four
-----
“You have to get out of my room.”
“Why?”
“You’ve been here for two days.”
“Three,” Jungkook corrected, voice muffled from where he was face down into one of Hoseok’s pillows.
“You’re sulking. It’s unhealthy,” Hoseok sighed, and Jungkook heard the quiet ruffle as he pulled off his labocat and threw it somewhere in the room before he collapsed on the bed beside Jungkook, laying on his back with his head turned towards him. “Don’t tell me you've been here all day.”
“No. I went out to swing a few times,” Jungkook replied, turning his chin so he could face Hoseok. He was still wearing a black longsleeve and a pair of loose black pants, his shoes kicked off already, one arm bent under his head.
“And didn’t even stop by my lab,” Hoseok pouted dramatically, squeezing his eyes shut as he threw a hand to his chest, faking heartache. Jungkook rolled his eyes, mouth twitching with amusement before Hoseok let out a small grunt and then rolled until he was sprawled directly on Jungkook’s back, whispering into Jungkook’s ear with a voice he used with children. “Is Jungkookie sad because Mr. Fury scared off Jiminie…aw, does Jungkookie miss his friend.”
“Hyung,” Jungkook whined, but he was trying to hide as his slight grin as he turned his face back into the pillow and Hoseok began pecking the back of his neck and head, mimicking kissing noises as Jungkook wiggled under him, trying to kick him off. Hoseok only finally rolled off when Jungkook curled his legs and grabbed the pillow beside him, threatening to swat Hoseok with it.
“Okay, okay,” he snickered as he rolled off, laying back down beside Jungkook as he caught his breath from laughing. After his laughter died down though, Jungkook turned to look at him, and he could see the sympathy in his features. “He’ll be back, Kook. He just needs time.”
“That’s exactly what Yoongi hyung said,” Jungkook sighed, trying not to sound as disappointed as he was in hearing the same response for the second time.
The night Jimin left, Fury had dismissed everyone in the room without another word, and Jungkook followed Yoongi to his lab and spent the rest of the night there, demanding to know how the hell something so big had been completely kept from him. He considered speaking to Fury himself, but he didn’t seem in any mood to discuss the matter any further and Jungkook knew well enough not to push. But Yoongi didn’t turn out to be much help either, and he told Jungkook the simple truth - no one else had even known about Jimin’s role at headquarters, not even Namjoon.
Eventually Yoongi explained to Jungkook that he found evidence of the Mind Stone in a private untitled SHIELD file that was clearly meant to be left alone, but it didn’t take much for Yoongi to get past the security software and piece it all together. When Yoongi had shoved Jungkook out of his lab earlier in the day it had been specifically for that reason.
Apparently, after he left his lab, Yoongi confronted Fury about it, and once Fury had discovered that Yoongi knew, he realized he had to tell everyone sooner rather than later. Hoseok eventually joined the two of them in Yoongi’s office, and then Namjoon and Seokjin as well until all five of them sat around trying to connect every piece of information they had.
It wasn’t much, but the hours they spent talking had somehow made it easier to understand and yet felt as if it complicated things even further. Fury had been watching Jimin, waiting for the right time to bring him in, and in any other context, it would seem like an absolutely criminal thing to do. But Fury had to keep his eyes on the entire world, and with everything he did, he always had a reason.
It also didn’t help that Jimin had left without so much as a goodbye, though he really couldn’t be blamed. More than anything, Jungkook understood what it was like to find out something about yourself that turned your entire world upside down. He also knew that when Yoongi and Hoseok told him to give Jimin time, they were most likely right. But not being able to check up on him or even talk to him - per Namjoon’s request - was making Jungkook antsy, which was why he ended up in Hoseok’s room, spending the nights there.
“We say it because it’s the truth,” Hoseok shrugged, snapping Jungkook out of his daze as he rolled over onto his side towards Jungkook. “When I found out there was a secret government agency that handled magic space stones and superheroes and aliens, I didn’t come back for a week . I thought I was going fucking insane,” Hoseok said with an exasperated laugh and Jungkook cracked a weak smile. “Namjoon had to show up at my place three times to get me to come back. And you didn’t show up for weeks, even after knowing what went on here.”
“I know,” Jungkook sighed, closing his eyes for a moment, hoping Jimin wasn’t going insane on his own. “I know you’re right, hyung. But it’s almost been a week already, and Namjoon asked me to not engage with him. I-I just want to talk to him. I just got used to seeing him everyday, I guess.”
“Namjoon’s the one who convinced most of us to come back,” Hoseok explained gently. “He’s the one who knows the most about what’s going on here, and he’s not as intimidating as Fury. It’s not like he’s trying to keep you from Jimin, he just wants to make sure he can get him where he needs to be. We all went through this part. Finding out about SHIELD, learning what actually goes on around here, and momentarily losing our mind. And it-it sucks. Nothing makes any sense and I’m sure Jimin’s head is absolutely reeling...”
