(Update July 2021: Sequel to Pluto Rooms is out now! Entitled Borrowing Fear.)

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Two Years Later.

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The sun shines gaily upon the roof of a posh apartment building, filtering through the floor to ceiling windows of the penthouse on the uppermost level of the building. Gentle streaks of sun trace the sides of fluffy couches, tickle the surfaces of stacked candy machines graced with sugary delights, and rain warmly upon the dozing face of a peaceful business man sprawled across the floor in nothing but a crop top and shorts. Catching against the beams of light is a sparkly oddball, a massive diamond engagement ring situated on the sleeping man's left ring finger.

The affirming beep of a key card echoes behind the sleek black doorway to the magnificent abode. An athletically built man admits himself into the room with a creature padding at his feet. The instant the door gets closed behind him, he releases the large brown service dog into his shared three-story penthouse. 

"Plute, go get Melonboy over there! Go get him!"

The dog excitedly bounds off from the brunette businessman, trailing a yellow leash behind him as he approaches his second owner. A wet and curious nose prods at the sleeping boy's face and neck repeatedly, licking the flavored gloss off of parted lips.

"Mmm...Jung...stoop..." Jimin swats at his attacker, his hand meeting with a furry ear. He seems to recognize that the thing licking him is most definitely not Jungkook, and he opens his eyes to the bright sunlight blazing into the room. The dog rolls into Jimin's side, clearly pleased that he got his second owner awake. His tail wags enthusiastically, dark eyes staring into a bellybutton. The purple-haired male wraps his arms affectionately around the dog's neck. "Hi Plute! Who's a good boy? You're a good boy!"

Jimin smooches the top of the dog's head a few times before he attempts to sit up. Across the room, Jungkook sets his business tote on the coffee table, removing his iPad and putting on a Britney Spears remix station. A lusty voice careens into the air between them, and Jimin is on his feet in a second. This is what Jungkook always does whenever he has good news for Jimin. 

"Morning, Kook!" Jimin brushes himself off, the sleepiness in his voice not fully gone yet. "How was your graphics masterclass? The students good to you today I hope?"

Jungkook accepts his fiancée in a welcome hug, running his free hand through Jimin's hair. "One of my students can draw better than me. He's a foreigner from Russia...you should see some of the designs he puts out! Also, why were you sleeping on the floor again, Melonboy...?"

"I was too hot in bed...and I had a bad dream about Gyuri again. You were gone with Plute when I woke up so I just...came out here." Jimin stares at the deep blue area rug where he'd been laying. Plute squirms around there, rubbing his furry face into the carpet and pawing playfully at the strings.

"Aww..." Jungkook kisses the elder on the forehead while I Wanna Go by Britney Spears plays in the background. "I hate that nasty devil of a woman. Why is she still in your dreams? Have you told your therapist about it?"

"Yeah...but she tells me that it's common for survivors of trauma to have nightmares about their past whenever they get stressed." Jimin pulls away from Jungkook, skimming past him towards the kitchen. The younger follows, walking slowly on his own feet towards the lip-shaped barstool seats (Jimin's suggestion) that border the island of their vast granite counter. Jungkook plops into one, adjusting the tight leg braces underneath his suit pants. Jimin continues speakign while his fiancée listens, taking out the blender to make his late morning fruit smoothie blast for breakfo. "I'm getting stressed over filming tomorrow's scene. I'm sure I'll be fine, but...I have to kiss the other lead male and...I haven't kissed anyone else since I met you, and-"

"Hey." Jungkook stares at him, a 'you don't have to be worried, Melonboy' look on his face. "You'll be fine. Plus, it's just a kiss. If you think that I'm going to be mad or something, I'm not. It's for acting, Jimin, and if you want to be a professional, you have to deal with professional things like kissing people who aren't your to-be husband."

Jimin grins over the pile of pre-washed fruits he has in a bowl. Carefully, he dumps a variety of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries into the blender. He watches them topple in. "I know...it'll just be weird. I have nothing against Lee Minho, but he's way more experienced than me and I feel kinda intimidated. Do I even kiss right? How do I go about doing it?"

An amused chuckle leaves Jungkook's lips. He watches as Jimin 'accidentally' dumps in four scoops of vanilla ice cream instead of two, and adds an entire cup of sugar instead of his normal half a cup. In the background, the song changes to Work Bitch and Jimin presses the blend button.

After his mixed purple breakfo is finished churning, Jimin pours it from the blender into a fat wine glass. Jungkook drums his fingers on the counter top to the beat while his fiancée adds a few more sprinkles of sugar to the top. Plute pads in from the living room at the smell, sitting patiently by Jungkook's barstool. 

