Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Things were not going to plan. The plan, in fact, had all but fallen apart. Were they going to make it off this planet alive?

Jimin considered his options ducking behind an empty crate, narrowly avoiding a barrage of bullets an entire town seemed to be aiming straight at him. Popping open his revolver to reload, he waited for a pause in shots to make a break for the ship - which he prayed would be soon as the crate was only protecting him so much. It was thick, to be sure, but time had worn on it, likely sitting in its position for years, exposed to the unrelenting heat and radiation of the very near stars. Gritting his teeth, he snapped the cylinder back into place and, sensing a lull, sprinted to the ship.

"I'll cover you, c'mon!" Namjoon hollered over the firing of weapons. He was back at the the ship, taking cover behind the large quantities of food stuffs that were supposed to be delivered to this planet. Key word: Supposed.

Closing in, Jimin was deterred by a large explosion, veering him left for cover.

"Take that, wandering scum!" A local holding a rocket launcher cursed at Jimin. "That's what you get trying to rip off the good people of this planet!" That stirred some feelings in Jimin's gut.

"We did NOT try to rip you off! There is a misunderstanding!" Peering his head over the cover to throw his voice, quickly ducking once the barrage of bullets began again. Seemingly, he was the main target - and only about fifty feet away from refuge.

No, this was not the ideal situation. He needed a distraction to get to the ship. Looking to Namjoon for a plan, Jimin spotted the Outsider who caused all of this crouching next to his friend.

If it weren't for this guy, Jimin and Namjoon would be drinking at the saloon with these locals making plans for another shipment, not trading fire and burning bridges.

When they arrived on planet, things were hopeful and cheery. Practically sunshine and rainbows. Jimin had stepped off the ship in high spirits, the bright weather only lifting him further as he neared the saloon, Mashida, where all business was handled in this town. Namjoon sent Jimin to open bargaining with the town leader. They were not daft, the man obviously had a thing for Jimin. Seeing him should certainly open the discussion in their favor. They got a pretty fresh shipment from the overabundant planet Miscus only last week. Of course, the obvious place to bring it for a prime trade was the desolate planet of Samak. Not many traders knew or considered the planet - the settlers were few and poor. But for smaller ships, like Namjoon's reliable Byul, it was a worthy deal as it was along the route to their next mission on Nuek.

Entering Mashida, Jimin took a moment to allow his eyes to adjust and take in the characters at play. Surprisingly empty, very few patron were inside the establishment. The planet hardly ever saw night. With two suns, there wasn't really an "early" or "late" - it was always five o'clock, sort of speak. The planet was mined for archaic energy sources, which was needed for very niche reasons - usually science or medicine. It was difficult to mine, and the settlers on this planet were rough and rugged, often drinking their difficulties away. Jimin made his way to the bartender to get the scoop. The kind old man had seen better years. His face was ridden with age, grey eyebrows long and shaggy - same as his beard. Jimin approached him, stopping at the counter with the kindest smile he could muster and posed his question.

"Excuse me, sir, where would I find Town Leader Chong this fine morning?" The old man paused his wiping of the already clean bar to suck in a sigh.

"There's a name I haven't heard in months! No, boy, he is not in charge any longer." The man chuckled and slid a shotglass in front of Jimin, uncorking some liquor and pouring it for him to drink.

"Ah, no? I apologize sir, it's been a few months since I've been on planet. To whom would I inquire about trade?" Jimin asked, followed with knocking his drink back, wiping his face with his sleeve.

"Quiet alright, youngblood. I'm glad recent events haven't deterred you from business with our settlement! Not many off worlders stop by anymore, not that we ever had many visitors." The man lamented while stroking his beard. After thinking for a beat, he crossed his arms. "But the new business hall is just across from the well in the center of town. I would start there."

"Thank you sir, but I must ask...recent events?" It was good to go into any bargaining situation well informed.

"Why the coup of course! Madame Gwangyeoul had enough of Old Town Leader Chong's antics and axed him right on the very steps to this establishment! I can't say it's been good for business, but I'm not one to argue with the powers that be in place, son."

Axed? What a way to go. This planet was a backwater, though.

"That is..." Jimin struggled for an appropriate comment, not wanting to give away his concern. Chong was a lecherous drunk, but he seemed to keep his community's needs forefront. "...wild, sir. Any tips for a well meaning traveler looking to strike a fair deal?"

The old man chuckled, "Well now you smell of liquor already, she won't like that."

Jimin picked his arms up to inspected himself, only smelling the liquor still on his tongue. "Ack. Great. Thank you sir."

"Sure thing, youngblood. Another?" The old man asked, shaking the bottle.

"I'm not-" Jimin began to decline, although he was abruptly cut off.

"For us both, please." Another shotglass slid up next to Jimin's and the old man poured them both.

"Ah, almost forgot about you over there, Jeongguk. You started brooding early this morning, hm?" Jimin looked up the person who saddled up next to him at the bar. Handsome, young, slick. He would tread careful with this player.

"You know me, Don. Early brood gets the..." his eyes glided over Jimin, "...Worm." Jimin was confused. Was he the worm? Did he have this guys worms? Was this guy rich with worms? Worms were a common nutritional source on this arid planet, they farmed well in the soil. Maybe it was a trading currency now, he just wasn't aware of it yet.

Although Jimin was lost, wise old man Don caught the hint. "I'll leave the bottle here for you kids, I've got some cleaning in the back."

"Convenient. Thank you, Don." Jeongguk threw back his drink as Don took his leave.

"And to what do I owe this acquaintance?" Jimin asked, a bit irked that he was forced into this meeting with a rando, but hopeful he could get something out of it.

Jeongguk smirked, leaning against the bar he grabbed the bottle of liquor and poured another shot for them both. "Well, you see, dear, I overheard you are here to trade with the settlement." Fine, yes. Jimin could agree this was true, but eavesdropping was in very poor form.

"You heard correct." Jimin replied shortly, taking his shot.

"You also seem like the type to stay quiet with sensitive information. I'm guessing discretion is a part of your business."

Jimin wasn't one to shy away from opportunity. Discretion paid well. "State your business."

Jeongguk turned eagerly to Jimin, enthusiast to share, "We have some freedom thinkers in a bit of a pickle and we've been jammed up in it for some time. We could use your assistance. In return, I can arrange a meeting between you and this settlement's supply representative." Jimin liked to bargain, his interest was piqued.

"What sort of assistance do you need?"

"The sort that gets us off this planet." Jeongguk shrugged like it was not only obvious, but also no big deal.

"I don't know who you think I am, but our trade ship has very limited space. It's not a passengercraft -"

"We only need four spots." Jungkook interjected.

"You don't even know where we are headed."

"Doesn't matter, we'll figure it out." Well he seemed eager. Eagerness also paid.

"What do you have to trade for this assistance of ours if we were to consider it? Surely arranging a meeting isn't payment enough, I know where to go to make my own deals." Jimin most definitely could consider it. Nuek was a month away. They were well stocked. They had a couple spare rooms on Byul. It could work. Logistically, of course, if there was opportunity to maximize the profits, he would take it. More work now, less work later.

"This." Jungkook held up a pendant, a wolf with inlet with black diamonds for fur and rubies for eyes. "I give you this, you help convince your captain to take us." Beautiful as it was, Jimin wasn't impressed.

"Hm, I was expecting something more along the lines of credits you could pay us. Gems aren't that precious, I doubt the Captain would even take one of you let alone fou-"

"The value isn't in the gems, it's in the artifact itself." Jungkook stated simply.

"And should I be familiar with this?" Jimin asked, skeptical.

"No." Jungkook unlatched the chain and motioned to put it on Jimin's neck, which he obliged with a slight uplifting of his chin. "Its from one of Earth's forgotten civilization. Human, technically, but more magnificent. They were more in tune with nature. Our advances in technology and space travel five hundred years ago signaled the demise of their way of life. Families were chosen to integrate into human society, to wait for an opportunity to come together and live life attune with nature once again. This pendant was passed down generations to signify when it was time to bring the clans together as a proper pack. Ultimately, this pendant has become a symbol that strength will be birthed again."

"And how would you know about ancient civilization's clans and packs?" Jimin inquired, inspecting the pendant. It was growing on him. It had a cute story.

"It was passed down to me."

"Oh, so you are from this long lost civilization?" Jimin asked, on the verge of mocking, picking invisible dust off the pendant.

Jungkook shrugged, "I really don't know, probably. Seems old and is a cool story."

"Why give it up so easily?" Jimin clenched the pendant, feeling oddly attached to it. It was, factually, kind of weird to just give up a family heirloom. It also felt weird. Not in a bad way. Jimin was struggling to understand why he liked it. He didn't think he normally enjoyed parting people with sentimental goods - it seemed cruel. But for whatever reason, he was happy to hold on to this trinket. It felt intimate, private, even. He would not even tell Namjoon about it.

"Cuz your pretty." Jeongguk smiled, lightly flicking JImin's nose. "It looks good on you - keep it. I'll scrounge up some credits for your captain." Jimin reddened at the comment. He didn't fair too well with outright flirting. He usually experienced it one way, never too interested in flirting back. He wasn't sure what to do with this man. He was certainly very handsome and most assuredly Jimin's type - he was unaware he had a type.

Jimin tried acting like the pendant was no big deal. It definitely should have been. But he liked it on his neck, and was happy Jeongguk told him to keep it - he couldn't imagine taking it off or even parting with it now. "Captain will probably want some labor or something, also." He directed his focus to getting some more out of this deal. The mighty Byul did need a good scrubbing, and Jimin was usually burdened with duct taping the engine room together for most of their travelling - part of why they needed such a big payday.

"Everything I have to give is yours." Jeongguk offered openly.

Odd thing to say when negotiating. "What in the world are you saying?" Jimin giggled, the liquor definitely hitting him. He had to wrap things up here before he ended up drunk. He tucked the pendant into his collar. "Whatever, okay, I'll introduce you to my captain and then you'll introduce me to your supply rep - kapeesh?"

"Kapeesh."

Chapter Text

Jeongguk definitely adapted his bargaining style for Namjoon, Jimin noticed. It wasn't bad, necessarily, just showcasing another strength. He was very honest, direct, and strong. Jimin didn't notice this strength before, but it seemed ridiculous not to take an offer from someone who could be an asset as a friend.

"So we are in agreement?" Jeongguk finalized the deal, "Take us to Nuek, I pay the 40,000 credits - 10,000 for each passenger you take? And in return for giving me the opportunity to speak with you, Captain, I will introduce you to the settlements new supply representative."

"And you deep clean the rooms provided as well as the storage bay." Jimin piped in, not wanting the chore to fall onto him or his shipmate. Secretely, he was glad there was no mention of the pendant. He didn't want the Captain in his private business. And it felt private.

"And we will clean your ship, yes." Jeongguk smiled up at Jimin, who had taken residence on the upper catwalk, peering down as the Captian and Jeongguk discussed the details of their arrangement. He liked the view, he not only felt safe but enjoyed the angle of view on the newcomers face - where normally he had to peer up at the strong jaw with bunny teeth and cute mole under the lip, now he was able to appreciate the wholeness of the face and body, simply relishing in the overall presence of Jeongguk. While in the dingy bar he felt the man was broad but purposely hunching so as not to be a threat, whereas now he seemed to almost expand his body, breast buttons struggling to keep together, pants clenching to his thighs. Jimin especially liked how his gun holster hung from his narrow hips, almost as if it would fall off until he turned and the plump derrière ensure that it was going nowhere. It had been awhile since Jimin had gotten a look at some decent eyecandy. Jimin was human, he had carnal lusts but hardly anyone ever fit his bill. If they had the looks, their personality would ruin it. Men with looks were usually cocky in a way that just turned Jimin off. Like he should submit due to their looks alone and no effort on their part to woo him in the slightest. Jimin was a big ol' softy at heart and wanted to be romanced. Those who attempted to romance him, well, let's just say nothing else was attractive about them. They were usually very desperate and only thought wooing him would get his attention as they were true of heart and rare. Jimin could see through the cheap tricks at trying to bed him. No, he wasn't easy. Which frustrated him greatly. But increased his curiosity with this newcomer, Jeongguk. He'd hardly felt an attraction like this that wasn't ruined within five minutes of meeting them.

"Excellent, go now so we can leave in the next couple hours if possible. This planet has always been miserable, even moreso now by the sounds of the recent "Purist" coup there isn't even an entertainment factor here." Namjoon finalized. Amongst the discussion, Jeongguk explained the recent coup was initiated through the new religious Puritan movement. Pure because they believed their settlement was hellish due to the sins of the people. To become pure, they would no longer take pleasure in sinful activities, making the favor quickly fall from Town Leader Chong, who was very much involved in what the Purists regarded as sin. Jeongguk and his friends were not interested in the religion, but were pressured daily. Jeongguk was sure it would lead to violence, so they wanted to leave before there was an opportunity for a witch hunt.

"Yes, Captain." Jimin confirmed the orders and jumped down from the catwalk, a slight show of his athletic abilities to whoever may be watching. Rising from his landing crouch, he dusted off his black leather pants, then adjusted his double holster - first the revolver, then the laser blaster.

"What, no entertainment?" questioned a man who's sandals made a loud flopping as he entered the bay from the berthing area. He looked very awkwardly out of place with densely packed sunblock on his nose, tropical button up shirt and khaki shorts. Upset he lifted the oversized sunglasses onto his head to better communicate the glare he was sending Namjoon. "But Captain, you said if I helped with staging the cargo I could take the rest of the day off! You've been working me ragged!" he huffed while dramatically failing his arms and stomping his feet, much like a toddler.

"Yes SeokJin, but plans change. We'll take a break on Nuek - you don't want to take a break here. Go get geared up and ready to offload this gear when the Samak settlers arrive. I also need the ship prepared incase things go south. Things are different here and I have a feeling we won't be coming back"

"Action, Captain?" Seokjin questioned, holding his breath for the answer.

"Possibly, just be prepared." Namjoon answered, heading up the catwalk toward the navigation room.

Seokjin's entire mood changed, yipping with glee as he headed back to berthing, presumably to carry out the Captain's orders.

"Is he hoping for a skirmish?" Jeongguk questioned, staring at the now empty passageway to the berthing.

"No, Jin is very much a pacifist. He's just...excitable. C'mon, let's go meet this rep of yours." Jimin turned to leave.

"Ah, please allow me to notify my friends so they might prepare to embark with us." Jeongguk asked, quickly catching up to Jimin.

"Of course. Lead the way." Jimin motioned toward the Byul's open bay door leading to the empty shipping port. They were the only ship in harbor. It was handy having settlements with shipping ports, centralized locations for onloading and offloading. Usually there were tools available for little to no charge - hovercrafts, palletjacks, film wrap, etc. But this port was barren with only the ghost of a healthy trade network, old pallets stacked, empty film rolls scattered about amongst the general junk. It was a a less than optimistic view amongst the desert.

"Oh, I was hoping to do so alone, I have private things to attend to before-"

"I'm sure you do, I won't interfere, just ensure the schedule. It's standard, for us. Please understand." Jimin also wished to leave as soon as possible. Plus this was standard procedure for the Byul's business arrangements - they weren't looking for funny business.

"I understand, it's no problem. I quite enjoy your company, anyhow." Jeongguk laughed, seemingly less threatening and smaller now they were outside then when they were in the bay with Namjoon. 

Jimin scoffed, "You don't need to butter me up, you have your deal made already."

"Why wouldn't I enjoy having a smart, articulate, cute, young athlete around?" Jeongguk asked very seriously, obviously referring to the jump Jimin had taken from the catwalk.

Jimin wasn't sure how to react. Sure, he wanted Jeongguk to notice, but was hoping it would have been subtle enough to not mention. Was Jeongguk playing with him? Letting Jimin know he knew he made a move hoping to excite him? Or was Jeongguk so cocky he assumed it was for him? Jimin didn't like it.

"Whatever, let's get this over with." Jimin dismissed the comment, picked up the pace.

Jeongguk, to his credit, wasn't offended and changed the subject. "Luckily my group is all living together so it'll only be one stop, then I'll take you to the supply representative - Ang Chul. He's of the serious type so just continue with your polite self and there shouldn't be a problem with coming to an agreement."

Jimin's eye twitched and the continuation of compliments. "Could you not?"

"I'm sorry?" Jeongguk looked genuinely confused, but Jimin was peeved enough to not care.

"Keep any comments about me to a minimum."

"I'm trying to help you. I take it back, you need to work on your politeness." Jeongguk countered. "There, just up ahead. It'll only take a few minutes, we have been planning to leave for awhile, now." Jimin looked up to where Jeongguk was pointing, only a couple minutes walk at the edge of the settlement was a rather large mound of dirt. The dwelling was not one like the others in the settlement, haphazard shacks and old west type buildings. As they approached Jimin made out the entrance, steps leading down a hole in the ground, the only thing telling that the mound was enterable. Jimin paused as Jeongguk went down the steps. "What, not wanting to ensure I'm timely, anymore?"

"It's just...strange." Jimin answered honestly. These guys were weird.

"We aren't part of the original settlement, so we built our home later. There wasn't a lot in the way of supplies but this is a much more efficient cooling system then what the other settlers struggle with, I can promise you."

The explanation made sense. Jimin moved to follow, immediately feeling the temperature dropping as he descended into the mound of a home. At the bottom of the stairs, Jimin followed Jeongguk into a large open room, circular in nature with many tunnels shooting off from it. There wasn't much in the way of décor, the things inside were all utilitarian: a few rugs, pots, bowls, rags. Very simple. Jimin was much more fussy. While it was indeed more comfortable, temperature wise, he would prefer to have a table with chairs, in the very least.

"Please, sit, while I notify the guys." Jeongguk motioned to the rugs on the floor and ran to tunnel while hollering "It's time to go, boys! Pack it up!" There were a few voices whooping in response and Jimin could hear a shifting of supplies and whispers.

He did not sit, instead he moved his back to the wall centered between the many tunnels on one side and the exit on the other. He messed around with his guns, ensuring they were loaded and ready for action incase Jeongguk or his buddies decided they wanted to fuck around and find out. A scraping in one of the tunnels caught Jimin's attention and he struggled to decipher what it was - threat or no threat. His finders itched to pull his revolver from the holster as grunts began accompanying the scratching, which began sounding more like a sliding. Eventually, a mop of curly hair was visible, facing the back of the tunnel. The person grunted and pulled into view a sled piled with bags. Jimin let his guard down just a tad, seeing this person was doing exactly what Jimin was told they would be. Through the tunnel and into the living space, the curly mop turned toward Jimin, beautiful face covered in sweat. "Ah!!" he screamed in baritoned alarm. "Who are you?!"

"Uh, Jimin? Jeongguk brought me?"

"Oh good gods you scared me. Okay, I'm Taehyung, nice to meet you." Taehyung dropped the rope he was pulling on the sled to bow politely. He wore an oversized blouse "Jeongguk mentioned you were here, it's just strange to see someone here and I'm a little excited about leaving so I'm thrown off. You seem nice, are you nice?" Taehyung asked.

"Yes? I think so? Are you?" Jimin turned the question back at Taehyung, a little confused by his enthusiasm.

"Of course! I'm glad you are nice, I hope we get along!" Taehyung smiled a terribly handsome smile that Jimin was instantly jealous of. It pulled his sculpted face into a youthful glow, eyes twinkling with authentic kindness and boxy grin making Jimin's knees a little weak. When Jimin smiled, his eyes were swallowed by the fat on his cheeks and his crooked tooth became prominent. He hated it.

"Sure." Jimin commented noncommittedly as Jeongguk reentered the room.

"We are just about ready, getting the last of the things packed up. I want to point them in the right direction then you and I will go bargain hunting."

Jimin nodded, "Good, keep it on schedule."

"Whatever you say."

"Jeongguk, I have it all together but we are missing Yoongi. I packed his go bag but unsure of what he wants that is out, should I just pack it a-is that Jimin?" If Taehyung glowed when he smiled, this person was a third sun for this planet. Eyes crinkling and mouthing forming a heart, Jimin wasn't so sure why these strangers were so happy to see him. Or how they could even experience joy living on this desolate planet. It was really, really, strangle. Perhaps it was because they were leaving to a much better planet, Jimin thought.

Jeongguk cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah Hoseok, this is Jimin. Jimin, Hoseok," Jeongguk pointed between the two, then pointed at Taehyung "And this is Taehyung."

"Oh, we met!" Taehyung excitedly reported. Jimin could feel an awkward air in the room. There was something unsaid that he wasn't aware of.

Jeongguk acknowledged, nodding casually, "That's good." Then turned back to Hoseok, "Just pack it all. I'll find Yoongi in town. Tae, I'll point you to their ship, let's go."

Jimin was glad to be going, they hadn't spent more than five minutes in the sand mound. Jeongguk seemed to take his request for brevity seriously. It very much improved his move, nearly skipping up the steps into the harsh heat of Samak.

"I'll report to the Captain two are on their way." Jimin said after Jeongguk explained where the ship was to Taehyung, typing a message into his communicator on his wrist.

"Aren't you a good little soldier?" Taehyung commented teasingly before heading back down to finish collecting their things.

Jimin was a little put off by the comment. "What does he mean?"

"I told them not to mess with you, you were the fighter for the ship."

"I mean, we all fight for the ship, I'm no soldier."

"Okay, well, I didn't want them testing your patience."

"Is that why they were so nice to me?" It did seem a little over the top for meeting somebody. His brows furrowed thinking of Jeongguk's comment. "Wait, I have patience!"

"No, I mean, Yes. But they're also just nice." Jeongguk explained exasperatedly. "Didn't you have a schedule to keep, or did you want to stand around and talk about it?"

He was right, they spent half as much time talking outside the mound as inside getting things done.

"Where is Ang Chul?" Jimin jumped to the next order of business.

"Follow me." Jeongguk headed to the center of town, Jimin followed distracting himself with how he was going to bargain. This new settler regime seemed strict, if he opened with the old deal of 100 credits per kilogram they would most likely talk him down. He'd start at 200. They could take it down to 50, but any less and Jimin would be constructing parts out of duct tape. As he mulled over the math in his head, staring at Jeongguk's back as he followed him, his eyes landed on Jeongguks weapon resting on his hip. It was an energy type, which made sense to have on a planet with little to no suppliers - bullets were only as reliable as their stock. The holster for it was a classic leather strap, many designs stamped into it, which normally would hold something like Jimin's .45 revolver. Energy guns were normally holstered in a silicone like holster Jimin had for his. The straps design was intricate, Jimin closed the gap between them to get a better look at it. The holster itself was design free, smooth and colored beautifully. The strap had what looked like a beasts open jaw, just the teeth, patterned around in differing views surrounded by filligree.

"See something you like back there?" Jeongguk commented over his shoulder. Indeed, the strap was sitting very much on Jeongguk's perky ass, where Jimin was inspecting only inches away.

"No-I, I was looking at your holster. Why do have it for an energy type weapon?" Jimin quickly deflected the accusation. But if he was going to be accused of it, why not look now?

"Oh, that. Another heirloom. It fits all types just fine." Jeongguk answered casually, slightly adjusting the holster on his hip. He seemed to have a lot of heirlooms - maybe that's why it was so easy to let the necklace go? "We're here." Jeongguk stopped abruptly, Jimin slamming into his back. While a compete accident, he did appreciate the opportunity to smash up against Jeongguk's body. It was confirmed, the body was indeed well toned. A little embarrassed for enjoying the moment, Jimin blushed lightly as Jeongguk faced him, seemingly not at all worried about the run in. "Listen, it's right up there, door says Supply. Ang Chul's office is the first room to the left. I've got to find Yoongi, there's a few places to look but I'm hoping I find him before your done. I'll meet you back at the ship, yeah?"

"Wait, what? I thought you would introduce me to the representative! An introduction with a known softens the blow of an unknown, making dealings more favorable!"

Jeongguk chuckled, "While your statement makes sense, because of the Purist movement, I'm afraid I am not in good graces with any officials on this planet. You'll be better off NOT acknowledging any association with us." 

Jimin frowned at that. It changed things. He would have brought Jin for backup if he knew Jeongguk would've backed out like this. Going in alone not only limited his bargaining power, but put him at greater risk. He shared his concern. "Jeongguk - this is risky. This is a threatening situation and I would rather not go at it alone, let me call Jin-"

"You'll be fine! Just speak with him like you did old Don and Ang Chul will take your offer. They may be strict but they need to survive, you have supplies they need greatly. I have faith in you, completely." Jimin had faith in himself, also. Of course he could handle it. What would the settlers of this little planet do to him, anyways, ax him to pieces? He had decent combat skills to get him out of a pickle, but also the skills to prevent the pickle. Part of why Namjoon trusted him to handle it.

Blowing out a breath he was holding while he thought it over, Jimin agreed, "Okay, I've got it. I'll see you at the ship."

Smiling, Jeongguk cradled Jimin's hands that were holding the wolf amulet. He hadn't even noticed he grabbed it, an unconscious worry stone. "You'll do great." he kissed the top of Jimin's head before leaving in the opposite direction. Jimin was stunned and alone. Did he just give him a kiss? Like it was nothing? Then straight up dip on out of here without even checking on Jimin's reaction - just assume that it was okay? Just like any other person he ever found attractive, just ruining it with their cockiness. Irritation grew within Jimin's heart. How dare he?! Boundaries will be discussed again, soon.

Walking up to the door, Jimin tried to calm his demeanor. Aggressive was not the tone he was trying to set. He tried with happy thoughts: Kittens, Ice cream, Jeongguk's ass. He wished it wasn't part of the list, but it definitely made the cut of happy thoughts.

Knocking on the door, Jimin went over his introduction as he had done so many times before. There was no answer so he tried the door, unlocked. pushing it open he called into the building, "Hello? Is there an Ang Chul here?"

"In the back!" a voice echoed through the building. Jimin entered cautiously, not sure where 'the back' was. Jeongguk had said the first office to the left, so Jimin headed there. The room was empty except for a multitude of safes, one open, empty, with various paperwork slewn about a terribly messy desk, tossing about from the slight breeze from the open window on the left wall. Backing out, Jimin jumped at a person's accusing tone.

"What are you doing in there, I said I was in the back!" Jimin spun around to a mole-ish looking man, short and round. He wore circular lensed glasses with thin wire frames, complete with a very accountant looking get up: brown pants, suspenders over a pinstriped button up, sleeves rolled up and dripping in sweat, complete with a loose red bowtie. "Are you snooping around? Well? Answer me boy!" The man held a folder he smacked against a nearby filing cabinet. Jimin took a deep breath to steady his nerves. Angry, messy, old man. Probably works hard, works alone, demands respect. Doesn't like situations out of his control. Jimin was locked in.

"Many apologies, sir. I was told this was the respectable Ang Chul's office. I come with cargo from off world your settlement might be interested in. Am I in the right place?"

"You don't look like you would be an official supplier." The man huffed as he waddled into the office, taking a seat at the messy desk, plopping the folder on the desk and saddling up in his chair. Jimin watched from the door's threshold, waiting for an invitation. "Well don't just stand there, I ain't got all day!" Jimin put on his kindest, fakest smile and entered the office.

"Well, sir, we may not be official, but we carry a thousand kilogram cargo load of foodstuffs my Captain wishes to rid himself of. Would your settlement be of interest?"

"What supplies? Who is your Captain? What's your rate?" The man, presumably Ang Chul, riddles off questions. Jimin liked to get straight to business, less goading when speaking straight facts.

"Yes sir, the food we carry is freshly pressed nutrients from Miscus, official suppliers wouldn't dream of bringing such high quality foodstuff here - they do larger shipments to trading posts who then bring it here - aged by months if your lucky enough to get it source-"

"Enough of that, I get it. Who's your Captain? Your rate."

"Captain Namjoon, sir. We will part with the foodstuff for 200 credit a kilogram, if you want it all, 200,000 credits will do the job."

The man scoffs, chocking on spit he brings a handkerchief to his mouth to catch it while fighting the coughing fit. As it clears, he goes on, "That's too much! and I've never heard of your Captain so your reputation is no good! I'll give you 10 credits per kilogram - all of it for 10,000 credits." Jimin sours. That was quite the price cut. His face goes hard.

"Sir, my apologies, but that's preposterous. If you are short on funds perhaps we lower the amount, not the price. Should I report to my Captain you will take 50 kilos?"

"We are not short on funds, rude boy! We need it all! 1000 kilos, 10,000 credits."

"Obviously we are getting nowhere, I bid you a good day, sir." Jimin dips his head in shallow bow before turning to leave the office. He doesn't get far, with an energy blaster aimed straight at his face. There are five men in the room, all with energy blaster aimed directly at Jimin. Jimin does not have much of a chance against them, his hands go up to show he's no threat.

The man in front, the one pointing his blaster in Jimin's face, speaks up, "Sir, we saw this guy conversing with the witches." Witches?

"Witches? You mean those ground dwellers?" Ang Chul questions his man.

"Yes sir, they were working out a deal to rip you off together and make it off the planet before we were the wiser."

Oh no, Jimin thought. This cannot be good. "That's untrue, we only wish to strike a fair deal!" Jimin starts to protest, but Ang Chul ignores him completely.

"Is that so?" Ang Chul questions, chuckling as he gets up from his desk. "Oh yes, it is a good day. You see, you've brought the foodstuffs all the way here - might as well leave it with your good friend Ang Chul." The floorboards creak as he waddles around his office. "Madame Gwangyeoul will be delighted with your donation to help with the fledging Purist religious congregation, to be sure." Ang Chul digs around in a box, lighting a match and puffing on what smells like tobacco. He seems very relaxed to Jimin - off guard. 

Jimin backs up a step, enough to get through the threshold of the office Ang Chul is in, "Get that blaster out of my face and let's discuss this! You cannot just take the supplies from the ship, it is protected."

"Oh dear boy, that is what you are for - a swap, you see. For the food." Ang Chul takes a deep drag from his cigar. In that moment, Jimin rushes at him suddenly. Ang Chul, surprised, chokes on his smoke, falling into a fit of coughs on his desk as Jimin braces his arms over his face, pushing through the slightly ajar window before the men with blasters can get into the room and take a shot at him. He hits the ground on his feet and sprints straight for the ship.

