Archive of Our Own

At least the rain had let up.

After leaving the parking garage at work, Jimin's windshield wipers had flicked back and forth on the fastest setting, barely keeping up with the rain, and he'd still contemplated whether or not to pull over to the side of the road. He also wondered if he should have stayed at work a while longer, but the week, so far, had been horrible and he had no interest in staying. He traded the ticking bomb of his coworkers' interactions for the extended release assault that was the weather.

Although everything seemed calm for now, the road was littered with fallen branches and leaves. His cubicle mate had warned him to watch for downed lines and to avoid driving over them. Jimin wanted to insist he wasn't that stupid, but right at that moment, he'd do just about anything to get home. So maybe his coworker had an unknowingly valid point.

The storm had taken him by surprise, but he was assured by native Midwesterners that it was nothing out of the ordinary. His transplanted ass had assumed this meant it wouldn't be that bad. He knew he had a lot to learn as he slowly followed the winding back roads to his rural home.

In Seoul, he'd been overloaded by the city. When he'd taken this new job, he had been thrilled to know that it took a relatively short drive to leave an Ohio city behind to be surrounded by rolling countryside. He'd settled in a small house on a decently sized plot of land with only two neighbors he could see and even they were a good distance away. His mother swore the quiet would drive him mad after being a city dweller for so long, but Jimin had yet to feel anything but peace. Maybe it helped that he went into a city every day for work, but he had yet to miss living in the middle of it. He'd started a garden, the plants having various levels of growing success, and was contemplating getting a cat or a dog. His situation was idyllic so far. He tried to remind himself of this as, about five minutes away from his home, he came upon a semi-truck with its hazard lights flashing. A couple was standing in the road beside the fallen tree that blocked their vehicle. He also noticed that the tree was leaning on an electric line, stretching it to the ground. The top of the tree, although over his lane, was high enough for him to pass under. He knew that was a stupid idea. Jimin had already turned around twice to take a different route to his home. The thirty minute drive had stretched to fifty-five and his nerves were stretched to breaking.

He stopped just beside the man and woman, rolling down his window. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, we're okay," the man said, nodding. "Some storm, huh?"

Jimin nodded as much as his tense neck would allow. "Do you need a ride? I know a path back into town." Jimin emphatically did not want to drive any longer, not this close to home and his bed. He also wasn't about to leave these people in such a dangerous situation and the semi was far too large to turn around on this narrow road.

"No, we've called in for help. We only just got enough signal. Shouldn't be too long now. Do you have another way to go?"

"Not really," Jimin sighed out. "I think I'm gonna chance it."

"Most people who live nearby have said the same thing," the woman spoke for the first time. "Be careful, but it's mostly been unmoving." She tilted her head to the diagonal elm tree.

Jimin nodded again. "You're sure you don't need anything?"

They both waved him off. "We're fine," the man assured him. "Be safe."

"You, too." Jimin gave them a half-wave and rolled his window back up. He took a deep breath and started whispering "please, please, please, please..." as he gently moved his car forward. Sure enough, the tree remained unmoving. He only breathed again when his car was safely on the other side.

His stress started to dissolve as the last few minutes to his home left him with relatively clear, though leaf-strewn, road. This lasted for exactly fifteen seconds before he made his way around a curve and came upon a fallen sycamore. There was no way around this one. The roots were easily ten feet off the road to the left, and the top was invading a yard for another twenty. As a stream of curses left him, a background thought considered how lucky the residents were that the top of the tree only just brushed their porch.

Jimin didn't know what to do. This was the last road to get to his house, the other direction some way back he'd already found to also be blocked with a tree. He didn't want to, but he knew he'd have to find a hotel for the night.

Longing for his house, now only half a mile away, he backed into the driveway of the Lucky-to-Not-Be-Hit-By-a-Tree Home, he knew they'd understand why, and turned back to follow his own path, psyching himself up to drive underneath the tree again.

Heading back around the curve, he slowed again. Coming to a stop, he took a moment to breathe and prepare himself. Back a short lane to his left, Jimin eyed a small cottage-like house. When he'd been house hunting, he'd thought it was beautiful and expected to find a kind grandma living there. Instead, every once in a while, he'd see a man around his own age and a very large dog in the yard. He didn't think the house was big enough for a family and he never saw anyone but the man and the dog, and them only about three or four times. He only remembered because the man always seemed to be smiling or playing with the dog, the definite happiness evident even at a distance.

Jimin sat in his still car for a moment, eyes forward, wishing the tree would miraculously disappear so he could get home and avoid hunting down a room for the evening or however long it took. He didn't have a change of clothes or any toiletries. He didn't have his phone charger or any way to know when the tree would be clear. Judging from the clouds he could make out through the trees, the next part of the storm was about to start up. What if the downed tree he'd passed under had finally fallen? Was the couple stuck on the road okay?

A soft knock on his window had him rocketing up in his seat.

The man with the dog was standing next to his car, gripping a few letters, brow furrowed.

Jimin jammed his car into park and rolled down the window.

"Hey, are you okay?" the man asked. Pieces of longish black hair fell into his eyes and Jimin looked dazedly back, wondering how bad his eyesight was that he'd never realized exactly how handsome this man was.

"Yeah, uh," Jimin cleared his throat and flicked his eyes trying to find something else to focus on. He gestured back to the tree. "I'm blocked off from my house. Just going over my options."

The man nodded slightly. "You live in the blue house a ways down, right? I've seen you sometimes when I pass by."

Jimin nodded. "Yeah, that's me. The other direction is blocked, too. This was my last chance." He quickly told him about the couple and the tree pulling down the line and felt himself starting to unravel at the stress. "So I'm gonna try to get back into the city to try to find a room."

The man pursed his lips again, and glanced back toward his own house. "How do you feel about dogs?"

The question pulled Jimin from his thoughts. "About... what? Dogs?"

"Yeah." The man swept a strand of dark hair behind his ear, glancing up at the sky and then back to Jimin. "I was gonna say you can just crash here until they clear the roads. The storm's gonna start up again soon and no one should be on the road for that. But I do have a pretty big dog. He's really friendly, though. You absolutely don't have to, but I promise I'm just being a good neighbor."

"I like dogs." Jimin hadn't really meant to say it, but he cared less about the embarrassment when a wall of wind hit, swaying his car and knocking the man a little to the side, his hair almost completely covering his face as he laughed and swiped it out of the way.

"Then come on in. If need be, I have a spare bedroom you can crash in. It's just me and Bam and he'll be happy to have another person to pet on him. If you like dogs, you'll love him."

Jimin knew it was kind of a stupid idea to go into someone's home without knowing anything about them. That was how people became statistics. But how likely would it actually be that the one person who he decided to visit would actually be violent? Loud cracks followed by a few seconds of loud rustling sounded from the woods, signaling another fallen tree. Jimin figured the statistics of how many people died while unsheltered in a storm were more against him than the likelihood that the friendly neighbor was a psychopath.

Jimin turned back. "Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Absolutely not." The man tapped Jimin's car with his mail. "Come on in. I'm getting ready to make dinner. You can park over beside my Jeep." He gestured toward the black Wrangler between the house and a small shed, then turned to walk up the drive.

Feeling a totally different type of anxiety, but undeniable relief, Jimin backed up a bit and turned into the drive.

By the time Jimin was walking around to the front of the house where handsome man waited for him, the sky had darkened enough that it creeped Jimin out.

"My name is Jungkook, by the way." He held the front door open for Jimin and eyed the trees while his dog jumped out to greet them. "This is Bam. He's a large teddy bear."

"I'm Jimin. You're Korean?" He held his hand out for Bam to smell, but Bam passed that up and moved closer to demand that Jimin pet him.

"Yep. Family moved here a long time ago, though. I was two. I haven't even been back to visit yet. And yes, my parents give me grief all the time."

Jimin smiled as Jungkook rolled his eyes. Bam leaned onto his leg so Jimin could have better access to his ears. "I only moved here at the beginning of the year."

Jungkook nodded. "Bam, come on. Let him in." Bam immediately ran into the house and Jungkook waved Jimin in after him. "Pretty much everyone around knows when you arrived. Hate to break it to you."

Jimin walked directly into a cozy living room connected to the cleanest kitchen he'd ever seen. On the other side of the room was a hallway that Jimin wasn't nosy enough to look down yet, but through the far window, he saw more of the house extending into the back yard. Like he'd thought, the house didn't seem particularly big, but it was well-loved and taken care of. He was also happy to find a line of Jungkook's shoes off to the side of the doorway.

"Do you mind if I?" He gestured to the neat line of shoes and his own Chelsea boots. One of the things he'd had to get used to in the move was finding out if people wanted you to remove your shoes inside the house. What was taken for granted in Korea was mind-bogglingly complicated in the US. Some people considered it polite to remove shoes while others thought it over-personal. Others might wear shoes at home all the time. Not that Jimin had visited many homes yet, but in the few times he had, he'd found it simpler just to ask rather than try to puzzle out what he should do.

"Of course," Jungkook replied, also kicking off the sandals he'd worn to get his mail before tossing said mail on the kitchen counter.

Jimin quickly tugged off his boots and tucked them neatly against the wall. "Why did everyone know that I moved in?" he asked, stepping a little further into the house to lay his hands on the counter. "Did an announcement go out?"

Jungkook threw him a quick smile as he searched a cupboard for a pan. "Might as well have. Everyone knows everyone around here. That house has stood empty for a while. The owners only decided to do a few repairs and sell last year. A few people looked at it from what I saw. Mostly families, I think. Too small for them, so no takers. Everyone noticed when the 'For Sale' sign disappeared." He sat a large skillet on the stovetop. "Do you like kimchi fried rice?"

Jimin smiled at how Jungkook rambled and moved around the kitchen. Bam had taken a place in a little dog bed in the corner, eyes still fixed on Jimin. "I love it. One of my favorites, actually."

"Well, you're in luck," Jungkook said, pulling out ingredients. "Because mine is amazing." At this statement he winked at Jimin with a goofy grin.

