Archive of Our Own

If you find a golden key lying on the ground in front of you, presenting you a secret door nobody else can see, would you open it? Would there be people trying to find you? Friends? Family?

Jungkook had asked himself the same question after a day at work that kept him in the office until the sun had long set behind the tower buildings of Seoul. It was raining. The kind of rain that covered the city with a thin layer of fog. The neon signs left and right from the street were glowing blurrily in the evening.

He hated his job. He hated his shoes that had long stopped being waterproof and had stopped preventing puddles to soak his socks. He hated the heavy bag he was carrying with him. He hated the poky flat which made every tiny house look like a mansion.

His life was as grey and dull as today’s night. His job as an advertising salesman sucked out his energy and suppressed the creative mind that was begging to be used more. But creativity found no sale in this world and he needed money to survive. His guitar and camera had been sold after he got a salary cut from his boss. The only bright spot in his life was the weekend. He could go to the gym and let out all the stress in his body. He could visit his favourite coffee shop and sketch a bit into his notebook while enjoying the cosy atmosphere. Or he could play games the whole day without thinking even one second about his job.

Jungkook was living on the weekends (sometimes only Sunday when his boss ordered him to work on Saturday if he didn’t reach his weekly goal on Friday). He was living to work.

He had passed by a few karaoke bars and restaurants, not really paying attention to his surroundings that were mostly covered by the umbrella anyway. So he just stared on the ground in front of him, eschewing the puddles as best as he could. He could hear young people laughing and enjoying their evening with their friends.

A shiny object was almost blinding him as he turned around the corner. The light of the convenience store next to him was reflected by the golden surface. Jungkook stopped dead in his tracks. It was a key. For the first time since he had walked over the last crossroads, he lifted his head. The pedestrians who passed by were ignoring him like he ignored his sleep deprivation.

Jungkook picked the key up. His fingertips tingled slightly as he brushed over the bit. The design looked old, belonging to an equally old lock, but the key itself was completely unscathed as if it had just been produced. No scratches, no flaking colour or traces of usage. This was an old new key.

“Weird …” Jungkook muttered under his breath. It was heavy and even though he wasn’t an expert, this key didn’t look fake or cheap by any means.

During his examination, he didn’t notice the old wooden door that had suddenly appeared in the narrow gap between the convenience store and another nameless building. Only when a group of tiny golden sparks began to float through the air like a group of fireflies, Jungkook did a double take. He knew he wasn’t the most perceptive person on his way back from work, but he was sure he would’ve noticed such a striking door in the middle of a modern street. The orbs twirled around the door and Jungkook didn’t have to be Sherlock Holmes in order to put two and two together. The golden key belonged to this door. They both appeared out of nowhere with nobody else noticing its existence but Jungkook.

Why?

He wouldn’t get an answer before he stepped through that door. But there was no room behind it. Wouldn’t he just see the dark alleyway behind it? But inspecting the shimmering light, his curious gut feelings and the golden key, he was sure something else would happen. He wasn’t superstitious, but he couldn’t explain the whole situation. Maybe he was so tired and exhausted that he was starting to hallucinate. Or he had passed out somewhere and this door was his gate to heaven.

He approached the door with a drum inside his chest. The key began to vibrate in his hand, obviously gravitated to the door. Jungkook took a deep breath, put the key into the lock and turned the bit.

It clicked.

Jungkook touched the knob and pushed the door open.

The first thing he realised was that he had been right. He didn’t see the alleyway on the other side of the door. The warmth of a cosy home embraced him instead. There was a room. The floor, walls and ceiling were made out of planks. Sunlight was shining through big windows, reminding him of a chalet at first sight. Jungkook looked back. The rain got stronger as if the world was telling him to look for a shelter. To step inside.

At this point, Jungkook stopped thinking logical. Something obviously magical happened and searching for an explanation would only contribute to the headache he already had. Therefore he grabbed the key, put it into his pocket and entered the room. The door closed itself behind him, pulling Jungkook into sudden peaceful silence.

He heard the rustling of leaves, noticing that the windows were nothing but holes with no glass. There were rugs on the floor, dangling lights over a kitchen island and several soft looking couches, wing chairs and beanbags. But the most remarkable object in this room was the big tree trunk in the middle of the room. If somebody would google ‘comfy tree house to relax and escape reality’ Jungkook was sure a photo of this place would be on the first page. Because it was exactly that. An absolute dream tree house, far away from the busy city life.

With his mind still remembering his manners, he slipped out of his shoes and froze. There were six other shoe pairs neatly standing side by side next to the entrance. He wasn’t the only one here. There were other people who lived in here and it seemed like all of them were men if he looked at the shoe size and design.

“Hello?” he asked anxiously, but nobody responded. Carefully, he walked through the room, noticing a book on a coffee table. The bookmark was sticking out a bit, telling Jungkook that the person was almost done reading. There was a tea set right next to it and he could smell the faint scent of rooibos but the cups were already empty. His eyes continued to wander through the place. He spotted another door at the end of the room that seemed to lead him to a balcony or patio. The floorboards creaked under his steps and Jungkook stopped like a scared bunny. He didn’t want to look like an intruder.

Still nothing.

He had almost reached the other door, as he heard somebody’s laughter coming from outside. It sounded so carefree, so … full of life and happiness that Jungkook had to frown. Hearing that was strange.

With trembling hands, Jungkook reached for the door and stepped outside. He really was inside a forest, tree house that high that he could lean over the handrail and brush over the treetops. There was a circular stair on the right, winding its way around the tree until it reached another floor. When Jungkook walked down the stairs and peaked inside through the windows, he spotted a big bedroom and another door which was slightly opened. It revealed a bathroom behind it. This tree house was a fully functioning apartment. Jungkook couldn’t believe it.

“I’m definitely dreaming …” he thought out loud and looked down to spot the source of laughter he only just had heard.

There were six young men spread out on the forest glade. Two of them were playing badminton and one was reading a book under a smaller tree while somebody was leaning against him, seemingly asleep. The last two strangers were entertaining themselves with a card came on a picnic blanket. Jungkook thought he was watching a utopian trailer of either a summer camp invitation or a slice-of-life Korean Drama.

He walked down the stairs until he reached the ground. The guys who were sitting on the blanket looked up with a surprised expression on their faces. Both of them had plump lips, but one of them had a significantly smaller frame than the other, looking younger as well.

“S-sorry,” Jungkook stammered like a new student introducing themselves to their classmates. “I … I got this key” he showed the golden object to them “and opened the door. I’m … I’m confused … where am I?”

“Oh …” the smaller man said and stood up while the other waved at the rest of the group to get their attention. “Hello! My name’s Park Jimin. Me and my roommate were the last newcomers here, but that had been months ago,” he explained. “Of course you’re confused …” He gave him a sympathetic smile.

“A new face!” One of the guys who had played badminton shouted as he came closer. He exposed his straight teeth with a sunshine smile. “I’m Jung Hoseok.”

“I’m Kim Taehyung,” the second badminton player introduced himself politely, curly hair bouncing slightly at the quick bow.

The last two men introduced themselves as Kim Namjoon and Min Yoongi and asked for Jungkook’s name.

“Jeon Jungkook.” He was still a bit confused and overwhelmed by the whole situation, but none of these guys seemed to be angry or confused at him entering the tree house through a door that pulled him away from the city life. “I don’t understand what happened …”

“Understandable,” Namjoon said and exposed a pair of dimples. Cute, was Jungkook’s first thought. “Let me explain it to you.” Suddenly, he fished out a golden key that was tucked under his shirt like a necklace. “Each of us found those keys in the strangest way. At home, in the train, on the street. But there was one thing that connected all those moments: We were in despair. A door appeared and brought us into this world when we needed a moment to escape our lives. The first ones were me and Hoseok. That was … I think two years ago?” Namjoon looked at him. Hoseok nodded. “We even live together now. Several months later, Seokjin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung joined us, followed by Jimin and Taehyung this summer. It didn’t take us long to find each other in the real world. Jimin and Taehyung share the same dorm at university and Seokjin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung met each other as they looked for a new apartment. At this point, we knew it was no coincidence anymore. I don’t believe in supernatural things or magic, but I can’t deny that this place is something I can’t explain with logic. We just began to accept it and kept it a secret among ourselves. We got closer and closer over time and … yeah …” A faint blush appeared on Namjoon’s cheeks as he intertwined his fingers with Yoongi and Taehyung next to him. Jungkook’s ears turned red. “We noticed how well we fit together despite our different personalities. This place made us realise what we had been looking for all this time.”

