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"Good night, my angel," Jimin whispered as he leaned down to press a kiss to Hana's cheek. His five-year-old daughter was in bed early, physically tired from a day at the playground and water park. She lay willingly in bed even without much coaxing tonight.
"Good night, Daddy," Hana murmured softly, rubbing her tired eyes briskly with one fist. Jimin got up, adjusted the blanket over Hana again, and then quietly left the room.
As he wanted to close the door, he heard her whisper softly, "Dad, are we having Jell-O tomorrow?"
Jimin smiled broadly as he leaned against the door, and quietly replied, "Sure thing, angel."
When the door closed behind him, he took a deep breath. Since his daughter had suddenly been so tired, he now unexpectedly had an evening to himself.
Jimin often spent his days off playing wildly with Hana at various playgrounds and amusement parks, and at the end of the evening, they would watch a children's movie together. Hana would slowly fall asleep in his arms, while Jimin enjoyed every single second of holding his little girl in this way.
Hana was growing up way too fast. And Jimin witnessed every little step of the way, simultaneously melancholic about her getting bigger and bigger and proud about her development, her getting independent more and more.
Deep in thought, he wandered down the stairs of his old family’s home. The house his mother had been raised in. It was Jimin’s favorite place, countless memories were stuck in the walls of the small home he called his own.
Even now, as there was just him and his daughter living here, the place radiated light and warmth. It was cozy, hung with Jimin’s countless paintings, photographs of family and friends, a huge collection of plants in all sizes and colors, colorful walls, and even more colorful furniture. It was one of these houses that were chaotic and equally cozy, a place where people felt comfort and at home in an instant.
He walked into the kitchen, barefoot, short jogging pants hanging low on his hips, together with a black shirt that had come too small out of the dryer. Jimin opened the fridge to pick a cold bottle of white wine. Which movie should he watch?
The moment he popped the lid off the bottle, the doorbell rang. He hunched his shoulders, freezing in place. Would Hana wake up now?
He left the bottle open on his kitchen table as he went to open the door, praying that Hana didn’t wake up so far.
As soon as he opened the door, he sighed, annoyed, at the sight: the setting sun in the background, there stood no other than 28-year-old Jeon Jungkook, the rising star of the world of the law, and unfortunately, the divorce lawyer of his hopefully-soon-to-be ex-wife Sohee.
Jungkook blinked at him, dressed in a suit with documents in his hands.
“Hello again, Jimin,” Jungkook said, impolite as ever, “Unfortunately, I am gracing you with my repetitive presence with a new attempt to settle the divorce without going to court." Jungkook waved the papers in his hand. "I have brought a new offer from your wife."
“Come in,” Jimin sighed and opened the door a little wider, before he turned around to go back to his bottle of wine. The wine that now sounded way more convincing to consume after Jungkook stepped into his home to follow him to his kitchen. Bringing news from his beloved wife.
It was rather amusing, the level of familiarity they shared. Jimin was a fiercely independent man, which was precisely why he insisted that all communication with Sohee's lawyer would funnel through him rather than his own divorce attorney.
If he’d been honest to himself, Jimin wished that Jungkook was his lawyer instead of Sohee’s because he was smart and charismatic and, judging from their countless meetings so far, very capable of doing his job right. Much to his own dismay.
“We had an eventful day, that’s why she’s already in bed. Voluntary,” Jimin said, and he couldn’t help it—the small fond smile while talking about his daughter appeared on its own.
“Ah, sweet,” Jungkook commented as he placed the papers in his hand on the table before him. Jimin looked at the papers, one eyebrow raised.
“So. Let’s not waste my precious time. The new offer, from Sohee,” Jungkook said as he pushed the stack of paper over the table in Jimin’s direction.
Jimin casually rested his fingertips on the papers, effortlessly pushing them back in Jungkook's direction.
"What is it about?" asked Jimin smugly. As if he were reading all this nonsense.
Jungkook sighed in annoyance. "Why won't you ever read the papers? Why do I write all this tediously together if you don't read it?"
