Archive of Our Own ^beta

Tick

Tack

It's one of the mysteries of life, isn't it? How time flies when happiness courses through your veins, lighting you in euphoria, electric from the inside out.

How, much in the same manner, dread cements time. Snuffing out that spark such that it becomes hard to remember that it was ever there.

That life was a rush.

Tick

Tack

For Kim Taehyung, days have been dragging for a while now. Hours, days, and weeks melding together into viscous, grey routine.

Tick

Tack

There is an old analogical clock in the lab. It was tick-tacking away the first day Taehyung stepped into this bright room as an intern, and it still is four years later, unfailing.

The sound is so ingrained in Taehyung’s mind he believes he could become a clock himself, tick-tacking away, and never lose pace.

Tick

Tack

It's currently 1:47 AM, and Taehyung is sat down at his work station in the lab, waiting.

"The samples should arrive at 2 AM sharp, Taehyung-ssi. This is highly confidential, so we can't have low level employees milling about. The security guys know what to do, and I trust you're perfectly capable of supervising this, you know the protocol".

No room for argument, then. And it's standard procedure, really, that's not what Taehyung is worried about.

It's the fact that it's something confidential enough to be transported in the middle of the night, and the fact that Taehyung will be the only witness to it.

Tick

Tack

As it is, his knee is bouncing all over the place, powered by his nerves and stress, and he's accidentally smacked it on the desk more than a couple times now. The dread sits heavy in his stomach, and by now the clock has hit 1:53 AM. He should go to the unloading area.

The silence in the outside hallway is such a reprieve from the nightmare clock that Taehyung can’t help but sigh, the tension in his shoulders uncoiling a little bit.

He really should make time to stretch at least once a week, he swears he used to be taller.

It’s extremely bright and extremely white in this hallway as well, just like everything in the company, but usually there are employees in white lab coats going about their days, chatting. Tonight, Taehyung’s only company is the sound of his footsteps as he makes his way toward the unloading area, where the delivery van will be coming in.

The unloading area is in the warehouse. Taehyung’s only been here a handful of times, so it still surprises him just how high the ceilings are and how much equipment is stored inside. It makes him feel tiny in comparison. Is this how insects feel? Surrounded by things that are definitely not made to their scale?

It’s also very cold, with the big doors destined to let trucks in also letting in gusts of chilly wind.

A shiver makes its way down his spine. He should’ve brought a coat.

Overall, a pretty eerie atmosphere. The lights are dimmer than upstairs, and Taehyung thought he hated the brightness, so straining on the eyes, but right now he finds that he kind of misses it.

Taehyung approaches one of the big doors, footsteps resounding louder than ever in the silence. He jams the key he was given into the panel and presses the button to open it. The giant door creaks like crazy, and it kind of feels like it will fall on him any minute, so he quickly steps through it. He shivers. It’s even colder out here. This is an industrial area, their building surrounded by factories, so the only sounds are the wind and a few cars on the distant highway, and the only thing he sees is concrete and lamplights up to the gate, where he can distinguish the silhouettes of a couple of security guys.

A quick look at his phone tells him it’s 1:59 AM. Just in time. Now, he waits.

And waits.

And waits.

He’s gonna chew right through his lip. The shipment is late. Only by like, seven minutes, but still, by the company’s standards, it’s seven minutes too late.

As he’s pacing up and down the open door, he finally sees a dark van stop at the gate of the complex. It quickly moves past the security guys, approaching Taehyung.

The van, with the logo of their biotech company on its side, comes to a stop in front of him, the driver obscured from view, but Taehyung waves just in case.

The door of the vehicle opens with a bang, and he barely has time to think that something is very wrong before being thrown to the floor.

Pain reverberates through his skull, and as the world fades to black, he feels something wet lick his cheek.

And really, that’s how everything starts.

Swinging from spiderwebs across the city with a black eye is no easy feat.

Jungkook would know, since he’s had to do it quite a few times. Swinging while wounded is never ideal, but an eye swollen shut means fucked up depth perception and decreased visual range. Which makes swinging, again, pretty damn difficult.

But he manages. He’s been doing the superhero thing for nine years now, and he used to be a bit of a joke at first, a scrawny teenager running around screaming that he’d save everyone as his voice constantly broke from damned hormonal changes, but Jungkook likes to think that he’s pretty well respected nowadays.

At least, the bad guys don’t feel bad about punching him in the face anymore. Which, now that he thinks about it, might not be a perk at all.

Whatever, he had finally caught those arms dealers, he could deal with a couple of bruises. They wouldn’t last long anyhow.

The dirty brick of his building approaches as he swings over a roof, and Jungkook lets out a sigh. It’s almost 4 AM, so with a bit of luck he’ll get a couple hours of sleep before heading to work.

When he first put the mask on, he was scared all the time. His body was changing, in more ways than the standard teenager does, his tingle constantly zapping at things and senses permanently overwhelmed with the amount of input he perceived. Jungkook had, quite frankly, zero confidence on being able to defeat the big bad guys.

It took time and many broken bones to grow into who he is today. To trust in his ability to do good, and to understand that sometimes, he simply couldn’t save everyone. That had been the toughest to accept.

He reaches the building, landing heavily on the metal structure of the fire escape. It screeches under his weight like it’s about to collapse, rusty old thing. Thank god everyone is asleep at this hour.

Sliding through the window into his small apartment, he looks around. Everything seems in order, Bam sleeping in his fluffy bed at the foot of Jungkook’s human-sized one. He looks so adorable, his lovely overgrown puppy.

The mask lands on the bed as Jungkook makes his way to the kitchen, quickly grabbing an ice pack from the freezer before heading to the bathroom, where his first aid kit rests in the cupboard under the sink. To be fair, it resembles more a miniature ER than a first aid kit, with the amount of supplies he’s accumulated throughout the years.

Jungkook can proudly say he’s an expert at patching himself up. He reckons that if he ever gets bored of the hero gig, nursing could be a good alternative. Or veterinary medicine.

He wraps the ice with a cloth so it doesn’t touch his skin directly and applies it to his poor swollen eye, hissing at the immediate shot of pain.

The smell of antiseptic is so familiar to Jungkook at this point that he hardly notices it as he efficiently disinfects a couple of scratches and shallow cuts. Jungkook may have super healing, but he’s not totally immune to infection and bad guys use very dirty weapons. Like seriously, they’re fucking nasty, you can mug people and still clean your knife, for fuck’s sake.

He would love to get more than four hours of sleep at night and have time for the countless hobbies and friends he’s had to give up, but really, he wouldn’t change the satisfaction of helping people for anything.

Stopping to look at himself in the mirror, Jungkook smiles at what he sees.

You’re one cool motherfucker, Jeon.

The thing is, it may be selfish of him, but he wishes somebody else knew that too. Someone who knew what his face looks like behind the mask.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he gets back to work. He moves fast, eager to go to bed, and before long he’s collapsing on the mattress.

Sleep usually comes automatically for Jungkook, with how exhausted he always is, but his eyes have barely closed when the prickle of his tingle in the back of his consciousness makes him shoot upright.

On cue, a series of loud crashes follow on the other side of the wall.

In Kim Taehyung’s apartment, to be exact.

And who would that be, you may wonder? Well, Jungkook’s not one for dramatics, but on the other side of the wall lives the most beautiful, most adorable, nicest, bestest human being on earth. In short, the love of his life, Kim Taehyung.

The only problem is that Taehyung himself doesn’t know that yet.

They met a little over a year ago, when Jungkook moved in.

Jungkook was standing at his door, balancing two boxes in one hand as he fumbled with his keys when a deep voice that could make any gay man weep startled him.

“Hello! Are you the new neighbor? Oh, let me help you with that!”

Jungkook’s field of vision cleared as the kind stranger took the boxes from him, allowing Jungkook to see a gorgeous man drop his things right to the floor, abruptly reminding him that normal people did in fact not have super strength.

“Oh fuck! I’m so sorry! I wasn’t expecting them to be so heavy!” The man looked genuinely distraught as he knelt to try to lift the box, beautiful brown eyes and mouth forming a pout, and Jungkook couldn’t bear it.

“No no, don’t worry! It’s totally fine. I lift a lot so I didn’t realize how heavy they are, but seriously, don’t worry! There’s nothing fragile inside, I promise, they’re just books, they’ll survive”.

Taehyung apologized another couple thousand times.

Jungkook had been smitten with his neighbor since day one, and he rejoiced in every encounter of theirs, even when Taehyung came back from work dead on his feet and barely acknowledged Jungkook, which had been happening more and more often lately, but Jungkook didn’t lose hope.

He was aware of how pathetic his crush was, but he just couldn’t help it. How romantic would dating your neighbor be? Running into each other in the hallways, chatting while they waited for their laundry to finish washing, slowly learning the other’s routine?

Or maybe he was just lonely.

It wasn’t like he could act on his feelings, not with the consequences dating carried for Jungkook.

But! This was important! Taehyung may be getting robbed right now!

Jungkook scrambled to peel off the rest of his suit, quickly throwing on some sweatpants and a t-shirt, when he heard retching noises that made him stop.

Maybe Taehyung just came from a club or something and he was simply drunk? He wouldn’t want to impose. But really, when was the last time Taehyung went out? The guy only left the house to go to work and buy groceries.

Jungkook wasn’t stalking him, okay? The walls were just very thin.

He didn’t hear anyone else in the apartment, and if Taehyung was sick, he would like to help.

Jungkook headed out before he could overthink it.

Jeon Jungkook was at his door.

This was bad news for Taehyung, considering it was past 4 AM, he had a pounding headache, had been throwing up since he woke up, his apartment looked like a particularly angry tornado had gone through it, and he didn’t remember how he got home from work in the first place. Or what he was doing before that.

So, yeah.

He wasn’t stoked about his next door neighbor’s visit.

