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"Kookie, do you want another s’more?" Jin asks from where he sits, cuddled up with Namjoon next to the fire. Jungkook sits opposite from them, staring intently into the flames.
"Huh? I- oh, yeah, thanks," he responds with a small smile. Namjoon holds the marshmallow over the fire until it turns a nice crispy brown and then sandwiches it into a s’more for Jungkook. He gets up to hand it to him and Jungkook responds with a quiet "thank you".
"Joonie, can you get me a warmer hoodie?" Jin asks with a sweet smile before Namjoon can sit down again.
"Sure," he says, leaning down to press a quick kiss to Jin's lips. Jungkook tries not to stare but he can't help it. He fiddles with his s’more, getting his fingers all sticky and blushing at the display of affection the couple shares. He shifts where he is sitting when Namjoon walks past on his way to their tent.
"Aish! No need to be so shy, Jungkook. It's just Namjoon, you know him!" Jin whispers when Namjoon is out of sight. He walks around the fire to sit next to his brother. He playfully shoves Jungkook and smiles at the giggle it earns him.
"I know…" Jungkook replies quietly and takes a bite of his snack.
"Are you having a nice time?" Jin asks after a moment of silence and Jungkook nods.
"You were right, I love it here," he says around a mouthful.
"Mhm? I knew you'd like it! It's so peaceful and quiet, and you were stubbornly refusing to come back," Jin shakes his head and Jungkook chuckles, they used to come here as children with their family, but Jungkook had been too nervous to return.
"Wish I could stay here forever," Jungkook sighs and Jin shakes his head with a chuckle.
"I'm sure you do," Seokjin knows that the social aspects of life are hard for his younger brother, and sadly there seems to be an abundance of those all throughout. People normally tell Jungkook that he'll get used to it, that with time it'll get better, but frankly, Jin feels like it's getting worse. If it wasn't for him Jungkook would probably never leave his room. Still, to be completely honest, if there was a way for Jungkook to stay here for the rest of his life and live comfortably and happily Jin would support him. He'd rather know his brother to be happy in the middle of the forest than miserable in the city.
"Here, I brought you one too, Jungkook. It's getting quite chilly," Namjoon says, handing each of the brothers a hoodie and earning another soft thanks and small smile from Jungkook. He then goes to rekindle the fire and afterwards Jin scoots closer to cuddle him.
***
Jungkook lays awake in his tent, listening to Namjoon's and Jin's hushed whispers and giggles from the tent beside his. His hands are balled up in fists next to him while he tries not to get emotional about it. He envies them. He wishes he had what they had. He wishes he could be more like his brother, louder, more daring, and friendlier. That he was flirty and willing to get into unexpected situations without hesitance. But he isn't like Jin. He isn't anything like Jin and it frustrates him. Because as much as he likes being alone, he also wishes he had someone sweet to kiss every night.
It's some consolation, that at one time when Namjoon was alone with him and Jungkook's face was so red it was slightly worrying, he'd opened up to him. Told him he too was quite a shy and awkward person before meeting Seokjin. Jungkook hadn't believed him at first but the more Namjoon talked the more obvious it was how sincere he was being. And really, what reason did Namjoon have to lie about something like that?
"I'm sure you'll meet your Seokjin one day," he'd said with a dimpled smile and Jungkook couldn't help but believe him.
***
Jungkook walks along a trail the next day. He'd already told Jin he wanted to hike it alone so he didn't bother to wake up his brother when he left. He'd woken up earlier than usual, enjoyed the early morning sun as he walked and breathed in the clean air of the forest.
He walks, and walks, and walks until he realises he isn't sure which direction he came from anymore. The path on the ground is faded and he wonders if he might have taken a wrong turn on one of the bifurcations earlier. He turns around and starts walking back in the opposite direction. Jungkook doesn't allow himself to panic, the sun is still bright in the sky and he has snacks in his bag. It’ll be fine.
A couple more steps on his way back he comes across a different path. One he hadn't noticed before but is properly marked and visible on the ground.
He decides to take it, thinking it might lead somewhere populated. Somewhere someone might be able to give him directions.
Instead of that, he finds a shrine. It looks old and abandoned, has been mostly taken over by nature, almost completely camouflaged into the forest around it.
There is a sign carved into a rock in front of it. Jungkook moves the vines that cling to the stone and cascade to the ground in order to read it.
