Love Blooms | KSJxJHS
đ¸Fic Pairing: Jin x Hoseok
đ¸Rating: MA
đ¸Genre: divorced, single father AU | angst, fluff, smut
đ¸Summary: Divorced and lost, Jin grapples with self-discovery and single fatherhood. Then, sunshine arrives in the form of Hoseok, helping him explore his desires and build a found family. Their love faces challenges - ex-wife drama, societal disapproval - but together they prove love and acceptance can bloom even in unexpected gardens.Â
â ď¸eventual smut, homophobia, custody battle, gay sex, divorce
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three (coming soon)
Chapter Four (coming soon)
Chapter Five (coming soon)
Chapter Six (coming soon)
Chapter Seven (coming soon)
Chapter Eight (coming soon)
Chapter Nine (coming soon)
This work is a part of @btsfests Daddy's Home fest.
Special thanks to @colormepurplex2 for brainstorming this idea with me and creating my banner.
Check out my beta readers: @lunarelle1013, @colormepurplex2, @mrsparkjimin18
Check out my Masterlist.
As always this is crossposted to AO3.
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Shatter With Me | Waving The White Flag
âł Model!Jungkook x Surrogate!f.Reader
⤠Surrogacy, Best Friend's Husband
⤠Rating: MA đ
⤠WC: 18,286
â ď¸ Crass language, talk of infertility, drinking, very mild bullying and references to cruel behavior/words, talk of surrogacy, at-home medical procedure, genital touching (non-sexual), planned pregnancy, talk of pregnancy termination/abortion, BIG hurt feelings, open palm slapping, accusations of infidelity
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Jungkook
Jungkook never thought heâd be haunted by such a small, seemingly insignificant thing. A tiny pastel pink line. Singular. Just like all the ones before it. Heâs lost count of exactly how many, but itâs been years; every month, the same outcome. A singular pink line telling him heâs failed. He knows thatâs a bit harsh, but itâs how heâs starting to feelâlike a complete and utter failure.
âWeâll try again next month,â Jiyoon offers, dropping the offending piece of plastic in the bathroom trash before giving Jungkook a tight smile.
âHave you given any more thought to trying IVF again?â Jungkook asks hesitantly, knowing thatâs a sore subject. But, dammit, heâs not in the proper headspace right now to think better of it.
Jiyoon glares at him, her pouty pink lips drawing taut. âI told you not to ask me that ever again. Now, get out. Iâd like to take a shower.â When Jungkook doesnât immediately move from his perch on the bathroom counter, she tags on a frustrated, âPlease.â
Jungkook hops down, his socked feet swishing over the tiled floor as he retreats into the master bedroom. The door forcefully shuts right on his heels, echoing the hollow ache in the center of his chest. He promised himself that if it didnât happen this time, heâd just try harder next time.
Yet, there is only so much he can do. Pushing any harder might widen the rift slowly forming between him and his wife. Already, Jiyoon spends more time at work than with him. Her glares of irritation any time he seeks intimacy outside of their strict ovulation schedule are like holes being punched into his resolve.
After nearly two years of trying, he sought medical answers a year ago. Jiyoon was quite cross with him when she found out he went to the doctor, but he needed to know if it was his fault they were having trouble conceiving. The numbers were standard, slightly higher than average even. The utter devastation on Jiyoonâs face, heâll never be able to forget that day. Because if he isnât the problemâŚthen that means she is.
Itâs his fault. He wasnât even thinking about that potential. Jiyoon hasnât been the same since. Thatâs when the schedule came into play. Thatâs when she started to pour far more energy into waiting for the perfect moment instead of just enjoying their time together.
Jungkook can see the disappointment, the guilt that eats away at her each time that single pink line reveals itself. He wishes more than anything there was a way to change it, something more he could do. Yet, she refuses to consider the option of IVF, not after the horror story she heard from her friend Dani. She refuses to even talk about it.
There has to be another way; heâs just not sure what it might be. Jungkook is at a loss, and it feels like the weight of the world is sitting heavy right between his shoulders. The shower kicks on in the bathroom, and Jungkook decides to busy himself by making Jiyoon a cup of tea for when she gets out. He knows sheâll want to spend some time relaxing before bed, and tea always helps.
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Not a day goes by that you donât think about your best friend, Jiyoon, and the unfortunate circumstances that have befallen her and her husband. Itâs not a secret amongst your peers that theyâve been trying to start a family with no luck for several years. It breaks your heart every time she gives you a shake of her head when you look at her with hopeful eyes.
Today isnât any different. Youâre sitting at your desk, absently clicking through the latest portfolio files you got from Namjoon, when Jiyoon walks by your desk, heading toward hers. Sheâs half an hour late this morning, something thatâs pretty routine every few weeks. Itâs like clockwork. Youâre aware of the ovulation schedule that she and Jungkook keep and know that she allows herself extra time the morning after taking a test to steel herself against the disappointment that will come from the pitying stares in the office.
You catch her eye as she settles into her desk chair, and she gives you that subtle shake of her head. There is tension in her shoulders, and her bottom lip looks like sheâs been chewing on it in irritation, but she turns around and gives you her back before you can think to question her about it.
âMorning, Jiyoon,â Namjoon says as he steps out of his office. Namjoon is also well aware of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Jiyoon and Jungkook. Itâs why he doesnât hassle her about being late, something youâre endlessly grateful for.
Jiyoon is your only friend, and you are very protective of her. Well, thatâs not entirely true. The protective part is, but sheâs not technically your only friend. Sheâs just the longest friend youâve had and the one you hold closest to your heartâyour best friend. Though, even still, everyone else are really just people you know through Jiyoon or from work. Maybe thatâs sad, but you donât mind it.
âJiyoon!â Dani squeals from the other side of the office. The bubbly, energetic woman flits across the room, looking every inch like a fairy with her blond pixie cut, petite stature, and buttoned nose.
âOh gosh, hey. Come here!â Jiyoon swings her chair toward Dani as she beckons her forward, letting you catch a glimpse of her profile. There is a smile on her face, but itâs hard to tell whether itâs strained or not. Jiyoon has always been beautiful, with not a single wrinkle or blemish in sight. Looking at her body language, itâs even harder to tell.
Giggles punctuate their whispered words as Dani crouches beside Jiyoonâs chair, their heads pressed close together. You watch as Dani slips something into Jiyoonâs hand before she stands and waggles her brows down at your friend.
âHave fun,â Dani sing-songs as she prances away from Jiyoonâs desk. Her gunmetal eyes meet yours, and her face sours before she disappears beyond your cubicle.
âWhatâs that?â you ask a beat after sheâs gone and before you can curb your curiosity, tinged with mild jealousy. Dani has made it clear before that she doesnât like you very much, only tolerating you for Jiyoonâs sake. So, itâs no surprise that you donât find yourself included when it comes to anything involving Daniâitâs something youâve chalked up to her own jealousy, perhaps at the fact youâve been Jiyoonâs friend for so long.
Jiyoon flicks her eyes in your direction before stuffing whatever Dani gave her into her purse. âJust some antacids,â she says, giving you a smile that doesnât reach her eyes.
All suspicions disappear as you take in the controlled curve of her lips. She looks miserable. âOh,â is all you can manage before Namjoon calls everyoneâs attention to the front of the room.
âGood morning, everyone. Letâs start this week off on the right foot. We have reports to file and new contracts to negotiateâŚâ
You and Jiyoon have always aspired to work for a marketing and media agency together. So, when the opportunity presented itself, you both were elated to land jobs with Kim Exclusives, one of the most popular management companies for up-and-coming artists, models, and influencers.
That was seven years ago, and your time here has only solidified your friendship with Jiyoon. She met her husband, Jungkook, through the agency. He was one of the first models signed to Kim Exclusives, and you and Jiyoon both handled his portfolio and schedule for a year before she had to give you sole leadership over it once they became intimately involvedâthe whole conflict of interests thing.
âAre we still meeting tonight?â you ask Jiyoon as the day draws to a close. Sheâs still diligently working away at her computer, and you stand outside her cubicle with your bag on your shoulder.
âHmm? Oh. Umm, yeah, I guess. I might be a bit late, though.â
You peek over her shoulder. âIs that the new Song profile?â
âYep,â she pops the end of the word, keying you into thinking she's not in the mood to chat right now.
âOkay, well, Iâll see you guys later then.â
Jiyoon makes a noncommittal sound, already focused back on her work. You miss the days when she would give you more than a few passing words. Even on her good days, it seems like sheâs growing further and further away from you. Itâs hard not to feel guilty over the bitter and lonely feelings you get when you think about it. Itâs not Jiyoonâs fault that you donât have more close friends to turn to. But sometimes you wish you meant as much to her as she does to you.
As soon as that thought crosses your mind, you mentally kick yourself. Itâs not fair for you to think that. You know Jiyoon cares for you; sheâs just had a rough few years, and you shouldnât be making it about yourself.
Feeling truly like a shit friend, you continue to chastise yourself over the next two hours as you commute home and get ready for tonight. Five minutes away from the pub, you consider calling Jiyoon and canceling. But, just as you pull out your phone to do that, someone calls your name from down the sidewalk.
You turn to see Taehyung and Jungkook waving at you from across the street. Well, there goes your intention to cancel.
âHey! Have you heard from Jiyoon?â Jungkook asks as he and Taehyung jog across the street.
You press your lips into a thin line, confused. âDid she not come home?â
âAh, no. She said she was working late and that I should just go ahead and meet up with you and Taehyung. Sheâs, uh, well, sheâs not answering my calls. Weâthis morningâŚsorry, just, have you talked to her?â
Doing your best to keep your eyes on his, you give him an honest answer, âShe was still working when I left the office. I havenât heard from her since.â Losing the battle against your will, your eyes sweep over your best friendâs husband. Heâs just as gorgeous as he always has been. His hair is a little longer than the last time you saw him, licking at the collar of his denim jacket. As the lead on his contract, you know he recently landed a massive campaign with a new clothing company, their emblem stitched onto the breast of the coat. Jungkook looks every inch the model he is; his friend no less so.
âHey! Happy Birthday!â Taehyung greets you as your eyes swing to him.
Warm embarrassment kisses your cheeks. You hate your birthday; you hate being the center of attention. âThanks,â you murmur, giving him a tight smile.
âOh, yeah, happy birthday,â Jungkook tacks on. He rubs the back of his neck, giving you an apologetic look. âShould we go ahead and go inside?â
âYeah, sure.â As Taehyung leads the way inside, you type out a quick text to Jiyoon asking how long sheâll be.
Thirty minutes later, youâre sitting in a mildly withdrawn personal bubble of silence as Jungkook and Taehyung chat about work and sip on fingers of liquor. Youâre normally not so silent with them, as they have been clients of yours for years but youâve also grown to think of them as friends. Itâs just you have a lot on your plate right now, Namjoon just added three new clients to your work portfolio, putting you at juggling almost a dozen. You donât mind the added workload, it helps keep you busy, but it does mean you have to switch around your schedule a great deal and have less time to spend with Jungkook and Taehyung who are two of the longest portfolios youâve managed. They have a joint ad campaign coming up for the whiskey theyâre sampling right now and are trying to decide if they actually like it or not.
Over the years, you've learned that advertisements are just thatâa cleverly crafted piece of media to highlight a product. The models in a hamburger ad could very well be vegan, but theyâre paid to make you believe otherwise. So, even if they decide they donât like the whiskey, money will say they do.
Taehyung is a bit newer to Kim Exclusives, a model by complete accident. He came into the office once with Jungkook, just friends hanging out with each other, and the moment Namjoon saw him, he had to have him. A few weeks later, Taehyung was added to the roster of elite models under Kim Exclusives, booking just as well as any veteran.
âItâs a little too smokey for me, I think,â Taehyung comments. âWhat do you think?â he asks, setting his glass on the table and startling you out of your thoughts.
âWhat?â You blink up at him, totally lost.
âGive it a taste.â He taps the rim of the glass. âTell me what you think,â he encourages, pushing the glass closer to where your hands are clasped together on the table.
You donât really want to try the whiskey, but the expectant looks on Taehyung and Jungkookâs faces make you pick up the glass and take a tentative sip. It burns across your tongue, coating your throat in a fiery, smokey blend of burnt spices. The flavor sits like ash in your mouth.
âItâs, uhâŚâ
âNot great, right?â Jungkook gives you a lopsided grin, his shoulders stretching the seams of his jean jacket as he shrugs. âItâs okay to be honest about it.â
You slide the glass back across the tabletop toward Taehyung. âYeah, itâs not great. It might be better on ice, but Iâm not a big drinker, so I think itâs hard for me to judge it fairly.â
They both seem satisfied with this response and resume their conversation about the whiskey and the new campaign. You check your phone, wondering where Jiyoon could possibly be. There is no response to your text.
Youâre picking at the frayed edge of the paper coaster thatâs slowly growing waterlogged from the condensation dripping down your glass of ice water when Taehyung taps on the table in front of you, trying to capture your attention.
âIsnât that right?â he asks.
âSorry. Is what right?â You feel heat bloom in your cheeks at being caught not paying attention yet again.
âYouâre healthy.â
That statement has confusion replacing your embarrassment. âHealthy?â
âLet me backtrack,â Taehyung says, leaning back in his seat and throwing an arm over the back of Jungkookâs chair.
âTaehyung, really, this isnât the timeââ
âAhem,â Taehyung interrupts Jungkookâs protest. âHypothetically speaking, if your best friend and her husband were to inquire of you about the possibility of surrogacy, what would you say?â
The dots arenât connecting for you, and his blunt question makes you feel like you missed something important. âSurrogacy?â You donât mean to sound like a broken record, repeating what Taehyung is saying, but youâre thoroughly having a tough time understanding.
âListen, you donât have to answer that,â Jungkook states, shaking his head at Taehyung and giving him a pleading look that says to stop while heâs ahead.
âAre you and Jiyoon looking into a surrogate?â you ask; everything suddenly clicks into place, and the question tumbles from your lips before you can stop it.Â
Jungkook grips the back of his neck and grumbles something incoherent towards Taehyung before he blows out a heavy breath and his eyes slowly rise to meet yours. ���Not exactly, no. We havenât talked about it yet. Itâs just something I read about today. But, honestly, you donât have to answer the question. Taehyung is just being a dickââ
âIâd do it.â
Your response leaves Jungkook with his mouth open and jaw slack as he stares at you in bewilderment.
âSee, I told you. Sheâs perfect. Young, healthy, and someone you know and can trust,â Taehyung tots off, waving a finger in the air.
âWaitâŚare you serious?â Jungkook asks, pointedly ignoring Taehyung.
Youâve never considered being a mom before, at least not in that sense. It was always an assumption that it wouldnât be in the cards for youâthe whole lack of a love life thing being the crux of it. Youâve barely had a handful of boyfriends, much less a long-term commitment that would lead to a family. But, when it comes to Jiyoon, youâd do just about anything for her. So, if she asked you to carry a baby for her, you know, without a doubt, youâd do it.
âY-yeah. Yes,â you state with more confidence. âIâd do that.â
Before Jungkook can respond, Jiyoon bustles in through the bar's front door, her lilting laughter drawing everyoneâs attention. She has her phone pressed to her ear, and sheâs smiling at whatever the person sheâs speaking to is saying.
âOkay, yeah. Tomorrow sounds great. See you then,â Jiyoon says before ending the call and pocketing her phone. âOh, Taehyung is here.â Itâs a bland statement, Jiyoonâs eyes flicking over Jungkookâs best friend before landing on her husband. âDid you order me a drink already?â
Jungkook clears his throat, trying to compose himself before speaking. âBabe, hey. Um, no, I wasnât sure when youâd get here. You werenât responding to any of my calls or texts.â
Jiyoon slides into the empty seat beside you, across from Jungkook, and gives you a quick smile before wrinkling her nose in his direction. âIâll take a glass of red.â
âOh-kay,â Jungkook says slowly, a look of confusion ghosting over his features. âWhere have you been?â
âHmm? Oh, just busy with work,â Jiyoon says. âWine, please, Jungkook.â His only response is a tight press of his lips before he stands up and disappears in the direction of the bar. Jiyoon clicks her tongue and angles herself to look at you. âYouâre not drinking?â she asks, eyeing the glass of water on the table in front of you.
âUm, no. You know I donâtââ
âI know, youâre boring,â Jiyoon sighs. The only thing taking the sting out of her words is the smile she gives you. You know Jiyoon isnât exactly what people would call a nice person; in fact, sheâs often coined as a âmean girl.â But sheâs never been intentionally mean to you, not really. She just provides constructive criticism and encouragement to be the best version of yourself that you can be.
âWay to be a bitch to her on her birthday, Jiyoon,â Taehyung mumbles into his whiskey glass before tossing it back and downing the rest.
Jiyoon winces and then plasters a smile on her face before saying, âRight, happy birthday.â
âYeah, thanks.â You make your best attempt at nonchalance, but youâre not sure it lands properly as Taehyung shakes his head, and Jiyoon sighs again.
âI forgot, okay? Itâs been so busy at work and withâuh,â she pauses for just a second, and any other time you might not have noticed, but you canât help but pick up on the way she rushes to continue, âthe new client that you know Namjoon has been breathing down my neck over. The Harper portfolio, you know the one? And apparently, the Song profile needs to be redone on top of that.â
Jiyoon has been different lately. Youâre aware that she took over one of the new higher-end clients, some big hot-shot movie star or something like that, but itâs almost made her seem like she thinks sheâs above everyone else. It makes things tense sometimes like everyone is on edge when she comes around. You try to ignore it, for the sake of tonight. âItâs okay, Jiyoon, really.â
âAnyway, how are things going? Itâs been a few weeks since we last talked about something other than work.â
Yeah, because every time you turn around Jiyoon is spending time with Dani or has a client meeting. You shrug. âOkay, I guess.â
Taehyung pipes up in the silence that follows, âWe were actually just talking about surrogaââ
âRed wine for my wife, another whiskey for Tae, the good stuff this time, and a pina colada for the birthday girl. Virgin, I made sure. I know you donât like to drink alcohol,â Jungkook interrupts Taehyung, passing out the cluster of drinks in his hands.
You stare up at Jungkook, lips slightly parted as you try to think of the proper response, completely taken off guard by his gesture. Finally, you lamely offer, âOh, uh, you didnât have to, but thanks.â
âNonsense. Itâs your birthday, you deserve a little treat, and I know you like pineapple.â Jungkook settles back into his seat, and you try to keep your eyes off your best friend's husband. But itâs hard with how his hair falls into his face, and the denim hugs his shoulders as he relaxes against the back of his chair.
âEw,â Jiyoon gags dramatically, startling your attention in her direction. âIs that a jacket from the shoot today?â She gestures at Jungkook, the distaste apparent on her face. âI know they didnât dress you in that. What were they thinking?â
Jungkook frowns, staring down at the oversized light-wash jean jacket. âYou donât like it?â he asks.
Jiyoon scoffs, âIt looks ridiculous, you look ridiculous. What the hell did you do to your hair? A mullet, really? Itâs a wonder youâre a model. You were okay with this?â The last part is directed at you, because, as the lead on his profile, youâre the one who signed off on the hair and makeup for the shoot.
âHey now,â Taehyung states loud enough to quiet the table; heâs clearly not having any of Jiyoonâs antics tonight, long work day or not. âKeep your petty bullshit opinions for when youâre at home. Tonight isnât about you or how handsome my best friend is in his jean jacket and new hairstyle.â You can tell he intentionally calls Jungkook his best friend instead of Jiyoonâs husband as an extra jab.
âI never said he wasnât handsome,â she grumbles, rolling her eyes before looking at Jungkook and sighing. âSorry, dear, Iâm just under a lot of stress. You know I didnât mean it.â Her eyes flick to yours. âI know itâs not your fault.â You just give her a subtle shake of your head, not sure how to respond.
Clearing his throat, Jungkook smiles, though it doesnât reach his eyes, and tries to move the conversation along. âItâs okay. Letâs just focus on why weâre here tonight.â He swings his eyes toward you, his smile becoming genuine, and begins to loudly belt out Happy Birthday, much to your dismay. This draws the attention of everyone else in the bar and earns you a generous round of applause when the singing finally fades.
You try to enjoy the rest of your night, but every time Jungkook catches you staring at him, you canât help but feel a small spike of guilt; guilt over the perhaps tiny, mostly insignificant, completely harmless crush you might, perhaps, maybe have on your best friendâs husband.
Itâs hard not to be attracted to him; Jiyoon knows thatâshe flaunts that fact. She also knows her claws are deep in him, and heâs not going anywhere. Jungkook would pull down the moon for her and then ask if she wanted the sun, too. You swallow down the last of your pina colada, eyes once again locked on Jungkook as he throws his head back and laughs at something Taehyung said.
Jiyoon presses her arm against yours, leaning in close to you. In a soft voice meant only for you, she whispers, âHe really is perfect, isnât he?â
âHm? Who?â
âDonât play coy with me,â she giggles drunkenly. âI know you were staring at him. My husband.â
You shrug. âI wasnât staring.â
Jiyoon sighs wistfully. âItâs okay to stare, I donât mind. I know what he looks like, after all. Heâs so beautiful when heâs happy. I wish I could give him what he wants, heâd be the perfect fatherâŚIâm so scared to lose him.â The last part is whispered, so soft itâs hard to hear.
Instantly, your guilt turns into something else: resolve. You canât bear the defeat you hear in her voice. Itâs not something you can even begin to fathomâwhat she and Jungkook are going through. Itâs no wonder she has caustic words at times. You meant what you said earlier, what you told Jungkook you were willing to do. With that in mind, you make a mental note to start researching and do what you can to make sure at least someone gets a happy ending here.
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Jungkook
The night of your birthday kept playing over and over again in Jungkookâs head the days that followed. Now, just as evening is rolling around, one week later, he canât stop thinking about what you said, your confirmation. On top of that, that night was probably the most fun Jungkook has had in a long timeâas long as he excludes the prickly start after Jiyoon arrived. Heâs used to her snide and biting remarks after a long work day. Brushing them to the side and sweeping them away is usually easy.
But for some reasonâperhaps it was the high he was riding after your confession and confirmationâit bothered him that she was doing it in front of Taehyungâin front of you. As if somehow her criticisms might make you both believe them. Not that he cares about being good-looking to Taehyung, or you for that matter, not really. Itâs just that his first thought was what if that made you change your mind? Not necessarily whether or not heâs attractive, but the exchange as a whole. What if Jiyoonâs blatant criticisms made you want to change your mind because it somehow planted doubt in your mind that theyâre a happy and healthy environment for a child?
âJungkook.â The frustrated snap of his name brings him out of his thoughts. His eyes focus on the bathroom mirror once more, on Jiyoon, who is standing behind him with her hands on her hips, accentuating the flattering cut of the navy-colored dress sheâs wearing. âAre you even listening to me?â
Turning and leaning back against the counter, Jungkook gives her his full attention. âUh, yeah, sorry. You were talking about having dinner with a client tonight, and youâre leaving now to meet with Dani so you can get some files.â
âYes,â she says, her lips twitching in mild surprise, and Jungkook knows she was expecting him not to have been paying attention. âI donât know how long the dinner will last, so donât wait up for me. Itâs likely Iâll be home late.â She turns to go back into the bedroom, and Jungkook isnât sure what possesses him, but he surges forward and gently snags her wrist, turning her back toward him. âUh?â she makes a sound of mild questioning irritation.
âI have something I needâer, wantâto talk to you about. It should only take a moment.â
She shakes his hold off her wrist and gives him a placating smile. âOkay, well, talk while I finish getting ready at least.â Not waiting to see if he follows, she disappears into the bedroom and heads to the closet, rummaging through her jewelry.
âOkay, um. Okay,â Jungkook stumbles over his words, feeling like heâs under pressure for some reason. âSo, the other night, it was brought up in conversation, and uh, she already agreed, and itâs just that, well, thereâs this thing called intracervical insemination andâŚhow do you feel about surrogacy?â
There is a heavy pause, dread threatening to make Jungkook backpedal and eat his words just to snatch them back out of the air. Jiyoon glances at him over her shoulder, but he canât get a clear read on her eyes. âWhat? Oh, yeah, sure,â she says, turning back to her digging.
Jungkook canât tell whether Jiyoon is the one paying attention to him now, so he probes further, just to be clear. âYou mean that? Youâre okay with going the surrogacy route? My sperm, her eggâŚyour best friend carrying our baby?â
Jiyoonâs back is to Jungkook, but he watches how her shoulders slide up in a shrug. âOf course, why wouldnât I be?â
âIâm not sure, itâs just that with ICIââ
âLook, Jungkook,â Jiyoon says, turning to face him fully. Her fingers work at slipping a pair of silver hoops into her earlobes. âI trust you.â She says the words slowly, keeping her eyes intently locked on his. âI know youâll do your best for us. Whatever you want, itâs what I want, too. You know that.â
âWell, um, do you have any questions? We should talkâŚdiscuss this, er, something. I know how you feel about IVF. I want to make sure this is an option you truly want, and youâre not just saying this to make me happy. You should take some more time to think about it.â The fact sheâs so quick to agree makes Jungkook question whether or not heâs hearing what he thinks heâs hearing.
Jiyoon cups one of his cheeks, gently thumbing over his bottom lip. âI donât need time to think, because Iâve already thought about it. Iâwell, I was going to bring it up to you soon, but I wanted to do a bit more research first.â
âWait, what? Really? You were thinking about ICI, too?â Jungkook swallows hard, leaning into his wife's warm touch.
âYeah,â she whispers, her soft smile making her eyes twinkle and his heart melt.
Jungkook canât help letting his eyes drink in his wife. They might have been going through rough patches the last few years, but that hasnât lessened how he feels about her. Jungkook has always found her strikingly beautiful, with long legs and shiny hair that he loves to run his fingers through. But at this moment, he feels like he might burst with the love he has for her.
âYeah? Okay. Okay,â he tries to suppress the emotion in his words. âOkay, perfect. I love you. I love you so much!â
Jiyoon laughs, and it sounds magical, as Jungkook sweeps her into his arms and plants a kiss on her lips. âDonât smear my lipstick, please,â she mumbles, her voice light and playful.
âGo have a good dinner, secure the client, and donât worry about anything else,â Jungkook bubbles happily, setting Jiyoon back on her feet. âI swear Iâll take care of it all. Everything will be perfect, absolutely perfect.â
An hour later, Jungkook walks up to your apartment door. He couldnât stop himself earlier, so he immediately texted you and asked to see you as soon as Jiyoon left for Daniâs.
The door swings open before he can knock, revealing you standing there breathless and in a set of purple checkered pajamas. âIs everything okay?â you ask, worry lines creasing between your brows. âYour text sounded urgent.â
âOh.â Jungkook feels terrible for making you concerned. He didnât mean for it to come off like that. âNo, I mean, yes, everything is okay. But, no, itâs not exactly urgent. Sorry for that. I didnât mean to make you worry.â
You lean against the doorframe, eyes wide on his. âWhat is it?â
âEr, uh, do you mind if I come in? This is more of a sit-down kind of conversation.â
The little âoâ your lips form is far cuter than Jungkook has a right to think it is. His mind instantly latches onto it, wondering if the baby would have your lips or his. âO-okay, sure, come on in.â
Jungkook has visited your apartment a handful of times over the years. Itâs quaint and cozy, exactly what heâd imagine for you. There are books everywhere, shelves full of thick and thin volumes of literary prose. A few art pieces decorate the walls, along with dozens and dozens of black-and-white photos in simple frames. He stirs up the recollection that you enjoy photography in your spare time.
âSorry, again, about my text. I didnât mean to worry you, really.â Jungkook feels nervous, unsure where to stand or even sit, until you gesture toward the couch. A handful of well-loved decorative pillows are scattered across the burgundy suede. He settles at one end as you take the other, looking at him expectantly.
A beat or two passes, and Jungkook feels like heâs about to swallow his tongue until you open your mouth, clearly picking up on his distress. âIs it something with work? I can try to fix whatever it is first thing in the morningââ
âNo, no,â Jungkook holds up a hand, shaking his head. âItâs not work. Itâs um, itâs actually Jiyoon. Well, me and her, specifically.â
You pull your knees up and tuck your feet underneath yourself. âOh, okay.â
âWere you serious about what you said the other night?â Jungkook blurts, figuring itâs best, like ripping off a bandaid.
Your bottom lip has an indent left from where you tucked it between your teeth before nodding. âYes.â Jungkook didnât necessarily expect you to say no, but the rush of relief he feels at hearing that encourages him to press on.
âI talked with Jiyoon about it today and sheâweâwould be honored if youâd do that for us. If youâd give us a chance at having a family. ItâsâŚitâs something we both, deeply, deeply desire. If youâre truly serious about it, weâll take care of everything, all medical expenses, bills, anythingâŚjust name it, itâs yours.â
âThatâsâokay, okay, yes. Yes, Iâll do it. Just tell me what I need to do.â
Jungkook whoops loudly, jumping up from the couch, and drags you into his arms for a bear hug. âThank you, thank you, thank you! I canât even begin to explain what this means to me, to us. This isâŚI canâtâŚoh my, I need toâwait, okay. Sorry, let me calm down for a second.â The word vomit is real, and Jungkook uses his hold on you to ground himself, moving his hands to your shoulders and locking his eyes on yours. âI think I might pass out,â he whispers a second before bursting into a giddy laugh.
âWhoa, um, sit down. Please donât pass out on me. Youâre too big for me to catch!â Your frantic words make him laugh even harder.
He shakes his head, on cloud nine. âIâm kidding, kind of. I just feelâŚI feel so light, likeâwell, it doesnât matter about that. What matters is you. Please donât feel obligated to do this. Thatâs the last thing I want. If you are serious, I can send all the information you need to you in the morning. But only if youâre certain.â
âJungkook,â the way you say his name makes his heart thump heavy in his chest as if his fate hinges on whatever comes next. âI am serious. I promise. I want to do this for you, for JiyoonâŚI want to give you both the happiness you deserve.â
âThank you,â Jungkook says fervently, never meaning something more in his life.
This happiness carries Jungkook through the rest of the evening, turning into a brilliant flame of intimacy when Jiyoon crawls into bed beside him hours later. For the first time in a long time, there is no schedule, no waiting for the perfect moment; itâs just the love shared between two souls celebrating the joys of life.
đđđ
The following day, several emails from Jungkook are waiting for you; Jiyoon CCâd on them all, as well as a few texts to check in. The idea that you could possibly be pregnant in the coming weeks or monthsânot just pregnant, but pregnant with Jungkookâs baby for your best friendâstill feels a bit surreal.
You texted Jiyoon last night, expressing to her how much she means to you and that youâre honored she wants it to be you that helps her fulfill her dreams of having a family. She hasnât replied yet, but that doesnât bother you; sheâs probably busy helping Jungkook with planning.
There is an entire email dedicated to medical referrals. Apparently, Jungkook spent hours pouring over all the local doctors and medical facilities vetting to find the best ones. Each has notes and suggestions under them, along with all the information you might need to call and make an appointment.
Thatâs really all you need to do: make an appointment for a check-up. Taehyung made an assumption of your health last night, but it doesnât hurt to be sure. The last thing youâd want to do is be in poor health and unable to keep your word.
Your fingers tremble as you dial the numbers, and you have to take a few shallow breaths to get your voice to work properly. Minutes later, you have an appointment scheduled for later this week. Now, all you have to do is figure out how youâre going to wait the next few days and not burst from anticipation. Itâs a slow few days.
Apparently, by Googling every possible thing you can think of about being a surrogate and pregnancies. Along with the emails full of information, by the time youâre walking into the clinic for your appointment at the end of the week, you feel confident asking questions.
âBeing a surrogate is a pretty serious situation. Have you considered all the possibilities and what might be required of you?â The doctor has a pleasant demeanor; her eyes are intense yet kind. It might be the steel-colored strands scattered through her hair or the wrinkles that deepen around her eyes when she smiles, but you feel comfortable opening up to her.
You roll your lips between your teeth before saying, âHonestly? Probably not as much as most surrogates. Iâm sure there are things Iâm not aware of yet. It was only presented to me a few days ago. But I have done some extensive reading and soul-searching, and I know itâs what I want.â
Dr. Lee contemplates you for a moment before nodding. âYes, I believe you do. Letâs get started, shall we?â
Itâs not uncomfortable going through all the tests and procedures. There isnât much the doctor does that you havenât done before. Samples are taken, and a routine exam is performed. As you leave, the nurse tells you you should have results within the next two weeks.
Thankfully, the results come at the beginning of the following week. Youâre sitting at your desk at work, reviewing the final details for the whiskey campaign Jungkook and Taehyung are shooting in a few days, when you get the notification that your results are viewable on your patient portal. A moment before you click into the email, your phone buzzes in your pocket.
âHello?â you whisper, cupping your hand around the base of your phone and mouth. A nurse rattles off your information, ensuring she speaks to the right person. âYes, speaking.â
âI just wanted to let you know that all of your results are in, and Dr. Lee has signed off on your request to move forward with the surrogacyâŚâ Everything else the nurse says is a bit hazy. She covers the numbers for your tests and where to find resources for more information on at-home intracervical insemination. âDo you have any questions for me? Maâam, are you still there?â
âOh, umm, yes, sorry. No questions, thank you so much.â
The line disconnects, and you sit there for a few more moments, the phone still held to your ear, as you try to process the giddy feeling bubbling up inside you. You need to tell Jiyoon, Jungkook, someoneâŚanyone. Pushing up from your desk, you scan the area around you for your best friend and come up empty.
âHello?â Jungkook answers on the second ring.
âJungkook.â
âOh, hey. Everything okay?â
âWhat? Oh. Yes. Yes, everything is okay. Everything is perfect. Do you know where Jiyoon might be? I havenât seen her since she came into the office this morning.â You rack your brain, trying to remember if you saw her leave or go into another room.
âYeah, she called a little while ago and said that Namjoon was having her meet one of the new clients for lunch to sign some more papers.â
âRight, thatâs right,â you say, recalling that Namjoon asked her to come into his office shortly after she arrived this morning.
âWhy? Whatâs up?â
You drag a slow, shallow breath into your lungs in an effort to slow your rapidly beating heart. âI heard back from the doctor.â
Jungkook urges you to continue, âYeah? What did they say? Is everything okay? Are you okay?â
âIâmâŚIâm great. Iâm perfect. IâmâI, I can do it. We can do it. Thereâs a chart,â you explain, wedging your phone between your ear and your shoulder to free your hands so you can pull up the email you got and forward it to him. âIt has an estimated schedule and recommendations on timing for the best results. I just sent everything over to you.â
âI got it. Wow. Okay. Wow. Oh myâŚwow! I need to call Jiyoon. Fuck. Oh my god. Okay, thank you! Iâll call you back later, okay?â The line disconnects after Jungkook says a hurried goodbye, the elation in his voice evident.
According to the doctor's ovulation chart, the best time for you to begin trying is next week. Conception is most likely during a twenty-four-hour period. On your way home, you stop and pick up an ovulation testing kit so you can remain on track.
You arrive home filled with nervous energy, unable to stop smiling as you unpack the things you picked up at the pharmacy. A large box of pregnancy tests goes beside the ovulation kit in your medicine cabinet, along with a pack of medical gloves and hand sanitizer. Youâre not sure what youâll need, exactly, but you figure itâs better to have it and not need it than the other way around.
âJiyoon!â you gush, swiping to answer the call coming in on your phone. âHi!â
âHey, I just got off the phone with Jungkook.â There is a lot of background noise, and itâs hard to hear her clearly.
âOh, wonderful! I got the results today. There is a possibility of next week beingââ
A loud laugh cuts through from Jiyoonâs end, the added clang of dishes drowning you out further. âSorry, Iâm still at dinner. Next week, you say? Iâll be going on a business trip the whole of next week, Namjoon wants me to travel with a client for a go-see.â
Disappointment drags at your shoulders and has your smile softening into a frown. You suppose it can wait a few more weeks. âOkay, no problem. That will give us time to plan a bit more anyway.â
âSure thing!â Jiyoon yells, the line cutting out momentarily. âIâll catch you later. I canât wait to see you when I get back. Thank you. I love you so much!â
âOkay, yeah, love youââ The line goes dead before you can finish. âLove you, too,â you murmur into the quiet of your apartment.
A minor setback. But itâs okay; youâre sure you were getting ahead of yourself anyway. Taking a few weeks to confirm things and actually come up with a game plan is probably for the better. But it doesnât hurt to start doing that now. Letting the smile that hadnât left your face most of the day slide back onto your lips, you continue setting up everything in your bathroom so itâll be there for when you do need it.
It turns out you donât have to waitâat least, according to Jungkook. From the constant flood of text messages youâve gotten from him over the last few days, as much as Jiyoon would love to be there to help, sheâs given her blessing to proceed with the ICI without her. In her own words, via a text you got last night, there will be plenty more for her to be present for, and sheâs far too excited for you to wait for her to return.
Jiyoon has been relatively quiet, but Jungkook explained in delicate words that sheâs okay; she just has a lot on her plate right now. Even though it may seem like sheâs on the outside, itâs more that this is a very sensitive topic for Jiyoon. Despite wanting a child, ICI is nearly as taboo a subject as IVF when it comes to Jiyoon; you know this. Sheâs told you how much it makes her feel like a failure. So, youâre content when Jungkook takes full responsibility for the surrogacy journey and has promised to be there for you every step of the way, including coming over to your place tonight to help you with the first ICI attempt.
Youâve been testing your ovulation each morning, and the positive test strip in your bathroom trash has started a full-tilt, day-long extravaganza. Itâs a Thursday, just a few days after you got your green light from the doctor, meaning you were able to leave work early and are now sitting on your couch waiting patiently for Jungkook to arrive.
All your research and reading about ICI makes you nervous about whatâs to come. Itâs not that youâre going to be explicitly intimate with Jungkook, but youâre well aware of the fact that fresh sperm samples, as in within a thirty-minute window, are the best. Which means, heâs going to have to somehow provide the sample while heâs here.
The idea of Jungkook masturbating in your bathroom should feel awkward or perhaps embarrassing to think about, yet youâre oddly comfortable with it. Itâs a natural thing, something necessary to create something thatâs going to be beautiful.
By the time Jungkook knocks on your door, your hands are clammy, and it takes you two tries to get the handle to turn. He greets you with a giant smile and shining eyes, absolutely breathtaking.
âHi,â he breathes.
âHi,â you parrot, unable to contain from reflecting the smile still on his face. âPlease, come on in.â
âThanks.â Jungkook steps past you, and the soft fragrance of his laundry detergent catches in your nose. âI brought everything we need,â he says, holding up a bag. Heâs wearing the same denim jacket he was the other night, a white T-shirt underneath above a pair of worn, light-washed jeans, and black boots on his feet that he toes off before heading into your living room.
âCan I get you anything to drink or maybe something to eat? Have you had dinner yet?â Youâre not sure how this is going to go, if itâs just going to be a clinical experience or something more comfortable between friends. Because you are friends, right? At this point, you should consider him more than just your best friendâs husband; he should at least be seen as a friend of yours, too.
Jungkook deposits the bag on your couch and turns to look at you. âUm, maybe if you had some beer or something, but I know you donât drinkââ There is a nervous energy to the way heâs talking, words coming out a little too quickly ââso, er, maybe just some water is fine.â
âActually,â you say, hurrying into the kitchen and opening the fridge, âI got, well, is this okay?â You hold up a 6-pack of beer you bought on a whim a few nights ago. Itâs true that you donât really drink, but you werenât thinking of yourself at the time that you bought it. In actuality, you were thinking of Jungkook, knowing heâs partial to this brand, and figuredâŚwell, youâre not sure what you figured, you bought it before you could give it too much thought.
The corner of Jungkookâs mouth lifts, his smile turning into a light smirk. âWow, my favorite. Iâd love to, but actually, Iâm not sure if I should, no matter how nervous I am right nowâŚnot until after, at least. I havenât read anything about how alcohol might impact things, but Iâve not had a drop of alcohol to drink nor a bite of junk food in the last week, just in case.â
âOh, right. Of course, I should have thought about that.â
âNo, itâs okay. I wasnât thinking either, I havenât been able to think about much at all, if Iâm being honest,â Jungkook laughs nervously, one of his hands rubbing at the back of his neck. âIs this weird? Are you sure you want to do this?â
It is weird, but not in a bad way, and you donât want to admit that because you donât want him to worry. So, you simply smile and shake your head. âItâs not all that weird, itâsâŚwell, just not weird. I am nervous,â you decide to give him at least that. âIâm worried that it might not work, or that I might do something wrong.â
âW-what do you think you might do wrong?â Jungkook asks, moving closer to you. âIâveâŚIâve read a lot about the how, I even got an informational video from my doctor.â
You can feel heat crawling up your neck. âIâm not sure, exactly. I guess just the whole process in general.â
There is a beat where you can see Jungkook contemplating his words. He chews on his bottom lip, eyes unfocused for a moment before returning to you. âI could help if you want. Purely in a platonic, helpful way, no funny business, I swear.â
âUm, I donât know if thatâŚuh, I can try first, maybe?â You canât seem to swallow past the thick knot in your throat at the thought of asking Jungkook to help assist you inâŚwell, that.
âSure, okay. Should weâŚget started?â Jungkook asks, his eyes flicking back to the bag he dropped on your couch.Â
Your stomach flips at his words. âYeah,â you say, voice barely above a whisper, feeling suddenly even more shy than usual.
âGreat.â Jungkook claps his hands together before retrieving the bag from the couch. âI have everything we need. It's probably best if we begin this in the bathroom.â
Your apartment has one bathroom, which is joined to the bedroom but is still accessible through the hallway. Jungkook leads the way down the hall, flicking on the light inside the bathroom before stepping aside to let you in as well.
âHave you talked with Jiyoon?â you ask, seeking something to fill the silence as you watch him unpack everything from the bag and arrange it on the bathroom counter.
Jungkook shakes his head in a so-so manner. âI spoke with her for a few minutes earlier to let her know the plan for tonight. She couldnât talk long and it was hard to hear with all the background noise, but sheâs excited and said she canât wait to be back at the end of the week.â
After washing his hands, Jungkook opens up the packet of a large sterile pad and spreads it out across the rest of the counter. From the research youâve done, you recognize some of the things he begins to set out. There is a collection cup with an orange screw-on lid, a large syringe with a hose attaching it to a bulbous silicone mushroom-shaped plug, and several single-use packets of water-based lube. He also sets out a box of pregnancy tests, giving you a sheepish smile when you raise an eyebrow at it.
âI, uh, bought some, too,â you say, opening the medicine cabinet to show him the large box of pregnancy tests sitting between your ovulation test kit and your toothbrush.
Jungkook smiles. âI guess weâre on the same wavelength, huh?â
You have to stop yourself from leaning too far into the unusual, yet enticingly warm and appealing, feeling you get when he smiles like that. Clearing your throat, you gesture to the spread of tools. âWhat now?â
âI think we should discuss a game plan, make sure we know what to do and when to do it. There are some things Iâve read online, plus the directions in this pamphlet,â he says, slipping a folded paper from the box the inseminator came in.
Leaning in, you try to read the step-by-step process written on the paper over Jungkookâs shoulder. He shifts, steps closer to you, and angles the pamphlet to make it easier for you to see.
âStep one, collect the sample. Step two, transfer the sample into the syringe. Step three, insert the silicone plug into theâŚv-vagina,â you choke over the word, feeling heat licking up your neck, âas close to the cervix as possible. Step four, depress the plunger to administer the sample.â
âSeems pretty simple, right?â
Youâre not sure youâd say simple. Sure, step by step, it looks pretty straightforward, but you seem to be responsible for the most challenging part, and that makes you even more nervous than before. âYeah, simple.â
âGive me a few minutes, I need toâuh,â he points to the sample cup. âIâll, you know.â
âOh, right, right, of course. Iâll justâ" you hook a thumb over your shoulder towards the door that leads to your bedroom ââwait in there.â
Itâs hard not to pace around your bedroom as you wait. You try to stick to the far side of your bedroom, not wanting to come too close to the bathroom and overhear anything you shouldnât. The fact your best friendâs husband is in your bathroom masturbating is a weird enough revelation, albeit a necessary one for the ICI procedure; youâd still rather afford him some privacy.
After three minutes, you stop counting the seconds that pass, realizing that means youâre counting how long it takes for Jungkook to produce the sample. Which is something youâre vehemently trying to avoid thinking about so casually.
