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Epilogue
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When it came to living together, the puzzle pieces appeared to fall into place. Jimin and Myung settled in quickly, and Jeongguk quickly became used to their company. Jeongguk's flat had enough space for everyone. With a guest room, Jimin and Myung made themselves at home. Jimin assured him they were both comfortable sleeping in the same room. After all, they had always slept next to each other before. This was what was most appropriate for Jeongguk and Jimin. At this point, they had barely started dating.

Jeongguk respected this and has spent as much time with both of them as he could until now and as his working hours allow. Since he is employed by a large company, he is only required to work on weekends once every few weeks. This means once Jimin gets a job, they will have both weekends off. It would be perfect.

In the evenings, Jeongguk would just grab his laptop and start writing everything that came into his head. Jimin would peek at the screen out of curiosity, but Jeongguk would often hide it, so Jimin has yet to see what Jeongguk is writing about. He has been quite secretive about it, which makes Jimin even more curious.

Jimin decided to let it be for now and search for a job in the meantime, which is anything but easy. Well, Jeongguk assured him just last week when Jimin insisted he wanted to get a job that in this city hybrids aren't seen as something negative. They are mostly treated like any other human being out there, causing Jimin to breathe out in relief.

They even played indoor bowling once with empty bottles on a rainy day, having fun until competitiveness spread among the adults and caused Jimin to say, "I must warn you, I won't go easy on you this time."

That day they had lots of fun, just like a family that has been together for years. This kind of fun and cheerful atmosphere, not having to live in danger made Jimin's personality blossom around Jeongguk and brought them all closer together.

"Here's your tea," Jeongguk speaks up, seemingly interrupting Jimin's train of thoughts, fox ears perking up as Jeongguk steps outside on the balcony where Jimin is currently leaning against the railing in a thick winter jumper he got from Jeongguk. The last sun rays break through the thick cloud cover and radiate some warmth in the cold autumn weather. Seeing Jimin standing there, Jeongguk wants to wrap his arms around him and bury his face in his hair. "I hope you haven't been standing out in the cold this whole time."

"How do you know I like tea?" Jimin turns to face Jeongguk, his hands grabbing the steaming hot cup of tea from his hands. He takes a sip, humming at the sweet savour that touches his tongue. It's peach tea. There's no doubt Jimin already loves it.

"I remember saying you have a sweet tooth and you have secretly been stealing the chocolate away in the cupboard, thinking I wouldn't notice." Jeongguk chuckles, making Jimin blush. "You seem to like the taste, I'm glad."

Jeongguk steps closer and spreads his arms, hoping to come across as cuddly-looking in his fur jacket. "You look like you need a hug?"

"Oh, do I? I can't hide anything from you, can I?"

"It's obvious something is troubling you. Tell me what's troubling you." Jeongguk's arms fall back beside his body, thinking Jimin will not step closer and accept his invitation for a hug when he sighs audibly. Jeongguk is surprised, however, when a few seconds later Jimin's hands wrap around his hips, burying his head in his neck.

"It's just that I still haven't found any job." The obvious frustration in Jimin's voice makes him wish he could do something about it, but only Jimin knows what he wants to do in the end. He is not entirely sure what the problem is. Is it perhaps that Jimin doesn't know what he wants?

Lately, Jimin has been more focused on finding a job than anything else. He doesn't like living off Jeongguk's money. Jeongguk assured him that wasn't the case, but he understood completely. It's not just about money, but he also signed Myung up for preschool, meaning Jimin will soon be alone at home most of the time and he will get bored.

"Maybe to make things easier, think about your likes and dislikes. Make a list of the things you like doing and don't like doing." The fruity fresh scent of Jimin's shampoo hits his nose. He automatically buries it in his hair, humming deeper, appreciating those little moments they have when they are alone. "And there are some job tests on the internet if that's the issue. No matter what, I'll be here for you. So talk to me when something is troubling you and we'll find a solution, okay?"

In an attempt to calm the hybrid, he kisses Jimin on the forehead, his hands running up and down his spine. A content, but pleased hum leaves the hybrid's throat, smiling into Jeongguk's jacket. "This feels nice."

"It does." Jeongguk's eyes flicker down at Jimin's face. His eyes are closed and his head is resting on his chest. Will they have more moments like this? "Keep smiling like that. And don't give up. I'm sure you will soon find something you like. You're smart. I'll help you."

"Min?"

"Hm?" His fox ears perk up in curiosity.

"Can I kiss you? I haven't kissed you yet today."

Jimin grins and leans in for a gentle kiss with Jeongguk. Tingles are running down Jeongguk's spine, he feels his heart flutter. The kiss becomes more passionate. Jeongguk's tongue brushes across the seam of Jimin's lips, causing the latter to part his lips and allow Jeongguk to lick into his mouth and deepen their kiss. Jeongguk's hand traces up the hybrid's back to his brown hair, burying itself in his silky hair while his other hand traces along Jimin's exposed skin above his hip. His tongue then slips inside the cavern of Jimin's mouth and meets Jimin's tongue in a heated kiss, desire surging through his veins. A moan from Jimin triggers Jeongguk to draw the other into close proximity and suck on his tongue, making breathing more difficult.

