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The eternal autumnal breeze of Ecruteak City rustled his robes, the silvery blue glinting in the hot mid-afternoon sun as his hair, a mirror image of the crystalline blue of the oceans he loved so much sparkled in the daylight. Quietly, he placed his hands on the thick silver bannister of his balcony, watching the festivities next door at the Bell Tower. 

It was Amaterasu’s centennial, and thousands from across the world descended upon their sleepy town to celebrate the vibrant, beautiful, and compassionate Emissary to the Sky-God, Ho-Oh. Initially he’d been irritated that his sleep was being interrupted so often, but it was an important milestone. He knew he should go over to pay his respects, but the processional of the other Emissaries for the centennial celebration had happened at the crack of dawn, and he was still deep in his slumber. If he went over there now, it would cause nothing but a commotion. 

He watched as the people crowded Lord Amaterasu, who was resplendent in the strong afternoon sun. His hair was a fiery red, shifting green, white, orange and yellow under the warm rays. A fond smile creased Suijin’s lips as he watched the shimmery thread of his full regalia shine as bright as the sun, his jewellery jingling loud enough to give the golden bells that surrounded the Shrine a run for their money. 

You’d never know that Amaterasu had died mere days before, saving a pack of Slowpoke from being slaughtered for their tails. He was resurrected in the holy fires of the eternal phoenix spirit and put out to parade in front of them as if nothing had happened. Perhaps they wouldn’t take advantage of his time, of his kind nature. Perhaps… they would be more compassionate and give him the space he sorely needed in this vulnerable time. 

Death was common for Emissaries; they were immortal, but they could still die from causes other than time. And died they did over the course of their eternal service, only to be resurrected by their bonded deity time and again. Their lives were lived for their God first, the people second, and themselves third. He closed his eyes as he thought back on his own deaths, each one marked by a silver feather added to his earring on his left ear. The earring was hooked by a beautiful, thin, silver chain that fastened itself to his hair by a silver hairpin in Lugia’s shape, accented with ocean blue sapphires the likes the world has never seen. 

Idly, he ran a hand beneath the folds of his robes, touching the edges of his tattoo - a massive piece that ran from the expanse of his back all the way across his left shoulder, depicting his own God, Lugia, as an outline filled in with detailed waves. If he stood still, one could see the waves move, and glint as if bathed in the glow of the moonlight. 

His resurrections were nothing like Amaterasu’s. Where the Sun God’s Emissary was reborn in a high cyclone of fire and a maelstrom of emotions, his resurrections were silent, bathed in the numbing calm of the sea. It took days, sometimes weeks before he could feel his emotions again. Before he remembered how to feel. There was only one person that could help him feel again, who was a strong enough force of emotion that he could feel his heart beat again. 

As he spared a glance towards the festivities, he caught Amaterasu’s gaze as he moved fluidly in his full regalia, a vision of reds, golds, oranges, greens and whites. His lips were split into a wide smile, but Suijin knew the look well: it was the smile they wore when they had to play their parts for the people. They could never know the pain of the Emissaries; they were demiGods, a standard that must be held to the heavens. And nobody knew that better than Amaterasu. 

He counted his blessings every day he didn’t have the Sun Emissary’s responsibilities. As the embodiment of passion, and stoking the competitive fire in the world, Amaterasu was the Champion of the Indigo League. In addition to to the work of a Champion, Amaterasu also had his temple duties. That meant morning and evening prayers, dance rituals, managing his priests, and being called upon by the people to hear their troubles. If anybody could help steer them towards their destined passion, it was Lord Amaterasu! 

The people who sought his attention didn’t stop there, there were also those sought to endear themselves to him in order to gain a high political standing. If Amaterasu endorsed you, you had it made. Being constantly on guard would take a toll on anyone for a few days, let alone an entire century. Suijin didn’t envy his counterpart at all. 

Slowly, he pulled away from the balcony and straightened up. As he turned to leave, he caught Amaterasu’s sun-hued gaze a final time, and he gave him a faint smile with a slight nod. 

