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Being banished from society and forced to live in a doomy looking tower in the middle of an open field seemed a bit dramatic to Seokjin and yet here he is. He can leave anytime of course but where would he go.

Besides, after years of self convincing and a few breakdowns Seokjin is at peace with his isolation.

The villagers were such downers anyways. Always saying things like

stop stealing body parts Jin, don’t go digging in the graveyard Jin

,

you are God’s least favorite child Jin,

or even

you're not as smart as you think you are Jin.

Such preposterous statements. Seokjin probably would have gone even more insane if he wasn’t kicked out of town.

He’s been called an idiot, irreverent, arrogant, and  just down right rotten.

Despite what the villagers say, Seokjin wouldn’t consider himself a bad guy. The smartest man alive who also just happens to be extremely good looking, sure. But definitely not a bad guy.

Maybe they’re just too soft.

Seokjin will never understand the disdain for using the dead as ways for people to better understand the human body. It’s not like they’re using their body anymore. If anything, not using corpses is just a waste of resources and Seokjin will die by that logic.

The villagers used to be friendly with Seokjin too, that was until they found his collection of human spines and jars of organs. People who called him a friend or a brother now called him a monster or the devil reincarnated. Like he said, they’re too soft.

He got the idea to use corpses when he realized that all knowledge on the human body was based on assumption and religious beliefs. If god made man in his image he was certainly stingy for not including his followers with a detailed illustration of said image.

Seokjin thinks back to that one nurse who said milk was a substitution for blood and tried injecting a patient with a pint of the stuff instead of blood as Seokjin recommended. Needless to say, the patient died a few days later.

He’s seen too many patients die because of a lack of understanding of the human body and he’s had enough. Now he’ll admit, grave robbing isn’t something he’s proud of but it’s been a necessary evil since he was no longer allowed to step foot into the town. It’s not the people knowing he’s digging up graves for corpses that makes him feel guilty, he really stopped caring about their feelings of him after they banished him. No, despite everything Seokjin still respects the dead and still believes their final resting place should be just that.

His curiosity just so happens to be stronger than his guilt.

And that fact alone is why he is currently standing above a dismembered corpse with a sewing needle in hand. The body below him used to belong to a twenty five year old man according to his grave.

“Did you hate the sun?” Seokjin whispers to the corpse. He must not have been one to go outside much as his skin was pale even for a dead guy.

The corpse doesn't respond unfortunately. It's for the best though, Seokjin knows when he's been held up in his laboratory for two long when the bodies talk back to him. It's only happened five times though.

Not too bad.

Seokjin likes to imagine the life of the people he uses as a fun pass time. It’s morbid but he’s been bored and alone for a while now so he has to make the most of it somehow. Boredom can make a person do crazy things.

Which is why he is currently trying to reverse the effects of death.

Absurd and unlikely, but he’s already committed what some may consider blasphemous acts so why not. The thought came to him about two nights ago when he was counting how many times his heart beats when resting.

What makes a human alive?

Is it the brain? The heart? Or could the villagers be correct in believing in the soul?

The brain is how a human thinks, Seokjin is positive about that. But the heart is what distributes the blood throughout the body making everything function as it should. When people check to see if someone is alive they check the pulse, not the brain.

But then Seokjin pondered if being alive was the same as living. The heart could beat all it wants but if the brain isn’t working the body is nothing more than an empty shell.

Then there's the soul, a concept more than a physical thing making it entirely theoretical and impossible to study. Times like this Seokjin wishes he paid more attention in Sunday school when they discussed the soul. He doesn’t really believe in its existence but a good scientist never lets personal beliefs impact their research.

Seokjin groans as he cracks his back and neck. His joints are beyond messed up from being hunched over for hours on end. The man below him died just two days ago so his limbs and torso were still mostly fresh. Seokjin just needs a head but they seem to decay the fastest so he’d rather wait until he is certain he’s almost done to go out and look for one. He’s already had to sew the right hand of this person's corpse back onto its arm. He needs to act fast.

He jolts from his work table as a loud knock comes from his front door. Seokjin sighs as he peeks out of the window already knowing who is disturbing him at such a late hour.

“Oh,” he teases, “it’s you.”

Jungkook is looking up at the window with a sly smile on his face, “Storm’s comin’, you know the drill.”

Seokjin huffs as he dusts off the gunk from his protective gear. When he mentioned how the villagers banished him from town he didn't mean all of them. Though Seokjin doesn’t really consider Jungkook a citizen of the village.

His parents died when he was a child and he’s been homeless ever since. When Seokjin first moved out of town Jungkook followed him and took the chance to ask him for shelter on stormy nights or if he needed a place to hide when he stole from the wrong person. Seokjin, proving how wrong the villagers are about him, agreed without a second of hesitation.

He wishes he knew how much of a pain the kid would be. He supposes having no parents would result in a person growing up with little to no class.

Seokjin isn’t even fully down the steps when he realizes Jungkook has already let himself in.

“H-how?”

“Your lock is easy to pick,” Jungkook smirks.

“What’s the point in knocking then?” Seokjin mutters under his breath, “You made me come all this way for nothing.”

Jungkook crinkles his nose at Seokjin. He must smell of chemicals, the poor kid has a sensitive nose.

“What are you doing now Jin?” Jungkook asks in amusement. He may never know what Seokjin is exactly learning through his research but he always seems entertained by Seokjin’s new projects.

“I’m trying to make a human.”

Jungkook pretends to throw up, “Okay never mind, forget I ever asked. Is it weird that I didn’t think you were capable of something like that?”

Seokjin’s face twists in disgust at Jungkook’s misunderstanding, “I’m not having sex with anyone Jungkook, I would never put myself through that.”

Jungkook’s face froze in confusion as he tried to decipher what Seokjin originally meant. He didn’t seem to be getting close to the answer so Seokjin rephrased his original statement, “There is a dismembered corpse upstairs, I am trying to build a human and reanimate the dead.”

He waits for the look of understanding to replace the confusion on Jungkook’s face. Instead he was met with a bored expression.

“Is it weird that you playing around with a corpse is less shocking to me than you having sex?”

Seokjik shrugs, “I think it just shows how well you know me actually and therefore I’m flattered.”

Jungkook puffs out his cheeks, “Good luck with your corpse then. You got any food?”

This is why Seokjin keeps him around. The kid doesn’t seem to have a judgmental bone in his body. Well that is unless he thinks Seokjin is sexually active apparently. Seokjin can’t blame him on that though, he finds the act unappealing.

“I have the ingredients for beef stew on the counter. The clouds looked quite dark this morning so I figured you’d be here when the storm came closer.”

“You really are a genius aren’t ya?” Jungkook jokes.

“Unfortunately I’m going to have to ask you to start preparing the food.” Seokjin motions to his dirty clothes, “It’d be hazardous if I were to start cooking at the moment.”

Jungkook waves a hand in front of his nose, “I knew I smelled chemicals on you.”

“Well yes but also some of the guts squirted on me when I accidentally cut too deep along the torso.”

Jungkook tried to look unaffected by that response but his lip still curled slightly. Seokjin chuckles at his reaction and makes his way back up the staircase, “I’m going to clean up my lab and then shower, please don’t break anything.”

Jungkook salutes him then runs to the kitchen to begin supper.

It takes Seokjin around an hour to clean his tools, pump some more Formaldehyde into the corpse, and then put it back into a freezer for later. He really only has a day left before he deems the corpse unusable so he must act fast and find a head.

He’s almost done draining the tub when he hears a frantic banging on his front door. Jungkook is the only person that dares enter. Seokjin shoots up and grabs a towel before rushing down the stairs.

He’s met with a panicked looking Jungkook waiting for him at the bottom.

“Did you see who it was?”

Jungkook gulps, “Well no, but there’s a chance I know who—”

“Jeon Jungkook!” A voice yells from behind the wooden door, “I know you’re in there you demon, open the door before I get others involved.”

Seokjin whips his head around to glare at Jungkook, “What in God’s name did you do?”

Jungkook sighs as he heads towards the door, “I’ll explain in a moment.”

“You are not letting a stranger into my home young man!” Seokjin shrieks.

“Relax,” Jungkook whispers, “he’s harmless.”

And with that, Jungkook swings the heavy wooden door open only to be met with a fist to the face.

Seokjin yelps and clutches the towel around his waist in a desperate attempt to feel protected. Jungkook on the other hand groans as a shorter man tackles him to the ground.

Seokjin just watches awkwardly in his wet towel as the shorter man grips Jungkook’s chin, “I bet you thought you were one sly mother fucker when you slipped out of bed this morning.”

Seokjin winces at the man’s language. It finally registers to him that the man has a large cross hanging low on his chest and over Jungkook’s face.

Are those robes he’s wearing?

Seokjin’s eyes widen as he recognizes his garments, “You’re a priest!” He shouts.

The priest acknowledges Seokjin for the first time since he barged in, “Do you mind giving us some privacy?”

“I’ll have you know this is my house.” Seokjin insists.

Jungkook sighs, “It’s fine Jimin, he’s not one to judge.”

The priest sneers at Jungkook, “Is that so? You mean he won’t

judge

you for seducing a man of god and corrupting him to the point of sleeping with you only for you to leave him in an empty bed the next morning?” He growls when Jungkook attempts to get back up and shoves him flat on the ground, “Especially after all those promises you made.”

Seokjin sends Jungkook a disappointed face, “A priest Jungkook, really? It’s one thing to go after men but aren’t you pushing it with going after a

priest

?”

“Oh he didn’t just sleep with me

doctor

,” Jimin addressed him with mockery laced in his voice, “he confessed his love to me.”

Jungkook has a hopeless look on his face telling Seokjin that the priest was telling the truth. “Look Jimin—”

"That’s Father Jimin to you. You lost the privilege to drop my title and will address me properly from now on.”

“I refuse to call someone with a daddy kink Father.” Jimin blushes but doesn’t say anything. Jungkook tries again with a softer tone, “I was just caught up in my lust or whatever, y’know how it is. I may have said some intense stuff but I’m over it. We can go our separate ways now, you don’t have to feel guilty anymore.” Jungkook looks up and down at Jimin above him, “I also wouldn't mind if we have one more round. I heard sex is usually better when you know it's your last time together.”

Jimin slaps him.

Seokjin buries his head in his palms, unable to watch the mess in front of him anymore. He never asks Jungkook about his personal affairs and now he’s seeing how good of a decision that was. This kid is a mess.

Jimin’s lips wobble for a moment before he flings himself off of Jungkook’s body as if it hurts to touch him.

“You’re cruel Jeon Jungkook.” Jimin says in a hushed tone, “I went against my beliefs for you. I can’t just go back to the church—,” his voice cracks and his eyes water.

Seokjin takes pity on the man, “We’re having beef stew for supper if you want. I’ll even let you stay here if you truly can’t return to the church. I'm not used to having so many people over so I welcome the intrusion, honestly.”

Jungkook looks at Seokjin as if he betrayed him and maybe he has. Seokjin ignores him though, those bambi eyes aren’t as effective when there’s a man next to him looking like a hurt puppy.

“I refuse to eat with sinners,” Jimin sniffs.

Seokjin should have seen that response coming, “Well unfortunately Father, I believe you broke your vow of celibacy which means you are a sinner too now making your statement hypocritical. I’ll have Jungkook eat in another room if that helps.”

Jimin hesitates at that. He sends one last disgusted look at Jungkook before nodding, “Very well. Would it be too much if I ask to stay the night doctor?”