The bathroom door opening startles you, stopping you in your tracks. Jungkook clears his throat. âReady?â
You move over to the bathroom. âI think so.â
âHey, itâs going to be okay. You can do this and donât forget, Iâll be here if you need any help, promise. Purely for help, for the process.â Jungkook swipes a finger in an x over his chest. âCross my heart.â
âYouâre right,â you say, trying to bolster your own confidence. âI can do this.â
You step past Jungkook and into the bathroom, but his hand on your arm pulls you up short. âWait, wait. Would you feel more comfortable doing it in your room? Itâs just that Iâve read itâs best if you could lay on your back with your hips elevated for fifteen to thirty minutes after.â He nods at your bed. âMore comfortable than the bathroom floor.â
The idea of doing this on your bed crosses a line, taking this from a medical process to something far more intimate. âMaybe just a pillow,â you say, grabbing one of the decorative throw pillows you never seem to remember to put back on your bed but keep in a small pile on the floor instead.
âOkay.â Jungkook gives you a small smile, and it makes his eyes look soft and bright. The kind of smile you hope you can help him bestow onto a baby.
You leave the door unlocked, just in case you need his help. In your bathroom, there is no evidence of Jungkook's actions other than the very full sample cup sitting on the medical pad covering the counter.
The cup is warm to the touch, which is startling, though you know it shouldnât be. Placing the pillow down on the floor, you shimmy your pants and panties down your legs and step out of them. There is a lingering scent in the bathroom; itâs a mix of Jungkookâs cologne but also of something clinical. You realize there are two empty packets of lube in your trashcan, and you canât help the image that pieces itself together in your mind.
Swallowing hard against the threatening flood of further indecent thoughts, you move quickly to prepare the inseminator. Itâs a systematic process you can do with little thoughtâsafeâunscrewing the cap of the cup and filling the syringe. Once youâre in position on the floor, hips elevated on the pillow, empty packets of lube discarded and your body primed, you take the silicone plug in one hand and the syringe in the other.
The directions make it seem so easy. But as you try to fit the silicone plug inside, you canât seem to get it to go where you want it. It keeps slipping sideways and tugging at the tube connecting it to the syringe. Your heart begins to race as you realize you might not be able to do thisânot on your own, at least.
By the fourth try, fifteen minutes have passed, and youâre in full-blown panic mode. Your breath wheezes in and out as you crunch up, hands fumbling between your thighs, and sweat forming on your brow. âOh god, oh god. Iâuh, god dammitâŚJungkook!â His name is out of your mouth in a strangled yell before you can stop it.
âWhat is it? Is everything okay? Are you okay?â The frantic words are muffled through the door. The door rattles on its hinges, and you can tell heâs pressing up against it from the sound of denim scuffing along it, probably pressing his ear against it in an effort to hear your response.
Youâve managed to get it inside, but youâre not sure if you can get it all the way in, pressed up against your cervix where it needs to be. Itâs possible you used too much lube, though the idea that itâs possible to have too much lubricant seems ridiculous. But no matter what you do or how far you press your fingers in, youâre either at a wrong angle, or your fingers keep slipping on the plug too much. Asking Jungkook for help is the last thing you want to do, but youâre not sure what other options there are.
âC-can you come in here?â you ask in a hoarse voice. There is a moment of silence before the door eases open and Jungkook sticks his head inside. His eyes are closed so tight it makes you let out a snap of nervous laughter. âI thinkâŚI think I need help. Iâm sorry, I just canâtâitâs not going in all the way, I donât think,â you gush in explanation.
âDo youâis it okay if I?â Jungkook asks, leaving the obvious unsaid.
âUm, yesâŚplease. Iâve tried, and I justâŚI donât want to ruin this. Iâm so sorry.â
âHey, hey, itâs okay.â Jungkook shuffles into the bathroom, eyes still firmly closed and arms out in the air. âUm, where exactly are you so I donât step on you by accident?â
Snagging the edge of the towel hanging on the rack, you pull it down and drape it over your knees to make yourself as decent as you can be in this situation. âJust open your eyes, itâs okay.â
Slowly, his eyes peek open and finally land on where youâre laid out on the floor, bent knees covered in a towel and your shirt askew from all your efforts.
âHow can I help?â Jungkook kneels down beside you, shrugging out of his jacket and tossing it to the side.
âI justâŚI donât know if itâs all the way in. Can youâwith your hand, I know thatâs horrible and weird, but I donât know what else toââ
âNo, no, itâs not weird. I said Iâd help. Itâs clinical, right? Weâre doing this just as a medical procedure. Like I said, no funny business, I swear. Itâs for the baby. Iâll help you.â
âOkay.â You nod, squeezing your eyes shut because itâs hard to look him in the eye when heâs about toâthe towel shifts, and cool air licking between your thighs has your mind going blank.
âLook at me,â Jungkook requests, to which you immediately comply. âI need you to promise me youâll let me know if I hurt you or do something you donât like. Iâll stop immediately, okay?â When you donât immediately say anything, he adds, âI need you to tell me you understand.â
âI understand.â
Stretching across to the sink, Jungkook keeps his eyes on yours as he washes his hands and then shifts the towel more, folding it up and over your knees. âIâm going to place my hand on your thigh. Is that okay?â
âYes.â
His fingers are gentle against your skin, softer than you expected, and warm from the water. You can feel errant droplets of water streak down your thigh and roll over the bottom of your ass. You try to focus on that feeling instead of the way Jungkookâs hand trails down your thigh until his fingers graze your outer lips.
âIâm going to use two of my fingers to try and seat the inseminator. Is that okay?â
âYes,â this time, it comes out as more a breath than a word.
You tense at the subtle press of his fingers and how they probe their way down until they find your entrance. There is easily enough lube down there to grease a bakeryâs worth of cake pans, considering the half a dozen empty packets now in your trashcan, but you canât help but take a deep, fortifying breath as he begins to press in.
âStill okay?â he asks, fingers moving achingly slow.
âI think so.â
Jungkookâs brow pinches. âI feel itâŚonly about two inches in. Iâm going to push it further now. Tell me if it hurts or is uncomfortable.â
Never in a million years did you think youâd ever find yourself in this position. Not only are you butterflied open on your bathroom floor, but your best friendâs husband is now middle-knuckle deep in your vagina, and youâre not sure how to feel about it. In fact, youâre trying to do everything you can to not think about how you stretch around the intrusion of his fingers, or that it feels far better than it should.
âDo you think you can get it all the way?â you ask, voice warbling with nerves.
Jungkook hums, his lips pushing out as if he is trying to concentrate. âI think Iâm almost there. Does that feel okay, is it good?âÂ
Not once does he look away from you as heâs pushing deeper into your body. You think you want him to look away, to break that intimate contact, but you canât even bring yourself to do thatâeven though you know you should. And the whispered exchange does little to help. Is it good? Youâre going to burn in hell for the thoughts now flooding through.
âOh!â You jolt in place, eyes going wide, all previous thoughts gathering into one singular point. Jungkook mirrors your surprise, his mouth popping open in silent shock.
âIâm so sorry!â he babbles. âI didnât mean to do that. Oh fuck, god damn, shitâŚokay, sorry, let me justââ Jungkook is still gentle, yet swift in finishing seating the inseminator before quickly extracting his fingers from your body. âPlease believe me when I say I am sorry, and I swear I wasnât tryingâŚI wasnât trying to do that.â
Your body is still buzzing from the that heâs talking aboutâthe graze of his thumb over your clit. Itâs clear it was an accident by his reaction, but it does nothing to lessen the pulse that is now singing through your body.
âI-itâs okay. Really, itâs okay. Itâs fine.â Youâre not sure if your words are convincing enough, but Jungkook jerks his head in what you assume is a nod of acknowledgement.
âUm, itâs, uh, itâs in. Do you need me to do the syringe, too?â
âJust do it.â You exhale a shaky breath, finally tearing your eyes away from his. Youâre confident heâs still watching you, even as he depresses the syringe and injects his cum into your bodyâas crass as that sounds in your head, thatâs exactly whatâs happening, and itâs the first time you think youâre realizing how truly fucked you are for this.
Nothing has happened between you and Jungkook, not in that way, but for some reason, guilt wonât leave you alone. You feel like youâve just betrayed Jiyoon and feel even more like a ridiculous schoolgirl ruining her life over a crush on a boy. Youâre intimately aware of the warmth and the subtle change in pressure as he finishes depressing the inseminator. It makes you want to squirm, but you chew your bottom lip and tap your toes instead.
âAre you okay?â Jungkook asks, his voice soft and gentle.
âI should be asking you that,â you sigh.
Jungkook balks. âWhat? Why would you say that? Iâm fineâŚIâm the one thatââ He nods toward where your body is now covered with the towel again. As soon as he was done plunging the depressor, he unfolded the towel and made you decent once more.
âYou didnât mean to,â you say, maybe more as a reminder to yourself than him.
âNo, but that doesnât make it okay.â Jungkook settles back on his heels, using one of the wet wipes that came in the kit to clean his hands. Suddenly, he laughs. âThis is ridiculous, right? I mean, look at us, we just did somethingâŚbeautiful, and weâre not allowing ourselves to enjoy it.â
You chuckle softly, fidgeting with one of the ends of the towel. âIt is kind of ridiculous, huh? Sorry that I freaked out and you had to doâŚthat.â
âIâm not. Sorry, that is. Iâm glad you asked for my help. Weâre in this together.â Jungkook gives you a smile, similar to the one he wore when he knocked on your door over an hour ago, and takes up the hand not pinching at the towel in his, squeezing it. âI donât know that I can even begin to articulate with words just what this means to me. Thank you so much.â
âIt means a lot to me, as well. Being able to do this for you and Jiyoon is not something you need to thank me for. Iâd do anything for her. Sheâs my best friend. Weâve been through so much together over the last twenty yearsâŚI just want to see her happy. You, too, of course.â
Jungkook hums in the back of his throat, keeping his hand wrapped around yours as he leans back, using the side of the tub for support. A comfortable silence settles between the two of you, spanning several minutes until Jungkook speaks again. âHave you ever thought about being a mom, you know, before this?â
Itâs on the tip of your tongue to answer with what you think he wants to hear, that this has always been your wish, but instead, you choose to give him an honest answer. âNot really.â
âWhy not? If you donât mind me asking.â
If it were anyone else asking, you might mind, butâŚ
You purse your lips before offering yet another truth. âI guess I justâŚIâm me, you know?â
âNo, I donât think I do know. What do you mean?â
âIâm a single woman in my thirties with no prospects on the horizon. My last boyfriend was over five years ago. Iâm a modern-day spinster. Nothing is wrong with that, I love who I amâŚI just, no one has ever shown interest in me like that. Though itâs not necessary to have another person in the picture, itâs just thatâŚI donât even know, Iâm rambling, sorry.â
Jungkook looks at you for a long moment, and itâs so hard to read his expression. All you want to do is plead with him to tell you whatâs on his mind.
âYou shouldnât do that to yourself,â he finally says.
âDo what?â you ask, uncertain what heâs referring to.
âSell yourself short like that. You are easily one of the hardest-working people Iâve ever met. You have a successful career and amazing tastes in art and food. Not to mention, you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. YouâreâŚyouâre amazing, and I know for a fact that people think so, too.âÂ
You puff out a breath, trying not to laugh at him. âHow could you possibly know that?â
âBecause Iâm one of them. I wouldnât choose just anyone to do this with. After all, the baby will be half of you, too. A win-win in my book.â The corner of his mouth tilts in a small smile.
Youâre pretty certain youâve never had something create such a viscerally emotional response in you. It takes everything you have to blink away the sudden onslaught of tears that threaten to overwhelm you.
When you finally think you can speak without melting into a blubbering mess, you whisper, âI think youâre pretty amazing, too.â
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Jungkook
Itâs well after midnight by the time Jungkook makes it home. Heâs positively buzzing and canât even think about going to bed just yet. There is far too much going on in his head, so he decides to expend some energy in the tiny home gym he turned one of the spare rooms into.
The condo he and Jiyoon bought two years into their marriage is spacious, spanning half the second and third floors of the building. There is a three-car garage on the first floor, as well as an elevator that leads to the landing out front. Across the landing is where Taehyung lives with his roommate Jimin, another well-to-do model they met through Kim Exclusives.
Jiyoon stuck her nose up at the fact that Taehyung was buying the unit across from them when Jungkook first told her, but so far, it hasnât caused too many problems over the years. It helps at times like this, when Jiyoon is traveling for work, to have a friend so close by. Usually, Jungkook would knock next door when he canât get his head cleared, but for some reason, Jungkook doesnât want to tell Taehyung about what happened at your place. He doesnât want to tell anyone, for that matter, holding onto it as a private thing for as long as possible.
Losing himself in sets of squats and curls is far safer than describing in maddening detail the way your soft, lushâJungkook slams his hand against the squat rack and forces his thoughts away from that line of thinking.
Just because youâre a gorgeous woman with a nice body doesnât give him the right to think about you like that. Especially considering heâs married to your best friend, whom he loves more than anything. Besides, heâs better than that, knows the whole alpha male hindbrain is the stuff of fantasy. There is no excuse for him having such sordid and outlandish thoughts about you like that. It was simply doing what needed to be done to helpâfor the baby.
With that in his mind instead, he moves through the motions of his workout. By the time heâs dripping sweat and his muscles are trembling with fatigue, the sun is starting to peek through the windows, and he hasnât thought about you in hoursâwell, not much, at least. And when he does, he says it's just because he's thinking of what might be passed down to your babyâerâhis and Jiyoon's babyâhe reminds himself.
Itâs been an excruciating three weeks waiting and waiting to hear from you about something other than work. After Jiyoon returned home from her business trip, Jungkook told her about that night, including the accidental slip-up. At first, she was upset, accusing him of taking advantage of her best friend. It took hours of strained conversation to get her to understand that it was more of a clinical procedure than Jungkook fingering you.
When that accusation was first thrown out, Jungkook was at a loss for words and completely thrown off the tracks. Jiyoon apologized, saying she didnât understand how he didnât think sheâd be upset about it but that sheâd forgive him for it anyway. She then gathered Jungkook into her arms, and they cuddled in bed for the first time in what felt like forever.
Jungkook wasnât sure if Jiyoon would confront you at work over it, but as the days continued on without a peep from you, he figured things were okay between the two of you. There were times when Jungkook wished something had gone down with you and Jiyoon because then, at least, heâd have an excuse to talk to you in a way that didnât make him look like he only cared about you now that you were possibly pregnant or with something work-related.
He knows these things take time, and there is only so much he can do. So, heâs been pouring himself into work and filling his schedule with as many activities as possible to keep his mind off of waiting.
âJungkook, letâs go.â Taehyung raps his knuckles on Jungkookâs shoulder, grabbing his attention. âHead out of the clouds, daddy-o, weâre needed in hair and makeup.â
Sighing, Jungkook hauls himself off the couch in the studio waiting room and follows Taehyung into the space where the makeup and hair artists are set up. He arrived at the studio early this morning and had spent the last hour spilling his guts to Taehyung, something he promised himself he wouldnât do but couldnât keep it contained any longer.
âDonât call me that,â Jungkook grumbles.
Taehyung smirks. âWhat? Is that not what youâre hoping to be called? Donât tell me you and Jiyoon are into daddy roleplay. That might make it a little weird to have your kid also call you daddyâow!â
Rubbing the back of his head where Jungkook smacked him, Taehyung harrumphs before sidestepping the line of chairs and taking a seat in the one farthest from Jungkook.
âFuck off, Taehyung. After everything I just told you, thatâs all you have to say?â
Taehyung throws up his hands, and the hairdresser at his station begins to comb through his black tresses. âThe way it seems to me, youâre the only one making a big deal about this. If you want to check on her, Iâm sure she wonât think itâs only because sheâs your possible surrogate and not because youâre friends after this. And sure, you stuck your fingers into your wifeâs best friendâs vagina, but so what? It was what you needed to do. If I really needed you to touch my dick in order to complete an important procedure, I hope youâd do it with a smile on your face.â
Jungkook opens his mouth to protest but closes it when he realizes he canât really argue against that. Taehyung is right. He did what he had to do. Hell, he knows that, he used those words himself when explaining it to Jiyoon. Thereâs just this feeling he canât shake, heâs far too nervous and on edge right now. If only youâd reach out, put him out of his misery with an update.
âI hate it when youâre right. Iâll stop being such aââ
âHi, guys.â
âExcuse me, maâam, only staff and models are allowed back here.â
âWhoa, hey, wait. Sheâs our manager, and she can be here.â Jungkook is quick to spout, not caring if there is desperation evident in his voice. Once his eyes landed on you, it was all he could do not to jump up from the makeup chair, cross the room, and drop to his knees and beg for an update.
The directing assistant who stepped in your path gives you a once-over that makes Jungkook grind his teeth, but he just sighs and steps to the side. âOkay, but youâre both needed on set in fifteen,â he says, directing the last part toward Jungkook and Taehyung.
âItâs okay, I wonât be long. I justâŚâ You hold up a thin manilla envelope and give it a shake. âJiyoon is out of the office for the day, she said I should let you see first and that you could tell her later tonight at home. So, here I am. I thought we could look together.â
The makeup artist dabbing a sponge on Jungkookâs jaw lifts an eyebrow when he jerks forward in the chair, intent on scrambling across the room despite being in the middle of blending.
âTwo minutes,â she says, stepping back from Jungkook and turning to the makeup collection on her table.
âOkay!â Jungkook springs from the chair and rushes over to you, having no regard for the way his hair flops out of place on his forehead. âHi,â he says when heâs standing in front of you. âI didnât realize you had an appointment today.â
âI didnât,â you tell him. âI just wasnât feeling all that well this morning, soâŚwell, I just wanted to ensure everything was okay. They had to do a pregnancy test, it was routine.â You offer the folder to him. âWant to do the honors?â
Jungkookâs fingers are trembling as he takes the folder from you. It takes him three tries to get the flap open and to extract the slip of paper inside. You give him an encouraging smile as he looks to you for reassurance before letting his eyes sweep over the report.
âItâsâŚweâreâŚyouâreâŚholy fuck. Youâre pregnant. Youâre pregnant! YOUâRE PREGNANT!â Jungkook shouts before breaking out into a bout of ecstatic laughter. âFucking hell, oh my god, youâre pregnant! Iâm going to be a father. Me. A father. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Yes!â
You join in his laughter, the sound pleasant and musical, as he throws his arms around you and spins you in a circle. There are shining tears in your eyes when he sets you down again, happiness clear on your face. âIâm pregnant,â you whisper, the words reverent and full of awe.
There have never been more beautiful words. Jungkook canât help but say them again. âWeâre pregnant.â
Itâs hard to say if what Jungkook is feeling right now is considered a healthy response to what his wife, Jiyoon, just told him. But, the erratic beat of his heart paired with the incessant ringing in his ears doesnât necessarily feel bad, just like heâs having some sort of out-of-body experience.
âSay that again,â he requests, softly smacking his lips, trying to work moisture back into his mouth.
Jiyoon sighs, shuffling the papers on her lap. âIâm pregnant,â she repeats the same words you said just two weeks ago.
âYouâre certain?â Jungkook wants to believe he heard her correctly but canât help asking for clarity again.
âI am.â Jiyoon smiles at Jungkook, her eyes watery. âItâs right here, look.â
Jungkook hesitantly takes the top sheet of paper from Jiyoon, letting his eyes devour the words and numbers on it. Itâs all there, everything he needs to see and know for the truthâhCG levels far, far above average, an inked red circle around it along with a doctorâs barely legible scrawl of âpregnantâ beside that.
âHow far along? Itâs beenââ Jungkook pauses to try to do the math in his head; itâs been weeks since they were last intimateâthe night they agreed to do ICI.Â
âAbout eight weeks,â Jiyoon offers. âI suspected a few weeks ago, you know, when I was a little sick that weekendâthe one when we found out about, well, I didnât want to get my hopes up or disappoint you if it wasnât true, especially after such good newsâŚso I scheduled an appointment. I had to be sure, had to be certain.â
âYouâre pregnant.â The words feel thick on Jungkookâs tongue, like heâs trying to talk through a mouthful of peanut butter; sweet, decadent peanut butter.
âI am,â she whispers, the confirmation turning into a squeal of laughter as Jungkook sweeps her into his arms and shouts his own happiness.
Peppering kisses all over Jiyoonâs face, Jungkook hops around, alternating between shouting how much he loves her and how he canât believe his luck. âIâm going to be a father. Twice! What did I do to deserve this?! I love you so much. Fuck!â
âCalm down,â Jiyoon giggles. âPut me down before you make me hurl.â
âOh, yeah, sorry.â Jungkook pants, setting Jiyoon back down on her feet. âIâm just so excited!â He wiggles his hips and shimmies his shoulders. âWeâll need to order a second crib. Should we have the babies share a room at first? That seems the easier option, right? I bet there is a book on that somewhere, I need to goââ
âHey, calm, right?â Jiyoonâs smile is warm, soft. âWe have time. There is no need to rush. Can we just enjoy this for a little while longer?â she asks, grabbing one of his hands and placing it over her belly.
âYes. Yes, yes, yes.â Pressing his forehead to hers, Jungkook wraps his other arms around Jiyoon and sighs contentedly. âI love you so much, babe.â
âI love you, too, Jungkook.â
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Jiyoon seems nervous, pushing around the chopped salad on her plate as she chews her bottom lip. She hasnât met your eyes the entire time youâve been at lunch. You want to ask her whatâs wrong, but youâve been friends with her long enough to know that sheâll come to you with it when she wants, and pushing wonât do you any good.
âSo,â she draws the word out, lips forming an exaggerated pucker.
âYes?â
âHow are you feeling?â You can tell thatâs not what she wants to say or ask, but you indulge her anyway, hoping youâll get to the actual matter of why she insisted on going to lunch with you today.
You shift in your seat, setting your fork down on your half-empty plate. âI feel good. I just have some nausea in the mornings sometimes, but itâs not too bad.â
Finally, Jiyoonâs eyes come up to meet yours. âI know what you mean,â she says, the words slow and enunciatedâpointed. Her free hand flutters over her belly as if for emphasis.
âWhat?â The word is more breath than question. âYou are?â
âI am,â Jiyoon confirms, tears shining in her eyes.
âOh, my goodness! Jiyoon! What? But how? Oh my goodness! Thatâs wonderful!â You canât contain your excitement for your friend, throwing yourself across the tabletop to hug her fiercely.
Sheâs laughing as you sit back down, clearly buzzing with her own excitement. âWe just found out. It seems a miracle was in our cards after all. Itâs still early, nine weeks or so now.â That would make it just two weeks, give or take, before you and Jungkook did the ICI.
âWow,â you breathe, your own hand landing on your stomach. âThey might as well be twins. Itâll be so coolâwhat?â Jiyoonâs frown stilts your excitement. âWhat is it?â
She casts her eyes away from yours again, pulling her full bottom lip between her teeth before letting it pop back out. âI donât know. I just thoughtâŚitâs not too late if you wanted toâI just know itâs a lot on someone, your body, the pain and everything that comes after. And now that Iâm pregnant, itâs just, we donât expect you to continueâŚif you donât want. Weâd be completely understanding and fully supportive if youââ
âTermination? Is thatâŚwhat youâre talking about? And Jungkook agrees?â
Her nose wrinkles. âI donât like that word. Iâm just saying that we will support your decision to do that if youâd like. It was never in the plans to have more than one child, and now it would be two newborns at the same timeâŚthatâs a lot, you know? Twice as many diapers, bottles, and sleepless nights. It would be hard to say goodbye, but weâd still love you and not think less of you for it.â
Your mouth feels too dry for you to form words. You know what sheâs saying. Though there isnât a single ounce of you that desires that, you also understand the hesitation Jiyoon is expressing. Sheâs right. There wasnât a plan for two babies. So, what now? Do you volunteer to help? Do you seek out the advice of a lawyer to know where your parental rights might sit in the case they decide they donât want the baby in the end? So many thoughts swirl through your mind that it makes you dizzy.
âCan I think about it?â you ask, feeling for the first time a wave of uncertainty.
Jiyoon gives you what you assume is supposed to be an assuring smile. âOf course. And if you decide not to, Iâm sure we can come up with some sort of system. Weâll figure it out.â
She seems so sure that no matter your decision, itâll all be okay. âReally?â
âAbsolutely. I wantâwe want, these babies, even if we didnât plan for two. I was just letting you know that there is that option if you want it.â
âI-I donât think I do, but if that changesâŚIâll let you know.â
âThatâs all I ask! Now, tell me, what do you think itâll be?â she asks, patting her flat stomach again. âA boy or a girl? Iâm leaning more towards a boyâŚâ
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Jungkook
Jungkook still canât believe his life. Two babiesâtwo extraordinary miracles, itâs surrealâperfect. His calendar has never been more full. Thereâs the regular schedule of photo shoots, meetings, and other client work but now those are penned in between the baby classes heâs signed up for and various doctorâs appointments.
One of which is scheduled this afternoon, just a few hours after another this morning. There is your ten-week and then Jiyoonâs three-month appointment. Things have been going great with the pregnancies being so close together, but it does sometimes make appointments and times overlap. Which is how Jungkook finds himself sprinting across the parking lot of Jiyoonâs doctorâs office. Heâs lateâreally late. He didnât mean to arrive so late. Itâs just that your appointment ran a little longer than expected, and traffic wasnât exactly on his side, either.
Just as Jungkook puts his hand on the handle to open the door to the doctorâs office, it swings outward, nearly smacking him in the face. Jiyoon glares at him, a peeved sigh escaping her.
âYou missed it.â
âWhat? No. I still haveââ he glances down at his watch. âThe appointment should have lasted at least forty-five minutes, and itâs only been thirty.â
Jiyoon rolls her eyes. âThey were able to get me in a few minutes early.â She pushes past him and starts towards her car. âEverything is fine, by the way. The baby is measuring small but is still healthy. Thanks for asking,â she snarks, holding up a length of printed film.
Jungkook grabs the strip from her hand, jogging to keep up with her angry strides. âWow,â he whispers, looking down at the 2D images. âSheâs beautiful, so tiny.â
âShe? It could be a boy.â
âIs that what you hope it is?â Jungkook asks, skipping ahead of Jiyoon before turning and walking backwards in front of her. His eyes barely leave the black-and-white grainy images. He traces over the faintly-there contours of the face, the delicate nose and forehead.
Clicking the unlock button on her keyfob, Jiyoon sighs again. âI just want it to be healthy. I donât care what gender it is.â
âYou donât care?â Jungkook purses his lips, finally looking up at his wife. Sheâs wearing a designer pantsuit, the deep navy complementing her porcelain complexion and making the red lip she has on pop beautifully. Pregnancy looks good on her. He opens his mouth to tell her so when she cuts him off.
âDonât say it like that. Of course, I care. Good god, Jungkook, why do you have to make me feel like shit all the time? First you missed my appointment, because why? Because you were busy playing daddy to someone else. And now, here you are, accusing me of being a terrible mother before itâs even born. Fuck you. Fuck you, Jungkook.â
Jungkook is so confused. âWhat? I didnâtâplaying daddy? What are you talking about? I already said I was sorry for missing the appointment, you know the times were really close. It was her ten-week appointment. They were measuring her nuchal translucency, you remember how important that is!â
âWhatever,â Jiyoon deadpans, pushing around Jungkook and climbing into her car. âI have a meeting tonight, donât wait up for me.â
Before Jungkook can respond, the door slams shut, Jiyoon turns over the engine, and takes off. Maybe not everything is perfect, he laments to himself, mulling over his earlier thoughts. With a determined expression on his face, Jungkook makes his way to his own car and promises to do his best to make this right, vowing not to let something like this happen again.
Of course, itâs only some weeks later that Jungkook has to break this vow. Itâs not his fault, itâs no ones. It seems that life just wants to test him, perhaps make sure heâs honing his time management skills for when the babies come.
Everything has been going great since his hiccup with missing Jiyoonâs twelve-week appointment. Heâs been able to shuffle around his schedule and work with the both of you to ensure appointments donât overlap or are too close together.
Jiyoon has become reliant on him, which is something Jungkook revels in. Itâs like their marriage is finally back to the way it once was, full of nights cuddled in bed and romantic dinnersâsans the wine. While youâve been fiercely independent, yet charmingly sweet when it comes to Jungkook and Jiyoon and sharing the pregnancy experience with them.
There have been a few discussions about the fact that now there are going to be two babies instead of one. Jungkook has spent nearly all of his free time turning the guest bedroom into a nursery fit for two. His home gym has become a catch-all, most of the equipment being confined into a corner to make room for the furniture that came out of the guest room-now-nursery.
Itâs been a lot, but itâs something Jungkook would never trade for anything in all the world. Heâs positively jubilant over the prospect of being a father. Itâs something heâs dreamed about for as long as he can remember. Now, itâs just a few months away, a permanent light in his life.
âJ-jungkook?â your trembling voice sounds through his phone when he swipes to answer the call, tossing the paint roller into the bucket. Butter yellow coats the walls of the nursery and dots the hem of his old t-shirt.
âHey, is everything okay?â
âI think so. I donât know. I slipped on the stairs, Iâm at the ER right nowââ
âIâm on my way!â
âJungkook, no. Itâs okay. I know you have things going on today. I just thought I should tell you. Jiyoon was in a meeting, so Namjoon said heâd pass her a memo when she was done.â
Heâs supposed to attend a First-Time Fathers class in an hour, and Jiyoon has her twenty-two-week anatomy scan this afternoon. The class can wait. If heâs lucky, he can go to the ER, check on you, and then make it to Jiyoonâs appointment.
âNo, no, youâre not sitting in the ER by yourself. Iâll text Jiyoon and let her know that Iâm leaving now to come check on you.â
âO-okay.â
The line disconnects, and Jungkook slaps the lid on the paint bucket and throws a plastic sheet over the paint tray. If it dries out, then it dries out. Paint can be replaced; your health is far more crucial right now.
Walking into the entryway, he thumbs open his messages and types out a quick text to Jiyoon before tossing his phone on the small bench by the door so he can pull on his shoes.
Itâs a twenty-minute drive to the hospital, and it takes another ten minutes of searching to find you sitting in a waiting room with a large ice pack resting on your right foot.
âHey, are you okay? Have you been seen yet? How long have you been here? What happened?â
You hold up a hand to ward off more of his word vomit, an embarrassed smile soft on your face. âSlow down, have a seat. Iâm okay. They said I should be called back soon.â
Instead of sitting, Jungkook kneels on the floor in front of you. His fingers the ice pack, his face falling even further. âWhat happened?â
âI slipped in the stairwell at work, missed the last step and came down hard on the side of my foot.â
âCan I?â he asks, fingers moving to the corner of the ice pack.
You nod. âYeah.â
Lifting it gently, Jungkook takes in the sight of your foot. The black ballet flats youâre wearing give him a clear view of the swelling thatâs already beginning along the top and side of your foot.
âDo you want me to find a wheelchair?â
Before you can answer Jungkook a nurse comes through one of the doors, pushing a wheelchair. She wheels it over to you and says, âReady?â
âYeah.â
Jungkook slips his arm under yours as you stand before slowly helping you lower into the wheelchair. âWould you like to push her back?â the nurse asks Jungkook.
âI can come?â he wonders, hopeful.
âOf course. Unless youâd rather wait out here, and I can call for you when your wife is done.â
âOh, sheâs notââ
âIâd like for you to come if thatâs okay? I donât really want to be alone,â you interject before Jungkook can correct the nurse. She gives Jungkook a polite nod and gestures towards the door she came through.
âPlease come right this way. Weâll need to get a quick weight and a urine sample before I can get you into your room, where the doctor will see you shortly.â
Jungkook aids you the best he can, helping you to and from the wheelchair as he can. He almost asks if you want him to come into the restroom with you, but you give him a quick shake of your head before closing the door on him.
What feels like an eternity later, youâre finally settled on a bed with Jungkook sitting in the chair beside it.
âThank you for being here,â you say quietly, drawing Jungkookâs attention. âI know I said I wanted you to come back with me, and itâs not that I want you to leave, but please donât feel obligated to stay. I know you have a lot of other things going on.â
Shifting his chair closer, Jungkook reaches for one of your hands. âNonsense. Iâm glad you called. I feel bad that I havenât been to as many doctorâs appointments with you. I feel like itâs been a couple of weeks since Iâve even seen you. I wish our schedules worked out a little better. Perhaps, as my manager, thereâs something you can do about that?â he asks, giving you a jesting wink.
âI was trying to give you more time to go to Jiyoonâs appointments!â you laugh, covering your mouth with your hand.
âI know, but in case you forgot, youâre also carrying my child. Donât get me wrong, though, the texts are great, and I really appreciate the weekly baby bump pictures, but itâd be nice to actually see you. Though, maybe next time, letâs make it not where youâre laid up in a hospital bed, not yet, at least,â he adds on with a low laugh.
This is the first time Jungkook has seen your bump in person. The soft swell under your shirt calls to him, and he wonders if it would be okay to touch it. As if youâre reading his mind, you take the hand thatâs wrapped around yours and press it gently over your stomach.
âKinda weird, huh?â
âNo. No, not weird at all,â Jungkook says, being completely raw and honest with you. Jiyoon is touchy about her belly, pun wholly not intended, seeing as she doesnât let him touch her bump nearly as much as heâd like to. Sheâs only recently started to show, and itâs hitting her hard, with which Jungkook tries to empathize. He canât imagine being pregnant and how much a body changes; heâd probably feel things like that, too.
He spends a moment absorbing the feel, trying to imagine the little life growing just a few inches below his hand. Life he helped create. Heâs so in awe he could cryâŚif it wasnât for the door opening and breaking the momentary spell over him.
âHello, Iâm Dr. Lee. Iâll be your attending today. I hear you slipped down the stairs today and are worried your foot might be broken?â The cheery, middle-aged woman chatters away, washing her hands and drying them off before offering one to you and then to Jungkook.
âYeah. I missed the last step and landed on the side of my foot pretty hard.â You shake your head with a rueful smile. âI should have just waited for the elevator.â
âOh, ouch. Letâs take a look,â Dr. Lee coos. âMay I?â She gestures to the blanket covering your feet. Jungkook helped you remove your shoes once you were in bed and tossed the blanket over your feet so they wouldnât get cold.
âOf course.â
Dr. Lee pulls back the blanket and gently probes at your foot, turning it slowly side to side to get a better look. âDoes this hurt?â she asks as she rotates your ankle.
âA little, not as much as putting pressure on it, though.â
The doctor nods. âI think it might be best if we do an x-ray just to be sure itâs not broken.â
âWonât that be harmful to the baby?â Jungkook asks.
âDonât worry, weâll make sure to protect your little one.â Jungkook nods his understanding. âIs it your first? You look a little green around the gills, first-time-father jitters.â
Jungkook isnât entirely sure how to answer that. Because, technicallyâŚno? Considering Jiyoon is approximately two weeks further along than you are. Would that make her baby his first? A laugh, barely restrained, simmers deep in Jungkookâs chest.
âSomething like that,â he finally says, earning another warm smile from the doctor.
âAlright, letâs get started so I can get you two out of here as soon as possible.â
The word âsoonâ should be a relative term when it comes to hospitalsâor a word that hospital staff is barred from using. Jungkook doesnât mind spending the hours waiting with you. In fact, youâre pretty pleasant company. Thatâs not to say Jiyoon isnât when Jungkook attends appointments with her; thereâs just a different level of expectation, he thinks. He hopes this baby will have your patience and grace like that.
Jiyoon wants a quiet observer sitting in the corner, whereas youâre welcoming to his insights and curiosities. You havenât hushed him a single time when heâs voiced a question of any of the medical staff. In fact, it almost seems like you welcome it, comfortable in letting him show his concern for you.
Thankfully, the x-ray showed no break or fracture. Youâve been given a temporary boot to wear for the next week and strict instructions not to overdo it. âGot it,â you say once the nurse has finished explaining everything to you.
âNow, before we discharge you, we would like to have a sonographer brought in to check on the baby. According to your charts and file, youâre at the twenty-week mark now.â
Jungkook stands up, panic worming its way in. âShould we be worried? Is everything okay?â
The nurse gives him a motherly smile. âThatâs what we would like to check.â She turns her attention to you. âYou didnât fall on your belly, but with any trauma to the body, it never hurts just to be sure.â
Of course. That makes sense to Jungkook, but he looks to you for confirmation. âYeah? You want to do that?â
âThat would be great, thanks.â
Jungkook has only attended two live ultrasounds in all the doctorâs appointments he has been to. He has many printed ultrasound images that are now stuck to the refrigerator at home, one side for Jiyoon and the other for you. But heâs only managed to attend one for Jiyoon and one for you, so this will be a wonderful treat.
âOkay, theyâll be here in just a moment.â
A few moments pass after the nurse leaves the room, and Jungkook allows himself to truly assess his internal feelings. Heâs thankful that youâre okay and will feel even more at ease once the ultrasound confirms the baby is alright, too. Itâs wild for Jungkook to think that just a few months ago, his life felt like it was on the verge of falling apart. There was a steadily growing rift between him and Jiyoon, and you were just Jiyoonâs best friend.
Now, however, he feels closer than ever to his wife, and youâve managed to carve out your own little pocket in his heart, too. Itâs alarming, yet comforting, to realize that there is something more between you and himâa deepening connection thatâs still delicate but growing more solid with each passing day.
âYou feeling okay?â Your voice breaks through Jungkookâs reverie.
âHm? Me? Iâm great,â he assures, rubbing his thumb over the back of your hand. Youâve barely let his hand go the entire time, to which Jungkook wonât complain. âDoes it hurt much?â Jungkook nods toward the end of the bed, where your feet are back under the blanket.
You shrug. âItâs not so bad while laying here.â
âHi!â a bubbly voice calls from the door a second before a young blond woman wheels an imaging cart into the room. âAre we ready to get a look at your little one before you guys go home?â
âYep.â You give Jungkookâs hand a light squeeze. âExcited?â you ask in a soft voice meant only for him.
âVery,â he tells you, sitting up straighter in his chair.
âNow, this wonât be nearly as good as if we were in radiology in an exam room, but all we really want is to get a look to make sure everything is okay. Besides, who doesnât want to take a peek when you get the chance, right?â
The tech, with Jungkookâs assistance, helps you adjust on the bed until youâre in a comfortable position for the ultrasound. Jungkook feels frozen as you tug your blouse up and over your belly, giving him his first real glimpse of the swell in all its glory. Itâs one thing to see it through your shirt, another thing entirely to see it like this.
âCold,â you chuckle as the tech squeezes a glob of contact gel onto your lower belly.
âSorry about that, these carts unfortunately donât have the warmers on them. Ah, here we are,â she sing-songs when she smoothes the wand over the gel. âLook at that.â
Jungkook tears his eyes from your face, focusing his gaze on the imaging machine's display screen. His breath stutters in his lungs, and a wave of pure, unrestrained joy washes over him.
âTheyâre perfect,â he says, voice thick with emotion. Jungkook watches as an arm moves across the screen, followed by a little kicking foot.
âSeeing them never ceases to take my breath away.â You take the words right out of Jungkookâs mouth.
The tech hums, giving you a soft smile as she moves the wand around to different angles. âNo gender yet?â she asks. âIâll try to be careful here, donât want to have any spoilersâŚunless you would like to know?â
Itâs hard not to be curious. âIs it not too early to tell?â Jungkook asks.
Turning the screen slightly away from you and Jungkook, the tech says, âUm, nope. Not too early. Everything looks good, though. So, if youâd rather wait, we can get cleaned up and be done here.â
âWhat do you say?â Jungkook looks at you with a raised brow.
Your teeth leave a dent in your bottom lip as you worry it for a moment. Another thing he thinks would be cute to see his mini-me do. âI kind of want to, donât you?â
âYeah,â he admits, loving the fact that you do.
âOkay, wonderful. In that case,â the tech says before moving the screen back and adjusting the wand on your belly. âTake a look here.â
When Jungkook arrives home, the sun has long since gone down, but heâs so high on cloud nine that he canât bring himself to care. The large smile on his face hasnât slipped in the slightest.
Jungkook is certain nothing can bring him down. At least, that is, until he walks through the front door of his condo and straight into hell. Jiyoon is sitting at their dining table, her expression completely devoid of emotion.
âHey, babe. Whatâs going on?â Jungkook hesitantly asks, eyes sweeping the open layout and taking note that the only light on is the recessed one directly over Jiyoon. His smile slowly fades, replaced with a crease between his brows.
âWhatâs going on?â she asks in a cold voice.
âIs everything okay?â
Jiyoon sniffs, her eyes narrowing, the first sign of emotion heâs seen since he walked in. âNo. Everything is not okay.â
âOâŚkay,â Jungkook draws the word out, letting his mind flip through its internal catalog, trying to find pieces of the puzzle to put together.
âWhere have you been?â
âThere was an accident. Did you get the note fromââ
âYouâve not answered any of my calls or texts.â
âI sent you a text before I left. I think I misplaced my phone, I canât seem to findââ
âYou missed my appointment!â she sneers, cutting him off once more. âAnd you did not text me. I havenât heard from you since this morning.â
Realization hits, and the warmth drains from Jungkookâs face. He was so focused on everything with you, the panic and then the joy, that he completely spaced on everything else he should have done today. But alsoâŚ
âI swear I texted you to let you know I was going to the hospital. I was going to make sure everything was okay.â As soon as your name falls from his lips Jiyoon shoves back from the table and rounds it, getting in his face. âShe slipped at work and thought she might have broken her foot. Namjoon was supposed to give you a note about it since you were in a meeting. She called me. I was worried. I didnât mean to miss your appointment. Were they able to determine the gender?â
Jiyoon jabs a finger in the center of his chest. âNot. Good. Enough. Iâm your wife, not her! Youâre supposed to be with me! Instead, you spend all your fucking time with your nose up her ass when you barely even know her!â Jungkook staggers back as her poke turns into a fully-palmed shove. âYouâre un-fucking-believable! What a goddamn joke.â
âJiyoon, thatâs not fair. Something could have been wrong with the baby. It was an emergency,â Jungkook says, trying to make Jiyoon see reason.
It doesnât work.
âFuck you! Why do you care so fucking much about that stupid baby?! All you do is fawn over the photos and re-read her text updates! This,â she gestures wildly at her stomach, âis the baby you should care about! Yet you canât even show up when it counts.â
âYou canât be serious. This is ridiculous.â Jungkook keeps his tone level, refusing to be baited into a knock-down-drag-out with her.
âNo!â Jiyoon screams, making Jungkook flinch. âYou are ridiculous.â Suddenly a menacing smile cuts across her face. âI bet you slept with her. Didnât you? Thatâs it, youâre feeling possessive because you fucked my best friend, and thatâs how she got knocked up, isnât it?â
Jiyoonâs words spark a ringing in Jungkookâs ears. âWhat?â he whispers, the word barely forming.
âDonât play dumb with me, Jungkook. I know you too well for that. Letâs not forget your little slip-upââ she throws up air quotes as she says that ââthe night you supposedly did ICI.â
âI told you it was an accident. I didnât mean to do it!â
Sarcasm is a heavy, bitter layer in Jiyoonâs reply, âYou just so happened to touch her clit? Just a little oopsie, so innocent. Youâre too nice to outright lie to me, so, of course, you come up with some half-truth, expecting me to believe that you didnât want it, that you werenât secretly gnawing at the opportunity to try and seduce my best friend!â
âThat is not what happened at all!â
âSo Iâm supposed to believe my pathetically inexperienced best friend is the one that seduced you, then?â
âWhat? Thatâs not what I said at all. No one seduced anyone. Youâre being fucking crazy right now. You know Iâd never do that to yââ
The crack of Jiyoonâs palm against his jaw stuns him into silence. âDonât you dare call me crazy!â she screams. âYouâd never do that to me? Yeah, right. Youâre a man, and thatâs what men do! Heaven forbid a woman works hard and spends time away from the home, trying to provide for her family. Is that it? Iâm gone too much for your sad little dick, so you have to chase after the first desperate pussy that comes your way?â
Jungkook presses his fingers over the searing heat licking up his jaw where her hand struck him. âJiyoon, no, itâs not like that at all,â he says, losing his momentum because heâs not sure what he can say at this point to make her see reason. âI wouldnât cheat on you.â
âFucking my best friend because sheâs convenient and out of spite for me being gone so much? No, that sounds exactly like something you would do. Well, looks like itâs your lucky day because two can play that game, asshole. Enjoy your fucking prize!â
Jungkook jerks back, as if Jiyoon just slapped him again. âWhat does that mean?â
She laughs, the sound deep and throaty. âThis babyââ she seethes, rubbing over the small swell of her belly, voice rising with every word ââitâs not yours, you pathetic bastard!â
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ÂŠď¸ 2024-02-13 ColorMePurplex2
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born as a tiger
Pairing: Min Yoongi (Mad King) x OFC (Lee Hoyeon)
Rating: T | WC: 5.8k | Ao3 | My Fics Masterlist | Masterlist |
AU: Daechwita AU, Arranged Marriage AU, Historical AU, Royal AU
CW: implied unhealthy/abusive parental relationship, OFC has Trust Issues & implied C-PTSD, Yoongi & Yoonji star in this fic, Namjoon cameo, Jackson Wang shows up (does not throw a party but is cause for one), Jackson goes by Gayi, empty threats of violence but as a love language, sword fighting but friendly, I think that's it, lmk if I should update this
Summary:
Lee Hoyeon trembled at all the thoughts flashing through her head as her carriage pulled up in front of the infamous Changdeokgung palace. Peering out through the window, she was unsettled to see how clean the stone courtyard was, the cool taupe a far cry from the dripping red sheâd half-expected after tormenting herself with thoughts of her fianceâs atrocities.
