Young Money - Jikook

D-4: present

Jungkook left work early because of a meeting with the gallerist of the exhibition Jimin had told him about. Dangerous thoughts drifted through his head while he drove his Ferrari to the other side of the Han-River, back to Gangnam.

He had been awake half of the night, thinking about him and Jimin. And after replaying Jimin's confession for hours, he finally had admitted to himself that his feelings, too, were more than friendship. He would not call it love for now, but it was damn close.

His forecasting had come true. He had known that if he spent more time with his future brother-in-law, he might fall for him. But nonetheless he had gone for it: he had offered him the deal and he had spent the day with him. Lust and love. At some point you cannot divide those two anymore.

With a sigh, he parked his car and went upstairs. The gallery was an old factory building, the cables and air-conditioning tubes dangled from the bare ceiling and the brick walls were painted white on the lower half, giving a nice contrast to all the pieces of art.

The first picture that caught his eye showed a room that was painted in all shades of red, orange, and yellow, cheerful colors. But its center held a dark circle in black and blue, eating up the cheerful atmosphere and turning it into something dangerous. He was fascinated by its effect on him. A thrilling piece.

Neuer Mond (new moon) by Johannes Ulrich Kubiak (146x110 cm)

The gallerist found him staring at the piece and they greeted each other formally. The man wore a simple black jacket with a gray reverse over a black cashmere turtleneck. His dress pants were checked in black and white. Jungkook found the style befitting for a gallerist.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Jeon. I'm Mr. Kim Namjoon, we talked on the phone. How can I help you?"

"A friend spoke about this exhibition and he's getting married soon, so I thought of it as a wedding present," he explained himself.

"Art never fails its effect. Especially, if the gifted likes the artist. Would you like to take a look on your own, or do you want me to tell you some details about the artist?"

"Please, tell me while I take a look."

So, the two started walking through the room and Mr. Kim told him the background story of the newcomer. His works were low-priced for Jungkook's standards, but his work was marvelous. All pictures were done with watercolor in stunning colors. They screamed 'live'. Now Jungkook understood why Jimin had not been able to stop talking about them.

When he crossed a particular picture, he halted.

Wand (wall) by Johannes Ulrich Kubiak (132x94 cm)

Its motive reminded him of the streets of Venice, a place Jimin and he both loved. But its colors brought something else to his mind. This picture portraited their relationship: a bitter base with a bright topping. The stinging pain in his chest was back.

"I'll buy this one," he said in a low voice.

"Do you want me to frame it?"

"No, just put it behind glass, no frame."

"Like you wish. Is there any other work that you would like to purchase?"

"The one next to the door. I forgot its name. I would take that for myself. Same as the other one, no framing, just glass."

"When should we deliver it?"

"Friday would be nice. I'll give you the address."

After discussing the transfer, Jungkook left.

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Back home he grabbed his book from the coffee table and went to his room, sitting down against the headboard of his bed. His mood was terrible.

But after some minute's distraction appeared in the form of his sister who cracked open his door to poke her head inside.

"Long time no see," Maei greeted him.

He looked up to meet her eyes. "Hello, dear sister."

"Did you see my note?"

"Yes, we'll go get our suits tomorrow."

"No, tomorrow is the rehearsal for the ceremony."

"Well, then we'll get it on Thursday."

"Perfect." And she vanished.

Jungkook shook his head and resumed reading. His sister seemed to get further away from him with every upcoming day. He missed her, but on the other hand he betrayed her. Developing feelings for Maei's future husband was unprofessional, and he knew it. But feelings could not be undone.

He sighed.

"Bad mood?" a soft voice made him snap up his head. This time in the doorframe stood Jimin, a sad smile on his face. He wore dress pants and a button-down, and Jungkook had to admit that he missed the cozy hoody.

"Yes." He swallowed around the limp in his throat.

"I have something I wanted to give you." The smaller came over, climbed onto the bed, and kneeled in front of him, so Jungkook put away his book and waited for what was going to happen.

From the pocket of his dress pants Jimin pulled out a small paper bag and opened it, letting a silvery thing fall into his palm. When Jungkook realized what it was, his eyes grew wide.

"You-"

"Yes, I bought another one."

A twin of the ring they bought yesterday rested on the palm of the other's hand.

"In the blink of an eye," Jungkook whispered and a tear rolled down his cheek.

Those rings suited them perfectly. He lifted his right hand, so that Jimin could put it on, but because it had the same size as its twin, he had to wear it on his pinkie. The older intertwined their fingers, the two silver rings shining at each side of their interlaced digits, marking them as one.

"How corny," Jungkook snickered quietly, wiping away his tears with his free hand.

"I know," Jimin whispered and leaned in for a brief kiss.

When he tried to retreat, Jungkook pulled him back in, not wanting to break the touch of their lips, yet. "Stay," he whispered and nuzzled his nose into the older man's neck.

"I will." And Jimin pulled him closer, embracing him tightly when tears started streaming down Jungkook's face.

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