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Jimin had been discreetly following this guy for the past several hours, and man, he was bored.
When he accepted this job, despite its shady origins, he expected some excitement; maybe this Jeon Jeongguk guy would go to a seedy bar where Jimin would get to people-watch some interesting characters and make up backstories for them in his head, or maybe he'd get to witness a clandestine briefcase exchange, or maybe Jeongguk would do something, anything even remotely interesting that would save Jimin from wanting to rip his hair out in boredom.
Jimin sighed as he pretended to scroll through his phone; he’d wanted to go for the classic sunglasses-fedora-trenchcoat and reading a newspaper situation, but he quickly figured he’d stand out more in that getup, to his little spy-adoring heart’s dismay. So instead, he was in a casual periwinkle sweater and skinny jeans. Nobody said his ass couldn’t look good while on the job.
The job.
The job was to trail one Jeon Jeongguk, a lab employee at Hybe Solutions. The offer had come from a burner email account, offering a ridiculous amount of money to spy on this Jeongguk guy, and collect evidence on the latest top-secret project Hybe was working on. Jimin had asked Taehyung to trace the email ID, and even he had come up with nothing. That’s how he knew these guys were good. So, even though the job asked him to be a glorified corporate spy, after exchanging a few emails, Jimin accepted. Half of the promised account had appeared in his bank account a day later, so Jimin was hard-pressed to regret his decision.
Jimin had been building up his reputation for a while. He found jobs, or rather, jobs found him through word of mouth. It wasn’t exactly wise to advertise your services as a spy or print business cards. So instead Jimin subsisted on doing a great job and having a clientele that ran in similar circles, if not the same. This job was unusual in that regard. He had no idea who was looking for dirt on Hybe and specifically Jeongguk, although if he had to guess, it would have to be a rival company, or perhaps even the government . He hadn’t had a high profile case in a while, so he could dream.
But maybe not at the moment. Now, he had to focus on looking busy but feeling alert. Jeongguk had been walking his dog in the park for the past half hour, and Jimin was sitting non-conspicuously on a bench. As far as appearances went, Jimin was putting on a convincing one. Nobody gave him a second glance.
He looked up from his phone to see Jeongguk laughing a few paths over. Jimin had selected a bench that was a good vantage point from which to keep an eye on the whole park. Jeongguk’s head was thrown back in mirth as he watched his dog bound over to where he had thrown a frisbee.
Jimin was on a job, but he had eyes, alright? He’d received details about Jeon Jeongguk in the email, including a basic profile and a photo that was clearly from some form of identification. Driver’s licence, perhaps? Whatever it was, the man had no right to look that good. He had big, brown doe eyes, black hair that was grown out- it framed his face in waves and brushed the nape of his neck- and a wickedly handsome smile.
So now, as he watched Jeongguk chase after his doberman, Jimin couldn’t help but appreciate the sight. Objectively. He didn’t give Jeongguk more than a passing glance though, due to the nature of his job.
The eye candy was the only interesting part of it. Jeongguk had started his day with a jog, and then he had gone to the gym, followed by grocery shopping on the way back. Don’t get him wrong, Jimin was content enough to watch an attractive man go about his day, but he couldn’t help but feel like he wasn’t giving his mysterious benefactor their money’s worth when all Jeongguk was doing was being a normal twenty-five year old. The email had promised that Jeongguk, and Hybe, were up to no good, but Jimin was yet to see any indication of that.
Jimin saw Jeongguk collect his frisbee from the ground, hitch his bag further up his shoulder and call to his dog.
“Bam! Bam, come here! It’s time to go home!”
And that was Jimin’s cue. He put in his Airpods, got up and began walking in Jeongguk’s direction, trying his best to look like a normal park-goer. As he got closer, his heart inexplicably struck up a faster rhythm, and Jimin attributed it to the fact that he was just about to make contact with his target. Metaphorically and physically.
Jimin walked in a subtle diagonal, mercifully facing Jeongguk’s back, so the latter didn’t see Jimin adjusting his path. Jimin took the final few steps as Bam, the doberman, excitedly ran up to Jeongguk with its tongue out. Jeongguk bent at the waist to pet his dog, and Jimin slammed into him, pretending to lose his balance and grabbing onto Jeongguk’s shoulders.
