nAEUn's dream

Have a wonderful day dear, I'm always rooting for you. I love you.

S

You flipped the card over and smiled, getting up to prepare for the day with Seungcheol's simple words on your mind.

February 3rd

You woke up in a panic, as you had overslept your alarm by 20 minutes. Seungcheol helped you pack your bag while you hurried to shower and get ready.

Leaving out of your shared bedroom, you grabbed your bag and were planning on getting coffee delivered once you got to the office. Seungcheol was standing in the kitchen, a lazy grin on his face and a cup of coffee from your favorite cafe in his hand.

"Baby, when did you have time to get this?" You questioned, stepping closer to him with a head tilt.

"I ordered it for when you're usually awake. It might've got just a little bit watered down.." He scratched the back of his neck. You gently took the cup, standing on your toes to plant a kiss on his lips. You felt him smile against your lips, kissing back softly. He eventually pulled you away with a sigh, cupping your face.

"You're welcome. Now go, before you're actually late." He smiled at you as you grinned back, taking a sip and promising to call him later.

February 6th

You were on facetime with Seungcheol while you cooked dinner, his studio lights glistening in the background. A particular manager at work had you furious, and it was only right to call your boyfriend to rant about it.

"I mean, the woman's only been here four months and doesn't even know what she's doing. How she got a management role is beyond me." You grumbled as you grinded pepper over the dish.

"From everything I've heard, she seems like a disaster. Why couldn't they give the role to someone like you?" His thick eyebrows furrowed as he leaned closer into the frame.

"Well I was trying to be humble, Cheol." You sighed, growing more frustrated with the situation. Your hands rested on your hips with a pout on your lips and Seungcheol couldn't help but think how cute you looked when you're mad.

"What? You're way more deserving than her." You watched him shift, getting off his chair and picking up the phone. "Keep your head up dear, it's going to be alright. I'm leaving the studio now, do you need me to get anything?"

You shook your head, unsure if he even caught it through the screen. "No, just bring yourself and come home. That's all I need right now."

Before you knew it, your door opened and Seungcheol was standing in the foyer, a bottle of your favorite wine in his hands and a soft smile on his face. He kissed you gently, and reminded you that you're perfect, and a job title does not define you.

February 9th

"Cheol, what is this?" You called from the kitchen, looking at the two tickets on the counter. You watched him appear from the bathroom, sweats low on his waist and his toothbrush dangling from his mouth.

"Ah, it's for us to do today. We hardly both have Saturday off so I thought we should go to the aquarium. I know how much you love the dolphins." His words were slightly garbled from the toothbrush and you couldn't help but throw your arms around him.

"Thank you, I'm so excited!" You giggled, feeling his chest vibrate from the chuckle he gave in return.

"Always, my love. We don't have to be there till 1 so let's take our time this morning." You grinned up at him, still wrapped around his waist.

"Sounds perfect. Are you going to touch the stingrays this time?" You felt him stiffen and shake his head comedically.

"No no no, those things are terrifying!"

"No they're not! They're so cute!" He shook his head aggressively once again, making you throw your head back in laughter.

"No, absolutely not."

February 10th

The bags weighing your arm down were getting heavy as you trudged through the mall. Seungcheol simply reached down, sliding them off your arm and onto his. He already was carrying a few bags in his left hand, and took on the weight of your remaining bags as well.

He had treated you to a nice brunch, a few bottomless mimosas ordered, and offered to give you his card for a shopping spree. You stared at him like he was crazy as he pushed the heavy silver card into your hands.

"Cheollie I can't-"

"Go crazy. Actually… not too crazy, I don't want the bank calling me for fraud." You both laughed at him as you linked your arm around his, ready to swipe his card just a few times…

You couldn't help it when you saw a pair of Gentle Monster glasses you've been dying to get, and when you found a pair of Levi's jeans that fit so perfectly, or the bracelet Seungcheol insisted you bought.

You had to cut him off from spending more on you, as you swore you had already spent way too much.

"For you? It's never too much."

February 11th

After being away from your family for a few months, you were starting to feel homesick. You communicated with them frequently, but you lived too far to see them as often. Seungcheol knew this, and wanted a way to bring you closer to them again.

When you saw the flight itinerary in your email you were confused, immediately texting him.

Within seconds, his name scrolled across your screen, calling in response to your text. You picked up and are instantly greeted with his slowly spreading smile.

"Good morning my dear, are you doing okay?"

"Morning, Cheollie. Can you tell me why I just got a flight itinerary in my email? Specifically for a flight back home?" Your eyebrows shot up as the grin on his face remained.

"Should be as straightforward as it seems. I know how much you've been missing your family. So, I got you a flight home for next month." He shrugged as if it was the most casual thing he's ever said. Your jaw remained dropped, staring back at him in disbelief.

"I-I can't believe you did this for me… I can't even begin to express how grateful I am." You blinked back tears, watching as your boyfriend looked back in adoration.

"Family is important, I know how important they are to you. I want you to be happy, always." You huffed out a laugh, wiping your eyes generously.

"Are you going to come too baby?" You tilted your head with the question. Seungcheol simply shook his head in response.

"No, you should spend that time alone with them. I'll come the next time, since your mom loves me." He teased at the end, earning an eye roll from you.

"Yeah yeah, whatever." You giggled as he smiled back, his bright grin infatuating.

"I love you." He spoke your name with delicacy, his eyes fond as he stared back.

"I love you more, Cheol."

February 12th

You accompanied Seungcheol to the gym, taking 30 minutes to do cardio yourself before walking over and joining him at the weights.

"Are we trying for a new PR?" You joked, watching the way he stacked up the 25 pound weights on both sides. He glanced up with a smile and shook his head.

"I gotta stay big and strong so I can always carry you like the princess you are." He winked, making you briefly turn away before the heat crept up your face.

"Quit messing with me Cheollie."

"And why would I do that?"

"Just be quiet and do your sets." You made him laugh as he laid down and began bench pressing. You watched him as a spot and chatted, though he was mostly focused on keeping his form.

As you headed out, hip to hip, Seungcheol couldn't stop the smile on his face as you rambled on. He loved quality time with you, even if it was doing your own seperate work outs, and coming together at the end. He opened the car door for you— always a gentleman— before running around and hopping in his own seat.

"Thanks for coming with me. I know you despise the concept of working out, but I'm glad you came." He turned to you, leaning over the console to get close. You did hate gyms and working out, but did it to stay healthy, and because Seungcheol would get on your case.

"Of course. I mean, who else is gonna keep me in check but you?" You leaned over, pressing a quick peck to his lips. He smiled back, nearly in a daze as he leaned over to press another kiss on your lips again.

"Cheol, let's go home." The look in your eyes was all he had to see before putting the car in reverse.

"Ah, I forget how worked up you get after the gym."

"It's all the pheromones…". You both laughed as his hand rested on your thigh.

February 13th

You hadn't discussed plans for Valentine's yet with Seungcheol, unsure if he would have to work or not. Usually he could find a way to spend time with you, but with his busy schedule it was never guaranteed .

Seungcheol had to go into the company early in the morning, earlier than you had to wake up for work. You woke up and stretched, reaching across the bed despite already knowing Seungcheol was gone. His spot still had a slight warmth to it, showing he hadn't gotten up too long ago. You sighed, pulling yourself out of the comforter cocoon, groaning as you got up for the day.

Rubbing the sleep out your eyes while you walked to the kitchen, you stopped dead in your tracks at the sight on the counter.

A vase full of tiger lilies— your favorite flower— stood brightly on the countertop. The different colored flowers smelled and looked amazing. You casted your glance down spotting the small notecard and a box of your favorite sweets. You smiled, reaching for the notecard to read.

Good morning baby,

Sorry I had to go into work earlier than expected. Wanted to see your face when you woke up. Hope you enjoy two of your favorites. I love you, I'll see you later.

The grin on your face was wide as you shook your head. "Choi Seungcheol, the man you are." You muttered to yourself, holding the notecard to your chest.

February 14th

Your eyes fluttered open to an array of kisses tingling your cheekbones. Peeking down, Seungcheol was busy worshipping you, leaving kisses all along your face.

"Good morning baby, Happy Valentine's." His sleep riddled voice reverberated near your ear, sending a chill through your body. You wrapped your arms around him, tugging him closer to you.

"Happy Valentine's Day, my love." You breathed in his scent, exhaling softly as he buried his head in the crook of your neck.

"Can we just lay here all day?" His voice came out muffled against your skin, making you giggle from the tickle it caused.

"Considering today's a Saturday, I wouldn't be opposed." You spoke, running your hands through his hair. His strong form was wrapped around you, keeping you close to his chest. He hummed an agreement, kissing your neck once again.

"Lets sleep in for once. Just lay here with me."

You were weak when it came to your boyfriend and gave in with no question.

"Okay."

The two of you slept till a little past noon, taking your time to get up. Everytime you suggested rising, Seungcheol would grumble, going '5 more minutes,' and those 5 would turn into another 45. You eventually convinced him to get up, opting to cook a nice brunch for the two of you.

"I already made plans tonight for us, before you even ask." He stated as two of you ate the crispy bacon you fixed.

"Oh?" Your eyebrows shot up. "I should've known, you're a man with many plans." He smiled back at you, shrugging casually.

"Our reservation's at seven. Hopefully that's enough time for you to get ready." You could hear the amusement oozing through his tone, granting a side glance from you.

"You really think it's going to take me six hours to get ready..?"

"Well… When we were in Italy-"

"Oh my god, don't even bring that up!" You smacked his arm as he erupted with laughter, remembering how you had taken newly four hours start to finish to get ready to go out. To be fair, you did get burnt that day and were working around that…

"You try getting ready when your skin feels like a toasted lobster!"

"Thank god we're not eating lobster tonight." He joked.

"You're so insufferable."

"Yeah, and you love me for it." You rolled your eyes at him knowing deep down, you really did enjoy it.

By the time you got close to the reservation, you were running around looking for your most comfortable pair of heels. You swore you had seen them recently, as you wore them to work not even two weeks prior.

"Would these be the heels in question?" Seungcheol asked, the pair of black kittens dangling from his fingertips.

