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Year 20
(part 1)

You miss Jeon Jungkook.

Not the simple "I miss you" you feel when your boyfriend's at work or when you're out at the mall alone and you pass a giggling couple.

You'd literally sell a kidney to see the guy.

It might seem like an exaggeration but after a grueling 6 months of him being on the other side of the world and almost 17 hours behind...it's really not. Of course a kidney at this point seems incomparable to the hundreds of missed calls from both of you, the day-long gaps in between text messages, and the steamy phone sex that has left you horny and served as an unwanted reminder that you were still a virgin.

Yeah...you'd rather sell a kidney than go through any of that for any longer than you have to.

Not to mention the teasing airings of Jungkook's fights on American channels that'd have you at war with your own exhaustion just to catch a glimpse of him shirtless. Oh, and his fighting. You'd expect that during these last 6 months in Las Vegas training under some of the world's best fighters. And every win and new sculpted ripple in his skin proves that every minute is paying off.

Which is the only thread of valid reasoning you're holding onto because, as mentioned, you fucking miss Jeon Jungkook.

When offered the master classes and the chance to train inside of the MGM Arena, he was beyond thrilled. Jungkook was a nightmare to convince. Who would've thought that you'd have to practically beg the hunk to pursue the next step in his career. And trying to play the "cool" girlfriend card, you made sure he boarded the flight with the promise that you would be fine.

And you are...now that he's returning in less than a week.

You know damn well that the entire appeal of Christmas has been morphed into a ploy for corporations to use that blissful nostalgia into a marketing technique. Yet, that doesn't stop you from buying fuzzy red and green socks every year and renting Home Alone. You can't help it...you love Christmas. And you love Jungkook. Him coming home to spend it with you has got to be the best present you could ask for. You seem to daydream about him returning all the time, and today is no exception.

"Hello! Earth to Y/N," Sadia snaps her fingers, clacking her bejeweled acrylic nails in the process.

You shake your head and blink back to reality as Sadia huffs, setting down a cardboard box with a grunt. Not only will you get to spend Christmas with Jungkook this year...you'll get to spend it with him alone in your new apartment.

"Girl, we're never gonna move you outta here if you keep getting distracted."

Sadia has a point, of course her tight leather skirt doesn't seem like it's helping the process move any faster either.

"Sorry," you smile as you fold your clothes, unknowingly being observed by her.

She throws her head back and lets out an exaggerated chuckle. "JK's got you all soft, hasn't he?"

"I've always been soft," you try to deflect.

"You're geeked. You have this ghost of a smile on your lips that gets more noticeable every time I see you."

"You're just like Jiminie," you snort, taping up another full box and lifting it.

"Yeah, how so?" She asks, joining you with her own box as you two skip down the porch steps.

"Nosy."

She pouts, the gesture too familiar for you to ignore and you laugh.

Today is one of the rare occasions Sadia and Jimin aren't glued together, the reason being Jimin's long hours at the dance company now owned by his mother. You're grateful the people closest to you have been able to follow their desired careers, however you of all people understand it doesn't come without a price.

You simultaneously load the boxes into the back of the pickup truck Papa Jeon gifted you when you feel a buzz in your back pocket.

Crab Boy🦀

Boarding my flight :)
see you in sk soon 😎
got xmas presents 😉

"Who's that," Sadia inquires, smug smile etched onto her lips. She must be Jimin's girlfriend.

"Just Namjoon." You shrug, knowing better than to feed Sadia's natural gossiping flame.

"I told you. Jungkook's got you so soft, you're ignoring a hunk like Namjoon."

"Namjoon is my friend," you state. And he is. You two hardly text, especially since he's spent the majority of the year abroad doing marine life research in Tokyo. "He's just letting me know he's coming home."

Sadia answers with an unconvincing "okay" but drops it at that.

There was a point in time where Namjoon seemed to fog up your mind and blur the strong feelings you thought were exclusively for Jungkook but that was in the past. You were both adults now and you don't have even an ounce of passion for anyone but your boyfriend, demonstrated by the dry thumbs up emoji you send him in response.

Maybe Jungkook does have you a little soft.

"So..." Sadia starts and you chuckle, recognizing her prying tone instantly.