“Woah …” was everything, Jungkook was able to respond. A place that brought lonely people together to find their loves ones? It sounded absurd, but amazing at the same time. Namjoon’s explanation about the key also fitted with Jungkook’s own recent experience. He was stressed, he was desperate for light in his life and suddenly the key and the door appeared and fulfilled his deepest wish. There was no logical explanation, but was that necessary?

“It’s a lot, I know,” Yoongi said. “But since you’re here, it means that you need a break. You look exhausted. I know how dark circles look under make-up so you can’t fool me.”

“Oh.” Jungkook touched the skin under his right eye, feeling a bit called out.

“Time is flowing differently here so there’s no need to rush or feeling pressured,” Seokjin said. “Take off your coat and let it dry in the sun. Your hair is damp, too. It probably rained, am I right?”

“Ah, yes … thank you, Seokjin-ssi … hyung?” Jungkook asked carefully.

“Hyung’s fine. How old are you then?”

“Twenty-three.”

“Oh, you’re the youngest among us,” Seokjin said. “I’m the oldest, followed by Yoongi. Namjoon and Hoseok were born in ’94 and Jimin and Taehyung in ’95. You can all call us hyung. Just do what makes you comfortable.”

“Okay. Y-you can talk informal to me, as well.” Jungkook nodded and slipped out of his coat. He jumped a bit as a towel landed on top of his head out of nowhere. Yoongi patted his shoulder and walked back to the tree where he and Namjoon had been resting. The kind gesture made Jungkook’s stomach all warm and fuzzy. He rubbed his hair dry with the towel and sat down on the picnic blanket to watch Seokjin and Jimin finish their round until he could join them.

He learned that Seokjin was a business coach, Yoongi a music composer, Hoseok a dance instructor, Namjoon an English teacher, Jimin a psychology student and Taehyung an art student and model. So many different jobs and interests.

“And what’re you doing, Jungkook-ah?” Jimin asked eventually. “Are you a graduate student, too?”

Jungkook shook his head. “I’m an advertising salesman …”

Jimin frowned at that. “You don’t sound very enthusiastic.”

“Well … yeah …” Jungkook rubbed his neck. “I thought it would be more creative, but it’s nothing like that. Only numbers and money counts in this job.”

“I hear that often,” Seokjin said, “when I help people find what they can do best and enjoy in their job in our company. Sounds like you might be in the wrong occupational field.”

“Even here, you can’t really stop thinking about your work, right hyung?” Jimin teased as he put a card on the pile in the middle of them.

“Excuse me,” Seokjin gasped with faked indignation, “I just want to help our new baby in the group! And working in the wrong field is a serious issue.”

Our new baby. Jungkook liked that. It made him feel like he didn’t have to hold all those responsibilities anymore.

“I’m a trained media designer, but finding jobs in that field is very hard. So I just took the first offer I could get …”

“Oh dear,” Seokjin sighed, a worried look on his face. “That doesn’t sound very good. No wonder you got the golden key.”

“It’s okay. At least I can pay my rent.” If I don’t get another salary cut, he thought, but didn’t dare to say it out loud.

The three of them continued their game until Hoseok announced that he was hungry and still needed to go grocery shopping with Namjoon. Jungkook’s coat was dry and he felt a bit better than before. His stomach was empty as well. Maybe he could buy himself some instant ramen at the convenience store.

When they all walked up the stairs, a sudden question struck Jungkook and he turned his head to Namjoon.

“How can I come here again?”

“Just hold the key and think about this place. Wherever you are, the door will appear, but only you can see it,” Namjoon explained and stepped into the tree house. He pointed at the door, Jungkook had gone through. “This door works similar. It brings you back to the place, where you have summoned it. I would recommend to do it at home. I was once stuck in a broom closet. Hoseok got me out by allowing me to use his exit once I was back in the tree house.”

“Good thing we already lived together during that time,” Hoseok chuckled and put on his shoes. “Any other questions, Jungkook-ah?”

Jungkook thought for a moment. “Probably a lot, but I’m too tired to think of any,” he answered.

“Get some rest. We can see each other here again. Normally, we’re all here during the evening,” Jimin said.

“Sometimes, Seokjin-hyung and Yoongi-hyung cook for us here!” Taehyung grinned at them. “Right?”

“Next weekend, sweetheart,” Seokjin said and gave him a gentle pat on the bottom. Taehyung giggled like a happy child.

For now, Jungkook liked to observe the others so he could learn about their dynamics and relationship a bit without disturbing anything. It was still a lot to take in, but he was sure that this was no dream. Not even his mind would have been able to create six handsome and kind young men that he could swoon over as soon as he was back in his flat.

Jungkook used the key every day after work. He rushed home with an aching neck and hurting head like always, took a shower and let the door appear next to a mirror in his bedroom. He was tired and hungry, but he needed the comfort of this mystical place. As soon as he stepped inside the tree house, he threw himself into one of the couches and closed his eyes. Work was awful and his mind was still trying to figure out how he could pay his bills in the future if his boss decided to cut his salary even more. Jungkook sighed and buried half of his face into the closest pillow. It was way softer than his own back in his bedroom. The fact that this place felt more like a home than his actual flat made him cry. He should go downstairs to the others and greet them. Maybe they had some food for him as well. But he felt too exhausted to move. He wanted to be alone, but at the same time, he craved some company. A hand that would brush his hair and massage his stiff neck, a voice that would tell him that everything was going to be fine or a caring hug that showed him he was loved.

He fell asleep like that. It was Jimin’s voice that pulled him back into consciousness an indefinite time later.

“Jungkook-ah? How long have you been sleeping here?” he worriedly asked.

“Did you eat dinner?” Hoseok’s voice this time. Jungkook stirred when the noises got more and more prominent in his head. He groaned and opened his eyes, looking into both men’s faces.

“Hey there.” Jimin smiled, eyes formed into crescents. “Had a nice nap?”

“Uh … yeah.” Jungkook nodded and propped his tired body up a little. He saw the rest of the group in the kitchen corner. It smelled like garlic and tomato sauce.

“Yoongi-hyung and Seokjin-hyung are making us some pasta. You want some?” Jimin asked.

“Oh. Yes, please.” His stomach churned, tickling a fond laugh out of Hoseok who ruffled Jungkook’s hair. Goosebumps spread out over Jungkook’s skin. The touch was away before he could properly cherish it. It had been barely a week since Jungkook had met them. They were being close with each other, but still a bit careful with Jungkook since they didn’t know his boundaries yet. This was the first time they gave him physical affection and Jungkook wanted to bath in it.

He could cry a second time today. He felt so sensitive because of all the stress and worries in his life that even the simplest form of skinship could destroy the thin wall he was trying to keep up in order to survive work. With them here in this tree house, Jungkook had the feeling he could let go of that wall and just be … vulnerable. But the thought was scary. Even though everyone was so nice and compassionate, he was afraid to show how desperate and touch starved he was. He should be old enough to take care of himself, but with each passing day in his life, he felt more lonely and helpless. While other people took steps forward, he was stumbling backwards, ready to fall on the ground every next moment.

“Jungkook?”

“Huh?” He looked up, staring into Taehyung’s eyes. A deep frown was carved into his handsome features.

“You spaced out for a bit. Are you okay?” he asked. Honestly, Jungkook would shake his head and negate, but he was not ready yet. Therefore, he gave him a smile and nodded instead.

“Yes, hyung. Don’t worry.”

“Well, since you got a key into this world, we have a good reason to be worried,” Namjoon said and sat down on one of the wing chairs.

“What do you mean?” Jungkook asked.