"I dunno," Jimin joked back. "Will you be offended if I still prefer my mom's after this?" Jungkook's eyes wrinkled in a smile and Jimin flushed at how pretty he was. It was unfair that this man was both handsome and cute and just living down the road from him. It was almost too good to be true for him to not be a psychopath as well.

"Fear not, this is my mother's recipe, but I don't make it as well as she does. I fear it won't be as good as either of our mothers would make. But it will still be fantastic, I promise."

"Can I do anything?" Jimin offered, starting to circle the counter.

Jungkook waved him back around. "You're a guest. You can tell me what you'd like to drink."

"I'm a stranger crashing in your house."

"I invited you. Plus, you're a neighbor and I never did get around to stopping by to welcome you to the neighborhood. Not very hospitable of me. I have water, tea, apple juice, beer if you drink it?"

"Water would be great, actually. Thank you." Jungkook poured them each a glass from a filtered jug he pulled from the refrigerator and set it in front of him. "A couple of people did stop by in the first few weeks, actually. They seemed nice. A few of them mentioned you when they found out I'm from Korea, but they just called you 'J'."

"Most people call me J or JK around here. Jungkook is a bit of a mouthful for them. They're nice enough, but non-Anglican names are not their specialty." Thunder hit hard enough to make both Jimin and Jungkook jump and Bam skitter up to stand closer to them. Jungkook moved a little faster through his preparations. "Good thing this doesn't take long."

Jimin watched as Jungkook pulled out a smaller skillet to set on another burner and retrieved a couple of eggs from the refrigerator. Even though the rain was starting up again and the wind was making itself known, Jimin felt very safe with this stranger who didn't seem nearly as much of a stranger as he'd thought he might. He'd expected a lot more awkwardness. And it was a little awkward, but it felt more like visiting a friend he hadn't been in touch with since childhood rather than a neighbor he'd never met.

"Do you mind if I ask the boring questions now?" Jungkook asked as he prepared to dump in the cold rice.

"What are those?" Jimin returned, sipping his water and preparing to answer.

"You know," Jungkook started, upending the rice. "What brought you here? How are you finding it so far? Made any friends?"

Jimin laughed at the drone Jungkook took on, poking fun at his own questions. "I think it's mostly the answers that are boring. I relocated for work, especially when I found I could easily live out of the city. I like it so far. I'm taking my time setting up my house the way I like it. I planted the garden I always wanted. I have a few work friends that I get dinner with sometimes. I'm still adjusting, I think. Is that bad?" He finally wondered aloud. "That I'm still adjusting after eight, almost nine, months?"

"I don't think so," Jungkook answered with a shrug. "Anywhere in South Korea to Ohio is a huge change and a lot to take in. It takes as long as it takes. Have you been able to explore yet?"

"Not really. I've walked around where I work a few blocks and I've driven around town to learn where everything is, but not much else. I won't lie: part of it is how hot it is."

Jungkook laughed. "It's been hella humid this year, that's for certain. Fall is coming, though." He pulled a couple of plates from the cabinet looking slightly awkward. "I could show you around to a couple places some weekend if you like? Once it gets cooler? There are also a lot of community events. They'd be a good place to meet more people if you're interested in that. I'm sorry. I sound pushy. I—"

"Stop, Stop," Jimin said, bursting into giggles. Watching the man go from confident to shy rambling struck Jimin as incredibly endearing. "That actually sounds really great. Thank you. One of my coworker friends, Namjoon, suggested going to things like that but going alone is intimidating. It'd be nice to have someone familiar around."

Jungkook paused. "Wait. Namjoon Kim?"

Jimin ignored the odd feeling of hearing a Korean family name spoken last. "Yeah, that's him. Do you know him?"

Jungkook nodded quickly, a cute smile growing. "Yup. If you know him, I'm sure you know Jin. He's my cousin. Unfortunately." Jungkook placed a hand over his heart feigning sadness and Jimin's jaw dropped before he could even think of his reaction.

"Oh, my God. You're the cousin! You're the cousin he said I should meet. He never would say your name. Just said to drop in on you some time and gave me vague directions. Except now I'm pretty sure he was confused about the location of my house...."

Jungkook laughed as he plated the food and pulled a bowl of chopped fruit out of the fridge. "Definitely a Jin trait. Eventually he'd have gotten bored of you not reading his mind and followed you home. Then he'd order me to come over to meet you."

Jimin nodded. "He is just a bit chaotic."

"Kind of you to say it's just a bit. Don't worry. It doesn't run in the family."

 "That's something someone would say when it definitely runs in the family."

 Jungkook raised an eyebrow and gestured to the food picking it up to set it on the table while Jimin grabbed both of their drinks and followed. "Nothing was set on fire," he said. "I'm not chaotic when it matters."

The fried rice really was some of the best Jimin had had. He didn't know if it was because he was hungry or if it was a taste from home that he hadn't made himself. It could have also been the relief of being out of his car. Whatever it was, Jimin had fun praising Jungkook, watching the man blush and avoid his eyes.

He was chewing a particularly large bite when he tuned into the sound of the storm for just a moment too long. From the sound of the drops hitting the roof, it was picking up strength again. It made him hyperaware that he was sitting in a stranger's house, eating dinner, and probably staying for a while. He felt distinctly not himself, but was intensely grateful that not only had Jungkook come out to get his mail at that moment, but that they had mutual friends. It helped settle the anxiety that had built in Jimin since the moment he'd pulled out of the parking garage hours ago.

Going from the intensity of driving underneath the fallen tree to the relaxed coziness of Jungkook's home with Bam snoozing in the corner was a bigger change than Jimin initially thought. To his horror, he felt his throat tighten.

Jungkook looked up as he heard Jimin sucking in a deep breath to control himself. "Hey, whoa. Are you okay?"

Jimin dropped his spoon and waved a hand. "I'm fine," he said, conscious that his face had probably gone white and his eyes red like always when he was ready to cry. "I think I just concentrated on the car ride from work too much." Jungkook nudged Jimin's water toward him and Jimin took the signal and lifted it for a few sips. "I'm okay, I promise."

"It's okay," Jungkook assured him. "It can get really terrifying really quickly in these storms. Even if you grew up with it. The roads are small and get trashed easily. Not knowing all the roads would be rough. But you're totally safe here. I mean it when I say you can stay as long as you need. You'll almost definitely be staying overnight. The forecast has the storm lasting a while and the road crews will need time. If it's because we don't know each other, you can call Jin and Joon and ask them about me... Are... are you laughing?"

He was. Jungkook's wide sincere eyes and words of reassurance had been welcome but unneeded. "I promise, Jungkook. I'm alright. Honestly, Jin's told me so many stories about you that I'm pretty sure I trusted you before meeting you. And also, I don't want to say something that would insult you, but you're not particularly intimidating. I swear, this isn't that deep. It's just going from stress to calm so quickly with nowhere for the stress to really go. Just a reaction I have sometimes, but I'm absolutely fine, I mean it."

Jungkook nodded as Jimin finished his words. "Okay, I just don't want to make you feel uncomfortable." He paused a minute. "And I'm not insulted by you saying I'm not intimidating... I don't think." He took a sip of his own drink, and playfully made himself bigger, making Jimin laugh.

"It's not... how do I explain. You're bigger than me, obviously stronger than me, but you're very....power negative? Maybe? You're very chill and just nothing about you tells me you're, I don't know, a threat?" Jimin felt suddenly uncomfortable explaining this to someone but looked up to see Jungkook looking at him with soft eyes and a small smile.

"I understand what you're saying," he assured Jimin. "And I really don't take that as an insult. It actually might be one of the nicest things someone's ever said to me. And I'm glad you stopped in front of my house and we finally got to meet."

Jungkook's sincerity did weird things to Jimin. All the weird shit of butterflies in his stomach and making his heart skip a beat and it made him want to flirt. But he was also conscious that he was still just a little stressed and it would be a spectacularly bad idea, so he went for being grateful instead. "I'm glad I stopped, too. Honestly, I don't know why I did. I was fully prepared to head back into town, but..."

Jimin's words dropped off as the lights flickered twice, then went out.

"And there they go," Jungkook said calmly. "I'm honestly surprised they lasted that long. Do you need to go home for anything? Pets?"

Jimin shook his head. "The road is blocked in every direction even if I did need to, I wouldn't be able to."

"If you needed to, I could get you there. I've got a four wheeler and I'm familiar with the area. But if not, it really would be better to stay until the roads are clear."

Jimin nodded. "As long as you're absolutely sure it's okay?"

"Of course," Jungkook assured him. "It'll probably be a while, though. With storms this big, it can take the crews a bit to get to us with so much of the area being hit. They go for areas with more people affected first and there are relatively few of us out this way. But I have a guest room, so there's that."

Relief hit Jimin once more that he'd stopped his car to panic for just a few minutes. "I'm going to have to think of some way to thank you."

Jungkook shrugged. "I don't think there's anything to thank me for. Have you been able to get things to prepare for a storm like this?"

Jimin paused. "Like flashlights? Yeah, I have some."

Jungkook nodded slightly, rubbing at the condensation on the side of his glass. "Smaller things like that are important, but I mean something like a generator for when power is out for several days. Or a portable A/C unit for when it's hot and propane heater for when it's cold."

Jimin's anxiety spiked. He hadn't thought of any of that. Had no clue he'd needed them at all. "Oh, no. No, I don't have those." He leaned back in his chair. "I didn't even--"

"No, it's okay," Jungkook said immediately. "It's not something that many people would think of. Especially if you're not used to it. And you can definitely get by without them, but it's way safer to have them if you can."

Jimin took a few deep breaths. "Okay. Then I'll need to figure that out, I think."

"I could go with you," Jungkook suggested gently. "There are a lot of different options for those things, but I can help you find the right ones for you house."

A little bubble exploded in Jimin's chest at Jungkook's offer. "That would be really helpful, actually. I'm gonna end up taking a whole year thanking you for saving me here."

"I told you. There's no need. Besides, I'm about to suggest board games to pass the evening. You'll be wishing you'd slept in your car." He winked and spooned the final bit of his dinner into his mouth.

