Only On Paper / JJK

Chapter 9

Vante's is one of the most impressive art galleries in Seoul. Anybody who wants to be somebody in the art world works hard to get their pieces displayed there. Of course, you're one of those artists who's trying to do just that, and even though you're a receptionist at Vante's, it's still practically impossible without having your work properly recognized anywhere else. Sometimes, that's not enough. Vante's requires a lot out of their artists and their work. If certain demands aren't met, then your reputation in the industry is as good as dead before you've even started.

You have hope, and it's that hope that gets you through work everyday. Admiring all the art work of prospective artists is also very inspiring. One day, you're gonna be on those same walls.

For now, you're stuck behind the front desk answering phone calls and welcoming visitors to the gallery. It wasn't too bad except for the few arrogant ones that came in acting all holier-than-thou. Other than that, you didn't really have anything bad to say about being a receptionist. You clocked in and left work on time, the pay was good, and you got to see others enjoy the talent you can't wait to share yourself.

Today is no different as you hang your purse over one shoulder and pull the keys out of it. You turn off all the lights like you do every evening and lock the door to the building before walking to the bus stop. The streets are fairly empty. There's only a few other people aside from you, some of which you're sure are heading to the bus stop too.

The only difference from this night and all the others is that you have someone at home to return to. You don't know how to feel about that. You're not even sure exactly what you're going home to. Jungkook definitely isn't human no matter how much he looks like one.

You think back to what he said to you, about the old woman and being given a second chance. Second chance to what? To live? If that was the case, then Jungkook had been human at some point, and if this is his second chance at life, then...

You stop in your tracks as the thought crosses your mind. Was Jungkook brought back from the dead? A shiver travels down your spine, covering your arms in goosebumps.

Shit. What if you're going home to a ticking time bomb? And when the timer hits zero, would Jungkook turn on you and eat your brains out?

No, you're being ridiculous. He would've been a zombie the moment he appeared. Then again, the circumstances of his arrival weren't of the usual bite-and-become-undead criteria. Honestly, you don't really know what to believe.

You start walking again, lost in thought, getting onto the bus that's stopped. Somehow, you've found your way home without really paying attention to your surroundings. It's not until you're in the hallway on the third floor in the apartment complex that you realize where you are, but it's only because the moment you step off the elevator, you hear a familiar voice.

"Who the fuck are you? What are you doing in my sister's apartment?"

You lift your gaze from where it had been blankly staring at the floor to see your brother shouting at Jungkook, who had answered your front door.

"Yoongi?" You pick up the pace to stand beside him. "What are you doing here?"

"I think the better question is, who's the shirtless giant?" He looks at you expectantly, and oh, does he sound pissed. "I can't believe you've been dating someone, and you didn't tell me about it."

You and Jungkook glance at each other. While you're looking at him in shock, he looks back at you in confusion. Before you can answer Yoongi, Jungkook speaks up instead. "Dating?"

Yoongi steels a glance at you, now returning Jungkook's puzzled expression. "Okay, so not your boyfriend? Who the hell is this guy?"

"He's my... new roommate." It's not a total lie. He is living with you though it's more complicated than that, you just don't know how complicated it actually is.

It seems like every time you try to understand the situation, another road block is put in your way to keep you from getting to the other side. That leaves you with questions that aren't ever going to be answered, which means you'll never know enough to tell your brother exactly what's going on. Siblings or not, he wouldn't believe you even if you told him what Jungkook truly is, so you're stuck telling a half-true and feeling guilty for keeping a secret from your only family.

"Roommate? What about your studio? Don't tell me you've been sharing a bed." Yoongi doesn't believe you. He's asking too many questions, trying to catch you in a lie and get you to be honest, but you continue spinning the story you hadn't planned on.

"He's sleeping on the couch for now until he finds a place of his own. It's just temporary." You maintain eye contact to make the lie believable, but he just asks you more questions.

"Okay, but who is he? How do you know him?"

What's one more lie, you tell yourself. You're already in deep.

"I work with him. He's a receptionist, and sometimes we work the night shift together. He got evicted a couple days ago, and I offered him a place to stay until he gets back on his feet."

His narrowed gaze relaxes, and your heart race slows seeing that he's accepted what you've said. For now, at least.

You push the door further, causing Jungkook to take a step into your apartment and make enough room for you to brush past him. Yoongi follows after you, glimpsing at Jungkook's bare chest. "That still doesn't explain why he's shirtless."

Jungkook closes the door and answers. "My nipples are sensitive from yesterday. I'm still getting used to wearing clothing."

"What?" Yoongi looks back at Jungkook, who just smiles down at him.

"Jungkook, go put a shirt on please." You silently beg him with your eyes once he's in view. You just got your brother to back down from his interrogation.

"But," he protests only to groan softly at your glaring. He goes into your bedroom and comes back out in a loose white shirt. Immediately, his arms fold over his chest to keep the material from rubbing his already raw nipples. You swear you hear him whine.

"So what are you doing here, Yoongs?" You place your belongings on the coffee table as your brother sits on the couch.

"Didn't know I needed a reason to come see my baby sister."

"I'm not a baby." You shoot him a glare to which he chuckles at.

"You're right. A baby wouldn't let a half-naked man stay with her." He rests his legs up on the table.

You shove his feet onto the floor. "Shut up, and tell me why you're here. And keep your muddy boots off of my table."

"Just wanted to tell you the news in person," he pauses to see your features change from annoyance into borderline excitement.

"Are you...," you trail off when Yoongi's lips tug into a smile and he nods. You scream at his confirmation.

"God, would you calm down?" He teases, but you can tell Yoongi is just as enthralled as you are.

"How can I calm down when you're collaborating with RM? I mean no one has even seen his face let alone getting the opportunity to work with him! This is fucking amazing!" You pull your brother off the couch to embrace him in a tight hug.

"I think you're more excited than am I," he says, though he wraps his arms around your giddy frame. "I'm actually really nervous. They're making me sign an agreement to never reveal his identify. Like shit, I feel like I'm being recruited into the CIA."

"You can still tell me details about the collaboration though, right?" You release him and walk to the kitchen where Jungkook is making what looks like to be a sandwich.

"I don't know," Yoongi replies, walking right behind you. "It all depends on what rights I'm signing away tomorrow."

You open the refrigerator and grab two water bottles, one for you and one for Yoongi. "Tomorrow? Are you going to meeting him?"

"Yeah." He takes the water you offer. "I'm meeting a music producer I've been looking up to since his first song came out. It all feels surreal."

"Now it's actually real, and you're going to do great!"

note: hehe army knows exactly who rm is ;) y/n doesn't have any answers yet but she will have more soon but she'll also only get more confused. next couple chapters will be more calm but i hope you'll stick around for the couple twists in the story. please be safe everyone!