"Hmm, maybe because I like hearing your soft, well-spoken voice?" retorted Jimin, now raising his second eyebrow to wiggle them both at the lawyer.
Jungkook pinched his nose and squeezed his eyes shut.
"I have a feeling you just like to torture me," Jungkook said, and with a glance at his watch, he added, "And to make me work overtime and miss my well-deserved free evening."
Jimin blinked at Jungkook and pursed his lips. Jungkook sighed again, a sigh that came deep from his chest. "Okay. So. Sohee is kind enough to withdraw her previous offer. Instead of her getting sole custody, you agree on shared custody. She still insists on getting this house, though."
Jimin courageously grabbed the wine bottle and filled his glass.
"No. And you know I would say no," he said quietly. Carefully, so as not to show how angry this offer made him.
"You seem to forget whose lawyer I am. Your wife tells me what she wants, and I formulate persuasive arguments for it."
Jimin took a big sip from the glass. The house belonged to his grandmother, why shouldn't he stay here, with his daughter? He would never give that house to Sohee. It was his home.
“So you should read these papers,” Jungkook continued as he once again slid the papers over the desk to Jimin and his wine. “Maybe you’ll change your mind.”
Jimin scoffed again. “You don’t really believe what you’re saying. Who would accept an offer like this?”
“More people than you might think. Read the papers.”
“No,” Jimin said and grinned, gritted teeth as he slid the papers back over the table to Jungkook. “Thanks for coming here though. You should leave.”
“You can’t tell me what to do. Once again, I am not your lawyer.”
“You should be glad you aren’t. I’d make you work harder than that.”
Jungkook gripped the stack of papers. They both stared at each other. Jimin must admit, Jungkook was a sight when he was angry like that. He could see behind that lawyer facade, detect the small blotch of red on his neck area, the glassy eyes. His eyebrows drawn together. Jungkook was furious.
Cute.
“I guess I’ll have to give you some time to change your mind. Think about it. You’re a successful artist. You could buy a way bigger house than this one.”
Jimin chugged the whole glass of wine in one go and put it carefully on the table.
“I think it’s time for you to go,” Jimin said, walking to the door. He could hear Jungkook’s expensive dress shoes dragging across the floor as he followed Jimin.
“Goodbye, Jimin,” Jungkook said, impolite as ever. Jimin rolled his eyes. “Better you leave or I’ll punch you in the face.”
“Oh dear, what a way to say goodbye. Think about the offer! Bye, bye, old man," Jungkook said curtly as he left Jimin’s house.
Jimin didn’t even watch him leave his front yard, but carefully pushed the door shut. He wore a grin on his face. As annoying as Jungkook could be, he was amusing.
Jimin walked back into the kitchen, humming.
______________________
Jimin didn't have to wait long. As he was about to uncork a bottle of wine, Hana having just gone to bed, the doorbell chimed. He let out a sigh and glanced at the large blue clock adorning his kitchen wall; it was already 9 pm. In his mind, there was no doubt that the visitor at this hour could only be Jungkook.
Jimin usually did not welcome guests so late in the week.
Jimin and Sohee had split up half a year ago. He didn't dream of dating again so soon. Although he and Sohee had not been in love for much longer than their breakup, he was too busy with Hana and his art projects to care for dating. Also, he was a little rusty. Don't people nowadays use dating apps and the like?
He opened the door reluctantly. In front of him stood Jungkook, dressed almost formally perfect as always. The only thing that indicated Jungkook's visit at such a late hour were the undone buttons on his dress shirt collar and the missing tie.
Jungkook held up the divorce papers as soon as he trudged through his doorway. "Hey Jimin."
Unfriendly as always.
Jimin closed the door carefully and followed Jungkook into his large kitchen.
"I'm here for you to sign your name to the papers. See? I printed them out again for you so you can read them at your leisure," Jungkook said in a playfully sweet voice and placed them on the table.
Jimin stared at the papers and then at Jungkook.
