Jimin hasn’t encountered with other humans before, and Jimin has only met this human for less than an hour.

When Jeongguk leans away from the crib, he rubs his eyes and yawns. He starts unbuttoning his dress shirt and walks out of the room, gently closing the door behind him. Jimin remains in the dim bedroom, and he peeks into the crib one last time before he closes his eyes and wills himself to go back home to paradise. He’s really looking forward to watching over Jeon Jeongguk and his son.

PRESENT

Jimin winces when Jeongguk almost trips as he walks over to the table to serve the coffee. Thankfully, Jeongguk balances himself before Jimin could interfere. He clears his throat, looking around to see if someone saw him before he continues to walk over the table and serve the coffee and pastries on the tray he was carrying.

Once he serves the coffee, he bows at the costumers and heads back to the counter. Jeongguk yawns, but he quickly covers his mouth when the manager walks by. Jeongguk’s co-barista Taehyung chuckles. “She’s not going to kill you for yawning you know.”

Jeongguk frowns. “I know, but I’ve been yawning since I got here. She’s gonna notice it somehow and send me home.”

Taehyung puts his hands on his hips. “And what’s wrong about that? By the looks of it, you look like you badly need sleep.”

Jimin can’t help but agree with Taehyung. Jeongguk has been working like crazy for the past few weeks, no, months even. He has been taking any job that he can, and now he’s currently juggling two jobs. He works as a barista on weekdays at the café that he’s currently in right now. Aside from that, Jeongguk has taken a freelancing job as a graphic artist, which he works on mostly at home. Aside from juggling two jobs, Jeongguk has also been busy taking care of his five-year-old son, Haesoo.

Jeongguk sighs, brushing his fingers through his hair. “You know I can’t afford an under time again. I need my salary this month to be whole so I can enroll Haesoo for preschool. My friend told me that kids usually start preschool at either three or four years old. Haesoo will be so late.”

“Does it matter if Haesoo starts school late? What matters is that he’ll eventually get enrolled, Jeonggukie,” Taehyung explains, patting Jeongguk on the shoulder. “Besides, isn’t daycare kind of like preschool? I’m sure Haesoo learns a lot from daycare.”

“I guess,” Jeongguk mumbles. “But still, I don’t want him to be enrolled too late. I want him to at least mingle with children his age.”

“I get it,” Taehyung answers. “But don’t overwork yourself, or else I’m going to tell Haesoo that his daddy is not taking care of himself so that he’ll scold you.”

Jeongguk chuckles. “Whatever. There’s a costumer, go take the order.” Jeongguk says, nodding at the costumer who is looking at the display menu.

Jimin puts his elbow on the table and rests his chin on the palm of his hand. He glances at the time on his watch. There’s still an hour left for Jeongguk’s shift at the café.

Jimin has long memorized Jeongguk’s schedule since the human has been taking jobs here and there. It’s been two years since he’s been assigned to Jeongguk, and Jimin grew fond of Jeongguk and Haesoo. Jimin made sure he had his eye on the father and son, especially on Jeongguk, since Jeongguk tends to be a bit reckless and clumsy at times. But all in all, Jimin is contented watching over Jeongguk. It’s been years since Jimin has been assigned to a very decent human.

But ever since Haesoo turned five and Jeongguk has been accepting random jobs, his contentment started to vanish. It’s obvious that Jeongguk is struggling financially and is having difficulties in organizing his time. After reading the file about Jeongguk years ago, Jimin found out that Jeongguk was only nineteen when he had Haesoo. Haesoo’s mother, who was Jeongguk’s girlfriend back then, disappeared after Haesoo was born, clearly not wanting to take any responsibility. Haesoo was left in 19-year-old Jeongguk’s care. Jeongguk had to drop out of college to take care of his son and provide for him, since he couldn’t count on his single mother, who still had to take care of Jeongguk’s younger brother. So Jeongguk moved from Busan to Seoul with Haesoo, in hopes of finding a job that can sustain him and his son, even though he doesn’t have a college degree.

When Jimin started watching over Jeongguk, he didn’t really encounter anything big. Jeongguk only worked one job back then, and even though he tended to overwork himself, it wasn’t as worse as now. Jimin can’t help but see Jeongguk as a ticking bomb in his state right now. Thankfully, Jeongguk has his close friend and neighbor Seokjin that helps out from time to time, which lifts a few burdens from Jeongguk’s shoulders.

“Hyung, I should get going. I have to pick up Haesoo from the daycare.” Jeongguk announces, removing his apron. “Are you closing up today?”

“Yup!” Taehyung answers while he writes something on a frappe cup. “You take care. Tell Haesoo I miss him.”

“Sure,” Jeongguk chuckles, heading into the employee’s room to grab his stuff. He wears his coat and slings his backpack on one shoulder. He walks towards the small kitchen, peeking inside. “Noona, I’m going to head out!”

“Alright!” A voice answers. “Be careful Jeongguk-ah! And please, for the love of god, get some rest!”

Jeongguk just shakes his head, smiling. He nods at Taehyung one last time before he heads out of the café and into the busy streets of Seoul. It’s already the beginning of November, so it’s naturally cold. Jeongguk rubs his hands together before he starts walking to the direction of Haesoo’s daycare center. Jimin is following Jeongguk from behind, his hands in his pockets. He already knows this route by heart, because Jeongguk takes this route every day to pick up Haesoo from daycare. Jimin knows that Jeongguk made sure to choose a job at a café near Haesoo’s daycare so he can walk there easily and check on his son.

When they arrive at Haesoo’s daycare, there were already some parents picking up their kids, just like Jeongguk. Jeongguk stands a bit further away from the crowd of parents waiting by the entrance. Jimin stands next to Jeongguk, also eager to see the little ball of sunshine. When Haesoo finally comes running out of the daycare, Jeongguk’s exhausted face brightens up easily. Haesoo’s red backpack bounces behind him as he runs towards Jeongguk. “Daddy!”

“Hey!” Jeongguk laughs, bending down and opening his arms to welcome his son. Once Haesoo is in his arms, he lifts him up and gives him a big kiss on the cheek. “What did you do today?”

“Draw! Color!” Haesoo answers enthusiastically. “It’s in my backpack. I made a dinosaur!”

Jeongguk smiles widely. “Really? What kind of dinousaur?”

“T-rex! I used blue, yellow, and red crayons daddy!” Haesoo explains.

“That’s great baby,” Jeongguk starts to walk away from the daycare and towards the subway station. Jimin follows behind them, eager to listen to Haesoo’s story. “Do you know what we call those colors?”

Haesoo tilts his head. “Hmm...”

“Primary colors,” Jimin mumbles to himself, looking at Haesoo who seems to be thinking hard. The five-year-old glances at his dad. “Start with letter what?”

“Hmm, it starts with ‘p’.”

“Ah!” Haesoo starts wiggling in excitement. “P... primary colors!”

“Yes, primary colors.” Jeongguk chuckles. “Very good baby. What else did you do today?”

“Hmm... we watched the Elsa movie...” Haesoo starts mumbling out whatever he thinks of, and Jeongguk listens attentively while he keeps walking to the subway station. Jimin also listens to Haesoo’s story as he follows them. The five-year-old has really grew into Jimin. Even though Haesoo doesn’t see him, Jimin still likes the child a lot. He’s very kind, gentle, and enthusiastic about everything. Aside from that, he seems to love his dad very much. Haesoo resembles Jeongguk a lot, he even has a mole under his lip just like Jeongguk. The only thing that’s noticeably different from Haesoo is his eyes. Unlike Jeongguk who has doe eyes, Haesoo has almond eyes with long, curvy eyelashes that he must have gotten from his mom.

Once they arrive in their humble apartment, Haesoo runs to his room while Jeongguk heads to their kitchen. Jeongguk snatches the bills attached on the refrigerator with a magnet and takes a look at it. Jimin stands behind Jeongguk, squinting as he also reads the bills.

Jeongguk sighs as he stares at the bills, and Jimin can’t help but glance at him in pity. Jeongguk looks absolutely exhausted, and his hands are shaking as he holds the bills with his one hand. Jeongguk mumbles something, probably counting how many days he has left before the bills are due.

“Daddy! Are you coming?”

Jeongguk quickly attaches back the bills on the refrigerator and turns around to face Haesoo with a smile on his face. He runs towards Haesoo and carries his son in his arms. “You ready for your bath?”

Haesoo giggles. “Yeah. Can I use rubber ducky?”

“You don’t want your ship?”

“No. Only rubber ducky today.”

“Alright,” Jeongguk plants a kiss on Haesoo’s chubby cheek. “Rubber ducky will be so happy to hear that.”

As soon as they both disappear inside the bathroom, Jimin shakes his head and glances at the bills on the refrigerator again. He chews on his lower lip as he contemplates on what to do next. He’s Jeongguk’s guardian angel after all, and Jeongguk obviously needs help this time around.

Jimin walks over towards the secret stash that Jeongguk keeps in case of emergencies. It’s not a lot of money since Jeongguk hasn’t been putting money in the stash, but at least there’s some money in it. Jimin adds in a few won into the stash. Jeongguk will surely not be suspicious since he hasn’t counted his secret stash in a while so he won’t know it got added.

Soon enough Jeongguk and Haesoo come out of the bathroom with Haesoo wrapped up in a baby blue towel. He runs towards his room, giggling, and Jeongguk just shakes his head in amusement as he follows Haesoo into the room.

“Daddy, what are we gonna have for dinner?” Jimin hears Haesoo ask his dad while Jeongguk dresses him up in his pajamas.

“Hmm, what do you want?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Do you want anything?”

“Hmm... fried chicken. Two!”

Jeongguk chuckles. “You sure you can finish two chickens?”

“I’m sure I can!”

Jeongguk laughs, pinching Haesoo’s cheeks gently. “Alright. We’ll get fried chicken.”

“Yay, thank you daddy!” Haesoo throws himself at his father into an embrace. “I love you.”

Jimin smiles at the sight and watches Jeongguk shower Haesoo with kisses one last time before he decides to head back home for a while.

“You come home so rarely these days,” Hoseok says.

Jimin shrugs. “Jeongguk needs me.”

“I see. Is he having a hard time right now?”

Jimin nods. “Yeah. I mean, he always solves everything so easily before, but right now I think he’s really stuck with his problems.”

“He became a father at a young age, I guess that does really take a toll.”

Jimin sighs, watching the other angels walk past them. He puts his elbow on the table and rests his chin on his palm. “Hobi hyung.”

Hoseok looks up from the paper he was reading. “What?”

“Have you ever heard of an angel showing themselves to their human?”

Hoseok tilts his head. “I heard some stories about it before, but I haven’t really witness it or something.”

Jimin turns to Hoseok. “What stories?”

