Archive of Our Own

Hybrid breeds appeared based on the environment around them. That was a fact, one that all hybrids learned from a young age. It didn’t affect them completely, of course. If the hybrid’s family was mostly composed of a specific breed, or at least a specific species, then chances were that the hybrid would develop into that animal. But for the most part, it was the environment. So if a hybrid were born in the mountains, even if their parents were born on the coast, it was more likely for the hybrid to develop mountain-like characteristics. It was just the way evolution worked, giving them more tools to survive in any climate. Then there were people like Jungkook. Jungkook was born near a swamp, so he differed from all his regular cottontail hybrid family. They hadn’t meant for Jungkook to be born in one, it had been an accident, but there was no way to change his biology so instead of a regular cottontail, Jungkook was a slightly different hybrid: A swamp rabbit. 

Swamp rabbits were mostly like normal rabbits. Really. There wasn’t anything Jungkook hated more than people assuming just because the name of his breed was swamp rabbit it meant he was a completely different bunny. He wasn’t. He wasn’t green, he didn’t grow scary teeth, he didn’t eat other animals. He was just bigger than other bunnies. He just liked humid places. He just really loved swimming. He just… He was just Jungkook. But a lot of people didn’t care. They took whatever they could get in order to make fun of Jungkook. And sure, as he got older everyone got over the situation (there were just so many Shrek references before it got boring), but by then Jungkook had already learned how to be alone. Even after things got better, as he became popular thanks to participating in sports and other clubs, he always liked to be by himself. 

That’s why after finishing his education and getting a job with which he could work from home, it was only natural for him to move to an isolated place where no one could bother him. 

A swamp.

(And yes. He totally sees the irony. He does not need someone to point it out. Thanks). 

The thing is, Jungkook loved his swamp. There were multiple other animals around him all the time, he could change into his bunny form and swim freely, he could stand in the middle of beautiful trees and paint for hours. It was a dream for him. But once every quarter, he was required to visit the main building in Busan, making sure everything went smoothly. 

Those weeks were mostly full of work, Jungkook arriving on a Monday morning. His company assumed he would like to go and have fun for the weekend, or at least enjoy the hotel’s pool or massage parlor or even their buffet, so they always paid for a full week. But Jungkook was never interested (well, he did like the pool, but why to use it when the sea was Right There?), so he usually left on Friday afternoon instead of Sunday midday. What he did do, though, was go on walks by the beach during his free time. 

Walking by the beach always sated some of the itchiness he always got when away from home. He was as close as a bunny could get to an aquatic creature, so listening to the waves, feeling the humidity in the air— It all made him feel better. As soon as he took off his shoes, as soon as he rolled up his black pants, as soon as his skin touched the waves— 

Jungkook felt like at home. 

Without really caring about his clothes (he used them four times a year, surely some saltwater wouldn’t damage it too badly) Jungkook ran into the water, before diving into it. He didn’t go into his hybrid form, he didn’t want to be naked as a tourist, but he still let himself enjoy swimming. After a while, maybe twenty minutes later, an hour, Jungkook felt the weight of the day and the social interactions he went through, deciding to rest for a bit. He closed his eyes, letting his body float. 

Then he got splashed by someone running into the water.

Jungkook immediately went to stand on his feet, looking around in alarm. What had that been?

He felt a hand on his shoulder, making him yelp in surprise. When he turned around, the scared eyes of a man his eye welcomed him.

They were the prettiest eyes he had ever seen.

"Quick, hold my swimming suit," the stranger said, handing him, of course, his swimming suit.

Jungkook accepted it automatically, not letting his brain process such a weird request. By the time he had a half-formed question, the stranger wasn't there anymore. Jungkook blinked, rubbing his eyes, making sure he wasn't imagining things.

But the suit was still in his hand, so whatever that was had happened.

"What the fuck," he asked out loud. That was when he saw something moving between the water, barely noticeable with the dark. Jungkook tried to focus his sight, but he couldn't make up what it was.

In the distance, he heard multiple people talking, followed by the sound of at least a dozen of clicks.

Where is he?

I saw him running in this direction.

He hid his bag. I have no idea where it went.

Did anyone manage to take a picture?

Jungkook's breath stopped, immediately submerging himself into the water. At some point the people pointed their lights onto him, only seeing half of his face and his bunny ears, but they immediately moving on, as if Jungkook wasn’t even there to begin with. 

Jungkook was pretty happy that they didn’t perceive him at all. 

He sighed, going over the water again. His eyes went to the suit still on his hand, a puzzled look on his face.

"Now what am I supposed to do?" He asked.

"You could start by giving me that back," the voice from earlier answered, making Jungkook jump yet again. He put a hand on his heart, turning around.

"What the hell, you scared me!" He yelled, eyes trying to find the person he had seen earlier. He couldn't, for some reason.

"I'm sorry," the voice said. "I was trying to lose those people so I had to go into my hybrid form and I didn't want to end up naked in the middle of the beach." Ok, Jungkook could understand that. "But, uh... Thank you for helping me anyway."

Jungkook smiled, even though he wasn't sure the other could see it. He extended his hand anyway because he was a polite bunny. "You're welcome...."

The voice giggled. "You're looking in the wrong direction." A soft, small hand took Jungkook's, gently turning him to his left. "I'm Jimin. Park Jimin."

"Nice to meet you, Jimin," Jungkook said, shaking Jimin's hand. "I'm Jeon Jungkook. How did you disappear so fast?"

“It’s a jellyfish thing. It comes handy, doesn’t it?” Jimin giggled. Jungkook raised his eyebrows. A jellyfish? 

“I’ve never seen a jellyfish hybrid before,” Jungkook admitted.