Not because of Jungkook, who was a lovely person and always stopped to chat when they crossed in the hallway, even if Tae was usually too dead on his feet to engage in any conversation that required actual brain power.

The guy was a total cutie, worry pulling his lips down into a slight pout that, combined with his doe eyes, made for a particularly deadly combination.

Those eyes scanned Taehyung as he stood in the doorway, trying to block as much of the apartment’s devastated interior as possible.

“Hey, I’m sorry to bother you at this hour, but I heard some crashes and I think possibly retching? Is everything okay, are you feeling sick?”

He sounded so sincerely concerned that it made Taehyung want to weep a little and run into those strong, muscled arms.

Taehyung was very much not okay, actually. How he was managing to stay standing right now was anybody’s guess, because his vision kept spotting, he was so dizzy.

But he didn’t want to guilt his friendly neighbor into taking care of him, and he was about to say as much when it happened.

What’s this, a little spider?

A scratchy, booming voice reverberates through his skull like someone had shouted into a megaphone, pain shooting down his spine.

What the fuck, he was hearing things now? He was having auditory hallucinations, was this a manic episode? Fuck, fuck, he needed to sleep this off. And get Jungkook out of here right now.

“Hi there! Yeah, I’m not feeling too hot at the moment, probably just a seasonal fever though! Don’t worry about it, I wouldn’t wanna get you sick as well. I’ll be good as new in a couple of days, but thank you for coming to check!”

Before Jungkook can react Taehyung has already closed the door on him. Leaning against the wooden surface, he cleared his throat, voice strained. We sure won’t be getting any awards for that performance.

Fuck, he’s such an asshole, poor guy.

Let me taste the little spider

Taehyung jumps, because shit, that’s fucking scary, and it’s coming from inside him.

Maybe it’s a stroke.

After grabbing the trashcan from the bathroom in case the urge to puke comes back, Taehyung drops onto the bed, sighing as he stares at the ceiling.

Tomorrow will be another day, and everything will be alright.

It’s the last thought to graze his mind as exhaustion finally pulls him under.

The beach was breathtaking. The ocean a marvelous turquoise blue, the wind rustling the palm trees and caressing Taehyung’s sunkissed skin as he lounged on a deck chair sipping from a mojito.

Ah, pure bliss. There was nowhere he’d rather be.

This is really fucking boring

Taehyung woke up suddenly, heart hammering in his chest as he tried to calm his agitated breath and regain his bearings. Looking around, his bedroom was messy, but nothing out of the ordinary.

It had just been a nightmare. He was completely fine.

The clock on his nighstand read 10:05 AM.

Calmer now, Taehyung made his way into the living space, still a bit disoriented and lightheaded. As he threw a couple pieces of bread into the toaster and poured a cup of coffee, he pondered on last night’s events.

Was he so sleep deprived as to dream up the entire ordeal? Bits and pieces came to mind. Himself at his workstation, killing time before the shipment came in. Then it got blurry. Diving into a dumpster? Puking his guts out into the toilet? It was too surreal to be more than a product of his imagination, and still, the glass in the coffee table was smashed, the chairs knocked over, and his precious curtains shredded.

What the fuck had happened here? Did someone break in? It didn’t seem like anything had been stolen.

He ate slowly, mindful of his upset stomach. God, he smelled gross, and his body felt like it’d been run over by a truck. A shower sounded blissful, would hopefully soothe both his sore body and anxious mind.

Any ease left his mind though, as he stepped into the bathroom and saw himself in the mirror. It wasn’t the dark circles under his eyes, the bedhead or his glasses sitting askew on his nose, but the giant fucking alien looking head protruding out of his neck and seemingly floating in the air.

Granted, the scream he let out wasn’t very dignified.

Pleased to meet you, lovely human

Oh god, this thing was fucking talking, what the actual fuck.

Terror had frozen him on the spot, gaping at the figure in the mirror.

It had the most horror inducing mouth he’d ever seen, huge sharp teeth ready to bite, white slitted eyes with no pupil and glossy skin in a midnight blue color. Worst of all, a long fucking tongue like a lizard’s hanging out of its mouth.

Overall, not a pretty sight.

Hey, I fucking heard that!

“What the fuck are you?!?” Taehyung’s voice was shrill and leaning on hysterical, but really, who would blame him?

My name is Noctambule, and I have been waiting so long for this moment.

“I… for what exactly? You’re not gonna eat me, are you?”

The thing let out a throaty laugh, apparently delighted by Taehyung’s very reasonable concern.

No, my dear TaeTae, I’m not gonna eat you. You’re gonna be the host I need to explore this decadent world of yours. Hope you enjoy the ride.

And before Taehyung could respond, or question how the monster knew his childhood nickname, the strangest sensation invaded him.

Something running through his veins, muscles and nerves. Taking control of him and rendering him a mere spectator, a puppet in his own body. When he looks back at the mirror, the thing, Noctambule, is all he sees. Kim Taehyung is gone, and Noctambule’s tall bulky figure occupies its place, a monster-like nightmare.

Noctambule jumped out the window.

Taehyung screamed, awaiting certain death, but Noctambule landed on the street graceful as a cat. Except, well, the pavement cracked under his weight.

In the same manner, unlike with a cat, people didn’t coo at him, but screamed and turned tail running.

Noctambule was apparently extremely strong and agile, able to extend appendages to seemingly endless points. Which was useful to navigate the city, swinging from one building to another, almost like flying.

Taehyung thought to himself that he wouldn’t mind commuting like this instead of taking the subway.

“Hey, what exactly does ‘exploring the decadent human world’ entail, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Taehyung was on edge. Not having control over one’s body and actions was very nerve-wracking.

But he wasn’t as terrified as one may think. He wanted to know what this thing was, how it controlled him, and how to get rid of it. He needed to be smart in order to acquire that information, because the thing was quite literally inside his head, so he couldn’t go on his own to research it. He needed to trick the information out of it.

I want to see what the talk is all about. What’s supposedly so good about this planet that we’re letting weak little ants hunt us down instead of annihilating every single one of you.

And wow, wasn’t that a delightful perspective.

The city was starting to come alive, the locals out enjoying a morning stroll or a bike ride, the tourists milling about with their cameras pointing everywhere, the shops opening their doors for the busy day ahead.

Very peaceful, but not what Noctambule was looking for.

He descended right into a big group of tourists, too busy staring in awe at a famous statue to take notice of the monster looming overhead. Noctambule let out a blood-curdling scream, and the poor souls reacted just in time for Noctambule to swallow a middle-aged lady’s camera whole. And it wasn’t a small camera, not in the slightest.

He landed on the floor, cocky smirk full of teeth, and had the audacity to burp, satisfied.

Really, that set the tone for the entire day.

Noctambule ran around the city terrorizing its population. Some notable activities he seemed to enjoy were: throwing cars around, tearing off fire hydrants and consequently drenching anyone nearby, taunting drunkards crawling their way home from bars, and ultimately, making fun of Tae’s indignant complaints at the mayhem he was creating.

Noctambule was relentless, but Taehyung’s anxiety kept skyrocketing as the hours passed. This would make it to the news.

Also, Noctambule was damn strong.

At some point in the afternoon they had found themselves in a small plaza, where a few men seemed to have extended the night into day drinking. They didn’t look very amicable, but that didn’t reign in Noctambule’s puppy-like curiosity. He heard their music and approached them, with what intentions, Taehyung did not have the slightest idea.

The moment they saw a tall-ass monster with fangs the size of a child’s forearm and eyes full of sclera and no actual eye, they flipped their shit. Ordinarily, Taehyung reckoned, they would’ve been out of there in five seconds, but there were five of them and they were deeply intoxicated with possibly more than just booze. As they say, alcohol is liquid courage, and these fellas must’ve really felt it, as they squared up and charged against Noctambule in a drunken rage.

Taehyung didn’t know what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t for him to tear a streetlamp out of the concrete pavement and swing it as if it were a baseball bat. If Taehyung hadn’t been scared shitless, he might have actually found it funny, the men running to avoid becoming what would’ve surely been a home run, but as it stood, he was kinda worried for their physical integrity.

He managed to convince Noctambule not to seriously injure anyone, but most likely at least a couple of them were concussed from falling over. It could’ve been much worse, so Taehyung was counting it as a win.

As they moved farther away from downtown, tall buildings gave way to little streets lined with shops, more greenery and less concrete. They reached the entrance to one of the biggest parks in the city, which seemed to be packed full that day. As high as they were, a throng of people and a stage were visible in a distant clearing. The music was loud and booming.

What is this place?

“By the sound of it, probably a heavy metal concert. People gather to listen to bands they like play live”

By now, Taehyung had given up. Noctambule would satisfy his curiosity with whatever grabbed his attention, and he was just along for the ride.

”Please don’t fight anyone. People here just want to enjoy the music and have fun”

That’s exactly what I’m here for TaeTae! When was the last time you went out and had fun, little human? always playing god at that company of yours. I’ve been trapped my whole life, but I feel like you and I are not so different. Why don’t you let loose for a change?

It was one thing for his mother to tell him to go out more, but a fucking alien monster? Unbelievable.

Noctambule didn’t stop to discuss the sorry state of Taehyung’s social life though, he extended his arms and rushed towards the music.

They lowered to the ground where the line of trees ended, giving way to the grassy area the stage was in.

As they join the crowd, Taehyung realizes that they don’t stand out all that much.

Lots of leather, lots of black, lots of jumping around and head-banging. And none of them seemed to care about the monster in attendance.

The screeching guitars, heavy bass and scratchy voice of the singer were like celestial music to Noctambule, who in a matter of minutes had made his way to the front and into the middle of a mosh pit, having the time of his life.

He was jumping and head-banging, kicking around with the more hardcore fans and screaming along with the audience. His huge tongue was hanging out of his mouth like a dog’s, but again, no one cared.

Noctambule’s gravely voice sounded so excited it was actually kind of wholesome, in a weird way, but still.