“Well there was this one story that a noona told me, but I don’t know if it’s true. Lots of years ago an angel got too attached to his human and showed themselves.”

Jimin leans closer in interest. “And then? Did the human know they were an angel?”

Hoseok shakes his head. “Noona said the human didn’t know, since angels look like regular humans if they decide to show their identity.” He explains. “And I guess the angel turned back against their duty, so they got punished.”

Jimin blinks. “W-what... what punishment?”

Hoseok shrugs. “Noona didn’t really specify.”

“Ah, I see.” Jimin mumbles.

“Anyway, I think it’s just a made up story.” Hoseok chuckles, waving his hand nonchalantly. “I mean, we’ve always been taught to keep a distance from our humans and just do our duties.”

Jimin nods slowly. “Yeah, you’re right hyung.”

Hoseok passes him some of the papers he was reading. “Now help me with this so we can head home early.”

****

“You think noona will allow me to lessen my working hours?”

“Is that even a question? Of course she will!” Taehyung says, slapping Jeongguk on the shoulder. “You work the hardest around here you know. Noona is probably glad just to have you and will allow you anything.”

Jeongguk chuckles, glancing at Taehyung. “Yeah, all you’re good at is eating the muffins.”

“Hey! I paid for some of those.”

Jeongguk takes a deep breath and continues cleaning the glass display of the desserts. “It’s just, right now I need to keep an eye on Haesoo more often. I can’t always rely on Seokjin hyung to watch over him. But I also need to find a new job that pays for the bills.”

“Again?” Taehyung puts his elbow on the counter and leans against it. “You’re going to look for jobs again? You’re going to exhaust yourself, Jeongguk. Just remember you can’t overdue it because you have Haesoo. He needs you, and you can’t be there for him if you don’t take care of yourself.”

“Yeah but hyung, we’re really behind on all the payments. I don’t know what to do.”

Taehyung sighs. “Look, I’ll lend you half of my pay this month.”

Jeongguk’s eyes widens. “What? No way am I accepting that.”

Taehyung frowns. “Why not? This will help you and Haesoo.”

“Aren’t you using your salary here to pay for your rent until you graduate fully and find a job fit for you?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry about it. I can think of other ways to pay for my rent,” Taehyung says. “But you, on the other hand, have a child to take care of. You really can’t put this burden all on yourself, Jeongguk. It’s alright to ask help from others.”

Jimin watches Jeongguk’s expression thoroughly. He doesn’t even turn to look at Taehyung, but instead keeps wiping on the glass. “Okay. I’ll pay you back immediately.”

Taehyung gently ruffles Jeongguk’s hair. “Okay.”

Jimin takes a deep breath. One of Jeongguk’s problems is that he mostly refuses help from anyone, even when it’s obvious that he needs it. Jeongguk has a lot of good people in his life, but it seems as if Jeongguk thinks he’s a burden to them.

“Oh noona, what’s that?”

Their manager walks out of her office, carrying a piece of paper with her. Taehyung takes a peek on what’s written on the paper. “Hiring?”

“Yeah,” their manager answers. “Chansul resigned yesterday, so we need a new baker.”

“He did? That prick! He didn’t even say goodbye.” Taehyung pouts.

“Jeongguk, go post this by the door.” the manager hands over the paper to Jeongguk.

“Yes manager-nim,” Jeongguk puts the cloth on the counter and takes the paper. He reads whatever was on the paper as he walks over to the door and pastes it.

Jimin gets up from his seat and looks over the paper, reading what’s on it.

NOW HIRING: BAKER

Jimin tilts his head, and he glances at Jeongguk. The human is busy looking at the paper, making sure if it’s pasted correctly.

Once Jeongguk turns around to head back to the counter, Jimin remains by the door, staring at the piece of paper. Jimin gets startled when the doors to the café open, making him take a step back. Haesoo comes running in, his backpack bouncing behind him. Seokjin then enters next, following the five-year-old.

“Daddy!”

Jeongguk’s tired expression quickly morphs into excitement as he turns around to welcome his son. He bends down a bit to catch Haesoo and carry him. “Hey, big guy. How did school go?”

“It was okay!” Haesoo answers, giving kiss dad a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m glad. Why don’t you sit over there with Seokjin hyungie while daddy finishes work? Do you want a milkshake?”

Haesoo nods enthusiastically. “Please! And muffin!”

Jeongguk chuckles, putting Haesoo down. “Alright, anything for you.”

Haesoo runs over to a vacant table, climbing up the seat and placing his backpack on the table.

“Thanks for picking him up hyung.” Jeongguk says to Seokjin.

Seokjin snorts. “Not you thanking me for this when I’d do it even if you didn’t ask.”

Jeongguk playfully punches Seokjin’s shoulder. “I’m being nice!”

“Fine, be nice by making me a caramel frappe.”

Jeongguk rolls his eyes but it looked like he was suppressing a smile. Jimin can’t help but smile. For the past years he’s been looking over Jeongguk, he notices the bond Seokjin and Jeongguk have. They’re not only apartment neighbors, but they’re probably like brothers already. Seokjin is five years older than Jeongguk, and Jimin can see how he tries to take care of Jeongguk in any way he can.

Jimin walks over to Haesoo, sitting beside him. He has a sudoku for kids! booklet in front of him, and he’s staring at it intently. His lips are in a pout and he has a pencil in his left hand.

“Not the sudoku booklet again,” Seokjin says, sitting in front of Haesoo. “Didn’t you just get out of school?”

Haesoo looks up to Seokjin. “Huh?”

Seokjin laughs, ruffling Haesoo’s hair. “Do you want to play with my Nintedo Switch?”

Haesoo’s face immediately lights up, letting go of his pencil. “Really? You’ll let me borrow it?”

“Of course!” Seokjin takes out his Nintendo Switch from his bag and hands it over to Haesoo.

“Woah!” Haesoo bounces on his chair excitedly when he has the Switch in his grip. “Can I play Minecraft?”

“Sure, let me take this...” Seokjin pulls the sudoku booklet towards him. “Huh. This is easy.”

“That’s for five year olds,” Jeongguk says, placing the orders on the table. “I’d be surprised if you couldn’t solve it.”

“Yah! I can solve this!”

Jimin quickly gets up from his seat when he notices Jeongguk turning to sit next to Haesoo. Jeongguk replaces Jimin on the seat and peeks at the Switch Haesoo is playing with. “What’s that?”

“Minecraft!” Haesoo answers, looking up at his father. “Uncle Seokjinnie let me borrow his Switch.”

“Yeah, you like it?” Jeongguk chuckles. “I’ll buy you one next time, when I save up.”

As soon as Haesoo finishes up his food and Jeongguk’s shift ends, they head home along with Seokjin. Jeongguk thanks Seokjin once again before they head into their respective apartment units.

Jeongguk gives Haesoo a bath and dresses him up in his pajamas before he makes their dinner. It’s a routine that Jimin has gotten used to, and Jeongguk has been keeping up this routine ever since Haesoo started school.

After they have dinner, Jeongguk starts getting ready for the art commissions he’s working on. “Haesoo, you have homework?”

“Yeah.”

Jeongguk immediately gets up from his seat and walks over to Haesoo, sitting on the floor in front of their coffee table. “Okay, let’s work on that first.”

Jeongguk takes out the stuff inside Haesoo’s bag, and notices the letter attached to his notebook. “Show me where the assignment is, I’ll just read this letter.”

Haesoo nods, flipping his notebooks. Jeongguk reads the letter quietly, and Jimin walks over to him and peeks at the letter. He glances at the bold numbers at the bottom of the letter.

“You’re going on a field trip?”

Haesoo looks up from his notebook, suddenly looking excited as he keeps bouncing while seated. “Yes! Teacher-nim said it will be so much fun!”

Jimin takes a deep breath and crosses his arms. The numbers in bold at the bottom of the letter is probably the payment that parents need to give for the fieldtrip.

Jeongguk puts down the letter and carries Haesoo onto his lap. “You really wanna go, bub?”

Haesoo nods. “Can I?”

Jeongguk glances at the letter again, but he looks back at Haesoo with a smile on his face. “If you want to, then why not?”

Haesoo pumps his fists in the air. “Yay yay! Thank you daddy!” He yells, launching onto Jeongguk for a hug.

Jeongguk laughs, hugging him back. “II’ll always find a way.”

Jimin clenches his fists at his sides as he watches Jeongguk embrace Haesoo while kissing his head. He feels his bottom lip start to wobble before he turns around and decides to head home.

I’m going to do it.

“You’re here again?”

Jimin looks up to Hoseok, his forehead creasing. “Seriously hyung? You complain when I’m not around and then you complain when I’m always around!”

Hoseok laughs. “I’m not complaining! I’m just surprised. This is the longest you’ve stayed home. Is everything going well with Jeongguk?”

Jimin shrugs. “Maybe.”

Hoseok puts his stuff on their sofa and walks over to Jimin, glancing at the mess on the counter. “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? I’m baking!”

“Baking? You mean like... making sweets?”

“Yes,” Jimin answers as he continues putting cupcake ingredients in the bowl. “It’s a hobby I’m trying to do while I’m not that busy.”

Hoseok nods slowly. “Hmm, I see. I never thought you’d be into sweets.”

“Oh hey, you’re into sweets! Try these cookies, they’re fresh from the oven.” Jimin pushes over the tray to Hoseok.

“Alright,” Hoseok picks up a cookie and takes a bite.

Jimin wipes his hands on his apron and crosses his arms. “So? How is it?”

“Hmm, this is not bad Jiminie. Is it your first time making these?”

Jimin puffs his chest out in pride. “No, I’ve been practicing the past few days.”

“You’re taking this really seriously,” Hoseok chuckles, finishing up the cookie he was eating. “I’m glad you’re taking a hobby. You’ve been too focused on your job.”

“Right.” Jimin mumbles.

“Hey, you don’t mind if I bring Yoongi some of these right?” Hoseok beams at him.

Jimin can’t help but smile when Hoseok mentions his angel-boyfriend, Yoongi. Unlike them, Yoongi is a regular working angel. He and Hoseok have been together for quite a long time.

“Sure,” Jimin answers. “How is Yoongi hyung anyway? I haven’t seen him around.”

“You two don’t seem to catch each other since you’re both so busy,” Hoseok shakes his head. “But I’ll tell him these are from you. He misses you.”

Jimin snorts. “We just bicker whenever we see each other, but tell him I miss him too.”

Hoseok laughs. “I’ll go take a shower. Continue with your hobby.”

“Okay hyung!”

Once Hoseok heads to his room, Jimin at the batter in front of him, feeling a bit guilty and doubtful about his decisions. He squeezes his eyes shut, and the image of Haesoo and Jeongguk flashes in his mind.