“Shit,” Jimin exclaimed in mock surprise as Jeongguk turned. His arms came up to clutch at Jimin’s waist involuntarily. His eyebrows lifted in surprise, and Jimin took in his pierced left eyebrow, not for the first time.
Jimin’s arms were around Jeongguk’s neck. He held a tiny listening device between his fingers, unnoticeable to the untrained eye. He latched it onto Jeongguk’s shirt.
Jeongguk’s features shifted from shock to understanding. He flashed a smile. “Hey, there.”
“I’m so sorry,” Jimin said, feigning embarrassment. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“No worries,” Jeongguk drawled. His voice was honey sweet, and Jimin melted a little, before mentally slapping himself. Unprofessional . “I got you.”
Jimin removed his arms from where they rested, not without mental effort. Jeongguk looked down, and in apparent realisation, withdrew his hands from where they rested comfortably on Jimin’s waist. Jimin’s body mourned their absence.
“Thanks.” Jimin mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. He took a step back. “Cute dog.”
“Ah!” Jeongguk’s smirk grew wider. “That he is. Bam, say thank you.”
Bam wagged his tail at Jimin excitedly.
“Give this nice man a handshake.” Jeongguk continued, and Jimin’s heart picked up speed. He really hadn’t planned on this interaction lasting much longer than a sorry and a thank you.
Bam pawed at Jimin, and Jimin took the dog’s paw in his hand. He gently shook it up and down a few times. He couldn’t help but smile. Bam yapped happily.
“So,” Jeongguk pointed at his own ear. “What were you listening to?”
Jimin hadn’t been listening to anything. Scrambling for an answer, he blurted out the first song that came to his mind. “Hype Boy by NewJeans.”
Jeongguk nodded in what Jimin assumed was understanding. “I totally see why you were distracted, then.”
Jimin gave him a reluctant smile. He had to get out of here. “I’m sorry, but I have to get going.”
Jeongguk raised his pierced eyebrow. “Something important come up?” His eyes were bright, and they were boring a hole into Jimin.
“Something like that.” Jimin said, and bowed lightly. “Thank you again for catching me.” He was already taking a few steps forward, past Jeongguk.
“Anytime!” Jeongguk said, and Jimin turned to the path ahead of him, heart racing. Nothing was playing in his Airpods, so he heard Jeongguk laughing lightly to himself as he walked away.
*
An hour later, Jimin was getting himself an early dinner at a cafe. He bit into his sandwich and groaned in relief. He had been following Jeongguk all day, and hadn’t had time to get himself anything to eat.
The sandwich was delicious. The perfect mix of salty and a little sweet. He felt a dull ache in his muscles from being out and about all day, but his work day wasn’t over. He had to listen in on Jeongguk for the rest of the evening and possibly well into the night. He decided to get a headstart on it now, pulling out his laptop and Airpods. He looked inconspicuous enough- plenty of other people were working in the cafe and his back was to the wall, so there was no chance of anyone peering into his laptop screen.
He pulled up the software linked to the listening device and, well, listened. It was boring as hell. The audio feed mostly consisted of noise, shuffling sounds, and the occasional humming and quiet singing, which Jimin had to admit was melodic and sweet. Jeongguk spoke to Bam a lot, cooing over him and telling him off for climbing onto his bed.
The way he spoke to his dog was nothing short of adorable.
“Bam, my cutie pie, my baby.” Jeongguk cooed, in a voice higher than his usual tenor.
As cute as it was, Jimin was beginning to tune it out. He let out a small yawn.
“Wasn’t the stranger at the park cute?” Jeongguk said suddenly, and Jimin’s heart damn near stopped.
“Yes, he was,” Jeongguk continued in an exaggerated, comical tone, and Jimin understood that he was speaking for Bam.’
His heart hammered against his ribs. Jimin told himself that it was because he was supposed to have maintained the lowest of profiles, and now Jeongguk remembered him. He felt a little thrill at that thought, but he quickly shoved it down in favour of mild panic over the fact that he had possibly blown his cover and risked his entire mission.
“Too bad we didn’t get his name, no?” Jeongguk said. “Oh, well.”