If you have found this place then the gods of the forest are willing to listen. Ask them with your heart.
- Ring the bell
- Give an offering
- Pray, talk loud, honest, and clear
- It's polite to bow
Jungkook stares at the message with a frown. He rereads it and looks around like someone might pop out from behind a tree to let him know this is some kind of prank.
But nothing happens. The birds chirp, he can hear the rushing of water from a small creek nearby, something runs across the ground to his left, rustling the fallen leaves, but no one comes out from anywhere.
He looks back at the shrine and walks closer. A small voice inside his head warns him not to go up the steps so he stops at the door. To the right, up high, there is a bell, with a long red rope attached to it.
"Ah, screw it," Jungkook mumbles, his mind wandering back to the day before, to the cold and heavy feeling of loneliness that chills him to the bones every night. He decides to pray. He's got nothing to lose.
Jungkook rings the bell, the rope heavy and crusty in his hand. The sound echoes through the forest, causing more than a few birds to fly from the trees. From his bag he fetches one of his cereal bars and places it on the ground. He joins his hands together and bows forward.
"Please, please give me someone who will treasure me," he pleads loudly, with his eyes closed tight as he waits.
A sigh escapes his lips after a moment, whether from disappointment or relief he doesn't know. He wasn't even sure what he expected to happen after he said his prayer.
The rustling of leaves startles him, something is running towards him and quickly approaching. Jungkook straightens up and turns, but by then it's too late. He gets tackled to the ground, falling on top of someone and then getting shoved into the mossy dirt.
"Wha- what the fuck?" He yells and panics when he notices it's a person who pushed him. A boy straddles him and pins his hands beside his head. Jungkook tries to struggle but the boy is incredibly strong and remains unfazed. He looks at Jungkook carefully, quietly analyzing him. Jungkook flushes under the attention and can't help but observe him back.
The stranger has the prettiest face Jungkook has ever seen. Full plush lips, rosy coloured cheeks, sharp golden eyes, and fluffy soft blue hair that is full of tangled leaves and small branches. And once Jungkook has been enamoured by the sight long enough, he really actually looks at him.
An uneasiness settles in the pit of Jungkook's stomach, but it's different from the one that is always there when he meets someone new. This one has more to do with the fact that the boy's eyes are slitted, that there's a pair of sharp pointy horns growing from his head, as well as a heavy tail draping over Jungkook’s legs. It only worsens when the boy smiles at him, friendly yet sharp and threatening. He is clearly pleased by what he sees and Jungkook squirms under his gaze and averts his eyes from the boy's sharp set of teeth.
"I am Jimin, and you, my treasure, shall be my mate." He says confidently.
"What?" Jungkook looks back at Jimin and doesn't find a trace of anything that could imply he isn't being serious. "I don't- I don't even know you!" He argues, unsure if he really should be arguing with the inhumanly strong person pinning him down.
"I'm Jimin." The boy repeats as if Jungkook hadn't heard him the first time.
That is all he says before he lowers his head to Jungkook’s neck. Jungkook screams and squirms, because although Jimin doesn’t bite him and simply presses his lips in a sweet kiss to his skin instead, it burns uncomfortably and painfully on the spot.
After a moment Jimin lifts his head again and Jungkook is horrified by the relaxed cheerful smile he gives him.
“I’m a dragon,” Jimin says like it should clear everything up, “we are now mated.” He finishes then lets go of Jungkook's wrists to wrap his arms around him instead. Jungkook squirms against his tight grip but clings to him when he feels himself rising up and off the ground.
"What-?" He screams, because suddenly Jimin is no longer a human, but actually a long, large serpent-like creature that moves almost completely silent as they rise over the treetops.
Jungkook clings to Jimin’s horns for dear life as he now rests on his back. He closes his eyes tightly and presses as close to Jimin as possible, terribly scared of falling.
The scared boy doesn't open his eyes until he feels the ground on his feet once more. Still shaking he slowly looks around and finds that Jimin took him up, up, so high into the side of a mountain.
"Oh my god, how-, where-?" Jungkook makes the mistake of looking down into the forest below past the edge and tightens his grip around Jimin’s - who looks mostly human again- neck.
Jimin tries to get Jungkook to let go of him but the human shakes his head furiously and holds him even tighter.
