Archive of Our Own

Once…

There were two men called ‘the mighty dragons of the east.’

Like a river, both of them were headed for the same direction, always fighting side by side, back against back. On the battlefield nothing stood on their way if it was theirs to choose. The pair were widely feared in the underworld for a long time, so much so that their enemies only needed to hear their names to bow their heads down in respect, and the rest who refused to do so, fled away and were never heard of again.

On their backs were tattooed large dragons – one white, the other black – yet no one had any idea of their origin or how exactly the men got them.

Yet some years after their initial upbringing, rumors began to surface, rumors that spread like wildfire; rumors that the white dragon had left the gang.

And while it might have been so, there was one rumor that circled above the rest – that the two men cannot leave one another, not really –

Because if one of them dies, the other can’t live.

—

“Jeonggukie…” Jimin throws his head back with a moan, tugging on his wrist restraints. Jeongguk just hums and keeps kissing down on his chest, opening the rest of his shirt buttons so he can reach Jimin’s stomach, pulling the hairs underneath his navel with his teeth.

“Stop.” Jimin giggles, clenching his fists and pulling himself to sit in a more upwards position. He sighs and leans his head against the wooden board of the bed, hands tied above his head as they hang from the ceiling, rendering him unable to use them. It’s the thrill of being bound what gets him the most when he’s with Jeongguk, the knowledge of being unable to do anything but lay pliant and take what Jeongguk gives him.

“What if I don’t want to,” Jeongguk smiles to the skin of his stomach, tongue licking a long stripe along his abdominal muscles. Jimin’s already naked from the waist down saved for the white shirt he still wears and refuses to take off, which means that Jeongguk has a perfect access to his cock that’s fattening up, laying against his thigh.

“Come on.” Jimin pleads and puts his feet against the mattress to thrust his hips up, whining when Jeongguk digs his fingers to his hip bones to keep him down. “Hurts.”

“You like it baby.” Jeongguk chuckles, finally nuzzling his face into Jimin’s crotch, pressing kisses to the sensitive crease where his leg meets his crotch. “So pliant.” Another kiss. “So spread.” He grabs Jimin’s thighs and separates his legs further. “So fucking lewd.” His eyes trail to Jimin’s cock that’s slowly standing up all the way to his stomach, kissing the tip. “So wet.” Then he nips at the crease again.

Jimin keens; he’s going crazy. All of the sensations are focused on his crotch, his cock begging to burst out. He tries to tug on his restraints again, wiggling his hips as much as he’s able to, but to no avail. Jeongguk smiles, nuzzling his nose to his pubic hair and teasingly blowing a warm puff of air to the area.

“Fuck.” Jimin moans. “Suck me, baby, please.”

Jeongguk grins as he looks up to him. “As you wish.”

He lifts Jimin’s legs on his shoulders, head between his thighs, taking Jimin’s hard cock into his mouth all the way to the base.

“Aah-“ Jimin cries at the feeling, eyes closing; Jeongguk’s mouth is so wet and so warm around his cock, stimulating it from every side, and Jeongguk’s takes a hold of his hip bones again, looking at Jimin meaningfully.

“Jeonggukie- ah, ah, ah-“ Jimin can’t stop shivering from the pleasure, feeling every inch of Jeongguk’s tongue on the underside of his cock, the pressure all around him. He braces his buttocks better against the softness and bears all of the weight of Jeongguk’s shoulders, beginning to thrust into the wet heat of his mouth.

Jeongguk looks so good, getting his mouth fucked and enjoying every second, the tears brimming in the corners of his eyes from how deep Jimin is thrusting inside.

Yet he still manages to look smug, and oh how Jimin loves it.

The need to fuck harder and faster keeps itching on his body, the pleasure building and building. Jeongguk sucks on him with fervor and Jimin feels his muscles clench in his thighs and lower abdomen, the release begging to burst out; almost like a gunshot, startling and discreet, leaving only the vibrations.

His cock twitches inside his mouth and Jimin feels himself closing in on his orgasm, picking up the speed of his thrusts. “Jeonggukie… Feels good, so good, good-“ He says, moans between the harsh breaths he takes. “Taking me so well, so fucking well.” One thrust and then another and the pressure shoots from the tip of his cock along with his cum, every inch that Jeongguk swallows.

Leaving Jimin completely breathless afterwards.

Jeongguk can’t help but to tease as he gives another suck at his now flaccid cock, making him whine. “Stop, you ass.”

Jeongguk pulls off with a bright grin, leaving Jimin feeling so complete fond with the way he looks fucked in the best possible way. The need to touch him has Jimin tugging the bounds, and Jeongguk understands, climbing on top of him
to release his wrists.

“There.” He kisses Jimin’s forehead, and now that Jeongguk’s straddling his lap he can feel his hard cock inside the pants, pressing against his navel. Jimin cups his cheeks and pulls him for a lingering kiss, tongue meeting Jeongguk’s.

“Swing?” He asks when he pulls back.

“Sure.” Jeongguk smiles, descending down so he can pick Jimin up like he doesn’t weight a damn thing. Jimin laughs, wrapping his arms around Jeongguk’s shoulders as the man carries him into the backside of the large bedroom, lowering him down to the swing that’s right next to the huge wall of windows, with the view of the night-drowned city right at Jimin’s fingertips. It has a large fabric part for Jimin to lay his back into, straps for his feet to fit in so he can spread his legs and keep them like that.

Jeongguk seems to like the view because he pulls back for a second look, and Jimin makes a show just for him, spreading himself wider.

“You like it, baby?” He asks, tone teasing.

“Oh.” Jeongguk smiles, leaning over so that he’s hovering above him. “You have no idea.” He lays his palms on Jimin’s shoulders, trailing across his skin and under the shirt like he’s about to take it off.

And for a moment, Jimin thinks he is. His hand comes around to tug Jeongguk’s wrist.

“Don’t.” Jimin begs.

Jeongguk looks up, slightly alarmed. “I wasn’t going to take it off, baby.” His concerned expression melts into a fond smile, and he assures Jimin with a kiss on the forehead. “Believe me.”

Jimin breathes out in relief; of course he wasn’t, because this is Jeongguk. “Okay.”

“You up for this?” Jeongguk asks for confirmation, making him chuckle.