"They would be, actually." You gently take them from him, feeling his intense gaze burn down at you.

"Glad I could be of service." The quirk of his lips was unmistakable, watching you carefully as you slipped the shoes on. "You look beautiful my dear."

You glanced up at him, your face getting warm at his compliment. All the years you've been together and his comments still made you fluster.

"Thank you, Cheollie. You look stunning yourself." You smirked back, reaching for his hand. "Now let's go, I can't have you blaming me for being late."

He laughed heartily at you, opening the door and allowing you to step out.

You were in awe at the restaurant— one of the finest in the city— swatting at Seungcheol for even thinking about spending so much on you. He brushed you off with a simple, "only the best for my baby."

After sitting through the four rounds of fine dining courses and wine tasting, you smiled contentedly as Seungcheol fed you a bite of the final dessert course.

"I could kiss you for this, Cheollie." A single eyebrow quirked up as he smirked back at you.

"What are you waiting for then?"

You leaned forward a bit, meeting Seuncheol with a quick peck. You could taste the remnants of the dessert you were eating, staring back lovingly at your boyfriend.

"Thank you for treating me tonight. I never ask for much yet you always know just how to take care of me." You looked into his eyes, glowing with adoration.

"Always. It's not even a question or a moment of hesitation, you deserve only the best." Your heart fluttered at his words, grateful you were loved properly by such a caring man. You joked about splitting the bill when the check came, earning a side glare from Seungcheol as he slipped his card in.

As you exited the restaurant hand in hand, you thanked the valet driver who opened your door for you. Seungcheol took the keys with a nod of gratitude, quickly pulling off. You quietly sang along to the music softly coming through the speakers as you watched the city pass by. When Seungcheol drove past the exit you would usually take to get home, you turned to him with an eyebrow raised.

"Did you mean to miss the exit we take everyday?"

"I have another surprise planned for you." His lip twitched as he fought off the smirk from making an appearance. You hummed, trying to decipher what his next surprise could be.

When you pulled up to the expensive looking five-star hotel, your eyes nearly popped out of your skull.

"What are we doing here?" You glared at him, wide eyed.

"Staying the night of course?" He turned to you, his smirk finally showing.

"I didn't even bring anything, I need my skincare, my pajamas, my charger-"

"Don't even worry about that," He waved a hand around. "Already have a bag packed. While you were on that chase for your shoes, I was packing an overnight bag for you."

"Even my toner?"

"Yes, dear, even your seven step skin routine." He laughed while you stared at him in shock.

You were feeling so many emotions at once, tears threatening to spill out. Not once in your life have you had anyone take care of you this well. You were emotional, knowing how well planned out Seungcheol was. If you weren't sure if soulmates were real, you had zero doubts now. Yours was sitting next to you, smiling at you lovingly.

"I've never been treated so well before, Cheol. I just… I can't thank you enough." You felt the single tear slip down your cheek, Seungcheol wasting no time to reach over, wiping the salty trail away.

"I love you so, so much, I never want you to feel uncared for." His voice came out quiet while he stared into your glossy eyes.

"I love you more than you could even fathom, Seungcheol." You leaned into his hand cupping your face, closing your eyes as you soaked up the moment. He turned your hand over, planting a delicate kiss along the back of it.

"Let's go check into our place for the night baby."

You were bouncing on your heels the whole time he talked to the front desk concierge and as you stood in the elevator, going straight up to one of the highest floors.

Nothing could've prepared you for the sight once he swung the door open to your suite, instantly welcoming the stunning view. Your jaw dropped as you walked in, the room looking pristine, but the real beauty was what you saw outside. The skyline was glowing in front of your eyes, the bright lights of Seoul stretching out for miles. There was a large infinity pool that overlooked the area, catching your attention immediately.

"You know how insane you are for this?" You turned to Seungcheol, who was grinning at your joy.

"It's the least I could do, my love." He winked, earning a giggle from yourself. You opened the door to the balcony, stepping down and taking in the fresh night air. "Oh, and the pool is heated!" He exclaimed behind you.

"Hey Cheol?" You turned back to him. His thick eyebrows went up, anticipating where you were going next. "You know what's something I've always wanted to do?" You tilted your head.

"What is it?" He questioned.

The smirk forming on your face was dangerous. You tilt your head towards the pool, dropping your phone onto one of the patio chairs before you felt a surge of adrenaline rush in. You took off, jumping into the pool without hesitation. When you came back up to the surface, pushing your hair out of your face with a laugh, Seungcheol was staring down and laughing uncontrollably at you.

"You're crazy!"

"Come join me!"

Mere seconds later he was unclasping his expensive watch and slipping his phone out his pocket to put them next to your stuff. He jumped in right after, granting a loud laugh from you. He reappeared, grinning widely as he swam close towards you.

"Hey." He reached you, his hand wrapping around your waist.

"Hi." You huffed out, catching the way the water droplets clung to his long lashes.

"You make me feel so… alive." Seungcheol states, his gaze on you like he was looking at his whole world.

"You do too, Cheol. I couldn't be happier than what I am right now." You grinned up at him, brushing stray droplets off his face. You look down, feeling both of your clothes fanning out around you, rippling underneath the water.

Pushing up on your toes, you planted a kiss on his lips, Seungcheol instantly responding. He kissed back gently, his grip staying firm on your waist as you wrapped your arms around his neck. The two of you stayed like that for a while, his lips ravishing your own. Despite being in a heated pool, a shiver ran down your spine, only prompted from the feeling of Seungcheol against you. You pulled away eventually, both of your chests rising quickly from the intensity of the kiss.

"Baby, let's stay here for a while."

"Of course, my love." Seungcheol responded, keeping his arms wrapped tight around you.

Staring out at the skyline, you couldn't help the content smile from forming, knowing there was no place you would rather be than here. Seungcheol always showed— and told you— how much he loved you, but sometimes his grand gestures were a nice reminder for you. You hoped the universe would never seperate you, as the man you loved had given you everything you could ask for, and then some more.

"Choi Seungcheol, the man that you are."

Now it clicks off completely as you pass beneath it, plunging that stretch of hallway into a sudden, hungry dark.

You stand there with a grocery bag bruising the inside of your arm, keys still in hand, the smell of mint and vinegar from the cleaner still clinging to your coat. Your heartbeat slows into the silence.

Something shifts at the corner of your vision. A shape that isn’t a shape. A breath where no one is breathing.

You close your eyes. Count to five. When you open them, it’s gone. Of course it’s gone. You live alone now.

You’ve started seeing ghosts. 

Not the kind with unfinished business or Victorian gowns, but the ordinary, accidental kind. A shadow caught in the periphery. A laugh in the next room. A feeling that something has only just left.

You used to call them monsters. Seokmin would stand barefoot in the hallway, wielding a rolled-up magazine like a sword. “Not on my watch,” he’d say, eyes comically wide, before lunging at the air. You’d laugh until your ribs ached.

Now, it’s just the air that aches. 

The flicker returns, dull and rhythmic, like the blinking of an old film reel. You move past it, slowly. Try not to look over your shoulder. The apartment groans with the settling of old heat. Pipes sigh like someone exhaling. You drop your keys into the bowl by the door and listen to them clatter—a sound you once loved for how it meant you were home.

But home used to be different. Home used to hum with music and bad singing and the smell of late-night ramen on the stove. Home used to bear traces of Lee Seokmin, and the relationship you built over three years. 

Now, the light flickers, and your apartment gasps for air with every day that passes.

It hadn’t died all at once.

Some things go quietly, like candles in their final stretch. Sputtering, still giving light even as the wax pulls away from the wick. That was you and Seokmin. 

You loved him in the way you love a song that once saved your life. Reverently. Completely. Even when the lyrics stopped making sense. He loved you like the sun. Bright, constant, unaware of how much it burned.

You remember the morning it finally frayed beyond mending. It was raining, slow and steady against the windows, like the sky had decided to grieve with you. Seokmin made you pancakes. He always made them too sweet, too fluffy, like he was trying to fix things with sugar. You sat on opposite ends of the couch, knees not touching.

You had said, “I think we’ve been playing pretend, Seok.”

He blinked. Laughed a little, like maybe it was a joke. Like maybe if he laughed first, you’d laugh too. But you didn’t. 

You stared down at your plate and went on, “We don’t talk about things anymore. We just… circle them. Like planets. Like we’re scared to fall back into orbit.”

He said your name so softly it barely broke the air. Then: “What is this? I thought we were okay.”

You had been okay. But okay was not good. Not happy. Not together, not really.

Somewhere along the way, you had stopped reaching for each other in the dark.

You’d lie back to back at night, a gulf of blanket between you. You’d say good night out of habit. Like brushing teeth. Like locking doors. You did it because it was what people in a relationship  did. Because the absence of it would be too loud.

So you said it again, in the quiet of that morning: “I think we’ve already said goodbye. We’re just waiting for the echo to fade.”

He cried. You hadn’t. There’s something sacred in being the one to end it. Not power. Not clarity. Just the quiet grace of knowing when to stop replaying a song.

Later, you folded his hoodie and left it on the bed. The gray one that always smelled like him—clean laundry and lemon soap. He didn’t take it when he left.

You still wear it sometimes, like armor. Like memory. It’s too big. It always was.

The light in the hallway flickers again. You swear under your breath.

It’s the same every night. The sharp electric blink, the stretch of shadow across the hallway floor like fingers reaching. You’ve taped the switch in place. You’ve prayed to the god of breakers and fuses. Nothing sticks. You start leaving the bedroom lamp on, but the dark doesn’t need full cover to find you.

Tonight, it’s worse. The bulb flares once then gives out entirely. You stand in the silence, half-expecting to hear footsteps that aren’t yours. The apartment hums with the weight of all that’s missing.

There’s still a dent in the couch cushion where Seokmin used to curl up after work. A faint scratch on the bathroom door from where he slipped once, laughing, knocking over your towel rack. His mug is still in the cupboard. You’d meant to throw it out. You didn’t.

You sit on the floor with your knees pulled to your chest, the dark folding around you like an old coat. Then, almost without thinking, you unlock your phone.