Jimin's laugh sounds beautiful like it fits perfectly with all of the sounds of nature and it makes Jungkook's stomach twist.
Slowly Jimin walks back into the cave, and Jungkook follows with unsure steps. He feels his knees buckle and is embarrassed about the amount of his weight he is letting Jimin carry.
"It'll be faster if you either let me go or let me carry you, precious," Jimin chuckles, again trying to get Jungkook to let go of him.
This time Jungkook takes a step back. He looks around at the damp dark rock all around them. Jungkook looks behind Jimin at the cave that seems to stretch on forever, a black mouth ready to swallow them whole.
A second later, before Jungkook can even fully let go of the strange boy he picks him up bridal style. Jungkook yelps, taken by surprise and again grips Jimin's neck when he feels them being lifted off the ground, if only briefly. Jimin doesn’t turn back into the dragon version of himself, he stays looking like a sweet innocent boy and runs into the cave. But he moves just as fast as when they’d been flying, he jumps an unnatural height above the ground and speeds through its dark pathways. Jimin’s movements are louder inside the cave, his quick steps echo against the walls and reverberate in Jungkook's skull.
This is a highly unusual situation, Jungkook has to admit. As he gets taken further and further inside the cave he wonders if this is really happening or if perhaps he slipped and hit his head somewhere and all of this is simply the delusions of his dying brain.
But it feels too real. Jimin's strong grip, the air against his face, the darkness that engulfs them. It's all too real to be a dream.
They take a sharp turn, and soon after the cave opens up. The sun shines through an opening on the ceiling and a dip in the rock creates a valley. There's vegetation that clings to the walls, soft moss stretches across the ground, and a quiet stream runs through from between the rocks and ends at a large deep lake. And opposite the opening they are standing at there is a pile of things, an incredibly high assortment of sparkly gold and silver things piled over each other.
Jimin lets go of Jungkook and this time Jungkook lets him. He takes in his surroundings with wonder and amazement and Jimin stands taller, proud.
"Do you like it?" Jimin asks Jungkook as he combs his fingers through his blue hair to get rid of the leaves, twigs, and dirt tangled through it.
"I'm, uhh…" Jungkook isn't sure how to respond. This is pretty much exactly what he'd always dreamed of when he fantasized about living in the woods, but at the same time, he isn't fully sure he understands what is happening.
"Oh! You might be hungry. Wait here." Jimin doesn't wait for Jungkook to respond before he turns back into a dragon. This time Jungkook can look at him more carefully, how his body is long and thin, delicate and frightening yet beautiful and imposing. Jungkook can see the way the sunlight reflects on each and every one of the scales that cover Jimin’s body. There is hair that comes from his spine, the same shades of blue that tint his hair, and moves softly in the wind in a way that resembles the way the water runs through the small creek.
Jimin isn’t tall, standing next to each other Jungkook is taller and broader than him, but in this form, he is huge and so intimidating that Jungkook can’t help but to cower back.
Barely disturbing the quiet atmosphere Jimin rises off the ground and out the mouth of the cave they had come through a couple of minutes ago and then Jungkook is alone in the small piece of paradise.
He stands still for a moment, unsure if he should move. Alert and expecting Jimin to come back immediately. When he doesn’t return, Jungkook exhales and looks around more carefully. He follows the small creek up to the deep lake, fascinated by the fishes that swim in the cold water. Jungkook takes his shoes off and runs in the water of the shore, in the soft moss that covers the ground and the patches of clovers and flowers. Finally, he lays down, a giggle bubbling in his throat as he looks at the sky from the opening at the top of the mountain.
He doesn’t know where he is or how to go back. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever make it back, and yet, he feels so free. He laughs again at that thought, because how can that be when he has essentially been kidnapped by a strange and frightening creature?
His thoughts are interrupted when Jimin comes back. And Jungkook is oddly fascinated at the lack of noise he makes when he flies. Because Jungkook doesn’t realise he isn’t alone until Jimin is standing over him. His hair is messier than before, and his face is covered in mud and blood but his smile is sweet despite his sharp teeth.
Jungkook sits up, staring curiously at Jimin as he obviously holds something behind his back, and then quickly averts his eyes when he realises how long he has been quietly staring. Jungkook’s whole face is burning bright red but Jimin only continues to smile sweetly at him.