“But?” Jungkook added, sensing it was coming and Hoseok smiled slightly.
“But Jimin’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met - and that’s saying a lot. He’s a fucking genius, and he loved it here. Everyday he was here he told me what he had learned with you and Namjoon at training. And he was excited just to show me what he was working on. He wasn’t even here for that long but he fell into everything so naturally. He belongs here, Jungkook. I’m sure he knows it.”
“And how does he deal with the part about having magic powers and possibly being the only person able to stop his shitty dad from killing him? Or potentially destroying the world?” Jungkook asked, eyebrows raised.
“That…is exactly why Namjoon hyung is doing the talking,” Hoseok answered and Jungkook almost felt like laughing. Jungkook himself had a million questions, and he wasn’t even the one who was at the center of the chaos. “There’s not much else we can do, Kook.”
“I just want to see him,” Jungkook admitted. “I-I know Jimin didn’t want to talk the first time Namjoon went to see him. And I know they’re asking us not to go because they don’t want us to bombard him or-or scare him even more. But I wouldn’t go just to beg him to come back like they’ve been doing.”
“Then what would you do?” Hoseok wondered and Jungkook’s eyebrows drew as he looked at Hoseok, feeling like his plan was completely obvious.
“Well, I’m-I’m Spider-Man,” Jungkook stated and Hoseok nodded slowly, still not understanding. “So, if I show up and tell him that I’m-that I’m Spider-Man, maybe he won’t be so freaked out about the fact that he might potentially have magic space powers.”
For a moment Hoseok remained quiet, his features indicating that he understood what Jungkook was saying now, but he was thinking it over.
“Everyone in New York City knows Spider-Man exists,” Hoseok stated carefully. “But if Jimin knew Spider-Man was just another person like him-”
“-he might feel better about coming back. And then the possibility of having powers himself won’t seem so crazy.” Jungkook added and Hoseok nodded in agreement. “Namjoon went once already but Jimin didn’t want to talk to him so now he’s waiting to go back. But I-I wanna try to see him.”
“It might work,” Hoseok said, shrugging as he shifted on the bed and sat up, looking over his shoulder to talk to Jungkook. “But you either ask Namjoon for permission, or you do it without telling him. And you’re a bad liar.”
“Well, I remember where- wait, I’m not a bad liar.”
“You are.” Hoseok confirmed, standing from the bed as he began rummaging through his drawers to grab some clean clothes. From Hoseok’s bedroom window, Jungkook could see that it was already dark which meant Hoseok was done working for the day and getting ready for bed. “Absolutely terrible. You get all squirmy, and you stutter a lot and then your voice gets really high.”
“Th-that is not true,” Jungkook scoffed as he sat up on the bed too, crossing his legs under him. “I-I do not stutter. I can lie. I just-I’m not, an-and I-I don’t…okay, so I’m a terrible liar.” Jungkook muttered as Hoseok snickered. “Whatever. I just won’t tell him.”
“Whatever you say, Jungkook-ah. I support you completely.”
“You’re mocking me,” Jungkook mumbled and Hoseok shook his head as he laughed, walking towards the bathroom on the other side of the bedroom.
“I’m not,” he replied, pausing at the bathroom doorway to turn and face Jungkook. “I actually think telling Jimin about you will be a good thing. It’s a good idea. Showing him that someone he trusts and likes is also a superhuman might ease him into everything that really goes on here. Namjoon can’t show him that.”
“What if he doesn’t want to talk to me either?” Jungkook worried, his stomach sinking at the thought of whatever potential relationship he might have had with Jimin was completely gone. A part of Jungkook felt almost ridiculous for missing Jimin so badly, considering Jimin hadn’t even been at headquarters for a very long time. But of all the people Jungkook had met at headquarters and even outside of SHIELD, no one fascinated him the way Jimin did. He was gentle yet strong-minded, and so incredibly intelligent that his brain alone was enough to make Jungkook swoon. He only hoped that whatever he felt though wasn’t a lost cause now that Jimin was gone.
“He liked you, Jungkook. And he loved it here,” Hoseok reassured. “I’m sure he misses it. Misses you,” Hoseok added, and Jungkook sighed softly, turning his head downwards, fingers tugging at Hoseok’s blanket. “Just tell him everything you want to tell him. Don’t worry about Fury or Namjoon, or bringing him back to headquarters. Talk to him like a friend, okay? I’m sure he needs that right now.
“Thanks, hyung.”
“Of course. Now, please go back to your room.”
“What, why?”
“You need to get out of here. Get some sunlight. And take a shower.”
—
The next morning, Jungkook woke up in his own bed for what felt like the first time in weeks. It was earlier than usual, and before showering he went for a quick swing just to clear his mind for the day.