And that seemed to be the end of that. Jimin listened intently for the next few minutes, but there was nothing else. Jeongguk didn’t speak again, although Bam did whine and bark a few times.
It was around 9:11PM, and Jimin was beginning to feel sleepy. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. The tones of people talking around him filtered through the ambient sounds of the audio feed, and then all of a sudden, loud static beeped in Jimin’s ear.
He sat bolt upright, and looked at the screen.
FEED DISCONNECTED , it said.
His heart jumped to his throat. Maybe Jeongguk had decided to take his shirt off and throw it in the wash. It was the most logical explanation. But what if Jeongguk had noticed it? What if Jeongguk was a spy? What if Jimin was the one who was being watched all along?
Jimin placed a hand on his chest, over his beating heart. He took a deep breath. He was panicking.
This wasn’t uncommon, he told himself. Any number of things could have gone wrong with it. The problem remained, though. Jimin still needed a way to listen to Jeongguk and any calls he might receive.
He fished around in his bag for another listening device. His fingers closed around it, and an idea began to form in Jimin’s head. He had staked out Jeongguk’s apartment the day before. It was an old building, with a fire escape snaking around its exterior.
It was a dangerous idea, but it had to be done.
*
Jeongguk’s apartment was fifteen minutes away from the cafe. Jimin stood one street over, parking his motorcycle discreetly. He patted his clothes down, checking for his phone and wallet. He didn’t know why, he supposed it was a force of habit. He made sure the location services on his phone were turned off.
It was a ridiculously dangerous idea.
Jimin walked over to the next street. He already knew which window on the fourth floor belonged to Jeongguk’s apartment, thanks to his stakeout and expert detective skills. He held the listening device between his fingers, and approached the building. It was an old brownstone, and there was no doorman or security around, which was expected. Jimin had confirmed it the other day.
He gingerly stepped onto the fire escape stairs and tested it for stability. They held firmly under his weight. He climbed them quietly, heart slamming against his ribs.
On the second floor, a window opened. A sweet-looking old lady stuck her head out of her window.
“Hello?” She said, her tone betraying worry. “Is there a fire?”
Jimin almost stumbled, but caught himself in time. This was so stupid . “No, no. I just locked myself out of my apartment, so I’m gonna get in through the window.” He gave her a sheepish smile.
She sighed in relief, nodded and went back in, closing the window behind her.
Jimin clutched his chest. The plan was to climb up to Jeongguk’s window and plant the listening device on the wall under it. He was pretty sure the window led to Jeongguk’s bedroom. It wasn’t perfect- Jimin would ideally like to have bugs planted in other rooms as well- but it was better than nothing now that Jimin had gone and fucked this up somehow. The device failing wasn’t his fault, but there was no way Jimin could get close enough to Jeongguk again to plant another one.
He reached the fourth floor. He flattened himself against the wall next to the window, breathing as lightly as he could. He was about to place the bug when he heard a sharp bark, and oh. Oh. He was so stupid.
Of course Bam would sense a possible intruder.
Jimin heard the curtains open, and the window open.
He was against the wall, and if Jeongguk didn’t stick his head out, he was safe. Please let him be safe.
Jeongguk stuck his head out of the window, and looked to his left.
He smirked.
“Hey there, stranger.”
Jimin’s heartbeat thundered in his ears, but he managed to say, “What?”
Jeongguk held up two fingers out of the window. Between his fingers was a tiny black disc, unnoticeable to the untrained eye.
“Looking for this?”
“What?”
Jeongguk climbed out of the window onto the fire escape, the picture of grace and confidence. Jimin contemplated just running for it, but he didn’t want to take the risk of tripping headlong and tumbling down the stairs.
It was dangerous.
The smile on Jeongguk’s face seemed just as much.
“What is happening right now?” Jimin muttered, half in shock.
Jeongguk leaned against the railing. “I noticed you following me.”
Now, that. That was impossible. Jimin had done jobs for the shadiest of people, the smartest of people, for the fucking mafia, and he’d never been clocked. Not once.
Who was this guy?
“Oh wait!” Jimin exclaimed, in a last ditch effort to maintain his cover. It didn’t really make sense, but he had to try. “You’re the guy from the park! What a coincidence.”
