Author's Welcome

This story is for you if you enjoy a slow burn with humorous sexual tension, and lots of smut afterwards! Pairing is Jumin x Zen from Mystic Messenger.

I started with Zen's POV, but now it's basically half and half between Zen and Jumin :)

Rated Mature for:
-Language
-Sexual Intimacy
-Future light bondage

As this is a current WIP, chapters will come out as I have time to write them, but I am currently averaging about one new chapter a week. Your comments and kudos really help encourage me greatly though xD Especially as this is the first fanfic I have ever shared!

Legal note:
The characters and this world are not mine, and belong to the magic that is the Mystic Messenger.

Penthouse Living

Chapter 1

Zen's POV

"Achoo!" I sneeze the second I enter Jumin's home. "This is definitely not going to work. Do you know how puffy my face is going to get?!"

"Calm down, Zen. You're acting like a child." Even though I haven't seen Jumin in person since the last RFA party, I recognize his cold, robotic tone instantly. He waves for his security team to leave, and I jump as the door loudly clicks shut behind me.

I scowl at him, angry about this situation already. I'm not happy to be here, but I trust V and Seven's judgment. If they think that my home is unsafe due to that stalker, and that my life is in danger, then the safest place for me probably is here at Jumin's. I would rather stay with Seven in his fortress, but there was something about not wanting me to meet his maid…? I guess it doesn't matter now, I'm already at Jumin's. I walk inside, lugging my packed suitcase with me. I have no idea how long I will need to stay, so I came prepared.

I look around the condo, it being my first time here. The place is huge, with high ceilings and a wall of windows that look out over the city. Everything contained in the open floor plan is luxurious looking. I feel as if I could feed myself for a month on the money I'd make selling his kitchen bar stool.

Jumin Han, the rich trust-fund-kid that he is, stands smugly in the center of the room in a full business suit. His black eyes regard me with an uncharacteristic curiosity. The look gives me goosebumps.

My gaze finally lands on a white fur ball moving slowly towards me. The cat!

"Meow~"

"Aww, how sweet. Elizabeth the 3rd is coming to greet you, Zen." Jumin's voice is tender with affection.

"Achoo!" I sneeze again, stronger this time. My eyes begin to itch and my breathing gets tight. "Keep her away!"

"Don't worry, I anticipated you being obstinate about my Elizabeth even after you agreed to come here," he says with a sigh as he walks over to the counter.

There, with his back to me, I can see him fiddling with a small, gray case. As he turns to face me, I see a good-sized syringe in his hand. My eyes go wide and the hair on the back of my neck stands up.

"What the hell is that?!" I yell, backing away. I trip on a rug and stumble into an armchair.

"It's allergy medication. I contacted a world-renowned immunologist and asked for the strongest allergy medication that he thought you could safely take." He raised a quizzical brow. "What did you think it was?"

My brows furrow as I consider his words. That was actually… nice of him. "Fine," I submit. "Bring it over here."

"Would you like me to…?" His question trails off as he aims the syringe at my arm. The needle looks even bigger up close.

I close my eyes and grimace. Finally, I grit my teeth and give a nod. Jumin rolls my sleeve up, his cold hands making me shiver. Then there's a sharp pinch. Coolness slowly spreads through my arm from the place where the needle broke my skin. I feel the needle slide out, and Jumin puts pressure on my arm. I look down to see him holding a small piece of medical cloth against my bicep.

"Oh, don't worry about that," I laugh. When he looks at me confused, I move his hand away and flex my arm. "See? All better."

"I don't understand. That was a very large needle."

He reaches up and gently runs his fingers along my upper arm. It pleasantly tickles, and the skin to skin contact is gratifying. I've forgotten how nice it is to be with someone. I notice my heart rate increasing and pull away.

"Yeah, well, I've told you I heal quickly."

Jumin regards me for a moment, his expression somewhat pleased.

"What?" I snap.

"Oh, nothing," he replies with an even tone. He stands and walks over to pick up the cat. "Zen. To make you aware, that medication is supposed to make you very drowsy. However, the doctor said that the more often you take it, the better your body will become at processing it, and it will not continue to have that effect."

"Okay, that's fine I guess." I sigh and throw my arm over the back of the chair. "So, where am I sleeping anyway?"

Jumin looks up from the cat and makes eye contact with me. His eyes seem relaxed, as usual, but I see his lips twitch up into a smirk. I blink and his mouth is set back into its familiar line.

"Well, you have a few options. Option one, the couch." He motions with his available arm to the couch next to me.

I get up and move to it, plopping down. As soon as I land, I know that I will have a hard time sleeping here. The couch is not only leather but there is barely any cushion. "Okay, what's option two?"

"There is an extra bedroom. Follow me."