Taehyung was not really one for rock or heavy metal. He much prefered jazz, soul, some good old 2000’s pop every once in a while. But he had to admit that this was pretty fucking fun.

Hey, I wanna try doing that too!

“What, play an instrument? We can, it’s pretty fun. Better than picking fights with people who don’t stand a chance against you, at least”

Taehyung thought Noctambule meant playing an instrument at some point in time, but as he makes his way onto the stage in one jump, the human realizes he’d let his guard down like the fool he is.

Pushing the baffled lead singer to the side, Noctambule screames into the mic.

Everyone, give it up for the next song, this is Noctambule!!!

And, to Taehyung’s surprise, the audience screams along like the rude interruption hadn’t occurred at all.

Like there wasn’t a monster yelling on stage.

The musicians seem confused for a second, but then the drummer shrugs, starting up a rhythm, and the rest of the band follows, improvising a tune around Noctambule’s screeches. Even the singer joins in on the melody, hyping Noctambule even more.

The two of them end up hugging as they jump and scream incoherently, Noctambule even hiking the rugged singer onto his shoulders at the end of the song, audience going wild and chanting Noctambule’s name.

Taehyung, completely bewildered, can’t help but cackle, Noctambule’s chest shaking with the force of the host’s laughter. Maybe they can stay for a while, this is pretty fun.

The concert finishes with a clamoring ovation from the public and two encores from the band, who hug Noctambule one by one and give him their number in case he ever wants to do a collaboration, which Noctambule seems ecstatic about.

For his part, Taehyung hasn’t really processed everything that’s happened today.

Wow, little human, you guys actually do know how to have fun! Let’s go, what should we do now?

“What, more??? Aren’t you tired?”

Frankly, Taehyung is. And he hasn’t moved a finger all day. Or, guess that technically, he has? Is his actual body covered by Noctambule’s, or has it fully transformed? Does Noctambule take away from his energy source?

His scientist brain can’t help but wonder, as this is totally new for him and he’s naturally curious.

To answer your questions, I don’t know what happens to your body while I’m driving the bus, but you can get it back when I’m done, so who cares. I do take away from your energy, so you will have to eat a lot more from now on. Luckily, what I eat also serves to power you. And no, I’m not tired. Let’s go! Where should we go?

They end up going to a party.

A rave, more like.

It was one of those clubs where people go fucking wild and Taehyung had no idea how they’d got there. Well, he did, actually. Upon Taehyung declaring his total lack of knowledge about nightlife, Noctambule had decided to ask the people who were leaving the venue. A big group had decided to adopt them and now here they were.

The music wasn’t at all like the concert’s, mostly different genres of techno. It was dark except for blue lights painting the writhing bodies in blue and colorful neon wristbands cutting through the darkness.

The people with them are actually really nice, and didn’t give a fuck about his appearance, which Taehyung found really weird, but he’s not gonna question it.

Normally he would’ve needed a few drinks before he could socialize and dance without self-consciousness eating him up, especially around strangers, but Noctambule felt, surprisingly enough, like armor. He had no inhibitions, and it was actually a very freeing experience. Taehyung didn’t remember the last time he had stepped foot in a club. Probably back in university, when Hoseok and Jimin still bothered to drag him places.

Before work consumed his whole life.

It had been a while since then.

But this carefree sensation is so, so good.

He’s spinning in circles with two people he met an hour ago, laughing like a maniac, when Noctambule surprisesd him.

Hey, you wanna take control for a bit?

“What? What do you mean?”

Luckily, the loud music makes it hard for the others to hear him talking to himself like a madman.

I mean that you take over for a while

All of a sudden, Taehyung can move again.

He drops to his knees, suddenly boneless.

Fuck, he’s on his own now. Surrounded by strangers. And sober. What a scary prospect.

Come on, Taetae, you can do it. You just have to dance, you can’t do it worse than me, I didn’t even know what dancing was before today

Noctambule has a point, to be fair. His companions help him back up, and as he stands up, the tallest in the room, Taehyung realizes that he’s still in Noctambule’s body.

He smiles at the people around him. They don’t know him, where he came from or what he does, and they probably don’t care to find out. Tonight, he can be whoever he wants .

Taehyung flails around like an octopus, nothing sultry and definitely nothing sexy, but he decides that he doesn’t give a fuck.

He would be ridiculous and he would enjoy himself, damn it.

Freedom was intoxicating.

“Oof”

The bed creaked as Taehyung flopped on top of it, all the air leaving his body in a rush of air, his sigh accompanied by a heaviness in his bones and soreness in his muscles. He was exhausted.

Noctambule had just given back control, and even though he technically had been chilling all day, both his body and mind were exhausted like he’d run a marathon.

Well TaeTae I think I get it now! You humans know how to have fun! No wonder my predecessors didn’t want to go back to our home planet.

Noctambule sounded almost giddy in his child-like wonder at the world.

And wow, if that information wasn’t enough to drag him away from dreamland.

“Wait wait wait, you’re saying that you’re an actual alien? Like, not from planet earth???” his voice came out understandably wobbly. He wasn’t a scientist for no reason, had been obsessed with space and the oceans and everything humans knew next to nothing about since he was a child, and he could feel his ten year old self freaking out somewhere inside his chest right now.

Sure am! From what I’ve been told, around two decades ago my predecessor ran into one of those crafty toys you guys send out into space, and infected the crew. You’re a smart boy, so I’m sure you’ve realized by now that I’m a symbiote. My species can’t live on our own, at least not in this planet, so we graciously allow humans to be our hosts.

“Wow, so generous of you”.

We are, right? I’ll admit that the first symbiotes here weren’t all that friendly, with wanting to subjugate your entire species and all, but we’re really nice nowadays! My predecessor killed all the other symbiotes who came with him to secure his spot, and then went on to create offspring everywhere. I’m a descendant of that offspring. You see, I never met him, our species isn’t as nurturing as you guys, but I’ve been told he had a great host he spent a long time with, that they had a partnership.

“So, there are others like you?” He just could not for the life of him keep his curiosity at bay.

Sure, a few dozens, but not many who are free to roam the world. Humans may be weak, but you’re sneaky little fuckers, with all your inventions and machines. Most of us are captured few years after our creation. I haven’t been out of confinement since I was but a little puppy.

“That’s actually fascinating. And quite daunting. How did you manage to escape?

I think the disturbance in the environment during transportation to your facility made me come out of my dormant state, and that’s how I managed to break free. I infected the guy driving, but then I ran into you and you seemed way more appealing, so the rest is history.

“Fuck, no wonder your existence is kept under wraps, that is terrifying, people would freak the fuck out”.

You say that like you didn’t freak the fuck out.

“Shut up, you caught me by surprise, you appeared in the goddamn mirror! Do you know how many horror movies start like that?”

I don’t even know what a horror movie is, but I do know that your world is beautiful Taehyung. There’s so much color and sound and life, plants don’t even try to kill you! And you guys actually do stuff besides trying to conquer and dominate. You know how to live.**

Does he now? Does Taehyung know how to live? When he hasn’t seen Jimin, Hoseok or any of his other friends in months, when he doesn’t remember the last time he took his art supplies out of their box. When his lungs wouldn’t allow him to hit a single note on his trumpet right now, when his idea of a good day is not getting shouted at by his supervisor at the lab, not having a panic attack, not falling asleep in the subway.

When the only words he can think of to describe his life right now are dread, apathy, stress.

When he hasn’t felt strong, capable, fulfilled, happy in literal years.

Tears prick at his eyes, bitterness in his mouth, down his throat, in his chest, pressing down, down, choking him.

“I don’t think you and I are so different Noct. Humans may not be caged in the literal sense, but we’re still trapped. At least some of us.”

Noctambule emits a low rumble, a vibration that somehow manages to convey empathy, understanding. Feelings Taehyung would have never thought him capable of mere hours ago.

And what are you giving your freedom away for TaeTae? Aren’t you supposed to be brilliant? Can’t you get that money you humans love so much somewhere else?

Isn’t that a great question. And doesn’t it feel an incommensurably big feat, looking out for his own wellbeing, making changes, when he barely has the energy to get out of bed in the mornings.

The sigh that escapes him seems to encompass the entirety of his self.

Will you tell me about the things that make you happy? The people?

And Taehyung does. To a being that has never known compassion, he talks about his brother, with his dimples and his infinite love for all things alive, animals and plants, arts, poetry.

To a being that has never known love, he talks about his best friend, an unstoppable force fit inside a tiny body, the fiercest and most caring person he’ll ever meet.

To a being that has never known heart, he talks about music, about art, about stories, about all the things humans do to show affection, to express the feelings that are too big to contain inside their chests.

Noctambule listens attentively, like he too can’t contain his feelings inside his chest, like he too has emotions clawing at his throat, trying to escape through his sharp teeth.

And that’s how Taehyung falls asleep, eyes too heavy and head too light, more human than he’s been in a long time, talking to a monster like he too is one.

*** BREAKING NEWS ***

Monster on the Loose: Authorities Urge Caution

Authorities are urging citizens to be cautious following a series of sightings of a monster-like creature downtown, which has been linked to a number of attacks and property damage across the city throughout the day.

"We are taking these reports very seriously," said Lee Sanghoon, Chief of Police. "We are asking all citizens to be on the lookout for this creature and to report any sightings immediately.”

This monster is described by witnesses as a large, hulking creature with dark blue skin and a spider-like appearance. It is known for its razor-sharp claws and teeth, and white slitted eyes.

The monster’s last known whereabouts are at the Freedom Market around 5 PM.

Authorities are confident that it will be apprehended soon. In the meantime, they are urging citizens to be cautious and to report any suspicious activity.

“Well, fuck. I just threw the suit in the washing machine for a sanitize cycle. One can’t even do laundry in peace anymore”.

Taehyung is sitting at the little table in his kitchen, staring disorientedly at the bowl of cereal in front of him.

