Archive of Our Own

Jimin gapes, the laundry basket brimming with clothes resting on his hip, staring down at the porcelain white mug sitting upright and in center of the empty washing machine. 

He can see the dark brown stain of coffee solidified at the bottom of the mug. 

Jimin has been looking for this mug for four days now. He had wondered where his mug had suddenly disappeared, not being able to find it even after upturning the entire kitchen. 

His brows furrow, anger and irritation flooding his veins, slamming the laundry basket loudly on the floor he stomps over to Jeongguk’s room. Feet pattering aggressively against the ground come to stop in front of a dark brown door. 

He knocks—hammers— on the door thrice, ripping it open when he hears no reply. 

Jeongguk sits in his gaming chair with headphones over his ears, music playing so loud Jimin could hear parts of the song. He pulls off the headphone and the reaction is immediate, Jeongguk turns around with a scorn, agitated at the interruption. 

Jimin sets down the headphones on his desk beside the purple illuminated keyboard. He turns around the chair, Jeongguk fully facing him now, and plops down sideways on his lap unceremoniously, carding his fingers through his hair. 

Jeongguk instantly wraps his arm around Jimin’s waist, holding onto him so he doesn’t slip off. 

It’s ridiculous. Jeongguk does every silly little thing he can to get on Jimin’s nerves, does everything in his capacity to make Jimin rip his hair out. Then he does these small gestures, which give Jimin hope that he’s really just putting on an evil act to annoy the shit out of Jimin like he always does. 

“Jeonggukie, my sweetheart.” Jimin drawls, voice saccharine. 

Jeongguk looks up at him, the corners of his lips twitching, fully aware that his novel trick has been very successful. He blinks innocently, eyes wide and shiny, “Yes?”

“Do you happen to know anything about my coffee mug? I cannot find it.” Jimin fake pouts, appearing sad, he knows Jeongguk isn’t going to buy his act but he tries nonetheless. He loops his hands around Jeongguk’s neck, nestling his fingers in the short hair at the base of his neck. 

“No, I don’t.” Jeongguk answers, swiveling around towards his computer with Jimin still on his lap. “Hmm.” Jimin hums, massaging his neck with a beckoning motion of his fingers. “Really?”

Jeongguk hums, starting the game he was playing before being disrupted. 

Jimin looks over his shoulder, smirking when he sees the laundry basket levitating behind Jeongguk’s head. “Okay.” He slides off his lap and Jeongguk lets him, he can sense the confusion lingering in the gamer’s mind as to why he’s giving up without doing anything. 

He walks away and just when he’s about to exit the room, he snaps his fingers. The laundry basket empties on Jeongguk’s head and he hears a sharp, shocked gasp leave his lips. 

Jimin smiles, triumphantly floating to the living room when Jeongguk starts cursing and almost falls off his chair in an attempt to push it back. 

When Jimin was assigned to care for a human after a long while, he was ecstatic. 

The last human under his care had been an absolute joy to be with. The twenty-four year old woman was jubilant and warm, even though he was the one who was supposed to look after her, she always treated him with kindness, never once asking him to slave around the house. 

He had befriended her and she felt more like a companion rather than the recipient of his care. Saying good-bye to her had been hard, Jimin had cried for days, choosing to rest for a bit before he was ready to look after another human.

Jimin, being a fairy, depended on a human to survive. 

The human world co-existed with unicorns, giants, mermaids, fairies, pixies, elves, mages and everything magical that existed. The realms were interdependent, blurring the lines that were once evident. The magic realm sustained life because of the human realm— creatures drawing their energy from human souls to live. 

The energies of these two worlds synced together—magic needed emotions to exist. Humans gave them emotions and they gave them magic. 

After years of being hidden from the world and labeled as taboo and unnatural, now, creatures like Jimin could peacefully strive in the human realm—or so he thought, until Jeon Jeongguk came along.

Every human, once legal of age, is assigned a magical being as their companion to stay with them till the day they live. Governmental institutions take care that every creature with magic running in their blood is assigned to a human. 

Lifespans of humans and magical creatures varies; one creature is assigned to several people during their life.

 Jimin has always been lucky, all his human companions have been gentle and thoughtful towards him. He had taken great pleasure in being their companion, through highs and lows. He loved to be there for humans, they were the reason he could exist and for that he expressed his gratitude in every way he could. 

There were, of course, certain rules and limitations to what entails between a magical being and a human in order to prevent the exploitation of his kind, but Jimin never had to refer to those rules. 

So, when Jimin was assigned a new home he was excited to meet his next human who was apparently a man in his early twenties. 

 He had entered a somewhat unorganized house, clothes strewn across the floor in a hurry, a few dishes in the sink, some of the cabinet doors open, a little dust accumulating on the shelves. 

To make a first good impression he had immediately got to work, trying to make himself as helpful he can, he folded the clothes and washed the ones that needed washing, washed the dishes and dusted the shelves. 

He was dusting the windowsill when the door had flung open. The man who entered was tall, broad shouldered and muscled. Jimin watched as he took off his cap, placing it on top of the shoe cabinet near the door, and ruffled is hair. 

Dark brown, fluffly locks fell over his forehead and he swept them back once, eyes finally finding Jimin’s across the room. 

Beautiful, Jimin had thought after locking eyes with him. Jeongguk was beautiful, the most beautiful human he had seen. 

Jimin beamed at him, golden specks flickering in his irises in happiness, his heart rate accelerating. However, Jeongguk’s first reaction was to grab an umbrella from the nearest stand and point it towards him in a threatening manner. 

“Who the fuck are you?” 

Jimin’s smile faltered as he floated a few inches above the ground in anxiety, wanting to approach the human to get him to calm down. Jeongguk’s eyes widened seeing his feet off the ground and he threw the closed umbrella at him with a loud, baffled shout of what the fuck.

The fairy barely managed to doge the object, twisting sideways in time. He stared at the human, confused, Jeongguk didn’t look particularly happy to see him. 

“Are you okay?” Jimin asked softly, treading forward on his feet carefully. 

“No, no, no, what the fuck, do not move.” He shouted and Jimin flinched but stopped in his tracks, his frown deepened. Something was wrong with this human. 

Jeongguk had stood in the doorway for a minute in silence, eyes flitting all over Jimin’s figure. Jimin shuffled on his feet, unconsciously tucking strands of his blonde hair behind his ear as the human assessed him. 

He was wearing a green tunic with golden embroidery on neckline and sleeves , the tunic’s cotton meshing together with the net that covered his waist along with beige trousers. 

“Who are you?” Jeongguk had asked again. 

“I’m Jimin. Park Jimin.” He had said, fiddling with his fingers behind his back, Jeongguk was making him nervous. 

“And you’re….?”

“A fairy.” He smiled at Jeongguk only to be met with a disbelieving chortle. 

The rest of the day Jeongguk purposefully avoided him, not once interacting with him and locking himself in his room. The following days were more or less the same, Jeongguk would answer Jimin’s questions with an eye roll or an annoyed gruff. 

He’d more often than not walk out of the room Jimin was in altogether. Every time he would try initiate a conversation he was either shut off or ignored, Jimin figured Jeongguk needed time to adjust to his sudden presence. 

So, he gave him the required distance for a few days that turned into weeks and then a full month. Jeongguk had made no attempts to even get to know him; it was almost as if Jimin didn’t exist to him, as if his presence was insignificant.

 One month was enough to adjust, right?

Jimin wanted to get to know Jeongguk, be his friend like he had been to his past humans. He wanted to be a companion to him, unfortunately Jeongguk was not giving him a chance to. 

To get on Jeongguk’s good side and to initiate a little bonding between them, Jimin had started baking cookies for him. 

He had giggled to himself imagining Jeongguk’s impressed face, floating around the kitchen and flipping open cupboards for ingredients, Jimin got to work. He was absolutely sure nothing could go wrong with cookies and friendships. 

He was almost done when Jeongguk had come home. Jimin was icing the cookies on the kitchen counter and Jeongguk had completely ignored his presence. The fairy pouted, sad but determined to win Jeongguk’s heart. 

He sieved powder sugar over cookies, hoping to make them look presentable when Jeongguk had turned on the fan. The sugar had blown up from the sieve, spreading everywhere on the kitchen counter and even his hair. 

Jimin stood there, shocked and unmoving but his stupor was broken by Jeongguk laughing loudly, one hand on the backrest of the sofa in his living room to steady himself. He was embarrassed, dejectedly running his finger through the sugar covered counter, making patterns. 

At least it’s a plus point Jeongguk laughed.

“Jeongguk would you—”

“Now,” Jeongguk gasped between his laughs, “You can sprinkle your pixie dust everywhere. You’ve become a true fairy Jimin.” 

Jimin’s face fell, Jeongguk wasn’t laughing at his accident, he was mocking him. He belatedly realized that the reason for his detachment wasn’t because he needed to adjust to Jimin’s presence but because he chose not to interact with him at all. 

He didn’t care if Jimin was here or not.

This baffled the fairy, none of his other humans have ever mocked or insulted him like this. He had been told countless times that he was a pleasant company and a sweet aura. Jimin never mooched off the humans that shared their feelings for his magic to survive. 

Feeling indebted, he had always helped his humans out in whatever ways possible. 

Jeongguk? Jeongguk was another story. 