“Wh-what is it?” Jungkook finally asks uncomfortable with the silence and Jimin’s attention. His gaze is still glued to the ground but he can see Jimin leaning closer through the corner of his eye. When Jungkook finally turns to meet the other’s eyes he finds Jimin’s face inches from his. Jungkook scoots back with a nervous laugh.
“I brought dinner,” Jimin’s smile widens and he leans closer to Jungkook’s face again.
“Okay?” Jungkook gulps, realising he can’t move back any further back when his hand goes into the stream behind him.
“Do you like rabbits? It reminded me of you,” Jimin says, proudly lifting a very dead rabbit above his head. Jungkook looks at the animal in horror and almost screams when Jimin drops it on his lap. He looks back up alarmed when Jimin sits in front of him, staring at him expectantly. At Jungkook’s hesitance, Jimin moves to sit next to him and nuzzles Junkook’s cheek lovingly. “You can it eat,” he encourages, “I have another one.”
“Raw?” Jungkook asks and Jimin hums confused. “I… I’d like to cook it first,” Jungkook says carefully, afraid of rejecting the meal and insulting Jimin.
Jimin gets Jungkook all of the supplies the younger one asks for and curiously watches him prepare a small campfire. Jimin even lights it for him when he realises Jungkook is trying to make fire by knocking two rocks against each other. Jungkook looks at him amazed and Jimin puffs his chest proudly.
“Thank you,” Jungkook says quietly, trying not to seem too alarmed at Jimin’s ability to breathe fire. He also tries not to be too alarmed when Jimin says Jungkook is the best mate after he tries the cooked meat.
Jungkook also tries not to be too alarmed when Jimin makes no attempt to take him home when the sun starts setting and instead curls up against Jungkook on top of a large number of blankets and pillows.
Jungkook lays awake even after Jimin has started snoring. Jimin has his arm wrapped around his middle, his large heavy tail plopped over Jungkook’s legs and rendering him unable to move. He stays awake, relaxed by the sound of the running water, the soft wind, frogs croaking, and anxious about Jimin’s soft snoring next to him. Then finally falls asleep, thinking about his brother and hoping he won’t be too worried.
***
Two more days go by like that. Jungkook feels oddly comfortable and at the same time terrified of Jimin, who hardly ever leaves him out of his sight. Jimin is strong and intimidating but he looks and listens to Jungkook like he holds the answers to all of the problems in the universe.
The most mundane actions amaze the powerful dragon in a way that Jungkook can't help but find endearing. He helps Jimin sew up a hole in his loose pants and Jimin stares at him like he just performed the most impressive magic trick in the world.
The treatment makes Jungkook feel cherished in a way he has never felt before. He feels warm and soft whenever Jimin looks at him because his gaze is firm yet so gentle. And butterflies erupt in his stomach when he makes the dragon laugh so hard his eyes crease into crescent moons. Moments like that have Jungkook forgetting he hasn't been here his whole life, partially regretting he has spent so much time not making the pretty creature laugh. It's startling every time he finds himself easily relaxing in the other's presence, completely unbothered by whatever could be going on outside their lovely little cave.
But it happens more often than now. And it's impossibly easy to forget about his old life. Jimin is simply so sweet and respectful, so safe. He doesn't seem to mind giving Jungkook space if he asks for it. Sitting on top of a high rock and allowing the human to explore the cave without following him around, simply observing him in a way that has goosebumps rising on Jungkook's skin. Jimin listens and Jungkook hadn't realised how much he needed someone to. He listens when he talks and doesn’t mind the silence when he doesn’t, still listening.
Throughout the day it's so easy for Jimin to keep Jungkook distracted, even if it isn't a conscious intention. He teaches him how everything is organized, all sorts of treasures and offerings carefully organised in deceivingly messy piles, he asks him all sorts of questions, curious to know everything Jungkook is willing to share about himself, and he keeps kissing his cheeks until Jungkook’s whole face is bright red with embarrassment and he is squirming to escape the dragon's sweet care.
It’s only at night when it’s quiet and Jimin’s warm body is pressed impossibly close to him that Jungkook’s thoughts drift to his brother. He truly hopes he didn’t ruin the trip. It was supposed to be special for them, one last big date before getting married.