Chapter Text

Seeing Jeongguk, the cause of everything falling apart, illiceted a spark of anger within Jimin. How could he sit there and talk to his Captain while they're getting shot at? Since he's the reason it all went south, he should at least be doing something to help Jimin!

The spark grew into full out rage while he sat there, trapped in an onslaught, yelling in frustration that he couldn't exact his anger. Slowly the shots died down.

"Did we get the little twerp?" Ang Chul himself called out to his men in question. Jeongguk and Namjoon were still in conversation. This, for some reason, was the last straw he could take. Fucking Ang Chul was, apparently, more concerned with Jimin being shot than Jeongguk - the fucker.

Fuck it.

Jimin sprinted to the ship, headed for Jeongguk and his stupid broad back and perfect ass.

"Get him!" Ang Chul called out, too slow, since Jimin was already knocking Jeongguk over, pinning him in rage.

"What the hell? You screwed everything up! You're the opposite of help! Associating with you was the worst thing-"

"Jimin!" Jeongguk pulled Jimin to him in a crushing hug. "I'm so sorry, are you hurt?" Jeongguk pulled away to inspect Jimin, cradling his face in his hands. With Jeongguks concern, Jimins rage disappeared.

The barrage of shots started to take on a metallic ting as Namjoon closed the bay doors.

"Jin, get us out of here!" Namjoon called from against the wall next to the bay door controls panting, shirt sweaty from the tussel..

"Aye Aye, Captain!" Seokjin's voice boomed through the speaker system. The Byul shook with life, engines humming with increasing power.

"No, wait!" Jeongguk begged from his place in the floor, gingerly picking Jimin up with him as he rose to approach the Captain. Jimin felt like putty, unsure why his anger disappeared - he usually held on to it stubbornly. He melted further as Jeongguk gripped his shoulders to keep Jimin close as he moved. "We need Yoongi!"

"We need to leave." Namjoon stated with no room to argue.

"If you want that 40,000 credits you'll make sure he gets on-board! That was the deal!"

"Getting them on board is your responsibility. If you don't want to pay we'll toss you back out with them, then see how you'll fare." Namjoon scoffed at Jeongguk's demands. Clearly, this was his ship and they would be running on his program.

"Excuse me, Captain?" Hoseok entered the bay from the berthing, followed by Taehyung, heads bowed with respect. Namjoon averted his attention to Hoseok, allowing him to speak. "Yoongi is our family, please allow us an opportunity to keep him safe and join us on our journey." Hoseok humbly requested.

Namjoon sighed heavily. "Jin, put us in orbit."

"Aye Aye Captain! Breaking atmosphere in 60 seconds." Seokjn's voice confirmed.

Namjoon nodded, not that Seokjin could see him. "Here is the deal, you guys. Once Byul is in orbit, I'll let you borrow the shuttle - but deposit your payment first. I'll give you 24 hours. If you're not back, you're without your ride."

Jeongguk whipped out his communicator to transfer the credits. "Deal."

"Thank you Captain." Hoseok thanked Namjoon, eyes teary and rushing to Jeongguk to form a plan. "Any leads on where he could be?"

"No, he wasn't scrapping anf still isn't answering the communicator. We gotta get down there, i think they got to him." Jeongguk informed the group now huddled around him.

"They?" Jimin asked, peering up from Jeongguk's arms. He hadn't released him since they came together in the shootout. As natural as it felt, Jimin was, however, starting to feel uncomfortable with everyone looking at them and quickly distanced himself from Jeongguk. As soon as he did, it almost felt like a spell had been broken and his earlier rage, while tempered, began to stir. It wasn't the time to argue about it, but Jimin definitely still felt wronged by the situation, and actually couldn't believe Namjoon was being so patient with him.

"The Purists." Jeongguk answered, face dropping at the loss of contact. "I was afraid something like this was going to happen."

"They called you witches." Jimin accused, crossing his arms in defense, feeling the need to separate further, even subconsciously.

"Did they?" Taehyung scoffed, "That's rich."

"Why?" Namjoon questioned.

"We have our own cultural practices and wouldn't adhere to the movement." Jeongguk answered for the group.

"What practices?" Jimin asked clutching the pendant - was it cursed or something?

"We have a long tradition of being connected with nature - Hoseok's family specialized in holistic medicine. Taehyung's in starreading. Yoongi's heritage was creators - assemblers of art and function." Jeongguk answered.

"That's why I struggled to know what of his to bring! He has many tools." Hoseok piped in.

"And yours?" Jimin wanted to know Jeongguk's most.

"Ah nothing really. Helping pass down general traditional knowledge, I suppose." Jeongguk answered rather flippantly.

"Captain, we are in orbit. Umanning the cockpit." Seokjin called, breaking the conversation.

"Come," Namjoon motioned Jeongguk to follow him, "Let's get you acquainted with the shuttle."

"I'm going with." Hoseok stated, hot on Namjoon's heels.

Jeongguk hesitated, turning to Taehyung. "I need you to stay. Incase we don't make it back, one of us needs to make it out of here."

Nodding, Taehyung pulled Jeongguk into a firm embrace. "No problem, you all will be back soon."

Releasing Taehyung, Jeongguk moved to Jimin. "I know I really messed up. I'm sorry." Genuine remorse took over his features as he cusped Jimin's cheek, continuing, "I didn't mean to put you in danger or ruin your trade. I was focused on getting my group safe. I'll be better. And if I can, I'll make it up to you."

Jimin was glad for the apology, an unexpected event that soothed his rage. Or maybe it was the direct contact Jeongguk made with him. He still had so many questions about Jeongguk and his mysterious culture. He grasped the amulet almost seeking an answer to how he should express his mess of confusion and questions. Ultimately, there was only one thing that seemed to matter in this moment.

"Be safe."

Bringing his forehead to meet Jimin's, he whispered an "Always." before breaking away and following Namjoon.

Jimin stood there watching him retreat, wondering if this would be the last time he'd see the oddly interesting man.

"Soooooo, you and Jeongguk, huh?" Taehyung asked, the two now alone in the storage bay. It shook Jimin out of his thoughts.

"I mean, maybe. I dunno." Jimin blushed, not prepared for the question, and was certainly confused by his own attraction.

Taehyung giggled at his reply. "Hey, no pressure! Obviously I can't recommend him enough, not that my word means much to you."

Jimin hummed in acknowledgment, not really sure what to say about it. Sure, there was a pull between them, but would it really lead to anything? Jimin was reserved and there was only so much time they would spend together before they hit Nuek - if he even made it back. A rumble shook the ship, signaling the shuttle dislodging from the Byul.

"Do you think they'll be successful?" Jimin questioned at realizing they had left.

"Oh, Jeongguk's got this. They likely have Yoongi imprisoned and the settlement is only so big. They'll be back in time for dinner." Taehyung's confidence released a bit of Jimin's worry. Certainly Taehyung, being at risk of losing everyone he knows, would be a better judge of their abilities.

"Dinner? What should we have? Leek stew?" Seokjin entered the bay, still wearing his ridiculous vacation wear, the white on his nose smudged. "Boy, that was some action, huh? They really had the heat on you, huh?"

"What, you watched me struggle?! You could of covered me with weaponizing the ship!" Jimin whined. Seokjin was always quick to watch a show, but hardly ever took part himself.

"That would have been boring." Seokjin commented plainly. "You seemed to be just fine," he turned headed up the catwalk to the Navigation room, "But catch me up once you're done tuning up the engine room, Captain's orders. I gotta reroute us to a trading post before we hit Nuek." 

Jimin grimaced, "Uhg, I never catch a break."

"Stop being so useful!" Seokjin cackled, smacking Jimin's back.

"If you're worried, it'll be a good distraction while we wait. Let me help!" Taehyung offered. Jimin liked that idea, have him chip rust.

"Follow me." Jimin jumped onto a ladder leading down a porthole.

The engine room was in the belly of the ship. Since they were in orbit, the engine was off, allowing maintenance to be completed. It was darker here, many large components casting shadows and taking up much of the space needed to get around, small pathways allowed for access to different areas. Jimin hopped off the final few feet of ladder and got straight work, pulling open one of the many toolboxes welded to the deck, showing meticulously organized parts and tools.

"Have you done this kind of work before?" He asked Taehung, pulling out a bucket of clean rags, another of soiled.

"Nope! But I'm a quick study. What do you have for me?"

"I'll just have you clean up some areas while I tune up some things, here." Jimin tossed a rag to Taehyung. "Use these, when it's soiled put them here," he motioned to the soiled bucket. "See this?" Jimin patted a large, dirty, component. "Wipe it like this," he laid the rag on it and applied pressure to wipe away the grease, "and stuff it in then twist into the holes. There's some buildup, use a brush if you must." Taehyung repeated exactly correct, to Jimin's surprise. 

"Okay, great, I'm gonna check and maybe drain some fluids, you just do that." Jimin busied himself with the hydraulic system in the back. 

After a fee moments Taehyung dropped his arms with a sigh. "You don't happen to have anything to cut this grease any easier, do you?" Taehyung complained, taking a break to rotate his shoulder.

"Nah, just elbow grease." Jimin laughed, loosing a bolt and draining hydraulic fluid into a pan. "What's wrong, not into manual labor?"

"I don't know if you could tell by my struggle to pull our cargo five feet, but no, I'm not." Taehyung joked, recalling when they had first met in their modest dirt mound of a home.

Jimin's brows furrowed with confusion, asking, "Then why offer to help me? Aren't you into stars? I'm sure Jin could've used your help with navigation if that's your wheelhouse."

"I wanted to spend time with you, is all. It's kind of fascinating. How did you convince Jeongguk to separate with that amulet?"

"What do you mean?" Jimin's hand covered the wolf around his neck. "He offered it to me."

"Is that so?" Taehyung hummed, tossing the greased up rag in a bin and collecting a brush to scrub into the holes of the component. "Of all his trinkets and heirlooms, he is most protective of that one."

"Really? Then why give it to me?"

"I don't know, you'll have to ask him." Taehyung shrugged. "So what's with leek stew for dinner? Just stock up and only collect leeks and water for the ride?"

Jimin laughed, Seokjin had only said that to get him worked up - leeks were on his 'no way in hell' list.

They worked like that for several hours, Jimin pointing out things for Taehyung to clean, Taehyung cleaning and keeping Jimin company while he worked. He admitted, it was nice. He normally worked alone, just him and the airship's most intimate working parts - setimes playing music or a podcast. Taehyung was so easy to talk to - Jimin found himself sharing how he came into engineering and mechanics - leaving Earth at eighteen commissioned as an officer in the intergalactic starforce. After four years he lost passion for it and went freelance, finding Namjoon by chance who was a military pilot and captained a fleet until he too lost passion. Their similar past and training created a beautiful relationship that worked well for them. As Jimin shared, Taehyung didn't push to learn more, but interacted enough to stay engaged. Before Jimin knew it, all his weekly taskings were complete, the room was sparkling, and the bucket full of greasy rags.

"I appreciate your help, Taehyung. You did well, too. I meet keep you around down here." Jimin laughed.

Taehyungs mouth pulled into the boxy grin Jimin was so envious of, "Of course! And please, Tae is fine."

Jimin smiled. Taehyung felt like a new best friend, their interactions were so effortless. Easy.

A sudden scratch on the intercom pulled their attention.

"I am sorry to interrupt your scheduled grueling work program, but I must inform you dinner is ready to be served! Please report to the mess deck immediately for Jinny's special mondu and rice! Quantities are limited, be sure to secure your plate early." Seokjin's voice cut from the announcement. 

"But their not back yet." Jimin began to panic, rushing to get up the ladder. "You said they'd be back. We can't eat yet."

"Ji- ah." Taehyung was left alone before he could get a word out. 

Eyes wide and out of breath, Jimin skid to a halt in the messdeck, which was really a small kitchen with a table in the center and a couple wobbly stools. Finding Seokjin plating food, he laid into him. " We can't eat, they aren't back yet!"

"Well, I'm the cook and I'm eating now." Seokjin stated tossing a dumpling in his mouth, enfuriating Jimin.

"No, no we can't" Jimin persisted, taking the vowl out of Seokjin's hands and fill placing it back on the counter.

"Hey, what the hell...?" Seokjin questioned, confusion written on his face, slowly munching his food unsure of how to react to Jimins out of character behavior. 

"Jimin, we will feed them when they get back - go ahead and eat now it's been a long day!" Taehyung entered the mess trying to sooth the frantic Jimin.

"We. Can't." Jimin grit his teeth, fighting the tears threatening to spill. "If we eat before they get here, it means they aren't coming back. You said, before dinner." Jimin was attached to the idea that if they ate before Jeongguks return, Jeongguk wouldn't return. And he was having difficulty coming to terms with it.

"I mean, it already dinnertime. So, like, you can't stop time?" Seokjin unhelpful supplied, grabbing for his bowl Jimin kept guarded and moved his body to completely block Jin from it.

Taehyung not only glared at Seokjin's, bit growled at his comment. "Jimin..." he pleaded, "No, sweetie. They have plenty of time to come back. It's only been," Taehyung checks the communicator on his wrist, "six hours." Jimin's shoulders slumped at the revelation. " Give them some time, it's a delicate situation. I'm sure Jeongguk is just being cautious."

Jimin sniffles. Of course, it had only been a few hours. Why was he so worked up? Eating made no difference on what happened down on the ground. Rather, it was a sign. 

"I'm sorry," he moved away from the food - Seokjin immediately snaching his bowl and shoveling a dumpling into his mouth, body crouching around his food protectively. Jimin went to wipe his nose "I don't know what's wrong with me, or why I care so much."

Pulling Jimin into an embrace, Taehyung rubbed his back. "I think I do. Take a seat. You've worked hard today."

Taehyung led Jimin to the table, holding his hands as he sat next to him. Seokjin scooped seconds onto his plate and took a seat across from them.

 "So, I think... Oh boy." Taehyung started, but quickly looked lost.

"What is it?" Jimin asked, watery eyes still on the verge of tears. Seokjin's slurps interrupting the moment allowed them to dry quickly.

"Well, you know how I'm a starreader?" Taehyung asked, fidgeting with his hands.

"Like, navigation?" Seokjin asked, finally slowing down on his inhalation of food.

"Well, yes. Kind of. See, I am familiar with the mapping of the stars, but, culturally, for us, I'm something of a...how do I say this?" He searched for the words, "Mystic? I'm sensitive to certain energies - I read them. And navigate their meaning."

"Okay..." Jimin was skeptical, but allowed for Taehyung to continue.

"Our culture has a, superstitions, so-to-speak, known as imprinting. The attraction you two feel - I believe your energies are matched, and, on a very molecular level, you two just... 'fit'."

Jimin sat, processing. While it sounded insane, he did feel an odd connection he couldn't explain.

"I believe after making this connection, you are having difficulty handing the separation of what your body now feels is part of you." Taehyung finished, rubbing Jimins shoulder for comfort.

"Oh snap, that's wild! Good for you Jiminie! That sounds like a soulmate to me!" Seokjin scooted his chair out and proceeded to wash dishes in the sink.

Struggling to come to terms with this explanation, Jimin stared at the table wrapping his head around the idea. It was, indeed, silly superstition. "Wha...what are you saying? It's not like that."

Suddenly, the ship shifted as the shuttle clunked into place on the ship.

"They're back."

Chapter Text

"They're back." No sooner were the words uttered out Jimin's mouth, than he was tearing out of the galley into the passageway, gripping the door jam to help him pivot before breaking into a sprint.

He didn't get far. As soon as he got up to speed, he noticed too late the legs that were hanging from the porthole above. Soon, the whole body of Namjoon blocked his path, having dropped from the bridge. The Captain grunted, wind knocked out of him, but still on his feet thanks to his one hand gripping a pipe on the bulkhead. Jimin ate deck, chin scraping the rough, gripping, texture of it. Rising quickly to his feet, he threw a look of accusation Namjoon's way.

"Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"I didn't know I reported to you." Namjoon said, a little taken aback. "I was busy navigating them back." Jimin said nothing, receding down the passageway, stopping directly infront of the shuttle access doors. "You got to eat dinner before your Captain - you should be thankful!" He hollered down at him, Seokjin sauntering in.

"I put my blood, sweat, and tears into those dumplings and you can't even be bothered to come grab a bite." Seokjin motioned to the galley behind him.

Namjoon just shrugged, unbothered by Seokjin's exclaimation, refocusing his attention back to Jimin.

Seokjin followed his gaze, sensing the Captain's worry. "What's got into him, huh?"

"Not sure, it's weird for him to be so..." Namjoon struggled for an appropriate description.

"Strange?" Seokjin finished.

"Yeah, I guess." Namjoon initiated the walk to the shuttle dock. Seokjin fell into step, leaning in as the Captain continued in a hushed voice. "You think they are holding anything over him? Like blackmail?" Namjoon wanted to know so he could intervene and protect Jimin.

"Something over Jimin?" Seokjin questioned skeptically. "Like what? A new engine part?" He couldn't help but throw in some sarcasm. Shaking his head, he took a more serious tone. "No. But he certainly cares an awful lot."

"I need to know why."

"The one in the group that stayed back, Taehyung, was sharing some culteral beleifs. Something about imprinting - sounded like soulmate type stuff."

"That's rediculous. Just help me keep an eye on him while they are on the ship." Namjoon ended the conversation with his commanding, authoritive, tone. He leaned on the bulkhead, now waiting for the group on the shuttle to embark the Byul.

"Right, yes Captain." Seokjin's heart dropping the tiniest bit at the Captain's lack of appreciation for whimsical romance. Seokjin loved big, corny, expressions of love. He also loved the idea of soulmates and imprinting - it sounded fantastical to come together in this infinite universe and be happy. He wasn't kidding when he congratulated Jimin on finding his one - he hoped it was true. Everyone deserved a perfect, beautiful, love.

Reaching the shuttle docking hatch, the pair found Jimin anxiously hopping from one foot to another, waiting for the seal to pressurize. Once the light above the hatch door turned from red to green, he pulled the lever releasing the seal and opening it.

"Jeongguk!" Jimin leapt forward, throwing his arms around the man's neck. Jeongguk caught him and continued forward carrying him, pace unaffected by the glomping. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Where's your friend? Is he okay? Did you all make it back? Where's Hoseok?" He fired questions in rapid succession, briefly moving away only to check for injury. When satisfied there was nothing evident - despite the suspicious amount of blood - pulled into him again.

"Well, hello to you, too." Jeongguk chuckled down at anxious eyes. "Just a few scrapes, but we gotta get Yoongi some help." Thats when Jimin noticed Hoseok helping a shorter, limping, man , presumably Yoongi, onto the ship. Obviously weak and ragged, the man's pants were torn on his thigh where the largest bloodstain was. Lifting his silver head to take in his new surroundings Jimin was appalled at the state of his face - beaten black and blue, a gash from his forehead down to his cheek, splitting his eyebrow. They eye swollen shut. No telling the state it was in from a glance.

Newly arrived and seeing the state of Yoongi, Taehyung rushed to support his unattended side.

"How bad is it, what's the damage?"

"Knife wound to the thigh, missed the artery, pretty sure his nose is broken, rest of his face beat up - high risk of concussion so gotta keep him awake. Other then that just some broken ribs and a few minor cuts and bruises. I patched him up best i could. Everything needs to be cleaned again and rewrapped, though." Hoseok shared, adjusting his grip now the balance was different.

Taehyung nodded and turned to face Yoongi, "So just another Tuesday for you, huh hyung?"

"Fucker." Yoongi grunted, smile barely noticeable on his swollen and split lips. Taehyung laid in with some more banter, keeping Yoongi engaged.

"Could we bother you for use of the med bay? And supplies?" Hoseok questioned the Captain.

"Head down to the storage bay - we'll take you down there clean him up." Namjoon called back, already to the end of the passageway, Seokjin already gone to prep the room after he heard the injuries. They shuffled after the Captain.

"What happened to him?" Jimin asked, still holding Jeongguk close, attention now averted back to him. He was covered in sweat, grime, dirt, and blood from the rescue mission. Oddly enough, Jimin didn't mind. He found the manly musk alluring, pulling his face closer to Jeongguk's chest, taking a strong whiff. It calmed his nerves, either the smell or the presence of Jeongguk - he wasn't sure. He just felt comforted. Resting his cheek against the hard chest and closing his eyes, he only now noticed Jeongguk was rubbing comforting circled into his back and shoulders. Jimin's breath hitched when Jeongguk kneaded the tense muscles in his neck, slowly leaning into it. A finger lifted his chin, blood dripping down onto it. 

"What happened to you?" 

"I, uh, fell." He sheepishly admitted, swallowing nervously. Jimin usually loved attention, even if he didn't lean into it. But right now the heated look from Jeongguk's undivided attention was making him uncomfortable; bothered.

Jeongguk hummed, "How did you manage that?" before licking his finger clean of the bloodtrail.

"On my way here, just now." Jimin slowly answered, practically hypnotized by the mouth that just casually lapped up his blood. Jeongguk seemed to almost savor it, tongue rolling around in his mouth before decidedly dipping his face into the crook of Jimin's neck, breathing deeply.

"Is it because you missed me?" Jeongguk sighed out against the skin on Jimin's neck, lips hovering dangerously close.

Jimin stammered, mind struggling to string together a coherent response. Yes, he missed him. He wasn't sure why, though. Or of the strong sense of attachment he felt for someone he just met today. Or, worst of all, how okay he was with it. Logically, rationally, his brain knew this was weird. But, God, did his body love the man's manipulation of it, the comfort of his intimacy.

Moving slowly up the side of Jimin's neck, Jeongguk blew lightly - making sure it was felt. Jimin stifled a moan, trying ever so elegantly not to lose his shit as the mouth approached his own, inching down his jawline. He slammed his eyes shut, unable to take what he felt was coming. He heard the subtle, but indecent, wet sounds Jeongguk's mouth made as he prepared for his move. Cool wetness coated Jimin's chin, roughly dragging up and away before coating him again, steadily lapping up the blood from his wound.

If it wasnt for the arms embracimg him, Jimin was sure he would collapse. Not sure if he was shaking from arousal, excitement, disgust, or fear, Jimin looked down at Jeongguk in disbelief. Giving one last lick, Jeongguk purposefully laid it on thick, slightly catching Jimin's plump bottom lip before pulling away.

He must of realized this behavior wasn't entirely normal, quickly covering for his actions. "Just trying to clean you up. It's cultural. What did you think I was doing?" The arrogant smirk was somehow endearing. Not the cocky one Jimin was so use to receiving, like he was a prize easily won. This smirk communicated that only Jeongguk could get this reaction out of Jimin - and he wasn't necessarily wrong.

"Why am I losing my mind?" Jimin wanted more than anything to pull away and hide in his room in shame. Jimin always follows his gut feelings and reactions in the moment, not use to filtering much these days. Today's episode of 'Jimin's Emotional Wreckage' featured a tantrum in the mess decks followed by throwing himself into an essential stranger's arms, infront of his crewmates, no less, then sniffing him, and allowing said stranger to lick his wounds. It was a cringeworthy horror. "This must be witchcraft." He concluded outloud.

A laugh. "No, not that. It just must be my affect on people. Can't hide this charm." The way Jeongguk's eyes crinkled in joy and bunny teeth poked out made him almost too adorable to be upset with. Almost. Jimin shoved him, pushing away from his hold, the moment now over. Jeongguk grasped his chest in feigned pain.

"Jerk." Jimin stormed off. Whatever spell Jeongguk had on him was temporarily broken, so he took the chance to create some distance. He was back, he was safe, emotions were wrangled, time to pull himself together.

Jimin had passed the galley, coming out of the first level's passageway to the open storage bay. There was a main platform that opened up to two catwalks, each going down one side of the storage bay, gradually lowering to it's main deck. The storage bay kind of worked like a common area, as it was the largest area on the ship, able to store ample supplies, and was situated completely aft of the ship. The surrounding reinforced bulkhead was all that seperated the crew from cold, unforgiving, space. All passage points from two levels and one other deck connected to it. The second deck below, flaring out with the berthing cabins forward, also held the main engine directly below the storage bay. There were two smaller thrusters on Byul's wingtips, used minamally for direction. No internal access to those.

First level was above the berthing access held the galley directly across from Captain's quarters - which had direct access to the bridge centered above. The bridge also had direct access to the storage bay, the passageway opening to two ladderwells dropping to the main platform on the level below with the extending catwalks, of which Jimin was currently headed down, approaching the med bay forward port of the berthing access. Starboard side was their weapon storage, complete with a gatling gun affixed to a rover.

The room had a transparent wall to easily assess triage, if needed. Namjoon saw him approaching and, grabbing some bandages, rushed out to catch Jimin at the threshhold.

"Oh, I guess it wasn't that bad." Namjoon returned the supplies to the cart.

"What?" Jimin was a bit dumbfounded. He passively took in the calm scene the med bay offered. Hoseok carded through Yoongi's hair while tenderly applying a cold compress to his swollen face, leaning in to listen intently to whatever Yoongi was telling him from his place on the treatment table. Jin and Teahyung were working on mending the gruesome thigh gash. He really didn't seem to mind the pain.

"Your face." Namjoon gestured at his own, pulling Jimin's attention back, "I thought it was fucked up before, from the fall. But it looks okay." Jimin touched his chin, not noticing pain, blood, unevenness - anything. Where did go? Why were things so weird?

Namjoon saw the fatigue in Jimin's features. "Go get some rest. I'll take us out of orbit."  Jimin was tired. It was an eventful and long day. While Jimin was one to argue, now did not warrant it. Nodding, he shuffled to the berthing, forward and center of the storage bay.

It was a long passageway with three porthole hatches on each side of it. The guest cabins were the first four closest to the entrance. Crew did not want guests crossing their private spaces often. He and Jin occupied the furthest set, across the passage from each other.

Jimin pulled open the hatch with a fraction of the enthusiasm he had earlier for the shuttle hatch. Dropping down, Jimin instantly felt relieved to be in his own space. Their was an air about it; an aura. It wasn't spacious - nowhere near the size of the Captain's quarters. But it was his. Various nick-nacks he had collected from his journies were scattered about. His favorite was simply a jar of dirt. From earth. Specifically, his mother's garden. He sighed, taking in her picture set on the shelving above his bed.

Ah, his bed.

He looked longingly to his little twin bed with dark blue bedding. It looked so inviting. Jimim groaned. He was so, so, filthy.

Stripping and jumping into his ionic shower, he worked at cleansing himself. While it did technically clean him, Jimin always wiped down with a sponge bath. He utilized half his private storage to have enough water to do so. It might of been psychological, or the need for physical exfoliation, but it made him feel better.

He was quite fussy with his grooming routine. After the shower he applied several serums and lotions to his body. The ship's circulated air did a number on his skin, making it itchy if not treated just as he liked it. While applying his products, he inspected his chin in the small shaving mirror at his sink. His skin was pink, but otherwise normal. It looked like he scraped it weeks ago.

Some things are better left to ponder with a rested mind.

Pulling on an oversized T-shirt and shorts, Jimin stretched out on his bed, peering down at the open porthole on the wall across from him. At some point while he was preparing for bed, the ship had rumbled to life and was pulled out of orbit. Samak was no longer visible against the all consuming blackness of space. No longer an issue with Jimin's life. He'd be damned before returning there. Glancing around he ensured there weren't any prized possessions from that hellish planet. No, nothing.

Just his amulet. A strange yet comfortimg gift. Stroking it gingerly, he drifted to sleep.

Jimin woke suddenly. He wasn't sure why, but felt a warmth on hist chest. The amulet. Swallowing, he tried to rationalize it was only warm from his own body heat. Rolling over to the wall, Jimin cuddled into his comforter and attempted round two for the night.

A growl.

Jimin's eyes snapped open. Fear had him immobilized. What on this ship could growl? Various space monsters he had encountered, or even just heard about and imagined, flashed through his mind. Teeth, claws, tentacles, slime. Some spiked desert worm from Samak. Of course something awful hitched a ride.

Scraping. Mattress sinking. If he was going to survive, he had precious little time to do so. Flinging his comforter to trap the creature, Jimin reached for his revolver and switched on the light, simultaneously, before the comforter hit the deck. When it did, there was nothing captured underneath it.

Jimin was alone.

Chapter Text

“I’m telling you, there is something else on this ship!” Jimin pleaded with Seokjin to believe him. They were in the Medbay, getting a health check as per Captain's request. A full scan of the ship was done, the only beings on the ship were the passengers accounted for. No stow aways, Captain Namjoon assured Jimin. It wasn’t enough to convince him. The creature, whatever it was, disappeared into thin air. Certainly, it had the ability to fool the scans. Space was a big place – anything was possible.

“I’m sure it felt real.” Came Seokjin's gentle reply, hooking up various nodes to Jimin's body. “You had a hard day yesterday, hardly any sleep – we just want to make sure your health isn’t at risk.”

“We’ve gotta do a physical sweep – we need to find it!” Jimin continued to plead. He was cooperative with the process of being checked out, allowing Seokjin to go through the med check without resistance. He wasn’t one to question science. But it wasn’t just in his head, was it? He felt the impression on his bed as he grabbed the cold steel of his revolver. Awake enough to defend himself and imagine a threat? He doubted it, sincerely.

“Lay back and let the machine analyze. I’ll check with Captain and see if he’ll authorize a sweep. If that makes you feel better.” Seokjin offered, gently pushing Jimin back into a clear capsule. It wasn’t the newest medical device, a few dings and white cushioned bedding was certainly an off white now, some stuffing peeking out here and there. But it did its job.

“It does.” Jimin confirmed, laying back. He could trust Seokjin to keep his word. Jimin wasn’t usually like this. He’s had hard days before, but hardly ever came close to imagining things. Unless the ripe age of 27 was getting to him.

