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Jimin was 8 when he first truly understood what soulmates and soulmarks were. He was still too little to fully grasp the concept but from his innocent eyes, it had seemed so magical and larger than life.
A person who was made completely for Jimin. All his.
Unlike his toys and clothes and sweets he would not have to share this person with his brother.
In his limited life, this was the best news he had ever heard.
He had pestered his father for days before he had finally given in and explained to Jimin how the system worked.
Jimin would get the first words his soulmate would say to him as a tattoo on his arm. It would appear on his 16th birthday. Jimin had pouted knowing he would have to wait another 8 years to get his person. His father had explained that once the words were to appear, Jimin had to be sure to conceal it at all times. It was sacred, it was special and as such was not something that was shared openly. Once he would meet his soulmate, the mark would go from black ink to red. It had amazed Jimin.
His parents had then shown Jimin their marks. On his mother's arm were the words - 'That looks heavy.' and on his fathers wrist were the words - 'What an observation.'
Both words faded to a deep red on his parents skin. He couldn't wait to get his own.
Since then, everyday Jimin had dreamt of what words his soulmate would first speak to him.
Over the years he had asked countless questions, to the point where his parents had about given up on him. Questions like - What if it is one word like hey or excuse me? What if I already meet my soulmate and the words already appear red, should I kep note of the first thing each new person says to me? What if my soulmate is 10-12 years older than me? Would they have given up on me by now?
When he got older and realised he was attracted to men and not women he had panicked, in a moment of vulnerability one night he had whispered the confession to his mother and said how unfair it would be to the girl who would be his soulmate. His mother had ruffled his hair and simply said that his soulmate would be a boy. How was that possible? He had asked. His mother had shrugged and said, I have no clue but you need not worry. 'Uncle Al and Sam are soulmates aren't they?' she had reminded him. That had relaxed Jimin and he was back on his excitement by the next day.
Any scenario you could think of, Jimin had already pictured it.
So it was with immense surprise that he woke up on his 16th birthday and those horrible words on his arm.
He had been so excited. He had worn a full sleeved tshirt to bed to purposely avoid seeing the mark first thing in the morning. He had woken with with giddy excitement. He had bounced around to brush his teeth and wash his face and hurried to set the camera to record a video of his reaction to seeing the mark for the first time. He figured he could show this to his soulmate later.
He set up the camera on his dressers and sat on the bed facing the lens. He pressed record and took a deep breath. It only felt right for him to day something before he just saw the mark.
"Hey, Today is my 16th birthday. I am pretty sure I got the mark but I haven't checked it yet. I wore this to sleep on purpose, he lifted both his hands to show the long sleeves." Jimin blushed thinking of future him watching this while cuddling up to his soulmate. "So um yeah, I am going to see the mark now. For the first time. I figured you could see my reaction."
Jimin hands trembled as he lifted the sleeves of both the arms to his elbows. He could see black ink on his left hand, near the crook of his elbow.
He looked back at the camera, "Here we go." He turned to capture the mark better and looked down to read what was written.
His face crumbled.
Why would his soulmate say that to him? Scratch that. Why would this be the first hing one human would say to another?
He looked at the camera. His vision was blurry, he had tears in his eyes, "Why would you say this?" He asked the camera as though he could communicate with his soulmate through this.
He ended the recording and covered his arm back up again.
Over the next few days, Jimin refused to speak to anyone or share anything about his soulmark even with his parents. As months passed, his parents grew more and more concerned because Jimin no longer asked questions about soulmates, his face no longer lit up when the topic was brought up.
Years would pass and Jimin would resign himself to the fact that soulmates are overrated. He didn't even think he wanted to meet his soulmate anymore.
****
Jungkook had always known his soulmate might be a little demented.
Really what was he supposed to do about that? His soulmate was supposed to be his perfect match and by that association would it mean he himself was demented too?
When he was little he had paid no mind to soulmates. He knew of the concept, but it didn't bother him much. As he had grown and the closer he got to 16, his friends and school mates all had started whispering about soulmates, daydreaming and having fantasies and what not.
Still, Jungkook was never much bothered. He knew the mark would appear and he knew he would find the man one day. He figured there was no point in obsessing about it until he met the man.
Though, he couldn't deny the excitement was infectious. He was excited. A small part of him was also really curious to know what the first words his soulmate would say to him would be. His parent's marks were quite unique, he himself wanted something like that; to have an epic story to tell.
His father had the words - 'You are handsome for a junior.' written on the inside of his index finger and his mother had the words - 'Are you hitting on a child?' on her wrist. His mother had appropriately been horrified all her life until she met her father and realised what the words meant.
His father was younger to his mother. His mother had found his father handsome and had hit on him casually. He was 2 years younger than her.