Tonight the mean part of Jungkook’s brain is particularly loud and overbearing. It tells him that Namjoon and Jin don’t care, that they are actually relieved that he disappeared. Immediately after he can hear Jin scolding him for thinking such things, assuring him he is actually very concerned. But Jungkook isn’t sure those thoughts are any better.
Jimin shifts in his sleep, then suddenly sits up alarmed. He looks around for a moment before his eyes settle on Jungkook’s face.
“Why are you crying, precious?” He asks in a voice that Jungkook swears is deeper than usual. Jungkook lifts his hand to his cheek, and it’s until he feels the dampness of his tears that he realises he is in fact crying. He sniffles, blushing when Jimin cradles his face in his hands. “What’s wrong?” He asks worriedly, pleading with Jungkook to let him fix it.
“I-” Jungkook hesitates, unsure of what he should say. “I’m just worried,” he whispers, shy with the way Jimin looks at him so carefully and intently.
“About?” Jimin asks confused, caressing Jungkook’s cheeks with his thumbs as he continues to hold his face. His hands are rough but the gesture is so gentle that Jungkook can feel more tears pooling in his eyes.
“My brother. I don’t want him to worry about me.”
“Worry about you?” Jimin asks, letting go of Jungkook to sit up, his tail shifting behind him frantically. He tilts his head to the side in confusion. “You’re with me. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” he says sincerely. “I’ve bowed to protect my mate, to treasure you,” he huffs as if offended by the idea of failing in this.
“Y-your mate?” Jungkook scoots back, putting some distance between them. Jimin completely ignores the gesture and leans forward, his face inches from Jungkook.
“My mate.” Jimin confirms. He hadn’t brought that up since the first time they met so Jungkook had forgotten about this.
“You won't get tired of me though? I'm not very interesting," Jungkook asks quietly, unsure of why is making such a question but suddenly feeling very insecure and vulnerable. Jimin has been nothing but sweet and caring the last few days but he can't help but fear it won't last long.
"Never." Jimin responds without a beat of silence. "You are the most prized of all of my treasures, for your eyes sparkle brighter than any jewels or any gold, and your soul is as pure as the water of my lake. I couldn't have found someone more suited to stand by my side, even if I searched the world."
"O-okay,” Jungkook answers hesitantly, a blush creeping up his cheeks as he takes his words in. Jimin’s fingers come to his neck and gently caress the spot he kissed a couple of days back. “But my brother doesn’t know I’m with you,” Jungkook says then, biting on his bottom lip anxiously.
Jimin backs up, eyes widening in realization. “He doesn’t?” he asks and Jungkook shakes his head. “Oh.” Jimin looks up at the sky, squints his eyes and thinks for a moment before nodding. “We shall find him tomorrow,” he declares with a smile, gently prying Jungkook's lip from between his teeth.
“Alright,” Jungkook whispers, a little more relieved now.
After that Jimin shifts to lay down comfortably again and wordlessly pulls Jungkook to lay flush against him.
“Rest.” He orders and Jungkook couldn’t argue if he wanted, his eyes dropping closed once he settles into the dragon’s comforting warmth.
***
"Are we married?" Jungkook blurts, sitting cross-legged in front of Jimin, as the dragon carefully puts flowers in his hair.
"Hm?" Jimin stops, leaning back a bit to look Jungkook in the eye. "We are mates," he responds, tilting his head to the side.
"Yeah, I know but, what does that mean?" Jungkook asks with a frown because similar questions plagued his dreams after their conversation last night and not having any answers when he woke up deeply bothered him.
Jimin thinks about it for a moment, his attention drifting from Jungkook to the sky above them. Jungkook's fingers nervously tear apart an innocent flower. Finally, Jimin looks back at Jungkook, he smiles comfortingly, sweet, and continues putting flowers in his hair.
"It means you belong to me, as much as I belong to you. It means our souls and destinies are intertwined, that our place in the universe is next to each other and that there is no changing any of this."
It's a little much, Jungkook thinks, cheeks tinting pink as he considers the implications.
"If you wish to call this marriage, then so be it. Do not move, I'll be back," Jimin gets up suddenly and Jungkook watches him walk away with increasing anxiety. He didn't mean to offend him. He wants to go after him but Jimin told him to stay, so he does. He takes a deep breath, twisting the stem of the flower, and wonders if he didn't get himself tangled in too big of a commitment. At the same time though, he really likes Jimin and something tells him that having the chance and the choice, he still would've picked him. A comforting pull in his heart makes him believe that no matter the context they would've ended up finding their way to each other.