Jimin tried not to linger on the wink, but couldn't deny that he liked the playful gesture. He was also trying his best not to send out a silent thank you to Mother Nature for creating his need to spend time with Jungkook. After all, it seemed like they'd have met eventually anyway if Jin had any say in it. And even for as short a time as Jimin had known him, he knew Jin had a say in everything.

"Well, you're in luck," Jimin replied. "I happen to love board games and I never have anyone to play with." They both stood and Jungkook reached for both of their plates, but Jimin reached out to touch his hand, stopping him. "However, I will be doing the dishes first."

"No, no. No, you don't." Jungkook tried to grab his plate, but Jimin was faster.

"Yes, I do." He flashed a bright smile at Jungkook, happy to see him soften up. Victory. "I am very good at dishes. It won't take long."

"I can't make you do dishes. You're a guest."

Jimin switched tactics. He let the pout grow slowly. "But you can let me do dishes. I'm a guest, after all."

Jungkook let out a laugh, shaking his head. "You looked so defeated out there in your car. But you're a menace, aren't you? No wonder Jin wanted us to meet. He knew." He finally released the dish.

"He knew what?" Jimin asked as he walked over to the sink to put the plates in and start running hot water. He turned to the stove to get the pan and caught sight of Jungkook looking down, shuffling to the side to turn away.

"Oh, uh, I don't know. That we'd get along. He's good at picking up on stuff like that." He pushed his hair out of his face, running his fingers through his hair a little, seeming not to want to look at Jimin.

Jimin was baffled. Why so shy now? "Yeah, some people are really good at that. I was actually just thinking that I'm glad it seems we would have met one way or another. It's nice."

Jungkook turned back to him at this and pulled open a drawer to reveal fresh towels. "It is," he said as he moved to join Jimin at the sink. "If you insist on washing, I'll dry."

The kitchen wasn't the smallest Jimin had been in—he'd lived in student housing units all through university after all—but it was by no means big. There was enough room for them both at the sink, but only just. Jungkook's arm brushed his own in the darkness as he lay the towel next to the perfectly serviceable dish drainer and Jimin tried his hardest to ignore the shiver that ran over his arm and that his heartbeat crept up just a bit. "You really don't have to do that," he mumbled, reaching for the hot water tap.

"I'm not going to just sit while you do my dishes." He paused, turning away quickly for just a moment before spinning back. "I'll be right back."

Jungkook hurried off as Jimin leaned in to eyeball the bottle behind the faucet, glad he didn't have to hunt through the cabinet for dish soap. The scrubber lay helpfully right beside the bottle. He'd only washed a few items by the time Jungkook hurried back from the hallway with a pair of battery-powered lamps in his hand. He turned one on and set it on top of the fridge, lighting the room without blinding them. "There we go," he said, joining Jimin back at the sink. He retrieved his towel and opened the cabinet to return the dishes as they went. "You should add some of those lamps to your list of things to buy for prep. They're handy, especially when the storm makes it so much darker than usual."

"Definitely going to add them. I'm glad you're willing to hold my hand through that. I don't think we ever lost power in Seoul because of a storm like this." Jimin glanced out the window as he went to the table to gather their glasses. It was almost impossible to see what lay just outside as the rain was hitting the window hard enough that it obscured everything. Logically Jimin knew their cars were in that direction.

"You okay?" Jungkook asked, noticing Jimin's examination of the window. "You don't need to worry. The house is stone and really sturdy. It's been through a lot worse than this. If it's your car, well. I can't promise it won't take damage, but you're not in it so I still count that as a win."

Jimin turned back, shaking his head and smiling. "I'm not worried. Or at least, I would be more worried if you were." He brought the glasses back and turned the faucet back on. "I'm used to monsoon season and everything back in Korea. This is just a different type of weather I'll have to get used to. Joon said sometimes we will get tornados here. That worries me a little more."

Jungkook nodded along. "We do. We tend to be lucky around here, though. The forest coverage is too dense for a tornado to do much damage unless it were to drop directly down on us and the people around here say that hasn't happened in their memory. Closer to town or out around the lake has a chance of getting hit a lot harder. I don't know all the weather science stuff around it, and I can't say we'll never have property damage up here, but it's pretty unlikely. Mostly the wind takes down the trees. Usually that'll take out a powerline or two or twelve. Those are dangerous enough on their own. Or if we get snowed in and there's a lot of ice. Because we come up hills from each road here, it's really bad getting into town and they have trouble salting and clearing out this way. If that's the case and the ice also takes out the power, that can be bad. Usually the temperature drops enough that it's hard to keep heat in. We tend to keep an eye out for each other in those cases."

Jimin nodded. "The realtor mentioned that that happened just before I came here. She said to make sure I kept wood for the living room fireplace and gave me the number for a couple of places to get it."

"I can also help with that," Jungkook said, placing the glasses safely back where he'd pulled them from. "Trees fall all year in the woods. If they're on your property, I can help you clear them and cut them for firewood. Sometimes you want to leave what falls, but too much just becomes a fire hazard."

The serious tone in Jungkook's voice hit Jimin in a funny way. He meant to just laugh a little, but a few seconds later, the giggles were falling from him and he found himself leaning onto Jungkook's shoulder, trying his best to keep soapy hands over the sink. He could only just make out Jungkook's expression of amused bewilderment as he pulled himself away again. "Did I move to the middle of a disaster zone?" he asked, catching his breath. "Tornados, abandoned in winter, forest fires."

Jungkook rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry, okay," he whined a little. "It's really perfectly okay out here. The power outages and temperatures are the things you actually need to worry about. The tornadoes, I told you you don't have to worry about, if you recall and I literally just mentioned the forest fires as a factoid about why it's a good idea to have the woods cleared."

"You just sounded so serious," Jimin teased, flicking a little water onto Jungkook's hand and couldn't resist further teasing. "I'm starting to fear for my life."

"Like I'd let you be hurt now that I've decided I have to help keep you safe."

Jimin's hands froze for a moment in the soapy water as a little blossom of happiness burst in his chest at Jungkook's words. Jungkook, for his part, didn't seem to notice, continuing to dry the glass in his hand before tucking it back into the cupboard. Jimin could see the soft little smile on his face, though, and he fought back his own before pulling the spoons out of the water.

A particularly loud crash of thunder, sounding like it was directly over them, caused Jimin to jump. "I really feel like I should still be thanking you," he said, handing the rinsed cutlery to Jungkook. "I hope I could have gotten back to town and figured it out, but I'm glad I didn't have to."

Jungkook hummed. "More trees would have been down and you might not have gotten back. But really. I don't want your apologies anymore. I mean that. Really. Unless you think I'm really creepy, I think we're probably on our way to becoming friends. Friends help each other. Or good ones do anyway." He leaned over to bump their shoulders together playfully. "Thank me more when I help you pick the perfect generator size for your power outage needs."

Jimin bit his lip to hold back a smile as he searched through the soapy water for any other dishes he might have missed or forgotten about then, finding none, twisted the plug to drain the water. "Okay," he said. "I'll do that. And we're done."

Jimin quickly rinsed the sink as Jungkook put away the last of the cutlery. Through the window, he could see the backyard forming small puddles in places, the ground already saturated. Every once in a while, a flash of lightning lit the sky, a dozen limbs flowing from the main bolt to light up the evening like midday before plunging them back into an early dusk again. Jimin was doubly thankful he wasn't outside.

"Alright," Jungkook said, loudly clapping his hands and backing away from the sink. "Now comes the part where we pretend we don't get bored without technology. How do you feel about Battleship?"

"Already missing your phone?" Jimin asked, following him into the living area. Bam lifted his head to watch before taking a cursory glance out the window, stretching into a new position, and going back to bed.

"Normally I would get ahead on work in the evenings without having to worry about answering emails, but yes. Please don't point that out. I'm delicate."

"Then we should probably just play Battleship."

In relatively short time, they'd set up the game on Jungkook's coffee table. Jimin had retrieved the light from the top of the refrigerator to hold for Jungkook as he pulled the game from the hallway closet. They exchanged relatively few words while placing their ships and divvying up markers, but it wasn't awkward at all. It felt like they'd done this same thing dozens of times before. Jungkook was so easy to be around. He'd offered Jimin the side of the table with the sofa, grabbing himself a throw pillow to sit on, but Jimin opted for grabbing his own pillow and plopping down on the floor as well. Jungkook had only given a little smile at that.

"B6."

They were halfway through the third game and Jungkook was getting more serious. Jimin didn't blame him. Jimin had won two rounds and, as for this one, Jungkook had lost three ships already if Jimin was correct. Jimin was only down one.

"Miss," Jimin said, hiding a laugh behind his hand at Jungkook's sigh. "G7." Jimin only waited out of politeness for Jungkook to mutter a 'hit.' There went number four. One more to go.

"You could have said you were good at this game."

"I haven't played this game in decades," Jimin said, finally giggling. "It's just luck."

Jimin's luck got him his third win.

"Okay! Different game!" Jungkook said, standing quickly and clapping his hands with a smile he couldn't hide. Jimin fell to his side on the floor, finally laughing loudly. Bam, who had moved closer to them a game and a half ago, stretched out toward Jimin on the floor, offering his head for pets. Jimin, of course, gave him plenty.

They were several rolls into parcheesi when the thunder and wind had calmed enough for them to talk without raising their voices constantly.

"So what do you do at the company?" Jungkook asked. "Jin never even told me that."

"That's cause people usually think it's boring," Jimin replied with a smirk. "I do data analysis as it pertains to advertising."

"Isn't data analysis considered really stressful?"

Jimin smiled down at one of his blue pieces. "For some. I guess? I don't find it to be. The worst they can do is fire me and considering the social media responses and interaction growth since I joined the team here, I don't think that will happen soon."

"Ooh, confident," Jungkook smiled, raising his eyebrows.

Jimin felt the blush come up. "I'm not particularly invested or passionate about it but I am good at it. Makes it easy to keep a level head." Jimin shrugged. "They know that and accept it."

"Wait." Jungkook held up a hand. "Was it you who got into the argument with Brad the Ad Guy? You told him his ideas sucked and you were expecting him to suggest a MySpace page or to hand out flyers on the street?"

Jungkook looked far too excited over this.