YOU [11:09 PM]: hey. weird question. do you remember how to fix the hallway light? it’s doing the thing again.

You stare at the message. Consider deleting it.

The read receipt comes fast. Then:

AA SEOK [11:11 PM]: yeah. i think the contact’s loose in the fixture. you can wedge a folded matchbook behind the base plate. should hold until you can swap it. want me to send a video?

You laugh to yourself. Softly. It catches in your throat.

YOU [11:09 PM]: no, i think i remember now. thanks.

He doesn’t say anything else. But he’s typing. Then stops.

You close your eyes. Let your head tip back against the wall.

There was a night, years ago, when the whole building faced intermittent blackouts. Summer storm. You lit candles along the window sills. Seokmin danced with a flashlight tucked under his chin, making shadow monsters until you were laughing so hard you were crying.

“You’re safe,” he had promised you. “Even if the dark shows up, I’ll be here.”

But the dark has shown up, and he hasn’t. 

You stand, slowly, and find a matchbook in the drawer. One of the old ones from your favorite tapas place. The one he used to surprise you with on late nights. You fix the light. It flickers, hesitates, then steadies.

The hallway glows again. Not warm, not quite. But enough.

You sit back on the floor and stare at the light until your eyes blur. And when the shadows come again, you let them. You’re not afraid of them anymore.

In the end, the light gives out with a final, bitter snap.

No flicker. No warning. Just dark.

You stand in the hallway holding a bowl of cereal and an unreasonable amount of grief. It's not about the bulb, not really. It’s about the silence that follows. You set the bowl down. Pick up your phone. Stare at his name.

Call.

He picks up on the second ring. “Hey,” he says, warm and a little out of breath. Like he had rushed to answer and was now trying to act like he hadn’t. “Did the matchbook betray you?”

You laugh, which surprises you. “It died. A heroic death.” (The same could be said about your relationship, you almost say, but that feels like a wound too tender to poke.)

“I’ll come by,” he says so quickly it makes your chest ache. “If that’s okay.”

You say yes before you think better of it.

That same evening, he knocks like he always used to. Two soft taps and a pause. You open the door, and there he is. Wearing the same navy windbreaker you once borrowed on a chilly beach night. His hair’s longer. His eyes, the same.

“Electrician Seokmin, reporting for duty,” he grins, holding up a small toolkit covered in Sanrio stickers.

“Do you moonlight now?” you ask, stepping aside.

He shrugs. “You know me. Jack of all trades. Master of none. Especially light fixtures.”

The hallway is dim with the lamp from the living room casting a long, golden haze. He toes off his shoes without asking, like he always did. Like nothing’s changed.

You follow him down the hall. Watch him open the casing with practiced ease. The silence is soft, companionable. Familiar. “Still smells like your lavender detergent,” he says absently.

You don’t answer. You’re watching the way the light paints his face—soft at the edges. You feel something uncoil in your chest, slow and strange.

“I missed this,” he says, too lightly.

You deflect. “Fixing broken things?”

He glances at you, then back to the wires. “Yeah. Something like that.”

The joke lands between you with a softness that hurts. You look down at your hands. “You didn’t have to come,” you say, half to yourself.

“I know,” he replies without missing a beat. “But I wanted to.”

When the light flares back to life—steady, clean—he steps back, triumphant. “Behold,” he says, arms raised, “the glow of my labor.”

You smile. It’s small, but real.

He doesn’t leave right away. You offer tea. He accepts. You sit on opposite ends of the couch, knees not touching. There’s a distance now, shaped like memory. But there’s something else, too. A warmth that hasn’t fully left.

In the golden spill of the hallway light, you let yourself feel it. Just for a while. Just until the tea has gone cold.

You’re both still sitting there, curled around mismatched mugs, the table between you cluttered with crumbs from the shortbread he brought without asking. He’s telling you about his new coworker who accidentally sent a love letter to the company-wide email list. You laugh, smile half-covered behind your hand.

“I almost admire the chaos,” you say.

He grins. “You always did.”

The clock ticks gently behind you. You don’t check it.

His eyes linger on your face in quiet moments, like he’s sketching you from memory. And maybe he is. You catch him doing it once and he looks away, smiling into his cup. 

Outside, the first tap of rain begins. Then the sound grows—gradual and steady, then sudden, like the sky gave up holding itself together. You both glance toward the window. “That’s really coming down,” you murmur.

Seokmin cranes his neck to look. “It’s fine. I’ve driven through worse.”

You raise an eyebrow. “You panic every time your wipers squeak.”

“That was once.”

“That was every time.”

He laughs, sheepish. “Well, I wasn’t planning to stay.”

You hesitate. Look at him. The soft fall of his shoulders. The damp ends of his hair curling from the humidity. He’s halfway standing, but not really. Waiting. ‘Wasn’t planning to stay’ his ass. 

“Stay,” you say. “Sleep on the couch. It’s still yours, kind of.”

Something flickers across his face. Hope, barely disguised. Something he doesn’t want you to see, but doesn’t try hard to hide. “You sure?”

You nod. “I’ll get you a blanket.”

You don’t wait for his reply. Just move down the hall, heart pulling strange and quiet in your chest. You hear him exhale. Soft, relieved. When you hand him the blanket—the one you two picked out in a department some lifetimes ago—your fingers accidentally, briefly brush his. But not really.

He says good night like he means it. Like he remembers what it used to feel like to say it. You don’t watch him lie down on the couch. You don’t check if he’s looking at you when you walk away.

You just let the light stay on in the hallway, and pretend it’s only for comfort.

You pretend it’s not for him. You think this, this little light, will be enough to get you two to the morning unharmed. 

But the power cuts out at 2:17 AM. 

The rain is a hush against the windows. Wet, rhythmic, and close. The apartment sighs into silence, every hum and whir of machinery folding into stillness like the house is tucking itself to sleep. Even the hallway light, always the last to surrender, gives up its ghost without protest.

You wake to the absence. It’s not the sound that startles you; it’s the lack of it. The unnatural quiet that settles deep in the bones of the walls, in your chest, like the world is holding its breath and waiting for something to go wrong.

Your fingers twitch beneath the blanket, instinctively seeking the old comfort. The spill of light beneath the door, the low buzz of the fridge, the reassurance of motion. But everything is still. Hollow.

In the dark, your thoughts get away from you. You remember the busted bulb in the hallway, the taped switch he used to fix and re-fix with stubborn patience. You remember how, after he left, the shadows grew teeth. How you convinced yourself the flickers were tricks of the eye, that the ghosts weren’t real, that you could live with their quiet watching.

You’ve grown used to fear as a companion. But tonight, it tightens around your ribs. Fast. Sour. Electric.

Then—

Soft, socked feet against the floorboards. Rushed, purposeful.

The door cracks open, leaking in the faintest outline of him. Seokmin.

“Hey,” he murmurs, voice rough with sleep, but steady. "It’s just the power. You're okay."

You can barely see him, but you know it’s him. Not some figment of your imagination. Not one of those dreams you’ve had post-breakup. You know that quiet certainty in his tone; the shape of him, framed by the glow of street light filtering through the rainwashed window.

He steps into your room like he still belongs here. Like some part of him never left. You swallow down the ache that rises. Your voice is thin. “Did it wake you too?’

He nods, moving closer. “Heard the fridge give out. And the silence. Then I figured you might be… you know. Doing the staring-at-corners thing.”

You let out a shaky, brittle laugh. “They’ve been worse lately,” you confess to the only person in the world who wouldn’t judge your fear, your paranoia, your grief. “The ghosts.”

He kneels beside the bed, not touching you. Just close enough that his presence warms the air. “They're not real,” he says. It’s not a dismissal; it’s gentler than that. A reassurance shaped like a vow.

You watch him. The way his shoulders rise and fall, the soft pull of exhaustion beneath his eyes. There’s kindness in the corners of his mouth, even now. Even still. “Will you—” You stop. Then try again. The request is soft, unsure. “Will you lie with me? Just until it comes back?”

He doesn’t blink. He just nods and climbs beneath the blanket as if his body remembers the space it used to occupy. As if the gap you left for him never fully closed.

His warmth bleeds into yours. He shifts until you’re curled together, your bodies finding old grooves. His arm drapes around your waist like it always used to. Your forehead presses into the hollow of his collarbone. 

You breathe in.

The silence doesn’t feel as loud. The shadows, for once, don’t reach. They stay tucked into corners. Obedient. Tamed. Respectful of the knight that once valiantly kept them at bay. 

Your voice is barely a whisper. “I forgot what this felt like.”

His lips find your hair. “Me too.”

For a long while, neither of you says anything.

Outside, the rain falls steady, a lullaby. Inside, there are no ghosts. No trick of the light. No dark thing waiting just outside the edge of vision.

Just Seokmin.

And you. Remembering what it means to reach for someone in the dark. Remembering what it means to love, not because you have to, but because you want to. Because love lets the light in. Because Seokmin is the light, and the love, and all that exists in between. 

Jungkook is staring at him with utter confusion. Because to him those words simply don’t make sense.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he asks and Taehyung, though drunk, answers quickly. Raising his hand to count on his fingers.

“Ever since you got married you’re boring as hell! It’s a fuckin miracle you’re here now! You don’t come out to parties with us anymore, you don’t show up to company events, you ditch us the second she calls, and you can’t even think for yourself anymore! Every damn thing is ‘Let me ask my wife’. You have to be a man, Jay!”

The others around the table remain quiet. Knowing Jungkook is getting furious by the word.

They know better than to talk ill of you. You, to Jungkook, created the universe.

He scoffs before replying, “Yes, I choose my wife. Every damn time. Over parties. Over drinking. Over you. If that makes me a boring person then I am completely fine with it. Y’know I actually like my wife. You should try it sometime,” and with that Jungkook’s chair scrapes against the floor as he stands up, grabs some cash, throws it on the table, and storms out of the bar.

Leaving his friends and their shouts for him behind.

Jungkook arrives home with a dozen messages from his friends telling him to cut Taehyung some slack because he’s drunk. He couldn’t give a shit as he long pressed the sides of his phone before sliding the option to fully shut it off for the night.

He rubs his temple before exiting the car and walking inside.

