Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Moodboard by my sexy friend mellow

“Time ticks away

screaming its objection

that the hours should pass so leisurely

till I should be with you again

it is only passing of such that could tear us apart

good or bad, whatever the day should bring

I will never mind

as long as you are always the conclusion."

–Samantha King Holmes 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

–2022–

"There you are." 

Jimin's head turns around abruptly–just like the first time he heard those words years ago, decades, literally centuries. Even the first time Jimin's ears registered these three little words, they sounded completely the same; its tonality, the lilt in his voice. It's awfully and intimately familiar–everything about him is. 

"You're late," Jimin accuses Jungkook petulantly, pulling his purse closer because the strap is threatening to slip from his shoulder. He always carries bags on his right shoulder, which is dumb because he's right handed. It would be smarter to carry it on his left, or so people have told him, but Jimin stays true to his habits. 

"Hm, but not alarmingly so. It's only been…" Jungkook checks his old watch, Jimin doubts it's still functioning correctly, but Jungkook refuses to take it off–it was a present from Jimin for his birthday in the last century. "Ah," he sighs dramatically. "Six long minutes you had to survive without my dazzling presence." 

"Without your rotten personality, you mean," Jimin corrects him. He can't help the scowl on his face. It's hard to not be (playfully) mad at Jungkook, he has a striking talent at annoying the hell out of Jimin. One would assume Jimin got better at ignoring him over time, or better at not being affected by him, but you'd be wrong. 

Jungkook flashes him a smile of compelling nature. "Looks and personality never go hand in hand. One has to suffer permanently; in my case, it's obviously not my appearance. Can't say the same about you, witch." 

Jimin snorts. "I should hex you into a turtle again." 

"Try me," Jungkook jokes. "I'd make an adorable turtle."

"You'd be slow as fuck," Jimin points out. "I'd have to put you in my freezer during the winter." 

"I've always wanted to try hibernation."

"You've done that many times before, what do you mean?" 

Jungkook pretends to be offended. "Now you're exaggerating."

"I'm not. I can recall a minimum of six winters where I could not get a hold of you because you were sleeping. None of my doves or fire messages reached you."

"This is vilification."

They playfully glare at each other for a brief moment, eyes squinting, Jungkook showing his sharp teeth, Jimin sticking out his tongue. 

But all teasing dissipates quickly and Jungkook opens his arms wide. "Come here," he mumbles and Jimin lets out a smile, falling into him like a tree crashing into the ground in the middle of a storm. 

"Can't believe you made me wait six minutes," Jimin complains, face buried deep into Jungkook's chest. He's wearing a loose buttoned up shirt of probably very fine, expensive material, but Jimin couldn't care less and shamelessly rubs his cheek against it. 

"I firmly apologize for making you wait six long minutes," Jungkook stresses sarcastically. 

"Felt like eternity," Jimin mutters. "I swear, I felt my skin rot away at my bones."

"Just say you missed me," Jungkook teases, hugging Jimin impossibly tight. He always does that; holds Jimin tight every summer only to let him go when it ends–and it always does, the ending is always inevitable. Jimin should be used to it by now. 

Jimin pulls off, breathing in deeply. "Let's go, we should check-in to our hotel," Jimin says, ignoring Jungkook on purpose. 

"You didn't see me for a year and a lousy hug is all I get?" 

"That's what you get for being late. Be happy I didn't actually hex you into a turtle."

Jungkook considers this for a second. "In 1890 you left me waiting for three days. I don't think six minutes compare to that."

Jimin groans out loud. "I can't believe you're still hung up on that! I was incapacitated! How in Satan's name was I supposed to come see you when I was kidnapped and locked away inside some creepy cult's basement!" 

They usually don't talk much about that year. It was a particularly emotional one. But Jungkook likes to bring it up when he wants to win an argument. 

"Well, I told you not to trust random job offers," Jungkook says. "You were always so careless." 

"I know," Jimin exclaims, feeling slightly annoyed at Jungkook for scolding about a thing that happened forever ago. Hell, Jimin has even changed his profession since then. 

"We're not having this argument again. I'm not gonna waste our one week with stupid quarrels. Not my fault you're still holding a grudge," Jimin says with a finality to his voice. After all, it was Jungkook who came and saved him–he ought to not forget that. And it's not like he didn't thank him more than a dozen times already. 

He has stopped counting how many times they brought up that year. For several reasons, Jimin wants to forget that entire century. He really didn't like it. Again, for several reasons. The politics were horrible. The people even more so. At least he had the era of romanticism. 

"You're right," Jungkook gives in. "I promise I'll behave." 

Jimin demonstratively rolls his eyes at Jungkook. "You've never been a good liar."

Jungkook takes Jimin's hand, his finger brushing over his knuckles. "Come on, Jimin, this is going to be our summer. I can feel it in my blood." 

They look at each other for a moment that feels a tad bit too long, and to no one's surprise it's Jungkook that looks away first. "Let's get your luggage into the car."

"Wait– Your car?" Jimin wonders. "Are we not getting a taxi? Also, where's your stuff?" 

He only notices now that Jungkook didn't come with any luggage. There's no suitcase or bag behind him. 

Jungkook smiles, but it's somewhat evasive. "I already took care of everything. I got here two days ago; had to do a few things. But I didn't want them to interfere with our vacation so I figured I'd arrive earlier."

Jimin looks at him with big eyes. "You didn't say anything about that in your letter! I could have come earlier too! Why didn't you text me?" 

The only thing Jungkook said was, Rome, August 14, you know where we'll meet. And Jimin did know; they went to Rome before (about a dozen times to be precise) and they always meet at the same place. 

"It wasn't worth mentioning," Jungkook says. "You're not mad at me, are you?" 

Jimin shakes his head. "No, no, it's just… I could have arrived earlier too. I wouldn't have minded if you had to leave in between to do things for– what exactly were you doing?" 

"Council work," Jungkook says dismissively. "It would have bored the hell out of you."

"In Rome?!" Jimin inquires, unable to hide his surprise. 

"We're expanding," Jungkook shrugs. "You would know if you weren't so fixated on staying out of everything regarding politics. They want to make a permanent seat here. It would be the fifth one. However, there were some issues with embezzlement. Had to take care of that. Someone else is taking care of the whole expanding process." 

Jimin gives him a playful scowl. "Why would I spend my time with useless stuff like politics? It's always the same anyway; old people arguing about old feuds." 

"Exactly my point, you would have been complaining the entire time, hence I didn't mention it in my letter. Or send you a text. Hell– you know, I suck at using phones." 

"Fine, you're right," Jimin says. "So–where's your car? I'm all sticky from the flight." 

Jungkook lets out a soft laugh. A comforting sound that Jimin hasn't heard all year, and it hits him right in the chest, a warm feeling spreading everywhere. 

"Follow me, little witch."

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

"You know, I think a normal car would have been fine too," Jimin stresses when Jungkook takes him to his royal blue Lamborghini that is parked at the side of the street, mocking every car around it with its obnoxious color. 

"But this one was calling for me when I saw it," Jungkook says with a childlike excitement. "I had to get it." 

"How in the whole world is my luggage supposed to fit in the trunk?" Jimin wonders while looking at the car. There's two seats at the front, and no space in the back. He loathes sports cars, they're awfully dysfunctional. So inconvenient. The worst invention of mankind. 

"It will fit," Jungkook says, not concerned at all. He, contrary to Jimin, thinks sports cars are the best thing ever. 

Jimin points at him. "I don't want to cast any spells this summer!" 

Jungkook holds up both hands, the ring on his left hand glistening in the late August sun. "When did you ever have to do that?"  

"Don't make me elaborate," Jimin snorts. "Come be a gentleman and take my luggage. Can't believe you still don't know how to properly work a phone but drive these loud monsters around everywhere."

Jungkook gives him a somber smirk, taking Jimin's suitcase from him without reacting to Jimin's little jab. He opens the trunk and somehow makes the suitcase fit inside of it. Jimin doesn't really pay attention though, he's already climbing into the passenger seat. 

He's adjusting his sunglasses when Jungkook opens the car door. He turns to him, pointing at himself. "Don't I look super modern and human-like?" 

Jimin puts effort into appearing as normal and modern as one can. He keeps up with recent changes in society (primarily through his students) and is well-adapted to technology and fashion trends. It's fun. It's an experiment. 

Jungkook gives him a once-over. "The sunglasses are a bit big on your face."

"That's the whole point!" Jimin exclaims, looking at himself in the little mirror built into the sun visor. 

Jungkook slides into his seat smoothly, engine turning on almost right away. "If you say so," he chortles, smiling to himself. 

The car sets off and they join the busy traffic of Rome's streets. It makes Jimin remember the last time they were here probably about forty years ago when he was still taking on job offers from all kinds of people and his years consisted of solving their problems for them, which usually came in the form of impending death. He already knew for a long time that he wanted to stop, and now he finally cut out everything that reminds him of the life–or lives he should say–he once lived. Well, except for a few people. 

This is what he and Jungkook have and always had in common–they make a living through getting exploited. It sounds sadder than it is. They're both successful. Then, again: it would have been a shame if they weren't after centuries of navigating through this world and learning its complex rules. 

"Your opinion is meaningless since you only wear suits and things that scream oh look at me I'm an old, stinky vampire! Oh, I'm so important! I catch criminals!" Jimin complains now, mocking Jungkook. 

"Suits are timeless," Jungkook shrugs in the driver seat. His eyes are focused on the street, but Jimin can feel how they flick over to him occasionally. Jungkook is a good driver, a relaxed driver, a driver that actually enjoys driving compared to Jimin. Before cars and planes were invented they had other ways of traveling; some of them involved Jimin summoning dark spirits that could take them from A to B, or Jungkook organizing carriages from his clan. Before those days, Jimin remembers riding horses, enchanted brooms and even a magical rug sent to him by Seokjin as a gift. 

Nowadays Jimin is very thankful for the wonderful inventions humans made over the last century. He loves taking the bus. He finds planes scary but awfully mesmerizing. People on planes think more of death than people in cars even if planes are statistically proven to be safer. 

" We are timeless," Jimin corrects him jokingly. 

"I certainly am, not sure about you though," Jungkook snickers. 

Jungkook and Jimin have been friends– best friends–for a couple of centuries now, but still bicker like they did on day one. 

It sounds stupid if you say it like that; Oh, we've been friends for, uh, what was it? like 500 years now? but for immortals like them the years eventually pile up like that. 

A century is merely a decade, a decade is merely a year, and so forth. Some of the really old ones–not that Jimin ever met someone that was older than a thousand years–claim that a century feels like the bat of an eye, but Jimin thinks that is total crap. A century is a century, it goes by painstakingly slow and most of the time you're wondering how you're going to entertain yourself. This only applies to those that actively engage in life–if you're locked away under the earth, rotting away in a coffin because you got tired of perceiving every day, then, well, life definitely isn't fun for you anymore. But Jimin and Jungkook aren't like that. They still live and actively partake in life. 

The last time he saw Jungkook was last year, when they met in Vadstena and spent a week inside a cabin, playing mostly card games (Jimin won only once because Jungkook is a competitive piece of shit in terms of everything, much to Jimin's dismay) and enjoying the familiarity of each other's company. 

It was a nice year, a slow one on Jimin's side (who is he kidding, all of his years are 'slow' since he changed careers) but nice overall. The one week he spent with Jungkook was the best week of the entire year. 

In the recent decades Jimin made the deliberate choice to tone down his involvement in the immortal world, which means he sees Jungkook less than he already did. 

Withdrawing himself from the immortal side of society has significantly helped him; he now only does jobs he really finds interesting–which has mostly turned out to be teaching–and he also has his own little garden with all kinds of herbs and flowers and he even grows cucumber and tomatoes. But it also means he has less chances at running into Jungkook during jobs or at birthdays, weddings, other immortal/supernatural/magical events–whatever you want to call it. 

Taehyung has started calling him picky (in a teasing manner), but Jimin thinks being picky over this–essentially over his life–is perfectly fine. Besides, Taehyung can't say anything, he's the pickiest person Jimin knows (except for his lovers–he always has more than a handful of those). 

Back in the day, Jimin had no problems getting into the most awkward jobs or helping shady people with their even more shady plans, but these days he focuses on living a peaceful life. He has his two private students back in Seoul that he teaches the basics of witchcraft and that fulfills him for the most part. Of course, he also works a full-time job as an occultism professor at a university in Seoul, and that keeps him busy enough to not fall into a state of depression or boredom. Although, if you live a long life, these things become chronic anyway. 

Jungkook, however, has always been a busy man–ten times more than Jimin. The fact that he takes time off from his countless responsibilities to go on vacation with Jimin could be considered a miracle. But he has done so for the past few centuries and nothing in Jimin's mind doubts that he will stop anytime soon. 

One week a year, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less–that's the deal. The agreement they came to an eternity ago. 

For this year, they decided to visit Rome. 

Well, Jungkook decided since it was his turn to pick their vacation spot. 

The choice was oddly surprising to Jimin because Jungkook usually picks spots that aren't so popular or spots they definitely haven't seen yet (one time he made Jimin go rock-climbing and they ran into an evil spirit at the top of the mountain–Jimin will never forgive him for that vacation). He mentally noted to ask Jungkook about it after he got his letter a month ago, but he will do so once they have checked into their hotel (which Jungkook picked as well). 

They're approaching said hotel at this exact moment, Jungkook pulling Jimin's suitcase for him. He even opened the car door for Jimin, making Jimin mutter something about chivalry surprisingly still existing under his breath. 

The hotel is, as expected, an expensive one since Jungkook picked it, but it has a certain italian charmé that Jimin finds mesmerizing. The exterior is that of a building doing its best to keep its antique charm but also wanting to adapt to the new modern expectations. The building isn't high, although it's higher than most buildings in Rome (cathedrals and other buildings of that sort excluded). 

Money isn't really a problem when you're immortal and not part of human society–human currency is still sometimes as foreign to them as the concept of being human itself, even after spending centuries on this earth. Immortals don't really have a currency. Things are paid in favors, time and materialistic things like magical artifacts or heirlooms. Jimin used to demand silver as payment, he liked to make jewelry out of it. But over the years he gained a lot of interesting and valuable objects. 

Of course, Jimin is still familiar with human currency and he has enough resources to navigate comfortably in human society. After all, he currently spends most of his time teaching occultism at a university in Seoul and gets a monthly salary, but he could always get his hands on human money through other ways. 

