She was even more insufferable than Jungkook remembered.

Jungkook rolled his eyes as he got the water. She specifically asked for two ice cubes. No more, no less. Lemon on the side. Two straws in case she broke the first one. On any other day, Jungkook would find the requests weird but nothing bothersome. But this was Yejun's sister. There was something about her sister that made Jungkook want to vomit.

"Did she ask for a freshly polished butter knife?" Yejun asked from Jungkook's side, her accent thicker than normal.

"Oh God, is she going to? Is she that specific?"

Yejun shrugged, Jungkook grumbling curses to himself before hoisting the tray up. It had the woman's two-iced water with an extra straw and a lemon on the side. Yeah, Jungkook figured it out: he wasn't getting paid enough for this shit.

Without so much as bidding Yejun goodbye, Jungkook strolled through the doors and forced his smile on his face. The woman who looked identical to Yejun was in the corner booth, staring out the window as if she were a protagonist in an anime. It made his stomach twist and jump inside him.

Regardless, he placed the tray on the table and handed her the water. Both straws got placed next to the glass, and the little side dish with the lemon squeezed its way to the corner. Jungkook tucked the tray under his arm and prepared to get out his trusty notepad, but the woman held up her hand.

"June, you've always been a doll," she said.

"Seojun, you haven't."

She chuckled. "Always so funny. I don't need food right now. I could use your number, though." Jungkook leaned back on his feet and pretended he wasn't gagging. "Come on, how's a pretty boy like you still single?" She ran his hand up his arm, feeling his bicep. "And muscular too. You hit the gym often?"

"I wish I could hit you," Yejun's voice said from behind him. She grabbed her sister's hand and forced it off. "That's harassment. You touch June again and I'll shove one of those stupid straws so far down your throat you'll taste your own stomach acid."

Seojun tilted her head. "Have you always been this... vivid?"

"Have you always been this irritating?"

"That's a big word for you. Your English is getting better." Seojun clicked her tongue. "That accent needs work though."

Jungkook took Yejun's hand and saved her from that horrible situation. They retreated to the kitchen, right by the machines. Yejun resorted to cursing in Korean since she didn't know the English versions of the words. Jungkook pressed his side against the counter and waited for her to calm down. Her hyperventilating slowed to a stop, but tears still burned at her eyes.

"I don't get it," she said, Jungkook barely understanding her through her chokes and sniffles. "She's always had everything. Mommy and daddy always gave her all their money while their younger child suffered with the leftovers, if you can even call them that. They compared me to her every day." Yejun halted herself, rubbing her temple with her index fingers. "Maybe they were right."

"Why would they be right?"

"She's the one wearing the fancy business suit while I'm..." Yejun paused to motion to the kitchen. "Here. In a vintage diner that probably didn't pass its last health inspection."

"Hey, come on, we passed the health inspection. It's the rats you have to worry about," Jungkook said. Yejun glared. Then, she chuckled. It turned into a laugh, him smiling at her amusement.

"Dammit Park, you know how to make me laugh."

"And I give warm hugs?" he said, but it was more like an offer. He extended his arms, and she rolled her eyes but gave in. Her body pressed against his. Her heat seeped through him as they embraced, him sighing and shutting his eyes.

"No one gets it, June," she mumbled, gripping his shirt with her pale hands. "It's like I don't have an identity. My entire identity revolves around the people my parents and sister compare me to. I'm not Yejun, I'm the weaker version of Seojun, or the weaker version of my mom, or the weaker version of the neighbor's daughter who has a perfect GPA for some fucking reason."

"Who taught you that word?"

"You, Park," she said with a snicker, peeking up at him with moisture coating her face. "For once, I just want someone to love me for who I am. For Yejun, not for who they want Yejun to be."

"Hey," he said, dropping his tone to a whisper. His hand went to her face, and he brushed her tears away with the pads of his calloused thumbs. "I care about you because you're Yejun. You don't have to be anyone else. You're enough."

"Then why doesn't it feel like it?"