“I’m gonna do this.” Jimin mumbles to himself.

After a few days, Jimin finally finds himself standing in front of the café where Jeongguk works. He’s been checking on Haesoo and Jeongguk from time to time while he was also preparing for what he’s about to do. The hiring notice is still on the door, which is a big relief to Jimin.

“Okay,” Jimin whispers to himself. “I should materialize now. This is it. I’m going to do it.”

Jimin makes sure no one sees him in the ally he’s standing in. He looks down at his shaky hands, contemplating if he’s making the right decision. He clenches his fists and sighs. “No turning back.”

Jimin closes his eyes and focuses on materializing. All guardian angels know how to materialize, as they do this whenever they head back home. Jimin has done it a million times, surely materializing on earth is not that difficult.

When Jimin opens his eyes, he looks at his hands. He feels heavier than he usually does, signifying that he’s already in his bodily form. Jimin lets out a shaky breath, feeling a little nervous, but he starts walking towards the café.

Once he pushes the doors of the café open, he runs into a group of students. They brush against Jimin, and Jimin lets out a gasp.

“Oh sorry,” the student says, giving Jimin an apologetic look.

“I-I... It’s okay.”

Once the students walk away, Jimin keeps walking towards the counter, hugging his folder against his chest. He feels like he’s nauseous when he sees that it’s Jeongguk who’s taking the orders at the counter. When Jimin stops in front of him, his eyes are wide.

Jeongguk looks at him straight in the eye, and he flashes a soft smile. “Hi, what can I get you?”

Jeongguk... is talking to me.

Jimin opens his mouth wanting to say something, but he closes it immediately.

Jeongguk tilts his head. “If you’re having a hard time deciding what to order then don’t worry about it.”

Jimin blinks. “O-oh uhm actually, I-I’m here to apply for the job.”

Jeongguk’s eyes widens. “Oh, really? Let me call our manager. Give me a sec.” and he turns around to head for the kitchen.

Jimin rocks on his heels, a little overwhelmed at whatever was happening. He really showed himself to Jeongguk. People can see him. Jeongguk even talked to him.

Jimin glances down at the clothes his wearing. After being on earth most of his life, he already knows how humans dress, especially the generation of humans today. Personally Jimin has been working on his own fashion style even when he was back home. Most humans believe that angels wear robes, which they’re not wrong about, but they don’t wear it all the time – unless they’re archangels.

“Oh hello!”

Jimin turns his head and sees the manager walking towards him with a smile on her face. “Come to my office so we can discuss more, hmm?”

Jimin nods, glancing at Jeongguk who is now back in his place by the counter. Jimin clears his throat and followers the manager inside her office.

“I’m Baek Moonbyul,” she says as soon as Jimin sits in front of her table. “What’s your name?”

“Oh my name is Jimin. P-Park Jimin.”

Moonbyul nods. “Alright, Park Jimin. May I see that folder you have there?”

“Of course!” Jimin quickly hands over the folder that contains everything needed to apply.

Moonbyul skims over his resume, pursuing her lips. She looks up from the folder. “So, you have no professional experience as a baker?”

Jimin shakes his head. “No ma’am. But I assure you I know how to bake. I’ve been practicing a lot.”

“I see.”

“A-and I would really like to work here,” Jimin says. “I feel like this café is where I should be.”

Moonbyul raises an eyebrow. “Hmm, really?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Moonbyul gently closes the folder and puts it on her table. “Okay then.”

Jimin’s eyes widens. “Really?”

Moonbyul nods. “You look like you’re passionate about this job, which is rare since it’s only a café job and not a really good paying one, yet you look like you really want it so I’ll give you a chance. Even though you don’t have that much experience, it’s not like we can’t teach you.”
“Oh thank you so much, ma’am!” Jimin gets up from his seat and bows. “I will work hard.”

Moonbyul leans back against her seat and smiles. “I know you will. You can start tomorrow—“

“I can start now manager-nim! I-If it’s okay...”

Moonbyul chuckles. “Well, alright then. And please, just call me noona.”

Jimin smiles. “Okay noona.”

The two of them leave the office together and Moonbyul puts his hand on Jimin’s back. “Taehyung-ah, Jeongguk-ah!”

Jimin stands straight when Taehyung and Jeongguk walk towards their direction. Taehyung smiles widely when he looks at Jimin. Jimin can’t help but smile back at him.

“This is Park Jimin, our newly hired baker.”

“Hello!” Jimin gives them a 90-degree bow. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Oh finally, a new member!” Taehyung says loudly. “Hi, I’m Kim Taehyung!”

“Jeon Jeongguk.” Jeongguk mumbles, nodding at Jimin and offering a small smile.

“They’re working on today’s shift,” Moonbyul explains. “I have to meet with a supplier so I need to leave for a few hours. Taehyung, why don’t you teach Jimin the basics in the kitchen?”

 “Sure noona!”

Moonbyul gently pats Jimin’s shoulder. “You should be fine with Taehyungie, he knows how to handle stuff around the kitchen. Jeongguk will be in charge of the counter. There aren’t a lot of people during this time of the day.”

Jimin nods. “Okay noona, thank you again.”

“Come on,” Taehyung grabs his wrist and starts pulling him to the kitchen. “I’ll show you everything you need to know!”

Jimin looks back as he lets himself get dragged by Taehyung to the kitchen. Jeongguk is already walking back to the counter and doesn’t even give Jimin a second glance. Taehyung pushes the kitchen doors open and let’s go of Jimin’s wrist. “Tada! This is the kitchen. It’s clean isn’t it? Noona is really strict when it comes to cleanliness so that’s a first warning for you.”

“Jeongguk and I are actually baristas rather than bakers, but noona taught us how to bake since we have to do more since she can’t hire too much people to work here. But gladly, you’re here now! Your resume must’ve been amazing if noona hired you on the spot.”

Taehyung keeps on talking and telling Jimin the basics of the kitchen – like where all the equipment and ingredients are. He points at a book placed on one of the counters. “That’s noona’s recipe book, and that’s the recipe book for all the desserts we bake here so you’ll have to follow that.”

Jimin nods as he tries to follow on what Taehyung keeps telling him.

“Well, I think you’re a fast learner and you’re probably good to go. Noona actually baked a lot of our pastries earlier so I guess you really don’t have to bake anything today. You can help wash dishes or clean up instead!”

“Of course, anything will do. As long as I do something.”

Taehyung gives him a thumbs up. “That’s the spirit! You can help wash the dishes. You know how to wash dishes right?”

“Yes.”

“Alright! Ahh, I’m glad you’re here now. You’re a great person Jiminie.” Taehyung says happily. “Wait here!” Taehyung walks out of the kitchen.

You’re a great person Jiminie. Jimin can’t help but smile. Taehyung has only met him for less than an hour, but he already thinks Jimin is a great person just because Jimin agreed to do the dishes.

The kitchen doors open again and it’s Jeongguk who walks in this time. Jimin clears his throat and glances at the dirty dishes Jeongguk is carrying inside the kitchen. He places them next to the sink and turns to Jimin. “I heard from Taehyungie-hyung that you’re cool with washing the dishes.”

Jimin nods. “Yes I’m fine with it! I’m not going to bake anything today anyway. I’ll just occupy myself with these dishes.”

Jeongguk leans against the counter. “Still, I don’t think you should be washing these on your own, plus it’s your first day. Let me help you.”

Jimin’s eyes widens. Jeongguk turns towards the sink and starts wearing the dishwashing gloves. “I’ll wash these and you dry them and put them in their place. Cool?”

“D-doesn’t Taehyung need help outside?”

Jeongguk snorts. “Nah, he’s already a pro. Don’t worry about him. Plus, there aren’t that much costumers.”

“Oh, I see.” Jimin murmurs. “Okay then...”

They start working in an awkward silence. Since Jeongguk is still busy washing the dishes, Jimin is just standing next to him rocking on his heels, waiting for the dishes to be finished washing.

“So,” Jeongguk suddenly speaks up as he scrubs the plates. “Where are you from?”

“Uh, just there.” Jimin answers quickly.

“Just there? You live nearby then.” Jeongguk chuckles. “Is that why you applied to the job here?”

“Y-yes... also because I wanted to bake.”

Jeongguk nods, passing the plate to Jimin, which he takes immediately and dries it off.

“How old are you?”

Jimin gently puts the plate on the counter. He tries computing his age into human age in his head. “I-I’m... twenty six.”

Jeongguk’s eyes widens. “Oh? I would’ve have thought you’re older than me. I’m twenty-four.”

“You can call me hyung then.”

Jeongguk passes another plate, smiling at Jimin. “Okay, hyung.”

After they wash the dishes, Jeongguk heads back outside to help out Taehyung. Moonbyul arrives not long after, and she starts teaching Jimin the basics about how she wants her pastries to be baked.

When Jimin and Moonbyul finally finish their baking lesson, Jimin finally takes the time to step out of the kitchen. He immediately hears the faint chattering on the people in the café, but he perks his ears when he hears a familiar high-pitched giggle. Jimin looks around and sees Haesoo sitting on one of the tables with Taehyung sitting next to him.

“That’s my son.”

Jimin flinches when he hears Jeongguk behind him. He turns around and faces Jeongguk, who is carrying a tray with milkshake and a blueberry muffin, probably for Haesoo. Jimin takes a step back, not wanting to block Jeongguk’s way. “O-oh.”

“Come on, I’ll introduce you to him.” Jeongguk says, and he starts walking towards Haesoo and Taehyung.

Jimin quietly follows behind Jeongguk. Jeongguk places the tray on the table and ruffles Haesoo’s hair. “Taehyungie hyung, you can head back to the counter.”

Taehyung gets up from his seat. He playfully points finger guns at Haesoo, which makes the five-year-old giggle. Taehyung starts to walks back to the counter and Jeongguk takes his seat next to Haesoo and looks up at Jimin. “This is Haesoo.”

Jimin almost forgets that Jeongguk can see him. Jimin has always stood near them like this that he forgot he’s in a human form now.

Haesoo looks up as well, and looks a bit shy. Jimin bends down a bit and waves at Haesoo. “Hello Haesoo. You have such a beautiful name.”

“T-thank you...” he whispers. “What is your name?”

Jimin smiles. “My name is Jimin.”

“Jimin.” Haesoo repeats.

Jimin feels like he’s gonna burst. He’s always been so fond of Haesoo that Haesoo talking to him right now makes him so happy.

“He’s a bit shy, but he’ll warm up to you soon.” Jeongguk chuckles, planting a kiss on the crown of Haesoo’s head.

“Well I’ll definitely look forward to that.” Jimin answers.

After a few weeks, Jimin thinks he’s finally getting the hang of it. He’s less conscious about himself now than he was when he first materialized and stayed in his human form, but now he’s been living easy that nothing even worries him that much anymore.