All the gossip sheâd heard from the maids and guards back home in Dongjak Kingdom was now front and centre in her mind.Â
The carriage slowed to a gentle stop and the door opened, courtesy of the footman. Hoyeon took his hand, hoping hers wasnât trembling too noticeably, and took her first step on the grounds she would be empress of in three weeks.
A/N: - this idea lay dormant for a year and a half and suddenly resurrected in the middle of reading a webtoon at 10 pm so here I am answering the authorâs call of nature đ (*spongebob voice* fOuR mOnThS lAtEr: bless the ATZ hyperfixation for me wanting to get something out of my brain to make more room for the ot8 brainrot and this WIP was the sacrifice it chose)
I did some research for this fic, such as the Changdeokgung palace truly existing (of which I used in my moodboard), the chrysanthemum tea vs plum tea debate, and Yoongiâs sword apparently being called a hwando, etc. Any inaccuracies are mine and I apologize. Please feel free to point them out :)
There was supposed to be some smut but the muses refused. I may add it in the future or post it in a second chapter.
Thanks to the lovely @lunarelles for betaing! Any remaining mistakes are my own <3 Enjoy!Â
D-22
Emperor Min Yoongi of the Dalseogu Empire was a force to be reckoned with. His subjects trembled in fear when he was whispered aboutâeven his fellow rulers kept a wide berth around him when they met at diplomatic events. Heâs a monster, they said. His reign was written with the blood of his subjects. He was nicknamed the Mad King for a reasonânot that anyone would say his unofficial title to his face.
The day after the seventh emperor of the Dalseogu empire was crowned, he killed half of his court. Only a select few officials remained unscathed from the Mad Kingâs bloodbath. Even the families of the officials he killed were not all exempt â wives, concubines, and children being wiped out by his sword. The Dowager Empress and the Second, Third, and Fourth Prince had all died that day, making it the second most bloody day the Empire had seen since its inception.
Lee Hoyeon trembled at all the thoughts flashing through her head as her carriage pulled up in front of the infamous Changdeokgung palace. Peering out through the window, she was unsettled to see how clean the stone courtyard was, the cool taupe a far cry from the dripping red sheâd half-expected after tormenting herself with thoughts of her fianceâs atrocities.
All the gossip sheâd heard from the maids and guards back home in Dongjak Kingdom was now front and centre in her mind.Â
The carriage slowed to a gentle stop and the door opened, courtesy of the footman. Hoyeon took his hand, hoping hers wasnât trembling too noticeably, and took her first step on the grounds she would be empress of in three weeks.Â
A contingency of guards marched out from the front gates of Changdeokgung, a swish of brightly-coloured silk in their midst. Bowing to Hoyeon, they stepped aside, revealing the silk as the crown princess, the Mad Kingâs twin sister, Min Yoonji.
âIâm glad you made it here safely, Princess Hoyeon,â greeted Crown Princess Yoonji familiarly, as if this was their hundredth meeting and not their first. âThe emperor was out often the past couple weeks ensuring the bandits would not attack the carriages. I imagine youâre rather thirsty and tired. Would you like some tea?â
âTea would be lovely, thank you, Crown Princess.â
âPlease, call me unnie, we are to be sisters in a few weeks.â
âAs you wish, Crown Princess.â Hoyeon followed the princess to the quarters prepared for her stay before she wed the emperor.Â
This whole situation was most bizarre. The crown princess had been rumoured to be a fierce warriorâmuch like her brother, the maids had gasped as Hoyeon eavesdropped. Yet here she was, dressed in silks like any other respectable lady of the court and pouring the fragrant tea with a natural elegance Hoyeon had practiced for days to attain.
âSo, are you excited for the wedding?â asked Yoonji, refilling their cups with the most delicious blend of tea Hoyeon had ever drunk.
Hoyeon nibbled on her lip, debating how much would be prudent to tell the crown princess. She was lovely and welcoming, but she was also the emperorâs sister. How was she supposed to say she was scared out of her wits and had been for the past several days, since her father had announced her engagement to the Mad King at a state dinner with no warning whatsoever. That sheâd tried to learn what she could about her new empire and husband-to-be, but all she had gleaned was that she would be lucky to survive six months as the empress? What could she say, I almost looked forward to this when my father first announced this, so that I had a chance to finally be free from his tyranny, but now I wish I was back with the devil I know?
Deciding the last train of thought had the most truth she could pluck from and spin into a plausible half-truth, she replied, âI was surprised when my father mentioned the alliance to me, but I am pleased to be able to support my kingdom in this way. I will do my best to be a good empress to Dalseogu. I noticed the absolutely beautiful scenery as I made my way here, and it is a lovely empire.â Just ruled by not-so-lovely people, she thought, then ignored the stab of guilt at the mental insult to Yoonji, whoâd been rather good so far at calming her nerves.
Yoonji smiled at the compliment to her empire. âIâm so glad you think so! I know it can be a bitâŚsparse, to some, but I think thereâs a wild beauty to the land.â
One of her maids stepped forward to whisper in her ear. Yoonji looked at Hoyeon apologetically.Â
âDuty calls, Iâm afraid. Iâll leave you to rest now. I know my brother was looking forward to greeting you, but something came up that he couldnât ignore. Heâd like you to join him for tea tomorrow afternoon.â
âOf course, I will be there. Thank you, Crown PrincessâŚunnie.â
Yoonjiâs glare softened at the casual honorific. âLovely! Rest well, Princess Hoyeon.â
The crown princess and her entourage left, leaving only Hoyeon and her maid, Jina.Â
âThat seemed to go well, Miss,â offered Jina as she began to unpack and brush out Hoyeonâs nightclothes.
Hoyeon groaned, collapsing onto her bed with her hand flung over her eyes. âAppearances can be deceiving, Jina. I canât afford to trust anyone here, no matter how nice they areâespecially the emperorâs sister!â
âI hope she can be a true friend to you here, Miss.â
âThank you, Jina.â
D-21
âItâs a pleasure to serve you, Princess Hoyeon,â bowed the maid provided by the palace, named Sora.Â
âThank you. Iâm sure Jina will appreciate your help in navigating the palace until she becomes accustomed to our new accommodations.â
âIâll do my best, Princess.â
Sora and Jina chattered away, becoming fast friends, as Hoyeon chewed anxiously on her thumbnail in the corner.Â
She learned that Sora had a younger sister, Soha, whom she was very proud of for having recently become a full-fledged palace maid. The head maid was tough but caring once a maid proved herself, and Sora was sure Jina would win her over in no time. There were a couple guards who were insufferable flirts, but they were still respectful. Jinaâs best course of action would be to ignore any flirtations and not respond to the provocations.Â
Hoyeon finally jumped up from her seat, startling the maids from their conversation. âWhat time should I be prepared to go for tea with the emperor?â
âIf we start now, you should arrive just after the emperorâs meeting finishes, Princess,â replied Sora.Â
The maids did their best to dress Hoyeon up in her favourite hanbok, pinning her hair with a gold hairpin the emperor had gifted her via her father, and using cosmetics to accentuate her features.
âYouâre a little pale,â commented Jina as she patted some pink onto Hoyeonâs cheeks.Â
âDo you blame me?â she retorted. âSora, is there anything I need to be aware of when I greet the emperor?â
Sora paused from folding a discarded robe. âI donât think so. Emperor Min doesnât insist on many formalities if itâs not a formal event. I believe Soha will be serving the tea, so if you need anything, you can ask her to find me, Princess.â
âThank you, Sora.â
Jina and Sora fell in behind her, Sora quietly directing her through the maze of corridors to the room the emperor was waiting in for her.
She smiled at the guards outside the doors. âIs the emperor available?â
âUnnie!â
Hoyeon turned to see a girl bearing a tea tray. She bowed to her before turning to Sora.
âUnnie, the emperor is still occupied.â
âDo you think he will be long?â
âI donât think you will wait long,â reported the girl, who Hoyeon assumed was Soha. âPrincess,â she bowed again before entering the room.
A loud voice escaped the open door, followed by the distinctive sound of a slap.
A minute later she ran out, tears flowing down her face as she passed Hoyeon and her maids.
Hoyeon stared in trepidation at the girl. What had happened to make the emperor slap her? Sheâd barely had time to do anything. This didnât bode well for her.
âShow Princess Lee in,â called a voice. The guards opened the door.
Hoyeon took a deep breath and stepped forward, keeping her eyes on the next step she was taking.
She paused when she reached a low tea table, droplets of tea scattered across its surface. She could see the emperorâs robes across from her and a tea set shattered on the floor to her right.
So that was why Soha had run out. Why was it broken?
âYour Majesty,â she bowed, hoping it was low enough.
âYour Highness,â he greeted in response. âYou may stand.â
âThank you, Your Majesty.â Her eyes flicked up to his face quickly, then back down to hide her surprise.
He had a scar across his right eye, from his eyebrow to his cheek. Sheâd thought the rumours were just thatârumours. Who had ever heard of a king with a scar?
She supposed with a reputation like his, he didnât have to worry about naysayers attempting to depose him.
Sheâd been so surprised at the scar and hadnât wanted to be caught staring that she barely remembered his other features.
She chanced another glance and found him staring at her.
âYou can look at me, Princess Hoyeon.â
âThank you, Your Majesty.â She peeked up under her lashes.
Was it possible for a scar to heighten his appeal? He had shockingly blond hair pulled back into the typical sangtu, thick brows, a nose that she couldnât believe the first adjective she thought of was âcuteâ, and pouty lips. Overall, he was rather attractive.Â
The benefit to marrying a young emperor was that he was surprisingly handsome, but it also meant he was less likely to die soon. In all honesty, Hoyeon expected him to outlive her. Â
She hadnât met his eyesâhis look had been far too calculating. If there was one thing she knew about court politics, it was to never show your fear when someone was around.Â
âYou arrived much quicker than I expected, Princess Hoyeon. I hope your travels were smooth.â
âYes, thank you. We had no trouble at all. My father said it was better to arrive sooner lest we be waylaid and made late.â He was just thrilled he could finally get some use out of his useless only child.
âCrown Princess Yoonji said that you were an interesting companion at her tea yesterday.â
I knew sheâd tell him about me.
âAs was she, Your Majesty. I look forward to getting to know herâand youâbetter.â
âGood,â said the emperor, clearly pleased. âThe crown princess is pleased to be able to help you become accustomed to the Dalseogu Empire. I will be busy with all the things that must be finished before the wedding, so I imagine you will be seeing her often.â
âIâm pleased to hear that, Your Majesty. May I ask you a question?â Better to find out now how lenient he will be towards my impertinence.
âGo ahead.â
âWhy did you approach the Dongjak kingdom for an alliance?â Why me?
âIt is advantageous for both our lands to have the trade deals this alliance will forge. Dongjak and Dalseogu have not always been at peace, so this was a good way to cement it.â
Slightly surprised that the emperor had actually given her an answer, she nodded. She hadnât had the slightest shred of hope that he would give her some secretly romantic explanation, such as heâd seen her at some event and been so taken by her that he had to have her. All she was good for was strengthening her kingdomâs ties as one of its most important representatives.Â
The guards opened the door and let in Sora, carrying the replacement tea set.
She poured the tea quietly and served their cups to them, then retreated to the side, assuming an at-ease position.
âPlease sit,â directed the emperor, settling himself on his cushion. Hoyeon followed his example, making herself as comfortable as she could sitting opposite an unknown volatile man no one could rebuke.
The tea was delicious, stronger than what she was used to back in Dongjak, but she found its tart flavour pleasant.Â
âThis is exquisite tea, Your Majesty.â
He inclined his head. âIt is plum tea. I believe Dongjak more commonly uses the chrysanthemum flowers for their tea.â
âYou are correct, Your Majesty.â
Tea with the emperor went fairly well, although Hoyeon caught his considering gaze upon her several times. It unnerved her, wondering why he was taking so much interest in his political bride.Â
She didnât like it.
D-20
Hoyeon giggled, finally somewhat relaxed around the crown princess as the older girl spilled stories about her maidsâ and guardsâ dramatic dynamics and relationships.Â
âDonât tell the head maid I told you this,â Yoonji leaned forward, finger to her lips.Â
Hoyeonâs eyes widened as she bit her lower lip, nodding quickly in agreement. She knew that the maids were one of the biggest and best ally teams she could have on her side in the palace, and she wouldnât dare do anything to harm her chances of gaining connections.
âSo, what do you think of my brother, after your tea with him yesterday?â Yoonji relaxed onto her cushion, pouring herself another cup of what Hoyeon wasnât completely convinced was just plum tea.Â
Her teeth dug further into her lip as she considered how to answer. The siblings appeared fairly close for being possible throne rivalsâespecially considering that Yoonji had survived the Mad Kingâs bloody beginningâand she couldnât speak freely. The princess was a skilled politician, however, and would surely catch on if she lied and began praising the man.
âI find His MajestyâŚintimidating,â she said slowly, gauging how Yoonji took that ambivalent opening.
Yoonji nodded, motioning to continue with her finger. âHe certainly knows how to make himself understood.â
Understatement of the dynasty, thought Hoyeon.Â
âHeâsâŚrather good looking. I was surprised,â she mused. Realising Yoonji had raised her eyebrow at her, she went on hastily. âJust that I hadnât heard anyone speak about that when they discussed the emperor! I had very little information on His Majesty to go off of. I suppose the men that met the emperor were more focused on his character than his countenance,â she snorted, a little self-deprecatingly, glancing up to see if Yoonji would take the bait and either consider her a little simple and romantically-minded or expound upon her open-ended question to know more about her fianceâs personality.Â
âWell, I suppose I agree that my brother is rather good-looking,â Yoonji mused, sipping her tea. âIâve been told often that we appear quite similar.â
âIndeed, that was one of the first things I noticed. Youâre both attractive and thereâs certainly a family resemblance between you two. By the way, is there anyone you think is good-looking, unnie?â she asked curiously, hoping she wasnât overstepping.
Yoonji shook her head. âThere are several tolerably handsome ministers and princes around, but their personalit-â
A knock sounded at the door to the crown princessâs tea room. Yoonji nodded at Hoyeon in apology, excusing herself to speak quietly with the maid waiting at the door, bringing a message from the emperor.Â
Yoonjiâs brow furrowed slightly, then smoothed as she turned back to Hoyeon. âThe emperor has requested an audience with me, and he wishes to see you after my visit. Would you like to come with me now?â
Hoyeon nodded, setting her tea down and getting to her feet. She still wasnât entirely sure she had the palace layout memorised, and Jina was currently being interviewed by the head maid, leaving Hoyeon friendless and ally-less if Yoonji also left her behind.Â
âIâd be honoured to join you, Your Highness.â
The two young women headed as briskly as nobles could to the emperorâs throne room, where he remained after a meeting with his ministers earlier.Â
The guards saw the duoâs approach and opened the tall doors in anticipation of Yoonjiâs entrance. Hoyeon chose to remain outside, though the doors remained open, giving the siblings privacy and taking advantage of the moment to prepare her nerves to see her fiance again. Sheâd relaxed in Yoonjiâs quiet company, but reverted to her stiff princess behaviour on their walk here.Â
Shaking her head at her rapid closeness with the princess, she straightened her skirts anxiously. For all she knew, the siblings were in there right now discussing her pathetic surface-level attraction to the Mad King and how quickly sheâd come to confide in the princess.
Shifting on her feet, she cursed her father once again for removing anyone whoâd appeared close to her, making her a prime target for spilling her innermost thoughts when she met someone who appeared to listen. Reminding herself it had only been two days and Yoonji had not yet proved if it was safe to trust her, Hoyeon twisted the jade ring on her finger as she waited.
A loud cry came from Yoonji, giving her deja vu. With an inner sigh, she inched forward, straining her ear to make out what the siblings were arguing about.Â
Silently, she watched Yoonji, who appeared unafraid to talk back to the emperor. Was it because she was his sister? He wouldnât retaliate? Something else? She needed to know everything she could.
âIâm getting married?!â cried Yoonji, clearly. âIn two weeks?! Without you telling me first?!â
Hoyeon froze. Her newest ally and possible future friend would be leaving the palace? Was it because they were becoming close? Had Yoonji done something warranting being sent away? No, it was probably just another business transaction, like her marriage was to be.Â
Calming her anxious thoughts, Hoyeon shuffled a little closer, wondering who the groom was.
âNo, you are leaving Dalseogu in two weeks. You are getting married in a week to Emperor Wang Gayi.â
âYou arranged a marriage for me? With the Wang Emperor?!â
âYes, I did, and you will marry him. Thatâs an emperorâs order, Min Yoonji.â
âYou gave me no choice? Iâm so mad that you interfered with my relationships,â Yoonji said flatly, turning and exiting via the hall behind the throne area.Â
âYour groom will be here by tomorrow morning,â the emperor informed her, barely raising his voice. Facing forward once again, he motioned Hoyeon to approach him.Â
âGood afternoon, Princess.â
She bowed. âGood afternoon, Your Majesty.â
âGood afternoon, Your Highness. Would you like some tea?â
âNo, thank you. I just came from having some with the crown princess. I suppose she will be busy now with her wedding preparations, so I am grateful that I could have these past few days to get to know my sister-in-law.â
âI apologize if you feel that my sisterâs wedding takes precedence over ours,â the emperor said, surprising Hoyeon. âI wished her to wed soon and thought that now would be best since most of the preparations for ours are already complete and can transfer to theirs. Emperor Wang has to return to Kowloon soon and I wanted him to take Yoonji with him.â
âI am not slighted at all, Your Majesty. I wish the royal couple all happiness and longevity. May I ask why you requested to see me after the crown princess, Your Majesty?â
He stretched languidly, rising to his feet and sauntering down the steps to his throne. âAm I not allowed to wish to see my fiancee?â he asked, approaching Hoyeon.Â
âY-you are, Your Majesty.â Biting her lip, she forced herself to remain standing tall and not move back.
He paused two arm lengths away from her. âI would like to see you every day before our wedding, if you are available.â
âI believe I will be, if that is what you wish.â
He tilted his head, scanning her head to toe. She lowered her gaze to his feet, hoping she hadnât mussed her clothing since Jina left her at Yoonjiâs tea room.Â
âYou seem rather nervous.â
Who wouldnât be, being the focus of one of the continentâs most dangerous men?! Hoyeon shrieked internally. Well, it appeared the emperor was more perceptive than her father, so lying was off the table. âI suppose I am. We have only met once, and I am unchaperoned. I do not wish to cause any damage to either of your kingdoms if there were negative repercussions from this event, Your Majesty.â
He hummed, taking a step back so that his black-clad feet were no longer in her vision. âThe doors are open and there are plenty of guards and other staff around, Princess. But, if it would make you feel betterâChief Advisor Kim!â
Barely repressing the flinch at his sudden shout, Hoyeon turned to see who the emperor had just summoned. A tall, handsome man rushed in, arms full of scrolls and books, a pair of spectacles sliding down his nose. He pushed them up, a scroll fluttering from its precarious spot under his elbow.Â
Hoyeon stooped without thinking, catching the runaway parchment and handing it back to the man, who flashed a thankful smile at her, dimples appearing in his cheeks. âThank you, Your Highness.â
âPrincess Hoyeon, this is my most trusted advisor, Kim Namjoon. He will be our chaperone,â the emperor said shortly.Â
âIâm honoured to meet you, Princess. Congratulations on the wedding.â
âThank you,â she nodded at him and turned back to her fiance, not wanting to spend his patience with her over another man. Still, his behaviour was unlike anything she was used to. The Mad King was her enigma, and she only hoped it wouldnât take too long to figure him out.Â
D-17
The sound of metal hitting metal drew Hoyeonâs attention from the flowery bushes she was admiring, turning towards the walled courtyard ahead of her.
Jina stopped by her side, both somewhat behind one of the pillars by the entrance, watching the two men in front of them slash at each other, silver swords glinting in the sunlight.
The emperorâs distinctive blond hair gave his identity away, and Hoyeon watched his graceful power with an open mouth, seeing first-hand her fianceâs prowess with a blade.
The other man was about the same height, with short brown hair and a slimmer sword than Yoongiâs. He held it with a careless ease that belied years of training, evenly matched with his opponent.Â
Their blades clashed, sun rays reflecting off their entwined blades and blinding Hoyeon. She sneezed unexpectedly, interrupting the menâs moment. They bowed to each other, sheathing their blades and walking in different directionsâYoongi towards her and the other man towards Yoonji, whom Hoyeon just noticed was standing at the other side.Â
Hoyeon bowed, greeting the emperor. He nodded back at her, taking the damp cloth his attendant held out to him and wiping his face and neck down. The neckline of his black robe gaped a little, affording Hoyeon a glimpse of smooth pale skin and subtly defined musculature. She blushed red, glancing away quickly to watch Yoonji, who had attained her own sword.Â
The emperor followed her gaze, leaning his hand carelessly on his hwando pommel. âThatâs Emperor Wang,â he confirmed her suspicion carelessly. âWould you like to make a bet with me?â
âA bet, Your Majesty?â Hoyeon flicked her gaze to him in confusion.
He nodded towards the couple. âOn who will win their spar, Yoonji or Gayi.â
âThey will spar?â Crown princess versus emperor, fiancee versus fiance?
The two moved towards the now-open sparring area in the middle of the yard, raising their blades to the opening position.Â
âThey have both trained for years. Iâm curious myself about the outcome. So, what do you say, Princess?â The emperor leaned towards her, breath brushing her cheek. âWill you bet with me?â
âVery well, Your Majesty. What are your terms?â
He leaned back, studying her in mild surprise. âHmâŚyou must answer three questions I ask of you fully and truthfully, when I wish.â
Thatâs all? Like I could lie to you anyways. âAlright. I will hold the same terms, for the sake of fairness. I bet that the emperor will win.â
Hoyeon felt the weight of his gaze on her. âNot my sister?â
She shook her head. âI saw some of the emperorâs prowess when you two were fighting. I have not seen the princess fight, and the emperor surely has more experience, being on the battlefield.â
âBut he will be tired since we were fighting before this,â Yoongi pointed out. âAnd I have fought with the princess. So, our bet. We each bet three complete, truthful answers about any topic we are asked about by the other if they winâyou if Emperor Gayi wins, myself if Crown Princess Yoonji wins.â
âI agree to your terms.â Hoyeon shook the emperorâs hand, feeling his long fingers and calloused palms against her bare skin for the first time. He was warmer than she had expected; somehow sheâd anticipated a cold-blooded, rigid man.Â
He let go of her hand and she swiftly tucked her hands into her sleeves, feeling the ghost of his palm against hers. Focusing on the duo facing off in front of her, she did her best to ignore the warm presence brushing against her side.Â
Yoonji was better than Hoyeon had expected, never having seen a female warrior before. Some of her moves looked similar to the emperorâs, but some were distinctively hers. She seemed to be having fun, however, a large gummy smile forming on her face as she parried the emperorâs strikes and danced into his space, making it more difficult for him to evade her attacks.Â
Her opponent also seemed to be having fun, a smile growing on his face as they sparred.Â
Hoyeon was glad the two were getting along, albeit in a more violent way than she was used to. Given what she knew of the crown princessâs personality, she was curious how the coupleâs relationship would progress.
âThe princess is quite good,â she said without thinking.
The emperor hummed in agreement. âI trained with her often. She is one of my best generals.â
Hoyeon whipped around in surprise. âThe crown princess is your general?â
He nodded, dragging his eyes from the fight to her face.Â
âThen whyââ Hoyeon bit her lip, realizing her curiosity could be taken as insolence.
âContinue,â the emperor prompted her curiously.Â
âThen why are you marrying your general off to the Kowloon Empire?â she asked quietly. He still appeared to have heard her, as he replied.
âThe emperor and my sister have been in love for a while now. I will be saddened by my best general, advisor, and companionâs absence, but it is beyond time for her to have her happiness.â
Hoyeon blinked. Was the emperorâŚsentimental? And what was that about the marriage argument the other day?
âButâŚI understood the princess was against the marriage?â
âNot at all, she was being sarcastic. âHow dare you marry me to the love of my life? Alas, I am ordered to spend time with the only man who makes me happy.â Like that.â
âOh.â
âAre you slandering me behind my back, Your Majesty?â Yoonji approached the two, her fiance behind her, carrying their swords.
âIs it slander if itâs true?â he retorted. âIt seems my bride has not yet grown accustomed to your strange sense of humour. Now tell me, who won? I have a bet on the line, here.â
Realizing sheâd been too distracted by the emperor to see who won, Hoyeon looked to Yoonji, who had what she now realised was a faux-betrayed look on her face.Â
âYou had better have bet on me, brother.â
âOf course I did,â he replied smugly. âSo, I won the bet?â
Yoonjiâs fiance spoke up. âNo, your lovely fiancee did. Congratulations, Princess.â
âDamn, I should have bet on Gayi.â
Yoonji smacked her brotherâs arm for his comment. âYou are lucky Iâm leaving the palace, Your Majesty.â
Hoyeon watched the siblings banter with wide eyes. The emperor was so relaxed and unlike his Mad King persona today. Which was the real one?
âItâs okay, Princess,â commiserated Emperor Gayi. âNo one understands these twoâs strange relationship, either.â
âI can behead you, you know,â threatened Yoongi.Â
âYou better give me his empire if you do,â Yoonji poked his stomach.
âNot if you keep touching me, I wonât!â
âOR,â interrupted Gayi, âyou can not behead me and Yoonji can begin her reign over my empire peacefully as my empress!â
âBut then Iâd still have to hear you talk about my sister,â pointed out Yoongi. âIt would be a lot quieter if your head was removed from your shoulders.â
âSay something!â Gayi looked at Yoonji, who sighed.
âYoongi, donât kill my fiance. It wouldnât be a lot quieter because youâd then have to hear your sister talk about how much she missed her dead fiance insteadâŚand your fiancee wouldnât like you to kill her new ally, I guess.â
Yoongi looked at the bewildered Hoyeon. âHm. Itâs better to remove two nuisances at once, I suppose. I shall endure this next week for the princessâs sake, I suppose, since she won our bet.â
âHow generous, Your Majesty,â Gayi and Yoonji bowed formally after the emperor, who left with an eye roll at their antics.Â
Yoonji straightened once he was gone and turned to Hoyeon with a smile. âDo you want me to show you to the archery range?â
D-13
The wedding of the Emperor of Kowloon and the Crown Princess of Dalseogu went off without a hitch, which relieved some of Hoyeonâs worries. It was exactly the same as it would be for her and Yoongi, so she had a chance to mentally prepare. There wasnât too much that could go wrong, thankfully, so as long as she didnât faint next week, she should be in the clear.
Spending time with her fiance the past week and a half, as well as with his sister and her fiance, helped relax Hoyeon. He was courteous, surprisingly soft-spoken in private, and less menacing than she had been prepared for. Slowly, she began to wonder if the rumours had been exaggerated, as royal rumours tended to be, and if she might in fact be safe in the Dalseogu empire.Â
Then came the day of her wedding, and all Hoyeonâs nerves returned full-force. Yoonji had left for Kowloon with Gayi, unable to stay for the wedding, and only Jina was there as someone she could rely on.
Her father had sent a witness to his only childâs wedding, too concerned over possible attacks to come himself. Hoyeon snorted as she read the letter his delegate had handed to her, dropping the paper to the table carelessly.
So he could send his daughter to live in the empire, but couldnât come in person to celebrate her nuptials, the entire reason he would be safe visiting? Well, it wasnât like sheâd expected anything from him, but it still pinched in her heart.Â
Jina brushed her robes out smoothly, stepping back and giving her a reassuring nod. âItâs time, Your Highness.â
D-Day
The entire ceremony was a blur, Hoyeon too focused on not making a mistake to take in anything else. She had the vague sense that the atmosphere was overcast, but nothing more than that.
The celebration feast was similarly unfocused, for slightly differing reasons. Yoongi, her new husband (what a strange thought), was right beside her at the head table, paying rather unnerving attention to her.Â
Small bites were all she could choke down under his scrutiny, though he did his best to keep her dishes full. Hoyeon was a little confused when he kept adding delicious-smelling dishes to her immediate reach. Any other day, sheâd be happy to try the new and intriguing dishes, but with the nerves in her stomach and the eyes on her chopsticks, she couldnât choke down more than a few bites, something she bemoaned.
Toasts and cheers were continually offered by the celebrating ministers and nobles filling the hall, gallons of alcohol flowing freely.Â
Hoyeon grabbed her goblet, draining the dregs in a couple gulps, coughing a little at the afterburn. Yoongiâs scrutiny became heavier, his warmth overwhelming her as he leaned even closer to whisper in her ear. âAre you alright, Your Majesty?â
Hoyeon hiccuped. âIâm perfectly fine, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Just thirsty.â
His expression told her he didnât fully believe her, but he leaned back, letting her breathe easily again. She turned away, patting her burning cheeks with the back of her hand.Â
It really should be illegal for someone to look that handsome up close. She considered her previous fears that he would behead her within six months and revised it to worry that sheâd be overcome by his beauty within six months instead.Â
A sudden weight on her hand made her look down from picking up individual grains of rice with her chopsticks.
Yoongiâs hand rested on hers, his thumb caressing her pulse point. Her heart skipped a beat at the simple touch. He didnât look at her anymore, thankfully, but his hand stayed on hers the rest of the feast.
Her eyes darted between his profile and her chopsticks several times. Maybe it wouldnât be so bad being his empress.Â
General taglist (open): @bangtanwritershq @kayleefriedchicken @otome-wandering + (@moni-logues you seemed intrigued when we sprinted so I hope this is okay :] )
Divider by @bunnysrph | Moodboard photos from Pinterest/Google, edit is mine :]
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Ever A Never After â story masterpost
âś Title | Ever a Never After (adaptation from Enchanted movie)
âś Summary | Growing up in the fairy tale land, your whole life seems to have been written perfectly in the books, with the picturesque life and the Prince Charming that you can see yourself having your happily ever after with.
But your entire world turns upside down when you are suddenly sent into a whole new world, a different kind of universe where happily ever after doesnât exist. Thrust into a new challenge and shown a new side of life, you find yourself standing in a crossroad. When the moment arises, would you find your way back home to your true love, or is the universe trying to show you that sometimes happy endings donât have to be written so perfectly?
✠Pairings | Jungkook x female reader; Seokjin x female reader
âś Genre | Strangers to lovers!au, Fairy tale retelling!au, Angst, Smut
âśÂ Ratings & Warnings | +18 / M for Mature; specific warnings will be added accordingly on each published chapters
âśÂ Status / Current word count / Total word count | ONGOING; latest update: [teaser] Ever A Never After: Act 1 (April 25th, 2024) - n/a words of n/a wordsÂ
âśÂ Main Masterlist | Mailbox | Feedback | Ko-fi | Music companion
âśÂ Special Taglist: Ever A Never After
âś Story Note | Written in 2nd person POV (in case youâre new to my writing, I donât use ây/nâ coding as all of my lead characters are considered as OCs). In place of the coding, youâll find a blank space as her name. Please also note that our main character/reader insert for this story has her own nickname that will be used in the scenes. While the story is adapted from the movie, Enchanted, with some characters and places that were mentioned in the movie added into this story, I will be adding changes in the story settings, charactersâ names and background stories to fit the plot. That being said, as someone who has never set foot in the land of America, forgive me if there are some inaccuracies in the details that are being added here. I hope that doesnât change your reading experience with the story.
âśÂ Chapters
⢠Act One. Andalasia, The Maiden, and The Dream Prince
⢠Act Two. The Alter World and The Saviour
⢠Act Three. Fairy Tales and Bittersweet Endings
⢠Act Four. The Ball for The Kings and Queens and Dragons
⢠Act Five. Prince Charming and a Happily Never After
âśÂ Patreon specials
â˘Â visual inspiration board
âś Authorâs Note | Originally commissioned by @pinkbtsarmy | Itâs finally here! Iâm so sorry for taking so long with this one. Thank you so much for commissioning me and for your endless support. As mentioned in our last talk, there will be some changes from the original prompt/details that Iâve made to make the story work better, but I hope youâll be able to enjoy it still. I have decided to release this one as a mini-series to present the timeline more appropriately and make the storyline work. Have fun reading!
â Š Yoonia, all rights reserved. reposting/modifying of any kind is not allowed. unsolicited translations are not allowed.
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A Day in the Life
Summary: Namjoon and Kaya deal with the aftermath of their break-up. Dilara makes an uneasy realisation about her own relationship.
Pairing:Â Taehyung x OC, Namjoon x OC (different OCs)
Genre:Â Fluff, smut, angst
Word count:Â 9.8 K
Rating:Â 18+
Warnings: language, alcohol, making out, sex, oral sex, jealousy
A/N:Â Here is the next installment of unedited fic series. Takes place a couple of months after Moving On.
Tagging: @bbl32, @quarter-life-crisis2, @margopinkerton, @faearchives, @whoisbts, @purpleseoul7, @kflixnet (if you want to be added to the taglist, lmk)
Listen to:Â "meet me in amsterdam" by RINI
taehyung masterlist | namjoon masterlist | main masterlist
It is sunny and hot; Yoongi can almost hear his skin sizzle.Â
âPut this on before you get sunburnt,â he says to Jimin, tossing him a bottle of sunscreen as he arrives at the spot where the rest of the group is. Jimin catches it and examines the label while providing an opinion of the brand that Yoongi elects to ignore. Jungkook responds instead and they proceed to bicker half-heartedly, while Taehyung lies on a deck chair next to them, jumping in only to contribute singular comments that add fuel to the fire.
Yoongi takes a seat next to them and takes off his t-shirt, glad for the shade under the umbrella. Ibiza is as warm as they say - but itâs also as busy as they say. He turns to check on Namjoon, who had been a few steps behind him, now crouched by the end of the steps that lead from their hotel to the private beach and peering interestedly at something in the sand.
He squints but before he can get a clearer picture of what it is, he feels a tap on his shoulder to see Jungkook returning the sunscreen to him. Yoongi squeezes a bit more onto his palm and turns to Seokjin on his other side.
âHyung? Sunscreen?â
Seokjin, lying on his own chair with a pair of Raybans on his face and a streak of white sunscreen along the bridge of his nose, sighs without turning. âWhatâs the point, Yoongi?â he asks wryly. âWeâre all just going to die one day anyway.â
Yoongi stares at him. âWhat?â
âSunscreen isnât the answer. Itâs opportunity. Serendipity. ItâsâŚâ He takes a deep breath and exhales, still not turning, â... destiny.â
For a moment, Yoongi wonders if heâs being pranked, but then Jimin and Jungkook snort at Seokjinâs response and he decides he doesnât want to know.Â
âOi, Namjoon,â he says to the leader, who joins them then. âSunscreen,â he states, tossing the bottle to Namjoon, who fumbles it and drops it.
âThanks,â he mutters, sheepishly picking it up and shaking it before squeezing a dollop onto his palm. âWhereâs⌠four, five, six - whereâs Dilara?â
âWent to buy some drinks,â supplies Taehyung, golden-brown in a pair of red swimming trunks, sitting up gracefully and shaking out his shaggy black hair. âShe should be back by now, though.âÂ
Yoongi turns to Namjoon. âSpoken to Hobi yet?â
Namjoon nods, taking a seat under the second umbrella and rubbing the lotion along his arms. âHe landed a little while ago. I asked him to meet Bang PD if he could, since heâs in Seoul anyway. Some investors at the building this week,â he adds, answering Yoongiâs raise of the eyebrows.
âHeâs missing out on a beach weekend, though,â says Jimin earnestly. He turns to face the expanse of the brilliant blue ocean and the vast white sand of their private beach. âHe would love this,â he adds forlornly.
âHeâll be here later this week. We can make the trip back up here if we have the time,â offers Namjoon, before taking off his tank top.
âOoooh!âÂ
The three other boys jeer at his naked torso and Yoongi joins in as well, glad to see Namjoonâs abashed smile, the dimple popping faintly on his left cheek. Next to him, even Seokjin cracks a smile.
âShut up,â he replies dismissively, looking a bit ruffled but the dimple stays on his cheek. âWhy arenât you guys in the water?â
âWaiting for Dilara,â mutters Taehyung, reaching for his phone.
âThere she is!â Jungkook exclaims, and they turn to see where heâs pointing at. Across the private beach, near the edge of where the general public is lounging on the sand, Yoongi spots Dilara, in a red bikini top and light blue denim shorts, carrying a plastic bag and wading through the sand.
Jungkook waves to her but she doesnât notice; as they watch, she gets stopped by a tall, tan man in swimming trunks. A brief exchange of words occurs, full of smiles and animated gestures from him and a few seconds later, three more men join him and they stand together, keeping her in the middle.Â
âA very different looking fanbase than ours, I have to say,â observes Namjoon, as the first one hands his phone to a stranger and they all pose for a picture.Â
âYou donât think theyâll follow her here and see us, do you?â Jungkook asks, sounding slightly anxious.
Yoongi chuckles, agreeing with Namjoon. âI think weâre okay. They donât look like anyone whoâs going to recognise us,â he adds, glancing at Taehyung. He can only see a sliver of the younger memberâs face as he watches his girlfriend, his body very still.Â
Dilaraâs hands are occupied with the bag and a peace sign she makes while the guys stand around her, arms around each other and grinning into the camera. Yoongi canât be sure because sheâs wearing sunglasses, but it seems as though sheâs looking over in their direction. A couple of snaps later, Dilara waves to the fans and continues in her initial direction.
âOkay, I have cokes and lemonades,â she begins when she reaches them, tossing a yellow can so it lands neatly next to Seokjin on the towel, âbeers,â she adds, handing one to Namjoon and Yoongi each, âand diet coke,â she finishes, handing one each to Jimin, Jungkook and Taehyung, the latter of whom pauses for a fraction of a second before he takes it.
âCoke?â Jimin wrinkles his nose exaggeratedly behind his Dior sunglasses. âToss me a beer, woman,â he says, switching to English.
Without missing a beat, Dilara chucks a cold can at his lap which he catches right as it lands on his crotch; she gives him a wide smile when he winces and mutters a tight âThanksâ. She pushes her sunglasses to the top of her head and clicks open her own can of beer.Â
âCheers, everyone,â she says, and all of them respond with garbled Cheers, clinking cans here and there. She takes a sip of her beer and nudges Taehyungâs knee. âHey,â she says lightly.
A moment passes before he replies. âHey,â he murmurs, scooting slightly so she can sit next to him and accepting a peck on the cheek.
âYour fans follow you here?â Jimin asks teasingly.
âDoubt it,â she says, shaking her head. âItâs just mid-season excitement. Weâre in the western Europe - itâs the heartland of F1. Oh, and by the way - huge number of crabs all along the border,â she warns them, shuddering. âPopping out of the sand with zero warning.â
Yoongi turns to Namjoon. âIs that what you were doing back there?â he asks, pointing towards the steps to the hotel.
âMaybe,â he answers sheepishly. âThey were really cute,â he adds, sounding slightly defensive.
âYouâre possibly the only person on earth who thinks that, Namjoon,â says Seokjin from behind them.
Namjoon considers this, then shrugs. âTheyâre an acquired taste. Kaya hated them, too. Always found them creepy.â
Thereâs a pause where a few of them exchange looks, all of them surely thinking the same thing. Yoongi canât remember the last time Namjoon brought up Kaya in casual conversation, but he can only presume itâs progress.
Fortunately, Dilara speaks before it gets fishy. âI agree. I think itâs the way they scuttle?â
The conversation continues under the shade of the umbrellas, the drinks feeling nice and cold. Yoongi is glad for the weekend break; itâs rare during tour and despite the fact that the coming week is going to be packed with events and appearances until the weekend concert (and race), itâs nice to have a couple of days of rest.
âNamjoon hyung, do you think the company will let me fly Sooah out to Japan for the encore concert?â Jimin asks after a while.Â
âI think so. We can ask the travel team,â he assures him. âYou may have to fill out a form and everything, but it should be okay. Do you need tickets, too, or will she join us backstage?â
âShe prefers watching it from the audience,â replies Jimin, pouting slightly. âSays itâs a better experience.â
âOh, I agree,â pipes up Dilara, with Taehyungâs arm loose around her shoulders. âCan I get a ticket, too, for the next one?â
âWait, you donât like being backstage?â Jungkook asks, sounding flabbergasted.Â
âOf course I like it, but itâs not the same,â she argues, while a hint of a smile flickers on Taehyungâs face. âThe energy outside is something else. Especially during your love you so bad moments,â she adds, winking and Jungkook. âHearing the screams backstage isnât quite the same, JK.â
Jungkookâs ears go a brilliant shade of red while Jimin guffaws. Taehyung nudges her. âCome into the water with me?â
âYeah, sure.â She nods and they both stand up, Taehyung taking off his sunglasses and setting his drink on the plastic table between the chairs. Dilara nonchalantly drops her shorts, revealing plain red bikini bottoms; Yoongi looks away out of respect and notices Namjoon do the same, while Jungkook begins fidgeting with something on the edge of his chair. Taehyung and Dilara step out into the sun and begin walking towards the ocean, holding hands, while her long hair curls down her back.Â
âThey look happy.âÂ
Yoongi turns to see Seokjin sitting up finally and reaching for his drink. âThatâs good, isnât it?â
He shrugs noncommittally but doesnât answer. Yoongi glances at the happy couple again, now jogging towards the water, Taehyungâs hands on her waist and faint laughter carrying over to them as they splash into the shallow waves.
âThe water looks amazing,â remarks Jungkook, his eyes on the waves. âJimin, come on.â
âMy beer isnât -â
But Jungkook steers him to stand up and Jimin tries to down as much of his beer as he can. âJesus, slow down,â says Namjoon, frowning.
âYou should join, too, hyung,â says Jimin, sputtering slightly. âShow off that body,â he teases, poking his shoulder before he and Jungkook race towards the water where Taehyung and Dilara are already drenched, splashing water at each other and laughing.
âI need to work after this.â Namjoon muses, almost to himself. âCanât spend too long here.â
Seokjin clicks his tongue, now back on his back. âGive yourself a break, Namjoon. The company isnât going to come crashing down if you take an hour off.â
âBut -â
âEverything isnât your responsibility,â he interrupts. Namjoon sighs but says nothing, turning to Yoongi instead.
âComing?â
âIn a bit.â Yoongi gives him a wave as he stands up and begins walking towards the water. His shoulders look wider in the sun, despite the weight heâs clearly lost lately. The others are midway through a game of chicken, with Dilara and Jimin on Taehyung and Jungkookâs shoulders respectively. Yoongi smiles involuntarily as he watches them; itâs nice to see them letting loose, especially Namjoon.
He leans back and reaches for his phone, snapping a picture of all five of them in the water, candid and happy. He turns to Seokjin.
âYouâre not going, hyung?â
Seokjin doesnât answer for a moment. âIâll go if you go.â
Yoongi considers this, then grins. âIâll wait you out, old man. You know you canât resist the water,â he quips, laughing when Seokjin chuckles.Â
âSomeoneâs got to watch our stuff,â he reasons, gesturing to their phones and discarded clothes.
âGood thing weâve got security.â Yoongi cocks his head towards the two casually dressed bodyguards lounging a little ways away, sipping on a pearly white drink each. âCome on, take a break, hyung. You deserve it.â
Seokjin is silent for a bit, his sunglasses hiding his eyes. âLooks like a lot of splashing,â he mutters, before sighing.
Yoongi gives him a sympathetic look. Heâs not sure, but thereâs only one thing lately thatâs capable of ruining his mood this much. âFor the kids,â he urges gently, glancing at the ocean again.
âFine.â Seokjin exhales in annoyance and places his can on the table before standing up.Â
âThatâs it,â says Yoongi encouragingly, standing up as well. The sun is hot and the water looks magnificent. âFor the kids,â he repeats.