Jungkook, however, is what humans would call filthy rich. Even for immortal standards he's richer than most. But that is unsurprising when considering his occupation and his family history. As the son of a vampire clan leader, and also as the lead inspector of the High Council of Magic, Jungkook will never be destitute. His name alone would work as payment. 

The hotel Jungkook picked is located close to the center of the city. There's a concierge waiting for them at the entrance and Jimin feels his skin tingling with excitement. 

"Did you already check-in to our room?" Jimin asks, remembering that Jungkook told him he arrived two days ago. 

"No, I only left my suitcase here before I went to pick you up." 

Jimin has no time to ask him where he spent the last two days instead if it wasn't in this hotel, because Jungkook nods at the concierge who in return gestures to them to walk inside, a polite smile lighting up his old, wrinkly face. Jimin's eyes cling to it, focusing on each and every wrinkle, imagining how Time took a chisel to carve them with precision into his face. 

Old people are the most fascinating in Jimin's opinion. They exceed and outlive the wonders of childhood, the vibrancy of youth, the difficulties of adulthood, only to arrive at a point where you either dedicate your life to your every second or you wither away, being content with what you have experienced thus far. 

He feels Jungkook's hand on his arm, gently guiding him to the reception. His hand is pleasantly cold, even with the bright sun outside. The ring on his digits are shimmering. 

The woman at the reception is smiling at them when they come to a halt. Jungkook doesn't waste time and smoothly communicates with her in italian. Another perk of being immortal: you have enough time to learn all the languages in the world. And in Jungkook's case that almost seems to be true. He speaks so many languages, Jimin lost count. 

For Jimin, he's fluent in a few–mostly Asian languages along with some Roman languages, as well as English, of course. But he's better with Demon languages, can understand and read all of them, and even speak a few. It's an ability that makes him highly sought out as a witch–people come to him with old scripts in demonic languages that talk of summoning a certain demon and want Jimin to translate them, or they come with old books, written centuries before Jimin was born. 

His affinity to demon-related things stem from his ancestry. As a death witch he has a natural advantage due to his ancestors–which were once demons who mated humans and created Jimin's extinct coven. The ability to understand demon languages just runs through his blood.

He doesn't speak Italian well, but he understands enough to realize that there must be a problem with their suite. 

First, he sees it on Jungkook's face; the vampire frowns, his features twisting into dismay and then into a pained smile as he tries his best to remain polite. Jungkook is generally a considerate man, Jimin can count on one hand how many times he's seen Jungkook getting angry or unpleasant in someone else's company. But all five times he did–Jimin would rather not vividly remember those times. They usually ended with bloody knuckles, scoldings from any of Jungkook's many clan members, or with Jimin getting dangerously close to a nervous meltdown. 

"What is it?" Jimin asks him in Korean, the  language they mainly use to communicate. If he wants to be fancy, he'll send Jungkook a letter in some demonic language, knowing it will take Jungkook forever to decipher it. One would assume that over the course of their long friendship, Jungkook became annoyed by Jimin's little pranks, but it's the opposite; he's competitive by nature, and no matter how long it takes him, he always manages to translate the words Jimin sends him. 

Jungkook exchanges a few more words with the receptionist. 

He turns to Jimin. "Uhm," he starts awkwardly. "Apparently there has been a mistake with our suite; she says I booked the smaller one, not the bigger one, although I vividly recall booking the bigger one–I don't make mistakes like that. So I said, okay fine, I'll pay for both if we can still get the bigger one, but apparently someone else's is already residing there, and now there's only the smaller one–"

"Jungkook," Jimin cuts in, laughing a little. "Let's just take the smaller one then, what's the problem?" 

Jungkook looks at him with big eyes, his throat working. 

"There's only one bed." 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

–1522–

"There you are." 

Jimin whirls around at the sound of the unfamiliar voice that just addressed him. 

"I was looking for you," the man says, smiling darkly and with an obvious amount of wickedness at Jimin. 

Jimin feels his throat closing up because he has the uncanny sensation that this is a bad omen. He looks at the moon hanging low in the sky and he isn't sure if it's a full moon yet or not. If it is, then–

"What are you doing out here? I was waiting for you at the meeting point," the man says casually, stepping out of the shadows and into the moonlight. 

Jimin has seen beautiful things, he's a collector of beauty, a consumer of beauty–or so he thinks, at least. It's difficult to achieve such a dream without access to the necessary resources. His definition of beauty are the wildflowers which grow in summer, and the unique shape clouds take on when Jimin looks at the sky. But he has never seen such unbridled, unruly, seemingly artificial beauty on a man before. Not only in his face, it's his entire appearance that has Jimin trying to catch his breath. Has a man ever made him breathless like this? 

His life has only just begun, and yet he can't shake the feeling that it will end sooner than he expected. Not even a day without a soul and he already wasted it. 

And to think that all of this happened only because he decided to run away from home… 

The demon's ugly voice shoots through his head again. Hello little witch, the demon said when Jimin came across him on a clearing in the forest. Did you come to make a deal? No, Jimin had just gotten lost in the forest. 

Albeit the man in front of him is hopefully no demon he still definitely isn't a normal man, that much is clear. His skin is marble, it looks so smooth that Jimin thinks it could be a painting, a sculpture. He'd only hurt himself if he tried to ram his small dagger into the man's skin. He imagines trying it anyway, just for the sake of it. 

"Who are you?" Jimin asks, trying to sound confident. 

The man cocks his head to the side–a gesture that is unmistakably condescending when others do it, but somehow endearing when he does it. Jimin takes in a shuddering breath because he isn't sure what is happening to him. 

"You don't know me?" he asks, and suddenly Jimin has the impression that his hostility isn't real, but just a joke. Did he think Jimin was someone else? Is this amusing to him? Is he making a joke out of him? 

Jimin looks around awkwardly. "No?" 

The man looks confused now. "But you're here," he deadpans. 

"I am?" Jimin wants to leave because he has blood on his hands and doesn't want anyone to see the ashes of the demon he just accidentally killed. He has no explanation for the murder. He didn't want it. It just happened. His life is steering out of control. 

He's utterly alone in this world and he wants to pity himself for a while, maybe a few weeks, before he gets back to life. This man, or whatever he is, is interfering with that. But then again: where should Jimin even go? 

"Are you playing tricks on me?" the man asks, narrowing his gaze at Jimin. 

"No?" Jimin says, but it sounds like a question–which only aggravates the man more. 

Something flashes over his face. "Were you trying to escape before finalizing our deal?" 

Now Jimin is really confused, scared and irritated. A second ago the man seemed to find amusement in Jimin's behavior, but his mood took a sudden change. 

He has no idea who this man is, but apparently the man thinks Jimin is someone else, someone he knows. This is just Jimin's luck; he miraculously managed to free himself from the demon's deal, but now he's going to die at the hands of some strange man.

After considering it again, he's definitely certain now that the man isn't normal, his skin is too smooth for that and his voice too silky, too alluring. And Jimin's own skin is tingling, prickling with tension and the thing that has stirred inside him after he lost his soul hasn't stopped moving yet. It's winding through his body, twisting and turning, making Jimin's heart beat faster. 

Everything about him strikes Jimin as abnormal and he wonders if there will come a time where people will think the same about him. If he believes the demon's hellish words… 

Is he like me?

The thought comes before he can push it away. It's a dangerous thought, a thought he really doesn't want to entertain. But the void in his chest is hungry. What if he just asks the man? He has nothing to lose, right? 

Except, he does. He has just gained a new chance at life, and if the demon was right… 

"Look, I have no idea who you are or what you want from me or who you think I am," Jimin starts to say. "But I am no one of interest and you'd do best in just letting me go." 

The man lets out a small laugh. "Am I hindering you from leaving? Are you in chains?" 

Jimin blinks before he feels his face getting hot. "I mean–" 

"Go if you must," the man says, sighing. He waves a dismissive hand at Jimin, turning his body away. "Your kind has always been unreliable beyond anything."  

Jimin is momentarily stunned because this denies his theory that he and the man are the same; he said 'your kind' so condescendingly, there's no way he has any sympathy for him. It was a silly theory anyway. A wish born from desperation. 

"Go," the man orders softly. "I'll be in contact. I want my money's worth, after all. You better don't forget my kindness. You know my clan remembers things." 

Jimin nods quickly in gratitude–he ignores the man's ominous words gracefully–before gathering his composure and turning around to scurry away. He looks over his shoulder only once; the man is watching him intently, his face frozen in time. 

Jimin would only see him again years later. 

 ⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

"What's the problem?" Jimin says for the third time. "We can just sleep in this more than big enough bed together. It's not like it's… impossible."

Jungkook shrugs for the third time, staring down at the enormous bed as if it was the size of a pea. "I just didn't want to inconvenience you. This vacation…it's supposed to be perfect."

Jimin sighs. He isn't too sure what he should think about the prospect of sharing a bed with Jungkook for a week straight. Not that he'd find it awkward, it's definitely not that. It's just… 

Jimin decides to snap out of it. Scoffing incredulously, he says, "Our vacations are always perfect, get that nonsense out of your head and unpack your things, we have to get dressed." 

"I'm already dressed."

"Put on something that doesn't scream I'm-on-a-business-trip."

Jungkook looks down at himself. "You think that's what this outfit says?" 

Jimin nods in mocking disappointment. Jungkook's outfit is fine and something he typically wears but Jimin likes teasing him. "Yes, my dear friend."

"How unsettling," Jungkook says, shaking his head in feigned dismay. "I will, of course, follow your demand, dear friend, and change into something less embarrassing. Give me five minutes." 

Jimin smiles triumphantly. "Go on, impress me." 

Jungkook easily heaves his suitcase on the bed (vampire strength) and opens it up. Everything inside is organized perfectly, unlike the inside of Jimin's suitcase where he just threw in everything he wanted to take with him on this trip. Not that it surprises him, Jungkook likes his things in order, and it irks him when they're not. A habit that hasn't changed since Jimin met him. Some things even Time can't erase. 

But really though, he has absolutely no problem sleeping in the same bed as Jungkook. It's been a few years–okay, maybe decades–since they've done something like that, but Jimin still remembers all of Jungkook's sleeping habits. The vampire doesn't sleep much, his species simply doesn't need a lot of rest, and four to five hours a night are the longest he's ever seen Jungkook sleep for. 

Jimin, on the contrary, loves sleep. He would sleep in everyday if he could. It is linked to his preference to stay up late and enjoy the quiet hours after midnight. Silence feels more calming, tea tastes more intense, music sounds better–everything is more enjoyable after midnight. 

Hence, he and Jungkook often stayed up together in the past and engaged in animated discussions over everything and nothing. They have to tell each other one year worth of events whenever they meet, and that means no sleep, more talking. Even after the invention of cell phones, they stuck to sending letters. Jimin is much better than Jungkook–he doesn't forget about the existence of his phone. 

But, besides that, it's definitely Jungkook who generally has a better memory regarding most things. Jimin knows basically everything about witchcraft and demon related things–his specialty–but Jungkook excels in other areas of knowledge; literature, math, languages, fishing, cars (he loves cars), history and culture of every supernatural species, just to name a few. 

Jimin's favorite might be his ability to quote people verbatim and never forgetting even the smallest of details. It has come in handy a lot of times before. 

"How's work going?" Jimin asks now, trying to initiate the process of catching up. "I only briefly heard about that case with the clan that went corrupt and got exposed for embezzlement. Where was the clan–Canada? Have you gotten that under control yet?" 

Jungkook's hands stop moving. He tenses awkwardly, making Jimin frown.

"Are you not allowed to talk about it?" Jimin asks carefully. 

"It's not that. You know I tell you everything, even when I'm technically not allowed to. We just haven't been able to repair the damage yet, not completely at least. It's a huge mess, but it's not my mess at the moment. Because I'm on vacation. My well-deserved vacation." He shoots Jimin a big smile. 

"I see," Jimin replies, and something is stopping him from saying more, from telling Jungkook that he's so grateful that things never ever change between them, no matter how many years pass and how many things around them break apart and get glued back together completely differently. Sometimes it seems like the only thing that remains intact, completely untouched by Time, is this: their friendship, the traditions they honor every year, the promises they never broke. 

It sometimes just comes over him–like a sudden realization that develops into deep gratitude. 

"Does this look okay?" Jungkook questions, holding up a simple dark shirt. 

Jimin arches one brow. "Do you really want an answer to that? You know I respect your love for the color black–" 

"–But I should not wear it in summer," Jungkook finishes the sentence for him. "Fine, fine, I'll try to see if I have something white in here." 

A few minutes later Jungkook is dressed in white linen pants and a baby-blue shirt. 

Jimin gives him an approving nod and Jungkook rolls his eyes. "Why do I always listen to you?" he whines. 

"Because I have better style," Jimin states, pointing down at his body. He's usually wearing clothes that are trendy. As already mentioned, he's well-adapted to the human ways of living. Maybe a little too well . 

Jungkook only raises his eyebrows at him. 

"By the way, where did you stay the last two days?" Jimin casually asks. 

"The High Council has an apartment here" Jungkook informs him. "I stayed there. You know how it is when I go on business trips; if I know someone in the city, I'll stay with them. Or if we own a building, I'll go there."

Jimin supposes he does. Not that he was ever much involved in that part of the magical world. He's a registered member of the council,he can vote and he's obligated to follow the council's rules and all that, but he has stayed out (correction: has tried his best to stay out) of anything particular for as long as he can remember. 

After his initiation and the completion of his magical education, Jimin got invited to a lot of events, weddings, seancés, fests, and so on. And yet, he never quite felt integrated. 

For Jungkook, it's completely different. Ever since he took on the role of lead inspector he's been doing things for the High Council non-stop. It's been–what? Two centuries? More than that? 

Before, he only had clan responsibilities to tend to, but after taking on the second job, Jungkook practically became unattainable. Even his letters would sometimes stop for a few months on end. 

"Why didn't we just spend the week in the apartment then?" Jimin wonders. "You know I like to cook myself stuff sometimes. That's hard in hotels."

Jungkook halts in his steps. "I felt like staying in a hotel this time. It has… some perks."

Jimin lets out a laugh. Interested, he asks, "What perks?"

"Well, there's the spa of course," Jungkook starts. "The bar, the different restaurants, the gym, the pool–" 

"Okay, okay, got it," Jimin stops him. He leans back and lets his body sink into the soft cushion of the bed. It's silent–besides Jungkook's muffled snickering–but Jimin's stomach decides to break the silence by growling loudly. 