Why wouldn't that be the first option? I wonder with an eye roll as I trail behind him down the hallway. My mental question is answered as soon as I walk through the door. While there is a bed in this room, that is the only thing that makes it reminiscent of a guest bedroom. My eyes dart around in horror. Cat climbing towers are in every corner, cat toys litter the floor, and the walls are covered in giant photos and paintings of Elizabeth.

"What… what is this?" I choke out. It looks like a fucking shrine to his cat. I feel my nose start to twitch and I sneeze into my arm. "Achoo!"

I turn to look at him. He kisses Elizabeth's head and gently sets her down. I watch as she prances around the room and jumps up onto the bed. There she settles in and curls up.

"It used to be a guest room, but I never had any guests. Elizabeth always likes to come and nap in here, to get away from stress. It only made sense that I dedicate this room to her." His tone is serious but I look at him like he just told a bad joke. He continues, not seeming to notice, "In any case, this is option number two."

"Umm, I can't sleep in here," I scoff, stifling another sneeze. "It's covered in cat hair."

"Yes, even with the medication, it is probably not wise to over expose yourself."

"So, is there an option three?"

"Of course," he says as he turns back the way we came. We walk up to the large bed that was in the main room. "The third option is probably your best option."

I pause, then look from the bed, to Jumin, and back again. "Isn't this your bed?"

"Yes."

I feel my cheeks heat and anger rise within me. Is he seriously messing with me right now?! I try to give him the benefit of the doubt. My voice is strained as I ask, "Will you be sleeping elsewhere? Or staying up all night working or something?"

"No. Don't worry, there is plenty of room for both of us." His answer was brisk, his tone giving nothing away.

"Are you kidding me?!" I clench my fists and glower at him. "This was your plan for the night? To have me SLEEP WITH YOU?!" I feel my lower eyelid twitch as the revelation of my own words hits me.

"Plan?" His voice was light, almost teasing. "You coming here was decided very suddenly. I didn't have time to plan for sleeping arrangements."

"You had time to get me special allergy medication!" I scream in retort.

"Yes, and that was all I had time for." His tone was flippant. "I'm sorry that I prioritized your health and well-being over your pampered sleeping preferences."

I grit my teeth, "Pampered? I'm pampered? Have you ever even looked at yourself in the mirror?" I feel my head begin to spin with rage.

"Obviously. What a silly thing to ask," he responds. His voice is its typical smooth tenor, "But, of course, we all know you like to look at yourself in the mirror every chance you get."

"You know what, Jumin!? You can just shove it!" I yell in exasperation, turning to leave. This was such a bad idea. There is no way I can stay here with this jerk! Not even for one night.

"What would you like me to shove?" Jumin asks, a hint of playful curiosity to his tone. "And where would you like me to shove it?"

I freeze mid step. Dumbfounded, I turn to look over my shoulder at Jumin. Did he really just…? No. I quickly shake my head and swing open the door.

On either side of the hall stands a large bodyguard. Both turn to look at me with cool glares.

The bodyguard on the left touches his ear, then says, "I'm sorry, sir. We can not allow you to leave at this time. Please remain indoors until we can ensure your stalker is not nearby."

"Zen." Jumin's cool voice resonates at my side, making me jump. "For your safety, I must insist you stay here."

Grinding my teeth, I slam the door. Stalking back inside, I take a seat on the stiff armchair, sliding into it and crossing my arms like a petulant child.

"Zen," Jumin says again, approaching the couch beside me but declining to sit. "I do not understand why you are reacting this way."

"Seriously?" I snap.

"Seriously. I am going out of my way to accommodate you, and-"

I scoff, standing and getting in Jumin's face. "Accommodate me?! You want me to sleep with you! Did you really think I'd be okay with that?" As I yell my protests, my mind begins to swirl. Shit, I must have stood up too fast.

As I got my bearings, I realized Jumin was surprisingly quiet. I tried to focus my eyes on his, but his gaze was slowly moving across my face.

"What? Nothing to say to that?" I bite my words out, the swirling in my head turning into more of a pressure. What the hell is going on? I think as I force my eyes closed. Is this the medicine kicking in?

"Ah, um," he mumbles as he clears his throat and steps back. "I apologize. I, um. I had never seen your face so close up before. You… you really are quite stunning."

My eyes shoot open. Confusion muddles my already jumbled brain. Did I just imagine that? My gaze rakes across Jumin, who is standing timidly, so contrary to his usual posture. One arm rests across his chest, the other hides his mouth behind his fist.

"Of course I am," I mumble, not sure what else to say. Then I feel myself stumble. Reflexively, I reach out to Jumin to stabilize myself.

"Zen?" Startled concern colors his voice. "Do you need to lie down?"

"I'm not sleeping with you, you jerk!" My words are insistent even though I can feel unconsciousness close to overtaking me. I wobble again, but Jumin's firm grip keeps me upright.

"Fine." Jumin's tone returns to its cold, robotic assuredness. "But you clearly need-"

Jumin's words cut out as darkness overtakes me and I feel my legs go limp. Then nothing.