Dancing With Fire | +18 | (NEW)

20 | Family Ties



Jimin sprawled across the couch in his apartment, the air heavy with the scent of fresh paint and cedarwood from a candle flickering on the coffee table. His phone rested on his chest, the screen glowing with an incoming call from Jamie, his younger sister. He hesitated, his mind still tangled in the aftermath of Yuna’s return and his mother’s meddling, the weight of Jaesung’s photos of Y/N, a fresh bruise. But Jamie’s calls were rare, and he couldn’t ignore her forever. He swiped to answer, propping the phone against a cushion for the video call.

Jamie’s face filled the screen, her hair a wild cascade of auburn curls, her eyes bright with mischief despite the grainy connection. She was in her London flat, the background cluttered with vinyl records and fairy lights. “Jimin-ah!” she chirped, her voice a burst of energy that made him wince. “You look like you just rolled out of a boardroom and straight into a nap.”

“Close enough,” Jimin said, rubbing a hand over his face, the stubble rough against his palm. “What’s up with you? Still causing chaos in Glastonbury?”

Her grin widened, a flash of teeth that spelled trouble. “Oh, you have no idea. Met this gorgeous Japanese girl at the festival last month—Mai, total dream. Hair like ink, moves like she’s dancing with the universe. I’m smitten.”

Jimin chuckled, the sound low and warm, easing the tension in his shoulders. “Smitten, huh? That’s a new one for you.”

“Right?” Jamie leaned closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “So, I was thinking… when I bring her to Korea, can I maybe borrow a room at your new place? You know I can’t take her to Mum and Dad’s. Too many nosy parents, not enough vibe.”

Jimin’s laugh burst out, sharp and genuine. “You just slipped that in like it’s nothing. ‘Oh, hey, Jimin, nice weather, by the way, can I crash at your place for a romantic getaway?’”

Jamie winked, unrepentant. “Exactly. Gotta keep it classy.”

“Fine,” he said, rolling his eyes. “But keep your business quiet. I don’t need to hear… whatever you two get up to.”

She snorted, tossing her hair. “Oh, please. You’re not exactly Mr. Hush hush according to Jay.”

Jimin’s jaw tightened, a flicker of defensiveness sparking in his chest. “That’s weird of you two to do. It’s weird to be talking about your brother’s… you know. Sibling code.”

“Sibling code?” Jamie cackled, her laughter echoing through the call. “Since we can’t do it behind your back, let’s do it to your face.” Before Jimin could protest, she tapped her screen, adding Jay to the call.

Jay’s face appeared, slightly pixelated, the fluorescent lights of a supermarket casting harsh shadows across his features. He held a basket of instant ramyeon and a bottle of soju, his grin lazy but sharp. “Yo, what’s this? A family ambush?”

“Are you in a supermarket?” Jamie’s voice pitched high with mock horror, her eyes wide. “Since when do you shop for groceries?”

Jimin leaned forward, equally stunned. “Yeah, what’s next? You cooking? Who are you, and what have you done with Jay?”

Jay laughed, the sound rich and unbothered, as he tilted the camera to reveal Taemin, the eldest Park sibling, standing beside him. Taemin’s brown hair was streaked with black at the temples, his glasses slightly fogged from the store’s chill. He waved, his smile warm but tinged with exasperation. “Hey, you two. Nice to know you remember I exist.”

“Taemin!” Jamie squealed, while Jimin offered a sheepish grin. Taemin snatched the phone from Jay, his face filling the screen, his expression a mix of affection and mock severity.