Jungkook gives him a funny look. "I'm glad I chose a hotel, if you had to cook something now you would strangle me. They would never find my corpse." 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Jungkook was absolutely right; if Jimin had to cook his own dinner he would have probably been very irritable. So the fact that they were able to just go down to the hotel restaurant for dinner–Jungkook just sat there and observed him since he consumes no food–and then come back up, was very convenient. Jimin had to admit that it was definitely a good choice to stay in a hotel this time around. 

They chatted for a while about random things after Jimin finished eating and made some first plans for the week. They definitely have to go the typical tourist attractions–namely: La Fontana di Trevi, The Colosseum (they might run into vengeful spirits since so many people died there), the Vatican and its museum (although they can't stay for long since it's holy ground and Jungkook is, well, a vampire and they're usually cursed by God. Because of his old age and with a little magical help it's possible for him to step onto holy ground now though), the Pantheon, the Roman Forum (its likely to run into nymphs and fauns here), Piazza Navona, Castel Sant'Angelo, and many more. 

There's really lots to do in Rome, hence Jimin absolutely adores the city. He's visited it a ton of times, but it never gets boring. Especially since he has many precious memories about this place. 

They end up going to bed quite early. Jimin is tired from his flight and Jungkook assures him he feels like resting too. They brush their teeth together, wash their faces (Jimin is also very serious about skincare; the best invention of the modern world) and get changed quietly. 

Jimin slips into some shorts and a loose shirt, and Jungkook stays in his black boxers. They've pretty much seen everything from each other, it's kind of impossible to never see each other naked when you spent so many years together. 

And also: bodies are nothing but vessels. That's one of the first things Jimin learned in his training. Your body is your conduit; every energy of this world flows through it and most, unfortunately, go unnoticed. We're all a part of the same universe, and by that we're all connected on an interdimensional level. Jimin, and other beings who have access to these energies, know how to shape their bodies–the vessel–to their benefit. Without his body, he too would cease to exist. He isn't able to live outside of it like dark spirits, ghosts or minor deities can. They're lost energies roaming this planet, always trying to find a way back to what was once their vessel. But once this metaphysical connection is severed, there's no fixing. 

Jimin experienced the same when he lost his soul. Of course, for a witch like him, a soul has more of a symbolic meaning than a functional one; it was basically only an accessory for him. Nothing changed after losing it to the crossroad demon, but he could still feel that a fundamental part of him was missing. He never liked losing things since then. He either has to discard them–object or person–first, or he will hold onto them with unparalleled determination. 

Though, there's no one he held onto as much as Jungkook. 

A wave of adoration overcomes him as he watches Jungkook settle into their large hotel bed. The sheets are soft and thin. It's really warm in Rome after all, even though the room has the AC running. It's one of the inventions Jimin finds really useful but also very questionable. He tends to get sick from them. Being a witch has many perks, sadly avoiding all types of illnesses isn't a part of them. He still gets colds. Super annoying. 

Jungkook's body temperature is always a cool 27 degrees and Jimin doesn't remember a time where his hands weren't cold. It's nice in summer, but definitely sucks in winter (for Jimin of course, Jungkook couldn't care less). 

As Jimin checks his emails to see if any of his students wrote to him (thankfully no, since he made it clear that he doesn't want to get bothered on his vacation), Jungkook opens a book. 

"Have you read this one, Jimin?" he asks from the side. His lower body is covered by the thin sheets, his upper body is exposed. The late evening sun makes his skin look like honey. 

"Hm?" Jimin blinks, holding back the urge to tell Jungkook how much he wants to take a picture of him now. He has photobooks of them at home–a collection of them throughout the centuries. A documentation of their friendships in drawings, letters, objects and pictures. 

"This book–have you read it?" Jungkook asks, pointing at the cover. 

Jimin doesn't recognize the author. Dark Ichor is the title.

"No, never heard of it," Jimin says, putting his phone aside. He turns around so he can look at Jungkook better. 

"It's really good, you should read it." Jungkook's eyes sparkle as he smiles at the book in his hands. 

"Hmm, will you let me borrow it?" Jimin asks sweetly.

Jungkook nods. "Of course, you can have it once I'm done. I'll probably finish it by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."

"Okayyy," Jimin singsongs. "I'll make sure to send it back in perfect condition once I read it." 

Jungkook already stopped looking at him. His gaze is focused on the book. Reading is the only time his attention is completely on only one thing. Usually, he's able to do multiple things at once–he's awesome at multi-tasking–and he never gets confused by the different tasks either. But Jungkook always becomes a little different when he reads. 

Jimin grabs his phone from the nightstand and secretly snaps a picture of Jungkook. He has a ton of secret pictures like that. Thank Satan Jungkook is incompetent when it comes to technology or he would have already scolded Jimin for taking so many photos of him. 

Jimin watches him a bit longer, feeling his eyelids get heavy. He eventually dozes off for a bit, hands comfortably folded underneath his cheek. 

He rouses when Jungkook moves on the mattress, finally getting ready to rest as well. 

Jimin flinches slightly and Jungkook immediately halts. "Did I wake you?" 

Jimin shakes his head. "Hm, no. I wasn't really asleep."

Jungkook lets out a low chuckle. "Sure."

"I mean it! I was only half asleep."

"Hmm." 

Jimin pouts and he's sure Jungkook can see it in the dark room. Apparently he really slept longer than he thought since it is dark outside now. When he fell asleep the sun was still on the horizon, not yet succumbing to night. 

"Don't pout," comes Jungkook's voice. 

Jimin demonstratively rolls with his eyes. 

"Brat."

Jimin ignores him. Instead, he decides to mention a different topic. "You know, I thought about it and… we've really never slept in a bed like this together before," Jimin whispers into the dark.  

"Really? I don't believe that," Jungkook says with a laugh. He's so close yet so far away, and Jimin imagines reaching out for him, pulling him close, hugging him to sleep. He missed him so much all year long. He always misses Jungkook. He's his best friend, the person closest to his heart. 

But he doesn't. That was never an option. Why did he even think about that now? It must be the fact that he hasn't seen Jungkook in forever–one year is long, okay?–and he's always been an affectionate person with the people he loves. 

"Really," Jimin replies, and he laughs too, only because it seems so absurd that in nearly five hundred years they haven't slept in the same bed. It's the truth, Jimin would remember if they ever did. Right? 

They slept in the same room. Even on beds directly next to each other. And a few times they went camping, or stayed in other not so convenient places that required them to sleep on the ground, the grass, the asphalt, and so on. So, concluding, they've slept next to each other but not next to each other in a bed. In 500 years a lot happened, but never did they sleep in the same bed before. Isn't that ridiculous? 

"Why did we never do it? Your calm breathing and heartbeat is already making me sleepy, I could have cured my insomnia centuries ago," Jungkook jokes. "Watch me sleep more than four hours tonight."

"You don't even need more sleep," Jimin retorts. "And…I don't know," he adds hesitatingly, hoping his heartbeat won't give him away. It's a blatant lie. 

Jungkook must know it's one too–he always knows when someone is lying. Vampires are walking lie detectors; really useful for investigative work. But he only stays quiet, not saying anything. 

They never slept in a bed together because they both knew that it would have crossed a line. And maybe they both subconsciously knew that the proximity of lying next to one another would be too tempting. But what exactly does that even mean? 

Jimin decides to push the thoughts away; he always thinks too much about topics that don't need any further investigation. Some things in life should not be thought about too hard. 

"Will you go to the Vatican with me tomorrow?" Jimin asks to change the topic. They talked about their options at dinner, but they didn't decide what exactly they should do tomorrow. Jimin likes long-term planning, but not short-term. That gives him an irrational sense of anxiety. 

Jungkook scoffs softly as he shifts around on the bed. He's facing Jimin now, and he's close enough for Jimin to see that he has his hands folded together underneath his cheek like Jimin's are. And that his dark hair is splayed over the pillow, creating a stark contrast to the light sheets. 

"Of course, where else would we go?" Jungkook smiles. "You just want to admire the statues of yourself."

Jimin reciprocates the smile. "I don't know, maybe you have somewhere to be. You acted all mysterious and closed-off earlier. Is there something you're not telling me?" 

"And what would that be?" 

Jimin snorts. "I'm asking you! Don't answer my question with another question!" 

"I'm just saying…What could I be keeping from you?" Jungkook chuckles. "I was just already here for work. It was an easy matter to take care of."

"And what did you do?" 

"Interviewed a witness in the case," Jungkook replies instantly. 

"For what case? Wait– the embezzlement case you mentioned earlier? I thought it was a clan from Canada, why would a witness be here in Rome?" 

Jungkook rolls his eyes playfully. "Have mercy on me this late at night, Jimin. It almost feels like you're interrogating me." 

He's joking, Jimin thinks. He's just making a joke. Then why does he feel so inadequate for merely asking questions? 

"I was just curious. Besides, you're a creature of the night, it would be more outlandish of me to interrogate you during the day," Jimin responds sassily, keeping the joking tone. Jungkook doesn't have to know that he is overreacting inwardly. "And, yes, I want to admire statues of myself. Call me a narcissist if you want to."

He hears Jungkook cackle. Then, after a moment of abrupt and potent silence, he continues, "It really wasn't that important." His voice quiets down. "I promise. Just a routine procedure."

Jimin sighs. Another moment of silence stretches between them–this time it's more companionable. He's about to fall asleep soon, his jet lag seems to be really bad this time around. "How am I supposed to fall asleep next to your annoying face for the next seven days?" 

"I don't know, you tell me," Jungkook cackles. "I'm going to have no problem falling asleep. You're just too–" 

"If you call me boring, I'm going to strangle you!" Jimin exclaims, pointing at Jungkook warningly. 

"Don't put words into my mouth, witch," Jungkook says deeply, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. "I would never say something so horrendous. That's outright defamation." 

"Right?!" Jimin says. "And Taehyung had the audacity to say it right to my face the last time I saw him! Can you believe that?" 

"Wait– you saw him recently? I thought he went back to Court? Wasn't he supposed to get married any day now?" 

Jimin waves his hand in dismissal. "Another marriage? You know Taehyung hates all the arranged marriages his parents set up. He manages to talk himself out of them every time. Same way he managed to get out of the marriage contract with me. That little bastard. And no, I saw him in Seoul a few years ago. He just randomly showed up at work and pretended to be a student."

"For a prince he's really good at avoiding responsibilities," Jungkook muses. "Also, I still can't believe you almost got married to him. That's the funniest thing that ever happened. I'll never get over that." 

"Happened because I got scammed." Jimin snorts to himself at the memory. It happened such a long time ago when he still had a hard time saying no to job offers and Taehyung (un-) fortunately saw his own benefit in that. 

The fae prince of the Seelie Court fulfilled all the characteristics typical for his kind; he is the most cunning person Jimin knows to this day. It's a miracle that they remained friends all these years, albeit they never really kept in touch. 

It's more of a oh-we-see-each-other-randomly-here-and-there type of friendship that includes intense conversations about past endeavors and the latest (late, as in the last century) scandals (somehow scandals take forever to die down in the world of immortals). One thing they share is their love for gossip. 

When Taehyung showed up in his lecture room, Jimin had to fight hard to keep his composure and not burst out in laughter. Taehyung looked so inadequate in his green pants, green dress shirt, green vest (with real dead butterflies attached to it), and green shoes. Of course, he somehow makes it work–green is definitely his color–and looks beautiful everywhere he goes, but it indeed earned him a lot of weird stares from Jimin's students. 

"Finally you admit it," Jungkook sighs. "When I said that in 1799 you screamed at me and said Jungkook, you are so mean! I just wanted to be nice to him! I wasn't aware of the fact that he tried to get me married to him! " 

Jimin feels a little embarrassed at the memory. "He has these big innocent eyes."

"I also have big innocent eyes."

Yes. "Lie, you always scowl at people."

"I don't scowl at you!" 

"Yes, you do! And I'm not 'people'!" Jimin insists. "Anyway, if Taehyung ever gets married I'm probably going to be at least a thousand years old."

Jungkook scoffs softly. "It's a responsibility he has to fulfill sooner or later."

"Marriage isn't a responsibility. That's so archaic."

"In your eyes," Jungkook points out. "My father would love to see me get married."

Jimin groans. "Your father would also love to see you take over the clan. Doesn't mean it will ever happen or that you have to do it. When will you stop being so nice to him? And things change. Just look at the humans!" 

"He's my father, I owe him some sort of respect."

"He doesn't deserve it though," Jimin says coldly. He does not particularly like Jungkook's father. 

"You thought differently before." 

"You mean four hundred years ago." 

"Yeah, before, as I said." There might have been a time where Jimin thought Jungkook's father was…tolerable. 

Jimin shoots Jungkook a sharp look. "Let's sleep," he commands. 

Jungkook meets his gaze. "As you wish, oh-holy-commander." 

Jimin lunges for him, but his hand only touches air. Jungkook's reflexes will never lose to Jimin's. "Don't get cheeky with me," he says in frustration. 

"I would never," Jungkook laughs. 

Jimin makes a non-committal sound to that. After a moment, he adds, "Oh, and if you try to wake me up, I'll strangle you. I need my beauty sleep. We can't all be functioning members of society after three hours of sleep." 

"Yeah, yeah, wouldn't even think about it," Jungkook assures him. He's already turned away from Jimin, lying on his right side. 

Jimin stares at him for a heartbeat. For some reason he thinks he won't get much sleep this week. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

–1531–

Jimin is drinking his third cup of cinnamon-wine when he hears the sultry voice again. He feels his presence right after, the little hairs on his body standing up.

"There you are," the man from years ago says, sounding more delighted than Jimin expected. 

This time too, he whirls around and is met with beautiful skin and dark eyes–all of which looks too unnatural to be, well, natural. The difference is, he's smiling this time. And what a charming smile it is. 

"You," Jimin croaks out, spilling his liquor. The red liquid runs over his hand and he curses under his breath, unwillingly taking his eyes off the man. 

A slender hand, adorned by heavy silver rings, as Jimin immediately notices, comes around his wrist and lifts it. 

"Clumsy," the man scolds softly, cleaning up Jimin's hand with a piece of fabric.

"You look the same," Jimin blurts, stunned. 

The man looks up, assessing Jimin with an amused expression. He must think Jimin is messing with him, or that he is completely stupid, because he says, "You do too."

"I–"

"Well, you look prettier now than you did the last time," he goes on, chuckling. "You had this horrified expression covering your features. Like I terrified you. And you had dirt everywhere."