“We were all in a bad headspace when we received the key. We struggled with things we couldn’t control, but by sharing our thoughts and concerns, we were able to heal in here.” Namjoon pointed at his heart. “And it brought us closer together and made us realise how precious support and love can be.”

“We know it’s a lot to take in,” Hoseok added. “So you can take all the time you need. We’re all here for you.”

“T-thank you …” Jungkook’s eyes burned, but he didn’t let the tears fall. “I just … I’m still a bit overwhelmed by all this …” He played with his fingers. “But it feels good to be here.”

Namjoon gave him one of his dimpled smiles. “That’s good to hear.”

“Food’s almost ready, guys! Set the table and grab something to drink,” Seokjin exclaimed, ending the intimate conversation and allowing Jungkook to take a breath. He could see how the others were used to those talks, but it all felt so bizarre to him. They were actually listening to him, not like his boss who didn’t want to hear any of his explanations or excuses.

After setting the table and pouring in seven glasses of water, they all sat down and began to eat dinner. It was the first time after a very long time that Jungkook was eating together with people he would call his friends, his hyungs. He listened to their conversations, laughed with them and had one of the best evenings in his youth. He was almost falling asleep on Seokjin’s shoulder, when they decided to head home. Jungkook didn’t want to go back to his flat – his misery life. But he had no choice and even the sweetest moments would come to an end.

They were all worried sick, when Jungkook suddenly stopped coming to the tree house.

They became suspicious on the third day. Without a phone number or address, they had no idea how to contact him and ask if he was okay. Jimin had a bad feeling about it.

“He looked so tired, hyung,” he said to Namjoon. “Maybe he got sick and nobody is there to take care of him.”

“But what can we do?” Hoseok asked and formed his lips into a pout. They were all sitting in the living room area of the tree house with a few mugs standing on the coffee table.

“Do you remember how we found Yoongi in his old apartment?” Namjoon began and received several nods of affirmation. It had been the time before Yoongi and Seokjin had looked for a new apartment and found each other in the real world.

“I didn’t came anymore because I pulled all-nighters to finish my tracks.” Yoongi crossed his arms and leaned back. “I get your idea.”

Namjoon nodded and touched the key that was hanging around his neck. “We barely knew each other back then, but we were scared something happened to you. So we used the key in hopes that it would lead us to your place. I think it worked because the key could feel how scared we were.”

“But do you think, it’s okay to make a portal to Jungkook’s home? What if he just doesn’t want to see us?” Seokjin asked.

“I believe that the key is more than just a key,” Taehyung said. “When we used it to find Yoongi, I started to think that it’s not necessarily connected to this world here, but to us. This place only exists because it brings us together.”

“So we’re all destined for meeting each other?” Namjoon raised an eyebrow. That was a wild theory, but not impossible. Was Jungkook the last piece of the puzzle? How high was the possibility to find so many different people you all mutually fell in love with? If it was destiny … or however you would call it … it would make sense.

“And the keys helped us,” Jimin said and intertwined his fingers with Taehyung’s. “The two of us talked about Jungkook yesterday …” He looked at his boyfriends. “Taehyung asked me if I like Jungkook.”

“Do you?” Yoongi asked.

Eventually, Jimin nodded. “I can’t really grasp it now, because I barely know him, but I can feel it. It’s the same feeling when I met you all.”

Hoseok cleared his throat. “I might … feel something, too,” he admitted. “When he stopped coming, I noticed how much his absence bothered me. It didn’t feel right.”

“Same.” Namjoon chewed on his lips. “And you two?” He looked at Seokjin and Yoongi.

Seokjin sighed. “We both couldn’t sleep last night and checked the tree house again. We thought he might come back in the night, but no … The boy really messed with our hearts without even doing anything.”

“I bet it’s because of those doe eyes!” Taehyung huffed playfully. “They’re too big and pure to not fall in love with.”

“Or his bunny smile,” Namjoon chuckled with a dreamy sigh. Jungkook had left a strong impression on each of them.

“Great. So we’re all whipped for the little one,” Yoongi said and lifted his key. “Should we try it?”

They all stood up, determined to check on Jungkook to make sure, everything was alright. It was already past seven in the real world so he should be back from work by now. Hopefully, Seokjin anxiously thought and walked up to the door. With the key lying heavily between his fingers, he slid it into the lock and pushed the handle down, thinking about Jungkook.

Please bring us to him.

He opened the door and looked into the room that wasn’t part of his and Yoongi’s flat. It was tiny, kitchen niche, living room and dining room in once. One door near the entrance area was closed, probably belonging to the bathroom, while a curtain right in Seokjin’s view was slightly pulled to the side. It was dark with only the moon shining through the small window. It was completely silent.

“Jungkook-ah?” Hoseok called him first and looked around, not stepping inside yet. “Are you here?”

“Maybe he’s asleep?” Jimin whispered.

Yoongi couldn’t smell any food and the kitchen looked untouched to show any proof of dinner. “I think he’s still at work.”

“That late?” Taehyung frowned, not liking the idea of Jungkook working overtime for so long. He was already tired enough and it didn’t look like he was getting paid for that effort.

“Maybe that’s why he didn’t come,” Namjoon said. “He had to work longer and had no energy left to come by.”

“I want to see his boss and punch him in the face,” Jimin murmured with a salty expression displayed on his face.

“Guys.” Hoseok lifted his arm, pointing at the corkboard next to the curtain. “The key.” It was hanging from a map pin next to a Polaroid picture of all seven of them. Taehyung had took this picture after they had their first dinner all together in the tree house. The sight tasted bitter on Yoongi’s tongue. He needed to see him.

“Should we-” Namjoon stopped when he heard the front door getting unlocked. Their heads jerked to the entrance area, staring at the door, which was now being pushed open and revealed Jungkook’s frame. As soon as the light was switched on, they stared into bloodshot eyes that barely managed to fight against the weight of the eyelids. Jungkook looked shocked, standing there like a frightened rabbit. Carefully, Seokjin and Namjoon stepped out of the door. The wood creaked a bit under their weight as soon as their socks touched the floor.

“H-hyung?”

“We wanted to check on you,” Namjoon said. “I’m sorry for using the key, but we didn’t know how to contact or find you …”

“Are you okay?” Seokjin took a step forward. The dark shadows under Jungkook’s eyes even more prominent with the light from above.

Jungkook stumbled out of his shoes and into his slippers. “Y-yes, I’m …”

Seokjin jerked when Yoongi squeezed past him and pulled Jungkook into a tight hug.

“Don’t lie to us.”

Jungkook gasped, skin tingling and heart beating like it was coming back to life. The tears came faster than he expected.

“Hyung …” he sobbed and wrapped his arms around Yoongi, face buried in his neck.

“Are you okay?” Yoongi repeated Seokjin’s question. This time, Jungkook shook his head, breaking their hearts.

“No …”

“We’re here now. Hyungs will help you.”

Jungkook broke down, exhausted and relieved at the same time. They were here. They were real, standing in his miserable home because they worried about him. They cared.

After Jungkook’s tears stopped rolling down his cheeks, they brought him through the magical door and into the cosy ambience of the tree house. They had space here to sit and talk, but most importantly, Seokjin could prepare him a quick meal since he found out, the boy hadn’t eaten anything except breakfast.

“I don’t know what to do …” Jungkook mumbled as he pressed one of the fluffy pillows against his chest, hugging it desperately for some comfort. Taehyung and Hoseok were sitting next to him with Taehyung caressing his hair and Hoseok holding one of his hands. Jimin, Namjoon and Yoongi were sitting on the couch on the opposite side.

“What do you mean, Jungkook-ah?” Jimin asked.

“I don’t want to continue, but I don’t have a choice. I need this job or I can’t pay my rent …”

“Why don’t you look for another job?” Namjoon pushed his glasses up his nose, already trying to find a solution for their youngest one. His heart cracked a bit when he spotted Jungkook’s sad expression.

“I don’t even have time for that …” he admitted. “I work from morning till evening six days a week now. The only day I have time is Sunday, but I need this day to charge my batteries.”