“You really asking whether I’m up to get fucked?” He puts his hands on Jeongguk’s belt, loving the way his breath gets slightly caught in his throat when Jimin opens the buckle. “Dumb, baby. Now stop the mushy shit and get on with it.” He says, cupping his cock through his boxer briefs.

The reaction from Jeongguk is instant and Jimin can’t really blame him; he’s been hard from the moment their little makeout session expanded into, well- this. He strokes Jeongguk through his underwear, licking his bottom lip as his fingers run across his length to the tip that rests a bit towards the right side of his hip, to the small spot of wetness that leaks into the fabric.

“So hard.” Jimin murmurs appreciatively. “Ready to fuck me love? Plunge your cock into my hole?” He grabs the rubber band and pulls it behind Jeongguk’s balls, having his cock in clear view. It’s quite a sight, Jimin admits; Jeongguk having discarded his suit jacket but still wearing his dress shirt and black pants that squeeze around his thighs perfectly, an expensive watch on his wrist and the zipper open, only his cock in view.

Jimin groans, throwing his head back. “Shit, you’re hot.”

“And you only notice now?” Jeongguk grins, hand grabbing at his cock as he lathers it in lube. “It’s been ten years since we first met, baby. You should really start giving me some credit.”

“Has it really been that long?” Jimin questions, hissing when Jeongguk trails his cock head across his perineum teasingly. It feels so good; the anticipation, the built-up, and he can’t help but to rut back into the touch.

“Yeah.” Jeongguk answers, pushing the head inside for a bit and pulling away again. “You left two years ago.”

Jimin still has a hard time believing it. The days when he was still in the gang feel so far away now, like a distant dream, really. Yet one thing has remained no matter how his life took a change for the better; and that is Jeongguk.

“Two years and I still haven't left your annoying ass.” He slaps Jeongguk on the chest when he doesn’t seem to stop teasing him. Jeongguk only clicks his tongue with a bright grin, delivering a harsh slap to his inner thigh that has Jimin throwing his head back with a moan.

“Again.” He pleads, jostling when Jeongguk slaps him again, his big palm digging into the meat of his thigh, squeezing so hard it hurts. He slaps his cock against Jimin’s balls, once, twice, smiling to himself.”

”Need prep?”

Jimin shakes his head, closing his eyes when Jeongguk lets his cockhead tug his rim. “No, we’ve fucked so many times these past few days. Just do it.”

Jeongguk opens the bottle or lube again, squeezing some to stain Jimin, puts it down to lather it on him, and then, when Jimin least expects it, plunges in without a warning.

“Shit, shit-“ Jimin releases a shaky breath, feeling Jeongguk deep inside.

“Still so fucking tight.” Jeongguk says through gritted teeth and thrusts in harshly. “No matter how many times I fuck you- ah-“ He groans, delivering another sharp thrust that has Jimin’s tummy ache. “-your hole never loosens up.” He grabs the straps of the swing, moving them in the same rhythm as he trusts in so that he’s impaling Jimin on his cock as deep as he can.

Whenever Jeongguk fucks Jimin like this it’s never about reaching an orgasm; it’s the feeling of the tip of Jeongguk’s cock reaching his spot and making it ache so bad, it’s the breathlessness and the pleasure without the release, it’s about being used as a toy being fucked into, about the mindset; it’s the best feeling in the world.

That’s why Jeongguk usually has other means of getting Jimin off, knowing he can never reach his peak with penetration. They usually start with Jimin and finish with Jeongguk, and it’s always been like that.

His flaccid cock keeps twitching against his thigh as Jeongguk’s fucks him harshly back and forth, the straps of the swing making the ceiling above them creak loudly. Jimin keeps moaning and shivering underneath Jeongguk’s mercy, completely overtaken by how good it feels, how deep Jeongguk fucks into. “Aah, more-“ He whines when Jeongguk’s cock brushes by his prostate, clutching onto the swing.

“So wet and warm.” Jeongguk breathes out.

He slows down the rhythm and spreads Jimin’s cheeks, moaning deep in his throat as he listens to the sound it produces every time his cock dips into Jimin’s hole, and as he’s focused on that Jimin takes the chance to steal a look from the window, watching as the muscles in Jeongguk’s ass contract every time he thrusts inside. “Look at this shit-“ Jimin looks back at Jeongguk, who also lifts his head to look at him. “Look-“ He pulls his hips back and thrusts his cock into him, making Jimin moan at the wet squelch sound it makes. Jeongguk does it again, groaning.

“Yeah, you like that?” Jimin asks. “Like how it sounds when you thrust your big cock into me?”

“Yeah I do.” Jeongguk admits, eyeing the view hungrily. “Could watch this for hours- you taking every inch of my cock, spread so shamelessly. Wouldn’t stop for anything.”

“Then don’t.” Jimin pleads, making grabby hands to Jeongguk’s direction. Jeongguk understands and leans forward to kiss him, letting his weight settle on Jimin’s torso, making him feel safe. Jimin feels as Jeongguk cock twitches inside his of him, and he clenches his hole on purpose to make Jeongguk feel better. It does seem to do the trick because Jeongguk begins thrusting in again, breaths more erratic than before.

“Could fuck you for a forever.” Jeongguk murmurs into his ear. “So wet, too fucking wet, Jiminie. Taking me so well, letting me use you.”

“Yeah, use me, Jeonggukie.” Jimin stutters with a breathless moan as Jeongguk continues fucking him, pliant as takes it all. Eventually Jeongguk seems to reach his limit and his back muscles begin to clench under Jimin’s palms, and they both know he’s close. He makes it a purpose to hold Jimin closer, cradling his head in his big hands as he puffs out air, thrusting with all of his strength. It’s almost painful, the way Jeongguk’s cock penetrates him deep, but Jimin’s always liked the pain somewhat, so he turns his head, making sure his mouth closes in on Jeongguk’s ear.

“More, Jeonggukie, more, fuck me, fuck me- feels so good, so fucking good-“ He chants over and over, feels Jeongguk speeding up one last time and then he cums right inside, leaving Jimin with a satisfied, yet undeniably wet feeling.

It’s not an understatement to say he’s in need of a nap after all that.

