"It smells just how I remembered it!"

Varying scents of alcohol, sweat, sugar, and cigarette smoke reach Jimin's nose the moment he enters Radon with Jungkook. His eyes take in the same neon glowing signs peppering the dim interior space with a fondness. Reading over their vague yet hopeful messages makes him remember when he used to stare at them, pleading them to make his shifts pass by faster. Now they're merely symbols of his past, pink, red, and green lights of reminiscence.

"Jimin! I haven't seen you in forever!"

A friendly voice meets them from behind the counter. Jungkook leans heavily on his walker as he shuffles forward with Jimin's hand on his hip...always there to make sure the younger maintains his balance. The younger dislikes being so waited on, telling his boyfriend that he's perfectly fine moving around with the support of the walker. However, only one month of physical therapy for Jungkook's legs doesn't quite sell Jimin. During the last few weeks stubbornly practicing, he's fallen a total of eight times while trying walk on his own. Preceding every fall, he had pushed his purple-haired supporter away...and felt the consequences.

"Yeonjun! It's nice to see you back at work, the king back in his castle! Man, it's been weeks." Jimin and Jungkook move at a snail's pace towards the bar. This early in the night, not many guests are at Radon, especially since school is back in full swing mid-September.

Yeonjun grins sheepishly, running a hand through his yellow hair. His eyes float in the space between Jungkook and Jimin, studying the way the couple move together. "Yes it has. And I haven't had the honor of meeting your man. Nice to see you, Jungkook, right?"

The wheelchair boy nods, releasing a hand from his walker to temporarily wave. "Hi Yeonjun. Jimin tells me you suck ass at being polite but make the best drinks in Seoul."

"Damn right he is there." Yeonjun snickers in honor, tossing the rag he holds over his shoulder. From behind the counter, a few individuals emerge next to Yeonjun--curious from the inflections of delighted voices carrying louder than the EDM pop music. "Glad Jimin isn't lyin' about stuff anymore. Glad I'm back at work and you're happy with your guy."

Jimin smiles brightly at Yeonjun. In a way, the lead bartender of Radon feels so old in a weird sense, almost older than Jungkook. Yeonjun's cool yet snappy nonchalance makes Jimin remember all the times he spent working the night shift with the boy. The job-training, the drink mixing. Yeonjun's sudden smoke breaks whenever the boss came in for a surprise visit. The Ujjujju Melonies and drunkards and their violent 'nosies!' whenever they found out there was vomit on the premises and they had to clean it up.

"It couldn't have worked out better." Jimin comments, now turning to face the others. "Hi Jackson. Soobin...Yeji!"

"Hi." "Heya Jimin." "Hello Jimin!!"

Radon's best all wave at the couple, and Jungkook bows against his walker to show respect for the team of Radon workers. 

Yeji steps forward, her red hair in a high bun. Since the incident, Yeji has been through countless hours in court, charged with manslaughter in self-defense. Even though she got out of years in prison, she's on probation and had to pay a lofty fine for the funeral and lawyer costs. Before Jimin could even offer to pay the amount himself--he'd pay anything, getting rid of Gyuri was priceless--Jinyoung covered all expenses for him. Like the law stud he is.

"Hi guys I'm Jungkook and I'm Jimin's boyfriend now." The younger blurts, smiling cheesily at the trio. "Well, me and Yeji have met before, but you two haven't seen me. Hey! Soobin...don't look down--hey, all of that is over...it's not your fault, oh, don't turn away! It's over with, neither Jimin nor I blame you, so you better not flake out on my friendly hellos. Hello! Say it back, Soobin! You have nothing to be ashamed of!"

"H-hello..." Soobin says quietly. He doesn't make eye contact.

Soobin, in the wake of Jimin's presence, has been withdrawn and a little pale. The scandal with Gyuri became national news after journalists discovered the death of a precious Yoon offspring. Soobin eventually realized what he'd done in his position as 'information bird'  and was quick to apologize dearly to Jimin. The young college kid had cried over the phone, blubbering that he didn't know Gyuri was bad since she treated him so well. 