Jimin swallows, remembering that he, in fact, was terrified of this man. And perhaps he'd do better being terrified now too. He doesn't know him after all. "How did you find me? What do you want from me?" 

"I didn't look for you, this is a coincidence," the man corrects, an amused glint hiding in his dark, bottomless eyes. Jimin feels like he's getting sucked right in. 

Jimin suddenly realizes what the man in front of him is. His senses have become better over the decade, his mind has been trained. He has gained a well-developed understanding of the immortal world. "You're a vampire," he gasps, finally sensing the essence of the man's being. 

A dark blue aura floats around him. It looks like he's constantly accompanied by the midnight sky.

Jimin blinks, deciding to turn off his power. He doesn't need to see auras all the time. Especially since they're usually always gray or black–meaning the person has come in contact with death or is about to die. 

The man–the vampire–chuckles again. "Is that not obvious? What did you think I was before?" 

Jimin blinks. "I– I don't know." Briefly, he thinks about telling the vampire that he didn't know of the existence of vampires or witches or werewolves or any supernatural creatures at all, that is, when they met for the first time. Of course, he learned a lot in the last decade and he met many other supernaturals and immortals that introduced him to this new life. But this vampire in front of him was the first–no, the second if he counts the crossroad demon–encounter with a supernatural that he remembers. 

The vampire looks even more amused now. "You're not a demon, are you?" 

Jimin shakes his head. "Is that what you thought I am?" 

"Initially," the vampire confirms honestly. "Your face is exactly like that of an incubus. Although I thought you were the cross-road demon I was trying to make a deal with. I let you go back then because demons get nasty if you try to trap them. And I knew his name and how to summon him. I figured I'd just summon him with the help of a warlock and then do business with him." 

"I'm not a demon," Jimin breathes. 

The vampire blinks, quietly studying Jimin. He does so shamelessly, his dark eyes scanning Jimin up and down. 

"You smelled like one on that day though," the vampire points out. He's taking a seat next to Jimin now, sliding into the booth comfortably. Jimin didn't even invite him, but he's inexplicably glad the vampire sat down. 

Jimin doesn't know why, but he immediately feels relaxed in the vampire's remarkably compelling presence. His body is still thrumming with electricity but he doesn't feel scared. Intimidated, yes. He never met a vampire before, they have become rare in the last years. And Jimin has been trying to stay inconspicuous–at least until nobody remembers his name. Although no one probably does anyway. He was a nameless farmer son, his parents and siblings are dead. 

Of course, the problem that occurred when found out about his real heritage still hasn't been resolved. His name–his real name–isn't Lee Jimin. 

But something about the vampire makes his walls fall one by one. He's spread open like a book; all his pages are out for the vampire to read, and maybe it is the liquor, maybe it is the loneliness that has creeped up behind Jimin in the last nine years, but Jimin suddenly finds himself spilling his secrets one by one. 

"I killed that demon," he hears himself saying. "I– I thought I was a human all my life but I found out shortly before that day that I was not my parents' child. They had told me in a fit of rage. The demon–he wanted to make a deal with me. He found me by coincidence as I was walking through the woods, recognized me somehow–probably by the smell of my blood–and lured me in by offering me answers. I was so desperate to find answers because I didn't know who I was, and he said in exchange for something precious to me he would give me answers.

"And he did give me answers. I found out that I am a witch, born to a coven that no longer exists. It got destroyed before my birth."

The vampire leans closer, his eyes never leaving Jimin's lips. He's intrigued by Jimin–or so Jimin believes, hopes. 

"He told me more. And then, eventually, he demanded a price; he wanted to take my soul," Jimin laughs dryly. "And he did." 

"A beginner's mistake," the vampire says wryly, smiling softly at Jimin. It makes Jimin wonder: did the vampire lose his soul to a cross-road demon too? Do vampires even have souls? Should he should ask Seokjin about it? Why else would he react so casually to this? 

Jimin nods, sighing deeply in his belated embarrassment. No witch would ever give their soul away like that; if Jimin had grown up in a coven he would have been shunned for his recklessness. But he's excused since he had absolutely no idea about his true heritage and birthright, and, on top of that, his magical abilities. Now he's living soulless and most of the time he forgets about that tragic fact. He feels no different so far, but Seokjin has told him that he should be careful. There's nothing guarding him, no soul to confine his life essence. He'll be prone to vulnerability all his life. 

"But you didn't let him get away," the vampire concludes. 

"No," Jimin mumbles. "It turns out that I am a death witch and my ancestors are demons–which means the crossroad demon couldn't digest my soul. He spewed it out again, like–" Jimin cringes internally at the memory, "right at my feet."

The vampire stifles a laugh. "Unbelievable. A death witch. I didn't know they still existed." 

"Me neither," Jimin says. "Until that day I didn't even know I wasn't human." 

"I must have scared you," he says carefully. "That was not my intention. I was supposed to meet with the crossroad demon. Business matters. I assume you ran into him because he and I were supposed to meet…" His expression turns apologetic–as if he suddenly feels responsible for what happened to Jimin. 

Jimin feels panic at that. The vampire definitely wasn't at fault. Not at all. He quickly decides to move on, not giving the vampire a chance to speak. 

"I had no clue what was going on," Jimin laughs and he decides it's definitely the liquor that is making him feel so woozy. It's not the vampire's smile or his pitch black eyes that carry a warmth Jimin finds fascinating–they look so inviting, he's beginning to lose himself in them. They look like a bottomless pit and it makes him think about his mother preaching that people with eyes as dark as the night are children of Satan, and that they were bred in some crevice of hell and creeped out of it to torment innocent humans. She couldn't have been more wrong. 

Then again, she probably said that because she suspected all her life what Jimin was. They found him in a ditch, raised him and made him their possession. He supposes they never quite rid themselves of their internal aversion. Humans are usually unsuspecting, naive even, but his mother was one of the rare ones who had been bestowed with an unusual amount of suspicion. She was also the one who told Jimin that he wasn't their biological child. Out of pure spite. 

"But now I know," Jimin adds belatedly. "Now I know what's going on… in the world."

"You're interesting, little witch. I'm glad I found you here," the vampire lets him know and he sounds so genuine, so oddly truthful, Jimin's heart skips a beat. Then he stands up again, smiling at Jimin. 

"You're leaving?" Jimin asks immediately and he hates how sad he sounds, how lonely. He has to ask him more questions, has to know if the vampire really lost his soul too. It dawns on him then; this is the first time he ever had such a great interest in someone else after finding out about himself. His curiosity threatens to burn his throat, that's how intense it is, how uncontainable. 

The vampire nods. "I am meeting someone else–well, I was supposed to meet them thirty minutes ago, but then I saw you sitting here and I just had to find out more. I'm afraid I can't let them wait any longer. That wouldn't do my reputation any good."

"Oh," Jimin breathes, and his heart feels very small then, very stupid and very breakable. He was hoping for something–he doesn't know what–but something that doesn't end in disappointment, and then, ultimately, more loneliness. 

"I'll see you around, little witch," the vampire tells him. "Immortals always find each other again. Don't get into trouble in the meantime, hm?" 

"You won't tell me your name?" Jimin wonders abruptly, his voice cutting the edge of desperation. He hopes the vampire didn't catch it. 

"You haven't told me yours either," the vampire reminds him. Interest shines in his eyes. 

Jimin is intrigued by every single part of him; appearance and personality alike. There's something between them–something enigmatical and indefinable. For now. 

"Oh, right," Jimin retorts. "I'm Jimin," he introduces himself hastily.

"Jimin," the vampire repeats, letting the name melt on his tongue. How come his name sounds like a caress when this man utters it? 

The vampire's smirk grows and Jimin should have known right at that moment that the vampire will always hold a special place in his heart. "I'll tell you mine next time, little witch." 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Jimin has never slept better. Well, ignoring the intense jetlag he has. 

When he woke up at 11am, Jungkook had already been up for about six hours. But this wasn't surprising, the vampire sleeps very little and Jimin has stopped trying to adjust to his sleeping habits. He could use a potion that would reduce his need for sleep, but he'd rather not. And Jungkook always got mad when Jimin tried to do something like that in the past. 

He always finds ways to entertain himself without Jimin anyway. 

This morning, Jimin found a note on the door that said Jungkook was waiting for him downstairs. 

Waiting for you downstairs in the lobby, but take your time, I still need to eat if we want to step on poisonous ground later. 

Ps: Finished the book. Deserves a high rating. Read it. 

Jimin rolled his eyes at the note. Jungkook is very… particular about the food he consumes. Food as in blood. He's picky. But Jimin gets it; if he's making Jungkook come to the Vatican with him then Jungkook should not be hungry or empty of fresh blood. 

All over the world, in basically every city–or just everywhere with a population of vampires and a local clan to oversee everything–exist bloodhouses. Usually they're displayed as secluded bars or little stores so humans won't get suspicious, but in reality they are spaces where vampires can feed in peace. 

You can get blood bags or blood fresh from the source. Most of humanity is clueless about the immortal world, but there are enough who know anyway. You could have a family member who got bitten by a werewolf or a friend who's a witch or a warlock for a teacher. Immortals are everywhere and when they get involved with a human, they make sure to make the human swear secrecy. 

Thankfully, from these enlightened humans there are a lot of them who want to donate their blood to local vampires for the effect the vampire venom has on them when the vampire is feeding. Some get high, others are able to get rid of their anxiety or depression, some have a creative rush, and there's also been documented instances of people getting cured from cancer or other life-threatening diseases.  

They only came into existence after the 17th century and since then they've been proven to be really useful. Jimin still remembers the days where he would catch Jungkook and his clan members inviting large groups of humans to their house and how little of them would still be alive the next day. 

Vampires are apex predators and Jimin never deluded himself into thinking anything else. He has killed too much to even pretend to judge someone else. He's been a soldier in many wars, has cold-bloodedly murdered people, and has let people die even if he could have saved them. 

Things changed a bit in the 17th century when humans started hunting vampires and werewolves and burning witches (although most were human and not actually witches). 

The immortal world was forced to retreat more into the darkness and new methods and institutions were put into place. 

Covens hid their magic with glamor. Vampires started wearing sunlight-rings to go out during the day and avoid speculations. Werewolf packs went back into the mountains. The number of turned vampires and werewolves decreased. Other species were able to hide better among humans. And the fae and the creatures that inhabit their lands never had to worry anyway for humans are defenseless in their territory and rarely wander into it. 

Jungkook, as a born vampire, has no sire or maker–or whatever term you prefer. He has never relied on someone else to introduce him to a world he wasn't born into, but as a high ranking member of the Jeon Clan, Jungkook takes on the responsibility for other young vampires in his clan. Bloodhouses play a huge role in that as they help the young vampire to build a healthy relationship with their new source of food. The desire for blood gets trained and controlled. 

The Jeon Clan has many branches all over the world, but they started in Seoul–exactly where Jimin met Jungkook for the first time in 1522. Nowadays, Jungkook spends most of his time in London, overseeing the clan activities over there. 

He's foster-siring about five vampires at the moment that were abandoned by their original makers. The Council takes these crimes seriously and vampires who abandon their children get severely punished if they get caught. 

Jungkook himself, however, has never made a vampire. He finds it unethical. 

Turned vampires are unable to produce offspring, but Jungkook, as a born vampire, would be able to procreate with another born vampire. Jungkook's mother has been dead since the early 20th century, but his father, who is still the Head of the Jeon Clan since 1489, would love to see Jungkook have children since he is their only son. 

When Jimin was younger, he lived with the clan for a few decades and got intimately accustomed to vampire traditions and culture. Back then, he felt more at home with vampires than with other witches. 

Jimin often accompanies Jungkook to bloodhouses when they are on vacation, so he feels a little sad that Jungkook decided to go alone this morning. But it's okay, it gave him the time to get ready at his own pace and he didn't stress about meeting Jungkook right aways since feeding can sometimes take a little longer if the right human isn't available. 

Eventually he went down to the lobby anyway, choosing to wait there for Jungkook. 

After half an hour, Jungkook strolls back into the lobby in his typical summer clothes; a dress shirt, shorts and loafers. 

He spots Jimin immediately and leisurely walks up to him. 

"I'm supposed to tell you hello from Milo," Jungkook announces instead of wishing Jimin a good morning. 

"She remembers me?!" Jimin squeals. "Oh, dear Satan! Wait a moment– she's in Rome?!" 

Jungkook shrugs casually, acting like this isn't a big deal. 

"You met her at the blood house?!" Jimin continues. "You met her?!" 

The immortal world has many things, just like the mortal world has many things. So the immortal world naturally also has famous musicians and artists. Milo–a vampire singer from Brazil who rose to fame in the late 1800s–just so happens to be Jimin's favorite one. He went to Brazil over twenty times just to see her perform. He learned Portuguese for her. 

He grabs Jungkook's wrists and shakes him. "Why didn't you call me! I would have hurried over! There's no information anywhere that she's in Rome currently! If I had only known–" 

Jungkook smiles appeasingly at him. "She was leaving as I was coming in. But–" 

Jimin groans loudly. He pouts. "But still."

Jungkook raises his brows. "But," he stresses. "She remembered me and consequently remembered you and what you did for her, and… she gave me concert tickets. She's having one this week."

Jimin almost faints. "You're kidding." 

One time, Jimin saved Milo's orange cat Richard, which she lovingly calls Dick most of the time, from dying after he had a large tumor in his stomach. 

It was during a magical event sponsored by the council in the 90s where all the leaders of the most important clans, covens, packs, and other supernaturals were invited. Jimin came as Jungkook's Plus 1, and he only agreed to come because he found out that Milo was performing. 

As fate wanted it, he was able to chat with her after her performance and expressed his deep love for her music. But she seemed sad and like she was having a hard time and he asked her out of sympathy and thus found out about Richard. 

Jimin is no necromancer; he can't bring back people from the dead, he can only save them from it. And he was able to save Richard. Removing a tumor isn't a difficult task. He's also no med-witch; he can't heal wounds and illnesses if they're not bound to end in death. 

Jimin ended up using the same spell on her cat that had been used on his own two cats (Naamah and Mara) after he got them in 1890 through quite a…tragic coincidence. That year, and the incident related to it, really wrecked him but at least he gained two life-long companions. 

Now, Richard is basically an enchanted cat with a little more than seven lives. 

The memory evokes warm feelings in Jimin's chest. 

"I can't believe she's having a concert here and I didn't know," he says dramatically. "What type of fan am I? You're not kidding are you? That would be a really bad joke." 