“You should stay tonight.” Jeongguk tells him when he sees Jimin emerging from the bathroom, patting his still damp hair with a towel. His silver strands fall softly across his forehead and Jimin sighs tiredly; he didn’t end up taking a nap but went straight for the shower instead, alone in spite of Jeongguk’s insistence to accompany him.

Now he feels refreshed and ready to go, not so depleted from his orgasm after all that fucking; he’s already dressed himself anyway except for the shoes, so Jimin sits down on the edge of the bed where Jeongguk’s laying in his white bathrobe, legs spread and uncaring looking.

“Jimin.” Jeongguk calls again when he doesn’t reply.

Jimin looks back at him. “No.” He smiles knowingly, tapping Jeongguk on the nose when pouts at his reply. “I have an early shift tomorrow.” He states, turning back to tie his shoes.

“Still.” He hears Jeongguk shift on top of the bed, tensing when he feels lips mouthing at his nape without a warning. “Stop being so stubborn.”

Jimin sighs contently when Jeongguk’s hand circles around his waist, pulling him gently against his chest. “You won’t be here for the night either way,” Jimin argues. “Taehyung told me you have that deal to conclude right?” He cranes his neck to look Jeongguk into the eye.

“Doesn’t matter.” Jeongguk says with a smile, diving in to kiss the side of his neck now. “I like having you here when I come back.”

Jimin hums in reply again, adoring the way Jeongguk’s lips press down on his sensitive spots; he knows them all by heart.

“I know.”

“Then stay and talk for a bit.”

At that Jimin rolls his eyes, knowing that all of this is some elaborate scheme to get him to stay for the night. He makes sure to remind himself to get back home before two am, and then let’s Jeongguk pull him back to the bed, shoes discarded on the floor as his back meets Jeongguk’s chest, strong arms wrapped around his body.

Jimin’s feeling drowsy and could really use the sleep, but it’s been a while since he’s had Jeongguk like this, without it being just a quick fuck and a kiss goodbye so he wants to stay awake for this. Jeongguk must feel the same because he literally towers over him, making sure Jimin’s whole body is tucked deep into his arms. He lays his head on the crook of Jimin’s shoulder, sighing in content when Jimin presses his own hands on top of Jeongguk’s big ones.

“How have you been holding up?” Jeongguk questions quietly.

“It’s alright.” Jimin shrugs. “Mundane, really, but I like the kids. They’re cute.”

“Not as cute as you, I imagine.”

Jimin chuckles, turning around in Jeongguk’s arms so he can see his face. “Was it ever a competition?”

“Everything is a competition.” Jeongguk grins with a childlike expression, looking just a tad younger then.

Looking exactly like he was so many years ago, when Jimin first met him.

Jimin smiles in reply, lifting his hand to run a finger across Jeongguk’s face, over the worry lines he’s gotten only recently, and then… back to the scar that runs along his forehead. It’s patched up well over the years. Jimin feels a sense of guilt deep inside his chest, pushing it away to continue the conversation in a lighter manner – Jimin’s positive Jeongguk would tell him off if he still spoke about the scar.

Instead, he looks at Jeongguk’s face, at every detail that’s his to take in.

Jeongguk’s really matured well. Age suits him, Jimin thinks.

“When did we get this old, huh?” Jimin questions with a fond smile, tapping his nose.

Jeongguk smiles. “Along the years, I reckon. We’ve both changed from what we were all those years ago.”

“Yeah,” Jimin smiles at the memory. “You were so young too, when you found me at my lowest. Nineteen.”

“You were only two years older,” Jeongguk reminds him. “It’s not like you knew anything about the world either, at twenty one years old.”

“I thought I did.” Jimin hums. “I thought the cold home I came from had hardened me to the point that I could stand against the world on my own.”

The way Jimin ran into the night like he had something to prove without knowing who to - he barely remembers those dark times before Jeongguk came along and pulled him to the clear.

“Well, we were both from broken homes.” Jeongguk sighs, leaning his forehead against Jimin’s own. Then he smiles. “Didn’t stop us from creating a home of our own though.”

“Yeah, it didn’t,” Jimin smiles at him softly, cupping Jeongguk’s face into his hands and pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“Still, ten years since we met, two years since you left the gang…” Jeongguk trails off.

“You mentioned that before too,” Jimin furrows his eyebrows, glancing to Jeongguk with worry. “Something about this day having you sentimental?” He prods gently, carding his fingers through Jeongguk’s hair. “Come to think of it, you were pretty quiet from the moment I came over.”

Jeongguk chuckles, hiding his head beneath Jimin’s chin. He presses a kiss to his collarbone. “I can never hide anything from you, can I?”

“True,” Jimin hums. “So spit it out.”

Jeongguk stays quiet for a while, and Jimin lets him, enjoying the close proximity. “I met Uncle Harikeen today.” He says suddenly.

Jimin freezes. Jeongguk must sense his distress because he looks up, eyes softening upon gazing at Jimin’s face. “Stop worrying so much. He merely wanted to know how you were holding up, that kind of stuff.” He kisses the corner of his mouth. “You should really talk to him sometime. The old man just wants to know whether you’re well. I’m tired of being the middle hand.”

Jimin can admit he misses Harikeen. Yet somehow, he can’t find it in himself to visit him.

“Oh, so that’s why the booty call,” Jimin jokes, attempting on making the mood lighter. “You just want to have something to report back.”

Jeongguk grins, yet it slowly melts from his face, replaced with a saddened frown. “Can you blame the man though? You were like a son to him, Jimin. Shit, he taught us both. Half of what I use in a hand-to-hand combat these days stammers from what he taught me.”

Jimin looks down sentimentally.

“I know what I’m asking is very selfish, but I wish to cut all the ties I have to the gang.”

“You do realise that if you say it like that, I have no other choice than to let you go. However… have you talked to Jeongguk about this?”

After he left, Jimin couldn’t muster the courage to go to the man he adored like a parent. He spend a lot of nights wondering how he came to be such a disappointment, but Jimin just couldn’t- couldn’t continue to live with himself if he wouldn’t have left the gang.

He would have lost himself.

“Can you drop me to my place?” He asks quietly, staring into Jeongguk’s brown eyes.

Jeongguk laughs. “You should just move here. You’re never there anyway.”