His father on the other hand had always known he was going to end up with someone elder to him so when his mother had said the words; he purposely replied with the word 'child' to tease her. To this day, his mother was not amused about it one bit.
There was only one thing that bothered Jungkook about this soulmate business - How was he supposed to know what the right thing to say would be? Like what if his soulmate says the words and his mark turns red but Jungkook fucks up and stutters and it turns out he says the wrong thing and he looses his soulmate forever?
He would often fret about this and zone out thinking of how he was supposed to say the right thing at the right time. He thought it was too much pressure to be put on one person especially when 'happily-every-after' was at stake.
Add to it that he was shy and painfully introverted. There was a higher chance of him running away when his mark turned red than staying and responding with words, let alone the correct words.
On his 16th birthday, he had woken up and looked at his arms the first thing. The mark was on the crook of his right elbow.
Jungkook sucked in a sharp breath. Because there against his skin were the words - 'I am going to skin you alive and then dance on your bloodied corpse.'
Well fuck. These were the first words his soulmate would say to him? What was he supposed to respond with?
Should he say, 'fight me' or 'Oh there you are' or 'Please dont do that, I am your soulmate.'
In the years to come Jungkook would often zone out randomly in the middle of the day or in the middle of doing things going through all the responses that he could say to his soulmate and wondering which one was the right one.
****
No one tells you what a bitch it is to be an adult with responsibilities. Jimin felt like he was scammed being born. First you are a child, free of any care in the world all you think is as you grow your freedom and happiness would grow. Then puberty sets in and they keep you hooked with the promise of a soulmate. Then you become and adult and all illusions come shattering down.
Jimin sighed and blindly reached for the bearing alarm on his nightstand.
He sat up with bleary eyes cursing that he had to wake up. Taehyung stood in his bedroom door.
"Everyday your damned alarm wakes me up." He complained
Jimin smiled and lifted his arms, Taehyung came in and dropped into Jimin's embrace. They both fell back into bed cuddling.
"You are making me breakfast." Taehyung mumbled.
Jimin hummed, he was too warm and comfortable to even think of getting out of bed. He wondered if he could call off work.
Thankfully, Jimin had an amazing boss. Which meant that if Jimin called off work Namjoon hyung would not only be supportive but he would also clear off Jimin's work for the day so Jimin wouldn't have to work extra the next day. This also meant Namjoon Hyung would probably work overtime and that just made Jimin feel guilty.
Who knew having a nice boss would also be a pain in the ass.
Grudgingly he woke up leaving Taehyung on his bed who was now back to snoring softly.
He had met Taehyung when they were 19. They attended the same university. It had been a fluke, meeting Taehyung. They had no common classes. Jimin had been a law major and Taehyung had been an art major. That fateful day however, Jimin had witnessed not one, not two but five soulmate meetings. It had broken his heart because they were all sweet and loving and their words to each other had also been all gooey and soft and pleasant.
Usually he was able to behave indifferent towards it, but he had been feeling particularly raw that week because all his friends had met their soulmates. Each one of them and here Jimin was, he despised the words on his arm yet a small part of him wanted to meet his soulmate.
He went to the bathroom to get away from the buzzing in the university. Everyone was hyped up. Everyone wanted to talk to everyone on the off chance that they would be soulmates too. Jimin had just entered the empty bathroom and sighed of relief when he had heard the sniffing coming from a bathroom stall. Evidently someone was crying in there.
He had asked if they were alright but received no answer. Jimin had no desire to go outside into the mob of overexcited students again. He didn't think he was ready to hear the words inked on his skin without punching the person who says it. So he had stayed right outside the bathroom stall. He had earphones on and absentmindedly began singing while waiting for whoever it was on the other end.
A few minutes later the stall had opened and before Jimin could even see who it was, he had an armful of a boy who had buried his face into Jimin's neck and said, "Thank you."
Jimin had patted him to reassure him. The boy had introduced himself as Taehyung. From there on Taehyung had adopted Jimin. He learnt of Jimin's schedule and happily showed up to drag Jimin to parties and movies and what not. A few months into it Taehyung had declared Jimin was his best friend. They had never really spoken on why Taehyung was crying in the bathroom that day until one evening when Taehyung had unwrapped the spool of fabric from his arm. Jimin realised he was showing his soulmark. Jimin felt honoured, since the soulmark was only ever shared with parents, even siblings were rarely privy to the information. For Jimin though, the case was different. No one in the world knew of his soulmark except for him.
Taehyung had unwrapped the fabric and shoved his arm at Jimin.
Jimin had looked down to see blank unblemished skin. Taehyung was looking away.
"I don't understand." Jimin had whispered.
"I never got a soulmark. So mine is either dead or there was never anyone made for me. I would never know."