The tension immediately changed the second he stepped through the door.

You had the lights dimmed, a candle or two lit, and you were playing some soft music. He hears you in the kitchen and throws his keys, phone, and coat on the couch before making his way to the sound of you.

Jungkook spots you. You had your back turned to him, too focused on decorating your cookies you had just baked, and humming to the musical tunes.

This is why he does it. Because he would give everything to see you happy. You were there for him when his closest friends had told him to give up or take a break. You were there to encourage and love him the way he knew you could.

“You look pretty,” he says and watches you jump a little and turn to him.

You giggle and put the piping bag full of frosting on the counter, making your way to him.

He opens his arms like a natural instinct when you run into them and push him gently as you collide. He begins to gently sway along to the music as he relaxes while holding you.

“Have fun with the guys?” you ask, your chin on his chest as you look up at him.

He falls silent for a moment before he responds.

“Yeah. It was good. I just wanted to come home to you,” he adds and you laugh lightheartedly.

He lets you go and watches you go back to decorating your sweets.

“You’re cute when you’re tipsy y’know that?” It was a rhetorical question but he answered anyway.

“Yes, you make me this way. I don’t even think it’s the liquor,” he says and walks towards you, holding you from behind. Not wanting any distance from you.

You allow him to hold you close when you draw little hearts.

You allow him to hold you close when he starts to give you a gentle kiss on your neck.

You allow him to hold you close when he starts to whisper how much you mean to him.

You allow him to hold you close when he tells you he would die without you nearby.

You finish decorating the last cookie and turn 180 to be face to face with him.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be? I have you here,” he replies instantly and kisses your nose.

“You’re very sweet tonight. Did something happen when you were out with the guys? Oh, did a cute girl try to flirt with you?”

“No,” he sniffles a laugh, “Why?” he asks.

“Because the last time you were out with the guys and a girl flirted with you, you came home being all cute and lovely like you are right now because you said you felt guilty,” you like to laugh at the memory knowing it makes him flush.

“No, nothing happened,” and suddenly he’s feeling guilty for not telling you.

“Mmm…okay,” you’re not fully convinced but let it go.

“You made cookies,” he changes the subject and redirects them to the sugary sweets laying on the counter.

“I did! Got bored without you around so…” you grab a cookie from the stack and place it gently on his hands.

A cute little heart with both your initials in pretty pink frosting.

Jungkook is sure his friendship with Taehyung will be fine. He’s sure his friends will think twice before inviting him places or talking ill of you in any form.

But he’s most definitely certain that there is no other person in the universe he would rather be spending his nights with. You’re it.

—

You slumped in your chair, taking a big gulp of water. “I can’t imagine how you managed the entire batch of year threes.”

“I had other professors to help me too but we’re all mainly in charge of different batches. So I guess it wasn’t too bad.”

You were still adjusting to the campus grounds, occasionally forgetting which lecture hall was located at. Jungkook always offered to be your tour guide whenever he was free.

“Prof Jeon!” A couple of seniors approached Jungkook, waving their hands widely at your colleague. “How’s senior year going for y’all?”

The two of you stopped as Jungkook conversed with his ex-students. “Stressful, we’ve been busy applying for jobs.”

“Right, you guys are graduating soon. Hope you manage to secure them by graduation!” Jungkook cheered them on with sincerity in his voice.

You admired how Jungkook interacted with his students, past and present. He never forgot their names, the rowdy and the quiet ones. He was patient and understanding with all of his students. Jungkook was definitely a professor with a genuine passion to teach and help others.

That, of course, would mean he was well loved by his students. Even after his modules, his students would approach him for help, be it academic or career wise.

He was the popular professor in your faculty, there was no doubt about that.

“You’re really good with them.” You commented as you both walked towards your lecture hall. Jungkook smiled, “I try my best.”

“Well, you’re definitely doing something right.”

“Feels nice to hear that from you, yn. I appreciate it.”

You felt your heart rate quicken with his soft smile, you blinked as you looked straight ahead. “Thanks for walking me as well. I’m getting used to the layout, you don’t have to bring me around now.”

He shook his head, “It’s fine, I love walking with you anyway.”

This time, you froze, your eyes shifting to your students passing by the two of you to enter the lecture hall. You were sure they overheard what Jungkook had said as you saw their giddy smiles and looks as they passed you.

Clearing your throat, you bowed your head slightly to say bye to your really handsome colleague. “Thanks again Jungkook.”

—

“I already bought you your favourite drink. I’m sure you’re super thirsty after teaching for 3 hours straight.” Jungkook’s raised his arm to show the drink in his hand.

“Were you,” you looked around to see other students walking down the corridor, “Were you waiting outside?”

“Yea, I thought you ended at 2.30pm but I forgot you told me you end at 3pm on Thursdays.”

You smiled as you unlocked your office door, entering with Jungkook. “You didn’t have to wait out here, could’ve just texted me.”

“Didn’t want to disrupt your focus during lecture. Plus, I don’t mind waiting for you.”

Maybe it was the way he said it, the tone or the cheeky grin on his face. You weren’t sure what it was, but it felt as if there was another meaning to it.

“Thank you for the drink anyway, I actually am pretty thirsty.”

He flashed a toothy grin as he took the seat opposite your desk - the seat where your students sat at for consultation. “How’s midterms season going?”

You sighed, “Tiring. I’m booked almost every free slot for consultations now.”

“I have a few extra slots, if the workload is too much, I can take some of your consultations. We’re teaching the same syllabus anyway.”

You shook your head as you took a sip, “That’s alright! I can manage.”

Jungkook nodded his head, “Don’t get me wrong. I’m fully aware of your capabilities. Just want to be there for you when I can.”

Feeling your cheeks grow hot, your eyes locked on the drink as you placed it back on the table. “That’s really sweet of you.”

Just then, there was a knock on your office door and Namjoon’s head peeped in. “Am I interrupting?”

“N-Not at all! Come in.” You cleared your throat as Jungkook straightened up in his seat, turning away from you.

“Just wanted to let you know about the midterms meeting tomorrow morning. I’ll be sending out an email invite later as well. I’ve just been checking in with everyone individually first.” Namjoon’s eyes trailed off towards Jungkook and he let out a short chuckle to himself.

“But I guess I’m interrupting you two lovebirds.” He teased and you nearly choked on air. “N-Namjoon!”

He bellowed in satisfaction, “I’m kidding, you two look like teenagers that were caught sneaking around.” He made his way to the door, “Pretend I didn’t come in! Bye!”

A thick awkward silence engulfed the two of you as both your eyes fixated on the area that Namjoon had just been.

Jungkook broke it, letting out an awkward laugh, “Joon’s a real funny one, isn’t he?”

“Y-Yea he is.”

—

“Hey Jungkook, these were the papers you wanted right?”

That voice.

In an instant, Jungkook had straighten his spine and adjusted his tie as he looked up to you with the practice paper he had asked for. He had been engrossed in his work that he didn’t see you walk over to where he was eating.

“H-Hey, yea,” He reached out to take the paper from you. “Thanks yn. I owe you one.”

With a smile, you reached over to give him a light pat on his shoulders before walking away from him, “It’s fine, I’ll just look for you the next time I need help.”

“R-Right of course, y-you can!” He nodded his head as he watched you walk back to your desk, grabbing your laptop and heading off to your next class.

Jungkook was smitten.

And he was doing a bad job at hiding it.

“You look like you just drank 10 bottles of alcohol, why is your face so red?” A voice beside him made him jump in his seat as he turned to his to smack his colleague with the practice paper in his hand. For a moment, he had forgotten that he was having lunch with Namjoon at the dining hall.

“Shut up, Namjoon.” Jungkook cleared his throat as he reached out for a bottle of water to calm himself. Namjoon chuckled, “My dear friend, even a blind person can see your huge crush on yn. Do something about it.”

“I-I can’t…” He sighed dejectedly, “We’re both teachers and colleagues. We need to be professional… Besides, I doubt she sees me the same way.”

Namjoon only shook your head, “Yea sure, keep telling yourself that.”

—

Jungkook loved to pass by your classes. He was thankful for the windows along the corridors that allowed him to take a glance at you teaching your class.

He admired your passion for teaching. He admired how you always managed to find a way to connect with the students. He admired how you could be firm and strict with them, without going overboard.

He admired you.

A lot.

He hated how he would stumble over his words when you would approach him without notice. He hated how he felt his cheeks go burning red when you compliment him or smile at him. But he loved it at the same time.

Jungkook loved being around you, during lunch breaks, during the nights where you had to work over time, during training workshops. Being a college professor was not easy feat but you always made it a lot brighter.

“I’m swarmed.” You sighed as you opened a can for a refresher. “It is finals season after all.” Jungkook offered his snack of chips to you which you happily took some.

You were lounging in his office, your only break before you had back-to-back consultations with your students. Jungkook flashed an encouraging smile, “You’re an amazing professor, you’ll survive.”

“Thanks Jungkook, but I’m only as half as good as you.”

“That,” He pointed at you, shaking his head, “Is utter bullshit.”

You let out a laugh, making him melt as he composed himself while you weren’t aware. “I-It’s true.” He defended himself, a little bit less confident this time.

“You’re cute.” You nonchalantly commented as you got up, ready to head back to your office to start consultations. “See you around when I get to breathe, Mr. Jeon.”

Cute.

Absolutely lost it.

Jungkook couldn’t remove the smile on his face even after you left his office. He even talked himself to calm down and get over it. But you had stunned him for the rest of the day.

—

You and Jungkook hosted had back-to-back finals review workshop in the same lecture room. Jungkook had booked one of the lecture room or his review lecture right before yours, unintentionally of course.

However, he had overran and you were waiting outside with your students. With a gentle knock on the door, you peeped in to draw his attention.

“Mr. Jeon?”

Jungkook nearly dropped his pointer when he heard you call his name.

“Miss yn!” His eyes darted to the clock before back at you, “I overran, I’m sorry about! I-I’ll quickly wrap it up.”

“No worries!” You smiled at him before closing the door.

His class erupted in murmurs as a couple of girls were giggling amongst each other. Not only did the professors know about his ‘tiny’ crush, so did his own students.