"Are you happy here with me?" he asks suddenly after he pulls back from the kiss, breathing heavily and leading Jimin to whine for more. Jeongguk presses his forehead against Jimin's, trying to catch his breath and admiring the view of his spit-bitten pink lips. His hand lies hot against Jimin's skin and he wishes they would explore further, but maybe another day.

"Very happy." Jimin mumbles against his mouth and Jeongguk doesn't need to hear more. The sparkles in Jimin's eyes speak volumes.

"Good, if you're happy then I'm happy too, Min."

"You're so cheesy~" Jimin states, making Jeongguk laugh.

"I told you it comes from being a writer."

"You did say that and I love it. Just like how caring you are. I like you a lot."

"I like you a lot too," Jeongguk whispers in the space between them. "Shall we go inside? It has become colder. I can make some dinner."

"Yes, please."

Both head inside the flat. Jeongguk walks straight into the kitchen to look at what he can cook today. In contrast, Jimin stops in the living room and thinks about what Jeongguk said a few minutes ago. Maybe it wasn't such a terrible idea to make a list...

"Jeongguk?" Jimin calls from the living room, waiting for a soft yes from the said man before continuing to speak. "I want to make a list. Can I take a sheet of paper from you? Do you have any?"

"Yes, go ahead, they are in my room. There are some on my desk or in the printer."

"Thanks."

Without further ado, Jimin enters Jeongguk's room, humming a melody and grabbing a pen from the printer when the bright laptop screen catches his eye. He halts in his movement, unable to take his eyes off the laptop. Jimin would only have to take a step to the side and he could have a look at the screen-

No, Jimin shakes his head, he shouldn't, but what was so special about Jeongguk being so secretive about it?

He bites his lip thoughtfully. The more seconds pass, the more impatient he becomes.

He is startled when Jeongguk's voice comes from the kitchen. He asks him if he has found everything and answers with a quick yes before bending down to pick up the pen he accidentally dropped. Unintentionally, his gaze falls on the screen, where a certain word takes his attention and he moves closer to the screen.

He-

"You write about how a human falls in love with a hybrid?!"

"Jimin? Did you say something?"

Now Jeongguk's voice seems to be closer and Jimin realises too late that Jeongguk is already on his way here, probably to hear what he just said. Jimin's hands start fiddling with the pen and he feels nervous looking around the author's room. No wonder why he has been so secretive about it.

Just seconds later, Jeongguk appears at the door and steps into his room, his face morphing into confusion. He must have caught Jimin's shocked expression.

"I know what you write about," Jimin says bluntly, his hand moving immediately to his mouth, smacking it like he said a curse word. He sees Jeongguk's frown deepen, his gaze flickering to the bright screen and then back to Jimin, trembling with a newfound emotion: fear.

"Are you mad?"

"Honestly? No, why would I? I just didn't expect this would be the reason why you're so secretive about it, but things now make a lot of sense. You seem to know a lot about hybrids even if you never said it out loud."

Jeongguk shrugs and steps closer, taking a hand from Jimin into his and drawing with his thumb patterns on the back of Jimin's hand. "It's just mostly based on my imagination and what I heard. I- I honestly didn't have any encounters with hybrids until I met you and Myung. You're not mad or feeling weird because of it?"

"No, I'm not." Jimin shakes his head and smiles brightly. "It makes sense now why you were so secretive about it. You have to promise me something though."

"What is it?"

"That I get to read something from you in the future."

"I can't promise you that," Jeongguk says and nervously chuckles and Jimin deflates with disappointment. Was what he asked too much?

"Why not?"

"Because...hah... a scene or two might be inspired by... you," Jeongguk mumbles and becomes quieter and quieter until he has almost swallowed the last word. His gaze falls on his hands, which are now fumbling with Jimin's fingers.

"Wait, hold on... I was an inspiration? No, let me rephrase that. You wrote a scene inspired by... me?"

A shy nod follows from Jeongguk and Jimin swallows dryly, his gaze flitting around the room. He's overwhelmed, to say the least. It's not what he expected, not in a negative way. Rather, he can't believe he has been an inspiration for Jeongguk. From what he has seen Jeongguk's style has captured him in every way possible. As a result of him being an inspiration to Jeongguk, he feels a flutter in his stomach and his heart speeds up.

"You can't help but make my heart flutter again and again, can you? Being with you brings me so much joy. You're what I've been missing all my life. Can you hold me tight and never let go?"

Jimin might have been falling for this fantastic person without even realising it fully, to the point he can't even imagine a day without him. Is this what loving someone else feels like?

"I can only say the same about you, baby. I promise to never let you go." Jeongguk smiles, tears in his eyes, gazing down at Jimin with adoration and love before he makes a motion and spins Jimin around the room.

"I promise too, not to let you go and hold you tight."

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That's it! Hope you enjoyed reading this small story 😊 looking forward to working finally more intensive on my other ongoing stories now

I DO NOT allow translations for this book.