Jimin was quick to forgive him, learning only from the best. Jungkook always said that forgiveness and understanding were just as important as soup--key for speedy healing and even better for vitality.

"That's better!" Jungkook assures a guilty Soobin, now standing next to a barstool. "Jimin, could you help me get into this barstoo-"

"On it." Jimin supports Jungkook's armpits as he climbs into the chair. The bartenders all watch the couple in awe, probably wondering what happened and why Jungkook can't walk normally. "So...how's Radon been, guys? I know the court case just finished so Yeji just started working here...how do you like it, Yeji?"

Said redhead crinkles her nose, giving Jimin a bright smile. As she speaks, her stutter is much less pronounced. "I like it a l-lot. Yeonjun says I'm g-good at mixing drinks and Jinyoung comes in a lot t-to say hi to us all. Mostly to see Jackson."

"Jackson?" Jimin swivels to face the China-born bartender with a glint in his eye. "I didn't realize you and Jinyoung were close."

"Well..." Jackson glances away, scratching at the back of his neck. "Uh, we weren't...at first..."

Jimin smiles knowingly. There's no doubt that the skilled and personable bartender caught Jinyoung's interest. But is Jackson even gay? He doesn't know, but with a pushy, attractive guy like Jinyoung, perhaps Jackson's sexuality will be tested.

"Ah, I see. Well, I hope he isn't being too annoying to you, Jackson." Jimin sees Soobin roll his eyes and Yeonjun muffle a laugh. He crinkles his brow. "What? Is Jinyoung really that annoying?"

Yeonjun shakes his head. "If anyone's annoying, it's Jackson. He's always asking if Jinyoung is in the building. He's like a lost puppy waiting for its owner until the dude shows up here. I swear. Jackson's drink-serve-times absolutely plummet when that guy shows up-"

"Do not!" Jackson is covering his face in embarrassment. "I am not a lost puppy."

 "Sure you ar-aren't." Yeji elbows Jackson's side in good humor. Very briefly and ever so subtly, Jimin catches Yeonjun staring at Yeji's face for a second too long before he turns away grinning. Oh ho ho...I see you, Yeonjun. I can't believe this. By the time me and Jungkook come back to Seoul in a few months, I better see some new couples.

"I'm happy everything is back to normal!" Jimin cheers, hopping joyously onto the barstool next to Jungkook. Under the counter they hold hands, which is like second nature to them. Jimin discovered that Jungkook's enjoyment in hand-holding came from his lack of wheelchair armrests to hold on to. He said his hands were empty and he felt weird without hanging onto something. Lo and behold, Jimin agreed to have his hands held wherever they were, even if his hands were boiling hot or sweaty. Jungkook said Jimin's sweat made him more attractive...or he would joke about Jimin wearing less to cool down. 

"Wow!" A loud, booming voice enters the room. Everyone turns around instantly. "Jimen! I didn't expect to see you back here!"

The owner of Radon walks through the sparsely occupied tables, starting toward the group of happy campers that are doing much better without him there. Blind to this fact, 'Boss' strides up in confidence, slapping Jimin harshly on the back in an over-friendly gesture. Jungkook winces next to him. Yeji and Soobin hurry to get to their stations, but Jackson and Yeonjun bravely stay put.

"So! You a weather man yet?" Sardonic humor drips in his boss's voice, putting Jimin on edge. "All that cloud watching must have paid off."

Jimin bites his tongue before he says anything rude to his former boss. Thankfully, with all the might and pure awesomeness that makes up his boyfriend, Jimin doesn't have to say anything.

"First off, his name is Jimin and he isn't a weatherman. But even if he were, meteorology is not a profession to make fun of. The impact of Cumulonimbus clouds is paramount to society's understanding of nature." Jungkook inhales calmly, probably trying to recall Jimin's erudite phrases about the weather. Yeonjun and Jackson stand there goggling. Jimin's boss purses his mouth as if he's swallowed something terribly sour. "Also, sir, Park Jimin here is a CEO now. Chief Executive Officer...and you better believe it. He now runs a huge gaming company."