I’ll be here when you need me. 

Habitually, he gave a wink and blew a kiss as he left the balcony, going into the depths of the Brass Tower. Ho-Oh had burned it down centuries ago, but when he had been raised from the depths to receive Lugia’s Blessing, it had been transformed into his temple. It stood tall and proud, a visual contrast with its silvers, blues, and whites to the Bell Tower’s vibrant golds and reds. 

People came from all over the world to look at the twin towers of Ecruteak, to pay their respects. He wondered how many photography and art students used their temples in their final projects. A smile came to his lips as he caught sight of a young man at the base of the towers with a camera taking a photograph at a perfect angle to capture the beauty of both towers. 

Where the Bell Tower’s Shrine and Amaterasu’s personal quarters were at its apex, closest to the skies, his own quarters were far below the ocean’s surface. The Brass Tower that stood above the waves was a world-famous aquarium, with intricate glass tubing that curled around the insides and outsides, where various water Pokémon could swim through, delighting guests. As much as he didn’t like the noise, the aquarium was the main source of revenue for the Tower and the Pokémon seemed to like it. His priests were extroverted, sunny, and perfectly suited to entertain the public while he focused on his main duties. 

As he entered the lower levels, he could hear a loud rumbling coming from the deepest caverns. He smiled faintly as the temperature cooled significantly and the freshness of the ocean water filled his nostrils. Suijin shifted, his robes changing from his formal regalia to something more comfortable and casual. As he passed his vanity, his long fingers deftly picked up a beautifully made flute. He continued through the blue marbled walls, speckled with white swirls, the very embodiment of the waves themselves. He knew the way to his God, and could find him in his sleep. They were bonded, tied together for eternity. 

A small off-shoot path led him to a wide cavern, and there, bathed in a thin shell of perpetually curving water was the Sea God himself, Lugia. He was beginning to shift, and Suijin’s lips curled into a fond smile. He brought the flute to his lips, beginning to play a soothing melody. The music echoed beautifully in the empty cavern, punctuated and enveloped by the thick sound of moving water. His silvery blue eyes warmed as he saw his bonded deity relax, falling back into a deep slumber. 

Lugia was only to be awakened if absolutely necessary. If he awakened too early, the damage caused by rampaging Gyarados would be nothing when compared to a flap of the Sea God’s wings. Just moving caused such damage and calamity, and to protect the world, Lugia slept. He was a gentle God, burdened with a strength and power that was difficult, if not impossible to control given the way humanity had taken over the world, how many now lived on the lands Lugia once roamed freely. 

Suijin smiled fondly, and placed a gentle hand to one of Lugia’s large wings. He bowed deeply and returned to his personal quarters. He placed the flute on its bed of soft velvet, closing the seashell chest. A soft sigh escaped him as he sat down on his bed, flopping back. His duties were done, and now he could rest. 

He hated that the only thing he felt was exhaustion.

~ * ~ 

“…Jin-hyung?” 

Slowly, his eyes opened at the soft voice. He slowly blinked awake, unaccustomed to being called by his name and not his title. He groaned, his joints stiff as they slowly shook off the siren song of sleep, pushing himself up. “Is that you, Jungkook?” he mumbled. “Oof.” The sudden pair of strong arms that enveloped him gave him his answer, heat rushing through his body from the younger man’s touch. “Congratulations on your centennial. A hundred years is quite the accomplishment.” 

“Mmf,” Jungkook mumbled, burying his face against the elder’s chest, desperate for the scent of salt water. “It was so hard,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I just wanted to be myself, but I had to .. they were all counting on me, hyung. I couldn’t… it hurt so much.” 

“Shh,” Jin whispered, placing a strong hand to the back of the young Emissary’s head, placing a soft kiss to the top of his head. “I know. It’s okay.” He brought his arms around Jungkook’s larger frame, hugging him close. “It’s only been a few days since you returned, hasn’t it?” 