After he (reluctantly) left Hoseok’s room the night before, he spent the rest of the time trying to decide when he would go see Jimin. He figured sooner would be better than later, hoping to visit Jimin before Namjoon went again, and ultimately decided to go that day, as early as possible.
As he made himself a quick breakfast, he thought about how he would tell Jimin.
As someone who spent his days with people who already knew about his alter ego, he didn’t have any idea on how to introduce himself as Spider-Man and as he fried his rice and eggs, he practiced his speech with himself, waving the wooden spoon around in the air as he imagined speaking to Jimin.
“ Remember me? No, he forgot about you, Jungkook. Obviously he remembers me, gosh, it’s only been a week. Okay, okay. So…hi. I know you’re scared because you think you’re not normal. But, hey - I’m not normal either - no. Oh my god. No. Wanna know a secret? I’m Spider-Man . I- no. Terrible, terrible. Who says that?”
By the time his food was cooked and eaten, Jungkook had gone through a hundred different conversations in his head, all of which sounded absolutely ridiculous, even to him. He had no experience to go off, and as he cleaned up after himself, he decided to just wing it. He slipped the thin web slingers onto his wrist and then tugged at the sleeves of his black jacket before grabbing his backpack and heading to Yoongi’s lab, letting him know his whole plan before he took off for the day.
Though Yoongi was slightly more hesitant than Hoseok, he also understood where Jungkook was coming from and ultimately agreed that it was a good idea. His one concern was making sure Jimin wouldn’t tell anyone once he found out, but the idea that Jimin was the type to tell hadn’t even crossed his mind, and he convinced Yoongi of the same. When he asked if he had a plan on how he would tell Jimin though, Jungkook laughed nervously and watched as Yoongi shook his head with a smirk.
“You’re a mess,” he said fondly. “Let me know how it goes.”
So Jungkook left his office feeling even more confident, walking with a bit more pep in his step as he made his way towards the rooftop.
Having lived at headquarters for almost a year meant Jungkook had learned the best ways to swing around the area, even if he hardly knew what the actual buildings were for at times. Still, he had developed a preference for getting to the center of the city. Some days he would walk to the very edge of the lawn and climb the wall at the edge of headquarters before swinging through the trees along the road, but today he was trying to save as much time as possible, and the fastest way to get off SHIELD property was across the rooftops that lined the lawn.
As he took a few steps away from the edge, Jungkook secured his backpack, twisting himself side to side a few times and then reached for his toes to stretch out. In front of him was a row of buildings, all lined up one by one so that they made a perfect path towards the road. Jungkook shook his arms, jumped up and down a few times, and then blew out of breath before running towards the edge of the building, using his legs to push him towards the next one. His air time was short because the distance between each building wasn’t very far, and each time he landed, he used the momentum to push himself again and again until he had a steady sprint before each leap. When he reached the edge of the last building, he jumped with his arm aimed upwards, tugging once the web caught on the tree and then he curved his back as the momentum pushed him over the large wall that separated headquarters from the road.
When he landed, it was with a slight grunt, but he was grinning, and nowhere near tired. Leaping across the buildings had been like a warmup, and now that he was out of sight, he jogged across the street towards the city, lifting a hand towards the nearest tree and swung his way towards Jimin.
Just as expected, he arrived at the edge of the city in a little under fifteen minutes and carefully treaded out from behind the greenery, making sure the sidewalk was clear before slipping out from behind the trees and crossing the street. Once across the road, he pushed his hood off and fell into step with the other pedestrians that were heading up the street in the same direction. With his mask on, he walked as quickly (and casually) as he could towards Jimin’s apartment, a location he only knew because he had remembered reading it in his files. He also recalled that Jimin had quit his job at the coffee shop, so Jungkook figured he had to be home. At least, he hoped he would be.
The apartment building Jungkook arrived at was in a small corner of the East Village, a distance not too far from the cafe he used to work at. It was the tallest building on the street, with bright bricked walls, and long windows that were evenly spaced out alongside. The entrance was up a short flight of cement stairs on the cornered angle of the building, and Jungkook pulled open the metal screen door, doing his best to look as if he belonged there as he walked inside.
To his relief, however, there wasn’t a host at the front desk and Jungkook headed straight for the elevator, pushing the number 4 button before the doors slid closed.
One by one the elevator counted the floors he ascended, humming and shaking slightly as it did, but with every passing number Jungkook felt his anticipation rise. It hadn’t been long since he had last seen Jimin - five, six days maybe? He wasn’t entirely sure, considering he slept in Hoseok’s room to pass some of the time, but still, the nerves he felt were as if he was meeting with a long lost friend, an eager apprehension that had his heart rate increasing.
When the doors slid open he blew out a breath before stepping out, taking a second to glance at the sign on the wall that said which room numbers were in which direction and then he pivoted down the right hallway.