The man's eyes widen in disbelief, mouth twisted in a scowl. "You expect me to believe that phooey? You drunk this early into the day?"

"I don't drink." Jungkook chides nonchalantly, drumming his fingertips against the surface of the bar. Jimin stares at Jungkook in awe, studying the mischievous rebel that always comes out when it's time to protect his boyfriend. It's nice to know that someone always has his back, no matter how wrong Jimin's stance may be. If it's Jungkook, he'll find an excuse to agree with Jimin's behavior. "Nobody is drunk. Why can't you believe that your old employee here is now a CEO? Do you not have faith in him? He's extremely smart, understands how to treat everyone with respect-"

"Kook." Jimin warns, not wanting to be banned from the bar. They need to be able to come back here to socialize with their friends when they periodically visit Seoul.

Jungkook flashes him a pouting look, but it quickly disappears. The boss says nothing. His hands are pressed irritatedly into his hips as he stares down at them. "Sorry about that. I went a little too far."

I know he isn't sorry, but he's a great pretender. Jimin gives his old boss a solid smile that says 'I didn't say anything, he did,' which automatically pardons him from embarrassment.

"It's...fine." The boss snaps, blinking at Jimin in confusion. "I just wouldn't expect...ah, whatever. I have to get to work." He hurries off, his normally aloof and careless nature completely wiped off of his face.

Once he's safely out of sight, Yeonjun pumps a fist into the air. He sends the fist across to Jungkook, who bumps it enthusiastically. "If that wasn't the best thing ever! He didn't even raise his voice at you!" 

"That's impressive." Jackson agrees, nodding at the office door which the boss has disappeared into. "He never acts like that."

Jungkook cracks his knuckles, sitting up straighter in his barstool. "I guess I have the magic touch...uh, with words...the magic tongue?"

Yeonjun snorts, getting back to work as more customers pour in. "That sounds dirty."

"Very dirty." Jackson grabs the notepad and pen out of his apron as he turns to work, leaving the couple by themselves at the end of the counter.

Jungkook grins, his teeth shining blue with the neon sign above the counter. "Good. I meant for it to be dirty."

"I know."

"You always know, Melonsmartiepants. Can't believe your boss would ever doubt your intelligence. Everyone with a brain knows clouds are important."

"Right, unless they have their head in the clouds." Jimin retorts, squeezing the younger's hand.

"Haha!" Jungkook's ankles swish and sway against the barstool's legs. "Well I'm on cloud nine with you even when we're surrounded by stupid people like that."

"Are you cirrus?" Jimin chokes out a laugh when Jungkook's eyebrows roll together in confusion. The younger hmms? 

"It's another kind of cloud." Jimin clarifies, watching a few customers walk from the bar with drinks sloshing around in their hands. He doesn't miss the way Jackson's eyes keep checking the door every few minutes, probably waiting for Jinyoung. Does Jinyoung get all of his men from Radon? Gosh.

"Ohhhh, I get it now. Are you cirrus? Like, are you serious? Haha. Hah. Heh. My funny bone surely has been tickled, Melonclouds. I'm crying. From laughter. Hah. Ha--ow!" Jungkook receives a light punch to his arm. His lower lip juts out, and soon fake cries spill from his lips. "Owwww, why'd you hit meeee...?"

Jimin suddenly tugs his cell phone out of his pocket, pretending to answer a call. 

"Oh, yes? Hello...? Yes, oh! Did you just say you wanted to buy my eBay listing of the biggest baby in the world? Fantastic! I've been wanting to get him off of my hands for a while now, he won't stop fake crying! One hundred thousand won? That's way more than he was valued at, I'll sell him to you for one hundred times less! Please, take him off my hands--ow!"

Jungkook punches Jimin back, his squinted eyes full of amusement. "Pretty low down of you to try and sell me on the black market, Melonboy. You'd have better luck selling yourself, I'm sure you'd get a buyer in seconds with your gorgeous purple hair and sparkle lip gloss and sexy body and cute crop top-"

"Don't make me do what I did you to on your birthday." Jimin warns, pointing a finger into the younger's chest. The neon lights surrounding them give their faces a disco glow, a dramatic rainbow of colors against their amused skin. Jungkook smirks.