The capsule opening slid shut and Seokjin called the Captain on the intercom, making Jimin’s request. After a bit, Seokjin nodded to Jimin, pulling out his laser pistol, gesturing with it he was going to search the ship. This relieved Jimin. He shut his eyes, listing to the whirring of the machine conducting its diagnostics on him. After a few minutes, the machine completed its tests and the opening slid open. Jimin sat up, pulling the nodes from his chest and yawning – it was peaceful in the pod. The whirring put him in a meditative state. Groaning, he stretched his arms. Dropping them, he realized he had nothing left to do but wait for Seokjin to review the med scans and clear him.

It was lonely, Jimin now realized, without the humming of the diagnostic machine. There was a distant whirring of the ship’s engine, working in tip top shape, with no one to thank but himself. The steel pipes that pushed water, hydraulic fluid, and various wastes throughout the ship, clinked and clanked. Some clinks near, other clanks far.

His attention was pulled to the dark, and empty, storage bay. He hoped for Seokjin to come down the ramp after reporting what he found to the Captain. A strange creature picked up from god-knows-where, to be sure. Jimin shivered. Either from being so exposed to the cool temperature the ship was kept at, or the images of strange, putty like creatures that could escape through vents and not emit any life signals other than the bubbling mass moving about, looking for a victim to engulf and digest with its oozing acids.

So comforting to think about when alone.

Jimin smacked his face a few times to bring his mind to the now, and quit thinking about the what ifs.

Grunting at the sting of the slaps, he pulled the sticky nodes from his body. Satisfied, he pushed himself up to gather his clothes 'oh so conveniently' left on a counter across the bay.

Catching a glance outside the clear barrier of the Medbay, something made him freeze his motions. Something dark, moving, and definitely not there before.

It was approaching the Medbay – approaching Jimin. His heart pounded. The creature! It was still after him! Of course it would wait for him to be alone to strike again. Why, oh why, did he beg Seokjin to leave him!

There, staring back at him, was a large, black, wolf.

Well. As far as beasts went, it was fairly normal. Out of place in the middle of space, and odd it wasn’t picked up in the scans. Either way. Jimin didn’t hesitate to scramble out of the capsule. Revolver, he needed to get to his revolver. It was, unhelpfully, across the room along with the rest of his clothes.

Before he could take two steps, the wolf had casually trotted through the Medbay doors when they automatically slide open, separating Jimin from his weapon. It paused there, staring at him.

Shit.

So much for having a fighting chance. Don’t get him wrong, Jimin could rumble with the best of them. But a big ass wolf? No, not a chance he’d take. The capsule was his only safety. Slowly, so as not instigate an attack from the wolf, Jimin stepped back to the capsule. He was able to jump back into it without alarming the wolf. Lowering back into the capsule, he quickly pressed the hydraulic release, shutting the capsule. He let out a breath he’d been holding. At least he bought some time for someone to help him. And, at least he wasn’t crazy.

It’s the small wins.

The wolf approached the capsule, slowly. With each agonizingly slow step, the amulet around his neck  increased in warmth. Sure. No gun, no shirt, but he kept the amulet on him. Worst case scenario, he could chuck it at the Wolfie’s face.

When the wolf reached the capsule, it jumped up and leaned its front paws onto it. The amulet was on fire, Jimin clutched it to keep it from burning his chest – but also to help calm him. It didn’t work. He was scared as shit. Would the capsule withstand a wolf attack? The fucker was huge!

The wolf just stared at Jimin before bringing its great head down and licked the capsule, whining. Jimin shuddered. In fear, he was sure. What else could it be? Slamming his eyes shut he hoped for safety before he heard the hydraulic slide open. He was exposed. He was going to die.

Not without a fight. Jimin steeled his nerves, clenching his fists in preparation to swing.

“Hey.” A velvety smooth voice called to him. Not what he was expecting, Jimin's eyes popped open in surprise. “You okay?”

It was Jeongguk. He was suddenly very embarrassed at being half naked in front of him. However, the fear of the wolf was still forefront.

“Uhm. Yeah, I think so.” Jimin replied, sitting up. Where did the creature go? Did he dream it? Was Seokjin right? Was he just having vivid dreams from the stress?

“Then why are you in here?” Jeongguk asked, concerned, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind Jimin’s ear. He looked a bit unkempt, hair messy and clothes wrinkled. He looked as if he just rolled out of bed. Why was he here?

“Just routine checks, no big deal.” Jimin did not want Jeongguk questioning his sanity, too. More so from embarrassment than anything else.

“Well, are you done? Everything okay?” Jeongguk offered a hand to help Jimin from the capsule.

Jimin took it without thinking, feeling the amulet warm again. What was with that thing? Jeongguk hauled him up and out of the capsule like Jimin was no more than a bag of flour.

 He jumped up out of the capsule and padded to his things sitting on the counter. Releasing Jeongguk he threw on a shirt and slung his gunbelt around his waist, fastening it snugly.

“What’s that for?” Jeongguk referred to the gunbelt.

“Protection.” Was Jimin’s simple explanation, content with the placement and placed his hips, as if to challenge Jeongguk to pry further.

Jeongguk closed the gap between them, wrapping his arm around Jimin ‘s waist. “I’ll protect you.”

“What are you and your pink bunny slippers gonna do?” Jimin teased, sweetly, of course, pushing away from Jeongguk, taking a defensive posture with crossed arms.

Jeongguk shrugged. “Not trying to brag or anything, but I’m pretty decent in hand-to-hand combat.” matching Jimin's pose, crossing his arms.

”That so? Sure you’re not blowing smoke?” Jimin countered.

Jeongguk smirked, “Straight up your ass, if you’d like.”

Shocked at the vulgarity, Jimin guffawed before hanging his mouth open in disbelief Jeongguk just said that. He brought his ass into conversation. Was it in a mean, bullying way, or a cute, teasing way? Jimin collected his thoughts and decided this wasn’t the conversation for him, it was too raunchy for him to stay composed. Snatching his jaw closed, he changed the subject.

“Why are you even up? The whole ship is sleeping.”

“Couldn’t sleep, something felt off. Took a walk to ease the anxiety.” Jeongguk answered easily, allowing Jimin to drop the prior topic of ass blowing.

Jimin supposed he was probably telling the truth – something was certainly off. Maybe his in-tune-with-nature heritage clued him in on whatever Jimin was experiencing.

The intercom to the Medbay buzzed with Seokjin’s sweet angelic tone caming through, cutting off their conversation. “Jiminie, are the tests done?”

Jimin held the button next to the speaker to talk. “Yes, Hyung. All wrapped up here. You find anything?”

“No, nothing. I know it doesn’t help. Sorry. I’ll be down shortly so wait for me!”

“What were they looking for?” Jeongguk asked as Jimin’s finger dropped from the button.

“I’m sure it’s none of your business.” Jimin deflected.

“I told you I felt something was off, are we in danger? Can I help?” Jeongguk began worrying his hands. Jimin wanted to share, wanted support, but that’s what Seokjin and Namjoon were for. Trusted friends who wouldn’t judge him for having a few bouts of crazy. A new acquaintance, even one with a startling amount of chemistry, didn’t need to know these things.

Before Jimin could deny or decline to share, Seokjin stormed in. He gave Jeongguk a once over, worry plain on his face.

“Oh Jeongguk, you’re up early. Did something happen, do you need medical attention?” Seokjin pulled his round reading glasses out of his blouse pocket and rested them on his nose, adjusting them slightly before grabbing a tablet and making a few selections – pulling up Jimin’s information.

“Ah, no. Thank you. I’m just walking off some energy.” Jeongguk claimed.

“If you need help sleeping, help yourself to some herbal tea in the galley. Chamomile.” Seokjin offered.

“Yes, I’ll do that. You’re too kind.” Jeongguk head dipped in a casual bow of respect. “Can I offer to prepare some for you both?” he asked.

“I’d like that.” Jimin needed something to take the edge off.

“I’m alright, I’m ready to climb back into my bed once I review these results with Jimin. Go on.” Seokjin nodded to the door to get Jeongguk out. “Patient privacy, and all.”

Jeongguk bowed deeply to Jimin before he left, “I’ll have a steaming cup waiting for you, Jimin-ssi.”

Jimin blushed a bit, glad Jeongguk was already turned and out the door so he wouldn’t catch it.

Seokjin hummed as he reviewed the diagnostic results. “Cortisol levels are pretty high, so I can only deduce its stress related. It’s common to cross the line between reality and imagination when stressed and sleep deprived.” Why would stress make him imagine a wolf on the ship coming after him? Mulling it over, he realized he was gripping the amulet. Of course. It was a wolf. That’s why it was on his mind.

Jimin brought his attention back to Seokjin, who lowered the tablet to focus on his friend. “Doctor’s orders? Relax. Get some tea. Get some sleep. Call me in the morning.” Seokjin finished, removing his glasses and haphazardly flipping the tablet on the counter.

“Aish, don’t break it!” Jimin exclaimed. If they had to buy new medical equipment, it would come out of the ship maintenance funds, not Seokjin’s pay.

Seokjin scoffed, “Off course I won’t. Who do you think I am, the Captain?”

Jimin giggled at the obvious poke at Namjoon. Their mighty leader was a walking disaster, always having a bit of trouble keeping himself from breaking everything within reach. Jimin did not allow him into the engine room ever.

“Thank you, Jinnie.” Jimin reached around his friend for a hug, which was reciprocated with flourish. “You’re always taking such good care of me.”

“What are big brothers for?” Seokjin replied, giving Jimin a final squeeze before pulling away. “Now I’m gonna go knock the fuck out so I can make you a nutritious breakfast in a few hours.”

“See you then, Hyung.”

~

Jimin hung outside the galley entrance, building the courage to enter and face Jeongguk.

“Your tea is getting cold.” Came that sweet, velvety voice that made Jimin’s knees weak and heart melt like butter.

Giving himself a brief dusting, he turned into the doorway. Waiting for him was Jeongguk, as expected. What was unexpected was the pleasurable shiver up his spine at seeing him. Jeongguk was lounging in at the table, seat pulled away and turned toward the door. His arm holding the tea to his face was slung over the back of the chair. Across the table was full cup of tea.

“Join me.” Jeongguk requested, voice low. Jimin found it seductive, pulling him forward. Realizing his body was already moving, he quickened his pace to reach the spot across from Jeongguk.

“Thanks.” Jimin said, taking a seat and cupping the tea for warmth.

“It’s my pleasure. Anything else I can do to help?” Jeongguk offered, sincere doe eyes pulling Jimin in.

Jimin shook his bangs into his eyes to hide from Jeongguk’s gaze. “Ah, no. I just need to get some rest.” He tentatively took a sip of the tea. His body relaxed. He hadn’t realized he was so tense. Peeking up, Jeongguk was smirking.

"What’s so funny?” Jimin challenged. Was there something on his face? Or somehow making himself a fool?

“You’re just adorable. I love it.”

So much for keeping his composure. Jimin was very unsure how Jeongguk had this power to affect him so. There hadn’t been a person to pull so much of his attention…and attraction. It was insane how the simplest of words, looks, and actions turned Jimin to putty. Witchcraft.

“I noticed you’re still wearing the amulet I gave you. Do you like it?” Jeongguk asked in the sweetest of tones, clearly wanting some sort of validation. Jimin wasn’t one to play it easy. Stubborn as he was, he denied it.

“Oh, this.” Jimin fished it out from the neckline of his shirt to pretend he needed to refamiliarize himself with it. “I forgot about it, actually.” He fibbed, dropping it in an uncaring manner. He was near constantly aware of its weight around his neck.

“Is that so?” Jeongguk’s eye held a knowing glint. Could he really see through Jimin so easily? “Sure you haven’t got the least bit attached?”

Yes. “No.” he fibbed again, drawing another sip of tea. It was becoming rather cool. “Plan on selling it once we get to Nuek.” he fibbed. Jeongguk would part ways with them then, anyhow. How would he know the difference?

“Sure.” Jeongguk sipped his tea, glint never leaving his eyes.

Jimin had enough. Chugging the last bit of tea, he got up to wash the cup in the sink behind him. “Thank you for the tea, I should be heading to bed now.” Jimin proclaimed while scrubbing his cup.

Jeongguk sat his cup in the sink. “I’ll take care of it.” He stated, wrapping his arms around Jimin in a back hug. “You go get some rest, Jimin-ssi.”

Jimin was frozen on the spot, sponge in cup. For a moment, time stood still. Good Lord, it felt good encased in Jeongguk’s embrace.

Jeongguk turned off the faucet Jimin had running, pecking the back of his head. Jimin leaned back into it, allowing Jeongguk to lightly run his hands over his tummy and land on his hips. Nudging through Jimin’s hair, Jeongguk lowered himself to the back of Jimin’s ear, placing another light kiss. Without processing a thought, Jimin tilted his head, allowing Jeongguk access to his slender neck. Jeongguk’s teeth grazed it briefly before eager lips followed onto the soft flesh offered to him. It sent jolts straight to Jimin’s core.

“Unless you need an escort?” Jeongguk offered. Licking until he found a spot that made Jimin physically shiver, he nibbled it gently while waiting for a reply.

While it did take a moment, as Jimin was enraptured in bliss, the question woke Jimin from his daze. If the straining fabric of his pants were any indication, he absolutely did want Jeongguk in his bed. Fuck. In all his travels, and all the people he met, none had made him this weak for dick. He had to get ahold of himself. Turning in Jeongguk’s embrace, Jimin gave himself some space by slightly pushing against Jeongguk’s chest. It was chiseled and supple – maybe his hands lingered a tad too long considering he was stopping the advances.

“No, I’ll be okay. Thank you.” Jimin rejected, keeping his eyes locked on Jeongguk’s chest. Not only was it raptly consuming his attention, but Jimin could not meet Jeongguk’s gaze without allowing things to progress. His mind was out of whack. How could he be sure things were happening between them in a way non-stressed Jimin would appreciate.

Without waiting for a reply, Jimin took to his room. He didn’t need Jeongguk to try and convince him otherwise.

He wouldn’t stand a chance against it.

Chapter Text

The morning came quick.

In space there was no ‘morning’ really. They had eighteen-hour days during intergalactic travel without a rotating planet dictating the day with time exposed to the sun. Every habitual planet had their own sense of day, anyhow. With eighteeen hour days they could break their ‘days’ into three six-hour shifts. Six hours working, six hours for private time, six hours sleeping.

The schedule hardly ever followed this routine, but it was a baseline of expectations.

Every ship had its own routine. This schedule was military standard. Byul’s crew was used to it and adopted it as their own even after years separated from service.

Old habits die hard.

This morning was different from others. Usually, Jimin would get up when his natural clock was ready, go to work for a few hours before wandering to the mess area and scavenging leftovers Seokjin had left for him. Soup, fish, kimchi, etc.

This morning a loud, alarming noise woke him up. Scrambling up on all fours, Jimin took in his surroundings to find Seokjin’s head poking down the hatch to his room, pot and spoon in hand – source of the commotion.

“I made pancakes, Jiminie. Not just normal ones, either. The jiggly kind…” Seokjin said, wiggling his brows before pulling up and out of Jimin’s room – confident that was enough information to rouse his friend for the day.

Seokjin’s confidence was well placed, Jimin was quick to get up. He loved sweets, and never really indulged – their supply hardly allowed them to. To what occasion did he owe the allowance of splurging resources? Namjoon was usually very strict – stretching every nickel to support the ship. While they ate well, unnecessary foods lacking nutrition were hardly ever approved.

This was out of the ordinary.

Jimin hopped out of bed, feeling much better than he had the previous day. Perhaps everyone was right – he just needed some rest. He scrambled about his room, freshening up for the day. While he was sure to get greasy working on the ship’s mechanics, he was ritualistic with his hygiene routine. Call it vanity, but he felt off if every step wasn’t followed. If multiple steps were missed, he felt gross. It would happen from time to time, long stretches without a proper trade post made certain personal care products hard to come by.

Luckily, he was fully stocked. The day was looking bright for Jimin.

Inspecting his face, the scratch on his chin was all but gone. Jimin’s face was also glowing. From the cosmetics or a good sleep, he wasn’t sure.

But he was glad he was better. Things were a bit weird for him for a while there.

He climbed the ladder through the hatch Seokjin kindly left open. There was a bounce in his step after hopping over the hatch and consequently he skipped to the galley.

His spirits were high.

The commotion from the room slowed Jimin’s strides. It sounded like everyone was up. He was a bit self-conscious of his behavior the previous day. He felt exposed. Like he bared a crazy inner self for the world to see.

But damn, those pancakes smelled divine.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the room with confidence. Even if feigned. He was a natural at it.

The jovial mood was infectious. A wide smile plastered on Jimin’s face. Everything about it seemed so domestic. Far from the sometimes distant and cold interactions the Captain, Seokjin and he had. Not that they weren’t warm to each other. Just rarely came together like this.

Seokjin was giggling, flipping pancakes on the griddle. He was caught in conversation between Namjoon and Hoseok, who had finished eating and were turned from the table to face Seokjin, coffee mugs in hand.

Taehyung and Yoongi were quietly conversing between bites of food.

Jeongguk sat, arms crossed, two plates of food in front of him untouched. He was smiling at Seokjin’s wild antics over the stove – tossing a pancake out of the pan to flip it. Quickly, his attention was pulled to Jimin. He gestured to the seat next to him, moving the plate over to it.

Then he spoke with the most soothing command Jimin’s ever heard.

“Come, before it gets cold.”

Jimin didn’t hesitate. He wasn’t sure if it was at the behest of Jeongguk or his own stomach.

“Eat up Jiminie, I got more coming!” Seokjin joyfully sang as Jimin passed him to take his seat.

“Coffee? Juice?” Namjoon asked once he was seated.

Jimin was caught off guard, not expecting the captain of all people willing to serve him. “Uh, juice?”

“Don’t look at me like that, I help sometimes.” Namjoon commented with a chuckle, placing Jimin’s juice on the table.

“No, of course you do, Captain.” Jimin was quick to cover. “I’m just confused? What’s with all this?” he gestured to the food on the table.

“Welcoming our new guests, of course.” Namjoon replied.

“Are you feeling better, still tired?” Jeongguk asked, worry tracing his words.

“Ah, I actually feel refreshed today.” He answered, brushing his bangs back off his forehead before grabbing the back of his neck to knead it. “A little stiff, though.”

“I can help you loosen up.” Hoseok offered, locking together his hands and stretching his palms away from himself in preparation to work them.

“Nah, it’s alright.” Jimin declined the offer, stretching his arm across his chest before swinging the other up to stretch. He sighed in relief dropping them. Jeongguk shook his plate, pancakes jiggling.

“Eat.” He stated, taking a sip of his coffee.

Jimin planned on it, he didn’t need to be told. But for some reason he didn’t feel the need to argue. Just simply began digging into his food.

“Hyung, these are so good!” Jimin complemented Seokjin, mouth full of fluff.

“There’s more where that came from, eat up!” Seokjin giggled, turning off the stove and plating the last jiggly cake on a stack of others – a tower of jiggle that was placed in the center of the table for everyone to dig into. Which they quickly did.

“Mmm…carbs.” Taehyung stated, rubbing his full belly.

“Definitely didn’t eat food like this in that dusty rock, Samak.” Hoseok commented, taking his last bite and grabbing another pancake for his plate.

“Let’s have a good dinner tonight, then, too.” Namjoon directed his attention to Seokjin. “Break out the good stuff. We’ll hit the trading post soon enough to restock.”

“And then Nuek?” Jeongguk asked. Namjoon nodded in affirmation. “How long?”

“We’ll be at the post about a day to get some affairs in order then from there a week to Nuek.”

Jeongguk nodded in understanding. “Does Nuek work for us?” he asked Taehyung.

“Yes, but…” Taehyung stammered, eyes flashing to Jimin and back to Jeongguk. “We’ll know more when we get there.”

“Have you been there before? Nuek?” Jimin jumped into the conversation, feeling pulled by Taehyungs brief glance. Why would they need to get there to know if they should stay there?

Jeongguk shook his head. “No. Seems like a decent place, though.”

Jimin hummed. “It is. Their cities are built into giant trees – it’s gorgeous.”

“Is that so?” Jeongguk encouraged Jimin to continue.

“Mm-hm. They have these fancy aqueducts to reach them and there’s a lot of other vegetation growing on the trees. And the roads are branches – there’s so many I sometimes get a bit lost.”

“Oh? So Nuek is a rich and fertile planet?”

“Why else would we visit? We got some trading to do.” Namjoon stood up, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “Time for work. Jiminie, get me a list of parts we’ll need replacing soon.”

“Aye, Captain.” Jimin casually saluted the retreating Namjoon. He turned his attention back to Jeongguk. “Time to get the cleaning crew together.”

*

Jimin was scribbling away, checking a few gauges, and recording their levels. Testing some of the equipment warmed up the room so he had pulled off the top of his coveralls, tying the sleeves around his waist, although he had sweat through his white tank already.

One gauge didn’t show an acceptable pressure level, so he went to work at figuring out what was wrong with the unit it reflected. It was a simple collection of parts, so Jimin gave it a smack with his wrench and checked the pressure. It ticked and dropped. A couple more smacks. Elbow drop to the top. Pressure now within limits. Jimin let out a triumphant ‘ha’ and recorded the part to investigate replacing down the line. Distracted by his work, he hadn’t noticed the warmth of the amulet around his neck. Suddenly, there was a weight to the air around him. It smelled different. Muskier.

“Such technically complicated work you have down here.” Jeongguk dropped from the hatch.

“Sometimes it just takes some convincing.” Jimin crossed his arms and jutted out his hip. What an unexpected guest. Not unwelcome, by any means. Jimin felt a magnetism to him. Like he could just drop what he was doing and happily be at Jeongguk’s side to banter.

“Ah, I see. A little bit of strong arming the uncooperative parts, hm?” Jeongguk glanced at the wrench in his hand before scaling up Jimin’s arms and grazing the rest of his body, taking a few steps closer to Jimin. Jimin was sure he felt a shiver, resisting the urge to close his eyes and relish in it.

“Gotta know which ones. If I did that to, say, the flux capacitor, we’d be dead in the water.” Jimin shrugged like it was no big thing, but they both knew it was a brag. Jimin wanted to seem important to Jeongguk.

Jeongguk noticed.

“Good thing we have such a capable mechanic on our hands.” He complimented, patting Jimin’s shoulders in approval. Jimin practically whined, feeling his body seize up.

What the hell? He’s felt attraction before. That wasn’t his normal response.

Remnants of his exhaustion, he was sure.

Shaking out of, whatever that was, Jimin pulled away from Jeongguk and changed the subject.

“Did you need something? Ya’ll okay up there?”

Jimin had provided the tagalongs with cleaning supplies and put them to work before retreating to his beloved engine room. He was sure the storage bay alone would take two days to power through.

“No, just checking in with you.”

“What for?”

“Curious. Need help?”

“No.” Jimin clipped shortly. Jeongguk was too distracting. And he still didn’t know why he acted obsessed and crazy the other day. He was aware he was better after some rest, so chocked it up to over exhaustion…but something about it still bothered him. He decided he needed space and time to think about it.

“You can go. See you later.” Jimin turned back to his work, pretending not to care about Jeongguk’s presence. However, he was all to aware of him lingering behind him. It would be creepy if he didn’t get a weird sense of comfort from it.

“What if I wanted to stay?” Jeongguk asked. Jimin turned to find him leaning against the bulkhead casually.

“What for?” he asked, genuinely confused. The engine room wasn’t a comfortable place to just hang out.

Jeongguk shrugged. “Just want to.”

“I find this all to be rather suspicious.” Jimin glared, feigning a defense. He meant it to have Jeongguk back off, but it came off playful.

“What suspicions? I can confirm or deny if you’d like.”

Jimin didn’t know, exactly. “It’s just weird.”

“How about giving the weird guy a chance?” Jeongguk offered. “I promise to be helpful if you let me stay.”

Jimin bit his lip. He was quick to turn Jeongguk away initially because he knew he was weak for him. Now he couldn’t. He wanted him to stay. So much for a productive workday. He released a defeated sigh.

“Okay, but no funny business.”

Jeongguk’s smirk never wavered, as if he knew Jimin would eventually give in.

“Grab that toolbox for me.” Jimin ordered, wanting to take an authoritative tone to distance himself from Jeongguk. Maybe he’d act professionally.

And he did. The first hour only watching Jimin sweat under the engine turning wrenches, doing his best to fish the right tool Jimin asked for out of the box. Eventually, Jeongguk pulled out a personal cloth, dabbing Jimin’s sweat forehead as he struggled with a particularly stubborn part. It froze Jimin in his spot. It wasn’t the feeling of being tenderly brushed, although nice. It was the fact it was a caring touch that made his stomach flip. Lifting his eyes to find a concerned Jeongguk fowning.

“You work so hard.”

Jimin blushed. It wasn’t really a compliment, but he felt recognized. He did work hard. Maintaining Byul’s engine room was not a single person job. But he managed.

“Thanks?” Jimin said, unsure if it was for the recognition or the brow mopping.

“You’ve done this work long?” Jeongguk questioned, dabbing the rest of Jimin’s face and slowly, delicately, down, his neck.

Jimin didn’t stop it.

Jimin ignored the jolts that increased in strength as he moved down to the crook of his neck. He ignored the excitement in his chest. Ignored the searing focus Jeongguk had on him. He got back to the job at hand, finally getting the part loose so he could replace some carbon fiber wiring tucked up behind it.

“Trained at the academy for it, so I guess so.” Jimin gestured for Jeongguk to hand him the wires he had prepared to replace the ones he accidentally fried on a test and check. “What about you? Been a wandering witch for long?” He smirked, referring to his group’s treatment on Samak.

“All my life.” Jeongguk answered without hesitation, both chuckling.

“But seriously, tell me.” Jimin wanted to know more about the man who pulled sparks from his heart, and crazy from his mind.

Jeongguk carded through his hair, sighing. “Ah, we weren’t there long, just a few months. It wasn’t too bad when we first got there, ya know? Then it all went to shit.”

Jimin hummed. He was all to aware. “Happens to colonies all the time. Government drops them off with a few supplies to get started. But they never checkup or enforce their rule, allowing things to get interesting.”

“Interesting, hm? What else have you seen?” Jeongguk wondered.

“Ever heard of a God-King?” Jimin asked, twisting wires into place.

“I think the name speaks for itself.” Jeongguk chuckled.

“People get crazy out there in space.” Jimin commented, not going into detail.

“You one of those crazy space people?” Jeongguk joked, poking Jimin’s shoulder.

“Me, noo.”Jimin gaffed. “I may be the scum of society, but I’m still connected enough to keep sane. Not too sure about you, your buddies, or your mysterious culture. Sounds kind of cult-y.” Jimin played.

“It’s not.” Jeongguk frowned.

“Oh, it’s not is it? Convince me otherwise. While you hold this part for me.” Jimin pulled Jeongguk down under the engine with him. He directed Jeongguk’s hand into place, ignoring the blush and warming from the closeness.

Holding the part while Jimin secured it into place, Jeongguk pursed his lips. “We are sensitive about it, though. It’s underground these days. Back on earth my people hid, knowing others wouldn’t accept us. It just kind of stuck, hiding from society.”

“You shared it with me, easily enough. Got a piece of it right here.” Jimin picked up the amulet, jewels glinting in the light.

Jeongguk smiled. “I see you wear it often.” He seemed happy about it.

“Just so I don’t forget to trade it when we hit port.” Jimin deflected. Like he’d admit the strong desire to have it near him constantly. Speaking of desire… “Taehyung also shared something with me about your culture.”

“Oh. Anything interesting?” Jeongguk asked casually, completely giving away his interest.

“That you believe in something called ‘imprinting.’” Was Jeongguk aware of Taehyung’s impression they were imprinted? Was he leaning into it? Was there anything else between them that Jimin needed to prepare himself for? Like a sacrifice to a god, or something? How weary should he be?

“Yes.” Jeongguk answered with confidence.

“Okay, you can let go.” Jimin finished securing the part into place and turned face to face with Jeongguk, who had become sweaty himself. The part wasn’t necessarily light. It was nice to get some help.

“Have you?” Jimin continued the conversation, eyeing how Jeongguk pulled his hand up to his face, inspecting his fingers. They were stained black and greasy from moving parts around.

“Have I what?” Jeongguk asked, inspecting and twisting the rings on Jimin’s fingers. Jimin pretended like it had no effect on him.

“Imprinted?”

“Maybe.” He was teasing. Jimin wasn’t sure if he’d get a straight answer out of him.

“How do you know?” Would he humor Jimin’s curiosity?

Jeongguk pulled his attention away from Jimin’s hand and traced the curve of his jaw adoringly. Jimin shivered. “Attraction, obviously.” He smirked at Jimin’s gulp before focusing back on his hand, lightly touching the sensitive skin between his fingers. “Their presence becomes a need. Separation isn’t an option. It’s all you can think about, an obsession. A possession.”

“So, where’s this person you might’ve imprinted on, they’d be with you – right?” Jimin asked, eyes flickering around to the features of Jeongguk’s face. Round eyes, strong jaw, kissable lips…

Jeongguk seemed equally enamored with Jimin. He had dropped Jimin’s hand to his chest, holding it close. His eyes took darker hue, darting his tongue out to quickly wet his lips before answering.

“Right here.”

Holy shit. While he could tell this was the road they were going down, Jimin couldn't bring himself to believe it.

“You’re fucking with me.” Jimin spat, pulling himself out from under the engine. “I’ve seen a lot of desperate attempts to fuck me,” he threw his wrench into his toolbox. “But this takes the cake.” He huffed, grabbing a rag to clean the grease from his hands, turning his back to Jeongguk, ready to rip out of the room.

“Jimin,” Jeongguk called, pulling himself out from under the engine. There was a tone to it that made Jimin’s stomach curl. He turned to face him, answering his call. He wasn’t upset, he seemed amused. He slowly approached Jimin, a predatorial look that squeezed the air from his lungs. His whole body felt like stone, the air around him seeming to weigh him down.