Clearing his throat, he gathered the attention of his class to wrap up his session.

“I’m sorry about again, Miss yn.” He bowed apologetically.

“N-No, it’s alright! Don’t worry about it!” You smiled as you connected your laptop to the screen. “W-Well, I hope your review lecture goes well.”

“Thank you Mr. Jeon.”

—

A frustrated groan rang through his ears. A familiar familiar sound he had been hearing the entire finals season.

“I don’t get it Mr Jeon. Why is this the amount adjusted during consolidation?”

Jungkook paused, trying to figure out a different way to explain the consolidation. “Okay, it might be easier if you compare what entry should have been passed under the Group level versus what has been passed under the legal entity. For example, if—“

Jungkook’s eyes had shifted from the paper to the door when there was knock. “Come in.”

“I’m sorry to disturb,” you spoke apologetically, “Namjoon asked me to pass this to you as I was passing by. I’ll just leave it here.” You quickly dropped the folder on the coffee table before closing the door behind you.

Even though you were gone, Jungkook’s eyes remained on the door to the glass window as he watched you walk away from his office.

“Mr Jeon,” his student whined once again, “I’m this close to losing my sanity with this question. Can you please make googly eyes on Miss yn some other time?”

His cheeks felt hot as he had just been caught by his student drooling over you. “R-Right,” He flashed an apologetic smile, “Sorry about that.”

He knew he had to ask you out once finals season was over.

For his own sanity as well.

—

“I’m glad the long awaited break is here.” You said with a big sigh of relief as you left the campus with Jungkook. “Thinking of just sleeping for a few days straight and just laze around.”

Jungkook laughed, “You sure you don’t want a more fulfilling or exciting break?”

“Leave the adventure to the kids. I’m just ready to bum around.”

This was it.

His chance.

“H-Hey yn…”

“Mmm?” You hummed, your eyes shifting to look directly at him. He felt his courage dwindle just from locking eye contact with you but he had to do it. He didn’t want to waste his summer regretting that he was a coward.

“Would you perhaps… Like to go on a date with me?”

The corners of your lips were pulled upwards as you broke into a wide grin. “A date?”

“Y-Yea… I like you and if you feel the same way, I’d love to take you out on a date.”

You let out a light laugh, shoving him lightly as you replied, “I’d love to. Thought you’d never ask.”

His eyes widened, “R-Really?”

“Yes really.” You smiled at him. Jungkook was definitely on cloud nine. His smile reaching from ear to ear as he pulled you in for a hug.

You happily wrapped your arms around his torso, your head leaning against his chest as you savoured the moment. “I’m so relieved to hear you say yes.” His voice muffled as he buried his face in the nook of your neck and shoulder.

Reluctantly, you pulled back slightly, “How about we leave campus this instant and get some good food?”

Jungkook nodded his head, “Sounds like a great plan.”

With your fingers intertwined, you made your way to Jungkook’s car as you both buckled in and headed off to enjoy your first date.

—

It didn’t take long for news to spread, after all, some of his ex students followed him on his Instagram and some of yours followed you as well.

You spent most of the summer together with Jungkook and it was one of the best summer breaks you had, including your student years.

Namjoon was one of the first few who learnt about your relationship and he was ore than supportive of it. “Glad to finally see the two lovebirds in real life.” He extended out his arms to pull both of you in for a hug.

“Ready for a new semester, dean?” Jungkook asked, patting Namjoon’s buff shoulders.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” He chuckled.

After a short catch-up, Jungkook walked with you to your office. You were certain that most of the students, especially those in the cohort you’re both assigned to, knew of your relationship.

“Nice one prof!” One of his ex students hollered, throwing a fist bump in the air as he approached Jungkook with his group. Jungkook laughed, “Tone it down, we don’t have to announce it to everyone—“

“Everyone already knows.” Another student giggled, “You two look great together.”

Jungkook shook his head, his grin not leaving his face, “Well now that we’re together, you guys can stop wasting time on rumours and start focusing on your modules yea?”

You laughed along with Jungkook as you both head off, leaving the students to grumble about the modules.

“We’re definitely going to be bombarded during our first class.”

The thought rang heavy in your mind as you hopped into your boots. Your fingers frantically struggled to tie up the laces. Even though there were more important things to worry about, you couldn’t help but glance one last time at your bed.

Jungkook hadn’t come home last night.

Ever since you’d met him, Jungkook appeared to be just as busy as you were. Both of you receive calls at odd hours that sometimes force you to excuse yourself from breakfast or dinner. Or the late night phone calls that had you leaving the bed with hurried kisses and promises to be back as soon as possible.

What you knew most about his work was that a majority of it required him to do a lot of night work. Your relationship was still relatively new - with your one-year anniversary coming up in just a couple weeks. It should’ve sent off alarms how quickly everything seemed to happen between you, but from the moment you’d met him Jungkook had you completely enamored.

You were never one for one-night stands. Even when your day was pure nightmare fuel, you’d never allow yourself the temptation of losing yourself in a total stranger. No, instead you found yourself losing yourself to the bottle. The night you’d met Jungkook had been a complete accident. The earlier hours of the day had left you wanting the comfort of your bed and a personal pint of Half Baked Ben & Jerry’s. The only reason you’d agreed to go out was because your friend had pleaded; reminding you it was her birthday.

The day ended up being one of the worst you’d experienced in a while. Your shift started with the basic petty crimes until you’d received one of the many calls you were learning to hate. Namjoon’s Devils’ had left a trail of carnage so widespread inside a building it encapsulated almost five floors. It wasn’t just a knife fight that happened in those halls. It was a shitty Andy Warhol painting of bullets trapped in grungy wallpaper. The carpet a fucked up Picasso of blood-stains that were still so fresh when you’d arrived with the others it was still wet; squishing under every footstep. Forensics was not pleased when they’d arrived.

After walking through that madhouse anyone would’ve deserved a drink. You especially. You were trying to do just that when your wait at the bar began to turn from a simple ten minute wait to nearing thirty. Your fingers began to tap out an inpatient tune, like annoying elevator music while you prayed the bartender would notice you soon. Your tunnel vision caused you to stop paying attention to everything around you. You were so damn fixated on getting that drink you hadn’t noticed the body that slid up to the left you. It wasn’t until you got the feeling someone was staring that you finally looked around to see if you could find out who. Your eyes were not disappointed.

One arm rested coolly against the bar. Not for actual support but for style. The pose allowed him to lean his body towards you just enough that it wouldn’t be invasive, but let him stay close. When you turned to finally give him your attention, like he desperately seemed to want, it took what self-control you had left to keep your jaw from falling.

His hair was long; the front barely grazing the middle of his cheeks while the back went further. His hair was a literal mullet. It should’ve looked ridiculous, but Jungkook was far from that. He was breathtaking.

You weren’t ashamed to admit it then or even now. The minute you’d locked eyes with him you realized it wasn’t a coincidence he came to stand beside you. You knew you should look away. You’d been staring at him too long now for it to be considered a fleeting glance. But your eyes were enjoying the sinful way the suit hugged against his body. When your eyes finally made their way back up the fine lines of his suit, you were greeted by a knowing smirk that, for a split second, made you forget how to breathe.

You weren’t entirely sure how you could pretend you weren’t affected by him in the slightest. His face was all sharp angles that were showcased perfectly by the curve of his jaw, and barely softened by doe shaped eyes. But even that softness was eaten by an eyebrow piercing that accentuated his brow that was currently raised in question. The smirk that lifted his lips matched the heat in his eyes as he shamelessly let you watch his eyes roam over your body.

You tried to focus on anything else in the space between you and somehow found yourself noticing a brush of a mole underneath his bottom lip. Its placement felt ludicrous due to its cuteness. Here this guy was giving you, “Fuck me,” eyes that were countered by soft touches that were scattered all over his face. It left him teetering between mind blowingly gorgeous and boyishly handsome all at once.

The expensive fabric of his charcoal gray suit strained against the muscles in his arms as he raised it up to flag down the bartender. Your eyes took in the length of his fingers and your body shivered as you imagined them sliding up your dress. Your cheeks heated with a blush you hoped he didn’t notice as you imagined those same fingers making their way between your thighs. Your mindly shamelessly began to wonder if was the kind of man that liked to tease - to prolong every ounce of pleasure - or did he just take what he wanted?

You were more than aware of how the black shirt underneath, just like the jacket, showcased a sculpted chest. He radiated sex appeal and power and you wanted nothing more than to be engulfed.

With the flick of his fingers the bartender appeared like magic. His question of, “What would you like?” sounded desperate to please as he waited for Jungkook’s instruction. Jungkook himself didn’t glance once in his direction. His attention was wholly focused on you.

“Give the lady whatever she’d like.”

Now that you had the attention of the bartender you couldn’t seem to remember what you’d wanted to order. You weren’t even sure if you wanted a drink anymore. Not when he was standing there looking at your mouth like he planned to either fuck it or kiss it.

“Does that include you?”

You expected there to be a hint of shock. Or maybe he’d take offense to your boldness. What you’d ended up receiving in return was that devilish smirk he wore like a second skin. It spread like wildfire farther up his face; lighting up his eyes to look like the big bad wolf as they roamed hungrily over your body. A silent prayer formed on your lips that he would close that distance and touch you. Your house could’ve been made of fucking cement and you would’ve held your door open to allow him to sink his teeth in your skin.

“Sorry. I’m no longer on the menu.”

You did your best to hide your disappointment at his dismissal by giving the bartender your attention.

“I’ll take a rum and coke.”

You refused to turn back to him. To let yourself be flustered farther by some ridiculously good-looking man who’d basically told you he was taken. God, but he didn’t make it easy. It didn’t matter if you’d decided not to look at him. You could feel his eyes staring daggers into you, itching along your spin, while you slid a twenty in exchange for your drink across the bar. Were you imagining things or did he get closer?

When you moved to step away from the bar, you finally gave him your attention. A glass raised half way to thank him for the drink.

“Thanks for the help.”