Before Jungkook could answer, she backed away and wiped away the rest of her tears. She went back to pretending it didn't happen, securing her thick hair in a ponytail and tilting her head at him. She motioned to his hands.

"Guitar?"

"That and martial arts. Calluses give it away?" he asked.

"A little. You didn't take me as someone who likes instruments."

"Believe it or not, my life doesn't revolve around this diner."

She managed to laugh, grabbing her notepad and shoving it in her back pocket. Yejun came over and gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Thank you. I... really appreciate it."

"Anything for my partner in crime."

Jungkook watched her go. He watched until he was sure she made it to her table safely. After, he took out his own notepad and checked to see if he had any new orders. None. He didn't forget anything. However, before he could move, he felt eyes on him. Jungkook wasn't sure if it was his spider sense or just basic human paranoia. His gaze shifted to the chefs, who were making hearts with their hands and puckering their lips in kissing motions. Jungkook flipped them off.

"Fuck off."

And then, the rest of the shift went surprisingly smoothly.

~~~

"Park June."

Jungkook slowed his motions. He was finishing up his work duties. Night shift was already here, meaning Jungkook could leave and pretend this diner didn't exist. A customer stopped him. That voice he heard, it interrupted his cleaning, but in the best way possible. When Jungkook turned, he saw Min Yoongi standing there.

"Min Yoongi. Came crawling back already?" Jungkook asked, throwing the rag he was using over his shoulder.

"We agreed to meet up after your shift."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

Jungkook snickered and grinned. "Give me a second to finish my chores. My last table already left, just gotta do this." Yoongi stood off to the side and let Jungkook do his thing. He went back and forth between the tables, cleaning anything that was open and whistling while doing so. That was one thing Jungkook missed: singing. Back in college, he did it in his free time to blow off steam. Nowadays, guitar was his escape. Well, that and punching criminals in the face.

By the time he was done, Yoongi somehow managed to get himself a coffee and sit down. Jungkook stared with his mouth agape, holding the rag in his hands. Yoongi took a sip from it while keeping his eyes on Jungkook the entire time.

"I just cleaned that table," Jungkook said.

Yoongi downed the rest of the coffee and got up. "I'd love to watch you clean it again."

"Funny." Jungkook wiped down the table one more time, taking the empty mug from Yoongi and cleaning it. After, he tossed his rag into one of the buckets and said goodnight to the chefs. They replied by making kissy noises. Jungkook ignored them.

Yejun was already gone for the night. He volunteered to close out their morning shift since she had such a long day. It was the least he could do. He understood all too well that some parents really didn't care about their children. They pretended to, or even worse, manipulated the kids into thinking they were loved and cared for. At the end of the day, the parents would show their true colors. They'd show they were selfish. They didn't view the kids as kids, rather as property they could control.

Jungkook froze while holding his backpack. It was the same one he had used during college. It was a risk to keep it, but back then, he didn't have the money to buy a new one. To a certain extent, he didn't have the money now, either.

Unfortunately, it brought back memories he didn't want. His grip tightened on the strap until he stuck to it, his eyes wavering in and out of focus. He could see it in his mind's eye. The needle his mother held while injecting herself with a drug Jungkook wished he'd never have to see again. She didn't care about him all those years, did she? She was an addict. She let him see-

"June," Yoongi's voice said, the kitchen doors swinging as he stepped through them. "I hate to rush you, but I don't have much time. My friend wants to meet and talk."

"Do I get to meet this friend?"

Yoongi fell quiet. "Do you want to?"

"Why not? I don't got anything to do for a while."

Yoongi agreed, and surprisingly, he helped Jungkook clean up what was left. All he had to do was clock out and put the rags away, but he appreciated Yoongi's help nonetheless. After he was done clocking out and hoisting his bag over his shoulder, Yoongi led him outside. They left their cars at the diner, opting to walk to their next location.

It was a nice night. It was more like evening, but the setting sun was covered by clouds. Iridescent rays of golden light struck the sky, painting Jungkook's dark irises in a sea of warmth. Much to Jungkook's awe, Yoongi's pale skin was glowing during the golden hour.

"My friend is a bit of a nerd," Yoongi said, breaking their silence as he motioned to the museum up ahead. "This is where he wants to meet us."

"What's wrong with nerds?"

"Oh good lord," Yoongi replied, groaning. "You're not a nerd too, are you?"

"Who knows, I was suicidal enough to go to college in New York. Does that make me a nerd?"

"College? You?"

Jungkook glanced at the museum, the glass windows showing the inside. It was a beautiful building, almost shaped like an average apartment building. It was boxy with wooden floors and bright lights shimmering on the art. Yet somehow, it wasn't as gorgeous as his old college. As much as bad memories plagued his mind from those days, he had to admire the beauty. Especially the art county. The county where he confessed to Aviva and Angelina that he was a superhero.

"Believe it or not, yeah," Jungkook said, forcing a smile. "I dropped out pretty early on. Don't get too excited, yeah?"

Yoongi snickered and agreed, taking Jungkook inside in time for him to point to a man in the corner of the room. The crowd parted as if Yoongi commanded it, and Jungkook got a perfect view of Yoongi's friend.

Holy shit, those thighs.

Jungkook's jaw dropped as he stared at the giant man. He was more muscular than even Jungkook, glasses on his face as he held a brochure in his hands. He had long, dark hair that draped down his face, shaping his high cheekbones and dragon-like eyes. Jungkook did a double-take. Even though the man was wearing dress pants and a turtleneck, Jungkook could see the muscles pressing against the fabric of his clothes.

"Kim Namjoon," Yoongi said, loudly enough that the man noticed.

Namjoon came over, glancing at Jungkook. Jungkook tried not to faint under the intense gaze. "You brought a friend?"

"Park June," Yoongi said, Jungkook too shocked to speak for himself. Instead, he nodded, gulping and praying his ears weren't turning pink. "We should head out now. Go to a pub and get wasted." Jungkook sighed, but he found the strength to speak.

"That's the smartest thing you've ever said."