Jimin felt humiliated and unappreciated in his presence. Discarding the baked cookies into a bin with tears brimming his eyes, he felt the jaw set determination he had to befriend Jeongguk chip away. 

Jeongguk was a gamer by profession, Jimin was aware that he had millions of followers on twitch and youtube—that is why he didn’t hesitate to enter Jeongguk’s room—which was clearly off limits to him—and spread glitter all over his gaming setup. 

He deserved a taste of his own medicine. 

Jimin had hid his smile into his palm when Jeongguk entered the room and a string of curses left his lips.

What an obscene mouth. 

“Why did you do this, Jimin?” Jeongguk asked, a frown settled on his face as he desperately tried to shake the glitter off his keyboard. He grunted in agitation, looking at him with an incredulous expression. 

“Oh,” Jimin said, acting sheepish he hid his hands behind his back, “Sorry Jeongguk, I think my pixie dust got out of control.”

Since then, a small rivalry had started between them, both of them resorting to silly pranks to make the other suffer. Jeongguk annoyed Jimin to the core. He has never been disliked by the other humans he helped before. 

The gamer seems to have a personal vendetta against him and his kind that Jimin doesn’t know of. 

He had tried confronting Jeongguk about it several times, though. The only replies he’s gotten so far are pressed lips and clipped words. 

One very specific time when Jeongguk was sitting on the sofa, eyes glued to his phone Jimin had stomped over determined to find out why the other despises his presence. He stood in front of him and Jeongguk hadn’t even bothered to look up. 

Irked by his behavior, Jimin straddled Jeongguk brazenly and the latter had finally looked up at him in surprise. Jimin belatedly realized their compromising position, Jeongguk’s face was so close to his, he could spot the moles he didn’t know Jeongguk had—the one beneath his lower lip stood out beautifully. 

Jimin also noticed the little scar that sits on his cheek for the first time. 

“Why do you despise me Jeongguk?” He had asked, placing one hand beside the gamer’s head and leaning in to make Jeongguk look directly in his eyes and nowhere else. 

Strands of blonde hair fell on the side of his face and Jeongguk’s eyes were immediately drawn to them. Jimin froze when Jeongguk tenderly tucked the locks back behind his ear, he didn’t miss the way a loud thud pressed against his ribcage at the gesture. 

“Because your kind uses our emotions against us.” With that he had left Jimin alone on the sofa, confused and deep in his thoughts while attempting to slow his heart. 

Jeon Jeongguk is a lot of things—infuriating, idiot, annoying—but he isn’t the best with words. The communication between him and Jimin is poor, too many pieces don’t fit into the place whenever they try to converse. 

The gamer usually never attempts and Jimin is too prideful to back down from at least getting an answer to his ‘why’

Jeongguk’s actions often contradicted with his words, like two opposite ends of a magnet. That one time Jimin slipped and fell off the table, trying to remove a cobweb in the room, Jeongguk had immediately rushed out of his room in the midst of streaming his gameplay. 

He did laugh again at the fairy’s attempts to be useful to the house (and not Jeongguk, never) but walked over and gently held Jimin’s ankle in his hands while the latter sat there, red in the face with embarrassment.

 He can recall how unsubtly Jeongguk’s fingers were moving up and down the expanse of his foot, occasionally tilting it and gauging his reaction for any grimace of pain while spewing absolute bullshit like, “Did my tiny fairy forget to use his wings?”

If Jeongguk hates him to the core, he’s doing a bad job at showing it. 

Initially, Jimin had presumed the gamer had a common dislike for all the magical beings. When Hoseok—Jeongguk’s neighbor—had brought in his human sized giant, Namjoon, for introduction, Jeongguk’s reaction was nowhere near pleasant. 

Once Hoseok got a whiff of his thoughts, he was pulled aside for a lecture while Namjoon stood there, puzzled at what he had done wrong. 

Jeongguk was more tolerable after that. Namjoon turns out, is the gentlest giant Jimin has ever met. He had his doubts about why a giant was assigned to a human, but after observing him for a few months, Jimin knew exactly why. 

Namjoon was amiable and clumsy in the most adorable way possible. 

Every visit he would greet Jimin with a pat on his head and a pinch to his cheeks. “Hello, my little fairy.” He always says with a twinkle behind his amused eyes. Due to bodily adaptations Namjoon looked like a tall human with midnight hair, almost touching seven feet, but he still towered over Jimin like the giant he was. 

Jimin was not that short, Namjoon just had giant genes. 

He couldn’t find it in himself to correct the giant to not call him little, especially when he was such a kind and polite soul. 

Strangely, even Jeongguk had taken a liking to the giant. He warmed up to Namjoon with time because of Hoseok’s occasional visits. 

Jimin had been swiping the counters after a tiring baking session—he realized baking made him feel calm and anchored in the household where Jeongguk was after his ass twenty-four-seven, when he heard the doorbell ring. 

He floated a few inches above the ground, dropping the rag on the counter, humming to himself he turned to the doorway only to find Jeongguk practically running across the hall to open the door. 

“Namjoon hyung!” He heard the gamer’s cheery voice followed by laughter. 

Jimin had been stunned to ground for a few seconds because, suddenly, Namjoon was Jeongguk’s hyung as well. He’s much older than Jeongguk as well, but that rat has never dared call him anything other than the icky names he crafted himself, “sparkle pie”, “pixie dust”, “invisible wings” and so on.

That made it very clear to him—Jeongguk had something against each of his kind, the only exception being Hoseok’s giant. Sometimes it made Jimin upset, seeing Jeongguk pass smiles and laugh with Namjoon, they could’ve developed that sort of bonding as well, if only the gamer would stop bullshitting each time Jimin tried to carry the conversation. 

He was tired of being the only one making efforts to salvage their relationship, but, if Jeongguk was dead stubborn, Jimin was equivalently petty. Making the gamer cave in had become a personal agenda to him, one that secretly gave him a small sense of thrill every morning after waking up. 

Pushing aside the waves of sadness and hurt that came constantly when Jeongguk disregarded his presence or caused trouble in every way possible, it was amusing to see him scramble and fumble after Jimin leaves glitter all over the gamer’s belongings as revenge.

Even though they were constantly on each other’s back, sparing no opportunity given to annoy the other, they never crossed certain boundaries. It was natural, they did not have to sit down and put it in writing to make a pact, the way they knew when to absolutely not invade the other’s space.

Jimin never once ventured into Jeongguk’s room during his live streams, he knew how serious the gamer was about his profession. Likewise, Jeongguk didn’t even come close to the kitchen during Jimin’s baking sessions. It was as if they both understood that doing the opposite would be wrong. 

Other times, Jeongguk was an insufferable person to be with. 

They were constantly up in each other’s space when they weren’t doing their regular activities. Being in close proximity and touching were common occurrences for them. 

Jimin ignored the slight sweep of his stomach every time Jeongguk held him by his waist tighter than necessary but not enough to hurt him, or when Jeongguk’s chest suddenly pressed against his back, chin hooking over his shoulder in the kitchen only to then turn off the stove and mess with his cooking utensils. 

He thrives on human contact, he can only resist so much, so even though he knows whatever Jeongguk does will only irritate him, he basks in the few seconds of touch he gets. As a fairy, his own emotions are deeply interlinked with the gamer’s, the closely they bond, the livelier Jimin will feel. 

Connecting with his past humans hadn’t been much of a task. Jimin made great bonds which helped him feel so many things he’s usually foreign to. With each hug from his human, a little life sparkled within him, a small blossoming flower of emotions.

He is beginning to notice the dulling of his skin and eyes, his glittering dust coming out in muted tones instead of the shining colours. He knows it’s because of not being able to understand or provide Jeongguk with the companion he needs, but what is he to do when the latter is not willing to open up to him?

Jeongguk stares at him for a little longer now when he thinks Jimin will not notice, it makes him wonder if he is beginning to see the physical changes in him. He wonders if the gamer is even aware of how this distance is affecting him. 

Jimin might as well be completely ripped apart from his magic by the end of this year if he doesn’t get closer to Jeongguk. Living without his magic, since no emotions would fuel it, sounds painful, he can’t even imagine not being able to feel the tender buzz under his fingers when trying to summon it. 

But forcing himself on Jeongguk emotionally is wrong; it wouldn’t ever work that way. Nothing good comes out of non-genuine bonds. At this point, Jimin should start mentally preparing to live without using magic. 

Jimin folds his legs, tucking them, he munches on chocolate sticks and flips the page of the book perfectly balanced on the armrest of the couch. A blanket is sprawled across his lap, weakened magic can only do so much to warm him. Regardless, he loves winter. 

Opening the window to his room each day in hopes of finally seeing a thick white sheet of snow has become his yearning these days. Jimin loves to feel the chilly November breeze that turn his cheeks and nose pink and cold. 

He loves to see puffs of smoke come out of his mouth with each breathy exhale. He loves the light shiver when going outside. He loves the feeling of warmth and heaviness that his blanket provides. He loves to sit by the heater and sip a mug of hot chocolate while warming up his feet. 

Winter carries with itself many little things that bring ridiculous joy to him. 

This year, winter feels colder than usual, but he still loves it with all his heart. 