“Well, know you have.” Jungkook felt the way the water moved around him, which meant the stranger was moving as well, getting closer to him. "What takes you to the beach this late, Jeon Jungkook? I thought bunnies were diurnal animals." Jungkook could almost make up his eyes.

"We are, I just wanted to take a break." Jungkook shrugged. "What about you? Besides avoiding random people who seem to want something from you."

Jimin sighed. "That's because they do. They probably hoped to take a picture or something."

Jungkook frowned a bit. "How come? Were they bothering you?"

There was a smile silence, but Jungkook could feel Jimin's eyes on him. It seemed like he had intense eyes, as they could just put you to sleep forever without much effort.

There was a smile silence, but Jungkook could feel Jimin's eyes on him. It seemed like he had intense eyes, as they could just put you to sleep forever without much effort.

"You can say that," he answered then. "Either way, I owe you one for this. Would you let me pay you back?"

"Pay me back?" Jungkook snorted. "I just held your swimming suit for you, I don't think that requires much skill."

"Maybe not," Jimin said. "But it gives me an excuse to have your number so we can meet up later. So, what do you say?"

And usually, Jungkook would have said no. He could barely even see Jimin's face at the moment, he didn't know him at all. So why would he want to contact him ever again?

He's pretty, though, his brain unhelpfully provided.

"Sure," Jungkook said, wishing to all hybrids he wouldn't end up regretting his decision. "Let's go to the shore and you can take my number."

He didn't end up regretting his decision. Quite the opposite.

It was the best one of his life.

One date with Jimin became two, then three, then four. Before he even noticed, Jimin was saying goodbye to him before he was supposed to go back to his swamp.

Jungkook surprised himself being a bit disappointed on going back.

"I hope you want to continue talking to me even when I'm not here anymore," Jungkook had half-joked, trying his best to hide his insecurity. Jimin's smile helping him soothe his worries though.

"Of course I will, bun," Jimin said, caressing Jungkook's hair. "I don't have any big compromises for at least six weeks, you are the one who's going to get annoyed of me constantly interrupting your life.

"Oh please," Jungkook laughed, "there's no way that's happening. I told you, I make my own schedule. You have no reason to worry about me."

"But I worry anyway," Jimin immediately replied. The hand on Jungkook's hair slowed down, curling one of Jungkook's strands around its fingers before putting it behind Jungkook's ear. "You know what would make me feel more at peace, though?"

Jungkook licked his lips as discreetly as he could, which wasn't very much, considering Jimin was right in front of him. "What?"

"If certain bun would give me a kiss before leaving me here, all sad and lonely."

More giggles from Jungkook. "Ah, Jimin, if you wanted a kiss you should have just said so."

Jimin raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? So is it okay if I do this?" Jimin stepped on his toes, leaving a short kiss on Jungkook's nose. Jungkook immediately scrunched his nose, smile wide.

"Only if it's okay if I do this." Jungkook's lips quickly found Jimin's cheek, letting a slightly longer kiss there, before rubbing Jimin's neck with his nose. Jimin immediately broke into laughter.

"And what about this?" Jimin got closer again, this time kissing the corner of Jungkook's mouth. Before he could step away, though, Jungkook wrapped his arms around Jimin's torso.

"Jimin..." Jungkook said, his voice almost louder than a whisper. He suspected his ears were completely red, and that Jimin had noticed it. If he did, he didn't comment on it. Instead, he pulled Jungkook's head a bit closer, Jungkook feeling Jimin's breath on his own skin.

"What about... here?"

As Jimin closed the distance between them, Jungkook closed his eyes, his mind on cloud nine.

It wasn't Jungkook's first kiss, but it wasn't like he had much experience either. So, he let himself get lost into Jimin's lips, following their movements.

It was sweet, way better than anything else Jungkook had experienced. But like all good things, it was quick to stop. 

Jungkook was the first one to broke the kiss, pressing his forehead against Jimin's. "Will you text me soon?"

He could feel Jimin shaking thanks to his giggles. He pressed a quick peck on Jungkook's lips. "I'll text you before you even have time to miss me."

Jungkook immediately hugged him, closing his eyes. "I'll take your word on that."

Five minutes later, after even longer goodbyes, Jungkook was on his way to check into his flight.

He received a call. He didn't even need to check who it was before answering.

"Hey," he said. "I was starting to miss you."

Jimin's giggles sounded just as angelical as in person.

"Good thing I decided to call you then."

Yes, he thought. What a good thing.

Jungkook spent the following four months constantly talking to Jimin.

It was nice, a change to his old routine. It wasn't that Jungkook had felt alone before, quite the opposite, but it was nice having someone out there that wanted to dedicate time to Jungkook, wanted to check up on him, wanted to be as involved as he could.

By the time his next work trip came, Jungkook was more than excited about meeting Jimin.

Unlike last time, Jungkook wouldn't stay at his usual hotel, a decision that had surprised his superiors. Instead, Jimin had invited him to spend the week with him. Without backhanded intentions, he had said, winking at him, even though I wouldn't mind either way.

Jungkook had almost hung up on him at the time.

Despite Jimin's jokes, though, Jungkook knew his boyfriend was really excited about the idea of Jungkook staying with him. In the months they were apart he had learned a lot about him, even met some of Jimin's friends through facetime. He had mentioned how not only he wanted to spend time with Jungkook, but he also wanted to introduce him to all his friends.

"You're going to love them, bun," Jimin had assured him on their way to his apartment, to Jungkook's amusement.

"Shouldn't you be worried about them liking me ?"

Jimin snorted. "Who wouldn't love you? That's scientifically impossible."

Jungkook did his best to push his childhood memories away. "You never know. One of them is a fox. I'm pretty sure I'm his favorite prey."

"Please. They'll love you." Jimin took Jungkook's hand, kissing the knuckles. "Not as much as I love you, though."