“Do you have any savings?” Yoongi asked, but Jungkook shook his head.

“With the salary of mine, I can barely manage rent, food and my bus ticket.”

They believed that. In Jungkook’s apartment wasn’t anything expensive like a TV or a games console. Jimin opened his mouth to ask about his parents, but he stopped himself. Jungkook sure had his reasons why he didn’t ask them. They either couldn’t or didn’t even know about their son’s situation.

Seokjin was done preparing some ramyeon and kimchi for Jungkook and put the food in front of him on the coffee table. Jungkook didn’t need to be told twice before he digged in and eagerly inhaled the food. They let him eat in peace while thinking about what to do next.

“Jungkook?” Yoongi leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

“Hm?” Jungkook looked up with his cheeks stuffed with noodles. It looked cute, like a hamster or bunny. Yeah, definitely a bunny.

“If you have a roof over your head without thinking about money, would you quit your current job?” Yoongi exchanged a quick look with Seokjin, a silent question if the other could follow his train of thoughts. This was an emergency, but he wanted to make sure Seokjin was understanding what he wanted to ask.

“Eh …” Jungkook frowned. The imagination alone felt liberating. He would’ve time to look for something better. He could … breathe. “Yes.” He couldn’t remember the last time he sounded so sure about something. “Absolutely.”

Yoongi smiled and looked at Seokjin. “Hyung?” It was enough for the other to understand. They knew each other’s thoughts.

“Should be okay. We need to do some shopping though,” he said.

“True.” Yoongi nodded. The unused guest room might be a bit small, but a bed and closet should definitely fit in there. Maybe even a desk as well.

“Oh …” Namjoon understood as well, lips formed into a bright smile.

“What?” Jungkook looked confused, big eyes switching between the men back and forth. “What do you mean?”

“Hyung’s saying that they have a room free for you,” Hoseok said and patted Jungkook’s thigh. “You could stay at their home and don’t need to worry about money until you find a job that you deserve.”

“The room’s not big, but I bet we could make it cosy and nice for you. It could be a temporary solution. What do you say?” Yoongi watched how Jungkook’s eyes got bigger than they already were. They turned glassy and red before new tears – this time of joy – fell down his face.

“No, don’t cry!” Taehyung brushed them away with the hem of his sweater wrapped around his thumb. “It’s okay. It’s okay.”

“Of course, only if you want to,” Seokjin said. “But I think I speak for all of us when I say that we’ll sleep a lot better knowing you’re safe and sound and not working yourself to death.”

“B-but h-hyung-” Jungkook sobbed. “W-why w-w-would y-you …” He tried to calm down, but as soon as Jimin rushed in front of him, kneeled down and pulled him into a warm hug, he was a goner, wailing like a child. He buried his face into Jimin’s neck, feeling the soothing hands rubbing his back and hearing Jimin whispering sweet nothings into his ear.

“We like you, Jungkook-ah,” Namjoon said calmly. “And to be honest … the fact that we all kinda fell in love with each other in this place … and that you joined us now … maybe it’s no coincidence.”

“We never talked about our sexualities or past relationships until we got together. It just felt right like gear wheels engaging with one another,” Yoongi said. “We don’t want to push you into anything, but …”

“Hyung,” Jungkook interrupted him. “Y-you feel it, too?” He stared at everyone, tears suddenly forgotten. “At first … I thought it’s the place that I craved, but when I was here and you were not … it was so lonely and it didn’t fill me with the same feeling I have when I’m with you. And even though you’re all in a relationship, I didn’t feel left out. Y-you embraced me like it was the most normal thing to do.” He sniffed. “But I wasn’t sure if you were just kind, b-but when you say it’s no coincidence …”

“Jungkook-ah,” Seokjin said. “A lot of things are happening right now in your life, but you’re not alone anymore. We can take care of you and help you to figure this out. If this job makes you unhappy and pulls you into a depression or burn-out – which looks like is very close by – I would really recommend you to start over. You’re still very young and I can help you find something you’ll feel comfortable with. Not only as a business coach, but as a hyung as well. Both Yoongi and I earn enough to take care of you, so there’s no need to worry. You also don’t have to repay us in any way. This is about friendship.” He smiled. “Maybe even more in the future, but we need our feelings to bloom quietly.”

“But first and foremost,” Hoseok said and cupped Jungkook’s face, examining the dark circles under his swollen eyes, “I want you to call in sick. Every doctor will see that you need a break. Then, we can help you to move out and deal with the annoying madness of bureaucracy.” He looked at Namjoon with a wide grin. “That’s a task for our big brain in the group.”

Namjoon chuckled. “Fine with me.”

“Hyung …” Jungkook was speechless from all the support. How are they so nice to them? He couldn’t believe his luck. “C-can I …?” He sat up and walked to Namjoon, who stood up from his seat and raised his eyebrows. His expression softened when he saw how Jungkook silently, like a shy little boy, spread his arms for a hug. Namjoon wrapped his arms around him, chests pressed against each other to unite their heartbeats.

“Of course,” he whispered. “No need to ask.”

After that, Jungkook began to hug everyone, melting in their embraces and inhaling the comforting scent of every single one of them. Tonight would be his last moment of being alone. He was free with the help and love of his hyungs.

A lot of things happened the next day. As promised, Jungkook called in sick and was about to leave the house to visit his doctor, when somebody was ringing the doorbell. With a frown on his face, he opened the door and stared into Taehyung’s face.

“Hyung?”

“I want to accompany you! My lectures won’t start before lunch so I can join you,” Taehyung said, warming Jungkook’s heart. Right. He didn’t have to do it alone anymore.

“Thank you.” Jungkook smiled and slipped into his shoes and coat. It was raining outside like it did on their first day together, but Taehyung’s umbrella was wide enough so that both boys could fit underneath. Taehyung put his arm around him to keep him close and warm, either not noticing Jungkook’s red ears or ignoring them.

It really was no problem to receive a doctor’s note with how Jungkook felt and looked. Taehyung was patiently waiting at the reception desk of the hospital with two cups of hot chocolate when Jungkook returned.

“I wasn’t sure if you drink coffee, so I played it safe,” Taehyung chuckled and gave him the cup. Jungkook sniffed at the sweet drink and took a sip. When was the last time he drank hot chocolate? He couldn’t remember.

“Thanks, hyung.”

“You got the doctor’s note?”

Jungkook nodded. “For the whole week. I’ll send it to my boss. He won’t be happy about that …”

“Jungkook-ah, this is about your health. Don’t feel bad about taking a break,” Taehyung said as they left the hospital together. The rain had stopped by now and a few sunbeams fought their way through the thick layer of clouds.

“I don’t like to be a nuisance to my co-workers.” Jungkook sighed.

“You’re very hardworking and diligent. I bet nobody would be mad at you. And if so, they don’t deserve you as a co-worker anyway.”

Taehyung’s words made him smile. It was good to have a positive mind close to you that kept you away from your own doubts and anxiety like a backstop. They drank their hot chocolate and strolled back to the bus station.

“I don’t know what to do now with all that free time,” Jungkook mumbled.

“Well, first of all: rest. Then, Seokjin and Yoongi can invite you to their home and you can check out the room. I bet they’ll cook dinner for you, too!” Taehyung said.

“Hyung, can I ask you something?”

“Sure!”

“You’re all in a relationship with each other, right? So not just three pairs who live together?” Jungkook asked carefully. He was curious how their dynamic actually worked. And if he really would become part of that in the future, he wanted to understand it.

“Yes. It’s just that we still wait a bit to have enough money and spend enough time with each other before we think about moving all together. Sometimes, we’re on the look-out for big houses or apartments that we could all fit in, but something kept us from actually taking an opportunity. Not because we have doubts or don’t love each other, but something else. Maybe that’s you.”

“Me?”

“Makes sense, right? Maybe we were supposed to be seven and not six? And that’s why we couldn’t do it until now.” Taehyung smiled at him. “The key world helps us to meet each other in private and without having any problems of not enough space. Sometimes, Jimin or I crash at the others’ apartments for a night, but mostly, we either sleep at home or spend the night with everyone at the tree house. There’re enough beds and all necessities we could need.”