Jungkook nodded, trembling as he tightened his hold. No matter how far he flew, how high the heights he reached were, he always came back to Jin. “Two days,” he admitted quietly. “I still … remember what it felt like when I died this time. What it felt like when Ho-Oh brought me back in a bath of Scared Fire… I feel … too much. It’s too much… I thought it would get better with time but I just feel it more and more each time He brings me back.” 

Jin frowned and pulled the vibrant boy into his lap, Jungkook moving easily. The holy fire of Ho-Oh burned the brightest and the largest, but it also cast the greatest shadow. Gently, he threaded his fingers through Jungkook’s fiery red hair, watching as it shifted colours even in the faded light of the ocean’s floor. “You’re okay,” Jin said softly, pressing another kiss to Jungkook’s head. Jungkook moved at the last second, however, causing Jin’s full lips to catch the younger’s. He moved to pull away, but Jungkook’s grip tightened and he pressed tighter against Jin’s chest. “Jungkook, it’s too soon…” 

“I want to feel you,” Jungkook whispered, his voice desperate. “Please, Jin-hyung…” 

Jin was always weak to Jungkook’s pleas, but even more so when the younger was recently reborn. He was always vulnerable, clingy, desperate for contact. But not for any of his priests, not for his thousands of messenger Ninetales, but for Jin, who was as calm and as constant as the sea’s waves. In his head, the logic tracked - if one felt too much, they instinctively went to the one that brung them down from the heavens back down to earth. Jin always grounded Jungkook; he’d done so since they were newly minted Emissaries, brought to the Gods’ service at the same time. Jin at the edge of twilight and Jungkook in the next morning’s light. 

Gently, Jin rubbed Jungkook’s cheek, his thumb passing over a faint scar against his smooth skin. “You’re sure?” Jin asked again. “Jungkook. Look at me. Are you sure?” 

Slowly Jungkook raised his head, fiery crimson eyes determined. Once he’d set his mind to something, there was no turning back. “I’m sure. I want you, hyung. I want to feel you… I want… to feel you in me.” His lips pursed in the dim glow of the ocean’s light, opening and closing as he thought of what to say next. His fingers tightened into the silvery blue of Jin’s robes, eyes searching the steely blue depths of his counterpart. “It’s always been you.” 

The sky and the ocean, two halves of a whole, two sides of the same coin. Everything must be in balance, from the limitless sky to the dark depths of the ocean.

They were tied together. 

Jungkook surged forward, capturing Jin’s lips in a heated kiss, skilled and strong hands effortlessly pulling off the expensive, fine silk of Jin’s robes. When he wanted something, the Emissary of the Sun went after it; whether that be titles, challenges, or the Sea God’s chosen. His lips went down to the pale skin of Jin’s neck, biting and sucking at the skin that tasted of salt water as if he were a man dying of thirst in the desert and this was the only water around. 

“Jungkook…!” Jin breathed, hands finding purchase within the blazing locks of the younger man, “slow down… slow… slow down.” He slid his hands down and gripped Jungkook’s toned shoulders, pulling him back. “Easy. I’m here.” 

The lustful fire dimmed slightly in Jungkook’s eyes, and his shoulders relaxed. He lowered his head and breathed deeply. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “I just… I want to feel you.” 

Jin exhaled deeply in relief, and placed a soft kiss to the warm skin of Jungkook’s forehead. “Let me take care of you,” Jin whispered, knowing he had to take control before the younger Emissary burned himself out both literally and figuratively. “Will you… let me do that?” 

Slowly, Jungkook licked his lips and shifted uncomfortably, his fingers sliding underneath the folds of Jin’s robes so he could touch the smooth, silky skin. Jin watched him carefully; it was a delicate tightrope to walk, convincing the sun to let the moon shine. Wordlessly, he nodded. 