A smug smirk blooms on Jungkook's face. "I'm not. Also, I think she likes me, she kept–" 

"Oh, who cares! She's way too good for you!" Jimin exclaims teasingly, remembering that Milo did flirt with Jungkook at that event where they met her. "You don't deserve her! She's destined for greater things. Also, I think she has a girlfriend at the moment."

Jungkook considers this. "I mean, I think I'm a good catch…" 

Jimin gives him a questionable look. "For Milo? A literal goddess–" 

The first time he saw Milo performing, Jimin was mourning a failed relationship with a painter who lived in Amsterdam. He had lived with him for a good six months before the painter kicked him out and said he'd marry a woman his family picked for him. Jimin was absolutely devastated and consumed by rage–he might have cast a spell that made the painter's hair fall out. 

Jungkook and he decided to spend their yearly vacation in the city of Amsterdam then, and Jungkook surprised him with the concert to cheer him up. Jimin forgot the painter instantly when he saw Milo singing on stage. Her music is single-handedly the best thing in this universe. Since then he has fervently loved her music and everything that comes with it. 

"Fine, fine," Jungkook caves with a little laugh. 

"Just kidding," Jimin corrects himself, thinking he went too far with his teasing. "You'd be a good catch for literally anyone. As I've been telling you for years now!" 

True, he's been telling Jungkook that. He tried setting him up a few times before, but that never worked and Jimin always had to deal with angry dates that were stood up by Jungkook and an indifferent Jungkook who couldn't care less and kept his opinion that the dating life just wasn't for him. 

"You know how I am, Jimin," Jungkook replies. And with that, the topic gets buried again. Jimin is the one who throws himself into love; Jungkook is the one who actively avoids it. That's how it's always been. 

Jimin clears his throat. "Well, thank you for talking to her and getting tickets. When's the concert?"

"It's in two days," Jungkook says. "There's no way you would have forgiven me if I had just ignored her." 

Jimin lets out a short laugh. "That's true. Anyway, how was breakfast? Did you eat enough for our quest today?" 

"Good. Could have been better. This bloodhouse definitely doesn't compare to the one in London." Jungkook sighs, looking into the distance as if in remembrance of his favorite bloodhouse back at home. 

"That's only because your clan runs it," Jimin chortles. "Don't be too hard on other bloodhouses. I could try to summon some to Rome for you with the help of a dark spirit if you want me to. I know you get cranky when you don't get the extra good blood."

Jungkook waves him off. "That's not necessary. You know I'm just too picky. I'll survive without my favorite blood."

Jimin grins and tickles Jungkook's side. "Picky since day one. My picky vampire."

Jungkook makes a weird sound and finally catches Jimin's hand. "Stop tickling me, you demon!" 

Jimin's mouth falls open in feigned shock. "Did you just call me a demon!" 

"Maybe," Jungkook smirks.

Jimin gasps incredulously. "When I come back from the bathroom I'll actually hex you into a turtle for that comment." 

"Oh, I'm so scared!" 

"I mean it!" Jimin grunts. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

In reality, he just used the bathroom excuse to quickly summon a few vials of blood for Jungkook. He stuffs them into his bag and decides to give them to Jungkook during the next seven days as snacks. He's a caring friend. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

1563, May 2nd

These days, I realize with little shock, my emotions start and end simply with him. A tingling on my skin, a burst of warmth, a lingering feeling of comfort… What more could I want? Can my emotions start and end with one person only? It's a funny thought, isn't it? Why has it not been debunked yet? 

J.J.

1567, July 16th

I wish to start my day with the sound of his voice and the smell of his skin, hair, blood. He smells like he belongs to me and I will never let him go. 

J.J. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

In the span of his overly long, overly tedious, and overly difficult life, Jimin made a lot of theories. 

It's something you do when you have nothing but time–when money is no longer your currency of choice. You become bored, intrinsically and inherently, and nothing can possibly cure that boredom. Some things achieve the desired effect for a split second, but soon enough everything begins to feel like a passing season–the breeze of the wind, the sun's kiss, the earth's grounding embrace. 

So Jimin made it his default to make up a hypothesis whenever he's facing a particularly boring and dreadful passage of his life. Because, really, what other choice does he have than to persevere and wait for time to pass? He's stuck in this life, and he loves it and hates it with everything he has. 

He sits on his little balcony, looking down at mortals who are always hurrying, hurrying, hurrying, and he can only feel endearment and a sense of envy at their constant state of ignorance. Not that mortals have never attempted at securing immortality–almost all of them long for it or have thought about it, fantasized about it in such a perverse way that it disturbs Jimin, but none of them can actually grasp the burden that it is.

Jimin can't blame them–at the beginning, Jimin couldn't fathom it either. 

Though, after all these centuries, the only theory that he hasn't debunked yet is that falling in love with people is miraculously deceiving. 

Contrary to Jungkook–they really are polar opposites, he often muses–Jimin fell in love many times. He was exceptionally hopeless when it came to humans that possessed a sense of belonging among the artists of this world; painters, poets (especially poets, Hell, he can still hear Jungkook teasing him for this), dancers, singers, and actors. In a way, he fulfills another stereotype that is associated with immortality: he can't keep his hands off the tragic beauty that only artists can encompass and execute. 

He was only drawn to humans after immortals had already disappointed him. Loving an immortal seemed intimidating and unattainable after Jimin's first serious heartbreak. 

Loving humans, however, gave him the false impression that he could live vicariously through them. And that worked for the first few centuries of his life when  he was still young and vibrant enough himself to relate to the various short-lived emotions and experiences mortals make in their life. He was still able to recall his own life where he perceived himself as a mortal, so he was able to mold himself into someone that would mirror the mortal's expectations. Their desires and dreams were exclusively of extraordinary nature–they tend to fall for Jimin because they thought he would be able to obtain these wishes for them. 

This always ended badly; most of the time, Jimin was left heartbroken, a shattered vase and a rotten flower, and he never saw the mortal again as they always left him first. It was rare that he was the one to end the relationship. He got attached, clung to their mortality–this very taste of life–until the last second. But sooner rather than later they were all done with him. 

You're not mourning them, Jimin. You're mourning the way they made you feel alive, Jungkook once said to him after an especially bad breakup. Which is stupid. Their lives are only a speck of dust in comparison to ours. Why do you rely on them so much? 

Jimin had just gotten the notice that a woman, a young sculptor who saw Jimin as her Muse, had been killed in a tragic accident after she had told him she would be moving to Italy, leaving Jimin, the day prior. So, in a wicked sense, the breakup wasn't really a breakup but just a life-separated-us sort of moment. Jimin was inconsolable anyway. 

It was 1777, and he was through and through melancholic, and heavily into the German literary movement 'Sturm und Drang'; the individual and their emotions were the centers of attention as opposed to the rationality that the Age of Enlightenment was trying to spread. The poets and authors were searching for a genius–a person capable of achieving anything just by acquiring more and more knowledge from every area of life. 

And, naturally, he gravitated to Jungkook at that time. Jungkook, who never let himself get involved with mortals in the same way Jimin did. Not that he never had mortal lovers–in fact, he did; many of them in all parts of the world. But it was purely physical, that much Jimin always knew. He visited them on his trips for the clan as an ambassador or later on trips for the council as an investigator. Jimin never even knew any of them by name. 

Jungkook didn't mourn them when they died, didn't regret his superficial relationship with them. His utter indifference was nothing short of impressive.

But how could I not? I loved her, Jimin had whined, drunk on some liquor that he, for the love of Satan, can't even remember. 

Jungkook never had much sympathy for him when they discussed this topic. And Jimin can't blame him; it seemed like Jungkook knew so much better how to navigate an immortal life, how to make sure he doesn't make mistakes that will leave him grieving a meaningless thing. Jimin knows Jungkook wanted to teach him how to reach the same absolute lack of sympathy for mortals that he has, but Jimin could never quite allow himself to go down that road. For a death witch, he was awfully fascinated by life and irrationally scared of death. 

Maybe you shouldn't, you know… love them, as I've been telling you for years, Jungkook had retorted, already tired of Jimin's antics. Jimin knew then he was going to leave any minute, would leave Jimin alone so he could wallow in his self-pity. He never stayed long when emotions were involved. 

He, as the constant polar opposite of Jimin, loved the age of enlightenment. The clarity it brought, the routine and the structure. Of course, not the fact that most ideas were based on the favoritism of the catholic church and the monarchy. 

Immortals just don't believe in the concept of monotheistic religions. Jungkook mostly enjoyed the philosophical movement of that age, and Jimin can't blame him, he always kept track of the philosophical ideas humanity brought forward. The new formation that came once every few decades was always a sign of a new age. 

Jimin still hated Jungkook for his disdain for love. How could he be so afraid of the only thing that keeps them bound to life? How can he always flee when it gets hard? How can he push his emotions away? Or, even worse; how can he pretend to not feel any? 

Just because you can't allow yourself to love doesn't mean I should do the same, Jimin had snapped at him. 

Jungkook had only looked even more tired after that. Even sicker of this meaningless quarrel about love and feelings that he always engages in against his will. I didn't say you shouldn't love, I merely said you shouldn't love mortals. They are disappointing, Jimin. I can't wait for the day when you finally realize this. 

He had left right after–just like Jimin had predicted. They never talked about this instance again, but sometimes Jimin lays awake at night, recalling his face when he said that–there was something in his eyes that day that gave Jimin the impression he knew something Jimin didn't, as though he had figured out the key of walking through life without getting hurt while still embracing the many wonders life has to offer. 

He had called mortals disappointing, and he had done so in many instances. Mortals don't live long enough to fully evolve, Jimin. They have an expiration date. 

Jimin never corrected him, though he didn't necessarily agree with this unfair opinion either. 

Mortals aren't any less disappointing than immortals. Their lives are small, they're a lot like little ants–unaware but still intelligent. But the way they live is never disappointing. It's the fact that they die, that is what is utterly disappointing to Jimin. Yet, it is the thing that he loves most about them too–without death, they wouldn't be so vibrant, so bright. A lovely paradox, isn't it? 

Mortality is like the flame of a candle; it flickers, it can extinguish, it can burn bright, but once the wax is gone there's no redeeming, no fixing. Immortality is different, obviously. It is a chain around your heart, a fog that lays over your emotions, a constant friend and enemy. 

Although you are never alone because immortality keeps you company, you are always lonely, always getting more hollow the longer you live. 

That is why Jimin always threw himself into love–the true embodiment of someone that never loses the hope that love could be the cure for all illnesses there is, mental and physical alike. Being in love means reinventing yourself, discovering new things, and with a few centuries on your back, it is the only thing that keeps you going. 

The good thing about love is that it never loses its allure. It is always intrinsically the same; it's the subtle warmth spreading under his skin, exploding into a swarm of butterflies once he becomes fully aware of it. He falls over and over, a constant chase of the next high, the next kick of adrenaline. 

In a way, he's an addict, a junkie, and if he wasn't immortal then he would have surely tried to numb his senses with aphrodisiacs or alcohol, but those have lost their appeal centuries ago, even with the new inventions these days. The only thing that never became dull, is the prospect of being so wholly in love that the entire world gets bathed in a different light. The original painting gets covered by a new one. 

A collector, Jungkook called him once. It wasn't a compliment, he said it with disdain, with disapproval. And maybe with an ounce of concern. But why would Jimin listen to him, who has never once viewed love as something other than distasteful? Oh, they've had so many debates about this and Jimin always retreated as the loser–partially because he hates confrontation, and miraculously managed to remain horrible at it even after having centuries to practice it, and partially due to the fact that trying to change Jungkook's mind is as hopeless as trying to move a mountain. 

Call him a collector, a whore, or a fool, it won't ever prevent him from giving his heart away to people and then demanding their hearts in return. Yes, he loved easily, but he was never so naive as to love them without demanding something in return. Perhaps he was wrong for that. 

He never loved someone completely selflessly after deeply regretting the first time he fell in love and gave himself away as freely as a martyr would. The scars run deep, and most scars don't fade. 

In his mind, he always viewed love as some kind of exchange both people could benefit from. Loving someone without a reassurance, without some sort of leverage–that seemed increasingly more stupid the longer he lived. 

He did it once and then never again. 

For some reason, his mind is filled with those sorts of thoughts as they reach the Vatican city. 

Rome is a crowded place. Tourists are everywhere. Jimin also sees a lot of fairies flying around, drawn to the antique and ancient places of this city. 

Additionally, as it always happens with them, they fall into a comfortable routine that benefits both of them at the same time. Jimin makes suggestions; Jungkook picks out of them. Jimin guides them around using his excellent memory (aka google maps) if they enter an area of the city that isn't familiar to them; Jungkook follows him obediently. Jimin says he wants to take pictures; Jungkook does his absolute best to operate a phone (the pictures always look absolutely hilarious–Jungkook hasn't quite grasped the concept of an inner and outer camera yet). 

It’s fun. It's exactly how most of their vacations look like, and yet…Jimin just cannot shake the feeling that something is different. Not fundamentally so, but in a subtle and slow-building way. Looking back, it's scary to know that he felt like this from the first day on. His instincts didn't fail him, he was simply not alarmed enough. 

The first time Jimin feels it–that easily dismissible feeling of misfortune–Jungkook and he are entering the Basilica di San Pietro and Jungkook promptly starts coughing next to him. 

The most logical explanation and the correct one is that It’s a side effect of stepping onto holy ground for vampires–they get sick and feel like their lungs are filling with water; they basically drown inside of their own body if they don't remove themselves out of the place quick enough. Well, the young ones anyway. Jungkook, however, since he is already much over a century old, has learned how to deal with the ill-becoming disadvantages of entering holy soil; he gets a special potion from Jimin that will protect him from any holy energy (Jimin made them back at home in Seoul and carries them around in his purse just to be prepared at all times) and then he drinks three to five bags of blood (gotta stay hydrated, right?) and is ready to go. All it takes is a bit of willpower and the vampire can enter a church. 

“I hate the way it smells,” he complains every time–now, as they walk around the large place, too. 

“Let’s make it quick then, okay?” Jimin says softly, knowing that Jungkook only takes this upon him because he wants to accompany him. “If it’s too much, I can also go through the museums alone. I won't stay long–”

“No, not this time, I want to go with you,” Jungkook says sternly, grabbing Jimin by the hand and pulling him away from the inside of the Basilica. 

“Are we not going up to the top?” Jimin asks, looking over his shoulder longingly.

“Jimin, you are still scared of heights,” Jungkook points out, shooting Jimin a pointed look.