He’s closer to REM than wakefulness, so much so that even Noctambule is quiet, subdued in the softness of sleep, if Noctambule can ever be defined as anything soft adjacent. As it stands, it’s only natural that he lets out a startled yelp when the bell rings loudly through the apartment.

He jolts from the shock, and he looks down at his lap to see that milk has spilled all over his pajama pants, which is undeniably a brilliant start to his morning.

Grumbling, he picks up some napkins to dab at the wet plaid cloth and makes his way to the entrance.

A lovely little spider, booms Noctambule’s conscience in his mind, but Taehyung ignores it.

Taehyung opens the door, still pressing the napkin to his leg, glasses askew and hair a mess, to find a pair of dark doe eyes staring back at him from behind a fringe of wavy hair.

Jeon Jungkook.

He’s decked in loungewear, a big hoodie and sweatpants that would make Taehyung look homeless but Jungkook pulls off like a model. Which he could be, honestly, with that perfectly gorgeous face of his, the lines of his jaw cutting sharp angles through all the sweetness, and that body of his.

God, Taehyung can’t even think about it.

And he could really be a model for all Taehyung knows. Not a runway model, he’s too built for that, knows he spends a lot of time at the gym, if the times they run into each other in the hallway with Jungkook all sweaty in his tiny shorts, making Taehyung feel breathless, are any indication.

But maybe he could be a commercial model? Taehyung is suddenly so, so curious about him. But he’s never asked, in all the months they’ve lived sharing one wall, and he probably never will. Hasn’t spent much time thinking about Jungkook besides admiring his looks, to be honest. How could he, when he spends every minute of every day working or thinking about work? Worrying and stressing, with just enough energy to get through the day and collapse in bed, only to do it again the next day. Rinse and repeat.

When was the last time he went on a date? Two years ago, maybe?

“Hey, I hope you’re not busy. I brought you this. It’s just a couple things that I thought could be useful? You- you know, for your flu or whatever? Sorry if it’s lame”.

And he’s so fumbly, stumbling over his words like a newborn fawn, it’s actually kind of adorable.

Taehyung was such an asshole to him last time, he basically slammed the door in the poor guy’s face and now he’s bringing him a care package?

“Hi! Of course not! Thank you so much, you really didn’t have to. You wanna come in for a bit?”

Please say yes. And this thought is purely Taehyung’s, although Noctambule seems to echo it. Taehyung can feel it, somehow.

Jungkook enters the apartment, looking around curiously, making Taehyung feel a bit self-conscious as he closes the door.

The apartment is a mess. He barely tidied up the chaos Noctambule left behind while their bodies were first accommodating to each other, which is apparently the reason why Taehyung was puking and generally feeling like death that night.

“I- I’m so sorry about this, I’m not usually this messy, I swear. Work’s been crazy this past week and then the flu hit me and-”

“It’s fine Taehyung-ssi”, interrupts Jungkook, amusement lighting up his expression, “My place is not much better. S’ what having a dog does to you, so don’t worry, I’m used to a little messy”.

“Right, Bam, is it? My favourite boy”.

They often run into each other as Taehyung leaves for work and Jungkook takes Bam out for an early walk. Taehyung can’t help but adore the Doberman, always wagging his tail at the sight of Taehyung and eager for tummy rubs.

“Yep. He’s getting so big I had to buy him a new bed. Want to see the size comparison?”

“I absolutely do”.

They get distracted for a while looking at Jungkook’s extensive gallery of Bam pictures, until he seems to remember what he came for and they relocate to the couch.

“So, it’s really nothing fancy”, says Jungkook as he takes out things from the plastic bag, “there are some painkillers, an electrolyte drink to help with dehydration, and I made soup! It’s my dad’s recipe, works like a charm. He always made it for me when I was sick as a kid”.

“You cooked for me?” his heart shouldn’t pound the way it does at that, but Jungkook is so thoughtful, Taehyung might just swoon.

Jungkook simply nods, a bit coy as red overtakes his ears.

“Have you eaten? Would you wanna stay for lunch? We can have the soup. I promise what I have isn’t contagious, and I’m feeling much better already” and if his voice sounds a little hopeful, really, who could blame him?

Miraculously, Jungkook accepts.

And not so miraculously, but actually kind of predictably, he’s great company.

The soup is delicious.

They eat crowded at the small kitchen table, knees bumping but smiles on their faces as Jungkook recounts his adventures with Bam at the dog park.

Taehyung makes tea for both of them and they continue chatting, ambling through the house with little thought, from the kitchen to the balcony, and back to the couch, Taehyung’s legs to his chest as he faces Jungkook.

Jungkook is funny in an endearing way, talking about his love for comics and anime, awkward and shy when he confesses he used to not be very popular in school, getting made fun of for the same hobbies he cherishes today, which Taehyung thinks is outraging; voice morphing into confidence when he talks about his gym routine, and getting silly about it as he campaigns for how real pretty privilege is.

And Taehyung can’t keep the corners of his mouth from lifting, his happiness spreading until it occupies his entire face.

“You don’t get it hyung, ‘cause I bet you’ve always been this handsome. But it’s very real! No one gave me freebies when I had a bowl cut and braces”.

“Hey, I’ll let you know that I had a very dark teenage years. I don’t think I’m particularly well-looking right now, but I had to grow into my features, to put it lightly”.

And Jungkook is so affronted by the notion that Taehyung just has to show him pictures of when he was 14, baby-faced with a bowl cut, dyed bright red because it had seemed like a great idea at the time, so cool, ears peeking from under it and a character-building nose.

He narrates how he had lots of friends despite his flaws, which Jungkook deems adorable quirks, flustering Taehyung as he continues the story with how friendly everyone was at school, how accepting of his weirdness, and how that’s why he doesn’t feel that pretty privilege is an actual thing.

“Hyung, but you were a social butterfly! Charm and charisma compensate for not being the cutest guy in the class, which I bet you will be in the twenty years reunion by the way. But what about the introverts? I was so shy in high school I couldn’t even look the girls in the eyes!”

“Jungkook-ah, I bet that’s not true. I’m sure everyone saw you as the cool mysterious guy, getting confession notes in your locker and stuff like that, and you just didn’t realize it”

“Hyung, I was in the comic and manga club. In the 2010s. I was not considered cool in any way shape or form”.

“Yeah, and I was a band kid! I played the trumpet! Honestly, I don’t know why we’re having this discussion, it’s clear we were both complete nerds”.

And it’s so, so easy to get lost in the conversation, to lose track of time.

Logically, when one spends 26 years of their life without a parasitic alien inside their brain, and they get distracted by a pretty boy who’s also nice and funny and smart, they forget said alien is still inside their brain.

So when Noctambule suddenly speaks after being quiet for hours, Taehyung almost shits himself.

That soup was good Tae, but I haven’t fed in weeks. I’m starved for something filling

Taehyung’s been hearing the voice inside his head for a while now, but it’s still quite terrifying.

And it must show on his face, because all of a sudden Jungkook looks extremely concerned.

“Hey, are you okay? Are you feeling nauseus? You just turned really pale”.

Taehyung can barely hear the other over his galloping heartbeat, reverberating in his ears, in his chest.

“Yes! Yes I’m fine, I’m good. Sorry, I need to go to the bathroom. Be right back”.

His legs carry him dutifully and the door slams behind him.

“What do you mean you haven’t eaten in weeks Noct? I’ve been eating like normal” He’s so nervous he feels short of breath.

YOU have been eating like normal. I’m so hungry TaeTae, won’t you let me eat? He’s right there!

“What do you mean he’s right there, you mean Jungkook?!”

And his voice is more of a screech now, because what the fuck, does Noctambule eat people???

The little spider, yesss

“Please don’t tell me you eat people”

Dear TaeTae, there are a lot of ways you can taste someone

“I-, what? What do you mean?”

And as if a voice inside his mind wasn’t enough, he suddenly finds himself somewhere else. A dark bedroom, two bodies writhing under the sheets, moans loud in his ears as if he were the camera operator recording a porno. None he recognizes, but that just makes it even more disturbing.

It ends as abruptly as it started, and oh wow, it turns out that Noctambule can also project onto his mind, like a fucked up version of youtube.

“Noctambule, you feed from sex? How is that even possible?”

I feed from the energy my partner releases with their orgasm. I need to feed very sparsely, and I can subsist off of human food for a while, but eventually I need to eat, and I can’t wait too much longer

Shocked feels too soft of a word to describe what Taehyung is feeling at the moment, but he needs to reason with Noctambule or he fears he will take over.

“Listen Noct, we will get you fed, but you can’t just go out there and tear off Jungkook’s clothes. That’s literally a crime, it’s not moral”.

Are you sure? the pretty spider seems really tasty. Come on TaeTae, he’s fucking sexy, and he’s adorable! I bet he moans beautifully. You know I’m not the only one who thinks so, or have you forgotten that I’m in your head?

Taehyung’s imagination runs away with that, and he forcefully tears himself away from that train of thought.

“No Noctambule, I’ll find someone else, someone willing”, and his voice comes out firm this time, even if his hands are trembling.

Noctambule isn’t happy about it, but he acquiesces.

Jungkook is sitting where he left him when he returns to the living room, looking cozy and soft wrapped in one of Taehyung’s blankets, and he wishes he could keep talking to him, even if the sun was high up in the sky when Jungkook arrived and it’s shining its last rays for the day right now.

“Hey, listen. Thank you so much for today, I had such a great time. You really didn’t have to bother, but I appreciate it so much that you did. I’m feeling a bit under the weather right now, I think I might take a nap? But we should totally meet up again sometime”

Jungkook quickly gets up from the couch, blanket making him stumble as he apologizes for overstaying his welcome, cheeks red in what Taehyung hopes is not shame, and he quickly reassures him that he would love to continue their conversation another day, which makes Jungkook’s eyes go from kicked puppy to shiny starts in a second.