“Thank you,” Jin said softly, cupping Jungkook’s cheeks in his hands. The kiss was soft, a silent confirmation between their lips. “I’ll take care of you.” With a bit more strength than he would normally use, Jin maneuvered Jungkook’s larger frame so that it was lying flat on his luxurious, silken sheets. He smiled, trailing a hand down from the younger Emissary’s soft cheeks to his fiery red robes, slender fingers opening them with a deftness that came with years of memory. “Look at you,” he marvelled quietly, opening the complicated clothing easily and carefully, ducking his head to kiss the flushed skin. 

Gasps tumbled past Jungkook’s tinted lips as he pressed his head firmly against the silvery blue pillows, his skin alight with the scared fire of Ho-Oh. The cool touch of Jin’s lips against his skin sent shivers down his spine. He always ran hot, burned brightly. Even in Jin’s bed at the bottom of the ocean, Jungkook was like the sun. 

“Hyung,” he gasped, biting his lip as he keened, pressing into Jin’s firm touch. It felt like he was being dipped into a crystalline lake after he’d been on fire for a century. Jin’s touch was gentle but knowing; Jungkook whimpered as the smooth fingers ghosted over his chest. “Please…” All he wanted was to be set adrift in the cool waters of Jin’s sea. 

Jin smiled, leaning over and kissing his neck. “You said you’d trust me…” Jin murmured. “It’s only been two days, Jungkook. We have to go slow otherwise you’ll overheat.” 

Jungkook groaned, writhing impatiently against the cool sheets of Jin’s bed. He was vaguely aware of Jin’s fingers deftly peeling him out of his robes, leaving him bare against the fabric. “Hyung,” he pleaded, “more, please..” 

“Breathe, Jungkook,” Jin whispered in response, continuing to litter Jungkook’s neck and collarbone with soft kisses and gentle bites. “Focus on me, on my touch… don’t fall into that spiral.” 

“I want you, hyung,” Jungkook mumbled, fingers tightening into fists around the sheets. “That’s … all I want, please…” His whines were softening now as Jin’s mouth went southward, peppering kisses along his flushed skin and particularly on the edges of Jungkook’s own tattoo. A mirror image of Jin’s, Jungkook’s phoenix tattoo cascaded down his right shoulder and over his back, a wall of flame. It looked beautiful on his skin; Jin always wanted to touch it, to kiss it. It was tough to hold back. 

But now he had the vibrant young man in his bed, pliant and willing… desperate for him. He’d be lying if he didn’t feel a swell of pride upon hearing Jungkook’s needy moans. All he wanted to do was sit back on his heels and watch the sight - the one that only he could see, but a slowly burning pool of heat was beginning to strengthen in his stomach. His lips showered kisses down Jungkook’s sculpted abdomen, smiling against the flexing muscle when a gasp escaped the younger man. 

Jin hummed against a soft groove in between Jungkook’s eight pack - how did he manage to do it? Did he not know rest? - smiling as he felt the muscle clench under his touch. “Sorry,” he apologized with a chuckle, “I’ll stop teasing you now.” 

“You’re so mean…!” Jungkook whined, the cool air of Suijin’s chambers maddeningly good against his hard length. “We-Wuh … w-e’re immortal but I might die again before you get me off…” 

Sucking on his teeth right as his full lips hovered over the crown of Jungkook’s cock, Jin smirked. “If you keep mouthing off like that, I have no problems leaving you like this.” As he talked, his lips were drawn to the leaking tip, the touch feather light against the sensitive muscle. Jungkook sucked in a tight breath and desperately tried to buck his hips, desperate to feel more of the tingly sensation of Jin’s cool lips. No matter how much they kissed, no matter how hot he’d get the elder emissary, Jin was always as cool and as refreshing as the sea. 

How he craved it.

Jin shrugged off his robes, letting them fall heavily to the floor. Jungkook raised his head and felt his eyes widen at the sight: Jin, bathed in the glow of the sea floor, half-naked and as slender and as beautiful as he remembered. No, maybe even more so. Numbly, he reached out for the older man, hands finding purchase in the sea hued locks as Jin settled between his legs. 