"Aish, you're so corny," not that Jungkook didn't love it.

"Only for you." Jimin winked at him.

Just like Jimin had predicted, though, as soon as Jungkook met the others, it was apparent how well he fitted.

It was a mismatched group, that much was pretty clear. There was Seokjin, a chameleon hybrid who tended to take popcorn from the couch with only his tongue, and his seemingly sleepy but potentially dangerous boyfriend Yoongi, a raccoon who Jungkook had seen stealing even more popcorn to put in the other's plates when they weren't looking. Next to them were Taehyung, the beautiful fox whose teeth had lowkey scared Jungkook a lot until he noticed Taehyung acted exactly like a mix of a dog and a cat hybrid and couldn't hurt a fly (unless he wanted to, Taehyung had told him, winking). Lastly, there were Namjoon, a pitbull hybrid who had come weird scar on his face (note: Ask about it later to Jimin), and Hoseok, a spider hybrid who had a very distracting blue, black and red pattern around his skin.

"I'm sorry we're late," Hoseok had said, closing the door behind him. "I had to pick up Namjoon and he wasn't ready."

"It wasn't my fault," Namjoon defended himself, pouting. There were some cute shoes in a baby store and I just... Needed to get them."

Jungkook blinked. "Oh, you have a kid?"

"No," Namjoon answered, his shoulders dropping a bit. "I just... really love kids."

Seokjin shook his head. "Yah, Namjoon, Hobi. That's not the way to greet Jimin's boyfriend who we have been waiting months to meet."

As if someone had flipped a switch, both Hoseok and Namjoon widened their eyes, looking at Jungkook as if he had hung up the stars.

"Jungkookie! You're here!" Hoseok immediately went to hug Jungkook, to his absolute bafflement. Namjoon was close behind, even though he didn't join for the hug. "I'm so happy to finally meet you in person."

"Me too. Jimin was pretty excited about you coming here to see all of us."

"Of course I am," Jimin intervened, coming from the kitchen with bags of snacks. "All the people I care about are here in the room."

Jungkook couldn't help the butterflies he felt inside his stomach, Jimin's words sweetening his soul.

Seokjin snorted instead, though. "You get one boyfriend and you suddenly are saying stuff like that all the time."

"I don't think you have room to talk, Jinnie," Taehyung said, grinning. "Remember when Yoongi gifted you that song for your anniversary twelve years ago?"

Yoongi immediately pouted. "I was in high school. When will you ever let that go?"

Taehyung winked at him. "Never."

Jungkook started giggling again, getting out of Hoseok's hug as smoothly as he could before going to where Jimin was. Jimin immediately put the snacks on the floor, interlacing his fingers together.

"You like them so far?" Asked Jimin, pulling Jungkook into a hug.

"I love them," Jungkook immediately answered, kissing Jimin's head. "I don't think I've ever seen any hybrid of their species."

"Yeah, when you work in an industry like ours, it's pretty common to find all kinds of hybrids."

"Oh really? I didn't know there was this much diversity in ***"

Jimin blinked, looking at him in confusion. "What do you me— "

"Yah, you two, this isn't the moment to be all cuddly," Yoongi protested, as he was being cuddled by Seokjin. "We should start the movie."

Jungkook snorted, looking at Jimin. "Shall we?"

Jimin seemed to want to say something but shrugged instead while nodding. "Let's go."

By the time the movie had finished, Jungkook was deep into his dreams, tiredness from the traveling winning.

He never got to hear Jimin's question.

The night before Jungkook was supposed to go back, and early enough that Jungkook wouldn't get too sleepy, Jimin prepared a romantic picnic for both of them on the same beach they had met each other.

It was pretty romantic. They had eaten delicious food ( thank you Yoongi and Seokjin ), talked for hours (contrary to what he had expected, Namjoon's scar came from accidentally hurting himself while trying to learn how to cook), and ended up the night looking at the stars together, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. The next day, Jungkook was more than happy with his life, his phone carrying five new numbers (to a great total of fifteen, the others being his family and his boss' phone). He had a safe and quiet morning trip, the only peculiar thing being the multiple eyes that seemed to steal glances at him. But those Jungkook tried to ignore, the attention feeling weird on his skin.

It was only when he was back home that he understood the nature of the stares.

"Bun, I'm so sorry,"

Jungkook blinked. "What?"

"I'm really sorry. I didn't notice they had found us yesterday. I promise I'm doing all I can to take down the pictures, but I understand if you are mad at me. I know you value your privacy a lot and—"

"Uh, baby," Jungkook had interrupted. "What are you talking about?"

"The— The pictures? They're all over the internet. I've had at least fifty calls from my managers. The others are also worried about you, they said that they have been trying texting you but you haven’t answered yet."

Jungkook checked his phone. Sure enough, he had multiple unread messages. "Sorry, I kind of ignored my phone until now. I just got home. Why—" he gulped, a weird feeling in his guts making itself noticeable. It was weird to hear Jimin so worried. "What pictures are you talking about? Are you okay?"

"Am I— You haven’t seen them?" Jimin sounded completely baffled.

"See what?" Jungkook asked.

There was a deep sigh. "Jungkook, someone followed us last night and took pictures of our date. They're all over the internet."

“The internet?”

“Yeah. Dispatch, Variety, even—” 

“Who?”

“...What?”

“I really don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“What do you mean— The media, Jungkook!” Jimin sounded stressed. 

"Huh," there was a pause. "Why do they care about us though?"

"Well, because, uh—" Jimin cleared his throat. "You... Can't you think of a reason?"

"Not really? I mean, it's not like we're that interesting." But then again, Jungkook didn't really understand how social media worked. Maybe some people took pictures of strangers as a hobby? That sounded weird, but... "Besides, it's not like I really care. I live in the middle of nowhere, if you hadn't stood me, I wouldn't have known. Are you okay, though?"