“411, 413, 415…” he whispered to himself as he walked, his fingers tugging at one another, eyes skimming over the plaques beside every door until he was directly in front of room 417. Jungkook paused, and then he blew out a breath.
“Just. Knock,” Jungkook pleaded to himself after standing motionless for a solid minute with his hand raised, worried that Jimin would refuse to open the door. “Okay, okay.” He said, shaking his head and then, before he could change his mind, he knocked on the door three times and took a step back.
There was a good chance Jimin wouldn’t open the door, he reminded himself in an attempt to soften the blow. But there was also a chance that Jimin would open the door and Jungkook would have to figure out the perfect way to tell him without scaring him off again. Jungkook didn’t know which scenario would be more difficult.
But then he heard the faintest sound of movement, a light padding across the floor and Jungkook held his breath when he heard the doorknob rattle and the door creaked open, revealing a mildly surprised looking Jimin. He was wearing a black long sleeve, his hair slightly lighter, and he still looked radiant as ever, even as his eyebrows furrowed.
Jungkook must’ve been staring though, because then Jimin was pushing the door closed and Jungkook’s hand sensed it before his brain did, reaching out to hold it open.
“Wait!” He panicked, and Jimin froze for just a second, only opening the door an inch more so he could peek out from behind. “I-I know you probably don’t wanna see me, and I’m sorry for just-for just showing up. I just wanted to check on you. To-to see you.”
“Well, you saw me, so now you can go,” Jimin replied without missing a beat, and then he was pushing the door closed again.
“Wait, please,” Jungkook pleaded, still using his hand to hold the door. “I-I’m not here to talk about SHIELD, I swear.” Jungkook explained, and he knew that it was the right thing to say because Jimin’s force on the door lessened slightly and he peeked an eye out from behind, one eyebrow arched. “I have something that-that I wanted to tell you, from before you left.”
“Okay,” Jimin replied, uninterested. “What is it?”
“Um…well, I-I,” Jungkook stuttered, looking up and down the hallway before meeting Jimin’s eyes, his stomach somersaulting. “I don’t…I don’t really know how to say it,” Jungkook admitted quietly, almost laughing at how unprepared he was. He had never told anyone before, and now that he was (partially) face-to-face with Jimin, his nerves were going berserk.
“Jungkook, it’s fine. Thanks for stopping by, but I’m fine. You should go,” Jimin interrupted quietly.
“Will-will you come with me?” Jungkook spit out, realizing that if he couldn’t just say it, the next best thing was to show him.
Jungkook waited. And then he waited some more, worrying his lower lip as Jimin only stared, clearly having an internal debate on whether or not he should say yes, and Jungkook knew it was because he had asked a similar question when they first met, and this is where that led them.
“Did Fury send you?” Jimin finally replied, avoiding Jungkook’s question and Jungkook shook his head immediately.
“No. No, not at all. Fury and Namjoon don't even know I’m here.”
“You came on your own?” Jimin wondered, voice softening just barely and Jungkook nodded.
“Showing you is a lot easier than saying it,” Jungkook mumbled, palms sweaty. And then he waited quietly again, and before Jungkook knew it, the door was closed in his face, and his heart dropped to his stomach. Shocked, he stood completely still, mouth agape as he blinked slowly, trying to figure out anything he could say that would gain Jimin’s trust back. But then the door swung open completely, and Jimin took a deep breath, adjusting the bottom hem of his gray sweatshirt.
“If you kidnap me, I’ll kill you,” he threatened with a straight face, but there wasn’t an ounce of malice in his tone and Jungkook’s mouth twitched as he stepped back, letting Jimin have space as he closed the door behind him and joined Jungkook in the hallway. “Where are we going?”
Head spinning, Jungkook cleared his throat before answering. “Does this building have a rooftop?”
Though obviously confused, Jimin only arched an eyebrow before leading Jungkook back to the elevator and pressing the button for the twentieth floor, keeping his arms crossed in front of him, not even sparing a glance at Jungkook. It was quiet, save for the hum of the old elevator, and Jungkook had to bite his tongue to keep from pouring out apologies and he didn’t even know what for.
He had never been one for confrontation, mostly because he hadn’t been put in many situations where he had offended people, and though he knew that he hadn’t actually lied to Jimin (because he had no idea himself), he was guilty by association, and Jungkook felt at fault anyway. The silver lining though, he thought, was that Jimin hadn’t completely turned him away the way he did with Namjoon, and he used the little bit of courage it provided to speak.
“Jimin, I’m sorry,” Jungkook began, voice quiet as he spoke to Jimin’s back.
“Why?” Jimin replied almost immediately, and Jungkook was momentarily stunned, feeling like it was entirely obvious why he was apologizing. But the tone in Jimin’s voice didn’t sound like he was being intentionally coy, he was just curious.