Seokjin huffs as they step out from under the umbrellas and pad their way down the sand. âSometimes I hate the kids,â he mutters, squinting in the sun.
âI know. Me, too.â
â
Dilara makes her way up the steps to the poolside, the ends of her hair dripping water down her side. The villa booked for them is away from the main hotel, as private as possible, for which sheâs more than glad. Thereâs the private beach and the private pool and she and Taehyung were always guaranteed a private room.
She glances at her phone, still not seeing the email sheâs been waiting for since yesterday. Clicking her tongue softly, she walks around the side of the house to see Taehyung, Jimin and Jungkook sitting on two deck chairs, huddled around something. Drenched hair and drops of water still on their shoulders; theyâve just finished a swim. Resisting the urge to bite down on Taehyungâs shoulder to surprise him, she veers instead for the member closest to her with his back to her.
âWhatâs up, guys?â she says loudly, suddenly placing her hands on Jungkookâs shoulders and leaning over him to see them peering into someoneâs phone.Â
Taehyung and Jimin start, but Jungkook jumps. âMweoya!â he gasps, clutching his chest. âDonât - donât do that,â he stutters, his face flushing.
Dilara immediately raises her hands. âWhoa. Sorry.â She frowns as he nods jerkily. âSo⌠what are you guys doing?â she asks again, this time in a normal volume, sitting next to Jimin.
All three of them exchange looks before Taehyung shrugs. âCome on, we can tell her.â
She raises her eyebrows as Jungkook, whoâs holding the phone, brings it closer to her. âI found this on Twitter,â he confesses in a low voice and plays a video. Itâs barely ten seconds long; it takes Dilara about half the video to realise who the subject is.
âIs - is that Kaya?â she exclaims, wincing when they all shush her in unison. âSorry - but⌠what is that? Is that her at uni? Getting mobbed?â
âItâs not that many people,â points out Jimin, but even he sounds doubtful. âAnd theyâre not, like⌠crowding her. Theyâre justâŚâ
âFollowing her,â finishes Dilara. âSo her identity is kind of confirmed, then,â she murmurs, already feeling bad for Kaya. She can see Jiminâs point: itâs not that bad. Itâs about five or six people turning as she passes by them, dressed casually with a coffee in her hand, and calling out her name in different tones of surprise and excitement. Kaya turns and faces the camera only for a moment, but itâs unmistakably her.Â
âGood thing Namjoon hyung doesnât go on Twitter,â says Taehyung, nibbling on a fingernail.
Dilaraâs head snaps up. âWait⌠youâre not going to keep this from him.â When none of them answer, she tilts her head, shoulders falling. âGuys. You canât be serious.â
âBut heâs been in such a good mood these days,â reasons Jungkook, eyes wide. âOkay, not good, but better. I donât want toâŚâ
âYeah, I get that, but this is important. And heâll find out anyway,â she points out. âCome on, you canât not tell Namjoon.â
âTell me what?âÂ
In the most fortuitous of moments, all four of them turn to see Namjoon approaching them, in fresh clothes and wet silvery hair. He looks only mildly suspicious at seeing them huddled together, almost as if expecting to catch them in some act of mischief.
âUmâŚâÂ
The three boys look at each other, and then at Dilara. She gives them a look, knowing that regardless of Namjoonâs mood, he has a right to know. He should know.
Jungkook sighs and hands the phone to Namjoon. âWe found this today.â
Dilara almost regrets her decision when she sees Namjoonâs face fall a bit more with each passing second. Next to her, Jimin scowls. âKnew we shouldnât have told her,â he mutters softly, wincing when she slaps his shoulder lightly.
âThisâŚâ Namjoon clears his throat. âThis was today?â
âProbably,â answers Jungkook slowly.
âSo not too long ago,â finishes Taehyung, biting his lip. âSorry, hyung.â
Namjoon seems to snap out of it and hands the phone back to Jungkook. âThanks. For letting me know.â Without waiting for a response, he heads back into the house.
âThink heâll talk to her?â Taehyung asks after a while, once theyâve finished another swim and are going into the kitchen.
âI think he already is,â replies Dilara, cocking her head towards the garden where Namjoon is sitting at a small wicker table, phone on the table and ear pods in his ear as he runs his hands over his face.
Namjoon exhales as the phone rings, his heart beating rapidly in a mixture of fear and anticipation. The video was short - too short. It told him nothing - nothing about who the people were, why it was suddenly a frenzy, whether she was officially recognised now, and how she is taking it. Does she hate him? Is she even angrier with him than she had been two months ago? Or is she finally coming around to understand why he did what he did?
Except⌠why isnât it working? Itâs the part thatâs nagging at him uncomfortably, small but sharp in his brain: why is it still happening? Why hasnât the world left her alone, even after he has?
âHello?â
His heart jolts; she sounds wary. âHey,â he says softly. God, heâs missed her voice. Recorded videos on his phone donât do it justice.
Thereâs a pause. âHey.âÂ
He needs to speak, but itâs too hard. Defeat, anger and longing - itâs an unholy mess.
âIâm, uh⌠I saw the video.â
âWhat video?â
Namoon frowns. âThe⌠video on Twitter. Outside your college? You, a bunch of strangers calling out your name? Mobbing you on your way to class?â he adds, running a hand through his hair and remembering the feeling of beng crowded at airports.
âOh. That. Wait, thereâs a video?â She sounds more exasperated than anything.Â
âYeah. Didnât show a whole lot, though.â
Kaya sighs; sheâs probably in her cabin in the college, or sheâs hopefully returned to her apartment. A moment later, the thought of that comforts him less.
âWell. Nothing really happened. I wasnât mobbed,â she clarifies, but doesnât elaborate.
âAre you okay?â The words tumble out of his mouth without warning because this, more than anything, is what he needs to know.
âYeah,â she answers softly. âNothing happened,â she repeats. âI told them I had to get to class and they left me alone. I donât know what youâre imagining, but itâs nothing like that.â
The picture in his mind of her frightened face, of her getting pulled, harassed and crowded in her personal space comes to an immediate pause.Â
âIâm glad.â He bites his lip, feeling his throat hurt as a lump forms slowly. He doesnât want the conversation to end and since she hasnât hung up yet, he can only presume she doesnât either. âHow are you?â
âNamjoon,â she whispers, âwhat are you doing?â
âIâm just asking you how you are,â he says quickly. âIs that so bad?â
She takes a deep breath and it sounds like sheâs about to argue, but then she simply sighs again. âIâm okay. You?â
âIâmâŚâ He canât lie. Heâs been doing it constantly, putting on a smile, performing his heart out, joking on television. But he canât lie to her. Iâm a fucking mess, and I love you.
Kaya waits, and itâs clear sheâs picked up on the pause. âYou looked thin the last time I saw you.â
He remembers the last time. âItâs tour,â he murmurs.Â
âYeah. Okay.â Thereâs a shuffling sound at her end, like sheâs standing up. âI have to go. I have a meeting and I have to drop off a draft to Adamâs office before that.â
She says it absently, and it seems to take her a few moments to register the dead silence on the line. Namjoon says nothing; thereâs the white hot anger in his stomach heâs tried to ignore thatâs returning, and the last thing he wants is to say something he might regret.
âNamjoon -â
âOkay,â he says tightly. âBye, Kaya.â He hangs up before either of them can say anything else.Â
â
âSo⌠ he hung up?â
âWhy is that so shocking?â
Dilara rolls onto her stomach and frowns, flipping her hair to the side so her phone is against her ear. âI donât know. Heâs the one who called you. Because he was worried?â
âIsnât he always?â Kaya says wryly. âBut this time, he actually had nothing to be worried about.â
. âAre you sure? Iâm not going to overreact; you can tell me the truth.â
âI am, though. I saw the video - it looks worse than it was,â she explains. âI donât think he believes me, though. I donât think he wants to, because then all of this will have been for nothing.â
Dilara hums sympathetically, somewhat glad that despite her break-up with Namjoon, Kaya hasnât stopped speaking with her out of association. She turns to glance at the bathroom, the sliding door of which is wide open, with only a blurry glass door blocking her view of her boyfriend showering inside. She bites her lip, shamelessly admiring his slender naked figure as he runs his hands through his wet hair.
â... in any case. I thought heâd be moving on by now.â
She winces, realising sheâs missed part of Kayaâs sentence. âUm⌠well, heâs definitely not moving on. Honestly, he just seems really sad.â
âI know he is,â says Kaya, to Dilaraâs surprise. âHe was trying to act so calm and collected when he came to my apartment with his stupid goodbye, butâŚâ She sighs, a mixture of frustration and sadness. âI saw that concert clip you sent me.â
âThe Rome one?â
Kaya confirms it. The clip in question had been Dilaraâs attempt at making Kaya feel better, except now she has no idea if itâs had the opposite impact. It was a short one, of Namjoon on stage during a concert, breaking down unexpectedly. Heâd done it in the most Namjoon way possible, with silent tears slipping out of his eyes, a stoic posture and forced smile, until one by one, all the boys had hugged him, starting with Jungkook.Â
The comments, of course, attributed it to anything and everything, from missing his parents to appreciating his Italian fans to his impending military service. But Dilara, who had actually been backstage at that concert, knew which pictures heâd been scrolling through earlier that day, of which Roman holiday and with whom.
She hasnât mentioned any of this to Kaya, but something tells her she may have guessed anyway.
âYeah, well. I think part of him is mad at me, too.â
âWhat does he have to be mad about?â
âI donât do well with breakâups,â she mutters. âI say things and I get defensive. Sometimes I have a rebound problem.â Sheâs quiet for a moment. âI just donât know what to say anymore, when he calls me like this. I mean, I know heâs sad,â she says emphatically. âI can hear it in his voice, but -â She scoffs and she sounds sad, too, and helpless. âWhat do I do about it? Heâs doing it to himself, you know?â
âYeahâŚâ Dilara hears the water stop in the bathroom. âIf it helps, I think heâs channelling a lot of it into music and stuff. Like a true artist,â she adds wryly. âHe performed an unreleased song at last nightâs concert and the audience went nuts. I mean, it was a really good song,â she admits.
âYeah? Whatâs it called?â she asks, sounding only mildly interested.
âHe didnât say. I donât think it has a title, but the internet is calling it Aphrodite based on the lyrics. You know someone is in deep when theyâve gone down the Greek mythology route,â she remarks.
Kaya sighs but doesnât respond, changing the subject instead. âCan we talk about something else? How was Montreal?â
âShit race,â answers Dilara, rolling her eyes. âI know wet races are a hoot to watch or whatever, but the track in Montreal becomes like fucking ice. I have to make up for my P7 in Barcelona and Silverstone next month, thatâs all,â she mutters, turning back on her back and adjusting her red bikini top, feeling her mood sour.
Kaya seems to realise this, for she quickly responds. âIt looked like you had fun at Ricciardoâs birthday party this week, though. The pictures are all over Instagram.â
Dilara chuckles. âYeah, it was fun. Honestly, itâs a good thing he always celebrates it in Ibiza so I was already in Spain this weekend. And Lexie and Chris and Fred were invited, too, so all in all it was quite fun.â
âOh, are those the people in this picture? The one you posted yesterday?â Kaya asks, and itâs clear sheâs pulled up the picture on her phone.Â
âYeah. You should meet them when youâre in London in July.â
âSure. Which one is Chris?â
âChris Park? The one thatâs not the blond German,â she quips.
âHa ha,â replies Kaya sarcastically, before pausing. âHeâs cute.â She scoffs when Dilara makes an exaggerated gagging sound. âOh, come on, you have to be blind to not admit heâs hot.â
âObjectively speaking, I accept that heâs good looking in an obvious way,â she admits.
âYeah, obvious hotness is the worst.â
Dilara laughs. âFair enough. Heâs not really my type, though. My type is more⌠classic,â she says, smirking as Taehyung exits the bathroom in nothing but a towel around his waist. âHigh cheekbones, artsy,â she lists, maintaining eye contact with him and nodding when he silently points at himself questioningly.
âTypes can be fluid,â argues Kaya, but Dilara barely hears her. Stopping at her feet, Taehyung places a knee on the bed and crawls up towards her.Â
Biting her lip in excitement, she starts to interrupt Kaya but Taehyung, face smooth and more handsome than ever, gives her a small shake of the head, indicating to her to continue her call.
âOh - uh⌠what do you mean?â Dilara asks into the phone, peering at him as he presses a soft kiss to her bare sternum and moves lower before tugging at the strings of her red bikini bottom so the knots open with ease. Nudging her legs apart, he pushes her knees up and kisses the skin just above her slit.
âFuck,â she mutters, realising a moment later that sheâs still on the phone. âI mean⌠fuck, yeah. Youâre right. Of course.â
âWhat was that?â
âWhat was what?â
âThat weird interruption. Is there a low signal where you are?â
âNo. Or probably.â Dilara swallows, only half-aware of what sheâs saying, the rest of her mind preoccupied with Taehyungâs head between her legs, his tongue finding its way along her wetness, down to her clit. âIâm just - oh - just⌠agreeing with you.â Her toes curl on the sheets as shivers start forming from her feet up her legs.
âYeah? About what?â
âAbout the - about⌠what we were talking about. About Chris, and the - oh, God!â She squeezes her eyes shut as Taehyung sucks suddenly at her clit, without warning.
Kaya gasps. âOh, my God. Is - is Taehyung with you?â
Dilara is starting to unravel. âI - in a sense,â she admits, snaking her other hand down to run it through his thick hair and lifting her hips up slightly.Â
âOh, God!â she exclaims, sounding horrified. âYou know what? Call me when youâre⌠done,â she says quickly, before hanging up.
Dilara nods absently, eyes fluttering shut and letting the phone fall from her hand as Taehyung devours her, one hand firm around her thigh and the other coming up to slide into her folds, brushing over her clit while his tongue stays inside her. Sheâs in danger of being overstimulated but itâs so sweet, so electric that the sharp sensation only flows through the rest of her body.
âYes, yes, right thereâŚâÂ
The orgasm is right there, within reach. A few more seconds of relentless tongue action while she cries out for him not to stop and it crashes over her like a wave of the ocean, her back arched and head thrown back on the pillow as he licks her through it, not letting her go even for a moment until she stutters his name.
âCome - come here,â she murmurs, head spinning and stars in her eyes as he emerges, hair dry but the bottom of his face slick with her juices. Wiping his mouth conspicuously on the back of his hand, he towers over her, eyes dark as he watches her catch her breath.
She raises her arms and he lowers himself to kiss her. The aftershocks of her orgasm are still fading away; she lets him pull her close, loving the feel of his naked body against hers, knowing for certain now that heâd seen her earlier today when sheâd clicked a picture with that group of fans. Those many men, that much exposed skin and the close proximity in which theyâd all surrounded her - it was just enough for a reaction.
âHey, beautiful,â he murmurs, pulling away but staying close. He props his head up on his palm and smiles down at her, a little satisfied.
âHey,â she says, her breathing slowly returning back to normal. âI think you just rocked my world.â
Taehyungâs smile gets wider but he visibly tries to suppress it, tossing his hair out of his eyes. âMy pleasure. Must be because Iâm your type, no?â
It takes Dilara a moment to realise what heâs referring to. âOh. That.â She chuckles. âTotally my type,â she agrees.
âAnd whatâs that?â
âMy type? I dunno. Sexy. Romantic. Smart but not arrogant. Just a little pretentious,â she adds, grinning when he rolls his eyes. âAble to take control when heâs a little jealous,â she adds in a murmur, running a finger down his chest and reaching up to brush her lips against his. âKnowing every inch of my body better than anyone,â she finishes, kissing him again.
He kisses her back, slow and affectionate, and rolls on top of her. âSo Chris isnât your type?â
âGod, no.â Dilara wrinkles her nose and Taehyung rolls off her, resuming his position on his side. âKaya saw his picture on my Instagram and said she thought he was hot. I told her she could see for herself when she comes to London next month.â
âChris? Wait, you told Kaya about him?â Taehyung frowns.
âYeah⌠why?â
âBecause he may not be your type, but he seems pretty close to Kayaâs type,â he points out.
âWhat?â Dilara squints. âNo way.â
âReally? Tall, buff, straight hair? Korean?â He raises his eyebrows. âThat doesnât remind you of anyone we know?â
Dilara rolls her eyes. âThatâs a little reductive. She canât just go out and find another Kim Namjoon on the street, you know?â
âHe doesnât have to be Namjoon, he just has to look like him.â Shaking his head, Taehyung pulls up the picture on his phone. âYou really donât see the resemblance?â
âNo. Just - okay, maybe the body structure. And the hair,â she admits uneasily. âAnd the voice, kind of. Okay, but thatâs crazy. Sheâs not going to just suddenly be attracted to someone that looks like her ex to get over her break-up.â But her voice trails off slightly at the end and she looks up at Taehyung hopefully. âRight?â
Taehyung purses his lips. âNamjoon is going to kill you,â he states.
âIf you let him, then weâve got bigger problems than Kayaâs dating life,â she snaps. âBesides, you might be overthinking this, okay? Theyâve never even met. All she did was see a picture and compliment him. As someone whoâs on fifty thousand lockscreens at this moment, you should know that.â
Taehyung gives her an unimpressed look as her phone pings. She reaches over to see a message from Kaya.
Kaya [14:12]
Hey, whenever youâre free, can you send me your friend Chrisâs number if heâs okay with it? Thanks.
Dilara stares at the screen as Taehyung reads the message out loud from over her head. âFuck,â she mutters, dropping her head into her hands. âNamjoon is going to kill me.â
Taehyung, his lips pressed against her shoulder from where heâs peering into her phone, nods and pats her arm. âI wonât let him. I promise.â
She turns around to face him. âReally? Because I may just have driven his ex-girlfriend into the arms of - oh, my God, Lexie is going to kill me, too.â She groans and covers her face, ignoring Taehyungâs low chuckle as he pulls her to him.
âDonât overthink,â he instructs her kindly. âCome on, go take a shower. Yoongi hyung wants us to go pick up stuff for dinner - he texted me a whole list but I got the car keys, too. Iâll take you out on a nice drive.â He slaps her backside affectionately.
Dilara sighs and sits up, swinging her legs over the bed and heading for the bathroom, untying and dropping her red bikini top on the way. Once sheâs out, sand washed away and hair smelling nice, she walks back into the bedroom to see Taehyung in the exact same position she left him in, comfortably naked on his back and scrolling through his phone.
âBabe, can you charge my phone?â she asks him as she rummages through her suitcase for clothes. âIâm waiting on an email.â
âThe same one?â Taehyung purses his lips sympathetically when she nods, reaching over to plug her phone into the bedside charger. âDidnât they say theyâd get back by now?â
âThey said yesterday,â she complains, âalthough Iâm hoping itâs a timezone thing and itâll come today.â Pulling on a tank top over cotton shorts, she turns towards the mirror, finger-combing her wet curls. âUgh, forget it,â she mutters. âTheyâre just going to curl by themselves anyway.â
âYou look beautiful,â he says from behind her. âAlways do.â He returns her smile in the mirror. âDo you want to go out now? It might help get your mind off this.â
âYeah, it might. Itâs not a big deal either way,â she adds, shrugging. âI mean, would it be good if I got it? Sure. But itâs not like itâs - wait, I think thatâs it,â she breaks off quickly, spotting the notification on her phone as it lights up. She hurries across the room to the bedside table and unplugs her phone, swiping up on the screen.
âOkayâŚâ Dilara opens it and scans through the initial text, while Taehyung sits up and pulls on his boxers, keeping his eyes on her the entire time. âYes!â she yells in excitement. âI got it!â
âYou did?â
âYes! Calvin Klein fall campaign, in the fucking flesh,â she exclaims, her heart hammering in excitement. âCongratulations on becoming a part of the Calvin Klein family, blah blah blah⌠oh, here it is - the fall/winter campaign which will be launched in the month of September, celebrating a milestone of the brand⌠joining global ambassadors including Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber - holy shit - Kendall Jenner, Jungkook of BTS -â They exchange a knowing look, âBella HadidâŚâ She trails off as she scans the rest of the list, something in her heart coming to a standstill.
âLara?â
Dilara locks her phone and tucks it into her back pocket. âNothing. Itâs great.â She turns away before she can start to dissect Taehyungâs expression, the understanding settling in of the one detail neither of them had mentioned out loud since her conversation with Calvin Klein had begun.
âIâm really happy for you,â he says from behind her, voice soft and - she doesnât want to dwell on it - slightly guilty. At that moment, thereâs a knock on the door and Dilara immediately opens it to see Jungkook of BTS.
âHey,â he says, looking a bit surprised. âSorry to, er⌠interrupt. Yoongi hyung wants to marinate the meat before dinner and Namjoon hyung asked if we could also pick up some wineâŚâ He raises his eyebrows, eyes wide. âI donât want to go alone so do one of you want to come along?â he asks hopefully.
âYeah,â answers Dilara, bustling around to find a pair of slippers and grabbing her bag.
âWhat about Jimin?â Taehyung asks, pulling on a tank top.
âYoongi gave him a giant watermelon to cut,â snickers Jungkook. âI thought about helping him but itâs more fun this way.â
âSounds like he needs your help more than I do,â says Dilara, glancing at Taehyung. âI can go pick up the dinner stuff. Where are the keys?â
âUm, in my shorts. But -â
Dilara picks up his tan shorts from the pile of clothes next to the bed and shakes them out to catch the set of car keys that fall out. âText me Yoongiâs list?â she asks. âLet me know if any of you want anything else. Weâll be back in a bit.âÂ
Without waiting for him to nod, she exits the bedroom, shutting the door and leaving with Jungkook.
â
An hour or so later, Dilara slips into the tiny study, a glass of white wine in her hand. Namjoon glances away from his laptop and gives her a small smile, waving her inside.
âI heard youâre in the mood for wine?â she says, placing the glass next to his laptop.
âWow, thanks.â He takes a whiff of it and nods. âI donât know if I should be drinking while Iâm working, though,â he adds, looking uneasy.
âYouâre on vacation. You can have a drink. Come on, just one,â she persuades him, sliding the glass slowly towards him.
Namjoon gives her a look. âYouâre a terrible influence,â he informs her, picking up the glass. âCheers,â he says, and clinks his glass with the can of beer sheâs holding. He takes a sip of the wine and sighs. âFuck, thatâs good. Are the mojito mixes in the fridge?â
Dilara pauses. âWe didnât buy mojito mixers. Shit, I knew we were forgetting something. But I can go out and get some, no problem,â she says quickly, nodding.
âOh, hey, no. Donât be silly,â says Namjoon, shaking his head. âItâs not a big deal. I can go out myself. Donât worry about it.â
She nods slowly, hesitating. âUm⌠you okay?â
Her tone seems to indicate exactly what sheâs talking about. Namjoon lowers his gaze before nodding. âFine. I think. Just worried,â he murmurs after a moment.
Dilara stares inside her can, seeing nothing but dark. âIf it makes you feel any better, I really think it wasnât a big deal. The video made it seem a lot worse than it was.â
He bites his lip. âYeah. Thatâs what she said, too.â
She nods, not really knowing what else to say. She considers leaving but then Namjoon speaks again.
âDo you talk to her?â
âM-hm.â
Namjoonâs shoulders relax a bit. âHow is she?â
Dilara shrugs. âAbout the same as you, I think.â When all he does is scoff softly and look away, she abandons her plan to leave him alone. âCan I just askâŚâ She waits until he looks back up at her, giving her permission, â... is it worth it? Leaving, for her sake?â
To her surprise, Namjoon doesnât answer immediately. âI donât know yet,â he admits. âSheâs been hurt before. And thereâs a reason idols donât talk about dating. Ever. It used to be out of obligation but now⌠it just makes more sense to keep that part of your life private. We donât do it for fun; we do it because itâs just better that way. I canât let her get hurt again,â he says quietly, lowering his head.
âBut she didnât get hurt,â points out Dilara. âThey didnât do anything to her.â
He looks like heâs about to argue but then thinks the better of it. âItâs not a chance I want to take.â
As much as she thinks heâs trying to convince himself more than her regarding his break-up, a different part of his spiel occurs to Dilara. Absently, she reaches for the white-gold ring around her neck, the metal warm from the sun outside.Â
âIâm sure you know what youâre doing,â she ventures carefully, âbut I just hope you donât regret it. Either of you.â
âYou think I might?â
I think you are. But Dilara knows she would never say that out loud to Namjoon. âI think⌠that when Taehyung and I broke up, the most difficult part of it was going back to normal.â
He tilts his head. âHow long did it take?â
âNot long at all. That was what was difficult about it. We lived in different countries, had completely different circles, so going back to normal⌠it took a surprisingly short amount of time,â she says, observing the point dawning on him. âDonât get me wrong. I wasnât happy, but⌠honestly, if it werenât for the Red Bull and BTS partnership and living with him and having him in my space every single day for two months, begging me to take him back⌠I donât know if weâd be together right now.â
âNo offence, but I think you and Taehyung are a little more dramatic than most,â he points out.
She shrugs sheepishly. âFair enough. If you recall, I did date an arsehole mechanic just to get back at Tae.â
The silence that follows is still. Dilara suddenly remembers Kaya asking for Chrisâs number and her heart jolts in anxiety, but then she puts that out of her mind; there is no way Namjoon can possibly know about that.Â
âYou know what,â she says after a moment, more to break the silence than anything, âIâm going to go get those mojito mixes right now, so we can put them in the fridge.â
âWait, you donât have to do that,â he starts to say, but she shakes her head and walks backwards out of the room.
âItâs no problem. Really. I like driving,â she adds, holding up the keys and smiling. âItâs my fault we forgot them, anyway. I was distracting Jungkook with a really bad impression of Batman. But itâs okay, I got it.â
Namjoon shakes his head. âItâs really hot outside.â
âGood thing the car and the store are air conditioned.â She steps out the door and peeks in one last time. âNo mistake is so bad that it canât be fixed.â
â
Taehyung enters the open kitchen, hands in his pockets, to see Dilara, Jungkook and Yoongi putting away groceries. Yoongi is holding up a packet of meat and muttering something to Jungkook in Korean, while Dilara is pouring out glasses of something light pink.
She notices him first. âHey,â she says, holding his gaze for a moment before looking away.
âHey,â he murmurs, not paying attention to the other two. Heâs about to stand beside her but thinks better of it, opting to stand opposite her instead with the counter between them. âYou were gone for a while.â
âI had to run back and get mojito mixers. Forgot them the first time.â She finishes pouring a glass and slides it in front of him. âWe got pink lemonade,â she says, sucking a bit off her thumb and turning around to place the carton back in the fridge.
Taehyung leans forward on the counter and observes her in silence, knowing he canât say anything to her while Yoongi and Jungkook are here.Â
As if on cue, Jungkook seems to notice him just then. âHyung! Did Dilara tell you the good news? About Calvin Klein?â
Taehyung doesnât answer immediately; he notices Dilara stiffen momentarily but continuing to move things around in the fridge. âYep, I was there when she got the email,â he says. âItâs fantastic.â
He doesnât think Jungkook wouldâve put two and two together, and neither does he think Dilara wouldâve even mentioned the elephant in the room that had existed since sheâd first told Taehyung about Calvin Klein considering her.
âJungkook,â says Yoongi after a moment. âCome help me with something.â
âWhat?â
âJust come.â Tugging him by the t-shirt, he leads Jungkook out of the kitchen.
Left alone, Taehyung keeps watching his girlfriend. As though feeling his eyes on her, she closes the fridge and turns around.
âSorry I didnât tell you I was going out again.â
âItâs okay,â he says softly. He takes a sip of the lemonade and almost gags; itâs almost sickly sweet. Looking up to see her raising her eyebrows, he clears his throat. âItâs nice. Syrupy.â
She frowns, seeming partly amused. âI, uh⌠I talked to Namjoon,â she says.
âReally?â Taehyung is surprised; he didnât think Dilara was the type to confront Namjoon about his personal life. Much as she admired him, he was sure the leader also intimidated her a little.
âYeah. I wasnât going to but he seemed really down and, I donât knowâŚâ She shrugs, going back to unpack the two remaining brown bags of groceries. âYou know, I was going through a break-up last year, too,â she says innocently, âand he gave me a lot of advice about how to deal with my ex-boyfriend at the time.â
âInteresting,â says Taehyung seriously, moving around the counter to help her with the groceries. âTell me more.â He glances at her out of the corner of his eye to see half a smile creep up on her face.
âNo way,â she says instead. âThat was a private conversation, and itâs going to stay that way.â
âWhat?â he exclaims in mock-outrage. âNo, you know what? Whatever he said, it seems like it worked for me. Or⌠this mysterious⌠sexy, romantic ex of yours thatâs your type apparently,â he quips, his stomach flipping when she rolls her eyes but smiles anyway.
âI donât know if I agree with him,â she says after a moment. âShe told me he broke up with her because he thought she wasnât safe with him. And he said that thatâs why celebrities - specifically, idols -,â she points out, â- donât talk about their relationships and flat-out lie to the press when asked. But how is that even a relationship then? If youâre just hiding your partner and not willing to actually deal with all that crap?â
âI wouldnât lie.â Taehyung says it in a matter-of-fact way, watching as she stops a few feet away from him.Â
âWhat do you mean?â
âI wouldnât hide you,â he clarifies. Sheâs giving him a look heâs seen before, one he knows always appears when he says something she calls âdeclarationsâ. Her eyes go soft and a hint of a smile flickers across her cheeks, as if to say that even though she knows it canât be true, she wishes it would. He simultaneously loves it and becomes a bit self-conscious over it.
âArenât we hiding right now?â
âWeâre keeping our personal life private,â he corrects her. âThatâs not the same thing. I wouldnât hide you.â
âHuh. You really wouldnât?â she asks, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
He shakes his head, coming up behind her and placing his hands on her hips. âNever,â he murmurs, kissing her shoulder and wrapping his arms around her waist. He rests her forehead on her shoulder; the fact that she hasnât shrugged him off or moved away is a good sign, but she isnât quite leaning back into him either.
Did Dilara tell you the good news? Taehyung wonders if Jungkook thinks that he and Dilara would be actually working together, if any of the ambassadors or celebrities in the shoot would be. He doesnât care about any of them, but he canât imagine taking away from Dilaraâs excitement about getting the campaign. Squeezing her waist tighter, he pulls her close.
âProve it.â
He raises his head slightly. âCome again?â
âProve it,â she repeats, turning around in his arms and stepping away slightly so sheâs leaning back against the counter.
âYou want to go public?â he asks sceptically. âAre you sure?â
âWell⌠not public,â she amends, âbut maybe your fans should know, right?â
âYour fans donât know about me,â he points out.
âNo, but they know Iâm not single.â Dilara tilts her head, a glint of a challenge in her eyes. âNo pressure⌠but you did bring it up.â She reaches up and kisses him on the cheek before patting his shoulder and leaving, giving him a wave before disappearing around the corner.
â
Itâs almost dinner time when Namjoon wakes up from in front of the laptop where heâd dozed off while working.
âDamn it,â he mutters, checking the time. He trudges straight into the bathroom and into the shower, the cool water helping him wake up at this unusual hour. Heâs looking forward to dinner; he feels weak and low on energy and despite being on tour, he intends to eat well tonight.
He doesnât check his phone again, not until heâs dressed and downstairs where everyone else is gathering and helping themselves to drinks. He gratefully accepts a mojito from a smiling Dilara and clinks his glass with hers.
âWhereâs Taehyung?â
âHeâs doing a live upstairs,â she answers. âSomething about switching with Hoseok while heâs in Seoul.â
Namjoon nods, noting the change in schedule no one thought to tell him about. If Taehyung is online today, then Hoseok would have to do a live at least once before the next concert, meaning he and Yoongi could take a break for at least another week or twoâŚ
âHoly shit!â
Everyone turns to where Jimin is staring into his phone, mouth open and half-laughing. âWhat is it?â Yoongi asks.
âTaehyung just -â Apparently unable to finish his sentence, he shakes his head and passes the phone to Seokjin next to him, laughing in disbelief. He points to something and Seokjin raises his eyebrows.
âIdiot,â he mutters, passing the phone over to Yoongi and Jungkook. Namjoon walks over with a frown and peers into the phone over their shoulders, apparently immediately seeing whatever it is - and looking straight up at Dilara, the frown deepening.
âWhat is it?â she asks doubtfully, for sheâd presumed it was something to do with their work. âIs everything okay?â
Namjoon bites his lip and opens his mouth, as if to say something, but then shakes his head. âYou tell me,â he mutters, reaching over to hand her the phone.
A bit hesitant, Dilara takes it and immediately scans the screen. Itâs a tweet with a video embedded; itâs Taehyung on a live - this live, wearing the same open-collared white linen shirt heâd been wearing half an hour ago - staring into the camera and speaking softly in Korean, looking more handsome than ever. Thereâs a SZA song playing in the background and a moment later, he turns up the volume and slides his chair back, bopping his head slightly to the music and running his hands through his thick hair.
He looks magnificent; it takes Dilara a moment to remember that his good looks canât be the reason the rest of the guys displayed such a reaction. She frowns as he gives a faint smile to the camera, gaze boring into the lens, and leans to the side to pick up something from the ground, giving a clear view of one half of their room including - Dilara squints - a pain red bikini top on the bed.
âWhat did you do?âÂ
Namjoonâs deep voice of exasperation jerks her out of her train of thought, which is just beginning to make sense of this. She looks up to see Taehyung jogging down the steps in the same white linen shirt and matching shorts, his hands casually in his pockets.
âWhat?â He looks around, frowning slightly at everyoneâs gaze on him. âWhatâs happening?â
âNo way you didnât know.â Jimin shakes his head, looking terribly amused, and gestures for Dilara to give him the phone. She does silently, her eyes not leaving Taehyungâs face.
He watches the video expressionlessly, only raising his eyebrows at the very end. He hands the phone back to Dilara, catching her eye for a moment.
âYou are going to be in so much trouble,â says Jimin, looking borderline thrilled at the prospect of it.
âItâs about time,â remarks Yoongi dryly, refilling his glass with wine. âTaehyung hasnât caused a scandal in a while.â
âWhen have I ever caused a scandal?â
âNo oneâs going to get in trouble,â says Namjoon loudly, cutting through the chatter. âBut⌠yeah, the companyâs not going to approve of it.â
âHuh.â Taehyung bites his lip and nods. âWell, nothing we can do about it now, I guess.â
âWe can get the video taken down,â suggests Jungkook. âItâs on Weverse, right?â
âWonât everyone have taken screenshots and recordings by now, though?â Dilara asks, continuing to look at Taehyung.
âYeah, probably,â sighs Namjoon, scrolling through his own phone.
âTop ten most irresponsible moments,â pipes up Seokjin, shaking his head exaggeratedly.
âYeah, Taehyung, this was a careless move,â adds Jimin instantly, jumping on the train.
âYou should be thankful Dilara didnât show up anywhere in the video,â Namjoon tells him. At that, everyone turns to look at her, as though waiting for her reaction.
âOh, uh - yeah, itâs - itâs so irresponsible,â she states, biting her lip to keep from smiling when Taehyung turns to her, eyebrows raised, hands on his hips. âBut⌠I donât really mind.â
Taehyung nods with narrowed eyes, still giving no indication as to the turn of events that led to this. Everyone else seems to be vaguely disappointed with her reaction; she supposes they were expecting some sort of dramatic fight.
Everyone drifts off after that, once itâs clear that the matter is more or less closed. Thereâs some chatter in different languages, largely debating between pre-gaming and going out, or staying in and watching a movie. Dilara finds she doesnât really care; she stays out of the conversation, silently accepting a casual kiss on the head from Taehyung as he saunters away to the living room with the others.
âMojito?â Namjoon offers her. âI tried my best,â he adds apologetically when she takes a sip and winces.
âNo, itâs just really strong,â she sputters, eyes watering a bit. âIs this how strong you take it?â
âSometimes,â he answers simply, but offers no more on the subject. âAre you okay? With this?â
From his partly curious tone, she takes it âthisâ is referring to Taehyungâs possibly accidental-on-purpose mishap with the live and the red bikini top.
âYeah, I guess,â she answers, pouring some more mixer into her glass and stirring it. âNot like we got caught snogging or something. Itâs pretty circumstantial. Do you really think heâll get in trouble with the company?â
âNot trouble, really. Like you said, itâs circumstantial. Doesnât prove anything.â
Dilara chooses to ignore that. âThatâs good.â
âIt is,â he agrees. âBut you never know. Things can escalate.â
Dilara glances at him as he picks out the mint leaf from his drink. It suddenly occurs to her that this may be hitting a little close to home.
âItâs⌠precarious,â she admits after a moment. âBut it doesnât really change anything. Not with us, I mean.âÂ
Namjoon nods, eyes still on his drink. âWell,â he says at last, âthatâs good for you, I guess.â He meets her eyes briefly before giving her a small nod and starting to move away.
âKaya,â blurts out Dilara, watching as he slowly turns around, âis getting published. An excerpt from her thesis - I forgot what it was called -â
âBehavioural Economics in Decision-making,â says Namjoon, nodding and smiling. His dimple appears out of nowhere and catches Dilara by surprise. âThatâs amazing. Tell her⌠tell her congratulations from me, the next time you talk to her?â
Heâs actually asking, Dilara realises. Sheâs about to agree, but at the last second, she looks up at him knowingly. âIâm not telling her anything,â she says, somewhat regretting it when Namjoon nods in acceptance. âYou can. You should. Sheâs happy about it. She and her friends went out to celebrate and everything.â
âYeah? She tell you that?â
âNot everything,â she admits. âI saw it on Instagram. Which means itâs probably a big deal.â
âPoint taken.â Namjoon raises his free hand as Dilara waves at him before walking back into the living room to join the others. He swallows, not sure why the lump is appearing in his throat again. Sheâs happy about it, apparently. Thatâs what he wanted. Thatâs what he wants.
He should congratulate her. Slipping out of the kitchen, he heads to the room heâs sharing with Yoongi and shuts the door behind him, scrolling through his contacts. A notification appears on the top of his screen and he clicks it out of habit. Ignoring the actual subject of the message, he navigates to Kayaâs Instagram, second in his Search results.
Namjoon finds the pictures immediately; itâs the latest album sheâs uploaded, consisting of three pictures of a group of people at a nicely-lit restaurant. He absently leans against the desk, missing her so immensely that he feels like his heart could crumble.
Kaya looks beautiful - and tired. But a happy tired, as though sheâs worked for months burning the midnight oil and finally given herself a night off. He scans the rest of the people in the first picture; mostly peers from her program, some of whom heâs met before. He swipes right to see a solo picture of her with her glasses on and shifting her hair, followed by a third picture with the entire group around the table, all holding their drinks up towards the camera.
Itâs obviously taken by someone else, perhaps a waiter or a passerby. Kaya is a couple of chairs away from the centre, in between her friend Alex - and Adam.
For a moment, his brain doesnât know how to react. Sheâs sitting next to him, and smiling - but there are six other people at the table, too. Her thesis advisor went to her celebration dinner. Her thesis advisor that hit on her, slept with her and sees her every day, went to her celebration dinner.
Namjoon bites his lip, feeling his mind about to turn a corner it shouldnât, for it wouldnât help anyone. But itâs too close by, just within reach. With the minor buzz of the two mojitos heâs had, his intrusive thoughts take over. He swallows and grits his teeth, regretting it instantly - but itâs too late, for he can see it now: Kaya, Kaya with him, naked and glorious, eyes closed, kissing him, being pleasured by him -Â
His bedroom door opens loudly, making a couple of people in the living room jerk in surprise.
âJungkook,â he says gruffly, âyouâre carrying your old phone with you?â
âUh, yeah,â answers Jungkook, standing up slowly. âYou need it?â
When Namjoon nods wordlessly, Jungkook gets to his feet and jogs to his room to retrieve his old Samsung, the one heâd brought on tour before buying a new one in London, Namjoon following him.
As Jungkook leads him to his room, he peers surreptitiously into his leaderâs room, frowning slightly when he sees his phone on the ground by the wall in three pieces, the screen shattered.
â
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Silent Grace Shorts: "Pillow-Talk"
Ship: Min Yoongi x Fem reader
au/genre: Mafia!au
rating: M
wc: 1.6k
Chapter warnings: Oral (f. receiving.), fingering, LOTS of sex talk, and neediness. MULTIPLE orgasms. Hidden breeding kink
summary: Oh we're getting nasty. This is the smuttiest we've gotten so far. Yoongi only has your pleasure on his mind.
tagss: @shadowyjellyfishfest @baechugff @maunosorioh @shelylamc @princess-sunshyn @scuzmunkie @wanceu @coldcoffee2121 @maunosorioh @massivelyfullenthusiast @bangtan-famiglia-net
After a long day of spending time with Yoongiâs mother, you were ready for a rest.Â
You loved spending time with her but she is the literal definition of âshop till you drop.âÂ
You walked through the door of your bedroom where Yoongi was just setting down his jacket on the chair to the side. âYouâre just getting home too?â You asked, setting the bags close to the closet for you to put away later.Â
He turned to you with a warm smile and nodded.Â
âYeah, I had to listen to my father yap his life away. He just has so much to say nowadays.â Yoongi chuckled, loosening his tie before walking over to you and wrapping his arms around you. You lifted your arms around his neck with a sweet smile.Â
âWell, maybe he just wants to teach you a few more things before you take over, baby.â You replied, causing him to playfully roll his eyes.Â
âTrust me Blossom, thereâs nothing else he could tell me.âÂ
You chuckled before lifting up and kissing his lips. Yoongi hummed before pulling you closer and deepening the kiss. His hand found the apple of your bottom and squeezed it tight as he pecked your lips over and over.Â
âTake a shower with me, Blossom.âÂ
~~~~~~~~~~~
The warm water hit your body as you closed your eyes and let the steam relax you. Yoongi stood behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist. He left sweet kisses along your shoulders and neck. A soft hum left your lips as his hands traveled up and down your navel, slowly as he continued to nip at your neck.Â
He turned to grab the shampoo, squeezing a bit into his hands before running his fingers through your hair, massaging your scalp.Â
âWhere did you and my mom end up?â he asked as he washed your hair.Â
âWe went to a lot of different places. She showed me the market she used to take you and your brother when you were younger. We ate at a few stalls there.â you replied âIt was all very good.âÂ
Yoongi smiled, âI used to hate going to that place. My mom would make us carry everything she bought before we brought security around. My youngest brother never had to carry anything because he would drop it so, it was always Jihoon and I. It was only worth it if we got food after.â He chuckled.Â
âYouâll have to carry my stuff too when we goâ You teased. âAs long as I get some food, Iâll carry you if I have toâ Yoongi snorted making you laugh.Â
He continued to wash your hair when you turned face him to rinse the soap from your hair.Â
Yoongi studied your body. He looked over every crevasse. He admired you. You were the most beautiful thing in his entire life. He loved how you accepted him, for him. Youâve been incredibly understanding, and he couldnât ask for more. You wiped the water from your eyes before turning back around. Â
Yoongi wrapped his arms around your waist and pushed his hips into your ass and you could feel the heat off him, despite the water being hotter. "You're so beautiful, Blossom." His breath was hot against your ear as he spoke softly to you. A soft moan leaves your lips feeling his length behind you.Â
"You're so beautiful too, Yoongi." You turned around and looked into his eyes. He was the most beautiful thing you had ever seen. He was taken aback a bit.
No one has ever told him something like that nor was he looking for it. He was used to being called handsome, of course, but beautiful? He wasnât used to that. Â
Beautiful made him feel special and loved.Â
"You're beautiful too, Yoongi." You said again, looking up at him. He smiled and leaned in to kiss you. The water dripped off your bodies as he held onto the back of your neck while his tongue played with yours.
You broke the kiss and looked into his eyes. "I love you, Yoongi." He smiled again as he pushed your hair out of your face before looking down at you with a serious look.
âI love you too, Blossom. More than life itselfâ He whispered, taking your lips once again. You moaned into his mouth as he nibbled on your bottom lip. He pulled away and looked at you, "I want to make love to you." You whispered to him, looking up at him. âI want youâ
He didnât hesitate. He pushed you against the wall and pulled your legs around his waist. His cock was throbbing as he felt it brush up against your wet core, hardening more with every second that passed by.
"I need you." He whispered as he looked into your eyes. You nodded and smiled at him before kissing his neck softly while grinding against his member with your cunt, moaning softly as his lips attached directly to your breast.
You were driving him up the wall. Feeling your cunt on his member drove him mad. You moaned as he sucked on your nipple. He groaned and lifted his head to look at you before holding you up with one hand while grabbing his member, guiding it across your clit.
You gasped as he pushed into you. He groaned and bit his lip, holding onto your waist tightly while slowly pushing in and out of you.