He’s so lovely, such a lovely boy.

As the door of the apartment closes, familiar silence once again settling over, Taehyung wonders how the fuck he’s going to pick someone up when he hasn’t had sex in a year and a half.

“Okay, let me get this straight. In order to feed, you need to make someone orgasm. And by you really I mean me, because despite how nice people were the other night, I doubt they’d want to risk getting their tongue slashed through by your teeth”.

You raise a valid point my friend

Taehyung’s been pacing around the living room since Jungkook left, thoughts bubbling up to the surface. The reality of the situation he’s found himself in is finally settling in, that this is not a movie, but his actual life.

“And how does it work exactly? What if a person masturbated in the same room I’m in, would that count? Do I have to be touching them when they orgasm? And what if someone comes while thinking of me?”

Answering both questions number one and number three, it would only count if the person masturbates with you in the room while actively thinking of you. I’ve honestly never tested the distance, but you can do so if you feel like it. And you do not need to be touching them at the moment of orgasm. You’re one curious little fella, aren’t you?

“Noct, these are valid concerns! I need to know how to proceed”.

Who cares? Is sex such an important thing to humans? Do you have to mate for life if you fuck someone? I know some species do that. Granted, they don’t feed off of sex.

“God, no! Some humans fuck around a lot, others not so much. I had a bit of a phase back in university when I had just come out of the closet, but I’ve never been much for casual sex. I think I’m too insecure for that, and this makes me kinda nervous, to be honest with you”

You’re insecure? About what? It’s just fucking!

“I don’t know! That they might not like my body? That they’ll find me weird? It’s so awkward when you don’t know the person, you don’t know what they like or don’t like. And no one sticks around afterward”.

Taehyung, I can’t believe you need an alien to come tell you this, but you’re one fine human specimen. You could probably pull anyone, regardless of sexual preference. Casual sex can be really fun if you know what to expect and communicate properly. And if you really don’t like it, you can always ask the spider. I’m sure he’d be happy to engage in emotionally intimate intercourse with you

Mirth is for sure one of the emotions Noctambule conveys best.

A whole punk ass alien is laughing at him. He really is pathetic.

“We’re not going anywhere near Jungkook until we’ve tamed your horniness”.

Suit yourself

And why does Noctambule sound so disappointed, if supposedly sex is such a casual thing for him?

Regardless of Noctambule’s opinion, Taehyung isn’t going to seduce anyone in his current state.

Britney Spears plays through a bluetooth speaker in all her 2000’s glory as Taehyung gets ready. Showering, shaving, doing his skincare for the first time in months, styling his hair (and realizing he was in dire need of a haircut), and rummaging through his closet until he unearths his clothes from back in college. Of his slutty era, as Jimin likes to refer to it.

It’s a lot of patterns and bright colors, flowy shirts that showed off this chest and broad back, paired with tight pants that left nothing to the imagination.

It’s not very surprising that most of them still fit him, seeing as he was a lot more muscular back then.

Looking at how the pair of skinny jeans fit kinda loose on him now, he decides to discard them in favor of a pair of wide-legged black slacks, but he does pick up one of his favourite old shirts. Dark green with colorful flowers embroidered all over.

He doesn’t undo as many buttons as he would have when he was 21, but staring at himself in the mirror, hair slicked back and curling at his nape, he finds himself looking hot, classy even.

Huh, he didn’t think he had it in him anymore. 

He’s gonna go to a gay club. He’s not confident enough for a bar and dating apps aren’t even an option. Jimin used to be an avid Grindr user and convinced Taehyung to try it, only for him to get instantly traumatized by the influx of dick picks in his inbox. He’s still scarred from that experience, no thank you.

“Okay Taehyung, you can do it. You look fine as hell, you still have it in you. Let’s go”

He could never be a motivational speaker, he’s terrible at pep talks, but before he can overthink it anymore, he grabs his long brown coat, puts on a pair of loafers, and leaves.

As they say, alcohol is liquid courage, and to be fair, it’s always been part of the equation for Taehyung when flirting is concerned.

So, as soon as he enters the club, loud music hitting his ears and pounding in his chest, red lights doing little to illuminate the writhing bodies on the dancefloor, he makes a beeline for the bar and flags down a bartender.

A couple of shots later, he makes his way to the imposing dancefloor, crowded as it’s natural on a Saturday night.

Once the alcohol hits, things start getting blurry, but so, so much easier. He lasts a total of two songs dancing on his own before a warm body slots behind his.

Anxiety is the furthest thing on his mind as hands roam from his waist to his chest, his abdomen, his ass, carving anew an old path in his skin he had forgotten existed, and he floats away as the bass envelops him.

Everything feels good and fun, lips in his ear whispering filthy, different hands, different bodies.

He doesn’t know if he ends up going home with the tall guy in the jean vest or the stocky one with the beard, heat burning at the forefront of his mind, but he’s not too worried about it at the moment.

The world clouds over like a curtain call.

This was always a mandatory part of the deal back when he still did one night stands, and one of the main reasons he stopped doing it.

The guilt, the dread, the anxiety. Self-consciousness, remembering his actions when he was heavily intoxicated, how shamelessly he spoke. Embarrassment, at seeing a stranger lying next to him in an unknown bed, in an unknown room, clothes spread all across the floor.

And always, disappointment, if the nameless person beside him opened their eyes, told him it had been fun, that he could leave whenever, and to call them if he wanted to meet up again.

With time, he learned to make his way out quietly, ugly feelings festering in his chest as he pulled his clothes back on. Sometimes gone even before dawn.

This time was no different, except for the extra years on his back, and the extra shame, bitter on his tongue as the door to a strange apartment slammed behind him, leaving him to crawl his way home.

He dreaded having to do it again.

The blue Goliath: a villain or a nuisance?

A week after its first sighting, there have been no reports of serious injuries caused by this creature. In fact, some citizens have even expressed amusement at his antics.

"I saw him swinging from a lamppost the other day," said local resident Jung Hoseok. "It was pretty funny. Honesly, I’ve seen drunkards do worse”.

"We have received numerous reports of Venom's antics," said Lee Sanghoon, Chief of Police. "He has been seen scaling buildings, disrupting traffic, and generally causing a nuisance."

Nevertheless, the cost of his little pranks is raking up as he continues destroying cars and fire hydrants, and people are starting to question why Spiderman hasn’t intervened yet.

Some speculate that Spiderman is deliberately allowing the blue Goliath to run free, believing that he is more of a nuisance than a threat. Others believe that Spider-Man is simply unable to catch him.

"He is a very agile and cunning creature," said the chief. "It is possible that Spiderman is simply having difficulty tracking him down."

Whatever the reason, he continues to roam the city, causing chaos and bewilderment among the population. Authorities are urging citizens to continue being cautious, but they are also beginning to question whether the blue Goliath is a real threat or simply a cosmic prankster.

Damned reporters. He was trying, okay? Can’t a little spider dude catch a break? The blue goliath, or the little fucker, as Jungkook has been referring to the creature in his mind, was a sneaky bastard.

He’d spent all week chasing him around the city. First downtown, through the touristy areas, then further south, across the nightlife districts. A couple days later, the monster had moved on to the most expensive shopping area of the city, paying for absolutely none of all the things he got. And just yesterday Jungkook had spent his day running around the amusement park as the monster rode on all the rollercoasters chill as a cucumber.

It was as if the monster was new in town and wanted to explore all it had to offer. Which would’ve been fine and dandy if he wasn’t also 7 feet tall with razor-sharp teeth.

Although, he’s gotta admit he’s been a bit distracted. Or a lot, really.

By a certain someone who lived next door and had the ability to melt Jungkook right to the floor any time they spoke. It was unbelievable, but they had spent time together almost every day that week.

The day following Jungkook’s little care package adventure, which he still couldn’t believe he’d been brave enough to do, Taehyung had dropped by his apartment asking if he wanted to take a walk through the park with Bam. Needless to say, Jungkook accepted enthusiastically.

Taehyung told him he had finally taken a well-deserved vacation, and it seemed to be doing him great. The first time Jungkook saw him with his new haircut he almost fainted. Taehyung said he had gotten an ‘end of the movie’ makeover, and although Jungkook found him just as beautiful with his usual stubble and thick glasses, happiness suited him like a glove.

The worry lines and dark under eyes had faded within a couple of days, leaving golden skin and a beautiful smile behind. Taehyung seemed so relaxed, soft and cozy in his coat as the wind swept his fluffy chocolate hair. Jungkook couldn’t stop staring, zero recollection of the market stalls they wandered through that evening.

And the best part, as they spent more time together, Taehyung’s personality started to shine through.

Jungkook had suspected as much, but Taehyung was truly such an interesting person. Once he discovered that Jungkook had only been in the city for less than two years and hadn’t visited much beyond the tourist spots, he made a point to take him to some of the hidden gems their home had to offer. And he knew so much, narrating historical events, fun facts and beautiful stories. Jungkook’s crush was getting out of hand.

Also, the bickering.

Jungkook loved bantering with his friends, teasing them and being teased back. And to his surprise, once both of them got over their initial awkwardness, Taehyung gave as good as he got.

“What do you mean you haven’t read the GreenBow comics? And you consider yourself a scientist?”

“Excuse you, I like actual science, not gibberish a writer looked up online. Also, I watched the movie, but only because Henry Cavill was in it though”.

And if the little bundle of hope in Jungkook’s chest had grown exponentially at the possible implication of that comment, really, who could judge him?

The past days had been incredible, and he couldn’t deny that his efforts in catching what seemed to be a mostly harmless villain had been half-hearted at best.

Still, it bothered him. The creature seemed pretty intelligent, or he wouldn’t have been able to dodge Jungkook successfully for so long. It was almost as if it could sense when Jungkook was near, waiting to pounce on him, and vanished into thin air right before he could do so. It was getting annoying.