"Here." Jungkook pats the spot next to him. Jimin nods, carrying the smoothie-filled wine glass over to the empty barstool. "If you want, you can practice your kissing technique with me. For dramas, I'm sure you're going to have to tone down your kissing. If you kiss Minho how you kiss me, they're going to have to call the whole ass fire department to put out the heat-"

"YOU BETTER WORK BITCH!" Jimin purposely sings the lyrics to the song loudly to block out Jungkook, shaking his hips in the barstool. Plute seems to get a rise out of this, wagging his tail and padding towards the purple-haired male. "YOU WANT A HOT BODY? YOU WANT A BUGATTI?"

"I want you to stop singing, Melonboy!" Jungkook cries out, grabbing the wine glass away. The chocolate Labrador-mix put his paws up onto the barstool next to Jimin. The elder quickly grabs the large paws in his small hands, dancing goofily with the dog to the music.

"That's right Plute, you better woorrrkkk bitch!" Jimin hops around with the large dog, swaying side to side while the dog wags its tail. Jungkook can't help but smile at the actor/CEO shaking his butt to such a song "Hey, Kook! Take his other paw, let's have a dance circle!"

The younger quickly hops to his feet with a wide grin splitting his lips. He shuffles up next to Jimin's hip, taking one of Plute's paws in his own. His other arm wraps around the elder's waist. They dance to the EDM song, bopping up and down with their happy pup. Jungkook bumps his hip into Jimin's a few times. Eventually, the song ends, and Plute wiggles his paws free, scampering to look at birds fly past the huge window of the penthouse. Jimin giggles.

"That was nice." He comments, reaching for his wine glass smoothie. He plops himself down on the barstool and Jungkook follows. "Here, legs up on my lap, Kook. I'll give you a massage while you tell me the good news."

Jungkook complies, slowly lifting his legs to settle on Jimin's lap. The elder pulls Jungkook's dress shoes off, tossing them by the door. Then, he rolls up the dress pants to the knee, detaches the stabilizing leg braces, and starts to press on the muscles under his fingertips. Jungkook is completely able to walk on his own now, but the nerve functioning in his lower half will never fully heal. Because of this, he wears leg braces to stabilize himself when his legs decide not to respond to the commands his brain sends them. Plute as a service dog also helps Jungkook maintain his balance when ambling around. He's a nice support to lean on when the younger has to maneuver through tough areas, and he's trained to help Jungkook back up in case of a fall.

"Your calves are tight." Jimin comments, following the massage technique that Thea had taught him the last time they visited Seoul. "So, you gonna tell me the news?"

Jungkook almost forgets himself as he groans into the massage. His legs are very sore. With all the strengthening exercises he does, plus getting around the large Pluto Rooms building to train graphic artists, his legs get sore often. Just today, when he was training a masterclass on how to design virtual romantic date atmospheres with various lighting techniques, his legs almost gave out when exiting class.

"Yeah...oohhhh, right there..." Jungkook winces as his calves are squeezed and rolled around. "Damn, my legs are sore...okay, the news...right, the news."

Behind them, the iPad sings out the lyrics of Womanizer. Jimin hums, waiting for his fiancée to spill. 

Jungkook inhales. "You know that beach in California? The one we've been eyeing?"

Jimin's eyes widen. "Yes...yes I do."

"There's an opening for a Saturday wedding at the end of July. Someone canceled last minute and I called to officially book ours at the resort!" Jungkook's eyes glow with joy as Jimin's hands stop moving on his legs. Jimin's mouth opens wide. He blinks in shock at the boy seated across from him.

"Really?"

"YES!"

"REALLY?"

"I ALREADY SAID YES! PARK JIMIN, WE'RE GETTING MARRIED THIS SUMMER!" Jungkook's legs get thrown off of Jimin's lap before he knows what's happening. The elder squeals as he grabs Jungkook's face in his hands, holding their faces an inch apart.

"Really?" He whispers, bumping their noses together. Jungkook grins at him.

"Really."

Jimin fuck yeah's! before he pulls his fiancée in for a long, deep kiss. One that cannot contain his joy, his excitement, his love for the younger. Jungkook laughs as they separate, both males full of buzzing energy and hope. He brings Jimin's left hand up to his lips, kissing the engagement ring there.

"That's right. We will get married and say fuck you Korea and have our wedding overseas and then we'll have a beautiful honeymoon in Hawaii where we'll go scuba-diving because I can swim now and hiking because I can walk, and we'll make love every morning before I buy you ice cream for breakfo-"

"YES!" Jimin has been hopping around the barstool the whole time, his hands clutching at his heart. He adds onto Jungkook's list, spelling out his own flair. "And we'll ride the dolphins! And go to couple's massages, and lay on the beach, and wear purple and yellow leis the whole time, and we'll get to hula dance, and I'm going to buy a bunch of new hula skirts for home, and we can watch the sunset together and fall asleep under the stars...oh, Kook...it's going to be so fun!" 