Instantly Jimin gathered Taehyung into his arms. He was insanely angry at whatever force decided this. Taehyung was the purest soul Jimin had met. For him to not have a soulmate was just wrong. It was an injustice. They had spent the night cuddling while Taehyung slipped into occasional tears.
It had taken another few months when Jimin had shown Taehyung his soulmark complaining on how his soulmate was horrible. Taehyung had taken one look at his soulmark and fallen off the bed laughing. Taehyung had then declared that Jimin's soulmate was his new favourite person. Jimin had pouted for weeks after that.
They were 25 now, living together in a house big enough to have 2 bedrooms. Taehyung was a known photographer, but in a twist of events a brand he had gone to shoot photos for, had taken one look at him and put him on the cover of their regional advertisement. Taehyung had shot to fame so fast, it was a wonder they were still living together. The man could afford to live alone in a penthouse if he so liked.
This however came with an unfortunate side-effect of people randomly yelling things at Taehyung whenever he was out and about in hopes that they would be his soulmate. If only they knew. Some days for hard for him, those days he would crawl into bed next to Jimin and snuggled close.
Jimin made breakfast, showered and was out of he door in record time. Taehyung was munching happily on his french toast when Jimin left for work.
By the time Jimin reached his workplace, he was sweaty, tired and irritated. He definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.
Usually Jimin was cheerful and easy going. Today he felt he was on a warpath.
He rushed into the elevator and waited impatiently for his floor to come. Not that Namjoon hyung would tell him anything, but that did not mean Jimin would take advantage of his kindness.
Jimin stepped into the office and the click clack and the keyboards and whirling of the printer put him at ease a little. This was where he shined the most. Feeling in his element, Jimin walked towards his cabin, ready to take on the day.
He was sure, he would be made partner this year. It was thrilling to chase the title.
There was a knock at his door and Namjoon Hyung poked his head in, "Minnie, got a minute?"
"Sure hyung." Jimin smiled. He had started working with this firm straight out of Uni. Namjoon Hyung had been his mentor. He had taken to alling Jimin as his mini me which eventually just turned into 'Minnie'
"You remember the merger we worked on for Heightech?"
"The one with the overseas production line? Yeah. It was 3 years back though so I might be a little rusty on the details."
"That's fine." Namjoon waved his hands. "They are starting another merger this time with Mercern."
"Mercen." Jimin said shocked, "That is a big big big company."
"Yep, their lawyers would be here in a week with their financial books and liabilities and outstanding cases, business, sales, numbers etc. We need to be ready with ours and we need to begin our due diligence on the vendors serving both sides. This is going to be a very difficult negotiation. We will be representing Heightech here. You will run point for this." Jimin's mouth dropped in a O.
Suddenly he was glad he had come into work today.
"And Jimin." Namjoon continued looking serious, "It's not just this merger. I need you to be on your A game. I want the newly merged company to retain us as their lawyers. Not the firm which is currently representing Mercern. You do this and the name on that wall changes to Lee, Kim and Park."
Jimin stared, his heart thudding in his chest.
"Make or break Minnie. So give it your best." Namjoon smiled and left.
Jimin sat down in a daze taking a moment to gather his thoughts.
Holy shit! It's happening.
*****
Jungkook had always known he would have to join the family business.
He however did not anticipate that the small family business his father had started had shot to a national scale and by the time his brother had joined it was a common international name for tech related stuff.
So he was desperately trying to pretend like he belong, like he was not feeling like he was lost at sea given the sheer amount of information that was being thrown his way.
He nodded and responded wherever necessary and tried to retain as much as possible given his father or brother were bound to ask him for details.
If he had the freedom to pull him hair and have a mental breakdown, he would have had.
Hours later he was free of the constant barage of information. He desperately needed to cool off. There was only one person he could contact - so he shot off a text asking if they could meet. He received a reply minutes later and was on his way withing seconds.
Min Yoongi was Jungkook's elder brother's best friend growing up. His brother however had taken interest in the family business very early on while he was still in Uni, which meant Yoongi was over often to meet his brother but couldn't because Jungkook's brother would be busy. Eventually Jungkook and Yoongi started hanging out together. Jungkook even learn sign language to properly communicate with him. Yoongi couldn't speak since birth. Jungkook's brother had been somewhat of a translator for Yoongi all his life and then Jungkook had taken his place.
How sad was it that the only person he could hang out with was his brother's best friend. His friends had all met their soulmates and were busy in their life. Yoongi was the only one he knew who was single. Even his own brother was happily shacked up.
Jungkook had asked Yoongi once about his soulmate and Yoongi had been cryptic when he had signed that he knew who they were and that was enough.
Jungkook didn't question it again.
He knocked on Yoongi's door with bags full of convience store food and Soju.
Yoongi took one look at him, rolled his eyes and stepped aside to let Jungkook in.
