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Seokjin would like to say that he had lived a good life.
He had a nice face that both girls and boys liked, enough for him to receive love letters throughout high school and got dates whenever he wasn’t busy during college. After getting a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts and master’s degree in business management, he had successfully opened his co-owned restaurant, proudly named Epiphany, with his cousin Taehyung who was devastatingly bad at cooking yet a genius when it comes to marketing their establishment.
Also, despite having the job of running his own restaurant, the highlight of his good life was actually the fact that Seokjin currently lived with his roommate. One Jeon Jungkook whom Taehyung had adopted back in college (“He has his own parents, Taehyung-ah,”
“Who live all the way in Busan, hyung. He’s ours now!”).
Back before Jungkook had arrived in Seoul, before Seokjin and Taehyung successfully opened their restaurant, both brothers had lived together in a small yet fully furnished and comfortable apartment. Then the brat just had to betray him by moving in with his boyfriend Namjoon and leaving the before-successful-restaurant-owner Seokjin to deal with rent (“You betrayed me for another Kim!”
“Hyung, we’re in love”).
Dramatic as he might have been, Taehyung didn’t actually leave him without something, or in this case, someone.
The brat had grinned at him, as if he had solved some problem that only a genius could do: by explaining that Jeon Jungkook was new in town and in need of a place to live. He was a photography student who was passionate about art, dance and video games, Seokjin soon learned. The boy’s roommate was a dick and even though he was a freshman at their university, Jungkook had been smart enough to apply for a part-time job at the university’s cafe before the semester even began. He told Seokjin as the latter interviewed him for the roommate position that he would use the job to pay his share of rent.
A week later, Taehyung moved out, Jungkook moved in and the rest was history.
Some of his friends had asked him why didn’t he just move to another bigger, more luxurious apartment. Hell, he could afford one himself without relying on a roommate’s share thanks to his job now. But the thing is, he had grown comfortable - too comfortable, in fact - in living with Jungkook.
They have been living together since Jungkook was a freshman. Excluding each of their own military periods, that made it approximately five years of them living together. Five years were enough time for Seokjin to be introduced to Jungkook, got to know him from an adorable and shy boy to an adorable, bratty and gorgeous young man (years of working out and being in the military did wonders for the younger, not gonna lie. The tattoos and piercings the boy got after he came home also didn’t help Jin’s heart muscles every time he wore a sleeveless shirt), to eventually and inevitably fall in love with him.
It should have weird him out. He had basically took Jungkook in his wings by showing him the good parts of Seoul, spoiling him with his foods (that are now recommended menus at his restaurant), taking care of him when he’s sick, scolding him when he overworked himself with essays and dance practice, cuddling him when he’s had cases of homesickness and was craving to see his family in Busan, playing video games with him and running around like brats and nothing like the adults they were, joking and bantering with him just in general. Jungkook was practically his brother, but as years go by, Seokjin began to see him in no way the same as he saw Taehyung.
Seokjin didn’t want to smother Taehyung with kisses and crush him in his hugs. He didn’t want to wake up next to him every morning or cook him breakfast, lunch and dinner (preferably until they’re old and gray). He definitely did not want his cousin underneath him, whether it’s for a tickling match or god forbid-- sex.
So yes, despite being a successful co-owner of a well-known restaurant, Kim Seokjin didn’t want to leave this comfortable place he called home. A home where the love of his life who was completely oblivious to his feelings currently lived in.
So Seokjin was a simple man. He was living the good and stable life. But nothing in life was eternal was it? Life was going good for him until it wasn’t, because which part of waking up as some kind of squirrel was considered good?
Wait no- not a squirrel. Some kind of sugar glider that he had wanted to adopt all year but never got the chance to because of how busy he was.
“A RAT!” It takes a moment for him to realize that one of his waiters and long-time friend, Hoseok, had screamed at him. “A RAT IN THE KITCHEN!”