~~~

By beer number four, Jungkook was having a blast.

Somehow, Namjoon and Jungkook convinced Yoongi to get on the mechanical bull. Yoongi was a man who didn't show his emotions much. He wasn't emotionless or cold, he was just less expressive than others, which Jungkook admired. However, when drunk, this man turned into a radiant ball of sunshine. Yoongi was laughing as the bull kicked his ass, throwing him to the ground until he rolled on his back with his legs in the air.

"Nice to see he's having fun," Namjoon said, snorting and downing more of his bottle. He pressed it on top of the wooden bar, leaning back in the squeaky stool. Thanks to Jungkook's senses, he was able to hear each movement the stool made. Otherwise, the country music would have drowned it out.

There were drunk people all around him, slamming into each other and either fighting, making out, or laughing. It was therapeutic. Jungkook couldn't remember the last time he had a good night like this. Well, actually, he could. Back when he played truth or dare with his friends. Back in the lab during his college years. Back when he had Jimin.

Back when he had Aviva.

"Uh oh," Namjoon said in a slur, reaching over and nudging Jungkook's side. "I see a frown. Are you hanging out with Yoongi too much?"

Jungkook scoffed and playfully rolled his eyes. "Hell no. I'm not wrinkling my gorgeous skin with frown lines." Namjoon grinned, his dimples flashing. It made Jungkook swoon.

"Good. Both of you need to have a good time."

"Both of us?"

"Yeah, Yoongi's been more depressed than normal."

"You and him go way back?" Jungkook asked, but it was more of a statement. He leaned back and hit the bar top, the bartender rushing over and refilling his glass. The other customers got upset that Jungkook got favoritism, but Jungkook brushed it off. The bar was full of life. Chaotic life, but life nonetheless. There were flashing lights and wooden floors, people dancing near the mechanical bull that Yoongi was still at. The bull threw him off again, Yoongi laughing hard enough for tears to come out.

"I've known him my whole life. I met him back when we lived in Korea, and we moved here together to live out the rest of our days," Namjoon said, yawning after. "We're traveling together. Came from New York, now we're making our way down the East Coast. You're looking at a newly retired professor."

