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Jungkook is twenty-three when he first realizes that he might be turning into one of those overbearing anime-boyfriends Yugyeom and he used to find so ridiculous when they were younger. The ones that make a huge deal out of every mundane little affair and act like the tiniest inconvenience their partner experiences is the end of the world. Which. Well. Pretty concerning. But at least he is self-aware.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to cancel the meeting?”, he asks once again as he watches Seokjin wolf down his fourth plate of samgyupsal. “I could call in sick and tell Mark-“
He doesn’t finish the thought because he is a chill, self-aware individual who trusts his boyfriend to survive a wisdom teeth removal without him tagging along to hold his hand. And because Seokjin flashes him one of his lethal, honey-dripping smiles. The kind that would make his heart skip a beat even without the white-button-down-loosened-tie-combo and the candlelight - Jungkook really doesn’t stand a chance against its effects in the fancy date night setting.
[This is the part where the spaceships would take off in his stomach if his insides hadn‘t been tangled up in tight knots for days.]
“Kookie? I really, really appreciate you worrying about me but I am also a hundred percent sure that I don‘t want you to cancel the most important meeting of your career just to sit around in the dentist‘s waiting room and to drive me home”, Seokjin reaches over the table to take his hand, intertwining their fingers and running his thumb over one of the tiny moon-tattoos between his knuckles. “We‘ve already discussed this. I‘m going to be fine. I promise.”
He is right, of course. It‘s just a tiny routine surgery after all. No big deal. Seokjin is going to be fine. The chances of the occurrence of any of the terrifying complications Jungkook read up on while procrastinating the preparation of his upcoming presentation are slim to none.
[In retrospect, researching all the things that could go wrong might have been an overkill. If he could go back in time, he would probably stop himself from diving into those awful articles about facial nerve damage and root canal infections. But then again, someone had to act like a responsible adult and look into the risks of the whole ordeal since Seokjin only cared about the number of days he would have to go without eating solid food.]
“I know. I just-“
I just want to be there for you.
He nearly says it. However, the way Seokjin raises his eyebrows makes Jungkook decide against another sappy rant. He isn‘t turning this into a chick-flick moment.
“I just hate the idea of missing out on all the embarrassing shit you‘ll say after you wake up.”
Seokjin rolls his eyes and gives his fingers a last squeeze before letting go to try to steal another braised rib off his plate.
“Very fair. But if that‘s all you‘re worried about, I‘ll ask Jimin to record it for you.”
Jungkook can‘t help chuckling as he swats his chopsticks away. Jimin and Taehyung were way too eager to offer to pick him up after the surgery. Suspiciously happy to be of service. The last two people on earth to be trusted not to have the time of their lives documenting their best friend‘s post-anesthesia-high.
“He would film it anyway.”
“Yeah. He is a demon”, Seokjin smirks at him in triumph as he manages to pluck a piece of meat from Jungkook‘s chopsticks. “But it‘s okay. I won‘t say anything too weird anyway.”
The air of solemnity he states it with cracks Jungkook up.
“Oh, come on, hyung! You don‘t have a filter. You let embarrassing stuff slip all the time! Do you really think that you can keep it together while you are high on the anesthetics and pain meds?”
Seokjin huffs and kicks him in the shin under the table.
“Yah! What do you mean I say embarrassing stuff all the time? I‘m the most collected person ever!”
“Sure. Just tell yourself that.”
“Your nerve is astonishing, Jungkook-ah”, he shakes his head and clutches his heart theatrically. “I mean, I‘m a lawyer. I make a living of being well-spoken and articulate. My eloquence is paying for your dinner.”
Jungkook resists the temptation of pointing out that articulate is just a synonym for well-spoken. Or that the only reason Seokjin is paying for this dinner is the fact that he lost their last Mario Kart tournament. Rubbing salt into his wounds a day before he has to give up on real food for one to three whole weeks would be too cruel. He decides to go a different route.
“Wanna bet?”
It‘s the magical phrase. Works every single time.
“What are the stakes?”
“Dishes and vacuuming for two weeks.”
Seokjin narrows his eyes as he musters Jungkook‘s face. He can practically see the tiny wheels in his head get to work as he considers the offer. And then he clinks his glass against Jungkook‘s.
“Fine. It‘s on.”