"Hyunngggg this business is going to kill me." Jungkook whined.
"Would you rather be a spoilt brat?" Yoongi signed, then paused and signed again, "Oh wait, you already are."
"Ha Ha Ha Ha Hyung. Very funny. I see humour does not require a voice."
"Fuck off." Yoongi signed again.
"What are you watching?" Jungkook motioned to the open laptop while setting down the bags on the table and rooting through them for the instant ramen he had purchased. Yoongi snapped the laptop shut with such force it had Jungkook raising a brow.
"Porn?" He asked
"Worse." Yoongi signed
"Tell me."
"No"
"Hyunggg"
"Stop whining brat and give me that Soju." Yoongi signed.
Jungkook did as he was told and settled in. They spent the evening talking and eating. By that Jungkook meant he was talking and eating while Yoongi complained that Jungkook was coming over a lot and that he would shift his residence without informing Jungkook.
Jungkook paid no mind to it. The man had been complaining for years but secretly was delighted everytime Jungkook came over.
"Hyung you are going to that event this weekend?" Jungkook asked all innocent.
Yoongi narrowed his eyes.
"Are you?" Jungkook proded.
"I am not taking you as my plus one." Yoongi signed
"Oh please Hyung. Who else will you take?"
"No."
"Why not? Not like I would be interrupting your conversations." Jungkook said, "Oh wait... You can't have a conversation." He said and laughed.
Yoongi rapidly signed, "Yah, you brat."
Jungkook was still laughing.
Yoongi was a music producer and a pretty good one at that. He had a ear for music, his latest track had gone viral. He was slowly but surely gaining fame in the music industry. Hence the invite to an event - more like a gathering for all the bigwigs to rub shoulders. Jungkook wanted to go simply on the off chance his soulmate was a celebrity and Jungkook would spill something on their excessively expensive dress and they would want to skin him alive and dance on his body.
Not that he wanted his soulmate to be a celebrity. But he was tired of searching. He had pushed and pushed himself and initiated conversation despite his shy and introverted nature just to find his soulmate. To the point that he was pretty sure he had spoken to every single person in his Uni and he forced himself to approach and speak to any other person who caught it eye. All in vain.
He could only draw two conclusions - either his soulmate was somewhere unreachable like another country or perhaps a well protected security or someone had realised just how demented his soulmate was and admitted them to a mental hospital and wouldn't it be great that Jungkook was getting desperate enough to actually visit these hospitals and check there.
"Hyung, my soulmate could be there." He said
Yoongi rolled his eyes and signed at him to be ready to be picked up at 7.
******
Jimin was always Taehyung's plus one in events.
Not because Taehyung couldn't find a date. But because Taehyung refused to date. Just flat out refuses to date anyone.
'What's the point Jimin, I would only get my heart broken when they met their soulmate.'
Jimin could understand the logic, he could see where Taehyung was coming from. It still broke his heart to see Taehyung alone.
Saturday evening found Jimin sitting on his bed, his large wire framed glasses on his face kept slipping as he worked on the briefs for the merger.
"You think this is too much?" Taehyung asked walking into the room pulling on a Gucci jacket with a floral patten that should honestly look absurd and childish but looked stylish and modern on Taehyung.
"You can wear rags and still look like the most handsome man on the planet." Jimin assured
"Why aren't you ready?" Taehyung asked
"I just have to pick a suit and wear it. Don't worry about me. I wear suits everyday to work, it wont take me long."
Jimin went back to his briefs only for Taehyung to go back and come in front of Jimin with a reddish maroon suit.
"Wear this." He thrust in in Jimin's face
"Too gaudy." Jimin said.
"It is not. Trust me."
"I can't pull that off Tae."
"Just do as I say. Have you seen your waist? It was made for this."
Jimin gave in and decided he would just wear the suit. Taehyung was going to have none of it. Usually he didnt mind not being able to mix with these people. However, it would be good to feel like he belonged for once.
Closing his work he went on to wear the suit which was surprisingly snug. It accentuated his legs, his narrow waist and his shoulder.
All in all Jimin felt like a different man.
Taehyung walked in back again and his jaw dropped.
"Holy shit." He said, "You are going to take away all my future projects from me, looking like that."
"Is it good?" Jimin asked.
"Are you kidding me? I would totally do you if you weren't my best friend."
Jimin laughed. He let Tae drag him to get his hair fluffed. A light coat of make-up later they were off to the venue.
30 minutes into the even Jimin realised why he always felt so out of place here. The people here were downright pretentious and so rude. It was a wonder they even had fans.
Taehyung being his natural social butterfly self was somewhere in the center of the crowd being queen bee of this crowd.
Jimin hung around by the outer ring of people smiling politely and waving to anyone he would recognise from previous meetings.