"Sohee didn't change her offer?" asked Jimin, getting two glasses from the cupboard. As he stretched, his T-shirt, another one that he had washed too hot, slipped up.
Since it was evening and Jimin actually wanted to relax, he wore sweatpants.
As soon as he turned around, he caught Jungkook's gaze, which seemed to have strayed to his backside and the strip of free skin. Jimin took it as a compliment. After all, he was fifteen years older than Jungkook.
And very pansexual.
"Would you like a glass of wine, too?" asked Jimin, starting to pour his own glass.
Jungkook cleared his throat and pushed the papers even closer to him. "Will you sign the papers then?"
Jimin blinked tiredly at him. “No, I won’t.”
“Then I won’t drink that glass of wine with you.”
Jungkook had the audacity to stick his tongue out at him, turn around and start walking back to the door.
"I'll find my own way out. Lord knows I'm here all the time."
And with that, Jungkook quietly closed the door behind him and disappeared, leaving behind a stack of papers and an empty glass of wine.
Jimin had to grin, once again feeling equally annoyed and amused at his regular late visitor. There was something between them that went beyond a mere working relationship. Maybe it was the passive-aggressive teasing.
He took the papers and looked at the first page.
"Offer for Park Jimin, made by Jeon Jungkook, in legal representation for Han Sohee."
Jimin opened his trash can with a kick and threw the papers away. Never in this life would he move out of this house.
______________________
It took Jungkook a whole week to get back to him. This slowly developed into a game of cat and mouse—but who was the cat, and who was the mouse?
Jimin opened the door as soon as the doorbell rang. This time Hana was still awake. He was in a bad mood, because it had been a lousy day with lousy customers who were not happy with his work.
Also, Hana had spilled orange juice on a classmate's backpack, which worried Jimin. Raising a child while divorcing your wife was hard.
"Hi," he grumbled, quietly, once the door was open and Jeon Jungkook was standing there in his full glory, "you can turn around and leave right away."
"Ruder than usual, I see," Jungkook said, and simply stepped through the door, causing Jimin to slam it not—as he had actually been planning to do—under his nose.
As a result, they were almost nose-to-nose, chest to chest, damn close. Jimin opened his mouth, but his tongue was tied. Jungkook's perfume crept up his nose.
Jungkook's scent resembled that of baby powder. Completely contrary to the suit and open buttons on the collar, to that formal attire.
Jungkook had long eyelashes that Jimin had already noticed but to see them up close was—
Jimin lifted his head, since Jungkook was a little taller now, and another hint of baby bum flew around his nose. Their eyes met and oh—
Oh. That was not good.
There was something there. Jungkook licked his lips and Jimin watched in fascination as the latter's tip of his tongue slid across his lower lip. Jungkook had cherry-colored lips, and wore lip balm that also smelled of (artificial) cherries.
Everything he had wanted to say died in his throat. Jimin didn't know anything to say. He was shocked by the sexual tension that stretched between them quite unexpectedly and unnecessarily.
Until Jungkook turned his gaze to the side, a faint blush on his cheeks, and greeted Jimin’s daughter, relieved tone, "Oh Hana! Hey, how are you?"
That electric something that had been between them burst at that moment. Jimin took a lunge back, giving them both space. He turned around. There stood Hana in the kitchen, one hand buried in a brown teddy, holding a water bottle in the other.
"Koo," Hana said, waving, "why are you visiting?"
It was indicative of Jimin and Sohee's incompetence that their daughter knew how to address her mother's divorce lawyer by name. Although, Jimin had to admit, Koo was an impossibly cute nickname.
At the time, he hadn't been able to relate it to the suit-wearing 27-year-young star lawyer when Hana arrived home from Sohee one day and started talking about 'Koo'.
The scent of baby powder reshuffled those assumptions.
Jungkook walked into Jimin’s home, passed by Jimin to take Hana’s small hand in his. “I am visiting to see my favorite young lady, of course.”
Jimin rolled his eyes.