At that, Jeongguk threw his head back and laughed. It was a glorious sound.
“I live in this building too,” Jimin said, but Jeongguk wasn’t having it.
“Try again, gorgeous.” Jeongguk drawled lazily.
“Okay, fine.” Jimin sighed. “I don’t live here.”
“And you were following me.” Jeongguk said casually, examining his nails.
“And I was following you.” Jimin sighed again. Then his brain caught up with him. “Why are you standing here making small talk with your stalker? I could have a gun.”
Jimin didn’t believe in guns, but Jeongguk didn’t need to know that.
Jeongguk looked up at him through his lashes, a serious look on his face. He reached behind him, and pulled out a gun from where it was presumably tucked into the waistband of his sweatpants. He aimed it at Jimin’s head with a steady hand.
“Then you’ll really regret not pulling it out first.”
Jimin hurriedly put both his palms in front of him in a gesture of peace. “I don’t have a gun, man!”
Jeongguk didn’t put the gun down.
“You know,” Jimin said weakly. “You really shouldn’t put your gun in your pants. What if you shot your own ass?”
Jeongguk cracked a smile. “You’re thinking about my ass at a time like this? I’m flattered.”
Jimin flushed. He was glad it was dark, and that Jeongguk wasn’t able to see it. “Don’t be. I was merely offering a safety tip.” He snapped, and then thought better of it. “Can you please put the gun down?”
“Why should I? You’re cute, but I don’t really take kindly to stalkers.”
“How are you flirting with me right now?” Jimin gaped.
Jeongguk shrugged lightly, the gun in his hand not wavering. “I get the sense that you aren’t really gonna hurt me. You’re small and adorable.”
Jimin might be small and adorable, but he was dangerous, god damn it.
“I’m dangerous!” Jimin protested, but it sounded weak to his own ears.
“Sure you are, gorgeous.” Jeongguk’s finger inched closer to the trigger.
“Please don’t shoot me.” Jimin pleaded in a small voice.
“Okay, how about this?” Jeongguk tilted his head, as if he was curious. “You tell me who you are and why you’ve been following me, and I’ll consider putting this gun down. Got it?”
Jimin nodded rapidly, life-preserving instincts taking over.
“My name is Park Jimin,” He started, and then physically face-palmed. He’d just given out his full name to a target, and he couldn’t help but feel like it was the final nail in the coffin of his career. But he didn’t want this encounter to be the final nail in his coffin. Careers were changeable. His life, unfortunately, was not.
“I’d introduce myself, but I’m sure you know everything about me already?” Jeongguk questioned.
Jimin nodded. “More or less. I was given a file about you. I was hired by an anonymous benefactor to follow you, and find out what I could about Hybe Solutions’ newest project.”
Jeongguk looked unsurprised. “That’s what I thought.”
“Please put the gun down.” Jimin begged.’
Jeongguk had the audacity to roll his eyes. “Whatever,” He lowered the gun. “It’s not loaded, anyway.” He pulled the trigger, and even though it only produced a click sound, Jimin still flinched.
“Wait,” Jimin furrowed his brow. “When did you realise I planted a bug on you? How did you realise that I did?”
“I found out almost right away, actually.” Jeongguk grinned, and it was infectious. Jimin would have smiled if Jeongguk wasn’t insulting his entire skillset and experience. “I checked for bugs right after you, uh, bumped into me. And you’d been following me, so it wasn’t out of the question that you might’ve planted something on me.”
“Fair enough,” Jimin mumbled. A thought suddenly occurred to him. “So wait, when you called me cute to Bam earlier, you knew I was listening?”
Jeongguk’s grin grew mischievous. “Oh, yeah. I was messing with you.”
Jimin’s heart sank a little, despite himself. “Oh.”
“I still think you’re cute, though.” Jeongguk said.
“I didn’t ask!” Jimin spluttered.
“You didn’t have to. I could tell you were thinking it.” Jeongguk said, shamelessly.
Jimin dropped his face into his hands. “This is so embarrassing.” He mumbled.
“What is?” Jeongguk chuckled. “The fact that I called you cute, or the fact that you liked it?”
“No,” Jimin looked up. “The fact that I got caught.”