Turning another page of the book, he sees Jeongguk stop writing and drop his pen on the dining table to rest his chin on his hand through the corner of his eyes. Jimin knows he’s staring. The gamer has been doing that a lot lately, failing at his attempt to be discreet. 

Jimin sighs softly, taking another chocolate stick out of stash and pulling the blanket higher over his lap, it could’ve been less lonely only if…

His wishful thinking is interrupted by the doorbell ringing three times—it’s Namjoon for sure. Jimin jumps off the couch and dashes towards the door before Jeongguk. He flings it open and the giant stands there, hands tucked into pockets, a beanie over his head, wearing the brown crocheted sweater Jimin gifted him. 

“Joonie hyung.” Jimin almost squeals, Namjoon’s presence very much appreciated since it saved him from wallowing in loneliness. 

Namjoon smiles, dimples showing, he ducks down his head and enters through the door frame, cold hands immediately coming up to pinch his cheeks, “Hi, little fairy.”

Jimin yelps, shoving the freezing fingers away from his cheeks to cup them with his warm hands. He rolls his eyes fondly, “What brings you here?”

He leads them through the hallway and into the living room, Jeongguk’s attention now fully on him. Jimin averts his eyes after a few seconds of eye contact. 

“Hi, Jeongguk.” Namjoon beams. 

Jeongguk nods and smiles—tries to with the frown that has now taken over his features. 

“Hoseok had to go shopping for Christmas, I was alone and bored, so, I came here.” The giant states, sitting down on the couch, eyes immediately drawn to the book Jimin was reading.

“You started reading Demian?” He asks, picking up the book and unfolding the dog earned corner. 

Jimin grins, “You recommended.” 

Namjoon’s eyes twinkle, a beautiful green swirling in his dark irises, “How are you liking it?”

“I absolutely have no idea what’s going on, but it’s kind of messing with my head in a conspiring way.”

“It sort of is supposed to feel that way, you’re on the right track!” Namjoon praises, flipping the pages. 

Jimin sits down beside him, choosing not to pay attention to why Jeongguk’s mood had suddenly turned sour, even though he itched to ask the latter about it. He focuses on Namjoon’s jolly presence and ramblings about books and literature. 

“Hyung would you like to bake?” Jimin offers, his last batch of cookies ran out and he cannot last without sugar for more than a week. 

Namjoon chuckles sheepishly, “I don’t think I would be of much help though.”

“Your presence would be enough.” Jimin smiles, a dull golden swirls behind his irises, the shiny colour now almost appearing yellow ochre. 

Namjoon’s smile falters, eyes flitting between Jimin’s eyes. A concerned crease settles between his brows and Jimin immediately gets up. He doesn’t want to deal with this today, he just wants to not acknowledge his impending doom even if it’s just for a day. 

“Jeongguk, would you like to join us?” He hears Namjoon ask while he flips open the kitchen cabinets and pulls out the utensils. 

“Uh, no hyung, I’ve got work to do today. You two enjoy.” With that Jeongguk excuses himself from the living room, putting away his notebook and pens and moving to his room. 

The room’s door closes with a soft thud followed by the click of a lock. 

That small feeble sound triggers Jimin’s tears, eyes turning glassy as he tries to make out the sugar packets from salt. 

Of course, what was he expecting. 

He turns around and Namjoon’s leaning on the marble counter, looking at him with softened, worried eyes, “No progress?” 

Jimin sniffles, wiping away at the tears threatening to fall, he clears his throat and answers, “No progress.”

The other nods in understanding and the topic is dropped like that. Jimin feels deeply thankful that Namjoon prod no further, he wouldn’t be able to refrain from crying with all the pent us frustration inside him. 

Another thing that Jimin has noticed in his time with Jeongguk is that he often forgets to do the groceries. He’s used to the angry scoffing and sighing when Jeongguk opens the fridge and finds nothing except stacked drinks, a clear sign that he needs to go to the market. 

Jimin helps him out of his struggles sometimes. Due to his often baking sessions he runs errands in the market every month. He searches through the fridge and cabinets before going, mentally preparing a list of what needs to be restocked. 

At least in this way he doesn’t seem to be just mooching off the gamer like the latter thinks. 

He does necessary chores in the house to make himself useful, even though it never receives any verbal acknowledgement from Jeongguk, just doing it for his own contentment is enough. Though, it’s applaudable how organized and tidy the gamer is—his things are never out of the place, most of the stuff always colour coded, and everything arranged neatly. 

Jimin had never once had to clean his room, when he tried to, Jeongguk had asked him to leave it be. After all, his room looked like it was dusted and cleaned almost every day. 

He resorts to the other chores that Jeongguk leaves pending sometimes— leaving his mattress out in the sun for too long, wiping down the ventilators, fridge, windows and dusting the cabinets. 

Jimin bites back a grin, hiding his mouth behind his hand as he picks up reading from where he left off. Namjoon long gone, his empty mug of hot chocolate remains on the coffee table in front of the couch, a freshly baked batch of cookies now sit beside the mug along with his own empty mug. 

Jeongguk’s very loud and angry scoffing has started again, he rummages around the kitchen, kissing his teeth every five seconds in disappointment when he finds nothing of his taste. He pads over to the living room, sighing deeply. 

Jimin fights back the chuckle trying to escape his lips, the disappointment —for forgetting groceries again—visible on Jeongguk’s face is very amusing. The gamer puts on his jacket, not bothering to put on a scarf or beanie, car keys jingling as he makes his way towards the doorway. 

The fairy frowns, that flimsy jacket doesn’t look like it would do much to keep warm in the cold. Reluctantly, he gets up from the couch and floats to the doorway, looking at Jeongguk sitting with his back facing him, trying to put on his shoes.

He gets up with an annoyed grunt, turning around to raise an eyebrow in question when he senses Jimin floating behind him. “What?”

Jimin flusters, he had half a mind to ask Jeongguk to put something warmer on, but he knows he’ll just be ignored with a dismissive hand. He makes up the best excuse he can on the spot, “Can you pick up some wool yarn on the way?”

The fairy grimaces, he did need yarn if he wanted to knit something for Christmas as a present, but he knows nothing good comes out of asking him for a favor. 

Last time he had shyly asked Jeongguk to pick up something sugary for him, the gamer had handed him a pack of mint flavored polo claiming it was sweet since it had sugar in the ingredient list. Either Jeongguk did that on purpose or he actually thinks polo is sweet, Jimin is sure it’s the former. 

He steps down, firmly putting his socked feet on the ground as he waits for Jeongguk’s answer with a bated breath. The gamer eyes him warily, “The shop’s on the opposite route.”

Jimin slumps, wrapping his arms around himself as he looks away, “Yeah.”

Jeongguk doesn’t move nor say anything for the next couple of seconds; he looks up with a frown to find the gamer’s eyes raking over his figure, expression incomprehensible. He finally sighs and shoves his wallet in his pocket, “What colour?”

“Huh?” 

“The yarn,” Jeongguk elaborates, dusting his jacket, “What colour do you want?” 

“Oh,” Jimin sputters, “Uh… green and um,” he eyes the yellow coloured shirt beneath the gamer’s black jacket, this shade has always suited him, “—yellow? I think.” 

Jeongguk nods, and steps out, door closing loudly behind him. 

The fairy stands there, rooted to the ground, blinking and confused. Jeongguk had asked his colour preference for the yarn. Not only did he agree to drive to the opposite route, there were no taunts from him. 

Is he sick?

Later that night after Jimin is content with a fed belly and had completed his remaining chores he finds four balls of green and yellow yarn sitting in a brown paper bag in his room. Jeongguk had acted as if he forgot to bring it, not even glancing at his direction all the while Jimin’s eyes followed him with an odd hope. 

He hugs the wool close to his chest, sitting on the edge of his bed. Tears brim his eyes again, his skin has turned unevenly paler and his blonde hair no longer looks healthy and shiny turning an ugly sandy colour. 

He did everything he could but he can’t seem to break through whatever walls Jeongguk has put up around him. He cannot even break free if he wanted to, assigned humans cannot be left until their demise. 

He hugs himself tighter, missing the warmth of his magic and a hug, letting tears flow freely. The yarn dampens with every droplet falling down his cheeks. At last he can only wish Jeongguk shows him sympathy, does he not notice Jimin suffering?

In a mess of entangled fates, Jimin wonders, if they ever would find a common land beyond their raging seas. 

The plate of food lay untouched in the microwave, still covered with a plastic wrap, not an edge unfolded. 

Jimin frowns, brows scrunching in worry, his eyes find the clock on the wall. Jeongguk had not eaten a morsel the whole day, he had barely came out of his room since the morning. 

He cannot help but be concerned for the younger’s well-being. Even though they do not have a good connection with each other, Jimin still worries, because Jeongguk is his human after all. He’s supposed to be there for him, not only because he has to but because he cares. 

Despite all that happened, he cannot help but care for him the way Jeongguk disguises his thoughtfulness towards him behind petty actions and words. 

Sighing, he puts the plate back inside the microwave and waits another hour. There is no sign of Jeongguk even as minutes tick by, an hour turning into two. The fairy puts down the halfway knitted green sweater to walk towards Jeongguk’s room. 

His fist anxiously hovers in the air, there is radio silence from the other side, only the faint sounds of keyboards keys being pressed. Jimin bites his lip in contemplation, what if he intrudes in a live stream? That would be horrible, but the clock striking close to midnight tells him otherwise.