Now, the sun was setting, and Jungkook was getting ready to once again chase the overgrown puppy around, mask in his hands and suit already on, listening to the news as they threw shade on his abilities.

It was pure coincidence that he noticed the red little banner at the bottom of the screen, eyes probably drawn to the name Spiderman even written in such tiny font.

** Spiderman, please get in contact with GeneSys as soon as possible. Urgent matter. **

This wasn’t an uncommon occurrence. At some point in his career, Jungkook had realized he physically couldn’t detect all the bad guys in such a big city, but there were a couple other million people with functional eyes living there who could help him in doing so.

It wasn’t a massive phenomenon, but there was this online forum where people posted about crimes they’d witnessed or villains they’d seen, and who would’ve guessed social media could be useful to fight evil? He checks it every day before patrolling, and it’s not the first time someone has tried to contact him directly asking for help, but on the news?

It’s public knowledge that Spiderman has no intention whatsoever of revealing himself, and attempts to expose his identity are actually very frowned upon, at least publicly, so this GeneSys must have spent a pretty penny to broadcast such a message on national television.

Now that he thinks about it, the name rings a bell, but he can’t place how he knows it.

A quick online search tells him GeneSys is one of the biggest biotech companies in the country, in the pharmaceutical business. Powerful people.

Also, that’s where Taehyung works.

He decides he’s making an exception this time around, mask over his face before the news anchor has had time to move on to another topic.

He chooses one of the last functional telephone cabins in the city, as far as possible from his house, and makes the call from the decrepit little cubicle.

“Hello, who is this?”

It’s a female voice that answers, an older woman, voice weathered and riddled with anxiety.

“This is your friendly neighbor”.

He’s not keen on giving out unnecessary details, people have been trying to coax information out of him since he was a teenager.

The sigh on the other side of the line sounds so relieved he starts to think it might seriously be an urgent matter.

“Thank god, we’ve been waiting. My name is Suzanne and I work for GeneSys, I guess you’ve looked us up before getting in touch”.

“Sure did”. He also doesn’t want to talk too much, afraid they’ll record his voice. This line of work has made him a bit paranoid.

“Well, I won’t beat around the bush. You are aware of the alien’s existence by this point, I’m sure”.

“Oh, he’s an alien?” Monsters and villains come from many different sources. Mutants like himself, experiments gone wrong, born supernaturals, and even aliens, yes.

“He is. His name is Noctambule, not the blue Goliath, and he belongs to us”.

Her voice is firm, the kind of tone that belongs to a person of power. He’s met more than enough of them by now. He gets a real kick out of annoying them.

“How come? Pharmaceuticals traffic with aliens on the side now?”

“That is none of your business. Noctambule has escaped, and we need you to bring him back to us alive, as soon as possible”.

These bitches are also not used to people telling them no, and Jungkook hates them with a burning passion.

“Why should I help you? He’s just running around like a child, he’s not really harming anyone. And it is my business. As I see it, you are asking me a favour, and you’re not being very nice about it. Where’s my pretty please?”.

Self-satisfaction curls at the edges of his voice, not even trying to hide it.

“We can pay you a lot of money” Aha, now she’s starting to lose her composure, voice strained.

She doesn’t sound mad per se, knows how to hide it, but Jungkook bets she’s bristling, pictures her white-knuckling a dark mahogany desk in a luxurious office.

“I don’t want your dirty money. I’m getting tired of this. I’m hanging up”.

”Wait! Don’t. Please don’t”. Please, huh? She must be very desperate to resort to such measures. “You like helping people, right? So do it! Noctambule is a parasite, he needs a host to survive, and he infected one of our brightest, most diligent employees. Kim Taehyung has been his prisoner for over a week, I’m sure he’s suffering greatly. And you can save him, only you can”.

It’s like ice cold water dripping down Jungkook’s back.

“Sorry, who did you say?” Somehow, he manages to hide the tremor in his voice.

“Kim Taehyung, 26 years old. He’s one of our best. And he needs you”.

What the fuck.

What

the 

fuck.

What are the odds of there being another 26 year old Kim Taehyung working at GeneSys? It can’t be a coincidence. But it’s impossible, he was with Taehyung mere hours ago, left him at his apartment to go for his daily patrol.

“How do I know you’re telling the truth? What if you’re just lying to me and there’s nothing in there but alien guts?”

“We have the footage, but we can’t show it to you, this is highly confidential stuff. Taehyung was infected at 2 AM the Friday of the past week while supervising Noctambule’s arrival at the facility. I am telling the truth, you’ll just have to believe me”.

And the thing is, even if it pains him, he believes her. Because last Friday was the day he heard weird noises in Taehyung’s apartment when he came back from patrolling, when Taehyung looked crazed and rushed him out of the house. Because Taehyung hasn’t gone to work in a week, supposedly on vacation, and because despite everything, Taehyung still acted strange at times, disappearing at random and leaving out of the blue with some excuse.

It is him. it has to be.

He can’t keep the tremor from his voice this time as he answers.

“O-okay, I’ll do it”.

Once again, a relieved sigh. These people really are desperate to get their alien back.

“One last thing”, says Suzanne, “By this point, the human host should’ve started deteriorating if perfect symbiosis hadn’t been achieved, but he seems in perfect condition, which leads us to think that he is actively helping Noctambule and feeding him. The symbiote has probably brainwashed him into thinking there is good in him, but he is a wretched creature, and needs to be contained. He may not have hurt anyone yet, but he will. He is just a bloodthirsty killer”.

As Jungkook hangs up, resting his head on the dirty glass of the cabin, he can’t help but wish for all this to be a nightmare.

Jungkook wanders the city for a bit, swinging from buildings without much thought, mind entirely occupied by racing thoughts, the events of the last week playing on a loop in his mind like a recording.

Taehyung and he were never that close, just now getting to know each other, so it’s hard to distinguish abnormal behaviours. He did seem to space out a lot, but Jungkook had chalked it up to a brilliant, overactive mind, not to a monster controlling his thoughts.

Was this Noctambule controlling Taehyung? Surely, right? Why would Taehyung help him otherwise?

And if that was the case, did that mean he’d been getting to know an alien posing as his crush?

God, he had needed a giant parasitic alien to essentially possess Taehyung for him to finally pay him any mind, that was embarrassing.

He’d genuinely thought things were going well, even if he was terrified and couldn’t really date Taehyung. Not when this was half of his routine, risking his life on the daily and constantly worrying someone would discover his true identity and try to hurt his loved ones.

He couldn’t be in a relationship based on lies, on empty beds and unbreachable silences.

The little ding of a forum notification pinged on his phone and he stopped on a rooftop to check it.

maple_jin_wwh: Blue doggo seen in Burner district ten minutes ago going ham on a child’s playground. No children in the area, just the guy having the time of his life on the swings.

Jungkook got to the site in less than ten minutes.

This time he couldn’t be lazy about it. He couldn’t let the guy escape. Now that he thought about it, he’d probably been transforming back into human form when he detected Spiderman. But how the fuck did he do that? Did he have something like his spidey sense?

He approached the square the park was in, and could already hear banging noises in the distance.

As he scaled the last building blocking his sight, the whole square became visible.

There were families having picnics, what looked like a birthday celebration, a hot dog stand, and plenty of runners, none of them paying any mind to the giant ass creature on the kids’ playground. The citizens had really taken to him easily.

It was one of those new modern parks with cool features that make even adults want to play, long winding slides and multiple climbing structures. Noctambule was perched on the tallest of these, reflecting bright blue under the sun, seeming proud of his accomplishment as he looked around.

As if wanting to confirm Jungkook’s theory about the spidey sense, Noctambule suddenly whipped his neck, looking at where Jungkook was crouched on the rooftop, staring straight into his eyes.

He didn’t even seem surprised at being caught, a smile spreading slowly across his face until all his teeth were on display, tongue coming out to lick at them lazily, and a shiver wracked its way up Jungkook’s spine. Okay, that was fucking bone-chilling.

Enough delaying the issue, he had to act. He was worried sick about Taehyung, so anxious his gloved hands were trembling. He hadn’t been this nervous about a confrontation in a good while.

The creature didn’t give him time to shake off his thoughts though, jumping up from the climbing structure straight to the rooftop of the building Jungkook was in.

The impact of his feet as he landed cracked the concrete floor, Jungkook stumbling with its force. That was some serious physical prowess.

Jungkook straightens up and cranks on his superhero persona.

“Noctambule, I’m Spiderman!”

He’s taking the diplomatic route, intent on avoiding a fight if he can. Taehyung is in there, after all.

At this, the alien does seem shocked, but he recovers swiftly, predatory smirk returning to his face.

Hello little spider. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you face to face. To what do I owe this pleasure?

His voice is so dark it makes something inside Jungkook shrivel up in fear.

“You need to come with me”.

This authoritative approach is not his usual style. He’d much rather toy with the bad guys and annoy them as much as possible before he kicks their ass, but what is he supposed to do? He can’t stop thinking that Taehyung is inside this thing, suffering, possibly in pain, and it’s freaking Jungkook out.

See, I was having a lot of fun, so unless what you’re suggesting is a more one-on-one kind of fun, if you know what I mean, and how did look like he was wiggling his eyebrows when he had none?, I am going nowhere with you.

His voice came out so salacious, was this dude actually suggesting they have sex? Jungkook’s heard some things in this line of work, but that was honestly a first.

“Listen, I don’t want to hurt you, so please cooperate”.

You don’t want to hurt me? Little spider, I could snap you like a fucking twig.**

Now this gratuitous violence? He’s more than used to it.

Maybe if he pokes the bear and things get heated he’ll be able to communicate with Taehyung?

Before he can make a decision, a massive fist is slamming into him. The force is such that he goes flying into the brick wall of a nearby building, collision reverberating through his body, bones rattling.