Casually, Jeongguk rested his forearms on Jimin’s shoulders, taking a lock of hair between his fingers and twirled it. He leaned his face against Jimin’s neck, just below his ear to whisper. “If I just wanted to fuck you,” he paused long enough to nuzzle down Jimin’s neck, eliciting a whine from the smaller. It wasn’t a noise he had ever made before. His entire body was acting out of character, shivering, melting it against the broad body pressed against him, opening himself to be touched. His head lolled to the side. Jeongguk smirked, moving back to his ear, nibbling on the lobe before finishing his thought. “We would have.”

Holy shit. Again.

Jimin’s knees were knocking together. Not from fear. From want. He’d never felt it so strongly in his life. His asshole was puckering, begging. It was infuriating.

Just as quickly as Jeongguk invaded Jimin’s space, he pulled away. Jimin fell to his knees, weak from the experience.

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t fair.” Jeongguk apologized, fingertips lifting Jimin’s chin to look up at him. Jimin’s eyes were blown, lips pouting, dick hard. Luckily the sleeves of his coveralls tied around his waist hid it. There was a semblance of pride still intact.

“What…what was that?” Breathless, Jimin gawked up Jeongguk, body jelly on the floor. Jeongguk had just took Jimin apart, with seemingly little effort. Jimin wasn’t sure if it scared or excited him. Maybe both.

“My overbearing charm.” Jeongguk flashed a dazzling smile. The cockiness did snap Jimin’s mind back together, breaking whatever spell he was under. It didn’t quell his shaking.

Seokjin’s overly cheery voice pierced through the intercom, bouncing around the metal room. “Crew and guests are to join the Captain in the galley for dinner in thirty minutes! Make sure you clean up, grease monkey Jiminnie!”

“I gotta go.” Jimin mumbled from the floor. It took some work to get the grease off himself. Maybe change his underwear.

Jeongguk offered his hand for Jimin to take, which was ignored. Jimin pulled himself up by the ladder, proceeding to climb up it.

“See you at dinner.” Jeongguk called after him, smirking.

*

Jeongguk had to of known what he had done. Seemed a little proud of it, too, Jimin thought, splashing water on his face. He normally wouldn’t use it until before bed, but he had to wash the experience away. He never felt so weak. Or horny. Maybe the people of Samak were right. They just brought a group of witches on board their ship. Should he tell the captain? Jimin wasn’t the most reliable right now, what with seeing things the past couple days. He’d probably just get bullied about liking Jeongguk.

Which wasn’t wrong.

He wouldn’t admit it out loud – but he liked how it felt with Jeongguk’s overbearing presence engulfing him. Did he have that affect on everyone? Or just Jimin? He seemed overly confident in how he would affect him. Knowing Jimin would break under his attention.

Maybe Jimin was just easier to read than he thought. Jeongguk was playing with him. It stirred contempt in his gut.

How dare he.

Slapping on some moisturizer and changing into some clean, comfortable clothing, Jimin left to this oddly formal dinner resolute that he wouldn't let Jeongguk affect him any longer.

*

Jimin took a seat between Taehyung and Seokjin. They were munching on various appetizers waiting for everyone to arrive before Seokjin revealed the meal. The Captain and Jeongguk weren’t yet here. He had wanted to sit with Taehyung, pick his mind a bit. See what game Jeongguk was playing at. He plucked some radish kimchi into his mouth before starting a very casual conversation with him.

“So, Taehyung, what’s new?” Yeah. Smooth.

Taehyung lifted a questioning brow. “Just cleaning. You know. Like you told us.” He answered, piling beansprouts onto his plate.

“Oh, yeah, of course, but what about mapping? You seemed kind of iffy about Nuek. Why?”

“That’s a very complex answer, sweetheart.”

“I’m sure I can follow.” Jimin encouraged.

“I’m not sure I can tell you.” Taehyung shut him down. Jimin didn’t like that, pouting like a child. Hoseok laughed from across the table. Jimin shot a glare his way and he immediately found his tea to be very interesting.

“What can you tell me?” Jimin asked hopefully, attention back to Taehyung.

“What are you trying to know?” Taehyung continued dancing around Jimin’s questions.

“Just curious…about your culture. How do you decide where to go?”

“To find others like us.”

“Like you?”

“From our lineage. Jeongguk wants to group us together.”

“How’s that going?” Jimin asked.

Taehyung shrugged. “We’ll see. Jeongguk seems confident.”

“So why were you on Samak?”

“To find others like us.” Taehyung answered again, grinning knowing his answers were only going in circles. Jimin wasn't deterred.

“Did you?” Jimin’s question hung in the air, Jeongguk’s presence in the room pulling Taehyung’s attention. Silently, Taehyung pushed his chair out, giving Jimin an apologetic look before getting up and finding another seat. Jeongguk took the open seat next to Jimin.

What the hell.

“We were talking.” Jimin told Jeongguk with detest.

“We can talk.” Jeongguk smirked taking a sip of water.

“I’d rather not.” Jimin turned his attention away. Jeonggukk’s proximity caused pinpricks down Jimin’s spine. He shifted, uncomfortably, trying to forget Jeongguk was next to him.

Impossible.

When the captain entered, the crew stood at attention. Namjoon waved his hands. “Don’t wait on my account, dig in.”

Seokjin opened the trays to present bulgogi and rice. Nothing too fancy, but meat was expensive. Especially beef. This was unprecedented. Jimin didn’t even know they had beef in storage. His eyes bulged and mouth watered. Taken aback by the spread before him, he hadn’t noticed Jeongguk loading his plate for him. He slapped his hands away, grunting.

“What the hell? I can help myself.” Jimin huffed, picking up his chopsticks to grab some fresh leaves of cabbage to roll his food into.

“I didn’t know those little arms could reach that far.” Jeongguk poked cheekily. Seokjin spit out his tea, choking on a laugh. Served him right, Jimin thought. It wasn’t funny.

“My arms are just fine.” He grumbled back, biting back the urge to lash out.

“I’m not gonna argue that.” Jeongguk commented, rolling up a rice and meat filled leaf.

Jimin let it go. But Jeongguk seemed determined. He poked Jimin’s sensitive side with his elbow. Jimin could only keep himself reeled in for so long. He was going to bite his head off.

Turning to let him have it, Jimin sucked in a deep breath in preparation of a lecture. Really tell him how annoying and unnecessary his behaviour was.

He didn’t get a chance to.

The moment his mouth opened Jeongguk shoved leaf wrapped bulgogi into his mouth, effectively shutting Jimin down. The blush was immediate. Jeongguk looked so satified. His fingers lingered on his lips just a moment before pulling away and focused on his own plate– looking a little red himself.

It should have pissed Jimin off. He should of spit the food out and berated the constant pain in his ass.

But wasting such precious food would be rude, Jimin rationalized, turning back to his own plate, chewing the mouthful. He ignored his blush, pulling his face into as angry a contortion as he could. He didn't linger on how satisfied Jeongguk's action made him feel. Cared for.

He pushed back any emotion the man pulled from him. But he was so distracting. He wasn’t bothering Jimin anymore, just joining in on the table’s conversation.

All Jimin could focus on was the radiating aura he felt from Jeongguk, as much as he tried to ignore it.

His presence was demanding.

Everyone in the room seemed to be affected as well, even the captain. Jeongguk’s presence commanded attention and respect.

Jimin resisted, continuing to ignore the man despite making things awkward at times. No one seemed bothered. Taehyung only smiled across the table from him, glint in his eye.

Oh, he definitely knew something was going on. Why else would he be so cryptic when Jimin questioned him?

Jimin couldn’t take it anymore, losing his appetite. Shoveling the food on his plate to Jeongguk, who was so eager to give it to him in the first place, Jimin got up from the table. All chatter stopped. Jeongguk’s confused expression went unnoticed by Jimin.

“Apologies, Captain, Seokjin,” Jimin purposely ignored the rest. He only needed to address those of higher rank. Plus, he felt fucked with by their current guests. “I’m still not feeling great – I’m turning in early.” He took his dish to the scullery sink to clean off before leaving.

“If you wake up hungry, I’ll have a plate for you in the fridge.” Seokjin offered; voice full of concern. Jimin squeezed his shoulder on his way out.

“Thanks, hyung.” Seokjin always had food for Jimin in the fridge. His appetite was finicky and unpredictable. Seokjin accepted it. The Captain made no complaint.

Jimin purposefully ignored Jeongguk’s pointed stare as he left.

*

Jimin tossed around in bed. He hadn’t really been tired. He wasn’t sure why he even got in bed – hiding out in his room was enough. He guessed the bed was comforting. He just had to get away. Regroup his thoughts. What benefit did these guys get making Jimin the fool? Was it simply the pleasure of it – something to do on a boring ass ship?

Maybe he needed to press their other group members – Yoongi and Hoseok. Yoongi seemed like a hard nut to crack, but Hoseok…Hoseok seemed nice enough. Jimin was sure he could work him, whittle him down and he’d let things slip.

His stomach growling interrupted his thoughts. It had been a few hours – he was sure the galley was empty by now. He could grab some grub without interruption.

Jimin didn’t bother changing out of his sleeping clothes as he quietly slipped up the ladders to the galley. Pulling the leftovers out of the fridge, he didn’t bother heating them up – they were just as delicious cold. Standing in the light of the open fridge, he picked the pieces of meat up with his bare hands, dropping them into his mouth like the heathen he was. Seokjin always gave him trouble for it. But he wasn’t here right now. Jimin could get away with anything. Kicking the door shut, content on what he hadscavenged, Jimin sauntered around the room before resting his hip against the metal countertop Seokjin often worked so hard preparing food at. It wasn’t his job, but his passion. It gave him a hobby to keep him busy outside of navigating – essentially being the captain’s right-hand man. Jimin wasn’t too keen on their relationship. Sure, they were in service together – but they spent some time apart before coming back together. Jimin was the last to join them. The two had a quiet understanding, hardly ever needing to actually speak to communicate.

Jimin would be lying if he said he wasn’t just a little jealous.

Licking his fingers of the juice, he went to grab another bite when he noticed something off.

It was a strange sensation. Something in his chest pulling him to check out the passageway. Silently leaving the food on the counter, Jimin peaked out of the galley entrance. Everything seemed normal, but the tugging was still there. Quietly stepping out, he moved forward of the ship before he heard soft, hushed voices. They were coming from the closed hatch leading to the captains quarters above him.

Jimin shouldn’t be able to hear anything through a hatch. But his curiosity was peaked when he heard his name uttered. He focused in.

“…he’s the key. To everything.” Jimin couldn’t mistake the deep voice of Taehyung. Why was he discussing Jimin with the captain?

“Kind of convenient, don’t you think?” Namjoon sounded defensive. Yeah, defend Jimin, cap!

“We’ve all come together for a reason. And I’m sure Jimin’s going to bring this prophecy to life.”

Whoa.

Prophecy?

“It’s not supposed to be forced.” Namjoon gritted. Wait. What did Namjoon know?

“He’s just excited – wouldn’t you be? I think it’s cute.”

Cute?

“Give him space, leave him alone. Tell Jeongguk to back off.” Namjoon asserted. “It’ll occur on its own if it’s right.”

“You tell Jeongguk to back off.” Taehyung pushed back. Yeah. Jeongguk didn’t seem to listen to others too well.

“It’s too much, too fast. Jimin needs to recover.” What the hell did the Captain know? Obviously he cared about Jimin – but why was he keeping things from him? “Convince him it’s best to wait.” Wait for what, exactly?

“I’ve tried, but…how would you feel, if you knew? It’d be hard to contain. Hell, I can barely contain it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I may have told Jimin…I thought they were imprinted.”

“What!” Jimin couldn’t remember a time Namjoon had been so worked up. “Why? That’s…it might fuck everything up.”

“No. It won’t. It felt right. Like I was supposed to tell him. I think you trying to slow this down is what will interfere with everything. Just let them, you know, bond their own way.”

So Jimin had definitely been right in guessing there was a conspiracy to get Jeongguk with him. He didn’t imagine it was this complicated, though. He didn’t really understand much. Prophecies, occurrences, bonding…just what the hell was this on about. As much information as he collected, he had just as many questions. Why was he in the center of it all, clueless as to what was even happening?

Most important – was he even safe?

Alarms were blaring in his head and his heart. While the captain sounded like he had his best interest in mind – what was he keeping from him? It was a betrayal. How could he be so aligned with these strangers?

“Is this really happening?” Namjoon sounded defeated. Like Taehyung had won him over.

Jimin was asking himself the same question.

“He accepted it, you know. The courting gift.” Taehyung brought up. “Like, immediately. On Samak. That’s the only sign I need.”

The amulet was the only transaction between them. Was he tricked into accepting whatever this bullshit that was getting thrown on him now? Jimin grabbed it, both soothed and annoyed by it. Did this charm have some sort of power over him? He felt oddly connected to it, that was for sure. He picked it off his chest, chain rattling to inspect it.

“Sh. You hear that?” Taehyung hushed.

Jimin nearly shit his pants. He was sure he didn’t want anyone to know he had heard all that. Slowly, silently, he stepped back to the galley, careful not to make any noise.  Once in the galley, he picked the bowl of bulgogi up – no longer with an appetite to eat it, wrapping it up to return to the fridge.

Taehyung entered, startling him. He had half expected it, but his presence was still jarring. Taehyung was on edge. Seeing Jimin casually messing around seemed to relax him.

“Hey.” Taehyung started, much softer than how he regarded Namjoon – which was odd considering Namjoon was a man to respect. “Did you get enough rest? Need help with anything?”

Jimin didn’t really want him near him, now. He wanted distance between him and everyone else more than ever.

“No, I’m okay. Just finished snacking a bit. I’m still tired, gonna head back to bed now.” Jimin tried to close the encounter as soon as possible without being too suspicious. He thought he was doing well, passing Taehyung without being questioned.

Just as he was exiting Taehyung stopped him. “Hey.” So close. “Jimin, if you need anything, you know I’m here to help, right.?”

Help what? Pull him into some strange conspiracy? It was so strange because Taehyung seemed to really mean it. What the fuck was going on.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Jimin tossed a well-rehearsed blaringly wide smile before scampering down the ladder to get to his quarters.

*

Jimin woke with a start. He checked his clock on the shelf next to him. Four hours till Seokjin made breakfast. He sighed heavily. Honestly, he was surprised he even got any rest. The whirlwind of information must have exhausted him. Now his thoughts were back on it. Just one more working day, and they’ll be on the trading post. Jimin could get away. Find some more discreet weaponry. He had savings.

Should he even come back to the ship?

He didn’t have savings like that. Not without another job lined up – unless he liked sleeping in the streets. On a trading post, no less. It wasn't even a planet. Just a pitstop in the middle of nowhere. At least on Byul, he had a secure hatch between him and whatever nasties came after him. He normally didn’t lock it, feeling safe with the crew, but with how things were recently he kept that bitch locked.

Nuek. He could easily find work there. He had  a couple weeks to find something. Taehyung even said he wasn’t sure they’d stay there – did they plan on staying on Byul until whatever thing they prophesized occurred with Jimin?

To hell with that. He was out.

He stretched out and flipped to his back. Opening up the display on his wrist communicator, he searched through the wanted ads in range of Nuek. He scrolled through it, moving his lips as he read the job listings, quickly dismissing many that weren’t up to par. And his requirements weren’t high. Slim pickings.

Unsatisfied with the opportunities listed, Jimin surprised himself with a growl. Well, it was upsetting. There was a reason Jimin was on the Byul. Fair pay, a bit overworked but nothing Jimin couldn’t handle, private quarters – these things were hard to come by. Working on a ship could lead to dependence on the ship – providing food and housing but very little pay. Basically indentured servitude.

He was sure he had enough money to get him to another nearby planet – maybe there were part depots where he could work deep maintenance. He expanded his search.

So focused on what he was doing, he didn’t hear it at first, at least not consciously. Sometimes sounds were just sounds on this rickety ship. Until there was an accompanying whine.

Jimin’s head shot up, looking to his hatch, where the scratching and clacking was all too obvious now. Thank fuck he started locking it. He scrambled for his revolver, just in case. Whatever was after Jimin was hellbent.

Did everyone else know about it? Is that why his worries were dismissed? Was he some sort of sacrifice for a beast they stored? That they worshiped? Revered?

Jimin was terrified.

Just what was going on?

Pointing his revolver at the hatch just in case whatever got it open. Nevermind if it was strong enough to get through a locked hatch a bullet wouldn’t do much. But it was all he had.

Jimin’s heart beat rapidly, the surge of blood through his ears pounding. He was damn near petrified, panicking.

But this wasn’t his first pickle.

He’s been in tight spots before. Freaking out would only hinder him. He needed a cool head. He controlled his breathing, relaxing the rest of his body. If anything attacked him, he wanted his body to listen. Closing his eyes, he focused on his breathing, listening to the scratching. It was light, not heavy enough to be an enraged beast. A persistent one, maybe.

Now completely calm, Jimin released a long breath, slowly opening his eyes.

Only to be met with two soft cerulean eyes.

Chapter Text

Jimin couldn’t breathe.

Ice shot through his body.

He felt something awaken. Like a part of him had been in hibernation, waiting for spring. Perhaps just a feeling. Maybe it was terror.

Returning the stare back at the piercing cerulean eyes, Jimin finally realized what he was looking at. A large, white wolf with glinting teeth and claws. He gasped as he kicked against his bed to push himself against the wall, blankets falling to the creature’s feet as he created distance between them.

GUN! Gun gun gun gun gun. Jimin reached out to where it should have been. He swore it was just in his hand. He couldn’t find it. It wasn’t under his pillow. The creature simply cocked its head curiously as Jimin searched.

The scraping at the hatch door started up again, accompanied with a whine.

The wolf in front of Jimin growled deeply at the sound.

Jimin was terrified. He was completely exposed, where he thought himself to be safe – where he should be safe. He had no weapon, nothing to protect himself with against this large predator – and another something was trying to get at him as well.

The growling stopped. Clicking of claws retreated from the bed.

The creature’s attention was now on the bedroom hatch, leaning its front paws on the steps, whining. The scratching and growling at the hatch intensified.

Maybe it just wanted out? Be with its buddy on the other side of the closed hatch? Jimin wasn’t sure he could be the one to do that – he’d have to get in between the wolf and the hatch. Something told him that was a bad idea. The wolf looked like it could kill Jimin accidently, and seemingly distressed the chances of that happening were high. He didn’t have a chance. He was trapped with a freak of a wolf and no options to get out of the situation.

Jimin clutched his eyes shut, trying to calm his panicking mind while simultaneously wishing the creature away. It could just disappear, right? If it was the same visitor to his room as last time this weird shit happened?

The whines, the growls, the scraping – the sounds were all he could sense. Any semblance of calm he achieved was long gone. He clutched his ears, the sounds becoming painfully loud. His head felt like it was going to explode, his blood was rushing, and he was hot.

Just when it became too much, Jimin tore his eyes open to do something about it. He was met with his ceiling in a quiet room. Laying in his bed, comfortably tucked in his blankets.

Either he passed out from fear and the wolf tucked him in before disappearing, or that was all a dream. A reasonable person would decide it was a dream.

He went with that.

Did it mean anything? His mind had been thinking of wolves lately, hadn’t it? Thanks to the stupid amulet gifted to him that he had a fondness for. He must be conjuring these things. Especially with the stress of not being able to trust anyone on this ship. The conversation he overheard of Namjoon and Taehyung last night still sat uncomfortably in his gut.

Getting off this ship was his top priority, not trying to find the meaning of his stress dreams.

One more day. Then they’ll be at a trading post. Maybe he could network while there. Not all jobs were posted, anyways. Took knowing someone.

Sure, Jimin knew people he could reach out to for work. But most of them were also tight with Namjoon – they basically ran in the same circles. He didn’t want his intentions leaked. Incase that would speed up bad things concocting for Jimin.

For now, he was playing dumb.

Getting ready for his day, he tried to shake his anxiousness that was making him nauseous.

The more he thought about leaving Byul, the more upset he was. They had a good thing going. They were like family and worked so seamlessly together. Jimin wasn’t sure he’d find this kind of life again. A bit carefree, fun, loving.

He forced himself to stop thinking about it. He should just focus on getting through his day.

Climbing up his ladder he chose to ignore the light scratches on the steps. Probably there before and he just didn’t notice. He purposefully looked away when closing the hatch, not wanting to catch any more maybe worn scratches maybe claw marks.

Jimin didn’t normally like to eat breakfast immediately. He also liked to start the day in his work space and put together his plans for the day. Have everything organized so he could report to the Captain before allowing himself a break.

Gosh, he had so much respect for Namjoon. This whole mysterious situation blowed.

Not wanting to think about it, he let it go as he entered the engine bay and began his daily checks. It was just enough involvement to distract his thoughts.

‘Park Jimin, get your perky ass up here and eat something before it’s lunchtime!’ Seokjin called over the intercom, making Jimin jump and drop his pen. He checked his wrist – yeah, he’d been at it for a couple hours. Seokjin usually didn’t have to remind Jimin to eat, but he would if he had to. Looking out for Jimin. Jimin wondered if Seokjin knew whatever was going on between these strangers and Namjoon. The two of them were so close. He had to. But he knew his Hyung legitimately loved and cared for him.

This was hard.

Clipping his dropped pen to his clipboard, Jimin tossed it on a toolbox before he headed to the galley. Seokjin was waited for him, leaning against the counter, arms crossed and none too happy.

“Jiminie, you need to take better care of yourself. I don’t need you wasting away.”

Jimin felt a bit guilty making his Hyung worry. But he kind of liked how sharp his chin looked when he was on the bit too slim side. His puffy cheeks weren’t as prominent then, either.

“I know, Hyung.” Jimin sighed, having gone over this conversation a few times and knew there was a lecture. But Seokjin surprised him without one.

“Here.” Seokjin pulled a parfait out of the fridge and sat it at the table for Jimin. “It’s better than the usual stuff, right?”

“Hyung,” Jimin was astonished. It certainly was. It was usually, like, oats and rice and soup. “How did you get all this?”

“Well…” Seokjin drew out. “I made the yogurt with powdered milk and the fruits were frozen. Captain allowed the food budget to increase, so we can plump you up!” he poked at Jimin’s belly.

So that’s why they had jiggly pancakes. With syrup. And the large bulgogi meal.

“I’m not complaining,” Jimin sat and inspected the food, poking at it with a spoon. “But, had he made some extra credits somewhere for something? This is kind of weird.” They have been eating gruel for, literally, years.

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Seokjin scolded, lightly smacking Jimin’s shoulder. “Aish, so boney. Do you want another serving?”

Jimin sucked on the spoon in his mouth still savoring his first bite. The raspberries were bright and tangy, clusters of honey oats sweetened it out and gave a satisfying crunch, while the yogurt was a cool and refreshingly sour blanket. Jimin can’t remember a time he ate so well so many days in a row. He was tearing up.

“What’s for lunch? Shouldn’t I save room?”

“Just some egg salad sandwiches, you’ll be okay.” Seokjin moved to pull out another parfait and set it next to the other one for Jimin to eat. “Dinner’s gonna be heavy, though. Don’t ask what – it’s a surprise.” He grabbed Jimin’s shoulders and squeezed.

Suddenly changing the menu would not break Jimin’s resolve. Although it added to the pain of leaving. The thought had him tearing up again, and he leaned back against his Hyung for comfort. “Thanks, Hyung.” For the parfait, for caring, for leaning back and giving Jimin a hug.

How could such a good person be against Jimin? He’d like to think he was more in the dark than Jimin.

“No problem, Jiminie.” He pulled away and headed out, “Got some work to do, see you later!” He waved and left Jimin alone to savor his breakfast treat.

“Ooh, you got two! I only got one this morning.” Jeongguk walked into the room, taking the seat across from Jimin without being invited. Jimin was a bit irked by it, feeling raw still after Seokjin left. He kept his gaze on his yogurt.

This was enemy number one. Jimin would keep him as distanced as possible.

Easier said than done. The moment he glanced up at Jeongguk’s handsome faces, dark doe eyes filled with concern, his heart wanted nothing more than to curl up next to him for comfort. It really needed to get on his brain’s level.

Jimin shoved down the feeling, looking back to his food and vowing not to even look at the man anymore.

“You alright?” Jeongguk asked. His voice sounded just as concerned as his eyes had looked, so of course the image flashed on repeat in Jimin’s mind.

“Fine, just breaking my fast a bit later. I normally do. No big deal.” Jimin tried to remain as disinterested and monotone as he could, filling his mouth so he would obviously be too preoccupied with it to talk anymore. Jeongguk didn’t seem to care.

“You look a bit stressed.”

“Thanks. It’s all the stress.” Jimin chuckled, scraping his bowl to get one last spoonful before starting in on his second parfait. The shit was good.

“Why?”

Jimin sighed, mixing his food around to get the perfect bite that included all the elements together. “If I wanted to talk to you about it, I’d let you know. I don’t. Please go so I might enjoy this delight.” Jimin took an assertive bite as a finality to his statement. It was delicious so whatever hard face he held while talking surely fell immediately into blissful enjoyment.

Without thinking Jimin looked up to Jeongguk, mostly curious why he was still sitting around when told to leave. His brows were furrowed and lips in a tight line. He didn’t seem to agree with Jimin’s request.

“Don’t you need help in the engine room today?”

“Don’t you have cleaning to do?” Jimin shot back. “Besides, you lost your engine room privileges when you decided to fuck around with the head of engineering.”

“Aren’t you the only engineer?” Jeongguk cocked his head with a smile.

“Not the point.” Jimin settled, finishing his breakfast and taking his bowls to the sink to wash. “Thanks for ruining my breakfast.”

“You enjoyed it.” Jeongguk came around to stand behind Jimin, not close enough to touch but enough to peer down at the side of his face. “Don’t lie.”

Having Jeongguk so close made Jimin start to feel hazy. Calm and light. He suddenly lost the strength to hold the bowl he was washing and dropped it in the sink. Jeongguk reached over to turn off the running water, his arm bringing a rush of his scent, cologne? It was nice. More than nice. Intoxicating, nearly. Jimin wanted to rub his face up against Jeongguk’s arm and breathe it in.

Jeongguk had pulled his arm back before he had the opportunity. Softly, he held Jimin’s shoulders and turned him to face Jeongguk. Jimin wasn’t focusing, knowing he was looking at Jeongguk’s chest but was more concerned with his presence. It felt large. And safe. Of course, his scent pulled Jimin forward, resting his cheek against Jeongguk’s chest and breathing it in again. He couldn’t pinpoint what the smell was. But he liked it. Could bathe in it.

“Oh, sweetie.” Jeongguk wasn’t mocking, he was sincere. He held Jimin close to himself, one hand cradling his head. Jimin hadn’t realize it was lolling. Jeongguk lightly rubbed his back, tingles following where his fingers traced. “Let’s get you some rest, hm?” He moved to pull Jimin away.

Jimin didn’t want to go anywhere. He was content in this moment. Suddenly he was pulled back into Jeongguk’s embrace and was being hushed. If Jimin said anything he had no idea what it was.

“It’s alright. I’m not going anywhere.” Had Jimin ever heard Jeongguk sound this soft? It was soothing.

The reassuring circles returned to his back and Jimin was sure he had never felt such bliss. He heard Jeongguk chuckle quietly with amusement. It was gentle and sweet. Jimin thought it was hauntingly beautiful.

“Okay, yes, bed for you.” Jeongguk settled. Jimin was sleepy, he realized he couldn’t open his eyes. He didn’t resist when Jeongguk picked him up bridal style. It put Jimin’s face right in the crook of Jeongguk’s neck where he must of applied his pleasant scent because it was bursting with the aroma, now experiencing a delightful flavor he didn’t recognize on his tongue. Jimin nestled closer to it and his body liquified in Jeongguk’s arms.

*

Jimin was back in his room again. So was the wolf, still on the steps as he had last seen it. The creature dropped, approaching Jimin. He could only freeze in terror, limbs weighed with fear.

Its massive head dropped onto Jimin’s bed, still whining. It was now close enough Jimin could touch it. Its eyes bore into Jimin again. But this time he didn’t feel terror. He wasn’t sure what he felt.

A need to connect?

As crazy as it seemed, he felt drawn to the wolf, hands moving to grasp it before he could register what he was doing.

It was soft. And warm. Comforting. Whatever fear he held melted away as the large wolf head nuzzled into Jimin’s grasp, seeking closeness. It eased its eyes shut, seeming to relax in Jimin’s hold. Calmness washed over his body. Mimicking the wolf, he closed his eyes.

The scratching at the hatch that never really stopped began pounding.

Jimin opened his eyes, he was lying in bed alone. The hatch to his room pulled open.

“Breakfast time, Jimin. Time to get up!” Jeongguk hopped down into his quarters, immediately messing around with the things in his room waiting for Jimin to rouse. Jimin felt his heart jump into his throat. He took in Jeongguk.

Something was different. Jeongguk looked the same, but it was an air about him. Something he always felt aware of, but could hone in on, now. An aura. It warmed his heart and left him in a pile of puddy. There was no way he could get out of bed with his presence.

“I’m up, you can go.” Jimin stated simply, trying not to let his thoughts slip.

“I wanna stay.” Jeongguk tossed a crooked grin Jimin’s way, picking up a photo to inspect off Jimin’s shelf. “Who are these guys?” He flipped it over to show Jimin. It was a photo of Jimin and several others wearing flight suits in a hanger with small fighter ships.

“Just some friends from the military. Namjoon’s in it, too.” Jimin answered flatly. He was tired. Always tired these days. He wasn’t sure he had the energy to shoo Jeongguk off this morning.

“What’s this?” Jeongguk shook Jimin’s jar of his mother’s precious dirt.

“Uh, soil. From home.”

“You took it with you?” Jeongguk questioned, completely serious as he rolled the jar around in his hands, inspecting the different elements mixed in.