Seokjin shakes his head, “Not at all, you may have the guest room. Jungkook can take the couch tonight.” Jungkook makes a sound of protest at that but immediately ceases at the look Seokjin shoots him. “It’s the couch or my laboratory Jungkook and we both know you hate the lab.”

Jimin snorts, “Why, is it true you experiment on the dead?”

“Er,” Seokjin grimaces, “Well I would say I study them rather than experiment on them however this time yes, I am experimenting on a corpse at the moment.”

Jungkook slaps his forehead, “Can’t you lie for once?”

Jimin’s slender eyes become almost impossible round, “Y-you’re doing what?” He looks like he’s about to run out the door.

“I can explain over dinner if you truly wish to understand my work.”

Jimin rakes his hands through his hair, “I sin once and now I’m eating dinner with a grave robber. This is God's way of punishing me.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes so hard Seokjin can only see their whites.

Seokjin clasps his hands, “Perfect, glad you’re so accepting of your current situation. I’m going to put on some clothes and then I’ll come back and set up the plates and silverware.”

Jimin looks warily at Jungkook who hasn’t moved from his position on the floor, “Could I come with you? My robes are wet from the storm and they feel undeserving at the moment.”

Seokjin decides right then that he would kill for Jimin. He will slap Jungkook silly later for being such an idiot.

“Of course, follow me.”

Jimin timidly follows Seokjin up to his room. His whole demeanor changed as soon as Jungkook was out of sight. He went from stiff and defensive to shy and unsure.

"I have a set of cotton sleep wear if you wish to wear that. I don’t know about you but storms make me want to dress comfortably.”

“I feel the same,” Jimin responds. He gazes warily at Seokjin for a moment, “You’re very different from what the townsfolk make of you.”

Seokjin opens the door to his bedroom, “That makes sense, I do things most find distasteful and that makes them uncomfortable. Villainizing someone or something you don’t understand makes people feel better for being hateful.”

He hands Jimin a soft set of striped pajamas. Jimin takes them but he still looks at Seokjin with suspicious eyes, “You said you were experimenting on a corpse?” Seokjin nods, “Why?”

“Well I can’t do much now that I’m all by myself so you could say I’m bored.” Jimin doesn't look convinced so Seokjin tries again, “Well at least that’s part of it. No one in the village will accept me anymore and that type of rejection makes a person crazy. I figured, if I could construct my own type of human who will be by my side no matter what then being stuck in this house for the rest of my life won’t be too depressing.”

“You want a companion?” Seokjin shrugs helplessly, “Don’t you have Jungkook?”

That makes Seokjin laugh, “The kid is happy to spend his life as a street urchin because it means he’ll never have to work in his life. He uses people until they fulfill his needs. I care deeply for him but he is not a companion.”

Jimin’s lips curl, “I can’t believe I fell for his love sick act. I just,” he closes his eyes, “I’ve been denying myself for too long, it felt good to let go and he made it seem like everything would be worth it.”

Seokjin clicked his tongue, “You poor thing. If my experiment works I can make you a boyfriend.”

Jimin looks sick, “I’d rather bury myself alive.”

“A simple no would’ve sufficed.” Seokjin pouts.

Despite Jimin’s disdain, the three of them eat together. In silence of course, as Seokjin is scared one word would trigger another fight. It was almost a successful meal until Jimin clears his throat.

“So Seokjin,” Seokjin raises his gaze to meet Jimin’s but he doesn’t reply, “how will you be making this corpse come to life?”

Jungkook drops his spoon so it makes a sudden clanging sound, “Why, you gonna threaten him with telling the town about what he does in his own time?”

Jimin ignores him thankfully but his left eye does twitch slightly, “The soul is what makes someone alive, how do you substitute a soul?”

Jungkook doesn’t let Seokjin answer, “That’s such bullshit. The heart is what makes someone alive. When you check for life you check for a pulse first, it’s simple.”

Seokjin cuts in before the two have the same argument he’s already had with himself, “I have decided on using a brain.” He says. Jungkook looks like he’s considering the answer while Jimin looks unconvinced.

“The brain?”

“Think about it, the heart pumps blood to the brain in order to power it but with a corpse there is no blood running through the body. A heart would be useless.”

Jimin leans forward, “Then how would you power the brain?”

“I thought about using electricity.”

Jungkook frowns, “Sounds more like a machine than a human.”

Seokjin’s eyes light up. He hasn’t thought about that comparison but it makes perfect sense. “Great point Jungkook, I like where your head is at.”

“Wait,” Jimin interrupts, “I thought you were making a human.”

“It could be a combination of human and machine. A hybrid if you will.,” Seokjin suggests, now fully into the idea. “You said it yourself, humans require a soul to be considered alive. Making a human soul sounds like something reserved for God and I am not him so I will have to do what all humans do now and use electricity.”

“Sure, but how will you find a brain? I’m assuming you need a fresh one.”

Seokjin looks down at his empty bowl, “Well I’m not proud of this but I know a guy. Well two actually. Apparently my usual supplier decided he needed a partner in crime though I haven't met him yet. They're coming tomorrow with hopefully a head and brain for me to use.”

“You know a guy?” Jungkook snorts, “Who the hell has been supplying you all this time?”

Seokjin crosses his arms defensively, “I do most of my grave robbing myself thank you very much. It’s just, sometimes I need fresher supplies.”

“Oh my god,” Jimin gasps, “do you hire assassins for your disgusting hobbies.”

“I would never!” Seokjin squeals, “Before I was thrown out of town I used to be friends with a worker at the morgue.”

Jimin’s eyes close as he figures out where Seokjin is going, “It’s Taehyung isn’t it?”

"I—how did...”

“He used to be part of the church.” Jimin has a look of disgust as he speaks, Seokjin is beginning to think that’s his default face. Jimin plays with his spoon, “He never believed in the church's teachings, he just needed food and shelter after his parents died from the flu. He was my best friend but also a pain in the ass.”

“How does one go from being a priest—”

"Deacon,” Jimin corrects, “he never achieved priesthood.”

“How did he become a mortician?” Jungkook butts in.

Jimin scowls, “That's the thing, he's not a mortician. He made friends with a con man. I’m pretty sure they work at the morgue under a pretense and sell organs for a living.”

Jungkook nods his head in approval, “I didn’t even think of that.”

“You’re revolting,” Jimin seethes, “I can’t believe I ever let you touch me.”

Jungkook shrugs, “It was good while it lasted.”

“He’s not wrong Jungkook,” Seokjin chimes in, “I’m very disappointed in your childish actions.”

The uninterested look Jungkook has been sporting dissipates immediately and for the first time tonight he looks ashamed. He suddenly stands up and makes his way to the living room, “I’m going to bed now, please don’t disturb me.” He musters up a look of defiance aimed at Seokjin, “I’ll fuck off in the morning. I might even be gone before you wake up, who knows.”

Seokjin sighs as he watches Jungkook walk away, “If you happen to still be here when I wake, I’m making waffles and eggs.” Jungkook doesn’t respond but Seokjin knows he’ll stay at least until breakfast, waffles are his favorite. His immaturity is unpleasant to deal with but Seokjin is used to it by now.

Jimin clearly isn’t though, he turns back to Seokjin, “What was that about?”

“I told him I’m disappointed in him, he takes that as rejection. He’ll get over it in a few hours.”

“Why do you even let him stay here? He’s awful.”

Seokjin takes Jungkook’s bowl and Jimin’s, “I don’t know about you but sleeping in the streets when it’s cold and rainy sounds pretty dreadful to me. He needs a warm place to stay with homemade meals and a person to talk to, I’m happy to offer him that much.”

“He could just sleep in the church,” Jimin mumbles.

“I’m pretty sure that a bed is more appealing than a pew Jimin.”

Jimin stands up to help Seokjin wash the bowls and spoons. He seems lost in thought as he scrubs the bottom of Jungkook’s bowl.

“One last question.” He says. Seokjin hums in response, “Why do you work with criminals? You house and take care of Jungkook who steals food and other goods and now you’re telling me you work with con men to acquire organs illegally.”

“Well I don’t really care if they are criminals if I’m being truthful here. Call me selfish but as long as what they do doesn’t affect me I’m okay with it. Plus I benefit from it.”

Jimin bites his lip, “You’re kind but not a good man, it’s making my head hurt trying to understand you.”

Seokjin suddenly flicks Jimin’s forehead making the younger man yelp, “Stop thinking too hard, it’s too late to be philosophical.”

And with that, Seokjin and Jimin headed to their bedrooms. The fake morticians sent Seokjin a letter the other day saying they’ll be arriving bright and early so he wanted to be in bed as early as possible.