Jungkook gets kissed again by an excited mouth before the twenty-six year old breaks away from him, spinning around their wide living room. He spins and spins, twirling around in his ecstatic reverie. His purple hair tosses all around his smiling face, illuminating everything about him that Jungkook has grown to love--his intelligent comments about the world, his kind heart, his work ethic, his otherworldly body, sexual prowess, and caring soul...even his rampaging sweet tooth. He loves every part of Jimin and will until the day they die.

Plute stares at the spinning CEO, unfazed by his behavior. Jungkook stands up and heads towards his crazy fiancée. While twirling, Jimin doesn't see him coming and crashes right into his chest. 

"OH!" Jimin is quick to reach out and pull Jungkook into his chest, stabilizing him before he can fall. "Gotcha."

"Woah there, Meloncrasher." Jungkook giggles, breathing against purple hair. "You trying to prevent this wedding from happening?"

Jimin shakes his head, laughing. He squints his eyes, studying Jungkook's youthful face.

"No, I'm not. Jungkook, you have something on your face."

"It's probably my lips, and you probably want to kiss them." Jungkook leans in, already predicting the elder's actions-

"No, you seriously have something on your face!" Jimin reaches up, brushing the younger's bangs back. "It's your forehead, and I probably want to kiss it."

Jimin rises to his tiptoes while the other murmurs an I love you, crazy Melonboy. 

The yellow sunlight kisses Jungkook's forehead as Jimin's glossed lips do the same, nothing more fitting in the moment than the colors of yellow optimism and purple confidence settling between the Perilation lovers--for now and forever on.

<3

Fin.

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<3

Excuse me?

"Hmm?" Jungkook turns towards the camera in the art gallery, blinking in confusion at the lense pointed his way. "What is it?"

Can I ask a few questions of you and your friends here in this arena of perpetual limbo? Your fans would like some answers.

"Uh, fans? Well sure! What do they want to know?" Jungkook scratches his neck, gazing behind him at the cast list hanging high on the wall of Busan's art gallery. Every face in Pluto Rooms resides there on long banners. Their cover shots shine on the wall from the blazing purple light of the art gallery.

Take a seat, now. I'll give you the questions.

A seat materializes out of thin air, and the young brunette sits down on it. He stretches his legs out, gazing up in curiosity at the lense of the camera.

Okay, first question for you: 'Did you seriously consider never getting the chance to walk again before you met Jimin?'

"Woah...um. Okay, deep question there to start, hah..." Jungkook stares off into the distance. "The thing is...I was kinda really, um, depressed after the accident happened for a lot of reasons. There are a lot of things that I don't like to mention about my past, including my depression. It wasn't that I never considered walking again, but my motivation level and energy levels those first months of paralysis made me cut that hope off before I gave it a chance. Like I've told Jimin before, hope can be dangerous sometimes. When I met him, I threw that out the window and dove right into the possibility...ah, if only to walk again for the wonderful Park Jimin...I thought."

'Why do you call doors, dodos--and breakfast, breakfo?'

Jungkook giggles. "Another Busan thing that I picked up from my dad. He was a country boy growing up before he went into digital design. His weird way of talking rubbed off on us I guess. Plus, it's fun!! Even if dodos are an extinct bird, we can bring them back to life through slang!"

'So about that clone you briefly mentioned earlier--when can I get in contact with him?'

"Did I mention a clone?" The younger boy pauses to think, tapping on his knees. "Oh! Yes, now I remember...I said that to Jimin after he told me I hurt him too much. Melonliar! He never says that to me now. To answer your question, I would be happy to try and recreate a virtual clone of myself using a graphics program...but I don't think society has advanced enough for a real life breathing clone of me. I wish I could help you though! I'm a huge people person if people can stand me, and I'd love to meet you! If I had a clone for you, I'd ship it to the UK as fast as possible."

'Would you rather eat soup or Jimin?'

Jungkook smirks. He says nothing, only puts his tongue in his cheek and waggles his eyebrows.

'Give me some soup recipes plz'

"SOUP!! Boy would I love to give you the recipes, but I don't have them. My mom does, and most of them she knows by heart now so they aren't on paper. But a few of my favorites include her famous Miso soup, Miyeok Guk, cheesy potato soup, Kimchi Jigae, chicken noodle soup, spicy ramyeon, and many others that Mom makes up names for. Like Jungkook's Elixir, Rainbow Swirl, and even Soupy Soup. Yeah, not very creative. But now that I can move around in the kitchen, I try my best to make my own soups. They never taste as good as Mom's though..."

'Dude, how are you so cool? Can I borrow you for a while? ;)'

"Uh...I'm cool because the temperature is kinda low in this weird room I'm in...also, um I guess you could borrow me for a few minutes but I'm usually with my Melonboy so he might tag along. Hope you don't mind?"

Thank you, Jungkook. Please retire back to your spot on the wall. Bring out Jimin, please.