His eyes caught on a man who was practically scanning the crowd. He had a drink in his hand that was held a little away from himself, like he was mid-action. The man was good-looking. Broad shoulders came down to a thin waist with thick thighs that wound down to shapely long legs. Though what caught Jimin's attention was the man's eyes. Big bambi eyes scanned the crowd. His mouth was pursed, he looked to be making a decision. Jimin caught a lip ring and was pleasantly surprised.
Bambi seemed to have come to some kind of decision. He walked forward towards a woman and then quite deliberately spilled his drink on the ends of her dress, he then pretended to be innocent when a squeak of what the fuck was heard from the woman. He did look embarassed. He then scanned again, this time his attention snagged on a man. He kept the drink aside and then walked towards the man deliberately bumping into the man but making it look like an accident. He then fumbled an apology and started discreetly scanning the room again.
Jimin felt a laugh bubble up in his throat. It was painfully obvious what he was trying to do. Poor guy was trying to search for his soulmate.
Jimin turned around to the bar and was surprised to see someone sitting besides him also watching Bambi and smiling.
"Oh Hi." Jimin said to the man next to him.
The man waved and continued watching Bambi. Weird. Jimin thought, who waves? But Jimin was bored and wanted to have a conversation so he continued speaking.
"Bambi is being painfully obvious."
The man titled his head as if in question.
Jimin nodded towards Bambi and said, "That man with the big innocent eyes trying to find his soulmate. At this rate he should just wear a red flashing sign that says searching for soulmate."
The man laughed and Jimin smiled. The man then signed something when Jimin had the realisation - he was mute. Jimin had learnt sign language as a kid. His Uncle Al was mute too.
"My name is Yoongi. That there is my friend." He signed
"I am Jimin." He said, "Your friend is my entertainment for the night."
Yoongi laughed again. Just then there was a crash and they turned to see Bambi standing there amidst what looked like broken plates of appetizers. He had bumped into a wait staff it seemed. Yoongi smacked his forehead and shook his head.
"He seems to be doing quite well." Jimin laughed.
"That brat is going to get me banned from these events." Yoongi signed.
"Your plus one I take it?" Jimin asked and Yoongi nodded. "What do you do?" Jimin wanted to know, how come someone like Yoongi was here.
"I work in music. I am a producer. Have you heard the song Crossroads? I have produced that."
"Oh wow." Jimin said "I am sorry I have not heard the song. I rarely get time to enjoy leisure activities."
"What do you do? Are you a model?" Yoongi signed looking him up and down which had Jimin laughing.
"Me? Nah. I could never be a model. I am a lawyer. I came with a friend here who is off socializing."
"Bitch." Yoongi signed.
"Nah, its alright. It is his job. He has to socilaize with these people."
"Would you like to listen to the song?" Yoongi signed.
"Sure, just sitting here is boring anyways." Jimin turned back searching for Bambi who was nowhere to be seen. He felt a little disappointed, it was fun watching Bambi try.
Yoongi got off the chair and motioned Jimin to follow.
"This is my friends house." He signed "Seokjin, the one who sang my song. This is his song and his event. Usually I don't attend them but I had to. For seokjin." Yoongi signed
Jimin followed Yoongi into another room.
"Seokjin wont mind?" Jimin asked
Yoongi waved his hand in a dismissive motion which Jimin took to mean No.
There were different instruments placed within the room.
"He plays all this?" Jimin asked mildly impressed.
Yoongi shook his head and signed, "This is for whenever his musician friends come in. We can play whatever we like."
"Can I?" Jimin asked motioning to the guitar propped against the wall.
Yoongi shrugged. Jimin picked the guitar and began playing tentatively. It had been a while. A few minutes later he was surprised to see Yoongi had joined in from the piano. The melody sounded rough but still better than Jimin expected.
The next minute Taehyung entered the room causing Jimin and Yoongi to stop abruptly.
"Jimin." Taehyung said wide eyed looking at him, " You won't believe what happened." Taehyung kept walking towards him, "Some guy spilled some thing on my Gucci jacket. Good thing he was good looking and we were at this party or I would have punched him in the face. Anyways why are you hiding here? Are you okay? Do we need to go home?"
Taehyung was standing face to face with Jimin. He had yet to notice Yoongi who was staring wide-eyed at Taehyung's back.
Yoongi then got up and made his way to Taehyung. Noticing Jimin looking, Taehyung turned to find himself face to face with Yoongi.
Yoongi patted his pockets and then pulled out two photos of Taehyung - one from a modeling shoot and one click by the paparazzi.
Taehyung turned back to look at Jimin bewildered and then again looked back at Yoongi.
Yoongi aggressively pointed at the picture and then at Taehyung. Jimin was about to intervene to ask Yoongi to sign when Taehyung said.