Being a human that works with his human also made it a bit easier for Jimin. At night he still watches over Jeongguk and Haesoo, and in the morning he works at the café with Jeongguk. Haesoo, who is always at the café after his daycare, has started warming up to Jimin slowly.

Aside from Haesoo, Jeongguk and Jimin also started talking more often. Although Jimin would like it that Jeongguk opened up to him, he knows that it’s still not the right time for it. They’ve only known each other for a few weeks as workmates.

Jimin is currently re-heating a set of muffins to serve a customer. He taps his fingers on the counter as he waits for the timer to go off when he hears people entering the kitchen.

“That’s huge Jeonggukie! I’m so proud of you!” Taehyung says loudly.

Jimin turns around and sees the two of them entering the kitchen, each carrying a box. They place it just outside the storage room. As soon as Taehyung puts down his box, he launches onto Jeongguk in a hug. “I knew you’d make it big someday.”

“Hyung, it’s not even confirmed yet! That’s why I have to work at their company so they can check on my potentials.”

“That’s still something! You always had that talent in you. Don’t forget me when you’re famous okay?”

“Aish!” Jeongguk playfully pushes Taehyung away. “Hyung, I told you it’s not that way. I don’t even know if I’ll take it.”

“What?!” Taehyung yells, gripping Jeongguk’s shoulder and shaking him. “Why not?”

“Are you forgetting I’m a father?” Jeongguk says to him. “If I accept that job I’ll be too busy, and I need to be there for Haesoo more than anything. He’s only five years old.”

“Don’t worry about that! You have me, and Seokjin hyung. I’ll even ask Namjoonie to help too!”

“I can’t do that to you guys, Haesoo is my responsibility.”

“But this is your chance,” Taehyung presses on. “You’ve always wanted to give Haesoo a better life.”

“I know, but I just can’t right now. Hopefully another opportunity will come to me next time, when Haesoo has grown a bit.”

The timer of the oven sets off. Both Taehyung and Jeongguk turn to Jimin’s direction, and Jimin quickly scrambles to look away, snatching the mittens on the counter to take out the muffins from the oven.

 “Anyway, try and think about it first Jeongguk. This is a rare opportunity.” Jimin hears Taehyung say.

“I will hyung.” Jeongguk answers.

Haesoo doesn’t come to the café that day because apparently he was spending time with Seokjin. Jeongguk also takes off as soon as his shift ends because he was gonna meet up with Seokjin and Haesoo for dinner. Jimin and Taehyung are left to close up for the day.

Taehyung stretches his arms as soon as he finishes sweeping the floor. “Ahh, I’m so tired! And to think I have a thesis to finish when I arrive home. Fuck.”

Jimin looks up over at Taehyung as he wipes the counters. “Oh right, you’re in your last year of university right?”

Taehyung nods. “You’re probably wondering why I’m still in university even though I’m your age.”

Jimin shakes his head. “Not really. I think education has no age limit.”

“Exactly! This is why I like you Jiminie,” Taehyung says. “But I’ll still tell you. I had to drop out of school for a few years when I reached twenty because my father got sick. I was honestly a bit hesitant to go back to university after my father recovered, but then I just said fuck it. I wanna get a degree. So here I am.”

“Wow, I’m proud of you Tae.”

Taehyung beams. “Thanks Jiminie. Being in my last year is so stressful. I’m really busy now-a-days, I don’t know if you notice but my shifts have shortened. That’s why I also can’t watch over Haesoo like I could before.”

“What was that about anyway?” Jeongguk asks, trying his best to sound nonchalant. “I heard you and Jeongguk in the kitchen earlier.”

Taehyung lets out a sigh. “Ah, right. Jeongguk got an email from a comic publisher company. He freelances as a graphic and digital artist and sometimes posts his works online.”

Jimin nods. “Is it a good thing?”

“It’s really good,” Taehyung answers. “If he gets to work at the comic company, he’ll have a stable job and a bigger salary which would help him and Haesoo. But he’s hesitating to take it because he won’t have enough time for Haesoo anymore.”

“Oh. I see...”

“Jeongguk will always prioritize Haesoo, so I’m not all that shocked about his decision,” Taehyung explains. “It’s just... it’s Jeongguk’s dream. I just feel bad he won’t be able to take the rare opportunity.”

“Yeah,” Jimin mumbles. “Thanks for telling me Taehyungie.”

When they close up and head their separate ways, Jimin dematerializes and immediately heads to Jeongguk’s apartment. When he arrives, Jeongguk has only finished giving Haesoo a bath and dressing him up in his pajamas.

“You should sleep early, big guy. You look tired after walking around at the mall with Uncle Seokjin.”

Haesoo nods, his eyes already closing. Jeongguk chuckles, kissing his son on the forehead. “Good night bub.”

“Night daddy,” Haesoo mumbles. “Love you.”

“I love you so much more.” Jeongguk answers softly. He sits on the edge of Haesoo’s bed, just watching Haesoo until the five-year-old falls asleep soundly.

Jeongguk quietly leaves Haesoo’s room and sits in front of his laptop. Jimin is standing behind him, looking at the laptop screen as Jeongguk scrolls through his emails. He clicks on one particular email, and Jimin reads what’s on it.

It’s the one from the comic publishers. Jimin thinks.

Jimin glances at Jeongguk, who seems to keep re-reading the email over and over. He clicks on the reply icon and places his fingers on top of the keyboard, ready to type something, but he doesn’t press a key.

Jimin chews on his lowerlip. Jeongguk looks so conflicted. In the end Jeongguk doesn’t type anything and just presses the X button.

The next day at work, a lot of people come in the café. Jimin always makes sure to bake batches so he doesn’t necessarily struggle when there’s a crowd outside, but he still tries to help out whenever he can. Taehyung and Jeongguk on the other hand, have it hard as they’re the baristas.

While Jeongguk is busy blending an iced frappe, he checks the time on his watch and curses. “Fuck! Haesoo is probably waiting for me right now.” Jeongguk says. “Hyung, I need to pick him up. Can you handle it on your own?”

Taehyung’s eyes widens, but when he notices that Jeongguk is practically so stressed, he just sighs. “Fine. Go pick him up and hurry him.”

“W-wait!” Jimin calls.

Jeongguk turns to him. Jimin removes his apron. “Stay here and help Taehyung. I’ll pick up Haesoo.”

“Hyung, really?”

“Yes, I will – if you trust me of course.”

Jeongguk nods. “I trust you hyung. Thank you so much.”

Jimin nods back at him. He tosses his apron somewhere and starts heading out of the café. He checks the time on his watch and notices that it’s been fifteen minutes since Haesoo has been dismissed from daycare. Jimin starts sprinting towards the daycare.

He slows down when he finally reaches the gates of the daycare. He tries catching his breath and sees Haesoo sitting on the chairs just outside the daycare with a woman sitting next to him. “Haesoo!”

Haesoo looks over Jimin’s direction. Jimin walks towards them, taking a deep breath. “I’m here.”

“Jiminie?” Haesoo whispers.

“Haesoo, do you know him?” The woman asks, probably a teacher at the daycare center.

“I-I’m Park Jimin. I work with his father. Jeongguk is a bit busy right now so he asked me to pick up Haesoo instead.”

The teacher squints her eyes at Jimin. “We’ll have to call Jeongguk-ssi or Seokjin-ssi to confirm this.”

Jimin nods, still heaving. “Okay.”

The teacher takes out her phone and starts to call Jeongguk. Jimin puts his hands on his knees as he tries to catch his breath.

“Jiminie.”

Jeongguk looks over and sees Haesoo handing him his Avengers water bottle. Jimin stares at it in surprise, and he glances at Haesoo. Haesoo still has his arms stretched out, offering the bottle to Jimin.

Jimin slowly takes it. “Thank you Haesoo.”

Haesoo gives him a cheeky smile. Jimin opens the bottle and gulps down the remaining water inside it.

“Alright, Jeongguk-ssi confirmed it.” The woman says, her voice now calmer. “Bye-bye Haesoo! See you tomorrow.”

“Bye-bye teacher-nim!” Haesoo waves at the woman cutely.

Jimin puts back the water bottle in Haesoo’s bag. Jimin crouches down and takes off the scarf that Haesoo was wearing to wear it to him more probably, making sure he won’t feel cold as they walk back to the café. As soon as Jimin has Haesoo all wrapped up, he smiles at him. “Okay?”

Haesoo nods. Jimin stands up and faces the woman, bowing. “Thank you teacher-nim.”

“No problem. Be careful.”

Jimin takes Haesoo’s small hands in his and they start walking away from the daycare and towards the café.

“Did you wait long?” Jimin asks.

“A little.”

Jimin gently squeezes Haesoo’s hand. “Are you mad at your dad?”

Haesoo immediately shakes his head. “No. Daddy works hard. It’s okay.”

Jimin smiles. “You love your dad so much, don’t you?”

Haesoo looks up at Jimin and nods.

“Well your dad loves you just as much,” Jimin says. “Come on, I’ll carry you instead. It’s getting cold.”

Once Jimin arrives in the café, the line seemed to have shorten. Jeongguk quickly looks over at them from the counter. Jimin gently strokes Haesoo’s hair, the five-year-old asleep on his shoulder. Jimin can’t help but think that he made the right decision to materialize and show himself to Jeongguk and Haesoo, while having Haesoo asleep in his arms.

Jimin walks over towards Jeongguk, and Jeongguk puts down the cups he was holding to give Haesoo a soft pat on the head. Jeongguk looks like he’s really guilty and that he’d cry, but he looks away quickly. “Seokjin hyung is coming from work. He’ll take Haesoo home with him for now, since I’m closing up today.”

Jimin nods. “Alright. I’ll wait for Seokjin-ssi to arrive.”

Seokjin arrives not long after, and he rushes towards Jimin. “Oh Jimin!”

“Seokjin-ssi, hello.”

“Oh please, just call me hyung. We’ve already met a few days ago,” Seokjin chuckles, glancing at Haesoo who is still asleep. “Ah, this kid really.”

“He fell asleep when we were walking from his daycare. I carried him so we’d arrive here faster.”

Seokjin raises his eyebrows. “Hmm, you picked him up?”

“Yes. There were too many customers earlier that Jeongguk couldn’t just leave Taehyung alone, so I offered to fetch Haesoo.”

“I see,” Seokjin smiles. “Thank you Jimin. I’ll take it from here.”

Jimin slowly hands over the sleeping five-year-old to Seokjin. Seokjin gently places Haesoo’s head on his shoulder. “Thank you again Jimin. I should go now so Haesoo can sleep better in a bed.”

“Of course.”