"Okay, hold on," Jimin said, leaning back against the sofa. "One, I wasn't in the argument, he was there alone. I was very level. Two, I would never tell someone their idea 'sucks.' I said it 'wasn't feasible.'"

Jungkook laughed. "Yeah. Uh huh. That's just polite office speak for 'sucks.' I know. I say that shit to clients all the time."

"I did say the whole MySpace-slash-flyer thing when he kept interrupting me. That was unprofessional but not the worst thing that conference room has heard so I'm not too upset about it."

"Are you kidding me?" Jungkook leaned back from the table, pure glee taking over. "You were Jin's hero that day! When he told the story I laughed so hard I swear I had a piece of onion lodged in my lung for a week."

"Yeah, well, he told me the hero thing several times," Jimin said, smiling and rolling his eyes. "Your turn. What do you do that you get ahead of in the evening."

"Also considered boring when you just say it. I'm a web developer. I used to freelance but then I got a position with Knew Wave. I get into the office.... not often. When I absolutely have to."

"Oh, I know of them," Jimin said. "We've worked with them when start-ups need a website built."

"Yes, that would be because the owner, Yoongi, is close with Joon. He got a pitch in easily. It's also how I got the job at Knew Wave. He pulled me in with an enticing offer."

"I haven't met him, but I've heard he's pretty exacting about the work they put out. You must be good if he headhunted you."

"I get by. Working for Knew Wave means I spend less time tracking down clients. You put me in a social setting and I'm immediately awkward so Yoongi doesn't make me do any of that. He knows better."

"Lucky." Jimin rolled the dice and pushed his bottom lip out in a playful pout. "I talk a lot without creating disaster so I end up at all of those things."

"A nightmare," Jungkook agreed. "Should have had the forethought to make well-meaning yet embarrassing comments about yourself and occasionally your coworkers. Works like a charm."

"It's not horrible," Jimin conceded. "But I do end up going home and sitting in the dark for a while after. Usually double fisting beer and ramyeon."

"Well, next time, just come here. I'll turn out all the lights, but feed you a proper meal to help your evening."

Jimin looked up from where he'd been watching Jungkook move one of his pieces to find wide eyes and an 'oh, shit' expression like he'd definitely said more than he'd meant to. The last thing Jimin wanted was for him to be embarrassed by such a sweet offer so he quickly leaned over the coffee table, his arms crossed and weight on his elbows.

"Promise?" he asked with a wide smile.

Jungkook's face relaxed and he glanced up at Jimin again. "Of course. You're welcome here anytime." Then with more confidence. "Maybe I'll just keep finding ways to see you until you're tired of me."

"Maybe I'll keep finding ways to see you, too," Jimin returned, rolling the dice for his turn. "What then?"

Jungkook rested his chin in one hand, elbow propped on the table. "I guess we'll just have no choice but to get to know each other better."

"Sounds like a perfect plan to me." He looked back up to meet Jungkook's eyes and they both ignored the game for a moment. Jimin felt warm despite the slightly cooling temperature and the constant patter of the rain on the windows. He no longer thought he was just lucky to have escaped the weather. Now he thought he was immensely lucky to have this evening and this moment with Jungkook. A neighbor who was less than a mile away that he'd yet to meet. How much longer would they have had to wait for Jin's introduction. Sure, they would have met eventually, but the circumstances left Jimin just grateful. Jin was a kind person, but he definitely would have made attempts to tease them both upon introduction.

Jungkook cleared his throat. "Well, that's settled, then." In the low lamplight, Jimin could still see Jungkook turn red.

Jimin had won both games of parcheesi and a round of gin rummy before they finally admitted defeat to their exhaustion. Jungkook led him down the hall making a show of muttering under his breath that eventually he'd find a game that Jimin wasn't good at and then that would be the only game they'd ever play again. Jimin's own laughter at this made it difficult for the younger man to hold a straight face, though.

A few moments later and Jungkook was ducking into his bedroom only to reappear with a soft shirt and a pair of shorts. "To sleep in," he said, handing them over. Then he pushed open the door that was to Jimin's right. "This is the guest room. Bam tends to sleep in here sometimes so if you don't want sixty pounds of giant puppy on you, just make sure the door is completely closed." Then he pointed down the hall to another door just between the two bedrooms. "There's the bathroom. If you want to shower or anything, please feel more than free to. The lightning seems to have finished and there should be enough hot water left. I showered earlier in the day so don't think you're interrupting me or anything. I only need to brush my teeth." Barely breaking his ramble, he leaned past Jimin again, almost completely in the dark from where he'd left the lamp on his dresser. He grabbed something and shut the door back. Before Jimin could get a word in, he was holding up a small version of the other lantern. "For you. Just pull down on the base." He demonstrated and the little battery lantern extended and immediately turned on, giving off an impressive amount of light for its size. "I think that's everything? Obviously, please help yourself if you need water or a snack or anything. There are several spare toothbrushes in the bathroom. I keep a stash. If you need anything, I'll leave my door cracked, just yell."

Jimin clutched the clothing to his chest, biting his bottom lip at Jungkook's soliloquy. "Are you nervous?" he finally asked, teasing. "You seem nervous."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "You've thanked me too much tonight so I'd rather you know that you're absolutely welcome to whatever you need before you start again."

Whatever I need? Jimin almost said it out loud, just barely biting back the overt flirtation that wanted to spring up. It was too soon. He didn't want to risk making both of them uncomfortable. "Well," he said, clearing his throat a bit. "I'm going to thank you anyway."

Jungkook's finger was resting on Jimin's lips before either of them could really process the action. "Nope. No more of that." He slowly dropped his hand. "I already know."

Now Jimin was the one who was blushing. "I'll catch you off guard sometime."

Jungkook shook his head and stepped backward toward his room. "Stubborn." Then he smiled. "Goodnight, Jimin."

"Goodnight."

They both entered their respective rooms and Jimin moved to the side of the bed to place his lantern on the small bedside table. The rain had eased up and was falling lightly. Jimin waited to listen for Jungkook to finish brushing his teeth as he wanted to take his turn. He hadn't planned on taking the shower, but it was too tempting and he hated going to bed without one so instead of changing, he picked the shirt and shorts from where he'd tossed them on the bed, picked up the lantern and headed to the bathroom.

Once clean, smelling lightly of vanilla and lavender, Jimin lay in the bed thinking how he'd probably sleep horribly. He never slept well in a new place. It'd been a month before he'd gotten used to his own house. But he glanced out the window to watch the slow rain and sleep took him in seconds.

———

Jimin woke up slowly, blinking at the hazy morning light coming through the window. Thankfully, it wasn't shining directly onto his face. He froze for just a moment before relaxing again, the night before returning.

He couldn't believe he'd slept so well. He never, never found it easy to sleep in a new place. But exhaustion and the comfortable bed must have been a perfect combination to send him off to sleep. Not to mention how easy and safe it felt to be around Jungkook. They barely knew each other and Jimin thought he should be feeling more uneasy around him, but there was nothing to feel uneasy about.

Jimin wanted to continue to lay there—rested but still lazy. He had no idea what time it was, but assumed it was fairly early judging by the angle of the sun. The sun was certainly a welcome sight. He sat up for a better look out the window. The sky through the trees looked clear and the day bright. Reluctantly, he swung his legs down from the bed to get up. Instead, he jolted as his feet brushed against warm fur.

Below him, Bam lifted bleary eyes to him, yawning and beginning to wag his tail slowly. Jimin had forgotten all about shutting Bam out, and smiled down at him. He moved over a bit to stand and reached down, ignoring the popping in his back, to scratch behind Bam's ear.

"Good morning, boy," he said softly. "Did you sleep well, too?"

In answer, Bam stood and dropped his shoulders down to start stretching.

"I should do some of that, too." Jimin reached over to the light switch and flicked it upward. Nothing. The power was still out then. Jungkook had mentioned the evening before that sometimes, especially with large storms, it could take a while for the electric companies to get everyone back up and running. This was his first time dealing with this predicament and Jimin wondered how long it would be out this time. At the very least, it was the weekend and he wasn't expected in the office again until Monday.

Followed by Bam, he left the room. Jungkook's bedroom door was wide open and his bed messy but clearly empty. Jimin ducked back into the guest room to grab the lantern again to supply light for a quick trip to the bathroom. After relieving himself and washing his hands, he brushed his teeth and splashed a little water on his face to wake himself up more.

When he made his way down the hall and to the living room, he was met with the sight of Jungkook leaning over his sofa to get as close to the window as possible, his phone to his ear. Jungkook was still in pajama pants and t shirt and his hair was a curly mess. It was beyond endearing. Jimin thought back to the few moments the evening before where, if the circumstances were a little different and the possibility for awkwardness was lower, Jimin wouldn't have hesitated to ask Jungkook on a date. Jimin wasn't too disappointed. There would be time for that later. Especially if they continued to get along so well.

Jungkook glanced over to him and gestured to the phone and mouthed 'electric company' then waved toward the kitchen counter. Jimin looked over to see a coffee pot with a mug beside it.

Jimin left him to his phone call and made his way to the counter. At first, he thought Jungkook had found some way to heat water, but then he realized he'd simply set up a pot to cold brew—probably overnight. There was a small bag of ice sitting upright in the sink and Jimin dropped some into his cup. Pouring himself a cup and taking a sip, Jimin appreciated Jungkook's forethought. The coffee was amazing.

"If you prefer hot, I can always light the grill outside to boil water," Jungkook said, joining him.

"I like both," Jimin replied. "This is actually great. What is it?"

"A brand I buy up at the market by my office," Jungkook said, pulling forward a packet of coffee tucked behind the toaster. The bag had dancing coffee beans on the front and the script on the front read Javalution. "I like most of their blends and this one makes a good cold brew."

"If it's by your office, it's by my office. I love that."

Jungkook laughed and picked up his own cup. "So the good news is that the storm is done. The bad news is that the electric company estimates our power to be back on around seven tomorrow evening."

"You did warn me that they take some time to reach out here."

"That I did, but there's more." Jungkook closed one eye in a hard squint. "It's supposed to get hot today. Really hot. High 90s hot."