"Oh Hi," Tae pointed to the picture in Yoongi's hand and said "Kim Taehyung." Then pointed at himself and said, "Thats me, I am Kim Taehyung."
Yoongi blinked for a moment and then dissolved into laughter clutching his belly and bending over.
Jimin and Taehyung looked at each other confused about the reaction.
"Yoongi?" Jimin touched his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Maybe he is a fan who got overwhelmed?" Tae asked, concern evident in his voice.
That made Yoongi go into fresh peels of laughter.
"Yoongi?" Jimin tried again. Yoongi straightened still huffing in laughter. He then peel his jacket and lifted the bandana odd his arm. There on his forearm were words in red - 'Oh Hi. Kim Taehyung. Thats me, I am Kim Taehyung.'
It took Jimin a second to recover. He jumped for joy and first pumped the air, "Yes. Yes." He shouted, "I knew the world could not be so cruel and unfair."
Still jumping, Jimin looked at Tae who was frozen in shock still staring at Yoongi's arm.
Yoongi waved in front of the to get his attention. Tae was still frozen staring unblinking at the mark. Yoongi looked ar Jimin in concern.
"Tae?" Jimin shook Taehyung who seemed to snap out of shock. He had tears in his eyes.
"It is not possible." Taehyung said and Yoongi's face dropped. "It is not possible. You know Jimin. You know why."
All at once Jimin understood. Taehyung never had a mark because Yoongi was mute.
"Tae." Jimin said kindly, "This is Yoongi. He is mute. He can't speak and he is your soulmate."
"He is mute?" Taehyung asked blankly.
"Yes."
"Is that why?" Taehyung asked
"Yes. It looks like it."
"So he is?"
"Yes." Jimin smiled. The next second Taehyung was in Yoongi's arms pressing kisses to his face and Yoongi looked alarmed and was trying to get away.
That had Jimin laughing, Yoongi had no idea just what he had signed up for.
Jimin left them alone in the room and stepped back into the party. He was just wondering if he should just head home when he saw Seokjin, the host who was holding Bambi by his ear like he was so errant kid and dragging him towards the door shouting, "Yah you brat, you keep spilling and breaking things. Who brought you here? Why are you ruining my party? And you called me old you little rat. I am not old. I am WWH. I am World Wide handsome you know."
Bambi looked like a scolded pouting child. Jimin was still on a high at his best friend having found his soulmate, that combined with the sight in front of him had Jimin laughing and slapping his thighs in mirth.
Both Seokjin and Bambi turned to looked at him. Seokjin was staring and Bambi was glaring. That made Jimin laugh more and he walked away, back to the party to say his goodbyes to the few people he knew.
*******
It was 3 weeks later that Jungkook saw the man in the red suit and blond hair again.
That stupid evening had been humiliating for Jungkook. He was so angry at his soulmate. He had half a mind to meet them and then never talk to them again. Would serve them right.
However, it seemed the entire evening was not a waste. Yoongi Hyung had found his soulmate. Turns out he had always known his soulmates name but had never tried to sear for him because he believed it would not be the natural course of things. He felt like he would be cheating. So when Yoongi Hyung had heard of model Kim Taehyung he was thrilled. After that, he had tried to meet Taehyung but he was always surrounded by screaming fans and paparazzi, Yoongi could never get in touch. Until that day. Though, Jungkook though it was weird Yoongi Hyung was carrying random photos of his soulmate around.
When he had expressed as much his hyung had in not so kind words told him that they would see how whipped he is once he finds his own. Given his soulmark though, Jungkook was sure he was going to end up dead before anyone had a chance to see him whipped.
Yoongi Hyung and Taehyung (who Jungkook had yet to meet) were off on a vacation in Sapparo.
Jungkook sighed, now he didn't even have Yoongi Hyung to pester.
Which brings us to today where they were in an auditorium. Jungkook was sitting on the very last seat. There was a presentation loaded on the projector and the lights were off. Strictly speaking Jungkook did not have to be here, his father and brother were present here. But he was gradually getting into the grove of things and he wanted to be aware of the details of the merger.
To his surprise the man in the red suit had stepped forward. Today he was wearing a black one which was not nearly as form fitting as the one at the event. He still had the blond hair though. That had surprised Jungkook. What is he doing here?
Turns out Blondie was a lawyer. He was all smiles and open and 20 minutes in the meeting he had everyone charmed.
Blondie did not just present fact and ramble on like their own lawyers had. He smoothly went through the data and segued into short jokes and incidents which kept attention firmly on him. Jungkook was impressed, it was difficult to hold people's attention for so long especially when the data being presented is so bland.
That was until Jimin segued into another story, only this time the story was about him.