"I— Yes, I'm okay." There was the sound of a chair being dragged. Jimin must be in his kitchen. "Babe... Remind me, what do I do for a living?"

Well, that was a weird question to ask. " You're a lawyer? Jimin, what's going—"

"Why— Why do you think I'm a lawyer?"

"What— "

"Just... Humor me. Why do you think I'm a lawyer?" 

"Well, you literally were talking to me about some dude was acting funny during court, and you were practicing your defense the other day?" At least it had sounded very lawyer-ish to Jungkook. a bit of fear and embarrassment washed over him. "So I just assumed... Was I wrong?"

Jimin giggled, "Oh bun. I'm not a lawyer."

Jungkook felt his ears turn red. "Then why were you saying that?"

"Well, I know you don't really watch tv, but there's a drama that is going to air next season. It's about this lawyer who finds out his childhood love is part of the defense against his client." There was a dramatic pause. "I'm the actor who plays the lawyer."

Jungkook's eyes widened, his mouth creating a huge 'O'. "Oh my— I'm so sorry! I thought that you were a lawyer all this time."

To Jungkook's mortification, his boyfriend's answer was to laugh. "Jungkookie, it's fine. This is actually hilarious."

"It's not. I've known you for four months and I didn't even know what was your job." He closed his eyes, putting his hands over his red ears. "This is so embarrassing."

"You're so adorable. I wish I were with you so I could kiss all your face."

"This is no the moment," whined Jungkook. "So is this why people were running after you with cameras? Were they paparazzi?"

Jimin took a bit to respond. "They were. Usually, I am able to lose them, being able to make myself translucid and everything, but that day they took me by surprise."

"That's not right, though." Jungkook frowned. "Why can't they let you be?"

"They make money using my name in articles. The more attention-grabbing the headline or the picture is, the more people will click in their article and they'll make more money." Jimin sighed. "Sometimes it gets really bad, so I try not to get out as much. The only good thing about you being away is that it's virtually impossible for them to stalk you as well."

"St— Stalk me? Is that even legal?"

"Not really, because you're not a public figure. But sometimes they don't care and they sell the pictures unofficially so they don't get in trouble."

The whole situation was giving Jungkook a bit of a headache. "So... are you going to break up with me now? That's— That's usually what happens, right? The main characters are forced to break up after their secret relationship is found out."

"Baby, no. Listen to me." Jimin's voice turned softer. "I never wanted our relationship to be secret, quite the opposite. If I could, I would yell on top of a building how much I love you. I just... I didn't want other people to harm you."

"You don't have to worry about that, though," Jungkook mumbled. "You said it, I live far away from you. Most people would get lost in here before they can find my house."

He couldn't see Jimin's face, but he could hear the surprise in his voice. "So... you want me to tell the public?"

Did he? Jungkook tried to think about it for a minute, trying to weigh the possible results.

"I think it's up to you, babe," he finally said. "It's your career the one affected. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't even know such a thing happened. No one can find me, and I'm pretty much faceless in my company so they can't trace me there either. It's only you the one who would take the hit."

Jimin seemed to consider his words. "If— If you're sure, then... I'll organize a press conference and confirm our relationship."

And despite the situation, Jungkook found himself smiling. "You know, if you ever need to get away from the city life, I'm sure you would like my swamp. I mean, it isn't the ocean, but—"

"Of course I would love to visit your home," Jimin immediately interrupted. "I love you."

And those words always melted Jungkook's heart. "I love you too."

Jimin sighed. "I have to go now, bun. My manager has been leaving voice messages for over three hours. He's going to have a heart attack if I don't reply soon."

"You should give the poor man a break and answer him," Jungkook said, laughing. "Bye."

"Bye. "

The line died between them.

Later that day, Jungkook found a video on the internet as he googled his boyfriend's name (sue him, he really needed to be up to date with his work).

«Park Jimin declares he has a non-famous boyfriend, ask media to stay away»

Jungkook slept with a smile on his face that night, a goodnight message from Jimin on his screen. 

Jimin didn't talk much about the media after that occasion, not like Jungkook asked either. He thought about it, even googling Jimin's name a couple more times, but he found the incessant influx of gossip and lies boring, so he quickly gave up. Instead, Jimin made sure to talk more about his different roles, about other aspects of his life as an actor. All in all, it was pretty interesting for Jungkook. He could notice just how much Jimin loved what he did.

Which led them to their current dilemma.

"So..." Jungkook started, his voice small and down, "you won't be there when I come next week."

"I'm so, so sorry," Jimin said, and Jungkook could feel the pain in his voice. "I swear I didn't expect this to happen, we were supposed to go this week, but there was bad weather and it got pushed a week back. We really need to finish recording these scenes before the deadline so this is the only week we can go all the way there."

But I'm going to miss you, Jungkook wanted to say, but he didn't To his ears, it sounded selfish. Jungkook could visit anytime he wanted, but it was his choice to stay at home instead. He couldn't really blame his boyfriend for having to work the same week that he was scheduled to go to his apartment. He's an actor. He has a busy schedule.

"It's fine, baby," he said instead. "I understand. We can figure it out later."

"But... I was looking forward to seeing you again." Jungkook could clearly hear Jimin's pout and puppy eyes.

"It's okay. Work is work. Go, I'm going to be okay." Jungkook tried to make himself sound as sure as possible. If Jimin heard even a bit of doubt on his voice, he was capable of doing something extremely stupid. "I love you lots."

"... love you too."

Jungkook put on a smile, laying down on his bed. "Now, tell me more about this role..."

Two weeks later, Jungkook found himself at his boyfriend's apartment. It wasn't the same, the place lacking the warmth Jimin always brought to any place he went, but it was still homely enough that Jungkook didn't feel bad.