He wished he could bottle the moan that came from Jungkook as he took him into his mouth. The stretch was painful; he had forgotten how big the younger man was. With a slight exhale through his nostrils, Jin relaxed his jaw and took him in deeper. The sting against the back of his throat was sharp, but good. It’d been a while since he felt … at all. 

The slurping sound as he begun to move his head was obscene, barely obscured by the heavy sounds of the sea moving around them. Jungkook was boneless against his sheets, writhing and his moans getting higher pitched with need. The soft hum that thrummed against the sensitive length caused a cry of pleasure to yank itself from Jungkook’s throat. 

“Hyung! Please, enough, I … please… I’m going to come if you don’t…” Jungkook was babbling, tears pricking his eyes. 

Slowly, he moved his head, trying not to thrill at the wet pop that clearly affected Jungkook as much as it did himself. “I still have to prep you,” Jin pointed out gently, sliding off the bed smoothly. Jungkook groaned in disappointment, closing his eyes as he bit his lip. 

By the Gods, he wasn’t making this easy. 

Jin rid himself of the rest of his clothing, deftly opening the drawer of the seashell chest beside his bed and taking out what he needed. He spared a glance at Jungkook as he popped the lid of the bottle of lube, a smirk creasing his lips as the younger moaned in anticipation. “Don’t lose yourself just yet, Jungkook,” he murmured as he moved back onto the bed once he’d tossed the box of condoms onto the bed. “You still have something you need to do.” The younger eyes widened as he realized what the man known as Suijin was insinuating. His mouth opened, and he swallowed, pushing himself up a bit as Jin moved to straddle his hips. “No, stay like that.” 

“Jin-hyung?” Jungkook asked, his voice small, thick with lust. This was new. His bright red eyes went from Jin’s half-hard cock to his silvery blue eyes, his chest tightening with anticipation. The intent was clear, but he wanted to hear it from the man’s lips himself. 

Gently, Jin cupped Jungkook’s cheek, hand sliding down until he could run a thumb along his cupid’s bow. “It’s not really fair that you haven’t taken care of me, is it?” Jin asked softly, his eyes glinting in the pale light of his personal quarters. “Coming in here, waking me up like this to take care of you…” 

It was a fine line to walk and Jin was testing the waters. Jungkook’s mental state after his resurrections were as unpredictable as fire itself; he could be as soft as a small ember, or as brutal as a wildfire. Jin’s breath caught in his throat as he watched Jungkook, eyes fine-tuned to any shift in demeanour. It was a risk, standing up on his knees with his cock so close to Jungkook’s mouth in such a tenuous situation. 

A heavy sigh of relief escaped him as Jungkook’s eyes shifted to one of lust-filled determination, and he squirmed, getting into a good position underneath the older man. His strong fingers curled around the base Jin’s length, guiding the tip to his mouth. A tight, wet heat enveloped him, and Jin groaned as he lurched forward, gripping the coral headboard of his bed. His broad shoulders flexed back, a typhoon of pleasure crashing through him. By the Gods, Jungkook’s mouth was… for a lack of a better term, heavenly. 

The golden phoenix hairpin that was affixed to Jungkook’s fiery hair much in the same way Jin’s was in his own jingled as the younger shifted, strong, veiny hands gripping Jin’s small waist. The elder moaned deeply as he got the wordless message and began to move his hips forward. Thick, wet gulps filled the air as Jin fucked into the mouth of the Sun God’s chosen. 

Good thing the Gods didn’t care what they did with each other, just that their duties and their lives were lived for them first. 

“Jungkook… Jungkook!” Jin breathed, slowly pulling back, revelling in the mess that he’d left on Jungkook’s swollen lips. “Good, so good…” He shifted downwards to capture the younger man’s lips in a deep kiss, interrupted by short, needy breaths. “I’ll get you ready now…” 

A smirk creased Jungkook’s fucked out lips, and he raised a hand to wipe his mouth. “About time… you like to take your time, Suijin.” 