Jungkook nodded. He was wondering why the others stayed much longer than he in the key world, but it made sense now. That place excited only for the seven of them to bring them together and keep them safe.

“To be honest, I was always open about who and how I love somebody,” Jungkook said, looking at the little park on the other side of the street. “I mean, does it matter who you love if you don’t hurt anybody? And even if it’s not the usual two-person-relationship, does it even matter? I don’t get why other people think they could decide what sort of love is valid and what’s not.”

Taehyung chuckled. “You sound like Yoongi. But yes, you’re right. I fell in love with five …” he glanced at Jungkook, cheeks getting warmer, “… six guys around my age. And they like me, too. Love can be so simple, if you don’t think too much about it.”

They shared a shy smile before Jungkook took his courage in both hands and put his head on Taehyung’s shoulder, leaning against him. It was simple, but so, so powerful.

“I’m glad I found the key,” Jungkook mumbled. “I’m glad I found you.”

“Me too.” Taehyung reached out for Jungkook’s hand and intertwined their fingers, enjoying the private moment since nobody was nearby. When the bus arrived and they drove back to Jungkook’s apartment, Taehyung said goodbye and gave him his own and the others’ contacts. When Jungkook was back in his flat, he stared at his phone with sparkling eyes, amazed by how much safety and comfort it gave him.

He listened to Taehyung’s advice and rested the whole day, either watching videos, sleeping or playing on his laptop. His stomach slowly announced its want for dinner, when the doorbell rang once again. It was Hoseok, holding a bag.

“Delivery service!” he greeted Jungkook with lips stretched to a grin. “Who wants to have some homemade dinner?”

“Hyung!” Jungkook beamed and let him in.

“I figure you didn’t eat yet?” Hoseok asked as he slipped out of his shoes. “Do you like gimbap?”

Jungkook nodded several times, making Hoseok laugh fondly. “Yes!”

“Perfect! I made some soup, gimbap and pork cutlet. Namjoon wanted to come as well, but he was so tired from work, he fell asleep on the couch so I let him rest a bit. Anyway, let’s eat!”

Jungkook scrunched his nose as he couldn’t stop his bunny smile from fading. “Okay!” He really met six angels.

Weekend had arrived and Jungkook was waiting in his apartment with his heart vibrating in his chest. He couldn’t wait for Seokjin and Yoongi to pick him up and show him his potential room at their apartment. His body felt so rested after only a few days off, remembering what it felt like to be alive again.

The doorbell rang and Jungkook bounced to the front door, long hair falling into his face. Seokjin and Yoongi were more as pleased to be greeted with such excitement. They didn’t want to use the key world today in order to show Jungkook their living area so he was able to check if he liked it or not.

“Hyung!” Jungkook hugged both of them and grabbed his bag and keys, ready to head off.

“Hey, bun,” Seokjin chuckled while Yoongi greeted the youngest with some back rubs. “We cleaned the room and put away the moving boxes that were still inside. It looks much bigger now than I thought.”

“I found my old portable keyboard in there,” Yoongi said with an amused tone in his voice. “I thought Seokjin broke it and threw it away in hopes that I won’t find out.”

“I would never!” Seokjin gasped with his hand on his chest as if he was appalled by Yoongi’s words, making Jungkook laugh.

The three walked to the car and climbed in. Jungkook was a bit nervous. He didn’t visit another person’s home for quite a while now and he didn’t want to do anything wrong. Yoongi started the engine and drove them through a couple of districts in Seoul before they arrived. The streets, shops and houses looked much more different than those in Jungkook’s area. Cleaner and friendlier. How high would the rent be in here? Probably at least twice as expensive as Jungkook’s flat.

“Alright. Here we are.” Yoongi parked the car in the underground carpark of the apartment complex. “There’s an elevator over there.” He pointed to the door nearby as they crossed the parking lot. The faint smell of petrol was in the air, bringing back memories when his parents had brought him to his grandparents over the weekend.

Jungkook watched how Seokjin pushed the button for the sixth floor before the door of the elevator glided shut. As soon as the lift went up, Seokjin grabbed Yoongi’s sleeve. Jungkook noticed the subtle gesture, assuming that Seokjin wasn’t the best friend of elevators. With some unexpected bravery of himself, Jungkook brushed his fingers against Seokjin’s and tried to hold his hand. Their eyes met and Jungkook felt his heart skipping as Seokjin’s lips formed into a grateful smile.

It was the moment, he knew this wasn’t a crush anymore, but something much more powerful.

When they reached the sixth floor and walked down the hallway, Jungkook had a faint blush spread over his cheeks. His fingers were still tingling, reminding him that this had really happened.

“Home sweet home,” Yoongi said and opened the door. Jungkook got out of his shoes and into a provided pair of black slippers in front of the lowered entryway. The hallway was short and transitioned into a cosy living and dining room. An open door nearby exposed the kitchen and the hallway next to the TV was leading to the bedrooms and bathroom. The ceiling was quite high and the big windows from head to toe made the whole apartment a lot bigger.

“Make yourself comfortable, Kook-ah,” Seokjin said as he put his coat away. “The bathroom is at the end of the hallway. The door left is mine and Yoongi’s bedroom. The two doors right are Yoongi’s studio and the guest room.”

Jungkook saw the big lock at one of the doors, figuring that Yoongi didn’t want to be disturbed if he worked on his music.

“If you decide to move in,” Yoongi said, “we probably need to declutter a few things so you don’t have to put all of your stuff inside your room.”

“Oh, I don’t have that many things,” Jungkook admitted a bit embarrassedly. The furniture and kitchen supplies had already been inside his flat when he moved in. The only personal things were his clothes, bathroom supplies, his laptop and a few bits and bobs.

“Yet,” Seokjin corrected him. “We have to deep clean anyway. It’s been months since we did that.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Yoongi nodded and walked towards the guest room door, Jungkook’s possible bedroom. “Take a look inside.”

Jungkook approached the door and opened it. The room was a square with the same parquet floor as the hallway. The windows were big and showed him a nice little overview of the district. The walls were cream-coloured and warmed the whole room. They said the room was small.

It was bigger than his current living room area, not to mention cleaner, brighter and more modern. There even was a built-in cupboard.

“Woah …” This room shared the right side of the hallway with Yoongi’s studio, how big had to be Seokjin’s and Yoongi’s shared bedroom?

Yoongi grinned. “Sounds like a positive reaction.”

“You said there isn’t much space,” Jungkook said and turned his head. “I feel betrayed!”

Both Seokjin and Yoongi laughed.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Seokjin said. “We weren’t sure when all those stuff and boxes were inside so we didn’t want you to be disappointed.”

“And we forgot about this cupboard, to be honest,” Yoongi scratched his neck. “Inside was my keyboard by the way …”

“Is it really okay, if I … if I move in with you, hyung?” Jungkook wanted to be absolutely sure. When they nodded, he could feel his eyes sting, fighting against the tears. “I’d pay part of the rent as soon as I find a new job … I promise!”

Seokjin smiled. “Don’t worry about that now. Let’s measure this room and buy some furniture.”

“Hyungs pay,” Yoongi said.

“What?” Jungkook’s eyes widened. “No! That’s too much!”

“You’re our new baby, Kookie,” Seokjin chuckled and hugged him from behind. “Let us spoil you.”

“But hyung …” Jungkook whined with a pout, but red ears. He could feel Seokjin’s breath against his neck.

“No buts, bun.”

And suddenly, Jungkook got a room with a nice bed, a wardrobe, desk and chair. As soon as the others heard from the news of Jungkook moving into Seokjin’s and Yoongi’s apartment, they brought him some housewarming gifts. Namjoon gave him a few little plants that he could place on a shelf over his desk, Hoseok got him new bed sheets and Taehyung and Jimin gave him their old surround sound system.

“We don’t use it in the dorm. Our neighbours have no taste in music and always complained,” Jimin had said when Jungkook was trying to argue that he couldn’t accept the present.