"Yes?"

"Now that you got that fancy new job at the zoo with a salary and stuff and can afford your own place..."

"Yes?"

"You gonna ask JK to move in with you?"

Your eyes bulge, the new cardboard box in your hands slipping through your fingers and falling with a crash.

"Girl! Don't faint, it's just a question," she remarks, reluctantly squatting down to help gather your plushies scattered on your front lawn. You purse your lips, brows knitted while you're deep in thought considering her question.

"That's too soon...isn't it? We've only been together for 2 years. I don't want to put any pressure on him."

"Pressure is good Y/N," she replies, "Jimin hardly does anything for me unless I beg."

"Yeah right," you scoff with a roll of your eyes, "the guy's a puppy for you."

Her lips part for a lackluster rebuttal but she's interrupted by her chipper ringtone. Just by the look on her face when she sees the caller ID has you playfully shaking your head.

"Hi babe!"

The gushy exchanges between the couple that once made you gag now make your heart swell. You're happy that they're happy.

Have you mentioned that you miss Jungkook?

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Much of the furniture for your new apartment has yet to arrive given the delayed holiday shipping, so much of the decor consists of beige cardboard boxes stacked around. Except for the tiny futon you're currently sitting on in your living room, the 32 inch T.V. standing directly across from it, and the mattress without a frame in your only bedroom, your house is pretty much barren. Perhaps living on your own isn't as fulfilling as you had expected but hey you're new to this whole adult thing.

In an effort to escape the daunting task of unpacking looming over you, you step out onto the balcony to enjoy the cool winter air. Christmas lights illuminate half the block, hazy blurs of red, green, and blue competing with the stars. The fuzzy feeling of nostalgia creeps back into you and you smile, hugging yourself while you admire the atmosphere. You can't wait to experience this with Jungkook.

Jungkook.

You check the time on your screen and press his contact, praying it isn't any inconvenience.

"Hello?"

"Hey," you beam, allowing the richness in his voice to immediately comfort you.

"What's up, rat?"

You two have never really been the pet name type, but you can tell he's just as excited to talk to you as you are.

"Nothing. Was just thinking about you," you admit, imagining his arms wrapped around you in an attempt to shield you from the cold. God, you miss him.

"It's late there isn't it? You know Grandma doesn't like it when you're up past midnight."

You feel a small pang of guilt at Jungkook's obliviousness to you moving out but you quickly brush it off, reminding yourself that it will be just the more exciting when you surprise him when he returns.

"Yeah I know. I guess I just can't sleep knowing I'm finally gonna see you next week."

Jungkook goes silent. So silent that you have to look at the screen to make sure you didn't accidentally hang up the call.

"Jeon?"

"About that...they just brought in a new trainer who's offering extra classes over the next couple of weeks."

Now it's you who goes silent, practically biting your tongue to keep the curses from spilling out.

"And...and you want to attend them?"

He sighs, obviously guilty. The lack of answer provides enough. You frown, disappointment filling your heart. The Christmas lights now seem blinding, obnoxiously pointing out the obvious.

Jungkook won't be home for Christmas.

"I'm so sorry, love," he says, the pet name catching you off guard yet not distracting enough to ignore the sad news. "You know how much this means to me."

"Jeon," you repeat, the cliche holiday activities you had imagined with him flashing through your mind like a sad compilation.

"I'll be back before you know it," he tries to soften the blow but the damage is done.

All you can manage to do is breathe out a quiet "okay" in response.

"I love you."

"Love you too."

The line ends but your heartache doesn't. The bite of the cold now feels like a cruel mockery of your misery, reminding you that Jungkook is nowhere near to cuddle you in his arms. You slide the balcony door shut. The anticipation of his arrival is trickling out of your soul by the second, slowing you down as you slug towards the futon and collapse.

If the roles were reversed you know you'd want the same. You're both ambitious young adults who'd take any step if it meant an advancement in your dream careers. At least that's what your brain reminds you.

Your heart just knows that it misses Jungkook. You let out an exaggerated sigh as you stretch out, wondering when you fell so hard for the mischievous bunny boy you'd met on the first day of kindergarten. Does he miss you as much as you miss him?