“Fuck, keep your voice down! You don’t want the customers to hear!” His main chef and even longer friend, Yoongi, hissed while holding a big bowl of pan tightly in his hands- wait, was he trying to trap Seokjin in it!? No way in hell-
Suddenly, the door to the back of the restaurant opened and in came his savior in the form of Jungkook, looking all alarmed and confused. Despite months ago Seokjin had given him a special privilege in letting him come through the back door anytime he wanted, all his staffs had fallen in love with the young one, so they never minded his visits. “Hyungs! What’s going on-”
Seokjin didn’t think, he leapt.
Hoseok let out a shriek while hiding behind Hueningkai who had a roll pin and a whisk in his hands, both screaming bloody murder.“Gahhh! Jungkook, look out!” “Jungkook-hyung, run away!”
Thankfully Jungkook, the ever brave boy, didn’t duck or even slap Seokjin away, but instead caught him firmly in his arms. Going on purely by instincts, Seokjin crawled into the inside of the younger man’s jacket and stayed there trembling in his tiny form.
“Jungkook-ah, don’t. Move.” The boy froze as Yoongi took careful steps towards him, but when he heard a squeak from his chest, Jungkook slowly pulled the collar of his hoodie and was met with the cutest, smallest pair of eyes.
“Oh.”
“Oh!? That’s a rat, baby, get away from it before it gives you rabies!”
“Umm, I’m not sure what this is, but I don’t think it’s a rat, hyung.” Jungkook answered Hoseok while still looking at the small thing with wonder before his eyes brightened in recognition. “No, wait- you’re a sugar glider, aren’t you little fella?”
Seokjin’s heart almost stopped when Jungkook beamed at him with an angelic smile. Heaven, here he comes.
“Are you sure, hyung?” Yeonjun eyed him while taking away the role pin and whisk from Kai after deeming that the kitchen wasn’t in danger anymore.
Jungkook nodded. “Yeah, Jin-hyung’s dying to adopt one of these since last year and he showed me pictures. Where is he, anyway?”
‘Here! Hyung’s right here, JK!’ Seokjin cried, but what came out of him were only sounds of squeaking that gathered everyone’s attention again. “Aww, it’s okay, buddy. Don’t be afraid, you’re safe with me.” At another smile, Seokjin felt his panic immediately subside and calmed down somewhat.
“Hyung took a nap in his office about an hour ago, but he’s not there anymore.” Taehyun said from his post in front of a simmering steak, eyes wide while staring at the marsupial peeking out of Jungkook’s hoodie.
“Weird. Usually if something happened in the kitchen, he’d be the first one running in here screaming.” Yeonjun voiced his thoughts. “Also, if he had any business meetings he’d inform us beforehand. Did Seokjin-hyung say anything to you guys?” Taehyun and Kai shook their head.
“Hyungs?” The blond asked Yoongi and Hoseok, to which they answered negative.
The occupants in the kitchen then heard the window to the eating area slide open, revealing Soobin who hissed, “Guys, what happened? What’s taking the food so long, the customers are waiting!”
“And did I hear an ‘R’ word?” Beomgyu murmured next to Soobin, expression baffled, “Because if the customers found out, they ain’t gonna like it-”
“Wraps! I said wraps- for chicken wrap! A new menu Yoongi invented for our dear customers!” Hoseok shouted for the customers to hear, making a few heads turn at their direction.
“Right,” Yoongi deadpanned, “everybody get back to work! This never happened.” He said the last part with a low voice filled with threat and it made everyone quickly nod and scram to their individual tasks. He then turned to his dongsaeng while carefully eyeing between him and the possum.
“I know you came here to visit, Kook-ah, but if you could do hyung a favor…”
“Of course, hyungie, I’ll take care of this guy for you.” The older sighs before turning back to his stove.
“Take some cookies, Kookie-ah.”
“You’re hilarious, hyung.” The boy teased while helping himself to the jar of delicacies anyway.
“Jin-hyung’s not here, so I gotta do his part for him.” The chef sighs again, turning his head towards Jungkook while stirring some stew. “When he gets home, smack him for me for not being here the one time there’s trouble actually happening, would you?”
“As you wish, Yoongi-hyung! See you!” And that’s how Seokjin found himself back at his and Jungkook’s apartment - after he was taken to a clinic where he was deemed safe and not carrying any diseases. If he could scoff he would, because no matter what he turned into, Kim Seokjin was perfection in body, thank you very much. Flees and animal diseases be damned.