Jeongguk doesn’t do late night streams, he knows that much.

Heaving a deep breath, Jimin tugs on the handle, surprised to find the door unlocked. He tiptoes his way inside, careful to not close the door behind him or make too much sound. Jeongguk sits in front of his computer with his back to Jimin. 

He senses unease in the air, a gloomy and dull feeling. Jeongguk’s aura feels disturbed. He floats over, with no headphones over his head, the gamer would hear him clearly. 

“Jeongguk.” He calls meekly, the atmosphere inside his room feels strange today. 

Jeongguk looks back, face blank, dark circles and eye bags visible on his face. Jimin puts his hands on the back of his chair, nails digging into the material as he treads carefully, “You haven’t eaten anything.”

A beat of silence passes, neither of them say anything and then Jeongguk sighs, turning around without giving a reply or elaborating himself. 

Jimin should’ve just left then. 

That was his first mistake. 

“You should eat something.” He insists, hovering nervously behind the chair. Something was wrong with Jeongguk.

“I’m not hungry.” Comes the dry reply.

“You didn’t even come out of your room once, nor did you eat anything, are you okay?” 

This time he doesn’t reply, disregarding Jimin’s presence altogether. He frowns, “Do you want me to make you something? What would you—”

“For fuck’s sake Jimin, can’t you see I do not welcome your presence right now?!” Jeongguk shouts, abruptly swiveling in his chair and coming face to face with him.

Jimin flinches, taking a step back as tries to regain his composure. His ears ring, a breath caught in his throat. It overwhelms him, the dam of pent up emotions resurfacing as the words play in his mind over and over again. 

I do not welcome your presence.

In the end, it has always been like that. The message was clear from the moment he stepped into this house, he was not welcomed, has never been. 

A rueful look passes behind Jeongguk’s eyes, still, hesitancy lingers on his lips and fingers, which clench and unclench into a fist, wanting to reach out. Jimin scoffs, rubbing at his eyes that have already started burning behind his closed eyelids. He can only take so much. 

Even now Jeongguk hesitates, he knows he wronged Jimin, still he’s reluctant. Their two kinds have collided and accepted each other yet it feels as if there’s a long gap to still bridge between them, for acceptance and understanding to birth.

Jimin cannot do that alone. 

“You know what,” he hates the way his voice sounds watery, tethering at the edge of a breakdown, “fuck you Jeongguk, it wouldn’t kill you to act nicely once. I’ve never crossed your boundaries nor looked down upon you.”

Jeongguk presses his lips together, mouth thinning, not willing to say a word.

“Whatever fucked up prejudice you have about my origins and who I am, you can take them to hell with you. I cannot do this on my own,” his voice cracks, tears slipping down his cheeks. “Do you even realize what you’re doing—how this is affecting me?”

“Please come out of your stuck up headspace because you’re killing me, you’re taking away who I am, you’re taking away the only thing I have.” He wipes away the tears furiously, “I will not see you again unless you get your shit together.”

With that he walks away, out of Jeongguk’s room and the house. Fading into the star filled abyss until he’s ready to return again. 

Jeongguk doesn’t see Jimin again after that, hours turn into days and days into a week. 

One week in and absolutely no sign of the fairy. For the first time in a while, his house feels like it was before. 

Empty and peaceful. 

This emptiness however, kicks at his guts in small throbs. He’s so used to Jimin’s presence in one way or the other. 

He's used to coming back home and immediately the scent of hot chocolate and baked goods infiltrate his nostrils. He’s used to flour strewn across the floor. He's used to see Jimin’s figure draped with a blanket reading yet another book he picked up from Namjoon. 

This emptiness rubs him off the wrong way. 

Jeongguk switches off the computer, finally ending his weekly stream. He digs the heels of his palm into his eyes, sighing. 

He regrets what he did. He shouldn’t have shouted at Jimin like that. Every word that the fairy said to him rings true in his ears. He has been nothing but insufferable all the while Jimin tried to make amends alone. 

You’re killing me.

He had never meant to let it get that far. All those tactics were to just keep the fairy at an arm’s length, so that they have limited interactions. 

So that Jeongguk doesn’t get attached. 

Now, every time he kicks off his shoes and pads from the doorway to the living room, he no longer hears uncontrollable giggles that lighted up the otherwise dull house of his. 

He doesn’t know how he can help Jimin. He doesn’t know a thing about the magical creatures because he never bothered to learn. Never even entertained the possibility of having a companion of his own just because he did not want one from the start. Regardless, the system provided him with one and he failed to take care of him. 

Guilt washes over him waves whenever he opens the kitchen cabinets and large bags of baking goods remain untouched. 

He feels sorry, so utterly sorry. 

His prejudice towards the magical realm narrows down to just one incident he witnessed that shook him to the core. He cannot let go of it, never. Because letting go would mean forgetting his loved one. 

He made Jimin suffer for things he didn’t do, for words he never said. 

As he stands behind Hoseok’s door, waiting for it to open after he rang the bell, he has only one thought running through his mind. 

He doesn’t know if Jimin would ever like to come back or give him a second chance. He definitely doesn’t deserve it, but he would like to apologise. 

Jimin needs to know the reason, he deserves an explanation and an apology. Jeongguk would be content if he can offer that much. 

He hopes Jimin would hear him out, even if it’s for the last time. 

“Jeongguk?” Hoseok asks, surprised at the sudden visit. “What are you doing here so late?” 

“Hyung,” he starts, voice coming out weak and heavy with an emotion he’s yet to name, “Can I come in?” 

“Of course,” Hoseok moves aside, opening the door and letting him in. Jeongguk can feel the worry radiate off him but doesn’t push him for an explanation. 

He's thankful, he hasn’t found the right words yet to convey the situation. Trudging towards Hoseok’s living room he sets his eyes upon Namjoon, who sits on a sofa with glasses perched on his nose, a book in his lap. 

“Jeongguk?” Namjoon greets, it comes out as more of a question. 

Loneliness. 

A sob wracks through his body as his knees give up, sinking on the carpeted floor. He weeps into his hands, inconsolable. 

Jimin’s absence in his life threw him back to his life before the fairy arrived. 

Utterly lonely. 

As Hoseok and Namjoon rush to his aid in a mess of confused and alarmed limbs, he realises he’s never felt lonely with Jimin, The fairy’s presence prominent in the house and his mind. 

A sense of deep loss washes over him as he chokes out the words, “J-Jimin, he’s gone.”

In the back of his mind, he always knew he’d care. No matter who Jimin was beneath a human façade, he’d end up getting attached. 

The moment he left his livestream in between because he heard a loud thud followed by the sound of Jimin wincing in pain, he knew deep inside he cared. 

In one way or the other he always have but it scared him to express it openly. 

He pretended it was nothing, the gradual changes in Jimin’s appearance over the time, how his features no longer seemed lively and vibrant but dull and gloomy. 

The golden shine of his hair slowly fading away. 

He refused to acknowledge them, choosing to live in oblivion. 

Every time he saw Jimin over the last week, he seemed fragile and cold. He chose to ignore it. 

He was killing Jimin.

“You’re taking away his magic from him. As humans, you all are and can be a lot of things, but we’re nothing without our roots, what runs deep inside our veins, no matter what bodily adjustment we adapt to. That is what kills us.” Namjoon had explained after he was coherent enough to listen. 

Jeongguk springs up from his bed, eyes following Namjoon as the elder wordlessly walks into his room. He meets Jeongguk’s eyes and the latter immediately knows they’ve been unsuccessful once again. He sighs, slumping back down with his head in hands. It’s nearly December, it’s going to be three weeks and still no sign of Jimin. 

As per Namjoon’s guidance, magical beings can’t leave human realm until their current assigned human dies. Jimin is still here, in town, but Seoul is big enough as it gets. After several days of futile searching, they’ve still not been able to trace the fairy. 

Hoseok and Namjoon had lent him a big hand, accompanying him several times to search for Jimin. The giant had known Jimin’s situation all along but never told him about it. Jimin didn’t want him to know, because that would mean he would have to forcefully open up to him. 

He despises himself for how he has treated Jimin so far. The worry of something happening to Jimin eats him alive every day, he doesn’t know how it works, he doesn’t know if Jimin still has magic running through his veins, if he’s keeping warm enough. 

“I don’t know what to do, hyung.” Jeongguk whispers, helpless and lost. 

“I understand. We’ll look together.” Namjoon says, voice gentle. 

The elder had made it clear that he disapproved of him, and the way he handled the situation with Jimin. One look at the giant’s face and he could see he was upset at the turn of events, for the worse. 

“I will try not to blame you, nor will I hold any prejudice towards you. You were still wrong, Jeongguk.”

He isn’t ignorant of the fact that he’s the reason why it ended up like this, why they couldn’t find Jimin. He knows, and he wants to apologize, if Jimin lets him. 

“Would he even want to come back?” 

“I cannot answer that question for him.” 

“Hyung,” Jeongguk cries, feeling his throat clog up, “does it make me selfish if I want him to come back, to choose me?” 

Namjoon’s eyes harden, “Yes.” 

He sobs, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” 

“He deserves to hear that much.” 

“I know…” 

Jimin’s breath stuck gets stuck in the throat, a whisper of question dying within, “Jeongguk?”