“And to convince your Daddy,” Jungkook dragged out the last word, to Jimin’s demise, “to sign very important papers.”
“Why aren’t you signing Koo’s papers, Daddy?” Hana asked, looking at Jimin, who still stood by the door, dumbfounded.
Jimin headed to the kitchen, passing by Hana and Jungkook. He grabbed a bottle of wine. “Because I don’t want to, Darling. Please go to the bathroom and start brushing your teeth. I’ll follow soon.”
Hana looked at him with a questioning expression on her little face, but due to the bad day they both have had, Jimin was lucky that she said farewell to Jungkook and went to the bathroom without much grumbling.
Once his daughter was out of earshot, Jimin turned to Jungkook and offered, "Wine?"
"If you sign the papers, I'd have a glass," Jungkook replied tersely.
"You know I won't sign those papers," Jimin said, smiling fake-friendly. Their gazes locked again, and the tension returned, stronger than before.
"Better you leave," Jimin said quietly, and Jungkook did so hastily, as if he were escaping. Jimin hummed as he went to get his daughter ready for bed.
______________________
“I need a glass of wine,” Jungkook announced, as soon as his polished shoes entered Jimin’s home.
“That won’t make me sign the papers, you know?” Jimin asked as Jungkook took a sip of a very old, very fine glass of Bordeaux. Jimin’s favorite in his collection.
The lawyer placed the glass of wine on the table between them. Jungkook nodded appreciatively at the glass. Hana was already soundly asleep, as Jungkook had visited even later than he usually did. Jimin was wearing Sweatpants, hanging low on his hips, covered in old paint and a black Tank Top.
His naked feet made small tapping sounds on the tiles of his kitchen.
“I know you won’t sign the papers. But I decided if I have to drive to you in vain anyway, at least I can empty your wine stock. You’re the most annoying person I ever had the displeasure to work with.”
“Is Sohee already nervous this divorce won’t go the way she wanted?” Jimin asked and placed his elbows on the table. Playing with the rings on his fingers, he watched Jungkook’s poker face melt into one of mischief.
“A longer process means more money. I won’t complain.”
“Cheeky,” Jimin tutted and filled his own glass with wine.
“Cheeky, huh? I call that successful fulfillment of my tasks,” Jungkook mumbled as he was taking a seat now on one of the two old bar stools Jimin owned. They were rusty brown and comfortable, and Jimin thought they added, even more, charm to his green and yellow tiled kitchen than it already had.
"If I remember correctly," Jimin began, while his fingers played with the rim of his wine glass, "your task is to get me to sign these papers and make Sohee feel like she made a good deal out of this mess."
Jungkook tilted his head and looked at him with wide eyes. Pretty sparkly ones that were hard to forget.
"I can't make you do anything. My client knows that too, even if it's a tough pill to swallow."
Jimin swallowed, looking into the glass and the deep red wine that left a slight haze. "You're a good lawyer. I was slightly annoyed that I didn't hire you at first," Jimin said honestly. Jungkook’s face morphed into surprise.
"And that’s coming from you? Wow, Jimin-ssi, I didn’t think you’d ever talk so highly of me,” Jungkook said and winked at him playfully.
Jimin leaned over the edge of the table and winked back exaggeratedly.
"I am full of surprises," he whispered, following the tension between them quickly evolving.
Jungkook drained his glass in one go, set it on the table, and then in a swift motion leaned over the table as well. The barstool beneath him creaked. Their faces were now close together. Jimin could count Jungkook's long curved eyelashes at that small distance.
Jungkook’s small mole right in the middle, under his lower lip caught his attention soon afterward. The lawyer cleared his throat and Jimin flinched a bit, big eyes now back on Jungkook's.
“You are,” Jungkook whispered, “I mean,” he cleared his throat again, “full of surprises.”
Jimin nodded, his hand wandering to the bottle of wine close to them. “You want another?”
“I ah–,” Jungkook mumbled, looking at the expensive watch on his wrist, “I think I can take one more, yes.”