Seokjin falls asleep pleading to no one in particular that they bring him a decent looking head and healthy brain.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Seokjin has to admit that he takes being alone for granted sometimes. He forgets that everyone lives their own life and can't always accommodate for his preferences. For example, Seokjin loves to sleep in. He enjoys the feeling of his body slowly waking up to a gentle breeze coming from his window while he is still encased in the warmth from his thick blankets. Seokjin loves having the time to keep his eyes closed as the last bit of sleep leaves his body before he slowly stretches his limbs and eventually leaves his bed. Unfortunately all those things seem to be valued by him and him only. It was five in the morning when Seokjin's precious sleep was interrupted by a sudden screech from Jungkook followed by the sound of punches being thrown. Seokjin's assumption that the punches came from Jimin was immediately disproven when he happened to open his bedroom door simultaneously with him. The two stare at each other with matching flustered expressions before they both run downstairs to see where and who the noise is coming from.Jimin yelps as he recognizes his friend Taehyung standing in the center of Seokjin’s living room. Seokjin however is staring at a familiar scene of Jungkook pinned to the ground by a shorter man. “What on earth—”Taehyung lifts his head to Seokjin revealing a huge grin on his face, “Good morning Jin, sorry for the noise. You should get a better lock by the way.” His eyes flick over to Jimin briefly and winks at him before returning his gaze back to his partner.Seokjin knows that logically he should just get a new lock at this point, but when the people you know are all thieves it's better to not waste your time. Seokjin greets Taehyung politely before returning his attention to Jungkook.“Jungkook,” Seokjin calls, “should I assist you with fighting that man off of you or is this just another consequence to your actions.”Jungkook just lies limply on the floor looking defeated. He seems to have absolutely no interest in fighting this early in the morning. The man above him glares at Seokjin but speaks to Jungkook, “Is this the man you left me for?”Seokjin plops himself on the stairs and huffs, “I see you’re another one of Jungkook’s victims, carry on.” Jungkook whimpers but Seokjin just shakes his head, “You need to learn somehow Jungkook. If it wasn’t him, it’d be me smacking you around.”“There are others?” Jimin whines.“Only one more,” Jungkook shouts as his head is slammed to the ground again, “We’ll technically two more, but the one guy died from leeches.”Taehyung perks up at that, “You knew Jihoon?”Jungkook winces as his hair gets pulled, “So that was his name.”Taehyung chuckles as he walks over to the man on top of Jungkook, “I think he’s thoroughly pummeled Hobi, I’m already seeing bruises form.”The man on top of Jungkook takes one final look at him before huffing and standing up. His glower morphs into the friendliest smile Seokjin’s ever seen so fast he gets whiplash.“Hiya guys, sorry ‘bout that I’m normally in a much better mood. It’s been a rough morning and seeing this guy's face really pushed me over the edge. The name’s Jung Hoseok by the way but you may call me Hobi.”Uncomfortable silence fills the air until Seokjin clears his throat, “Right, well it’s nice to meet you Mr. Jung–”“Hobi,” the man insists.Seokjin narrows his eyes at the man. He looks not that much younger than himself but he acts more like Jungkook than a grown man. That could get irritating. “I’m sorry Hoseok for Jungkook’s previous actions, he seems to be a serial heartbreaker.” He points to Jimin next to him, “This man right here is Father Jimin, the latest victim.”“Just call me Jimin,” he huffs, “I'm undeserving of the title at the moment.”“Would you stop calling them victims,” Jungkook grumbles as he stands up.Taehyung collapses on the ground, overwhelmed with laughter. Jimin sends daggers his way but Taehyung doesn’t seem to care.“How the hell,” Taehyung gasps, “did your tight ass fall for that guy?”Jimin is positively red now.Seokjin decides to save him the embarrassment and changes topics, “Hoseok, you mentioned that you had a rough morning. Is that the reason you are here before the sun is up?”Hoseok walks over to where two burlap sacks lay by the door. Seokjin was too busy watching Jungkook get tackled he didn’t even notice them.“That’s correct doctor.” Hoseok chirps, “A guard caught us leaving the morgue with one of these sacks and got rightfully suspicious. Taehyung and I are opportunistic you see, and figured we could just get an even fresher head.” He holds up one of the burlap sacks as if he’s presenting a prize. Jimin gags next to Seokjin, “Don’t tell me…”Seokjin scratches the back of his neck, “Well I applaud you for your resourcefulness. I’ll make sure your actions are not in vain.”Jimin scoffs, “Unbelievable.”Jungkook scrambles away from Hoseok and the sack, “What the hell man? You told me you don’t kill people.”Hoseok rolls his eyes, “And you told me that you’d run away with me and we'd settle down in the city. People lie.”Seokjin couldn’t help but snort at the absurdity of Jungkook’s promises. He’s starting to think the people Jungkook lies to are partially responsible for being (for a lack of a better word) dumb enough to believe his outrageous vows.Seokjin stands up to take the burlap sack from Hoseok’s hands and walks towards the second sack on the ground, “I certainly hope this is the brain I was promised.”“Yup,” Taehyung says, “it’s in great condition too, the guy just died yesterday morning. He was a pianist who passed away from a heart attack.” Seokjin gently picks up the sack. He doesn’t ever get to know the story of any of the bodies he studies so hearing about this organ’s previous owner makes him more excited to reanimate it. He turns to the men in his house, “Well I was going to make waffles but I fear I can’t concentrate on anything else at the moment.”“You just woke up,” Jimin mumbles, “must you play with body parts right now?”The last thing Seokjin wants to think about right now is food. His hands are already shaking with anticipation. “Jungkook knows my waffle recipe, he can make them.”“Like hell I’m making any of these people breakfast.” Jungkook protests, “Two of them hate my guts and literally attacked me within the last twelve hours.”Hoseok sends Jimin a quick look of approval at that.“Think of this as making amends.” Seokjin simpers, “I’m sure Taehyung and Hoseok have worked up quite an appetite after the trouble they went through this morning.”“I'm okay with waiting to eat if you need any assistance,” Hoseok offers. Maybe Seokjin judged him too fast. Leave it to Jungkook to not only miss out on a relationship with sweet Jimin, but also an absolute gentleman. Seokjin shook his head, “While I'm thankful for your kind offer, I do my work best alone.” And with that, Seokjin turns away from the group of men and makes his way to his laboratory.The set up was quite simple. A headless torso lays still on a cold slab surrounded by electrical cords and a table full of sewing materials. A few drawings of the human anatomy drawn by Seokjin himself hang loosely from the walls, blowing slightly from a cool breeze that never seems to relent. The windows in this room are never closed because like Jungkook, Seokjin's nose is quite delicate. He places the burlap sacks on an empty table to finally see what he's dealing with. The brain looks fine, nothing out of the ordinary. Seokjin's seen how terrible a brain can look after a major head injury or from an unknown disease. He hums to himself as he moves onto the head Hoseok and Taehyung kindly brought to him. His humming ceases immediately as he lifts the sack to reveal the head of a gorgeous man. Seokjin blinks in confusion, “How did such a delicate looking face belong to a guard?”Seokjin purses his lips as he lightly traces his fingers over the slight arch in the man's eyebrows to the gentle slope of his nose. His breath catches just before his fingers hit the man's lips. It feels too intimate to touch them without permission so he forces his hands behind his back. The atmosphere feels tense for a moment, proving Seokjin was right to insist on working alone. He's not sure that Hoseok would think he's right in the head for being mesmerized by a dead man's head.“Okay,” he whispers to the head, “let's cut you open.”Seokjin gets to work. He begins by cutting open the man's scalp to replace his brain with a new one. He fears that if he were to reanimate the head with its previous brain then he'd just be bringing back the guard and not a new person. It was René Descartes that said “I think therefore I am.” Seokjin was never one to care about philosophy, but recently with his ideas about human life he's been taking some philosophical theories into consideration before conducting this experiment. If Descartes's theory about the conscious is correct, then Seokjin would rather reanimate a simple pianist than a man dedicated to the law.It's unfortunate that he had to ruin the man's flawless skin with stitches but Seokjin doesn't think letting him walk around with an exposed brain is safe. Once he successfully attaches the head to the torso, all he has to do is attach his electrical cords to the two electrodes Seokjin sewed onto his scalp. He takes a deep inhale as he prepares for the moment of truth. Seokjin's head tilts as the smells of waffles wafts into the room. Now that he thinks about it, the smell has been here for a while. He checks the time and yelps at the sight of the hands of the clock showing him he's been working for nearly three hours now. The sounds of chatter below him finally register in his ears too. He hopes everyone's getting along. Jungkook's voice is the loudest of the four, making Seokjin smile. He knew he wouldn't leave.Seokjin walks to the power switch on the wall, “Please work,” he pleads to no one. It'd be quite embarrassing if he were to walk downstairs and explain to everyone his failure. Especially after all that Taehyung and Hoseok had to go through this morning. Seokjin takes a deep breath and pulls the switch down harshly. The room feels still for a moment, tense and anticipatory. Suddenly, yellow sparks light up the room and illuminate all the dark corners of the room. Seokjin squints as the sparks make their way down the cords and up to the man's scalp. A loud buzzing sound fills the arm, Seokjin could practically taste the electricity on his tongue. The body on the slab suddenly jolts violently for a few moments until the torso shoots up in a sitting position and his eyes flick open. The man is certainly awake, but Seokjin can't bring himself to call this a success just yet.He forces his jaw close, not even remembering it opening in the first place. Seokjin lowers the power slightly so it's safe to walk closer to the body. There's still some sparks flickering around the man but he looks unaffected. In fact, the man looks like he just woke up from a good nap rather than the dead. He looks around the room slowly as if taking in his environment until his gaze lands on Seokjin. He flinches at Seokjin's proximity, making Seokjin step back to give him more space. He holds his hands up slowly, “Apologies,” Seokjin says quietly, “I'm not sure exactly where to go from here.”The man still has a confused look to his eyes as he points to his throat. He grimaces as a garbled sound comes from his throat. He tries to open his mouth again only for nothing to come out but distorted sounds. “Oh,” Seokjin exclaims, “your throat must be dry. Do-do you understand me?”The man's face relaxes in relief and nods enthusiastically. “You understand me,” Seokjin breathes then shakes his head to regain focus, “Well I don't mean to alarm you, but I removed your internal organs which means if I were to give you water it would just sit in your body uselessly."The man's eyes widen in fear as he starts prodding at the stitches running down his stomach. Seokjin thinks he would cry if he could. “Oh my, I–oh gosh,” Seokjin flounders. He didn't think his words were scary but the man on the table seems to have taken them the wrong way. Seokjin scrambles through his materials until he finds some licorice root he uses when his throat is sore. “I have licorice root here if that's okay. I think it will absorb into your throat better than water.” He takes a timid step towards the man on his table, “Would you like to take it yourself or should I help you."The man tilts his head at the serum. “Like I said, you can't exactly swallow it but you can apply it on your throat and let it be absorbed.” Seokjin patiently explains.The man hesitantly reaches out his right hand and with his left he points to his chest. Seokjin sighs as he gives the extract to him. He supposes trust between them will have to build over time. Seokjin watches intently as the man reaches down his throat to apply the extract. He sends Seokjin a disturbed look as he takes his fingers out of his throat. “You’re staring is making me uncomfortable.” The man rasps. It takes a moment for the words to register in Seokjin’s brain. His voice is still rough from being dead for a few days but Seokjin can’t help but find it attractive.The man raises his eyebrow at Seokjin, “You’re still doing it after I asked you not to.”Seokjin clears his throat. His eyes flutter all over the laboratory, suddenly unable to look the man in his perfect face.“Um, right. It’s just, you were dead and now…” Seokjin decides to keep his eyes trained to his feet. “I guess I just never thought in detail of what I would do if the experiment actually worked. Well I knew it would work because I’m a genius but I just never—”“And what is this experiment you speak of?”Seokjin gasps, “Oh my, I’m getting ahead of myself.” He bows to the man on the slab, “My name is Kim Seokjin. I used to be a doctor until I was banished from the village because of my er, different ways of studying the human body.”“Meaning…” the man presses.“Well I used dead bodies.” He motions to the man, “You are composed of the torso and limbs from a twenty year old man, the head of a guard, and the brain of a pianist.”The man looks down at his body cautiously. He runs his fingers along the stitches on his right hand and then moves them down to his legs then back up to his face.“I would like to look at my face please.”Seokjin practically leaps to a handheld mirror he has hanging by a diagram, “Of course.”He fidgets as the man slowly takes the mirror from Seokjin's hands and lifts it to his face. There isn't much of a reaction from him for Seokjin to take note of. Just a slight twitch from his eye. He runs his fingers over the stitches that are keeping his scalp attached to his head and hums to himself. He pokes at the metal nubs on his scalp before finally turning to Seokjin.