He did feel something, though. Something he hadn't felt in a long time.

He felt alone.

It doesn't make sense, he thought, organizing his clothes into Jimin's closet. I'm always alone in the swamp. Why would it be any different here? But he wasn't stupid, he knew the answer.

Jungkook had gotten used to being at the apartment with Jimin. It wasn't the same without his boyfriend's contagious laugh, without the constant bumps every time Jimin fell off some chair, without the good morning kisses he always got.

He never noticed how much he missed Jimin in his day-to-day life until now.

As soon as he finished, he checked on his phone (his last message with Jimin had been a goodnight, his boyfriend in a different timezone). It was early, earlier than he usually would go to sleep, but Jungkook wasn't sure what to do. He didn't have work to do, not until the next morning, and he wasn't watching or reading anything in particular (he had binge-watched all the movies and dramas Jimin had been in, even as a cameo. He was proud of his boyfriend). What did people do when they were bored at home?

They go to their friends.

But I don't have any friends, he protested to himself.

His phone started ringing. Jungkook answered without a second thought. "Hello?"

"Yah, Jeon Jungkook! Why did you not tell us you were already at Jimin's apartment!" Taehyung's voice scolded him. "We have been waiting at Seokjin's until you got there, but no. We had to find out from Jimin."

"Uh..." Jungkook blinked. "I'm sorry, it slipped out of my head."

Taehyung huffed. "We'll be there in a bit. See you."

There was a beep. Jungkook stared at his phone.

He smiled.

Oh yeah, he thought. I do have friends.

He went immediately to get the plates and cups ready.

Ten days later, Jimin went back to his apartment.

Jungkook hadn't mentioned that he was still there, so he did all he could to just be there in a nonchalant manner, smiling at his boyfriend.

"Oh, hey babe," he said, adjusting his reading glasses. "How was work?"

Jimin stared at him with wide eyes. "What the fuck."

"What?" Asked Jungkook, faking confusion.

"What are you doing in here?" Jimin didn't sound angry, he just sounded... surprised. But he was smiling, walking directly to where Jungkook was.

Jungkook put his laptop to the side, already prepared for the bone-crushing hug he was going to receive. "Well... I knew how bad you felt about missing our week together, so I thought: 'Hey, I can work from anywhere. What's stopping me from spending more than a week with my amazing boyfriend?' and..." He opened his arms. "Here I am."

He was appropriately tackled into a hug, giggling as Jimin left kisses all over his face.

"I missed you so much," Jimin cried, before kissing him on the lips. The kiss was desperate, Jimin's tears wetting Jungkook's face. But Jungkook didn't mind.

"I missed you a lot too, baby," Jungkook replied, caressing Jimin's face. "I... I'm sorry I don't come here more often." He had been feeling guilty about it for days, not that he was going to tell Jimin that.

And not that Jimin didn't see right through his words. "I know how much you love your swamp, bun. I'm happy that you enjoy it there so much. I'm more than happy with getting to call you every day."

"But it's not the same, isn't it?" Jungkook sighed. "I don't think you signed up for a long-distance relationship."

"I signed up for everything related to you, bun. I don't care if it means that I don't see you all the time. " Jimin coupled Jungkook's face between his hand. "I only care that you're happy."

And here was the part he wanted to tell Jimin, the one Jungkook had been overthinking for days and days.

"I'm not only happy when I'm in the swamp," he admitted. "I love it there, sure, but I also love waking up with you every day, I love seeing the others all the time, I love seeing you practice your lines." He took a deep breath. "If you'll have me... I really would want to be here more often."

"Oh, baby," Jimin kissed Jungkook's forehead, dreamily sighing. "This is your apartment just as much as it's mine. Of course I would love for you to be here."

Jungkook smiled. "Nice."

He went for another kiss.

"So... Your parents are coming to your swamp," Jimin asked for the nth time. He was sitting on Jungkook's lap as the bunny worked on some important document, leaving encouraging kisses to his boyfriend's necks (read: hickeys).

"Yes," Jungkook answered, trying his best to focus on his work. "They go there every one or two years. They don't stay for long, usually just to check I'm, well..." He left his sentence open.

"Alive?" Suggested Jimin.

"Not becoming a hermit," Jungkook said instead.

It made Jimin snort. "Well, you were one."

"That's not true," Jungkook pouted. "I went to the city four weeks a year. That's basically a month I spent outside home."

Jimin looked at him with a smirk.

Jungkook sighed. "Yeah, I was one. But they made sure it wasn't getting worse. They delayed the one this year because they know I'm spending time with you, but they still want to see us soon."

"Wait," Jimin said, blinking. "Us?"

Well, yeah." Jungkook scratched his cheek. "They want to see you too, of course."

Judging by Jimin's face, he hadn't expected that.

"I see," he said, whispering. "Are they... Are they okay with me being a jellyfish? I know your whole family is made up of bunnies."

That Jungkook didn't know. "I think they are? They know you're a jellyfish, but I have never seen them react to a couple of different hybrids. We're all just... different kinds of bunnies."

"Geez, thanks. That's reassuring." Jimin buried his face onto Jungkook's neck. "I don't want your family to hate me."

"They won't, I promise." Another kiss to Jimin's head. "Who doesn't love you? You're literally this country's dreamed boyfriend. I'm sure they're going to be surprised you are with me. "

"Why would they be? You're the best boyfriend ever."

Jungkook pressed his lips together. "You know, my parents traveled a lot when I was younger."

Jimin pressed his ear against Jungkook's chest, listening to his heartbeat. It was kind of fast, but it was soothing.

"They did?" Asked Jimin. Jungkook nodded.