“Yeah. Keeps me grounded.” Jimin chuckled at his own joke. Anytime anyone asked him about his dirt that joke usually got him off the hook of explaining himself. Because he couldn’t. He felt a need to be connected to home and this was it. Dirt from his mother’s garden, where she was buried. He wasn’t sure if it was just symbolic or if there was something spiritual about it. He just knew it brought him peace.

Like all the others, Jeongguk didn’t press Jimin about it further, but he did have a pensive look on his face as he continued to twirl the jar around. Wasn’t he sick of dirt after Samak?

Jimin aggressively rubbed his face and smoothed his hair back out of his face. Time to start his routine. If Jeongguk wanted to watch him wash his face and brush his teeth – whatever. Jimin pretended he wasn’t there to get his limbs moving. Shuffling to his sink he started with his face. He cared about it most. Washing, toning, hydrating treatment, sealing moisturizer.

“That’s how you get such beautiful skin?” Jeongguk appeared behind Jimin in his mirror, making him jump in surprise, squeezing too much toothpaste onto his brush. With Jeongguk’s presence his legs became noodles. He, very casually, supported himself with one hand on the sink while the other got to work scrubbing teeth.

“I guess.” Jimin mumbled around the brush. He was proud of his clear skin. He worked hard for it. There many more treatments he would do occasionally. But didn’t want to interact with Jeongguk more than he had to. He hoped he would survive long enough to make it to Nuek. If there was an opportunity on this trading post he should take it.

Shit. That was today. Jimin’s disposition brightened noticeably.

“What’s got you all glowy?” Jeongguk flirted, stepping up behind Jimin.

Oh no. Jimin wouldn’t let him get all loopy headed and malleable in his arms again. He had to keep his head on straight. He brushed past Jeongguk to find his ‘going out’ clothes. “Nothing, just realized I was going to get some fresh air off the ship today.” Fresh was an overstatement. Trading posts were well known for their stank.

Jimin began changing, removing his oversized T-shirt before realizing how Jeongguk was looking at him. Like he could devour him. Jimin kind of wanted him to. Push him down on his bed and touch, kiss, lick, bite. He blushed at his own thoughts. “Do you mind?” Hoping Jeongguk would get the hint. If his head cock was any indication, he didn’t. “Turn around.” Jimin instructed, circling his finger. Surprisingly, Jeongguk didn’t fight it. Jimin sighed in relief. No one needed to see just how much he struggled to get his tight, ass grabbing pants on. While on the ship he wore his comfy coveralls to work in. The work off ship often required a certain level of…charm. Tight pants helped that. It certainly didn’t hurt, anyways.

Tucking in his blouse, which there was very little room for, Jimin slung on his gun belts and holstered his weapons. Looking to Jeongguk, he found his reflection smirking in the mirror. He had watched it all!

“Dirtbag.” Jimin scoffed, slipping on his boots, leaving them unbuckled, and grabbed his jacket before leading them out the hatch.

Climbing up the steps Jeongguk couldn’t help himself to comment. “Those are very nice pants. I like them a lot.” Of course he did. Of course he was staring up at his ass.

Jimin resisted another retort, pretending he didn’t hear him and swiftly headed to the galley, not waiting for Jeongguk to hop out of the hatch after him.

Other people needed to buffer them. Before Jimin’s resolution crumbles. He enjoyed everything about Jeongguk in his room this morning. It was scary, because he absolutely knew there was some weird shit afoot between them, as per the eavesdropped conversation between Namjoon and Taehyung.

Jimin couldn’t get off the ship fast enough.

Entering the galley, he found everyone together, laughing like they had always been the best of friends. Didn’t they only know each other, like, a week? Jimin’s stomach was unsettled. He wasn’t sure he could eat. Not that he ever had an appetite this early but…

“Sit, eat your breakfast young man!” Seokjin scolded lovingly, slamming a plate with a Monte Cristo sandwich down. It was cut diagonally to show off the layers of turkey and ham, cheese and jelly oozing out, buttery syrup dripping over the top. How could Jimin say no?

“Hyung, this is very luxurious. Is it okay?” It felt wasteful. Maybe like Seokjin was taking too many liberties with that food budget increase.

"Pishposh, only the best for our Jiminie!" Seokjin reassured. He always made Jimin feel so...good. Wanted. Family. “Right, Joonie?” Only Seokjin could get away with calling the Capain that. Who of which only grunted in agreement from his position reviewing a tablet no doubt with details of today’s potential trading and deals.

He knew Namjoon felt the same about Jimin as Seokjin did, just showed it in different ways – by his leadership and choices. But his colder demeanor made it easier for Jimin to believe he was against him. Seokjin…he had no reason to believe he was in on whatever scandal was afoot. He would leave before their crazy plans came to fruition. He could just ignorantly believe Seokjin would never conspire against him.

Approaching his seat, he was overcome by the overbearing need to give Seokjin a hug as he passed him. Maybe because he might not get another chance, if luck was on his side today. Seokjin was a bit shocked, but returned it, nonetheless. Jimin noticed a sweet, syrupy smell radiating off him. Probably from cooking. Jimin was soothed by it. Seokjin always made sure to care for him one way or another. Best Hyung ever.

He’d truly miss him.

Digging into breakfast, his appetite increased after the first bit of the French toast sandwich. Jimin did love his sweets. Seokjin knew this. Truly, an angel.

At some point, while busying himself with Seokjin, Jeongguk had snuck in and got them both some coffees. Dressing Jimin’s with extra sugar. Although Yoongi was next to Jimin, he gave his seat up for Jeongguk to take.

All his friends did that. Jimin couldn’t escape him.

As Jeongguk set Jimin’s coffee next to him that overwhelming scent hit him again. Only this time, he recognized it.

“Pine?” Jeongguk froze in his movements. Everyone turned to look at Jimin. “What? Your cologne – it’s pine, right?” How was this seeming like a big deal?

Jeongguk cracked a smile, looking a little dopey. “Yeah. It is. Good nose. It’s a scent exclusive to earth.” Giving Jimin a boop that was all too much appreciated, Jeongguk turned his attention back to his own food. The dopey smile never left his face.

“Well, I was raised there, so…” Jimin worked on his own plate of food.

“What, no way! Lucky!” Hoseok all but shouted in excitement. “I’ve always wanted to go.”

“Then…go?” Jimin supplied. They were wandering aimlessly anyways. Earth was a decent place. A few years ago, the planet was pretty devastated by humanity’s selfishness. But withing the past century, the damages had been turned around. Cities and agriculture were built vertically, scraping through the skies, while the natural habitats returned. Certain privileges were allowed to certain humans to live amongst nature. Jimin was lucky enough to grow up like that. His mom was an agronomist – super into soil, she’d ensure the health of habitats and make recommendations for hydroponic nutrients. His dad, a botanist, evaluating and measuring regrowth.

Somehow, Jimin wasn’t interested in the science field. Engineering always gripped him more – knowing how things worked or figuring it the workings of a mystery. It was great. Probably why he didn’t mind being overworked on Byul.

Jimin’s question quieted Hoseok down. “I will.” The way he said it made it seem like it would only happen if he was lucky.

“We hit up earth sometimes – maybe we could-“ Jimin was cut off.

“Do you have the list and budget for engine maintenance ready, Jimin?” Namjoon cut him off, scooting his seat out and wiping his face, signifying he was done with his breakfast.

“Ah, yes, sir. I sent it to you last week – let me know if the expenses are approved.” Jimin reminded him.

“Of course, yes, I remember now. I’ll go review it again.” Jimin was sure they already went over it together. Captain wouldn’t slip like that. Would he? “We hit port in a couple hours, come see me for taskings before then.”

“Yes, sir.”

*

Jimin’s tasking was rather simple. Meet a few different head honchos to get the foodstuff’s off their hands for a reasonable price. Lot’s off running around and bumping elbows with people in similar types of work. Jimin could job search at the same time!

By the time they pulled into port, Jimin had mapped out where he needed to go and was impatiently waiting for the bay doors to open and let him off. So he stared at his map and numbers for negotiating while he waited.

Then there was a hint of pine.

Jimin glanced up and found Jeongguk waiting next to him. Not invading his space, but clearly with Jimin.

“Yes?”

“Where are we going?”

“We?”

“Did I stutter?”

“No. Hell, no.”

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?! You screwed up our last deal, that’s what’s wrong!” Jimin seethed, pointing an accusing finger at Jeongguk. “I won’t let you near any of these negotiations.”

“C’mon, no one knows me here! It’ll be fine! I’ll be your backup! You’re Captain approves.” Of course he did. Working on his plan against Jimin.

But he only approved. Not ordered. “I’m fine alone, thanks.” As soon as the doors opened Jimin sped off into the busy streets of the trading post. He intentionally went the wrong way, to through Jeongguk off his trail if he decided to follow anyways, before redirecting by a spice shop.

First stop was with a network of tradeposts Kingpin Taemin. He was cutthroat. Jimin might have wanted backup for this one, but Taemin also happened to be sweet on Jimin. Who wasn’t? He felt safe enough going alone.

Approaching the designated location, Jimin was stopped by a large froglike looking humanoid. Jimin hadn’t come across one of these before – he wasn’t sure if it was an alien species or a cross bread experiment. It was rude to ask these things outright. The guy’s skinny arm kept Jimin at a distance.

Jimin mustered up his charm, smiling. “Hey, I’m Jimin. Taemin should be expecting me-“ The guard growled, cutting off Jimin’s sentence. His eyes traveled to a basket full of weapons. Jimin deduced his should also go there. Sighing he removed his two guns from their holsters and held his arms up to be frisked. It was standard routine. The frogman’s hands were sticky. Jimin liked to think it was his biological composition and not grabby hands. Either way he had to deal with it.

The guard grunted into a radio and the large blast door behind him swung open. It seemed a little much to Jimin, but these types liked to seem important by having ridiculous security.

A familiar blue skinned Dycon waved him in. She looked in every way like a human with blue skin paint – save for the two flaring holes on a smooth face where a nose would go and long, smooth, tentacle like appendages growing out of her hair like thick dreadlocks.

“Sylia!” Jimin greeted.

“Park.” Sylia replied. While familiar, she was never friendly, gun trained on Jimin. She turned and gestured for Jimin to follow her back through winding hallways. While the front seemed to be heavily enforced and sturdy, the inside of this location was a collection of odds and ends to build a large, complex shack. Fencing and randomly sized sheets of metal held together by duct tape and zipties. Classy joint.

“Jimin! I’m so glad Namjoon sent you! What a treat!” Jimin caught the side profile of Taemin sitting at a table, weighing and counting bricks of white. Yeah, he wasn’t exactly an upright citizen. Scooting out of his seat to approach Jimin, he turned to expose an eye patch covering a portion of the handsome man’s face. Jimin gasped. Feigning care could only sweeten his deal.

“Taemin, my goodness!” Jimin rushed up to him and cradled his face, momentarily jealous of his effortlessly sharp jaw, looking up into his one eye with concern. “What happened?” At this proximity, jimin noticed his cologne was a stronge musk. A hint of spice, cinnamon. Not Jimin’s preference but it wasn’t bad.

Some of Taemin’s gelled back hair fell forward as he fondly smiled down at Jimin, hands meeting Jimin’s hold on him. “Nothing to worry about dear. Don’t you think it’s rather dashing?”

Jimin let his hands drift down, caressing down Taemin’s neck and resting on his chest as he let out a sigh of relief before chuckling, “So it’s a fashion choice?”

Taemin only grinned back. “Sure, babe.” Ah, there it was. Wrapping his arms around Jimin, he pulled him flush against his chest, causing Jimin to squeak in surprise. He never realized how tight Taemin kept his body, tall, slim, and stacked. Taemin had never been handsy enough for it to hit Jimin in the face like this. “Before we talk business,” Taemin gently whispered down to an eye blown out in surprise Jimin. “What do I need to do to convince you to work for me?”

Jimin was sure it wasn’t actual work Taemin wanted if these actions were to mean anything. Yes, he needed work. But this was just plain risky. This was a drug lord. Jimin could handle himself, sure, but he didn’t want to be immersed in that world. Besides, Jimin could only pretend to be okay with Taemin’s advances for so long. It was bound to cause trouble.

He pulled away from Taemin slightly. Not out of his grasp, that might upset the man. But just enough to get some space between them. “You know my home is on Byul.” It was always his answer to the question asked every time they did business.

Taemin tsked. “A little birdie told me you were job hunting.”

Jimin was sure he paled a bit. If Taemin knew, surely Namjoon knew. He covered, easily enough. “Just making sure my pay is competitive.” Taemin looked like he knew better than to believe it, but let it go, lifting Jimin’s chin to meet a now seductive Taemin biting at his lip.

“Darling, you are priceless.” Jimin did blush at that. What could he say? Taemin was powerful, handsome, and smooth. You’d have to be a saint to not be affected.

“T-thanks.” Jimin stuttered out. “So, about the trade…”

“Ah, always concerned with work, Jimin-ah. Don’t you ever play?” Taemin teased, releasing Jimin and stepping back to lean against his table.

“Nope.” Jimin popped his ‘P’, happy to have the distance between them. “Still good on your offer? We’ll take it.”

“What if I told you, it was just an excuse to get you here?” Taemin glowered over, nearly predatorial.

“I’d say make good on this deal and I’ll be back with more.” Smooth Jimin. He was kind of proud of that. Stay elusive and sexy! It’s what powerful men liked about Jimin – that they couldn’t have him. Taemin kept his heavy gaze on Jimin, considering, jaw muscles flexing.

“Of course.” Taemin gave in. “If you have dinner with me.” Jimin saved himself from cringing outwardly.

“Unfortunately, Captain has more work for me lined up.” He didn’t. But Jimin did have plans.

Taemin sucked in his breath, contemplative. “This is too hard a bargain. You gotta throw something in for me.”

Jimin knew what he meant. “The opportunity to see me next time.” But he wouldn’t give it to him.

“A kiss, then?” Taemin asked, hopeful. Jimin sighed. He expected this. Admittedly, he’d been asked by only worse.

“A short one.” It should be alright. Right? A little peck. Then Jimin could move on with his life.

“Of course.” Taemin couldn’t hide his excitement as he approached Jimin. “Anyone would be lucky to have those shiny, plump lips grace their own. Tell me Jimin-ah, do you also taste sweet?”

If his diet was anything to go by, then yes. Jimin exuded sweetness. He shrugged in response, eyes to the floor. Now that Taemin was cashing in on the deal Jimin was getting shy, anxious. It was feeling more and more wrong. Eventually, Taemin’s hands were on Jimin’s face, lifting it to his own.

There was no hesitation, no moment for Jimin to brace himself for it. Taemin had his lips on Jimin’s before he could process anything. Taking advantage of Jimin’s delayed response, Taemin forced his way into Jimin’s mouth, greedily swirling into it, moaning at the sensations he had long awaited for. Jimin didn’t know when he was forced against the wall, but Taemin had him pinned under his menstruation, knee kneading between Jimin’s thighs.

Fuckfuckfuck.

Gathering his wits, Jimin shoved Taemin off of him and couldn’t help the accompanying slap he laid onto him, knocking Taemin away to grab at his face.

Shit.

He just slapped drug and trade network Kingpin, Taemin. Jimin was sure he just fucked everything up. Maybe his own life, too.

Curiously, Taemin was chuckling. Maybe excited to enforce his cruelty? Turning to meet Jimin, he wiped some blood off his lip.

“I admit, I went a bit far.” He almost seemed happy about getting hit. “You just taste so sweet, love. Like cherry pie.”

Jimin was still shaking. He didn’t even want a little kiss, let alone a heated make out session. No longer fearing for his life, he sank into being taken advantage of. Disrespected and objectified. Shoving it down, he snorted, taking a hard look at Taemin.

“Send your credits and some men to the port to pick up the load.”

“Anything for you, Park Jimin.” Taemin seemed like he was seeing hearts and stars. “Sylia, escort our guest.”

How embarrassing everything transpired in front of her. She never seemed to care either way. Jimin was eager to leave.

“Until next time, Jimin-ah.” More like never.

When Jimin exited he was still shaking.

No one said life was easy. Shit was bound to happen. He sucked in a steady breath and collected his weapons from frogman, noticing some grunts headed to the port. At least the first option turned into a good deal so Jimin didn’t have to charm through anymore dealings.

Now he got to job hunt. Jimin watched his feet as he distanced himself from the building of horrors, his peptalk not doing much as he still felt on edge. And dirty. Used.

“Finally.” Jimin whipped his head up to see Jeongguk leaning against a building watching the entrance to Taemin’s hideout. “Thought you’d never leave that place.” He had such a cocky grin on his face, like he knew Jimin had no clue he’d be waiting for him. Underestimate his abilities. But Jeongguk wasn’t one to be underestimated, was he?

As he dragged his feet closer to the man, Jimin felt more and more comforted by his presence. Rather than ease his tension, he felt like he could express himself safely. The tears were flowing before he could reel them back in. Jeongguk’s face dropped, immediately replaced with concern, hunching down to see Jimin’s leaking downcast face, rubbing comforting circled in Jimin’s back.

“Jimin, what’s the matter? Why are you crying?” Jeongguk asked him so softly. Liked he actually cared. Jimin wanted to voice his troubles, but everytime he tried, he’d only sob.

“Shh, c’mere.” Jeongguk pulled Jimin into a hug. As soon as he did, the man’s body froze. “You don’t smell right. Your sweetness, it’s musked.”

“Taemin did have a strong cologne.” Jimin whimpered out, not really realizing what this would mean to Jeongguk.

“Why is it on you?” Jeongguk asked with concern. Jimin couldn’t say, couldn’t meet Jeongguk’s eyes. “Jimin?” Jeongguk asked a bit more forceful. “Did he hurt you?” Jeongguk inspected Jimin for any injuries. It almost made Jimin laugh.

“No, he just touched me…it’s whatever. I’m fine.” Jeongguk’s jaw locked when he seemed to put it together.

“I’ll fucking kill him.”

Chapter Text

“Jeongguk, no!” Jimin chased after the man who was stomping toward the frogman guard. “I handled it. Stop.”

Jeongguk only stopped once Jimin physically grabbed him and whipped him around to face him. He looked heated. “How did you handle it?” Jeongguk questioned. “Your trade with Taemin?” His tone was a bit snide, knowing something was off about the whole thing.

“There were… conditions…” Jimin debated sharing more, not able to meet Jeongguk’s gaze. “It’s fine, the trade is good now.” He tried concluding, having this be the end of it. Admitting he allowed something as intimate as kissing another person to Jeongguk felt wrong. Jimin wasn’t sure why he cared, he wanted nothing to do with the guy. In fact, he was trying to shake him off for good.

“What kind of conditions?” Jeongguk pressed, tensing even more, clearly expecting the worse.

Jimin didn’t like how invested Jeongguk was in this. Why should he care? It was Jimin’s body to do with as he pleased. He gave in.

“A kiss, okay? It just got a little intense but I’m shaking it off, so it’s fine. Let’s go.” Jimin pulled Jeongguk toward him. He easily pulled out of Jimin’s grasp, not letting this situation go.

“You are not a commodity to be traded, Jimin.” Jeongguk was harsh with his words. “He’ll learn this soon enough.” The frogman guard didn’t even try to stop Jeongguk, even moving out of the man’s way. With, seemingly, no effort Jeongguk swung the heavy door open and entered the hideout. Apparently, the guard was a coward and Jeongguk’s adrenaline was giving him super strength.

Needing to control the damage, Jimin rushed after. The guard stepping in his way.

“Aw, C’mon! You let him in!” Jimin shouted, agitated, throwing his hands in the long gone Jeongguk’s direction. The frogman simply shrugged and crossed his arms, enforcing his defensive stance. Apparently Jimin was less intimidating than Jeongguk. He fumed, unable to stop Jeongguk from ruining yet another deal. It pissed him off because it was Jimin’s choice to allow it. Who did Jeongguk think he was? Why was he blundering one deal after the other for them?

Jimin had to get in there and smooth things over. Then give Jeongguk a piece of his mind. He knew the rest of the building, if you could call it that, was in shambles. The door was just for looks, only a front of a strong defense. Jimin dropped his shoulders when he turned away from the guard, looking sunken and defeated by the frogman as he walked off. Turning the corner out of the guard’s sight, he broke out in a run to get to the side of the building. Just as he expected, various metal sheets were lain together to build walls. Mapping out where his best guess of where he needed to go, Jimin lifted a sheet and crawled through. It was too easy. The trading post was small – perhaps they thought there would be no threats here.

Boy were they wrong.

Getting in, he heard a commotion down the hall – likely where Jeongguk was raising hell.

Jimin followed the sounds of a scuffle, making out a few words here and there. Reaching the room, Jimin peaked in to get a sense of what was going on. It was unexpected. Jeongguk had his hand around the nape of Taemin’s neck, literally growling into Taemin’s bruised face. He had obviously been smacked around. Taemin remained proud despite his situation, head held high with an even look.

“Taking your eye wasn’t enough to get you in line – you really want to push it, don’t you?” Jimin had never heard Jeongguk sound so authoritative.

It was a surprise to find they already knew each other, Jeongguk had taken Taemin’s eye? Was this the true persona of the puppy dog that had been coddling Jimin this past week? Was he a truly violent person?

“To be fair – I had no idea.” Taemin gritted out, controlling his own anger. “I’ve known him for years; he was always so tempting. Always smelled amazing, but I didn’t think it was of importance. I didn’t realize he was special.” So, this is probably the same reason Jimin was being fucked with on the ship. They thought him to be some important piece to their, in Jimin’s opinion, jacked up culture.

“People aren’t to be treated that way, Taemin. Regardless of who they are. Your actions are unbecoming of our pack. Do you seek exile?” Apparently Jeongguk held some status over Taemin amongst their people. That weird culture they were going on about. They made is seem so peaceful with nature – not ever mentioning the brutal aspects Jeongguk’s words held. Eye gouging and exile. Seemed lovely.

“No!” Taemin was quick to answer. Despite his still and calm features, Jimin noticed his hands shaking in fear. Jimin didn’t think Jeongguk was that scary. But he clearly had no idea who he was dealing with. “I’ll find a way to make it up to you – to him. Give me a chance to right this.” Taemin bargained. Usually, he was more commanding when making a deal – like you should be lucky to get anything from him. This was a whole new side. One that was pleading.

“Then what punishment is fitting? The other eye? Or, how about a hand this time?” Jimin softly gasped at Jeongguk’s words. Was he serious? This man, who he spent so much intimate time with, was this ruthless?

Jimin was scrappy, and he respected a tough no nonsense sort of person. But utilizing your power over someone to maim them felt so wrong to Jimin. Especially over a simple, half consensual, kiss. Smacking him around, both by Jimin and Jeongguk, was surely enough punishment?

Only taking a moment to consider his options, Taemin answered. “The hand then.”

Jimin felt sick. He thought Jeongguk would come in here and maybe try to get a few punched laid down and have at least Sylia, who was nowhere to be found, there to pull him off and maybe beat him back. This… this was too much.

Jimin had enough.

“Jeongguk! Stop!” he called, entering the room, hoping to end this weird ass scene.

Taemin’s eye contacted Jimin. He looked at him in a way he had never seen before. Reverence. Awe.

Jeongguk’s back stiffened before he turned to Jimin. “Jimin.” He greeted plainly. Like he wasn’t about to hack an arm off. He looked to be straining to keep his face in check, lips twitching to snarl.

Jimin fearlessly approached Jeongguk. “Let him go.” Was the first thing Jimin demanded. Jeongguk immediately dropped his hold. Taemin rubbed his neck, giving Jimin an appreciative look before Jimin started seeking answers. “What’s going on? What are you doing?”

Jeongguk’s composure fell as shame overtook his features. “I…how did you get in?”

Clearly, he didn’t want Jimin to see this. Or answer his questions.

More than ever Jimin was sure he didn’t want to be in the middle of whatever the fuck conspiracy was hatching on Byul. He had to leave here. Quick.

“The place is breath away from falling apart; a dump, it wasn’t hard.” Jimin countered, stepping closer. “Whatever is going on, leave it.” Jeongguk’s jaw set at Jimin’s order. But he listened none the less, distancing himself from Taemin. Jimin was surprised he listened this time.

“Thank you.” Taemin whispered out, closing his eye in relief. His body laxed and he slightly leaned against the table loaded with drugs for support.

Jeongguk scoffed at the doorway. “You lose your rank, your position. Keep yourself scarce.”

Staring at the ground, Taemin nodded in understanding. “Can I…” he dragged his eye up to Jeongguk. “Can I apologize to him?”

Jeongguk swept his arm open in offering, gesturing it was alright. Even if he looked pissed about it. Clearly it was up to Jimin, not Jeongguk. Jimin was glad Jeongguk was starting to understand.

Taemin slowly approached Jimin, stopping several feet away and dropped to his knees. “Celestial Herald, please forgive my foolish actions.”

Jimin was so confused. Why was he referring to him that way? Was he some sort of sacred sacrifice, or something? Did Taemin commit a sacrilege by his actions toward Jimin?

“What?” Jimin gestured for Taemin to stand, uncomfortable with how he was being addressed. “’Jimin’ is fine. And it’s alright…just don’t do it again.” His answer was soft, feeling pity as he looked down on the bruised and broken face. His nose looked broken.

Jimin kind of wanted to comfort Taemin – sure he was a bit of a toxic douchebag. But he was right, they’ve known each other for years. Neither of them truly wanted to harm the other. Although the kiss was a bit much. But Taemin never hid his attraction to Jimin. As surprised as he was from Taemin’s actions, he probably should have expected it. Maybe clarified the kiss should have been chaste. The term ‘kiss’ was pretty loose. He was upset, but not angry about it.

Taemin shook his head in disagreement, remaining on his knees. “I don’t deserve to call you that. Please, in repentance, I’m yours to utilize. Anything you ever need, I will provide.”

Jeongguk scoffed, mumbling “Unnecessary.”

This was super strange. But Jimin could use someone to help making his escape. He just found his way out. Taemin had plenty of resources to provide this. Probably keep mum about it, too. He felt a weight lifting from him, relieved that this inconvenience actually provided him an answer he desperately needed.

But he couldn’t ask in front of Jeongguk. He’d have to come back later. Preferably not being followed, this time. So, he simply nodded at Taemin’s statement and kept his response generic as to not raise any suspicion. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.” Jimin turned and left swiftly, completely ready to go get a few things from the ship and return to Taemin. Hopefully he kept his word of offering Jimin anything.

Jeongguk followed Jimin out. They were silent through the building. Out the front door. Pass the guard, who was visibly surprised to see Jimin coming out. Pass various shops and vendors. Jimin was headed back to the ship. To get his things. To shake the tail on him.

Just outside the ship, on the pier, Jeongguk broke the silence. “Jimin, we need to talk.”

Jimin didn’t stop, stepping onto the brow of the ship. “Nah, I don’t want to know. Keep me out of whatever the fuck that was.” His steps become more determined.

“You can’t stay out of it, it’s part of you.” Jeongguk tried convincing him, stopping Jimin by his shoulders. “Let me explain.”

“Nope.” Jimin popped his ‘P.’ Brushing past Jeongguk he rushed through the bay, weaving through workers collecting the supplies they had traded.

Jeongguk wasn’t deterred “Like it or not it’s going to happen – you’ll become one of us.”

Jimin wasn’t so sure why it irked him so badly, but it did. Probably because it sounded like bullshit. He kept this shit away from him so long, conspired behind his back, and now he wanted to share whatever their stupid plan had to do him. Jimin didn’t want to know. He wanted to leave. Quickly turning on his heel, Jimin took in the man knowing it was likely the last time he’d see him. There was nothing gorgeous face or magnetic pull could do to stop him. Jimin was spooked.

“I don’t care. Glad my suspicions of you were correct. Stay away from me.” Jimin spat, the words seemed to devastate Jeongguk. His face pulled together, creating a deep frown while disbelief ran through his erratically searching eyes.

“I didn’t – we couldn’t-“ The man stammered for an explanation, too upset by Jimin’s declarations to form a rebuttal.

Good.

Jimin had wondered if Jeongguk could feel anything by how ruthless he was earlier. Most psycho’s could emulate emotions to blend in, though. This very well could be an act to convince Jimin to stay and be offered as a sacrifice to their deity.

What Taemin did to Jimin was disgusting, but it wasn’t so bad as to mutilate him in return. It was a psychotic notion to consider. Barbaric.

Jimin left Jeongguk like that, a stammering mess. He dropped into his quarters without another word. Packing his bag was quick since he had mostly prepared everything the night before, grabbing only a few pairs of clothes, coveralls, skincare, and his little jar of dirt.

That would always be with him.

Jimin didn’t take long, trying to keep it light. He didn’t need much. Climbing the ladder, he gave his little area one last look. It was really comfortable; he was sad to leave such a familiar place. A place that, for a time, felt like home. Sighing, he turned back and slowly lifted the hatch, scanning the area outside. He really hoped Jeongguk wasn’t waiting for him.

He wasn’t. The coast was clear.

Waltzing out of the ship as if he was just going out for normal business, Jimin was glad not to see Jeongguk occupying the pier. He pulled up his wrist communicator to find a planet to settle at. Hersa was a way past Nuek, but he would try for it. Taemin had said anything. The planet he chose was big on shipbuilding. It had abundant resources for it. Jimin would find good work there. If not by commissioning new ships, by manning them when they left the planet.

New ships were great. They hardly ever broke down. Or needed repairs. Just maintenance. Unlike Byul. Who was held together by hopes, prayers, and duct tape.

Jimin had a decent nest egg, but he was hesitant to spend ir quickly. He knew he would need even more money when he got to his destination to get settled. He could trade a few assets, Jeongguk’s amulet could probably pay for a night or two at a hotel. Maybe Taemin had an apartment or something he could borrow, instead use his money for food and a payment on getting his own place.

So focused on his wrist he didn’t watch where he was walking, running straight into another person.

“Oh my goodness, I am so sorr- Jin?”

“Hey Jiminnie!” Seokjin smiled down at him. He was handling some vegetables at a shop. “Since everything went well with the trade, I’m grocery shopping. Any requests?”