He sits there perched on a high tree branch, the twigs gently creaking under his weight. His feet stop swinging back and forth, eyes focused beneath him on the frenzied figure running around the park in a haste. 

He wraps the maroon shawl tighter around him, holding it together at the front. The first week of December has bought icy winds along, making him shiver. 

His bare feet hang still, a tiny bit cold. Jeongguk is still running around, he seems to be in a search for something. The tips of his ears are pink from the cold, so is his nose. 

Jimin still thinks he looks as beautiful as he did when he first saw him. The black puffer jacket and fleece joggers must be doing a poor job at protecting him from the cold. 

His breath comes out in cold puffs of air as he prances around. He pauses abruptly, seemingly giving up on his hunt. Hands on his knees, he catches his breath, heavily panting. 

He pushes his hair back after standing up and Jimin’s heart freezes in his chest even though Jeongguk’s eyes are closed, brows scrunched together. 

If Jimin felt his heart stop earlier, he feels his every bodily organ shutting down, his magic licks at the bottom of his stomach in weak wisps. The world holds still for a second, for Jeongguk is looking at him. 

Disbelieving at first, then relieved. So much relief visibly floods over him that he sags. Eyes distraught, his mouth opens and closes several times to say something— anything.

Jimin clutches at his heart, unable to move when the gamer’s eyes shine with unshed tears, reflecting the night sky. Each of the stars placed oh so carefully in those irises. His mouth opens in a silent plea, “Jimin.” 

Words remain unsaid, Jeongguk’s emotions straining tight with every second. This time Jimin understands the unsaid, please come back home.

The gaping wound within him aches, bleeding again, the absence of his magic feels like death. No buzz beneath his fingers as he scrunches the fabric tightly. He doesn’t feel the warmth run through his body nor feels his blood rush. 

Was he ready to return, really? 

Another thing twists in his chest, he doesn’t know what it is, emotions don’t come naturally to him. 

Jeongguk’s eyes remain glossy, a lone tear escaping his eye. 

He doesn’t know what it was, the sincerity behind those big round eyes, or every source of light being a star in his irises. He’s not sure if it was the cold puffs of air coming out from those chapped blueish lips. 

Maybe it wasn’t even because of the pink of his ears and his cheeks. 

Jeongguk stood there, hopeful and waiting. But not stepping forward or away, rooted in his spot, his eyes trained on Jimin’s. 

A tiny little snowflake fell from above, sitting on top Jeongguk’s nose. The first snow of the season. 

It wasn’t because Jeongguk was meant to find him again, it wasn’t because he was desperately searching for him for weeks. 

Maybe it was because Jimin wanted to be found. 

To try and understand how to steer the boat instead of hoping it reaches a land, surpassing the seas. 

To not ignore the damage but to fill in the gaps. To not be impatient but letting time work it’s ways. 

Maybe it was the pull Jimin felt, a strong presence of emotions he felt, laid bare and vulnerable in front of him. 

He is willing to knot the ends, one last time. 

Jimin climbs down and Jeongguk instantly takes off his jacket, wrapping it around his shoulders. The fairy stares at his glossy red eyes, mouth twisted into a pained frown. 

Jeongguk’s hands tremble as he drapes the jacket over him. He opens his mouth to explain but is stopped by Jimin’s hands over his lips. 

Jeongguk feels cold. 

“Let’s get home first.” Jimin whispers, feeling him clamp his lips down behind his hand. 

Home

Jeongguk feels inexplicable warmth course through his body the walk back. 

Being away from this house for only weeks, Jimin wouldn’t have expected it to look any less similar. What he saw before him told him a completely different story. 

Things are haphazardly thrown across the place, not a single object properly placed. The whole house looks as if it was ransacked and raided. His eyes find his book, sitting on the sofa’s armrest as it was before, his blanket still on the couch the way he left it. 

His half knitted sweater still sits on his bed, untouched like he left it. 

The whole house looks out of it’s place except his own belongings. Jimin frowns, looking at Jeongguk to find him staring back at him. He immediately averts his eyes, rubbing the back of his neck, embarrassed. 

Sitting down on Jeongguk’s bed, he starts explaining, from the beginning to the end. He feels pain reliving the death of his loved one. 

Magic and emotions led down the wrong path with ill intentions and hatred. Deep involvement and broken promises. Betrayal and jealously. 

Unable to stay a half but wanting to consume the whole. Unwilling to coexist but manipulate and dominate. 

He tells it all, with broken words and blabbered noises, pain withheld coming out in wild waves. Splashing at the shore, taking away pieces of his soul, he pours it out, because Jimin deserves to know.

Because Jimin has never once wronged him, never saw him in a negative light. 

Jimin couldn’t make the wound—inflicted by someone else—hurt. He wouldn’t add on to the pain. 

Jeongguk believes him.

“I’m sorry.” He chokes out, Jimin’s glassy eyes mirroring his own, “I’m so sorry. You did not deserve any of that. I c-cannot” a sob wracks through him, “I cannot undo what I’ve done, nor can I ask you to stay with me. Please just know I’m deeply sorry for how I treated you.” 

Jimin’s hand comes up to his back to rub small soothing circles, however he still says silent. 

“Jimin, please forgive me,” he begs, “I do not know if I deserve it, you being here is—” he sighs, cutting himself mid-sentence, “I feel like I cannot express it in words—what I feel right now.” 

Jimin gently cups his cheek, turning his face towards him, his eyes still brim with tears. 

“Why’re you crying?” Jeongguk laughs, but it comes out pained. 

Jimin shushes him with a warm hand on his nape, caressing the skin. He wordlessly looks into the younger’s eyes, so much unsaid between them. 

“You don’t have to,” Jimin whispers, “—express anything in words.

He delicately tugs Jeongguk by his nape, coercing him forward. Jeongguk’s eyes widen, swollen and red from crying. 

Jimin smiles reluctantly, “You don’t have to say it aloud,” he whispers again, tapping his cheek gently. 

Jeongguk closes his eyes, nodding and heaving a deep breath. He is being tugged forward and his forehead touches Jimin’s. 

Jimin feels his magic return to him and that elicits a gasp out of the fairy, Jeongguk goes to move back alarmed, but he tugs him harder, keeping their foreheads together.

He shakes his head against him. Keeping him there firmly. 

He feels it then, the pain, loss, loneliness, care, affection, regret and every other emotion Jeongguk has been harboring for his entire life. 

The emotions get stronger the moment he taps into Jeongguk’s memory with him in it. Tears flow freely down his cheeks. 

He feels Jeongguk’s despise wither away into care and then into pain.

 He feels the fond emotions Jeongguk felt inside. He sees his own face laughing too loud at the television. He feels the grave worry and sees his face again, this time no longer vibrant and alive as before. He sobs when he realises that the memory is from the time he asked Jeongguk for yarn. He feels the worry wrapped in feigned ignorance. 

Loss gapes in his chest the moment he feels Jeongguk grieving his absence. His wails echo in his mind. 

And finally an overwhelming wave of relief rocks him when he stares at his own face from below, his frail figure sitting on the tree branch. 

Jimin’s hand trembles as he holds both of Jeongguk’s cheeks wet with tears falling down his eyes. The gamer bites his lips to hold the throaty wails inside.

The fairy’s fingertips grow warm, magic buzzing faintly beneath them as he wipes Jeongguk’s tears away. Jeongguk opens his eyes, wet eyelashes sticking together, nose red from crying. Jimin tries to smile, his eyes flitting between Jeongguk’s. He wipes yet another tear from underneath his eye. 

A wet gasp leaves Jimin’s lips the moment Jeongguk pulls him into a bone crushing hug. His magic thrums through this whole body, vibrant and lively as it's ever been. He hugs back, with all his might, with every ounce of care he’s ever had. Jeongguk tightens his hold around his waist, drawing him impossibly closer, afraid of letting go, afraid Jimin would disappear again. Jimin senses his fear and buries his hand in the younger’s hair. 

“I’m here.” He whispers gently, afraid that the bubble of vulnerability surrounding them would burst. Jeongguk falls asleep in his arms a few moments after they adjust to lie down and he notices the dark circles beneath his swollen eyes. Jimin runs his pinky along the bridge of his nose. Jeongguk scrunches his nose in response, a little sigh leaving his lips. He shuffles a bit, fingers fisting the shawl Jimin wrapped around him. The fairy smiles, golden specks shining in his irises at the gesture. 

Jimin kisses Jeongguk’s forehead softly, skin warm and soft beneath his lips. He has to give him a second chance, for his sake, for both of theirs sake. Only Jeongguk can decide what to do with it, either their bond prospers or he gets picked apart, piece by piece, again. Jimin desperately hopes for the former, he clings onto it with every breath he takes. 

“What are you doing?” Jeongguk asks, crossing his arms in front of his chest. 

Jimin yelps, tumbling mid-air as he lowers the fairy lights, “I thought you went outside!” he exclaims, caught off guard with the sudden presence, “I’m just putting these fairy lights up.” He muses, golden flecks identical to the small LEDs that shine in his hands flicker behind his eyes in giddiness. 

“You’re lighting yourself up?” The gamer snickers, immediately shutting up when Jimin scowls at him, “Okay, I’ll admit that was bad.” 

