The sweet aroma of steaming cocoa gradually filling one's senses, starting with that of smell, is unquestionably one of the best ways to rouse, at least according to Kim Taehyung whose eyes flutter open in an attempt to locate the tasty treat.

Attached to the cup hovering above him, a hand, and an arm, and the beaming profile of Jimin — of course, no one else would bother to stir him so delicately — raising a victorious fist. "Thank you Tae, for helping me win that bet."

The witch sits up, slightly intrigued. "What bet?" he wonders, not quite sure he really wants to know.

"Waking you without making physical contact."

Taehyung would laugh under different circumstances. But the idea of them making such silly wagers when his future was on the line is rather concerning.

Oblivious to his frown, Jimin carries on. "Jin hyung was about to douse you in cold water when Jungkook intervene." In his present sluggish state, Taehyung is unable to comprehend the knowing wink Jimin sends his way.

"I don't believe you. Jungkook would be the first to bring another bucket, for good measure."

"Tsk tsk. You don't seem to know him very well. Hoseok was about to tickle you awake when your knight in shining pearly whites called it cheating. He then threw everyone outside the room, muttering something about you needing the rest."

"Forgive me for not giving credence to your testimony. The fairy tongue can be deceiving. It is common knowledge."

"Owie."

"What?"

"Suspecting fae of dishonesty hurts."

"I'm sorry."

"To be fair, I am not asking you to believe me. I am merely reporting facts which you may or may not choose to take into consideration when you decide you wish to acquaint yourself with Jungkook's softer side."

"Pfff. Jeon does not have a soft side and you will not convince me otherwise," Taehyung scoffs. His words, however, sound empty. Silly even. Taehyung has already noticed the changes in Jungkook's posture when around him. Less bold. More chilled. But what it means, he does not want to ponder. Perhaps they are simply getting the hang of this partnership. Better not look too deep into it.

Despite the feeling of betrayal he experienced the night before, he admits having his sister around brings him comfort. True, she has not been able to properly read the Swiss Army wand—'nonstandard', she had called it — but she has convinced her brother to let her seek assistance from her professor. "I may not be gifted, but I trained with the best."

How odd, he thinks, that their fates have been so crossed.

"So tell me, sleepy boy, are you going to drink this or not?" Jimin asks, hot mug still clenched in his hands.

"It would be a crime not to!"

Taehyung takes the cup away from Jimin to set it down on the nightstand before pulling the fairy in for a hug, placing a soft kiss on his cheek in the process.

The room suddenly darkens as Jungkook materializes next to his bed. It takes a lot of effort on Taehyung's part for him not to yelp. "Can you, perhaps, give us notice when you decide to turn up like that, unannounced?"

The vampire does not reply, watching them both with squinting eyes. "What was that noise I just heard?"

"I shall take my leave now, before he snuffs my light out, and let you two figure things out." Jimin vanishes within a golden drizzle which has Jungkook roll his eyes. "Must he show off like that every time he's around you?"

It is now Taehyung's turn to ignore him as he brings the hot mug to his lips, blowing on the foamy drink.

"What did you have to kiss him for?"

Taehyung lifts up his mug.

"Hot chocolate? If I make you some, will you kiss me too?"

"You are no fae! Why would I need to pay you?"

Jungkook does not understand. "Pay me? What do you mean?"

"Oh. Right. I forgot how little you knew about his kind."

"Was that kiss payment for the drink?"

"It was. You do not want to be beholden to a fairy unless you are willing to give them your first-born when they show up at your door asking for their dues plus interests. And trust me when I say their interest rates are through the roof."

"And here I was thinking Jimin was your friend."

"He is. But he is also fae. I do not wish to put him in a position that would require him to go against the laws of his realm."

"What about witch interest rates?"

"What about them?"

"How high are they?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Well, you better figure it out because I'm in your debt and I would very much like to know what kind of payment you will ask of me when you decide to collect."

Taehyung giggles as he thinks of something Jungkook would surely never agree to. "A kiss would do, I guess."

"A kiss? For saving my life? Damn. Jimin's hot chocolate is so overpriced."

"That just cost a peck on the cheek. I'm talking about a real kiss."

"Would you even know what a real kiss is?"

A pillow is thrown his way. "Get out of here before I triple the interest rate," the caster snaps. Jungkook has yet to learn that Taehyung does not like to be reminded of the circumstances that outed him as what he is. And he certainly does not enjoy being mocked for it.

Jungkook's mind flashes back to that elevator. How jubilantly Taehyung had behaved. How vivid Jungkook's imagination had been. And how he now wishes the witch would at least consider his candidacy when he decides it is time to explore the science of smooching.

He pauses. Did he just blow his chance? The pout on Taehyung's lips does not bode well for his application. "If anything, it makes you more — likeable," Jungkook tries regardless.

"Ha. I can very well imagine the reasons that would have you find virgins more likeable."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Need I remind you that is precisely why Jaewon found me likeable in the first place?"

Oh. Right.

"Jaewon was after your blood."

"Are you not as well then?"

Jungkook recalls why he does not invest time and energy in what humans call socializing. The subtlety involved is simply incompatible with his overall blasé approach toward such interactions which seem all the more futile knowing the candles of mortals are smothered in seconds while his burns endlessly.