“I just… I had no idea. And I-it wasn’t fair to bring you in without knowing, without telling you everything. You deserved to know everything, the whole truth. A-and for everything that…” Jungkook hesitated, trying to find the right words. “For everything your father did, I just…I’m sorry.”
Before Jimin could respond, the elevator dinged and the doors slid open, and Jimin exited without a word, walking swiftly down the right hallway as Jungkook followed a safe distance behind.
They walked all the way to the end of the hallway where there was a heavy door that read ‘staircase,’ and once Jimin pushed it open, they were at the top of a metal stairwell, a few steps away from another door that read ‘roof access.’ Reaching into his back pocket, Jimin pulled out a small silver key and began inserting it into the lock. But then he paused, his hand stilling as he turned over his shoulder, gaze fixed on Jungkook.
“If this is some sort of set-up to get me to talk to Namjoon, or Fury, or-or anyone else from SHIELD, I won’t stay. And I won’t trust you,” Jimin warned, and though his features were tight and his voice was strained, there was a note of fear seeping into his voice, and Jungkook’s stomach twisted at the thought that Jimin might be afraid of them, or of him.
“It’s just me and you,” he promised, speaking as gently as possible because all he wanted to do was apologize, feeling terrible for how freaked out Jimin must be, but he hoped his plan would work. It had to.
Jimin hesitated for a second more, his eyes searching Jungkook’s for a moment but then he sighed, his resolve fading as he turned back to the door and twisted the key, shoving the door open with a quiet grunt.
The rooftop was nothing special. It was bland and empty, the gray concrete was aged and faded, and because Jimin’s apartment was located in a hidden corner of the city, the only thing in view was shorter buildings and a railway a few feet away. Up here though, the weather always felt nicer. It was breezier, fresher, and since it was approaching September, the sun’s heat wasn’t suffocating.
Jungkook walked to the center of the rooftop, rotating in a small circle just to take it all in and try to let the wind relax his nerves. He was always most comfortable in places like this - private, and peaceful, high above the rest of the world and so open he felt like he could swing for miles. It was comforting.
At least, it usually was.
Now though, Jimin was standing with his back to the door, eyes fixated on Jungkook after doing a quick scan of the roof to make sure no one else was up there, watching Jungkook’s every move, and it suddenly made Jungkook remember why he had asked to come here in the first place.
“Okay…so,” Jungkook hesitated. Coming without any real plan or idea on how he was going to approach the topic, he was very much at a loss, his mind running in circles trying to figure out the best way to do whatever he was about to do. Jimin looked unamused. “Just…promise me you won’t freak out?”
At that, Jimin’s eyebrow arched and he lifted off the door until he was standing upright. “Freak out?” He repeated, and then he scoffed. “Unless you can top being told that I was born to a psychopath who wants to murder me for my magic powers, I don’t think you can freak me out.”
Jungkook swallowed, and then he chuckled nervously even though it wasn’t really funny at all. “Right.” He pulled off his backpack, palms sweaty. “Also, I don’t think you’ll be able to see from there.”
“I can see you.”
“I mean…” Jungkook cleared his throat, trailing off. And then he turned and walked to the edge of the building that was facing the railway, knowing there was less likely to be people there. On the opposite side of the tracks was a row of telephone poles, something for him to land on, so he stepped onto the ledge.
“What-what are you doing?” Jimin called, voice raised. Jungkook turned over his shoulder and Jimin was standing at the center of the rooftop now, just a few feet behind Jungkook, eyes wide.
“Don’t freak out,” Jungkook requested, and Jimin looked as if he was prepared to argue, eyes still wide. Jungkook turned back towards the telephone line, and for a second he tuned into Jimin’s heartbeat, listening to the quickening pace that nearly matched his own. He hadn’t been this nervous to swing since he was first learning how, and the way his heart was racing had his head spinning. He took a deep breath, and then he took a step off the edge.
“Jungkook, what are you-”
But Jimin’s voice was drowned out by the wind that was rushing through Jungkook’s ears, and his senses suddenly felt alive. He thought he might’ve heard Jimin scream, but he wasn’t sure. He was falling towards the pavement, body angled forward so he gained a little distance and just as he was nearly about to come crashing against the ground, he lifted his wrist and aimed directly at the top of the telephone pole, tugging when he felt the tension and then curled his lower body upwards until he was flying.
He landed at the top of the pole, his feet nearly halfway off the edge of the wood, knees bent to make space for his body as he crouched and he let out a breath of relief, his body feeling weightless.
From here, Jungkook could see the rooftop perfectly, could see Jimin standing stock-still at the edge of the building, eyes widened comically. A part of Jungkook almost hesitated swinging back for fear of what Jimin might say or do, but he reminded himself that he couldn’t run from it forever, so with a slight grunt, he pushed off the edge of the pole with his toes and dove again, this time landing on the corner edge of the rooftop.
