"What is taking him so long" the floor board squeaked underneath my aggressively tapping foot as I let out resentful groans while not-so-patiently awaiting a certain someone's arrival for almost half an hour now. The typical floral apron tied around my waist adorned crease lines from my unremitting gestures and the watch sitting rigidly on my wrist pointed to a '6', indicating not much time was left till dinner.

The night was set up for a fun get together. The Kim Mafia that had a total reincarnation after last year's incident with new employees replacing the previous ones to avoid further treachery, happened to land its very first client this week and the random sleepover we were currently preparing for was a mere embodiment of the diligence the crew had put forward to make it happen. A Thai Chao-Pho had come forward with a fair deal of weaponry exchange and the amount they offered for our exclusive ammunition was quite the sum. If seen from a just perspective, the righteousness of the entire scenario was bare minimum but after appa, it was my responsibility to make sure our workers didn't sleep on an empty stomach and for that I needed the bills. The resolutions the Thai gang held against the weapons were most likely to be vicious and offensive but the upbringing of my gang required some cold hard cash and the best way to collect those was to trace the already trod path, well, may not be the best way but it was still the easiest.

The team worked the field with utter dedication, even if they were risking their lives by being in a mafia. All of them, just like me, had their own stories, their own reasons that forced them into such a dangerous life but now that this was their job, none of the members ever hesitated to endorse their commitments to it. It was suffocating though how felonious our virtues were, that we fed on illegal money but till we found a better way of living, we had to survive with what we already had. However, there were times when we tried to bargain with our eternal remorse for even a tiny glimpse of mundane happiness if possible. And the paintball war was one such excuse against the thriller/slasher life of ours.

As per the rules of the game, Jungkook, Yoongi and myself were remunerated with kitchen duties for losing the color battle with such zeal while the winning team that contained Taehyung and Jimin had the privilege of picking a movie for the night stay.

The punishment that was accepted halfheartedly was equally distributed among the three of us. However, much to our dismay, the older male that once left with the purpose of a quick shower, never returned. The three of us had parted ways with the very intentions of wiping ourselves off the colors but even though Jungkook and I had reached our designated work field shortly after, Min Yoongi was no where to be seen.

A rattled howl rolled out my throat at the damn nerve of the brother of mine. That traitor, how dare he bails on the team like that, leaving all the cooking to us two?

Gurgling rage invaded my veins making me take a step forward to go and confront the perpetrator but a firm hand being placed on my shoulder hindered me from strolling away any further. Twirling sharply on my toes I turned around only for my eyes to lock on the doe ones of Jeon Jungkook.

The man who had been lazily plopped on one of the dining chairs was now standing face to face with me, innocence peering through his soft gaze while a small smile hung loosely from his thin lips.

"It's okay Y/N, let him be. I am sure if we help each other, we can nail this..."

~

A monotonous screech rang through the space as the oven timer went off proclaiming the muffins' coming to fruition. I grabbed my mitten from its hanger and rolling the fabric on my outstretched palms I headed to the oven. An aroma of sweet triumph filled up the kitchen as the dessert came out looking as luscious as anticipated.

Been asked two months ago, I'd have never accepted on befriending a police officer but the moment that currently seized me within its comforting arms twisted my mind to look the other way. Initially all I wanted was to pour down my pent up rage on this man named Jeon Jungkook. I was at a point where I hated my existence and desired for nothing more than a puppet to pass all my pains on. And Jungkook happened to stumble upon at the exact time.

I only saw him as my first victim, my very own ticket to the world of crime. I wanted to hurt him, torment him, badly brutalize him, only to show to the world that I can be vicious too. I wanted him to be my scapegoat using whom I'd gain access to the homicidal community I was born in, the very community that I despised. But, looking at him I couldn't go through with my plans. His eyes held a passion that mine once did and the fire in his gaze left me defeated in my own game. And I couldn't be more grateful.

The way Jungkook listened, the way he made genuine efforts to make us smile, the way he promised to provide his support, I didn't know what exactly I felt for him but one thing I knew for certain, I had started respecting him with all authenticity.

And now that he had showcased his culinary talents as well, I was beyond impressed.

Separating a small piece from one of the muffins I tossed the baked good in my mouth, pure bliss engulfing me within the first bite. The soft sponge melted into my mouth like a thin cloud under one's hot touch and the blast of flavors that followed suit plunged me into a heavenly euphoria. The muffins came out perfect under Jungkook's precise supervision and I couldn't wait to let him know the same.

Detaching another piece from the same cake I walked up to the said man. Jungkook had his gaze fastened on the pan in front of him as he caramelized the pork bits with utter dedication. A big bowl of fried noodles sat beside on the counter top waiting to be garnished with the succulent gravy he was preparing.