Jimin was speaking on their new research tech into soulmates and then launched into a story of how it would be helpful for little boys who go around spilling drinks on people in parties to find their soulmate. He even mentioned the 'got-thrown-out-by-his-ear' incident. It has Jungkook fuming.
What the actual fuck?
Couldn't he see Jungkook was right here?
Then he realised. Ofcourse Blondie did not see him. He was sitting at the very back. He was practically shrouded in the darkness.
Jungkook purposely hung back when the presentation was done and the lights were switched on.
Everyone filed out of the room. Jungkook delibrately walked down the steps slowly. Blondie saw him and his eyes widened. Jungkook looked at him with all the disgust and contempt he could manage and walked past him.
Fuck you Blondie, he thought. I only want my soulmate. I am fucking lonely without them and no one is going to shame me for trying.
******
Jimin had fucked up so bad.
He could say good bye to his name on the wall.
Bambi had evidently been in the meeting and he had heard everything and he obviously despised Jimin.
Jimin had then asked one of the employees and it turned out Bambi was Jeon Jungkook, the youngest son of the owner of Mercern.
Yeah, Jimin was fucked. There was no way he was getting to keep this account post the Merger.
Jimin briefly considered walking into Jungkook's office and apologising and then scrapped the idea.
It wouldn't be so bad honestly if the next incident hadn't happened.
Jimin was in his office working. He was so engrossed in the forms before him he hadn't even heard anyone knock until the door opened.
Jimin looked up to see Namjoon Hyung standing there with Jungkook and his older brother.
Jimin shook their hands, resolving to smooth over any problems Jungkook would have with him.
Jungkook however took one look at Jimin and just turned around and left.
An hour or so later Jimin excused himself to go the bathroom. Namjoon continued speaking with the eldest son of the Mercern group.
Jimin quickly finished his business and went to wash his hands. Hoseok, his colleague was drying his hands and wiggled his eyebrows at Jimin.
"Who are the two hotties in your office?" He asked.
"Mercern group representative." Jimin answered.
"Did I see a lip piercing on one of them?" Hoseok asked
"Yep."
"Hot."
"Not hot."
Hoseok gasped. "How is that not hot?"
"How is that hot?" Jimin questioned.
"Whatever. He has a hot body and a cute face. He is everyone's type." Hoseok said
"He is a nusiance and he is desperate. That is no one's type." Jimin said.
Hoseok laughed and left. Jimin moved to dry his hands. Just then a stall opened behind him, Jimin turned around and felt lead drop into his stomach.
Jungkook stood in front looking so angry, it actually made Jimin nervous. Jimin knew he should apologise. He watched Jungkook's hands clench and unclench and realised with a start that he had tattoos going up his right arm. Briefly he wondered just how far up they went.
Jimin then shook his head. All the tattoos and the lip piercing and the broad shoulders suddenly seemed threatening.
Jimin tucked tail, turned and ran out.
This in itself could still have been salvaged if the next incident hadn't occured.
Taehyung was back from his not so short vacation with Yoongi.
Jimin could see that Taehyung was practically floating on a cloud of love. Jimin was happy for him, he really was. But he was also sad because Taehyung was moving out to stay with Yoongi. Though, Yoongi's house was a 5 minute drive away. Still. It made Jimin feel dad, like it was the end of an era.
Jimin was helping Tae move out. They just had the last of the boxes left. Yoongi had offered to cook them dinner.
Jimin tried not to focus on the fact that he would be coming back home alone.
When they reached Yoongi's apartment, Jimin was surprised. It was fancier than their own apartment.
It was also immensely spacious.
Yoongi was currently sitting on the couch earphones propped in signing away at the screen.
Seeing Yoongi reminded Jimin of Jungkook. He was Yoongi's friend afterall. Should he talk to Yoongi and ask him to smooth things over?
Jimin immediately dispelled the thought. He should not mix work and friendship.
Yoongi removed the earphones from the socket and carried the laptop with him to the kitchen counter. He was stirring the pot, Jimin assumed he was done with the video call.
"Is Jungkook coming?" Tae asked Yoongi.
Yoongi shook his head. Then looked at Jimin and frowned.
"Oh did he tell you?" Jimin asked.
Yoongi shook his head again and raised an eyebrow. Taehyung turned to Jimin, "What? What happened?"
"Nothing." Jimin sighed and picked one of the boxes to put it in the bedroom but Taehyung stopped him. He was like a dog with a bone.
"Tell me tell me." Taehyung chanted.
"Oh nothing." Jimin said. Partly frustrated because he was going to miss his best friend and all his idiosyncracies and partly because every time he thought of Jungkook he knew his chance to have his name on the wall at the law firm was dropping rapidly.
"Tell me Tell me." Taehyung danced ahead of Jimin refusing to let him move.
"Oh nothing he is a big baby, that's all."