“It was.” 

Jimin proceeds to hang dozens of small lights all over the house in an attempt to make it look homey and less gloomy. He saw the already decorated houses for Christmas, and immediately went shopping to return with a bunch of lights to start with. Putting the lights up on the walls wasn’t much of a task and it provided a golden glow to the atmosphere; the type of golden that had begun shining in Jimin’s eyes. 

JJeongguk stands back, watching his hair glow a healthy blonde, no longer sandy. The apples of his cheek filled with a lively and permanent red whenever he smiles. He has to remind himself that with magic working inside Jimin at full capacity, he no longer feels cold, but that doesn’t stop him from wrapping the fairy up in a woolen scarf and a jacket. 

Jimin doesn’t protest, lets himself be bundled up with a small grin decorating his pretty pink lips.

After Jeongguk let Jimin into his emotions, things have changed for better. Their mutual understanding runs on a deep level, though it took a little time to bring that to surface. He had put his prejudices aside, wanting to start fresh with him. The week that followed that outburst was awkward and uncomfortable with both of them walking on eggshells around each other. 

They were scared to do or say anything that might hurt each other, the conversations turned formal and clipped the only difference that there was no more malice behind the words. Jeongguk opened himself up to Jimin, never once withdrawing, so the latter knew most of the time how he was feeling. Misunderstandings were quickly cleared and no more sat between them like dense air. 

A sense of safety started blossoming since Jimin would sense it if anything was off. 

Jeongguk usually was a peppy and happy individual, his mood only sours due to specific triggers. He had been reading and deleting nasty comments about him before he ended up yelling at Jimin. So, in short, not a lot of things pissed Jeongguk off. 

What sort of solidified base level trust between them was a small kiss Jimin had dropped on Jeongguk’s forehead, thinking he was asleep. However, when Jeongguk had opened his eyes a second later, he froze, unsure what to do. The gamer’s peaceful sleeping face endeared him, a warm feeling blossoming within, magic twisting happily in wisps at the peaceful emotion seeping off him. 

He had lent down to kiss Jeongguk’s forehead without thinking too much, following what his mind told him to do. 

When the younger opened his eyes, Jimin ended up putting his hand a little too hard on his face to cover his eyes and then walked abruptly back to his room. Later that night, Jeongguk sat up for hours, heart beating wildly in his chest and sleep vanished from behind his eyes. He kept replaying the moment, even hours later, feeling the warmth of Jimin’s lips on his skin. 

That small display of reaction is something he cherishes, it assured him that the fairy did not give him another chance out of obligation but because he wanted to.

Jeongguk snaps out of his thoughts, realizing Jimin had asked him a question, “Hmm?”

The other huffs, rolling his eyes and asking again, “I’m almost done putting the lights here, can I put it somewhere else as well?”

Jeongguk smiles, Jimin’s half drowning in wires and wires of lights, they flood down his arms as he tries to hold them together, they’re also wrapped around his waist. He’s glowing golden—literally. “Yes,” he chuckles, “you can put them anywhere you like, it’s your house as well.” 

JJimin smiles shyly, then nods, immediately returning to the task at hand. 

The gamer walks out of the living room to fetch a beige woolen scarf. Jimin’s still floating around so he tugs him down with his arm. He wordlessly steps down, looking at Jeongguk with a confused expression. 

“I’m going out for last minute shopping.” He says, wrapping the scarf around Jimin’s neck, “Would you want me to get anything for you?”

“I would like more yarn, I think. I need to knit gi—something.”

“Of course, what colour?” Jeongguk asks gently, voice barely above a whisper, eyes ever so fond as they flit between his eyes.

JJimin blushes and turns away from the other upon hearing the familiar question, “Brown and…maroon, um and lilac.”

“Okay, let me know if you need anything else.” Jeongguk once again tugs on his hand, tucking away a lose strand from Jimin’s face, inexplicable fondness reflecting in his actions and gaze. He steps forward, bending down to kiss Jimin’s cheek, driven by the sudden affection towards the fairy blossoming within. 

Jimin freezes, taken aback by the sudden gesture but he doesn’t recoil or step back, letting Jeongguk pat his cheek with a soft whisper of ‘I’ll be right back.’

He yet again feels his heart threatening to beat out of his chest as he stands there with his hand over his chest, struggling to calm himself down.

Jimin doesn’t think there’s a lot of things that feel addictive to him, Christmas shopping has become one of the exceptions. He loves to walk down the aisles, shifting lanes and pushing the cart in front of him only to pick up and dump in everything he wants. 

Jeongguk gives him full liberty to, he doesn’t protest but eyes him warily when Jimin puts yet another bar of chocolate in the cart, hiding behind the excuse of hot chocolates. He loves how the younger is more himself these days. 

No bickering ensues, except when it’s about Jeongguk eating too much cookie dough, but else they’re doing just fine. The gamer laughs a lot, cracks silly jokes, half of them are lame but they still make Jimin laugh until his sides hurt. 

Something tells him it’s not the jokes, but the person Jeongguk allows himself to be around him that makes him laugh. He never forgets to wrap a scarf or a shawl around Jimin, regardless of the adequate warmth his magic provides. 

Every time he bundles Jimin up, Jeongguk smiles, eyes shining with sincerity and fondness and the fairy can’t find it in himself to refuse, to shake off the fabric. So, he keeps it on, so that Jeongguk rests assured. 

Some nights are spent in the living room with the newly bought furnace to fit the winter vibes, Jeongguk snuggles up in his armchair by the fire underneath the blanket, scrolling through his phone or simply enjoying the warmth and Jimin curls up with yet another book on the sofa or he knits the presents for everyone coming over for Christmas. 

Hoseok’s boyfriend Yoongi is flying down to meet him and Jeongguk had invited them for Christmas dinner if they didn’t mind. Hoseok had agreed readily to it, Namjoon was alright with tagging along too. 

Apparently Jeongguk’s college sunbae SeokJin would come too. Jimin feels giddy, because with SeokJin comes another fellow fairy, Taehyung. Taehyung has always been friendly and nice to him, the aspect of meeting him again fills his heart with impatience and happiness. 

Jimin’s breath hitches as arm’s wrap tightly around his waist and Jeongguk’s face nestles in his nape, lips almost brushing his skin. Jimin feels his body run warmer with the younger’s chest pressed against his back. Jeongguk had grown touchy over the days. 

Not that he minds, he thrives on human contact after all, so, he’s more than ecstatic he doesn’t have to ask for it often. It’s all too sudden, but at the same time it’s not. They’ve been in close proximity with each other before.

The only new intimacy unlocked was pecks on cheek and forehead, ever since Jeongguk first kisses him on the cheek, he’s never stopped. He doesn’t step out of the house without a goodbye kiss to the fairy’s cheek. 

It’s the gentleness behind such actions that make his stomach swoop and heart thud. Even now as Jeongguk nuzzles his face he's ever so careful, as if Jimin’s the most delicate thing in the world. 

Butterflies erupt in his stomach when Jeongguk’s finger draws small invisible circles on his waist. He discards the washed bowl in his hands, he will dry the utensil later. Turning around, he places his hands on Jeongguk’s shoulders. 

A pretty pink littered across his cheeks. His irises glow, golden flecks swirling within. Jeongguk’s lazy smile grows bigger when he notices it and it makes Jimin fluster. 

“Hi,” He whispers. 

A breathless chuckle escapes Jeongguk’s lips, “Hi.”

“Is there anything left to do?” the gamer asks, still caressing his waist. “I don’t think so,” Jimin answers, tugging gently at his hair. Jeongguk’s sighs, closing his eyes and tipping back his head, letting the fairy massage his scalp. 

Jimin smiles, pecking at his chin in response. The younger looks back at him, eyes crinkling and nose scrunched. He laughs, feeling embarassed, “What?” 

Jeongguk cards back his hair, humming in contentment, “You… I’m glad you didn’t leave.” The sincerity in his voice once again makes goosebumps line his skin. He senses regret and pain clouding the younger’s mind immediately. 

“Do not,” he reprimands, “Jeongguk I gave you another chance, willingly. I chose to trust you.” 

“Doesn’t excuse or undo what I did in the past though.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. Jimin feels unanchored with the weight of his arms around his waist. He steps closer, cupping Jeongguk’s cheeks and tugging him down. Another kiss to his forehead buy this time the fairy doesn’t move back.

He whispers against the skin, “Please, do not break me again, that will be enough.” The younger nods, a few years cascading down his cheeks that the other is quick to wipe away. 

Jimin knows somewhere in his heart, that he will not, Jeongguk will never treat him the same way again. He’s grown to love his presence to embrace his flaws, to forgive his mistakes. He’s finally come to know him.

He knows Jeongguk did the same. 

Christmas rolls in and the sounds of bells grow louder and merrier, every one dancing, rejoicing awaiting their loved once and a big feast. Every corner seems lively, a thick sheet of snow covers the streets but it only adds to the celebrations. Jimin is just like any other fairy on Christmas. 

He re-adjusts the big, golden Star on top of the large Christmas tree he convinced Jeongguk to buy. It occupied a good portion of space and they had to move around the furniture quite a bit because of that but in the end, watching it light up and decorated with ornaments. Jimin thinks it all was worth it. 