“This is strange.” He finally states.Seokjin frowns, “What’s strange? I thought you understood me.”He’s met with a bewildered expression, “I understand the words you're saying, I just don't like them! This entire situation makes me feel a sense of dread and your words about experiments make that feeling intensify. I feel like this is wrong but I cannot understand why.”Seokjin taps his chin thoughtfully. It seems without the soul a person doesn’t have a sense of morality. It’s incredible really, the man in front of him is feeling things just based on how the brain is used to reacting. His vocabulary also tells Seokjin that he's running on instinct and memory from his past life.“May I ask you if you remember your name or at least if you remember anything at all?” Seokjin inquires. The man purses his lips, “Min Yoongi is my name, it’s the only thing I’m sure of. You mentioned my brain belonged to a pianist and that feels right. There is a melody playing in my head at the moment and I could probably remember how to play it. Other than that, I can’t say I remember much else.”“Interesting,” Seokjin mused. He already approves of the straightforwardness that Yoongi has presented so far. While he does love the challenge of figuring out every new person he comes to meet, it can be exhausting learning their motivations and true feelings. Yoongi speaks his mind for it is all that he has, he will be simple. “Would you mind if I run some simple tests on you?”Yoongi shrugs, “Do whatever you want. I’m quite curious about myself too.”He’s compliant so far, Seokjin hopes it stays this way. He begins by pinching Yoongi’s arm, “Do you feel that?”“I can’t say I feel anything.” Yoongi huffs, “When I was touching my skin early I noticed that no sensation was present. The only thing I can say I feel is temperature.” He taps the table under him, “For example, this table is cold.” He reaches over to hold Seokjin’s hand, “Your hand is warm.” Yoongi's eyebrows furrow as he suddenly grips Seokjin's hands harder. Seokjin doesn't know what he's thinking about but the prolonged hand holding is getting to him. He can feel his neck getting warmer and his skin getting damp. Seokjin stares at the pale hands wrapped around his own much warmer toned hands. He doesn't go outside during the day time often so he can't say he's sunkissed, Yoongi is just extremely pale.His hands aren't cold like he expected them to be though. They were definitely not warm, more on the temperate side if anything. But it's nice.Seokjin is still frozen in place as he watches Yoongi bring his hands back to his lap and awaits for Seokjin’s next move. He clears his throat abruptly and spins around to look for an object to test Yoongi’s reflexes.
Stay focused Kim Seokjin!
He opts to just use the handle from the hand held mirror he gave Yoongi earlier. Without saying much, Seokjin taps just below Yoongi’s knees with the handle of the mirror.Yoongi remains motionless.“Did I make you mad? Why did you hit me?”Seokjin clicks his teeth in frustration, “Since you’re dead your nerves don’t work. I don’t think it’s possible for you to detect anything but temperature and even that I don’t think you feel it’s full extent.”“That’s fine with me.” Yoongi says, “That just means I’ll never overheat or freeze.”“I’m glad you see the positive in this.”That gave him an idea. Seokjin leans against his work table, “Do you mind if I ask about your mental state? I realize you have only been alive for,” he checks the clock, “five minutes now, so if you can’t give me clear answers at the moment I won’t be upset.”“My mental state?”“You can't feel things physically so I would like to see if you feel things mentally, though I have a feeling you don't. What emotions do you feel at the moment?” Seokjin offers, “What thoughts are going through your mind right now?”Yoongi thinks about it for a minute. His eyes are closed and his head is tilted up allowing Seokjin to admire his work on his stitches. The harsh black lines compliment the pinks and blues present throughout Yoongi’s skin.“I feel anxious,” Yoongi finally says. “I have a lot of secondary feelings such as unease and curiosity, but the main one I’m feeling is anxiety.” He faces Seokjin, “As for my thoughts, I am thinking about whether or not I should trust you and that the body you chose for me is nice. Also I liked holding your hands, their warmth was pleasant."Seokjin will have to dive deeper into that last statement later. For now he has to focus on the fact that he was wrong. Yoongi has emotions, whether they are muted or not will take time to fully understand. “I wonder if those emotions are yours,” he mumbles out loud.Yoongi scoffs, “Well now I feel irritated so thank you for that.”A sense of humor?“N-no,” Seokjin panics, “I just mean that I wonder if you are feeling the pianist's feelings or if you are a whole new person.”Yoongi shrugs, “No way to know, I don't remember my previous life.”The two of them glance at the door all of a sudden when the sound of footsteps echoing gets louder. They flinch when the doorknob creaks and the door is flung open.“The criminals just left,” Jimin announces. His back is still turned to them as he holds a plate of waffles carefully to not drop it. “Taehyung convinced Jungkook to join him and Hoseok in their transgressions so–holy shit!”His arms wobble as he tries to regain balance of the plate of waffles. Seokjin's head swiveled back and forth between Yoongi and Jimin. Jimin is just blankly staring at Yoongi while Yoongi is frozen on the table, his knuckles white from how tightly he’s gripping the edges. “Erm, the experiment worked.” Seokjin states plainly. He walks in front of Yoongi in defense, “He’s harmless but please do not overwhelm him with your staring. I have learned that he does not enjoy being looked at.”Yoongi huffs behind him, “I’m fine with being looked at, I just hate being looked at like how he's looking at me right now.”Seokjin glares at the priest in his lab entrance. Jimin is doing a very poor job at trying to appear unaffected but his whole posture screams frightened.Jimin speaks first, “You’re not a devil are you?”Yoongi swings his legs over the table and stands before him. “Do I not look like a man to you?”Seokjin flushes as he just now registers how naked Yoongi is. It’s not like he clothes his corpses when operating on them.He acts fast by wrapping a nearby towel around Yoongi’s waist. Yoongi looks down in confusion but then returns his eyes to Jimin and wobbles over to him. He must not be used to using his legs yet.Jimin shrinks up as Yoongi comes closer. He halts just a few inches away from Jimin’s face and eyes the cross around Jimin’s neck, “You feel familiar to me, not in a good way though.”“Maybe you knew him when you were alive.” Seokjin offers, “If so, that would be really helpful for me to understand your thought process.”Yoongi hums as his eyes run up and down Jimin's figure sounding more like a cat purring thanks to his rough throat. Seokjin can't tell if he's sizing Jimin up or checking him out.“Apparently I was a pianist and my name is Min Yoongi. Does that sound familiar to you?”Seokjin watches as Jimin's face crumbles. His uneasy expression quickly morphs into his signature look of disgust. “Not even the devil wanted you I see.” he grits out, “It's not common for a priest to wish death on a human but you Min Yoongi, are an exception.” Jimin closes his eyes in irritation, “Christ, I didn't even get to see you pass.”Yoongi blinks but before he could speak, Jimin clears his throat, “Well to answer your question yes, we did know each other. You were the church's main pianist actually.” He laughs but his face is still filled with irritation, “I hated you by the way.”Yoongi takes a step back warily, “You hated me? Do I feel the same about you?”Jimin glares at him, “Hard to tell, you always had a sneer on your face no matter who you spoke to. You truly don't remember anything?”“My name is Min Yoongi and I played the piano.” Yoongi repeats, “That is it.”“It's just like you to conveniently forget all your faults.” Jimin spits. He turns to Seokjin, “You've brought back a vile man Seokjin.”Seokjin wants to take Jimin's side but it's honestly hard when he knows how judgemental this man is. He decides to give Jimin the benefit of the doubt, “Please enlighten us Jimin.”It's tough to look intimidating with a plate full of fluffy waffles but Jimin manages. “Well for starters, Min Yoongi was an ugly old man.” Yoongi looks unimpressed but Jimin is undeterred, “He was sick in the head and would use God's name to scare people into doing what he wanted.”Seokjin watches Yoongi, “And that was what exactly?” “He guilted the church into giving him a portion of the money collected during mass to spend it on whores and liquor. And when the money wasn't enough, he started working with our law enforcers and now they pay him to snitch on anyone who goes to our church for sanctuary or confesses sins worthy of punishment by the law. Our church is corrupt because of him.”None of that sounds like the man standing in front of him but the anger in Jimin's face is real so Seokjin decides to believe him. Yoongi seems to also be processing this information, sparks fly across Yoongi's scalp as he digests Jimin's words. It's magnificent really, to see a visual of someone's brain at work.The sparks stop abruptly and Yoongi just walks back to the cold table. Seokjin does not think about how Yoongi would rather be closer to him than Jimin.“I can't bring myself to want to do any of what you just described.” Yoongi states, “It seems that I am not who you previously knew, I hope that relieves you of your anger.”So Descartes was wrong. Seokjin knew philosophy was stupid.Jimin doesn’t look convinced but he seems to not know how to respond in this situation. Instead he straightens his postures and sniffs, “Very well, I’m not sure if I fully believe you yet but I will accept your words for now.”Yoongi doesn’t say anything back so the room is filled with awkward silence. Actually, it’s too silent.Seokjin tilts his head, “Is everyone getting along downstairs? I could’ve sworn I heard you guys earlier.”Jimin lifts up his plate of waffles, “Well that’s why I’m in here in the first place actually. As I was saying when I first walked in here, they all left. Jungkook has joined Tae and Hoseok in another job they were given. Jungkook is trying to join them permanently because of the money they earn but Hoseok rightfully still holds a grudge and is making Jungkook have a trial run with them on a job. Now would you please take these damn waffles, my arms are sore from holding them.”Seokjin rushes to where Jimin stands to take the plate from him. He’s been ignoring his stomach for about an hour now so he hopes no one judges him as he shoves the thick dough down his throat.He might have complained earlier this morning but Seokjin can't help but think about how silence has returned back into his house. Seokjin hopes his disappointment isn't showing as he quickly scarves down his breakfast. Jungkook comes and goes all the time, he should be used to this. It was just nice to have his house filled with voices other than his own, that’s all. Maybe it’s for the best though. He wouldn’t want Yoongi overwhelmed with meeting new people an hour into being brought back from the dead.He looks at Jimin hopefully, “You’ll stay a bit longer, right?”Jimin shakes his head, oblivious to Seokjin's wistfulness, “I think I should head out as well. I'm still ashamed of my actions but the more I stay here the more I'm surrounded by evil doers. I miss the church and it's cowardly of me to hide forever anyway.”Seokjin rolls his eyes at being called an evil doer but Yoongi focuses on something else.“What do you mean by your actions?” Seokjin mentally notes how curious Yoongi is. “I gave into temptation and had sex with a criminal.” Jimin says easily. “Jimin took a vow of celibacy,” Seokjin adds to help explain some context to Yoongi.Yoongi makes a quiet ah sound, “Well I don’t understand the problem with having sex but I do understand how breaking a vow would result in shame. He must have been a very convincing man to persuade you to sleep with him.”“Oh he is,” Jimin snorts, “He’s ridiculously good looking too which did not help.”“Why did you even take the vow in the first place,” Seokjin asks suddenly. It’s not a required step in priesthood but it seems important to Jimin.Jimin sighs, “I’m a bastard child if you must know. My mother got knocked up by some random guy passing through town. She’s not exactly liked by the villagers so in order to get their forgiveness, I decided that if I were to join the church they would see me as a good man and then lay off my mother. The vow was just to further my pure image and for their approval. It’s worked so far in case you’re wondering.”“You care a lot about the feelings of strangers.” Seokjin muses.“Fascinating,” is all Yoongi has to say.Jimin's lip curls and Seokjin can see him physically trying not to clench his fists, “Why do I even bother sharing my life to men with the emotional intelligence of a rock.” He points to Yoongi but looks at Seokjin, “He's practically a corpse but I still expect you to at least have a working heart.”“This house is making me crazy,” Jimin huffs. He takes one final look at Yoongi before glaring at Seokjin and storming off. “Why'd he glare at me?” Seokjin sulks. He peers over at Yoongi who is…grinning? Seokjin didn't even think he could do that.Yoongi beams at Seokjin, “I like him, he is quick to anger.”Seokjin just blinks dumbly at him.“I-I don't understand.”Yoongi ignores him, “I have decided I like it here,” he announces. “Please run some more tests on me, I would like to learn everything there is to know about my new body.”Seokjin hates being wrong more than anything else in the world. He thought he had Yoongi figured out within the first five minutes of his existence but it seems that his true personality will take time to fully understand. That's fine with him though. Seokjin's main motivation in life has always been to better understand the unknown. Seokjin observes how Yoongi innocently sits on the slab eagerly for Seokjin to continue his prodding. “I think the next thing you should test are my motor skills,” Yoongi encourages.“Is that so?” Seokjin says amused.Suddenly all his disappointed thoughts about guests leaving are gone and replaced with what he can test on Yoongi next.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Setting up a routine with Yoongi was easy. Mornings are for check-ins. Seokjin would ask Yoongi how he's feeling, what he's thinking, and if he's experienced any new emotions or alarming thoughts within the few hours he was asleep. It’s only been a week but Seokjin has already accepted that Yoongi’s responses may not vary. He has also accepted that Yoongi is more like a child with his curious nature and need for a reaction from Seokjin in the hopes of learning what to do and what not to do. 
“Yoongi please stop knocking down my tools.”