“You know very well that we get close to no privacy here.” Jimin chuckles. “Your precious little lackeys always-“

At the same time the door bursts wide open, a disheveled Kai coming into view. “Big brother Jeongguk, we got it! We got the package- oh.” His joy melts away from his face as he gazes at Jimin, laying in Jeongguk’s arms.

Taehyung emerges from behind Kai, shrugging apologetically, yet the grin plastered on his face tells otherwise. “Sorry, couldn’t stop the kid.”

“As I was saying.” Jimin rolls his eyes, kissing Jeongguk’s little pout away and gets up. He puts his shoes on and throws on his jacket. “I’ll see you, okay?”

Jeongguk nods with a smile. “Okay.”

Jimin catches a small glimpse of Jeongguk’s black dragon tattoo from his shoulder because the bathrobe has opened, and he can’t help but to round him and press a small kiss to shoulder.

It’s still as pretty as ever; he runs his fingers over the tattoo, humming to himself with a smile.

Jimin bids Taehyung farewell on his way out, noticing the way Kai looks at him - like he’s trying to figure Jimin out. The two exchange no words as Jimin brushes by him, stepping into the night.

The wind brushes through his disheveled hair, ice on his cheeks as Jimin brings his hands closer to his body to aid with the cold.

He can’t shake the feeling that’s taken him over ever since he saw Jeongguk’s tattoo; a feeling of something wanting to burst out from deep within, something too wild to control. There’s a familiar tingle along his back, yet, just like the wind, Jimin brushes it off and calls himself a cab.

—

“Jimin-ah?”

Jimin quickly puts the rest of the toys away in the wooden box and looks up to see two of his coworkers; both of the older women are working in the second building with the smaller kids so Jimin doesn’t see them that often, but has talked to them enough during coffee breaks to know their names and meaningless details of their life.

“Yes?” He asks, getting up and tidying his apron and running his hand through his silver strands.

They exchange vary glances among one another, until the older one of them speaks. “We were wondering, now that the kids are asleep - will the handsome gentleman stop by again any time soon?”

Jimin blinks. “Jeonggukie?” He asks, seeing the women nod in excitement. “Ah- probably not any time soon.” He admits with a shrug.

He was wrong to have Jeongguk drop him here a few weeks ago - it was needless to say that a tall man in a suit and an expensive car standing in the front door of the kindergarten was enough to get mouths running inside the walls of this place.

He still remembers the sight like it was yesterday; Jimin and Jeongguk caught up in a conversation, and then seeing all of them huddled by the front door, trying to seem interested on welcoming the kids in. Jeongguk had smiled at them and waved shyly, having swooned nearly every single one of them in a blink of an eye - his coworkers have looked at Jimin a bit differently since then, like they’re curious but too afraid to ask.

“Is he your husband?” The younger of the two blurts out, grimacing as the elder one slaps her arm and whispers to her friend in shock;

“You can’t ask that?!”

Jimin shakes his head in assurance. “It’s quite alright. And yes, I’m gay.” He answers them with a blinding smile, knowing they’ve been curious since Jimin hasn’t mentioned on being with a woman. They both seem to be taken back by the smile, a slight blush on their cheeks as they panic a bit, eyes lingering anywhere but him.

The elder clears her throat. “So you are wed then?”

“Ah-“ Jimin shakes his head. “Me and Jeonggukie are not married.”

They seem to deflate in disappointment. “My, what a shame. You two would make a beautiful couple.”

“So, is he available then?” The other asks, curious and way too excited. “Because my niece is a gorgeous woman-“

“No.” Jimin immediately replies in a monotone voice, interrupting her. There’s a spike of anger in him at the thought of Jeongguk with someone else, but Jimin catches the feeling before it has a chance to explode, taking a deep breath in. Both of the women furrow their brows and seem surprised by his changed demeanor.

Jimin leans down to pick up the box. “Well then. I should put these away since the kids will wake up soon.” He tells them, walking away.

“I think we made him mad.” He hears the other whisper.

—

“I still don’t understand.” Kai frowns, putting his beer down with a heavy sigh. “I mean- what special does Big brother Jeongguk see in him?”

“Oh, you mean Jimin?” Taehyung questions nonchalantly, flopping on the nearby couch. He lifts his feet onto the table, scrolling through his phone. Everything’s been too quiet lately.

“Yes!” Kai exclaims, clearing his throat when Taehyung looks to his directions questioningly. “I mean sure- the guy has a great ass but I highly doubt he’s that good in bed to keep him around.”

Taehyung bursts out laughing at his words.

“What’s so funny?” Kai questions, confused.

“No, nothing in particular. It’s just that Jeongguk would kill you if you heard him say that.” Taehyung shakes his head. Kai’s had an odd amount of fascination with Jeongguk’s life ever since he joined the gang - Taehyung thinks the kid probably looks up to him a bit too much.

Yet, he can’t really blame the kid either; Jeongguk saved his life after all. Kai’s not the first one either, even if he seems to think so.

“You know, Jimin wasn’t always a kindergarten teacher,” Taehyung says, looking at the ceiling thoughtfully and closing his eyes at the memory.

He can never truly forget that night.

No, it’s etched so deep into his memory it has shivers running down his spine.

The man that had stood midst the fallen bodies, silver hair smudged in the blood of his enemies, eyes so intense Taehyung had to look away.

“So it’s true?” Kai asks. “He was part of the gang?”

“He wasn’t just a part of it.” Taehyung says with a grin. “He lead the gang alongside Jeongguk.”

“He looks weak to me.” Kai shrugs.

“Oh, the things you don’t know, kid.” Taehyung gets up, petting his hair. However as soon as he looks away, his joyed expression changes into something akin to worry, no, fear.

And maybe it’s better that way, he thinks to himself.

—

“Kai, do not linger behind.”

Jeongguk sees Kai straightening his back and catching up with the rest of them. “Yes, brother Jeongguk!” He replies with enthusiasm.

Taehyung rolls his eyes from besides him. “Don’t you ever get tired of watching the kids?”

Jeongguk just smiles. “He’ll learn, Taehyung. Don’t be so harsh on him.”

“You’ve gotten softer.” Taehyung points out with a shameless grin. “Is it the thirties that are approaching at a steady pace or is it something else?” He wiggles his eyebrows, and if not for the fact that they’ve known each other over seven years now, Jeongguk would gladly smack him.

