Chapter Text
The prison gates opened with a metallic creak. Jungkook stepped out of the prison gates for the first time in six months and squinted against the brightness. His eyes had become accustomed to neon lights and narrow windows. Real daylight felt almost painful.
He carried nothing but a small bag with his few belongings—the clothes he had worn to the book launch and which had now been returned to him. A notebook with random scribbles that he had made from time to time. It was his sixth, brought back again and again by Jimin. They had been allowed to see each other every two weeks, separated by a plastic wall through which they were only allowed to reach out. They had always sat there, their hands clasped together.
Jimin's letters, carefully folded and read over and over again until the creases were soft, were also in his backpack. And his cell phone, which he was finally allowed to turn on permanently again.
The parking lot was almost empty. Only a few cars were scattered on the asphalt. And there, leaning against a familiar old Hyundai, stood Jimin. Jungkook stopped.
He had been waiting for this moment the whole time.
Jimin straightened up when he saw him. A broad smile spread across his face. Dressed up especially for him: a black shirt with the top buttons undone, tucked into tight pants. Boots. A thin denim jacket thrown over the top.
He had been to the hairdresser. His hair was dyed blonde. Jungkook's breath caught in his throat.
Jungkook's feet carried him forward. He stopped right in front of Jimin. Close enough to touch him and breathe in his sweet scent.
"Hello," Jimin said softly. Jungkook's throat was too tight to say anything. He just nodded.
"Are you ready to go home?" Home—that meant Jungkook's apartment, where Jimin had moved in without further ado after his arrest. With that, the research facility on the mountain had lost its permanent resident. However, Jimin still held his position at Seoul University, just like Jungkook. Why not, with the success their book was still enjoying?
Home with Jimin—a dream come true. Back where he belonged. "Yes," Jungkook managed to say. Eyes still glued on Jimin's frame. Did he wear lip balm?
"Let's go home."
The car ride was quiet at first. Jimin had turned on the radio and soft indie music was playing that Jungkook didn't know. They had talked so much through the plastic barrier during their visits, written so many letters. They knew everything about each other's last six months.
But now, sitting next to each other with nothing between them, no barrier, no guards watching them—that was an unexpected challenge.
Jungkook couldn't stop looking at him. The blonde hair was new, lighter than before. It suited him. It made him look somehow softer, even though the black shirt and tight pants were anything but soft. Jimin had dressed up for the occasion.
"You're staring at me," Jimin said with a smile in his voice as he looked out at the street.
"You changed your hair."
"Yes, for you," Jimin said, glancing briefly at him before turning his gaze back to the street. "I wanted to look good for you."
With that, Jimin had definitely succeeded. He was mesmerizing.
"Seeing you through plastic and seeing you here is different."
"Yes. It is," Jimin agreed.
Jungkook was acutely aware of everything. The small distance between them. The way Jimin rested his hand on the gear lever. His scent, which filled the car and was so much Jimin, made his mouth water.
For six months, they were only allowed to touch through a small opening in the plastic. It had felt like forever. It hadn't been enough. Not even close. Now that he was sitting here, Jungkook just wanted to—
"You're thinking very loudly over there," Jimin said, eyes still on the road. Jungkook's face heated.
"Sorry," he blurted out, averting his gaze. Looking outside the window and watching countless houses pass by.
"Don't be," Jimin whispered.
Jimin's hand left the steering wheel and found Jungkook's. Threaded their fingers together.
"I'm thinking—eh— the same things," Jimin said.
Jungkook's breath caught.
"You do?"
"Yes." Jimin squeezed his hand. "We're almost home."
The urge to bite, to mark, to claim, had been building for months. Probably the biology of a Sentinel, something primal in his DNA that urged him to complete their bond.
But it was also something deeply human that craved sex as well. He had starved for touch his entire life. Jungkook had discovered through Jimin what it felt like to be desired, to be touched, to have someone who calmed his senses.
And then six months of nothing but twice-a-week brief hand-holding through plastic. Of course he was desperate now. For Jimin's hands on him. For skin on skin. For everything that had been interrupted before.
"Did you wear lip balm?" Jungkook asked suddenly, just so he could focus his gaze on him again.
Jimin laughed in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Earlier, when I saw you, your lips looked shiny," Jungkook said and he felt somehow like a cavemen trying to speak to his lover.
"Shiny, huh?" Jimin grinned now. "But yes, the balm is cherry flavored. Do you want to taste it?"
Jungkook's face burned.
"Maybe," he squeaked. Oh wow.
"Well," Jimin's voice dropped lower. "You will have plenty of opportunity soon."