He kept his head down once he settled, his bangs falling in his face as he stared at the cracked pavement. He could feel his own heartbeat racing, but Jimin’s was surpassing his own. Jimin didn’t say anything, and as Jungkook caught his breath (or pretended to) he heard Jimin’s slow and hesitant footsteps approaching him until his black and white shoes were visible in Jungkook’s vision.
“...Hi,” Jungkook breathed, cautiously lifting up his head. With the position he was in, Jimin was right in front of him, the space between them mostly from the way Jungkook’s knees were angled outwards. One step closer and he’d be face-to-face with him. The thought made Jungkook’s stomach flip. “So, I’m…um, I’m…I’m Spider-Man.” Jungkook whispered, the words feeling so foreign being said to someone else.
Jimin’s mouth was slightly open, his eyes scanning Jungkook up and down like he was trying to search for some sort of answer, some sort of explanation, and his breath was quicker than usual. It was the look of disbelief - Jungkook had seen it before, but there was something else in Jimin’s eyes that he couldn’t quite identify.
Nervous, Jungkook shifted so he could sit on the ledge, his feet now touching the rooftop and at this angle he was a little beneath Jimin’s eyesight, and he tilted his head upwards.
“Jimin, I…”
“W-wait.” He interrupted, stuttering quietly. “Just…wait.”
But Jungkook couldn’t wait. Sitting in silence made him even more anxious, so he rambled.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to just throw this on you. I-I was planning on telling you that-that night you left. I was going to tell you then, b-but then…well, you know what happened. And Namjoon hyung didn’t really…well, he didn’t want anyone else to see you because he was afraid that we would scare you off. So I-I didn’t come. But I really wanted to. And so that’s why I’m here, and I-I know this isn’t what you wanted. And you-you didn’t even ask to know, but I really wanted to tell you so I told you and I hope you don’t think that I’m weird now just because I’m Spider-Man because I’ve never told-”
“Jungkook-ah,” Jimin said quietly, lifting a palm in Jungkook’s direction as a sign to slow down. His voice was firm but gentle as he interrupted, and Jungkook closed his mouth, bringing his hands back down to his lap from where he was waving them around in front of him and swallowed the rest of the nonsense words he was about to spit out. Jimin let out a quiet sigh, and then the crease in his forehead slowly softened as his heartbeat settled down. “I’m not...upset. I’m just-”
He paused.
“Surprised?” Jungkook supplied, offering a tentative smile.
“Fucking surprised, yeah,” Jimin replied breathlessly, throwing up a hand before it fell down to his side as the corners of his mouth slightly twitched. “You’re…wow. You’re-you’re really Spider-Man?” He breathed, and the awe in his voice made Jungkook’s heart race as he tilted his head down to hide the blush he could feel on his cheeks, nodding.
“It’s…I’ve never told anyone. I wasn’t sure how to say it without…without sounding ridiculous, so I just-” Jungkook tilted his head towards the empty space between the buildings. “Figured showing you might be easier than saying it.”
“I just…I can’t believe it. I can’t…I mean, you’re everywhere ,” Jimin said, still in shock. “On the news an-and on TV and the Internet…you-you’re a hero.”
“Well, I-I wouldn’t say ‘hero,’ really,” Jungkook denied, shaking his head as Jimin continued to stare. “I don’t-I don’t know. I’ve never done this before.”
“You just…I-I would’ve never thought that you…not-not like that,” he corrected, seeing the faint look of offense cross Jungkook’s face. “It’s just…you never seemed like…I don’t know. I always thought Spider-Man was someone…different. It’s not something people can just be . It-It isn’t…”
“Normal?” Jungkook supplied, and he could tell that Jimin was trying not to agree for fear of offending him. But Jungkook had accepted a long time ago that being Spider-Man meant he wasn’t like everyone else, and instead of feeling insecure about the fact that he definitely wasn’t normal, and at some time not even considered human , he learned to use it to his advantage. “It’s okay. It’s not a bad thing.”
“No, no, of course not. You’re still you, and you’re…wow. It-it’s…incredible actually. Really,” Jimin emphasized. “But why…how come you’re telling me now? We-I mean, I don’t work at SHIELD anymore and we were…” Jimin trailed off, eyes flickering down for a moment before he cleared his throat and sat down beside Jungkook. “Why are you telling me?”
Jungkook shifted nervously, hands fidgeting with the sleeves of his sweater when he felt Jimin’s thigh against his and he turned towards him, wondering if Jimin’s stomach was feeling just as light.
“I know Namjoon hyung came to visit,” Jungkook began timidly, and Jimin looked away again for a moment. “And I know you didn’t want to talk to him because he’s trying to bring you back, to-to convince you that everything at SHIELD is real and that it’s not as crazy as it sounds.”
“Sounds like he’s done it to you before,” Jimin noted.