Jimin wilted just thinking about it and clutched his iced drink closer. It'd taken him a while to adjust from Celsius to Fahrenheit, but now he knew exactly how hot that was. "It was cold yesterday."

"Welcome to Ohio," Jungkook grimaced. "Which is why I'm continuing to extend my offer for you to hang out here. It's not so bad right now, but in a few hours I'll start up the generator and hook up the fridge and the A/C unit. It really does get miserable so you're more than welcome to hang here until the power is back."

Jimin bit his lip at the offer. Part of him didn't want to impose any longer, but another part of him was starting to realize Jungkook really didn't see it as an imposition. He'd also already heard his coworkers talking about exactly how bad the heat could get especially when the homes in the area weren't necessarily built to help the residents withstand the fluctuating climate.

"You're sure?" he asked. Because he couldn't help himself.

Jungkook nodded. "Absolutely. We don't really have to be trapped here or anything, I'm sure they're clearing the roads and everything by now so if you do want to get home, you most definitely can. I just know what that heat is like and it's not like I don't have room here or we don't get along. There's no reason for you to hang out at your home with no way to get cool. As I said, I'm more than happy to help you get your house set up for it soon."

"Then yeah, I'd like to stay," Jimin finally decided. "But I want to find a way to pitch in somehow. Get us some food or something. That's not negotiable." The last part was added on quickly as he thought he saw Jungkook go to argue.

"I was just going to say that it would be a good idea to run in to get gasoline for the generator and, if you like, we could stop by your house so you can grab a change of clothes. Once the fridge is hooked up, food won't be an issue. I've got a little grill out back we can use to cook on." He sighed and rolled his eyes. "I guess you can help, if you must." Then he stuck out his tongue.

Jimin returned the action before laughing. "I must. And yes, thank you. A change of clothes would be good, I think."

Twenty minutes later, coffee finished and loaded into Jungkook's Jeep with Bam strapped safely into the back, they were turning onto the road. Jimin had gone to change into his work clothes from yesterday, but Jungkook had stopped him.

"We can just go to your house first. You can change into clean clothes there."

It took maybe a whole two minutes to drive to Jimin's house. The road was still covered with leaves and twigs. Sawdust appeared in patches as evidence that trees had been cleared. The most noticeable area being the large tree that had been in Jungkook's yard.

"Tom Kirkbride and his sons were out clearing it up and mostly done by the time I was waking up. That's their house." He pointed out a house deeper in the woods that Jimin hardly ever glanced at. "If you ever need help with the bigger downed trees or anything like that, he's the one to go to. Friendly. He will talk your ear off once he gets going so wait to get in touch until you have a couple of hours."

The little yard in front of Jimin's house had some debris, but overall wasn't particularly messy. It also looked like his garden in the back had been left alone.

"Do you want to come in while I grab my things?" Jimin asked as Jungkook parked.

"Sure," Jungkook agreed, glancing back to Bam.

"Bam is welcome, too," Jimin added, reaching back to scratch behind his ears.

"Bam will probably jump all over your furniture and his paws will be wet. Hold on." He reached underneath his seat and pulled out a small towel. "My pup is a polite house guest."

Inside, they both kicked off their shoes and Bam sat patiently as Jungkook dried the excess rainwater from his feet. Obviously, this was a common occurrence. Bam did, in fact, immediately jump into a corner of the sofa, making himself at home.

"Bam..." Jungkook started, rolling his eyes.

"He's fine," Jimin said immediately, putting a hand to Jungkook's arm. "I don't mind. I promise."

Jungkook returned a sweet smile before looking around. "Do you like the house so far?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah, it's a good size for me, I guess. Maybe a little bigger than needed but ended up cheaper than an apartment in the city. And I didn't want to live around all the noise of a city anymore. The loudest things out here are frogs, owls and the occasional truck full of guys that go by in the evening blasting music—"

"That'll be the Kirkbrides and their cousins."

"—but other than that, it's been good. Normal culture shock things aside, I like it." Jimin didn't add that it was taking him a while to take the extra step to get out and expand his circle of friends. He'd probably already figured that out, anyway.

Jungkook looked around nodding. Jimin imagined what he must be thinking of what he saw. Jimin wasn't horrible at keeping the place clean, but he wasn't nearly as tidy as Jungkook. There were a few dishes in the sink as they walked into the kitchen and some things that Jimin had forgotten to tuck back into the cabinets the morning before were set out on the counter.

"Sorry about the mess," he added reflexively.

Jungkook huffed a bit. "I would hardly call this a mess."

"Anyway. That was the living room. Obviously. Kitchen." He spread his arms to gesture to the room. "A dining room that I've not used a single time is through there. Two bedrooms, bathroom, office, laundry room are down the hallway. I'd give you a tour, but I absolutely remember what state those rooms are in and I'm asking to wait for next time for that."

Jungkook grinned at his rambling. "Next time it is." He walked over to the window above the sink to look out into the backyard. "Oh, cute garden." He turned back. "I'll snoop here and wrangle Bam while you get your things."

"Right," Jimin said. "I'll just be a few minutes."

"Take your time," Jungkook said as Bam joined him, raising his front paws to the edge of the sink to try to see what Jungkook was looking at.

Jimin turned quickly, not wanting to do something stupid like blurting out how nice it was to have Jungkook and Bam in his house. It didn't feel like home to him yet and there was something about having someone who was very close to becoming a friend be inside what was essentially just a 'residence.'

Jimin rushed around his bedroom, changing into fresh clothes and tossing another outfit and something to sleep in into a small side bag. Thinking quickly, he also tossed in a few other things—his own face cleanser for one—and tugged the bag over his shoulder. Tucking Jungkook's clothes under his other arm, he returned to the main part of the house to find Jungkook and Bam playing on the floor of the living room. Oh, Jimin froze at the sight. He definitely liked them being in his home. He allowed a whole five seconds to imagine them as close friends, spending evenings together. Another five seconds were dedicated to a future where they might be more than friends. After that, he cut his thoughts off. Even if he definitely wanted to ask Jungkook on a date, it was still a thought for later, if only just when the power was back and Jimin wasn't a newly met house guest.

Jungkook rolled his head back to see Jimin ready to go. "That was fast."

"I didn't exactly have to bring a lot."

"Fair enough." He jumped back up. "Come on, boy," he said to Bam. "Time to go to town."

Jimin chose his sandals over his chucks or tennis shoes, hoping they'd be the cooler option, thankful that the dress shoes he wore to work were being left behind.

Back in the Jeep, Jungkook fastened Bam back in and instructed Jimin to just throw his bag and Jungkook's clothes onto the floorboard of the backseat. Minutes later, they were back on the road.

Most of the ride was spent on games of twenty questions in which Jungkook failed to name his own hair and Jimin only barely got his correct. Since the answer was his pinkie finger, several playful threats were hurled at Jungkook while he burst out laughing, clutching the steering wheel.

Thankfully, the first gas station they arrived at had power. They were so thankful that they didn't even care that there was a short wait to access the pumps. They left Bam in the backseat while Jungkook pulled the gas cans out of the back and taught Jimin how to fill them.

They drove back to Jungkook's home with the windows down. It had only taken forty-five minutes for the whole trip. It was barely ten thirty when they were pulling back into the drive, but the day was already warmer than expected.

Now Bam was frolicking happily around the yard while Jungkook uncovered a rather large generator under a shelter with open sides. Jungkook ran through the basics of what to do to make sure the generator was good to go, including topping off the tank with gasoline and checking the oil. Jimin kept a mental list of what Jungkook was telling him. The generator has to be fairly far away from your house and well ventilated. How to turn it on. What to do if it floods. Let it run for a bit before plugging anything in. Where to look to see what kind of load the generator could handle. Jimin was tucking away as much information as possible when Jungkook started giggling.

"You're so determined right now."

Jimin put on his best pout. "If I'm going to need one of these things, then I want to know how to use it." Then he shrugged. "Seems simple if you use common sense. Is there really a reason people need to be told that something that runs on gasoline shouldn't be in an enclosed space?"

"You would be stunned." Jungkook strode over to the shed. "But yeah, it's fairly straight forward. Unless you get one large enough to need a grounding wire. Then there's a little more to learn. Most don't need something like that to get through a few days without power though." He pulled a thick extension cord that had to be thirty feet or more from somewhere just inside the shed, then pulled the door closed again. "I don't wanna hook up anything but the fridge, the standing A/C unit, and maybe a hot plate or something. All of that'll go on the one cord."

Jimin nodded. "Load capacity. Amps and watts. All that. Yeah."

Jungkook nodded. "Then you'll have no problem understanding hooking shit up to a generator."

Half an hour later, they'd hooked up the A/C—Jungkook confirmed that placing the hose attachment into the window was far easier with help—, plugged in the fridge, and were sitting down to lunch starring only cold items. The day had taken next to no time to heat up and neither favored the idea of hot food. Once the living room was cooler, they'd contemplate cooking something hot for dinner.

"Did you grow up around here?" Jimin asked, once again having bullied his way to washing dishes. The living room and kitchen areas had cooled down before they were able to get unbearable. Bam hadn't moved from his chosen spot directly beneath the cool burst of air coming from the unit. Jungkook had helped the process by closing the curtains. Jimin was half-convinced it was a nice spring day out rather than mid-August.

"In town," Jungkook confirmed. "But I like the quiet out here better. Plus there's more space for Bam and I knew I'd want a dog. My parents still live in town. My brother and his girlfriend have an apartment in the city." He was thoughtful for a moment. "Do you miss Korea?"

"Yeah," Jimin admitted easily. "It's not like I can't go visit, but it's definitely different here. Harder to talk to my friends. My best friend, Taehyung, and his dog are planning a visit in November. It was already a long trip to see my parents since they were still in Busan and I moved to Seoul, but I think they like coming to visit here. They came for two weeks in June." Jimin laughed a little. "My younger brother came for five days and we all went to Pride. I don't think I've ever seen them have more fun." Jimin added this timidly. Might as well rip off the bandage quickly.

"I would say maybe I saw you there and didn't realize, but the whole weekend was wild and there were so many people. Of course..." Jungkook trailed off, turning a little red.