Jimin smiled at him as he filled the glass next to Jungkook with wine again.
“How does Hana cope with the situation?” Jungkook asked, quietly and the tension between them suddenly turned into something else, something way more grave and important.
Jimin shrugged, leaned back, putting distance between their warm bodies.
"She is fine, as best she can be considering the circumstances. Hana misses Sohee, of course, so I can try as hard as I want. Still, she's taking it better than I would have thought at first. She's a little fighter."
"Just like her Daddy, huh?" asked Jungkook, resting his chin in the palm of his hand, staring wryly at him with a faint smile around his mouth. This was a facial expression Jimin saw for the first time on Jungkook—so gentle. Tender.
His cheeks grew warm.
"What makes you think so?" Jimin tried to deflect.
"I've never had such a stubborn husband who wanted to keep his child and his house. If I may say so unfortunately, that's not always a present figure in family law, such an involved father."
This made Jimin sad. He desperately wanted shared custody, to be part of his daughter's life.
"Men ain't shit," Jimin commented, taking another sip from his glass, accompanied by Jungkook's surprised laughter.
"I agree," Jungkook said and toasted him, again hastily emptying the glass. A slight blush was now visible on his cheeks. Jungkook seemed to be getting a slight buzz.
"Are you okay?" asked Jimin, curious and suddenly concerned. Had Jungkook stayed there today just to drink because he wasn't feeling particularly well? Jungkook looked at him blankly.
"Other than wondering if you like men, I'm actually doing pretty well right now."
Jimin nearly choked on his breath.
"Excuse me?" he asked, bursting into laughter. Where had that come from all of a sudden?
Jungkook rubbed his face with the hand that had rested beneath his chin just moments ago. "I apologize for the sudden bluntness, but did I imagine you constantly glancing at my lips? Has my gaydar deceived me? It happens to the best of us," Jungkook admitted, running his hand through his hair in a flustered manner.
"I am pansexual," Jimin confessed, his finger once again tracing the rim of his wine glass. "Your gaydar is spot on."
"Phew, I'm relieved," Jungkook replied softly. They locked eyes, feeling a tension that seemed to have evolved into something more profound than they initially thought.
They gazed at each other for what felt like an eternity, Jimin losing track of time. Until Jungkook looked at his watch again and calmly mentioned that he should head home and sleep off the effects of the wine.
Jimin accompanied Jungkook to the door, and things had become awkward. His palms grew sweaty.
"So... Goodbye?" Jungkook ventured, his words sounding more like a question than a statement. Jimin waved as the lawyer stood just outside his door, his tousled hair and a faint blush on his cheeks.
"Sleep well, Jungkook," Jimin said quietly, and Jungkook nodded before turning to leave. Just as Jimin was about to close the door behind him, he heard a soft, "Wait."
Jungkook turned around and hurried back a few steps to the door. It happened in a fleeting moment. Jimin felt warm lips against his cheek, and before his brain could fully process what was happening, Jungkook was already three steps down the sidewalk, his hand raised in a wave.
Jimin closed the door with a smile on his face that refused to leave for the rest of the evening.
______________________
When the doorbell rang this time, Jimin was surprised. Jungkook never came back that quickly. Hana plodded after him as he headed for the door. And lo and behold, there stood Jungkook.
"Hey Hana," the lawyer greeted the little girl standing right beside Jimin, her tiny hands buried in the fabric of Jimin’s long sweater. Jimin's eyes traveled from the familiar face, from his big eyes to the mole under his lip, down his chest.
The lawyer was not dressed as formally as he usually appeared at his door in the evenings when he decided to plague Jimin with divorce papers.
Jungkook reached up and held a bottle of wine before Jimin’s face.
"I thought I'd bring one of my favorite wines," he said, waving it around slowly.
"So, so," Jimin said softly, a smile playing around his lips, "and the papers?"
Jungkook took a step closer, into the doorway.
"I thought maybe we'd let work be work today."
Jimin bit his lip to hide his smile.