"Retired? You look no older than 26."

"28, but thanks," Namjoon said, snickering. "Yoongi's been down in the dumps. A few years ago, he got all upset for some reason. He hasn't been the same since. He's barely talked to me, so imagine my surprise when he decided to go on a journey with me. Something about wanting to discover who he was."

"I'm glad he's having fun now."

"Me too. And, for what it's worth, I'm glad you are too." At Jungkook's eyebrow raise, Namjoon waved the air. "You seem lonely."

"Dammit," Jungkook mumbled. "Yoongi warned me you're a nerd."

"I'm proud of that reputation," Namjoon replied, taking a swig from his bottle and smacking his lips afterwards. "I might pass out soon."

"You and me both." Jungkook brushed his fingers over the phone in his pocket, him eyeing the back of the pub. "I'll be back. Bathroom."

"Don't fall in."

"Don't tempt me." Jungkook stood and heard Namjoon's laughter as he strolled away. He went straight back to the bathroom, slipping inside and locking the door. It was a private, one-stall bathroom, Jungkook glancing around.

Yeah. It was a country-themed bathroom.

The floors were wooden, as were the walls and ceiling. The mirror had a wooden frame that looked like the swinging doors to a saloon back in the old west. There was a deer skull mounted on the wall, Jungkook pressing his body under it. He glanced up at it as he took his phone out of his pocket, dialing the familiar number and placing the device against his ear. As always, it went to voicemail.

"Hey honey, I'm sorry I'm calling later than normal," Jungkook said, glancing at the tiny window wedged between the top of the wall and the ceiling. It was an emergency exit, but thanks to Jungkook's abilities, he could look out it if he wanted. That was what he did. He climbed up and stuck there, gazing at the wilderness. There was a grassy outside, some trees too. There was one man out there with a cowboy hat on, him wobbling as he entered the pub again.

"I made new friends, can you believe it? One of them has thighs that give me a run for my money. But you'd still choose my thighs over his, right? Right?" Jungkook chuckled to himself, leaning so his head was against the wall. "I might miss out on being Spiderman tonight. I think I'm a bit drunk. Just a bit. Probably not a good idea to fight crime while drunk."

Jungkook fell quiet for a beat, biting his lower lip. "There's a conspiracy, Avi. I saw something, a portal of some kind. I think someone saw my face, too. I've been trying not to think about it, but how can I ignore this? What if someone comes after me, or threatens to expose my identity? I got lucky last time. Faking my death was easy, everyone wanted me dead anyway. It won't work that way this time. I used up all my luck." Jungkook broke off and choked on his burning tears, him swirling his tongue around his two fang-like teeth before he opened his mouth again. "Do you think I'll have to kill him? The man who saw me?"

There was no answer. There never was. Not that it mattered since Jungkook got pulled out of his thoughts. Yoongi stepped outside and threw up in the grass, coughing and gagging. On instinct, Jungkook opened the window and prepared himself to jump outside to help. He didn't get that far. Mere seconds after Yoongi threw up, he grabbed his phone and dialed a number. Jungkook was frozen, watching as Yoongi paced back and forth and ran a hand through his hair.

"Yeah. Tomorrow. Meet me there. Do you know a man named Jung Hoseok?" Yoongi asked. There were a few beats of silence. "Find him. He could be the key to all of this. Don't make me ask again, do you understand?" More silence. "Good." Yoongi hung up and went toward the nearest tree to throw up again. This time, Jungkook did leave the bathroom and pitter-patter his way to Yoongi.

"I have to go, princess," he whispered as he approached. "Have a nice night, okay? You deserve it." Yoongi was still coughing and clutching the grass, Jungkook kneeling behind him.

"There there, bud," Jungkook said, patting Yoongi's back. The man flipped Jungkook off, Jungkook chuckling at the sight. He rubbed Yoongi's back and helped him through it, but Jungkook knit his brows together. He stared at Yoongi's pocket, where his phone was peeking out of the fabric of his pants.

Who the hell was Jung Hoseok, and why did Jungkook have a bad feeling about him?