[They order dessert and Seokjin listens to the most important bullet-points of Jungkook‘s presentation one more time before getting the check. And they spend the rest of the night kissing. In the car and in the kitchen and in the shower and under the covers. Until they both run out of breath. I‘ll miss kissing you, Seokjin sighs with his lips brushing against Jungkook‘s shoulder. It‘s not forever. He pecks the back of his neck, bursting flames down his spine. Mmh. I know. But you‘re very kissable. It‘s really unfair when you think about it. I mean, you‘ll get the BamBam-job tomorrow and I won‘t even get to give you a celebratory kiss. Jungkook snorts into his pillow. He is too tired to remark that there is absolutely no guarantee that he will succeed to convince such a huge agency to use his concept for the season‘s most anticipated debut album. They‘ve been through this conversation way too many times. It‘s pointless. Seokjin has too much faith in him to even consider the possibility of things not working out. And Jungkook doesn’t have the heart to bring him back down to earth. So, he settles for covering his hands with his own and melting into his embrace. Yeah, but we can still do other celebratory stuff. Stuff that- doesn’t involve kisses. Or suction. And we can still use my mouth. Seokjin laughs and mumbles something about the younger generation making everything about inappropriate, dirty things. And then he drifts off to sleep. Cradling Jungkook against his chest with his nose buried in his hair and their limbs tangled together. He can feel Seokjin‘s heart thumping against his. And the world feels warm and pink once again.]
*
Jungkook knows that he shouldn’t check his phone under the table every five minutes. Pretending to pay attention to the negotiations between BamBam‘s marketing team and their CEOs is the least he could do considering the amount of time he spent slaving away to get the album cover right. However, listening to the business jargon only makes him more nervous. Keeping his fingers busy by opening and closing the Hadong Squad group chat over and over again helps him ground himself. And it‘s not like they really need his participation at this point. He has done his part - presented the concept, showed them the samples and explained his creative vision. It‘s all up to the executive board now.
And to BamBam, of course.
He wouldn’t go as far as to trust his own judgment. His skin has been tingling with anxiety ever since he kissed Seokjin goodbye in the morning and it has only gotten worse after he entered the company building, so his perception is most likely a bit distorted. Chugging three cans of that gross caffeinated lemonade his boss keeps stocking the fridges with was a dumb idea. And yet. He could swear that BamBam is in their corner.
His whole face lit up when Jungkook showed them the Alice in Wonderland-inspired surrealistic paintings and he got more and more enthusiastic with every new sketch he projected onto the screen. And he keeps sending him these subtle, reassuring little smiles whenever their eyes meet. Despite sitting near enough to spot the phone in his lap.
[His own thumbs hover over his phone screen too, so Jungkook figures that he doesn‘t mind. It makes him wonder if BamBam has a boyfriend or girlfriend too. Or if he just needs to be provided with pictures of his cats by the catsitters to get him through the day.]
Jimin keeps his word and texts Jungkook as soon as the surgery is over.
13:46
Surgery went well! Hyung is fine! Just sad that he didn’t get to keep his teeth and a bit high but he‘ll live!
Thank God.
13:58
He doesn’t recognize Tae in his new sunglasses
He asked me if I was cheating on him and teared up. But he‘s okay now. Keeps mentioning that I‘m married and glaring at Tae tho. I don’t think he‘s convinced it‘s really him
14:00
He is fascinated by the glove department. Just asked me if it was a secret, hidden safe and if Tae was a criminal
14:04
fuck I wish you were here this is getting better and better
14:09
He discovered the rearview mirror and called himself a vampire hamster
14:11
Asking about you now
People might argue that excusing himself to watch the videos Jimin sends him in the bathroom down the corridor isn‘t the most professional thing to do. But it can‘t be helped. He needs to see Seokjin.
The first video is a bit blurry. Jimin filmed it from the backseat and Jungkook can tell that he is trembling from the efforts of keeping his laughter in from the way the camera shakes.
“´Min-ah? Where is Kookie?”
Seokjin‘s voice is muffled from the bloody gauze in his mouth and he slurs his words. He sounds okay otherwise though. No hint of pain to Jungkook‘s biggest relief.
“At work, hyung. Remember? I told you inside.”
“Oh. Right. Important business”, he pauses for a moment to examine his fingers. Then he turns to look at Taehyung without lifting his head off the headrest. “Do you know my boyfriend too? His name is Jungkook.”
[Boyfriend. It‘s silly and sappy but Jungkook‘s heart swells at the word. His teenage-self would probably combust if he heard it.]
“Jungkook?”
“Mmh. Yes. Jungkookie.”
He gets distracted by the changing streetlights. Frowning at them like he can‘t quite grasp them. Jimin uses the pause to zoom in on Taehyung‘s face. The sunglasses are truly huge. And his hair is slicked back. Jungkook figures that he saw the perfect opportunity to play one of his mind games and naturally, he couldn’t resist.
“He is- he is very tall. Like- twice as tall as Jimin.”
Jimin gasps and Taehyung smirks into the rearview mirror.
“Is he now?”