“What do you mean it’s fucking three hours delayed?” Hoseok asks into the phone, flabbergasted. On the other side, he can hear Yoongi talk soothingly to calm his boyfriend down, but Hoseok wasn’t having it at all. “This is homophobia. Just an hour ago you told me you’ll reach early but now you’re suddenly three hours late?!” 

Jimin giggles, taking out the last batch of gingerbread man from the oven. He’s fully ready to entertain the guests coming over today. Jeongguk spent almost the entire day yesterday to clean out the guest room for SeokJin and Taehyung. 

“Why’re you laughing Jimin? That’s homophobic! My boyfriend’s flight is delayed and you’re—YOONGI, BABY, SHUT UP AND GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE ASAP.”

 Jeongguk pads over to the living room just as Hoseok drops down, slumping on the couch exhausted. His fingers immediately find Hoseok’s shoulders, pressing down in the right points and making him groan in relief. 

“Give him a break hyung, Yoongi hyung’s probably dying to meet you too.” He says, digging his fingers in his shoulder blades. 

“I will believe that when I see his ass in Seoul and not fucking Vegas.” 

Jimin chuckles again, taking out a brownie to drop it in Namjoon’s hands who’s been patiently waiting for the next batch of baked good to be prepared. The giant has become Jimin’s personal critique at this point. When Namjoon’s eyes widen and he gives him a thumbs up, he knows the brownies are exactly how they’re supposed to be. 

Jeongguk walks over to him, mouth falling open in a wordless request and Jimin obliges, lets himself be pulled by the waist against him as he holds up the dessert for him to bite into. A hum of approval resounds in his throat, slowly chewing. 

“Good?” Jimin smiles. 

“So good.” Jeongguk nods. 

He excuses himself a moment later, going back to put away unrequired things into storage, with a kiss on Jimin’s cheek as always. The fairy flushes pink, fingers clenching into a fist as he watches Jeongguk walk away.

“Did you start dating or something?” Hoseok inquires from the couch, mouth hanging open. 

“I would also very much like to know that. I’ve been noticing it all along but I didn’t want to intrude so—” Namjoon adds, wiggling his brows “—What’s going on?”

“Nothing is going on!” Jimin defends, but his frenzied heartbeat says otherwise. He has definitely grown to like Jeongguk. He has fallen for his silly habits and caring tendencies. But no one needs to know that. 

He's not sure if Jeongguk feels the same but there’s something about the way he looks at him that gives him hope. Hope that Jeongguk may reciprocate his feelings. 

The duo doesn’t buy his poor attempt at steering the topic of conversation away by suddenly being interested in Yoongi’s arrival. 

He bites his lips, ducking his head down and smiling shyly because what if Jeongguk does like him back.

SeokJin and Taehyung’s arrival brings a sense of immense joy, the house suddenly bustling with chatter and energy. Happy exclaims echo through the walls as everyone catches up after long, telling unheard tales and incidents that often leave them gasping obscenely or in second scenario laughing their asses off. 

Jimin giggles as he leans into Jeongguk’s shoulder, a blanket draped around his shoulders and a mug of hot chocolate balanced skillfully in his hands. His irises glow golden and he feels happy, so happy that he’s nearly bursting at the beams. 

They all sit in a semi-circle near the furnace, enjoying the warmth from the cackling fire that would die out soon. After a hearty Christmas dinner and a sweet Christmas cake—bought in by Yoongi as an apology—they grow sleepy quickly. Everyone tired from today’s ventures. 

About time they all head back and tuck themselves in bed, falling into deep slumber. Just as everyone disperses, putting away their things and placing the utensils in the sink, Yoongi piques up, “Before we all go back, I have something important to ask.” 

Part of them seven are still seated on the ground while Taehyung and Jin stand still, briefcases heavy in their hands, waiting for Yoongi to speak up. 

“I have a question to ask you, specifically.” He looks at Hoseok, sitting beside him. The other smiles, confused but encouraging him on with an eyebrow raised. Beside him, Jimin hears Jeongguk gasps softly with a ‘no way’ muttered under his breath. 

Jeongguk feels excited and happy for some reason. Jimin’s own eyes widen, if it’s what he thinks it is then—

“Hoba, you’ve been my boyfriend for almost eight years now and—pardon me I’m not good at verbal stuff—you’ve stuck by my side, truthfully, loyally. You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met and you light up my rainy days, my stormy nights. You’ve been with me on the days I don’t want to exist and feel upset at the world. You’ve taught me how to live through them.” 

He draws in a deep breath, slowly getting on one knee and pulling out a small navy blue velvet covered box from inside his pockets, “You’re the first person who understood me for who I am and I want you to be the very last as well. I want to walk the forever life grants us with you. Will you marry me?”

A series of gasps and a loud squeal—from Taehyung— erupt in the living room. Everyone waiting with bated breaths as Hoseok chuckles, eyes brimming with tears. 

“This is fucking why you were three hours late, was it not?” He laughs, happy tears trailing down his cheeks as he wipes them off one by one. 

“Yes,” Yoongi nods, sheepish, “I wanted to do this today and then I panicked when the weight of it suddenly dawned on me and I missed my initial flight.” 

“You’re a dumbass.” 

“Please answer already, my love I think my blood pressure right now can kill me.” Yoongi laughs nervously. 

“Yes, I do!” Hoseok exclaims wrapping his arms around Yoongi and pulling him in a hug. 

“I think it’s technically supposed to be ‘yes, I will’ because ‘yes, I do’ is said during vows, is it not?” Namjoon interrupts and everyone groans. 

“Namjoon, my bro, you do know how important timings are, so please apply the rules to yourself as well and let them be.” Taehyung counters and is met with a dejected ‘I’m just saying.’ From the giant. 

“Jeongguk.” Jimin gasps, yet again feeling the familiar pair of arms encircle his waist. He swears he can never get used to this feeling, it catches him off guard every time. 

“What are you doing out here?” Jeongguk asks as they both stand by the fireplace, already rubbing his face into Jimin’s nape. 

The fairy puts his hands over Jeongguk’s arms, feeling them tighten. He sighs, leaning back and tilting his head to the side, letting Jeongguk nose along his skin, up and down over and over again. “I loved today.” Jimin whispers, playing with the younger’s fingers that entangle so easily and perfectly with his own. 

“Me too” Jeongguk hums in response, however, he seems distracted. 

Yoongi and Hoseok returned to their house, Taehyung and Jin deep asleep in the guest rooms while Namjoon occupied Jimin’s room, in order to give the soon to be weds some space. 

Jimin had agreed to sleep in Jeongguk’s room instead however he cannot find any sleep lingering behind his eyelids, wide awake and satisfied with the evening’s events. 

“You’re not tired?” Jeongguk murmurs, his lips ghosting over Jimin’s skin. Jimin feels a shiver roll down his back and something about the way Jeongguk’s lips curl up against his skin tells him he felt it too. 

“Mhm, just not sleepy yet.” 

“Do you want to do something? Should I make you something? You’ve had too much caffeine today” 

Jimin laughs softly, endeared at his behaviour, “I think just this is very much okay.”

The silence that ensues between them is comfortable. None of them speaking a word but basking in each other’s company. However, Jimin senses a shift in Jeongguk’s mood, he frowns unable to put a name to the feeling. 

“Jimin,” Jeongguk breathes, leaving a delicate kiss on the juncture between his shoulder and neck, “You look so beautiful.” 

Jimin laughs disbelievingly, heart accelerating in his chest, regardless “I’m literally wearing my pajamas Jeongguk.” 

“So?” He turns the fairy around by the shoulders, “What I meant is, you looked happy, and that emotion looks so beautiful on you. You’re beautiful when you smile, when your eyes glitter with gold inside them—like they’re shining now. You’re so beautiful Jimin I cannot find words to express it.” 

“You don’t have to.” Jimin blushes under his hold, feeling the praise sink deep into his bones, eager to feel more. 

“Right,” Jeongguk chuckles softly, tugging him closer, “I don’t have to.”

Their foreheads touch and the surge of emotions bustling inside him all of a sudden renders him weak, knees buckling. He feels Jeongguk’s heart match his own frenzied heartbeat. 

He feels the squeeze of his chest in utter fondness. He feels the worry behind care. He feels the affection Jeongguk harbors towards him. 

I like you. 

There’s no mistaking this message and it makes his breath hitch. He opens his eyes to find fire reflecting in Jeongguk’s brown eyes. “Jeongguk.” He whispers breathlessly, feeling his throat constrict and a sudden unnamed need washing over him. He clutches at the other’s forearms, foreheads still touching. 

Jeongguk’s eyes drag down his entire face repeatedly, finally settling on his lips. A dark look passes behind his eyes and Jimin knows he feels the same need as him. 

“Jimin,” his voice turns hoarse and it makes goosebumps line the fairy’s skin, “Can I kiss you?” 

Yes. 

The answer is right on his tongue. He wants to say it aloud. He needs to feel Jeongguk’s lips against his own but what comes out instead is, “Don’t people kiss when there’s a mistletoe above them on Christmas?” 