Jungkook nods, hopping off the chair and rushing to Jimin's panel next to his. The purple-haired male saunters over to the seat and plops down. As an actor, he knows already to face the camera with good posture and a steady demeanor. "Hello. You have something for me?"

Yes. Here is the first message I have for you from one of your fans: 'Jiminie you're my role model! Have a happy life with Pluto! Can you recommend me a good nail polish combination?'

Jimin's lips quirk up and he brushes his hair back in a clean swipe. "I'm extremely flattered...thank you lovely fan. Also, since most of my crop tops are pastels, my nail colors normally match them. I would highly recommend cool-colored nail polish--purples, blues, and greens--for down to Earth people who want to stay grounded. For go-getters, wild people like Pluto with tons of ambition, I'd suggest warmer colors. Although, it's never a bad idea to have one nail different from all the others for a pop of color. Currently, my ring fingers are sunshine yellow against my favorite violet color. The best nail combination is one that speaks to your soul! For me, it's purple and yellow for obvious reasons."

'jimin hunny u slay king...Also i need help in a flavour lip gloss help?'

"I slay? Woah..." Jimin bites his lip, getting a bit flustered under the camera's lense. "I think you slay. Also, for lip gloss I'd suggest something sweet. My lip glosses are usually fruit flavored...strawberry, cherry, raspberry...since those have the best dark stains. I've learned that sometimes the candy flavored ones are way too artificial and they leave a gross taste on the tongue. Stay away from soda ones, those ones are awful. Sprite for the lips? Gosh, who even thought of that...it takes like the aluminum can more than it tastes like the soda. Bleh."

'What crop top and nails combination is the best?'

"Oh, definitely Melonaju's crop color. Violet crop trop, but for the nails I'd suggest a brighter color. I've been trying to mix up my color palette recently. Perhaps a light baby blue for the nails? I prefer cool colors other than yellow, so any combination of blues, purples, and yellows for fits my personality well."

'How do you eat as much candy as you do and NOT BE FAT? Actually, and how do you not get so incredibly sick?'

Jimin's hands flock naturally to his bare stomach where they rest protectively. "Ever since birth I was a die-hard sweet tooth. My mom told me that even in her pregnancy, candy was all she craved. For some reason that grew with me into adulthood, and I'm always craving sugar...which isn't really good for my heart. Since I have such a high metabolism, I don't typically gain weight, plus I exercise with Jungkook a lot. My body is always so so warm, so I think that maybe my sugar burns off fast inside of me like an inferno...? Haha! Candy has never made me sick. In fact, sour and spicy foods make me kind of sick if I eat too much. My body must process sugars differently. I'm trying to eat healthier, I get most of my sugars from fruits now!"

'Got any big movie roles yet?'

"Why...yes. I was a prince in a gay drama series--Jungkook was fine with the scenes where I had to kiss other men, surprisingly! And it had oustanding sucess worldwide. It wasn't as famous in Korea, but international fans ate that up. Also...can I say this?" Jimin looks around the room as if the answer is floating there. After a few seconds, he shrugs. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone this yet, but I'm set to film a Netflix Original movie about a serial killer. Guess who got cast for the serial killer! Ahhhh!! Oh! I'm so excited."

'Do you think that you'd sue Yoon Gyuri if Jungkook wasn't in the picture? Like if you hadn't met him? Woud you still sue her? And her father's company?'

"Oh. Um." Jimin shifts around uncomfortably in his seat at the mention of Gyuri. "I don't think it would be possible. If I hadn't met Jungkook, I wouldn't be the same person as I am now. I'm not sure if I would have met Jinyoung...or how that would have worked out. I might have gotten help from Jinyoung regardless, but without Jungkook pepping me up with the fighting spirit, I probably would've been too scared to ask for his help. I was kind of a coward before I met Jungkook...in a lot of ways. I would love to say that I would've still sued her without Jungkook by my side, but I know that's probably not true."

Thank you, Park Jimin. Now, would you pull out the bartenders from Radon please?

"Of course. I'm so grateful that people out there like me! Can you tell them how much I love their compliments? Because I really do...anyway, sorry, I'm getting distracted. I'll go get them." He leaves, bringing out the cast of Radon in front of the camera.

Hello Radon staff. I have a few questions for Yeonjun first.

Yeonjun plops down into the interrogation chair, kicking his leg up over the side. "Hmm?"

'Hunny how yah feeling u mah boo so i gotta checc up on u?'

Yeonjun blinks. He stares at the camera for a long time, before a slinking smile lights up his face. "I'm feelin grand as a motherfucker. Thanks for askin, boo."

'If Yeji doesn't like you, I'll be there for you.'

Yeonjun crosses his arms. "You'll be there for me, but that doesn't mean I'll run into your arms. Plus, Yeji's mine."

'Well all I can say is good luck with Yeji.'

Yeonjun nods, pleased. "Thanks. But I don't need luck. I have natural charm and so does she."