“To everyone at SHIELD,” Jungkook confirmed, nodding. “Half of the people who stayed or currently work there are there because of him. He’s incredibly convincing,” Jungkook praised with a dreamy sigh and Jimin quietly scoffed, covering up a laugh. “But I don’t think he’s ever had a case where he had to convince someone that they might be magic.”
“Jungkook…” Jimin gently interrupted, but Jungkook continued.
“I’m not trying to convince you. Or, I-I guess I am? I don’t know… I just thought that if you saw me - someone you knew, someone you…someone y-you trained with at SHIELD, then maybe finding out that I was Spider-Man might’ve made it easier to believe for you. Being ‘different’ doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds.”
Jimin was quiet again, and Jungkook did his best to keep from rambling for the second time around as he watched Jimin work it all out in his head. He had learned that Jimin was surprisingly good at hiding his emotions from his face, even though his pulse told a different story. Finally, he sighed and then he tilted his head, turning just a barely noticeable amount closer to Jungkook. But Jungkook definitely noticed it.
“First of all,” he started, and Jungkook was relieved to hear that his voice was as gentle as ever. “I didn’t think you were ‘just someone I trained with.’ I liked you. I do like you.” He admitted flippantly, and Jungkook felt his cheeks pinken, his heart skip, and he did his best (and failed) to not show how much it affected him. “And second of all…I’ve always thought Spider-Man was amazing. He’s, or I guess you are amazing. But, I’m not…I’m not the same as you, Jungkook. It’s not possible .”
“Jimin…”
“The things you do, Jungkook. The-the totally unbelievable things you’re able to do, it’s so, so amazing. But I don’t have that. There’s no way for me to-to,” Jimin paused, turning towards the edge of the building as he took a short breath and then faced Jungkook again, face sullen. “You understand that everything SHIELD does an-and everything Spider-Man is are things that-that shouldn’t be possible, right?”
“Yes,” Jungkook agreed softly, nodding.
“So how…how do you make it seem so simple? How is everyone there just completely fine with the fact that you guys are-are working around things that sound fucking insane?” He whispered the last part, voice tightening the more he spoke.
Jungkook waited a moment, letting Jimin breathe for a second before he replied.
“It wasn’t so easy at first,” Jungkook began carefully. “Almost everyone who is there took the time away to deal with the shock and fear and disbelief. It doesn’t…it’s not going to make sense overnight. It doesn’t…sometimes I still can’t wrap my head around everything. But there’s proof, a-and there’s explanations and logic to make up for all of that. And, y’know, after a while, the initial fear and shock and denial fades. After a while, all of the incredible things that actually go on there start to outweigh everything else.”
“Did Namjoon pay you to say that?” Jimin joked after a pause, and Jungkook shook his head with a short laugh and Jimin finally, finally , cracked the tiniest smile.
“He doesn’t even know I’m here. I came because I-I missed you. I wanted to see you, and-and apologize. When I brought you in, I had no idea why you were there, and I think I felt at fault for scaring you off.”
“Well, you apologized already, and I appreciate it,” Jimin replied sincerely. “Look, Jungkook, I’m really, really glad you came to see me. I missed you, too. And I can’t…I can’t say that I’m gonna go back, and I can’t promise you that I won’t go back to living as if SHIELD never existed.”
Jungkook’s heart tightened, but he let Jimin continue.
“I just…it’s still a lot to think about. It’s still so…unbelievable. I don’t really know how else to describe it, it’s just…fucking with my head a lot. And somehow knowing my dad was involved makes it even worse.”
“I’m sorry,” Jungkook said instinctively, fingers twitching.
“You don’t have to apologize for anything,” Jimin replied, shaking his head, and he must’ve noticed Jungkook’s hand because then he was intertwining their hands, and Jungkook was certain there were live butterflies in his stomach. “There’s a lot that I have to deal with before I even entertain the idea of anything magical or impossible or-or supernatural. I miss Hoseok hyung a lot, and I miss the work I was doing there, but I think I just need a little more time.”
“Whatever you decide Jimin-”
“Hyung.”
“What?” Jungkook arched his brow.
“I, um, I noticed you were calling me by my name, but you can still call me hyung,” he explained, and Jungkook gave his hand a squeeze, trying to bite back a smile.
“Whatever you decide, hyung,” Jungkook enunciated, and Jimin rolled his eyes. “Whether or not you decide to come back, or even if you pretend like none of it ever existed…I still want to see you.”
“Yeah? Even if Fury gives you the evil-eye for fraternizing with the enemy,” Jimin teased, and Jungkook let out a little laugh, amused.
“I think I can handle it,” Jungkook nodded for good measure, and Jimin giggled, playfully nudging Jungkook’s shoulder. And then Jungkook took a deep breath. “I really like you, hyung. I don’t…I know we didn’t know each other for long, and you might not want to come back an-and even if you didn’t, I’d still want to see you and talk to you and it-it might seem-”
“Jungkook-ah,” Jimin interrupted quietly, closing his eyes for a second with a small smile, and Jungkook closed his mouth.