Jimin had figured Jungkook wasn't straight--his senses tingled with it--but it was a relief to have it confirmed that he was at least cool with the community. "Of course what?" Jimin asked.

Jungkook sighed. "It's corny. Can you stand that?"

"Yes. Love corny."

"I was going to say maybe I saw you there, but I'd never forget a face and smile like yours." Jungkook had switched to a playfully wistful tone but it didn't make the words come out any less sincere. Little bells started swinging over Jimin's head, happily signaling a green light to suggesting the date when the time came. He was torn between fighting back a wide smile and bursting into laughter. He settled for something between the two and Jungkook looked pleased at this. Throwing caution to the wind, Jimin decided just asking would be easier at this point.

"So, did you go as a supporter, or..."

"Well, I have to be supportive of myself, I guess. But yeah, gay. Like, really gay."

"Understandable. I'm really gay, too."

For a few moments they just stood there finishing the dishes in silence and acknowledging the small shift between them. It didn't necessarily brighten the mood, but it did put things into perspective.

"Can I ask something kind of personal?"

Jimin looked up from where he was rinsing the sink. "Sure."

"What was it like coming out to your parents?" He wiped his hands on a dish towel and turned to lean against the counter. "I mean, it was rough enough coming out to my parents and I knew they and my brother were okay with everything."

Jimin dried his own hands. "It was difficult. They weren't happy about it, but I never doubted they loved me. They never turned me out. It's a long story and not something I really want to get into just now, but yeah. It was hard. A long process of understanding and learning... but, I mean, they got there in the end. My brother really helped in that regard, too. And obviously, they went to Pride and met all kinds of people with all kinds of identities. They really listened to what people were saying. Well, you know, through my brother and I translating for them. But I think it's kind of like a snowball effect. Once they started to understand, it was easier to grow into it."

"That's really nice," Jungkook whispered.

"What did your parents do?"

"It took me a really long time to come out to them. I was nineteen when I finally did. They just hugged me and said they knew. I started crying and apologizing to them for doubting them and taking so long to tell them. Then they lectured me about how it was fine to feel that way because of how often we hear about people being ostracized from their families because they were supportive and thought they'd be safe, but it was a totally different situation when they found out it was someone they knew."

This take took Jimin by surprise and it must have shown on his face. "That's really..." He couldn't quite find the words he wanted.

"Yeah," Jungkook nodded, breaking into a smile. "Both of my parents are clinical psychologists, so..."

Jimin burst into laughter, falling into Jungkook's side. Jungkook wrapped an arm around Jimin like he was expecting Jimin to lose all control and end up on the floor. When Jimin settled and looked back up to Jungkook again, he found the other man watching him with sparkly eyes. It made Jimin immediately conscious of all the places they were touching. Jungkook only released his hold once Jimin was upright again and Jimin thought—he hoped—he looked reluctant to do so.

"So," Jimin said, clearing his throat. "Is there anything else we need to do because of the power?"

"Nah, not really," Jungkook said. "It'll be a while before we need to refill the generator so mostly it's just passing time."

Jimin faced Jungkook head on. "So, what game do I get to kick your ass at now?"

Jungkook's jaw dropped. "First day luck. You'll never pull that off a second day in a row."

"Oh, sure, sure," Jimin agreed, giving exaggerated nods.

Jungkook was paying Jimin to land on Atlantic Avenue for the twelfth time when he finally decided that Monopoly, the dice, and games in general were all secretly sentient and on Jimin's side.

"I don't think that's a thing," Jimin said, his hand in front of his mouth covering another laugh. He thought he'd be permanently red from pure mirth. Even he had to admit that it was a little odd that the dice managed to never let Jungkook pass Atlantic.

"I think it's that I'm so blinded by your beauty that I'm not able to focus on the game," Jungkook declared.

"But you see, I'm similarly handicapped," Jimin shot back. "I'm forced to sit opposite such a handsome man and I'm still able to play."

Jimin was certain Jungkook wasn't expecting his response. For just a moment his eyes widened like he was staring into oncoming headlights. Just for a moment. Cute. Jungkook recovered quickly.

"Look," he defended. "I'm perfectly secure in how I look but have you looked in a mirror? You're not playing fair. Sometimes it hurts to look at you for too long. Even your bed head this morning was just—" Jungkook did the motion for chef's kiss.

"Uh huh," Jimin nodded, leaning up on the table. He was enjoying their new light flirty banter. "Thank you for the compliments but you still have to pay for landing on my square."

Jungkook tsked at him. "I had you pegged for someone kind and warm-hearted. That all changes with these games. So cold."

One incredibly lopsided, and one still admirable, victory for Jimin later, they were ready to head out to check on the generator. Jungkook quickly unplugged the fridge and air conditioning unit and they stepped out the back door.

Jimin regretted it instantly.

The only description for the day could have been humid, sticky, and very fucking hot. All the air seemed too close and thick and it was a shock to Jimin after the cool house. Even the trip to the bathroom that was already too warm hadn't prepared him for stepping outside.

"Wow," Jungkook said. "That's a lot of liquid in the air."

"I'm either already sweating or accumulating moisture. I don't know which."

"Isn't it fun? Hottest day of the year so far." He leaned over to look at the thermostat on the side of his house. "One-oh-two in the shade. Yep. Feels right. Okay. We'll deal with this quickly."

Jungkook ran Jimin through turning off the generator and noted that it still had half a tank of gas.

"I'll top it up anyway since it's off. We have to wait a bit for it to cool, though."

"What?" Jimin asked, teasing. "You don't want to have a nice fire or some severe burns?"

"I do actively avoid those things, yes."

They meandered around the yard for a bit, watched closely by Bam who was camped out under a bush. As they went they picked up random branches that had fallen around the yard. Jimin was lost in his own thoughts, mostly about the heat, when he was hit by a blast of cold water.

He spun around to find Jungkook far too pleased with himself and holding a hose.

"Since it's so hot out," he said, biting his lip. Jimin had to fight with himself not to rush over and kiss Jungkook with the look he was giving him. Instead, he went with his second instinct: starting a wrestling match for possession of the hose.

Jungkook knew exactly what was about to happen but he barely backed up, obviously expecting the challenge.

What followed was a good ten minutes of undignified yelling, flying water, and empty threats. Bam hadn't even escaped a few dousings when he'd come bouncing along to investigate. He'd quickly skipped away looking harassed but still watching the mayhem intently.

Jimin was finally giving up and backing away when Jungkook grabbed him, holding him close, and shook his soaked hair out at Jimin. Jimin scrunched his eyes closed but allowed it.

"One time I'm able to win at something against you," Jungkook announced, grinning down at Jimin.

Jimin's brain was absolutely useless and his heart wasn't doing much better. Jungkook's dark hair was clinging and falling everywhere. Water droplets were running down his neck and jaw and he still hadn't released Jimin. At some point, Jimin's arms had ended up around Jungkook's waist and everything was very heady and Jimin needed just a moment, thank you.

Jimin didn't want to let go and he was taking too long to come up with a reply. The more time passed, the more mischievous Jungkook's smile became.

"You cheated, though," Jimin finally blurted out. He wouldn't have been able to say what rules they were playing by. Was it even a game? Was it just play fighting? Whatever it was, the heat of Jungkook pressed against his chest rivaled the heat of the day to his back and he didn't care. Was this too much? Too fast? Was he reading any signals wrong?

"How did I cheat?" he asked, rocking them side to side a little.

"You didn't warn me before you sprayed me."

"Who says that's in the rules?"

"Well, what are the rules here?" Jimin asked leaning up closer, widening his eyes in inquiry.

Jungkook looked right back and started running his thumb up and down against the small of Jimin's back. "Mostly to cool down a little. Make you laugh. Just a little bit I wanted to see what you'd do. Didn't realize 'fight like hell' was the answer."

"Hmm, keep that in mind next time."

The moment went on for a few beats. Jimin knew where it was going. Just a few moments more and one of them would lean in and-- Bam let out a loud bark directly behind Jimin, taking off after something across the yard.

They'd both jumped but otherwise kept their holds until Jungkook cleared his throat.

"We better dry off," he said, loosening his grip. "I'll dump some more fuel in the generator. It's too hot to cook out here. I've got a table top grill we can set up inside. Lots of things to toss on it."

He hadn't fully released Jimin yet and talked a little like he was on auto pilot. Jimin rubbed his lips together, already missing the lost kiss, and squeezed Jungkook back a little. "What can I do? Don't say nothing."

"I'm assuming 'stand there and look crazy attractive' isn't an option?"

"I will hit you with the hose again."

"Then how about I go get us some towels and fill the generator and you can wind the hose back up so I don't run it over when I mow the lawn next. Again."

"Can do."

------

"That sounds kind of disgusting."

"Peanut butter sandwiches with chili is almost mandatory around here."

Jimin let that float around his mind for a moment but couldn't find it acceptable. "I believe I'll pass." He popped a piece of steak wrapped in kimchi and green onion in his mouth.

"You say that now, but one day you'll be drunk and sitting eating chili and your inhibitions will lower and you'll go 'I wonder if Jungkook was on to something' and you'll try it just for the hell of it and BAM—" Bam raised his head quickly from where he was sleeping in the living room. "Not you, pup, sorry." Jungkook turned back. "You'll try it and you'll understand."

"This is all totally dependent on me being drunk with chili in the room. What are the odds? When would that happen? I never make chili."

"Literally when I make you chili and offer you copious amounts of alcohol. This is a situation I could engineer myself."

"But then you'd have to deal with me when I'm drunk. Dunno if you want that."

"What are you like? Are you catty and yell a lot?"

"I'm really giggly and huggy. I hear 'oh, dear god' a lot."

"That's adorable. Must see."

Jimin sighed. "If we spend a lot of time together then you probably will see it. I apologize now for my bad jokes and clingy huggy behavior."

"No apologies. I'll just keep you upright then tease you when you're sober."

"I take it you're not a giggly drunk?"

"I am not," Jungkook said selecting a piece of radish. "I am a quiet, do-weird-shit, then contemplate the universe drunk. But I always enjoy watching giggly drunks. I just have to stay away from tequila. We do not mix."

"What happens when you drink tequila?" Jimin asked, taking a sip of his beer.