"But he is so cute." Taehyung said.
"He is NOT cute. He is a big baby pretending to be all grown up with those tattoos and piercings and all. I mean who even does that? Evidently he overcorrected with all that. You should have seen him searching for his soulmate, it was hilarious but also like a little puppy running around. He does have those bambi eyes to match that energy. I suppose you could call all that cute. Though, I seem to keep insulting him even without wanting to. Why is it that each time I say something bad about him he is magically there to hear it."
Yoongi banged a spoon on the counter and they turned to see him. He turned the laptop screen towards them and Taehyung gasped. Jimin dropped the box he was holding. There on the laptop screen was Jungkook in a black turtleneck looking angry as fuck. His tongue was shoved in his cheek and he looked about ready to commit murder.
So Jimin did the only sane thing. He ran.
*****
Jungkook was furious.
Blondie who's name was Jimin apparently had driven Jungkook on the fucking wall with all those insults.
Though, usually Jungkook didnt mind. It was not the first time anyone called him Bambi or said he had golden retriever energy. He didnt feel insulted usually.
But in this case, he felt weirdly frustrated. He could acknowledge that Jimin was fucking handsome and had Jungkook seen him at the event he would have approached Jimin too with a spilled drink. But that is not what had happened, instead the man had seen him be kicked out and had laughed at him.
Then he had shared said story in a fucking meeting in front of his father and brother and everyone had laughed at his expense without knowing the story was about him
Then he had the audacity to tell him coworker that Jungkook was a nuisance and was desperate.
Cherry on the cake - He had then gone and said his tattoos and piercings were overcorrection. That was a week ago.
What the fuck!
How can one person be so judgemental.
All this was just what Jungkook had heard by accident, who knew what other bullshit the man was spewing behind his back.
Jungkook vowed the next time he saw Jimin, he was going to insult Jimin right back.
Let him get a taste of his own medicine.
Let him see how it feels to be on the receiving end of things.
He had been having a bad day today and o add insult to injury his father and brother couldn't stop singing praises about Park fucking Jimin.
Next time Jungkook saw him he was going to lash out and let Blondie have it.
He knocked on Yoongi Hyung's door wanting to vent and rant.
He was hoping Taehyung wouldn't be here. He couldn't exactly say shit about the man's best friend.
His bad day continued when Taehyung opened the door.
"Uh. Oh. Hi." Jungkook fidgeted.
"Hey Kook, Come in Yoongi is not here. He is locked away in his studio."
Jungkook lingered at the door. "That's all right. I should have called before coming. Ill come by later."
"Nonsense." Taehyung said and dragged Jungkook inside.
He pushed Jungkook on the couch and asked, "Water?" Jungkook nodded.
Then Taehyung took a deep breath and shouted, "Park Jimin you shut the fuck up, Jungkook is here."
A moment later Jimin ran out the adjoining bedroom door wide eyed.
Jungkook stiffened and clenched his jaw.
Taehyung smiled at them, "Make nice children."
Remembering his vow on insulting Jimin, Jungkook stood up.
Jungkook looked at Taehyung and said, "Traitor." Then whirled around at Jimin and said, "My nieces doll has more personality than you and she is made of plastic. I would tell you to get a new personality but let's be honest, dressing up trash doesn't make it desirable."
Taehyung gasped so loud, he immediately fell into a coughing it.
Jungkook belatedly wondered of he had crossed a line.
He looked back at Jimin who was looking at him with his mouth gaping open. Jimin looked so angry and then he laughed a deranged little laugh and looked straight into Jungkook's eyes and said in a deadly voice, "I am going to skin you alive and then dance on your bloodied corpse."
Jungkook blinked.
Then as if in slow motion he realised what had just happened.
Jimin. His soulmate.
Turns out he never had to worry about the perfect response. He was getting the perfecct response.
Horror rose in him as his own words registerd and Jungkook realised Jimin had to live with those words itched on his arm.
"You live with an insult on your arm for so many years?"
"You lived with a threat?" Jimin asked
"I genuinely thought my soulmate was deranged. I was about ready to start visiting mental hospitals to have a chat with blood hungry patients."
"I thought my soulmate was a jerk." Jimin paused, "I was right." He huffed and crossed his arms.
Cute, Jungkook thought.
Suddenly it hit him with full force, he had found his soulmate. His soulmate was standing here. Right in front of him. He didnt even realise he was excitedly bouncing in the same place until he heard Tae giggle.
Jimin was watching him with a smile on his face. Jimin took a step forward and that was all it took for Jungkook to bound towards Jimin tacking him to the ground."
"Omph! There is the puppy." Jimin laughed
Jungkook was so gone in happiness he didn't even care. Instead he barked like a dog and lent down to kiss his soulmate.
His Jimin.