Jimin returns and sits back down in front of Jungkook. He extends a hand and Jungkook looks at it confused before he understands what the dragon wants. Jungkook drops the flower to the grass and puts his hand in Jimin's. Wordlessly he watches him gently slip a ring on his finger. Jimin smiles, big and proud and lifts his eyes back to Jungkook expectantly.
A gasp escapes Jungkook's lips when he brings his hand closer to his face to look closer at the ring. It's a simple golden band, its shine is dull and the metal is scratched, well worn. When he shifts his gaze back to Jimin the other is still smiling proudly, showing off a similar looking ring on his finger.
"Is this right?" Jimin asks with a giggle, delighted by Jungkook's surprise. "These had a history of their own before they found their way to me. But their symbolic meaning remains the same, doesn't it?" Jungkook nods, a little dazed and Jimin continues, "then, these shall be the physical representation of the mark on your neck. So that like nature already does, humans will be able to understand our union."
Another sweet smile and Jimin goes right back to adorning Jungkook's hair.
***
Jungkook is afraid of many things. And yet he’d never considered flying would be one of them. But as he sits with one leg on each side of Jimin’s body, and since the only thing preventing him from falling is the tight grip he has on the dragon’s horns, flying immediately jumps to the top of the list.
The wind is harsh against Jungkook’s face, his hair flies back and he can hardly keep his eyes open. The trees below them pass by in a blur of greens and browns, barely discernible. Jungkook buries his face in the back of Jimin’s neck, among the soft blue hair of his spine, terrified of how high they are.
“Which way?” Jimin asks. Jungkook can feel him slowing down so he slowly lifts his head to see.
“Is this where we met?” He asks quietly, peeking at the ground nervously.
“Yes, the shrine should be down there, but I can’t see it right now,” Jimin answers, they descend a bit but all they can really see is the trees.
“Oh! the trail, over there!” Jungkook points to the left, he can barely see it, but it’s clear there is a path on the ground. Jimin flies slower this time, Jungkook still trembles but forces himself to continue looking through the forest. The sun is starting to set now, which makes it much harder for Jungkook to see. “I didn’t think I’d walked that much,” he mumbles amazed as they continue to follow the path.
Then he sees it, the light of a campfire not much further ahead. He tightens his grip around Jimin’s horns once more when he accelerates in that direction and sighs with relief when he finally descends and lets Jungkook stand on the solid ground. Jungkook’s legs feel wobbly but he tries his best to get them to stop trembling.
“Okay,” he starts, as Jimin circles him to make sure he isn’t injured. “You should stay behind for a second.”
Jimin straightens up, alarmed and shakes his head.
“No. I bowed to-”
“To protect me, I know. But it’s alright. It’s just my brother he is not going to hurt me, okay? You don’t have to be too far away just, um, just let me explain a little bit before he sees you.”
Jimin thinks about it for a moment before accepting. Jungkook can feel him following closely behind as he approaches the campsite, but he trusts he’ll stay behind.
“I said three days Namjoon, that’s what we’d always agreed on.”
“I know but wouldn’t today technically be the fourth one?” Jungkook’s heart beats louder as soon as he hears their voices. He starts walking a little faster, careful of where he steps because he still isn’t wearing shoes. He doesn’t need them in the cave, it’s much nicer to walk directly on the damp ground and soft moss.
“No, it’s alright, today is the third. And we’re leaving tomorrow anyway. We’ll get help then.”
“Why aren’t you more worried? Your little brother is missing!”
“Joonie, I know he’s okay,”
“Wh-?”
“Ahh!” Jungkook trips on a root just at the edge of the campsite. “I’m okay!” He yells, both to his brother and to Jimin. He gets back on his feet and dusts himself off. He can feel Jimin’s eyes on the back of his head so he lifts a hand to remind him to stay behind.
“Jungkook? Oh my god?” Namjoon is immediately by his side, and without a moment of hesitation, he wraps his arms around Jungkook and hugs him so tight that Jungkook fears he might snap in half. “Are you alright? where have you been? Are you hungry?” Namjoon asks frantically, “Where are your shoes?” his hands cup the younger’s cheeks as he looks him over.