Seokjin glances behind Jimin nodding at someone. Jimin turns around and sees Jeongguk looking at them. Jeongguk nods back at Seokjin, and Seokjin turns around to leave the busy café with the Haesoo.

When it was finally time to start closing up, Jimin is left in the café with Jeongguk. Taehyung left early because he had a date with his boyfriend, Namjoon, who Jimin has yet to meet.

“Hyung,”

Jimin looks up from organizing the cups. “Hmm?”

Jeongguk walks over to him and takes a deep breath. “I didn’t get to thank you.”

“Oh,” Jimin chuckles. “It’s nothing Jeongguk.”

“It’s not nothing. Haesoo has probably been waiting for me for a long time. I can’t believe I just forgot like that. He’s probably mad at me.”

Jimin leans against the counter. “Hmm, well I did ask him if he was mad at you.”

Jeongguk snaps his head towards Jimin. “Really? What... what did he say?”

Jimin smiles. “As soon as I asked, he immediately shook he said. He’s said he’s not mad at you because you work hard, and that it was okay.”

Jeongguk turns his head away, clenching his jaw. He crosses his arms against his chest and stares at the floor.

“Uhm, I heard from Taehyung you got recruited by a comic publisher.”

Jeongguk glances at him. “Ah, I did. But I don’t think I’ll accept it.”

“Why not?”

“Haesoo is more important to me now. If I accept it then I’ll be too busy to even watch over my own son. I’m already busy as a barista, what more if I accept the offer?”

“What if I help you out?”

Jeongguk chuckles, shaking his head. “Seokjin hyung, Taehyungie hyung and Namjoon hyung said the same thing.”

“But I’m different.”

Jeongguk raises his eyebrow. “How so?”

“Unlike them, who have other lives to attend to, I just... well, I’m not that busy. This baker job is the only thing I’m doing right now so it’s not that hectic.”

Jeongguk looks like he’s contemplating it, but he ends up sighing. “I really appreciate it Jimin hyung, but I really thing I should be focusing on Haesoo now.”

“Jeongguk, if you take the huge job offer, isn’t it for Haesoo too? So you can provide him a better way of living?”

“It is but... Haesoo needs me. I need to be there for him, not just as a provider, but as a father.”

“And you will be. It’s not like you’ll be gone forever. I can watch Haesoo if you’re busy and so you won’t worry too much about him. Plus, knowing you, I know you’ll find a way to spend time with Haesoo.”

Jeongguk doesn’t say anything.

“Let me help you, Jeongguk.”

Jimin looks at Jeongguk who looks like he’s frozen in place, but Jimin is sure he heard him. He just stands next to Jeongguk, waiting until he says something. “You can think about it—“

“Alright.”

Jimin’s eyes widen. “Huh?”

“Alright,” Jeongguk repeats, facing him. “I’ll accept the job offer, if you help me.”

Jimin can’t help but smile. “I will Jeongguk, don’t worry.”

After their talk, they finish cleaning up and close up the café.

“Thank you, Jeongguk-ah.” Jimin mumbles, putting his hands in his pocket.

Jeongguk glances at him as soon as he finishes locking up the café. “For what?”

“For trusting me.”

Jeongguk shakes his head, smiling a little. “I don’t know, hyung. You make it easy for me to trust you.”

“How?”

“It’s like you’ve known me for a long time.”

Jimin laughs awkwardly, clearing his throat. “That’s— you’re just easy to get along with.”

Jeongguk hums, looking around the streets. “You said you live around here right? Let me walk you home.”

“Oh, no no! Y-you don’t have to!” Jimin says quickly. “Haesoo might already be waiting for you and I have to go somewhere else before I head home.”

Jeongguk nods at that. “Okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you,” Jimin answers. “Good night Jeongguk.”

“You what?!” Taehyung yells out loud. “Oh my god fucking finally!”

Jeongguk slaps Taehyung’s arm. “Keep it down hyung!”

“You have no idea how glad I am,” Taehyung says, completely ignoring Jeongguk. “I thought you turned it down already.”

“I haven’t. Last night I sent them an email that I accept the offer.”

Taehyung almost squeals. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

Jeongguk glances at Jimin, who is standing just behind Taehyung, drying glasses. Taehyung turns around and looks at Jimin. “Jimin! You convinced him?”

Jimin shrugs, putting down the glass. He picks up another glass and almost drops it when Taehyung suddenly launches onto him for a hug. “Jimin! Thank you!”

“Taehyung you’re hugging me too tight!”

“I’m just so happy! Even I can’t convince that brat but you did!”

“I’m still right here you know.” Jeongguk says.

Taehyung lets go of Jimin and turns back to face Jeongguk. “Did you tell Moonbyul noona that you’ve taken the job?”

“She knows?” Jeongguk sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Just how many people did you tell about this?”

“Hey! What do you think of me? I only told Moonbyul noona, Jimin, and Namjoonie!” Taehyung exclaims. “And thank God I told Jimin because look where it got you.”

Jeongguk just shakes his head. “I haven’t told noona yet. I honestly don’t want to resign but I can’t afford keeping myself too busy.”

“I’m sure noona will understand,” Jimin says.

“Yeah! When I told her she also wanted you to take the job.” Taehyung adds.

“Alright, I’ll go meet her in her office. The comic publishers might sudden ask me to meet with them soon, so it’s better if I resign now.”

“Look at you, all grown up!”

“I’m twenty-four, hyung.”

“Who cares!” Taehyung says. “Though I gotta say, I’m gonna miss manning these counters and making coffee with you.”

“Aren’t you graduating soon too and look for another job?”

“Yeah but that isn’t till next year!” Taehyung reasons out. “Now go and meet with noona!”

Since Jimin isn’t closing up today, he leaves the café a bit earlier than Jeongguk, but being his guardian angel, Jimin still up for him. He decides to just sit on the rooftop of the tall building just near the café, overlooking Seoul. Jimin sits on the edge of the building, just staring at the city lights shining below him.

Jimin unconsciously smiles when he remembers how Jeongguk easily accepted his offer last night. Jimin feels like his decisions weren’t made in vain. He managed to help Jeongguk somehow, and now Jeongguk accepted the job of his dreams and the financial burden he’s been carrying will probably be lifted from his shoulders.

If I hadn’t decide to show up in human form, would I ever be able to help Jeongguk? Jimin thinks to himself. Probably not.

Jimin looks up at the sky. He hasn’t been home ever since he made his decision to show up and become a human. It’s only been a few weeks, and probably doesn’t mean much to the other angels, but Jimin knows his friends, especially Hoseok, might be wondering about him.

But Jimin can’t go back now. Hoseok will surely ask what he’s up to, and as an angel, Jimin isn’t really fond of lying, especially when he’s at home. Other than that, Jimin has always had a difficulty lying to Hoseok. He was lucky enough to get away with the baking hobby, which wasn’t even that much of a lie since Jimin has grew to love baking.

There’s also a high chance that Jimin will get discovered that he broke the law if he heads back home, so he decides that it’s not worth it to head back now. As soon as Jeongguk finally settles down and is doing well, then Jimin will head back home and continue being a guardian angel without showing himself anymore.

“Taetae, I’m heading out! I’m picking up Haesoo.”

“Oh right. Be careful, Jiminie! See you tomorrow.”

Jimin takes off his apron and picks up his important belongings from his locker in the employee’s room. He got himself a smartphone, knowing it’s a vital equipment to humans. He also got himself a wallet and filled it with money.

He heads out of the café and walks towards Haesoo’s daycare. Jeongguk already resigned from the café and is starting with his new job, so it’s time Jimin does his part.

When Jimin reaches the daycare, Haesoo is already waiting for him. When he sees Jimin, he smiles widely. “Jiminie!”

“Hey!” Jimin smiles back and offers his hand to Haesoo. “You ready to go?”

Haesoo nods and takes Jimin’s hand. Jimin waves at the teacher who is watching the kids leave the daycare, and the teacher waves back at him. Jimin looks at Haesoo, who is humming a nursing rhyme as the start walking to the subway station.

Jeongguk has already taught Jimin the basics, like the direction their apartment, Haesoo’s schedule, Haesoo’s food preference and such. Nothing that Jimin doesn’t know about already. He’s been Jeongguk’s guardian angel for two years, and he’s been watching over them intently. Jimin knows what to do, and he has high hopes on not disappointing Jeongguk.

“So, what did you do today?” Jimin asks Haesoo.

Haesoo looks up at him. “Hmm, we learned a song!”

“What song?”

“Old McDonald.”

“Hmm, I haven’t heard of that.”

Haesoo’s cute almond eyes widen, and his lips form a pout. “Really? Why not?”

Jimin chuckles. “I don’t know.”

Haesoo squeezes his hand. “I can teach you Jiminie.”

Jimin laughs. “Okay, later.”

“Jiminie...”

“Hmm?”

“Daddy is still working?”

“Daddy has a new job now,” Jimin answers. “Did he tell you?”

Haesoo nods. “Daddy’s new job is drawing.”

Jimin chuckles. “Yes, it is. Your daddy’s job now is better. He can buy you anything you want now.”

Haesoo’s eyes sparkle at that. “Really?”

Jimin nods enthusiastically. “Yes, so let’s support your daddy okay?”

“Okay!”

When they finally arrive at Jeongguk’s apartment, Jimin types in the passcode that Jeongguk had told him. Haesoo immediately runs inside as soon as the door opens. Jimin glances at his watch. He’ll only watch over Haesoo for around two hours, since Jeongguk said he’ll likely be home by six in the evening.

“Haesoo, let’s give you a bath before we check your homework okay?”

“Okay Jiminie,” Haesoo answers.

After Jimin gives Haesoo a bath and dresses him up with pajamas, they settle down the living room so Jimin can help out Haesoo with his homework. Jimin is not really that great with human education, but a five-year-old’s homework can’t be that bad.

As Haesoo keeps flipping the pages of his notebook, Jimin can’t help but watch him. It’s his first day watching over Haesoo, and he feels contented. He was nervous at first, since he’s only ever watched Jeongguk and Seokjin take care of Haesoo from afar. He never thought he’d find himself doing it on his own, and thankfully he didn’t mess it up.

“Here, Jiminie!” Haesoo points at the page on his notebook. Jimin leans forward to read the instructions. “Hmm, shapes. Do you like shapes?”

Haesoo nods. “Yes.”

“What’s your favorite shape?”

“Triangle.”

“Oh, my favorite shape is a circle.” Because it’s the shape of my halo.

Haesoo giggles. “Circle is good shape! Cookies are circle. Pancakes are circle.”

“Why do you like triangle then?”

“Because triangle kimbap tastes good. Daddy makes good triangle kimbap.”

Jimin can’t help but laugh loudly. “Alright, looks like you know about shapes then. Let’s take a look at your homework...”