Jin sucked his teeth, but he couldn’t hide his own smirk. “I’ll have you screaming my name to the high heavens soon, Amaterasu.” He picked up the bottle, still abandoned on the nightstand. He cursed softly as he squeezed too much, but decided it’d be put to better use to add a glisten to Jungkook’s abdomen. The two shared a laugh at the ridiculousness of it all before the air stilled as Jin slid down between the younger Emissary’s legs. 

For all their talk, he enjoyed this part the most. His fingers were coated with slick, thick liquid, and he watched with parted lips as the first finger massaged the tight ring of muscle. Jungkook sucked in a breath, his legs falling open more than they already had. “More,” he breathed. 

“Patience,” Jin murmured, slowly working him open. His love deserved all the care in the world, and he was going to give it to him. He paused as the word flitted through his thoughts, though his fingers moved as if they had a mind of their own. 

Love. 

Yes, that’s what this feeling was. How odd, Jin thought, as his steely blue eyes flicked up to watch Jungkook’s face contort in desperate pleasure. The second finger went in easier than the first, the third a bit tougher, but he took his time despite the insistent pushing down of Jungkook’s hips. 

“There,” Jin said softly, slowly sliding his fingers out, watching with near reverence as Jungkook clenched around nothing, the slick of the lubrication almost glinting in the pale light. He absently wiped his hands clean with a nearby cloth, tossing it to the side as he grabbed a condom, his movements deft. They’d wondered throughout the years if this was necessary, but neither cared enough to stop the habit. It helped make them feel like they were just normal people, not demiGods burdened with immortal service. “Ready?” 

“Always ready for you, hyung,” Jungkook breathed, his chest heaving. He’d strewn the back of his hand across his mouth, his tinted lips chewing on his pinky. “Fuck me… make me feel…!” 

Jin’s breath hitched in his throat as he looked down at the gorgeous being beneath him. “Always,” Jin echoed, his voice cracking under the pressure of remaining calm. As he always did, Jungkook was a master of destroying the dam that held his emotions walled up and soon Jin was groaning hotly against the flushed skin of his counterpart, bottomed out and feeling like he was submerged in an ocean of pure pleasure. 

This was the only time he felt alive, when he was connected to Jungkook like this. Their bodies as tight and as close as possible, breaths mingling, the contrast of fire and water creating a fission of intensity that they both chased. He could barely keep cognizant of what he was doing, hips snapping forward with a force that he didn’t know he could muster. Jungkook was a mess beneath him, hands tightly gripping Jin’s toned arms, thick thighs wrapped tightly around the elder Emissary’s small waist. 

He couldn’t help himself. Dazedly, Jin lowered his head and captured Jungkook’s mouth in a bruising, hot kiss, the kind that involved biting and hissing. Jungkook’s eyes were bright with victory despite being bent in half, pleased that he was able to bring this side out of Jin, out of the one that was always so calm and collected. The man that was as calm as the sea was now drenched in sweat, pounding him with a force and with a passion that was rarely seen. 

And it was only for him. 

“Mine!” Jungkook hissed possessively, pulling Jin down by the nape of his neck for another kiss, not caring that he was being practically bent in half. His other hand trailed a bright red trail of scratches along the smooth skin of Jin’s broad back - a silent, hidden mark of who the beautiful Emissary really belonged to. It was almost sacred, seeing the moonlit beauty that was Lord Suijin become undone, and all because of him. 

Jin grunted in response, shifting so that he could hold Jungkook’s hands in his with a white-knuckled grip. Their kisses became sloppy and half-hearted as they chased their climaxes, seemingly only remembering to lock their lips together when one of them whined for more contact. Soon they gave up on kisses entirely, mouthing and biting at each other’s necks and shoulders, looking for any sort of way to mark the other. It would be hidden beneath the layers of their regalia, but they’d know. 

The currents curled around the outer walls of Jin’s quarters, heavy and sure, a jarring contrast to their frenzied pace. There was so much they wanted to say, tried to say, but came out as incoherent babble. Perhaps, they were beyond words, the desperate, familiar way they clawed at each other being enough to communicate what they truly felt. 