Jimin’s heart sank. Why did it have to be Seokjin, of all people. Probably his biggest weakness. Riding the high from the Jeongguk situation, Jimin hadn’t had time to really realize the implications of him leaving. When he left Byul earlier, it was only a place. He wasn’t considering the people. Because thinking of leaving them made it that much harder. Now here he was, Jimin’s best hyung, smiling down at him as he was in the process of abandoning him. There was a twisting in his heart, sending Jimin into a panic. He barely hid it.

“Just something sweet, hyung.” Jimin smiled through the pain, patting Seokjin on the shoulder, brushing past him before his face would fall and give him away. Or his feelings could stop him. Luckily, Jimin never had a passion for food.

“What’s the bag for?” Seokjin spoke to Jimin’s back, fully expecting him to turn around and chat with him a bit longer. Jimin could do no such thing, or he’d fall apart.

“Just some stuff I’m getting rid of, too much junk in my room, it’s getting crowded.” Jimin called over his shoulder moving away before Seokjin could pull him in conversation again.

Jimin let out a sigh of relief when Seokjin appeared to absorb himself back into inspecting the fresh produce at a vendor’s stall. Returning his attention back to his wrist, Jimin found many help ads for Hersa. Decent pay. Some had benefits. And housing. It was a good location for respectable employment.

“Oh hi! It’s my friend.” Taehyung popped out of nowhere, breathing alcohol directly in Jimin’s face and swinging an arm around his shoulders. Clearly, he was having a good time chatting up the locals drinking up some liquor at an open counter bar alongside the path. “Jimin! What are you doing? C’mere.” Taehyung hiccupped, draggin Jimin to the bar without caring for an answer. Jimin didn’t want any more speed bumps. But he had to be smooth with this. Luckily Taehyung was drunk and likely wouldn’t notice anything amiss even if it slapped him in the face. “Lemme get you a shot. What’s your poison?”

One shot, then he’d go take Taemin up on his offer.

“Soju is fine. Muscat.”

“You’re in luck, I’ve got a bottle right here! We are so alike! What great friends we were meant to be.” Taehyung rambled on happily as he poured the shots out. Jimin felt a tiny bit of guilt. Taehyung had always been super nice to him. Offered him help whenever he needed it. But he was also a major conspirer against Jimin. Just as fake as Jeongguk. But Taehyung didn’t need to know Jimin was aware of anything. It would only complicate things.

Taehyung lifted his glass to the sky, “To friendship!”

Jimin plastered a smile on his face and clinked his shot glass with Taehyung’s. “To friendship!” It felt so hypocritical.

They tossed back the shots, so smooth there was zero burn or need to recover. Jimin slammed his shot glass down, immediately looking to leave.

Taehyung was busy pouring them another shot. Jimin put his hand over his glass, blocking his pour.

“Hyung, no thanks. I have a few errands to run.” Jimin smiled and pat Taehyung on the back, maybe to assure him of their bond. Maybe just as a gesture of farewell.

“Aw. Okay. Come back when you’re done?” Taehyung pouted, his whole body dropping in disappointment. Jimin had to admit it was adorable. He wanted so much to like him. Be close with them all, like family. But he didn’t feel safe.

“Okay. Sounds good!” Jimin promised while making his way back to the path.

He didn’t go straight to Taemin’s. If he was being followed, again, he wanted to lose them. He knew exactly how.

There was a very busy section of the trading post. It was covered, dark, and had winding paths and so many people pushing against each other. If he was being followed, he’d lose them here.

Jimin entered casually, taking the first turn sprinting to the next and ducking out of sight. He weaved his way through, finding a discarded maroon cloak, covered in dirt from being trampled. Jimin grabbed it and threw it around himself, standing once he made another turn. Incognito, he slowed his pace, matching that of those around him. Eventually he made his way out, only ditching the cloak once outside Taemin’s. He didn’t go through the front door; in case it was being watched. Jimin snuck in through the open side panel he had found earlier.

With soft but determined steps, Jimin found his way to Taemin’s room. Sylia’s back was to Jimin, blue appendages falling down her back. She was tending to someone in a chair, Jimin couldn’t see who. Likely Taemin, who had gotten smacked around. Jimin entered the room and she stiffened. Jimin paused. She pulled her pistol from her holster and pointed it at him.

“Sylia, no!” Taemin gasped, pulling her back and away from Jimin. She lowered her weapon, confused at Taemin’s reaction. “Please, just, wait outside.” he instructed to her. Still looking confused as she confined her weapon to her hip, Sylia left as requested. Taemin’s underlings had great respect for authority.

Taemin just stared at Jimin in disbelief. Like he couldn’t believe he was really there. “You’re back?” he breathed the question, eye wide as he gripped the arm of his chair.

Jimin cleared his throat to ease the tension before he spoke.

“Remember when you said you’d do anything?”

*

Jimin sighed in relief once the ship was pulling away from the trading post. He kicked back his seat and laid with his hands linked behind his head. Finally, some peace.

Taemin had chartered Jimin his own private ship to go wherever he pleased. He had tried to give it to him, but Jimin declined. He’d feel too guilty for that. Jimin already accepted to stay at a residence Taemin owned on Hersa. He had said Jimin never had to leave it – and if he went to another planet Taemin would have some place for him to stay as well. Jimin quickly declined, again. He only planned on using the residence for a few weeks until he started making money. Jimin wanted to pay him back for his kindness in helping him.

At the mention of repayment Taemin was taken aback, offended. Saying these things were offerings and it pleased him to provide for Jimin.

In all his years knowing Taemin, generous was not a word he’d use to describe him. So, this change in demeanor was a little like whiplash. Immediately after Jeongguk confronted him, something changed. Something about Jimin was shared. ‘Celestial Herald’ he had said. Jimin gathered he was coveted. That didn’t sit well with him. The idea was suffocating. All his life, all he wanted was to be free. A leaf in the wind. A wanderer.

Of course, Jimin questioned Taemin on just what exactly was going on with all this business between the three of them. But he remained elusive, only stating that it wasn’t his place. Jimin didn’t push too hard, already thankful for what he was providing.

It was near maddening not to know. At the same time, Jimin wanted to escape it all and remain at the helm of his life. No one could dictate it but him.

Sighing, Jimin closed his eyes to try and get some rest. He was exhausted.

*

It was dark. Jimin couldn’t see a thing. There was a coldness emanating from his core. Then an emptiness consumed him.

Despair and loneliness overcame everything. There was no sense of his body, sense of self. Jimin knew who he was, but it felt skewed. Impartial. Incomplete.

There was a yearning to complete himself. It would chase away the chill and isolation. He would be whole.

There was a weight on his chest. A warm glow that brought his body back in touch with his senses. It spread from his chest to thaw his extremities. The cold core remained.

He was kneeling. His hands rested palm up in his lap. A warm breeze engulfed him, bringing with it a floral scent of spring, when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. He opened his eyes to find his hands full of their soft, pink petals. His body automatically lifted his hands to his face, nose gently nudging the soft petals as he took a deep breath in, filling his lungs with the gentle scent. Then, the petals were gone.

He was in a field. An open, grassy meadow. Everything was fresh and warm. There was a trinkle of a nearby stream. He rose to his feet, suddenly feeling parched and needing water. Finding the small stream, Jimin pooled some of the gently flowing water into his cupped hands and sipped, much of it leaking down his chin and cooled the warm skin of his throat. The water was cool and pure, almost having a sweetness that could become addicting. Jimin collected more, not for his thirst but for the simple enjoyment of it on his tongue. Bringing to it to his face he paused, water settling still. There, in the reflection of the cupped water, Jimin saw the reflection of a white wolf. It was familiar to him, with its soft blue eyes. It should scare him. Jostle him at least. But there was an acceptance he couldn’t explain as he drank the water, not bothered by the sight.

This time, the cool water was somehow emanating a warmth that eased the frigidity of his core.

*

While Jimin questioned their meaning juxtaposed with the disturbing dreams on the ship, he often sook comfort within his dreams.

While awake the loneliness in his chest wrenched. He did miss his crew on the Byul. He hoped they didn’t worry too much about him. Well, Seokjin, anyways. He was sensitive. Namjoon could handle it, Jimin’s absence probably only bothered him because it ruined his conspiracy. The thought soothed the loneliness a tad.

What surprised him was missing Jeongguk. He hardly knew him, was even angry with him. But had felt an undeniable attraction to him. They had connected on a level Jimin wasn’t familiar with. It unsettled him. He’d reflect on their interactions, how out of control he seemed to be of himself at times. Actions dictated by a driving force within. It scared Jimin. He didn’t like to not be in control of himself. He especially didn’t like someone affecting him like that. When he thought of Jeongguk, of missing him, he used this reasoning, and his anger, to dull that pain. And there was so much pain.

What brought him the most comfort, oddly enough, was the wolf amulet. Whenever he clutched it somehow a peace overtook him, usually drifting him to sleep.

When he slept, he had the same dream in the meadow. There were variants. The wolf was sometimes resting by the stream, beckoning Jimin with its pleading eyes to join him. When he did, they snuggled, the warm fur protecting Jimin’s sensitive skin from any cool spring breezes. He’d often clutch into the fur like a fuzzy pillow or balled up blanket and drift to sleep. Ironic to have a dream where he slept, but he did. The wolf was comforting, but he still felt a gaping hole within himself, even when awake. Something was missing and his dream didn’t tell him what. He’d have to figure that out for himself.

When awake, he’d continue to dismiss the wanting to return to Byul and everyone he missed. That he’d be fine soon enough. He replayed the conversation Taehyung and Namjoon had about him. How ruthless Jeongguk was. How everyone acted normal when there was conspiracy afoot.

But as time went on, the gaping hole only grew. Jimin began to feel lost. All his bravado and confidence starting somewhere new started to feel like a bad, isolating move. Rationally, he knew he’d be fine. But his emotions didn’t agree.

Each day Jimin found it more difficult to see his plan through. It felt wrong. He didn’t know why. Or what alternative there was. His dreams were there to make him feel better, bring him peace. So, he relied on that, eagerly escaping to his dreams, and sleeping most of the trip.

When the ship docked on Hersa, Jimin felt lifeless as he disembarked. Now that he was here everything felt all wrong. It was a concrete jungle. The entire planet was either a mining operation or manufacturing something. Construction was everywhere, machines whirring, sparks flying, people shouting. The place looked half complete. There were high rises that, while impressively large, looked worn and slummy. Nothing like his dreams of comfort, existing in nature.

So what now? He already took advantage of Taemin to get here. But the kingpin had offered him passage and housing if he chose to go somewhere else. Was it pride that kept him from asking to relocate? What would he even ask for? Return to earth?

Earth was so far away. And protected. Jimin wasn’t sure Taemin had the power to get him back. It wasn’t worth bothering him about. He’d get settled here and make a new plan. Something to pull him out of this disjointed feeling with his surroundings. Look forward to being somewhere he connected with.

The apartment Taemin loaned him was far from the slums he initially saw. It was a lavish complex from Jimin’s impression of the lobby. The floors were marble and white carved columns lined the path to the elevators. Security was tight, but they had Jimin’s information already – even escorting him to the apartment, a penthouse. Taemin must visit here often, to have such a comfortable place always available.

The inside of the penthouse wasn’t different from how Jimin imagined it would be. Bright, white everywhere. The floors, the walls, the furniture. Something unexpected was the multitude of plants. Monstera Deliciosas, money trees, Philodendrons, ferns – the place was loaded. Greenery filled the space, causing a freshness in the air Jimin had only recently experienced in his dreams. The freshness was laced with a musky, woody note to it. A candle or something, perhaps. Jimin would need to find out where he could get more later.

Maybe Jimin would be okay here. At least he could think now, in this space. He was already feeling the fatigue leaving his body and his headache ebbed away. Dropping his bag he sat to unlace his boots before he entered through the foyer that presented an open layout. He sucked in a gasp from what was waiting for him in the kitchen.

There, leaning forward on the kitchen island, Jeongguk was waiting for Jimin. Immediately Jimin was apprehensive. How did he find him? Why was he here? What was going to happen?

At first Jeongguk didn’t move, and neither did Jimin. They stood there, eyes locked, sorting through something. Jimin wasn’t sure what, but he knew Jeongguk’s magnetism was stronger than before. He held himself back from running into his arms. He very nearly did.

Straightening up, Jeongguk made his way around the island toward Jimin. As he did, the musky notes intensified, hitting Jimin like a wall.

Oh.

Suddenly, Jimin felt calm. Centered. Complete.

It scared him. What was happening?

“Why did you go?” Jeongguk pulled Jimin from his inner dialog. He sounded hurt and his eyes were glassy. It made Jimin upset. Then he was mad that he was upset. “I know…I’m sorry for scaring you. I’m so, so sorry.” Seeing Jeongguk look so sad and broken brought up feelings akin to the overwhelming ones Jimin had felt the first day they met, the ones he was suppressing since he set eyes on Jeongguk. The uncontrollable need to run up and inspect him, make sure he was okay. Physically, he could see he was fine. But the pain lacing his words had Jimin wanting to soothe him.

Before he realized it, Jimin was immediately drawn to Jeongguk, pulled to him like a magnet wanting to comfort him. Hands were on Jeongguk’s face, cupping it. Thumbs brushing away the stray tears that had dropped from his glassy eyes.

Clearly, he couldn’t keep himself away.

“Jimin…” Jeongguk pleaded softly. He gripped onto Jimin’s wrists to keep them close, as if he would pull away.

“Yes?” Jimin felt heady, leaning closer, bringing his body flush with Jeongguk’s – the warmth of it seeped into his bones. He felt so relaxed, comforted by the closeness, and soothed by the musky scent that was stronger than ever. It felt right.

“Forgive me?” Jeongguk dropped his grip to tuck Jimin’s hair behind his ears to see his face more clearly. “Please come back?” he requested, cradling Jimin’s head and tilting it up to connected with his large doe eyes.

Jimin was lost in the moment, not really processing what was said immediately. Jeongguk’s eyes seemed to be dancing, his deep brown irises decorated with flecks of gold.

Jimin just felt good. Why had he left this? What did he need to forgive Jeongguk for? Was he mad at him? How could that happen when he was the source of Jimin’s happiness.

Wait.

Jimin pulled away from Jeongguk, frightened by his own thoughts. Jimin was the source of his own happiness. No one else would dictate anything. Why would he think that?

Jeongguk was hurt, rejected. “Jimin…”

Jimin took another step back, head fogging up again. He needed a clear mind. “I can’t…think. Give me space.”

Understanding, quickly followed by guilt, crossed Jeongguk’s features. “Of course.”

Jimin swiftly moved to the common area, where he perched up in a plush chair, arms wrapped around his legs.

“Sit.” Jimin instructed Jeongguk. He hesitated, seeming like he was scared to shift his body. Like the wrong move would send Jimin running. As he came around the couch, he grabbed a throw blanket from it, setting it within Jimin’s reach before taking a seat in the middle directly across from Jimin. There was an acceptable gap between them.

Jimin eyed the blanket, very much wanting to hold it close. He resisted the urge, trying to focus on what was important.

“How did you find me?” He was certain he wouldn’t be followed.

“Obviously you went to Taemin, he all but offered you an escape on a silver platter.” Jeongguk stated, saying the other man’s name without hiding his displeasure. “Don’t worry, we didn’t even talk to him.” Jeongguk was quick to supply at sensing Jimin’s rising anxiety. “Just had to track his assets that moved the day you left the planet.”

Jimin hummed. “How did you know I even left the planet? Not just hiding?”

“I tracked you to his hideout then to docks.”Jeongguk answered, crossing his arms across his chest. “Kind of easy to sling that one together, Jimin.” He tacked in, a light tease.

“Tracked?”

“It’s a skill of mine.” Jeongguk shrugged, not offering further elaboration.

“Right.” Jimin licked his chapping lips as he thought of what he should question next. While Jeongguk was in a mood to share. If he was going to track him across the galaxy, Jimin might as well know why.

“Why did you follow me?” Hersa wasn’t convenient. Why would they go to such lengths?

“To bring you back to us.” Obviously.

Jimin sighed. “But why?” he emphasized. “Don’t dodge my questions.”

Jeongguk quickly nodded, adjusting his position, eager to alleviate Jimin’s scorn. “Okay. Right.” He took another moment to think. “You…are important.”

Jimin hummed, encouraging Jeongguk to continue.

“We…I….” Jeongguk struggled. “There’s a lot. It’s complicated.” His hands anxiously gripped the material of his jeans, scratching at it lightly.

Jimin shrugged. “I got time. Go ahead. Fill me in on the whole conspiracy.”

“You…are actually the one who’s supposed to fill us in.” Jeongguk chuckled at the irony, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. “You just aren’t ready yet.”

Jimin scoffed. “So you’re not going to answer me?”

“I can’t answer what I don’t know.” Jeongguk was smirking, knowing he was being defiant.

Jimin switched gears. “Taemin had called me ‘Celestial Herald.’ Why?”

“We have a few legends, variants of them. What’s consistent is you’re supposed to have an awakening. You’ll go through a change. You already have changed, some. More since I last saw you.”

“How do you know? Did you poison me or something? I’m not your science experiment, you didn’t have my permission –“ Jimin was cut off.

“It’s not like that.” Jeongguk shook his head and hands in disagreement. “You’ve always been like this.”

“Like what?”

Jeongguk smirked. “Me, I guess.” He seemed a little smug.

“Please explain more, I’m having trouble understanding.” Jimin was becoming frustrated with Jeongguk’s short, evasive answers. He grabbed the nearby blanket to have something for his hands to do other than wring themselves. He ran his hands across the edges. The softness did relax him some.

Jeongguk eyed the movements. “You are of our kind.”

Jimin scoffed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just that…” Jeongguk’s flicked up to meet Jimin’s again. “You belong with us.” All his answers were starting to sound the same.

“The hell I do.” Jimin spat, sitting up stiffly in the chair. “I belong wherever I damn well please. Which right now, is here.” He pointed at the ground below him.

Jeongguk piqued an eyebrow at Jimin’s rebellion. “That’s fine, I’ll stay with you.”

Jimin chuckled at the ludicrous suggestion. “No.” he said it with conviction.

“Yes.” Jeongguk countered, a sly smile overtaking his features. “C’mon, you missed me.”

“I certainly did not.” He didn’t need to know he was who Jimin craved to see the most.

“Admit it, you felt awful without me.” His grin turned cheeky.

Jimin was taken aback. Yes, he hadn’t felt well while travelling but chalked it up to the emotion stress of leaving his found family behind.

Leaning forward, Jeongguk rested his elbows on his knees and folded his hands under his chin. “I felt awful without you, too.” He admitted. “We shouldn’t be apart for long. It’s clear we imprinted.”

Jimin remembered what Jeongguk had said all those weeks ago regarding an imprint. Not that he believed it. “Okay, well I think it’s a load of bull and you need to leave.” Jimin stood and held his hand out toward the front door.

“I’ll give you some space.” Jeongguk nodded, surprisingly agreeable. He got up and headed to the foyer. Jimin followed.

“Just like that, you’re not gonna fight me on it?” he found it peculiar.

Jeongguk seemed a bit offended, “Why wouldn’t I respect your needs?”

“Because you’re trying to pull me into your cult using force? And probably witchcraft.”

Jeongguk’s smile twitched onto his face for a moment. “Witchcraft?” he cocked his head in question.

Jimin nodded, starting to feel the strange aura wrap around him at the proximity. “Like…” Jimin tried to find the words for what was happening. “All of this.” his arms flailed, gesturing at everything, Jeongguk, himself, the area around them. “This…feeling? Or pull? I feel like I’m not even in control, sometimes.”

Jeongguk shook his head. “No, it’s not witchcraft. We’re just that compatible.”

“Pfft.” Jimin made an overly big show of his disagreement, crossing his arms and looking away disinterested. “As if.” He took a nervous glance back at Jeongguk after a pregnant pause.

Boring into him, Jeongguk just stared, almost in a daze, battling something in his own mind. More information? Jimin waited, worrying his lip, unsure what to do.

Suddenly, Jeongguk stepped forward, closing the gap between them. Jimin felt a rush of excitement tingle through his body as Jeongguk pressed flush against him. Staring down at Jimin with such intensity had his knees go weak, falling against the man. He was caught, one arm to the small of his waist, the other supporting the nape of his neck. Jimin’s eyes became droopy, suddenly feeling his body buzz everywhere there was contact. Jeongguk bent down, nosing up Jimin’s neck that had a gasp escaping him. The musky woody smell he came to enjoy intensified tenfold, spiking directly into Jimin’s core. He clutched at Jeongguk’s shirt from the intensity of it, back arching. Jimin felt dizzy. And very horny.

“You’re so stubborn.” Jeongguk chuckled right under Jimin’s ear, his voice humming through his body. As Jeongguk pulled away, Jimin noted how blown his pupils were. Was his own just as bad? This close to his face Jimin took a moment to inspect it; appreciate it. He had always considered Jeongguk a handsome man, however really taking him in was breathtaking. He traced around his face loving how one feature melted into the next so beautifully. Making it to his lips he bounced between them and the little mole underneath – thinking it was the cutest thing. The lips smirked and pulled away, and it felt like a grave loss. However, Jimin felt he could support himself now that Jeongguk wasn’t all up in his business.

“See? Compatible.” Jeongguk smirked, before clearing his throat. “I’ll be back later, okay?” With that he whipped out the door before Jimin could argue, let alone even process what had even just happened.

Chapter Text

Jeongguk kept his word and kept his distance from the apartment, giving Jimin the space to figure things out.

To be sure, the fact Jeongguk found him was something unexpected, but ultimately welcomed. Jimin hadn’t realized just how much he missed him. During Jeongguk’s visit Jimin had a hard time focusing and was surprised he was even able to question him as much as he did. Although, he had been so wrapped up in his relationship with Jeongguk, he didn’t even care to ask about his ex-shipmates or the rest of Jeongguk’s gang – were they also on Hersa? Should he be on the lookout for them? Or expecting more visits? Were they all going to hang out on the planet until Jimin came around. Or worse – kidnap him. Clearly Jeongguk had no problem accessing the apartment Jimin was staying in. Anything was possible, really. Jimin had to find his own means of support quickly.

Jimin wasn’t without purpose for long. As expected, the planet had an abundance of work with little workers and Jimin was hired within hours of inquiring for a position. Overseeing production of new engines wasn’t strenuous in the least. For the most part, everything went smoothly. And paid well. He’d only need to do this for a short while before he saved enough to feel secure wandering the galaxy alone again.

After his first week of employment, Jimin decided to grab a drink at a bar he passed every day. A little celebration for himself. He was doing well to get away from, maybe not immediate peril, but a possible threat to his independence. Which scared him more than anything.

The bar attracted him because it had a large neon soju bottle sign displayed in its window. There was no guessing what they served here. Pushing open the tinted glass door, Jimin was welcomed with a dark, cozy establishment playing some mildly rugged tunes Jimin wasn’t familiar with, he couldn’t even guess the instruments let alone the genre. There were a few bar games and gambling machines about the place. It wasn’t high end, by any means. A place for the blue collars to grab after work drinks. Jimin was relieved – he didn’t have a lot of savings to blow and felt confident this place wouldn’t mark the booze up too much.

Saddling up to the bar, he was relieved to find soju in stock. It wasn’t always. It was rather popular amongst the general population – a smooth drink that got the drinker drunk without much effort. Sure, there were other, more exotic drinks available – some more psychedelic than alcoholic. But Jimin was proud of his heritage, which he only discovered through DNA testing, and drank it when available. He didn’t really know anything else about being an Earth Korean outside the realm of cuisine.

Few patrons populated the bar as it was still rather early in the afternoon. The bartender, a younger man no older than Jimin himself, blonde hair, and a handsome face with a tanned and clear complexion, wearing classic black pants, apron, and white button up with the sleeves rolled up to expose his beefy forearms, wasted no time in welcoming him. As he approached a gust of the man’s peppery cologne invaded Jimin’s senses. It wasn’t bad, but a bit pungent for Jimin’s liking. He eyed how the buttons nearly strained to keep the man’s shirt together – just enough to stress the material but not risk it popping open.

“New to the area?” His bright eyes trailed what he could see of Jimin from over the bar. Jimin pretended not to notice. Unfortunately, being ogled was a common occurrence for Jimin. He thought it best to ignore it and move on. He plastered on a fake smile.

“To the planet, yeah.” Jimin busied himself with the menu to dissuade the conversation and hopefully seemingly disinterested enough to promote anymore suggestive behavior. While the guy was objectively beautiful, handsome, and very much Jimin’s type – there was a near repulsion Jimin felt in his gut that made his nose wrinkle. The guy was likely not as sweet as his appearance suggested. Jimin’s gut didn’t steer him wrong often.

The bartender must of got the hint, as he took on a more professional demeanor. “What can I get you?”

“Bottle of soju please.” Jimin answered quickly, dropping the laminated menu back onto the counter.

“A man after my own heart.” The bartender chuckled turning to grab it from a cooler under the back counter. Jimin admired the well-built backside, he’d give the man that. “Been here long?” The bartender asked, holding the soju by the neck of the bottle, flicking it left and right creating a cyclone inside before setting it on a coaster that lit up the bottle and smoothly slid a shot glass next to it.

“Oh, about a week.” Jimin answered, watching the cyclone settle in the bottle before cracking the bottle, wet with condensation, open to pour himself his first well deserved shot. Shit has been stressful.

The bartender hummed in acknowledgment. “Looking for work?”

Jimin shrugged. “I found a pretty sweet gig actually. Decent pay and all that.”

The bartender found a glass to dry, leaning his hip against the counter to get comfortable while he chatted Jimin up. Not that Jimin was totally against it, despite the slight agitation of his presence. Being a social person and spending the better part of a month alone made it more welcome now that he was warmed up to the guy. “Plan on staying a while, then?”

“No, not really.” Jimin answered, distracted with pouring another drink for himself.

The bartender leaned over the bar. “If you want to make some quick money on the side, let me know.” He said in a low voice only Jimin could hear.

“Oh?” Jimin was surprised by the sudden  offer. “And why are you telling me?” These opportunities often came about in bars. And Jimin knew. He knew he looked every bit the part of someone able to get things done. Because he was. That’s why Namjoon had him as point man on most of their missions.

“Knew the moment you walked in you were one of them…” His eyes flicked down Jimin’s person before matching his gaze again. “…Generally capable men. You know?”

“Let’s say I don’t know?” Just to stroke his own ego, maybe, is why he wanted to hear it. This guy seemed like he had nothing but nice things to say to Jimin. A sweet talker.

The bartender answered without hesitation. “You walk with confidence, your jacket can’t hide those gunbelts strapped to your hip, clothes look fit for a well-seasoned wanderer, you scoped out the place like an assassin before you even got through the door, know how to stay neutral when being objectified, tight and toned body, need I go on?”

Jimin’s eyebrow piqued. The ogling was an assessment, then. Because this guy was spot on. “Alright. I’m intrigued. Slightly.” It wouldn’t hurt to know. Maybe pull off a couple quick jobs and get out of here ahead of schedule. “Full disclosure – I might be morally grey, but don’t try to get me into anything appalling.” Jimin tacked in, the gut feeling urging him to tread carefully.

“I would never submit a beauty like you to anything uncouth.” The bartender admitted, flipping up a flirty smile as he leaned further over the bar. Jimin was sure this guy wasn’t just sweet talking him now. There was hope gleaming in those bright, blue eyes. A flirty demeanor that suggested more. And Jimin didn’t even have a name yet. His eyes flicked down to his nametag quickly before returning to his face. Jimin laid on the charm, leaning in with his elbows on the counter, face inches from the bartenders.

“What did you have in mind, Benji?” It was a professional yet sultry question. Jimin knew how to toe the line. If he charmed this guy back, the deal itself could teeter into his favor.

Just as Benji opened his mouth to share, the bar stool next to Jimin screeched as it was pulled out. Both Benji and Jimin pulled away from each other at the sudden noise. Jimin felt himself wrapped in a familiar musky warmth, now identifying something woody with some spicy notes to it. A shiver ran up his spine, leaving a trail of tingles in its wake.

“Hey, man. How about finding another glass so I can join my friend, here?” Jimin didn’t have to turn to know it was Jeongguk. Always interrupting his bar conversations. Ruining opportunities. Although, Jimin couldn’t bring himself to actually be bothered. Against his rationally set mind, his stomach was flipping with excitement he had found Jimin again. His fingers itched to grab at the man next to him. To bring him close and just bask in his warm, comforting presence. However, he hid it well with a bored expression as he brought his attention back to his own drink.

Benji’s bright warm face fell in a scowling pout as he collected another glass and bottle of soju, before stomping off to tend to the other customers. Jimin was sure he heard grumbling but couldn’t make out any of the words.

“To what do I owe the honors?” Jimin asked without even acknowledging the person sitting next to him, simply just pouring himself another shot. He was sure he’d need another bottle to get through this encounter. His mind was jumping back and forth, nerves feeling frayed at the proximity. Jeongguk had arrogantly pulled in close to Jimin, their shoulders touching oh so casually. Jimin felt like it was on fire with how his body responded.

“What? I can’t say hi?” Jeongguk nudged Jimin playfully. He seemed elated to be in Jimin’s presence. Jimin couldn’t deny he felt the same. He continued to hide it from his appearance, though.

“It’s never that simple with you. And you scared off my lead for decent payday. Why are you always doing this to me?” Jimin took his shot then slammed his forehead to the bar in exasperation. Or to keep himself from making an embarrassing move toward Jeongguk. He was supposed to be upset with him, not cuddly.

“You don’t want to work with them.” Jeongguk informed, taking his own shot.

“Why? Cuz it’ll get me away from you quicker?” Jimin chuckled into his arm on the counter. Although his heart sank at the thought of separating again.

“No, because they’re trouble here.” Jeongguk stated like it was the most obvious reason in the galaxy.