Heat shot straight through Jungkook, settling low in his belly. His body stirred—six months of celibacy and suddenly Jimin's voice alone was enough to undo him.
The rest of the ride seemed both too long and too short. They didn't talk much anymore. They just held hands across the center console, and Jimin gently stroked Jungkook's skin with his thumb. It gave him stability. Calmed his senses. And it turned his insides to lava simultaneously.
When they finally pulled up in front of their apartment building, Jimin turned off the engine but didn't move.
He turned his head to look at Jungkook. "I hope you know that we don't need to bond today," Jimin said. "If you need more time, it's fine. I can wait."
Jungkook had to smile at that. His sweet, sweet Guide always so adamant to take care of him and his feelings. "I don't need more time," he replied. "Honestly, I waited for this the last couple of months. Holding your hand through the plastic barrier in prison was excruciating. All I wanted to do was tear it down and pull you towards me."
Sweet shame covered his cheeks, but the statement had the desired effect. He could see Jimin's pupils dilating. He could sense how much Jimin wanted him. Jimin had waited long for him, too.
"Let's go inside," Jimin said, voice rough. Jungkook nodded.
They had barely made it through the apartment door when Jungkook pushed Jimin against the wall and kissed him. He had been starving for it.
Jimin made a surprised, pleased sound in the back of his throat and kissed back just as desperately. He raised his hands to cup Jungkook's face, and the touch was so delicate, it made Jungkook's knees go weak.
"Bedroom," Jimin gasped between kisses. "We should really do this in a bed and not on the floor."
Jungkook nodded and frantically pulled at Jimin's jacket before throwing it carelessly aside.
They stumbled down the hallway, still kissing and pulling at each other's clothes. Jimin giggled at the speed with which Jungkook wanted to get him naked. By the time they reached the bedroom, Jimin's shirt and pants were unbuttoned, hanging open.
Jungkook stopped just to look at Jimin. His blonde hair was mussed, his lips were swollen from Jungkook's kisses, still shiny with cherry balm. His chest rose and fell with quick breaths, and a blush spread across his cheeks.
"I can't believe you're mine," Jungkook breathed, stepping closer for another kiss. Jimin tasted so good; Jungkook had terribly missed his scent and taste.
"I am yours," Jimin whispered against his lips, causing heat to coil low in his stomach. That's right; Jimin was his, his alone.
Jimin took Jungkook's hand and pushed him toward the bed, positioning him with his back against the pillows. Jungkook could smell that Jimin had been sleeping alone in the bed for a while; it was saturated with his scent.
Jimin settled between his legs. His weight was delicious. Every point of contact was amplified: Jimin's skin against his. The sound of their breathing. The scent of arousal in the air.
"Your senses," Jimin murmured, his hands sliding up Jungkook's thighs. "Tell me if it's too much."
"It's not. It's perfect." Jungkook's hips jerked when Jimin's fingers traced the crease of his thigh. He was already so sensitive, feeling his touch over his clothes.
Jimin smiled and leaned down to kiss him again. The kiss was slow and deep, their tongues sliding against each other. Jimin's hand moved higher, palming Jungkook's cock through his open pants.
Jungkook gasped into his mouth. After six months without touch, Jimin's hand on him felt like electricity. It made him even more impatient. He needed Jimin.
"Off," Jungkook managed to say in between kisses, tugging at Jimin's pants. Jungkook cupped Jimin's ass and pressed him closer. Jimin moaned into his mouth.
"I want to see you."
They stripped completely, until there was just skin. Jungkook's hands roamed Jimin's body—his chest, back, and ass. He pulled Jimin closer and closer, tried to memorize every line and curve of his body, the soft skin under his fingertips.
"I want you inside me," Jungkook breathed against Jimin's mouth, their kisses had been growing frantic. "I want to feel you. I want to be full of you when I bite you."
Jimin's breath hitched against his lips. "Yeah? You sure? I would have been fine either way."
"Yes, please," Jungkook said, pulling him down for another kiss. "I want you."
"Okay," Jimin said as he reached for the nightstand drawer, a small grin on his lips. He quickly pulled out lube.
He must have been storing it there for the moment Jungkook came home.
Was Jimin just as impatient as Jungkook?
Jimin took his time with him. He kissed down Jungkook's body, getting to know him again. He found all the sensitive spots: the inside of his wrists, the base of his spine, and the hollow of his throat. Jungkook gasped at every touch, kiss, and soft bite, and his hips rolled against Jimin, seeking friction. To no avail.
As Jimin kissed down Jungkook's chest and paused to lick his nipple, Jungkook squirmed beneath him.
"Jimin, please—"
"Patience."