“Oh.” Jeongguk leaned over and set the gun on his windowsill. “Don’t be too upset about that. I am more perceptive than the average person.”
“Perceptive? Do you know how good I usually am?” Jimin challenged, feeling a strange mix of irritation and admiration.
“I have a feeling you’re about to tell me.” Jeongguk smirked, and Jimin was caught between wanting to punch him, or kiss him on his stupid mouth. Jeongguk was ridiculously attractive, there was no denying it. Dressed in low-hanging grey sweatpants and a thin white t-shirt, Jeongguk was the epitome of careless confidence. Jimin noticed that he had a full sleeve of tattoos, something he hadn’t seen before since Jeongguk had been wearing long sleeves the whole day. Jimin swallowed.
“Yeah! I am!” He said, pushing past any inappropriate thoughts he had about the tattoos or the piercings or Jeongguk’s general existence. “I spied on the fucking mafia! Those men are notorious for having eyes on the back of their head and I still didn’t get caught! You’re just a dude!”
“I’m just a dude.” Jeongguk nodded sagely.
“Oh, shut up!” Jimin was close enough to Jeongguk to shove at his shoulder, so he did.
Jeongguk brought his hand to his chest. “Ouch.” He said, feigning hurt. “You wound me, Jimin.”
“I wound you?” Jimin landed an accusing finger on Jeongguk’s chest. “You’re the one who destroyed my whole mission!”
Jeongguk’s hand came up to clasp Jimin’s own. Jimin’s smaller hand was almost entirely engulfed by Jeongguk’s, and Jimin’s fragile, traitorous heart skipped a beat.
“Sorry about that.” Jeongguk said, and to his credit, he sounded remorseful. “But I can’t let you succeed, either. My mission is far too important. My work at the lab, I mean.” He looked serious and earnest as he said it. “It has a real chance of changing the world for the better.”
Jimin wished that he wanted to pull his hand back, but he didn’t. So he didn’t. He felt a strange magnetic force pulling him to Jeongguk, so he took a step forward. They were almost chest to chest now.
“I’m fired, for sure.” Jimin whispered.
“Mm,” Jeongguk seemed just as entranced as Jimin. “Sorry.”
“My reputation is destroyed.”
“It’s just one case.”
“But, still. I had an impeccable record.”
“I’m sure you did.”
“You really aren’t gonna let me in, are you?”
“No.”
“What am I gonna do?” Jimin sighed, more to himself than anyone else.
“You could always lie and say you found nothing?”
“Oh my god!” Jimin pulled his hand out of Jeongguk’s grip and smacked both his shoulders. “I could!”
Jeongguk winced. “That hurt. Maybe you really are strong and dangerous.”
“Oops” Jimin offered, but he was far too relieved to really care. “You’re right! I found nothing suspicious, and to be honest, I really didn’t. All you did was boring stuff, like go to the gym or to the bank.”
“Hey!” Jeongguk argued. “There’s nothing wrong with fitness or fiscal responsibility!”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m Jeon Jeongguk and I’m fit and hot and responsible.” Jimin sing-songed. He realised his slip-up far too late.
Jeongguk’s smirk returned in full force. “You think I’m hot?”
Jimin’s cheeks blazed. “I’m leaving now!”
“Aw, so soon?”
Jimin turned away from Jeongguk resolutely, though his heart and head were telling him to stay. But what would he do if he stayed? He was technically a stalker, and Jeongguk was far too handsome and quick-witted for Jimin’s heart health. Besides, there was nothing more to discuss. They had decided on Jimin faking his report, which didn’t really count as faking anyway. What would they do now? So, although Jimin wanted nothing more in the moment than to wipe Jeongguk’s playful grin off his face with a searing kiss, he did the opposite.
“Thanks for not shooting me, Jeongguk.” He spared a final glance at Jeongguk, and began to walk down the stairs.
“Hey, Jimin?” Jeongguk called out as Jimin was close to the third floor landing.
“Yeah?” Jimin called back, hope thrumming in his veins.
“You got my number in that file of yours?” Jeongguk asked.
“Yeah.” Jimin said, looking up at Jeongguk, feeling a smile stretch his lips. Jeongguk looked like he was up to no good.
“Call me.”