You moaned and held onto his shoulders as he continued to fuck you. "You feel so good, baby." He whispered into your ear. You whimpered out as he began to pound into you harder and faster. âYouâre doing so well for me Blossom. Youâre taking me so well.â
He groaned out as he continued to fuck you. You moan and kiss his neck, "I love how good you feel inside of me." His eyes rolled back into the sockets when you said that. "Fuck!" He groaned out as he began to pound into you faster. You moaned and whimpered, holding onto his shoulders tightly while your pussy clenched around him tighter with every thrust of his cock inside of you.Â
Yoongi was close but he wasnât done. No.Â
This was going to last all night.Â
He groaned out as he pushed into you harder and faster. You gasped for air, feeling his cock throb inside of your pussy while the water continued to hit both of your bodies. "Fuck! I'm gonna cum, I-Iâm going to cumâ you whine scratching his back, only turning him on more. âCum all you want...Iâm not done with youâ he smirked.
He continued to fuck you but his pace grew slower and deeper, his cock throbbing inside of you. That drove you over the edge "Fuck! I'm cumming!" You cried out as your pussy clenched around him tightly, feeling the waves of pleasure rush through your body. Yoongiâs pace slowed as he fucked his cum back into you. Not letting a single drop slip out. âMore?â He looked into your eyes, full of desire.Â
âY-yes. Please..â
~~~~~~~~~~~~
He laid you down on the bed and looked at you. "I'm going to fuck you so good, baby." He whispered as he crawled up your body and kissed your lips softly.
He kissed your neck, down to the top of your breasts. You moaned as he continued kissing his way down towards your pussy and back up again. âP-please donât tease me Yoongi.â You whined.Â
Yoongi smirked with a devious grin as he looked up at you, kissing your core gently before licking it up with the tip of his tongue. Goosebumps coated your skin as he continued to eat you out.Â
He licked you up with the tip of his tongue, making your hips buck against him. âFuckâŚYoongiâ You cried out, gripping his hair tightly. He looked into your eyes as he continued to swirl his tongue inside of you. Yoongi began to suck on your clit gently while pushing two fingers inside of you slowly but firmly.Â
Your pleasure was the only thing on Yoongiâs mind.Â
Not the fact that you may be too loud.
Not the fact that all his employees can hear you.
Not the fact that he had an early flight he needed to catch.Â
You were the only thing he was worried about.Â
He groans and pulls away from your core, watching you make a mess of the bed and his fingers. That didnât stop him. He continued to pump his fingers in and out of you until he felt you clench around his fingers only making you gasp from the sudden emptiness.Â
Before you could even speak he crashed his lips into yours, biting your bottom lip and pulling you on top of him. You straddled his hips and began to grind on his member while you kissed his neck, leaving all types of marks on his pale skin.Â
Yoongi didnât contain his moans even if he wanted to. You push him back with a smile on your face. âMy turnâ You smirked pushing yourself directly on top of his member, letting a moan leave your lips.Â
Yoongi moaned as he held on to your hips while you grinded against him, feeling him stretching your already sensitive core even more, you werenât going to last long. He lifted his body and held you close to him, moving your hips against him while his moans flew out his mouth.Â
âThatâs it, pretty girl. Thatâs it. Youâre doing so good for me, Blossom. T-take all of me.â He groaned into your ear. âCum with meâÂ
You were at your wit's end. Moans were flying from both of your mouths as you held on to one another. A few moments more and you came first with Yoongi cumming shortly after.Â
âI love you, Blossomâ Yoongi said panting before laying back trying to catch his breath. You were exhausted but you felt great. You laid on his chest holding him close, half asleep already.Â
âI love you too, Yoon.â You said softly before falling asleep.Â
Yoongi chuckled softly before kissing your head and falling asleep with you in his arms.Â
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My Cam Girl
Ship: Idol!Jungkook x Cam girl!Y/n
au/genre: sex cam worker au
rating: M
wc: 2.7k
Chapter warnings: Masturbation, mutual masturbation, sex talk. Vivid wet dreams. Breeding kink and children were mentioned.
summary: The members have an odd obsession with you.
tagss: @shadowyjellyfishfest @baechugff @maunosorioh @shelylamc @princess-sunshyn @scuzmunkie @wanceu @coldcoffee2121 @maunosorioh @massivelyfullenthusiast
Jungkook wasnât new to this type of thing. He had his fair share of experiences with cam girls and porn sites. He wasnât addicted by any means, his schedule did not allow him the time to. But every once in a while, he would dibble and dab.Â
Lately, his hyungs have been occupied. Their eyes were glued to their phone screens as if their lives depended on it. It took what felt like hours to regain their attention again. Jungkook wondered what had their attention so being the curious man he is, he asked.Â
âHyung,â Jungkook walked over to Hoseok and Namjoon occupied with whatever was placed on his screen.Â
âYeah?â they said in unison as they couldnât even bother to look at him.Â
âWhat are you looking at? You guys have been sitting here for almost an hour. Weâre supposed to practice now. â He asked.Â
âWe are looking at this cam girl Yoongi came across,â Namjoon said looking up at Jungkook briefly before looking back at Hoseokâs phone.Â
âSheâs so beautiful and adventurous. Sheâll try anything for the right priceâ Hoseok said enjoying his piping hot noodles and showing his younger brothers a sexy picture of you. âShe is one of the most beautiful women known to mankind. Itâs a shame sheâs in this type of business though. Sheâd probably make someone pleased.â Joon said, grabbing the phone and looking at your features.
âI was on Twitter and she popped on my timeline. I did some research and found her websiteâ Yoongi said as he walked over, taking Hoseokâs phone from Joon to look at the photo. âGive it to me,â Jungkook asked.Â
Jungkook was interested. You were beautiful. He was mesmerized by your body. Your curves were like no other. He wanted to check out your content. Yoongi handed Hoseok his phone back and sent Jungkook your socials.Â
That night he spent a few hours just looking at your content.Â
Of course, he watched some of your mature content but he also saw a few vlogs, and lifestyle like videos.Â
He fell in love with your personality.Â
You were sweet and bubbly. You enjoyed painting, cooking, and decorating.Â
He enjoyed the vlogs a lot more than your spicy content, so he found himself looking at your vlogs more often.Â
Jungkook noticed that much of your wholesome content didnât have as much attention as your other content. It kind of made him sad. He thought back to what Namjoon said.Â
You would make someone very happy.Â
Physically, mentally, and sexually.Â
~~~~~~~~
As the weeks went on, you became the topic of many discussions. Jungkook engaged with them but he also slowly became disgusted by the way they thought of you.Â
The way HE thought of you.Â
There was no question. You were amazing at what you did.Â
Your sex appeal was out of this world. Even with your wholesome content, you still had Jungkookâs mind running wild.Â
Whenever you posted or went live everyone darted to their room, where they stayed for hours at a time.Â
And he was no better.Â
He wanted to indulge but a part of him couldnât. Most of the time he would just avoid it.Â
But just like his hyungs, he was drawn in by you.Â
You werenât over the top or too animated.Â
You didnât make unnecessary noises or even say corny shit.Â
You were able to pull your viewer in. At least you were able to pull Jungkook in.Â
It felt really like he was truly the one in there with you. A few moments more of clicking around he heard a cute little chime.
The chime indicated that he had gotten a new message from you. His eyes widened and he clicked the icon that flashed the message.Â
âAh, that must be newâ he mumbled to himself.Â
Heâs been on your website for a few weeks and has never noticed the message feature.Â
âWelcome love, Iâm (âŚ.) whatâs your name or what would you like to be called?â He read. He frowned and looked at his pre-registered user.
âTheCockMaster3000â he questioned. He felt so embarrassed, that he quickly typed a response.Â
âI didnât come up with that name... Iâm sorryâ The three dots appeared letting him know you were responding.Â
âI kinda figured sometimes the name generator generates horrible usersâÂ
âBut I mean if you want me to call you thecockmaster I have no issues â you typed sarcastically.
 Jungkook chuckled to himself replying back
âno way, please donât do that. Just call me JKâ He said relaxing a little bit before hitting send. Â
âJK? I like it. Itâs mysterious, but I feel Iâve heard that before.â You responded.Â
Jungkookâs body started to heat up. It was a big risk to his career if the wrong person found out who he was. He didnât want to end up with a scandal.Â
âYou probably have, but trust me, Iâm not him.â
âOkay! No biggie. Now JK, thank you for subscribing. I hope you enjoy â¤ď¸â you said before getting up to finish getting ready.Â
The way you go live is simple, you go live but you turn off all live comments, they can only respond and tip you anonymously. Only you know whoâs saying what.
No judgment. No shaming.Â
As you embraced the theme of tonight's ASMR vibe, you yearned to captivate your viewers with a touch of sensory play. You desired to be their canvas, a vessel for their imaginative needs. With a radiant smile, you turned on the camera, ready to embark on a sensory journey.
âHello, my loves. How are you? Itâs been awhile hasnât it?âÂ
In a hushed whisper, you sent shivers down Jungkook's spine. Your voice was probably the most favoirte thing of Jungkookâs. You could tell him you hated him and wanted to take him out and heâd still fall in love with you.
âTonight, weâre going to use our imagination. Iâm going to help you imagine your personal, alone time with me, tonight youâre going to imagine me any way you want to. Is that alright?âÂ
Jungkookâs finger typed away a quick
response. âThatâll be greatâ he sent. Maybe that was too needy. He thought to himself but when you saw âTheCockMaster3000â you damn near busted out laughing.Â
"Alright, I'd like you to gradually close your eyes and let go of any worries from today, yesterday, or tomorrow. In this moment, imagine that it's just you and me. You can share with me all the troubles you've encountered during the day as I gently and firmly rub your shoulders. My hands will move softly up and down your back, helping to relieve the stress and tension you've accumulated."
Jungkookâs eyes were closed and his mind slowly drifted away to that very moment.Â
He began to feel hands, pressing against his shoulders, massaging them deeply. He groaned softly and looked behind him and there you were, as beautiful as can be. You were behind him in a gorgeous tub
Looking over a breathtaking view. His eyes were literally playing tricks on him but it was feeling amazing. He turned to you. âIs this real?â He asked looking over your features slowly, you giggled and sat on his lap slowly feeding him a strawberry that was dipped in Champagne
âAs real as you want it to beâ you slowly leaned down and kissed his pouted lips tasting the mixture of strawberries and liquor on his tongue.Â
He deepened the kiss, no longer thinking that this was just a dream, he wrapped his arms around your waist slowly kissing down your neck.
Soft moans left your lips as you ran your fingers through his hair. He couldnât contain himself, he allowed you to sink onto his member, letting out a strong deep groan. Your lips connected again as your hips rotated and bounced on him, causing the water to splash onto the floor.Â
It all happened very fast but he accepted it fully.Â
Jungkookâs breathing picked up as he now is imagining you fucking him the very first-time âmeetingâ you.
âF-fuck baby,â you said biting your bottom lip as he now thrust in your deeply between the sheets of the beautiful room he had imagined solely off of your words.
âF-Fuck b-baby, i-im g-gonna c-cum! Fuck-â He hisses laying his whole body onto yours and pushing his member upwards into your drippy core. âF-fuck then cum baby, cum in me, make me full loveâ you moaned softly in his ear. Exactly how you were talking to your viewers.
As soon as Kook felt himself about to cum he snapped himself out of his daydream and his eyes popped open, meeting yours.Â
âOpen your eyes, my loveâÂ
You smiled brightly at the camera like you were waiting for him to wake upâŚ
âHow was it? Please I wanna knowâ
Kook slowly looked down at his now cum-stained shorts cursing himself, wondering how the hell you managed to get him like that, through a laptopâŚ
~~~~~~~~~
For the next few weeks, Jungkook was still in shock. He could not believe you had him like that without being there. Thereâs no way.Â
Sure heâs watched plenty of âvideosâ before but he was never able to purely imagine something so vivid and real like that.Â
Longing for a reprise, he yearns to delve even deeper into the realms of imagination evoked by your words. The desire to relive this experience consumes him.
âSheâll do anything for the right priceâ He repeated Hobiâs words to himself logging in and typing up a message to send you.Â
âUm... hey, can I send in a request?â He asked hitting send, hoping he wasnât overstepping. You felt your phone chime followed by a buzz. You quickly read the message. âOf course, whatâs up?â
He felt a tad bit relaxed but still weird about it. âcan you do what you did last week, tonight? I really enjoyed it. I hope I donât sound like a crazy pervert..Iâll pay whatever you want â he hit send tapping his fingers on the arms of his chair waiting for a response.
âI wasnât planning on going live tonight sweetheart...but Iâll do it just for you since youâre new đâ that made his heart drop, âduh sheâs a real person of course she wouldnât want to always be on live in a way sheâs just like you, dumbassâ he thought quickly typing
 âfuck, no no no Iâm so sorry, please donât. Iâm sorry I should have considered the fact that you may be tired or busy, either way I have no rights to demand your time. Whenever you would like to is fine with meâ seeing that made you frown a little.Â
âNo sweetheart itâs okay, I have to provide the service you paid forđđĽşâ
Now he felt worse, like he was being too demanding. âIdc, If you need time for yourself take it. I work crazy schedules too so a mental break is always needed. I can wait. Please rest. I can wait. I promiseâ he typed.Â
That made your heart skip a beat.Â
âThank you... so much. Youâre the only one thatâs ever said that to me. Especially when making a request.. thank you đĽşâ you replied.Â
He felt bad but he didnât want to force you to speak more on it.Â
âReally? You need your rest.. youâre a real person that has real feelings and real problems if you need a break, we as your customers need to respect that. Your headspace is importantâ he typed back. You paused and smiled.Â
You could cry right now.Â
Itâs a shame how the bare minimum makes you feel so validated but thatâs what itâs like in this business.Â
âThank you.. thank you.. I really needed to hear that.â You paused and typed again. âHow about, we do a private live? You can keep your camera off, Iâll just guide you just like last time.âÂ
You typed back. Kookies eyes widen as he ran to his door and closed it and came back. âAre you sure? Please donât force yourselfâ he said. âNo no no itâs okay, Iâm just talking đâ you smiled and hit send.Â
He quick looked around his room to make sure everything was clean. Then he started messing with his hair. âOkay then... Iâm readyâ within minutes you had requested a private video chat.Â
He took another quick look before answering the call.Â
Your eyes widen at the beautiful human in front of you followed by a small chuckle.Â
âWow, Kookie, youâre adorable and you look very nice, I didnât know we were dressing up. And for the record, you are exactly the JK I was thinking of.â you smiled softly adjusting yourself on your bed. You had your hair in a messy bun and a big black Tshirt on that fell off your shoulder revealing your soft skin.Â
âI-I just...wowâ
Jungkook was stuck at how beautiful you were, you had makeup on and a cute tight dress on last time, your hair was done and your lips was glossed. You were beautiful then but seeing you without makeup, hair in its natural wild state,Â
You were absolutely gorgeous.
âU-uh yeah-â he cleared his throat âIâm sorry about that. I-IâÂ
âYou donât have to explain anything to me. Iâm not here to judge you. Iâm probably the last person that can cast judgment.â You snorted causing Jungkook to relax and chuckle.Â
âHow about we not judge each other?â He smiled and you nodded returning a smile of your own.Â
âDealâÂ
âAre you ready to begin?â You smiled lowering your voice cooing softly. The same tingling sensation came as you slowly started to directed him again.Â
âYes, prettyâ Jungkook whispered sending that same tingling sensation throughout your body.Â
You loved being called different pet names. Pretty was your all-time favorite.
âJungkook, close your eyes and surrender to the present moment. Let go of all the worries that weigh upon your mind today, and donât burden yourself with the uncertainties of tomorrow. I want you to immerse yourself completely in the sound of my voice and connect with your innermost desires. Is your mind clear and free, my love?â You whispered softly, watching as a sense of calm enveloped him.
Kook carefully opened his eyes to see where his mind has taken him today.Â
In a beautiful modern palace everything was aesthetically pleasing to his eye. He wondered why he was here this time and why you werenât, until The sound of splashing water and joyous giggles caught his attention.
Surrounded by aesthetics and beauty in the modern palace, he was taken back. You swam to the edge where he was and did a âcome hereâ with your finger inviting him to join you in the water.. Disregarding his clothes, he eagerly moved towards you, embracing the refreshing embrace of the water.
Greeting him with open arms, you pulled him in and kissed him deeply. Jungkook wrapped his arms around your naked body and pulled you close to his now-naked body.Â
The skin to skin contact drove him wild and it didnât help that you were playing with his member underneath the water latching your lips underneath his jaw line.
Your hands went to work, touching every part of Jungkook that was available to you, you stroked his shaft, massaged his thighs and balls, listening to how him calling out to you,Â
âP-prettyâŚplease.â he moaned wanting to gain control but couldnât, the hold you had over him was insane.Â
No woman has ever had this strong of a hold over Jungkook. He was always in control. This was a unique change.Â
And he liked it.Â
âWhat is it baby, you want me to stop?â You purred in his ear listening to his moans and groans.Â
âFuck. Let me fuck you, I want to fuck you pleaseâ he begged, which shocked him, cause he never does that.Â
Never.
The water slapped against your pussy as he had you bent over the wall of the pool, sending deep and long strokes to your core. Your moans were getting loud and so was his. âFUCK, baby faster fasterâ you moaned clenching around his hardened member.Â
Feeling that familiar feeling
Jungkook eyes shot open, taken back at how you were getting off to him groaning and stroking his member. âDonât stop baby, you can finish. Itâs okay honeyâ you said looking into his red face...Â
âI-I gotta go. T-thank you, pretty,â he said hanging up before you could even reply.
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SX Seoul series | Namjoon entry đ Closer
GIF by namchyoon
PAIRING: Namjoon x Reader (You can also read it on AO3)
SUMMARY:Â Namjoon and you were friends for years â he was your confidant, protector, and haven. You didnât want to risk it, no matter what, but some things canât be kept in the dark.
WORD COUNT:Â 8.2k
GENRE: friends to lovers, smut (it's lovemaking tbh)
RATING: RÂ (explicit)
WARNINGS:Â reader is shy and introverted, mentions of anxiety, being in the dark in an agitated crowd (reader is safe w/ NJ), fear of losing a friendship, porn w/ plot (lovemaking, or my version of it), unprotected sex (wrap it up), dry humping, riding, they're both shy and idiots in love but they make it đ
A.N. Is this a slow burn? Am I searingly slowly taking you all on the journey that is kissing and feeling Kim Namjoon? Some could say there was no need to describe it in such detail. They would be wrong đ
Someone called your name and you looked up.
âCome on! Donât fall behind!â
You gasped mutely and rushed in between the ever-growing crowd to join your friends and coworkers atop the stairs. The line wasnât too big tonight but you still preferred to stay close to them â no way you wanted to be left alone in a bar street in Itaewon in the middle of the night. You pressed your hands nervously, looking around while your friends laughed about something you didnât hear. No, you didnât want that. There could be weird people and drunk people, and you were the designated driver anywayâ
âHey!âÂ
You blinked at Juhyun through your glasses with big wide brown eyes like a deer caught in headlights.
âCome along!â She sighed, extending her hand so youâd grab it, and you did with relief.
You gave your coat at the reception with a polite head bow, following closely after everyone. The noise hit your ribcage with the force of an alarm, making you grin with gritted teeth but you took a deep breath and hurried along. It wasnât like you never went out, or had never been there before. SX Seoul had become the preferred club of people working in the industry, and so you found yourself with a vibrating ribcage and sweaty hands every once in a while. However, you did get anxious in crowded loud places like bars and clubs. An elbow sank into your side as you followed after Juhyun and despite the personâs apology and head bow, which you returned, you smiled with a hint of tiredness. The night had just begun.
You got set on the couches, saying hi to everyone you knew who was already there, and smoothly offered to help everyone get drinks. That was an easy way for you to get an alcohol-free drink early on and successfully avoid being offered drinks for a long while.
âLook whoâs DJying tonight!â
You had sat near Juhyun after handing her a drink and smiled happily, engaging in light conversation.
âDidnât you write his breakout music video?â
âYeah, I did!âÂ
You smiled politely, a warm fuzzy feeling settling in your stomach â you might have not liked the constant background house beat that had you all screaming to be heard, but you did feel proud of your work. Of every concept you had written, every storyboard you had designed, and every screening you helped with that led you to where you were now â in a creative atmosphere surrounded by like-minded people who just wanted to bring joy and creativity to the world.
As the night continued, you were more and more comfortable, surrounded by people you knew. You didnât think it could get better, but as soon as Namjoon arrived, you grinned from ear to ear and chuckled at your silliness.
âHi everyone!â You instantly scooted over and made space for him to sit beside you and join in the conversation, yet as you tried to keep up, he leaned in, âDriving?â
You turned to him and smiled sheepishly, something he returned with a sweetness of his own. You had been friends forever; he knew the answer to his own question.
âYour hair,â he added.Â
You blinked then felt for it over your shoulders and chest, trying to see in between psychedelic blinding lights if something had happened to it or something.Â
âNo! Justâ Itâs loose!â
You blinked again, pressing your glasses up the bridge of your nose, âWell, yeah.â
He smirked briefly, looking down before facing you again with a gentle puff, âIt looks good!â
Your lashes batted once before someone asked for his attention, and just in time. You could feel the heat spreading from your chest to your cheeks and turned to sip at your drink seemingly absentmindedly.
He noticed? You didnât know why it surprised you so much; Namjoon was an attentive friend. Caring too, he always noticed when something was going wrong or a project was difficult. He always offered to help you out, and you did the same. You had that kind of relationship â friendly and supportive. Of course, that didnât mean he had to notice your hairstyle for tonight. You had just let go of your usual braids to something more casual â just loose over your shoulders. And now there you were, playing with the long hair locks over your chest like your heart wasnât fluttering at the simplest interaction.
âHey! Letâs dance!â
You nodded at Juhyun and got up with a smile that crumbled just a little when Namjoon got up too. He scratched the back of his neck, sheepishly smiling at you and Juhyun.
âYou donât mind if I join you, right?â
âOf course not!â
She had answered for you because yet again you were pressing your lips. Namjoon wasnât half as bad a dancer as he thought he was and you had all danced together before. Had you blushed then as you did now? You wondered as you beelined to the center of the dancefloor; you couldnât remember. In the end, it didnât matter. You smiled as you turned to Namjoon in that circle of people just randomly facing each other in turns. It didnât have to be anything much, you were just having fun. All of you. It was absolutely fine.
He grabbed your hand and wiggled it for you to pivot and move around and you just laughed and did as told because it was fun. And not a big deal if he didnât do it to the others, they were busy shouting in each otherâs ears anyway.
You felt light and didnât think it could get better than this when all of a sudden everything became pitch black. The music shut down and suddenly all you could hear was your ears ringing annoyingly and people either shouting or wondering a bit louder than usual about what was going on. It took you a couple of seconds to realize that it couldnât be normal for a club to just abruptly shut down like that, and it was enough for your anxiety to instantly spike and sting your chest. Yet a pair of arms circled you lightening fast, pressing you safely to a firm chest.
Your cheeks were squished against his pectorals and you could hear a heart racing equally to yours under your ear. A question never formed itself, you knew exactly who was hugging you. It was safe now. You hugged him back and closed your eyes, using his body like an anchor to keep your anxiety from releasing you into the rowdy sea.
Namjoon could hear people getting agitated all around you two, making him squeeze you harder against him. People got nervous in situations like those. They could start running for the exit, pushing and stepping over people without a care if the panic was big enough. And as the absence of music and light continued, mere seconds felt like minutes cracking under the pressure as people became agitated.
He knew crowded places made you anxious. That was how you justified the way he was pressing his lips to the top of your head. It made your already racing heart jump with a foreign feeling, which mixed with his musky cologne had you sweating and not out of nervousness.
A louder shout not so far from you startled you into pressing your fingertips into his lower back and he immediately hugged you tighter. His lips brushed the top of your head again but the agitation around you was too loud, making it impossible to discern what he had said. Yet, regardless, you were safe. You could feel people shifting around you, voices becoming louder, and the occasional glimpse from people's phones. A wave of appreciation and gratitude flooded you, flowing over your anxiety and you unglued your cheek from his shirt to tell him.
His lips pressed lightly atop your cheekbone and your breath caught. His nose had tapped against your glasses and you instinctively squinted though you couldnât see. None of it bothered you though, on the contrary. Your lips parted in surprise, his thumb dragging across your jawline as if to make sure of where you were in the dark.
You forgot about the world around you. You were suspended in the air, in a trance, waiting for what would happen next, and it happened unexpectedly. His forehead touched yours and you closed your eyes, letting him cradle you sweetly. Little did he know that you could feel no anxiousness now, you were a blank page waiting to be written on.
Or maybe he knew. He didnât force your chin but he did mutter something while his lips brushed your jawline, and you turned your head. Curiosity, it was all it was. Because you hadnât heard him, but as your skins brushed, your lips caught the subtle hint of something plush and wet for the tiniest of moments.
You became dizzy and gripped his shirt at the end of his back. Was that what you thought it was? Was thatâ?
All it took was a millimeter for him to give you the hint that you took without hesitation. His lips pressed to the corner of your mouth and you sighed, eyes scrunching with the tension inside your chest. You were no mind and all instinct when you parted your lips further to get more, just a bit more. All you were ready to do was react, so when it felt like he was about to break away, you closed in.
You were incredibly aware of everything that involved Namjoon. The way his long fingers supported your jawline with a feather-like touch, his short hair falling just above his eyes tickling you where it got to your skin around your glasses, the softest touch of his plush lips as even his breath eased, the gentlest breeze caressing your face whenever you tentatively parted and rejoined like waves kissing the shore.
You were aware of everything, and yet when the lights and music came back on, you were helpless. Namjoon straightened up to look around, trying to figure out what was going on, while you were just looking up at him, gripping him still, trying to figure things out on your own. What was that? Whatâ
âAre you okay?â Juhyun asked right behind you and you jumped in place, startled. You let go of Namjoon, and it was he who answered.
âYeah, we stayed cool. Are you?â
âYeah, they pushed around a bit though, geez,â she complained, running a hand through her hair. âWhat do you think happened?â
âGood question, I donât know.â
You didnât hear anything anymore, you were just staring up at him as he talked. Good question. You had no idea either. What happened? Did you really just kissâ
âListen, if youâre bummed out, thatâs okay,â Juhyun shouted above the music, pressing your arm gently. She looked concerned and you tried a smile.
You could guess you looked as befuddled as you felt, âYeah, I kind ofâ But Iâm your driver!â You shouted instead, remembering your responsibility with a firm shake of your head.
âItâs okay, weâll catch a taxi!â She shouted with a nod. She knew you were usually anxious; something unnerving like that was surely too much for you. âIâm just worried about you going alone!â
âIâll go with her,â Namjoon nodded, unwavering, and before you got to say something, Juhyun agreed.
âTake care, text me when youâre home,â she asked you, squeezing your hand once.
You were frowning, about to suggest staying a bit more so you could take her home too when a firmer hand replaced hers. Namjoon returned your gaze, said a quick goodbye with a wave to everyone else, and then pulled you behind him as he made your way out.
Your mind slowly got back on track with every step you took. His hand was firmly wrapped around yours, and despite his wide shoulders in front of you, sheltering you from the chaos, your anxiety guided your thoughts back to the surface with a forced gasp.
What were you doing? Maybe this would turn awkward. You and Namjoon had been good friends for years, you had always counted on him. Maybe that was a mistake, maybe he would be uncomfortable around you now. You didnât want things to change, you didnât want to lose his joyful grins, relaxing bicycle rides, and long quiet reading sessions back at his place.
You bowed as you took your coat at the reception and put it on before stepping out into the cold. He was no longer holding your hand, which was holding the coatâs collar to your neck instead. You swallowed and looked down, freezing atop the stairs while you ran by the options and he stepped down ahead of you. You donât have to leave earlier because of me. I can get home safely by myself. Iâm sorry if that was awkward, Iâ
âWhereâs your car?â
You sucked in a breath and told him before turning to walk intently as quickly as possible. The cold was rough on your cheeks, despite the big round lenses of your glasses. You gritted your teeth not to quiver as you stepped carefully over the slippery sidewalk.
When you got to your car, you got in quickly and turned it on to give it time to warm up a bit. Namjoon had followed you inside in silence and was so quiet that his presence could have been buried under your anxiety.
You brushed your flushed cheeks and tried pulling your long hair free, realizing it was trapped between your blouse and the coat. You were so used to having braids that you forgot you needed to tend to your hair properly whenever you put your coat on and now you were stiff and stuck andâ
âEasy,â he rasped, reaching to help you and you froze. You glanced up at him and stayed still as he alleviated the tension of the fabric over your shoulders to gently pull your hair out before leaning to repeat the same action on the other side. By then your eyes had lowered to his hands. The way he was handling your dark threads of hair as if it was the most precious silk, worthy of care and attention. âThere.â
Your eyes jumped up in time to see him leaning back, a perfectly blank expression making your chest pang in nervousness. You were overthinking again.
âThanks!â You squeaked, clearing your voice immediately as you leaned forward to reach the GPS screen, âNow, to JoonieâsâŚâ
The drive was easier than you thought it would be. He commented on the cold, and then on what happened at the bar. He had never seen something like that at a bar, only at festivals or concerts. He wondered if the whole street had a power outage or if it was just that room. You mused that if it had been more than just the room, youâd surely hear about it in the news.Â
And just like that the car became quiet. Seoul always had traffic, even at 2:52 AM, it was nothing new. So while you comfortably focused on taking him home safely, your thoughts wandered elsewhere.
His lips were the softest thing you had ever touched in your life. Just the delicateness with which you had kissed, you didnât think you had it in you. Werenât kisses supposed to be messy? Powerful and passionate? Then how had you touched the pillowy clouds above?
Just remembering it had your guts burning in excitement, and you pressed your lips. Were you making any sense? But you had really done that; hiddenly in the dark, yes, but really. You had acted on your instinct for the first time and gotten a glimpse of the sky.Â
You wondered why now. Your friendship was old and comfortable, and he had always been a gentleman, protective but never overbearing. You thought he saw you as a colleague initially and then a friend with similar tastes. You pressed your lips right as you stopped the car in front of his apartment building. One glance at him and you knew that was the same old Namjoon you were used to. Maybe you had dreamed it. Maybe it was supposed to stay a dream.
âWould you like to come up?â
Your eyes jumped and widened, the shock as evident in your expression as a blinking billboard sign.
âI finished the new Murakami,â he continued swiftly, âso you can take it if you want. Or any other book.â
Your lips instantly twitched into a smile, âYou finally finished it, then.â
He smirked as you turned off the engine and reached to get your bag, âFinally. You know how I am with his books.â
You nodded and got out of the car, the negative temperature clashing with your blushing cheeks. Yet you only smiled, locked the car, and teased him while you both went inside. Even the ride up the elevator was lighter; you two were back to your eased friendship where you got to poke fun at his annoyance with the repetitiveness of Murakamiâs plotlines while enjoying every other detailed introspection he had to offer.
So when you passed the threshold of his apartment, you were as always. You both got your shoes off, though you kept your coat because you werenât going to stay long. He offered you a drink despite you insisting that it was a quick visit, and as he disappeared into the kitchen to see what he could offer, you beelined to his reading corner.
That space always brought a smile to your face and comfort to your heart. That corner of the living room had a bookshelf from floor to ceiling separated by squared compartments that combined books and small plant pots in a myriad of colors. His most cherished one, however, was the bonsai on the small table next to the gray reading chair and ottoman. He'd let you take up the chair whenever you would read or work at his place, with him preferring the couch so he could stretch his legs more comfortably. You preferred the reading chair because the setting was a mood changer for you and you could use the different shelves to place your open books, especially when designing or writing ideas. Each square was organized in a particular way: some by authors, others by category, or type of work.
âI donât have much,â you could hear him returning to you. âBut I can make tea.â
You shook your head while you crouched, taking a look at your favorite section, âItâs okay, I wonât stay long. Whereâs the Murakami?â
âRight here,â his voice sounded from above your head, and you glanced up to see him towering over you, reaching for the book lying by the ledge on the appropriate shelf. He eyed you and you smirked, pushing your glasses up your nose bridge before looking back down. The corners of his lips twitched as he gripped the book inside his hands; he knew you were just happily skimming through your favorite shelf, and that wasnât the issue. You werenât the issue, you wereâ He took a deep shaky breath, âOh, right, I have another one.â
He placed the Murakami book on the small table and left your side in the direction of his bedroom, you noticed. You pressed your lips and got up, grabbing the book he was holding just now. Blood was rushing to your cheeks and you took a short breath to ease yourself. You were there just to grab that book. You were alone at Namjoonâs, and that had happened hundreds of times before. Not that you had ever kissed before, but you could be cool. It was in the dark anyway. Conceptually, if you were thinking of the outline of a music video, that meant it was a secret. You could keep a secret. You could pretend it never happened.
Overhearing his steps pulled you from the depths of your thoughts to check what he had in his hands.
âHere,â he grinned, showing it to you.Â
It was a book and you gasped before you grabbed it. The cover had the digital drawing of a little girl on her bed, not lying down, but facing the wall behind her that had become an ocean with sparkling rays floating above. The title read, âWindows to Worlds: The Art of Devin Elle Kurtzâ. You thought the name rang a bell as you opened and skimmed through it.Â
âI thought of you,â he smiled, dimples sinking sweetly into his cheeks at your interested demeanor.
âWoah, her use of color and lighting looks absolutely astounding,â you breathed, alternating between gasping and stopping your breath altogether with each new page.
âIâm glad you like it.â
âBut why did you get it?â You finally caught up, looking up at him. âBecause I was struggling with lighting?â
Your tone was appreciative and almost savvy as if you knew you had guessed his intent correctly. Yet he shook his head once, âBecause of the braids.â
You lowered your eyes to the cover again and indeed, the little girl had two braids, much like you usually sported. You smiled, âDo you think she has glasses too?â
âMaybe,â he acceded, nodding with ease.
You looked back down at the cover â the girl had her palms against the glass as if she was staring into a new magical world. It brought warmth to your chest. Not just because it was beautiful or because it was going to help you, but because Namjoon saw some of it in you.
You pressed the books to your chest, facing him to thank him when your smile fell. His expression had lost some of its casualness and you were immediately flooded with apprehension.
âAre we going to talk about it?â
His tone was so gentle it brought tears to your eyes. It was Namjoon. All of it, all of your doubts and anxiety were about one of the most important people in your life. Who cared how you might have felt; you absolutely could not jeopardize your friendship.
âIâm sorry,â you breathed so sincerely your voice shook.
âOh.â
âI⌠It wasâŚâ
Your gaze was on the floor around his feet on the white carpet as you tried to find words. You half expected him to move or make things less awkward with his spirited humor, but he waited.
So you said what came to mind, âAn accident. Right? It was an accident,â you repeated, ignoring the heat making your glasses fog ever so slightly. âIt was dark andâŚâ
You sucked in a breath and pushed your glasses up your nose bridge to soothe yourself, and froze when he nodded slowly.
âI⌠canât call it an accident.â
Your eyes widened impossibly, âButâ But thenâ I mean,â you blinked, âthat would meanâŚâ
You were just stammering and he smiled, âYes. I donât justâ I wouldnât justââ He smirked, scratching the back of his head, âIâd be lying if I saidââ
His voice got caught inside his throat. You were looking up at him with eyes so big he feared theyâd pop or something. He thought he was ready to talk about it and get it out in the open butâ Were you even breathing?
âYou know what? Never mind,â he shrugged, with a smile that pressed his plush lips too thin.
Your eyes widened even more, âNoââ You almost choked from your impulse and instinctively stepped back, and everything went dark.
You held your breath as if you had been caught in a trap. You could have been back at the club, but there was no crowd, no fear, and no pressure. There was light still shining from his bedroom, reassuringly outlining his silhouette. You were safe, just like then. And it formed the words out of your mouth.
âI can't call it an accident either,â you confessed, and instantly your shoulders relaxed. He didnât move and you couldnât see him, but you knew him. You knew of his presence and the way he would never judge or hurt you. âI kissed you back.â
The silence continued between you but you found comfort in it. It was as though you had time to process, to put yourself back in your shoes moments earlier when exactly like that, in the dark, you let something from deep within surface.
âI was⌠curious,â you voiced quietly.
âCurious?â
âWhat would you⌠feel like? How would youâŚâ you were getting lost and closed your eyes. You could almost feel him again, his warmth, his scent, the firmness of his arms around you, helping you levitate safely into the clouds. Your eyes opened at the sound of a footstep and you instantly flushed, âI mean, Iâ Iâm sorry, Iââ
âNo, don't say sorry.â His outline drew closer until he stopped right in front of you. âYou were curious about that?â
âYes.â
âAnd?â
Why was your heart racing so fast? You were so hot that you knew for a fact your glasses were fogging, despite not being able to see it. You swallowed and fanned your face a little, self-conscious about your hands becoming sweaty and dirtying the books.
Yet as you tried to calm down, you realized silence was stretching. He was waiting, of course, gentlemanly as he was. And you were embarrassed but in the dark, you also wanted to be brave.
âI liked it.â
You leave it there, your sincere answer to his question. Your heart was thrumming wildly but you were not half as nervous as you thought youâd be.
âI liked it too.â
Your breath caught as you looked up despite barely seeing a silhouette. What?
âWould you do it again?â
âNow?â Your voice pitched.
âYes.â
âYes?â Your tone was inquisitive, but it was more out of shock that he said yes. You were heating up so much you didnât think you were processing thoughts logically, and you werenât. Your head was blank, âYes.â
It felt like an eternity, but you knew that wasnât true. You were just too eager to see what happened next, to feel him again and check if your head would be caught spinning as you floated away to the clouds again.
The books in your hands disappeared quickly, only the sound of them hitting the table told you their fate, and not that you cared. His breath was fanning your face and your head instantly fell back, tapping the wall as your lips parted and you waited for what you wanted most.
When it didnât instantly come, you had no issues soothing his hesitation by guiding his hands to your jaw. You wanted him to know where you were; exactly there, between the wall and his safe embrace, waiting.Â
Finally, his breath was so close it fully stopped when your lips locked together in a feather-like touch, and you moved. You pressed yourself closer, brushing his lips so youâd match completely. Your mouth dove into a sweeter taste, fingers tracing up his neck tentatively to grasp that feeling. And he let you, falling in with you, leaning into you as far as youâd let him.
Your lips parted in an invitation that he took promptly, leaving a wet trace on your bottom lip before he committed. You sighed into his mouth, gripping his shirt to pull him closer. He could reach into you and all around you; you were falling. There was an expanse behind and all around you and it reminded you of free falling; it was probably what skydiving felt like. Only you werenât nearing the ground but going further from it. That sky was about to catch you; a sweet, soft, endearing sky about to clasp you affectionately and carry you into a dream.
You only stopped because he pulled back, kissing the tip of your nose before pressing his lips to your cheek. It was when you noticed that you two fit together like puzzle pieces, with your fingers buried in the nape of his neck, his into your lower back, your breaths mixing as your legs intertwined.
His breath was heavy against your warm cheek, âThis can stay here. In the dark. If you want.â
You were too far to recognize the concern in his voice, âIs that what you want?â
âNo,â his reply was instant, a subtle shake of his head as his lips dragged over your heated skin. âNo, I'm curious about way more than this.â
You opened your eyes, eager to see in him what he meant, but the darkness hid his expression. It protected you, yes, but now, it made you uneasy. There was a moment when it had soothed your fears, maybe even made you brave, but now it was enough.
âWould turning the light on bother you?â
You felt his smile before he pulled away, âNot at all.â
His hands were still supporting your waist as you felt the wall behind you until you flipped the switch. You shut your eyes instantly with a grimace and knew he had done the same.
âSorry,â you whispered.
You couldnât see it, but he smirked, âI told you you could.â
His eyes opened first, eager to bypass the sudden sensibility so he could look at you as soon as possible. Your eyes and nose were still scrunched, your glasses had fallen lower on your nose than you liked normally, and the top of your cheeks was beautifully blushed. He didnât resist cupping your cheek to brush his thumb over the red hue and your eyes opened, looking up at him over your glasses. You were so close to each other but you couldnât look or move away.
âYouâre so beautiful,â he breathed, eyes set on yours as if he was seeing stars.
âHow can you see anything, weâre so close,â you whined with a huff.
He chuckled, âYeah?â
You pouted; your glasses were falling down your nose bridge again, and he grinned. He was so unbelievably happy right now, and as you pressed the glasses further up, he wished it would never end.
âIs itâŚâ you were quiet, âbetter like this?â
âMuch better,â he assured confidently, looking into your eyes intently.Â
Every time you blinked, wherever you glanced, he kept his cool and tried holding his fear in check â what if you suddenly pushed him away, became uneasy, or regretted this?Â
Yet your eyes fixed on his as your hand returned gently to the side of his neck, âYou said⌠youâre curious about more?â
He couldnât breathe, âYes.â
âWhat⌠does that mean?â
Your voice was a thread and he swore he became dizzy, âYou. Iââ His lips twitched as he found words, âI want to be with you.â
He settled on that simple fact and shushed his racing heart. It was too soon to confess how long he had been thinking about this, how far he had fallen, and how deeply sure he was that there was no one else he wanted. Nowhere else he wanted to go, no other person who could be home, no other soul he wanted to share his time with. Shit, this was not the time for a love confession.
âNot in the dark,â you mused, thinking back. âBut here,â you searched his eyes with a light line between your eyebrows. âDo you want that? To be⌠a moment ofââ
âNo,â he interrupted firmly, making sure that every point you touched each other conveyed that. âI want more than a moment, than one night, than a place, thanâ No,â he breathed. âI want so much more.â
You werenât sure there was any reaction you could have given because you were floating again. His arms were around you, his mouth speaking words you had long wished to hear, and you waited. It felt like the right thing to do; you just waited for him to become so much more.
âAnd you?â He asked after waiting to hear your thoughts. âWhere would you take this?â
You almost choked with your instant answer, âAll the way.â
His eyebrows jumped before his expression scrunched into a rapturous smile, and you filled your chest with air. You needed it, you needed a big deep breath before the dive. When his forehead touched yours, you stayed close, eyes half-hooding, waiting, and ready. You had been ready for a while, all there was left to do now was fly.
You were waiting for his kiss when he grabbed your head, both of you eager and gentle in your grip on the other. His lips were as soft as before but now he was pressing harder, searching for something in the depths of your kiss, and you met him halfway. There was the passion you had thought of before, making your skin pucker as your breathing dragged. It was curious how you were so focused on every little detail of his â his jawline moving under your fingertips, the soft skin at the column of his neck, his wide shoulders where your arms found support to press him closer to you â but had no actual thoughts. Every brush of his lips had you sinking further, every lick of his tongue had you immersed until his hands were pulling you to him and barely letting you touch the ground.
When your feet did touch the ground you lost your balance a little and inadvertently fell into him, which had him feeling behind him to make sure he could sit down. Your lips parted and he looked up at you, hands supportive but not pressuring you. He waited for you to decide if youâd follow him or not, and you didnât hesitate. You raised a knee to his outer thigh and he instantly supported it, helping you to straddle him effortlessly before he leaned back into the reading chair.
You towered over him a little bit and as he hugged you close, you couldnât help remembering how many times you had sat in that same chair just to read. Now he was there with you, under you, kissing your neck gently, and you kissed his head with the excitement bubbling under your skin. This was really happening, you could barely contain yourself.
He pressed you to sit closer to him and you guided him to look up just so you could dive into his kiss again. His skin was so soft, his touch so gentle as he let you steer your mouths until your head started spinning. You went deeper with every kiss, and with every sparkle, you became daring. Your fingers laced around his hair, your breaths one and the same as your hips moved on their own accord to fuse you two into one in any way possible. Your instinct was taking over, regardless of how you ground against him or leaned into him as if it would merge you two together.
You were hot and breathless when you felt a hint of his fingertips brushing the skin at your lower back, and instinctively you pulled back. He looked up at you, instantly wary of mistakenly crossing a line, but in a rustle of clothes, your blouse went up and away, thrown on the floor.
You faced him then, the goosebumps forming on your skin wherever his fingertips brushed your back as you seemed to exude heat. Not even for a moment did you wonder if you were going too far, despite being in a bra only in front of him. Rather you eyed his shirt and pouted, and he got it; in a second it was gone too.
Your lips twitched as you stroked down his neck, over his clavicles, and to his wide shoulders. You knew heâd be perfect, you knew youâd go well beyond liking every inch of him, but reality was far sweeter than your imagination. Before you could lean in and kiss every inch, he beat you to it. His pillowy lips grazed over the expanse of your neck before lowering down your chest and you sank your nails on his shoulders. It was the lightness of his touch, the warmth of his breath contrasting with his tongue as he explored everything until he dared lower. He moved slowly, maybe hesitated, and your hand darting to the back of his head to support him eased him.