“God Joonie, let him breathe.” Seokjin laughs, taking Jungkook’s hands and pulling him to sit by the fire.
Namjoon is borderline vibrating with the excitement of seeing Jungkook safe and alive and the sight makes Jungkook feel as cherished as when he is with Jimin. He smiles, accepting the chocolate bar that his brother hands him.
“Three days,” Jungkook giggles and Seokjin nods.
“Three days.”
That is what they always agreed on when visiting this forest as children. Many legends brew and flourish in the towns that surround it, and three days is always the standard for how long you should wait before worrying about someone going missing within them. It might sound insane to outsiders, like Namjoon, but it’s a rule that has never failed the locals. Jungkook’s and Seokjin’s parents had supernatural experiences of their own here when they were younger. Adventures that lasted exactly three days before they returned to their normal lives.
So the brothers took the rule very seriously, and although they hadn’t experienced any magic or anything fantastical up until today, they believed in it.
“So what happened?” Seokjin asks curiously after he has let Jungkook take a couple of bites of the candy.
“Well,” Jungkook starts around a mouthful. “I accidentally married a dragon, I think.” He says.
“What?” Namjoon asks with a deep frown. He stands up again to gently touch all over Jungkook’s head in search of an injury.
“I didn’t hit my head, hyung,” Jungkook giggles as Namjoon messes up his hair. “I was just walking the other day and stumbled upon this strange shrine that had some instructions. So I decided to give it a go and- ah!” Namjoon’s fingers graze over the mark on Jungkook’s neck and the spot burns at the contact. They both jump away from each other surprised. Jungkook presses his hand to his neck, it doesn’t hurt when he touches it, and Jimin has touched it before and it hasn’t burnt either. He moves his hand with watery eyes and Namjoon and Jin gasp at the sight. The previously invisible mark is now dark red, and although it doesn’t sting as bad anymore Jungkook can still feel the warmth coming from it.
“Stop touching him!” Jimin growls from behind Jungkook, barely hidden behind the tree line.
“Uhh, Jungkook?” Jin asks worriedly as his fiancé stumbles back into him.
“No, no, calm down, it’s fine,” Jungkook tries to reassure the two scared boys before he turns to Jimin. “Stop, you’re scaring them,” he pleads, and the intimidating rumble stops. Jungkook sighs defeated and stretches his hand towards Jimin. “Come.”
Jimin emerges from the darkness and into the light of the campfire. Jungkook glances at his brother and is relieved to see his fear replaced by surprise and curiosity.
“But shift back please,” Jungkook asks and Jimin glances at him, then at the other two and finally complies. In the bright light of the fire and as he thinks of how to introduce him Jungkook notices how intimidating Jimin can look even in his human form. He only wears pants, made of a loose light fabric tied hastily around his waist. As soft as Jungkook knows his skin to be, Jimin’s chest is littered with scars and marks and doesn’t look weak by any means, his strong muscles are rather obvious now as he stands proudly.
Jungkook pats the spot next to him on the tree trunk he is sitting at and Jimin sits there. The dragon’s eyes don’t leave the strangers’ for a second as he moves until he has one arm securely wrapped around Jungkook’s waist and he turns to him. Jimin inspects the mark and soothes the slight burning with the soft press of his lips against it.
“This is Jimin,” Jungkook says with a smile as Jimin continues to nose at his neck. “He is a dragon!” And he sounds far more excited than he should be.
“Pleasure to meet you Jimin, I’m Seokjin. Jungkook’s brother,” Jin says quickly, his voice trembling slightly but not nearly as frightened as Namjoon’s when he tries and fails to say his own name. “This is Namjoon, my fiancé,” Jin says for him instead.
“Your mate?” Jimin mumbles, lifting his head from Jungkook’s neck.
“Uhm, sure!” Jin smiles, eyes shifting to the ring on Jungkook's finger that the younger subtly but frantically tries to show him, and Jimin returns the gesture. Then he leans back on his hands, clearly more at ease now, but his sharp gaze remains just as intimidating.
***
They leave in the morning. It had been complicated getting Jimin to go fit inside the small tent Jungkook had been sleeping in before disappearing. His tail was too large and long, he couldn’t lay like usually did, couldn’t stretch, and of course, he wasn’t willing to let Jungkook sleep anywhere that wasn’t next to him. Miraculously they managed to settle in nicely for the night, although Jimin does complain about his limbs cramping in the morning.