It’s a stupid question, meant to unnecessarily drawl things over and when Jeongguk steps away, he panics, trying to grasp at his arms and pull him in. But the younger doesn’t budge, pulling out his mobile from his pockets and starts typing away. Jimin scowls, “Jeongguk, what are you—” 

He's silenced when the younger shoves the phone right in his face and he comes face to face with the grainiest, low budgeted poor commercial worthy picture he’s ever seen of a mistletoe. Jeongguk holds the mobile over their heads, and Jimin looks up into his eyes to find them gleaming with impatience, “There,” he says, “now? Can I kiss you?” 

“Yes, please.”

He gets on his tiptoes, meeting Jeongguk’s lips halfway as he ducks down to kiss him. Jimin feels his magic course through his veins once again, it warms him from the inside, sets his body ablaze. Jeongguk starts moving first, slowly sucking his lower lip into his mouth. 

He feels butterflies swarming his stomach, buzzing throughout his whole body and numbing mind. Jeongguk’s kiss felt like winter melting away into spring. The re birth of all on earth and the blossom of flowers. 

He made Jimin suffer through the harshest winter but then paved a flower laden path for spring. 

Jimin’s knees buckle as Jeongguk pulls him closer, holding him up by his waist. He stabilizes himself by gripping the younger’s sturdy shoulders. Jeongguk smiles against his lips and it’s the best feeling he’s ever felt in a while. He kissed back with fervor, letting him tilt their heads to deepen the kiss. 

Jimin sighs, fingers fisting up Jeongguk’s sweater when the latter licks along the seam of his mouth. He grants him the access to delve into his mouth, lick and taste everything he has to offer. To take as much as he wants. 

He sucks on Jeongguk’s tongue, earning a low groan from him that rumbles in his chest. “Jimin.” He grunts in a plea. “I like you.” his hand slips inside Jimin’s sweater, caressing his sides. Jimin’s skin burns underneath his touch. “I like you too.” 

The fairy grips his wrist and Jeongguk goes back to remove his hand in case he caused him discomfort but Jimin only hitches the hand higher up his bare stomach and over his ribs. Quiet gasps leaving his lips when slender fingers skim on his skin, occasionally digging and scratching. 

“How far do we go tonight?” Jeongguk asks, kissing down the column of his throat while his other hand traces intangible patterns into his skin. Jimin brings his hands together, clasping them at the back of his neck to keep him there or maybe to pull him closer. 

“As far as we can.” 

Jimin moans, back arching off the bed as Jeongguk’s lube covered finger enters him with no resistance. He clamps down on the intrusion, gripping at the sheets beside his head. Jeongguk’s other hand rests by his hip, caressing the skin as a distraction. 

He mouths at Jimin’s throat, leaving open mouthed kisses, occasionally pausing to suck and nibble on the skin which will bruise tomorrow, leaving marks in place. Another moan tumbles out of his lips at the mental image of blueish purple marks littered across his skin. 

“Not so loud, Jimin. Namjoon is next door.” Jeongguk huffs, the outline of his cock visible against the flimsy material of his joggers. He looks and feels equally affected as Jimin and it grounds him in a way. 

He slaps his hand across his mouth, eyes widening in horror. Jeongguk chuckles, removing his hand by his wrist, “Not so loud, but loud enough so that I can hear you. Let me hear you, Jimin.” He presses a long, tender kiss to the inside of his wrist before dropping it down. 

Jimin nods, letting out another sound—lower this time when Jeongguk slowly coerces a second finger inside, gently scissoring him open. “Does it hurt?” He asks, concerned. 

“No,” He trembles, struggling to get words out, “It doesn’t, keep going, don’t stop.” 

So, he doesn’t, he pushes his fingers in and out, loosening up the muscles until his two fingers sit snuggly inside Jimin with no trouble. Jimin’s chest heaves with deep breaths, body writhing beneath him with unspoken pleasure. 

He kisses up his flushed abdomen, reaching his ribs and then chest. He licks at his hardened nips while he fits in a third finger, earning a low whine from Jimin in response. 

Jeongguk nibbles on the sensitive bud, licking and kissing afterwards to relieve the sting. He pushes his fingers deep inside, twisting them around and searching for that one spot. He kisses his way up towards Jimin’s lips, engulfing them in a affectionate kiss. The sound of lips smacking together along with squelching of his fingers ring loud in the other wise quite room. 

When Jimin’s body jerks, mouth falling open Jeongguk knows he has found it. He pushes against the point, feeling yet another tremble course through the fairy’s body with a choked call of his name. He rubs at the spot, holding Jimin steady by the waist as he continues to squirm due to his administrations. 

A particularly loud moan slips out of Jimin’s lips when he continuously prods at his prostate for a while. Jimin cuts himself off, clamping his lips shut as he untangles his hand from the sheets to grab onto Jeongguk’s wrist plunging in and out of him. 

“Enough.” He breathes and Jeongguk stops immediately, searching his face for any sign of discomfort, “Please Jeongguk,” Jimin’s chest heaves with labored breaths, “I need you.” 

“I’m here.” He assures, kissing his eyelids, golden flecks swimming beneath. Jimin looks unreal below him, blonde hair fanning on the white pillow underneath his head, sheen layer of perspiration accumulating on his forehead. His chest and face flushed pink. Abdomen heaving and caving in with each touch, each breath. Lips raw and bitten, swollen and red. A series of red bruises around his neck and collarbones that will soon turn purple. 

Jimin looks mesmerizing. 

Words fall short on his tongue once again and all he can muster out is “You’re so beautiful, Jimin.” The fairy moans, sound muffled behind his hands. “Jeongguk, I need you inside me.”

“Okay” Jeongguk grunts, tugging down his boxers and joggers and stepping out of them. He lathers himself up with adequate amount of lube, hissing when his palm makes contact with the sensitive skin. Jimin peers up through his shiny eyes, following every flick and twist of his wrist up and down his length. 

Jeongguk curses under his breath, unable to look Jimin in the eye or else he’d finish off solely due to the images in his head. His cock aches in his fist, erect and hard, prominent veins running along the underside. He delves down, kissing Jimin with all teeth and tongue, frantic and hurried. 

It turns messy with drool dripping down their mouths. 

Jeongguk uses his clean hand to hold Jimin steady by the hips while the other guides himself in. He feels the muscles clamp down on him the moment he pushes the tip in. He hisses, whispering sweet nothings into the fairy’s ears and kissing all over his face to ease him as he tries to push in slowly, as much as Jimin lets him at a time. 

A guttural groan leaves his lips the moment he’s buried to the hilt. A shiver rolling down his spine. Jimin squirms again but doesn’t push him away. “You’re doing so good, sunshine.” He coaxes and Jimin gasps but relaxes slightly. 

“Say that again.” He asks, tiny tremors travelling the course of his body in stimulation. 

“You’re being so good for me. Can I move, sunshine?” Jeongguk asks, voice straining with pleasure and pain. 

“Yes,” Jimin almost sobs, “Yes please.” 

Jeongguk obliges, pulling out slowly inch by inch, keeping his eyes trained on Jimin’s face scrunched with pleasure. He thrusts back in, equally slowly, maintaining this rhythm until the fairy urges him to move faster. He alternates between deep and slow thrusts. Gently rocking Jimin on his sheets due to the controlled force of his thrusts. 

Once Jimin relaxes around him completely does he pull out and slam back in quickly. He sets a rhythmic pace, occasionally banging the headboard into the wall as the bed creaks from the force of his thrusts. Jimin moans, choked noises spilling past his lips as Jeongguk angles his hips just right where he needs him. 

He comes with a cry of Jeongguk’s name with a particularly angled thrust, his back arching off the bed and toes curling in. He keeps Jeongguk inside, allowing him to move after he calms down a little from his orgasm. 

The pace is now relentless, Jeongguk thrusting shallow and fast to finish off. 

He pulls out, coming on Jimin’s stomach which caves in with each drop that hits his skin. 

Jeongguk sighs, pulling Jimin closer by his waist against his bare chest. He hears the fairy giggle, trying to break free from his hold. He grunts in retaliation and tightens his hold. “If you’re gonna keep doing that, you’ll choke me to death one day.” 

He smiles against Jimin’s shoulder, pressing a small kiss to the skin before attempting to open his eyes, which he immediately regrets because the sun is already high and up in the sky. Blinding rays stinging his eyes. 

He groans, turning over and pulling the blanket over his head. Another fit of giggles erupts beside him and it makes him grin when Jimin pulls down the blanket from his head to kiss his temple. “Good morning.” 

Jeongguk turns over, yawning and stretching his hands above his head, he squints, trying to make out Jimin’s face and puckers his lips. The fairy chuckles, gripping his jaw gently and pressing a long, soft kiss to his lips. The gamer smiles, still half-asleep and very much satisfied. 

That doesn’t stop him from turning them over and pecking all over Jimin’s face and hearing him giggle. He sighs deeply once their lips meet again, light smacks audible in the peaceful room.

Jimin pulls back and cups his cheeks, gently tapping them, “Someone had a Merry Christmas, hmm?” 

“Yes.” Jeongguk grins shamelessly, stealing yet another kiss from his lips, “Good morning, sunshine.” 

 He wraps his hands around Jeongguk’s back, pulling him against his chest. Jimin smiles, connecting their foreheads together. When magic bursts alive underneath his fingertips, and warmth engulfs his body, he relives last night again with Jeongguk, this time from his perspective. 

Raw affection soaks him to the bone and he knows they’re gonna be okay. 

They’ve finally found the land.