He kissed and nuzzled every inch of your chest then settled over your sternum, breathing you in between your breasts just above the center gore. You knew why he stopped, but you were riding the shivers and throbs his every breath drew out of you, and you didnât want it to stop. You reached behind you and unclasped the bra, letting the straps slide off your arms while you held his gaze. Yes, you wanted to do this. Yes, you wanted him to touch you, to know how heâ
His hands over your waist raised to cup your breasts and rub your nipples and you shivered, goosebumps covering you from head to toe. The more he brushed over the hardened tips, the less control you had over a deep whine wanting to escape your lips.
You were biting your lip in this sweet struggle when he glanced up at you before leaning in to take one inside his mouth, and you whined. Your hips bucked over him, drawing closer while your cries grew and expanded with every lick of his tongue. You were grinding hard on him now, unaware of how unruly you were being. Your cries just needed to be heard, your hunger satiated as you searched for friction and wondered why it wasnât as intense as it should be.
Your chest was wet by the time he parted his mouth from the delicate skin, but you didnât have time to think about it. His hands gripped your hips to press you closer, and you jumped out of his arms in a mix of outrage and eagerness.Â
So that was why you couldnât feel him properly, you concluded, as you unbuttoned your jeans. Of course, how stupid. At least it was easily fixed.
You only stopped when your clothes hit the floor. His eyes locked with yours and you hesitated. You were totally naked in your eagerness, maybe you were going too fast. But his hands guiding yours to his shoulders before he leaned in to kiss over your tummy made you realize you were being silly. His eyes were glistening, looking up at you before closing to enjoy the taste of your skin, his cheeks were red, and despite his pants, the tent was very visible.Â
You wanted to be close so you raised your knee again, and once more he guided you to straddle him. He kissed quickly up your chest before eying your mouth, and you obliged. Kissing him like this was more vulnerable, open, and raw, but you wanted to. His fingertips stroked your sides softly downwards and you sighed into his mouth, gripping him closer. You wanted so much more.
His hands settled atop your hips and it made you whine and wiggle so they would move. It didnât occur to you to separate your mouths and tell him to touch you; in fact, no thoughts were occurring to you. He seemed to hesitate on where to go while palming your hips, and in the end, it was your hand that guided him to where you wanted him. You froze amidst your kiss, mouth agape as your eyes opened when his fingers skimmed your sex. A shiver ran down your spine, your breath halting as you waited for him. His eyes were set on you, carefully taking in your expression as he dared to brush lower, exploring down your mound, around your hooded clit, and gently over your folds before retracing his steps.
A strangled quiet moan had you closing your eyes to get lost. His fingers were drawing circles over your clit, ever so gently, prodding how to please you without hurting you, and you sank your nails into the back of his neck. You could worship that man now â it was all you knew as you looked at him between half-hooded eyes. Every circle brought a spark, a throb, a buck of your hips until the tension inside you made you jump away from his touch. You kissed him hard then, grabbing his head desperately â you wanted him, not just his hand.
You reached between your bodies to cup his bulge and he choked in your kiss. You pressed harder, too curious to let him breathe or get away, and searched for a way to open his pants, but it was difficult without looking. Fortunately, it understood perfectly what you wanted and got to it.
He raised you off his lap for the single moment it took him to squirm and slide his clothes down his legs before settling you over him again. His skin was burning hot against your inner thighs and as you kissed him, you imagined it was because he wanted you the same way.
You reached again for him and this time there were no barriers. You felt his hard length gently, caressing its soft skin carefully before stroking him against your palm.
He grunted into your cheek; your lips had parted so you could both focus on those new sensations. Something wet was making it easier to stroke him and press the head gently, with every movement earning you something, whether a groan, a sigh, a twitch of his fingers over your hips, or more precum.
You loved seeing and hearing every reaction, but you didnât want to wait. You were tense and overheating, and that hard cock in your hand belonged somewhere else.
You moved on your knees to straddle him closer, positioning yourself with nothing but the intention to feel him, but you paused. Before the sight of the pink swollen tip at your entrance could steal your logic, you looked at him with an implied question. He nodded with glistening eyes, hands gripping a bit more of your ass to convey just how much he wanted this. And so you leaned to touch your foreheads before you guided him inside you.
You were unbelievably wet but still, it took a moment for him to become coated enough to slide in without any attrition. It felt like a trial and error; every time you tried sitting lower, there was resistance, and so you raised yourself and tried again. And again and again, with his fingers sinking into your skin as he hid his scrunched-up expression. Your eyebrows were knitted too, especially when he hit a particular spot, and soon he bottomed out.
You wiggled a little to make room, your tension gripping him inside you so hard that both of you groaned. You bucked your hips over him and sighed before reaching back, taking support on his hips. The hunger in his glistening eyes as he observed you taking your pleasure from him was like straight out of a dream, except he was really there, stretching you to the edge, bubbling a tension up your spine so good you knew you wouldnât last a minute.
So you leaned forward again, palming the expanse of his chest as you let the fluttering subside for a bit. A smile bloomed on your lips as he reached to kiss your skin, supporting you closely while he grazed up your neck. Yet as it had blossomed, your smile faded when your eyebrows knitted further and your pleasure sunk in your gut. He had taken a firmer grip of you and used his leverage to thrust his hips up and into you, successfully crumbling whatever excuse of a restraint you had.
You moaned unreservedly and as he pulled away to face you without relenting, you met him with glistening eyes. It wasnât a betrayal but because of him, you couldnât hold back. He understood; he told you with a nod as he tried keeping the rhythm steady for you. So you hugged him to you and let the pleasure spike once, twice, until a moan burst out of you with the knot in your lower gut releasing the tension.
However long it lasted, it was long. It left you powerless and radiating heat like a furnace, only he was even hotter than you. He was sweaty under your arms and legs as you embraced him, and it mixed with your wetness and cum, but you didnât care.
He waited for you to pull away and kiss his humid forehead before he asked, âCan I take you to bed?â
âYes,â you sighed, still up high in your haze.
He could tell how languid you were so he picked you up carefully, hugging your legs around his waist and supporting your lower back. His heart was racing as he carried you, not because he was afraid of dropping you â no way in hell that would ever happen â but because this was really happening. He was really carrying your naked body across his apartment, your sweaty bodies pressed together after you reached your pleasure in his arms only for him to take you to bed and continue to show you how much he cared for you. He sighted the bed when your limbs squeezed him more firmly and he smiled from ear to ear. It was like carrying a koala bear who didnât want to let go of him, and he loved that.
He sat on the bed with you on his lap before carefully supporting your back so he could lay you down gently while hovering over you and you finally blinked.Â
Your senses were coming back; Namjoon was over you, caging you between his biceps while your legs laced around him. He was inside you, and even if you had forgotten, he reminded you when he moved tentatively. Your eyes were set on his, and that was how you saw the concern crossing them, and you blinked again. You and him were connected like you had only ever dreamed, and it was good. You reached to cup his cheeks and guide his mouth to yours; you wanted him to know that. That you knew what you were doing, with whom, and how, and your heart was completely in it.
If he wasnât kissing your lips, then he was pecking the tip of your nose, grazing your cheeks, or brushing down the column of your neck as his hips gained speed. You raised yours to feel him as deep as possible, and as you held onto him, you let the emotions flood you. The safety of his arms, the completeness as he filled up all the gaps, the nurture of every tender kiss, the shared warmth, tension, and torture of your bodies rocking together. You were meshed inextricably in an ascent that you had never dared to imagine, and you grabbed him even harder, in case the intensity had you floating away.
Your voice had a life of its own; every time he sank further into you, your soul expanded. Every time he buried himself inside you, your moan released into his ear, and over and over again as he hid in your neck, revering you in all the ways he could.
âYou feel so good,â he rasped against your throat, and against all odds you heard it in between moans. Maybe because he was slowing down. He pulled away to face you so closely you saw him blurred despite your glasses, âI don't want it to end.â
Your eyes widened and watered but no words came out in time; he pressed your lips sweetly and you buried your fingers in his hair, feeling your heart swelling with every beat. He restarted his hips, guided by your legs pressing him into you, and you thought that nothing else mattered than him knowing. You also didnât want it to end, you wanted to stay with him forever, linked, safe, accepted, hidden from anything that wasnât blissful peace, and happiness.
His hips snapping into yours brought groans, moans, and whines out of the both of you, with wet sloppy sounds echoing in the bedroom along with the slaps of skins colliding. It became fast, forcing you to wrap your limbs around him firmly to never miss any sensation he could give you until you tensed unbelievably.
You surrendered to your climax immediately, letting it wash over you as you throbbed and reveled in scream-inducing spasms. He grunted and swore into your neck, but to your surprise, he didnât come with you. On the contrary, suddenly you could feel his intent to pull out so you crossed your legs behind him and searched for his ear so you could tell him, âInside me. Stay inside me.â
He groaned and you rocked with him, keen on extending both your pleasure as much as possible when he twitched inside you. You closed your eyes and his lips immediately caught yours. He kissed you with every peak, groaning into your mouth at every turn, making you shudder.
He stilled and you kept petting his damp hair at the back of his head, slowly waiting for both your hearts to calm down. You couldnât believe what just happened yet at the same time it felt as natural as breathing.
Finally, he moved from the crook of your neck and faced you. A single drop of sweat dripped along his nose to the tip and you caught it with your fingertip. He nuzzled you then, recovering his breath with a tender smile, and you smiled back.
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the bedroom hymns â chapter xvii
âś Chapter summary | After failing to gain favours from Lady Laurel to help you with your magic, you try to find other ways to get what you want while you have the chance to. The last thing you had ever expected is to gain what you have been seeking of from an unlikely source who is willing to risk it all for you. Â
âś Title | The Bedroom Hymns: a Bluebeardâs twist
âś Pairings | Min Yoongi x female readerÂ
âś Genre | Fairy Prince!Yoongi, Crown Princess!reader, Fantasy AU, Fairy Tale retelling
âśÂ Word count | 5,708 words
âś Ratings | PG-13, +18 / M for Mature for future chapters; include mentions of medical terms, fantasy magic and spells.Â
âś Story Masterlist: The Bedroom Hymns | ⤠previous chapter | next chapter â˘
âś Main Masterlist | Mailbox | Taglist | Feedback | Music Playlist | Ko-fi
chapter xvii. divulgence
Once your tutoring hours with Lady Laurel is over, Lord Gordan enters the library to fill in the final tutoring hours of the day with his lessons in defence and royal principles.Â
However, since your physical condition is yet to be fit enough for any rigorous activities, he had instead decided to bring out the textbooks and help you run through everything that you have learned from your lessons so far.Â
Still having a foul mood after your last conversation with Lady Laurel, while still feeling lightheaded after spending hours staring at the flickering flames of the candles used for your practice, you initially feel unenthusiastic about getting into the next lecture. The candles have now been set aside, with most of the ones used already burned in half. Leaving behind the mere scent of burnt wax and lavender, a faint sight of smoke still swirling around the burnt wicks, and your dwindling resolve thanks to the lack of clear result from the practice.Â
But the moment Lord Gordan begins talking about the statute of territorial defence and the royal orders that you would need to learn by heartâin the rare case that you are needed to take over the Kingâs duty to protect the empireâyou are taken back to the conversation you had with Yoongi the other day.Â
You are suddenly reminded of his story; about the kingdoms that are believed to have utilised powerful protection spells to secure their home territories and the people within from any kind of harm coming their way. Be it in the form of an outside threat or something that comes from within. Just like what had happened to the King back at The Citadel.Â
You carefully bring this up to Lord Gordan, claiming that you had simply read about this in one of the books of magic theories and practices that your tutors have been making you read throughout the weeks you spent learning from them, and you have grown curious about these spells.
Bringing this matter seems to have caught Lord Gordan by surprise, judging by the flicker of amusement you see briefly appearing in his gaze. It is quite subtle, and you would have missed it if you havenât been so accustomed to Lord Gordanâs stoic expression when he is on duty, or when he is dictating the law and regulations of the empire, and perhaps even when he is observing you in your lessons in royal etiquette with Nanny Abigail.
But at the same time, it is quite obvious that he is also pleased that you would talk about this matter with him, much less for you to mention about your concern in protecting the people of the empire. You can see it through the spark of amusement growing in his eyes while he is listening to you speak up your mind.Â
Reaching out to pick up one of the magic books that Lady Laurel has left behind after the previous lecture, Lord Gordan flips through the book before stopping at a certain page. He slowly places the book back down to show its content to you, and then starts rubbing at the thin beard growing on his jawline as he leans back in his seat.Â
âThe use of magic as a form of defence is something that has been done for centuries,â he says, while you peruse the opened page of the book to see an entire page filled with enchantments, theories of magical spells, their different purposes and how to conjure them, with half of the texts written in ancient tongueâthe old language that you are still struggling to learn.Â
Lord Gordan continues to speak, explaining some of the spells that are written in the book and how to read them, when your gaze stops at the part which mentions about the protection spells similar to what you were talking about. Seeing them mentioned here so clearly quickly sparks your interest that you straighten up in your seat to get a better look at the texts.Â
If there had been any doubt about this type of magic when you first heard of it from Yoongi, it has certainly evaporated the moment you are seeing it with your own eyes. Granted, they are merely written in theories, but the more you read, the more clues you are getting about the spells and how they work, it becomes an eye opening moment that you just cannot stop reading about them.
Even more so when you come to the part of the text explaining how the spells could be altered depending on the one casting them. That they could be used to either protect a vast territory to a single person, even to protect something as small and trivial as a piece of jewellery. Â
âIâm going to assume that it would need a powerful mana to be able to cast such a spell to protect an entire territory as vast as the territories under Nythelean Empire, or to simply protect the entire empire as it is,â you cautiously wonder as you lean back in your seat, staring straight at the royal aide as you question him further,Â
âCould it be that the same applies to our territory then? Are Nythelean Empire and all the territories under the Kingâs ruling all protected by the same kind of spell? Lady Laurel spoke of magic that is protecting the castle, so I know that there is magic existing in every corner of the castle.â
A look of pride manifests on Lord Gordanâs face. âYes, that is correct, Your Highness. Every single territory under the empire is within the protection of the spell.âÂ
âBut the empire is spread so wide, if we are to include The Citadel, the home castle, and the surrounding territories as well. Who would be strong enough to cast the spells, then?â you ask him, even if deep down, you can roughly guess who might have been capable enough to be casting these powerful spells.Â
Perhaps a part of you is still in denial, unable to believe that a single person would be capable of casting such a spell, something that is strong enough for it to stretch far and away, not only to cover a vast territory such as the Stargrave Castle and its surrounding areas, but also beyond, crossing over different realms to have the outer lands of the empire protected just as well.Â
You make yourself believe that there is a group of powerful mages receiving the Kingâs command to conjure such a spell to protect his empire, until Lord Gordan calmly answers, disrupting your beliefs by saying,Â
âHis Majesty himself casted the spells to protect us all.â
This time, you are the one who is caught by surprise. Although, the thought of your father using his magic to protect the empire shouldnât be too surprising to hear, not after what you have witnessed and learned for yourself to know what the King seems to be capable of. The magic portals, the disguises, and the ability to be in different places in a short amount of time. Finding the vast spread of farmland within a territory under a different kingdom which he secretly owns, and recalling what the history books have written about your fatherâs journey in establishing the empire also help you to believe that when it comes to the King, anything is possible.Â
But then a new wave of uncertainty comes to you the more you think about your father and his supposedly powerful magic.Â
You cannot help but recall Lady Laurelâs wordsâboth from todayâs lecture and from the letters that she had sent to you while you were indisposedâof how she talked about the possibility that your magic may be similar to the Kingâs. Something that she had deduced after observing the possibility that your illness may have been caused by the fact that your mana was responding to the Kingâs magic that is present within the home castle.Â
Is it really possible that you may have such a powerful magic inside you as well?Â
The idea makes your head spin. Because it seems too inconceivable for you to gain such a strong mana inside you, when you could barely contain the raw energy that you have encountered since the day you started living in this castle.Â
As if it isnât enough for you to deal with, already finding it hard to process all of this new information, Lord Gordan takes it a step further as he continues to say, âThe King has been doing so for a long time, for as long as the empire exists and even before, when he first protected the land to begin building his new home. It is something that many other rulers have done to protect their kingdoms, and just like other Kings and Queens, the task of using their magic to protect the empire should be passed on to the direct heir of the throne.âÂ
Lord Gordan levels his gaze to yours when he later adds, âAnd that person is none other than you, Your Highness.âÂ
In contrary to the prideful look that he is giving you, the only thing you feel is the weight of responsibility that you suddenly have to carry with you, leaving you with a sense of uneasiness and a tightness in your chest that makes it hard for you to breathe.Â
To think that you have been so unknowingly carrying such a force inside you, yet you have no knowledge about it nor the power to control it. Unsurprisingly, it makes you feel wary. Having such an unidentified force inside your body doesnât seem to be something that you can take lightly. But knowing this only gives you more reason not to remain idle about it. It makes you feel even more curious than ever before about your magic.Â
You want to learn more. You want to be able to see it. And you also wonder if you would one day be strong enough to harness your magic and to do exactly what your father has done.
With this idea running through your head, you find yourself confiding in Lord Gordan, expressing your thoughts and feelings, your curiosity, and also the disappointment that you still feel for not being able to gain Lady Laurelâs guidance to help uncover your magic. You cannot help but also open up about the questions that are filling your head right now about your magic.
What does it do?Â
What kind of form does it take once unleashed?Â
Why is it locked? What should you do to be able to unlock it?Â
Has it always been there all along, or does being in this realm had somehow triggered it from blooming, and will you ever have the chance to use it in the future?
Much to your surprise, Lord Gordan seems to be more open to listen to your concerns. While rubbing his thin beard, he begins murmuring something about different ways that you could possibly try to unlock your magicâwhile insinuating that he is interested in helping to guide you through it.Â
âLady Laurelâs practices would have been able to help unlock your magic, if only you are made to focus on releasing it and opening up your mana instead of simply manifesting it into a flowing energy which remains inside your body,â Lord Gordan calmly says, his gaze suddenly turning sharp as he adds, âBut it wouldnât be fair to say that her practices had been without a purpose or positive results.âÂ
âWhat does that mean?â you wonder.Â
Lord Gordan hums softly. âI could tell, just by looking at you right now, the changes that have occurred ever since you started the magic lessons with Lady Laurel. It seems to me that her practices may have helped sharpen your senses. Thatâs the one change that Iâve felt the most,â he explains. âAnd if I may guess, you may have started to feel a connection with your mana, detecting its presence inside you even if you havenât been able to manipulate it in its full form.âÂ
His startling deduction leaves you speechless.Â
As neither of your other tutors have been able to notice any changes or progress that have happened ever since you learned how to manifest your mana the way you have been using it, you havenât thought of the possibility that Lord Gordanâthe Kingâs aide who you have rarely spent time with outside of his lectures, unlike the way you are with Nanny Abigailâwould be able to notice something like this simply by observing you closely.
âPerhaps I can help you with it,â Lord Gordan suddenly suggests, just as an uneasy feeling sets in.Â
âHelp me withâunlocking my mana?âÂ
Lord Gordan shakes his head. âIâm afraid I am not adept enough with that matter, Your Highness. Nor am I confident enough to go against His Majestyâs order to keep myself from meddling with your magic lessons,â he says, with a cryptic smile and an unreadable glint coming out through his gaze which reminds you too much of the look that Yoongi gave you when he first coaxed you into revealing your magic.
âOf course, the safest solution would be to wait until His Majesty returns and guides you through it himself, assuming that the King is the only one who truly understands about the mana which you had inherited both from His Majesty and the late Queen, and how to control your mana once it is unleashed. But it doesnât mean that we should wait until then to learn how to manipulate your mana into a different kind of energy. It may help to prepare yourself to deal with your magic before it is awakened completely.âÂ
A small grin escapes you just as you are starting to feel hopeful. âDoes that mean youâre going to teach me how to cast a spell? Or maybe use this little mana I have to maybe hypnotise my guards, or my governess maybe, just so I could have a free time?âÂ
Lord Gordan barks out a laugh. His smile turns cryptic once again once he sobers up. âSomething like that,â he says.Â
âAnd this is something that wouldnât force you to break His Majestyâs rules?âÂ
With a soft chuckle, Lord Gordan leans closer. âI can only hope that by guiding you through this, His Majesty himself would be grateful in the end that I have chosen to meddle even when I shouldnât,â he continues, and when he notices that he may have only left you confused with his words, he carries on to ask, âI was informed by the royal physician about your condition. He mentioned that your exhaustion may have come from having your mana drained quite rapidly. Have you any idea what may have been the cause?â
Your mouth opens and closes as you silently ponder how to answer. How are you supposed to explain the real reason why you have been draining up your mana without telling him about your fatherâs magic portals?Â
But wait, as someone who knows the ins and outs of the empire, and also the one responsible of taking care of the castle in His Majestyâs absence, does he really not know about the portals?Â
âI, uhâIâm afraid I donât have a clue,â you choose to answer, unable to tell just yet if he is trustworthy. But the dubious look that he is giving you makes you doubt if he truly believes anything that you just said.Â
âHmmm, I see,â Lord Gordan softly hums while once again rubbing at his beard, a habit that you have noticed to appear whenever he is in deep thought. Â
âThere are a myriad of reasons that may have caused a personâs mana to be drained and exhausted. Much like yours did,â he calmly continues, showing no sign of having any curiosity about your latestâand without a doubt, quite riskyâactivities.Â
âSeeing that you are still adjusting with this realm, I am not entirely surprised that you are now facing the consequences from having to encounter new things. The different mana and overflowing energy that exist in your surroundings, the flow of magic, everything that you never once had to face.âÂ
âLady Laurel mentioned that perhaps being within a place where magic exists had woken up the magic I have inside me too abruptly, and I wasnât ready for it,â you wonder loudly, referring to another part of her letter where she talked about the possible reasons why you fell ill. âAnd since I had no control of it, it made it possible for the new energy I had to be drained out.âÂ
Lord Gordan lets out a soft hum. âBack when you were living in The Citadel, have you ever felt something similar to this? The kind of exhaustion that left you feeling listless?âÂ
Holding back a smile, you question him back with a tease, âLike something was sucking my soul? Yes, I think I have. It didnât feel as intense as what I felt for the past few days, however.â Looking back now, you have experienced a few occasions where you experienced unexplainable fatigue, something that even the royal physician working at The Citadel could never account for.
With a smile, Lord Gordan explains calmly, âWith the lack of presence and knowledge of magic at The Citadel, any form of mana exhaustion that happened to you then would only be interpreted as any regular physical exhaustion. You may have felt too tired, too sleepy, without any thought of it having anything to do with your declining mana.âÂ
Lord Gordan pauses, giving you a moment to take this all in before continuing, âThe only difference you have now is that your self-awareness of magic has made you more sensitive to the declining mana as it happens.âÂ
Your eyes grow wide, surprised to how his theory makes perfect sense. You remember how often you had ever felt similar to what he had just described. The only difference would be the fact that instead of having your mana drained by your fatherâs suspicious portals, you had only felt this way after spending an entire day with your father, or when you were dealing with your royal duties under Nanny Abigailâs guidance.Â
âCan you think of the reason why you would feel drained back then?âÂ
âI canât really explain it. Mostly, it would happen after I spent my day doing my royal duties, orââ you sigh as you remember the days you spent at The Citadel, the long afternoons filled with lessons and duties, before you would join your father in the training field. âIn the afternoon, I would spend a few hours training with my father or with the royal knights. My father, he insisted that I should learn some skills in swordsmanship and martial arts, so I would be able to defend myself if needed, whether I would protect myself with weapons or my own bare hands.âÂ
After listening to what you have to share, Lord Gordan falls silent for a moment. The sparkle in his eyes almost seems to grow brighter. As if the piece of information that you had just given him has all the answers that he has been seeking ever since you began talking about all of this.Â
âThat would certainlyâexplain everything,â you hear him murmur to himself.Â
Tilting your head, you look at him closely to question, âWhat do you mean? What are you thinking?âÂ
The smile that appears on Lord Gordanâs face is different, almost warm, as he openly shares his assessment. âI have reasons to believe that His Majesty hasnât truly been denying you the chance to learn about your magic. As a matter of fact, it seems to me that he had already started preparing you to harness your magic even before His Majesty finally decided to bring you back to the home castle.â Â
âW-what makes you think that?âÂ
With his hand rubbing lightly at his beard, Lord Gordan explains further, âJudging from what you had just told me, it seems that you were not only training physically through your coaching with the King. Iâm quite sure that during your training with His Majesty, he would have used a little bit of his magic to help you get used to dealing with hidden mana or to somewhat awaken your magic. A subtle action that may have gone unnoticed, if only you were to remain in The Citadel instead of being here at Flagon, right where the main source of his magic lies.âÂ
Taken aback, you are once again left speechless. Just a while ago, you were feeling despondent because of your tutorâs unyielding rejection and your fatherâs strict rules which have been keeping people from meddling with your magic lessons.Â
But what if Lord Gordan is right, and that your initial thought about your father preventing you from harnessing your magic hadnât been the truth at all? Had he truly been preparing you for it for a long time instead of keeping you away from it?Â
âThat might explain why you would be losing more energy than you normally would when going through these training sessions with the King and his knights. His Majesty must have been training you not only for the purpose of self defence, but also to prepare you to physically withstand the force of your magic once it is unlocked so you could channel it better.âÂ
âIâI never thought of it that way,â you murmur softly as you look down at your open palms. âSo you meanâhe hasnât been completely keeping me away from learning about my magic?âÂ
Fatherâhas been preparing me for it all this time, training me to harness magic without me realising it?Â
With a low chuckle, Lord Gordan nods his head. âI can only imagine that once you resume the Kingâs physical training, you would exert even bigger energy. Especially once you are able to channel your mana into your swordsmanship,â he says to you with a reassuring tone that further sparks the hope you have brewing in your chest.Â
âIn fact, I believe that it isnât the only thing that the King had set up to get you into shape before he could introduce you to your special magic, Your Highness,â he adds, adding to your curiosity.Â
âItâs not?â
âLady Laurelâs lessons in magic,â he says, as if that alone would answer your question. âShe has been teaching you everything that you needed to know about magic and this realm as a whole, has she not?âÂ
You nod, and Lord Gordan continues, âShe has also taught you the basics in magic, spells, about the mages that are gifted and trained to cast their magic, the different forms and sources of powers. And what had been her lesson today, may I ask?âÂ
Biting your lips, you recall the practice that she introduced you today after you requested her to help you unlock your magic. Again, the dismay you felt when you had thought that you had gained nothing much of it is being lifted as you glance over to the burnt candles and answer, âA practice in centering my attention, to focus on my mana flow.âÂ
To your answer, Lord Gordan makes a delighted sound which startles you. âI see it now. Your Highness, I donât think that His Majesty has completely been denying you access to your powers.â
âHe is not?â The glimmer of hope reappears within you. âBut how? I donât understand.âÂ
âTo be able to harness a powerful magic that is equal to the Kingâs magic, you would need a strong vessel to contain it and a strong core to help you channel your mana,â he begins to explain, âYour body is your vessel, and I believe that the King has been using your training to prepare your physique while your magic is still contained under its restraint. Practicing your focus will help strengthen your core, allowing you to channel your mana and build a strong connection with it so you would be able to call upon it as easily as any strong mage could.â Â
Surprised, pleased, and elated, you let out an incredulous laugh while staring at your palms once again. âSo what youâre telling me is that my father has been helping me with my magic all this time, instead of restricting me of it?â you question Lord Gordan, meeting his gaze and the cryptic smile that has once again appeared on his face while returning it with your own. âI suppose it wouldnât be right for me to continue being angry at the King, would it?âÂ
Lord Gordan laughs. âNo, I suppose not.âÂ
Shaking your head, you rest your hands on your lap and wonder loudly, âIf what you said is true, then I donât get why my father would have to be all secretive about it, even going in a roundabout way before helping me with my magic directly.âÂ
Lord Gordan gives you a warm smile for a change when he answers, âIâm afraid only the King himself who could explain his reasons why.âÂ
âThen I guess that means I wonât have my answers until he returns to the home castle then,â you murmur with a light scoff.Â
âYes, Iâm afraid so. Butââ he stalls, waiting until he gets your full attention before adding, âAt least now, I know how to help you with yourâpredicament, Your Highness.â
You tilt your head in wonder. âHow so, Lord Gordan?â
âSince you already have your physical training and your focus accounted for, I might be able to combine both practices and help you learn a useful skill that may become crucial for your future practice in magic.â
âWhat would that be?â you ask him, âWhat would I learn, if not to unlock my magic just yet?âÂ
A small grin rises on Lord Gordanâs face as he answers, âTotal control.â
True to his words of keeping you from exerting too much of your energy today, since he believes that you are still recovering from your illness, Lord Gordan simply spends the next hour of your lecture making up plans and listing out the practices that you are going to have on your future lessons with Lord Gordan until the day the King returns.Â
Unfortunately, the designated hour of his lesson ends too soon without you having the chance to try out some of his practices, but you still end the day with a new hope growing within you, and a promise to keep the planned lessons a secret from your other tutors.Â
âMay I ask you something, Lord Gordan?â you ask him right before he walks out of the library at the end of your lecture.Â
Standing with one hand in his pocketâright where he keeps his pocket watchâLord Gordan turns to face you. âOf course, you can ask me anything and Iâll see if I could help.â
âWhy all the secrecy? Why did His Majesty prevent Lady Laurel and Lady Abigail from helping me unlock my magic? Why would my father create these conditions to make it seem as if he doesnât agree with the idea of me learning about my magic and how to use it?âÂ
Lord Gordan takes a moment to mull over the answer before giving it to you. âHere, in this realm, there is an unspoken rule related to the magic that the most of us have within us,â he begins to explain,Â
âThose who are gifted with magic would often keep everything about their powers a secret. About their magic, where they come from, what they do, in order to protect ourselves and oftentimes, the source of our magic. Most of the powerful mages wouldnât speak of their magic so openly unless it is with the people they trust, their own people and followers, or those directly affected by the magic itself.âÂ
He briefly stops, before continuing, âAnd when the magic itself comes from an ancient source, from beings that are as old as time itself, the more it is restricted, kept as a secret by the ones who still wield them or those who are these powers are inherited to, simply to keep it from getting into the wrong hands.â
An uneasiness settles in your chest. âBecause they could be used against us?âÂ
Lord Gordan nods. âPrecisely. And that is only one of the many reasons why we all keep any information about our magic so close to us.âÂ
Your fatherâs warnings about keeping everything about the magic portals a secret come back to haunt you. The cryptic way he said it leaves an unsettling feeling inside. âA family secret. Thatâs what my father would call it.âÂ
A small smile appears on Lord Gordanâs face as he thinks about the King. âThe Kingâs magic isâspecial. Iâm sure His Majesty will eventually tell you everything there is to know about his familyâs magic, but all I can say to you is this,â he says as he takes a step closer to explain furtherâ
âMost rulers, the Kings and Queens and the mightiest Emperors of any Kingdoms and Empires of the realm have always had one thing in common. They have always used their magic to rule their empires, their home territories, and to lead their people. Their magic allows them to keep things in order, for the people to be protected, for the empires to flourish, and for every living being within their power to keep living a prosperous life.âÂ
As you let his words to sink into your thoughts, you are reminded of the flourishing land of Smotia and wonder if your fatherâs magic has anything to do with its prosperity.Â
But why doesnât he do the same here, at the home castle, that is somehow appears almost barren aside from the glimmering coastline?Â
âThis is probably why His Majesty is limiting the amount of people who could be exposed of his magic directly, and I am sure that he is trying to protect you by doing the same, to help you shield the magic within you from being exposed to the wrong people until the day you are ready to harness it for the sake of the empire.âÂ
You can understand where he is coming from, even if you still cannot understand why the King would keep everything about this realm and the familyâs magic a secret even from you for so many years. You express this thought to Lord Gordan as well, as you wonder why your father had to wait for so long to move you to the home castle, to this realm, and to expose you to magic.
With a sigh, Lord Gordan reminds you once again that the King had already begun to prepare you to deal with everything since back at The Citadel. âContrary to what you might have believed, you have always had the magic inside you, Your Highness,â he later adds, âItâs just that for some people, that magic may take different times to manifest into their final forms instead of staying in the form of a passive mana circulating in your core the way yours still do now.âÂ
Frowning, you try to guess what he might be implying. âYouâre saying that he already tried to help unlock my magic since back then.â
Nodding, Lord Gordan shares his thoughts with you to say, âI might surmise that it could be the reason why His Majesty had chosen to bring you back to the home castle at this time.âÂ
You shake your head lightly as you recall the day the King informed you about moving you here. âMy father said that he wanted to protect me. To bring me to safety. There are threats being made against the empire and it would have been too dangerous for me to be at The Citadel should any of his enemies strike us.â
âHis Majesty was telling the truth, but I wouldnât be too surprised if that had not been the only reason why he made the move to bring you home,â Lord Gordan says with a small smile, âBecause if your magic is truly in the midst of manifesting into its final form already, then imagine what could have happened if you had been at The Citadel when the enemyâs attack does come.âÂ
The unsettling feeling returns. âWould it be terrible?âÂ
Lord Gordan nods. âIt would have left you completely vulnerable if you havenât mastered a way to control your mana. Not to mention, your magicâif it is as suspected to be a mirror of what the King possessesâwould serve as a beacon, attracting any form of threats that may have been aiming for the Kingâs source of power.âÂ
Putting it that way, everything that you had just learned about your fatherâs scheme of secretly teaching and preparing you to harness your magic finally makes sense. He must have had everything thought of, planned out thoroughly to be able to help you manifest your magic to its full formâas Lord Gordan explicitly explained. Â
âThere is also another thing that you must be wary of before you delve deeper into your magic,â Lord Gordan adds just as you are slowly beginning to understand more about what your father may have planned for you. Â
âMore things to worry about?â you jokingly ask him with a bitter chuckle.Â
But the light mood instantly fades when you notice that Lord Gordanâs expression has turned serious, the humour that he previously showed you is long gone, while the smile that he is giving you seems to be filled with a hint of remorse. Â
âYou must remember that magic comes with a price. Especially with the kind of magic that the King and his family possess. For a significant and powerful spell such as what the King has cast upon the empire, he would have had to give up something for an exchange of the power that he would have needed to be able to do so.â
All so suddenly, fear grips tightly at your chest. Chill runs through your spine when you ask him, âGive up somethingâlike what?âÂ
Lord Gordan sighs. âSomething other than mana. Something that would be most precious to the King.âÂ
â Š 2024 Yoonia, all rights reserved. reposting/modifying of any kind is not allowed. unsolicited translations are not allowed.
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the bedroom hymns â chapter xvi
âś Chapter summary | The many layers of mysteries that are present in the home castle are beginning to feel daunting. But the biggest mystery of all may have been about your magic. After your last encounter with Yoongi and finding yourself in a predicament which further questions the secret behind your familyâs magic, you try to find ways to find your own solutions to grow stronger, to gain control of your magic, only to constantly being face with one obstacle after another.Â
âś Title | The Bedroom Hymns: a Bluebeardâs twist
âś Pairings | Min Yoongi x female readerÂ
âś Genre | Fairy Prince!Yoongi, Crown Princess!reader, Fantasy AU, Fairy Tale retelling
âśÂ Word count | 5,406 words
âś Ratings | PG-13, +18 / M for Mature for future chapters; include mentions of medical terms, fantasy magic and spells.Â
âś Story Masterlist: The Bedroom Hymns | ⤠previous chapter | next chapter â˘
âś Main Masterlist | Mailbox | Taglist | Feedback | Music Playlist | Ko-fi
âśÂ Authorâs Note | It took me a while to finish this part, so forgive me for my absence. Iâm splitting what was supposed to be the filler in chapter 16 into two separate chapters because thereâs going to be a lot of information dump happening and I donât want to confuse everyone. So please donât be surprised with the short chapter(s) coming. Thank you for your patience and have fun reading! [Ps. This is highly unedited so Iâm sorry if thereâs any mistake]
chapter xvi. respite
Quite some time has passed since the first time you began using the magic portals, long since you have arrived in this castle and learned about the existence of magic in this realm, and you are slowly beginning to notice the changes happening with your body.Â
It seems to you that the more you are using the portals, the easier your body becomes affected by their magic. Just as how you seem to be getting more sensitive to the flow of magic that is a part of the portals.Â
Returning from Grimm had costed you quite a predicament. Once again, the journey had drained your energy that you slept through the night and nearly woke up late the next morning after your return. Even the palace maids who have been tending to your needs since the day you came to the castle had become so concerned, thinking that perhaps you have gone ill.
It wasnât until later in the evening when you figured out the reason why you have been feeling a deep fatigue coursing through your body each time you returned from your excursions. Not until the moment the royal physician was brought to see you after a full day of being listless, with barely any energy for you to have a meal.Â
The royal physician took his time examining your body thoroughly, yet once he deliberated his assessment, you were quickly taken by surprise, not expecting to hear him talk about your mana and how it had everything to do with the reason why you were feeling sluggish and drained.Â
âIt seems to me that you have exhausted your mana. Have you perhaps been using it excessively as of late, Your Highness?â Â
âIâno, not that I recall. I havenât done much but study with my tutor and keep myself busy with royal duties,â you simply answered as you laid back against the pillows, refraining from admitting openly that you hadnât even begun training on how to wield your magic, much less to start getting to know about it at all.Â
You had no idea how much most of the people within the home castle have learned about you, or if any of them ever knew anything about your previous life at all. Particularly about your life back at The Citadel, back in the human realm where magic didnât exist. You also had no idea if there was anyone within the castle who may have learned about the familyâs magic and the responsibility that had been placed upon you to protect the secret behind the magic.
A part of you wished that you could have said something about it. Because maybe then you could find someone to help you solve the things you had wished to know. To find someone to confide in.Â
Someone who belonged in the castle, who was trusted by the King himself, instead of confiding to a member of the mercenary army suspected to pose a threat to the empire.Â
Shaking your head, you forced yourself to stop thinking about thisâto stop thinking just how dependent you were becoming to the handsome and mysterious stranger that you probably shouldnât trustâjust as the royal physician shared with you another theory while being oblivious to your trailing thoughts. Â
âThen perhaps your body is having problems adjusting to the castle. The magic barrier that His Majesty, The King, has placed here is quite strong. It must have been draining your energy as you come in contact with it, orââ the physician stopped himself as he deliberated the issue further while rubbing at his chin. But then he suddenly started shaking his head, as if brushing away those thoughts with his lips curling downward in displeasure.Â
âNo,â he began wondering to himself, brushing away whatever thought crossing through his mind as he murmured, âI doubt that His Majestyâs magic would feed on your mana. The barrier surrounding the castle would require a power source, but I canât see anyone else other than His Majesty who would be powerful enough to provide such energy.âÂ
That can happen? You couldnât help but wonder. Has your fatherâs magic been feeding on your mana?Â
But that soundsâso terribly wrong.
Just as these thoughts continued to run rampant in your head, a faint tingle ran through your forearm while you were being examined, and you couldnât help but remember how similar it felt to the sensation coursing through you whenever you walked through the magic portals.Â
Had it really been the reason? Have you been right for thinking that perhaps the magic portals have been draining your mana, your energy, feeding off your magic that had been lying dormant within you?Â
Is this why Father had insisted that I only use the portal only once a day and not more, and to not stay any longer than the time limit that he had given?Â
Or had it been the other way around? What if it has always been my mana which activated those portals, while the keys have only been the medium to help open the doors?Â
Clearing his throat, the royal physician brought your attention back to him as he gently reassured you, âI will leave you with some remedy and a special potion to help strengthen your mana and help you rest for the night until your body recovers enough. I will also leave a list of nutritions that could be added to your meal. It may help you heal faster if your body receive the proper sustenance needed for your recovery. I shall leave it in the hands of your personal maids so they could hand them to the royal chef.âÂ
Your mind was still stuck in his previous comment and your own assessment of the condition that you found yourself in that you barely paid attention to his words, although you were still able to answer him with a soft murmur, âThank you, Sir.âÂ
The physician said nothing else after. âIn the meantime, please donât strain yourself too much, Your Highness. You have quite a delicate constitution which may require a lot of care,â he inquired, before softly adding, âI am sure that His Majesty would prefer that you take care of yourself well until he returns home.â Â
You said nothing other than gratitude to the royal physician as he made his leave, allowing you some privacy and enough time to have your much-needed rest. Yet the silence that you were left with couldnât stop you from spending the night wondering, thinking back to everything that he said; about your mana being drained without you realising it.Â
Looking down at your hands as you kept them rested on your lap, you slowly opened your palms. There hadnât been enough books in the library that could have given you any clue on how to make use of your mana and practice your magic.Â
You could only figure this out simply because you had tried to look. Out of all the magic books that you had been digging into in the library outside of your tutoring hours, you had found little to nothing that was written about any magic that may conjure portals. At the very least, nothing that seemed similar to the magic that your father had cast in these portals.Â
And there had been nothing other than the old scriptures you found about ancient fairies and their ability to move between space and time that sounded similar to those portals. Although there were mentions of these ancient beings traveling to many different parts of the realm, even crossing between realms.Â
But what if there was something in those scriptures that could explain about the source of your fatherâs magic? Had there been something in those texts that you had missed?Â
That night, as you slowly drifted into sleep under the effect of the potion that had been given by the physician, you made a promise to yourself to return to those scriptures and learn more about the magic that was written in them. You fell asleep that night feeling hopeful, determined to find the roots of your fatherâs magic.Â
Perhaps, with a little more digging, you would find the reason why he had left you with such a huge responsibility of keeping this magic as a secret, while setting things in motion to have you venturing into those portals and to walk across the parts of the world hidden behind them so blindly. Â
Perhaps, you could also find the answer to one of the biggest secrets that he has been keeping from you and everyone else for years.Â
The secrets about your mother.Â
âI might have to show it to you to prove itâŚâ
Yoongiâs voice echoes through your mind as if it bounces against the invisible walls standing all around you.Â
The words that he gave you seems to have been engraved in your memory ever since the day you met him in Grimm, and they keep haunting you both in your dreams and during your waking hours. It has been a couple of days since, yet it still feels like yesterday when you parted ways with Yoongi in the dark forest of Grimm.Â
Since then, you have been overcome with a deep feeling of regret.Â
The regret for not being able to have more time to spend with him. The regret of not being able to catch his sight, to be completely helpless as you watch him getting swallowed under the thick foliage, held back by fear that had a tight grip in your chest.Â
And you also feel the regret that always comes to haunt you whenever you recall about the offer that he made that day. When he reached out to you, offering to assist you in learning more about your magic. You hate thinking that you might have missed out on a chance to figure out your magic.Â
But it couldnât be helped, after all, when your fatherâs voiceârepeating the same words and warnings about how important it was to keep the familyâs magic a secretâkept echoing through your head while you were staring at Yoongiâs extended hand which he offered you that day. You had felt the itch to reach out to him, to accept his hand, even if it was only for the sake of feeling the gentle touch of his fingers on yours instead of actually having him help awaken the magic that was lying dormant inside you.Â
Yet you just couldnât do it.Â
And now you are left with the constant wonderingsâall the what ifs and what could havesâwhile the long list of regrets that are still lingering with you becomes the reason why you keep seeing in in your dreams.Â
The dreams are never the same.Â
In one dream, you recounted the moment you refused his offer. Only this time, you had stepped away from him at the tavern, choosing to end your time together earlier than what you had intended to so you could escape his attentive eyes. In another, you havenât even heard the same words spoken by Yoongi before his image vanished right in front of your eyes.Â
But there was one particular dream that appeared so vividly that you continued to see it even during the daytime, taking over your idle mind with his presence as if you were taken back to that moment, when you sat right across from him with his deep, unwavering gaze locked on yours.