You tipped your glass and started to make your way back to your friend's booth. In the short amount of time you’d been standing at the bar wasting time just to get one drink the place had filled up. Instead of it being a straight shot back to the booth, you found yourself asking people to excuse you with your precious drink held above your head. If you spilled it there was a strong indication there’d be some cursing and, possibly, a few tears.

Your imagination began to wander into naughty places as you made your way across the floor. You didn’t like being grabbed when you danced on the floor, but you imagined what it would be like if it was him you felt. His hand at your waist, stopping you from moving farther from him, with his body shamelessly pressed tightly against you. The hand he’d secured at your waist being used to move your hips in unison with him to the next DJ requested song.

The tension between you two wasn’t something you’d imagined. You’d plainly stated your interest and he seemed receptive, but…

You couldn’t stop yourself from glancing back over your shoulder. Just like at the bar you’d felt his eyes follow you without mercy as you made your weak attempt to cross the floor.The dancing bodies around you should’ve provided you ample cover. Or that’s what you believed, but when you glanced over your shoulder you found those intense doe eyes fixated on you. His lean frame was still pressed into the exact spot you’d left him at the bar. Even from where you stood, you easily mapped out the teasing curve of his lips.

In that instant you really did feel like Little Red trapped under the insatiable gaze of a predator who threatened to swallow you whole. Even though your heart began to thunder wildly in your chest you couldn’t deny that it was all from the thrill of being hunted. For a moment, you forgot to worry about your drink and the high possibility of it spilling. You were rooted there to the floor, pulse hammering, and waiting.

“Hey Y/N!” You could barely register her words, but when Eun Hyun touched your arm it jolted you back to reality. “You good?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”

“Did you get lost? Or has something caught the attention of that cop brain of yours?”

Her voice dripped heavy with teasing as she scanned the bouncing heads around you. She knew, somewhere in the sea of bodies, someone in there had turned you into a walking puddle. You gave her your best care-free smile and slid your arm around her waist. Your hips knocking against hers playfully to direct her back towards the table.

“I’m off duty tonight.”

You practically had to yell the words in her ear. If it wasn’t for the music being ear shatteringly loud, you would’ve worried about her eardrum. Your response sent her head back to rest against your shoulder and gazing over in your direction. Her laughter caused her eyes to crease into half moons.

The rest of the night you spent surrounded by Eun Hyun and her friends. You didn’t find yourself trying to find your mystery bar guy or wondered if he was somewhere watching you from a shadowed booth. You flung yourself into the girls night; your body gyrating and dancing to the throbbing bass of the music. Your mouth greedily knocking back every drink and every shot offered up by the next round from the bar. This was your night to unwind and you planned to take advantage of every minute.

When it was time for everyone to head home - and you being you - you hailed a cab for each of the girls. Eun Hyun decided at the last minute that instead of riding with you, she’d catch a ride with another girlfriend. The two of them believed that their girls' night didn’t have to end there at the bar, but somewhere still open that allowed them to be full of sin. They asked if you wanted to join, but you knew you couldn’t. As much as you loved living in the illusion of freedom, in the back of your mind, you knew the dark underbelly that was your home would be calling you bright and early. You didn’t need a massive hangover to join you during a homicide investigation.

Once the last of the girls’ was securely inside a cab you started waving for your own. You were usually a cautious person - came with the territory - so why you weren’t at that moment always surprised you. You’d thought about the second time you’d run into each other a lot. Why Jungkook never peaked your radar. The answer was a simple one: you never saw him coming.

You’d just stepped off the curb to open the back door of the cab when a suited arm beat you to it.

“Excuse me-“

The rest of your words died off the moment you looked up. He was just there. His arm holding the taxi idle, and keeping you captive between him and its backseat. Besides a coy glint of a challenge inside big doe eyes, you weren’t sure what game he was getting at. There was one thing you knew for certain. Years of intuition telling you the prize he was after was you.

“Get in.”

His voice was heady in its demand. The roughness of his words coated your skin in a heavy desire that left your body eager to follow orders. Too bad your legs seemed to turn to jelly by the way he stepped inside your space; his body easily overtaking your orbit. Eclipsing yours until you realized too late you were holding your breath waiting with anticipation for his next move. His dominance was on display in every inch of him. Particularly, in the way he moved. It could've been mistaken for confidence - he certainly wasn’t lacking in the department - but it was more than that. Jungkook commanded the universe to observe him and take awe of being in his presence.

A modern day Narcissus with all the power of Zeus.

Your body wanted to obey. Drunk you, however, wanted to be difficult. The stubborn side of you flared to the surface and made its own demand. “I didn’t realize we were sharing,” you replied, your words purred from your lips.

His response came in the form of actions. His hand that had held open the taxi’s door was now holding onto your arm and ushering you inside the cab. The hard length of his frame followed closely behind you to make sure you were getting in. If you turned to get out of the way you would just run smack into his chest.

“Hey! What the hell are you doing?!”

You moved your body across the backseat until you were on the opposite side. Your back pressed firmly against the door. You turned to face him, watching as his frame followed in behind you and closed the door all in one smooth motion. His hand came down to pat a few times on the drivers chair as he directed him to an address that was definitely not yours.

A small part of you wanted to blurt out that you were a detective. See if it was enough to make his bravado wilt and followed up with messy attempts at an apology. The other part of you, one you later blamed on being drunk, just wanted to see what the rest of the night held in store. The hold Jungkook had previously had on your arm was now gone, but the heat from his touch remained.

The taxi lurched forward. It’s pace quickly sped up while the driver became comfortable with the information given from his gps. The middle-aged man gave you both a brief glance from his rear-view mirror. His thoughts deciding already the two of you were nothing but strangers heading home for a midnight fuck. He wasn’t far off, except-

You weren’t sure what you expected when you glanced back at the man beside you. A hundred possibilities with a hundred different ways to address them flew through your mind. Every single one of them dying before they were ever born on your lips when you found deep honeyed eyes seeing - not looking - in your direction.

“It’s a bit cocky to assume I want to go home with you.”

Your voice didn’t betray that your heart leapt into your throat. Your pulse sparks pure lightning through your veins, struggling, to keep a trepid tongue from running over your lips. His eyes flashed with a wickedness that was matched only by his smile. A curl of lips that you desperately wanted to feel pressed between your folds.

“You asked if I was on the menu, remember?”

“Asking if someone is included with a drink doesn’t automatically mean, ‘fuck me.’”

The drivers’ eyes peeled back up to glance in the rear view. It was subtle, but there.

Your harsh choice of words earned you a quirked eyebrow. His piercing glinted briefly by passing streetlights making him look ethereal. Sinful. This time your tongue did dart out to wet your lips and his eyes hungrily followed.

“No, it doesn’t. Looking for me while you should be enjoying your friends does come off that way, though.”

Your body went rigid with embarrassment. He’d noticed you as your eyes eagerly searched every face in the crowd. You’d searched, hoping, you’d find him, and yet you never once saw him. You’d even said a tiny prayer to the universe that maybe you'd run into him on the way back to the bar or pressed against his body on the dance floor. All these moments…

But he took notice of your desire and planned to use it to his full advantage.

“Come here.”

The demand was back. His voice practically dripped it along your skin. A silken promise to bring you to your knees and keep you there. You were eager to see if his words matched his actions. Without making him have to ask twice, you slide over to him. Your body filling up what little space you’d made until you were a breathe away.

The darkness of his eyes lightened for a moment. His pleasure at you obeying orders sent a spark through him. His hand came up a moment later with his index tracing the edges of your jaw until it cupped right below your chin. He used your obedience to his advantage and tipped your chin up to look up.

His eyes roamed the expanse of your face. A lazy thumb moved along the edge of your lip. The action was simple, and yet your breath was caught in your lungs. Hypnotized and waiting, eagerly, for his next move.

He must have noticed the heat in your eyes. The way you swallowed heavier around words of pleading that left your body wanton and trembling to be touched. A smirk ticked the corners of his mouth as he brought his lips closer to yours. Close enough he could’ve breathed you to him if he wanted. Instead, Jungkook faltered half way. Eyes dancing with mischief as his whispered words of, “Good girl,” painted themselves against your lips.

You bit the side of your cheek. A weak attempt to fight the convulsion to respond like a brat. You wanted to nudge him, something - anything - to make him take back his words. Even though his voice caressed along your skin, making it ache to sin.

His thumb was tracing slowly against your lips. His eyes holding yours hostage; demanding you to meet him with the same intensity. This was how Jungkook chose to watch you unravel at his touch. It would stay like this with every touch of his hands or when his cock was buried deep inside you. He came to life as you unraveled underneath him. Devouring every last hitch in your breathing with a hungry mouth and coaxing hands.

This is how he chose to watch you that night, in the backseat of that cab, as your breath caught in your throat. Your body curving to press closer to him with your thighs parting just enough to give him access. A smirk tilted the corner of his mouth as his head tilted closer to you.

“You’re such a good girl for me.”

Jungkook’s breath caressed the words along your lips just before he claimed your mouth with his. The kiss only meant to silence you as his fingers moved past the thin lace covering your pussy. His fingers pushing past your folds and plunging deep inside you.

Your body responded instantly to his touch. Your body arched to be closer; chest pressed up against him as your hand found a perch at the nape of his neck. You wanted to stay quiet. You were in the backseat of a cab for fucks sake, but Jungkook wasn’t giving you an option for dignity.

His fingers set to work on guiding themselves deeper inside you. Each thrust from his wrist sent a moan panting against his lips. Your hips shamelessly working in time with each thrust from his wrists. The palm of his hand cupped your pussy as he added another finger, stretching you wider for him.

A squelching noise was beginning to fill the small cab. Jungkook’s hand now coated and slick with your juices as you rode the high he was sending you on.

You weren’t like this. You were a detective. A woman who didn’t consider being fingered in the backseat of a cab a good time. Your common sense was raging at you to pull away from his kiss. To pull on his wrist and remove his fingers from between your legs, but the feral part of you told common sense to fuck off.

A secret part of you loved the way he unraveled you in that backseat. His tongue diving between your lips to caress across yours. The kiss at first was nothing but intensity: fierce and no doubt leaving your lips swollen. But as Jungkook continued to bring you close and closer to your orgasm it began to change. His lips still refused to let yours go. Your moans and gasps were forced to be pressed against his mouth as you panted for air. The kiss grew into its own sensual being. No longer was it fast and brutal. His tongue now moved languidly over yours, as if tasting every inch of you he could find.