"Please do that to me again."

"You were supposed to cower in fear." Jimin groans, but he can't flick the smile off of his lips. 

"Cower in fear?" Jungkook snaps his fingers with attitude, imitating Jimin whenever they watch RuPaul's Drag Race together and Jimin gets way too into it. "Hunty, that's crazy. Why would I not want to be pushed down the stairs again?"

Jimin sighs, a giggle fanning through his moment of fascination. "I...you're crazy. One, I can't believe you just said Hunty in public and dared to imitate me, two--I was going to say something mean about the stair thing, but now just remembering it makes my heart hurt."

"I know! And on my birthday! You had to go and push me down a flight of stairs-"

"Stoooopppp, Jungkook. You know it was an accident!" Jimin covers his forehead, staring into his lap. Reliving the memory of Jungkook's birthday dinner outing is all rainbows and butterflies until the memory of the after dinner comes through. After eating, the younger insisted on watching the sunset outside...which happened to involve going down a flight of stairs since the restaurant didn't have an elevator to their deck. The younger was determined to go 'no matter what, Melonboy, I'm 22 now!' and at the top of the stairs, he set his walker off to the side and leaned most of his weight on the side rail. 

"Plute, you're the one who thought I could carry your heavy ass on my back down two flights of stairs. Plus, you're forgetting that I got a bruise from falling too!"

Jungkook squeezes his hand like a toddler when they're trying to force their point across. "You only got one single bruise because I cushioned your fall. You could have had it worse."

"Well!" Jimin's face heats up in defense. "You could have landed on me! Why did you purposely cushion my fall!"

"Why would I let my precious Jimin get hurt!"

"Because you need to save yourself every once in a while!" Jimin pokes the younger's chest, loving how Jungkook's lip is twitching in defiance, and how his legs tap against the bar. 

Bickering with each other is like second nature for them, but underneath all the surface level 'fighting' they're constantly complimenting their good sides, reassuring each other, and affirming their love. Jungkook randomly breaks up their comments with blatant adoration, never failing to warm Jimin's heart. In the month since the incident both of them have grown to enjoy their play-fights, acting in a similar competitive manner that they used to in Perilation. Both inside and outside of the bedroom.

"I only want to save you, Melonboy. I can't save myself if you get hurt." Jungkook is now oddly serious, both of his hands tracing silly lines around Jimin's upturned palm. "If my Melonheart is in any pain, then I'm in ten times worse pain. Physical pain doesn't bother me as long as you're okay."

Jimin feels his heart melting the pacemaker next to it. He'll only need it for a few more months until his heart fully recuperates. But if Jungkook keeps up his daily affection and unmatched love, he's afraid when the doctor opens up his chest there won't be any pacemaker left to take out. It'll be melted in a pool of young love and strong bond, fused to his heart from being barraged by compliments and cheers from his number one fan.

"Jungkook, I think I may have to push you down the stairs so you don't make my heart explode."

Jungkook pauses, staring deeply in thought at their interlaced hands. "Now...now that's a problem...if my existence is hurting you, yet I want to be alive to protect you...I guess I could try to create a clone of me to-"

"Look, is that soup on the menu?" Jimin opens in mouth in awe, waiting until Jungkook turns around. When the younger doesn't, he repeats himself. "Look. Soup? What is that? You may have to turn around...to...check. Satan's quarters! Why won't you turn...?"

"Because I'd rather stare at your beautiful face. Also, I know they don't serve soup here. And you've used that one on me too many times...but if it makes you happy, I'll turn around."

A chuckle gets pulled out of Jimin's chest as the other swivels in his bar chair, facing the other side of the room. Quickly, Jimin leans closer to the younger's hair, his lips barely brushing against the brown strands where Jungkook's mouth must be on the other side. His nose puffs a few locks around, making Jungkook's shoulders rise as his neck gets tickled. 

"Can I turn around and kiss you yet? You aren't sneaky, Melonboy. Your breath is tickling my neck."

Damn his good sense. I love him. "Yes, you may. But we're in public, so don't be dramatic."