Yoongi hesitates as his hand hovers over a pair of tweezers, “Why should I do something you say instead of what I feel like doing?”

“It’s a common courtesy to respect what others ask if you wish to be likable. You don’t have to of course, but it’s something to keep in mind.” Seokjin forgot to stop himself before wondering out loud, “Do you wish for me to like you Yoongi?”

Yoongi quickly puts his hands behind his back giving Seokjin his answer. 
Afternoons are for physical activity. Most days Seokjin would spend testing Yoongi on just about anything that came across his mind. His motor skills are that of a newborn but Seokjin will give him some credit as Yoongi has been getting better with walking after the past few days. He used to only be able to make it a couple of steps before giving up and dropping to the floor (much to Seokjin's distress) but now, he can make his way all over the house without his limbs giving out. Seokjin didn't realize that without being able to feel anything, Yoongi wouldn't know if he was tired or pushing himself so figuring out his limits was a learning curve for the both of them. What will take more time however, is Yoongi's fine motor skills. They tried to see if Yoongi remembers how to play piano when they discovered his fingers don’t move. He can only slightly shift his thumb at will so far and much to Yoongi's dismay, Seokjin still has to do a lot of tasks for him. It seems pride is something that transcends death.  Yoongi seems to cope with humor though, a terrible response in Seokjin's perspective. Which brings up the subject of emotions. Seokjin is overwhelmed with emotions. His original plan was to leave nights for writing daily reflections. For those, he was supposed to write in his journal about any progress (if any) with Yoongi and then come up with ways to increase the rate of Yoongi’s physical improvement. And he has to some extent. He just gathered pretty quickly that he would have to add another section for his own feelings, something Seokjin had not had to do since his first couple of years in this house. He's always prided himself in the past on his logical and objectively correct way of thinking, but after being with Yoongi the past couple of days he’s been conflicted. On one hand, Seokjin wishes the Min Yoongi Jimin described was still in there. Yes he was a lowlife and yes he was a greedy bastard, but that isn’t to say he wasn’t clever and an opportunist. However, on the other hand Seokjin is glad that the old Min Yoongi isn't present as he thinks he'd struggle with someone who, as Jimin described, was a vile old man. The new Min Yoongi isn't clever or vile at all though. Seokjin knew from his first moments with Yoongi that he was a curious being. Seokjin can always work with curiosity. He values the trait actually, it’s the ignorance that is getting in the way. Ignorance means a person lacks knowledge. It’s the thing that got Seokjin stuck by himself and far away from the town in the first place.To say ignorance is a pet peeve of his is an understatement. If Yoongi were to be reborn with all the knowledge of his past life, Seokjin wouldn’t have to be constantly monitoring him. It’s as if he brought a child back to life rather than an old man.Just the other day Seokjin was helping Yoongi into pants when he stopped after hearing the man snicker above him.
“You know when I was first getting used to being alive the thought of you creating me to be a servant crossed my mind. Now I see it’s you who is the servant.”
Seokjin made him put the rest of his clothes on after that.He’s not sure where his sense of humor comes from. Seokjin thinks that perhaps his previous life as an ass influenced his snarkiness. What was perplexing to Seokjin was Yoongi's need to always touch him in some way. Hand-holding was his favorite. Yoongi would often use the excuse of his stiff limbs to hold on to Seokjin's hand to help him walk even when Seokjin suggested just using his shoulder. He's even grown to enjoy playing with Seokjin's hair at night while he reads on the couch. Though strange, it doesn't make Seokjin feel uncomfortable in the slightest. In fact, he enjoys Yoongi’s soft touches.Sometimes he enjoys them too much but Seokjin excuses that he’s just been touched starved since he was five. He tries distracting his racing thoughts by probing Yoongi for answers on why he feels the need to be in contact with him to which Yoongi simply tells him he likes Seokjin's warmth. Seokjin also has a sneaking suspicion that sometimes Yoongi just does it to get a reaction out of Seokjin. What reaction, Seokjin is still unsure.Tonight though, Yoongi outdid himself with perplexing Seokjin. Seokjin was staring at his fireplace as he thought about what new information he could add to his journal when he heard the sound of Yoongi’s feet slapping on the floor.“Jin,” Seokjin uncurls slightly on the sofa to look up at Yoongi. His hands are behind his back and he looks almost nervous, making Seokjin sit up with worry. “How important are hands?”“Well I'd say they're very important,” Seokjin replies confused, “haven't you figured that out yet after all the issues you've been having this week.”Yoongi looks at the rug as he brings his hands–sorry, hand in front of him. “How did…”Yoongi is still looking at the rug, “I got annoyed at my fingers for not moving so I ripped off my hand.” He looks up at Seokjin earnestly, “It was really hard to rip off too, you did great on the stitches!”Seokjin just stares at Yoongi's severed hand speechlessly. It's not like he'll bleed out so there's no need for any urgency. Seokjin is just slightly annoyed that he has to make another trip to the graveyard to find Yoongi a new hand. “And how soon would you want me to replace it?” Yoongi lifts his old hand to his face and studies it, “Why? Is this hand no longer good?”Seokjin reaches over to pluck it from him. The skin around the wrist was damaged beyond repair and some of it tore all the way up to the fingers, “Yoongi, you completely botched it. There's no way I can sew it back on properly.”“Are you angry?”Yoongi's face was neutral so Seokjin can only assume he was just asking out of pure interest. “Not angry, I just hope you're ready to make a journey to the graveyard with me.”Seokjin can't imagine ever being truly angry at Yoongi. He may be frustrating, naive, daft, and a nuisance at times, but Seokjin is having fun with it. There's just something emotionally stimulating about Yoongi that Seokjin loves to be around. Being alone for long periods of time means that all of his emotions are because of him and only him. Now someone else is causing them and because Yoongi never leaves, the stimulation is constant. “But I can barely walk around this house,” Yoongi whines, “how do you expect me to make it further than a mile.”Seokjin still struggles to believe that Yoongi's mind is over sixty years old. The head Seokjin gave him doesn't help either. It's too cute and delicate looking to ever be truly intimidating. Yoongi has also been getting better at using that face to his advantage by figuring out how to produce different facial expressions. Seokjin has caught him practicing new faces to make in the mirror when he thinks no one is around. “You break it, you dig for a new one. That is the rule.”“According to who? You said I'm the only living corpse.”Seokjin smirks, “Exactly, I created you therefore I make the rules.”Yoongi snatches back his hand, “This is an abuse of power.”Seokjin goes to grab his coat and kicks off his slippers, “This is your first grave robbery, you should be excited.”Yoongi limps over to him, his movements are much more exaggerated than a few moments ago. Seokjin sees what Yoongi is trying to do and covers his mouth to hide his amusement.“I think my limbs are locking up already.”“Cute, now grab that shovel please,” was all Seokjin said before opening the door and leading them out. There's a large umbrella near his door so Seokjin hands it to Yoongi to lean on in case he needs it later. Realistically Seokjin knows that Yoongi truly does have limits. Yoongi was exaggerating when he said the cemetery was over a mile away but the walk is far enough and Seokjin isn't a monster. It was just down the hill and over a lake bordering the town. Why the townspeople decided to make a cemetery by a body of water is beyond Seokjin, it floods after every major rainstorm. Seokjin told them to move it years ago but thankfully they never listened to him and now the ground is always damp enough for easy digging. Yoongi is silent for the majority of the walk down. Seokjin thinks that's his way of showing his resentment towards him at the moment. Yoongi is used to Seokjin's constant attention, he must think that not returning any is an act of defiance. Once Seokjin can make out the gates of the cemetery he turns to check on Yoongi. The poor guy was limping much more than earlier. Seokjin could tell from the irritation on his face that the limp was real this time. He hands Yoongi the umbrella, “Use this to lean on when you walk, it's the best I can do for you at the moment. I'll take the shovel.”Yoongi clumsily reaches for the umbrella and lets the shovel drop to the ground. Seokjin picks it up without much thought, “Are you doing okay or should we go back and try another day.”Yoongi shakes his head, “Not worth it, we're so close. Maybe this will force my body to get it together.”“That's never going to happen Yoongi,” Seokjin chides. “Maybe you should find me more muscular legs,” Yoongi continues, “perhaps from a professional runner.”Seokjin snorts, “Even if there is a professional runner here, a dead runner is still dead.”They pause at the entrance. Yoongi hums next to him, “How will we even know which grave to dig up?”Seokjin slides himself easily through the metal bars in the gate as he has many times before, “I look for the most recent dates. Normally I would suggest we go to the morgue but hands are easier to come by. I can just pump it full of formaldehyde if the skin is too thin.”Yoongi inspects his only working hand, “Will it feel the same?”“What do you mean? I'm sure all hands feel the same.”Yoongi's eyebrows furrow but he just shakes his head, “Never mind.”Seokjin sighs and then makes his way over to a new section of the cemetery. Since he's left town the death rates have risen from an average of three people a month to five people making him never have to worry about running out of test subjects. “Let's check over there, I haven't been here in a couple of weeks so I'm sure there's someone new.”Yoongi huffs as he makes his way over to where Seokjin is standing and points to a particularly dark area of the graveyard. “Are there other grave robbers around here?”Seokjin's head swiveles around in the direction that Yoongi is pointing, “What the hell are you–oh my.”It's too dark to see the faces of the two figures but Seokjin doesn't need to see them to know who they are. He can make out grunts and the sound of a shovel digging into dirt along with the familiar sound of deep laughter. “Unbelievable,” he mutters. “Are they dangerous?”“Not to me,” Seokjin grumbles. He bangs his shovel on a nearby tombstone to draw attention to him and Yoongi.  The two figures turn their bodies instantly only for one of them to come skipping towards where Seokjin and Yoongi stand.“Come here often?” Taehyung quips. “Unfortunately I am too tired to respond to any jokes at the moment,” Seokjin replies truthfully. He watches as Hoseok also makes his way over. “Where's Jungkook? I heard he ran off with you guys. You never said goodbye by the the way.”Taehyung misses Seokjin's not-so-subtle jab, “Jungkook is not one for teamwork. He found another man to bother during a job and left us immediately.”It gets to a point where you just have to admire the man's determination. Seokjin didn't even have time to react before Hoseok let out a loud squawk.“Is this the corpse you brought back?” Hoseok gasps as he strolls closer, “I can't believe you did it. I told Taehyung we should wait for the results but he was getting antsy.”“I wasn't antsy,” Taehyung sulks, “I was uncomfortable with the glares Jimin was sending me.”“If it makes you feel better he seems to glare at everyone,” Yoongi offers.Taehyung blinks when Yoongi's voice registers, “I've never heard someone have a deeper voice than me. That's hot.” He tilts his head playfully, “What's your name gorgeous?”Seokjin answers instead, “This is Yoongi, we are here for a hand replacement.” He points to Yoongi's missing limb, “He got frustrated with his inability to move his fingers and ripped it off.”Yoongi fishes his old hand out of his pocket to present it to the two gentlemen, “Do you want it? It is no longer useful to me.”Hoseok opens and closes his mouth a few times before finally gently pushing the hand away from him, “I'm going to choose to see that offer as adorable or else I'll puke.”Taehyung looks like he's also trying to be nice for Yoongi's sake, “Sorry, can't say we'll need it any time soon.” He seems to be distracted by something above Yoongi's head, “May I ask about the bulbs sticking out of your head, or is that a sensitive topic?”“They’re just metal rods Taehyung,” Seokjin sighs. He wants to continue this conversation but now is not a good time. Yoongi can hardly stand and it's almost Seokjin's designated bedtime.“They’re attached to his brain, I use them as a conductor to keep Yoongi alive. Think of a machine, the more power I put into him the more alive he is.”Seokjin discovered recently that he has to “charge” Yoongi every couple of days or else his body stiffens up and he goes into a coma-like state. Yoongi didn't seem to mind as it felt like a good nap for him, but he wasn't conscious when Seokjin almost had a panic attack over his unresponsive body.“It makes him look like he has cat ears,” Hoseok coos, “it's kinda cute if I ignore the stitches in his head.”Yoongi looks panicked as he tries to cover the metal nubs along with his stitches, but with only one hand he can't hide much.“Is my appearance frightening? Seokjin never seemed bothered by it but then again Jimin asked if I was a devil.”“There's nothing wrong with you or your appearance,” Seokjin insists. Yoongi has never covered himself up before. It was distressing to see him self-conscious. Hoseok seems to understand how his words sounded and tries to backtrack.“N-no not frightening.” He eyes Seokjin cautiously as he carefully chooses his next words, “Just unusual in a non-negative way.”He sends Seokjin a hesitant thumbs up but Taehyung slaps his hands down. “Just shut up Hobi.” He shoots a friendly smile over to Seokjin and Yoongi, “Well happy hand hunting. We were just on our way out but I suggest making it easier on yourself and redigging the graves we just looted.”Of course that's why they're here. Seokjin starts making his way to where Taehyung and Hoseok were digging when he hears an irritated gruff from Yoongi about his legs again.“Taehyung,” Seokjin calls. Taehyung turns his body around halfway in a silent acknowledgment, “could you go into town for me and get a cane, Yoongi has some mobility issues. Oh, and I'll pay you of course.” He adds quickly.Taehyung salutes to Seokjin, “Sure thing Jin, you'll get it in two days max.”And with that, he skips over to the gate where Hoseok was waiting for him.Once they were gone Seokjin and Yoongi didn't wait a second more and began their digging immediately, both men wanting nothing more to be at home right now. Unfortunately, none of the coffins carried men with an exact match for Yoongi so he ended up settling for a woman's hand as it was the only one close to his skin color. “You don't think it'll look strange?”Seokjin hates that one conversation could impact his self-esteem so much. “It's a pretty hand Yoongi, I think it'll be a nice addition to your arm.”“Well if you say so,” he grumbles.They walk back to Seokjin's home in silence until Yoongi's quiet sulking gets to Seokjin. He pauses to wait for Yoongi to catch up to him. Yoongi notices but keeps walking with a pout still present on his face.“It's normal to be self-conscious you know,” Seokjin calls to him. “Easy for you to say,” Yoongi yells back without even stopping to face him. Seokjin is unsure of what he meant by that. “Did you see their faces when I showed them my severed hand?”Seokjin can't help but let out a bewildered laugh. “It's not common to show people your severed limb Yoongi. They were just shocked, not scared or disgusted.”That makes Yoongi look back. He scowls at Seokjin, “You don't act that way.”“Well that's because I'm used to it.”Yoongi let out a loud huff telling Seokjin that he truly was fed up with the fact that he does not need to breathe.“So it's just you?”Seokjin shrugs. Honestly, it's hard to say if anyone in this area would at least be a little accepting. Hoseok and Taehyung seemed to be fine minus the hand-offering incident. Seokjin isn't counting Jimin's interaction as a failure, actually he wouldn't count it at all since he was already biased. “You might get along with Jungkook,” Seokjin thinks out loud. “The two of you might be a nightmare together though.”They arrived at Seokjin's house, and good thing too. Yoongi was stumbling now even with the umbrella supporting him. Despite his struggle, Yoongi smiled, “What makes you think we'd get along?”Seokjin quickly opens his door and helps Yoongi make his way through the entrance, “You both seem to love bothering me.”He expects Yoongi to laugh at that, not send Seokjin a panicked look.“I bother you? I thought you weren't angry with me,” He glares at Seokjin but his bottom lip is wobbling.What is with him tonight? Yoongi has been fine all week without one singular outburst or spike in mood. Where did all of this self doubt come from? Forget acting like a child, Yoongi is more like a moody teenager.Seokjin's head jerks up. “Yoongi,” he says cautiously, “would you be okay with another mental assessment tonight? I know we did one this morning, but I would like to do another.” Yoongi eyes him suspiciously, “And why's that?”“I want to test something out. I'll sew this new hand on you while we chat, is that alright with you?”Yoongi looks at his torn wrist then back at Seokjin before he eventually nods his head. The two of them head upstairs but instead of going into his lab, Seokjin leads them into his bedroom. “I think I might pass out after this so I'd rather be on my bed,” he explains. “And bring the electrical cords into my room so that we can shock you afterward.” Yoongi goes to turn towards the lab when Seokjin suddenly grabs his arm, “Actually I'll get them, your entire lower half is shaking right now. We seemed to have overdone it tonight.”Yoongi looks down at his body in surprise. He truly didn't notice how badly he was trembling. Minutes later when Seokjin returns to his room with the sewing kit and cords, Yoongi is lying motionless on his bed. His head turns towards Seokjin signaling he is still conscious but it seems to be the only part of his body he can move. “Are you comfortable?”“How would I know?” Yoongi deadpans. Seokjin still needs work on his phrasing around Yoongi. He is so used to having a sense of touch that he still can't seem to wrap his head around not feeling anything. Even pleasantries like asking if someone is comfortable are pointless with Yoongi. Seokjin settles into bed next to him and begins lining up the woman's hand to Yoongi's wrist. The skin around where his old hand was attached to is in a rough state so Seokjin made sure to cut a bit more of the woman's arm in order to replace the torn skin. Seokjin breaks the silence, “So, tell me all the feelings you experienced today. If you wish to include some thoughts that would also be appreciated. Remember that I am not judging you and that the more truthful you are the better I can help you.”Yoongi looks up to the ceiling as Seokjin begins his threading, “Well I didn't feel anything new until a few hours ago. I'm not fond of these new emotions, they are,” Yoongi is silent as he thinks of the right words. “they suck,” is what he concludes with. Seokjin has to hold his needle up as he laughs at Yoongi's words. He is met with an annoyed glance from the other man. “Could you identify those emotions for me?”“Fear is the main one,” Yoongi answers immediately, “and desperation.”Seokjin tries to keep his voice even, “Do you know what is creating these feelings?”Yoongi's eyes flick back to the ceiling, “There is a lot that I don't know. Many things are…blank for me and that makes me uncertain all the time. But it's not just that,” Seokjin tries to study his face but that seems to be getting stiff too. He may not be able to speak soon. Seokjin needs to fix him up quickly, “I think most of my emotions are caused by you.”“I make you desperate and fearful? Am I scary?”Seokjin's been called strange, arrogant, and absurd but frightening was a new one.“You're not going to get rid of me are you?” Yoongi asks suddenly. “Or replace me? I know I might look strange and my body doesn’t move like everyone else’s. I think I can improve with some more time I just need to-”“Yoongi stop.”Now all of the insecurities expressed earlier make sense. “I promise that I will not be getting rid of or replacing you any time soon.” He examines the new hand attached to Yoongi's wrist appreciably. The long delicate fingers suit him.“You are my greatest creation and I will treat you as such. I have enjoyed every second spent with you so far, even the negative ones. “You have?”Seokjin imagines Yoongi would look shocked if he could.“It's fun. You stress me out, you ask me questions that make me frustrated, you make jokes that I try not to find funny, and you make me think about things I would never normally have to. The only thing I'd wish to change about you is your mobility.” Seokjin jokes, “But you and I both know that's somewhat doable.”He continues as he jots some notes in his journal, “I also think that the longer you are alive the more your brain is adjusting. A person’s brain is constantly absorbing and storing information. Though you’ve been alive for a short time, the brain you have is old and has already gone through maturity. I think that within time you will catch up to where it left off when the old Min Yoongi was still alive.” Yoongi’s eyes widen as he looks at Seokjin, “I won’t become him will I?” “Doubtful,”  Seokjin responds instantly, “he’s gone for good, I’m sure of that.” It's silent for a few beats. Seokjin is nervous that Yoongi went mute, but then he bites his lip, “Okay,” he whispers.Seokjin brushes his hands fondly through Yoongi's hair and goes to attach the cords to the metal nubs in Yoongi's head. Hoseok was right, they do look like cat ears.“Wait,” Yoongi groans. It seems his jaw is tensing up now, “Don't use full power immediately, I want to see what will happen if you power me gradually. Maybe it will make a difference in the longevity of my mobility.”Seokjin can see why he would think that. Maybe if they let electricity flow through Yoongi slower his body would absorb it better. It's worth a shot.Seokjin follows the long cords back to his lab and slowly cranks the lever on the wall. He lets it stay halfway so that electricity is slowly released through the wires and into Yoongi. He walks back into his room and starts preparing for bed. It hits him when he's brushing his teeth that Yoongi is still lying on his bed. There's no way Seokjin has the strength to carry him back to his slab in the lab. Seokjin sighs as he makes his way back to his bed, “I hope you don’t mind sleeping here tonight.” Seokjin catches himself, “Well I guess I shouldn’t say sleeping in your case but you get my point.” Seokjin hasn't slept with another person in his bed since, well since his mother was still alive and he had a nightmare. He hopes he hasn't developed any weird sleeping habits since then.Yoongi grunts in response as Seokjin settles in next to him. It sounded like an accepting grunt so Seokjin flips to his back to get comfortable. His room is dark except for the constant flickering of sparks around Yoongi's head as his body is recharging. The continuous flashes of soft yellow light paired with the buzzing of electricity lull Seokjin to sleep instantly.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Seokjin’s nose is tingling.