“If you want to hear Seokjin rapping through your whole apartment, just play Loner by Outsider,” Taehyung had added with a wide grin.

“People call me RapJin.”

“No one calls you like that, hyung,” Yoongi had said dryly, causing everyone to start laughing.

Now, Jungkook was lying in his new bed, staring at the ceiling of his new room. It was much brighter with the large windows exposing the sunset. He had told his old landlord that he would move. He still had to pay for this month, but apart from that, it was no problem since he had already been living there long enough. The others helped him to move his belongings and clean everything. He was exhausted now. Tomorrow was Monday and his week without work was over way too fast. Still, it was not over yet. He didn’t want to quit his job without having a new one. Even though Seokjin and Yoongi had told him multiple times that he shouldn’t worry about the rent, he felt uncomfortable not having an income and sitting on their wallets.

When he arrived at work the next morning, a big pile of papers and folders was stacked on top of each other on his desk. Of course nobody else wanted to do his work while he was gone. With a sigh, he started to work, thinking about what kind of job he wanted to do. At least he was sure that he didn’t want to work in such an office ever again. He hated paperwork. It was repetitive and sucked out your sanity like a ghost. Seokjin made him a lunchbox so at least he was able to eat something decent during his break. When he came home – home – the others looked at him with worry.

“Do you really want to continue this job until you find something new?” Seokjin asked with a frown.

“I don’t want a gap in my CV …” Jungkook admitted.

“Let’s eat first,” Yoongi said. “We can look for some job ads after dinner.”

“Okay.”

Jungkook would’ve never been able to do research in the evening like that. He guessed the influence of the others and his week off helped him to not feel as drained as usual. Albeit tired, he managed to look into some interesting job offers before heading to bed.

The next day, they all met in the key world.

“Don’t think about your job today, Kook-ah,” Namjoon shouted over the glade as he threw the Frisbee to him. Jungkook caught it and let the toy spin through the air towards Jimin.

“I’m trying,” he whined. “It’s not easy.”

“Why did we collect all workaholics in Seoul?” Jimin asked with a chuckle. Nobody answered, but it was clear what everyone thought. They all went through a hard time in their lives, but by being together, they were stronger.

“Guys!” Hoseok called, sounding like something important had happened. “Come inside, you have to see this!”

Quickly, Jimin, Namjoon and Jungkook walked upstairs until they reached the top floor of the tree house. The rest of them was inside in the living room area, gathered around the table.

“What’s wrong?” Namjoon asked.

“The keys.” Taehyung pointed at the table. “They …”

“They rust,” Yoongi finished the sentence. Jimin and Jungkook gasped, bandying looks, while Namjoon rushed forward to inspect the golden items.

It was true. The keys began to rust a bit, losing some of their golden shimmer.

“Wha … What does it mean?” Jungkook asked.

“I don’t know.” Yoongi sighed and crossed his arms. “It definitely has something to do with this world. It’s no coincidence that all of our keys start to rust at the same time.”

“Yoongi’s right,” Seokjin said. “Maybe … this world is not forever.”

“You mean, the keys will eventually break?” Jimin was staring at his hyung with big, shocked eyes. “B-but why?”

Hoseok shrugged with his shoulders, a prominent pout on his lips. Jungkook couldn’t look away from the damaged keys. When he had found his key lying on the street, the glow was so strong. But now, it had faded so much, as if its magical energy was leaving it bit by bit.

“I think I know why …” Namjoon mumbled, deep in thought. “But it’s only an idea.”

“Tell us, hyung.”

“If the theory is right and this world exists because it brought us together and gave us a place to escape, then it might be done with its duty. What if Jungkook was the last one that needed to find us? You’re at hyungs’ place now, safe and getting better.” Namjoon looked at Jungkook and the other could see wisdom behind those eyes. “We’re seven now. Maybe it was meant to be and now the keys are losing its purpose.”

“So it’s good that they rust?” Hoseok asked. “Because we don’t need this place anymore?”

“Sounds quite logical,” Yoongi muttered. “As logical as this place can be, of course.”

“But I like it here …” Jungkook felt sad for being the cause of the evanescence of this place. This tree house was so wonderful and the perfect hideout for them. But then he remembered his new room, his new home. He felt comforted there, too. He was never alone, he had somebody to come home to. He found what he needed.

“Maybe one day, we can find a place for all of us,” Taehyung said and held Jungkook’s hand, brushing over the other’s knuckles with his thumb. “Maybe not a tree house, but a house in the real world.”

Jungkook smiled thankfully, a faint blush on his cheeks. “Yeah … that would be nice.”

“Bun?” Seokjin walked up to him and gently cupped his cheeks, making sure Jungkook was okay with this closeness. He smiled and Jungkook got reminded how handsome the other was. “Do you think, Namjoon is right? Are you happy with us?”

Jungkook squeezed Taehyung’s hand, not breaking eye contact with Seokjin for even a millisecond.

“Yes,” he breathed with pure sincerity. Namjoon was right, he knew it. “I’m happy with you guys.” His eyes were stinging and he was pretty sure that it was not because he forgot to blink.

Seokjin came even closer, one hand sliding away from his cheek, down his neck so that his thumb was brushing against his pierced earlobe. When Jungkook could feel the other’s warm breath against his skin, he closed his eyes, lips parting.

Jungkook couldn’t remember the last time, he was kissed, but no memory could compare itself to the feelings his body was bathing in right now. A tear slipped down his cheek, but that didn’t matter. Everything went so fast, but he had never been so sure in his life. Those keys, this world, they all took his doubts away. Meeting these six men was his destiny and his future.

It was one month later, when Jungkook received an e-mail from a small studio who needed a new trainee as a Junior Art Director. Jungkook had applied to this position only a few days ago in hopes that his degree would fit well enough for this job. It was only a temporary position for two years, but he was really interested in the job description and maybe, he would be able to slip into a permanent contract.

Jungkook couldn’t believe it when they invited him for an interview next week.

“What should I wear, hyung?” he desperately asked when Seokjin hugged him to keep him from hopping through the whole apartment.

“Looks like you need a shopping tour. Taehyung would be thrilled to help you find a nice suit,” Seokjin said.

“I’ll … I’ll call him!” With that said, Jungkook turned around and nearly bumped into Yoongi who had just entered the living room. His hair was ruffled, showing them how much he needed a break from working on his music the whole day.

“Woah, what’s going on here?” he asked and made an embarrassingly squeaky sound when Jungkook suddenly wrapped his arms around his hip and lifted him up like nothing.

“I’ve got a job interview!”

“Really?” Yoongi pushed his body a bit away so he could look Jungkook in the eyes.

“Yes!”

“That’s great, bun. Let hyung down now.” Yoongi was glad to have the floor back under his feet. He smiled at Jungkook’s happy expression, bunny smile on full display. He literally vibrated in front of him.

“Can I kiss you, hyung? I really want to …”

The two of them didn’t kiss before, because they wanted to make sure Jungkook was comfortable around them before they rushed into something more serious. Seokjin had been the first in a moment of euphoria. Now, Yoongi would be the second.

“Come here.” Their lips met and Yoongi remembered that his breath had to be awful with all the hours stuck inside his studio. Jungkook didn’t seem to care, though. His feelings for everyone got stronger with each passing day. Seokjin looked at them with pure endearment. He was so proud of their little one.

When Jungkook asked Taehyung to help him buy a suit, he was surprised to hear Namjoon’s voice in the background.

“Namjoon and I are chilling at the Han River. We can meet at the station!” Taehyung said.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to interrupt your date …”

“You’re not interrupting, Jungkook-ah,” Namjoon responded. Taehyung had probably put his phone on speaker. “You simply join us, or we join you. I’d love to help you, too.”

Jungkook blushed a bit. He not only had to get used to have so many pet names, but also several men who pined after him.

“W-we can meet in an hour, if that’s okay?” Jungkook asked sheepishly. “I’ll take a shower and hit the trail.”

“Perfect! See you later, Kook-ah!” Taehyung said and ended the call. Quickly, he rushed into the bathroom and got ready for his date. Date. He still couldn’t stop his inner voice giggling at the thought.