You no longer cared that the cabbie was probably watching. Well aware that Jungkook’s fingers changed tactics and were now curving up into your g-spot. Your hands were frantically trying to remove his clothes; desperate to get home so you could have him inside you. You didn’t have to pull away from Jungkook’s lips to know he was smiling.

He couldn’t hold you to him any longer when the pleasure spread into your belly and blossomed in a burst of stars. You came for him - moaning prayers of ‘oh fuck,” - and head bumping against the window. You came while Jungkook continued to work your orgasm until your legs quivered uncontrollably. His pupils blown out with lust while he watched you come undone at his touch.

You couldn’t remember getting out of the cab at his apartment. You could only remember once you were inside, bodies were colliding against the wall of the hallway in a frenzy to remove clothes. Something broke on your ascent to the bedroom and you almost tripped trying to take off your heels.

All you did remember was the feeling of Jungkook on top of you. The tip of his cock pressing against your opening before he fully sheathed himself inside you. Your pussy struggling to accommodate his length and the sweet pain of his cock stretching you, working your cunt to take every last inch of him. Jungkook fucked you hard enough you felt him in your crevice. Your body trembling as pain and pleasure meddled together until it was sending you over the brink. Even when you got on top, hips working him with each thrust, Jungkook still took control. His hands on your waist going at the pace he wanted, and it was always too deep - too much - and left you screaming out his name in worship.

When you woke up you weren’t surprised by the massive headache you’d obtained from drinking half the bar. Jungkook silently laying beside you, deep in sleep, had been a huge surprise.You weren’t good at the whole next morning, ‘where do we go from here?’ sort of thing.

You were steeling yourself for the awkward moments when he woke up. For when you would tell him it was a one time thing and no relationship was going to happen. Ever. Of course, it wasn’t what happened at all. The moment Jungkook woke up his, “Good morning,” came in the form of a grunt. His body rolling you over and pushing himself inside.

You weren’t sure how a relationship happened. At first, you pretended it was strictly for the sex. A way to blow off steam from long work hours and the horrors of finding the Devils’ leftovers. But somehow his staying over only until morning turned into staying for breakfast. It traveled from breakfast in the house to breakfast at diners and dinners at restaurants. Eventually, Jungkook stopped leaving all together from your apartment, because it was now one you shared.

There were times you tried to deny that you could afford to fall in love, especially with him. While you were sure over the course of months you’d told him small and big things about yourself, Jungkook remained a mystery. The moments when he told you about his day or himself were rare and raw. As if he were afraid to come apart at the seams of the man he’d built only to be seen as weak.

Glancing over at Jungkook’s empty side of the bed, you tried to keep the dread from growing. You tried to shove it down as you climbed inside the elevator, your fingers pressing for the lobby. Jungkook never told you exactly what he did for a living. You just knew it kept him up at odd hours and sometimes - rarely - he would be kept out at night.

You weren’t going to allow yourself to be consumed with worry that he wasn’t home. Your Chief called with big news and with any luck, it was one of your leads that led to this arrest. All the worry that began to brew inside you quickly dissipated and excitement took its place.

Two years. Two long - nightmarish - years and finally you had something tangible. You had one of the bastards who helped terrorize this city and every resident inside it. The thought you could finally get some reasoning for the carnage Namjoon and his men had caused made you practically giddy.

The drive down to the station was done in a daze. You were positive no red lights were run, but you couldn’t say with certainty you didn’t speed. You dashed up to the back door of the precinct and squeezed past an officer who was on his way out.

He mumbled a hello, but you couldn’t respond. Your mind was focused on reaching the third floor where the man was being held. Your legs quickly found the staircase and took each one two at a time. Your body jolted forward as you came to the third-floor landing, and you broke into a jog.

The Chief was standing near the end of the corridor. His hands crossed with a Manila folder with everything that the department was able to gather on whoever was inside. When he caught sight of you, he pushed himself off of the wall taking lumbering steps in your direction. A hand already extending out the file for you to grab from him the minute you were within arm's reach.

“Finally. I thought with something like this you would’ve gotten here faster.”

“Hello to you too, Chief,” you snapped back. You weren’t too worried about him. Your attention was on the folder now in your hands. Your thumb running along the edge to help flip it open. “Can you debrief me on what we know for now?”

His large body made it hard to walk side-by-side in the hallway, forcing you to walk a little behind him.

“It’s all there in front of you: read it,” he huffed.

“It’s difficult to walk and read at the same time. Stop being an ass and just tell me.”

“Fine. We caught him in the act so to speak. He’d just finished paying a jeweler who we suspected was helping launder diamonds for Namjoon out of the country. Not sure exactly what happened, but from what we gathered at the scene, whatever's been going on between Namjoon and the jeweler must have been one hell of a disagreement.” The two of you stopped in front of the interrogation room at the very end of the hall. Your body was tingling with the desire to go inside. “When we showed up the jeweler and his works were already dead, and he was leaving with the suitcase through the back door. Surprised the hair out of the newbie when he met him at the door.”

The big man let out a chuckle that sounded more like a cough: throaty and from the chest. Chief was really in a good mood, you noticed.

“You say he, sir. We got a name?”

“Sure, as fuck do: Jeon Jungkook. Namjoon’s enforcer and right-hand man.”

You were vaguely aware that his mouth was still moving. He was talking, making words, and yet you heard none of it. The sickening feeling you felt earlier looking at the empty side of his bed came back. This time you physically had to fight your body from being sick. The urge to release the late dinner you had before bed was creeping dangerously close to the surface.

You were struggling to focus on his frame. Barely able to register the Chief was looking at you with worry. His lips formed words you were sure asking if you were okay but you waved him off. With the file still in your hand, you placed your hands on your hips. The movement forcing your dark trench coat to flare out around you like a cap.

In. Out. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

He was talking to you still; throwing questions at you on repeat and the only questions you wanted answers too lied within the room to your right. You didn’t give him warning that you were leaving. You just walked up to the interrogation room door, your hand reaching out for the handle.

Whether you were ready for what greeted you on the other side of the door - you weren’t sure. You made a silent prayer to anyone listening for it not to be him on the other side of the door. You would’ve given anything for it to be anyone else. Anything.

With a shaky hand you turned the knob of the door and stepped inside.

Your back was against the headboard of the bed. All the pillows that had been lost to the floor during sex were now back. Each one hugging to your shape as Jungkook tried to invade the pillow cocoon you’d made by resting his head in your lap.

He’d let out another frustrated sigh and you couldn’t keep the smile off your face. Jungkook hated your pillow obsession.

“I swear, I come home only to find another pillow added to the bed.”

“Or, hear me out, you just think you see another one.”

“I’ve actually started counting,” he admitted. His eyes edged up to look up at you through his lashes. Your fingers that’d been playing in his sweaty hair came to a halt. Just so you could do your best to hold his stare - looking as innocent as possible. “Today when I left the house we had ten pillows and now we have eleven. How does that happen?”

“Magic.”

You smiled brightly down at him before placing a kiss down on his forehead. You went to move back up when Jungkook stopped you. His body lifting up from your lap to meet you halfway to press his lips to yours. It was a chaste kiss. Chaste compared to how you usually kissed and as brief as it was your body reacted to him instantly.

You’d learned early on in your relationship it didn’t matter if you were having a bad day. If you were angry at the world, him, or frustrated with work. Jungkook was able to combat your sadness with just his presence alone. In moments where he smiled so big it crinkled his nose and the times you’d find him dancing shirtless in the kitchen while making breakfast. Even through the soft moments you shared, Jungkook chose to remain an enigma.

Jungkook released his hold on your lips to fall back into your lap. He turned until a cheek rested on your thigh giving him a good enough view to look out your bedroom window. The dying light of the day painting the window seal in hazy oranges and reds.

“This feels like magic.”

He spoke softly into the soft skin of your thigh. Jungkook brought a lazy hand to your calf and began to lightly move his fingers up and down. Your face became hot and you weren’t sure why you were trying to hide it when he wasn’t even looking. He was too busy, lost in the darkness of his own thoughts to know you were watching him and the way the sunset lit up every inch of his features. You traced the flowers on his sleeve in an attempt to calm the frenzy of your heart.

“What flower is this?”

The minute your words left your lips, you wished you could take them back. Jungkook turned away from the window to briefly glance at his arm. Already knowing exactly what flower you meant.

“It’s my birth flower. A tiger flower.”

“It’s a beautiful flower.”

“It is, but I didn’t get it for that. I got it for its meaning.”

You waited for him to continue. The room swelled with silence as you resumed running your fingers through his hair, but Jungkook’s attention was turned back towards the window.

“What’s it mean?”

He didn’t respond right away. The only way you knew he heard you was the soft tilt of his head. His eyes glancing at you from the side. You weren’t trying to pressure him. You just wanted him to know you were willing to wait and listen.

“It means, ‘Love me.’”

Each word hit you in the chest making you think, for just a moment, your heart was breaking. Jungkook’s voice told you more than he probably meant too.

Your fingers completely stopped their movement through his hair and moved down to take hold of his chin. Gently, you tilted his head up by his chin and waited for his eyes to meet yours before you spoke.

“If it counts for anything, I love you, Jungkook.”

Stepping inside the room you were greeted with the immediate sight of him. He hadn’t turned to look at you yet. His hands held together on the cool steel table. His wrists bound with cuffs that were attached to the metal ring at the edge closest to him.

He was dressed neatly in all black. From his long jacket that sat draped along the back of his chair to the high turtleneck that decorated his torso. In the breakdown of what had been taken in for evidence, you noticed they’d listed black leather gloves that he was currently missing.

You found your bearings and finally took that final step forward. Your feet carrying you around the table to the only chair available inside the room. It was then that Jungkook’s eyes flicked through the slights in his hair and you were finally able to see the light splatter of blood that was speckled across his cheek.

That was when it hit home that this was real. This moment, inside this very room, where your axis was tipping and your world was violently shifting. He didn’t have the decency to look away; to be ashamed.