Jungkook helps his brother pack all of their things. They load everything into the trunk of the car while Namjoon asks Jimin all sorts of curious questions that Jimin is more than happy to answer.
“You’re staying then?” Jin asks, shoving the last sleeping bag in the car and slamming the door closed.
“Yeah,” Jungkook nods, not a trace of doubt in his voice.
“Alright,” Jin sighs, “I don’t know what I’m telling mom and dad yet but I’ll try to think of how to explain this to them before we get back. Hopefully, they’ll understand.” He laughs, eyes drifting to Jungkook's ring like they've been doing any chance they get. "I never would've thought you'd end up marrying before me... snooze you lose!" he shrugs with a chuckle.
Jungkook hugs him, tight and comforting and with so much love.
“Thank you,” he says sincerely and Jin wraps his arms around his younger brother just as tight.
“Aish, stop being so sweet! You’re going to make me cry,” Jin complains, already tearing up. "Bring him to my wedding... if you can find a way to hide the tail."
Jimin’s arms are wrapped tightly around Jungkook’s middle as they watch the other two drive away. There is a sense of dread that starts invading Jungkook’s mind as he watches the only person who has ever truly understood him get further and further away. Then Jimin huffs out a breath, that smells of ash and wood, and rests his head on Jungkook’s shoulder and his worries dissipate.
“Namjoon was telling me about farming,” Jimin comments and Jungkook laughs, Namjoon started a small garden in the back of his and Jin’s house where he grows fruits and veggies and he has been telling everyone about it.
“Mhm?” Jungkook hums, starting to walk back into the forest with Jimin behind him.
“He said it’s easy, we should try it!” Jimin bounces behind Jungkook, slightly lifting him off the ground every time he does. "I don't mind spending some of my treasures to get the stuff we need if it's something that'll make you happy."
Jimin stops, tugging back on Jungkook’s hand to get him to stop walking too. Jungkook’s cheeks are pink when he looks at the dragon and he shily averts his eyes. Jimin smiles, he leans into Jungkook’s neck and gently kisses over the mark that now seems permanently imprinted on his skin. Jungkook lifts his head, making more space for Jimin as he trails with short kisses all the way up to Jungkook’s cheek. They stay in silence for a moment, Jungkook’s eyes have slipped shut and he can feel Jimin’s breath on his lips.
“I’m going to kiss you,” Jimin murmurs, and it’s not a question but he still waits until Jungkook gives him a slight nod before pressing their lips together.
Jimin’s lips are warm, like his hands as they tug Jungkook closer by his waist, soft, and tasting strong, like burning wood, but fresh, like the sound of running water. It’s a strange sensation that makes Jungkook shiver but that he can’t get enough of. He knows his movements are clumsy and uncoordinated, heavily contrasting with Jimin’s fluid and elegant ones, but he can’t be too concerned when it doesn’t seem to bother Jimin in the slightest.
“Forgive me, precious,” Jimin says when he breaks the kiss. He pants, with his forehead leaning against Jungkook and then kisses him again. “For being so bold,” he finishes.
Jungkook laughs because he feels so comfortable with Jimin that it feels like he has known him forever. Being close to him isn’t a problem, touching him doesn’t make him anxious, the silence between them is not something he feels obligated to fill in.
He’d never pictured his first kiss going so smoothly. Had never even considered his partner would like his lips so much he’d hardly be able to stop kissing him long enough to catch a breath. It makes him feel so giddy, so treasured and loved as Jimin kisses him like it’s the last time he will be able to kiss him. It’s so relieving and freeing and Jungkook can’t help but smile so wide that it makes Jimin whine because he can’t kiss him as well anymore.
Staying does feel like a rash decision but realistically what else was Jungkook supposed to do? Say no to the dragon? He feels like Jimin wouldn’t have let that be an option and even that scary thought is oddly comforting.
Things weren’t looking to be working out for the better in his old life and everyone always told him that it would be better one day. That an opportunity would come and Jungkook would realise how good life could really be.
Well maybe everyone was right then. And maybe Jimin was this so-called opportunity. Standing in the middle of the forest, with the dragon kissing all over his face as his tail sways excitedly behind him Jungkook truly feels like that is the case.