Jungkook snorts, spinning around fast to crash their lips together. What Jimin hopes is a sweet kiss of lovers turns into the most dramatic show in Radon. Jungkook holds tight to the sides of Jimin's head, purposely meshing their lips together with such intense passion that Jimin is sure none of his lip gloss will be left after the kiss. He squirms in his seat, trying to separate their mouths so that they don't get kicked out of the bar for intense PDA, but Jungkook holds him hostage.

"Mmmha!" Jimin laugh-yells against his boyfriend's mouth, his lips getting ravaged as Jungkook slides a hand into his hair. This boy has no shame. 

After a while, Jimin decides to fight back. If he can't get out of it, he might as well shoot his shots. His hand slinks up to the side of Jungkook's arm, tapping out a message in Morse that he knows will fluster the younger. His fingertips press against Jungkook's forearm for short dots, dragging for longer ones. After he taps it harshly out, the younger's lips break off of his, his eyes wide in shock.

"What! What! I thought you said we couldn't use those until-"

"We arrive in Busan...but maaaaybe they might be better to use tonight, you know? Our last night in Seoul...might make a good last memory." Jimin's face is heated now and not just from the kiss. From the thoughts of spending his last night in Seoul with Jungkook.

"Yes, yes!!" Jungkook bounces around in his barstool, his eyes glowing with expectation. "I can't wait I can't wait!"

"You cannot wait for what?" A formal voice takes a seat next to Jungkook. The couple turns, mouths parted in recognition. "Is today really your last day in Seoul?"

Jimin nods, reaching up to clean Jungkook's gloss-smeared lips with the back of his hand. "Yes, Jinyoung. This is our last day in Seoul before we book it out of here to Busan. We're trying to make the best day out of it as we can."

Jinyoung clicks his tongue. "I see. I'm glad you two are finally getting out of here.  I was just talking with Junghyun at my office...and did you two know? The judge agreed to Yoon's settlement of 100 billion won. Yoon & Affiliates is permanently shut down and off the map...and Jimin...for Gyuri's damage against you, the personal lawsuit ensures you 700 million won. That's enough to purchase a new house in Busan."

Jungkook slams a celebratory fist down on the counter, raising eyebrows all around the interior of Radon. He smiles sheepishly at their curious looks his way, bringing his arm up to scratch at his neck. Jimin takes his awkward hand and squeezes it. "Awww yeah! That's wonderful! So does that mean that your firm gets a lot of money too?"

"Exactly." Jinyoung grins victoriously. "Sperosity is investing most of their profits in your new Pluto Rooms company from what my father has told me. Also, I'm not sure if you know this, Jungkook, but Junghyun told me that with his share of money he's going to law school. He wants to be a lawyer, like me."

Jungkook coos in amazement. "Wow! Really! That's so boring but in an awesome way! I'm happy for him. I'll have to call him later and talk about it. Bah, you lawyers, you." Jungkook slaps Jinyoung's knee with friendly enthusiasm.

Jimin grins at this exchange, but soon notices someone in the corner of his vision. It makes him chuckle. "Oh, uh. Jinyoung? Your man is waiting over there. He keeps looking over here."

"What--oh, do you mean-" Jinyoung spins around, beaming at Jackson. They both smile at each other, and Jimin spots the first signs of mutual attraction in the way that Jackson keeps shyly biting his lip. OOoooohh...

"Maybe, we should, uh...give them some space." Jungkook retorts, reaching for his walker (which he still calls Patrick, since Patrick's soul 'migrated into his second mode of transportation, Melonheart'). "We still have to attend Thea's Pilates class before the day's over, and I'm not here to get drunk or watch another gay drama unfold."

"Me either." Jimin chuckles, helping Jungkook from his chair. The younger chooses to latch onto the elder's bare tummy under the turquoise crop top he has on today, burning the skin up under his touch. Ever since they discovered how nicely their bodies fit together like pieces to a love puzzle, their sex life has been outstanding. Just as Jungkook predicted. Plus, the younger claims that no amount of physical therapy strengthens his body better than sex.