However, unlike usual, my foodie brain was for once, not swooning over the inviting odors. Instead it kept on stealing glances at the man responsible, the flexing muscles of his arm, the sweats trickling past his slightly exposed collar bone, the messed up bangs stuck to his forehead. Everything about him looked devouring and I couldn't help but fan-girl over his virtues, to the point where I managed spook my own ass.

"Hey, try this"

I managed to break free from my tantalizing considerations and waited for him to collect the piece from my hand but instead he just stared at me and opened his mouth wide.

Wha- , does he want me to feed him?

My breath staggered with an inaudible hitch and I momentarily froze in my spot. It was already agonizing how my sultry thoughts kept pricking at my sanity while I was completely alone with Jungkook in this massive dining space but his oblivious self demanding augmented closeness did nothing to make things easier. It was so tiring to keep my eyes sealed to his face when all they wanted was to wander down, envious of the trickling sweat drops that had concessions to slip under his over sized shirt and discover foreign lands otherwise restricted.

With hesitant steps I reached Jungkook. I placed the food in his mouth with sheer control, trying my best to not let my digits stray to any forbidden domain but a gasp flickered in my throat when he hurriedly closed his mouth around the cake, making my fingers marginally grazing his lips in the process.

I quickly pulled my hand back, somewhat relieved that a nonchalant Jungkook had already returned to his previous task while munching on the pastry. Unlike the emotion explosion happening in my brain, Jungkook was rather calm, clearly the unexpected skin ship meant nothing to him. But, even though a part of me was glad that he didn't catch a glimpse of my fraudulent intentions, there was also a part that hollered in arrant silence, wondering if Jungkook really felt nothing.

"The muffin tastes delicious, good job Y/N" nodding giddily to Jungkook's exclamation I swatted my dilemma off, quickly masking my turmoil into secrecy and walked over to the grill where I was previously stationed. The chicken pieces seemed perfectly barbecued from one side so I grabbed a pair of tongs and started flipping them around one by one.

However, though the indifference on my face seemed almost real, the intense sentiments escalating within me screwed my mind and like any other cliché, I got distracted thereby burning my hand in the act.

Instead of walking around the grill, I foolishly tried reaching out for a distant piece by bending over the surface but silly me had to slip out of balance. And in a further stupid attempt to save myself from falling face first on the floor, I instinctively grabbed a hold of the burning grill. An involuntary shriek peered through my throat when the burning ridges impaled my skin and I pulled away shaking my palm violently to ease the burning sensation. Tears threatened to roller down my cheeks at the sight of the bright red blemish now gaining prominence against my pale palm.

"Hey, are you okay? What happened?" hurried foot steps came my way and closed shut my eyes to prevent my tears from falling. I was a person who'd rather hide their pain than being vulnerable in front of others and hence I was angry at myself for letting the painful groan sneak out in the first place. But that being done now, I tried with all my might to stash the pain that was nimbly growing against my skin.

"What did you do Y/N? Can't you be more careful?" Jungkook captured my palm in his bringing my wound to his close scrutiny. Concern was smeared all over his actions and even though it made me feel valued, I knew he was doing these out of mere modesty and I scolded my heart for even wanting to believe other wise.

Eventually I tried pulling my hand out of his grip only for his fingers to wrap firmer around my wrist. At this point, dealing with my disobedient heart had become immensely bothersome and all I could do was crack a sheepish smile.

"Uh, its okay Jungkook, I'm not hurt, really..." though I thought I sounded convincing, when I looked up to meet his gaze, the air was sucked out of my lungs. Jungkook gawked down at me with enraged eyes, as if he was angry at me for hurting myself. Why though?

"Can't you be more careful Y/N?" he repeated his question, only with a softer vigor this time and I found myself short of replies. Luckily, Jungkook didn't wait for one either. Bringing my palm closer to his mouth he started blowing cold air to my wound while I stared deeply into his flawless face, the pain long forgotten. The porcelain skin on his face glowering under the bright light, the small scar on his cheek contaminating his perfection and a tiny freckle proudly resting under his lips. Was Jungkook the only one with such breath-taking good looks or was I blind to everyone's beauty but his.

After being done with the blowing he commanded me to not move an inch while he went upstairs to fetch the first aid kit.

"I didn't foresee being your personal nurse when I came here, you know" Jungkook chuckled making me giggle at my own stupid ass that keeps getting into trouble.

"Well, the first time was your fault. If not for me you'd have been six feet under the ground already"

"True, but try not to smack me this time when I apply the medicine, okay?" a playful scoff left my mouth followed by a naughty snigger.

"Can't promise..."

_____________________________

To Be Continued...