“Maybe I have.” Jeongguk admits, but only because it’s Taehyung he’s talking to; he trusts the man with his life. They are walking ahead of the rest of the crew, like always, making their way through the night-busy streets. There are hookers on the sides of bars looking for company, drunk old men gravitating to their direction; the street view really stays the same. He sees a woman he helped just a few weeks before when her client got a little too handsy, and they share a knowing smile.

“What is it?” Jeongguk asks, sensing something else on Taehyung’s mind.

“He asked about Jimin again, you know.” Taehyung tells him. “I wouldn’t say this is just a coincidence anymore, Guk.” The nickname that only comes out whenever the two talk when they’re alone tells the magnitude of the issue. “Kai’s obsession with Jimin hasn’t gone unnoticed by the lot either – the kid looks up to you, maybe just a tad too much. You should put him to his place before something happens.”

Jeongguk sighs. “I’ll take care of it.” He glances back to see Kai talking to one of his men, internally wondering whether he made a mistake by including the kid. It seemed a good decision back then; Jeongguk didn’t want a kid like Kai running in the streets with no agenda, causing havoc without even realizing.

“Well, if it isn’t Jeongguk.” An older voice croaks from before him, making Jeongguk turn around and forget the issue at hand.

“Uncle Harikeen.” Jeongguk breathes out in surprise, straightening his jacket.

The old man smiles. “We seem to be meeting each other a lot these days.”

“So it appears.” Jeongguk nods with a small bow, mostly out of respect. Harikeen takes a cigarette from his pocket, humming in approval as Jeongguk brings a lighter to his lips, lighting his own afterwards. He puffs out some of the smoke and sees his own men pulling back to give them some privacy. Harikeen’s men seem to be doing the same, keeping a respectful distance whilst watching their surroundings; a gang member, especially with a rank as high as Harikeen and Jeongguk can never fully let their guard down.

“Any news from what I asked you to find out?” Harikeen questions after a moment.

“Yeah.” Jeongguk says. “I suggest you forget about it. Tell your boss too it isn’t happening.” They were essentially part of the same gang, but the branches they were in were slightly different, meaning that they both had their own bosses.

Harikeen’s smile only deepens, and he nods in understanding. “I thought so. Jimin’s always been like that; once he makes up his mind there’s nothing in the world that counts enough to change it. He’s always been the one to make and walk his own path. I’ll let the boss know.”

“He misses you.” Jeongguk smiles back.

Harikeen laughs, fondness in his expression. “Well, tell him that this old man wouldn’t mind if he paid me a visit one of these days.” He throws the cigarette on the ground and stubs it with the heel of his boot. “I still have his favorite tea.”

“I’ll let him know.” Jeongguk nods.

“Well then, I wish you a pleasant night.” Harikeen bids him goodbye with a small smile.

“Goodnight, uncle.” Jeongguk smiles, and they part their ways.

—

“Thank you for today.” Jimin pulls on his jacket. “I’ll get going then if there’s nothing else.”

“No, thank you.” Maria thanks him. “You were a big help.” She’s a lot younger than Jimin, yet being a kindergarten teacher has always been her dream. Out of all the coworkers Jimin prefers her the most. “I’ll text you about the monthly project later.”

“Yeah, I’ll be waiting.” Jimin smiles, already stepping outside.

“I think I’ll be the one doing the waiting since you have a three day reply time to texts!” She yells after him, and Jimin just chuckles with a fond roll of his eyes, waving back.

“Bye, Maria.”

The sun has already set behind the horizon, leaving the sky open for the darkness to invade. Jimin sighs to himself, internally wondering whether he should call Jeongguk. He looks at his phone, staring at Jeongguk’s call ID.

Midst the thinking Jimin looks to his right, spotting someone he knows and pocketing his phone, walking towards the person without hesitation.

“Hello, Kai.” Jimin greets him.

Kai doesn’t reply instantly, instead he nods. “Come with me.”

Jimin is very well aware the kid doesn’t like him, never has ever since Kai came to be a part of the gang. Always following Jeongguk around like a small puppy; it would be cute if not for the fact that this one clearly hasn’t fully grown into his fangs, and doesn’t know how to use them.

Jimin’s always been very confident and knows exactly where he stands in Jeongguk’s life, so he hasn’t let it faze him in any way.

Because he’s always been like that; unable to truly settle down.

What happens in the gang is none of his business anymore, and as long as Jeongguk will have him, Jimin will never leave his side no matter how different their lives are now.

Which is why he decides to entertain the kid all the same, nodding as he follows him into the city.

They exchange no words at all as they walk, and at some point Jimin begins to wonder where might Kai be leading him. Maybe a bar so they could talk, yet when the streets seem to be getting more emptier than the ones before, Jimin starts getting an ill feeling. He’s lived long enough as a gang member to know how things work, yet he realises it just a tad too late when they arrive to a dead end at the end of a street.

“Kai…” Jimin says warningly, whipping his head around as he hears footsteps behind his back.

A mistake.

“Maybe this will keep you away from brother Jeongguk.” Kai murmurs, and then there’s a knee meeting Jimin's middle, having him coughing and clutching his stomach in pain.

“Shit.” He curses, looking up to see Kai towering above him, eyes emotionless as he pulls back a few steps.

Not emotionless; Jimin recognizes some emotions, more dangerous than the rest; disgust, jealousy, the want of something that can never be theirs. And he knows what this is about.

Arms grab Jimin’s shoulders and pull him down to his knees, the jacket ripped off from him.

More people gather before him, all of them holding knives or guns. Jimin hasn’t been keeping up with the gang yet he knows enough to know that these are not Jeongguk’s men.

“So this is the infamous black dragons plaything.” One of them drawls, running a knife over Jimin’s bare shoulder. “Doesn’t look like much to me.” Jimin chooses to keep his mouth shut, watching as one of them crouches before him.

A wicked grin on his lips, and he drawls; “We’re gonna have so much fun.”

—

“Where’s Kai?” Taehyung questions as he enters the room. Hoseok barely looks up from his phone, shrugging as he takes another mouthful of his stuffed bread. Jeongguk had given Taehyung the task to watch over him, in case he was about to pull off something stupid. And the kid was supposed to meet him here an hour ago.