Back to Jungkook and him; as soon as they got home, the younger took his time in making a post on a lost pets website (Seokjin could only hope no one would come and ‘get’ him, claiming he was theirs just because he’s cute). He also ordered a bunch of fruits and milk from a groceries app while also adding a small and convenient cage in another online app as a list to buy.
Huh. Jungkook looked as if he already knew the basic needs of taking care of a sugar glider.
“Now that that’s done,” Jungkook put his phone down and cradled Jin in his hands. “What should I name you?”
Jin squeaked.
“You know, I kinda wish you’re not anyone’s. I’ve been thinking of getting Jin-hyung a pet as a parting gift and like I said, he’s dying to have one of you. You’re like, some kind of angel sent from heavens.” The boy laughed humorlessly and Jin could feel his blood running cold.
Right.
Last night Seokjin and Jungkook had a big fight because the boy had announced, out of nowhere, that he was moving out.
Despite being very busy these past few months, Seokjin noticed Jungkook was becoming distant. Coming home late and leaving early in the mornings when he knew the latter didn’t have much commission this month.
Now even though Seokjin had a crush the size of a mountain for his dongsaeng, he knew his line. He’s not Jungkook’s keeper and most definitely did not control his life. But he thought that their friendship ran deeper than that.
Jungkook had said that he would be moving in with one of his friends that owned an apartment. The man was his long lost childhood friend from Busan who had shown up one day a few months ago and started working in the same office as Jungkook, but where the younger was a freelancer, his friend had the position of head of PR who was transferred to the Seoul branch. Since then the man had taken Seokjin’s precious time with Jungkook.
The younger had also talked about Park Jimin so much that Seokjin eventually figured it out: He had started dating this Jimin not long after they rekindled their friendship. And now they’ve decided to move in together.
Seokjin wasn’t 100% sure of his conclusions, but what else would be the reason that Jungkook was distant these past weeks and would suddenly tell him that he was moving out?
This happened last night, and because of how busy Seokjin was, added with the stress of the sudden news, their awkward conversation had turned into yelling and accusations until eventually the older left. He had went to the restaurant to sleep in his office and spent all night thinking before Taehyun interrupted him in the morning. He was one of Seokjin’s youngest staff but also one of the most perceptive person Seokjin knew, so it wasn’t a surprise when Taehyun only bid him good night so Seokjin could take a nap (after the young part-timer kindly fed him some muffins).
One hour later, Seokjin woke up as a sugar glider, and all hell broke loose.
“How about Cooky?” Jin snapped his head up, shoulders falling when he was faced with Jungkook’s sad smile. “Nah, seems a bit cruel that I’m leaving him and he’d get reminded by me every time he calls your name, isn’t it?”
Seokjin wanted to cry. He made a whining noise and Jungkook looked at him in shock. “Oh no, are you crying? Don’t cry, little guy.” The boy lifted him to his shoulder and patted him comfortingly. The way Jungkook’s hand was so big and warm made Seokjin feel so safe. Soon enough, he let out a chirping sound and purred, relishing in the comfort and safety given to him.
Noon became night. Jungkook gave him some banana and avocados, two foods that suddenly looked very appetizing to him, either because he was in the body of a possum or because he was so goddamn hungry. After finishing his meal, Seokjin found himself feeling sleepy.
“The cage hasn’t arrived yet, so you’ll be sleeping with me. Please don’t poop in my pillow, okay, Jinnie?” Jungkook said his name was only temporary, at least until his ‘owner’ contacted him, or when Seokjin gives him a new name, if he were to adopt him. Ha. Seokjin adopting himself. Classic. “Jin-hyung’s probably sleeping at the restaurant again tonight. I’ll tell him about you tomorrow.”
Not wanting to confuse himself even further, Seokjin made himself comfortable next to Jungkook’s head on the pillow. For once, he didn’t want to think about anything. Not his restaurant nor his current state, and definitely not about Jungkook who was going to leave him.
Seokjin woke up in abrupt. Not because of him suddenly remembering that he’s in a body which couldn’t speak, but because of Jungkook’s sounds of distress. He quickly jumped out of bed and went out of the boy’s bedroom, surprised and displeased to see his dongsaeng in tears while talking on the phone.