Jimin's hands traced patterns on Jungkook's hips and thighs. Jungkook arched into his touch and into the mouth on his chest. He sounded so needy.
"You're so responsive," Jimin murmured in awe. His breath ghosted over Jungkook's hardened nipple.
"I can feel you through the bond that's forming between us."
"Then you should know," Jungkook's hips rolled up, seeking friction. He rubbed his hard-on against Jimin's thigh. "I want more."
Jimin had the audacity to grin knowingly at him. Way too attractive for Jungkook to bear. He closed his eyes to shield his vision.
When Jimin's slick fingers finally pressed inside him, so careful and gentle, Jungkook nearly came from that alone. He had often imagined how Jimin's fingers inside him must feel, the reality of it couldn't even compare to his imagination.
Jungkook tried to relax as Jimin inserted two fingers. The sensation was overwhelming. The stretch, the slight burn as he opened up under Jimin's touch.
"Good?" Jimin asked, his eyes fixated on Jungkook's face. They held each other's gaze.
"So good. Don't stop," Jungkook replied, out of breath.
Jimin moved his fingers carefully, letting Jungkook adjust. Then, he added a third finger. He felt so full. His body welcomed the stretch and the burn.
"Too much?"
"No," Jungkook said, turning his head. "I can take more."
I can take you, Jungkook thought.
Jimin's free hand stroked his thigh soothingly while his fingers worked deeper inside Jungkook, stretching him. When Jimin curled his fingers just right and found that spot, Jungkook cried out, his whole body jerking.
"There," Jimin said with satisfaction. "Found it."
Jimin worked that spot deliberately, his fingers curling and stroking while his thumb pressed against Jungkook's rim. The dual sensation blurred Jungkook's vision.
"You're doing so well. You're taking my fingers like you were made to."
The praise went straight to Jungkook's cock. He was leaking now, pre-come dribbling down his shaft, even though he hadn't even been touched there yet.
"Please," Jungkook gasped.
Jimin pulled his fingers out slowly, and Jungkook immediately felt empty. Jimin reached for the lube and slicked himself up.
Jungkook watched, transfixed. Jimin's cock was hard and flushed, and the sight of him touching himself made Jungkook's mouth water. He should have taken that cock in his mouth earlier.
"Next time," Jimin said, catching his stare. He still wore that maddening grin.
Jimin pressed forward slowly. So slowly. The stretch was intense, Jungkook felt so full. Breathing steady, he made sure to relax into it. He closed his eyes.
"Look at me," Jimin said softly.
Jimin pushed in further, inch by inch, until he was fully inside of him. They both gasped at the sensation.
"Okay?" Jimin's voice was strained.
"More than okay." Jungkook wrapped his legs around Jimin's waist. He had wanted this so badly.
Jimin started with slow, shallow thrusts to let Jungkook adjust. But soon, that wasn't enough. Jungkook needed more.
"Faster," he gasped.
Jimin adjusted his angle and thrust deeper.
"Feels so good," Jungkook gasped. "Right there."
The bond forming between them was like a feedback loop—every thrust sent pleasure through both of them, building and amplifying. Jungkook wrapped his arms around Jimin's back.
Jungkook's Sentinel instincts roared to life. The need to mark, to claim, to complete the bond.
Jungkook fisted his hand in Jimin's hair and pulled hard. Jimin's moan made him pull harder, chasing that sound.
Jimin braced one arm beside Jungkook's head, bringing their faces closer. He knew what Jungkook needed. His other hand wedged between their bodies, wrapping around Jungkook's cock.
"I want to feel you come around me," Jimin whispered against his ear, voice wrecked.
He stroked in time with his thrusts. Jimin's moans were ragged and breathy. The sound only intensified his need to bite, to come, to seal them together forever.
All these sensations were almost too much. Jimin hit that perfect spot inside him over and over while working Jungkook's cock with his hand.
Pleasure built at the base of his spine, coiling tighter.
"I'm close," Jungkook breathed. His eyes were fixed on Jimin's neck. He focused on the spot where his pulse thrummed visibly under the skin. The urge to bite was overwhelming, consuming every thought. "I need—" he gasped.
"Do it." Jimin tilted his head, exposing his throat, and continued to thrust into Jungkook. "I want you to."
Jungkook gasped at how needy and wanton Jimin sounded. He pulled Jimin's head down and brought his mouth to that perfect spot on his neck. He kissed it first, licked it. Tasted salt, sweat, sex, and Jimin.
"Please," Jimin moaned, his hips snapping forward harder.
Jungkook bit down hard enough to break the skin. Blood filled his mouth.