âI might have to show it to you to prove itâŚâ
You never truly understood what he meant by saying those words, but in this dream of yours, none of it mattered. And your fatherâs voice hadnât been there to stop you from leaning forward at the table to give him your rapt attention. Your mind was also silent, and the thunderous sound of your heartbeat faded away when you spoke to him,Â
âHow?âÂ
âGive me your hand.âÂ
Time seemed to remain still as you reached out to him, giving him your hand. You barely touched the tips of his fingers when something magical happened; as a bright sparks of silver dust light up between both of your hands, with specks of blue dust erupting the moment you made contact with his skin, and the same tingling sensation that you had often felt from the portals came surging through your arms before settling inside your chest.Â
Before your mind could ever make sense of what was happening, the light only grew brighter, and everything faded under its blinding glow which later pulled you away from the dream. And as you slowly woke up, finding yourself lying on your bed alone, nothing else remained from the dream, except for the tingles running across your skin which took their sweet time to fade away.Â
Stepping out of the treasure room, you clutch the golden pocket watch in your palm, feeling victorious that you finally have it in your hand.Â
You had come to the treasure room right before your afternoon lessons with your tutor, hoping that you would be able to find anything that might be useful for your next trip through the portals. Your father had been right, after all, that the treasure room may provide you with anything that you may need to support your daily activities while you adjust with your new life at the castle.Â
Like a pocket watch, for example.
Something that is so small and simple, yet crucial for the sake of your safety while you are out there, roaming through any foreign land that the portals are taking you.Â
Why have I never thought of this before?Â
You cannot help but wonder as you look down at the ticking watch in your hand, regretting that you didnât think of getting one in the first place. It could have saved you a lot of trouble if you had.
The last couple of trips you made had been risky, as you kept cutting it too close to the time limit that had been given to you by your father, only missing merely minutes or even seconds before the portal started closing behind you after you slipped back through.Â
You had nearly gotten into a bigger trouble when you returned from Grimm, almost missing a toe when you barely managed to return to the portal before it closed on you. You blame it to your impulse need of chasing Yoongi into the deep forest when you started to feel like he was slipping away from and disappearing for good.Â
It was after that incident when you finally learned your lesson and decided that something needed to change. That you would need something to hold onto which may help you to keep up with the time, instead of simply relying on the signs of dusk as a reminder to let you know when it was time to return home.Â
The idea first came to you after observing Lord Gordan, the royal aide and the head butler of the castle, while he was working on his duties. You had often seen him pulling out a golden watch from the pocket of his suit to help him tell the time, and wondered if it would be something that you could make use of. Â
After receiving the royal physicianâs approval to return to your daily duties this morning, you feel like you are ready to embark on another adventure. With this golden pocket watch in your hand, the magic necklace that had been passed down to you from your late mother, and the dagger hidden under the skirt of your dress, you feel as if you are unstoppable, ready to face anything that may come to your path as you walk through the portal later once your tutoring hours are over.Â
Now if you only could just find a way to calm the restless thrums of your heartbeat inside your tight chest, then everything would be well. That is all that you could only hope for, at the very least, as you make your way to your tutoring lesson.
Because what better way to find answers other than to gain them straight from the people who are in charge of teaching you everything that is needed to learn as the heir of throne? Who else would know the answers you need, other than your tutors?Â
âYou want toââ Lady Laurel carefully repeats your question. She is looking slightly wary to even voice it out loud, even if it is just the two of you in the library that her voice is lowered when she continues, ââpractice using your magic?â
You have only been away from the library for a couple of days while you were resting, only keeping contact with Lady Laurel by corresponding through letters and the books that she had left behind through your personal maids for you to read.Â
Today would be the first day that you are back with your daily lectures. You could tell from the moment you saw Lady Laurel sitting by the study desk in the library as she waited for you to arrive that she had a lot of things planned out to keep you busy for the day.Â
But you have come up with your own plan when you marched your way to the library.Â
For weeks now, Lady Laurel had filled your private lessons with lectures about the fairy tale land to get you to know this new realm a lot more. So far, you have learned about its history, about the kingdoms and the people, even the non-human beings that you may find should you ever have the chance to visit those landsâelves, fairies, werewolves, even human magesâand you have heard about the real events that are the makings behind all the tales known and shared in the human realm.Â
During those long weeks, Lady Laurel had also been teaching you the basic knowledge of magic; the types of magic that you may encounter and each of their origins, the history behind them, and the ancient spells that have been written in the textbooks that you have found in the library during your solo studying.Â
She was also the one who first taught you to find a way to identify your mana.Â
She had mentioned how it would be helpful in the future should you start using your magic, as you would have become familiar to the mana flowing inside you by the time you begin your magic practices. If only she knew with what you have been doing once you were done with her lessons, how you have been using the theories that she had taught you into practice once you were left on your own.Â
There has been nothing much that Lady Laurel could teach you in her lessons other than the ability to reach within, to feel the presence of your magic and have a good grip on it, to recognise it as a part of yourself instead of something that simply appeared in your body overnight. But your solo practices that you have been doing in the shelter of your bedchamber had taken it a step further, enhancing it until you could make use of it to recognise and then respond to the magic that exists around you.Â
Just like the way you had used it to respond to the magic in the portals and to recognise Yoongiâs inner mana.Â
Yet that is just as far as both of you could get. You could tell that there are restrictions that your tutors would need to follow when they are guiding you through your lessons. Because not once had she ever tried to do more; whether it was to help you unleash the magic inside you, nor to use it by conjuring the magic for a purpose.Â
But you want more. You have been ready for more. And after your last encounter with Yoongi, you have gained the courage to express your desire to learn how to properly use your magic more actively. To learn how to expel its powers and make use of it for your own benefit.Â
And that is exactly what you said to your tutor the moment you joined her at the libraryâs study area, as you were taking the seat right across from her as you usually would during your tutoring hours.Â
Keeping your eyes on Lady Laurel, you try to gauge her reaction. Even from the moment you had first thought of bringing this up to her, you had expected to have an intense response from her, and for her to straight up refuse your request.Â
And you have been prepared to deal with whatever the outcome may be, knowing that you are not going to back down that easily.
âYes, that is exactly what I said,â you answer her with your chin raised, feeling determined about taking the next step into learning how to use your magic. âI want you to teach me how to unlock my magic and help me practice using it, instead of just trying to feel it. Because I already know that itâs there, lying almost dormant inside me without me knowing how to use it to protect the people who are dear to me, which is something that I want to be able to do.â
These thoughts have been running through your head for the past few days while you were being holed up in your bedchamber under the royal physicianâs restrictions. The feeling of want and the deep curiosity you have to know more about your magic, to be able to reach within yourself so you could somehow wield it so that you could make good use of it, has been growing stronger that you can no longer deny it.Â
That need had been lingering in your thoughts that it was almost impossible for you to remain idle during your bedrest, and you had then taken the risk to secretly try to find ways to unlock your magic on your own. Â
You just couldnât help it, after all. When you had nothing else to fill your time with aside from watching the scenery outside of your windows and reading the pages of your books, until neither could easily calm the havoc happening inside your mind. So you stole the short chances you could get between the hours you were given to rest under the heavy medication and the constant flurry of lady maids coming and going into your room as they attended to your needs.Â
Using the vivid images of your dreams, the basic knowledge of magic that you learned through your lectures, and the small facts about your magic that you learned from Yoongi as your guidance, you had spent your quiet nights trying to get in touch with the magic that was believed to be coursing through your body. Â
You tried everything you could; from using your necklace to see if it could bring out the mana inside you, to copying Yoongiâs action which you saw in your dreams, by placing your hands together to see if it could bring out your magic.
But no matter how hard you tried to concentrate and tried to cast your magic out through your fingertips, nothing seemed to be happening. Nothing more but a surge of energy crawling its way from your palms, through your fingers, stopping at each tip, before they vanished into your veins.Â
And you continued to try, until there was nothing left but the exhaustion rolling through your body and the missing warmth of Yoongiâs hand which your body seemed to have memorised from that day and what you are now craving to feel the most.Â
Having to openly ask your tutor for her help had been your last resort, knowing that she has her limits to what kind of guidance that she could offer you in learning about magic. Yet you had every reason to harbour some hope that she would somehow comply with your request.Â
Oftentimes, whenever you would try to inquire about any specific theories to learn about during your lectures, Lady Laurel would have embraced itâshe has always loved your curiosity and your eagerness to learnâand grabbed any chance that she could have to share any knowledge about the realm that you were still struggling to understand.Â
This time, however, she seems uneasy to hear your request. Not because she is reluctant to teach you about magic, as she has been doing so ever since the first day she started her lessons. What seems to make her reluctant about this is the fact that you are asking her to help you learn about your magic.Â
With a remorseful sigh, Lady Laurel leans forward in her seat. Reaching out across the desk, she places a gentle grip on your wrist. âYour Highness, Iâm sure that you are curious to learn more about your magic,â she begins with a polite smile, âBut His Majesty had specifically inquiredââÂ
Before she can finish her words, you immediately cut her off.
âI know what my father saidââas you have repeatedly said each time I tried to bring this topic up before, you silently wonder with a frownââbut His Majesty has yet to return, while here I am, feeling like my soul is slowly being sucked out of my body without understanding why. Maybe if I could control my magic, things will be different and Iâd know how to prevent something like this from happening again.âÂ
Through the letters that you have been exchanging with your tutor, you had explained everything that the royal physician had relayed on you about your condition.Â
At first, you simply mentioned about your draining mana in your letter to try and ask for her opinion to see if this was something that could possibly happen. Without mentioning the secret doors and the magic portals in your letter, you questioned her if there was anything that you may have come in contact with which might be able to drain your mana without you ever realising it.Â
The response that you were given with hadnât been enough to answer your curiosity. But there was something in her letter which caught your attention, when she explained in a rather plain sentenceâ
âThere are certain elements that have been built all over the castle, each one imbued with His Majestyâs magic. Perhaps, with His Majesty being gone, these elements have been trying to find a new source of energy. I have highly suspected that your magic might be similar to that is of the Kingâs, which made it possible for the energy around you to mistakenly drain your mana to fill whatever they are lacking.â
âYou know very well the reason why I would have to refuse taking over your magic training, Your Highness,â Lady Laurel regretfully says as she pulls back. You hate how genuine she seems to be as she is saying all of this, about the regret of not being able to fulfil your wishes, as she is being held under the Kingâs orders.Â
It wouldnât be until later when you notice the unspoken words hidden perfectly in her response, that she isnât refusing your request because she isnât capable of doing so. Because she is capable. But she is also bound under your fatherâs rules when it comes to your lessons.Â
âAll I can do without His Majestyâs guidance would be to guide you to become in tune with the mana that you have inside you, preparing you for the actual training that you are about to have under the Kingâs guidance himself,â she continues, and just like that, she turns to pick up the guidance textbook and the set of candles that she would use during these sessions, ready to start another one of her practices that she has been introducing you as of late. âWe can continue to do that today and see how far ahead we can go this time. The last time we didââÂ
Once again, you cut off her words before she could finish talking. âThe last time we had our lesson, you were helping me identify my mana and how to channel onto it so I could feel its flow inside me.â
And to recognise it without exposing your magic form. Something that you have caught on after a while and seems to be one of the main tasks given to her when your father passed down the duty of tutoring you while he is gone. But you say nothing of this.Â
After all, if you are trying to convince her to change her mind and sneak behind the Kingâs orders to fulfil your wishes, the last thing you should do is to show her that you have figured out all of her cardsâthe little tricks that she had played to skirt around the subject of your magic.Â
You may never figure out the reason behind all the secrecy about the familyâs magic, or why your father would prevent anyone from helping you in unlocking your magic without his presence. But oddly enough, the more you think about it, the more you understand why your father would take such measures.Â
The magic that he uses to create the portals wouldnât have been a regular kind of magic. You can tell that it is something special, something that your father has treasured for a long time, even before you ever came into the world.Â
But would your magic be anything similar to what your father has, just like what Lady Laurel previously claimed? Would you be able to create your own portal one day to find your own escape?Â
As if answering your question, Lady Laurel gently speaks to you, âI know that you are curious, and the lessons that you have been getting so far no longer seems to adequate to your needs, as you have gotten enough of the basic knowledge that you could gain in such a short amount of time. All I can ask of you is for you to be patient for now. His Majesty will be returning soon, and he will be able to guide you with your magic and answer a lot of your questions.â Â
As much as you hate backing down, you realise that you have no other choiceâat this moment, at leastâbut to give up, and follow your tutorâs advice.Â
âI suppose, I can be a little more patient,â you finally say to her with a sigh.Â
Your acceptance seems to please her, as a smile grows on Lady Laurelâs face. She beams as she rings the bell to summon the maids for a serving of tea and snacks to accompany your lesson, just like always. And while in waiting, she continues to set up all the books of magic that she would need for your lesson, followed by lighting up the set of candles that she has laid out in front of you.
âLetâs continue with our practice on your focus today,â Lady Laurel says to you as she returns to her seat while gesturing you to keep your eyes on the flickering flames. The same way that she has always guided you during your focus training.Â
This practice might be far off from helping to unlock your magic, yet you still have to admit that this practice may have been quite helpful so far. Because it was through this practice that you had inadvertently figured out one of the skills that you have developed ever since you started learning about magic.Â
The skill which allows you to trace and identify othersâ mana; be it within a person or a place.Â
The same skill that you revealed to Yoongi the last time you were together.Â
As you try to empty your mind and focus on the flickering candlelights, the dejected feeling that came over you earlier is slowly being lifted when you remember that this day is still far from ending, and you still have other tutors to turn to.Â
So you try to make it through the end of your lecture, doing your best with your simple training, Even if it only means that you will be walking out of here in the afternoon with sharpened focus. Perhaps it might be able to help you later by preventing you from falling asleep too soon if you ever decide to try to unlock your magic on your own again.Â
â Š 2024 Yoonia, all rights reserved. reposting/modifying of any kind is not allowed. unsolicited translations are not allowed.
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A Lack of Colour
Summary: Seokjin realises he needs to have a talk with his girlfriend. Yoongi makes a promise.
"i should have given you a reason to stay"
- death cab for cutie, a lack of color
Pairing: Seokjin x OC, Yoongi x OC (different OCs)
Genre: Angst, sort of
Word count: 9K
Rating: 18+
Warnings: language
A/N: Please donât hate me. Takes place a week after Helping Hands. If you want to yell at me with other readers after you're done , you can do so on the Discord channel.
Tagging: @bbl32 @quarter-life-crisis2 @meirkive @faearchives @margopinkerton @dreaming-with-happiness @purpleseoul7
Listen to: "a lack of colorâ by death cab for cutie
seokjin masterlist | yoongi masterlist | main masterlist
The ER is quiet today - too quiet.
Nari tries to ignore the giggles and whispers that are permeating the sanitizer whiteness of the room, and concentrates on the breath sounds of the patient on the bed before her. Sheâs come in complaining vaguely of âchest painsâ but itâs mildly frustrating; Nari canât hear anything except absolutely normal breath sounds and heartbeats.
âShow me where youâre feeling the pain again?â she asks kindly, watching closely as the girl - a kid probably in her early twenties - frowns and gestures largely at the front of her torso.
âJust⌠everywhere,â she answers unhelpfully.Â
Nari frowns slightly, not wanting to alarm her patient while a variety of scenarios start flipping through her mind as to why her chest sounds perfectly normal, not dismissing the possibility that her stethoscope is damaged.
She glances up at the girlâs friends, two similar looking girls who seem least bothered about their friendâs situation. Instead, theyâre on their phones, exchanging grins and excitedly whispering, nudging the girl on the bed to look at something on their screens.
âJust - give me a moment. Iâll be right back.â Nari walks away calmly and doesnât stop until she reaches the front desk of the ER. She leans over to the first year resident whoâs manning the desk for the day.
âHey, have you seen Dr Kang or⌠Cheon or⌠anyone else?â she asks. âI need a consult.â
âOh, um, I think theyâre all in surgeryâŚâ The resident checks a large board behind her. âYeah, wonât be out for a while. Anything I can help with?â she asks quickly.
Nari nods, empathising with the annoyance of having to answer phones in the ER in place of practising medicine. âI have a case of chest pain - female, early twenties, otherwise seemingly healthy. Her breath sounds, heart beat and EKG are completely normal and she canât seem to pinpoint any singular area of pain. Can you do some research to understand what this could be?â
Her eyebrows shoot up. âYeah, of course -â She retrieves a notebook from her pocket and flips through it vigorously. âIâm sure I can find something -âÂ
Theyâre interrupted momentarily by another sound of furious whispering - a group of medical student interns pass by them, giggling in hushed tones.
âNot to sound old or anything, but I swear we were more professional at that age,â mutters Nari, shaking her head.
âI kind of get it, though,â says the resident, shrugging apologetically. âItâs not every day thereâs an idol somewhere in the hospital.â
Nari raises her eyebrows. âLike a k-pop idol? Here?â
âUh-huh. Itâs all super secret and high profile, though. Heâs in the VIP section and has bodyguards everywhere.â
âWow. That explains a lot. Anyway, let me know if you find something on the chest -â Nari pauses abruptly, something clicking. She turns around slowly to look at the girl with the mysterious chest pains, sitting up straight on her bed and whispering with her friends.
âYou know what,â she says instead, turning to the resident. âItâs a slow day. Why donât you take over my patient instead?â she offers.
The residentâs eyes widen. âAre you sure?â
âAbsolutely. Make sure to really ask her a lot of questions,â adds Nari. As the resident hurries away, pulling on her lab coat, Nari stops her. âBy the way⌠whoâs the idol?â
âOh. Nobody knows.â The resident shrugs. âRumour is that itâs someone from BTS.â
â
Nari waits outside the entrance of the VIP section, watching as one of the bulky bodyguards slips inside the private hospital room, presumably to ask the said BTS member if he knows and would be okay to see a Dr Choi Nari.
Itâs a fifteen percent chance itâs Seokjin. If itâs any of the others, it will be a pleasant run-in. If itâs him⌠it occurs to Nari for the first time that he might not actually want to see her.
Just as she begins processing this possibility, the bodyguard pokes the upper half of his body outside the room and waves at her to enter.
Her heart leaping slightly, she saunters down the corridor silently, ignoring the two surely-vetted nurses giving her bewildered looks as she pushes open the door.
âHey.â Seokjin, in a hospital gown, looks tired yet relieved. âI was hoping Iâd see you.â
âYeah?â Nari takes a few steps towards the bed, hands in the pocket of her lab coat, noting that he seems okay, except for an IV in his forearm and one of his feet elevated on a cushion. âYou know where I work. Why didnât you tell me you were here?â
He purses his lips hesitantly. âI didnât know if youâd want to see me,â he says lightly. âI thought⌠this might one of those times where lack of privacy would actually come in handy.â
She nods, waiting for the heaviness in her chest to reappear, but it doesnât. âIt did. What happened to you?â
âOh.â He seems to remember why heâs here. âUm⌠twisted my ankle. And our regular doctor is out sick today. Irony,â he adds in a soft sing-song voice, grinning when he realises they've done it in unison.
âM-hm. Whoâs your doctor here?âÂ
âUh⌠Park something. Park Naeun.â
Nari raises her eyebrows. âHead of the department?â She taps his foot with her pen, ignoring his dramatic gasp of pain. âMust be some twisted ankle.â
âThat hurt!â
âNo, it didnât,â she says, giving him a look when his face immediately drops to normal. She points at his chart hooked at the bottom of his bed. âDo you mind?â
âGo ahead. You donât have to ask.â
âYeah, I do. Patient information is confidential and Iâm not your doctor.â
Seokjin nods slowly but his expression is clear. Nari waits for him to say what she thinks heâs about to but then decides she doesnât want him to.
She flips through the chart. âYour vitals seem fine. BP is a bit lowâŚâ Automatically, she pulls her stethoscope from the pockets of her lab coat and puts it on. âSit up?â
Seokjin raises an eyebrow but obeys. Keeping the chart down, Nari places a hand on his shoulder and gently presses the chest piece to his chest. âTake a deep breath,â she murmurs, listening closely, frowning when his heart speeds up slightly. She moves to his back. âLean forward a bit?â
He does so, and the hospital gown falls from his chest to his waist. His skin feels warm where Nari places the chest piece on his back. âSlightly tachycardic. Youâre dehydrated, Kimbap.â
âBingo,â he says, sounding tired again. Up close, he looks paler. But his eyes look more full of life than Nari has seen them in a while. She frowns curiously for a moment before realising itâs the first time sheâs called him Kimbap in months.
In order to break the silence, heavy with meaning, she places the back of her hand on his forehead. âYouâre feverish. And you look thinner,â she adds, stepping away. âHave you been eating properly?â
He chuckles pointedly. âHello, pot. Iâm kettle.â
A smile flits across her face. âShut up. Iâm serious.â
âAirplane food is shit.â
âEven business class?â
âAbsolutely. And touring is tiring.â
Nari nods, placing the chart back. Thereâs nothing much for her to do; rest and fluids are all he needs and both are taken care of for now. She hesitates, wondering if she should leave. A moment later, she takes a seat on the chair next to his bed.
Seokjin doesnât try to hide his smile. âDonât have surgery to get to?â
âItâs a slow day.â She nudges his bed lightly with her foot. âHow have you been?â
Seokjinâs smile fades slightly, and his eyes fall. Nari bites her lip; itâs only been a week, but it feels like forever ago. Standing inches away from each other, his cheekbones under her fingers, his palpable desperation followed by clear, transparent realisation.
Despite that, itâs the first time in months that sheâs been around him without wanting to cry. Talking with him is easier. Being around him feels like it used to. The truth is out there, and it feels like a weight has been lifted off her chest.Â
âOkay. Been thinking a lot,â he says, glancing up at her.
She nods. She wants to ask more, but looking at his pale face and clammy forehead, she decides not to. Not while thereâs a chance of delirious answers.
âWhereâs Seulgi?â
His face falls. âOh, crap. I should call her.â He reaches over to his bedside table and picks up his phone, only to see a black screen. âDamn it.â
âYou should let your people know to let her in,â says Nari, taking his phone from him and plugging it in to charge behind the bedside table. âTheyâre fairly intimidating.â
He half-chuckles. âAnd yet here you are.â
âThe whole hospitalâs talking about a famous idol here somewhere. Had to check out the rumour for myself.â
âGood to know.â He turns to check that his phone is charging and sits back. âSheâs gone to see her parents in Busan,â he says after a moment. âSo I donât think Iâll see her. I fly out the day after tomorrow,â he adds, answering her silent question.
âOh. You may not be in a state to,â she tells him, pointing to the IV in his forearm.
âDonât have a choice.â He sighs and closes his eyes, placing his other arm over them. His chest looks white, not a single bit of loose flesh anywhere. But she knows better than to argue with his schedule.
âKeep a water bottle on you at all times. One with a carabiner that you can hook onto your bag.â She clicks her tongue. âThere is no way that this is the first time Iâm telling you this.â
âOkay, Dr Choi,â he mutters, not moving.
She slaps his shoulder lightly. âIâm not kidding. Youâre making yourself sick. You look like a ghost, Kimbap.â
âOn the plus side, my hair game has never been stronger.â
She reaches over and ruffles his hair until he slaps her hand away, laughing.
âDonât be jealous, Nari,â he says loftily, delicately straightening his bangs along his forehead.
âIâm not,â she says honestly.
He gives her a small smile but says nothing. âThanks for coming,â he says after a moment. âTruth be told⌠I donât feel that great.â
Nari wonders if sheâs imagining the double meaning, or if she simply wants to. The look on his face at the restaurant opening when sheâd finally told him, in as many words as she could, how she felt; it had simultaneously broken her heart and renewed hope because now he knew.
Part of her had expected their lingering desperation at maintaining a friendship to die a feeble death right then, but Seokjin seems to be genuinely glad sheâs here right now. She searches, again, for the heaviness - but it has disappeared.
ââCourse I did,â she says softly, squeezing his hand. He squeezes it back, warm and dry, and Nari feels like crying. Not out of sadness, or heartbreak - but out of relief. There was a lack of colour in her life but itâs back now, clear, beautiful and messy.
âNari, look⌠about -â
The door flies open and Dr Park Naeun stands at the doorway, youthful as ever in her late forties, with a sharp frown on her forehead.Â
âDr Choi,â she states sternly. âI donât remember assigning you on this case. Are you cleared to be here?â Without waiting for Nariâs response, she turns to Seokjin and her face softens. âIâm sorry, I was told you didnât want to be disturbed.â
âIâm not,â he says instantly, letting go of Nariâs hand. âNari - er, Dr Choi,â he amends, glancing at her sheepishly, âis my oldest friend. No disturbance at all.â
Dr Park nods, still seeming a little unconvinced. âAlright. You should rest, though. Dr Choi - the ER isnât going to run itself.â
Sensing her cue, Nari stands up, her hand brushing Seokjinâs. âOf course. Take care,â she says softly to him before walking past her boss and out of the hospital room.
â
Nari doesnât stop by again except later that night to inform him sheâs going home and checking his vitals once more. Seokjin stays motionless while she presses the chest piece of her stethoscope once more to his torso, soft and familiar fingers brushing against his skin. The medication makes his heart race but he tries not to show it, and he doesnât exhale until she leaves the room.
He is discharged the next day; a shiny black SUV takes him back to the dorm, where all the members have elected to stay until the tour ends. Itâs both convenient yet mildly chaotic; the only time any of them go back to their own apartments is when Dilara is in town, or if Jimin is to meet Sooah, or if Jungkook is entertaining one of his casual lady friends.
As it so happens, the only person in the house when Seokjin returns is Min Yoongi, eating a bowl of cereal at four pm in front of the television.
âHey, youâre back,â he says unnecessarily. âWhen did - wait, why didnât you tell any of us when you were coming back? We couldâve picked you up.â
Seokjin waves his hand dismissively. âNot necessary. Everyone has enough going on.â He takes a seat next to Yoongi on the sofa and sighs, gratefully accepting the bowl of cereal and taking a large bite of choco flakes and cold milk. âOh, God, thatâs good,â he murmurs, closing his eyes.
âI can get you a bowl,â offers Yoongi, heading to the kitchen when Seokjin nods. He brings back a plate with a bowl of cereal on it, along with toast and blueberry jam. âI know itâs carbs but you were sick - you need your energy.â
âYeah, I donât care about carbs right now,â agrees Seokjin, eagerly taking the plate and going straight for the toast, not emerging until he finishes an entire slice. âJesus. It feels like I havenât eaten in days.â
Yoongi nods, patting him on the shoulder. âGood. How are you feeling now?â
âMuch better. Yesterday was a bit shit but I woke up feeling pretty okay. Nariâs convinced it was the rest and fluids but I think it was the super comfortable hospital bed and jelly cups that did the trick.â
âYou met Nari?â Yoongi raises his eyebrows. âHow, uh, how is she?â he asks, sounding a bit guilty.
Seokjin is sure heâs recalling the disastrous not-date that occurred at the restaurant opening a week ago, but says nothing. Nariâs transparent embarrassment from that night doesnât need to become public knowledge.Â
âSheâs okay. It was kind of weird seeing her in work mode, but - but it was good,â he replies, realising as he says it, that for the first time in a long time, it actually was good. Maybe it was the fact that he was sick or that he hadnât actually seen her smile at him in forever, but it was the closest heâd felt to her in months.
Kimbap. And maybe - just maybe - he wasnât alone in it.Â
âWhy are you smiling?â
âWhat?â Seokjin stares at his remaining cereal. âIâm -â About to deny it, he stops. âOkay, I need to get something off my chest.â
âOkay.â Yoongi mutes the television.
âI -â He takes a deep breath, not really sure where to begin. âUm⌠after the restaurant opening, when Nari was leavingâŚâ He swallows, feeling his stomach squirm the same it has the entirety of the last week, every single time he thought about her and that night. âI think⌠Nari might have feelings for me.â
Thereâs a few moments of silence. When Yoongi doesnât answer, Seokjin turns to him to see him looking back expectantly. âAnd?â he asks in a hushed voice.
âWellâŚâ Seokjin frowns.
Yoongi squints. âPlease donât tell me thatâs news to you.â
Seokjin opens his mouth then closes it, knowing heâs been caught. âItâs not⌠news,â he admits. âBut itâs confirmation. I didnât think it was likely, not after the pregnancy scare and with that Jason guy⌠but I did wonder. Maybe,â he finishes, shrugging tiredly. âKind of felt wrong to speculate once I got together with Seulgi,â he mutters.
âDoes Seulgi know? Wait - what actually happened?â Yoongi asks instead.
âNothing happened,â he clarifies immediately. âNot like that.â But it could have. Another second and I might have. âBut⌠I mean, I would be deliberately obtuse if I didnât see it now, right?â
Although it doesnât answer his question, Yoongi tactfully doesnât repeat it. âBut you said everything was good with her yesterday?â
âThatâs just it.â Seokjin pounces on whatâs been going through his head for the last twenty-four hours. âItâs been a nightmare for almost a year and then suddenly itâs⌠weâre back to normal. Kind of.â He shakes his head. âI kept thinking it might have made it worse, having it out in the open. But it isnât. Itâs like a switch flipped.â I got my best friend back, he thinks, and a part of his heart soars.
âWhat does Seulgi think?â When Seokjin doesnât answer, Yoongi sits back on the couch, still observing his friend. âDoes she know about this new development at all?â
âItâs complicated,â he mutters. âI donât even know what this development is.â He catches Yoongiâs knowing look. âIâm serious. It was, like, fifteen minutes in total and it was⌠normal. If anything, the last few months were a development. This is the default.â
Seokjin is mildly aware heâs rambling now, especially when Yoongi conspicuously utters nothing. Itâs just as well; heâs run out of ways to explain the situation. There are no appropriate words to describe the wave of emotions heâd experienced since last week, beginning with shock and solace that Nari was finally communicating with him, stress and fear that this may just have pushed her away for good, and a numbing relief when sheâd shown up yesterday.Â
He wishes heâd hugged her. He wishes sheâd stayed longer, or that stupid Dr Park hadnât told her to leave. He wishes he knew what she was going through last week, if she was truly as relaxed as she seemed, if her confession really had been as cathartic for her to make as it had been for him to hear.
âDo you think you can travel tomorrow?â Yoongi asks, breaking the silence.
âWhat? Yeah. Yeah, of course.â Seokjin shifts on the sofa, running a hand over his face. âIt should be fine.âÂ
Tomorrow. It seems too soon now, now that thereâs so much to leave behind in Seoul. She was happy. It was, at the crux of it, the detail that sticks in his mind. He imagines the weight off her chest, imagines her expecting something from him, imagines telling her what she wants to hear. It could get complicated, for certain, but the thought of it doesnât tire him the way it used to.
âHey, you know what?â Seokjin asks, a thought suddenly occurring to him. âThat night, when Nari was leaving the party, she said you were⌠kissing someone?â
Yoongi goes very still. âShe told you about that?â he asks, and thereâs a bite to his tone.
âWell⌠she was upset,â he says hastily. âI donât think she knew it was a secret⌠is it a secret?â he asks hesitantly, not wanting to overstep.
Yoongi is silent for a moment longer. âThereâs nothing to tell, honestly,â he mutters, and thatâs enough to indicate that the topic is closed.
Later that evening, as he drives to the Big Hit building, Yoongi finds himself regretting being so abrupt with Seokjin.
But there is nothing to tell. He didnât lie. There has been virtually no contact with Miso since that night, and he hasnât been able to come up with a single appropriate way to begin conversation. Hey, I just want to skirt around the awkwardness of kissing you in a coat closet right after you admitted your psychotic mother has a habit of stealing men from you, so howâs it going? I miss you.
It was variations of this until Yoongi gave up, choosing to give her space and time to process everything and let the ball be in her court for once.
Even when he reaches the floor, he makes sure to only wave at her while sheâs standing with Donghyuk and a couple of other people before ducking into his own studio. He stays there for a while, distractedly flipping through his files and trying to remember why exactly heâd come in today at all.
After a few minutes, he decides he needs a cigarette, taking the elevator to the terrace and stepping out into the pleasant evening air.
He lights his first cigarette and takes a deep drag, closing his eyes when the door creaks open behind him.
âThey donât let you smoke on tour?â
Yoongi doesnât move. âTheyâd probably have a heart attack if I did. Although my make-up artist joins me for a secret one once in a while.â
âClandestine smoke breaks feel different,â she agrees, slipping out her own pack and placing a cigarette between her lips. Yoongi reaches forward and lights it for her, and her eyes look brown in the brightness of the flame.
Miso breathes it in and lets the smoke out without flinching. âDidnât think Iâd see you back so soon.â
âYou didnât?â
âYeah⌠werenât you in Europe or something this week?â She frowns. âThe flying must be playing havoc with your system.â
She means the tour. Yoongi nods a little belatedly. âI guess. Iâm used to it. I sleep when I can. How are you?â he ask after a moment.
âSame as always.â Miso takes another drag before giving him a side glance. âAlso⌠I just want to move on from the whole⌠weirdness of our - of us, you know, kissing in the aftermath of my whole word vomit about my demented mother going after men far too young for her.â She exhales, having said everything in one breath.
Yoongi stares at her, blinking wordlessly before he realises sheâs expecting a response from him. âOh, hey⌠donât worry. No weirdness whatsoever.â
She gives him a small smile and leans back against the railing heâs looking over, the city of Seoul lit up under them. Their shoulders brush and Yoongi tries to grasp at anything to keep the conversation going. âUm, so⌠how are things with - with you and your mom?â
Miso frowns slightly, as though she hadnât expected this question. âAs good as theyâll ever be? Weâve successfully ignored each other all week,â she explains, half-chuckling.Â
Yoongi doesnât know whether to laugh or cringe; itâs not a common cue to take, so he simply nods. She seems a bit jittery; the last time heâd seen her like this, it was almost a year ago at her house, the first glimpse heâd gotten a peek into her life. Heâs about to reach for her hand which is holding the cigarette and tapping absently at the railing, but at that moment she raises her hand to take another drag.
âAnyway, I, uhâŚâ She clears her throat and taps the cigarette, ash falling on the ground, âIâm just glad we didnât⌠I mean, you donât have to feel like⌠God, it was a weird night,â she sighs awkwardly. âBut it doesnât have to⌠go anywhere. We can just go back to normal.â
Unlike her, Yoongi doesnât look away. âTruth be told, Iâm not really sure what normal is with us.â
Looking at the ground, Miso half-chuckles again, without humour. Sheâs wearing full sleeves again, despite a mostly warm day. Beige sleeves and a dark t-shirt on top; her skin looked white against it, like porcelain.
âI know,â she admits, flicking ash again. âBut Iâm just saying, it doesnât have to be⌠anything different. Whatever normal is.â She shrugs and when Yoongi doesnât respond, she looks up. âIâm just saying⌠it was a long night. I was on edge, surrounded by my mother and her friends and you⌠and everyone was hungry because they took forever to serve dinnerâŚâ She exhales, and grey smoke comes out of her nostrils. âNothing⌠really happened.â
Yoongi stares at her, his face making no movement whatsoever for he finally feels as though sheâs reaching the point. âWhat?â
Miso gazes at him, pursing her lips. It feels as though sheâs reading him, trying to gauge what his question is referring to. She takes a last, deep drag and finishes her cigarette. âThis is a good thing, Yoongi,â she says at last, stamping out the butt. âYou got a look into the shitshow and⌠youâre getting out ahead.â She gives him a small, forced smile. âYouâre off the hook,â she says in English, the unfamiliar accent jarring.Â
She moves to leave while Yoongi stays frozen to the spot, his stomach sinking slowly. Then, as though jerked out of a trance, he extinguishes his cigarette against a metal pipe on the side and drops the butt, turning around and catching up to her in a few steps.Â
âIâm off the hook?â he repeats, voice low and sticking to Korean.
She doesnât look too surprised that heâs stopped her, but her forced nonchalance wobbles slightly. âWell, the proverbial hook.â
âYeah? What hook is that?â
âThe hook that pegged you to kiss me in a coat closet after I⌠dumped my mommy-trauma on you.â She shakes her head. âThere was a lot going on and I donât⌠Iâm not expecting anything from you. Not for that.â
Yoongi bites his lip. âSo⌠Iâm off the hook for the spur-of-the-moment kiss we shared after I assured you that you can trust me.â
Misoâs eyes flicker momentarily but she reverts to her blasĂŠ expression instantly. âThe words sound like you get me, but your tone is throwing me off,â she says wryly.
He takes a step closer to her. âYou are,â he mutters tightly, his hand clenching into a fist, âthe single most uniquely frustrating person I have ever met.â
âI donât understand why youâre getting annoyed with me,â she replies, but Yoongi doesnât believe her, scoffing and turning away. âYou want this, believe me.â When he doesnât answer, she folds her arms across her chest. âIâve told you a dozen times not to get involved. I donât know why youâre still trying to.â
âYou know, Iâm starting to wonder the same thing myself,â he snaps, walking past her and out of the terrace. He catches a glimpse of her just as the elevator doors close and he bristles; thereâs no doubt, guilt or anger on her face. Itâs an expression heâs seen numerous times before, annoying him more each time: the one of being proven right.
â
Donghyuk [21:15]
Going out with some of the prods in a bit. Drinks on BH. You in?
Yoongi [21:16]
Donât think so. Too much to get done.
Donghyuk [21:16]
Sure? Kim Namjoonâs coming too. Probably.
Yoongi [21:17]
You asked him?
Donghyuk [21:17]
Not yet.
Yoongi rolls his eyes, although Namjoon might just agree to go. Anything to get his mind off his girl.
Yoongi [21:18]
Raincheck. In the zone right now.
Donghyuk replies with an irrelevant emoji but doesnât push. Yoongi locks his phone and stares at the wide screens in front of him. A part of him had planned to return to the dorm tonight to give Seokjin some company; something about how deep in thought the older member had been earlier today was throwing Yoongi off. Seokjin didnât divulge much, but Yoongi had a feeling he might want to just this once.
Thereâs also the added bonus of a hot meal most likely awaiting him at the dorm, for when Seokjin was stressed, he tended to cook.
Yoongi [21:25]
Hyung. Need me to pick up anything for dinner?
Seokjin [21:27]
Not for me. Iâm probably going out.
Yoongi raises his eyebrows at this unexpected response, his stomach rumbling sadly. But he ignores it, reaching for his half empty pack of cigarettes and debating another smoke break, when his studio door opens without permission and he turns, his heart skipping an automatic beat.
Miso pokes her head in, expressionless. âDonghyukâs leaving. He asked me to check if you want to schedule the demo with that rookie girl group tomorrow at noon.â
Yoongi turns back around. âSure. Anything else?â
She hesitates. âThat Chinese place you recommended sucks, by the way. Their portion sizes are deceptively huge and now Iâm stuck with enough Kung Pao chicken to feed a small army,â she states in mild exasperation before leaving.
The door swings shut behind her. Yoongi scoffs under his breath, shaking his head. Uniquely frustrating. Everything had to be an argument, and every argument had to be won by her, even if it was about an excess of Kung Pao chicken.
He checks his pack to see about half a dozen cigarettes left, when something clicks. He pauses and, on cue, his stomach rumbles again.
Grabbing his phone and the smokes, Yoongi stands up and heads out of his studio, making a beeline down the corridor for Donghyuk's. He can smell the food even before he pushes the door open.
Miso looks up when he enters, not looking entirely surprised, but - he notes with caution - her shoulders relax as though in relief. Four boxes of food are on the console table in front of her while she unpacks the chopsticks. As he takes a seat next to her mutely, she unpacks the last items in the bag: two cans of lemonade. She slides one over to him and he catches it.
âThanks.â
She nods, handing him a pair of chopsticks. âIâve heard the foodâs not bad.â
âSo have I. I didnât know about the lemonade on their menu, though.â He takes a sip and swallows it slowly, wincing slightly at the tartness. âNot bad.â
Miso, her can unopened in front of her, observes him thoughtfully before bending over the other side of her chair and retrieving two cans of Budweiser Premium. She offers one to him, eyebrows raised.
âAre we allowed alcohol in here?â he asks mildly, taking the can anyway.Â
âNo idea.â
âNot afraid of getting caught?â
She hitches one leg on the edge of her chair and pops her can open, taking a long sip. âWhat are they going to do? Fire me?âÂ
Nope. Not daddyâs nepo princess.
A year ago, Yoongi wouldâve said it out loud. The arrogance of her statement would have struck him in his very core, except now he can only detect apathy in it. Whatâs the worst they can do? Fire me?
He opens his own can and takes a sip, the cold beer feeling incredible in his chest. âGod, I feel healed.â
The corner of her mouth lifts and she reaches over, and they clink their cans together. âCheers.â
As they eat, Yoongi finds himself more confused than ever. Not only did Miso, in her own twisted way, offer an olive branch and buy him dinner, but for the first time since heâs known her, she is initiating conversation.
âAre you allowed to drink on tour?â she asks him, curiously scooping some noodles into her paper bowl.
âOnly as long as weâre not seen. And as long as it doesnât make us put on weight or bloat or break outâŚâ He shrugs. âSo⌠no. Not really.â
âIs the company afraid your fans will get scandalized if they see you, an adult man, consuming alcohol?â
He cracks a smile. âSomething like that.â
âDamn. How do you smoke?â
âI donât, as much. I wait to come home and do it in peace.â
She grins and his heart catches. âYeah? Dreaming about the Big Hit terrace while sailing around the world?â
âYou have no idea. Sometimes I wake up smelling instant coffee and cornflakes.â
âA man so loyal to his work,â she says dryly, chuckling when he waves a hand in mock-embarrassment. âBig Hit is so lucky to have you.â
âThey make me do a lot more dancing than I ever signed up for, so⌠you know what? They kind of are,â he agrees, smiling when she laughs. âDamn, this is good beer.â
Without being asked, she hands him another one, and their fingers brush on the cold can. Their eyes meet for a fraction of a second before Miso lets go and leans back, busying herself with something else. Yoongi glances at her as he absently bites down on a mushroom, wanting to bring up their earlier encounter today, last week and all the preceding weeks - but itâs not a good idea. Not during this precarious time of⌠he isnât even sure what to call it.
âHow come you didnât go out with Donghyuk and the guys?â
âWork,â he answers simply. âHow come you didnât?â
âWork, I guess. And I had all this food to finish,â she reminds him, gesturing to the half a dozen boxes on the table. âYouâre only back for a couple days, though. How come you donât want to, you knowâŚâ She does an awkward wave with her shoulders. â... party?â
Yoongi stifles a chuckle. âSomeone had to help you finish all this food. Apparently itâs my fault thereâs so much of it.â
âIt is. But the food is actually quite⌠not bad,â she adds generously. âHowâd you know about this place?â
âOh, I, uh⌠I used to deliver for them,â he confesses, nodding when she raises her eyebrows in surprise. âItâs been a few years, but⌠there was this one apartment over in Hongdae that ordered in from there almost every single day. A couple of roommates, fresh out of college, I think,â he recalls. âI asked them once about it and they said they worked long hours and ordering in from here was what kept them going.â
âWow.â Miso is quiet for a moment. âSo you started eating from here, too?â
âOnce I could afford it, yeah.â He catches her eye but she lowers her eyes, almost as if ashamed. âThe shrimp fried rice is the best thing on the menu, though.â
She nods, glancing up at him. âNoted. For next time.â
Yoongiâs heart soars unexpectedly before his mind forces their disagreement on the terrace to the forefront of his mind.
âI didnât know you delivered food,â she says after a moment.Â
âMhm. Itâs also when I learned to pick a lock, because these kids in one of the Gangnam neighbourhoods would lock peopleâs bicycles for fun,â he tells her, rolling his eyes.Â
âWhat? Why?â
âWho knows.â He tosses his empty bowl on the table and stretches back in his chair. âDumb, rich kids with nothing better to do,â he mutters, looking up at the ceiling. When he glances back down at her, itâs to see her quietly cleaning up, her hair covering the side of her face.
Yoongi starts to say something but thinks the better of it, instead helping her clear the table.
âTell me something about you,â he says a little while later, as they share a single serving of chocolate mousse. âNot your parents or your⌠driver or whoever. You.â
Miso raises her eyebrows, looking a little startled at the question; itâs clear that itâs not something she gets asked too often.
âI donât know. Iâm really not that interesting.â
He gives her a look. âI told you about being a delivery boy. Interesting isnât the criteria here.â
âFine.â She purses her lips and frowns, apparently thinking. âOkay, I have one. Ready?â
âOn the edge of my seat.â
A smile flits across her face. âOkay⌠Iâm red-green colourblind.â She shrugs hugely, looking slightly uncomfortable.