“I don’t- I don’t know, hyung, he’s not here. H-he hasn’t come home for days, and- and Yoongi-hyung said he hasn’t come in since yesterday, and he’s not at Taetae-hyung’s! I-I’m- w-what if he ran into some trouble or- or was in an accident and I didn’t know?” Seokjin’s heart broke at the sight of Jungkook hiccupping while trying to talk, his face was blotched with tears and snot that he’s been trying to brush off with the sleeve of his oversized shirt. “We-we fought the last night I s-saw him. What if the l-last thing we ever did was f-fight each other? What if he got hurt because of m-me!”
Jungkook wailed as he sunk to the floor, his back against the wall while clutching his phone for dear life. “Jungkookie, calm down, baby please! You’re having a panic attack, Kookie! Take a deep breath for me, please!”
Seokjin made a crying noise that went unheard by the panting boy. Jungkook’s form was tense, he was trembling and his breaths were short to the point of wheezing. The voice on the phone, which was unfamiliar to Seokjin, kept begging for Jungkook to calm down. But there’s nothing both they and Seokjin could do to help the boy.
Jungkook, his baby, was having a panic attack and Seokjin could do nothing.
If only he weren’t stuck in this useless, small body!
Fuck whoever did this to him, he’ll fucking kill them once Jungkook was okay again.
Help him!
Help Jungkook!
I don’t care what happens to me, just please somebody help my Jungkook!
Seokjin clawed at Jungkook’s sweatpants, calling for his attention to no avail because the younger had gone too deep. The last time Jungkook had a panic attack was five months ago. Seokjin was always the one who comforted him whenever the younger had them and it killed him that he was the cause of this one.
Jungkook’s eyes fell shut as he clutched his heaving chest in pain while Seokjin could do nothing but watch in horror as the young man collapsed sideways to the floor.
Fuck no, not Jungkook!
Jungkook!
Jungkook! Jungkook! Jungkook!
“JUNGKOOK!”
Seokjin watched with blurry vision as Jungkook gasped awake, his body writhing and trying to get away from the hands that were grounding him. He wheezed again, trying to get air in his lungs so he could breathe.
“That’s right, breathe for me, baby. You’re doing a great job. Breathe for hyung, okay? You’re going to be alright, hyung’s here. Hyung’s here, so just breathe,” It took a few moments for Seokjin to realize that he could talk, that it was his hands that were holding Jungkook up-- that Seokjin was somehow human again.
But none of it mattered, because Jungkook was the only thing that mattered right now. Right ever.
Jungkook coughed loudly into Jin’s chest, one hand clutching the elder’s shoulder for dear life. His body was still trembling but the latter could see that the former was starting to breathe normally again. He continued voicing sweet, comforting words to the boy, murmuring praises while carefully cradling him. Not too tight to give Jungkook some space to breathe, but he also kept a firm grip on him because he was afraid of letting his dongsaeng go.
After what seemed like hours, Jungkook dazedly blinked at Seokjin, asking with a hoarse voice, “Hyung… you- you were a sugar glider…”
Seokjin let out a laugh that almost sounded hysterical. “Yeah, Kook-ah. Don’t ask how it happened, but hyung was an animal.”
“Humans are animals, though… a-and… you’re naked,” The young one blushed.
“And you just scared the living crap out of me, Jesus Christ,” Seokjin bit his bottom lip while knocking his forehead against Jungkook’s in defeat, willing his naked arms to tighten around the younger man’s weak form.
This whole situation was downright ridiculous and beyond believable, but as long as Jungkook was safe in his arms, Seokjin didn’t care about anything else.
Seokjin had carried Jungkook to bed and hastily searched for clothes, but the latter had whimpered when the older started to walk out of his room, so he opted to pull a shirt and some pants from Jungkook’s closet. Things were silent for about ten minutes, with the older rubbing Jungkook’s back and the younger clutching his shirt, before the door to their apartment was almost broken down from their hinges by one Park Jimin.