"It's weird for rabbits to move around a lot, we usually stay in the same place if we can. But my parents... They had one of those jobs that meant we were constantly moving. That's how I was born in a swamp instead of in a city." He took a deep breath. "And when I was growing up it was a bit of the same. They finally settled down for a while, because they thought me and my siblings needed some stability, but by then I just didn't know how to make friends at all."

"So you were alone a lot?"

Jungkook nodded. "Yeah. They also found it weird how I was a swamp rabbit. We're not common. I haven't met another one of me ever."

Jimin hummed. "Does that mean you spent your school years alone?"

"Kind of? When I got older it was better. People liked that I was good at a lot of things. But as a kid... There were a lot of awful Shrek jokes. Those were the least bad."

Jimin cringed. "Oh, baby..."

"My parents, they weren't really there, you know? They knew I didn't make friends easily, but they were so busy they never got to do something about it. By the time they had time, I was already used to being alone so it wasn't a problem. Now they check on me from time to time." Every few months, with luck. "It's not they don't love me, they do. We just... It was complicated."

Jimin caressed his face, and Jungkook couldn't help but lean onto the contact. "It's never too late to create a bond with your parents, you know?"

Of course he knew, but... I don't think I want one."

Jimin got quiet for a bit.

"Then why are you still letting them in?"

Jungkook hugged Jimin, his voice breaking. "I don't know."

Jimin made sure to go to Jungkook's swamp home a week before Jungkook's parents were supposed to come. It was mostly to help with the maintenance, Jungkook not being there for almost a month by then. They made sure everything was steady, ready, and in order.

Jungkook was a wreck of feelings.

Seeing his family after such a long time, way longer than he and Jimin had been dating, was really stressful, mostly because Jungkook didn't really know what was going on. For all he knew, they could have had another bunny, they could have won the lottery, they could have been abducted by a cult.

Maybe they didn't love Jungkook anymore.

"Of course they love you," Jimin had tried to console him."There’s no way they don’t.”

“You don’t get it,” Jungkook had said, as he washed the dishes. He was trying to clear his mind. “

They love me, sure, but it’s not like they… Really were there.” He knew more about Jimin after a year of dating than he knew of whatever could be going on with them. “I have no idea how are they going to react to you.” 

And while Jungkook was ready for the worst-case scenario, it didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt. 

Jimin hugged him from behind. 

“Whatever happens, bun,” Jimin said, as he kissed Jungkook’s nape, “I’m here for you,”

Jungkool knew that. 

It was what prevented him from losing his mind completely. 

There was a ding from the food that made Jungkook jump, turning around and running to the door (maybe accidentally stepping on his boyfriend— He would make it up for him later). Jungkook opened the door, a huge smile on his face. 

“Jungkook!” His mother cried, going for a hug. Jungkook froze for a second, not really expecting such a gesture, but let himself be hugged. His father joined seconds later, followed by some of his younger siblings. 

“We’ve missed you so much,” his father said. It was… something. Jungkook couldn’t remember the last they had told him that. But then again, this time they hadn’t seen each other for way longer, so it made sense. “How’s everything? Still hiding in here instead of being with actual people?”

Jungkook let out a nervous laugh, ignoring the small joke against his job. “I’m— I’m fine. And not really? I’m actually spending half my time in the city.” 

There was something in his mothers’ eyes. “Ah, with your boyfriend, right? You said he was an actor.” 

“He is, huh.” Jungkook looked behind him, knowing perfectly Jimin was waiting for him in the kitchen. “Come here, let me introduce you. Baby?” 

Jimin peeked his head out of the room. “Yes?” 

“This is my family.” He moved out of his family’s hold, maybe a bit more brusquely than he should have, and went to Jimin’s side. “This is my mom, Lee Seojin, and my father, Jeon Junghee. The kids...” Jungkook blinked, trying to remember his youngest siblings’ names.” 

“Ah, you can meet them later,” his mother interrupted, as if it didn’t really matter. “Nice to meet you, Jimin. I’ve seen a lot about you.” 

Jungkook couldn’t help but wonder where, considering he never really talked about Jimin. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you two, ma’am,” Jimin said, bowing a bit. “Sir.” 

His siblings, three small bunnies, were already running around Jungkook’s swamp. “Where are the others?” Asked Jungkook, looking at the youngest of them. She didn’t seem older than two, so Jungkook guessed she had been born a bit after the last time his parents had been there. His mother hadn’t told him she was pregnant. 

His father shrugged. “I don’t know. Junghwa and Jaehee said they were staying at home, so Jisoo decided to stay with them instead of coming. Jungmin is still in that weird boarding school with the scholarship. Jungsu and Jongkyu don’t live with us anymore. And your older siblings are doing their own thing.” 

Jungkook nodded, not really surprised. None of his siblings had been particularly close, always trying to be on their own and as far away from home as they could. Jungkook was a middle child, so it wasn’t like his parents were particularly over him. But he remembered how his older siblings had a way rockier relationship with them. Jungkook made a mental note to show his siblings where the games were. He wouldn’t let them bore to death if he could avoid it. That had been the worst part about visiting older siblings when he was younger. 

“So, anyway,” his mother said, looking at Jimin, “You just finished filming, right, Jimin? Probably another famous movie.” 

Jimin smiled, but Jungkook noticed how forced it was. His instincts immediately sharpened, trying to figure out why his boyfriend was so tense. “Yes, a week ago. Jungkook and I had been here since then.” 

“Must have a lot of money from all those projects,” his mom laughed. Jimin bristled. 

“Yeah, I guess.”

Jungkook father stepped in, putting his arm around Jimin’s shoulders. “Come on, son, there’s a lot I want to know. I used to be a film enthusiast, you see, so—” 

Both his parents dragged Jimin to a different room, leaving Jungkook behind. He sighed. It wasn’t a surprise, sooner than later his parents always got a fixation and left Jungkook in the background. 