The thought of Taehyung fading into darkness like every other soul he has ever acknowledged does, however, stir some long discarded — what's the word? Ah yes — feelings. The question now is whether Jungkook deems it worth it to explore said inclination.

"I am not," he finally replies, truthfully.

He notices Taehyung's eyes squinting. "What are you after then, Jeon?"

"I'm not after anything. There is no point in wanting unless you revel in deprivation."

"Are you telling me you are content with what you have?"

"Shouldn't I be? Eternal youth. With a face like mine."

That's not a candid answer and Taehyung knows it. "Are you though?" he insists.

When did this conversation turn into some kind of psychological evaluation, Jungkook wonders. And why does he not really mind?

"Contentment is a fleeting state. Quite unsuitable for an existence lacking an expiry date."

"Are you saying you live in perpetual dissatisfaction?"

Junkook shakes his head. "I have a purpose, which is more than most can hope for."

Taehyung is smirking now. "Tell me then, Jeon Jungkook, what is your purpose?"

"We work for the same boss. We share the same purpose, Kim Taehyung."

"Ha. Work it is. Your endless existence dedicated to a professional occupation." The hot chocolate has gone cold by now, but Taehyung does not seem to want it any more. Setting is aside, he slips further under the covers, sighing. "I hope you find it fulfilling."

The words are shyly whispered, but Jungkook catches them nonetheless. He is by the witches side in a trice. "Will you not answer the question yourself?"

"I do not owe you anything." Taehyung wants to turn around in his bed and end the conversation, but Jungkook's profile in the morning light sheds a glow so soft his eyes cannot look away.

"Happiness? Love? Is that what you expect from life, Kim Taehyung?"

"Stupid things, I know."

Jungkook's fingers have somehow found their way into the witch's hair and are now casually playing with a few of its unruly locks. "They are not stupid things. Fleeting is what they are."

Like this instant, he thinks.

Taehyung's eyes are fluttering close, the gentle head massage soothing him into a lazy doze. The need to keep his guard up around the vampire has but vanished, replaced by a rather comfortable intimacy. "I do not know what life is to you," he admits, "but for the rest of us, that's all it is. A series of brief moments strung together by our desire to see them improve, and live them fully."

The fingers freeze. Jungkook has never thought of it that way. "This moment, for instance?"

"What about it?"

"How would you improve it?"

Their eyes meet as both hold their breath. "I would require that you pay your dues."

Where the boldness comes from, Taehyung doesn't know. Nor can he explain why Jungkook's hands—which have moved to cup his face—burn like an open furnace.

"Are you sure about that?" Jungkook must ask. A first kiss, once claimed, cannot be returned.

There is nothing to swallow yet Taehyung gulps anyway. "I'm not sure about anything, but why should it matter?"

"I do not want you to hate me more afterwards."

"Are you that bad a kisser?" the witch jokes, a little nervous.

"I've never had any complaints, but—"

"But?"

"Am I your by default choice?"

Taehyung does not need to think much about that. "You're my only choice," he reveals.

Jungkook brushes their nose as a sigh slips from his lips. He's not certain it is the answer he wants, but he decides it will do. "Breathe for me, Tae," he whispers before closing the gap between them. The other stiffens under his touch. Jungkook is about to withdraw when he notices Taehyung tentatively chasing after him.

And so it happens. The tasting of lips, the blending of breath, the timid tongue play. Jungkook smiles at Taehyung's quick learning skills and accidentally breaks the kiss. Not a moment too soon, he realizes as the witch gulps for air.

"Didn't I tell you to breathe?"

"Yeah—it kinda—slipped my mind."

That's when Taehyung takes note of his hands, still gripping Jungkook's shirt. "Sorry about that," he utters, trying to iron out the now crumpled fabric.

"It's just a shirt," the vampire chuckles. "Had you start pulling on my hair, it would have been a different story."

"Why? What happens when I pull on your hair?"

"The fangs come out."

Taehyung cannot tell whether Jungkook is being serious or not, but he decides it's funny and giggles, feeling a little lightheaded.

The sparkles Jungkook has missed dearly are back, setting Taehyung's gaze alight. Magic sparkles, no doubt, for how else could they ignite such a flare within him?

"So, about that debt of mine—"

"It is settled."

"Are you sure? Because I'm going to be here all day."

"If I didn't know you any better, I'd think you were flirting with me."

"What if I am?"

This is a rather stunning revelation to Taehyung who is still processing the fact that the vampire has agreed to the kiss. Not to mention the flustering reality that they had both enjoyed it.

Thankfully, Taehyung does not have to come up with an answer as someone knocks on the door. "Taehyung?" Namjoon calls, before entering and taking note of the barely-there space between the two men.

"Sorry for interrupting but — wait. Hold on a second. Are you — Okay fine. As long as it doesn't go against company rules which I'm gonna have to verify—"

"Hyung? What's the matter?" The sight of Namjoon losing his cool was never a good sign and Taehyung feels his heart rate pick up.

"They're here."

"High Court officers?" Jungkook asks, grabbing hold of Taehyung's hand.

"No. Pest control."

—

Wattpad fanfic writers write for free. One way you can show your appreciation for their hard work is to vote!

Thank you for reading ~♡