“Yeah. At least twice as tall. And ripped”, another pause. Then he chuckles. “But he looks like a bunny too. A ripped bunny. Or-or-or a kangaroo. But with a bunny smile. He is very soft. And very pretty. But- like, with tattoos and piercings.”
“Oh”, Taehyung says and Seokjin nods, very solemnly.
“Yeah. It‘s a bit confusing. But he‘s cute. And handsome. And he smells nice. Like-”
Jungkook doesn’t find out what he smells like.
There is a cut to another video. Seokjin‘s body is twisted in an awkward angle - hanging over the back of the passenger seat so he can look at Jimin with his hazy eyes and gauze-stuffed cheeks.
“You‘re such a great friend, ‘Min-ah”, he sighs, patting Jimin‘s thighs. “And Taehyungie is great too. Seriously. Tell him when you get home. I- I think you guys are amazing. I love you.”
“We love you too, hyung.”
Seokjin hums and lets his head hang for a moment. His hair falls into his eyes when he looks up again and he tries to blow the strands out of his face before he realizes that using his hands is an option too.
“Yeah. But I love Jungkookie the most”, he declares with a bloodstained smile. “He‘s my favorite. I love him the most. But- but I don’t know if he loves me too. ‘s complicated. Now that I‘m a vampire-hamster, you know?”
Jimin audibly chokes down a snort before collecting himself enough to answer.
“I am positive that he still loves you back, hyung.”
“Okay. That‘s good”, Seokjin mumbles, slumping back into his seat and leaning back against the headrest. He stares up at the ceiling for a few heartbeats, before sitting up and turning back to Jimin again. “Wait- are you- are you recording me?”
“I- yes. For Kookie.”
His expression flickers as he contemplates the answer before nodding to himself once more.
“Oh. Okay then. Tell him I said hi. And that I love him.”
[The video ends there. And it‘s ridiculous, of course, but Jungkook‘s chest is a messy clutter of petals and birds and fireworks and all the things Seokjin. He feels fluttery enough to start levitating any moment - being loved by Seokjin still feels like an out-of-body experience sometimes. He hopes that Mark, BamBam and the others don‘t mind the stupid, dreamy grin. He can‘t wipe it off his face.]
*
It‘s late afternoon by the time he reaches their apartment. Jimin opens the door with an exhausted smile and Taehyung snatches the thank-you-pizza from his hands with the desperation of a starving Victorian orphan.
“Did you bring food for hyung too?”, he asks, opening the box to inspect the toppings. “He‘s been babbling about pudding and ice cream ever since we got here.”
Classic Seokjin. Always true to his brand.
Jungkook nods, holding up a bucket of cherry-cheesecake ice cream.
“How is he?”
“See for yourself”, Jimin laughs, motioning toward the living room. “He finally knocked himself out.”
He is right about the knocked-out part.
Jungkook finds Seokjin sleeping in what probably qualifies as a makeshift pillow fort. He can barely make out his curled-up form under the towers of pillows and Granny Kim-blankets. His soft snores give him away though.
[He is all golden and purple and luminescent in the sunset. Soft around the edges and so, so ethereal. Even with his new vampire-hamster-look. And all his.]
Jungkook does his best to approach him soundlessly. Pausing the Pokémon movie on the tv and closing the door behind himself to shut out the white noise of Jimin‘s and Taehyung‘s discussion about potato and kimchi pizza. Tiptoeing to the couch and lifting the fluffy comforter as carefully as possible. His efforts are all in vain though - Seokjin‘s lids flutter open the second he leans over him.
“Hi”, Jungkook whispers and his eyes fill up with tiny, sparkly stars as he recognizes him in the semi-darkness of the room.
“Kookie!”, he exclaims and Jungkook can‘t bite back a smile as Seokjin pulls him down to sit next to him. “You came! You‘re back! At home!”
“Yeah. I‘m here now. Sorry, I took this long.”
Settling between the pillows, he cards his fingers through Seokjin‘s messy hair. Tucks a stray strand behind his ear and lets them wander down to his face. Ghosting over his skin, careful not to touch his swollen cheeks or the blooming bruises along his jawline.
“You live here”, Seokjin tells him, staring at him like he expects Jungkook to be shocked by the revelation. “With me. Isn’t that- like, totally insane?”
It takes all of his strength not to laugh.
“Yeah. It‘s crazy.”
The way Seokjin manages to fling himself onto him despite the lingering drowsiness and the heaviness of his limbs is truly impressive. He straddles his legs and props himself up with his palms on his shoulders. His face swaying so incredibly close to Jungkook‘s that he can practically count his eyelashes.
“I wanted to keep my teeth for you”, he says. Very, very seriously. Making it sound like a disturbing love declaration. It kind of makes Jungkook‘s heart clench around itself. In a nice way. “They were huge. So I wanted to make a necklace out of them.”