Your thoughts are abruptly interrupted by a soft knock on wood that has you springing up from your position in fear. Staring at the white door, you ponder whether it was just a figment of your lonely imagination but that's immediately rebuked when another knock follows.

Now you're panicking.

Darting for the full box labeled "Kitchen Stuff," you blindly stick your arm in and swipe the first utensil the Gods have deemed a worthy choice of weapon; a butter knife. Before you have a second to hesitate another hasty knock echoes through your apartment. Gripping the handle of butter knife, you nervously approach the door.

Why anyone would want to rob your empty apartment is beyond you, yet you've watched enough Criminal Minds to recognize how vulnerable of a target you are. A young woman living alone in the city. You're a serial killer's wet dream.

BUT NOT TODAY!

You swing open the door, butter knife up and ready to plunge into whoever is on the other side with nothing but ferocity in your eyes and adrenaline coursing through your veins.

"Geez kid!" Namjoon stumbles back, immediately shielding his face in fear and confusion.

You lower your weapon with a nervous chuckle as you survey who your assailant is; your lanky friend. The realization is enough to give you a head rush.

"S-Sorry. I thought you were a murderer," you casually let out, motioning for him to enter your home.

Still eyeing you with caution, Namjoon makes no move to do so. Instead he clears his throat and you catch him tugging on a leash you barely notice he's been holding onto. "I thought you'd be paranoid being alone in your new place, so I brought a friend to keep you company."

A grey pit bull lets out a giddy bark as she quickly wags her tail.

"Promise," you exclaim, melting like ice cream to the floor to allow the three-legged dog to easily prop herself up on your lap and lick every inch of your face. You smile so hard, you're sure your cheeks will burst. "You adopted her?!"

"Yup, for you," he sheepishly replies, out of character for the calm, cool, and collected man you've always known, "figured since I have to go back to Japan in a couple of weeks and you're staying here, she could help keep the monsters away."

The words seem like the perfect cure to your ice heart, the perfect distraction to your lonesomeness. A glint of light reflects in her dark orbs, resembling the galaxy. It instills the same comfort you felt prior to their arrival, and you can't seem to rip your gaze away as you continue to scratch her chin.

You smile.

You don't notice Namjoon smiling, a galaxy in his own eyes as he looks down at you two, a pink tint creeping up onto his dimpled cheeks. Nor do you notice the way it immediately drops, remembering an important detail that he'll never admit he loathes.

"Your boy around?"

Now it's your smile that drops, you completely freezing causing Promise to whine and nuzzle back into your touch in an effort to get you to continue. But you can't. Because your boy isn't around. He's on the other side of the world punching sweaty men when he could be home cuddling you.

Your knit brows and pensive glare indicates enough to Namjoon yet it doesn't stop him from trying to pry.

"What's up?"

"He's not coming back for a while," you answer, petting Promise much less enthusiastically, "still training."

"Oh." He purses his lips, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his thick flannel before crouching down to further inspect your features. He observes you for a second, the way your eyes don't bother to even flit in his direction demonstrating your disappointment. "You okay?"

"Sure," you offer a cheap half-smile and a lame shrug of your shoulders. "What's one more month? I've already survived six without him."

Your bitter tone is hardly enough evidence to support your statement. Namjoon joins you in petting Promise, averting his eyes away from yours in preparation of what he's going to say next.

"Hey...what if I stayed with you for a little?"

Your attention is solely on him while he stares at a particular patch of fur on an oblivious Promise.

"Huh?"

He clears his throat, even his Adam's apple bobbing in hesitation. "Y-Yeah...Promise ain't exactly a guard dog and you'll need someone to help you unpack while you're at your snazzy new job. Just until your boy gets back."

He does have a point. You're terrified of being in the apartment alone and with your new schedule you'll hardly have any time to make the place seem any sort of comfortable.

"Only if you're okay with it, kid," he adds, gifting you a reassuring smile. Promise seem to catch on to the atmosphere and faces you, mimicking Namjoon's smile with her tongue out.

What's the worst that could happen?

"Okay."

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i'm sorry i always make Namjoon a home wrecker but i am obsessed with making him a jealous character do not ask me why

also hey 😏