'Soobin AND Yeonjun- I assume you're both straight or something then? Dang I thought you'd make a cute couple.'

Yeonjun scoffs, shaking his head. "I'm straight. Soobin is...what are you, Soobin?"

Soobin blushes a fire hydrant red, stepping forward. He makes sure to give Yeonjun plenty of space as he stares into the camera. "Uh...I'm not sure what I am. But, you think we'd make a cute...couple? Wait, really?! Um...ahem, well I don't date smokers first of all and um. He's totally not...my...type...heh..."

'Soobin, don't blame yourself, you didn't know, you were lied to. So don't blame yourself.'

The bartender nods, something solemn passing over his face. "I appreciate it. I don't blame myself anymore. I'm just pissed that Gyuri got under my skin so easily. Now I'm not as trusting of strangers who flirt with me. Gotta make sure they have the right intent."

'Jackson...you sly fucker, I hope you and Jinyoung have a happy relationship.'

Jackson practically skips forward, cheesing the entire while. "Sly fucker? Hey, Jinyoung's the sly fucker. And we do have a happy relationship. I'm glad that Jimin didn't like him back but I'm still confused at why he wouldn't. Jinyoung's the whole package!! What's not to like?"

Boss, come forward. You have a few complaints. Here is the first one. 'Dude how do you feel after getting completely roasted by a guy who can't even walk alone YET IS A THOUSAND TIMES MORE OF A MAN THAN YOU?'

The boss rolls his eyes, frowning at the camera. "That guy was not more of a man than me. He's a disgrace, talking back to his elder like that. He didn't roast me. No, he didn't...he didn't..."

'Boss, why don't you know their names?'

"I have more important things to attend to in my life than know exactly how to pronounce everyone's name perfectly. Get over it. I have a business to run! Jimen, Jimin...same thing!"

No, not the same thing. I don't think I want to see you anymore. Bring the lawyer out please.

Soon the team of bartenders leave. Jinyoung kisses Jackson on the cheek as they cross paths before the lawyer settles into his seat. "A camera...more press? Oh, yep. Okay. I'm ready for the questions."

'Lol your temper tantrum was funny--thanks for helping out though--what made you so invested in Jimin to begin with?'

Jinyoung's eyes light up. "You think I'm funny? You're one of the kind ones. Jackson's about the only one who doesn't call me boring...haha! But to answer your question, I was invested in Jimin initially out of attraction. Have you seen the guy? He shouldn't have been working at Radon. Like I told him when I first met him, he should've been modeling with a face and figure like that. He's a rare gem...but not as rare as Jackson. He should be a model, too, that sexy guy-"

Next. 'How'd you know that Jimin was gay? He didn't tell you, so how did you know?'

Jinyoung shrugs. "Um...I assumed. I probably shouldn't have...now that I look back on it..." He scratches his neck. "In Radon that night, he was wearing tight black pants and nail polish with his purple hair slicked back...I mean, not to stereotype, but I thought he appeared pretty gay to me. Plus, when I flirted with him he got flustered...I kind of sensed his attraction to me? Not sure. Maybe it was the alcohol."

Thank you for your commentary. Min Yeji, come out!

Jinyoung bows politely and exits. The heroine of the story emerges from her banner, chin held high. She takes a seat on the chair and grins into the camera. "Hi!!"

'You ok bby?'

Yeji nods enthusiastically. "Yes, I'm fabulous! It's been a while since the whole incident, and just recently I got off of probation, so I don't have that annoying ankle bracelet on all the time! No more probation officers checking in on me. Plus, I j-just recently moved in with Yeonjun. I couldn't be better! Thank you for asking, hon."

'How did it feel to kill the devil?'

A dark look passes over the young woman's face. She knots her fingers together, staring at the camera with disturbance. "Well. I never thought I would actually kill Yoon Gyuri, but my hands stabbed her before I could even process what was happening. All I knew is that Jinyoung contacted me terrified one day asking if I could help find a missing Jimin, and I suggested the Keeping Skin building since Gyuri might take him there. Then I drove there and the Jeon brothers met me at the place but they were all beaten up...and then we were frantically searching around...and we finally found that bitch upstairs with him." She takes a deep breath. "All I know is, Jungkook told me about the sexual abuse Jimin suffered and I could only see red. It felt like me laying there all over again, getting taken advantage of. So...was I sorry that she died after she made tons of people miserable? Yes and no. I wish it wouldn't have ended up in murder, but I think she was the devil incarnate. Does that answer your question?"

'You have a child don't you? How is your child, how old is the baby? And I hope that you're both doing fine.'