At least they seemed to like his boyfriend.

Less than a month later, Jungkook actually saw his parents again.

At Jimin’s apartment. 

“What are you doing in my swa—” He shook his head. “How did you find this address?”

“The internet, of course!” His mother said, letting herself inside. Jimin wasn’t home, he was getting some last-minute groceries. “You can find everything there if you wish to do so.” 

Jungkook frowned. “Mom, I don’t think that’s right. Someone must have leaked Jimin’s address. That’s dangerous.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, son,” his father said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Jimin has enough money to hire high security. He’s going to be fine.” 

Jungkook didn’t answer, looking around the hallway instead. “You’re alone.” 

“Well, of course,” his mother said, “we can’t have kids in the restaurant.”

“The… The what?” At this point, Jungkook was a bit afraid to ask. At that moment, Jimin appeared from the corner. 

“Oh, bun, you’re outside! Guess what I f—” He stopped himself, looking at his parents in surprise. “Uh… Hello, I didn’t know you were visiting.” 

“Oh, you know,” his mother said, giggling, “just visiting my son. Good thing you’re here, though. I arranged reservations for dinner in about an hour. Hope you don’t mind I used your name.”

“My name?” Jimin frowned. 

“Yeah. You know, high-class restaurants aren’t usually available this last minute. But once I told them who you were, they accepted to have a table for us.” 

“You two should get ready. We don’t want to be late, do we?” Asked his father. Jimin and Jungkook shared a look. 

“Yeah,” Jimin said, his face completely blank, “we should go get ready. If you excuse us—”

Jimin took Jungkook’s hand as they quickly walked to Jimin’s room. Just to make sure they were truly alone, they went straight to the bathroom. 

“What’s going on?” Asked Jimin in a whisper, undressing himself. 

“I… I don’t know?” Replied Jungkook in the same tone. “This is the first time they appear out of nowhere. They arrived like two minutes before you.”

Jimin sighed, rubbing his nose. He got into the shower, making signs for Jungkook to follow after. 

“So they just came to the door and, what, told you that we should go to dinner?” Jimin took the soap. “I didn’t even know they knew where I live.”

“My mother says she found the address online.” 

Jimin gave him a pained look. “That’s even worse.”

“Why are they here, though?” Jungkook wasn’t stupid, he knew his parents didn’t exactly want to see him so soon. 

“I think I know,” Jimin said. “But you’re not going to like the answer.”

Jungkook looked at him, his lower lip trembling a bit. “What is it?” 

Jimin caressed Jungkook’s face, letting the water run over them. “I think… I think they’re like this because of who I am, babe.” He sighed. “I think they might care about my… job or my money.” 

Jungkook closed his eyes. 

The worst thing was that Jungkook could perfectly see where Jimin came from. His parents would have never been interested in seeing Jungkook, but Jimin… 

No, but famous and rich actor Park Jimin…

“I can tell them to go away,” Jungkook suggested, his eyes still closed. He felt Jimin’s hand off his body for a second, before he felt shampoo on his head and the hands were there again. “We don’t have to do this, you know?”

“I know,” Jimin said, his voice soft and tender. “But I want to. It’s better to avoid conflict. Buying them dinner will hardly affect me, anyway. It’s more worrisome how they found us in the first place.” 

“We can do this,” Jungkook said, more to himself than to anything else. Jimin’s touch stopped for a bit. 

“Yes,” he then said. “We can.” 

There was a weird feeling in Jungkook’s gut. 

Thirty minutes later, Jungkook found himself in the middle of a clearly expensive restaurant, clearly underdressed. He could see the way some people looked at him, how he was completely out of place. 

The grounding hand on his waist was what stopped him from leaving. 

A nice waiter directed them to a table, thankfully in a more discrete area. Menus were given, Jungkook ordered the few things he recognized, and hoped for the best. 

The best never came. 

“So, Jimin,” Jungkook’s father started. “You’re a jellyfish, right? What’s that about?” 

Jimin cleared his throat, not even reacting to such an invasive question. “Well, my family are all jellyfish. We have been around—” 

“Yeah, yeah. We know. We have seen your interviews,” interrupted Jungkook’s father. “What I mean is, how does it work? Are you venomous? Can you glow? You don’t show your hybrid form.” 

“That’s because—”

“Oh, and what about stinging! We saw that you apparently stang someone before? How come? I didn’t take you for a bad boy.” 

Jimin was visibly taken back by those words, and that’s when Jungkook stepped in. “Mom, dad, why are you here? You never come to see me this frequently.” 

“Well, of course we wanted to see our son.” Their eyes weren’t even on Jungkook. They were still staring at Jimin. “That’s not a crime, is it?”

“Of course not, but—”

“Do you have a problem, Jungkook?” His mother asked, and Jungkook could feel subtle hostility in her voice. “We take time to go out of our way to see you in that horrible place of yours, but now you’re closer, why wouldn’t we try and visit you more often? You’re our son, aren’t you?” 

Jungkook flinched, looking down immediately. It was true, wasn’t it? Why was he questioning his parent’s motives? He was such a terrible son, how could he— 

“It’s a valid question,” Jimin said. Jungkook’s eyes immediately went to him, widened in surprise. “Jungkook told me you barely see him once per year, and his swamp is only three hours from here. It’s not such a long trip that you can only see him once a year. Actually, it’s shorter than coming all the way here, so,” Jimin took Jungkook’s hand under the table,” what’s exactly the reason you decided to come here out of nowhere?” 

Jungkook’s mother frowned. “Listen here, kid, I don’t like the tone you’re using right now. We’re Jungkook’s parents, it’s not your place to talk to us this way.” 