Suddenly, Jin’s hips stuttered and he let out a choked groan, burying his face in the comfort of Jungkook’s flushed neck as long-sought after pleasure rocketed through him. “Jungkook…” he moaned, tightening his hold on his counterpart, desperate to hold onto this feeling, this beautiful man beneath him as his orgasm hit him like a sledgehammer to the gut. Almost instinctively, he continued to move, spurred on by Jungkook’s whines to reach that same apex. 

Jungkook came abruptly, and with a loud cry as his nails dragged down Jin’s broad back. White coated his chest, now heaving with the exertion. Heavy pants filled the salty air of the bedroom, whatever heat they gave off eaten up by the coolness radiating off the ocean battered walls. 

Quietly, reverently, Jin pulled back enough so he could cup Jungkook’s cheeks in his hands, leaning down to pepper his flushed skin with cool-lipped kisses. “Jungkook,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “I love you, Jungkook…” 

The one anointed by the Sky God as Amaterasu felt his eyes widen, and with shaking hands, reached up to place them over the one known to the world as Suijin. “Jin,” he choked out, his own voice raw with overuse. “I love you too. So long… for so long, hyung, I …” He shook his head and captured his lips in a desperately deep kiss, not caring that the older Emissary was still inside him. “So much, I wanted to yell it from the top of the Shrine…” 

Jin laughed breathlessly, and nuzzled the younger before slowly pulling out. It pained him to do so, but it was starting to catch up to him, what they did, what they said. His movements were surprisingly smooth considering how each one of his nerves felt like they were being electrocuted, cleaning them both up in a slow, measured pace. He loved this part, nearly as much as he loved preparing Jungkook. While he was sure that anyone would say that their partner was gorgeous in their afterglow, they would surely pale in comparison to Jungkook. Carefully, he shoved Jungkook’s ceremonial robes off the bed so they could both disappear underneath his exquisitely made comforter.

He barely had time to open his mouth before Jungkook’s kiss-bitten lips were on his, demanding a kiss that managed to be both languid and possessive. “Jungkook…” Jin started, brushing back Jungkook’s hair and revealing the lengthy chain of feathers that denoted the number of resurrections, “how do you feel?” 

The younger Emissary was silent for a long moment, seemingly more interested in tracing the waves that swirled in Jin’s shoulder tattoo. “Better,” he admitted finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “I can think now. It still hurts … it’ll hurt for a while. It always does, being alive again.” He shifted, wrapping his muscular, toned arms around Jin’s tiny waist. 

Jin hummed softly in agreement. They never forgot their deaths, even a hundred years later Jin could remember each and every one of his. “It takes time,” he confirmed. “We have that.” 

“A lot of it,” Jungkook agreed, idly fiddling with the silver feathers of Jin’s earring. “But… we have each other, right?” He looked up, almost shyly, catching Jin’s silvery blue gaze. “…right?” 

Jin could feel his chest tighten, knowing full well what Jungkook was asking. Carefully, he reached up and grasped the younger man’s hand in his, eyes raking over each vein, each inch of skin. Finally, he brought Jungkook’s fingers to his lips, kissing his fingertips. “Yes,” he agreed softly. “We’re tied together, you and I. When we were called to the Gods together, and when we live through the ages together. No matter how far you fly, how high you reach… you will always return to me. That… is something I cherish.” 

Jungkook’s eyes widened, a blush spreading like wildfire across his cheeks. “I’ll always come back to you,” he confirmed, nodding determinedly. With a loving, almost reverent touch, he ran his thumb along Jin’s plush lips. “To the one I love.” 

A familiar, now welcome swell of warmth spread through Jin’s perpetually cold body, and he wrapped his arms tightly around Jungkook’s toned frame. “I will always be here, waiting for you.” 

Jungkook smiled at him, as bright as the sun. It was a smile just for Jin, and one he would cherish for an eternity.