Yeji's face expands like a flower and she sits up straighter in her seat. "I do have a child! Yes, how did you know? She's my baby girl...even though she's three now, she's growing up so fast! Her name is Chae, and I trade her off with my parents whenever I'm working. At the time of the Gyuri incident Chae was only one, and I got really pissed off at Gyuri when she threatened to take away my daycare. Since Chae's father is in jail for...um, sexually assaulting lots of women, Chae doesn't really have a father. But she'll always be loved by me--she'll never be seen as a child of rape, since I know she isn't guilty for the awful things her father did. I love Chae so damn much. Yeonjun does too--when we take her to the park they always play on the playground together, and Chae calls him Junie. Oh, am I getting ahead of myself? Haha...thank you for your concern."

That's beautiful, Yeji. Now would you kindly escort Eunmi out for us?

The childish glee at speaking about her daughter doesn't leave Yeji's face as she rises from the chair to summon Jungkook's mother. Eunmi gracefully steps out of her banner, walking up to the camera. "Oh my...a camera! I feel like a young girl again in Busan, with that thing filming me. Memories, am I right? That reminds me of all the times I tried to film little Jungkook and Junghyun but my youngest would hide his face and yell at me. Haha! Sorry, you have questions?"

'For all us future parents out there, Eunmi, do you have any tips on how to raise someone as BEAUTIFUL as your son? Like please I need to create human life like that please help.'

Eunmi snorts. "Which son? Just kidding, I know what you mean. And there is no straight out answer for you. The thing is, when Jungkook was little people used to tell me I was a bad parent for letting him do what he wanted. They said I needed to be stricter with him otherwise he would end up a failure down the line. But it's hard to curb rebellion in certain people, and Jungkook is one of them. If I was ever too imposing, he would distance himself from me. So I had to learn to accommodate his craziness, learn to accept it without judging his choices. And look where it got him! In less words, you have to find the balance between your child's needs and your own. You can't be too much of a helicopter parent--give your child time and space to understand themselves. I wouldn't give myself credit for Jungkook's beauty--that is all him. Parents can't take all the credit, but I appreciate you for complimenting me on my parenthood."

'Was it hard? You lost your eldest son and the second was paralyzed, how did you manage it all? And you did a damn well job at being there for the both of them, cause look at them, you have 2 amazing men that you raised.'

"You think they're amazing! Well, so do I..." Eunmi smiles softly, gazing down at her shoes. The deep green of her nails (Jimin suggested the color for her) lightly trace the top of her capris in thought. "And to be brief, yes. Yes, it was so hard after the accident. I somehow had to be there for both of my sons at once, and I felt like I was being pulled in half. Jungkook needed me next to him constantly, since he needed help getting used to moving around without feeling in his legs. Junghyun needed me for emotional support since his younger brother cut him off and he refused to speak with him. It was really rough those first few months...I felt like a permanent visitor of the ICU and psych ward...anyway. I'm glad that they're better now, and I don't even know how I managed it then. Probably lots of coffee and reassuring that everyone would be okay. And it is okay now! I have two upcoming weddings to attend, both of my sons are getting married...eeee! I'm so excited!"

Congratulations on their engagements, Eunmi. Could you bring out Hoseok and Thea next for us?

"Course." Eunmi strides to the banners, tapping on Hoseok and Thea's images. They materialize in the art gallery and gaze about them in wonder. Hobi bends over to allow Thea on his back for a piggyback ride to the chair by the camera. When both arrive, they're laughing, and they settle hip-to-hip on the tiny chair. 

"Questions is my middle name." Hoseok jibes, and Thea nods in agreement. "Let's hear 'em."

'Hoseok, how's uni? Are you back?'

Hoseok smiles at the camera. "University is splendid! And yes, I am back...for my Master's degree in biochemistry! After Gyuri's case ended, the dean of Seoul University removed the ban on my student account and accepted me back right away. I graduated in 2019 and got accepted into a chemical lab for cosmetics. Now I get to study how the chemicals in facial products interact with the epidermis for my career! It's really fun, and I wanted to go back to further my education. While I'm working at the company, I'm still going to university for another few years. Go school!"

'Thea, are you older than Hoseok? You study at the same university?'

Thea pokes Hoseok in the chest. "Actually, I'm two years younger than Hobi. Since he took a few off years before entering college, he's a bit older than the average college kids in his class. And yes, well, I used to study at the same university as him. After we graduated in 2019--and I got my bachelor's degree in physiotherapy--I stopped teaching Pilates at the campus to start my job as a physical therapist for elite athletes. Actually, I work with a wide range of swimmers and marathon runners for clients. It's really cool, since the building I work in is very close to Hobi's. We share our lunch breaks and get take-out sometimes or walk along the Han River."