Jimin pouts, but Jungkook is right–Jimin is awfully scared of heights and he stupidly seems to forget about it every time he has the distant opportunity to climb some dangerously large building or mountain. A remnant of his past recklessness perhaps?

"But–" 

"No buts," Jungkook says. "We will go and check out all of the statues, paintings, sculptures, and tapestries that were made of you. I will send a picture to all of my colleagues and clan members and tell them, look, that's my best friend! He was obsessed with seducing humans to write himself into history–" 

Jimin rips his hand out of Jungkook's and slightly pushes him away. "Shut up, you don't even know how to send pictures on your phone!" 

He's suddenly a little embarrassed about his past. Jungkook just loves to tease him about it and he's unfortunately the only person who still manages to really get on Jimin's nerves. Others are easy to tune out and he can brush off their remarks with a mere wave of his hand and a complacent smile, but with Jungkook he gets shy and feels exposed. It's inevitable; he blushes. 

Jungkook smirks triumphantly. "I'll send fire messages. That I can do."

"I hate you," Jimin says flatly.

"You loooove me." 

The bickering goes on until they finally, after waiting for a whole hour to get into the museums, arrive at the first stop; a tapestry that depicts a map of the world, and on that map, the five magical portals are all marked with a symbol–Jimin's symbol. It's a simple design that he made up once to fool the Head Alpha of a werewolf pack into believing his lies about having clairvoyant abilities. Jimin has absolutely none, but a lot of rumors wander around in the immortal community about his abilities, and usually witches or seers with clairvoyant abilities have a personal symbol that will show up at random times and random places. 

For Jimin, it was a simple star at that  moment. He wasn't able to think of anything better at that moment. And the Head Alpha had to believe that Jimin's comment about his son, and future heir to the pack, was the truth. 

From then on, he often used the little star as his choice of identification–it was inconspicuous enough to not lure people in and what if the Head Alpha had required his abilities again in the future? Thank Satan in Hell, he didn't ever reach out to Jimin again. His son apparently became a good Alpha–just like Jimin had falsely predicted on a whim. 

So he kept the star and to this day, a faded, nondescript star on a painting, a manuscript, a tapestry, or even somewhere in a church or antique building will not make anyone wonder. 

Jimin is the only one who knows. Well, and Jungkook. 

But Jungkook isn't looking at the beautiful tapestry that was made for Jimin at the order of a Prince that was in love with him in the 17th century, no, he's coughing again. And Jimin's chest pulls together uncomfortably. 

"Did you not drink enough blood?" Jimin asks, growing more concerned. 

"Jimin," Jungkook presses out. "I'm fine. It's nothing."

Jimin wouldn't be a witch if he wasn't able to interpret bad omens, and coughing is definitely one. Or at least right now Jimin takes it as one. 

"You're usually not this easily affected," Jimin says. "I don't think this is right."

“I’m fine,” Jungkook grits out again. 

Jimin gives him another concerned look but decides to let it go. Jungkook will inform him early enough if he’s feeling too unwell. 

The entire afternoon he waits for Jungkook to say it's getting too much for him, but the vampire acts like nothing is wrong. Jimin has no choice but to believe him. 

And yet the weird feeling that has crept  into his bones doesn't disappear when they leave the Vatican City.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

There's something about Rome that gives you the impression of it being almost oppressively sad; it's the museum-esque feeling everywhere you go, the million fragments of the past which are seemingly inescapable. It's a city where the past has been meticulously maintained, glorified, and romanticized up until it no longer seems so scary. There's an abundance of beauty scattered around the city, numerous places that everyone in the world considers irreplaceable, and that you have to see with your own two unworthy eyes once in your life. 

The city eats you alive, forces you to stare beauty into the eye and quiver in front of it. 

Jimin feels alive in Rome. He feels like there's a connection between the past, the present, and the future through the way this city has been kept. Here, nothing will change tremendously–it will stay the same, simply because it's too good to be changed or altered. For once, there's no need to. 

So Jimin and Jungkook–and a ton of other immortals who still mourn the past in their own ways–feel infinitely at ease in a city like Rome. 

Hence, days three and four go by in a relatively pleasant atmosphere. The only thing out of order is that he's been noticing more and more weird things. 

In the morning he wakes up and catches Jungkook sending a fire message by burning a paper in the middle of the room. When he asks him what it was about, Jungkook brushes him off and fumbles some excuse about Council work. Jimin doesn't feel inclined to believe him. But it might just be nothing, right? He's overreacting, right? 

The second thing he notices is the way Jungkook looks around places when they're outside to do some sightseeing. Like he's almost expecting to run into someone. When Jimin brings it up, Jungkook frowns and with an incredulous laugh says, "What? What are you talking about?" 

After that, Jimin decides he's probably just misinterpreting everything. He's being unfair. He suppresses his thoughts. 

They try to visit basically every tourist attraction and spend a few minutes or hours there. Since they've seen everything at least once already in the last centuries, they don't feel compelled to compete with all the other tourists for good picture spots or be first in line for something. 

They enjoy their time leisurely and with complete patience. They–or rather Jimin–eat tasty things all day while Jungkook enjoys a coffee or a cool drink (with some blood in it to make it enjoyable. Jimin made a good decision to summon the blood for Jungkook, his eyes light up like stars when he pulls them out every time) and they chat about all kinds of things. 

When you've been friends for basically all your life, it’s easy to talk about the same kind of stories over and over again. Sometimes there’s just no other subject of interest. 

On day three they recall the, as Jimin calls it, fishing incident. In 1963, Jungkook took him fishing in some desolate lake somewhere in Canada and had the audacity to push Jimin off the boat as a joke. Jimin never really forgave him for that incident and Jungkook enjoys how worked up Jimin gets whenever they talk about it. It ends in pointless bickering. Especially when Jungkook points out that Jimin was able to just cast a spell that dried his clothes immediately (“But I was still wet for a good five minutes!”). 

They mainly walk around the city since everything is walkable and very close together. 

On day four their feet carry them to the trevi fountain again even though they already came here yesterday, and, as always, it's heavily crowded, people are staring in awe at the monument. 

Jimin isn't immune to the beauty of architecture so he allows himself to admire the fountain for a moment. Jungkook lingers next to him, not urging Jimin. They joke about the desperate people taking pictures in front of it and Jimin thinks it's only worse in front of the Eiffel tower in Paris. 

"We should go to Paris again soon," Jimin mentions casually. 

"Sure. Paris is nice. Has one thing in common with Rome, though." 

"What?" 

"They both smell like pee." 

Jimin topples over to laugh wholeheartedly. Jungkook isn't wrong about that. After he finishes laughing Jimin holds up a hand. "Wait– I think my ex might still be alive. What if I run into her in Paris?"

Jungkook blinks at him in disbelief. "Paris, Jimin, is a very huge city." 

Jimin sucks in a harsh breath between his teeth. "Don't you think my unearthly beauty sticks out in every city of this world, no matter how many people it has?" 

Jungkook rolls his eyes so hard, Jimin calls out, "Be careful! They could get stuck!" 

Jungkook leaves him standing at the Trevi Fountain, quickly walking away. 

"Are you embarrassed of me?" Jimin yells after him as loud as possible, making sure all the attention is on him and Jungkook. 

Jungkook only walks faster. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

On the evening of day 4, it's finally time for Milo's concert. 

Jimin picks out his best outfit from the clothes he brought with him and tries to force Jungkook to wear a crop top with the excuse that only sexy people can go to Milo's concert. Jungkook argues he's already sexy enough and Jimin, unfortunately, has to drop the attempt then, unable to deny that statement. 

In the end, Jungkook does look quite…sexy. He styled his hair back to reveal his forehead and threw on a dark blouse and slacks that fit his lean body perfectly. 

"Do you work out these days?" Jimin blurts. "You look like Superman."

"Like who?" Jungkook asks, blinking in confusion. 

"Nevermind." 

"I mean, I workout with the babies these days," Jungkook tells him. 

"The babies," Jimin repeats. "It's so cute how you call them that."

"I mean, they are babies," Jungkook protests. "Baby vampires. They have a lot of extra energy, working out helps them."

"You're so good to them, I'm sure they're glad they have you," Jimin compliments. Jungkook began foster-siring vampires at the beginning of the 19th century. There was a turned vampire who got abandoned by his maker and he ran loose, accidentally murdering a ton of humans. Jungkook got assigned to his case and also decided to take responsibility for the young vampire after empathizing with his situation. He accepted him into his own clan and helped him adjust to his new identity. 

It turned into a common thing after that. Paved the way for other clans to do the same. 

"Ahh, they don't really need me anymore," Jungkook says. "They've been with us for a good decade now."

"There haven't been any new ones?" Jimin questions. 

"Not recently." 

"I should visit the clan again soon, I bet people already forgot who I am." 

"If you show up looking like this, my clan members will think you're an ambassador from the fae," Jungkook jokes, pointing at Jimin's colorful outfit. 

"That's how you dress to a concert, you fossil!" Jimin says defensively.

"I was just joking," Jungkook apologizes. "And you're always welcome to visit the clan. A lot of people will remember you. I get asked about you all the time by those who were alive when you lived with us. Ana, Junghwa, Marcus, Taesol…" 

"And what do you tell them?" 

Jungkook grins mischievously. "That I don't share you." 

Jimin's heart skips a beat for all the wrong reasons. "Didn't know you were this jealous. I can't have other vampire friends besides you?" 

Jungkook shrugs as if this wasn't a big deal. As if he didn't just say something so heartstopping. 

Jimin loves and hates it when Jungkook gets like this; possessiveness is a relatively normal thing in vampire culture. They protect what is theirs and don't like to share it. And Jimin is his friend, it's as easy as that. Jimin loves it because it makes him feel a sense of belonging, but he also hates it because it evokes feelings inside of him that are not appropriate. 

"Remember when you made my sunlight ring and they all wanted one from you too?" Jungkook holds up his hand where his sunlight ring has been stuck on his ring finger since the beginning of the 17th century. "You gave it to me as a present before you left for Europe." 

Jimin remembers the day like it was yesterday; he was in a bad place back then, but he couldn't just leave Jungkook in Korea without leaving something behind. "Yeah, and you said that they should search for a different witch." 

"Exactly. You're my witch," Jungkook stresses. "I claimed you in 1534 at my birthday party."

Jimin snorts, but his cheeks reveal how he really feels. "That sounds so wrong." 

Jungkook shrugs casually. He gives Jimin a little grin. "Vampire terminology. You have to be very clear about everything. "

"Hmmm, got it, bloodsucker. Should I thank you for never drinking my blood?" Jimin says teasingly. 

"Ah, I don't feel like eating my friends most of the time," Jungkook retorts. 

"So considerate of you." 

"Right?" 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Jimin's absolute dream comes true when he actually meets Milo backstage after her phenomenal concert. 

Another surprise Jungkook didn't tell him about. Apparently, he asked her when he ran into her at the bloodhouse and she agreed. He didn't tell Jimin about it on purpose, that freaking sadist. He just wants to see Jimin suffer. 

And Jimin is suffering. He's close to having a nervous breakdown as one of Milo's bulky bodyguards guides them backstage. He grips Jungkook's biceps so hard his knuckles turn white. 

"I swear to God why didn't you tell me about this before the concert," Jimin hisses. "I need mental preparation. I'm going to die. And I'm sweaty; I probably look like I just ran a marathon." 

"It's so bad that you bring him into this?" Jungkook whispers back, definitely enjoying Jimin's crisis.

"Yes, because I can say his name," Jimin replies sassily, knowing Jungkook is referring to Jimin mentioning God. 

"Names are overrated." 

"To you!" 

"Give me another century, then I'll be able to say it," Jungkook promises. Vampires aren't able to take God's name into their mouths. At least 99% of vampires. No one really knows why some are able to say it and some aren't. The rule is that turned vampires can never say it again, but born vampires sometimes have the ability to say it freely. Jungkook doesn't. Not because he believes in God per se, but probably because he believes in deities. Those have no names, however. Instead, they embody concepts like Death and Time, Sadness and Happiness. 

"You've been trying since I met you. I think you should give up." 

"You know I never give up–" 

Jimin interrupts him with incoherent rambling after the bodyguard opens a door and right behind that door is Milo, smiling brightly at Jimin. 

"Oh fuck, oh holy shit, oh Sweet Cauldron–" 

"Hi!" Milo calls out happily, rushing forward to give Jimin a hug. 

Jimin swears he almost faints for real that time.

"It's so nice to see you again!" she says sweetly. "I'm so glad you came!" 

"M-me too," Jimin stutters out clumsily.

Jungkook snorts behind him and Jimin kicks him in the shin for it. "The concert was amazing," Jimin says dreamily. "I loved it so much."

"Oh, really? I was so worried. I'm always worried before performances even though I've been doing this for a while now." 

"It was flawless as always. I can't believe I didn't know that this was the first stop on your world tour! I got so lucky; I would have missed the concert if it wasn't for Jungkook!" 

Milo acknowledges Jungkook for the first time after that comment. "I was actually surprised when Jungkook r–" 

Jungkook butts in unexpectedly. He lets out a nervous laugh. "Ah, it was nothing. I just knew I had to ask when I saw you at the bloodhouse."

Jimin frowns a little at the weird exchange. Is there something he's not understanding? 

Milo gives Jungkook a side-eye, but then slowly says, "So true, yeah. It was such a nice coincidence to see you there. Yeah." 

Jimin laughs awkwardly, not knowing what he should say. Changing the subject might be better. "I'll treasure the memory of this concert forever. Thank you so much." 

"Ah, I'm glad you enjoyed it," Milo smiles. "You should come to my next one in Barcelona! I could get you VIP tickets." 

Jimin almost squeals in excitement but is able to suppress it at the last moment. "That– that would be amazing. It's so hard to get tickets these days, you're so popular and I'm always too late, and–" 

He throws a hand over his mouth. "Sorry, I'm rambling." 

Jungkook snickers next to him. His hand sneaks around Jimin's waist. And suddenly Jimin's attention is somewhere else, sorry Milo. He feels his cheeks getting hot and he instinctively scoots a bit closer to Jungkook. 

"I'll definitely get you those tickets," Milo assures him. "My assistant will send them to you, no worries." 

"I'll be forever grateful," Jimin says in complete awe. 

"Nooo, I'm still grateful for what you did for me! Richard has been doing great since you did that little spell on him. I can't thank you enough." 