“Don’t you ever do that to me again, you brat, or I’ll freaking gut you,” Jungkook, now sitting against the headboard of his bed, let out a weak chuckle as Jimin’s words contradicted his actions. The younger patted his Busan hyung who was currently hugging him so tight, as if he didn’t plan on letting him go forever.
But the blond eventually pulled away to send a murderous glare at Seokjin. “And you! Who do you think you are, making Jungkook worry to the point that he fainted! I know you’re his hyung, but-”
“Look, I’m not going to deny the fact that Jungkook had a panic attack because of me, but in no way that I wanted any of this to happen, especially not to Jungkook. So before you dictate me like some overprotective boyfriend, remember that I’ve known Jungkook longer than you and that he’s very precious to me.” Seokjin was proud to say that his voice hadn’t tremble as he defended himself. He knew his faults, but to be accused of hurting Jungkook on purpose was out of line.
The gaping man, Jimin, sat with his mouth opening and closing as if he couldn’t choose which word to come out next. But he eventually shouted, “Boyfriend!?”
Seokjin blinked.
“Yes? Jungkook said he was going to move in with you, right?” He stared at Jimin before moving his gaze towards Jungkook (who was still pale and weak looking, but also very much in shock). “Right?”
“Unbelievable,” Jimin growled. “See, this is why I told you to communicate with him! Misunderstandings happen, Jungkook-ah!”
At that, Jungkook’s mouth formed into a pout, and both Seokjin and Jimin’s eyes widened in horror when the maknae’s eyes started to fill with tears. “Oh- oh no. Nonono, Jungkookie, hyung is sorry! Hyung didn’t mean to yell, please don’t cry, baby.”
Seokjin felt an overprotective urge to push Jimin away, but he was frozen in awe when he saw Jimin gently brush Jungkook’s tears away with his sweater paws. He could see that Jimin really treasured Jungkook. This both made Seokjin glad to see that the younger had a caring boyfriend, while he also ached to be the one who could comfort him in such a loving way.
He felt like an intruder in his own home, but Seokjin was raised by his parents to have manners, so he was about to excuse himself quietly. Jungkook thought differently, though. “Hyung, could… could I have a moment with Jin-hyung, please?”
“You sure?” Jimin cradled Jungkook’s face and kissed his forehead when the latter nodded in affirmative. “Okay, baby, whatever you want.”
Seokjin stood, confused. Jungkook wanted Jimin to leave? Not him?
Jimin moved away from his dongsaeng to face Seokjin. “While you two sort this misunderstanding out, I am going to make both of you some breakfast.” For all his shorter frame and delicate features, Jimin looked intimidating when he puffed out his chest and clenched his hands.
Without waiting for an answer, the Busan man went out of Jungkook’s room and clicked the door shut.
“Hyung, I’m sorry.” Seokjin turned his attention from the door to Jungkook’s small form in the bed. Jungkook shouldn’t look so small, not like this. “I told you that I’m planning to move in with Jimin, and it’s true in some form. But I was only planning to stay with him for a few months until I find my own place.”
Seokjin’s head was spinning. Jungkook had lied to him? “Do you… do you not like living with me anymore? Did I do something?”
“No! No, hyung, never! You’ve always taken care of me! Whenever I’m sick, or when I’m short on cash. You let me eat at your restaurant for free and you buy me video games and skin care products. I just- I feel like I’ve been leeching off of you and taking advantage.”
Seokjin sat down on the bed again and took Jungkook’s hands in his. They fit so well in his. “But you take care of me too. You wake me up every morning and cook me breakfast. You’re always waiting for me with dinner and a bath, no matter how late I come home. You listen to me whenever I complain about my shitty business partners and snobbish customers, and you always remind me to eat by text.” Seokjin never thought that the younger had been feeling this way, and it shook him to the core to know that he was the cause of Jungkook’s insecurity - albeit involuntarily. So Seokjin did his best to try and show him how much he meant to him, but even with his explanation, Jungkook didn’t seem convinced. “How could you ever think you’re taking advantage of me, especially after we’ve been happily living together for five years?”
“Because I’m also in love with you.” Jungkook confessed with such a quiet tone, but Seokjin caught him anyway.