“I-I talk a lot when I’m nervous,” Jungkook breathed and Jimin giggled again, his cheeks pinkening just faintly enough for Jungkook to notice it.
“So I’ve noticed,” he agreed. “I think it’s cute.”
“You make me nervous,” Jungkook mumbled, and then he pursed his lips, blinking rapidly as the tips of his ears reddened. “I-I mean…not that- not in a bad way or anything. It’s just… just that I’m not - and you-you’re so…and I-I don’t…”
“Jungkook.”
“Hm.”
“Can I kiss you?” Jimin requested, eyes sparkling as he stared straight into Jungkook’s.
“Yes. Yes, please kiss me, hyung,” Jungkook breathed, feeling like his heart was answering for him as he heard Jimin let out the finatest giggle under his breath before he was leaning in, and the feather soft touch of Jimin’s lips on his had his face blushing, and his stomach soaring.
For a moment, Jungkook was absolutely certain that his heart had stopped because when his lips touched Jimins, all of his senses were completely consumed by Jimin. His soft and warm lips, parting slightly as Jungkook eagerly pushed forward. The little gasp Jimin let out when Jungkook’s free hand landed on his waist, pulling him towards him. His gentle fingers that tangled in Jungkook’s hair, holding him tightly.
They moved together, their lips slotting in between one another so perfectly it had Jungkook aching for more, and when he caught Jimin’s lower lip between his teeth and Jimin let out a tiny whimper, Jungkook was certain he felt the same.
Jimin pulled back first, and Jungkook pouted when their lips parted, but he was also grateful for it because he was certain he wouldn’t be able to do it himself. He could’ve sat there kissing Jimin forever. With their foreheads against one another, they caught their breaths, eyes still closed, hands still intertwined, Jungkook’s on Jimin’s waist, and Jimin’s in Jungkook’s hair.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now,” Jungkook admitted with his eyes still closed, and Jimin let out a shy laugh, his hand moving to Jungkook’s cheek as he lifted his head.
When Jungkook opened his eyes, his face was only a breath away from Jimin’s, and all he could do was stare.
Jimin’s lips were pinker than his hair now, which Jungkook had noticed was turning to a peach blonde, and they were slightly glossy, his cheeks flushed. But he was grinning with his bottom lip between his teeth, eyes curved upwards. It was the type of smile that made him look like he was glowing.
Jungkook nearly leaned in again, and Jimin followed, but then his phone rang, and the both of them froze just inches away from one another. Jungkook groaned dramatically, and then he pointed his wrist at his backpack that was still in the center of the roof, using the web to pull it towards him in a split-second. It landed in his lap, and Jungkook heard the little noise of amazement Jimin made before he pulled out his phone.
“Oh, it’s Namjoon hyung,” Jungkook said, mildly surprised because he knew Namjoon only called when there was an emergency. “Hey, hyung, what’s up?”
“Hey, Jungkook. We have an emergency on West 17th Street near Chelsea at the Rubin Museum of Art. Armed robber is inside the building with a few hostages…” but Jungkook was already moving, swinging his backpack back onto his shoulders and apologizing under his breath to Jimin as Namjoon continued.
Despite the fact that Namjoon probably had no idea where Jungkook was, Jungkook knew that helping in an emergency was still a part of his responsibility as Spider-Man, regardless of what he was spending his free time doing. It was the one thing he couldn’t ignore, and though he felt bad for having to leave Jimin so suddenly, he was grateful that Jimin didn’t seem to mind.
“I’ll be there in ten,” he replied, and then he hopped on to the ledge of the building facing the city as Jimin stood beside him. “I’m sorry, I have to go,” he repeated but Jimin only shook his head, the faintest pleased smile on his lips.
“You don’t have to apologize,” he replied, cupping Jungkook’s face between his hands, and the way Jimin did it so naturally made Jungkook’s heart nearly burst as he leaned in to meet Jimin halfway. The kiss was shorter than the first, but it was filled with just as much affection and it had Jungkook’s stomach flipping more violently than when he was swinging upside down.
“I’ll come back,” Jungkook promised, his lips still against Jimin’s until he double tapped his web-slinger with his finger, letting the nano-technology piece together little by little and his clothing became one with the form-fitting suit. Jimin stepped back as it did, watching in awe.
“Wow,” he breathed and Jungkook grinned before tapping once more so the mask could piece together around his head. “Be careful.” He requested quietly, and Jungkook nodded once, knowing Jimin couldn’t see that he was smiling like a love struck puppy under the mask before he pivoted on the ledge, zoned in to the location that appeared through the eyes of the suit, and then he jumped.