“I apologize, Mrs. Jeon,” Jimin said, his tone flat, “but as Jungkook’s boyfriend, I am more than allowed to worry about him.” 

“We are his parents, why would you worry about him when related to us? Unless there’s something you want to share?” 

“Only that Jungkook deserves way better than people taking advantage of him.” 

Jungkook’s mother rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. What do you know? We love him, but there’s nothing wrong with—”

“No,” Jimin immediately said, bristled. “It is absolutely wrong to ignore your son until you can find something to get out of him, and that’s what you’re doing right now. I don’t know what’s your problem, but—”

Jimin then stopped, looking to his right. Jungkook followed his eyes. 

A couple of tables away, in what was the perfect position to not only hear everything, but to take pictures, were two men with a camera. 

Paparazzi. But how did they even know that Jimin would be—?

Jungkook turned to his parents. “You called them, didn’t you?” 

Jungkook’s father scoffed. “They offered a lot of money for a good story. You know financing all of your siblings take a lot of money. The least you could do is help the family with their expenses.” 

“Are you fucking kidding me? That’s all you cared about, money?” Jimin stood up, not caring about making a scene. “Do you have such a low respect for your son?” 

“Why would we?” Jungkook’s mother asked. “He’s always alone. He can’t even have more bunnies because after being alone all his life he decided to go for a jellyfish instead of someone who can give him kits. We can’t have grandchildren, he doesn’t want to be around his parents. Isn’t that what kids are for? To take care of you when you’re older? Jungkook hasn’t fulfilled his duties.”

“You never did either! You left him alone as a kid, as a teenager, and as an adult. You couldn’t care any less about him!” The more words came out of his mouth, the angriest Jimin seemed. Even his jellyfish features were becoming more and more prominent, the bell from his head growing and covering his eyes. His arms also grew fine lines, almost as if algae were stuck in them. 

“Jimin…” Tried Jungkook, nervously eyeing the paparazzi, who was taking pictures like crazy. 

“You don’t know anything! You think you’re so special? That Jungkook actually loved you?” 

Now, if there was something he wouldn’t allow, was his parents questioning his love for Jimin. 

“I think it’s time for you to go,” Jungkook said, his voice calm. Both his parents looked at him in surprise. “You’ve overstayed your welcoming. I don’t want you two near me or my boyfriend ever again .”

Their parents’ faces were red, probably a mix of anger and embarrassment. His father turned to Jimin, ready to swing at him. “ You little—”

Without thinking, Jungkook pushed Jimin out of the way, receiving the first in the face instead. That wasn’t what hurt him the most, though. 

As soon as his hands had touched Jimin’s arms, he felt like acid had been injected acid into his skin. He immediately fell on the floor, the beginning of a headache hammering his brain as dizziness washed over him. What was happening? 

He could hear people move around him, someone touching his back, but he couldn’t really focus on them at all. He could only focus on the burning sensation in his hands. 

Before much could happen, Jungkook blacked out. 

He woke up to a gingerbread figurine next to his bed, a hand attached to the figurine. 

Jungkook was confused. “What?” 

“Do you know Pinpón?” It was a high voice, one familiar but that he could not recognize. 

“Pinpón?” Repeated him, baffled. 

“Yes, Pinpón,” the gingerbread man said. 

A spark of recognition occurred in his head. “Yeah! He’s a doll made out of cardboard.”

“Yes. He washes his little face with water and soap.”

Jungkook gasped. “With water and soap?!”

“He washes his face with water and soap!” 

“He washes his face with water and soap…” Jungkook giggled. “I thought I said no Shrek jokes, babe.” 

Jimin stood up from beside the bed. “You’re not fun.”

Jungkook snorted, moving to his side and pecking Jimin’s lips. “Good morning, baby.” 

“Good morning.” Jimin sat on the border of the bed. “How are you feeling?” 

Jungkook looked at his hands, all covered in bandages. “It doesn’t even hurt anymore. I don’t know why you insist on still having them.” 

Jimin frowned. “Jellyfish stings are no joke, Jungkook. If I were a more dangerous breed you could have died.” 

“I know, I know.” Jungkook sighed. “But it’s been almost a month. I think I’m fine by now.” 

Jimin didn’t answer, laying on the bed and wrapping himself around Jungkook. 

“You scared me, you know?” Jimin said. “I don’t want to sting you ever again.” 

“It wasn’t your fault,” reassured Jungkook. “If anything, my father is the one responsible. And my mother, for bringing up that paparazzi.”

Jimin sighed. “There are still some headlines about it. ‘Jellyfish prince stings his own partner.’”

“Good thing the media can rot for all I care.” Jungkook kissed Jimin’s head. Jimin smiled. 

“You know, you do have some similarities to Shrek after all,” Jimin jokingly said. Jungkook groaned. 

“Please, don’t.” 

“I’m serious! Except you’re not Shrek. You’re Fiona.” Jimin caressed Jungkook’s face. “Lives in an isolated tower, parents who hate the partner, and more importantly…” He kissed Jungkook’s nose. “You are the most beautiful person in the whole kingdom”

Jungkook couldn’t help but snort. “I really hate you.” 

“No, you don’t” Jimin teased him. 

“No, I don’t.” Jungkook closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling on Jimin between his arms. “I love you.”

“Love you too, bun.” 

And that’s all that mattered. 

“Some—” the door of their room opened, all his friends entering in one go, “BODY ONCE TOLD ME THE WORLDS IS GONNA— Agh! WHY ARE YOU NAKED” 

“I TOLD ALL OF YOU WE SHOULD HAVE CALLED BEFORE” 

“YOU REALLY NEED TO GET YOURSELF A PAIR OF JAMMIES”

“PARK JIMIN, YOU FUCKING—”

Yeah, Jungkook wouldn’t trade his life for anything.