“And you’re not?” Jimin couldn’t keep the sly smile from gracing his lips as he picked his head up and finally looked at the man sitting next to him. Jeongguk was handsome as ever, cleaned up, as expected on a civilized planet such as Hersa. His hair was gelled back showing off his smooth forehead and eloquently shaped brows. It made the doe eyes pop a bit more and Jimin couldn’t bring his focus away from his face to look down but peripherally his clothes were dark. Jeongguk’s visual had  Jimin choke on a gasp before hiding his reaction behind another shot.

Jeongguk smiled fondly. At Jimin’s words or the quickly covered reaction was unknown. Maybe both. Jimin was sure not much passed Jeongguk. “Touché.”

“Leave me to my own business and begone, demon.” Jimin shoved Jeongguk lightly in a playful manner, causing him to teeter on his stool slightly before he swung back into Jimin’s shoulder, a bit closer than before. Jimin pretended not to notice. If Jeongguk left, Jimin could focus on his plan. Jeongguk here meant Jimin not wanting to follow through with any of it.

Jeongguk tsked. “How about this.” He held up the cap to his soju bottle, a thin piece of metal barely connected. “Let’s play for it. Flick off the metal tab, you lose and don’t do business here.” A common drinking game with an uncommon wager.

“I don’t need to play. You need to listen and go.” Jimin insisted.

Jeongguk pouted, releasing a playful whine. “C’mon Jiminie, play with me.” Jeongguk was so cute, Jimin forgot how to breath. When did he become adorable?

“Fine. I’ll play. But I’m doing what I want, regardless.” Jimin gave in but was unrelenting with his decision to work with whoever he saw fit. If he sat here and argued he would be in Jeongguk’s presence long enough to dissipate his resolve and be under the man’s spell.

“Deal.” Jeongguk’s eyes sparkled, excited by the prospect of a game. “I’ll start.” Holding the cap up in his left hand, he lightly flicked the metal – enough to change its direction but not break off. “Your turn.” he enthusiastically held the cap out for Jimin to take.

Without restraining himself what-so-ever, Jimin gave it a hard flick. The metal tab remained connected – only barely. He sat the cap in front of Jeongguk nonchalantly, sipping his soju with indifference, keeping the smugness to himself. Jimin wasn’t about to be a poor sport, although he felt he already won.

“Aish,” Jeongguk breathed in, inspecting the cap and how he should attack it. “I knew you’d be a challenge. Always so difficult.”

“You want me easy?”

“Absolutely not. I love a challenge.” Eyes on Jimin, Jeongguk smirked, flicking the tab without looking. Against all odds, it stayed connected. Jimin guffawed with disbelief. “Don’t you?”

Jimin was confident he had this win in the bag. The tab was set up perfectly to snap off. Jeongguk was a witch. Although, it didn’t bother Jimin too much. He wasn’t entirely invested in the game to begin with. Taking the cap from Jeongguk, Jimin gave it an uncalculated flick, snapping the metal tab from the cap.

Jeongguk jumped from his seat, excited with his win he pumped his fists in the air. “Aha!” he celebrated. “You see that, Jiminie? I'm the best.”

Jimin tried to keep the endearment to himself. Jeongguk’s smile was unabashed, cheeks puffing up and overbite cutely on display. “…Okay.” He relented, struggling to hide his own affectionate grin. Finishing his drink, Jimin got up from the bar and approached Benji for more information on the job. Jimin did say he’d do what he wanted regardless of the outcome of their little game.

“You’ll have to talk to my boss for the details.” Benji’s eyes flicked behind Jimin, where Jeongguk had brought himself to join the conversation.

“What are you doing?” Jimin asked, somehow not even surprised Jeongguk was there. “I said I was gonna do what I wanted. You can’t stop me.”

“I’m not stopping you.” Jeongguk declared. “I’m going with you. For safety.”

“I can take care of myself. Besides, you’ll affect the negotiations.” His voice laced with irritation before emphasizing, “Negatively.”

“I’d feel better if I could go. I’ll be good. Won’t say a word. Promise.” Jeongguk held a hand over his heart to commit to his words.

Jimin did want Jeongguk near, despite how he acted otherwise. After pretending to mull it over, like he hadn’t made his mind up already, he acted like it was painful to agree. “Okay.” Jimin pulled his pinched thumb and pointer finger across his lips. “But zip it!”

Jeongguk nodded enthusiastically, pinching his lips together to show his dedication to his promise. Jimin hummed in approval before turning back to Benji.

“He’s in the back.” Benji offered, opening a curtain for the couple to slip behind.

“You’re not coming with us?” Jimin asked, confused when they walked back and the bartender didn’t follow.

“Gotta man the front. Just go to the very back room, tell ‘em I said you were worth bringing in for that one job.”

“’That one job?’” Jimin repeated, unimpressed.

Benji shot Jimin a blazing smile. “He’ll know.”

Jeongguk led Jimin away from Benji and down the dimly lit red carpeted hallway, clearly wanting to create some distance. He stayed quiet the whole walk back the surprisingly long hallway. They passed numerous doors, many with loud chatter, along with a few hallways splitting off into a dizzying maze. Luckily the boss was straight from where they entered, lest they become disoriented.

It was clear what the rooms were used for when a person dressed like Benji rolled a cart out of a room with card decks, colorful token chips, and money boxes.

Jimin grunted. “Gambling club, huh?”

Jeongguk kept silent, promise not forgotten. Jimin’s lips tweaked slightly at how well behaved he was being. Jimin really expected him to be more difficult.

When they reached the back door Jimin knocked confidently. A large, burley man swung the door open. Hair combed over a balding head left a few strands dropping into a large, unappealing face, lit cigar tucked loosely between his thick lips. There were two guns holstered in suspenders over a white tank top that held many stains, most prominent being the yellow ones under his armpits. It was tucked into a pair of, also stained, grey sweatpants that too obviously displayed the private bits of his crotch.

As unappealing as the man looked, it’s the smell that did it for Jimin. The man smelled like rancid smoke and alcohol seeping through his greasy pores. While caught off guard, Jimin was quick to school his features from disgust back to neutrality.

“What?!” The man barked out. Jimin found that to be incredibly rude but kept it to himself.

“Benji sent me back to meet the boss. Said I’d be worth it for ‘that one job.’” Jimin declared smoothly, unaffected by the smoke the man blew into his face while he spoke.

“That's a one man job.” The man grumbled, eyeing Jeongguk.

“And he’ll have no part in it…he’s a bodyguard. New acquaintances with this business and all.” Jimin covered quick and smoothly.

The man continued to glare at the pair while he sucked on his cigar, contemplating. The pair stood unwaivering.

“Yeah, okay.” He finally gave in, moving to the side of the door. “Boss! Benji sent some runt to take care of the Jigwon problem.”

A smooth voice followed as the pair entered the room. “Yes, I heard.” The presumed boss sat to the right of the door behind a large desk, stacks of cash lying about – apparently mid count as he held a handful. There was nothing really notable about the boss. Generic man: plain face, black hair, average build, medium aged.

“Oh my.” He startled, snatching a pair of round rimmed glasses from his desk as he rose. Putting them on, he let out an amused chuckle. “Do my eyes deceive me?” he asked. “Jeon Jeongguk, as I live and breathe.”

Jeongguk saluted casually in acknowledment, leaning against the wall with a disapproving huff, allowing Jimin to approach the man’s desk.

The boss looked between them. “I take it you’re the bodyguard, then?” referring to Jeongguk, who shrugged nonchalantly. The man rose from his desk, grabbing a cane to support his weight as he limped toward Jimin in interest. “Now why would the mighty Jeon be guarding this precious little thing?” he asked, stopping in front of Jimin. Assessing him.

Jimin was only mildly offended by the comments. People hardly saw him as a threat, which only worked to his advantage. He wasn’t sure what the history was between the two, but he was sure it wasn’t any of his business. In fact, he’d like to get to his own.

“Benji said you had a job for me?” Jimin questioned the man still looking him over.

The boss responded with a hum, eyes stopping on Jimin’s throat. Gingerly lifting his cane, an open-mouthed wolf carved into the top, he poked at Jimin’s collarbone.

Jeongguk did not like this. He took a more defensive stance, seeming to bristle and growl in warning. Well, Jimin guessed that was creative way to get around his vow of silence.

The man was not deterred, looping the chain of Jimin’s amulet in the wolf’s mouth, pulling it out from under his shirt.

“Oh. Jeongguk.” The man chuckled, dropping the amulet. “I know what this means.”

Jimin wanted to know. “What? It means something?”

The man only chuckled again. “You mean you don’t know?”

If he knew he wouldn’t have asked. Everyone was so cryptic all the time. Jimin shook his head to reiterate that no, he wasn’t aware.

The man strolled back to his desk, rolling his eyes as he took a seat. “Shocking.” He gasped, covering his mouth mockingly before dropping into a neutral expression. “How about this? Consider the answer payment.”

“I need cash.” Jimin countered.

“Of course. I’ll see to it you are well compensated.” The man smiled.

“So what is it? What do you need done?”

“Simple. Our liquor stocks are running dangerously low ever since the discotheque opened up the road. The workforce has been dwindling and a younger crowd has been drinking the planet dry.” The man chuckled. “I need the owner to drop some of his bids on the incoming bar supply shipments, is all. My club is rather small, comparatively, and it would make a world of difference if I could get some suppliers back.”

Jimin eyed the fat stacks of cash on the man’s desk. “Doesn’t look like business is hurting.”

The man rolled his hand around flippantly. “Looks can be deceiving. Operations are expensive. Much of it goes into security. For me. For the guests.” Jimin has seen literally one guy with a gun. Questionable. The man seemed caught on to Jimin’s skepticism. “Ah, all staff are trained killers – even sweet Benji, you know.” Jimin hummed in consideration. The boss started separating a few stacks of cash on his desk displaying the amount to Jimin. “Thirty thousand Hershillans.” Hersa’s monetary credit. “Equates to, what? Ninety thousand intergalactic credits?” he surmised. “Just need you to convince the owner to drop a few suppliers, is all.”

“Convince?” Jimin asked.

“You know…” the boss took his cane and whacked it around in the air. “Convince.”

“Why can’t you get the big guy to do it?” Jimin thumbed toward to filthy man watching them from the door. Seemed like something the lacky was perfectly capable of.

“Can’t be associated with me, I’m afraid. You are a temporary guest, yes?”

Ah. Sense has been made. Do the job, take the money, run. Jimin toed that moral line, but this made him feel a bit dirty. He nodded, one hand on his hip, the other rubbing his chin as he considered the deal. “So you want me to threaten, and hurt, a guy for having a more successful business than you?” Jimin simplified.

“Well, when you say it like that…” The man let his sentence drift off without an argument.

Jimin hummed, glancing at Jeongguk for a moment, gauging his opinion off expression. There was nothing but disdain for this boss guy. Jimin hoped Jeongguk would give him the same information about the amulet this guy was offering because the deal felt too dirty for him to accept, the man not trustworthy – if Jeongguk’s opinion meant anything. He’d have to ask around other bars for extra work – maybe the disco owner had something for him. Maybe pay him for warning him about this situation. Get some free drinks, at least. Jimin loved dancing and letting loose. Maybe he’d check it out next.

“As tempting as your offer is – I don’t think it’s for me. Thank you for your consideration.” Jimin politely declined with a small bow. As he rose, the room began filling with a stream of the boss’s ‘security’ personnel, all brandishing weapons.

“Fuck. Goddammit, Choi.” Jeongguk broke his vow of silence as he sprinted to grab Jimin and take cover behind the desk. At least Jimin had the boss’s name now.

“What did you expect from me, bringing him here?” Choi had pushed out his chair to face the couple crouching next to him, pistol pointed straight at Jeongguk’s head. Imagining the trigger being pulled tore Jimin’s heart in two. Before he thought it through, Jimin had flipped Choi out of his chair, causing the frail man to drop the gun. Jimin quickly jumped over to the man, grabbing his cane to bar against his throat, pining the man to his front as protection from all the guns pointing at him. Jeongguk lazily picked himself up, grabbing the discarded gun and pointed it back at Choi. Though strained with the pressure on his neck, Choi chuckled, still finding entertainment despite his predicament. “How heroic. Letting the Omega do the hard work for you, Alpha?”

Jeongguk popped the butt of the gun against Choi’s grin without hesitation. Blood flowed freely, several teeth now missing, rattling as they hit the floor. Jimin was now supporting Choi’s weight completely. “Shut your stupid mouth.” Choi nodded as best he could in his pinned state.

Jimin was confused by the terms he was using. Not that it was important. Getting out of this place was. They were deep in it. Jimin was curious, though. “What does he mean, Jeongguk?”

There was a scowl on his face. “I’ll tell you when we are out of here. Come on.” Jeongguk’s head gestured toward the exit as he reached to hold the reins on Choi. “I got him, you stay behind me.”

Jimin carefully moved behind Jeongguk, unholstering his guns and getting them ready for action – just in case the hostage thing didn’t work out.

They inched to the door, none of Choi’s men daring to take a shot at their boss. Except the big brute of a man they first encountered in Choi’s office. No, he charged them, aiming at the staff to free his boss. Jimin had no clue how he did it, but Jeongguk was able to not only pull away from the much larger man’s grip, but crash the staff against the side of his skull with a sickening crack, knocking him to the ground motionless, blood seeping into a pool. It transpired within a second, Choi never really having a chance to get away before the staff was back on his neck.

“Anyone else wanna try somethin’?” Jeongguk asked. His voice had a dark, threatening lilt that Jimin hadn’t heard before. Even he was intimidated. Jeongguk looked back to Jimin reassuringly, uttering softly, “It’s alright, head to the door. Check the hallway. Carefully.”

Jimin was always careful. Where he would normally take offense by Jeongguk’s need to iterate that, in this moment it sounded like all Jeongguk wanted was for him to be safe. It brought Jimin comfort, more than anything.

Peeking down the hallway Jimin cursed. Benji was waiting at the end of the hallway for them, twirling his pistol, bored. He didn’t catch Jimin’s quick glance. Taking a deep, calming breath, Jimin steadied his nerves. He knew what needed to be done to get out of here safely. Would he be the first one to spill blood? When it came to his freedom, yeah.

Besides, his gut didn’t harbor much guilt for the decision. And technically, Jeongguk spilled the first, and second, blood. Both by blunt impact, not bullets, but still.

Remembering where Benji was casually guarding Jimin carefully peered back through the open doorway, quickly aiming and right after taking his shot he pulled back, taking cover between Jeongguk and the wall. He heard the muffled thud of a body hitting the carpeted floor and the rattling of a dropped gun. He chanced a peek. Benji was indeed down. No other sentries made themselves present.

“Okay, I think we’re good.” Jimin said, starting down the hallway, staying alert for any threatening movement. Jeongguk followed, walking backwards with Choi in tow, shutting the door once through.

“Run.” Jimin didn’t need to be told twice. Jeongguk picked the man up and caught up to Jimin. Nearing the end of the hallway bullets started zinging by them. Jeongguk grunted, holding Choi back up as a shield from the security spilling into the hallway from the office. The bullets stopped, but not before a painful yelp left Choi – obviously getting hit.

Jimin cleared the bar, all the people left when shots were heard. Once backed through the curtain and to the front door, Jeongguk kicked Choi back into the space as they ran as quick and far as they could from the place. They got a good distance before bullets were flying down the streets. At this point, Jeongguk grabbed Jimin down a side alley to avoid the shots. They were able to zigzag through many streets, effectively losing the mob after them. They didn’t stop until safely in Jimin’s temporary apartment.

Jimin leaned against the door when he shut it closed behind him, huffing to catch his breath. He slid down to the floor. “Holy shit...so…tired” he got out between breaths.

Jeongguk looked up from where he was catching his own breath, hands on his knees taking gulps of air. “Yeah? Hate…to say…I…told ya…” he panted out.

Jimin glared at the smug man who somehow made his way back into the apartment again. “How is it,” Jimin steadied his breathing a bit before asking, “you know all these crime bosses?”

Jeongguk pointed at himself. “Crime boss.” He winced, “Kinda… Definitely a boss.” He smirked at the last bit.

“What the fucking fuck.” Jimin exclaimed. “Woulda been nice to know before.”

Jeongguk shrugged, making his way to the kitchen to fetch a couple glasses of water. “Not something you go around telling decent people. Plus, you never asked.” Jimin followed him to the kitchen.

“I’m decent people?” Jimin wasn’t so sure – he had his fair share of underground, murky, activity. He took the glass offered by Jeongguk and swallowed down the delicious water that soothed his aching throat.

Jeongguk hummed, chugging his own glass down, licking his lips and filling his glass again, taking a more modest sip before setting it on the counter. Somehow knowing his way around, he located a first aid kit and some clean cloths, dampening them in the sink before gesturing them toward Jimin. “Alright, let me see it.”

Jimin was caught a bit off guard. “See what, exactly?”

“I smell blood.”

“You what?!” Jimin felt a few stinging scrapes from some dodged bullets – surely not enough to smell. He looked around his own body, trying to locate an injury his adrenaline made him numb to. The worst one he could find was his left arm – the bullet might as well as lodged itself in his flesh, enough was missing. He offered it up to Jeongguk.

Jeongguk sucked in a breath through his teeth. “Ouch.” He tugged at Jimin’s shirt. “Off.”

Using his good arm, Jimin struggled to unbutton his shirt single handedly. Jeongguk watched him struggle through the first one before gently pulling his shaking hand away. “I got it.”

Jimin watched Jeongguk’s focused face soften as he worked his way down, exposing more skin. Jimin felt his face get warm at the implication of Jeongguk checking him out, but the throbbing in his arm reminded him other things were more important at the moment. He tried shouldering off his shirt and jacket once Jeongguk pulled his shirt free of its tuck. He didn’t get far before Jeongguk’s hands were sliding the collar up and off his shoulders. The jacket fell, but the shirt stayed – blood had dried it to his arm. The pulling stung, Jimin sucked in a breath. Holding a damp cloth to the fabric allowed Jeongguk to pull it away without causing pain. Jeongguk set to work cleaning the wound, numbing it with lidocaine before needing to stitch it up, working on other smaller cuts waiting for it to kick in, all the while staying gentle and patient, not wanting to cause Jimin more discomfort.

It was sweet.

Until it got weird.

Once done with the stitching, Jimin fully expected antiseptic to be next. What he got was Jeongguk lapping his wet tongue over the wound. Jimin cried in shock. His mind’s neurons fired off and he was suddenly back on Byul, having his chin licked in much the same way.

“Wh-what are you doing?” It was a fair question. People didn’t just go around licking wounds. What should have seemed revolting to Jimin actually felt right, in a weird way. It didn’t make sense.

“Trust me.” Jeongguk uttered against Jimin’s skin, tongue gliding over to the less dire wounds.

“Jeongguk…” Jimin trailed off, feeling light and heady – drunk off Jeongguk’s presence once again. “Stop. Tell me what’s going on.” Best to get it out before he was completely stupefied. Gripping Jeongguk’s shoulders, Jimin pushed him away. “What does Choi know that I don’t?”

Jeongguk pulled back at Jimin’s light resistance, concern still etching his features.

Since Jeongguk wasn’t saying anything Jimin decided he would. “Start with what he said about this.” Jimin pulled at the amulet, the only thing dressing his top half. Jeongguk glanced down, tracing over the gems with a delicate touch.

“He knew it was a gift from me to you.”

“And?” there was more to Choi’s insinuations than just that.

“And…it means I wanna, like…” he licked his lips in thought, flicking up to meet Jimin’s eyes for a moment before dropping them back to the jewelry. “Date.”

Jeongguk’s intentions didn’t surprise him, it wasn't like Jeongguk was subtle. “Why would Choi care?”

Jeongguk dropped his eyes to his feet. In shame? “Doesn’t that make you special?” he let out softly, looking up to met Jimin’s stare.

Jimin scoffed. “Why would it? Quit these games and tell me what is going on.” Jimin’s tone was demanding. Jeongguk didn’t budge, seemingly lost in Jimin’s gaze. So he backed Jeongguk off of him with a stern shove to the shoulder. Jeongguk flinched, sucking in a sharp breath, grabbing at it. “What, are you hurt?” Jimin asked, voice laced with worry, momentarily forgetting he was supposed to be angry.

Jeongguk turned his back to reveal a bullet wound in the meat of his shoulder.

“I didn’t think it was that bad, just a graze.”

“Jeongguk, there’s a freaking bullet in your shoulder.”

“Oh.”

“Jesus, give me that.” Jimin grumbled, reaching for the medical supplies Jeongguk had gathered. “Your turn, shirt, off, now.”

“Ooh, so bossy.” Jeongguk chuckled, easily pulling the thin material over his head with his good arm. Jimin made it a point to focus on the wound alone. It was slowly still oozing, but after a little clean up Jimin found the bullet visible inside a ring of swollen flesh. He could probably pinch it if he wanted to.

“How the hell…?” He muttered, mostly to himself. There’s no way the flimsy shirt Jeongguk was wearing slowed down the bullet enough to be this shallow. Must have been ricocheted.

“What? What’s wrong?” Jeongguk asked, mildly alarmed by Jimin’s confusion.

“It’s just…not as bad as I thought. Still, would be easier if Taemin had some modern treatments in the house.” Jimin grabbed some medical plyers to pull the metal bead loose, cloth at the ready to apply pressure once removed. “Cut the shit and tell me what’s going on or I won’t be gentle.”

“So demanding.” Jeongguk’s quip was shortly followed by a painful grunt, Jimin digging the plyers in none too gently and twisting the lodged bullet.

“Okay! Okay. Sheesh.” Jeongguk gave in, effectively stopping Jimin's light torture.

“Everything. Spill.” Jimin’s words were accentuated with the spilling of blood from yanking the bullet out. He applied pressure and waited for the answers.

“I’ll level with you – there’s different factions that share the same culture. You’re supposed to find the right group, the right pack, to lead the others.”

“That’s why you were so eager to get me in your clutches?”

“I mean kind of. But it’s more than that to me, between us.”

Jimin snorted. “Sure.” He said in disbelief, dabbing at his back. The hole wasn’t even thar deep but Jimin decided on stitches, regardless. “So, what, this guy Choi is part of an enemy faction or something?” Did Jimin really care? Not really. He followed up with something that did matter to him. “What even makes you guys think I’m the one for this role – cuz I would rather not be.”

Jeongguk tapped his nose and smirked, turning so Jimin could see his expression. “If you know what you’re looking for – there’s a few tells it’s you.”

“I stink?” Jimin lifted his arms to whiff his pits. To be fair  they did just sprint here.

Jeongguk laughed. “Quite the opposite. You smell amazing.” Jimin blushed at the intensity Jeongguk admitted that – like it was killing him how good Jimin smelled. He poked the needle into Jeongguk’s skin to distract from his own embarrassment. Jeongguk flinched away.

“Yow! What the hell, no numbing first?”

Jimin shrugged, “Nah. Almost done.” He wasn’t. He changed his line of questioning. “Why did he call me Omega? And you Alpha?”

“They are like…genders? It’s a testament to our compatibility. I really wish Taehyung was here to explain it…but it’s how we were able to imprint – it will only occur between an Alpha and an Omega.”

It was the most Jeongguk had ever explained. Jimin wasn’t sure what to question now. A lot of it still didn’t make sense. Learning more about these things only confused him more.

Maybe he should talk to Taehyung.

“Where is he, by the way? Taehyung? And everyone else?”

“Nuek. I told em we’d meet them there.”

“Confident I would go back with you?”

“A hundred percent. Our meeting is no accident – it’s fate. Admit you love being around me. It feels good, doesn’t it? Right?”

Jimin didn't wish to humor Jeongguk's delusions any further, despite the nagging inside his head saying "yes, yes, yes."

"No."

Jeongguk twisted his head enough for Jimin to see his knowing smirk. Knowing that Jimin felt something. As if reading Jimin's mind, Jeongguk commented on his thoughts. "You do. I can tell. It's subtle, but it's in your scent. Yours is so unique so it's taken me some time to decipher your intentions. It's something…different. It’s new, but also so, so old. A return, if you’d like.”

“What, you guys have super honkers or something? How could you even pick up something like that?” What was it with these people and scents?

Instead of answering, Jeongguk offered a way for Jimin to understand how this was possible a little better. “You can smell us, too.”

“All I smell is your cologne or something.” Jimin argued, shaking his head in dismissal. He went to the fridge and twisted open a soju bottle to pour himself shot. The subject matter was too weird to handle as sober as he was.

“Ever notice how those colognes ‘or something’ carry a weight? Emotion? Intent?”

Jimin did notice. He also tried to deny that it was happening when he did. It was scary and too supernatural to be real, so his mind worked around it. Being forced to think about it now had Jimin scared. As soon as the feeling hit him, the musk that usually followed Jeongguk seemed to wash a calm over him, and he wasn’t so bothered by this news anymore. Jeongguk had a look on his face that said “see?”

Jimin pulled away and redirected his questioning. “What, so Taemin didn’t pick it up on me?”

“Taemin’s an idiot.” Jeongguk frowned, not happy to be bringing him up at all. “But he’s also known you a long time, before your scent grew to what it is now. He probably didn’t notice, always assumed you were just a normal human.”

“And I’m not?” Was he not from earth?

“Absolutely not. You’re much more.”

"What, then?" Jimin asked.

“Imprinting on me only proved you’re destined for our pack, one of us.” Jeongguk shouldered Jimin playfully.

Maybe it was the soju. Maybe it was the ‘imprint.’ Maybe it was just Jimin missing familiarity. But he played along with Jeongguk, shouldering him back with a giggle. “You’re still going on about that?” he asked.

“Still going o-of course I am! It’s kind of a big deal!” Jeongguk making Jimin laugh more. “It’s, like, my life’s goal to see you are safe and happy, now. So I’m here, keeping you out of trouble till your wolf wakes up.”

“My wolf?”

Jeongguk’s eyes suddenly got really large and he stammered, trying to back track what he had just said. “Did I say wolf? I meant…oaf.”

“When my ‘oaf’ wakes up?”

“Yeah, you know, your silly side. You’re too serious Jimin-ssi.”

Jimin raised an unimpressed brow. “So, I’m a magnet for trouble until my wild side awakens? That doesn’t make sense, Jeongguk.”

Jeongguk waved his hands like it was no big deal. “It’ll make sense when it happens, for now let’s drink up!” he poured them both another shot. Jimin tentatively picked his up, but sat it back down as things started connecting for him. Wolf? He’s seen a wolf.

“Do you mean the wolf in my dreams?”

“Hm?” It was painfully obvious Jeongguk was trying to seem clueless about it.

Jimin continued. “It started a few months ago. But only in my dreams. It felt so real at one point I thought a monster was onboard the ship – that day I was in the med bay analytical chamber, you know? But I saw a different one that day, too.”

Jeongguk sipped his soju nonchalantly. Jimin wasn't sure when he poured himself some. “Oh, did you?”

“You immediately took it’s place. What the fuck is going on?” Jimin was now serious. He knew what felt real, and Jeongguk had answers. “And why did you get my crew to conspire against me?”

Jeongguk took a deep breath before letting out a sigh. “If anything, the were conspiring for you. Keeping us from overstepping.”

“Shit job they did of that, you overstepped every chance you got.”

Jeongguk scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, well, it’s difficult when all I want to do is hug you, and kiss you, and tell you you’re mine.”

Jimin blushed at that, feeling a desire to belong to someone, but resisted all the same and shoved it down. “I’m not anybody’s.”

“Of course not. Not yet anyways. But I’ll make you mine. And I’ll be yours.”

Jimin’s body reacted to that. An excited thrill went down his spine. Not that he’d make Jeongguk privy. “Fat chance. I’m making some dough and moving on, without you, to the next planet – not Nuek. So, you can leave now.” Jimin swooped all used and bloody first aid supplies into a trash can, stashing it under the sink.

Jeongguk grimaced, looking to his shoulder. “Can I go after I heal up a bit?”

“Why, so you can keep trying to convince me to leave with you? Not gonna happen. I don’t trust you. I don’t trust them.”

“Jimin,” Jeongguk sighed his name, stepping up to where he stood and cradled Jimin’s face in his hands, forcing him to catch his gaze. “I would never hurt you. You’re safest with me. I just want you safe. I won’t leave without you. I can’t leave without you.”

As Jeongguk spoke, Jimin felt a wash of calm cover his body and he suddenly felt very compliant and found himself wanting to agree with Jeongguk. He couldn’t have that. Something was happening to him. “What are you doing to me?” as much as he wanted to sound strong and accusing, Jimin’s question came out breathy and cracked. Was he breaking?

Jeongguk just swept Jimin’s bangs off his forehead, then leaned down and gave it a light kiss before resting his own forehead against Jimin’s. “It’s our bond. You don’t want to leave me, not really.”

Didn’t he, though? Jimin wanted freedom – Jeongguk was not offering him that. But he couldn’t bring himself to argue. Whatever Jeongguk was doing, was intensifying. Jimin’s skin was buzzing, seemingly desperate for something. For Jeongguk? Jimin leaned forward, bringing their fronts together. The contact sizzled and he felt a sharp need, an emptiness he didn’t realize he held. He never felt empty before…did he? Life was fulfilling, he completed a service to his planet and had many adventures. But this was a different emptiness. A Jeongguk sized one, he realized.

Jeongguk let out a ragged breath, closing his eyes. Hands that once cupped Jimin’s face lightly dragged down his neck and across his bare shoulders, not traveling anywhere necessarily erogenous but the patterns felt like they were shaking something loose inside Jimin. The emptiness, the need for Jeongguk began to burn. Hands travelled down, over Jimin’s chest and lightly danced around his sides as Jeongguk brought Jimin closer into his embrace. The intimacy flared inside Jimin, arousal sparking every nerve ending. His asshole puckered.

His asshole never puckered for no man. Sure, he enjoyed bottoming, but he never felt his body crave it like this. It scared him. Everything Jeongguk said scared him. He suddenly pulled away, breaking whatever hold Jeongguk had on him.

Jimin took in a deep, controlling breath. It didn’t stop the puckering and growing need he felt inside him.