No. A part of you always knew that the darkness that you assumed haunted Jungkook wasn’t out of sadness. An inkling of something much more sinister lurked underneath his surface, but you overlooked it. Pretended it wasn’t there all because you broke your own rules. You didn’t keep your guard up and if you had, Jungkook had silently removed every wall you’d been able to build.

Jungkook acknowledged your presence with a smirk and all that anguish you felt at his betrayal was instantly replaced with rage.

“There’s my good girl.”

“Don’t call me that.”

You hated the way he used your pet name. You hated it more with the way your body betrayed you with your core aching to be touched. Jungkook usually called you that when he had your legs spread out on your kitchen counter; eating your pussy for breakfast. Or bent over the couch with him buried to the hilt inside you, pounding at a brutal pace, with a belt around your throat and his hand controlling the pressure.

Jungkook’s response at your request was a sickening chuckle. You wanted to vault over the table between you. Grab a hold of him and shake him, scream in his face, demanding why? What was the purpose of all those months? Did he know who you were that night at the bar? Was this nothing but a game to him?

The smug look on his face made you want to go feral. The betrayal and hurt were warring inside your gut fighting for dominance. Each one knocking the air from your lungs like a punch. Jungkook leaned forward placing his elbows on the table and used them to get to the middle. His eyes were wild as he searched your face. No doubt reading the split second it took for you to hide the emotions you felt.

“Why? Do you not want them to know that we’ve been fucking? How I came home to you almost every night after I committed crimes you could never catch me for.”

And there it was. The truth you were dreading.

How many times had he come home to the bed you shared after he murdered someone? After threatening someone’s life or burning down a business? Came home to help you make dinner and he’d just taken laundered money or helped run one of Namjoon’s brothels.

You dropped his folder with a thud on the table. You had to fold your arms across your middle just so you didn’t actually reach over the table and strangle him. He would love that. See you lose control just to prove his point.

“You seem to be focusing on the wrong things, Jungkook. You seem a bit bitter that you got caught.”

The eerie smile dropped off his face as he snarled, “They got lucky.”

“Or you were just cocky,” you shot back. “And that cockiness cost you.”

“I wouldn’t be talking about cock-y anything right now, sweetheart.”

“How about we cut the shit and get straight to it, hmm? You aren’t going anywhere, Jungkook. You’ve been apprehended and you will never, ever, see the light of day again.”

The smug smile returned as his head cocked to the side. Clearly, you were more amusing than anything else to him.

“You’re soooo angry that I was under your nose this whole time. You had suspicions, but you chose to ignore them.”

You tried to swallow past your heart that was now clamoring in your throat. The scream that had been building was threatening to break free. You were struggling to remain emotionless. From the look on Jungkook’s face, you were failing miserably. You knew what he was going to say and you didn’t want to hear it. Didn’t want something you’d told him in the moment to be used against you like the fool you felt you were.

“We both know why you ignored them, y/n. It’s because you lo-“

“If you finish that sentence I promise you I’ll punch your teeth down your throat.”

His reply came in the form of a wide toothy grin that lit his entire face up. The idea excited him and made him look psychotically attractive with the dried blood on his cheeks.

“You won’t get the chance even if I did.”

“What are you talking about?” You snapped.

He just answered you with that wicked smile. You were getting tired of the games. Your thoughts working on how to get past all the personal to the real matter at hand. You were considering how to work around it when the alarms in the room began to go off.

The alarm was shrill and pulsing. The sound hammered over and over inside your skull until you were sure it was going to explode. You glanced back at the two-way mirror and then to the door. You expected at any minute for someone to come barreling in to ask about what Jungkook said or to tell you the alarm was a false alarm. You were willing to bet it was until you started hearing shouting further down the hall. The sounds of running feet and jingling keys crept through the door.

You wanted to call and ask what was going on, but you hadn’t grabbed a radio and when the shouting got louder you found yourself back on your feet.

“Did you really think Namjoon and the other Devils’ wouldn’t come for me?”

Jungkook spoke to you like he was scolding a child. Your mouth snapped open, ready to retaliate, when the sound of an explosion sounded all around you. The alarms in the building were blaring like crazy. The next explosion sounded in the building and your arms shot up protectively to cover your head and neck.

The sounds of screams were now pounding in your ears. Matching the scrambling boots and shouts to find cover. You dropped your arms down from your head and looked around. Outside was pure chaos, but nothing had touched inside the interrogation room yet. Which only meant one thing.

“They don’t know which room you’re in.”

Your words were soft. Spoken mostly as a verbal thought. The realization of it had you scrambling out of your chair. Your hands digging for the cuff keys Chief had dropped inside your pocket before you entered.

You had resolved to never get this close to him again. You wanted to pretend that being so near would cause your skin to crawl, but it was too soon. Everything is still fresh and open. Jungkook may have betrayed you in more ways than your brain could possibly fathom at this point. But the only thing your body felt, being this close to him, was desire.

“What are you doing?”

Jungkook was staring up at you with amusement. His gaze set on your face and no doubt finding the humor in the way your jaw clenched at having to press this close up against him.

“If they don’t know what room that means I have a chance to take you somewhere else. Somewhere safe.”

“You’re freeing me?” One eyebrow curled up towards his hairline. The amusement was still heavy in his tone, but underneath was he…hopeful?

A snort of laughter was your only reply as you continued to work on the chain that held his cuffs in place.

“No, Jungkook, I'm not freeing you. I’m making sure you end up where you belong.”

“And where is that, exactly?” He snapped.

The amusement had fallen from him and was replaced with the look of someone deadly. Someone you didn’t know. The change was swift and almost had you taking a step back from him. This was the real Jungkook. The enforcer, Chief called him. Looking at him you couldn’t agree with a more fitting title for the fierce man that looked up at you.

“In prison.”

You weren’t sure how you found the courage to reply or to meet the fury in his eyes. The second your words registered you watched a spark ignite in his eyes and a snarl bare his teeth. This time your body did give a jolt in surprise. You went to move back from him, but Jungkook’s hands were on your arms gripping you right. Refusing to let go.

“No. I belong with you and you belong with me.”

You were shaking your head struggling to free yourself from having to hear him. His words cut deep and dug into your soul. How stupid of him to not realize it didn’t matter how you felt. How he felt. You knew who he was now and nothing could change that. Nothing should be able to change that.

“No,” you gasped.

You didn’t know when you started crying. All you knew was that your eyes were stinging with unshed tears. As much as you fought to hold them in, you knew it was just a matter of time before you lost.

“Yes! You know it as much as I do. All these months we’ve been together. Deep down, in your gut, you knew all along who I was.”

“That’s impossible! I’m not fuckin psychic!”

“No. You’re a detective and a good one at that. You’re not dumb, y/n.” You were shaking your head vigorously like it would be enough to drown out every word he spoke. The grip on your arms felt constricting and yet, you didn’t pull away. “We belong together. You know it.”

The rage at his words, or yourself for allowing him to talk and for you to listen, was building up. You were going to scream. It felt like you were going to open your mouth to do so when another explosion went off.

This one was closer than the others. Close enough that it shattered the glass off the two-way mirror and sent it flying like shrapnel into the room. You were still stunned by the explosion, your body stuck in shock, but Jungkook was already moving.

A hand reached out to grab the edge of the interrogation table. He flipped it over with ease and grabbed you just as another explosion sounded. He didn’t grab you quick enough. You didn’t have to touch your head right away to know it was bleeding. You’d felt the debris of something - a chunk of concrete, plywood, or glass - hit the backside of your head. Your vision was now doubled and cloudy. The words being said around you sounded like they were speaking through cotton balls.

Vaguely, you became aware that there were other men in the room now. All of them dressed in black with decorated hockey masks that sat on top of ski masks. One of them was bending down, bolt cutters in his hands, and made quick work of Jungkook’s cuffs just as Namjoon entered the room.

He walked through the hole the explosion created, framed by billowing smoke and flames. Namjoon appeared completely untouched. Exactly like the Devil himself.

You tried to go for your side arm but someone stopped you. A boot kicking you back that was met with a savage snarl as Jungkook launched himself at your attacker. The darkness around your vision was winning. No matter what you told yourself, you weren’t going to be able to fight passing out. Your eyes fluttered over to the sight of Jungkook. His fist had wrapped his handcuffs around his knuckles and was smashing repeatedly into the mask of the man who’d kicked you.

“That’s enough, Jungkook.” Namjoon’s baritone was rich and deep. It didn’t surprise you that it went with one of the most notorious mob king’s that ever resided in this city. “We need to leave. Now. We’ll talk about your lack of tact when we get home.”

“I’m not leaving without her.”

Namjoon turned to him. His eyes followed as Jungkook threw down the bloodstained cuffs and moved towards you. You wanted to say something - tried to say something - but all that came out was mumble words and a whimper.

“You know you can’t bring her, Jungkook.”

“I’ll say this one more time, Joon. I’m not leaving here. Not without her.”

Irritation rippled across Namjoon’s features and his jaw clenched tight. You could tell he was thinking with his eyes roaming down to look you over. Finally noticing the state that you were in. His tongue rolled around in his cheek before he looked back at Jungkook. His frustration only made his forehead crease further.

“Fuck it. Hurry up and grab her.”

Jungkook didn’t even wait for Namjoon to finish his sentence. He pushed the tossed over table farther away making it easier for him to move down and scoop you up into his arms. The sudden movement caused your world to spin and it wouldn’t stop. Squinting your eyes you nestled your forehead against his shoulder trying to make your head stop spinning. It wasn’t working.

A whimper escaped you as Jungkook started moving forward. The crumbling department was only something you were able to imagine as you refused to look. No matter how hard you shut your eyes, however, it wouldn’t stop the sounds of men yelling for backup and others in pain. The pops of bullets leaving the chambers and the clamoring of feet to escape.

“I’ve got you, my love,” Jungkook hummed against your cheek. “I’ve always got you.”

If you were stronger you would’ve clamored out of his arms and moved away. You would spit curses at him and inform him that he was delusional. You would never be his any longer, but before the blackness overtook you a tiny voice reminded you that you were a liar.

You would always be his.