'Thea, how hard is it to learn Korean while you're in the country, does it just kinda become normal because it's the language used there? I've been learning for ages and suck-'

Thea lifts her eyebrows in understanding. "I admit, learning a foreign language can be really tough. When I first came to Korea from America, I only knew a few simple phrases, and the classes I took at Seoul University were mainly in English. However, I got accustomed pretty fast to slang just by hanging around students. I was trying to study Korean on the side, but found the textbooks to be so boring and cheesy. The best way to learn Korean for me was immersion. I attended a few parties, picked up phrases here and there, started translating songs and watched Korean dramas...I took lots of notes and eventually got the hang of it. The most helpful teacher is a native speaker though, and for me that was Hoseok. Dating a Korean will teach you the most about the language. That, and practice! Now Hoseok tells me I'm fluent and he can hardly hear my accent...but now I'm afraid when I go back to America to visit family I'll be a little rusty on my English..."

Thank you for your insight. I hate to ask you two this, but could you bring out...Yoon Gyuri?

Thea scowls as her and Hoseok stand. They nod silently, walking up to Gyuri's banner. Instead of tapping it like the others, they both punch the banner in turn before rejoining their spot back on the wall. Gyuri's immortalized character struts out of the wall, her eyes devoid of humor. Silently she slinks towards the seat and sits proper, like a lady. She waits.

Okay, Gyuri. You have lots of hate and a few questions. I'll give you the first. 'How does it feel to be a phuccing asshole that makes me wanna jab yr eyes out?'

Gyuri sniffs the air distastefully. Her hands start to tap at the sides of the chair, her dark gaze staring daggers into the camera. "It wouldn't be the first time someone felt they needed to hurt me because they're envious of me. Jealous people are disgusting, but a great challenge for manipulation. They have lots of dirt to use for blackmail. You, my dear, would be easy to control with a fiery attitude like that."

'Did anyone come to your funeral? (ihopenot)'

The girl brushes her dual braids behind her shoulders, unfazed. "How could I know? I was unfairly in a coffin. But from what I've heard, the funeral was packed full of people, probably all mourning my name...hurt that the Yoon legacy couldn't go on. Lots of people loved me...haha! I didn't give them the choice to hate me, otherwise they'd feel the consequences."

'What mental illness do you have?'

Gyuri's fingers scrape against the chair, her body language betraying her expressionless face. "Mental illness? I have none...although when I was 13 some shrink told me I had 'antisocial personality disorder,' 'narcissistic personality disorder,' and 'periodic episodes of psychosis.' He was obviously lying. My father wiped the diagnosis off the face of this Earth by paying the psychiatrist and he never took me to see any mental health people again. Liars...that's all they are. I have no mental impairments, if anything, I have mental enhancements. Everyone else is too brain dead to see how much better I am than them."

'Why didn't you tell Jimin you liked him like a regular person would?'

At the mention of Jimin, Gyuri's eyes grow to saucers and her fingers stop picking at the chair. "Jimin? Park Jimin? Where is he? Is he here? I...I really miss seeing him. Now that I'm dead I can't...can't see him...WHERE IS HE!!! JIMIN?!" 

Gyuri whips her head around, stuyding her surroundings. Her eyes land upon the banner that holds Jimin, and she releases a choke sound of surprise. "He's...right there! Get him out of there, I want to see him! I didn't get to finish with him, my love, my favorite pet!! He loves me! He would love to see me!!"

No, you cannot see Jimin. He is NOT your pet. He does NOT love you--how can you say you love him?

Gyuri hops up, jogging over to the poster of Jimin. "I DO love him! He just...I couldn't tell him because I knew he wouldn't believe me. He wouldn't believe me...he wouldn't...oh, can I PLEASE see him? He's so perfect, so beautiful, so precious...he's mine. That stupid boy in the wheelchair doesn't know the half about my Jimin-"

Get the fuck out of here. 

Gyuri screams as a cloud of black envelops her and forces her back into the banner. The remaining characters of Pluto Rooms climb out of the wall, heading towards the camera. 

Okay side characters. A few questions. First. 'How does it feel to be the side characters?'

Patrick slowly rolls back and forth as an answer. Jimin's parents and some random guests in Radon smile. 

"It feels nice. You know, not all people in stories can get the limelight." Jimin's mother glances over her shoulder at the purple-haired male's picture on the wall. "I'm so happy that the star of this story was our Jiminie. I'm so proud of him, and I hope other people are too!"

They are. Now- 'Random Radon citizens, how does it feel to see Kook and Jimin kiss?'

A woman from the group of bar-goers blushes, covering her cheeks. A few of the men furrow their brows disapprovingly. One confident young woman hops forward, her voice squeaky and high-pitched as she recalls the kiss. "It feels really nice! I know it's rude to stare in public but whenever I see those two in the bar I can't help but stare. Watching two attractive men make out? I'm all for it! And they're so cute too...I wish I could find someone like that out there for myself."

'Patrick, how does it feel to have Kook sit all over you?'

The various forms of Patrick seems to shake in sudden excitement. Suddenly, a voice rises out of nowhere and everywhere at once, in a low timbre that surprises the other side characters. "I love Jungkook as much as I love myself. He is a part of me and I am a part of him. It does not bother me if he sits on me, as I was created to help him. Even if he no longer sits on me now, I am better being lonely and satisfied with his progress than have him selfishly paralyzed just so that I can be by him."