“Dunno,” Hoseok says. “Left like two hours ago, muttering something about an address for a kindergarten.”

Taehyung’s blood runs cold.

Jimin’s whereabouts are still hidden from the rest of the gang, mainly because Jeongguk wanted to make sure he got to live a normal life without any disturbances. The only people who were aware where he worked were Taehyung and Jeongguk.

“Stupid, stupid kid.” Taehyung says through gritted teeth, already dialing a number on his phone. “Call Jeongguk.” He tells Hoseok, who seems to sense the urgency, nodding as he rushes off to the backroom.

Taehyung pulls his gun from the locker, sighing in relief when the person on the other side of the line picks up.

“Hey, Yoongi. I need you to pull some strings for me.”

—

“This wasn’t a part of the deal!” Is what Jeongguk hears first when arrives to the scene. Kai is down on the ground, his cheek bleeding from where he got cut at. “You were supposed to deal with Jimin-“ He jerks and begins coughing when one of the men kicks him to the stomach, laughing. Jeongguk scans the surroundings, finding Jimin sitting on his knees, two men holding him down.

It’s not until he sees the opened shirt and two shallow cuts that run across Jimin’s chest that makes Jeongguk lose his composure.

“Enough.” Jeongguk says angrily, making them all look to his direction, different emotions on each of their faces ranging from surprise to a faint flicker of fear. It’s always been like that - the mere mention of Jeongguk’s name has most people running away, and the rest who are dumb enough to stay eventually escape with bruises they’re gonna keep for a long time.

Jeongguk has never lost a fight to the enemy.

He sees Jimin breathing out in relief. “Jeonggukie.”

Jeongguk smiles back at him, turning his gaze on Kai whose mouth has opened wide.

“Br-brother Jeongguk.” He stutters, the remnants of whatever pain he just felt melting into fear.

“The black dragon, Jeon Jeongguk.” The one towering over Kai grins. He’s spinning a knife around his forefinger, and Jeongguk recognizes the design. He’s from a gang that emerged just a few months ago out of nowhere, and Jeongguk’s been dealing with them for a while now. “Come to save your pathetic damsels in distress?”

Before the situation has any chances of escalating the men holding down Jimin are suddenly being attacked from behind, Taehyung delivering a harsh knock to the others nape, knocking the man out cold while twisting the others arm so that he lays on the ground. “Stay down, mut.” He cusses, uncaring of the man’s pained screams as he keeps twisting his wrist.

Jeongguk keeps his face steady, taking the moment when his enemies are too baffled to move to walk straight towards Jimin, crouching before him.

“You should go.” Jeongguk tells him with a whisper, running his hand along Jimin’s cheek. “I’m giving you an out, baby. You’re too good for this.” He whispers to keep the conversation just between them.

Jimin leans to his touch, smiling. His eyes speak a lot, more than he ever has, and Jeongguk’s always adored them. “Thank you Jeonggukie.”

“Oh, not so fast, lovebirds.”

“Jeonggukie!” Jimin’s eyes widen and he pushes Jeongguk out of the way, grunting in pain when the man who had previously been busy with Kai manages to cut his back with the knife.

Jeongguk whips his head around and his gaze meets Jimin’s own, and- shit.

Jeongguk’s never lost a fight - not to the enemy.

However, he’s lost a fight before.

To Jimin.

And now, as Jeongguk gazes into Jimin’s eyes, he knows exactly what’s changed.

The white dragon’s come out to play.

That’s when Jeongguk feels scared for the first time in a long while; like pouring gasoline into the spark of fear in his stomach, making it ignite in flames. It tells Jeongguk to run, to flee somewhere far away, yet somehow, it has him completely paralyzed in place.

The scar on his forehead aches at the memory and he grunts, hastily scanning his surroundings.

Seems like he’s not the only one. Everyone seems like they’re frozen in time or in a slowed down movie – all except for Jimin, because he’s moving before Jeongguk’s able to get a word in.

The shirt slips off Jimin’s shoulders, revealing a large white dragon tattoo across his back.

“Shit-“ The man with the knife exclaims. “You are the white dragon-“ He doesn’t get to finish the sentence before Jimin’s already tackled him to the ground, grabbing the knife from his hand.

The look on his eyes is exactly what Jeongguk remembers it was on the day he got his scar; somewhere far away.

“Jimin-“ Jeongguk manages to say out loud, watching as Jimin charges towards the next men, taking them out one by one as easily as it is for him to breathe. His moves are fast and agile, almost too fast to keep up with a bare eye.

He’s smirking.

Nothing else remains in the air but the pain that comes out as shouts and occasional grunts; some of the men get lucky and some don’t, yet it’s not until Jimin sets his sights on Kai that Jeongguk manages to get a hold of himself.

He gets up from the ground, quickly putting himself between Jimin and Kai.

“Enough, Jimin.” Jeongguk says to him, hoping that the man he’s made love to countless of times before is somewhere near the surface. “Please, baby. Enough.”

That seems to render Jimin in place.

He looks up to Jeongguk, suddenly so small compared to what his presence was just a moment ago, and Jeongguk sees tears brimming in the corners of his eyes.

“Oh, god-“ Jimin says in realization, hands grabbing at his head.

“It’s okay.” Jeongguk steps closer to whisper into his ear, draping his own jacket around Jimin’s shoulders with soothing touches. Jimin looks up and straight into his eyes, looks at the scar on the side of Jeongguk’s forehead that Jimin himself had made such a long time ago.

With his own hands.

Jimin had spinned out of control then too, and Jeongguk had stopped him with a cost.

And he would do it again, a thousand times.

“Well then, I think we have fought enough for today, don’t you think?” It’s Harikeen’s voice that calls out in the silence. Jimin whips his head to look at the man, mouth gaping.

“Uncle Harikeen.”

Harikeen only smiles, coming closer to pat Jimin’s head. “It’s been a while, Jimin.”

“What are you doing here?” Jeongguk questions.

Harikeen pretends to think. “I got a call from this gifted informant. His name is Yoongi, I believe? Kid’s damn smart, let me say.”

“Oh, thank god.” Taehyung cuts in, sighing in relief.