“I can’t keep arguing with you. I need some rest, I have work tomorrow. Tomorrow...” Jimin thought of the best way to deal with Jeongguk. He wasn’t the easiest to turn away. Jimin felt drained. He gave an inch. “You leave tomorrow. Give that shoulder a little rest and reenergize. Then you can fly your ass away from me.” Eyes hard on Jeongguk, Jimin spoke with no room for argument. His boundaries would be respected. There would be no coercion.

Jeongguk seemed to pick up on the finality of Jimin’s words. Looking a bit dejected, but overall content with Jimin’s verdict, he nodded in agreement.

“I’ve been staying in the guest room. Sleeping in Taemin’s room felt…weird. You can stay there. Use his suite bathroom. Take his clothes. I don’t give a shit.” Not caring for a response, Jimin turned on his heels and stomped off to prepare himself for bed. He was sweaty and grimy from their escape.

Jimin’s hygiene routine was still very sacred to him. He reverently selected his sleepwear, a basic looking but oh, so soft, beige sweatsuit set. Sliding his drawers closed he pulled in another gasp as his body continued to buzz. His stomach clenched. He was probably still wired from the day’s experience, he decided. Selecting a lavender bath bomb, Jimin went to fill the tub. A nice hot bath would loosen his body up and he’ll unwind a bit. Not like he was in a rush to finish and find Jeongguk trapsing through the apartment. It upset him that the thought brought him comfort.

Sinking into the filled tub, there was a tickling of his still puckering asshole and sensitively tightened balls as they met the purple tinged water. Jimin was frightfully aware of his hardness jutting from his body. He had been trying to ignore it, sure it was a normal reaction to the excitement of the day, but it only became more noticeable and harder when he submerged it into the tub’s warm embrace. He moaned in combined pleasure, his erogenous zones sensitive but his muscles also melting with relief. Briefly, he wondered if Jeongguk could hear him and what he thought of Jimin’s vocalization of pleasure. The thought was quickly tucked away, even if it did feel right. Jimin decided he didn’t quite care. He reminded himself of the lies and betrayal the mysterious man brought into his life.

Things were pretty perfect before Jeongguk showed up. But that was okay, Jimin could carve another home for himself. This time, he would keep his friends at arms distance so he wouldn’t be caught unawares again.

Could he blame Jeongguk for their betrayal, or was it always within Seokjin and the trusty Captain Namjoon to sell him out?

Everyone in this world only looked out for themselves. Why he thought their friendship set them beyond that reality, he wasn’t sure. But it was a truth he wasn’t unfamiliar with. It’s something he always expected. Probably why he was able to leave them behind so easily.

The thoughts of betrayal did wonders to settling his buzzing body, even if it did make his heart heavier.

Jimin laid in his bath for an hour, the water maintaining its warmth through the automatic heating feature. The extended heat made him a bit lightheaded, and when he finally decided to get out of the tub he stumbled a bit before collapsing onto the floor.

Chapter Text

The forest zoomed by in blurs of green and brown, and yet, at the same time, everything was in clear focus for Jimin. His lungs expanded with each stretch of his legs, feet thumping the ground. It was almost melodic, creating a symphony with the blood rushing through his veins. Jimin was at his peak, doing what he was meant to do. So caught up in the feeling of his body running, it took him a moment to realize why he was.

Meat.

Drool escaped his panting mouth, bringing the flavors of fear and desperation to his tongue. Then the sight before him came into focus. A brown rabbit that was losing its stamina must have wandered too far from its burrow. Jimin pushed himself even further, needing to make the kill. Once he was on the creatures tail he willed all his strength to his hind legs, lurching forward and tackling the small mammal to the ground, his mouth clamping down and puncturing the soft flesh of its throat.

It was glorious. Satiating. Perfect.

After taking his fill, Jimin jogged over to a nearby stream to rehydrate after the extended sprint from the chase. Leaning over the edge he dropped his head to lap at the water. Pulling away, Jimin caught a reflection of himself in the gentle stream.

It wasn’t him at all.

Looking back at him was a white wolf with light blue eyes, maw dripping in blood. A snap of a twig had him whirling around, ready to defend himself. Another wolf, this one black and twice as big as Jimin. It was familiar. He was familiar. Safe.

Faintly, he heard his name called to him, “Jimin.” The call was tender and endearing. It seemed to come from the wolf, but it hadn’t moved its mouth. It hadn’t moved anything. It stood stiff.

“Jimin.” There was more force behind his name this time, and it seemed to come from all around him. But Jimin couldn’t speak. He wanted to. To call out and be comforted.

Soon, Jimin found his voice. Weak and cracking. “Alpha,” he called out, reaching forward – toward the black wolf. It dropped its head, nose nearly reaching the ground, before slowly stalking to Jimin. Once the wolf reached him, it nosed at Jimin’s hand, almost forcing Jimin to pat him. Running his fingers over the wolf’s head, his hands locked into the fur of its neck, pulling the wolf closer. It rested its chin on Jimin’s shoulder, head pushing up against Jimin’s cheek. Jimin’s senses were overwhelmed with a musky pine, different, stronger, headier, than how the forest itself smelled.

Glancing to the water he never left, Jimin took stock of their appearance. It should have frightened him, but he couldn’t help but feel calm about what he saw.

Jimin woke gasping for breath as he rushed to sit up. He was still in the bathroom, thankfully covered with a towel, a worried Jeongguk on his knees in front of him.

“Did you hit your head? I checked for injury, but you seem okay. Do you hurt?” Jeongguk asked, giving Jimin a brief once-over for anything he might have missed. As exposed as Jimin was he should have felt vulnerable and maybe a little violated with the glances, but he was washed with calmness and safety. Taking in Jeongguk, he noticed he was also freshly washed, water dripped from his hair, wetting the neck of the black silk pajamas he must have found among Taemin’s things.

“No, I just got a little lightheaded is all. Thanks, though.” Jimin tried waving Jeongguk off. He was no fragile princess.

“Are you sure? You seemed…strange.”

“And how would you know what’s normal for me?”

Jeongguk’s mouth held firm in a straight line, gears turning behind his eyes. Did he know Jimin like that? He followed Jimin all the way here, stalker wouldn’t be a stretch.

“Seriously, what the fuck do you want?” Jimin’s anger flared, frustrated with the lies and deceit that followed him in the form of an attractive man he felt all sort of soft gushy things for. It was all wrong.

As Jimin ruminated in his thoughts, his body’s buzzing grew tenfold. He wasn’t sure when it started, only aware once it was starting to make him feel weightless. He felt a rejuvenation wash over him.

“Shit,” Jeongguk said, reaching for Jimin’s amulet. Once connected, Jimin felt the buzz dissipate, seemingly through the amulet.

“What was that? What did you do? The fuck, Jeongguk?” Jimin wasn’t sure where to start with this. He wasn’t sure he was even fully processing what just happened. Jeongguk flinched at Jimin’s inquisition.

“Jimin, I…can’t say much. Maybe I can circumvent a bit and bend the rules.”

“Rules? What rules?”

Jeongguk sighed, “This might be a bit much – maybe I’ll give you a minute to get situated and meet me in the kitchen? I’ll make us some tea.”

“I’m not consuming anything you make, so don’t bother.”

Jeongguk nodded sullenly and got to his feet, offering Jimin a hand.

Jimin batted it away, narrowing his eyes. “You can go.”

Jeongguk looked a bit torn, but ultimately respected Jimin’s wishes. Holding his palms up in surrender, Jeongguk gave in, “I’ll go.” And he did, without further argument.

Jimin took a minute to let everything catch up to him. What was that buzzing and why did it seem like Jeongguk discharged his energy when he touched the amulet. The amulet Jimin still couldn’t bring himself to remove, despite not trusting it. Perhaps it was witchcraft? They were a coven come to steal Jimin’s lifeforce.

It made more sense than anything rational could.

After slapping his body with elixirs and oils, Jimin pulled on his sweatsuit and went to the kitchen to meet Jeongguk.

Who had two steaming mugs despite Jimin explicitly declining. Jimin’s eyebrows piqued when he caught them.

“I couldn’t help myself, I wanted to provide something to keep you comfortable because what I share might be a bit…shocking? But I feel like you kind of know what’s going on. At least you’re supposed to be figuring it out at your own rate.”

“I’m still so confused. Right now my working theory is that your little group is an evil witch coven come to steal my soul for the devil. What happened in there with this?” Jimin pulled the amulet up to Jeongguk. Reaching forward, Jeongguk held the amulet, dark amber eyes flashing red before he dropped it back against Jimin’s chest.

“Well, supernatural isn’t too far off target. I don’t think you’ll believe me, but I’ll say it anyways – we aren’t evil. Or witches. Well, I guess Tae kind of is…not the point. I discharged your excess energy. The amulet can only absorb so much. You have power for some very specific uses. Well, not your power. You’re more of a conduit.” Jeongguk’s eyebrows furrowed as he got back on track, “My people have a belief, a prophecy that needs fulfillment to continue our species. Every generation gets the opportunity, but many have been overwhelmed by the power, it has destroyed them before they can get a handle on it. Tae was working on fortifying you before things got to that point, the necklace being the first line of defense. Upon awakening, the chosen omega usually has immediate access to the power, we were trying to ease you into it slowly. So, you wouldn’t die.”

Jimin wasn’t sure whether to laugh in Jeongguk’s face or ask more questions. His mind knew this all sounded very, very insane. But his heart… his heart loved culty shit, apparently.

Where did he even start with all this. Ah yes, start with what he knows is true: they lied and kept secrets from him.

“If that is the case, why not tell me – I put the necklace on day one of meeting you. It would have saved a lot of heartache. It makes me think you’re full of shit.” Except he couldn’t be entirely – Jimin felt the power. Can’t take the amulet off. Seemed pretty supernatural to him.

One side of Jeongguk’s lip pulled up for only a moment. “Oh, I wanted to. Very much. There is still so much I want to – but it will wake you too quickly, before the fortifications are in place.”

“So, you didn’t tell me anything because if I knew I would, what, explode?”

“Something like that.”

“Wouldn’t it make more sense to try to get me in the loop of information to help contain it? Learn some meditative techniques like Goku?”

“Been done before, several times, ending in failure. Also…” Jeongguk again looked frustrated, tapping his mug as he moved away from the kitchen into the livingroom and got himself comfortable in a wingback chair. Jimin followed, taking up residence on the couch, pulling the throw blanket from the back of it down into his lap. “You know, Captain Namjoon is practically a celebrity amongst our people?”

“He has many accolades.” Jimin nodded, sniffing the tea mug he brought with him. He very much did want this tea because Jeongguk made it. Was it safe to drink? Jimin pulled a testing sip from the mug, surprised by how delicious it was. Chamomile, cinnamon, and honey. Jimin didn’t know he loved this combination until now. He usually had whatever tea available, plain. This was a treat. “That’s great, but I don’t see the correlation.” he finished after his tea tasting session.

Jeongguk blushed, “Well, he’s kind of been a role model for me. I value his opinion above all others. Of course, fate would bring him into this.” Jeongguk took a sip of his tea, humming in pleasure. Jimin wondered if his tea was the same. “He cares for you. Like family. Very protective.” Jeongguk’s knee bounced as he saught out his carefully crafted words. “Being of my…clan,” he used the term for the first time ever, “he knows the prophecy. And it’s failures. He wouldn’t let us say anything until…until it was safe enough.”

As lost as Jimin was in the conversation, it did sound like Namjoon. It made his eavesdropped conversation between Taehyung and Namjoon make sense – Namjoon was scolding Taehyung for doing something too soon with Jimin.

“What if I, like, don’t want to be part of all this?” Maybe this role was for a power hungry type of person. Jimin wasn’t sure what the power was for, but he was sure he could live a fulfilled life without it.

Jeongguk smiled weakly. “Fate has planned this for you. There is no choice – it is happening to you, whether you, me, Tae, or Namjoon have anything to say about it or not. You might as well accept our help.”

*

Reaching into a drawer Jimin pulled out a spray bottle of lavender and ylangylang extract. Spraying his bed was ritual and it usually lulled him into a restful sleep. Climbing into his bed he took a large whiff before collapsing onto his pillow. The scent surrounding him instantly relaxed his body. He reflected on the conversation of the evening.

All else Jimin squeezed out of Jeongguk was that he wanted Jimin to see Taehyung stat – that the limits were too close to bursting and Jeongguk wasn’t sure he had a strong enough bond to absorb enough excess threatening to kill Jimin. Jeongguk remained dodgy with any more information Jimin tried to extract from him. Even clarifying some his own admissions, such as what kind of witch Taehyung was or what he meant by using terms like clan or omega, was off the table. For the bullshit excuse of limiting Jimin’s information for safety or because Jeongguk didn’t want to weave too many lies, Jimin wasn’t sure.

He was sure that shit was generally weird.

The facts he knew before and after Jeongguk’s conversation didn’t really change, Jimin couldn’t trust Jeongguk. Who was he to him, anyway?

So, he couldn’t understand why he so badly wanted to believe it all. Something about being on the same page, the same side, as Jeongguk had his heart fluttering.

Moments before sleep sunk into him, he allowed himself to think that it would be perfect if there was a hint of musky pine wrapped around him as well.

*

Jimin woke with a start. His amulet pulsed, filling Jimin with adrenaline he was sure he didn’t need for sleep. It was the middle of the night, or as close to night as it got on Hersa. Jimin checked his wrist. He didn’t have to be up for five more hours. Surveying his room, everything seemed right. He had left his window cracked to let in a cool breeze while he slept, allowing the hum of the city at night in. Focusing, he tried to stretch his hearing into the apartment. Something was wrong, off, but he couldn’t pinpoint what. As far as he could tell, everything was fine.

That’s when Jeongguk burst into his room flicking on the light.

“We’ve got to go.” Jeongguk said, throwing on outerwear over his stolen pajamas, weapons strapped to him. “They’re on their way up now, we’ll have to go out the window or we’ll run right into them.” Jeongguk hastily grabbed Jimin’s bag and shoved it at him. “Hurry, grab whatever’s important, shuttle is on the way, you’ve got two minutes. The front door will only hold them off for so long. I smell C-4 – how archaic.” Jeongguk’s anxiety lightened enough with Jimin’s quick compliance – after a momentary blink of surprise –  to make the crack at the explosives of choice. He disappeared into the bathroom, collecting bottles.

Jimin was confused but continued his hurried packing. “We? They? What?” Jimin didn’t know where to start his line of questioning. Always so many questions with Jeongguk.

“Yes we,” Jeongguk came out of Jimin’s bathroom with Jimin’s sacred cosmetics, “and they as to mean Choi. I don’t think he’s over getting his ass kicked.” Jeongguk informed, opening Jimin’s window wider and peering out, “Fuck, we’re high.” He poked around on a device to check the shuttle’s location.

Jimin froze. They were getting on the shuttle.

“Is this how you trick me to go with you?” he accused, the last of his things packed into his bag – he really hadn’t unpacked much to begin with. “How do I know anyone is coming?” At the end of his questioning a loud thump came from the front door.

“Think I made that up?” Jeongguk asked, a little cavalier considering the situation and Jimin’s poor attitude. Bright lights filled through the window before moving aside and revealing a shuttle saddling up to the window seal. “You can’t stay here.”

Jimin bit his lip. He had a lot of confidence in his abilities. He could take on Choi’s men, couldn’t he?

A blast at the front door alerted Jimin his time was up; there was probably more heavy artillery coming his way. He decided he would rather not chance taking them on. Scrambling toward Jeongguk’s outstretched hand, Jimin crawled through the window and on the shuttle through its scissor door. Once onto the craft, Jimin made room for Jeongguk to make the jump next. Another thud and the bedroom door was open. Jeongguk leapt into the shuttle’s open door, grabbing onto the side to swing to the left and slam on the door’s manual control button before running to the cockpit. A few bullets made it inside before the door shut and they pulled away.

“Shit, that was close.” Jeongguk said from the cockpit. Jimin still stood next to the shuttle door, clutching his bag. Staring at the bullets lodged into the bulkhead, Jimin found a few lines were leaking fluid. He’d have to find a tool kit and patch it soon if they planned on getting anywhere anytime soon.

Then, he thought about the literal last few moments. Jeongguk knew they were coming before they were even there.

“How did you know they were coming? Did you plan this?” Manipulate him into getting on his shuttle, take him back to the ship with the others to carry out whatever in god’s name they had planned for Jimin and this bizarre energy that was licking up again. “I’m not going back to Byul. Or Nuek.” Might as well remind him of exactly what Jimin didn’t want, just in case there was a chance this hadn’t turned into an abduction.

Jeongguk was busy operating the shuttle, manually steering, putting in coordinates, checking for any tails. But he stopped at Jimin’s words and turned the captain seat to face him. A look of distaste on his face.

“Jimin, I’m taking you to Tae. Or you’ll die. End of story.”

“How did you know they were coming?” Jimin repeated his earlier question, anger seeping into his words knowing he held no authority on where they went now Jeongguk had him trapped onboard. There was no way he didn’t know they were coming. It was impossible to know. It was a trap.

“It was my – look I just woke up, must have been my gut, because I heard them trampling through the building and knew we had to go.”

“Heard them?”

“Well, they weren’t exactly being sneaky.”

Jimin quite clearly remembers trying to hear something when he woke, same as Jeongguk, but didn’t hear a thing.

“You’re lying. I was trying to but didn’t hear anything.”

Jeongguk looked like a man trying to sell a lemon. “I don’t think the acoustics are the same where your room is situated. I heard them through the ventilation. Smelled them, too.”

“Smelled them?” Again, with the smelling!

The shuttle shuddered from an impact. There was still a threat tailing them, and they brought their heavy weapons.

“Are you gonna keep grilling me about my excellent senses or did you want to let me drive?” Jeongguk asked, swiveling back to the controls, and maneuvering the shuttle away from the danger they were still very much in. The wormhole would only take five minutes to reach – Jimin wondered if they would follow them into deep space with the limited ability of their crafts. The ones Choi’s men were in were okay for local buzzing around, but to withstand a trip through a wormhole and trek through deep space felt daunting even for Jimin in this shuttle.

“Do you think they’ll follow us through?” Jimin asked about the wormhole, eyes trained on it.

Jeongguk flicked his gaze to Jimin and followed his line of sight. “No, we’ll be fine if we can get to it.”

Another impact sent Jimin lurching forward, practically spilling him over the controls. Jeongguk helped him up and quickly placed him in the seat next to himself before returning to his evasive maneuvering.

“Buckle in, it won’t be smooth for a few minutes. They’ve almost blasted through the shields. Whatever their hitting us with is strong, but it’s energy based and probably has a cool off time otherwise they’d be hitting us more, so I think we’ll be okay.”

Jimin wasn’t much of a pilot, so he had to trust Jeongguk was. The gap between them and the few crafts following them was increasing the closer they came to escaping the atmosphere. The rest stop orbiting Hersa was in view. The wormhole was only just past that. It would take them to a portion of space with numerous wormholes so even if they’re followed through it, their assailants wouldn’t know which route they took if they were quick enough.

The shuttle was hit again, throwing Jimin around his seat, the belt securing him there digging in so deep he was sure he was going to have bruises. Urgent alarms sounded while a red light flashed.

“Shields are down.” Jeongguk flicked a switch to override the alarms to bring a semblance of calm. The shuttle started shaking violently as they approached their goal.

“What’s happening?” Jimin was only a humble mechanical engineer, but violent shaking wasn’t a good thing.

“No shields, the wormhole’s gravity is increasing the speed beyond the shuttle’s capability without it.”

“Well, can you turn on the breaks or something? Reverse thrusters?” There had to be something – Jimin was no pilot, but the engineer in him knew a craft’s capability.

“We’ve past the point of no return, baby. Hold on.” Jimin was so surprised by Jeongguk’s smoothness in throwing in an endearment his way, he didn’t even realize they were going through the wormhole until everything stopped shaking and they were gliding through space.

Jimin couldn’t bring himself off the edge. He was literally in bed ten minutes ago and now his world is upside down. Again. Thanks to Jeongguk. Again.

“I’ll put in the coordinates for Nuek.” Jeongguk informed, quickly giving Jimin a reassuring pat. He likely noticed Jimin was still upset and was hoping to placate him. Jimin admitted it did. “I doubt they’ll follow us this far, Jimin. Relax.” Jeongguk sure was acting sweet, caring about Jimin’s emotional wellbeing and all. Not that it wasn’t a ploy to get him back into whatever nefarious plans he had for Jimin. But, for the moment, it was nice to be reassured. He examined Jeongguk as he operated the shuttle’s controls. The confidence in his movements, determination in his eyes, brought Jimin peace. Blood was beginning to trickle down his cheek from a bullet graze.

Bullets. Yes.

Jimin remembered the bullets that made it through the door and damaged some of the shuttle’s internal structure, Jimin cleared his throat, spell broken. “There’s some internal damage,” he unbuckled himself and jumped from the seat, “I’ll find a kit.”

Finding a kit in the first place he checked, his engineer intuition at work, Jimin busied himself with patching the ruptured lines. Many of which were low and in the deck. Were they trying to shoot their feet?!

Apparently done with his navigating, Jeongguk knelt by Jimin’s side. “Our shields are back up and I took us through another hole. Nuek is a week away in a craft of this type. I’m going to take stock of supplies, but I’m pretty sure we’ll need to ration or stop and stock up on our way.”

“What’s the closest stop?” Jimin asked, not turning away from his work to acknowledge Jeongguk.

“I haven’t looked into it yet – I wanted to check on you first.” Jimin cut the tape he was wrapping around a line and, with a snarky remark on the tip of his tongue, sat up and finally took in the other man. He was close, but a respectful distance away. The authenticity of Jeongguk’s concern was written all over his face and it stopped Jimin for a moment, not expecting it. Jeongguk reached out and squeezed Jimin’s arm, a different sense activated pulling Jimin from a daze. “Are you okay?”

Jimin couldn’t explain it, but it made him just… So happy Jeongguk worried for him. Jeongguk looked at Jimin like he was the only light in the universe, providing meaning and soulful sustenance. Jimin swallowed, forgetting what Jeongguk said for a moment.

“Jimin?” A concerned tone.

Jimin snapped out of it, swiping Jeongguk’s hold on his arm away. “Y-yeah. Fine. Just go check the supplies and I’ll see if anything else needs fixed up.” Jimin turned to put the tape back in the box. Jeongguk raised himself up and went to busy himself and Jimin searched the craft for further damage. He quickly noticed a blood trail that led to a puddle next to Jeongguk.

“Shit, you know you’re bleeding, right?” Jimin was overwhelmed with worry, scanning for a first aid kit.

“Ah, nah, just a flesh wound.”

“It’s in a puddle. A puddle. That’s not – sit the fuck down Jeongguk and let me look at it.”

Jeongguk didn’t argue, just found a seat, and leaned back, waiting for Jimin to tend to him.

“We keep getting all bloody and bruised up together.” Jeongguk said once Jimin sat down to tend to the bullet lodged in his thigh.

“Only when you’re around.” Jimin sucked in a breath assessing the wound. “Jesus, how is this not bleeding more, I think your artery was nicked.”

Jeongguk just shrugged, like bleeding out was a regular Tuesday morning activity. “Play hard, get shot. Or something like that.” Jeongguk tried at an idiom, butchering it.

“I can’t believe how cavalier you are with this.” Jimin grumbled opening a first aid kit for the second time in twelve hours. Scooting closer, Jimin settled on his knees between Jeongguk’s legs. He immediately pulled out the scissors and cut the silky fabric of Jeongguk’s pajama pant leg away from the wound so he could get to work. After pulling apart the wrapping on the medical tweezer clamps, Jimin gave it a few practice clicks. “Let’s get it.” Steadying Jeongguk’s thigh with one hand, Jimin jammed the tool into the wound.

Jeongguk sucked in a breath, body tensing straight and grabbing on tight to Jimin’s shoulder. “Take it easy there, darling.”

“Don’t be a baby.” Jimin was now maneuvering the clamps around to collect the bullet. He was actually impressed with how well Jeongguk was taking it.“I’m being quick and efficient for your benefit. Do you want me to draw it out?” It was rhetorical, Jeongguk kept quiet and let Jimin work. Focusing in close, Jimin slowly worked on pulling the bullet out, carefully navigating through the already open path to cause as little injury as possible. Once out, Jimin applied pressure to the wound with gauze. He held the bullet up, rotating it in the light, blood glistening.

It was mesmerizing.

His amulet pulsed with power.

Warmth pooled at his hand, and he noticed the gauze he pressed to the wound was soaked. Rather than apply more gauze and pressure, which was what he briefly thought of doing, Jimin removed his hand completely. Blood oozed from the hole.

“Jimin?” Jeongguk worried, curious why he paused. He didn’t seem bothered by the amount of blood seeping out of his thigh.

Jimin dropped the bullet and tweezers into the tray he had prepared, eyes never leaving the wound, and braced a hand next to it. Jeongguk relaxed into the hold, trusting Jimin to care for him completely.

Jimin couldn’t explain it, but there was a magnetism to the wound – he felt tranced. Not in control. As the amulet continued to warm and pulse, he felt his body buzz with strength. Watching the blood continue to flow, he felt an urge to stop it. An urge that had him leaning closer, wet tongue peeking out.

Heal your alpha.

Glancing up at Jeongguk for permission, Jimin was met with dark, hungry eyes.

“Do you want to taste me?” Jeongguk asked, his fingers combing through Jimin’s hair before he was being pulled closer.

Jimin’s tongue connected below the wound, blood pooling on his tongue before flattening it and dragging it up, over the torn flesh. His eyes fluttered shut as he savored the slightly metallic, rich flavor. He felt the grooves of the opening, his tongue exploring and probing at it. He wasn’t satisfied until as far as his tongue could reach had been laved. Pulling his tongue back into his mouth, Jimin shuddered as he swallowed all that was collected.

Pleasure rolled through him at seeing the wound’s blood flow slow to an ooze. Mouth salivating, he dove in again, desperate to stop the flow. This time, after bathing the wound, Jimin began cleaning the surrounding mess, lapping until the skin was visible again. Pulling the fabric apart to access more skin, Jimin licked a fat strip up Jeongguk’s thigh, stopping to swirl around the wound for good measure before trailing up to get the blood smudged above it. Noticing the blood flow stopped, Jimin felt the compulsion to nudge next to the healing wound. A deep, woodsy musk filled his senses, relaxing him. Anxiety that had filled him released with a snap. He leaned back a bit and checked on Jeongguk.

Face flush, eyes blown, and knuckles white from gripping the arm of his chair, Jeongguk looked like he was still in pain. “Shit, Jimin,” he breathed, unmoving.

Was he upset?

Jimin cocked his head, curious with his reaction but overall distracted by the trail of blood down his cheek. He thought that could be why Jeongguk was still upset. Crawling up Jeongguk’s body, Jimin brought himself up to face him. Hands sliding into Jeongguk’s hair, scraping his scalp, Jimin gripped him steady as his tongue lolled out and flattened, licking the length of the scratch with one, languid stroke.

Jeongguk groaned, hands flying to Jimin’s sides, sliding down until they rested on his hips and gripped them as hard as he was previously gripping the chair’s arms.

Jimin felt good. Wrapped up and taking care of what was his. He unfurled his legs in Jeongguk’s lap, bringing himself to straddle him. The blood on his face was gone, but he felt the urge to keep licking, this time to please. Hands still wrapped up in Jeongguk’s hair, Jimin pulled his head to the side, exposing his throat. Dipping down he took a short appreciative sniff of the potent pine musk before resting his firm tongue against his pulse, sweeping up then nipping gently.

Suddenly, Jeongguk stood, sliding Jimin off his lap, gentle yet firm. “Fuck, we need Tae. We gotta get you to Tae.” He began pacing the small area the shuttle provided behind the cockpit. “Maybe they can meet us halfway.” Jeongguk went to the shuttle’s communicator to contact Byul and coordinate. It rang without answer.

Trance broken, Jimin gripped his warm, pulsing amulet as he came to terms with his own actions.

What was that? He lapped up blood from an open wound. And Jeongguk healed. Eyes flicked to the opening in Jeongguk’s pants to verify – the gaping hole was in fact sealed. It was like when Jimin had a scrape on his chin that disappeared so quickly after Jeongguk licked it he questioned if it ever existed.

So fucking weird. Not that Jeongguk’s reaction made it any better. He encouraged Jimin to lick him, to taste him. Again, his body began humming with energy, and the necklace warmed.

“What the fuck, Jeongguk.” Jimin broke the uncomfortable ringing in the silence. “Why did I do that?” his voice broke with a sob, grabbing the still warming jeweled wolf at his throat. “It’s burning and I’m, I don’t know, buzzing? What’s wrong with me?”

Jeongguk turned in the chair, giving Jimin his full attention. “Ah, no, no. Come here, calm down.” Jeongguk opened his arms in invitation and Jimin went straight into his lap without thinking, curling against Jeongguk’s chest. Jeongguk rubbed Jimin’s back reassuringly and gently touched the amulet. The burning subsided into a slight warmth before it disappeared and the humming energy died down.

“What’s happening?” Namjoon’s worried voice filled the room previously holding only Jimin’s sobs. “Jimin? Are you okay?” he demanded to know, eyes flicking up to Jeongguk. “Did you do something?”

“We ran into some trouble and his energy is spiking. I’m headed your way – but you need to meet us in between, Noctella should do. The casino. I’ll get us set up in a large private area to conduct the dispelling ritual. He knows enough to go through with it, I think.”

“What do you mean? What does he know? Fuck, two days might be too long. How’s your connection – are you able to absorb more than a trickle yet?”

“It’s more of a brook, so it’s progress. I’m not sure it’s enough. Get Tae, fill him in, have him contact me in a bit.”

“But Jeongu –“ Jeongguk hung up the call, monitor going black. He brought his full attention to Jimin. He brushed back Jimin’s bangs to see into his watery eyes.

“Please don’t be upset. There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s something so fantastically right, I swear.” Jeongguk wrapped his arms around Jimin and squeezed him lightly. “This is right.”