"Oh, it was nothing, really," Jimin says shyly. He's really trying his best to not call Jungkook out for the unprompted physical contact because, really, since when does he do this kind of stuff? It's not like he's gripping Jimin's waist, it's more of a loose hold but…

Jimin can't think clearly anyway. Jungkook's hand is cold against his body and Jimin isn't used to the feeling of his hand touching him there. It feels possessive. Vampire things , Jimin thinks idly, internally laughing at himself. Why am I freaking out for no reason? 

When they're about to leave, Milo calls out, "Good luck you two!" and Jimin almost sends her a confusing look. Why would they need good luck? 

When they're far enough away, Jungkook says, "It's always funny seeing you like that. Your cheeks were as red as apples." 

"Oh, shut up!" Jimin exclaims, feeling slightly embarrassed. 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

After leaving the venue they actually manage to find a small restaurant which is still open and willing to sell Jimin food. 

They sit down and Jimin immediately orders pasta. He also hands Jungkook the last vial of blood he was carrying around for him. 

"Oh, that wasn't necessary," Jungkook says, surprised. "Where did you even get this from? I mean– you've been carrying them around for two days already, I don't know why I haven't asked yet."

Jimin shrugs him off. "I'm a witch."

"Thanks Jimin, I'll…should I go to the bathroom to drink it? There are people here." 

Jimin looks around. "Let me just throw some glamor on you, then you can just drink it here and no one will pay attention to it."

"Thank you," Jungkook mumbles. "Now I'm making you cast spells even though you said you didn't want to cast any this summer."

"Please, you know I was kidding," Jimin protests. He's been casting small spells everyday, but he won't let Jungkook know. Jimin's a witch, and witches have to use their magic almost everyday to feel cosmically balanced. But performing death magic is a difficult task to do everyday, so Jimin has tried getting better at other kinds of magic to keep himself balanced.  

He frowns at Jungkook after a moment. His silence just seems so…unnatural. 

"Are you feeling unwell?" 

They both know Jimin isn't referring to his physical well-being because vampires don't get sick. 

Jungkook waits for a heartbeat before he replies. He looks at his hands, fighting for the right words. "I'm just thoughtful."

"You wanna talk about it?" Jimin asks carefully. 

"It's nothing, really," Jungkook brushes him off. "I'm just too stuck in my own head these days. I had no one to talk to so I had to improvise. Suppose it turned into inner monologues." 

Jimin tsks. "This is why I keep telling you to learn how to use a phone. You could call me everyday and we could talk!" 

Jungkook looks at him apologetically. "You're right." 

Jimin shakes his head. "I don't want you to get lonely, Jungkook." 

He means it. Getting lonely is a scary thing and Jimin tries his best to not get affected by it. But immortality always guarantees three things; change, no change, and loneliness. 

"I'm not lonely," Jungkook says, laughing as if getting lonely would be an impossible thing to happen for him. 

Jimin raises his eyebrows. "Everyone gets lonely."

Jungkook's expression hardens. Jimin decides to back off. He's not in the mood for arguing or ruining the atmosphere. He'll be suffering from post concert depression tomorrow anyway. 

"If you say so," Jimin shrugs, and with that, the conversation ends. 

It's like he already said; Jungkook lies a little too often and Jimin always believes his lies. They dance around each other like two predators trying to catch the same prey. Who will be the first one to attack? Who will back off? How far will they go? 

Fortunately, Jimin's food comes and it offers some distraction. Jungkook drinks his blood induced lemon-squash. They don't talk for a while. 

Jimin truly does his best to not voice his concern. He knows from experience that pressuring Jungkook to open up will only do the opposite. He'll come to Jimin once he's ready. Hopefully. 

Sometimes Jimin thinks Jungkook is scared of his reactions. As if his innermost thoughts would shock Jimin and make him reconsider their bond. But that's Jimin's guess. Jungkook hasn't actually admitted that. 

Jimin is about to bring his fork to his mouth when he hears Jungkook clearing his throat, and suddenly he thinks the moment has come; Jungkook will finally tell him why he's been so distant, so secretive. Why his entire aura seems off. Why he looks at Jimin like he has to carve his face into his memory. 

Jimin thought he was just overreacting but this moment might prove he was right. But it's not really about that anyway. It's about Jungkook possibly suffering in silence while acting like everything is fine towards Jimin. 

For the first time in forever, Jungkook not only looks like he wants to open up, he actually looks vulnerable. Jimin knows the difference between those two emotions very well. 

"Jimin, you know… if we ever– if– if–" he starts. 

Jimin lifts his gaze and waits patiently for Jungkook to finish his question. "Yes?" 

Jungkook huffs out an annoyed breath, frustration over himself filling his eyes. "It's nothing." 

"No, tell me, what is it?" he asks immediately, and he hates how a bad feeling settles in his chest. Jungkook was about to say something important, he can't just stop now. Not everything has to be bad , Jimin . It's probably nothing. Why am I overreacting?  

Jungkook takes a deep breath and his eyes look somewhere else, somewhere into the distance where Jimin can't follow him. His heart screams out in protest, and he wishes he could join Jungkook in his innermost thoughts, take them apart for him and place them on his tongue one by one, helping him with expressing them. He so desperately wants to hear them, and it's so rare for Jungkook to grant him access. 

"I just– I was thinking about us, and about the time we spent together," he says. "And then I thought about the future and… I guess I just jumped to conclusions."

"What do you mean?" 

Jungkook's gaze turns to him. Jimin's blood freezes. The look–the absolution shimmering in his dark, starstruck eyes–has Jimin almost gasping for air. 

"Do you think something could ever change between us?" Jungkook asks him, sounding like he genuinely wants to know. Has he been thinking about that all week? Is that it? 

Jimin swallows. No , he thinks. "No," he says out loud. "Nothing could ever change between us. I promise." 

How can he make Jungkook believe that he would never put anything before their friendship? This comes first. At all times. 

"I see," Jungkook whispers, and something in his expression changes. 

If Jungkook is afraid something could change between them, then why does it seem like Jimin's answer disappointed him, broke something inside of him? 

Why does it feel like Jimin said the wrong thing? 

"Jungkook," Jimin says sharply. "Nothing could ever tear us apart. I mean–you really think I would abandon you? I could never do that. Never. You're– you– you're the most important person in my life, you're my best friend , the only person I trust. You know that, right?" 

Jungkook smiles. But it's a sad smile, a pained, forced one. It doesn't reach his eyes. It gets stuck at his lips.

"I know, Jimin," Jungkook says sadly. "I didn't mean anything by it. You seem unsettled, trust me, love, that wasn't my intention. You know I hate seeing you worried."

Jimin pouts at him. "Don't call me love."

"Fine," Jungkook caves, eyes flashing. He tugs at Jimin's heart with a simple look, pulling the strings one by one. 

"You can't worry me for no reason and then be sweet to me," Jimin sniffles theatrically. 

"Sorry, it's who I am, bitter and then sweet again," Jungkook says nonchalantly, leaning back in his chair. The light in the restaurant makes his skin look golden–like a sacred artifact. 

"You have a horrible personality, you only said that because I named my cats bitter and sweet," Jimin complains, playing butthurt. He pouts even harder and crosses his arms. 

"You've survived centuries with this face by your side and this horrible personality keeping you company. What does that say about your taste in friends? And, more importantly, about your taste in cat names?" 

"Come on, Naamah and Mara are great names!" 

Jungkook gives him a blank stare. 

Jimin wants to stop the chuckle from leaving his mouth, but then he comes too late; a small laugh escapes his mouth and Jungkook's face lights up in victory. 

"Don't sulk," Jungkook says playfully. "I always make you laugh with my horrible horrible personality." 

Jimin holds up one hand and tries to keep in his laughter. 

"Look, I wouldn't be fun as a turtle," Jungkook keeps going, bringing up the first day of the vacation where Jimin joked about hexing him into a turtle. "Would I be able to make you laugh this much as a turtle?" 

Jimin has to hold his stomach. "Don't–" he starts. 

"I'd definitely poop on your bed," Jungkook sighs. "Wait– what does turtle poop look like? Hell, I've never thought about that! Can you look it up with that little electronic device you so desperately want me to master? I'm telling you, these things don't like me, I always somehow mess up–" 

Jimin's stomach hurts so bad at the end of the evening, he'll probably be sore tomorrow. 

However, that night, after falling into bed, both of them equally exhausted from the concert and the entire day, Jimin imagines feeling Jungkook scoot a bit closer shortly before sleep falls upon him and numbs his senses. He thinks he imagines Jungkook's body almost touching his, the very presence of him creeping so close that Jimin's body instinctively relaxes. 

He must have imagined it–Jungkook doesn't move in his sleep. He would never come so close to Jimin, breaching his privacy. They've been friends for centuries and perhaps there's been times when  Jimin crossed the line and hugged Jungkook a bit too long, but Jungkook–even though this might sound unbelievable–has never initiated physical contact much. They hug, they kiss each other on the cheek from time to time before parting for yet another dreadfully long year, but they've never gone further. 

There's an invisible wall between them. It's being held up by nothing but fear–fear that if one of them ever crosses it, they won't only tear down the wall but the foundation of their friendship itself. 

And if that is destroyed, who can promise that something will be left? 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

1756, October 25th

I was once convinced the way I feel about certain things would never change. What use is it to experience the things mortals worship? Immortality doesn't work like that. I am alive simply because I want to be. It's a deliberate choice, isn't it? Do I have to do more? Do I need to love like he does? Isn't it a complete waste of time and other precious things? Then, I ask myself this repeatedly and at the worst of times; don't I just hope he'd love me like he loves others? Then, I ask myself this too, with eternal shame and regret; what makes me think I'm more deserving of his unconditional love than those unknowing mortals are? And then I also ask myself this: doesn't he already love me? 

Why am I so greedy for more? 

J.J.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

After his unfortunate encounter with the crossroad demon, who so stupidly managed to steal his soul and spit it out a second later right at Jimin's feet, and then also had the audacity to disappear in a huge cloud of white fog, Jimin was in a bit of a dilemma. He couldn't return home, for home no longer existed; there was no way he would go back to his foster parents. They would probably whip him until his back was bloody and his skin was hanging off of his bones for running away from home. 

But he also didn't have anywhere else to go. He didn't know anything besides the little village he lived in all his life. He had heard of larger cities, of wealth so great it would make commoners go blind, of Gods blessing people with eternal health and fortune, but he had never heard of demons before. Of damnation. Of witches. 

That's what he was. That's what the demon told him. That's what his own blood was telling him. 

Whispers clouded his mind as he was fleeing from the scene. Whispers that told him they were his ancestors and his powers had been activated after the demon stole his soul, died, and got sent back to his birth-dimension from consuming it. 

Jimin was inconsolable and completely alone in the entire world. After he ran into Jungkook, the realization that the world was much more dangerous than he ever knew only took on a clearer shape inside his mind.

However, the universe had some sort of mercy on him and sent him Seokjin. 

To this day, Seokjin claims he had a vision of Jimin walking through the forest, looking like a baby deer whose mother died at the hand of human hunters–or rather at the hand of their sharp arrows who pierce through flesh easily. 

It wasn't the only vision Seokjin had throughout the time Jimin spent with him–which was sometimes months, sometimes years, and sometimes only days–but it was Seokjin's favorite one that he used as his preferred anecdote for dinners and other social events. Especially on birthdays–Jimin's birthdays, to be precise. 

As the Head Witch of one of the most powerful covens in the world–the coven of the Green Witches–Seokjin has many connections, many benefits, many obligations (that he likes to ignore)–although when he found Jimin, he hadn't acquired that position yet. He was still a mere novice, someone with a lot of potential that had yet to be realized and harvested. But he surprisingly saw the same in Jimin, and a friendship/mentorship/partnership developed between them. 

It was Seokjin who introduced him to the magical world, who helped him find a way to connect with his abilities, who taught him his first spells, who helped him brew his first potion, and who also gifted him his first cauldron (it unfortunately got destroyed some time in the 1700s). They were essential back then, these days Jimin loves to just use random buckets or pots, those work just fine as well. He also has a few cauldrons made of very fine materials; he has one made completely out of obsidian, another one out of demon-stone, and yet another one out of wood from the Acastiia tree that only grows in the fae lands. 

The last one, as one could have easily predicted, was a gift from Taehyung. He sent it after their fake engagement broke apart and Jimin got tangled up in a huge scandal with the fae prince. 

But his first cauldron was always his favorite. 

The first words he ever said to Seokjin were, Don't touch me, I lost my soul! He was convinced that not having a soul means eternal doom and that anyone who touches him would fall victim to it too. The idea of a soul alone was something so foreign, he wasn't able to comprehend any of it fully. 

Seokjin had cruelly laughed at him and had told him, Don't worry, your kind doesn't need one anyway. 

The words had been the most comforting Jimin had ever heard in his life. You could live a life without something as vital as a soul? Consider Jimin hooked. And, really, his life had been a life full of misery, malice, and misfortune up to that point, hence Seokjin's words. Even if they had been uttered in a moment of pure amusement on his side, the words had soothed Jimin's wounded heart immensely. 

As it had turned out, Seokjin not only had had a vision of him–sent by some unruly entity that he occasionally conversed with, he had claimed–but had also been searching for the lost coven that Jimin belonged to. He was interested in their practices and was hoping to find information about death magic. 

Said coven obviously hadn't survived as Jimin already knew from the crossroad demon, and consequently, Jimin had become the sole survivor and sole inheritor of an entire coven's wealth and resources. It had definitely made his first years as a full-blooded witch easier–especially compared to the years he spent in extreme poverty as a human.

He basically lived in luxury from then on. First under Seokjin's roof and then under his own and then under Jungkook's. As a witch with his abilities, making money was easy and Jimin surely made use of that for as long as he could. Or, well, wanted to. 

After years of navigating through a magical world and encountering only immortals, magical beings, or humans who miraculously gained access to said world, it was surprisingly hard to change his lifestyle and adapt to a more mundane one when he decided to become a teacher. 

Now, however, he practically lives more like a human than a witch, and he's more or less fine with that. Of course, since he doesn't age, it's hard to stay in the same place for longer than a decade and he makes sure to always leave as soon as the first questions come in. 

Oh, what do you use to stay so young? Who's your doctor? Wow, your genes must be amazing! 