He was already slowly waking up, but now his nose is twitching and Seokjin can no longer pretend that he was not conscious. Seokjin opens his eyes slowly and immediately flinches at the sight of Yoongi’s face millimeters away from his.

His eyes are still wide open and alert from lingering surprise but he stays still as Yoongi’s head cocks to the side and studies his reaction.

His eyes scan over Seokjin’s head and then zero in on the way his eyebrow is twitching. “Proximity bothers you,”  Yoongi concludes, “I predicted correctly then.”

Seokjin lifts his palm to gently move Yoongi to the side so he can have room to sit up. Yoongi is still watching him intently though. Seokjin likes when he’s focused, Yoongi’s eyes get twice as big as if he thinks that will make him see what he’s looking for better. It’s adorable.

The electric cords are still attached to Yoongi’s head, no doubt the reason Seokjin’s nose was tingling seconds earlier. Sparks flew across Yoongi’s face and in his hair while that faint buzzing noise Seokjin fell asleep to was still present. He’s moving how he normally would, thank goodness.

“I see you can move again,” Seokjin grumbles, his voice still hoarse from sleep. “How is your hand?”

Yoongi lifts his new hand uselessly. He examines his new slender fingers approvingly, “It will have to grow on me but at least it still feels the same as when I touched you earlier.”

“You touched me?”

Yoongi nods, “I touched your face to test the sensation in this hand just like how you did when I first came to life.”

He looks proud of himself, an expression Seokjin usually wore when an assumption of his was proven correct.

His throat still feels like sandpaper so Seokjin reaches over to his nightstand where an old glass of water still remains and takes a sip. He gives Yoongi a sideways look as the man blatantly watches him swallow.

“Water helps moisturize your throat.” It’s not a question, just an observation.

Seokjin places the cup down, “The air is dry in this room so I often wake up with a dry throat." The statement he made about Seokjin and proximity finally registers in his brain, “Are you studying me?”

If Yoongi still had blood in his body, Seokjin would imagine he’d blush right now.

His eyes flicker around the room as he tries to look anywhere but Seokjin, “Well you study me all the time, I just thought that I’d do my own observations.”

Feeling a rush of endearment, Seokjin scooches his body closer to Yoongi. The other man physically turns his head to escape Seokjin’s stare but Seokjin leans in further with a smile, “So, tell me what you’ve found.”