“A necklace?”
He nods before proceeding to drop his forehead against Jungkook‘s collarbone.
“Yeah. It would’ve looked really badass”, he mumbles. “You could’ve- like, told people that you fought a shark or- or a crocodile or me. Or something.”
He can‘t help but burst out laughing. It‘s a shame, really. Good boyfriends shouldn’t find their partner‘s most vulnerable moments this amusing. The situation is hilarious though. And the comical pout doesn’t help. Plus, he is pretty sure that Seokjin wouldn’t manage to keep up an empathetic façade in his place either.
“I‘m a vampire-hamster now”, he says after Jungkook has collected himself enough to stop chuckling. And he manages to keep his features neutral this time. His poker face doesn’t even falter when Seokjin bares his teeth to demonstrate his point.
“So I‘ve heard.”
“Yeah. ‘s pretty weird”, he halts for a second. Then he bumps Jungkook‘s nose and flashes him a giddy smile. “But you still love me.”
[It‘s not a question. He states it matter-of-factly. And for some reason, it melts Jungkook from the inside out. Makes him go gooey and warm with love. He can‘t be helped. Too smitten for his own good.]
“I do.”
Seokjin gives a satisfied little hum.
“Good. I love you too. Like- a lot. I love you the most.”
His eyes are still full of stars. It‘s dizzying.
“I know. I love you the most too.”
“Okay.”
Seokjin pats his head before climbing off his lap to curl up against his side. Draping a checkered blanket over the both of them and sliding his hand into Jungkook‘s palm. Cuddling his arm to his chest like it‘s a plushie. And then he falls asleep again. Warm and soft and safe against his body. And with the last of the nerves rolling off his skin and dissolving in the lavender-scented air, Jungkook can finally breathe again.
[Lovelovelove.]
*
The drug-induced giddiness is gone the next morning. Seokjin is taking painkillers by the time Jungkook wakes up and the smile he greets him with twists into a grimace before it could reach his eyes. Jungkook flinches in sympathy.
“Hyung? Are you okay?”
He nods, slipping back under the covers. The bruises are turning green and his face is swollen on both sides. It looks pretty bad, to be honest, but it can‘t stop Seokjin from rolling on top of him and wiggling around until he finds a comfortable position with their arms and legs all tangled up and their faces mere inches apart.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
“No. I‘m fine”, he slurs. His voice is dripping with sleep. “How did the meeting go?”
“It was okay. I guess.”
Seokjin pinches his arm.
“I want the non-humble answer.”
Jungkook lets out a huff of laughter.
“It is the non-humble answer. I don’t know yet. The agency said that they would contact us once they‘ve made their decision.”
He doesn’t have to open his eyes to know that Seokjin is rolling his.
“Yeah, but- but your presentation was flawless and revolutionary and you charmed them and everyone was amazed by the concept and they loved you and your sexy brain, right?”
Seokjin is definitely too biased to judge his work objectively. However, his words do plaster a grin on Jungkook‘s face. He doesn’t know about the sexy brain part but the presentation was flawless. Pretty much.
“Love is a very strong choice of-“
“I‘m a hundred percent sure that they loved it.”
Jungkook presses a kiss to his temple instead of answering. Some battles simply aren't worth it.
“You‘re so nice today, hyung”, he says, doing his best to keep his voice innocent. “I almost feel bad about winning the bet.”
Seokjin‘s body freezes in his arms.
“What?”
Jungkook has to bite his lip to keep up the solemn tone.
“You know. The bet. You said that you wouldn’t say embarrassing shit after the surgery. But you did. It was hilarious.”
“No. I was just- a tiny bit drowsy but-“
“Completely out of it.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You called yourself a vampire-hamster”, Jungkook laughs. “And accused Jimin of cheating on Tae because you didn’t recognize him in his new sunglasses. And then you asked me if the cherry sauce on the ice cream was the blood of your enemies.”
The last sentence does the trick. Seokjin snorts into his shirt and lets out a sigh of defeat before propping himself up on his arms to look at Jungkook
“I did?”
“Yeah. You told me that you wanted to make a necklace out of your wisdom teeth. For me to wear. And that colors weren’t real. And you made Tae watch four Pokémon movies with you. Even the one with the creepy little girl.”
He chuckles.
“Okay. Fair enough. I‘ll do the vacuuming.”
“And the dishes.”
“Fine. The dishes too”, he brushes Jungkook‘s bangs out of his face and gives his forehead a tiny peck. “But only if we can have ice cream for breakfast.”
[Jungkook is too weak to say no, so they end up having ice cream for breakfast and for second breakfast and for lunch and for dinner too. Which. Well. Not very adulty of them. But he wouldn’t have it any other way.]