Stunned, he opens his eyes to find himself well over twenty meters above the ground, the only thing sustaining his weight is the hand still slammed against his chest, covering a good part of his torso. He knew Noctambule could shoot out tentacle-like appendices, but damn, he’s also fast.

Jungkook is gonna have to be at the top of his game.

Allow me to show you what this “public nuisance” is capable of.

Great, the alien also watches the fucking news, and now he wants to show off. That’s just Jungkook’s luck.

He has no intention of becoming this fucker’s punching bag though, so he shoots a web to trap a car and lifts it straight into Noctambule’s hulking body, throwing him off the building.

Fuck, was that too much? He really hopes it’s padded inside that thing, poor Taehyung.

Noctambule has no trouble throwing the car away from himself though, so Jungkook assumes he’s okay. Which doesn’t bode that well for him, to be totally honest. The alien’s a worthy opponent.

It becomes a game of cat and mouse. By now, all the civilians have evacuated the area, so they have the park to themselves. The news outlets won’t take too long to arrive though, and Jungkook wants to avoid that at all costs. What if Taehyung gets exposed somehow? He needs to make this quick.

Exhaustion is starting to weigh him down too, constantly dodging massive fists and sharp tentacles trying to slice him through like a lamb skewer. He needs a plan.

Time to bring out the big guns: emotional warfare.

He’s using a car door as a shield, which won’t last much longer against the endless hits, and he shouts from behind it.

“Listen, Taehyung, I know you’re in there, please stop this! Can you hear me? I don’t want to hurt you!” A bit of the vulnerability he’s feeling creeps into his voice. He has to save Taehyung.

Suddenly, the hits stop, and quiet falls over the deserted square.

Jungkook slowly lowers his makeshift shield, only for it to be ripped away from him as a tentacle wraps around him and slams him against the ground, followed by Noctambule’s body. His terrifying white eyes pierce right through him, open mouth mere centimeters away from his face, tongue touching his masked visage.

Jungkook gulps.

How do you know that name?

And god, his voice is not going to get any less blood-curdling, is it?

“Your company contacted me, GeneSys, and asked me to save you and retrieve Noctambule. I’m here to help you”. His voice is shaky, and he realizes he’s on the verge of tears. At the end of the day, he’s so, so scared for Taehyung, it’s been the only thing on his mind since he found out.

Noctambule doesn’t back down, but to Jungkook’s utter shock, his face opens up, blue skin moving away like liquid, and Spiderman finds himself staring at Taehyung’s face. An extremely apprehensive looking face. His nose appears to be broken, blood dripping freely onto Jungkook’s suit.

“Listen, mister Spiderman. The thing is, I don’t know if I want to be saved? I don’t know what my company has told you, but they really don’t give two fucks about me, they just want Noctambule back”. He sounds so sincere, but are those truly Taehyung’s words, or is it true that Noctambule has brainwashed him? He has no way of knowing, and he’s been tricked so many times in the past.

Without sparing it a glance, Jungkook throws a web at a nearby cracked statue, a massive stone thing that occupied the center of the park’s fountain no less than twenty minutes ago, and drops it with as much force as he can onto Noctambule/Taehyung, and effectively also on top of himself.

Taehyung’s eyes go blank, and as his unconscious body collapses on top of Jungkook, he is once again human.

Taehyung is heavily battered and bruised, and the guilt is almost a physical thing trying to crawl its way out of Jungkook’s throat. He feels nauseous.

Beaten black and blue himself, it takes him a bit to secure Taehyung’s unconscious body to himself. He can’t hang on as they swing, so Jungkook improvises a sling with spiderwebs, cocooning Taehyung against his chest like a baby.

They make their way steadily to Jungkook’s apartment.

He knows he should take Taehyung straight to the GeneSys facility, but looking at his bloody face, he just can’t. He needs to speak with Taehyung first.

It’s just as he reaches their building that he realizes he can’t take Taehyung to his own house, because it would be suspicious as fuck for Spiderman to bring Taehyung to his random neighbor’s apartment, and he changes course to Taehyung’s place.

As he delicately deposits Taehyung on the couch, he looks around for possible ways to restrain him. He needs to have a conversation with the real Taehyung and make sure the blue fucker won’t make an appearance.

In the end, with no information whatsoever about the alien’s abilities beyond battle, he simply sits Taehyung down on a chair and ties him up with his spiderwebs, even if seeing him like that breaks his heart a little.

He would much prefer to wrap him up in a blanket burrito and cuddle him forever.

Taehyung is stirring when Jungkook comes back from his apartment with the first aid kit, pretty eyes squinting and blinking rapidly.

Jungkook rushes to his side, afraid he’ll squirm too much and make the chair fall.

“Hi, are you okay? You’re safe now, don’t worry”.

Taehyung stares at him, disoriented. He looks around, and seems to relax a little once he identifies his apartment.

“I- what happened? How did I get here? I was…”

Jungkook can see the cogs turning in Taehyung’s head as he tries to piece the day’s events together, distress taking over his face as he remembers what unfolded at the park.

“Oh god, Noctambule fought with you. I’m so sorry, are you okay?” He sounds genuinely concerned even when he got beat up the worst, Jungkook is convinced his heart must be solid gold beneath his ribs, and Jungkook is so weak for this boy.

The bad guys don’t usually ask about his well-being when he interrogates them, but then again, it’s still to be determined whether Taehyung is an accomplice or a victim in this situation.

Jungkook sets the first aid kit on the dining table and starts taking out his supplies.

“I am okay, thank you for asking. Super healing abilities and all that. I am more concerned about you though, does your body absorb the hits Noctambule receives?”

And it seems like it’s just now that Taehyung realizes the position he’s in, and the state of his body. Bruises cover the entirety of his body and god, Jungkook did that, what a terrible fucking person he is.

Taehyung sighs, as if resigning himself to his current situation, and looks back up at Jungkook.

“Not usually. Normally I can’t even feel the hits. I’m guessing it’s only when Noctambule’s already received a significant amount of damage that he can’t keep protecting my body and it starts affecting me. After all, it’s not usually that he fights a superhero like you”.

He doesn’t seem angry, or hurt or sad, but in fact surprisingly nonchalant about the whole ordeal.

“I’m really sorry for causing you harm, it was in no way my intention. With that said, I should really set your nose in place. It’s broken”.

That came out kinda cold, but they really shouldn’t wait anymore to do it.

“Do you know how to do it?”

“I’ve been setting my own bones since I was fifteen. I’m an unofficial trauma doctor, trust me”.

Taehyung swallows audibly, but he nods, and Jungkook proceeds without further ado.

He makes it quick, but the crunch and Taehyung’s little cry of pain hurt him more than setting his own bones back in place does.

Once it’s done, he cleans as much blood as he can and applies a cold pack to Taehyung’s poor swollen nose.

“Listen, I’m aware that I’m a perfect stranger to you, but I would like for you to tell me what happened. GeneSys claims that Noctambule is a bloodthirsty killer and that it’s a matter of time before he goes on a homicidal rampage. They also said he had brainwashed you into helping him, but I’ve seen brainwashed people before and you’re way too lucid for that to be the case. So please, let me help you. Tell me the truth”.

Taehyung looks down at his feet, mouth set in a pout, and sighs defeatedly.

He starts narrating.

Taehyung is heavily battered and bruised, and the guilt is almost a physical thing trying to crawl its way out of Jungkook’s throat. He feels nauseous.

Beaten black and blue himself, it takes him a bit to secure Taehyung’s unconscious body to himself. He can’t hang on as they swing, so Jungkook improvises a sling with spiderwebs, cocooning Taehyung against his chest like a baby.

They make their way steadily to Jungkook’s apartment.

He knows he should take Taehyung straight to the GeneSys facility, but looking at his bloody face, he just can’t. He needs to speak with Taehyung first.

It’s just as he reaches their building that he realizes he can’t take Taehyung to his own house, because it would be suspicious as fuck for Spiderman to bring Taehyung to his random neighbor’s apartment, and he changes course to Taehyung’s place.

As he delicately deposits Taehyung on the couch, he looks around for possible ways to restrain him. He needs to have a conversation with the real Taehyung and make sure the blue fucker won’t make an appearance.

In the end, with no information whatsoever about the alien’s abilities beyond battle, he simply sits Taehyung down on a chair and ties him up with his spiderwebs, even if seeing him like that breaks his heart a little.

He would much prefer to wrap him up in a blanket burrito and cuddle him forever.

Taehyung is stirring when Jungkook comes back from his apartment with the first aid kit, pretty eyes squinting and blinking rapidly.

Jungkook rushes to his side, afraid he’ll squirm too much and make the chair fall.

“Hi, are you okay? You’re safe now, don’t worry”.

Taehyung stares at him, disoriented. He looks around, and seems to relax a little once he identifies his apartment.

“I- what happened? How did I get here? I was…”

Jungkook can see the cogs turning in Taehyung’s head as he tries to piece the day’s events together, distress taking over his face as he remembers what unfolded at the park.

“Oh god, Noctambule fought with you. I’m so sorry, are you okay?” He sounds genuinely concerned even when he got beat up the worst, Jungkook is convinced his heart must be solid gold beneath his ribs, and Jungkook is so weak for this boy.

The bad guys don’t usually ask about his well-being when he interrogates them, but then again, it’s still to be determined whether Taehyung is an accomplice or a victim in this situation.

Jungkook sets the first aid kit on the dining table and starts taking out his supplies.

“I am okay, thank you for asking. Super healing abilities and all that. I am more concerned about you though, does your body absorb the hits Noctambule receives?”

And it seems like it’s just now that Taehyung realizes the position he’s in, and the state of his body. Bruises cover the entirety of his body and god, Jungkook did that, what a terrible fucking person he is.

Taehyung sighs, as if resigning himself to his current situation, and looks back up at Jungkook.