Yoongi flips his body entirely around to face away from Seokjin. Seokjin chuckles at his tense shoulders and the way Yoongi tries to make himself invisible.

“Don’t be embarrassed,”  Seokjin coos, “I think it’s cute. Tell me what you found.”

Yoongi hesitantly turns his neck around, “I-I just noticed that even though you let me touch your hair and hands you never initiate getting close to me. In fact, you keep an average distance of three feet from me most of the time we are around each other. I got bored while you slept and kept thinking about how far we stood from each other, but then I remembered how you stood even further from the men last night. I was thinking of possible reasons and the most likely conclusion I came to was you don’t like being near people.”

Seokjin did his best to keep his face neutral for Yoongi’s sake. He wanted to encourage these things from Yoongi rather than make him feel dejected in any way. “Yoongi, how far were you standing from Hosoek and Taehyung last night?”

Yoongi stared blankly at him, “I didn’t even consider that. We were mostly six feet away from one another except for when they leaned in to see my stitches and the rods in my head.”

Seokjin nods, “That’s a distance people normally stand from one another when they don’t know someone that well. It’s the proximity I’m comfortable with the most actually.”

Seokjin didn’t think he’d spend the first ten minutes of his morning explaining personal space to Yoongi. He supposes it’s an important discussion if Yoongi is to ever meet other people. He can’t see others being found of Yoongi’s persistent hand-holding and hair playing.

That gave Seokjin an idea.

He makes a show by raising his right hand up high to get Yoongi’s attention before dropping it on top of his brand-new hand. Yoongi’s gaze drops immediately to where their hands overlap. Seokjin slides his fingers through Yoongi’s unmoving ones and smiles. He briefly thinks about how much softer this new hand is.

“I hope I don’t discourage your desire to learn by telling you you’re observation was incorrect. I actually do like proximity and skinship, I just never get the opportunity to show it. I'm not exactly close with many people."

He’s not sure if Yoongi is actually understanding what he is saying but the man nods his head absently, eyes still trained to their hands.

“So what else did you learn from me?”

Yoongi snaps out of his trance and lifts his head up to Seokjin, “Huh?”

“You said you were studying me, what else did you find?”

Yoongi’s knuckles twitch for a second, something they only do when Yoongi has enough electricity to power him.

“You talk to yourself a lot,” he blurts out.

Seokjin can’t say that he was expecting that. He sputters for a few seconds before he eventually gets actual words out, “I forgot how weird that looks to others–”

But Yoongi isn’t done.

“You’re unable to eat when you’re mind is set on something and you hum or sing when it’s too silent in a room. Your voice is pretty by the way. You also stare at yourself for too long in the mirror, I’ve even seen you practice facial expressions once.”

Now it’s Seokjin’s turn to be embarrassed.

He snatches his hand out from under Yoongi’s and covers his face as he feels warmth quickly traveling from his back to his cheeks. He’s had those habits for a decade or so by now but hearing them out loud from another person was mortifying.

Yoongi looks back down at his hand, his disappointment apparent but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he watches as Seokjin cringes next to him.

“You’re embarrassed? Why?”

Seokjin peeks out from behind his palms.

“This behavior is normally strange to people, I would be getting judged right now if you were anyone else.”

Yoongi gives Seokjin a flummoxed look, “Is it really? It amuses me so I did not think there was an issue. I especially like when you answer your own questions out loud and refer to yourself in the third person.”

Seokjin’s not a contortionist but he somehow has fully folded in on himself.

“Well fine,” he says stubbornly, “but I’m still choosing to be embarrassed by you seeing me like that.”

Yoongi rolls off the bed, “Suit yourself but it’s a waste of time.” He strolls on into the laboratory across the hall, probably to turn off the electricity still pumping into his head.

The limp he was sporting last night was almost entirely gone though Seokjin knows he’ll never have a perfect stride. Yoongi’s arms even move robotically by his sides instead of the typical swinging motion alive humans do.

Weird, he didn’t do that before. Seokjin thinks back to last night but can’t determine if his memory is playing tricks on him.

He hops off his bed and follows Yoongi, “May I ask why you move your arms when you walk?”

Yoongi glances behind him, “Don’t you do that? I saw the two thieves doing it yesterday too.”

“We do it without thinking, it’s for balance and to give us momentum. Your arms look more stiff and deliberate.”

Yoongi pauses at the laboratory door, “I thought it looked natural when I did it in the mirror the other day,” he sulks. Yoongi shrugs his arms, completely stumped,“Well anyway, I began doing it because I was trying to copy you but then I found it helps me not sway as much when I walk.”

He really is endearing.

“You were copying me?”

Yoongi looks confused, “I’ve been doing it all week, haven’t you noticed? I’ve been using the mirror to practice just like you did, that's why I brought it up to you.”

“I just thought you were really curious about your reflection!”

Yoongi gawks at his misunderstanding.

“I was wondering why you never acknowledged it. I've even been figuring out new ways to move my face. You use a lot of silent communication with me so I thought I'd try it out too.”  He pouts, “It takes a lot of energy to move my face you know. A simple ‘

good job Yoongi’

would really help every now and then.”

Seokjin can’t help himself from booping Yoongi’s nose, “You're doing a fantastic job Yoongi. I forget about the small things sometimes and I'm sorry I've been taking some of your progress for granted.” Yoongi is still sulking but Seokjin can tell he's happy with the compliment. His eyes give his true feelings away.

“Using facial expressions is just fine but I don't think using all your energy to pout is wise,” Seokjin teases.

A thought suddenly passes through his head.

“Hey, you know what you haven’t tried copying me on?” Yoongi has a blank stare on his face. “The piano! You were a pianist in your past life and you did say you could play it if you tried. I was going to wait until you could at least move your pointer finger, but now I’m thinking you could try to copy my actions instead.”

Yoongi still looks neutral as he unclips the electrical cords from the metal rods, “Well when I said that I didn’t know how hard it’d be to move a stupid finger.” He sighs, “I guess we could try it but you should eat first, it’s almost eleven.”

Call Seokjin uptight, but he’s always loved a good schedule. It seems Yoongi has noticed his habits and is somehow better at following his self-implemented routine than he is.

“I slept later than I wanted,” Seokjin mumbles.

“I can help set the table,” Yoongi offers.

Seokjin waves his hands dismissively, “Go wait in the living room by the piano, I’ll just make some toast with jam.”

Yoongi looks disappointed in him, “Once I can make my body do what I want, I’m going to cook proper meals for you every day."

Where did that come from?

“Excuse me, but I'm an excellent chef. I make myself plenty of proper meals.”

“Not when you’re mind is preoccupied with my problems,” Yoongi argues.

Seokjin doesn’t know how to reply so he sniffs and makes his way down the stairs to the kitchen. From the windows, he can see gray clouds forming in the distance and makes a mental note to prepare a meal for Jungkook later. It’s only been a week but the kid always comes in starving.

Yoongi is blankly staring at the piano when Seokjin walks into the living room. He could be conflicted but Seokjin honestly can’t tell without him moving his face, something he apparently only does for Seokjin’s sake.

Yoongi eventually notices Seokjin walking towards him and frowns, “You still haven’t eaten.”

Seokjin looks down at the untouched toast he’s balancing on a napkin. The thought of putting something in his mouth right now makes him feel queasy, but he takes a bite for Yoongi. It was the correct thing to do. Yoongi smiles approvingly then happily takes a seat on the piano bench.

“Did you play often?” he asks, “I haven’t seen you even acknowledge the piano in the few days I’ve been alive.”

Seokjin flicks at the old wood under the keys, “I used to play much more years ago. I guess I got bored. Besides, the piano echoes through the house too much. Makes this place feel too big and reminds me of how much empty space there is."

“You should have more furniture then,” Yoongi replies, completely missing the point.

Seokjin laughs anyway and takes out some music sheets from the dusty folder lying on top of the piano. Most of the pieces in it are more complex, Seokjin only kept his more difficult ones to keep himself busy. Still, there were some beginner sheets in the folder he saved from his childhood for sentimental purposes.

“I have some easy songs and scales in case you need a refresher. You told me when you first woke up that a melody was playing in your head and that you could play it. Do you still remember it?”

Sparks flicker around Yoongi’s head as he recollects the song. He’s not looking at the keys as he clumsily attempts to replicate the sound in his head. Seokjin cringes at the sloppiness of his playing but does his best to let Yoongi’s instincts take over. It sounds reminiscent of an old church song Seokjin was forced to listen to in school.

It quickly becomes clear that multitasking isn’t Yoongi’s strong suit. It seems that remembering the melody as well as making his hands move across the keys in time with a rhythm only he can hear, is too much for him.

The sparks are no longer flickering, they’re raging around him. So much so that Seokjin had to back up off the bench for safety.

His face doesn't show his frustration but his eyes hold a fire Seokjin has never seen from him.

He stands behind Yoongi and cautiously pulls his arms away from the piano. He’s met with resistance at first. Yoongi’s head whips around to glare at Seokjin, making him jump back in surprise. His jumping away must’ve shocked Yoonigi.

His face softens instantly.

“I don’t–I have no idea what just happened,” he breathes. “I’m sorry for scaring you it’s just,” His head turns back to the piano, “nothing I did sounded right. I know the keys and I know how they should sound but everything I do is

wrong

."

Seokjin sighs as he moves towards Yoongi again and gives him a tight hug from behind in an attempt to comfort the poor man. He smells like burnt metal.

“In retrospect, we should have seen this coming,” Seokjin says lightly. He lets go of Yoongi and slides himself back onto the piano bench.

“Let’s try this scale instead, my mother taught me it when I first started.”

Yoongi falls for the distraction and tilts his head to the side, “Your mother?”

“Her name was Kim Haeun, she died when I was seventeen. She and my father got drunk one night and thought night swimming was a great idea even though they both couldn’t swim.” Seokjin grins, “They always joked that all their smarts went into me and I fear they weren’t wrong.”

Yoongi looks at the music sheet in front of him, “I thought death made people sad.”

There’s a chunk of hair still sticking up from the static electricity around Yoongi’s metal rods. Seokjin impulsively flattens it.

“It was over two decades ago. I don’t get sad when I think of them anymore, just nostalgic.”

Yoongi’s eyes light up, “I think that’s how this piano is making me feel. Well, that and angry.”

Seokjin rests his chin in his palm, “What do you mean?”

“While you were in the kitchen I was looking at the piano and trying to understand the emotion it was evoking from me. I was sad and bitter at first but then happy and eager to play it. I think the brain I have misses it.”  He looks at Seokjin, “But the current me is angry that I am unable to play it.”

Seokjin nods, “Well your brain did belong to a pianist. I’m not sure what his relationship with the piano was based on what Jimin told us, but he must’ve loved playing. Pianist are known to be perfectionists so I’m sure you’re inability to match your previous skill is contributing to your anger.”

“I would like to try again then,” Yoongi insists, “I will try the scales and then move to easier songs.”

“Well then,” Seokjin chirps, “follow my lead.”

He sits up properly on the bench and nudges Yoongi when he doesn’t move immediately. A good pianist has great posture, his mother drilled that idea into him before he could even walk. Seokjin places his finger on the key in the center, “We’re going to start with the C major scale, it's the simplest scale to play on a piano because it contains only the white keys with no sharps or flats.” Yoongi opens his mouth but Seokjin beats him to it, “We’ll get to those much later.”

He points to the music sheet, “Do you see these notes? They are the ones we are going to be practicing today until you know which key the note is telling you to play. If you can do that, then we could try an easier song.”