The moment his teeth sank into Jimin's flesh, everything exploded.
Their bond didn't just click into place—it detonated between them. Jungkook came immediately, crying out against Jimin's neck as pleasure crashed through him.
His body clenched around Jimin. Through the now complete and permanent bond, he felt Jimin's orgasm tear through him at the same time.
It was impossible to tell where Jungkook's pleasure ended and Jimin's began. They were connected in every possible way: Jimin was still buried deep inside Jungkook, who had his teeth in Jimin's neck, and their minds and souls were merging through the bond. All-encompassing. A second mind, a second heartbeat had nestled inside Jungkook's chest. He could feel all of Jimin—his feelings for Jungkook, his want. Jungkook bathed in the realization of togetherness in the most primal sense of the word.
It took them both a while to catch their breath. Jungkook's senses returned slowly. At first, he could feel only their bond. Then he realized where they were. They were lying in their bed. Jimin was lying on top of him, still connected to him.
Jungkook could feel the cum inside him and how much Jimin had filled him up. He felt Jimin's breath against his shoulder and the warmth radiating from his body.
With each sensory impression that came to him through their bond, Jimin also seemed to return to reality. Jimin shivered as Jungkook removed his teeth from his neck and licked the wound.
He turned his head and looked at him. Jimin's gaze was pure adoration, although he looked tired.
"That's weird," Jimin's voice said directly into his mind.
Jungkook laughed, a sob followed.
"True."
He could hear Jimin in his mind.
"How are you feeling?"
Of course his Guide asked about his state of emotion first. Jungkook smiled at the man on top of him. Jimin was so beautiful. The warmth he felt was mirrored by Jimin's feelings that travelled through their bond.
"Good. More than that."
Jungkook was no longer alone.
The aroma of coffee wafted through the apartment. Jungkook opened his eyes, blinking in the dark bedroom. The sheets were ruffled beside him. Jungkook had his arm wrapped around a pillow.
Jimin wasn't in bed anymore. But he must be up in the kitchen, judging by the sounds that resonated through the apartment. The clatter of cups and plates, the sound of bare feet on tiles.
And their bond, which pulsated strongly within him. Jungkook closed his eyes, engrossed in the feeling of Jimin embedded into his mind. It would take some time to get used to it, to be so utterly connected with someone else. Jungkook smiled.
He was so happy.
"Jungkook?" Jimin asked inside his mind. Jungkook opened his eyes, blinking. That too, would take a while to get used to. He got up, his naked feet pressing into the carpet that he had carefully chosen when he had moved into this apartment years ago.
"Jimin," he thought, as he walked towards the kitchen.
The sight that greeted him was heartwarming and so unfamiliar to him. Jimin was sitting at his kitchen table, sipping at a steaming coffee mug with a fading print of the periodic table. The laptop was open before him, and he wore glasses with a thick black frame that Jungkook had known of but had never seen before.
His blonde hair was pushed out of his face. Jimin pulled at his lower lip absentmindedly as he stared at his laptop. The small TV in the kitchen was on, showing today's news. His apartment had never seemed so lively. None of the sounds, smells or sights sent Jungkook into a frenzy. His senses were calm as still water.
He walked towards Jimin and pressed a kiss to his forehead. Jimin averted his gaze to look at his face. "Good morning," Jimin said without moving his lips. Jungkook answered with a smile. His Guide got up to hand him a coffee, the mug in his hands was printed with a mountain, the bold letters reading "Rock and Roll"—maybe a bad geologist joke?
Jungkook sipped at the hot coffee as he sat down. He was still sore from last night, the pleasant ache between his legs a constant reminder of last night. The bite mark on Jimin's neck was visible above his sleeping shirt collar, angry red and unmistakable Jungkook's.
Through the bond, he felt Jimin's contentment and happiness, no trace of hurt. The satisfaction Jungkook felt brought a grin to Jimin's face. They both cherished the quiet of their morning, of not talking much but enjoying their company and the ever-present bond. Jungkook let himself be calm, enjoying the first morning as a bonded Sentinel.
However, his calm was interrupted by a broadcast that suddenly shifted his attention away from Jimin towards the TV.
"Another Sentinel is missing in Gangwon Province," a woman said. On the screen appeared a picture of a person in hiking clothing, smiling into the camera.
"Beom Seok, 28, male and unbonded, was last seen near the mountain Seoraksan. Search parties have been deployed. There are no traces so far. This is the third case in the region since—"
The TV went dark.
Jimin had turned it off, the remote in his hand. They looked at each other. Through the bond, Jungkook felt Jimin's realization aligning with his own.
Their work was far from over.