Jimin focuses on making sure Haesoo is answering his homework well. He’s watched Jeongguk assist Haesoo in his homework countless of times. Jeongguk doesn’t like it when he answers Haesoo’s homework for him. Instead, he tries to guide and teach Haesoo so Haesoo can answer it by himself. Jimin does the same, and Haesoo seems like a smart kid and understands it easily.

The door of the apartment opens at the exact time they finish the homework. Jeongguk comes in, wearing a green turtleneck, black slacks, and a long black coat. He’s carrying paper bags with them, and the smell of delicious food floods the apartment. “I’m home!”

Haesoo immediately scrambles to get up and run towards his dad. “Daddy!”

Jeongguk puts the takeout food on the table and lifts Haesoo up, showering him with kisses. “My baby, I missed you!”

Haesoo giggles, wrapping his small arms around Jeongguk’s neck.

Jimin gets up from where he was sitting and walks over Jeongguk. “Hey, you’re a bit early today.”

Jeongguk looks at him and smiles. “Well, it’s my first day so they weren’t that strict with me just yet. We just discussed about the project I’ll be making.”

“Well I’m glad. Haesoo just finished doing his homework.”

Jeongguk glances at Haesoo. “Oh? You must be hungry, Haesoo-ah.”

Haesoo pats his tummy and nods.

Jimin chuckles. “I should get going.”

“Already?” Jeongguk raises his eyebrows. “I was hoping you’d stay for dinner. I bought food for three.”

Jimin’s eyes widens. “O-oh.”

Jeongguk chuckles. “You really didn’t think I would just let you leave like that after taking care of Haesoo? I’m not rude hyung.”

“Of course not! But you really don’t have to.”

“I know, but I want to. So come and eat with us before you go.”

“Okay,” Jimin answers softly.

Jeongguk puts Haesoo down and heads to the kitchen, taking the takeout food with him. Haesoo takes Jimin’s hand and looks up at him. “Come on, Jiminie!”

Jimin giggles and let’s Haesoo drag him to the kitchen. He helps Haesoo climb up the chair, and the five-year-old immediately peeks inside the paperbag. “Wah! Bulgogi! Pajeon!”

“He loves green onion pancake.” Jeongguk mumbles, shaking his head. Jeongguk takes out the food from the paper bag. Jimin sits next to Haesoo, staring at the food in front of them. Jeongguk puts plates on the table. “Jimin hyung, do you want some rice?”

“Ah, no thank you.”

“Alright then.” Jeongguk answers, putting a bit of rice on Haesoo’s plate. “Haesoo, eat slowly okay?”

“Yes daddy,” Haesoo answers.

Jeongguk hands Jimin a set of new chopsticks. “Eat up, hyung! I bought a bit too much tonight since I’m just really happy right now. Think of this a celebration.”

Jimin takes the chopsticks from Jeongguk. “Thank you.”

Jeongguk asks Haesoo some questions about his day as they continue eating. Jimin just chews on his food as he listens to Haesoo telling Jeongguk about his day. Jeongguk listens attentively as usual, like the good father that he is.

“Jiminie said he doesn’t know about Old McDonald, so I will teach him.”

“Jiminie?” Jeongguk asks, sounding amused. “Shouldn’t you call him Uncle Jimin?”

“It’s fine,” Jimin interrupts. “I like it.”

“Jiminie is cute! Like Haesoo!” Haesoo says. “How about Minie?”

“You can call me that too.”

When they finish eating dinner, Jimin decides it’s time for him to leave them be and just watch them as a guardian angel. Jeongguk walks him to the door. “I hope Haesoo wasn’t too much to handle.”

Jimin smiles, shaking his head. “He wasn’t. He’s a really great kid, Jeongguk-ah. You raised him well.”

They stop in front of the door. “Thank you again, Jimin hyung. Looks like I was worried for nothing.”

“Right?” Jimin raises his eyebrow. “And from the looks of it, you look like you’re liking your new job.”

“It’s only been a day,” Jeongguk rubs the back of his neck. “But yeah, I do like it. I’ve been into drawing and making art since I was little, I never thought I’d be able to do it as a job.”

“I’m glad you accepted the job then.”

“It’s all thanks to you really,” Jeongguk says. “So let’s say I’ll be forever thankful for you.”

“I barely did anything. In the end, you still made that decision so it was all up to you,” Jimin turns around and grabs the door knob. “Good night Jeonggukie.”

“Good night hyung.”

After a month, Jimin just falls into a routine with his life as human. In the end he decides to get himself a place to stay as he starts feeling a certain exhaustion that he’s rarely ever felt before. He doesn’t think too much about it, maybe because he keeps materializing and dematerializing all the time.

Once he got his own place, he hasn’t really turned into his guardian angel form that much. He’s content on watching over Jeongguk and Haesoo in his human form, since he’s mostly always with them. Jimin still has his shift at the café, and the salary he gets is what he uses to pay his rent and even buy a few clothes for himself.

In shorter words, Jimin has been living as if he’s been human all his life, and it scares him somehow.

“Jiminie!”

Jimin is reeled away from his thoughts when he hears Haesoo calling out to him. Haesoo tilts his head as he stares at Jimin. “Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes. I was just thinking about something,” Jimin answers. “Is everything okay?”

“I finished it!” Haesoo points at the notebook in front of him, referring to his homework.

“Already?”

Haesoo nods. Jimin chuckles, ruffling Haesoo’s hair. “Okay, let me check on it then.” Jimin takes the notebook and checks if Haesoo’s answers are all correct. In the end they were all correct, and Jimin expects nothing more from Haesoo, since the child has always shown his intelligence.

“Alright, we finished your homework and we also had dinner, so it’s time for you to brush your teeth and head to bed.”

Haesoo pouts. “Can’t I wait for daddy?”

“But it’s almost your bed time. Don’t you feel sleepy?”

Haesoo’s forehead creases and he shakes his head. “No. I want to wait for daddy.”

“Okay, but only till eight thirty.” Jimin tells him. “Let’s watch cartoons for the meantime.”

“Yay! Thank you Jiminie.”

The two of them settle on the sofa. Jimin turns on the television and puts on some cartoon that Haesoo likes.

Ever since Jeongguk has begun his project, he became a bit busier. He comes home a little later than usual. Jimin doesn’t mind that much, but he’s worried that Haesoo will start missing his dad a bit too much.

“Jiminie...”

Jimin glances at Haesoo. “What is it bub?”

“I want to have a Christmas tree too.” Haesoo points at the television where the cartoon characters are decorating a Christmas tree.

Jimin looks around the apartment. He notices that their apartment is void of Christmas decorations, even if the holiday is coming up soon. “You never had a Christmas tree before?”

Haesoo shakes his head, pouting a bit. “Christmas tree look so tall and so pretty.”

Haesoo falls asleep not long after, his head leaning against Jimin as he slouches on the sofa. Jimin chuckles softly and turns down the volume of the television. Not long after, the door of the apartment opens and Jeongguk walks in, his hair a bit disheveled and all wrapped up due to the now cold weather. He puts down his bag and removes his scarf and coat before he walks over towards Jimin and Haesoo.

“Ah, did he try and wait up for me again?”

Jimin nods. “He just fell asleep actually.”

Jeongguk gently lifts up Haesoo from the sofa, and Haesoo slowly opens his eyes. “Daddy...”

“Hey. Let’s get you to bed, big guy.”

Haesoo puts his head on Jeongguk’s shoulder and starts closing his eyes again. “Daddy... I want a Christmas tree.”

Jeongguk pauses, but then he chuckles. He kisses Haesoo on the forehead. “Okay. We’ll get a Christmas tree.” He whispers, and starts walking towards Haesoo’s room.

Jimin gets up from the sofa and starts to get ready to leave. He wears his coat and puts his hands in his pocket and waits for Jeongguk to come back from Haesoo’s room.

Once Jeongguk comes out of Haesoo’s room, he gently closes the door behind him and walks over towards Jimin. “You’re leaving?”

“Well, yeah. You’re here now.” Jimin giggles.

Jeongguk nods. “Ah, of course. I’m sorry for being late hyung. I know you still have to get up early tomorrow morning.”

“Oh come on, it’s only nine in the evening. It might be late for Haesoo, but it’s not that late for me.”

Jeongguk chuckles. “Well, I guess you’re right. I think I’ll start working from home after this week so I can celebrate Christmas with Haesoo.”

“Oh, that’s nice Jeonggukie. Haesoo seems really excited for Christmas.”

“He is, he’s always loved Christmas.” Jeongguk smiles.

“Mmm, I should get going now.” Jimin turns around and grabs the door knob to head out, but Jeongguk stops him. “Hyung wait.”

Jimin looks back towards him and sees Jeongguk reaching over his scarf earlier. He grabs it and walks over to Jimin, wrapping it around Jimin’s neck gently.

Jimin feels frozen in place. The scarf smells strongly of Jeongguk, and Jimin just stands still as Jeongguk wraps him up in the scarf. Jimin feels his heartbeat increasing, and a blush creeping up his neck.

Jeongguk takes a step back as soon as he finishes wrapping the scarf around Jimin. “It’s really cold outside hyung. Take my scarf for the mean time.”

“O-okay... uhm, thank you.”

“Be careful.”

The next day, Jimin busies himself in the café by putting icings on the cupcakes and cakes. Taehyung is standing next to him, since he still hasn’t gotten along with the new barista that replaced Jeongguk.

“I can’t believe the year’s about to be over. I’m going to turn twenty-six in a few days, and then I’ll finally graduate soon and get a job related to my major!”

Jimin can’t help but smile and glance at Taehyung. “You’ve worked hard Taehyungie. I’m happy for you.”

Taehyung playfully elbows Jimin. “Thank you Jiminie.”

As soon as Jimin’s shift ends, he gets ready to leave and pick up Haesoo. He’s removed his apron and is about to head into the employee’s room to take his stuff when he notices Jeongguk entering the café.

“Jeonggukie!” Taehyung yells out loud. “You finally visited, you asshole!”

“You literally saw me four days ago.”

“But it wasn’t here.” Taehyung reasons out. “Anyway, you wanna order something?”

“I think I’ll have an iced latte. And you better make it like how I make it,” Jeongguk grins at Taehyung.

“You cocky brat,” Taehyung squints his eyes. “I make iced latte better than you do, you know.”

Jeongguk ignores him and glances at Jimin. “Hi hyung.”

Jimin tilts his head. “Jeongguk, what are you doing here?”

“I got to leave work early and decided to grab myself a drink before picking up Haesoo.”

“Oh,” Jimin can’t help but smile. “Haesoo will surely be surprised and happy to see you pick him up.”

“Yeah, I can’t wait to surprise him. It’s been a while since I picked him up,” Jeongguk says. “I always came to ask if you wanted to come with us, since your shift is already over.”