"Naked drunk."

Jimin nearly choked. "You're kidding," he said, holding back laughter and just a hint of arousal.

"Not even a little. But it's not in a sexy way. It's in a dumbass way. I start getting overheated and stop caring who’s watching. Bad combo. It's a problem."

"Doesn't sound like a problem to me." Jimin was frozen halfway through the sentence but he still couldn't stop himself from speaking.

"Oh, really?" Jungkook's shit-eating grin was back.

"You know what," Jimin said, raising his voice a notch and setting his beer back in its place. "Let's rewind and pretend I didn't say that out loud."

"Nah, let's not."

"This kimchi is fantastic. Nice and spicy. Where'd you get it?"

"It's my mom's. I'll be sure to give her the compliment, but I want you to know that even though I'm gonna let you change the subject, I'm tucking that comment away."

Jimin grimaced but it was all for show. They were toeing a line. Getting to know each other under abnormal circumstances. Both knowing the other was interested but not knowing how to proceed when they'd still be stuck there together for another day. There was every chance for more than average awkwardness if they spoke about it too early. Every chance of things escalating too fast if they confessed their mutual attraction. Jimin was certain it was mutual now at least, though maybe all of the other worries were in his head. But then, Jungkook wasn't speaking up either.

"If you must," Jimin rolled his eyes, softening the gesture with a smile.

"Speaking of overheating, you really like spicy stuff, huh?"

"Guilty. But so do you." He motioned to Jungkook's lettuce wrap he'd just built.

"Yeah, but you've been eating combos that would make me take a break."

"Yes, I like spicy food. Sour, too."

"Noted."

"What do you like?"

"Literally anything, but not big on lemon."

"I love lemon."

"It's decided. Anytime someone hands me anything lemon, it goes directly to you."

Jimin smiled at this. "What a man. I'll grill you pork belly whenever you want it."

"Who says god isn't real? No one can. Not with you appearing here in the flesh."

"It's getting deep in here."

"Words of truth, Jimin."

------

Jimin had just returned from brushing his teeth and the difference between the living room and the rest of the house was insane. Even with evening settling in and the day cooling off—if slowly—the bathroom and the guest bedroom were stifling.

"This air conditioning unit is spectacular. I keep forgetting it's the world's largest sauna outside and the inside is trying to follow suit."

"About that," Jungkook said from the couch. "I have a suggestion. It's not going to cool down back in the bedrooms anytime soon. It might be uncomfortable but it'll be cooler to sleep out here. You can take the couch. I'll sleep on the floor."

"I refuse to sleep on the couch while you're on the floor."

"I'm certainly not sleeping up here with you, my guest, down there on the hard floor."

------

"Bam looked so confused," Jungkook said just after he'd closed the lantern and set it above their heads.

"Like he's at a party, but doesn't know the rules. Been there."

"Maybe he's just happy we chose to sleep on the floor with him tonight."

They'd had far too much fun making what was essentially a large nest of blankets and pillows and Bam was only just starting to settle down.

They'd taken turns taking cold showers then started dragging out bedding, giggling and falling over themselves and each other. When the sun had finally been down for a couple of hours and it was merely warm out, Jungkook had gone out to turn the generator off for the evening.

"It's been ages since I've done something like this," Jungkook said.

Jimin tried to find his outline to focus on. He'd been doing a fantastic job of ignoring that he was about to sleep beside Jungkook, but it was harder to do as they quieted down.

"Me too," Jimin agreed. "But our idea of how long that is might differ, I think. Taehyung definitely made me do this on occasion before I came here."

Jungkook huffed out a laugh and they both lay for a few moments in a tense silence.

"Can I ask another personal question?" Jungkook whispered.

"I don't snore," Jimin quipped to break the tension. It worked and he could almost feel Jungkook relaxing a little beside him. "But yeah, you can ask."

"Is Taehyung... is he your..."

He didn't finish but Jimin understood. "Oh, god no," he blurted. "I mean, nothing against Tae, he's wonderful but we're not together. We've only ever been friends and only ever will be."

"Okay."

Jimin paused, then added for clarity. "I'm not seeing anyone."

"Okay," Jungkook repeated.

Another beat of silence. "Are you?"

"No," Jungkook said quickly and almost as a sigh of relief. "I promise I wouldn't have spent the whole day flirting with you if I was."

Jimin went ahead and smiled. It was too dark to see but he didn't care if Jungkook could have seen it anyway.

"I'm glad. Me, too."

"It would be rude."

"The worst."

Another silence that was, at least, no longer filled with anxiety.

"I wanted to ask but I don't know how to not be awkward about that and I hope you're not uncomfortable now."

"I'm not," Jimin cut him off through a bit of laughter. "I'm sorry, it's not funny. But no, I'm not uncomfortable. I'm actually glad you asked."

"Okay. Good." More silence. "I just want to say that I have so many more questions but this is maybe not the best timing or venue."

"Oh, we're definitely talking more about this later."

"Bossy."

"Might want to keep that in mind."

"Might wanna keep in mind that spraying you with the hose probably isn't a one off."

"You just want to see me wet."

Before Jungkook could respond, Bam was between them, searching for the best position for about three seconds before collapsing between them.

"Okay, okay, Bamie. Time to sleep. World's cutest chaperone."

Jimin reached out to scratch along Bam's back. "He understood the assignment. Goodnight, Jungkook."

Jungkook's response came softly. "Night, Jimin."

———

Sometime during the night they had both kicked their covers down to their feet. When Jimin woke, they were sprawled out uncovered, Bam draped over their feet in a position Jimin couldn't imagine was comfortable, but he looked happy enough.

Jungkook seemed to be fast asleep still and Jimin couldn't help but look a little. His hair was a disaster. His mouth was open a little to expel little puffs of air. One arm was tucked behind his head, tugging his shirt up to reveal a smooth strip of skin. His other arm was pressed along Jimin's and he supposed they had moved closer to each other in the night. This meant he was close enough to see the little bits of sleep gunk in the corners of his eyes. He was annoyingly handsome.

Jimin turned to stare up at the ceiling again and was suddenly aware that it was already warmer in the room, but not yet uncomfortably so. The power was still out as promised. Once more, Jimin had slept far better than expected. He'd been comfortable when he'd woken, but he was starting to feel the hard floor against his back a lot more. He also felt the beginnings of the need to pee. He'd cut off his own legs before disturbing Bam's slumber.

He'd have expected the warm press of Jungkook's arm to send off some dumbass alarms in his mind or set his heart to racing like a teenager with a new crush. Instead, it was just comforting. Maybe that should make him overthink or question the entire situation. They'd known each other for maybe a day and a half. Total. Surely he shouldn't feel this comfortable? But rather than sporadic interactions, they'd spent the entire time together. They'd talked nonstop. What might've taken weeks of normal dates or time spent texting to learn, they'd been able to speed through thanks to some bad weather with no possible distractions to slow them down. So maybe Jimin should have been questioning it a little more, but he wasn't going to. Fuck it. He was just going to let it unfold like it had been. Timelines didn't matter anyway when it boiled down to figuring out if you wanted to be around someone.

Jungkook shifted where he lay.

For a moment, Jimin didn't know what to do. Should he look over to Jungkook or continue staring a hole in the ceiling. Instinct made the choice for him as he felt Jungkook press closer. He looked just in time to watch Jungkook's eyes slowly open. There was a moment for understanding, then a soft sleepy smile broke across Jungkook's face.

"Good morning."

Jimin's heart thudded hard. Yeah. He was a goner for this man. One day or one hundred days wouldn't have made a difference. "Good morning," he whispered back.

Jungkook untucked his left hand from behind his head and looked down to where their arms were pressed together. "Think I may have drifted during the night."

Jimin liked that he didn't apologize for it. "And we both decided these covers were bullshit."

Jungkook's nose scrunched with his smile. "Covers probably weren't the smartest idea. It's already warm in here. I need to start the generator soon."

"Yeah, maybe."

Neither of them even twitched in movement, though. They stayed, pressed together, studying each other's morning appearance. Jimin wondered if Jungkook liked this moment as much as he did. Something in the softness in his eyes made him suspect he didn't hate it.

After the night before, even with few words spoken, they knew they both wanted each other, but getting there was still an odd path. They needed to get up, start cooling the house, let Bam out for a bit. Get coffee and breakfast. Jungkook had mentioned calling the power company for an update on the time for restoration. It felt oddly domestic, like sharing a life. They hadn't even been on a date yet. But everything still felt so, so normal. But this normal was laced with the excitement of meeting someone that you wanted this type of life with. They were doing everything out of order and they didn't know what step to take next. Maybe it didn't matter. Maybe they'd just get all the steps in as they went along. A choose-your-own-adventure relationship.

Jimin felt Jungkook's fingers moving like a question on the back of his hand and he answered by hooking their fingers together. Jungkook shifted, pressing their shoulders closer. Jimin didn't care that the room was heating or that the floor felt like it was bruising his shoulder blades. He'd stay uncomfortable for this moment to last a little while longer.

Bam had other ideas.

Bam wanted to greet his sleep mates and probably let them know he wanted to be let out. In order to do this, Bam had bounced up and over them and both were now groaning and grunting because of it. Jimin didn't know where Jungkook had been hit, but Jimin was fairly certain Bam's left front paw was currently occupying the place his spleen normally lived.

"Okay," Jungkook said, grimacing. "We don't necessarily have to crank to activity level eleven right when we wake up, Bam."

"I'm just glad he didn't hit my bladder," Jimin wheezed out, carefully picking up and repositioning Bam's feet. "I've had to pee for, like, fifteen minutes."

Jungkook groaned again. "You do that. I'll go release Bam and start the generator."

Jimin still hadn't woken up properly, but he grabbed a lantern and made his way to the bathroom, stretching out his shoulders and back on the way. After he'd relieved himself and washed his hands, he decided to quickly brush his teeth and wash his face. Something about the humid air had left his face feeling like he'd worked out two hours ago and now the sweat was dried.