Jeongguk’s not that surprised about learning of Taehyung’s relations to a guy like Yoongi; Jeongguk’s been trying to scout him for years but the guy stays under the radar and only works for money, yet Taehyung has a certain charm to him that’s hard to resist. He probably pulled the favor without any money.

“I’ll take care of things from now on.” Harikeen looks at the scene, sighing.

“Thank you. I’ll take him home.” Jeongguk nods to Jimin. Then he looks at Kai, hardening his gaze. “And you.”

“Y-yes!” Kai straightens himself.

“Make sure this is the last time you do this.”

Kai looks at the ground, clearly ashamed and nods once.

“Come on.” Jeongguk looks at Jimin. “Let’s get you home.” Jimin nods, movements small and jerky, letting Jeongguk lead him towards the car.

He stops however, looking at Harikeen.

The older man smiles at Jimin with kindness Jeongguk hasn’t seen for years. “The invitation for tea is still up for you, little one.” He tells Jimin. “Come and visit whenever you’d like.”

Jeongguk sees Jimin clutching the jacket into his palm, nodding. “I will.” He promises with a smile.

And this time, Jeongguk’s confident that Jimin means it.

—

Only once Jeongguk and Jimin are out of earshot, Kai breathes out in relief, looking to Taehyung with a confused gaze. “What the fuck was that- what the fuck is that guy?”

Taehyung crouches by the ground, clicking his tongue. “Now you know, stupid. The reason why Jimin left the gang.” He sighs. “He…”

He couldn’t bear to hurt Jeongguk again.

“Let this be a lesson for you.” Taehyung pats his head reassuringly. Kai nods again, and they both lift their gazes to watch as Jeongguk helps Jimin to the car, pressing a fond kiss to his forehead.

Their existence has always puzzled Taehyung.

Jimin and Jeongguk - two people so different, yet being unable to stay away from each other.

It reminds him of what he heard once...

Once…

There were two men called ‘The two mighty dragons of the east.’

The black dragon is active, while the white dragon is dormant. However, if the white dragon gets a taste for blood, it loses its composure to the point that even the black dragon feels threatened in its presence – as if the white dragon forgets all that makes it human.

And while the white dragon is free and restless, at the end of the night, it always, without a doubt, returns to its black counterpart.

One way or another.

Because the black and the white dragon share one body.

And if the one of them dies, the other can’t live.

Taehyung chuckles to himself, patting Kai on the shoulder. “Perhaps those two, more than anyone else, know what it’s like to live together as one.”

—

”Here.” Jimin watches as Jeongguk crouches before him after they’ve entered his apartment, reaching to his feet to undo his shoelaces. For the whole time after Jimin left the kindergarten it all feels like a dream, yet he feels like he’s finally waking up. He stops Jeongguk with a gentle touch on the shoulder, making him look up.

“I’m not fragile, Jeonggukie.” Jimin tells him. Jeongguk looks a bit taken back for a moment, and then he smiles to him knowingly.

“I know.” He says, returning to the task at hand, fingers intertwining with the shoelaces. “But it doesn’t mean I cannot take care of you every once in a while. You just need to let me.” He leaves Jimin’s shoes by the side, standing up again. “I’ll run you a bath, and then we’ll take care of the wounds. Just wait here for a bit, okay?” He turns around to walk to the bathroom, yet Jimin stops him once again, fingers gripping at Jeongguk’s sleeve.

“Come with me.” He requests quietly.

Surprise coats Jeongguk’s expression then.

“Really?” He asks, blinking.

“Yeah.” Jimin nods.

Jeongguk smiles, wide and childlike.

He takes Jimin’s hand into his own and pulls them towards the bathroom, letting go of his hand once they reach it. Jeongguk’s bathroom is just as large as his bedroom, a big bathtub right in the middle. There are big windows that run across the wall, opening up a picture perfect view for the other side of the city, however it’s dark without the lights on. Jeongguk doesn’t seem to care to turn them on either, walking towards the white lantern that hangs off the wall. He takes a lighter out of his pocket and lights the candle inside, a small smile on his face as he stares at the tiny flame flickering into life.

Then he walks to the bathtub and leaves the water running, hand lingering across the surface to test the temperature.

Jimin’s so, so incredibly fond.

It’s a feeling he cannot explain, just, the small things.

He braves himself then, slowly undressing from his clothes. It’s not the pants he hesitates on but the shirt, gnawing his bottom lip between his teeth as he begins undoing the buttons of the shirt Jeongguk had given him in the car.

Jeongguk seems to notice his inner turmoil, softly smiling in the darkness as he watches Jimin. The tiny flame lights the room enough for Jimin to see everything on Jeongguk’s face, from the weariness to the age he really possesses.

“You don’t have to, you know.” Jeongguk whispers softly, getting up to walk towards him.

Jimin shakes his head. “I want to.”

Jeongguk hesitates before him. “Then what’s stopping you?”

Jimin swallows hard. “I don’t know.”

“Jimin.” He shakes his head with a smile. “That thing on your back- it doesn’t define you. Never has. And I’m still here, aren’t I?”

He’s right.

After all these years, and Jeongguk’s still here, staring at Jimin with the same eyes he always did after that day when they first swore to be one. He hasn’t betrayed Jimin, hasn’t sold him off, hasn’t left even after Jimin hurt him.

“May I?” Jeongguk suggests to the shirt, and Jimin nods, giving him permission. He shivers when Jeongguk’s hands trail across his shoulders to slip the shirt right off, closing his eyes and opening them once he’s done.

A bated breath escapes from his lips; maybe it’s the atmosphere, or maybe it’s the way Jeongguk looks at him then.

Or maybe it’s just Jeongguk.

Jeongguk just smiles, lightly kissing the corner of his mouth. “Go on to the tub. I’ll get undressed.”

The water feels warm, comforting. Jimin scoots all the way down until the scrape on his chest touches the water and stings, making him hiss. He wraps his arms around his knees and waits, hearing Jeongguk ridding himself of his clothes and climbing behind his back, sitting so that his thighs cage Jimin’s form entirely.

Jeongguk must see the goosebumps on his skin because his fingers caress Jimin’s bare shoulder, brushing by the lines of his tattoo. It’s quiet, all too quiet as Jeongguk takes his time admiring the tattoo on his back. Jimin has no idea what’s he thinking until he feels something, a piece of fabric on his upper back, gently caressing.