“Oh, where are you going?”

“After I pick up Haesoo, we’re going to shop for Christmas decors. Would you like to come?”

Jimin blinks. “You want me to come along?”

Jeongguk chuckles. “Well, yeah, if you want to. I’m sure Haesoo would like it if you come along too.”

“Okay,” Jimin smiles. “Let me go grab my stuff.”

Jimin quickly takes his stuff from the employee’s room and wears his coat and Jeongguk’s scarf. He heads back outside and sees Jeongguk waiting by the counter, drinking the iced latte Taehyung made him.

“I hope you don’t mind me using your scarf.”

“No I don’t mind at all,” Jeongguk answers. “Let’s go?”

Jimin nods.

“Have a great date you two!” Taehyung smiles teasingly while waving at them.

Jimin feels himself blushing, while Jeongguk almost chokes on his iced latte. Jeongguk glares at Taehyung and turns to Jimin. “Just ignore him. Let’s go.”

They walk out of the café and start walking to Haesoo’s daycare. “You know, the company actually allowed me to work from home for most days, and not just this holiday.”

Jimin turns to him. “Wow, really? That’s great!”

“Yeah. Though I have to go to the company from time to time to submit to them and listen to their feedbacks, but not as much as before.”

“Well I’m happy for you, everything turned out okay after all.”

“Right?” Jeongguk chuckles. “I guess I was just scared to move to a new path. I kept thinking of the worse possible outcomes if I accepted the offer and I only thought of the great outcomes when you convinced me.”

“Here we go again,” Jimin rolls his eyes playfully. “I told you, it was still your call.”

“I know, but I wouldn’t have made that call if you didn’t talk me through it.”

Jimin chuckles. “I just wanted what’s best for you. When I heard from Taehyung, I already knew you had to accept the offer.”

When they reach Haesoo’s daycare, it was exactly dismissal time. Today was Haesoo’s last day at daycare for the year, and next year Jeongguk is hopefully going to enroll him in a pre-school. When Haesoo comes out of the door, Jeongguk waves at him.

“Daddy!” Haesoo yells out excitedly. Jeongguk chuckles, walking over towards Haesoo and lifting him up. “Surprise!”

Haesoo giggles loudly. “You’re here!”

“I am! And you know what we’re gonna do now?”

“What, what!”

“We’re gonna buy a Christmas tree!” Jeongguk nuzzles his nose against Haesoo’s cheek.

“We are?!” Haesoo starts wriggling in Jeongguk’s arms. “Let’s go let’s go!”

“Okay, okay!” Jeongguk laughs, putting the five-year-old down. “Say hi to Jiminie first.”

Haesoo turns around and faces Jimin, jumping up and down. “Jiminie! We’re gonna buy a Christmas tree!”

Jimin can’t help but laugh too. Haesoo looks so excited, it brings a certain joy in Jimin’s heart. “You are!”

“Come on, come on!” Haesoo grabs both Jimin and Jeongguk’s hand and starts trying to drag them.

Jimin and Jeongguk share a glance and smile at each other as they let themselves be dragged by the five-year-old.

They take a cab to the Itaewon and as soon as they arrive, they start walking towards a certain shop that sells Christmas decors. Jeongguk has Haesoo in his arms, too wary to let him walk along with them since there are a lot of people around. “For now, we’ll get an artificial tree okay?”

“What’s artikisial tree?”

“Artificial,” Jeongguk corrects, chuckling. “It means it’s a fake Christmas tree.”

“Ohh, why can’t we get a real one?”

“I don’t think it will fit in our home baby,” Jeongguk explains. “We can get a real one when we move to a bigger house.”

“Okay!” Haesoo answers happily.

When they arrive at the shop, Haesoo gasps, looking around the Christmas trees scattered around and the decors hanging all over the place. Jeongguk glances at Jimin. “Hyung, can you pick out the decors while Haesoo and I go and pick out a tree?”

Jimin nods. “Oh, sure! What decors are we talking out?”

“Maybe some Christmas balls, lights, garlands, poinsettias, some santa socks and hats and figurines, whatever.”

Jimin laughs. “My, my. You have a big budget, Jeonggukie.”

Jeongguk just shakes his head. “If this makes Haesoo happy then it’s worth it.”

“Daddy let’s go!”

Jeongguk and Haesoo head towards the Christmas trees, while Jimin takes a basket and heads over to the Christmas decors. Jimin pauses when he realizes he didn’t ask Jeongguk what color is he supposed to pick for the decors. He turns around and tries looking for Jeongguk and Haesoo, but they’re nowhere to be seen.

Jimin decides to pick a silver and blue color scheme. He picks up the decors he thinks are pretty enough to be hung around Jeongguk’s apartment. He stops when he sees a figurine of an angel. He smiles, staring at it for a while.

“Excuse me, are you going to take that?”

Jimin quickly takes a step back. “O-oh, no. Sorry.”

The old woman picks up the angel figurine. Jimin quickly turns around and resumes looking for decors. Once he feels like all he picked are enough, he goes to the Christmas trees section to look for Haesoo and Jeongguk.

“Jeongguk!”

Jeongguk turns around. Jimin walks over to them and shows him the basket. “Is this enough? I picked the colors silver and blue because I think they go well. Maybe I should’ve picked green and red because they’re the colors of Christmas... if you want I can change it—“

“No, that’s fine.” Jeongguk says. “I like it.”

“Oh, okay!”

“We already picked a Christmas tree,” Jeongguk says. “It’s not that big, but not that small either. I asked Seokjin hyung to pick us up so we won’t have a hard time carrying all these stuff.”

“Daddy, look how big that one is!” Haesoo says, pointing at the tallest Christmas tree there is. “Woah. It’s even taller than you daddy! Even taller than Uncle Seokjin and Uncle Taetae!”

Jeongguk chuckles. “Come one bub, let’s pay for our tree.”

Haesoo nods, gripping onto Jeongguk’s hand. “Okay.”

Once Jeongguk pays for everything, they wait for Seokjin to arrive just outside the shop. Jimin glances at Haesoo, making sure he’s all warm.

“Oh! It’s snowing!” Haesoo yells.

Jimin looks up, and at that moment a snowflake lands on his nose.

“Snow!” Haesoo giggles.

Some people who are walking around also stop and admire the snow. Some people just keep walking, not even bothered by the snow.

“Jiminie, you look like an angel!”

Jimin snaps his head towards Haesoo, his eyes wide. Haesoo is smiling widely at him. “There’s snow on your hair!”

Jimin blinks. He glances at Jeongguk, who seems to be looking at him fondly.

Before Jimin could say anything, Seokjin arrives. Jeongguk starts loading in their stuff, including the Christmas tree. Seokjin glances at all their stuff. “Wow, you really went all out Jeongguk.”

Jeongguk shrugs. “I guess it’s time I bring some Christmas spirit in our apartment, right Haesoo?”

Haesoo nods eagerly. “Christmas! Ho ho ho!”

Seokjin laughs, and he starts to drive. “Jimin, you want me to just drop you home?”

“Huh?” Haesoo glances at Jimin. “Jiminie, you go home?”

“Uh, well yeah bub. We finished buying the stuff didn’t we?”

“But we need to desorate!”

“Decorate.” Seokjin corrects.

“Oh, I think you and your dad will do the decorating Haesoo.”

“No Jiminie!” Haesoo pouts. “You desorate too! Please?”

Jimin chews on his bottom lip. “Uhm...”

“Come on, hyung.” Jeongguk says softly. “Help us out for a while. Please?”

Jimin takes a deep breath. “Alright, fine.”

When they arrive at the apartment, Haesoo starts jumping next to the dismantled tree. “Let’s go let’s go!”

Jeongguk chuckles. “Let’s give you a bath first before we start okay?”

Haesoo pouts. “Why? Let’s desorate now!”

Jimin gently taps Haesoo’s nose with his index finger. “You need to be clean if you want to put up Christmas decors. Santa won’t like it if a dirty boy will put up the Christmas tree.”

Haesoo immediately takes of his backpack and runs to his room. Jeongguk mouths a thank you at Jimin and follows Haesoo in his room. Jimin shakes his head fondly and glances at all the stuff they bought laid on the ground.

When Haesoo comes back all fresh and dresses in his pajamas, he immediately kneels and points at the tree. “Daddy come on!”

“Alright alright!” Jeongguk chuckles, kneeling down next to Haesoo. Jimin kneels down across them and helps out in assembling the tree. The tree they picked up was almost the same height as Jeongguk, and fit just right in their apartment. They assemble it in less than twenty minutes, and as soon as it’s standing, Haesoo keeps jumping around in excitement.

“It’s time to decorate it.”

“Desorate!”

Jeongguk laughs, pulling Haesoo towards him and showering him with lots of kisses. Haesoo starts giggling loudly, his small hands trying to push his dad away. Jimin just stands behind them, watching. It’s been a while since the two of them looked like this. Jeongguk hasn’t looked this happy in the past years that Jimin has watched over him.

“Okay come on, let’s finish this so we can eat.” Jeongguk says, letting go of Haesoo. He turns around and looks at Jimin. “Hyung, come on. Don’t just stand there!”

“Right! Sorry!” Jimin mumbles, picking up a box of Christmas balls.

They start decorating the tree in no time. Jimin hangs the balls in an organized manner, while Haesoo puts the poinsettias anywhere he likes. Jeongguk was in charge of the lights, and he wraps it around the tree carefully.

When Haesoo takes out the ribbon, he runs towards Jimin and starts wrapping Jimin in the ribbon. Jimin watches him amusingly. “Haesoo, what are you doing!”

Haesoo just giggles as he keeps running around Jimin while wrapping him in the long ribbon. Once he finishes up all the ribbon, he jumps back. “Tada!”

“Good job,” Jeongguk grins, putting his hands on his hips as he looks at Jimin just standing still while wrapped in the ribbon. Haesoo really didn’t wrap it around him tightly, but Jimin pretends that he can’t move for Haesoo’s entertainment. “What is this?”

“Daddy idea!”

“Jeongguk!” Jimin glares at him.

“It’s funny,” Jeongguk chuckles. “You look like a gift.”

“Jiminie is good gift.” Haesoo adds. “Gift to Haesoo and daddy.”

Jimin’s expression softens, and so does Jeongguk’s. Haesoo walks over to him and pulls away the loose ribbon. “Jiminie! Promise you won’t leave us okay?”

Jimin bends down and gives Haesoo a tight hug. “Okay, I promise.” he whispers.

When they finish up with decorating, Jeongguk makes dinner. After dinner, Haesoo keeps staring at the Christmas tree in and and playing with the decorations until the exhaustion finally comes to him. Jeongguk takes him to bed, and Jimin gets ready to leave.