Back in the hallway, he passed Jungkook making his own way to the restroom. He started to smile at him, but Jungkook moved faster. Jimin felt Jungkook's hands digging into his sides, tickling him, before his brain could process the movement. To say the sound Jimin let out was undignified would be kind. Jimin didn't even have time to react before Jungkook bolted into the bathroom and closed the door. He could still hear the laughter through the wall.

Well, now he was awake.

The air conditioner hummed and Bam was already camped out beneath the unit, waiting patiently for his breakfast. His eyes flicked up to Jimin, sending him a hopeful look. Jimin was moving before thinking if he should. He knew exactly where Bam's food was and how much he got at what time of day. Jimin couldn't disappoint Bam.

With Bam happily munching, Jimin also pulled out the jug of cold brew to pour out some coffee for both him and Jungkook.

Jungkook walked back in smiling when he saw his pup eating already. "Thank you for feeding him."

Jimin handed him his coffee. "No problem."

Jimin watched as Jungkook took it and noted that the coffee was in his favorite mug—Jimin had learned about it the day before. He looked back up to Jimin with mischief in his eyes and joined him in leaning against the counter, closer than he would have stood before. "What if I ask them to leave the power till later. Would you stay?" he teased.

Jimin laughed, his head fuzzy and happiness bubbling. "We can, in fact, spend time together when the power isn't out. I promise."

Jungkook smiled into his coffee cup before taking a sip. "I called the power company. They said estimated restoration time is six this evening. Could be earlier. It'll probably be a little later, but around that time."

"I'll have time to clean out my fridge when I get home. I'm sure it will be disgusting."

"I don’t envy you." He paused like he was going to continue and turned to Jimin, a question hanging in his eyes.

Jimin could almost feel what the question would be and a yes was hanging ready on his tongue. He knew he looked too hopeful.

Jungkook took a deep breath and let it out, turning back and releasing the tension. "So," he said with far less lead up. "What should we do today?"

—----

They spent the day in much the same way they did the rest of the weekend. Games, talking, playing with Bam, maintaining the generator, and making and eating meals. Now every gesture was loaded with more meaning. Jimin was on edge the whole time, wondering which of them would break first.

"Try this," Jungkook said during dinner.

Jimin looked up to find an offering of the chicken they'd made wrapped in various other ingredients being offered to him from the tip of Jungkook's chopsticks. He automatically opened his mouth to let Jungkook place the bite in his mouth. He could feel the flush rising in his cheeks at what, to him, was a very intimate gesture. Jungkook's eyes stayed on his lips as he chewed and Jimin tried not to squirm in his chair. He forced himself to nod when he finished. "It's good. Really good."

Jungkook smiled, looking down again. "You were right. More chili flakes. Right call." His voice was lower than it had been and Jimin's mind flitted trying to find a connection to the change and the topic of gochugaru. He didn't have time as Jungkook was lightly clearing his throat. "So you'll go to work in the morning?"

"Bright and early," Jimin confirmed. "I'll feel weird, I think. It feels like it's been ages since coming home Friday."

"It does suck that your weekend was ruined. Especially by something so stressful."

Jimin smiled and lightly nudged Jungkook's foot under the table. "It wasn't stressful except the car ride home. This was actually kind of nice except where I crashed your weekend. It certainly wasn't stressful being here."

"Good." Jungkook nudged his foot back. "And you didn't crash anything. I'd hate to say I'm glad for the outage because it's obviously not something to be happy about, but I am glad you stopped in my driveway. It was a really nice surprise for my weekend. I'm glad you've been here."

Like his words were bringing the whole weekend to an end, there were a couple beeps from somewhere down the hall then a surge of soft appliance noises as the power restored to the house. Jimin only startled a little.

"Well, they're only an hour late," Jungkook said lightly.

"You were right," Jimin agreed. He wasn't unhappy the power was back. He was certainly relieved. There was also the feeling of waking up from a dream. It all felt a little anticlimactic. "I guess I can go home then. I'm still doing the dishes first."

"You really don't have to."

"Will you be turning off the generator soon?" Jimin asked, ignoring him. Jungkook had cooked each time, Jimin would put his foot down about clean up.

Jungkook shook his head, finishing chewing the bite he'd taken. "I'll leave the portable A/C going for a little longer to help the house unit cool the rest of the house a little easier. I hope your house cools quickly."

"I'm sure it'll be fine. One of those would be handy though." He gestured to the unit still humming near the window.

"Speaking of," Jungkook said. "I was absolutely serious about helping you prepare for this stuff. Next week might be too soon. People definitely panic bought stuff the past few days, but the weekend after would be good if you want. The stores should have restocked by then."

Jimin nodded and stood to take their empty dishes to the sink. Jungkook went to store leftovers. "That would be great actually. I would say I'll make a list but I honestly don't know everything to put on it."

"I've got it covered. Mind you, I'm a very boring person to be in a Lowes or a Home Depot with."

Jimin turned on the hot water. "I walk around those places for fun. You can't bore me. Frank in the garden center of Menards knows me on sight and always asks how my tomatoes and petunias are."

"Did you know Frank in Gardening is dating Tom in Hardware?"

"Not dating. Engaged. They're getting married in December."

Jungkook grabbed the drying towel. "How have we not seen each other in Menards?"

"It does seem strange," Jimin conceded. "You know that one movie about the man and woman who live next to each other and are supposed to meet but keep missing each other until the final moment?"

Jungkook paused. "Yes, I saw it. Ominous since they meet and hit it off immediately and then are separated and can't find each other so that they can go ahead and fall in love."

Jimin smiled. "But you know what?"

"We literally know where each of us lives so we can skip the angst?"

"I was going to say we can just put our numbers directly into each other’s phones, but yes. That is also a bonus." He thought for a moment. "Well, you can put my number in your phone. My phone is definitely dead."

"Your phone is good. I sat it on the charging block when my phone was done. I didn't want you to be without a way to contact people if you didn't have numbers memorized."

Jimin stopped, his hands still in the soapy water, and looked over to Jungkook who was carefully placing a pan back in the cabinet. Jimin hadn't even thought about his phone all weekend. He knew he wouldn't have decent service without an internet connection, he didn't really know of anyone he knew well enough to call if it came to it. Jungkook didn't know that, though.

"Jungkook."

Jungkook looked back up at him, surprised by the tone of his voice but attentive to what he had to say. He always listened. "Yeah?"

"What are you doing next Saturday?" Jimin had never felt more determined in his life, but it was hard to focus with how flustered the other man looked at that moment, but he was tired of waiting to see what would happen.

"Nothing. Nothing important. Why?"

"There's some sort of coffee festival happening down by the conservatory. Somewhere off of Main Street. There have been ads up everywhere for it. A bunch of different kinds of coffee to try, live shows, coffee-related interactive things and I don't know what those could be, but do you wanna go check it out with me?"

Jungkook had started out looking mildly flabbergasted at how quickly and certainly Jimin was speaking, but then he broke into a wide smile. "Yeah, yeah I wanna go with you."

"And then to dinner after?"

"Sounds good to me."

"I want to make it absolutely clear that I'm asking you on a date."

Jimin's hands were still in the water, but he didn't care. Jungkook was smiling like he'd won a prize and it was directed right at him.

"Jimin."

"Yes?"

"Can I kiss you?"

"Yes."

Jungkook pulled Jimin closer, turning him. Jimin's soapy hands came out of the water splashing them both, but Jungkook didn't seem to care and neither did Jimin.

Jimin thought the kiss might be tentative, testing the waters. It wasn't. Jungkook lay one hand at Jimin's jaw, the other at the small of his back to pull him in. When their lips finally met, Jungkook kissed him like it was all he'd been thinking about for the past two days and he'd been perfecting his method for how he would kiss Jimin the whole time. Maybe he had been. Jimin had. The kiss wasn't rushed or needy or desperate. Instead, it was sure and steady and sweet, but entirely overwhelming like they were both breathing out a 'finally' but absolutely certain they could take their time. Jungkook's lips finally moving against his own felt like another puzzle piece clicking into place.

------

"I sent you a text. Let me know that everything's good at your house, yeah? If you need anything please let me know."

Jimin was leaning back against his car after having thrown his bag into it. Jungkook was holding one of his hands, playing with his fingers. It was still far too warm outside to feel anything close to comfortable, but there was no way Jimin was rushing away. He'd already hugged and petting Bam goodbye and promised he'd see him again soon.

"I'm sure it'll be fine, but I'll make sure to send you a few messages detailing the truly horrible state of the things in my fridge if you insist."

Jungkook smiled. "I'm sure you're in for a lovely evening. At least trash collection is tomorrow."

"That is a plus, yes."

Jimin knew he really needed to get home. He'd have to get all of his HVAC back in working order and do at least some of the chores he'd missed the past couple of days. It was so hard to turn away from the gorgeous, smiling man in front of him, though.

"You look like your brain's working hard. What are you thinking about?" Jungkook asked, noting the ornery smile that Jimin knew was on his face.

"I'm thinking a little bit about tequila and how to induce the effects while sober," he admitted.

Jungkook's brows knit in confusion, then it cleared and he was rolling his eyes. He leaned in to leave another slow, soft kiss against Jimin's lips—he was already wanting those as frequently as possible—then with a last squeeze to his hand, he let go and backed away a step to allow Jimin room to open his door. "You won't need tequila to get me outta my clothes. Just FYI."

Jimin opened his door again, unable to hide his grin. "I'm gonna tuck that away in my brain and remember it."

Jungkook nodded. "Be safe. I know you're not going far, but be safe."

"I will," Jimin climbed into his car. "I'll text you soon."

One last wave and Jimin was backing down the driveway and out of what felt like a little fairytale bubble. But it wasn't a bubble. When Jimin backed out onto the road, Jungkook's house was still there and there were still bits of debris on the road out in front of him where the tree had been laying, blocking his way, being the last bit of blockage that Jimin's nerves could take, and setting the whole thing into effect. It was entirely strange to Jimin that he felt the urge to give thanks to a fallen tree. He couldn't wait for a reality and future where Jungkook was there. He wanted to learn more, go on dates, build a relationship. Friday evening, Jimin had been stressed and a little afraid. He didn't want to experience a storm like that again, though he knew now he probably would, but he couldn't help but look forward anyway in anticipation of what would come.