After taking a shower and slipping into one of Seokjin’s oversized hoodies – that somehow ended in his closet –, he grabbed his phone and wallet and was about to head out, when Seokjin stopped him at the front door.

“Excuse me, young man, where’s my goodbye kiss?” he asked playfully. Jungkook giggled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Have fun.”

“Thank you, hyung!” And with that, he put on his jacket and left the apartment.

Taehyung and Namjoon were already waiting when he arrived at the station.

“I know a few nice shops. Nothing expensive, trust me,” Taehyung said, easing Jungkook’s nervousness a bit. He didn’t want to spend too much money right now. On the other side, he wanted to make a good impression on his possible new colleagues and boss. Maybe a new haircut would do him good as well, albeit he loved how the curls would fall into his face so that either Hoseok or Jimin would push them back behind his ear.

“Let’s go.” Namjoon put an arm around Jungkook’s shoulder as they walked through the shopping area of the station.

When they entered the second shop and Jungkook found a simple black suit with a blue tie that he liked, he went into the dressing room and looked at himself in the mirror. The bags under his eyes were still there, but a lot less prominent. His cheeks were fuller and healthier. He was shocked how much good sleep and proper meals could do for your body. Once he changed into the suit and straightened his back, he imagined himself in the job interview. He’d introduce himself and sit down. Maybe they would ask questions about his previous job. What if they ask him about his strengths and weaknesses? Should he be honest and tell them he wasn’t the best being stress-resistant? Or would they think he was not capable of handling this job? His hands began to sweat and his heart throbbed behind the white shirt he was wearing underneath. He wouldn’t be surprised if the tie was bouncing because of his heartbeat.

“Jungkook-ah?” Namjoon’s voice pulled him out of the nightmare vision. He was back in the dressing room, staring at himself with widened eyes. “You doing okay in there?”

“Do you want to show us the suit?” Taehyung asked.

Carefully, Jungkook turned around and pushed the curtain away. He was staring at the ground, not ready to face them yet.

Namjoon made an impressed sounding remark and Taehyung grinned proudly, liking how well the suit fitted Jungkook’s body. He approached him and carefully adjusted the tie around Jungkook’s neck.

“You look good,” he said, noticing that Jungkook was anxiously chewing on his bottom lip while he avoided any eye contact. “I’d hire you immediately.”

“I’m not good at talking with strangers …” Jungkook mumbled. “What if I screw up? I’m … I’m nervous, hyung.”

“It’s totally normal to be nervous about an interview. It shows that this job means a lot to you,” Namjoon told him. “You’re diligent and polite, two very important social skills. I’m very sure they’ll like you when you’re honest and show your creative passion.”

“Thank you, hyung.” Jungkook blushed, looking to the side to see if anyone was watching them. Thankfully, they were the only ones in the shop right now and the employee was busy checking her phone behind the counter.

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, bun,” Taehyung said and held his hand. “No matter what happens, you’re still safe and not alone. Okay?”

Jungkook nodded. “Okay.” He looked up for the first time since he got out of the dressing room. Taehyung was still standing right in front of him and it was hard to not look at his lips.

He didn’t notice they were silently staring at each other until Namjoon commented: “Oh my God, stop swooning in front of me. Just kiss already!”

And they did. Taehyung laughed against Jungkook’s lips, but that didn’t made it any less amazing. When they parted, Taehyung turned to Namjoon and gave him a sly smirk.

“Jealous?” he teased. Meanwhile, Jungkook was significantly redder in his face. He looked over to Namjoon, lips still tingling from the kiss with Taehyung.

“Hyung …” he breathed. Taehyung gave him the last push he needed, quite literally. Jungkook stumbled into Namjoon’s arms, noticing that the other’s heart was racing as well.

“Hey there,” Namjoon said with a low chuckle and leaned down to kiss him as well. He was less impulsive and playful than Taehyung. Jungkook felt like his knees would give up every next second. Yeah, his feelings for those men had grown a lot over the past few days and he couldn’t deny that everything was exciting for him. He’d never had a mutual crush, six at the same time in particular. But it worked somehow. He couldn’t explain it to himself, but there was no need to since he could feel that it was right.

When Jungkook went home with a suit in his bag and got out of his clothes to put on his comfy sweatpants and hoodie, he let himself fall on his bed. His life really did a 180 within such a short time. He expected to be thrown out of his routines, but instead, he found stability he had always craved. The key really was the perfect gift for him. Whatever brought it to him, he was so thankful.

He turned to the side and spotted the key hanging down from the tiny shelf above his desk. The key had rusted even more. Almost no gold was visible at this point. His happiness was almost complete.

It felt like somebody had turned off gravity around him. His shoulders felt as light as never before, his mind clear and his heart full of satisfaction. Jungkook left the building with a big smile on his face. He got the job!

At first, the interview had been a bit bumpy at the beginning, but as soon as they entered an easy-going small talk, Jungkook noticed what it felt like to click with somebody else on a professional level. His new boss – he still couldn’t process it – had been very pleased with Jungkook’s CV and explanation why he wanted to look for another job. Jungkook had been honest about his craving for working in a more creative field and there was no question that had made Jungkook uncomfortable. The team was young and casual, not as typical hierarchical as his previous company. He was looking forward to start very soon.

“Kook-ah!” Jimin’s call surprised him. He turned around and saw the other running to him with open arms, ready to crush him with a hug.

“Hyung!” Jungkook embraced him with sparkling eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“Picking you up, of course!” Jimin grinned. “And when I look at your face, it seems like there’re good news, hm?”

Jungkook couldn’t stop his mouth from grinning. “I … I got the job, hyung!”

“Ah, I’m so proud of you!”

Their kiss was out of nowhere, on the spur of the moment. Jungkook just couldn’t find a better way to express how happy he was.

Jimin giggled. “Now, that was a surprise I didn’t expect but very much appreciate it.”

Jungkook laughed, euphoria giving any awkwardness no chance to enter the scene.

“Do you wanna have a cup of coffee on campus?” Jimin asked.

“Yes!”

The campus wasn’t that far away so it was no problem to walk the distance for the two of them. Jimin and Taehyung were both graduate students and Jungkook wondered if they had ever met each other unknowingly when he had been an undergraduate student until last year. Being back on campus felt quite nice and brought back some memories. Even though he’d never been the most social student, he still had some close friends. Unfortunately, they moved too far away and lost sight of each other or they barely had time to meet. Jungkook had to decline so many times that they had stopped asking him.

“If you want, Taehyung and I could come over during your lunch break sometimes,” Jimin said. “We’d be there in no time with our bicycles.”

“Sounds nice.” Jungkook nodded. It still felt unreal to have a new job. Now, he could finally give his current boss his dismissal notice and would be free from hell.

They entered the campus café and looked for an unoccupied table. After ordering two cups of coffee, they fell into comfortable chatter. Jimin talked about his studies and that he and Taehyung were already looking for a place to live once they’d graduate next year. As soon as they earned money as well, they could think about moving all together into a big house. It was a dream for all of them, but they knew it would take several years to reach that goal, especially when some of them still had to do their military service. It was the well-known endurance test of relationships in South Korea.

It was noon when Taehyung messaged them to tell them his class had ended. Jimin and Jungkook waited for him in front of the café.

“Jimin-ah! Jungkook-ah!” Taehyung shouted with a bright smile displayed on his face as soon as he spotted them. “Come on. The others are already waiting for you!”

“What?” Jungkook was surprised to hear that, Jimin less. He smirked at him and raised his phone in his hand.

“I might’ve told the others that you have some great news for them,” he said.

“They’re in the tree house. The keys are really rusty now,” Taehyung explained and pulled out his own key. “Since time flows a bit different there, we have more time together before they have to go back to work!”

Jungkook’s heart pounded against his chest. He knew what would make the keys break. With every kiss, there had been more rust. There was only one person left and the tree house would be inaccessible. On the one hand, it should make him happy since that meant he completed his journey of finding love and happiness. On the other hand, the key world had been a wonderful safe haven for all of them. It was the place that connected them.