Jimin doesn't argue on that count.

"We still up for the edible handcuffs?" Jungkook whisper-yells, gaining attention from a nearby table of young women. They all gasp, lowering their eyes when Jungkook faces them with an evil grin on his face. He speaks louder, enjoying his open rebellion without Eunmi scolding his behavior. "And the matching naughty cop outfit, too! Oh, you'll look so sexy in that."

The girls grow horrified, sipping their drinks as they stare at the table. Jungkook laughs obnoxiously, which makes the situation worse since he can only shuffle at a snail's pace past their table.

Jimin eventually coaxes the younger out of the exit, and they head for the Camry parked in the handicapped spot. "You need serious soap for that dirty mouth."

"I need serious you in my dirty mouth."

"I need you to be quiet so that I don't trip while crossing the road!"

"I'm being quiet. See? Isn't my voice...super...quiet...now..."

"You're annoying."

"You're Jimin." Jungkook gets helped into the passenger seat ever so carefully, Jimin bending over him to make sure he doesn't close the door on the younger's legs. 

"You're Jungkook." The younger's hands slip over Jimin's skinny jeans deathly close to the place where the sun doesn't shine. Jimin quickly swats his eager hands away. "Stop. No no. I can't have a boner in Pilates. Nuh uh, no way in heyday."

"I could always help you fix that before we go in...?"

"No matter how much I wanna say yes, it's a no. You gotta be patient." Jimin slams the car door shut in front of a cheesily smiling face, a teasing tension under those dark eyes. He walks around the front of the car, opens the driver-seat door, and thumps into a soft car seat. Before turning to Jungkook, he sucks in a long, deep breath that they both associate with the start of a fresh conversation. It's their own rule--deep breaths signify starting over from square one.

"Why, hello, Jungkook."

"Hi, Jimin." The younger respects his choice to start their conversation over, pretending that nothing happened.

"Handcuffs tonight after Pilates, Kook?"

"Fuck yes." Jungkook grins. "And don't forget the cop outfit. And don't forget the line you have to say!"

"You mean..." Jimin starts up the car, blasting the AC for his sweating body. "...the line about how I'm arresting a felon and he has to try and break out of my jail?"

"PERFECT!"

Jimin pulls out of the Radon parking lot with a painful grin on his lips. Jungkook turns the radio onto some American hits station, and luckily Britney Spears is playing loud and proud. They belt out messy English lyrics to Baby One More Time as they drive away from the place where they met each other for the first time.

_._. .._ .._. .._. ...

_._. .._ .._. .._. ...

_._. .._ .._. .._. ...

A/N!

Helloooooo~

Soooo...I've always wanted to try a character Q&A before, since I see other authors doing them. (If it flops then at least I tried, waaahhh). The questions garnered for these characters (both from Wattpad and A03) will be answered in the epilogue of the story by the characters.

Therefore~ ASK AWAY! (Only if u wanna...no pressure!) I'll leave the cast below and you can fire away at them, don't be gentle.

JEON JUNGKOOK--PLUTO97 

PARK JIMIN--MELONAJU

BASIC BARTENDERS (SOOBIN, YEONJUN, JACKSON, THE BOSS)

PARK JINYOUNG

MIN YEJI

EUNMI, JUNGHYUN, & MR. JEON

HOSEOK & THEA

YOON (GRRR) GYURI (OR HER DAD GGRRRRR)

OTHERS? (JIMIN'S PARENTS, PATRICK, SPEROSITY WORKERS, RANDOM RADON CITZENS, ETC.)

On a brief side note I love you all to Pluto and back a gazillion times and I hope you're staying hydrated. No matter how the upcoming school/university/work year is kicking off for you, I hope you stay safe and wash your hands!! Please don't disgrace the power of a good soaping and washing of the digits! Shout out to hand soap y'all, the new celebrity of 2020!! :)

(btw, there will be two chapters left of PLUTO ROOMS before the end...I hate to break the news like this but it's broken and I don't have enough tape to salvage it. sorry, but all spongey things must come to an end) <3

With love in a bucket of soapy water~

izzy.