When Jeongguk comes out of the room, he walks Jimin to the door like he usually does. “You know, Haesoo is right.”

“What?”

“You’re like a gift to us,” Jeongguk says softly. “But in a good way.”

Jimin chuckles. “What does that mean?”

“It’s like we’ve needed you all along.” Jeongguk explains.

“Jeongguk...”

“I’m just saying, hyung.” He says. “You don’t have to think too much about it.”

But Jimin does.

“Good night Jeongguk.” He says quietly, grabbing the door knob.

“Good night hyung. Be careful.”

When Jimin starts walking back to his apartment, he can’t help but think about what Jeongguk said. We’ve needed you all along.

Of course they did. He was Jeongguk’s guardian angel after all, so that included Haesoo too. Jimin digs his hands in the pocket of his coat.

The image of Haesoo asking Jimin not to leave them flashes in his mind again. At some point, Jimin has to leave them, but at the same time he isn’t. He’ll still be there as their guardian angel, but not as Park Jimin. Why did Jimin even answer Haesoo when he knows he’ll disappear soon?

Did I make the wrong decision? No, it will be fine. Jimin thinks. When Jeongguk finally settles down and finds himself a significant other, they won’t even think about Jimin anymore. Jeongguk will finally have someone to lean on, just like how he’s leaning on Jimin right now.

When Jimin reaches his apartment, he pushes the doors open and sighs. He starts taking off his jacket, but he pauses when he notices a figure sitting on his two-seater sofa. Jimin slowly reaches over the light switch and presses it. When the room finally lights up and shows the figure, Jimin gasps. “A-Archangel Kwangjo.”

“Jimin,” the archangel stands up from the sofa. He looks at Jimin intently. “So it is true.”

Jimin tries opening his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. He feels like he’s frozen in his place.

The archangel slowly walks towards him. “I wouldn’t have known you’d do something like this, Jimin. You’re one of the best guardians we’ve had.”

“I-I can explain, sir!” Jimin quickly says. “I-It’s just—“

“Jimin,” Kwangjo shakes his head. He takes out the glowing handcuffs from behind him. “I’m sorry, I’ll have you take you back up for judgment.”

“W-wait! Archangel!” Jimin cries out. “I-I was... it was...”

Kwangjo stares at him, the handcuffs dangling from his grip.

Jimin tries to say something, so think of an excuse or a reason that will get him out of his situation. But nothing comes into his mind. He made his decision on his own, and he didn’t even regret it. He thought he did, but he really doesn’t.

Tears well up in his eyes when he offers his wrists to Kwangjo. Kwangjo gives him a disappointed look, and puts on the handcuffs on him. When Kwangjo grabs him by the arm, Jimin squeezes his eyes shut and bows his head. He can’t do anything but accept his fate.

Jiminie! Promise you won’t leave us okay?

When Jimin opens his eyes, he’s back in paradise. A lot of angels are crowded up in front of him, looks of shock, confusion, and disappointment on their faces.

Jimin falls on his knees with his wrists still cuffed. Jimin hastly scans the crowd, and when his eyes meet with Hoseok and Yoongi, it’s then that the tears in his eyes start to slide down his cheek. Hoseok and Yoongi look shocked, and Hoseok even looks teary eyed.

“Guardian Jimin has broken one of the major rules of the kingdom,” Archangel Kwangjo announces. “Jimin has revealed himself to the humans and lived among them on earth.”

The angels all gasp. Jimin bows his head, staring at the ground with his eyes wide.

“Because of this, Jimin will receive a crucial punishment.” Archangel Kwangjo announces. “Jimin will go through judgment with the council as soon as possible to determine his fate.”

Archangel Kwangjo then turns around and faces the angels who serve as guards in the kingdom. Jimin remains in his place, not bothering to lift up his head and look at everyone in the eye.

“Jimin!” Hoseok runs towards Jimin, kneeling in front of him. “Jimin, w-what is this?”

Jimin feels himself start to cry again. He doesn’t dare raise his head and face Hoseok. He just shakes his head instead. “I’m sorry hyung.”

“P-please tell me this is a mistake,” Hoseok whispers. “This is a mistake... right?”

Jimin sobs and shakes his head again.

Jimin hears Hoseok sob as well. “Jimin... why?”

“I’m sorry hyung. I’m sorry.”

“Guardian Hoseok, please step back.”

Jimin feels himself get lifted by the guards. When he finally meets eyes with Hoseok, he can see how horrified Hoseok looks. Hoseok slowly takes a step back, but the tears in his eyes slide down his cheek.

“Let’s go.” The guard says sternly, dragging Jimin away.

Jimin spends the days before his judgment in a cell. He should be thinking about his fate and how he can escape it, but instead he finds himself thinking about what Jeongguk and Haesoo are doing, if they’re safe, and if they’re okay. They must be worried about Jimin. It’s probably been days since he hasn’t showed up, even at work. Taehyung and Moonbyul must also be worrying about him.

When the day of his judgment arrives, Jimin is brought to the council of the archangels. He’s still in handcuffs, and he kneels on the marble floor in front of the archangels in the council.

“Guardian Jimin,” the archangel in the middle calls out. “You are called here in the council to determine your fate. You have broken the major rule of all guardian angels and showed yourself to humans – your human, and lived among the humans. Because of this, you will be receiving crucial punishment.”

Jimin bows his head in defeat.

I’m sorry Hoseok hyung, Yoongi hyung... Jeongguk I’m sorry. Haesoo... I’m sorry I couldn’t fulfill my promise.

“Guardian Jimin, the council has decided your punishment; you will be stripped off your angelic powers and become a fallen.”

Jimin lifts his head up, breathing heavily.

“Jimin is to be kicked out of paradise permanently, and to live among the humans as a human himself.”

Jimin suddenly stop shaking. A fallen. An angel stripped off his power and becomes a human.

“Guardian Jimin, who have brought this fate to yourself. You have no other choice than to accept.”

Jimin nods. “I-I... I accept my fate.”

The archangels glance at each other. Jimin closes his eyes and sees Hoseok and Yoongi in his mind. He’ll never see them again.

I won’t forget about you, hyungs.

“By the power vested of the council, you are hereby stripped off your angelic powers and are to be sent live among the humans and experience what they experience, including death.”

When Jimin opens his eyes, all he sees is white. He feels his body start burning up, and he tries to let out a scream, but nothing comes out of his mouth. The burning feeling starts to worsen and Jimin tries to make it stop. He tries screaming again, but in the feels his consciousness start slipping away.

“Hyung! Hyung... Jimin hyung!”

“Jimin hyung... are you there? Hyung!”

Jimin opens his eyes and sits up, gasping for air. The burning feeling he felt suddenly gone. He looks at his body to check for scars and burns, but he sees nothing. Instead he feels... human.

But haven’t you been feeling human for a while now?”

“Hyung! It’s Jeongguk...”

Jimin looks around and notices he’s in his apartment. The knocking on his door finally sinks in to him, and he quickly gets up from his room and runs towards the door.

As soon as Jimin opens the door, Jeongguk’s eyes widen. “H-hyung.”

Jimin feels the tears well up in his eyes. He launches himself onto Jeongguk into an embrace and cries. “Jeongguk...”

“Hyung, what happened? I was so worried.” Jeongguk immediately hugs him back. “I thought I lost you.”

“I’m sorry.” Jimin cries.

“What happened?” Jeongguk asks softly, rubbing his hand on Jimin’s back. “Hyung...”

“I’m sorry. I won’t ever leave y-you, or Haesoo... not until my death.”

“Hyung, what are you talking about?” Jeongguk slowly pushes him away to look at him in the eyes.

“I’m... I...”

Jeongguk wipes away Jimin’s tears. “Hey, hyung, it’s okay... if it helps. I won’t leave you too.”

Jimin looks up at him with teary eyes.

“I want you to be in mine and Haesoo’s life permanently. I-I don’t think I’ll want anyone else but you.”

“What?”

Jeongguk presses their forehead together. “You said you won’t ever leave me and Haesoo right? Then stay in our life forever Jimin.”

Jimin can’t help but cry even more. “I can’t protect you and Haesoo anymore.”

“What do you mean?” Jeongguk asks, sounding desperate. “I don’t understand hyung.”

“I just can’t... I-I want to keep protecting you but I can’t because I’m weak now.”

“Then I’ll protect you,” Jeongguk whispers. “Then it’s my turn to protect you.”

Jimin’s eyes widens. He stares into Jeongguk eyes intently. “You’ll protect me?”

“With what I can,” Jeongguk answers, rubbing their nose together affectionately.

Jimin nods. “Okay.” He whispers, pressing their lips together.

Jeongguk kisses him back in an instant.

“Does this mean you’ll stay?” Jeongguk whispers as soon as they lean away from each other.

Jimin nods. “I’m not going anywhere Jeongguk.”

“That’s the end?”

Jeon Haesoo nods, leaning back against his seat. “Yes sir.”

The editor-in-chief, Lee Songhyuk, raises his eyebrow, glancing at the manuscript in front of him. “Haesoo, I’m not so sure about this. This kind of genre, this is really different from the ones you usually make.”

“I know,” Haesoo answers. “But this story... it’s important to me. You asked me to give you the best story I could think of, then there you have it.”

Songhyuk chuckles. “Angels, Haesoo? Really?”

Haesoo tilts his head. “Take it or leave it, Songhyuk. You kept rushing me to create a story so I can publish something after years, but here you are, doubting my work. And here I was thinking I was your favorite.” He teases.

“Fine,” Songhyuk says, sighing. “But can you at least change the ending? I feel like it’s not enough. The readers will want to know more.”

“Then let their minds wander on their own.” Haesoo says calmly. “The ending I wrote is fine. It’s what I want.”

“Alright. I’ll talk to the team about this.” Songhyuk says.

Haesoo smiles. “Thank you.”

When Haesoo leaves the company, he can’t help but feel light-hearted. He takes out his wallet from his pocket and looks at the photo he keeps inside it. The photo had three people in it, with Haesoo in the middle when he was still ten years old. On both his sides were his parents, Jeongguk and Jimin.

Haesoo smiles as he remembers one of the best moments in his life.

 “Appa!” Haesoo launches onto Jimin in an embrace.

“Someone’s clingy today,” Jimin laughs, hugging Haesoo back.

“Can you tell me your story now?”

“Hmm? Which one?”

“The one you said you’d tell me someday! Please Appa? It’s my birthday soon and I’m gonna turn ten!”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Appa!” Haesoo whines.

Jimin laughs even more. “Okay, fine, since you insist.”

Haesoo’s eyes widen. He quickly sits straight in front of Jimin.

“You promise to believe me no matter what?”

“I’ll always believe you, Appa.”

“Okay,” Jimin flashes him a soft smile. “I was once an angel.”