“My brain doesn’t remember how to read the notes,” Yoongi lightly touches the music sheet, “It’s like a new language.”

Seokjin beams at that, “Exactly! And the best part is that it’s universal.”

They start off slow.

Really slow.

For a moment Seokjin got so caught up in teaching someone the piano he forgot that Yoongi couldn’t move like him. Maybe it’s because of how he was taught how to play, but Seokjin was not a forgiving music teacher. He had to refrain from cringing and lashing out at the choppy sounds Yoongi produced. His mother must be rolling in her grave right about now.

He almost felt bad about it too. Yoongi would look up at him with glee at the slightest bit of progress and Seokjin had to force a passive-aggressive thumbs so that he didn't get discouraged. He just moved across the keys so robotically, it was barbaric.

Growing up, he only ever heard this piano played by his mother and her sisters. They played with grace and ease. It was as if they could speak through the instrument.

Yoongi played as if he were a puppeteer, forcing the keys to make any noise without regard for how they were supposed to sound.

“Enough,” Seokjin breathed out. He thought he could do this but honestly,y it felt disrespectful to his mother.

He reached over to grab Yoongi’s hands and gave in, “I’m going to move your fingers Yoongi, remember how they feel on the keys as I do this.”

Yoongi nodded determinedly, oblivious to Seokjin’s suppressed frustration.

Seokjin gently glided Yoongi’s hand across the keys. He made sure that each joint was moved and that his fingers were properly flexed. Yoongi gazed in wonder at the motions Seokjin was making his fingers do.

“Oh,” he said. Yoongi uses his other hand to brush off Seokjin’s, “So that’s how it feels.”

Seokjin sighs as he leans back to give Yoongi his space.

Slowly and hesitantly, Yoongi plays the scale. He finishes without messing up but before Seokjin can congratulate him, Yoongi plays it again. This time a little faster.

He plays the scale three more times. Each time he played with an increase in speed until finally, it sounded identical to what Seokjin showed him.

“Please take out the music sheet with the songs on it,” he requests.

Seokjin silently slides a music sheet with the song Hot Cross Buns on it. A classic nursery rhyme every child learned no matter what instrument they played.

“Would you like me to demonst–”

“I got it.”

Seokjin’s mouth drops slightly but he lets Yoongi play on his own. Seokjin has seen Yoongi determined before. He’s practically seen it every day with how focused Yoongi is on “improving” his body. What Seokjin hasn’t truly seen from him yet is

passion

.

Yoongi’s focus on the music sheet is different from his normal interest in learning. Seokjin watches in wonder as Yoongi plays the nursery rhyme perfectly on his first try. It’s certainly not a difficult song, but it was such a quick improvement from just minutes ago. Yoongi wasn’t even looking at his hands when he played anymore, it’s like he already knows where they should go.

“That…that was really good Yoongi.”

Yoongi huffs at the notes in front of him, “That’s it?” He squints suspiciously at Seokjin as if he didn’t trust his praise, “That was too simple, give me another.

“How about we try a G major scale? If we get through all twelve major scales of the piano today, then we can start the minor scales tomorrow.”

Yoongi just nods and waits for Seokjin to set up other major scales in front of him. He didn’t even wait for Seokjin to straighten the paper out before he immediately played the scale with all of the right keys.

Seokjin tried to speak but Yoongi beat him to it.

“And all I have to do is remember what notes mean what?”

“Well, that is how an instrument works. But there is still a technique to remember as you play…”

He trails off at the grin Yoongi flashes him.

“I see why my past self made a career out of this. I’ll be playing your more difficult songs by tonight and maybe even that melody I tried earlier. It had too many complex motions that I don’t think I can do at the moment.”

“The sun will set in six hours. Are you sure you're going to learn how to play in six hours?” Seokjin titters.

“Shouldn’t be too hard,” Yoongi responds unphased. “It’s like I remember what to do but not the order in how to do it. These sheets are like a refresher. I think my mind is working faster than my body though, I wish it would catch up.”

Seokjin thinks the next lesson he is going to teach Yoongi is the art of patience.

“Please don’t strain yourself.”

Seokjin figures his assistance is no longer needed so he makes his way off the bench to leave Yoongi alone. He wasn’t even a foot away from Yoongi when the man called out to him.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to get a book to read while you play. I may even start cooking soon for Jungkook. I’m not sure when he’ll arrive but I know he’ll arrive hungry.”

“The man you care for when it rains?”

“That’s the one.”

‘And he’ll be okay with me?”

His voice wobbles a bit and a few sparks dance around him.

Seokjin reaches over to smooth his hair down for the second time, “No need to worry. Most may call him a scumbag but he’s a good kid. He may ask a few uncomfortable and inappropriate questions though so be prepared for that.”

He doesn’t need to, but Seokjin smoothes down Yoongi’s hair one more time before making his way over to the couch.

No one else has ever played music in his home before so Seokjin wants to take advantage of Yoongi playing around on the piano. It’s always been silent when he reads, but now the music in the background along with the words in the story helps push away all the busy thoughts in his brain. He feels content for the first time in decades.

This is why he wanted someone like Yoongi to begin with. An everlasting companion that takes up space in his home as well as his mind. Someone who needs constant attention and all of Seokjin’s energy to get through a day.

The sound of book pages turning, piano playing, and music sheet shuffling has Seokjin falling into a trance. He’s so focused on the book in his hand and yet he can’t comprehend a single sentence. He’s almost overstimulated but in the best way.

Hours go by and neither one of them moves from their position. Seokjin forgets about the meal he meant to prepare and other chores he had planned for the day. The only thing on his mind is Yoongi and the sounds coming from his fingertips, good and bad.

“Wow Seokjin, you got yourself a pretty one.”

Seokjin shrieks at the sudden sound of Jungkook’s voice in his ear. “What’s up with the two different hands though?”

Seokjin gasps as his heart slowly crawls back down his throat and into its rightful place in his chest. Yoonig’s playing stops too. He whips his body around in surprise and gapes at the sight of Jungkook dripping water onto Seokjin’s carpet.

“Jeon Jungkook,” Seokjin growls, “I am very well aware that you can pick my locks but for the sake of my poor heart, let a man know when you enter his house.”

Jungkook snickers behind him, “You’re such an old man. Thank god Namjoon still held on to his youth. You’d never know the two of you are only three years apart.”

Seokjin slams his book shut at that name.

“Namjoon? As in Kim Namjoon the town's librarian?”

Jungkook's eyes sparkle, "The one and only. I came here tonight to tell you that I plan to spend the rest of my life with him and this may be the last time I need to come here. He's the first man that's ever made me feel such strong emotions and he's even got a home! I hit the jackpot with him truly. I think that once he realizes he's in love with me he'll let me live with him.” He waves to Yoongi, “Good thing you got yourself a companion now, huh?”

Seokjin has so many questions and yet wants none of the answers.

Yoongi clumsily makes his way over to where the two men are standing while Seokjin digests the information Jungkook just dumped on him.

He remembers Namjoon from school, the two of them played together often as kids even with the age gap. Their parents were friends and used to make Seokjin watch him so they could have some “adult time” as they called it.

Seokjin hasn't seen him since his teen years but he recalls being jealous of how Namjoon was not only smart but also popular. So what would someone like that be doing with someone like Jungkook?

“I'm Min Yoongi,” Yoongi says once he makes his way over Seokjin notices him resting most of his weight on the couch. It seems his previous warning was useless and the man wore himself out. The piano was a great idea but they might have underestimated how much energy it takes for a person to play it for hours on end. At least he could still walk, Seokjin thinks he's going to have him hooked up to the power cords again tonight though, just in case.

Jungkook's eyes trail all over Yoongi's body critically. He looks curious but Seokjin is relieved he holds himself back, “I'm Jungkook as you might have heard. Sorry about missing your reanimation by the way. Hobi and Tae mentioned getting paid a shit ton of money for a job and I had to jump at the opportunity." A dreamy look passes his face, “I ditched them halfway through though. Never got the money but it was worth it.”

Years ago Seokjin would tell Jungkook about the importance of money only to be met with glazed-over eyes. He may as well have been talking to a tombstone.

Yoongi however, wasn't paying attention to Jungkook's words at all. His eyes zeroed in on Jungkook's outstretched hand, confused about the gesture. He looks at his own hands as if deciding on what to do with them.

Seokjin steps in to guide Yoongi's right hand to Jungkook's, “This is a handshake Yoongi,” he whispers. “It's a formality people do when they introduce themselves.”

Yoongi carefully brings his right hand to Jungkook's and gasps when Jungkook grips it and gives him a firm shake.

Jungkook turns his head to gawk at Seokjin, “How is it that you didn't show him how to shake hands, and yet he was playing church songs on the piano?"

"Church songs?” Seokjin scowled.

Yoongi scowls at him, "You didn't notice?”

“But I thought–I mean you just learned how to play the major scales.”

Yoongi looks hurt, “I learned that hours ago. Were you really not paying attention to any of my progress?” He flings his arms up in exasperation, “I thought you were just giving me space and silent encouragement, not

ignoring

me.”

Seokjin looks over at the clock and…yeah it's been over six hours. It's even pouring outside, random flashes of lightning light the night sky up with various shades of purple hues.

“There's no way.” He whispers. Seokjin flips open his book and sure enough, he only read three chapters. Apparently he was more engrossed in Yoongi's playing than he thought.

Not knowing how to comfort him, Seokjin tries pulling him into a hug.

“You really are amazing Yoongi, you know that.”

Jungkook's head is swiveling back and forth between him and Yoongi in Seokjin's peripherals.

“What the hell did I miss? Is there something between you two?”

Seokjin releases his hold on Yoongi and glares at Jungkook. It's Yoongi who speaks up though. “Seokjin has been teaching me how to use my body this entire week. I am very thankful for him and the progress I have shown.”

He beams innocently, not understanding how someone like Jungkook would interpret his words.

Jungkook gasps dramatically, “Seokjin, you dirty bastard.”

“Oh hush Jungkook, he means it literally.” Yoongi's innocent smile turns blank. “Yoongi had to learn how to move all over again. He's not like you and me whose body functions automatically. He has to do everything deliberately and with a lot of concentration. That takes much more energy than you can imagine.”

The smile is back on Yoongi's face by the time he's done. Jungkook however, looks like he needs more convincing.

"Then why is he looking at you as if you hung the stars in the sky?”

"Well, I did bring him to life,” Seokjin grumbles. He'll admit that sometimes Yoongi's wide-eyed gazes are overwhelming but it's only natural he'd admire Seokjin since he is the only one around for him to learn from.

“I was cautious of him at first,” Yoongi admits, “but now I am very comfortable with him. We even shared a bed last night.” He looks at Seokjin, “I-I hope we can do that again, I enjoyed listening to you breathe.”

Seokjin doesn't even want to imagine the expression Jungkook is sporting right now. He just buries his head in his hands and crumples into the couch in defeat. There's no way any part of his skin isn't fluorescent red right now.

“I knew he could turn red but this is a very intense shade,” Yoongi worriedly whispers above him.

Seokjin pictures Jungkook nodding his head. “I almost feel bad for the guy,” he whispers back to Yoongi.

Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Seokjin abruptly stands up.

“I'm going to the kitchen,” he announces, staring intensely at the ceiling, “I will cook food and then we will eat it. Please stay in here in the meantime.”

He hears snickering as he marches towards the kitchen. The worst part is, he doesn't know if it's from Yoongi, Jungkook, or both. Seokjin knew having the two of them together would be awful but he never expected Yoongi's ignorance and Jungkook's sly personality to mesh so horribly well together.