Immortality is obviously not an answer to these questions–not to humans anyway. There's one thing all supernaturals know; the secrets of the immortal world cannot be revealed. It would only throw the mortal world into a crisis. And a mortal's desire to prolong their measly life is bigger than anything else. No one truly wants to die. Well, at least the majority of those who claim so don't. They usually desire other things–things that are more complex in their nature and hidden beneath other more easily comprehensible fears or wishes. And thus, as it is the more natural choice, people don't investigate themselves further and decide to go with the route that allows for a quicker solution, a quicker outcome. Sadly, for many, that is death. 

Jimin really wished he didn't know all about it. But his affinity to everything surrounding the misunderstood concept of the ending of life, concerns him inevitably. 

He feels death around people before it even happens; he can sense the dark shadows following them, the bony hands lingering on their shoulders as they move about totally unknowingly. He can taste the powdery taste of demise on his tongue when Death is near. 

That night, after the concert and the worry-filled dinner with Jungkook, Jimin dreams about it so vividly, he becomes unable to differentiate dream from reality. He suspects his unresolved feelings regarding Jungkook's odd behavior made him open to such dreams. Jimin has to guard his emotions; any time he doesn't, Death comes knocking on his door. 

But Jimin is also just a witch. A witch without a soul to protect him. A witch with too many emotions. He hasn't gone stone cold yet. He's still vibrant. 

Like Pessoa once said, Jimin too feels overwhelmed by the vague sadness of life. It makes him anxious and nervous and he often just wants to cower in his room, pull his knees to his chest and wait until the sadness inside of him retreats to the back again, granting him a final breath. A breath before the whole thing repeats itself.

Time seems endless to him almost every day of his life but when his dreams get haunted by Death he remembers that he, in fact, isn't immune to it. 

Once again–as it always is with this recurring nightmare–he's in Death's clutches, waiting for something to happen. He sits in the middle of nowhere, around him are tall trees without any leaves, the ground is ashes, the air is thick and heavy. His body is itching and burning, it feels like something inside of him is moving. Somehow, he always knows that it's his magic–the physical manifestation of his spiritual powers. It moves like it has its own life and own consciousness, although that is impossible. It's an extension of Jimin and it's his most primal and treasured element within himself, but it cannot be defined as something living. 

In this dream, Jimin hears Death all around him. It creates sounds that make Jimin shiver and whimper, it circles around him like a predator cornering its prey. All Jimin can do is wait. 

But Death takes its sweet time with beings like Jimin. It wants to punish Jimin so thoroughly that Jimin will wish he had never toyed with Death before. He should have rejected his heritage and his magic, but he didn't. He didn't learn from his ancestors' fate–their absolute destruction seemed too far away to ever be his. 

Mine, Death whispers. 

And Jimin knows he belongs to Death. There's never been any denying it. 

His throat is hoarse from screaming. He throws his hands around his neck and tries to stop himself from screaming his soul out. Because in this misleading dream world he still has one, and Death is trying to take it from him. It tears on the seams of Jimin's being, pulling and ripping, torturing him slowly. It's so, so greedy. So insatiable. So ruthless. 

Mine! Death yells again in its ageless voice, devoid of any logic or humanity. 

Jimin cries and begs and pleads. Don't take it! Please! I'll give you anything but don't take my soul! 

"Jimin! Fuck, Jimin, wake up! You're dreaming!" 

Jimin ignores the other voice. No! he yells at Death stubbornly. It's mine! 

"Jimin, love, wake up! Please!" 

Death cackles in a high pitched voice, giggling madly at Jimin's desperation, and then, with a wave of its skinny hand, it sends Jimin away. With that simple action, it deemed Jimin worthless and simultaneously made him a promise: I'll come back for you later. 

"Come on, you can wake up–" 

With a gasp, Jimin's eyes fly open. 

"You–" Jungkook is hovering above him, face twisted into concern and panic. 

Jimin's panting, his head is spinning, but looking into Jungkook's eyes grounds him immediately; he gets lost in the swirls of darkness and lets himself fall into the warmth of it. Hell is cold, but Jungkook, Jungkook is warm. He is warmth personified.

Jungkook doesn't say anything for a brief moment. One of his hands is resting against Jimin's cheek, with the other one he's holding himself up. 

"Jimin," Jungkook rasps. He says nothing but his name. 

Jimin doesn't want to cry, so he forces himself to croak out, "I'm okay. Just a bad dream." 

Jungkook looks unconvinced. "You were screaming."

"It was the same dream I always have."

"But you usually don't scream like this," Jungkook points out urgently. He's witnessed Jimin having had dreams so many times, it's nothing new anymore. They started a few decades after Jimin found out what he was in 1522. By 1600, he was already used to them haunting him once or twice per year, sometimes more, sometimes less. 

Jimin shakes his head. He tries to sit up, but his body is empty of energy–Death stole it–and he is about to flop back down into the mattress when Jungkook helps him stay up by placing a hand on Jimin's back. 

"It's over now," Jimin murmurs. "Don't worry about it." 

Jungkook is still looking at him like he's seen a ghost. Something indecipherable looms in his eyes and it scares Jimin. It's the look he's been bestowing Jimin with all week. 

"Stop looking at me like that," Jimin sniffs. "I'm not dying or anything. It was just a nightmare."

Jungkook's lips press into a thin line. "I hate that you have to go through this. I don't like it. This isn't right." 

Jimin runs a hand over his face. He feels squirmy. "It doesn't happen often."

"But it never means anything good and it hurts you." He stresses the word, as if he couldn’t bear the thought. 

"Yeah, well, I'll have to call Seokjin tomorrow," Jimin sighs defeatedly. 

Jungkook gives him a small nod, but he still looks immensely concerned. The light on the nightstand only illuminates the right half of his face, and Jimin sees the hard contours of his exquisitely shaped cheekbones and sharp jaw so clearly, he wants to trace his fingers along them. He's beautiful and it terrifies Jimin sometimes. Especially when he looks into his eyes and sees his own sad reflection in them; his hollow orbs and aghast expression. He's so forgettable. The only two people who were able to convince him of the opposite were Jungkook and… Death. But Death isn't a person, Death is…Well, what is Death? 

Jimin's mind fights hard to find a believable answer because he wants to tell Jungkook about it, but before he can open his mouth Jungkook's expression changes ever so slightly, and then, without any warning, Jungkook suddenly pulls him close. 

Jimin lets out a surprised sound as he gets engulfed by Jungkook's arms. 

He really didn't expect it; the vampire doesn't often initiate physical contact like this. 

Jimin's body melts against Jungkook's as they hug. But it feels like he's holding Jungkook, not the other way around. The vampire is clinging to his body, his head resting against Jimin's shoulder, almost hovering above his rapidly beating heart. His arms encircle Jimin's waist, and Jimin's arms are hugging his shoulders, one hand cradled against the back of Jungkook's head. 

Jimin doesn't know what is happening. His stomach drops and he gulps, trying to regain control over his body. 

He pats Jungkook's back, touches his hair, hugs him until he feels Jungkook relax slowly. 

"It's okay," he says. "You're okay." 

He repeats the words until the sun starts to rise. Until they sound credible.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

1845, December 24th

I cannot bring myself to confess that I am lonely. I've admitted it to myself, have whispered it into the never-ending silence, but if I say it out loud… any meaning the words might have had will disappear and my confession will be useless. I'm not lonely, I repeat out loud in the safety of the night. I'm. Not. Lonely. 

J.J.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Jimin calls Seokjin on the fifth morning of their vacation, feeling absolutely shitty from the lack of sleep he experienced last night. The nightmare has crept into his bones, and he remembers every detail of it. 

In the morning, Jungkook left again for the bloodhouse to get something to eat. So Jimin will be alone for a few hours. 

After last night, Jimin is sure: something is up with Jungkook. Jimin is determined to find out what. They didn't talk about the hug. Or the weird conversation in the restaurant. Or the fact that Jimin is absolutely sure that Jungkook personally contacted Milo for the concert. 

They just…don't. Cowards, both of them. 

His best guess is a pressing matter regarding his job; perhaps a case that has been troubling to take care of, or a member of the High Council that has been difficult to appease. Jimin sadly doesn't know too much about the intricacies regarding Jungkook's job. 

He's helped with a few cases, has done tracking spells, translated things in demonic languages, and one time he even accompanied Jungkook to one of his interrogations (a crazy experience). But that's about it; Jimin's interest is limited and Jungkook's willingness to tell him is as well. 

However, if Jimin knows one thing then it is this: most people change on the job, but Jungkook remains the same. Nothing about him deviates from the way he is with Jimin. He is still stoic, blank-faced (perhaps a bit more than he is with Jimin), and very opinionated and strong-willed. He's good at his job. He's stubborn but not too close-minded. He's strict but doesn't entirely lack empathy. He's organized and diligent but not so much that it becomes obsessive. 

He's different with his clan members and foster-vampires. That part of his life demands more kindness. The investigator role only demands results. The friendship with Jimin demands him to be completely himself. (But are we really completely ourselves in the presence of someone else? Is that really possible?)

The only thing that Jungkook lacks is the ability to not work. He gets invested, and once he's invested, he won't stop until a case is solved. Jimin had that passion in his younger days too when he started working with Seokjin and took care of the jobs the Green Witches got from the most random customers. He made money that way for centuries, even after parting ways with Seokjin's coven. But boredom and love ruined this field of work for him. It became dull, awfully predictable. 

He refuses to intervene much with Death these days. It always wins at some point anyway. Maybe Jimin is just tired of losing. 

Jungkook never stopped, however. He only climbed up the ranks, gained authority and influence, as well as experience. There's nothing better than a well-respected, well-known, and well-mannered aristocrat that works for the High Council. Jungkook possesses more influence than most supernaturals Jimin knows.  

There's only one more person Jimin knows that has more influence than him: Seokjin. 

He always calls Seokjin after a particularly intense nightmare. Sometimes those turn out to be omens Jimin just can't figure out on his own. The same happened before every huge and significant war that wrecked earth. Jimin always dreams of bad, bad things, of getting too close to Death, of giving himself up, of losing his soul all over again, when something devastating is about to happen. 

"I saw you this morning," Seokjin squeals into the phone when he picks up Jimin's call. "You're in Rome and didn't tell me? I'm only one portal away." 

"You're back in Prague?" Jimin immediately figures. There are about five magical portals in the world and one of them is in Prague. It is guarded by the fae. And it is the one that Seokjin's coven most frequently uses. 

"Yes, it's been about two years now. It's getting boring, although Prague never quite loses its appeal. I miss you!"

"I should come visit you," Jimin says. "I miss you too, you know I always do." 

"No, I should come," Seokjin counters. 

"I'm on vacation," Jimin laughs. "With Jungkook. Did you not see that in your vision?" 

"Of course, I did. He was wearing black as usual. In summer, I can't believe it."

"Hmm." 

"But Jungkook won't cry if I visit my favorite student and his conceited vampire friend." 

Jimin chuckles. Seokjin likes to annoy Jungkook whenever they see each other. It's funny to observe. The vampire easily gets frustrated by Seokjin doting on him, but Jimin's old mentor never gets discouraged by Jungkook's refusals. 

"I can come visit you after our vacation. I'll try to convince Jungkook to come with me. By the way…I had a dream last night, perhaps we have to talk about it."

There's silence from Seokjin first. Then, "That changes things."

"It might be nothing this time," Jimin says dismissively. "I've had a lot of them and most turned out to be irrelevant."

"But we ought to never take them lightly," Seokjin reminds him. "You'll come to me after Rome. Write the details down somewhere so you won't forget them."

"Okay, will do," Jimin mumbles, not saying that the details are always the same: Death tries to kill him each time.

He decides to not ask Seokjin if he knows anything regarding Jungkook. There's a high chance Seokjin knows if the investigators of the council are taking care of an important case at the moment, but Jimin doesn't want to go behind Jungkook's back. He'll wait for Jungkook to say something first. Trust is the key to a healthy friendship.

"Good," Seokjin says softly. "Now tell me how the vacation is going so far."

They talk for a bit longer, catching up with each other. Jimin finds out that Seokjin will try for a seat in the High Council during the next elections. Jimin tells him he'll vote for him and also send him a postcard from Rome. Seokjin says, thanks, but the real question is if you will join my coven again. Jimin obviously denies. He's not in for that type of life anymore. He'll stay covenless, soulless and loveless. You're no fun, Seokjin retorts. 

After they hang up, Jimin stares into nothingness. 

He still feels queasy. 

Because Jungkook has never reacted like he did last night before. He never seemed so alarmed and distraught. 

Jimin doesn't know what to think of it. There was something in Jungkook's eyes… 

Platonic love is the purest form of love Jimin has ever experienced. The fact that he can experience that with all of his dear friends makes Jimin's heart swell with adoration. 

Familial love is certainly the strongest–one that exists simply because of the blood you share. It is the strongest, yet the blindest, the one with the most duties, and responsibilities. It is often filled with year-old secrets, with suppressed resentment staining every corner. Just like Jungkook, who stays loyal to his clan because they are his family, the people he's bonded to because they share the same blood. 

Jimin doesn't have a family like that. 

He's all alone in this world–no one shares blood with him and no one ever will. He could have children, but the prospect always seemed too unstable. Would he be able to care for another person like that? Would he be able to meet the child's needs? More importantly: who would he even have children with? 

He's not had the urge to have any children for five hundred years and he doubts he'll magically develop it. 

He's not like Jungkook who basically plays foster dad for the young vampires of his coven. He's a teacher, but he never forms personal relationships with his students. 

And yes, he might fall in love often, but those loves never seem strong enough to survive the challenge of a child. 

And then there's romantic love. We are taught to long for it from a very young age. We dream about it, fantasize, and make up unrealistic expectations. In Jimin's experience, romantic love is a flame that burns bright, but dies quickly. It's sullied by cheating, by unbridled desire, and by selfishness. 

Platonic love, however, is his favorite of them all. 

Meeting a person, and getting to know them simply because you want to, and deciding to stick with them until the very end–that, that is priceless. 

He has never felt more seen, more loved, more appreciated, for simply being himself than with his dearest friend: Jungkook. 

Isn't it admirable that they chose to stay together all these years, all these centuries, only because they care for each other, and admire each other's entire life essence? 

How can it be that Jimin suddenly feels so different? That he remembers Jungkook's touch last night as pure fire running through his veins? Jungkook is warmth, yes, but he isn't fire. 

It can't be. 

Because it would ruin everything. 

The pureness, the innocence of their bond–it would get tainted. It would get stained by Jimin's unorthodox emotions. He's Jungkook's friend, his best friend. He can't be more. 

Oh, how many times has he succeeded at extinguishing these traitorous feelings? 

Many, he thinks. 

Not once, his heart says.