'Patrick- how did you really feel watching Jikook go at it that first time? Jungkook said you'd be proud, but like- dude you saw that first hand? Spill-"

The wheelchair's wheel squeaks out in a laugh. "If I were a human, I would be extremely aroused after watching that...heh...I'm extremely proud of Jungkook because if he is enjoying himself and exercising his body to heal, then I'm all for that. Jimin is something else without clothes on and since Jungkook loves him, I do too. It was a very rewarding experience to watch, and for a few months after I got to witness a lot more of their bedroom activities. But since Jungkook doesn't need me anymore, I don't get to watch them from my spot folded in the closet. I do miss it, but I'm happy for them."

Thank you all. Now, for the final character. Can you call out the head gamemaker of Perilation?

The side characters divide themselves up and wander back to their spots in the banners. As they retire to their spots, the camera spins to face the camerawoman. She grins at her antics before twisting the camera back around to point at the seat. Now alone in the room, she faces the camera, ready to answer questions. "Okay, gimme the questions. I was born ready."

'You said that Morse code is related to Jungkook, did you mean the fact that he already knew it because of his dad? Which ultimately led to Yoon Gyuri's case? And can you translate the Morse codes that were in the end of each chapter?'

"Morse Code played a major role in this story. Ever since the accident, Jungkook's 'mute' father initially wanted to be able to communicate with his sons without gaining any suspicion from the Yoons. Since he served in the military, he learned Morse and taught it to his sons so that he could speak with them. Over time, the Yoons must have either threatened him or his family to the point that all communication with his sons was lost. He took on the role of a mute, mentally unstable patient to ward off Yoons spies. The incriminating information Mr. Jeon possessed was too dangerous for Yoon's company, but since the businessman couldn't seem to kill him off in the psych ward, they decided his mental derangement was good enough a security."

"Jungkook, however, still remembered Morse from his father and used it with Jimin in Perilation. The chapter-closers end with little Morse words that don't have much to do with the plot, but are like little tidbits of the mood captured in every chapter. I can translate the chapter endings after the first 26 chapters, which were simply the letters of the alphabet, to get everyone oriented. (However, I mixed up K and L on accident, since I didn't check to see if I'd written K before I started writing L. I kept the mistake in though, since imperfections are signs of glory and I own up to them). But don't think that K is ._.. because it isn't! It's L! Someone else already caught this, hah."

The woman clears her throat. "Okay, here are the translations of the Morse in order of the chapters, separated by commas. They probably won't make sense, but here goes: HAHAHA, COOL, NO, WOAH, BIRD, FATE, SEXY, EVIL, FISH, PLAN, TEAM, TRUTH, JAIL, RUSE, TIME, FUCK, SOS, BEAT, FLIP FLOP, FELON, COW, COUNT ME IN, ABS, CUFFS, CHEER, and FIN. I wonder what people would think if they hadn't read the story and just got the end messages...two naturalists going to jail, successfully escaping, and banging each other frequently? Something like that."

'How did you come up with the concept? What inspired you to write the book?'

"Actually...the ideas and inspiration behind Pluto Rooms came from a multitude of things. I was working on a different piece of fiction (not fanfiction) that had to do with a girl named Avery who spent lots of time in VR because she wanted to escape her depressing reality. Writing it was good, but really hard since the lead was so sad and I wanted to portray her well. I ended up not finishing the story...instead I brought the idea to Wattpad where I could write with less formality and have fun with it."

Update December 2020: I published the book with Avery on Amazon (yea, I did finish it!) entitled KEEPING A MINNOW! There are a lot of similar concepts between Keeping A Minnow and PR, except...well, I won't spoil anything >:)

"Perilation was born out of my LOVE for playing horror games on PC and in VR. I thought...hmmm, what VR game doesn't really exist and would be scary yet fun to play? Then I searched up a few things, let it sit a few days to marinate, and a phobia-based game arose out of my consciousness!"

"I knew from the beginning that I wanted Jungkook to be in a wheelchair, and originally I wasn't going to have him heal. I was going to test Jimin's character to see if he'd stay with Pluto despite being permanently paralyzed (he was going to) but eventually I trashed the idea because I wanted to see him walk again. Plus, I learned a lot about paraplegics from researching for this story among other things. For one, I learned Morse code on a whim, looked up business law for dummies, scrolled through tons of weird phobias, and paged through soup recipes. It was fun!"

Thank you, Ma'am. Now, would you stay longer to give the lovely Pluto Rooms readers a longer note of gratitude?

The woman laughs as she talks to herself with a deeper bold font speaker's voice. After asking herself the question, she snaps back into role. 

"Sure. I'll give them all my love in a formal thank you note next chapter."

<3