The look on Jungkook’s face was so devastating after he said that. Like he expected Seokjin to be furious or even disgusted. Like he was expecting Kim Seokjin - the man who had been in love with Jeon Jungkook probably even longer than the boy himself - to reject him.
“I was jealous”, said Seokjin after a long moment, making Jungkook’s head snap up so fast that a crack was heard.
“Huh?”
“Of Jimin. I was jealous of your friend.”
“But- but why would you be jealous?”
“Because hyung is in love with you too, Jungkook-ah,” Jungkook sucked in a breath of surprise before letting out a muffled sound as Jin leaned in to press his lips against his dongsaeng’s chapped ones. The boy gasped and moaned when the older licked his bottom lip. He opened his mouth, giving Seokjin permission to explore the inside of his walls.
Seokjin kissed him with everything he had so Jungkook knew how much he felt for him. How much he loved him.
The photographer whimpered when Seokjin took the back of his neck to tilt his head slightly, making the kiss even deeper. Jungkook grabbed his hyung’s shirt to ground himself, completely giving the older all the control to devour him.
Seokjin then pulled away slightly, but only far enough until they’re both breathing each other’s air. “Please don’t move out JK, or else, hyung will cry.” It’s ironic that Jungkook was the one currently crying.
“Hyung-” He sniffled. “Hyung really doesn’t mind?”
“Hyung minds if you leave. Hyung loves you, Jungkook-ah, that means hyung loves taking care of you and spoiling you with food and gifts. Hyung loves you so much.”
“I love you so much too, Seokjinnie-hyung,” Jungkook put his arms around Seokjin and buried his face in his hyung’s neck while the older hugged him back, just as fierce.
Seokjin kissed the crown of the young one’s head and then looked at his bambi eyes to ask, “Stay?”
“Okay, hyungie,” Jungkook sniffled again while a big smile formed on his pretty face. “Only for food, though.”
“Yah, brat.” Seokjin pinched the boy’s cheeks before taking the boy’s lips again.
“Hyung, you were a sugar glider, right? That wasn’t a dream?”
“Unless we somehow had a telepathic dream, I guess I did turn into one.”
“But how!? Did you eat something before you wake up as Jinnie?”
“...Now that you mention it, when I left to go to Epiphany after our fight, I did stumble into some night market and ate some stuff.”
“Hyung”
“What! You know I stress eat, baby.”
“Do you remember what you ate, though?”
“Nah, hyung ate a lot of things while stress eating, you know that. After I was full, I got to the restaurant and worked until morning. I didn’t really get much done, though, because I was thinking about you the whole time,”
“I- I thought about you too. I visited Epiphany yesterday to apologize, but then I heard Hobi-hyung scream and saw Jinnie.”
“And the rest was history.”
“And the rest was hist- what no, we’re not done! We still don’t know how you turned into the cutest little thing on Earth.”
“I couldn’t possibly turn into you, Jungkook-ah-”
“Hyung!”
“Hyung’s tired, and you’re tired. Let’s sleep, baby and worry about the rest later.”
“...Okay, hyung.”
“Good night, Kook-ah. Hyung loves you.”
“Love you too, hyungie.”
“Jungkook-ah?”
“Mmn?”
“Do you smell smoke?”
“...Ah. Did I mention Jimin-hyung can’t cook to save his life?”
“What”
“JUNGKOOK-AH, A LITTLE HELP HERE PLEASE!”
Three Months Later
“I’ve decided! Their names are Eommuk and Odeng!” Seokjin did a silly happy dance with a proud smile on his face while ogling at his new pets inside their cage.
“Cute, hyung.”
“But are you sure about this, Jungkook-ah? You’ll be the one taking care of them most of the time. I promise I’ll be home more often, but-”
“Hyung, it’s alright. That’s the upside of being a freelancer, I have more time than you. Besides, I’ve finished all my commissions for this month, so I can take care of our babies.”
Our babies. Seokjin felt like he could fly. “Thank you, baby.”
“You’re welcome, hyung.” Jungkook placed a kiss on his hyung’s lips before both of them turned and smiled at the new additions to their home.
“Welcome home, Eommukie and Odengie.”
The sugar gliders chirped.
.
.
.
The End