“It’s been awhile since this one has come around.” Jeongguk hums as he wipes down over the lines of his tattoo, tracing them with the piece of fabric. Jimin hisses when Jeongguk grazes by the wound, gripping the edge of the bathtub.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Jimin assures him.

Jeongguk pulls back after a while, lathering Jimin’s hair in water. “What’s making you so quiet?”

Jimin stays silent for a while. “I almost hurt you again.” He says, turning back to look at Jeongguk. The scar on his forehead is a painful reminder of what happened the day before Jimin decided to leave. “I almost-“ He begins, but the rest of the words get caught into his throat.

“Hey.” Jeongguk shushes him with a kiss. He takes Jimin’s submerged thighs and turns him around, pulling him so that he’s straddling his lap. “I don’t care.” He presses a kiss onto his lid, making Jimin release a moan when he continues down to his neck.

“You’re my partner, baby.”

“How can you say that?” Jimin cries, cupping Jeongguk’s face. “I’m-“ He sobs, gnawing his lip between his teeth from how much it hurts.

Jimin’s so scared of losing him.

He wouldn’t be able to live if Jeongguk wasn’t here.

“I’ll not leave you, baby. Not for anything, not for anyone. As long as I’m alive.” Jeongguk assures him with another kiss, bringing their foreheads together. “We are one, remember?”

Jimin sniffs. ”Yeah.” He pulls back to gaze into Jeongguk’s eyes, smiling. “One.”

And they’ll always be.

The sheets melt and get caught into his damp skin as soon as Jeongguk lays him down on the bed, yet Jimin doesn’t care; all he sees is Jeongguk climbing on top of him, kissing his neck and continuing down to his chest, grinding his hips down. Their bare cocks brush by one another, making Jimin let out a moan. He’s so hard, unable to keep his hips still, aching for more contact between their bodies.

It’s like the night they first made love.

Jimin remembers the day of the ceremony; the sake and the words that left his mouth; the day when he and Jeongguk become sworn partners. The way Jeongguk had looked at him after the ceremony like he couldn’t wait to get him undressed, the lust; Jimin remembers that look so clearly it’s etched to the back of his mind.

It’s almost the same look now too, but it’s more… softer. Maybe it’s become like that over the years, and Jimin also notices it in the way Jeongguk holds him; like he could do it all night if Jimin let him.

Jeongguk’s skin is cold as Jimin reaches to bring him closer, hands spreading to the full expand of his back. He feels the muscles in Jeongguk’s back flex underneath his fingers, slightly caught off guard when Jeongguk gently flips him around, mouthing at his tattoo, tongue licking and kissing along the expand of his back. It’s been a while since Jimin’s shown it to him, the dragon, and they both know what it means.

“So good, baby.” Jeongguk grips his ass hard and rough, spreading his cheeks. Jimin’s cock lays between his legs and brushes the mattress every time he grinds his hips down, wanting to come so bad it’s like an itch that cannot be sated.

“Quick-“ He musters, whining. “Jeonggukie, just hurry- wanna feel you-“

And Jeongguk gives it to him.

He lays a pillow under Jimin’s hips, caging his cock between the pillow and his stomach. Jimin shivers when the cold lube trickles down his ass, shivers when a thumb rubs across his hole, making lewd sounds. Shivers when he feels Jeongguk slowly easing in; he’s so deep Jimin can feel him all the way, moaning when Jeongguk pulls back and begins to fuck him.

They go at it like that for a time; Jeongguk braces himself better, mouth on Jimin’s back as he rolls his hips into him, his weight caging his body in.

“Jeonggukie…” Jimin tries to crane his neck to give Jeongguk space to work with, pliant and taking every inch of his cock.

“Damn.” Jeongguk grunts, breaths heavy. The slaps of skin meeting skin multiplies as he picks up the pace, fucking into Jimin with more fervor.

“Shit, shit-“ Jimin cusses, leaning his forehead against the mattress as he lets himself be taken harshly. Jeongguk lifts his hips up and takes a firm grip around his cock, making the muscles around his lower body clench. The fingers run along his length, pleasure building, begging to explode. Jimin ruts his hips back to Jeongguk’s cock, crying from the stimulation. Jeongguk grunts again and pulls away, turning Jimin around and bringing him to his lap.

“Jeonggukie…” Jimin caresses his face with tears in his eyes, throwing his head back when Jeongguk pushes the head of his cock back inside. The position isn’t as comfortable as he’d like but none of it matters, not if Jimin can continue to stare at Jeongguk like this.

“I’ll make you come like this, baby.” Jeongguk promises him, hand wrapping around his cock while the other holds Jimin upright.

If Jimin’s being honest, he’d never felt his life to be precious.

Yet after he fell in love with Jeongguk, all of that changed.

Jeongguk thrusts in, hand working Jimin into completion as he’s chasing down his orgasm, making sure to bring their faces close. Jimin kisses him on the mouth, tongue plunging inside the wet heat, moans slipping from his lips.

Because if only Jeongguk lives in this world…

Jimin’s life continues on.

They reach their point together for the very first time, holding each other close. Jimin feels breathless as Jeongguk lowers him down from his cock, eyes slipping close from how tired he feels. They lay side by side, all until Jimin’s reaching for Jeongguk and he takes him in his arms like always, warm and protective.

Jimin just keeps breathing Jeongguk’s presence in, all until he pulls back to look at him.

“How are you going to handle…”

“Kai?” Jeongguk questions. Jimin nods. “Honestly, haven't thought about it.” He shrugs.

Jimin looks at his face. He knows Jeongguk will eventually let him off the hook, but Jimin doesn’t really mind. Kai seems like a good kid at heart, just confused about his own place.

Reminds him of himself.

“Jeonggukie?” Jimin prompts. Jeongguk hums, eyes slipping closed.

“Yeah?”

“If one day you die…” Jimin looks into his eyes. He thinks about it - how at the end of the night, he always ends up here, one way or another - right into Jeongguk’s arms like he never left.

“No matter where we are, you’re gonna have to take me with you.”

Jeongguk chuckles, kissing Jimin on the mouth.

“I got you.”