“Jungkook-ah?” Jimin eyed him a bit worriedly. “What’s wrong?”

“Ah …” Jungkook smiled a bit sadly. “I think this will be our last visit there …”

“Oh …” Taehyung pouted.

“But this is something good, Kook-ah,” Jimin said and held both his and Taehyung’s hands. “Of course it’s sad to never see that place again, but that does only mean that our relationship has grown so much. It’s not dependent on such a place.”

Jungkook looked at him with hopeful eyes. “Are you sure, hyung? Even though I just came into your lives?”

“You were our last piece of the puzzle. We’re complete.” He pointed at his heart. “I can feel that.”

“Me too.” Taehyung smiled and grabbed Jungkook’s hand, completing the circle with their hands. “Let’s go. Hyungs are waiting for us.”

As soon as they found a wall with nobody watching them, Taehyung let the door appear and pushed the key into the lock. Jungkook took a deep breath. This was their last visit in the key world. He wanted to make it special.

“Hyungs!” Taehyung called. “Here we are!”

Hoseok and Yoongi looked around the corner with big smiles on their faces.

“Food’s almost ready,” Yoongi said.

“We’re making spicy chicken and ramyeon,” Hoseok adds. “Taehyung-ah, Jimin-ah, can you set the table, please?”

“Sure!” They got out of their shoes and entered the tree house. Jungkook closed the door behind him with a funny feeling inside his stomach. He was happy, but still a bit melancholic that this secret among them would fade away soon.

“Hey there, sweetheart.” Seokjin’s sudden presence startled him. He turned around and was gifted by Seokjin’s handsome face. “We’ve heard you got some good news for us, hm?” Namjoon was right behind him, smiling at Jungkook.

“Yeah.” Jungkook blushed, finding it a bit weird how proud he was of himself. “T-they gave me the contract, hyung. I-I just have to read it carefully and sign it.”

Seokjin’s grin was as bright as the midday sun. “Congrats, Jungkook!” He wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s slim waist and scooped him up. “We knew you can do it!” he proudly exclaimed, swirled him around before letting him down again.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do all this without you, hyung,” Jungkook tried to argue, but Namjoon raised his index finger to shush him.

“Nonsense. You went there all by yourself. You impressed them. No need to be humble now, little one,” he said.

Jungkook nodded sheepishly, feeling how Seokjin placed a kiss on his forehead. “Thanks, hyungs.”

“Lunch’s ready!” Yoongi shouted, interrupting their little chat. They all sat down at the dining table and drooled over the deliciously smelling food. Jungkook didn’t know where to start.

“For our Jungkookie,” Hoseok suddenly said and raised his glass of water. The others followed, bringing back the blush on Jungkook’s cheeks. They toasted all together and began to eat. Jungkook got so used to this atmosphere, listening to their small conversations and jokes with a permanent smile on his lips.

“The keys look ready to fall apart,” Namjoon said after they’d finish their lunch. He looked at Jungkook who gave him an affirmative nod.

“I think, this is the last time in this world,” he mumbled. Guilt spread through his body as a cold shudder. “Are you sad?”

“If that means that we’ve managed to pull you out of your miserable situation, then absolutely no,” Hoseok said. “Of course I will miss this world, but having you by our side is much more worthy than that.”

“Seok-ah’s right,” Yoongi added. “If this world disappears, then it’ll have its reasons.”

“It has done its duty.” Namjoon rubbed Jungkook’s back. “We found each other.”

Jungkook was fighting against the tears now, probably never getting used to hear such supportive and positive answers. He had really been at a very bad place, but not anymore. He started a new life with people who cared for him, who loved him.

“Hyung,” he muttered, gaining everyone’s attention. His eyes wandered around the table, resting on Hoseok in the end. “Could we … could we talk a bit? Alone?”

“Yes.” Hoseok stood up. “Of course.”

“We’ll stay here and wait,” Jimin said. “Take all the time you need.”

With that, Hoseok and Jungkook walked to the balcony and down the stairs until they reached the end of the gigantic trunk. They sat down on the grass under the shadow of a much smaller tree, leaning against each other.

“I’m a bit scared, hyung,” Jungkook began. “All these things happened so quickly that I feel overwhelmed sometimes. Not in a bad way, but it’s weird to experience so many good things lately.”

“I get it. This world here alone can be overwhelming. But after we just accepted its existence, it was much easier.”

“You mean, I shouldn’t think too much? Just go with the flow?”

“Well, that’s my way to deal with those things. Overthinking makes things a lot worse than they actually are. This place here is nothing but good, but we were still a bit intimidated by it, because we couldn’t understand how such a world existed. It was quite similar when I started to have feelings for the others.”

“Really?” Jungkook looked at him curiously, eager to know more about the men who had reached his heart in no time.

Hoseok nodded. “I can still remember how I was feeling really down at New Year’s Eve and used the key to escape reality for a few hours at least. Namjoon couldn’t be there because something had happened at home in Ilsan. I cried like a lovesick teenager until I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up, Yoongi was there with a bag full of food and drinks. That’s when I fell for him,” he chuckled. “He didn’t really say anything, but his actions were enough to tell me everything. He just listened and held my hand and that was everything I needed in that moment. Things got even more complicated because of that, since I had been already crushing on Namjoon for a few months by then. We pined so awkwardly and Seokjin gave me the rest when he suddenly asked me out for a date. I was literally in gay panic.”

Jungkook laughed at that, understanding that feeling only too well now.

“In the end, the four of us had already developed feelings for each other, but none of us wanted to do the next step. It was Jimin and Taehyung to finally kick our asses. They joined us almost simultaneously,” Hoseok continued with an amused expression on his lips. “They told us bluntly how we were obviously liking each other as more than friends. That’s what did the trick. After that, we began to be more open with our feelings. We talked about how this might change things until we realised that nothing really has to change. We already cared so much about each other that it was merely a physical barrier that kept us from entering a romantic relationship.”

Jungkook nodded. Sometimes, friendship could be so close and intense that only the lack of physical intimacy would make the difference.

“But in the end, you figured it out,” he said.

“Yeah. It was a bit difficult to get used to all this, but we knew it was the right decision. We just rolled with it and began to embrace this kind of relationship without thinking too much. Our heart decided, not our heads.”

“That’s more difficult than it sounds,” Jungkook admitted and pulled his knees up so he could wrap his arms around his legs and rest his chin on top of them. Hoseok laughed fondly and caressed Jungkook’s hair.

“It is. But honestly, this was the best decision in my life. Meeting you,” Hoseok looked at him, “all six of you.”

“Why do you like me?” Jungkook wanted to know if Hoseok was feeling the same like he did. He needed to make sure he wasn’t the only one.

“You’re kind, sweet, hard-working, handsome and cute at the same time,” Hoseok said with a bit of a teasing tone at the end, “but something inside of me that I can’t explain wants me to be more than a friend or hyung to you. It’s like a magnet that pulls us all together.” He shook his head. “I would overthink this feeling. My heart decided to fall for you.”

“So you … go with the flow?”

Hoseok smirked. “Yep. I accept this feeling because it makes me happy.”

Jungkook chewed on his lip. It perfectly fitted the image inside his head. The seven of them had so many different personalities, but that was what made them stick together. Positive and negative, like a magnet.

“I really want to embrace all this without worrying too much,” Jungkook said and turned his head towards Hoseok. “Can you help me with that, hyung?”

“Of course, bun.” He pushed one of Jungkook’s long strands behind his ear, subsequently cupping his face after that. “I’m always there for you.”

When their lips met, Jungkook cried silently. He wasn’t sad anymore about leaving this world. It was the people who shaped the meaning of this place and he would stay with them.

The keys crumbled to dust and when the two of them returned to the others hand in hand, they were ready to leave this place behind. They thanked this world for bringing them together and opened the door a last time. Jungkook was the last one, hesitating to walk through the door for a moment. However, when he looked at the others, holding onto each other, his heart felt at peace. He squeezed Hoseok’s hand and left the key world. The door fell shut and disappeared behind them.

They had each other now. Jungkook was happy.

END