“Not usually. Normally I can’t even feel the hits. I’m guessing it’s only when Noctambule’s already received a significant amount of damage that he can’t keep protecting my body and it starts affecting me. After all, it’s not usually that he fights a superhero like you”.

He doesn’t seem angry, or hurt or sad, but in fact surprisingly nonchalant about the whole ordeal.

“I’m really sorry for causing you harm, it was in no way my intention. With that said, I should really set your nose in place. It’s broken”.

That came out kinda cold, but they really shouldn’t wait anymore to do it.

“Do you know how to do it?”

“I’ve been setting my own bones since I was fifteen. I’m an unofficial trauma doctor, trust me”.

Taehyung swallows audibly, but he nods, and Jungkook proceeds without further ado.

He makes it quick, but the crunch and Taehyung’s little cry of pain hurt him more than setting his own bones back in place does.

Once it’s done, he cleans as much blood as he can and applies a cold pack to Taehyung’s poor swollen nose.

“Listen, I’m aware that I’m a perfect stranger to you, but I would like for you to tell me what happened. GeneSys claims that Noctambule is a bloodthirsty killer and that it’s a matter of time before he goes on a homicidal rampage. They also said he had brainwashed you into helping him, but I’ve seen brainwashed people before and you’re way too lucid for that to be the case. So please, let me help you. Tell me the truth”.

Taehyung looks down at his feet, mouth set in a pout, and sighs defeatedly.

He starts narrating.

Wait. Before you say anything, since Taehyung has been so honest with you, I think we should all be sincere here, right little spider? Now’s your time.

They’ve moved to the couch, Taehyung freed of his bindings, and Noctambule is staring straight at Spiderman, still imposing even when he’s just a giant floating head.

Spiderman squirms under his gaze, “How the fuck do you know? Can you sense me?”, he doesn’t seem angry, but he does look quite nervous.

Sure can. Now go ahead, show us your face.

Taehyung gasps, indignant at the audacity.

“Noctambule! You can’t violate his privacy like that, he’s a superhero! He needs to be anonymous!”.

But Noctambule doesn’t spare him a glance, staring daggers at said superhero.

Of course I can. Do you know, you little asshole, how guilty Tae has felt all week for keeping such a secret from you? For having to leave you every time I got restless?

“Noct, what the fuck are you talking about?” things are starting to get weird.

Noctambule finally tears his gaze away from Spiderman, looking back at Taehyung with an irritated expression. Do you truly not know, TaeTae? Why do you think I’ve been calling him little spider? And how does Spiderman know where you live? Come on, they smell exactly the same.

Taehyung blinks up at him, completely lost, and Noctambule whips his head back around.

Tell him now or I will. He deserves to know.

Spiderman is trembling like a leaf, but to Taehyung’s abject horror, he takes his hand to his mask.

“Hey, stop! You really don’t have to do this. I don’t know what Noct means, but it’s okay, I don’t need to know, it’s none of my business”.

Spiderman’s shoulder sag, arms flopping on his lap and head tilted down, not in relief but in defeat.

“The thing is, Taehyung-hyung, it is your business”. His voice is wobbly with tears, and he looks scared shitless. What the fuck is going on.

Before Taehyung can reassure him again, Spiderman’s hands grab his mask and pull it off.

Sitting on Taehyung’s couch, face streaming with tears and looking absolutely terrified, is Jungkook.

Taehyung is speechless, brain refusing to connect the pieces.

“I’m so sorry hyung. Do you hate me? I’m so sorry!”

He’s full on sobbing now, blotchy patches on his cheeks as he leans forward and hides his face on Taehyung’s lap, whose first instinct is to stroke his fingers through Jungkook’s dark locks, matted down to his head from the mask, seeking contact even when he’s unable to articulate words.

After a minute, Jungkook getting more hysterical by the second, Noctambule nudges Taehyung’s shoulder, tutting at him before disappearing in thin air, leaving the two alone.

“Jungkookie, of course I don’t hate you, why would I? We’ve never been that close, and we’re just getting to know each other. Obviously you didn’t tell me, please don’t feel guilty about it”.

“Y-you, you really d-don’t? It’s the first time I’ve told anyone, I was so-so, so scared people would abandon me if-f t-they found out, or tell everyone”. His voice is shivery with emotion as he stumbles over his words, hiccuping.

“Oh baby, it’s okay. I’m not going to do either of those things. Never. I’m so sorry you felt obligated to tell me, I hope you can forgive me”. His fingers continue to stroke through Jungkook’s hair, other hand caressing his back, trying to calm him down in any way possible.

“N-no, hyung, I wanted you to know. I-I’ve liked you for so long, I really wanted to spend time with you like we’ve done this week. I wanted to ask you on dates, take you to the animal shelter or to a museum, to a concert. I wanted to, because you’re a wonderful person, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t because I can’t date and be Spiderman. I can’t leave a person alone in bed every night without answers as I go risk my life. I can’t be in a relationship based on lies, and if I told the truth, the person would be in danger”.

He sniffles, takes a big inhale.

“But I’m so lonely hyung. And so tired. I’m just one person and there are so many bad guys out there. I’m not scared of them anymore, but I’m scared of how my life is gonna be in ten, fifteen years. All alone, no one to talk to. No one to rely on”.

God, this precious boy likes him and he never realized because he was too busy working and hating his life? What an idiot. How can he be so blind? All these months, he never spared Jungkook a second glance.

This person who just confided his biggest secret to Taehyung, his safety and anonymity. This boy whose biggest fear wasn’t showing his face but the loneliness choking him, something Taehyung is intimately familiar with.

“Jungkookie, will you please look at me?”

And Jungkook does, albeit reluctantly, resting his head on the back of the couch, face a mess, but still so pretty, the prettiest person he’s ever seen.

Taehyung coos, places a hand on Jungkook’s cheek, and Jungkook looks away, shy.

“I owe you an apology”, he says, firm.

Jungkook looks at him, blinking curiously.

“I owe you an apology because I’ve been an idiot. All these months, I was too busy wallowing in my own misery when I could’ve been spending my time romancing the kindest, loveliest, most beautiful man I’ve ever met. I didn’t let myself think of you that way when we met. I told myself you were way out of my league and settled for shamelessly checking you out every time I saw you. Really, I’ve been too exhausted to even think about dating, but this week with you has given me so much joy”.

Taehyung knows he has the dumbest grin on his face as he looks at the blush Jungkook’s sporting now.

“Jungkookie, if you let me, I would love to take you out on a date, and keep getting to know you”.

Jungkook’s stare is so intense, doe eyes looking like stars as he enthusiastically nods his head. The younger suddenly leans in, and lips are pressing against Taehyung’s before he can react.

It’s been so long, and Jungkook’s lips are so good, even chapped and salty with tears, he’s the best thing Taehyung has tasted. They part their mouths but keep it slow, melting into each other as they find an oasis in the other’s embrace, finally peace after so much turmoil.

Jungkook buries his hands in Taehyung’s hair, sighing into his mouth as they kiss and kiss, and Taehyung can’t help but shed a few tears.

When they finally separate to breathe, they stare into each other’s eyes, smiling like fools, hearts beating loudly.

What a beautiful, exhilarating feeling.

Ahem.

They both jump in the air like cartoon characters, Noctambule fully forgotten until now.

This is all very cute, and thank you Taehyung for finally listening to me and romancing the little spider, but in case you’ve forgotten, there’s a morally dubious company we should deal with before you keep sucking face.

The plan is not that complex, really. GeneSys wants Noctambule, not Taehyung, so if they tell them the symbiote moved hosts and abandoned the city, they’ll just keep looking. They need to fake Noctambule’s death.

The story they come up with goess like this:

First, during their confrontation at the park, Noctambule managed to escape and went home.

Second, Spiderman followed from afar and tracked him to his apartment, where he ambushed him.

Third, a fight ensued, and Spiderman managed to defeat Noctambule (***You’d never best me in battle, you weak arachnid. “***Yeah, yeah, this is for the sake of the plot Noct”), obligating him to leave the host’s unconscious body.

Fourth, Noctambule tried to escape but Spiderman neutralized him.

Fifth, Taehyung comes in for some scans at the facility to show GeneSys he’s free of symbiote.

End of the story.

And that’s exactly what they do. Taehyung is already battered so they don’t need to fake that part. To make Noctambule’s death as realistic as possible, they ask him to actually leave Taehyung’s body, a mass of liquid-like blue, and shape himself as if he’d been blasted into. For special effects, they use blueberry jam with blue food coloring and spread it around the living area, much to Taehyung’s chagrin (”We should’ve done it at your apartment!”). The photos end up looking pretty convincing, even Noct approves them.

Then, Taehyung channels his inner actor and calls GeneSys from his phone, faking hysterical cries as he narrates how Noctambule had possessed him and threatened him into compliance. He tells them he’s extremely grateful that they got Spiderman to save him, narrates how Spiderman defeated the monster and its subsequent death, which elicits a cry from the other end of the line.

They do ask him to come in for some scans to check that “you’re safe and everything’s good” (read: he’s not hiding anything), and as Taehyung hangs up, he high fives Jungkook and gives him the noisiest kiss.

Noctambule occupies Jungkook’s body while Taehyung goes to GeneSys, and it goes as well as expected. The few people who know about the symbiotes’ existence are very bummed about losing one of their test subjects and not very relieved that Taehyung is okay, but he couldn’t care less.

He tells them how traumatic of an experience this was, and after signing the obligatory NDA they shove in his face, he puts on his two weeks notice. He’s done for good.

When he gets back home, Noctambule rushes back inside him, Jungkook looking huffy, and when he asks, they ask him to never to leave them alone together again.

“You know, I’m surprised you two don’t get along. Noctambule’s liked you since the beginning”.

That’s just a reflection of your own repressed feelings Taehyung, don’t point fingers at me.

Taehyung blushes, but Jungkook takes his hand, smiling sweetly, and really, Taehyung can’t wait to see what the future holds.

FIN