âHuh. Really?â Yoongi wasnât expecting that. âSo, can youâŚâ
âI can,â she confirms. âI wear contact lenses so I can pretty much see everything normally. But, yeah. Thatâs something about me.â
âHave you - sorry, this might be a stupid question -â He raises a hand and she waves her own, permitting him to ask. âHave you always had it?â
âPretty much, yeah. Itâs genetic,â she adds. âMy mother used to take me to the optometrist in secret, as if she was afraid that my father would explode at a reminder of a weakness,â she explains, rolling her eyes. âActually, that seems pretty on brand for him.â
Yoongi frowns. âBut if itâs geneticâŚâ
âYeah, but he doesnât have it,â she confirms. âNeither does my mother, which means sheâs a carrier.â She shrugs. âDoesnât matter. Itâs not something we talk about. Ever.â
She says it in a matter-of-fact way, as though itâs the most understandable thing in the world for her own issues to take a backseat to her egocentric fatherâs insecurities.Â
Yoongi lets out a low whistle. âSo itâs your little secret?â
âKind of. Strange to think about,â she agrees. She is quiet for a moment. âShe really did seem to care that I had the best possible doctors and specialists and whatnot.â She shudders. âItâs like a fever dream.â
He doesnât know how to react to this so he follows her cue and returns her wry smile. âI saw a picture of you as a kid at your house. You were a cute kid.â
Miso narrows her eyes at him. âUh-huh. Where are you going with this?â
âNothing. Just picturing you holding your motherâs hand, going to the optometrist.â He grins when she rolls her eyes. âYou did say she took you in secret.â
âWell, she and Seungkwan,â she amends. âNot that we ever discussed it with him but Iâm pretty sure he guessed.â
This is news. Yoongiâs eyebrows shoot up. âReally? And he never told your father?â
A faint smile appears on Misoâs face. âItâs a dangerous thing to be that loyal to my father. Some things are better left ignored.â
He senses something else in her words, but doesnât ask. He remembers her driver vaguely; somehow, he appears everywhere she is, whenever she needs him.Â
âWell, I can keep your secret,â he promises her, leaving the last bite of the mousse and handing it to her.
Her smile widens as she takes it from him. âI know,â she says. âI trust you.â
Yoongi holds her gaze for a moment. âAre you sure?â
Misoâs smile fades. âYoongiâŚâ She trails off when he drops his head, suddenly tired. She begins again. âYou know, youâre the only person in the world whoâs ever apologised to me,â she tells him.Â
She waits until he meets her eyes again, and heâs slightly startled at how sorry she looks. He struggles for a moment to recall what sheâs talking about, the memories of the aftermath of the launch party crawling to the forefront of his mind.
âThat isnât -â
âIâm just saying⌠It seems okay now. Now,â she repeats. âBut you really donât know what youâre getting yourself into. Iâm not talking about my parents,â she says quickly when he opens his mouth. âIâm sayingâŚâ She sighs. âYoongi, I donât think I can give you what you want. I donât know how.â
Yoongi says nothing; his throat feels stuck and he worries that if he speaks, his voice might break. It doesnât feel like a rejection, but he also canât find a way to respond. Once again, sheâs won the argument.Â
They leave soon after that, once they clean up in silence and Yoongi takes out the trash while Miso closes down Donghyukâs studio. He walks her to the elevator, both of them walking beside each other with just enough distance between them to not touch.
I donât know how. It bothers him more than heâd like to admit, and he canât tell if itâs because of her fucked up parents or her general tendency to keep a distance that she believes sheâs incapable of genuine human connection.Â
When they reach the elevator and she reaches up to press the button, his eyes fall on her wrist and he wants, once again, to grab it and push her sleeve up her forearm. The bruise heâd seen all those months ago feels like a siren heâd ignored; it makes him sick to think about another potential one on her wrist right now.
The doors open, Miso glances at him hesitantly. âI donât know about you⌠but I actually had a good time tonight.â She nods once. âThanks, Yoongi.â
He slips his hands in his pockets and shrugs. âThanks for what?â
âYou knowâŚâ She steps in between the doors to stop them from closing and turns to face him. âHelping me out⌠with the Kung Pao chicken and everything,â she finishes, her mouth lifting up at the corners. By the way she bites her lip, he knows his own face is betraying at least a hint of humour. Or maybe itâs exasperation, or annoyance, or infatuation, or everything at once.
âYour driver⌠Seungkwan?â He waits for her to nod. âHeâs here?â
âDownstairs,â she confirms.
Take care. Call me if you need anything. Call me if you donât need anything, too.
âSee you around, Miso.â He waves mechanically and it immediately feels ridiculous.
She frowns curiously but mimics his awkward wave. âBye.â She takes a step back into the elevator and presses the button, and he takes a similar step further back. She gives him a small smile as the doors start to close.
Yoongi starts to walk back towards his studio, noting the elevator only in his peripheral vision. As he leaves, the image of her on the terrace comes back to him; through another set of closing elevator doors, her look of mild satisfaction, almost expectant.
It only takes a fraction of a second; Yoongi turns on the spot and hurries back to the elevator, slipping through just before the doors close fully.
âWhoa.â Miso jerks back slightly, but doesnât look annoyed âWhat are you doing?â she asks as he steps towards her.
âDonât worry, Iâm not going to kiss you again,â he assures her dryly, ignoring the look she gives him and reaching over to wrap her in a hug. He waits a moment, and then two, and then relaxes when he feels her arms go stiffly around his waist.
âYou donât have to do anything you donât want to,â he murmurs, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. She smells of lilies and cigarette smoke. âBut youâre not getting rid of me that easily. Iâm not going anywhere,â he promises her, closing his eyes and meaning every word of it.
It takes another moment but she tightens her arms around him. Her fingertips brush his shoulders and - he hopes heâs not imagining this - he feels her smile against his collarbone.Â
They step away from each other a few seconds later when the doors start to open. Thereâs a tinge of pink on her cheeks heâs never seen before. She hitches her bag on her shoulders as she exits.
âDonât be such a sap, Min Suga.â But the blush says differently, as does the small smile she visibly struggles and fails to hide.Â
Yoongi grins at her, wide and gummy, feeling lighter and taller all at once. Heâs made a decision, and now sheâs in on it, too.
â
Itâs almost close to dinner time, but for once Seokjin isnât hungry.
His phone stares at him from where heâd tossed it on the futon a few minutes ago, the screen painfully dark. He was trying to spare himself the temptation of checking it every second, but this isnât any better.
After staring at it for a few more seconds, he reaches for it and replays the voicemail heâd sent to Nari over an hour ago.
âHey. Itâs me. Seokjin. Er, Kim Seokjin. I got discharged and Iâm home. I hydrated, too, like you said. Still am, in fact. You may have been onto something, Dr Choi. Anyway⌠thanks for coming yesterday. It really meant a lot and Iâm⌠God, I canât tell you how good it was to hang out with you again. I didnât realise how much Iâd missed it. And⌠I do want to talk about last week. I know things have been really weird with us for a while but I donât want them to be anymore. Iâve been thinking a lot this last week - I canât help it, Iâve tried to stop, believe me. Iâve been way too afraid to lose you as a friend. Iâd be lost without you, Nari. But⌠I may have been overcompensating on that front. I donât know where this leaves us, but I want to figure it out. With you. Not in my own head, the way Iâve been doing it this whole time. Iâm flying out tomorrow, but do you think we could talk tonight? Coincidentally, I have everything needed to whip up jajjangmyeon, too. Just throwing that in there. Let me know. Oh, this Seokjin.â
Thereâs a click to signal the end of the message, but Seokjinâs stomach churns more than ever, though not necessarily in a bad way. Heâs officially entered the ring, albeit to do what, he isnât completely sure. All he knows is that thereâs no ignoring this anymore, the uncomfortable distance with Nari, the subtle hostility between her and Seulgi, the distaste with which he thinks of Kang Jason at the oddest times.
Nari hasnât replied or called him back yet, but he tries not to stress about it. Most likely, sheâs in surgery, or the ER, or even catching up on sleep in an on-call room. Heâs determined to stay up all night, though; he can sleep on the flight tomorrow.
Automatically, his eyes fall to the last message heâd sent to Seulgi. Hey. I was hoping we could talk. Call me when youâre free?
She had replied a little while ago. Sure. Everything okay?
Seokjin didnât have a response to that, so heâd sent her a skull emoji instead, hoping that would do the trick.
He wishes he wasnât touring right now. Thereâs a better way to do this: with Seulgi, in person, thorough and rational - and then with Nari, slow and gentle, giving her space and control.Â
But he has one day - no, one night - before he leaves once more for weeks, with all three of them left to stew in their own thoughts for that time. Sure, he can call - but calls can be ignored. So can messages, and voicemails, and then before he knows it, heâs back in Seoul, tired and jet lagged only to find out that the situation has progressed, leaving him completely out of the loop.
After considering it for a minute, he picks up the phone and calls Seulgi. Fortunately, she picks it up on the second ring.
âHey,â she says, panting slightly. âI went out for a run; I was just about to call you. Whatâs up?â
âUm -â He bites his lip. âNot - not much. How are you? How are your folks?â
âTheyâre good. Mumâs asking when she can meet you but I deflected that,â she adds, but thereâs a knowing lilt to her voice. âYou have enough going on right now.â
Do I ever. âI appreciate that. I just wanted to talk before I fly out tomorrow.â
She sighs. âIâm sorry. I really wish I couldâve been there. You barely get any time off as it is and even when you do, Iâm not in town.â
âNah, donât worry about it.â He picks at a loose thread on the corner of the sofa. âYou donât have to accommodate your family plans around my crazy schedule. And Iâll be back again soon.â
âCanât wait.â She pauses. âWhat did you want to talk to me about?â she asks, apparently done with small talk. âYou seemed serious.â
Itâs not serious, heâs about to say, but stops himself. âItâs⌠itâs about Nari. We kind of⌠ran into each other.â
Thereâs another pause, a longer one this time. âOkay. When?â
âYesterday, when she visited me at the hospital. I wasnât expecting -â
âYou were in the hospital?â She interrupts him, tone suddenly anxious.
He freezes. âYeah, but it - it wasnât serious. I was dehydrated, thatâs all. I donât even know why they took me to the hospital, honestly. Iâm back home now.â
Her next response is instant. âBut Nari knew?â
âI - only because it was her hospital. And I didnât tell her - she found out.â He waits for her to respond. âSeulgi, it wasnât a big deal. You werenât here - I didnât want to worry you. Iâm perfectly fine, really.â
Thereâs another pause and then she sighs deeply. âOkay. Is this what you wanted to talk about?â
Oh, boy. âKind of. Well, no. IâŚâ He sighs. âGod, I really wish we were doing this in person,â he mutters.
âWait. Are you -â She scoffs, but it breaks slightly. âAre you breaking up with me? Over the phone?â
âNo! No, Iâm not. Look, I think I need to talk to Nari,â he says quickly before he loses his nerve. âItâs been a long time and I⌠I really need to know whatâs going on. But I want you to know.â
âWhat do you mean?â
âWellâŚâ Where do I start? âI mean, you know what itâs been like. But itâs just been too long - and I think she might be ready to talk to me, too. I have to try and fix it with her⌠I hope you understand why, Seulgi,â he adds, meaning it and already feeling horrendous.
âBut I thought she was mad at you.â Seulgi is calm - too calm, and itâs worrying. âOr something. Whatâs changed?â
âThatâs the thing, I donât know.â Itâs not a complete lie. I think she might have feelings for me based on a moment we shared a week ago, where neither of us actually spoke. Not only did it sound insane, it didnât actually clarify anything. There was no point bringing it up when he wasnât sure of it either.
âSoâŚâ She takes a deep breath on the other end. âLet me get this straight. Sheâs been evasive and distant and - letâs face it - sort of pissed at you. And then something changed⌠and suddenly sheâs nursing you back to health during a hospital visit that Iâm finding out about now.â
Seokjin closes his eyes. âI know it sounds bad,â he murmurs. âAnd I know itâs my fault itâs so messed up. I donât⌠If I think back, I donât know where I went wrong, but Iâm sure I did something. You know?â He bites his lip, suddenly glad heâs flying out tomorrow, far away from his girlfriend and his best friend where he canât hurt them anymore. âI donât want to be unfair to you,â he admits.
âWhy do you think you are?â she asks quietly.
âI donât knowâŚâ He runs a hand down his face tiredly. âThereâs a lot of history there and baggage and stuffâŚâ There's no telling what weâll find.
âYou know what I think, Seokjin?â she says after a few moments. âI think youâre not fully sure of what you want. Or you are,â she guesses, âand you just donât want to admit it because if you do and you donât get it, youâre afraid itâll devastate you.â
Seokjin swallows. His vision blurs without warning and he blinks rapidly, a distinct memory threatening to surface, of hope being crushed in his chest, a life heâd dared to imagine disappearing before heâd even fully wrapped his head around it. Heâd repressed it as best as he could, figuring there was no one to blame but himself for this lapse in judgement, but it had inadvertently set actions in motion that he will regret for a long time.Â
Heâs taking too long to respond, he realises, but heâs afraid to speak. It might all boil down to that one night and the thought of what it meant - of what it might still mean - is too overwhelming to think about.Â
âIâm glad you donât want to be unfair to me,â she states, and thereâs finally a bite to her tone. âSo call me when you figure it out.â She hangs up.
Seokjin stays frozen for a minute before he sighs, tossing his phone back on the sofa and dropping his head in his hands. Suddenly, everything about his relationship with Seulgi feels tainted, now that his mind is involuntarily tracing the timeline of events back to the day he met her, and then ran into her again. She was lovely and calm and straightforward and put together - and he was so tired.
He needs to talk to Nari. He needs to. His mind is blocked and so is his heart, and itâs occurring to him now that it all comes to Nari. Everything comes down to Nari.
Heâd been vague but he canât imagine she would simply ignore his message, not unless she absolutely hated him. She didnât, though, his brain reasoned.Â
Sheâd visited him, actually talked with him, and sheâd called him Kimbap. She would call. Even if she couldnât meet him, she would call, or text. All he has to do is wait.
â
Nari takes off her lab coat and shakes her hair out, glad to be done with the day.
âSee you tomorrow, Nari,â says one of her friends, a perky first year resident with the kind of confidence Nari could only dream of. âSay hi to your famous friend for me.â She winks and leaves.
Nari rolls her eyes but scoffs in humour. Somehow, the other residents in the surgical wing had caught wind of the fact that she knew the elusive celebrity idol that was admitted to the hospital yesterday and while sheâd neither confirmed nor denied it, the story spread anyway.
âYouâre in a good mood,â comments Hyeri, her friend, changing out of her scrubs at the locker next door. âWhat did you take and can I have some?â
Nari frowns curiously and laughs. âWhat are you talking about?â
âThat. The laughing and the smiling and the⌠being nice to first years and interns.â Hyeri raises her eyebrows. âWe havenât had the mental capacity for that shit in years.â She raises her eyebrows. âIs it actually because of your famous friend? I mean -â She steps closer and lowers her voice. âWeâre talking about Seokjin, right?â
âI - yeah. He was here,â admits Nari. âNothing serious, though. He got discharged today.â
âOh.â Hyeri sounds surprised at the admission. âThat makes sense. Youâre relieved.â
Yes⌠and no. Sheâs certainly glad Seokjinâs okay, but despite how selfish it makes her feel, sheâs even gladder that for the first time in a long time, she was able to be herself around her best friend. Itâs definitely relief - Hyeri isnât wrong about that.
âI canât believe weâre actually out early enough to have dinner,â remarks Hyeri as they head out of the locker room, out of scrubs and in normal clothes again. âIâm going to get in the tub with a glass of wine and fall asleep in there. Obviously Iâm not serious,â she adds quickly, catching Nariâs eye.
âHey, no judgement. Add some candles while youâre at it and itâll look like a Madonna video.â
Hyeri chortles. âIâm out of wine, though. Can you send me the number to that liquor store? The one that delivers?â
Nari nods, fishing her phone out of her bag. âShit. My phoneâs dead. Daeun has it, though - sheâs the one who sent it to me.â
âOkay, let me - oh, there she is!â Waving hurriedly, Hyeri jogs towards the entrance to catch up with Daeun, another of their resident class whoâs leaving for the night as well.
Nari smiles as she watches her friend dash away, and catches herself. The laughing and the smiling and the being nice to interns. Itâs not a mystery, the origin of this brand new version of herself. It took a long time and a lot of frustration and courage, but a week after the fact, she knows sheâs at a place with Seokjin that she was only hoping she would eventually reach.
Itâs a start, she tells herself. Itâs a start and irrespective of what happens next, at least itâs a start. Sheâs lighter and sheâs calmer - sometimes, there are moments where she feels freer, as though the invisible chain that kept her tethered to her suppressed feelings has been cut through with a chainsaw.Â
She stops by the pharmacy in the lobby of the surgical wing to pick up some antiseptic for her first aid box. While the cashier rings up her purchase, she turns absently and spots Jason at the reception, still in scrubs and handing in a couple of patient charts. As he clicks his pen closed and tucks it in his pocket, he grins at something the nurse says and responds, making her laugh.
Grabbing her antiseptic, Nari walks over to him, smiling when he spots her.
âHey.â He takes in her clothing? âLeaving already? I thought you were helping Dr Park with her trial research.â
Nari shrugs. âShe gave me the night off.â
âWow. Is she okay?â
âIâm not going to ask; Iâm just taking the night,â she tells him. Itâs a start. âWhat about you? Are you, uh, free tonight?â
Jason raises his eyebrows casually. âUh, yeah. I have a couple of things to close out, but I can head out in a bit. Or I can meet you back at my apartment, too, if you want.â
âNo, umâŚâ She shakes her head and bites her lip. She hasnât done this in⌠ever. âI meant, are you free⌠for a drink.â
He clearly notices the change in her tone. âA drink,â he repeats. âJust you and me. Like aâŚâ
âM-hm.â Nari nods, but she doesnât think heâll say no. Familiarity builds over time, and Nari is suddenly seeing the world - and the people in it - in a newer light.
After a moment, Jason nods. âAbsolutely. Just give me fifteen minutes?â He waits for her to nod as well and smiles, touching her elbow as he leaves.
She watches him go and her heart beats pleasantly fast with a small risk thatâs paid off. Sheâs definitely lighter, brighter, calmer - and she can only route it back to the night of her confession to Seokjin. It felt like a start but maybe - just maybe - it was closure.
â
Thanks for reading. Don't forget to drop a review :)
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BANGTANWRITERSHQ PRESENTS:Â "TO BEGIN AGAIN" MASTERLIST
âWait!â
You watch as his hands hesitate; one holds the scissors while the other holds a section of his hair.
âYou know itâs inevitableâI have to cut it.â His hands resume their previous movements, and you canât help but allow a single tear to fall as the thick tresses fall to the floor. Each sweeping cut flutters more strands as if mimicking the fallen leaves of autumn that gave way to this cold winter. The buzzing of the clippers grabs you from your thoughts, and he turns to you, beautiful, brown eyes wide and pleading. With a sigh, you step forward and grab it from him, giving him a small kiss between his brows before softly pushing his shoulder so he faces the mirror once more.
âI know itâs a lotâŚa big change for me and for you, but maybeâmaybe itâs exactly what we both need.â His voice is quiet but firm, and for the first time, everything is sinking in. You think maybe what heâs saying is right. This can be a good thing.
When youâve completed the cut, he stands up from the chair and turns to face you, a hand running over the short buzz youâve left him with.
âI guess it kind of looks cute,â you acquiesce. He laughs, grabbing your hand and pulling it to feel his hair.
His eyes and smile remain the same, but something within himâand youâhas started to change with this small, yet monumental step. Youâll both enter the new year apart from each other, but still in each otherâs hearts.
Tomorrow is a new beginning; heâll go one way, and youâll go another with the hopes that one day, youâll return back to this place, this meeting in the middleâtogether again, both touched by changeâŚa MetAmorPhosis of the Soul.
Whether itâs with ânew year, new meâ or just wanting âto begin againâ, weâre all facing different chapters of our life as we transition into a new year. For the first quarter of 2024, we wanted our members to focus on turning a page in life, beginning a new chapter, or finding peace in unchartered territory.
KEY:
đ - nsfw (mature themes)
â
- sfw (no warnings)
đ - smut
â ď¸ - other warnings
SET UP - emojis: Title (if link is to another platform) | Author [parts] pairings, genre/aus, rating, word count
đđâ ď¸ Capturing Family | @downbad4yoongi [1/1]
Pairing: Jimin x Namjoon
AU/Genre: Marriage, Slice of Life, Surrogacy | smut, fluff, angst
Rating: MA
WC: 4,237
đđâ ď¸ In Memory of Him - Ch. 1: It's Cold In Here | @colormepurplex2 [1/2]
Pairing: Taehyung x f.Reader
AU/Genre: Non-Idol, Late Husband's Best Friend | angst, fluff, eventual smut
Rating: MA
WC: ~13,558
đđâ ď¸ The Thirteenth Sons - Ch. 1 (Ao3) | @lunarelle1013 [1/2]
Pairing: Jungkook x Namjoon
AU/Genre: A/B/O, Mated/Bonded | angst, eventually smut
Rating: MA
WC: 5,355
All stories copywritten of the specified author. The authors provided consent for their stories to the network to be shared by submitting their stories. Stories posted in the order of submission to the event.
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BANGTANWRITERSHQ PRESENTS:Â "MADNESS" MASTERLIST
For March, we loosened all the screws & embraced the morally grey & debauched with this collection of fics from our network members!
This thread will include a multitude of aus, tropes, & pairings. So, if you're looking for wacky, twisted, & unhinged, here you go!
Browse at your leisure and ENJOY!
KEY:
đ - nsfw (mature themes)
â
- sfw (no warnings)
đ - smut
â ď¸ - other warnings
SET UP - emojis: Title (if link is to another platform) | Author [parts] pairings, genre/aus, rating, word count
đđâ ď¸ Bump In The Night | @colormepurplex2 [2/2]
Pairing: Bogeyman!Yoongi x f.Reader
AU/Genre: Monsters Under The Bed | angst, smut
Rating: MA
WC: 12,450
đđâ ď¸ Seeds | @downbad4yoongi [1/1]
Pairing: Persephone!Yoongi x Hades!Hoseok
AU/Genre: Modern Greek Mythology, Mafia | angst, smut
Rating: MA
WC: 7,902
đđâ ď¸ Blood Bride | @colormepurplex2 [2/2]
Pairing: Vampire!Yoongi x f.Reader
AU/Genre: Vampires/Accidental Marriage | angst, smut
Rating: MA
WC: 9,756
đđâ ď¸ Play With Fire | @colormepurplex2 [2/2]
Pairing: Arsonist!Hoseok x Criminal!f.Reader
AU/Genre: Crime/Arson | angst, smut
Rating: MA
WC: 8,168
đđâ ď¸ I Put A Spell On You | @colormepurplex2 [2/2]
Pairing: Demon!Jimin x Witch!f.Reader x Vampire!Jungkook
AU/Genre: Witch/Demon/Vampire | angst, smut
Rating: MA
WC: 9,257
đđâ ď¸ Bite Me | @downbad4yoongi [1/1]
Pairing: Vampire!Jimin x VampireHunter!Jungkook
AU/Genre: Paranormal/Vampires | angst, smut
Rating: MA
WC: 4,740
All stories copywritten of the specified author. The authors provided consent for their stories to the network to be shared by submitting their stories. Stories posted in the order of submission to the event.
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Capturing Family
For @bangtanwritershq To Begin Again quarter event
Pairing: Jimin x Namjoon
WC:4237
Rating: MA
AU/Genre: marriage au, slice of life, surrogacy
Warnings: implied/referenced homophobia, gay sex
A/N: Written as a slice of life follow up to Closer
Summary: Married four years, Jimin and Namjoon dream of a family. Surrogacy or adoption? The decision weighs heavy. Unwavering support from friends clashes with Jimin's parents' disapproval. A gallery break-in threatens their plans, but their love strengthens. Through challenges, their bond deepens, and with their friends' help, they overcome obstacles and build a beautiful, unique family. A story of love, perseverance, and the power of chosen family.
âLove, weâve been talking about this for years now. Weâre ready,â Namjoon's voice echoes through the quiet park as he takes Jimin's hand in his own.
âBut what if weâre not?â Jimin asks, his eyes searching Namjoon's face for reassurance.
âWhere is this doubt coming from? Youâd be an amazing father, and we have wanted this for years. Itâs all coming together; youâve been at your school for several years, and I have the gallery. It feels like the stars are aligning for us,â Namjoon reassures, the warm summer breeze tousling their hair.
Jimin takes a deep breath and bobs his head a few times. âYouâre right. It just feels like a lot all of a sudden.â He holds his hand up, stopping Namjoon from interrupting, âI know itâs not. This is our fourth anniversary after all, but after talking about it for so many years, it just feelsâŚsurreal.â
Namjoon gathers Jimin in his arms. âLove, every day feels surreal with you.â Leaning down, Namjoon captures Jiminâs lips with his. They stand there in the middle of the park, surrounded by nature and love.
As they make their way back to their home, a quaint house nestled in a quiet neighborhood, Jimin can't help but feel overwhelmed with happiness and anticipation. Time slips away as Jimin drives them home, their fingers intertwined and hearts full.
Their peaceful sanctuary greets them as they step through the door. The sunlight floods into the open floor plan through large floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the space and highlighting all of Namjoon's beloved plants.
Namjoon's restless fingers wander over Jiminâs form as they make their way through the shared space. A sense of peace settles around them as they enter their bedroom, a place where their love and connection run deep.
After weeks of waiting, they finally have a chance to sit down and discuss their family plans in detail. Their past conversations were merely wishes, but now it's becoming a tangible reality. Jimin plops a thick binder onto Namjoon's lap and snuggles beside him, the warmth of his body filling the space between them.
"What is this?" Namjoon grunts as he feels the weight of the binder on his thighs. The entire Encyclopedia Britannica?"
Jimin giggles and nuzzles closer to his husband. "You're so silly, honey. This is our family plan, or at least the start of it. We have a lot to go over."
Namjoon sets down his coffee and reaches for his camera, snapping a quick candid shot of Jimin before powering off the device. Jimin barely flinches, used to being photographed by now. Their walls are adorned with many such candid moments, and Jimin wouldn't have it any other way.
Pushing aside his amusement, Jimin delves into their discussion. He opens the binder and begins detailing their options.
Surrogacy or adoption?
They both agree on surrogacy.
They spend hours poring over Jimin's meticulously assembled profiles of potential surrogates. After much deliberation, they narrow it down to two women, but the conversation keeps going in circles as neither wants to back down. One woman, 32, is a kindergarten teacher and a mother of two; the other woman is a pediatrics nurse in her late thirties and the mother of one.
Frustrated, Jimin huffs and sighs dramatically before turning to face his handsome husband. "Listen," he says bluntly, "we're using your sperm this time. Let me make the final call."
The passion in Jimin's voice gives Namjoon pause, making him reconsider his stance. After some internal debate, he gives a small nod and concedes. "You're right," he admits, "we both deserve equal say in this process. I'm providing the biological material. You should have the right to choose the bio-mother."
Jimin's shoulders relax as some of the tension from their argument dissipates. "Thank you, honey," he says gratefully, crossing over to Namjoon and wrapping his arms around the taller man. âLetâs set up a meeting with this one,â Jimin decides, pointing to the kindergarten teacher.
Namjoon murmurs reassurances of his love as they hold each other tightly, unwilling to let go. After several minutes, they finally part, lips swollen from lingering kisses.
"Bed?" Jimin suggests with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Mmm, bed," Namjoon agrees with a smile.
Jimin's voice trembles through the phone as he speaks with Namjoon, his tone shrill and panicked. The news he just received is enough to make anyone anxious.
"Can't you give me any more details?" Jimin asks, trying to control the fear building up inside of him.
"Please, my love, it would be best if you came in person," Namjoon responds calmly, hoping to ease his husband's nerves.
Jimin lets out a frustrated laugh. "Fine. I'll call in a substitute and be there as soon as possible."
Namjoon barely has time to convey his love before the line goes dead. He takes a deep breath, trying to convince himself that everything will be okay. Jimin must be scared and overwhelmed, he reasons, which explains why he ended the call without their usual exchange of affection.
Within an hour, Jimin rushes into Picture This, Namjoon's gallery thatâs located in the bustling downtown area. "I'm here! I made it!" he exclaims, out of breath and disheveled.
Namjoon excuses himself from speaking with a detective and meets his husband halfway across the moderate space. The contrast between them is evident - Namjoon exudes calmness while Jimin is frazzled and restless, his brown locks sticking up in all directions from running his hands through them repeatedly.
When Jimin received the call from Namjoon about the break-in at his gallery, it felt like the ground had disappeared beneath his feet. His mind immediately went to worst-case scenarios, and all he could think about was the safety of his loved one. So when their bodies collide, Jimin can't help but run his hands over Namjoon's broad frame in reassurance. He knows Namjoon is physically unharmed but needs to feel it for himself. He couldn't imagine life without him.
"I'm fine, love. Really. I wasn't here when it happened," Namjoon reassures him.
Gradually, the words pierce through Jimin's foggy mind, and he collapses against Namjoon, resting his head on his chest. "I know. I know you are, but how about emotionally? This gallery is your pride and joy."
A pained smile tugs at Namjoon's lips as he responds, "I'm still processing, but it will be okay." He rubs Jimin's shoulders comfortingly. "Let me finish up with these detectives, and then we can go home and discuss our next steps." With a quick peck on the lips, Namjoon turns to face the tall and imposing detective, leaving Jimin to survey the damage left behind.
Covering his mouth with a hand, Jimin's heart breaks for Namjoon as he takes in the chaos and destruction caused by the robbers. Priceless prints have been slashed to pieces, glass shards litter the floor, and equipment has either been stolen or smashed on the newly polished concrete.
Jimin immediately sends a text to their friends, updating them on what has happened before Namjoon leads him out of the gallery. He runs a soothing hand over Namjoon's back as they make their way to their small SUV parked behind the building.
The drive back home is silent except for the sound of their soft exhales as Jimin navigates them through traffic. When they arrive, they both drop their keys on the entryway table and kick off their shoes before collapsing onto each other on the cozy sunken couch - a focal point of their living room.
âLove,â Namjoon whispers, his voice soft and soothing as his fingers trace patterns on Jimin's back.
âHoney,â Jimin responds, snuggling into their tangled embrace. âI donât know where to even startâŚâ
âItâs okay, love. I'm here for you,â Namjoon reassures him, reaching over to grab the laptop from the coffee table.
With a few expert clicks, Namjoon has the insurance claim page open and is logging in to start the process.
But then, Jimin suddenly goes still next to him. âLove, what is it?â Namjoon asks with concern.
Jimin's eyes are glued to the screen in front of them. âWhy wasn't the policy renewed?â he says, his voice shaking. âIt's saying right here that our coverage lapsed.â Panic rises in his chest. âThis won't be covered...â
Namjoon's heart sinks as he leans closer to the computer screen, scanning the information. "Okay... this isn't ideal," he mutters to himself. "But that's why we have savings."
âJoon,â Jimin speaks up again, his voice small and vulnerable. âThe savings are for our baby...â
Namjoon's stomach drops at the thought of not being able to access their savings for such an emergency. He immediately starts brainstorming alternative solutions. âYes, of course. We can't touch that money. What if we ask your parents for help?â
But instead of relief or agreement, Jimin stiffens beside him. âThat's not an option,â he says firmly, shutting down any further discussion.
Namjoon is taken aback by this sudden change in attitude from his usually open and communicative husband. Worried now, he furrows his brow and reaches out to rub circles on Jimin's back in an attempt to comfort him.
âJimin, please talk to me,â he pleads softly.
Taking a deep breath, Jimin finally turns to face Namjoon. Tears are welling up in his eyes as he speaks. âMy parents... they weren't supportive of our decision to adopt or use a surrogate.â
Namjoon's heart sinks as he listens to Jimin's words, trying to make sense of it all. âBut I thought they were okay with us starting a family?â
The tears start rolling down Jimin's cheeks now, and he looks away, unable to meet Namjoon's gaze. âThey said it was fine because they thought we would change our minds. And their exact words were, 'Realize how abnormal it would be for a child to have two fathers'."
Heat flushes across Namjoonâs skin as anger and hurt course through Namjoon as he processes this information. "How could they even say something like that? You know what? Screw them. We don't need their approval or their money. We'll figure this out together, just the two of us." He squeezes Jimin's hand tightly, determined to find a way to rebuild their gallery and make their dreams of having a family come true on their own terms.
Jimin holds onto Namjoon's hand tightly, feeling a mix of emotions swirling in his stomach. "It's not just about the money," he whispers softly. "I know we can make it work, but I don't want to sacrifice our happiness for it. We deserve to have a family and give them the best life possible." Tears well up in Jimin's eyes again, but he quickly wipes them away before they can fall.
"I'm sorry, love," he says, taking a deep breath to calm himself down. Namjoon pulls him close into his embrace, holding him tightly against his chest as they snuggle into the soft couch cushions. He runs a soothing hand through Jimin's hair and presses gentle kisses to his forehead.
"It's okay, baby," Namjoon murmurs, his voice filled with emotion. "We have time." He looks deep into Jimin's eyes, his gaze filled with unwavering determination. "And we will make it happen for us. For our family.â
At the park, Taehyung carefully sets down his takeout box and spreads out a soft, checkered blanket for them all to sit on. The gentle breeze rustles the leaves in the trees above, carrying with it the sweet scent of freshly mown grass and blooming flowers. Taehyung settles down next to Jin and picks up a pair of elegant chopsticks, twirling them between his fingers with practiced ease.
As Jin hands Taehyung a plate laden with fried chicken, kimchi jeon, and mandu, he asks, "Where are y'all in reopening the gallery?"
Namjoon nods along, watching Jin and Yoongi dish out the food onto their own plates.
"We actually finished yesterday and plan to fully reopen next week."
Hoseok does a little happy dance, clapping his hands together in excitement. "That's fantastic! Are we going to have a little celebratory party?"
"Of course!" Jin eagerly chimes in. "I can bring the champagne."
"And Yoongi can create a playlist-," Hoseok starts before being interrupted by Jimin.
"Whoa, let's slow down," Jimin interjects, holding up a hand to pause Hoseok's eager planning. "We're not going to do some extravagant shindig."
Taehyung scoffs playfully, "It's not an extravagant party. It's just a small to medium celebration, you know, with some string lights, light appetizers, champagne, and maybe some decorations."
Jimin's nostrils flare in frustration as he replies, "We don't have the time for that, okay? We are trying to save-" He pauses abruptly and sends Namjoon an imploring look.
Namjoon calmly rests a soothing hand on Jimin's knee and whispers, "It's okay. Go ahead and tell them."
Yoongi swallows his mouthful of chicken before asking curiously, "Tell us what?"
Jimin lets out a sigh and traces the back of Namjoon's hand before intertwining their fingers. "We don't have the time for that because Joonie and I are starting a family."
The chopsticks with a piece of kimchi jeon clatter out of Taehyung's hand as his eyes widen at the unexpected announcement. Jin acts quickly and snags Taehyung's plate just in time before he launches himself at Jimin in excitement.
Yoongi winces at Taehyung's high-pitched squeal.
"Really? Why didn't you tell me?" Taehyung blurts out in a rush, wrapping himself tightly around Jimin.
Jimin rubs Taehyung's back soothingly before attempting to untangle their limbs gently.
"Tae, let him breathe," Namjoon urges with a small smile.
Taehyung gives one last squeeze before pulling back. "Sorry, I'm just so happy for you and Jiminie."
Jimin smiles fondly. "I know, Tae. We didn't say anything because the incident at the gallery kind of delayed things. We had to use the money we set aside for the surrogacy process to fix what was destroyed."
Their friends exchange concerned looks before turning back to them. "What happened?" Yoongi asks with furrowed brows.
Namjoon's head dips down slightly as he replies, "The insurance policy on the gallery had lapsed. So we ended up having to cover the damages and repairs out of our own pockets." He squeezes Jimin's hand supportively before continuing, "We had actually decided on our anniversary to start the process, but we had to shift our plans due to unforeseen expenses. Now we're ready to get back on track."
Jimin nods in agreement. "It wasn't the ideal situation, especially since we had been saving for years for this moment. But we made it work - I started tutoring kids after school let out, and Namjoon took on more commissions. And now, here we are, meeting with an agency on Monday."
Tae lets out a small whimper of distress. "Why didn't you come to us? We could have helped you."
Jimin reaches out to his soulmate, softly cupping his cheek. "Oh, my sweet Tae. I guess we just didn't want to burden you."
A loud, caustic guffaw suddenly interrupts their conversation, drawing their attention across the small circle. Jin sits there looking outraged. "How dare you keep something like this from us!"
Both Jimin and Namjoon are taken aback at Jin's sudden shift in tone, his voice now laced with heat and frustration. They can feel the tension rising in the room as he continues to speak.
"Do you honestly believe that anything you could ask of us would ever be considered a burden?" Jin's voice softens, his eyes searching theirs for understanding, "We care about both of you so deeply. None of us would ever see you as a burden."
Jimin's eyes start to well up with tears, knowing deep down that Jin's words are rational and true. He lets out a shaky breath before speaking, "I know that logically, but..." Namjoon places a comforting hand on Jimin's back as he struggles to find the words.
"We didn't want to impose or be seen as some charity case," Namjoon finally speaks, voicing their shared fear.
Jin growls in frustration, "How could you even think that? We love you two. You've become family to each other, and we only want to help you expand your family further." He crosses his arms over his chest in exasperation. "The nerve of not coming to us right away."
Yoongi nods in agreement, "Jin is right, Jimin-ah. We're here for you always. And personally, I would be honored to be a part of the process."
Namjoon glances at Jimin, who's nervously worrying his lower lip, both of them feeling properly admonished by Jin's words. "You're right. We would love your support as we navigate this journey."
Jin straightens up with a roll of his eyes. "Well, duh. That's what family is for."
The morning of their meeting with the surrogacy agency arrives. Jimin wakes up to the faint smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet sound of birds chirping outside his bedroom window. His heart is already pounding in his chest as he pads into the kitchen, still in his pajamas, to find Namjoon pouring himself a cup. They exchange tired smiles but don't say anything as they both sip their coffee in silence, lost in their own thoughts. After a few minutes, Namjoon gently places his hand on top of Jimin's, stopping him from fidgeting with his mug. Their fingers lace together, and they squeeze lightly before Namjoon pulls him into a warm hug from behind.
Jimin leans into it gratefully, feeling Namjoon's heartbeat steady beneath his ear. He closes his eyes, basking in his partner's comfortâa mix of soap, coffee, and warm skin. He can almost feel the palpable distress emanating from Namjoon as he kisses the top of Jimin's head softly.
"Hey," he whispers, "it's going to be okay." Namjoonâs lips brush the shell of Jiminâs ear before pressing another kiss just underneath it.
He continues to trail kisses down the smaller manâs neck, nudging the collar of his sleep shirt aside to maintain contact. A shiver racks up Jiminâs spine as his head lolls to the side, leaning even further into his husbandâs hold. A hum resonates through Jiminâs chest as thick fingers settle on his hips before pushing under the large sleep shirt to trail up his chest.
âNeed a distraction?â Namjoonâs voice is huskily in his ear, sending goosebumps down Jiminâs spine.
Jimin whimpers, shivering in anticipation, âNamjoon,â he protests weakly. âWe have to leave soon.â He canât help the way his hips roll back a little into Namjoon, seeking more.
Namjoon chuckles in response, trailing his lips back up to Jiminâs ear and sucking gently on the lobe. Jimin moans, his eyes sliding shut as his hand comes up to grip the counter for support. âWe have time.â Namjoon presses a lingering kiss to Jiminâs neck before spinning the smaller man around to face him. Pressing their foreheads together as they both catch their breaths, their heartbeats syncing.
Jimin opens his eyes to find Namjoon staring at him with so much love and affection it takes his breath away. âI love you,â he whispers, his voice thick with adoration.
Surging forward together, their lips connect. Jiminâs arms wind around his loveâs shoulders, pulling their bodies flush together. The kitchen fills with the sound of their lips smacking together as Namjoon backs Jimin into the counter. His hands slide down to cup Jiminâs ass, giving it a squeeze.
Jimin gasps, opening up to Namjoon, their tongues twisting together. Moaning as Namjoonâs hands cup the back of Jiminâs thighs and lift him onto the countertop. Their mouths move seamlessly together.
Namjoon angles his hips so their erections grind together. Jimin whines into the kiss, gripping Namjoonâs shoulders desperately as he grinds down on his husbandâs hard length. Namjoon moans, clutching at Jiminâs thighs, his control rapidly slipping.
Jiminâs fingers start pulling at Namjoonâs shirt, tugging it up and off of him. Namjoon breaks the kiss slightly, panting as he helps Jimin undress him. Their lips part and come back together repeatedly as they discard their clothes, pooling them on the floor with a carelessness they usually donât have in the morning.
Namjoon lifts Jimin again, setting him back on the countertop, legs hanging over his forearms. A devious glint in his eyes as he presses their hard lengths together, grinding against each other.
âJoonie,â Jimin whines, biting his lip as their friction increases. His nails dig into the countertop as he is teased.
Namjoon pulls back just enough to look into Jiminâs eyes before grasping his chin and bringing their lips together again. Their tongues tangle in a slow-burning dance that is further stoked by their desperation for release. Both moan into the kiss as they rock together on the countertop, pants and groans filling the kitchen.
âBaby,â Jimin whines, âI need moreâŚplease.â
With his voice rumbling out, dripping with desire for the man in his arms, Namjoon pulls away a little, reaching for a drawer by the sink. He hushes Jimin gently as the other man whimpers at the loss of touch. Namjoon quickly steps back into Jiminâs arms with one of the small bottles of lube they keep stashed around their home.
Their lips collide once again, urgency and passion fueling their kiss. Namjoon's fingers grasp the lube bottle, uncapping it with a heated determination before coating his fingertips in the slick substance. Without breaking the kiss, he trails his lubed-up fingers between Jimin's spread legs, causing him to moan and suck on Namjoon's thick lower lip even harder.
Namjoon works a finger with skilled precision inside Jimin, who arches his back and keens in pleasure. Jimin can't help but nip at Namjoon's lip before leaning back on his hands and watching intently as Namjoon expertly stretches him open. Soon, Jimin is laid out on the counter, writhing and moaning uncontrollably as Namjoon drives three fingers deep inside him, sending waves of ecstasy coursing through his body.
Namjoon's fingers dig deep into Jimin's flesh, eliciting waves of pleasure as he hits that spot inside him. With a final powerful thrust, Namjoon pulls away, leaving Jimin whining in desperate need of more. In a frenzy, Namjoon slicks up his throbbing cock and drags Jimin upright, kissing him deeply.
As their lips collide, Namjoon guides Jimin's hands to grip him tightly as he spreads his legs wide. With a primal growl, Namjoon enters Jimin with force, watching in awe as his husbandâs thick cock stretches his tight hole to its limits. Sweat glistens on their foreheads as they both pant heavily from the intense pleasure coursing through their bodies.
With one of Jimin's legs hooked over his strong arm and the other draped across his firm hip, Namjoon thrusts into him with purpose and force. Jimin's body responds eagerly, aching for more of Namjoon's skilled touch. He clings onto his lover, his fingers digging into his back as each powerful thrust hits him in just the right spot. Jimin can feel himself teetering on the edge, his entire body quivering with anticipation.
"Do you think you can come untouched for me?" Namjoon's deep, raspy voice sends shivers down Jimin's spine, intensifying the pleasure he's already feeling. "Show me how much you want it, baby. Come just like this."
With Namjoon's words urging him on, Jimin lets go and gives in to the intense pleasure building inside of him. His body trembles and quakes as he reaches his peak, unable to hold back any longer under Namjoon's skilled touch. Their bodies move together in perfect harmony, reaching new heights of ecstasy together.
Namjoon's fingers dig into Jimin's skin, leaving red marks in their wake as he yanks him closer. Their bodies collide with a force that sends them both tumbling over the edge, cries of pleasure escaping their lips as they reach their peak together. Jimin trembles with each thrust of Namjoon's cock, his insides filled with a thick heat that spreads through his body. Their chests coated with evidence of Jiminâs desire. The sensation is overwhelming, waves of pleasure crashing over him as he surrenders to the intense pleasure of their love-making.
Breathless and entwined, they take a moment to catch their breath before reality comes crashing back. "We're going to be late," pants Jimin, his chest heaving as he speaks.
Namjoon's hand rubs soothingly along Jimin's hip, the sensation calming him as their lips meet in a final rush of pleasure. With a soft groan, Namjoon pulls out of Jimin, both men feeling sticky and satisfied. Helping Jimin down from the counter, Namjoon rushes him off to the shower, eager to wash away any traces of their passionate encounter.
Returning to the kitchen, Namjoon quickly cleans up their mess with practiced efficiency. Several minutes later, the kitchen is sanitized, and Namjoon joins Jimin in the shower. He takes over washing his husband's body, reveling in their intimate closeness. A gentle smile graces his lips as Jimin returns the favor.
After a thorough cleansing and refreshing shower, the couple steps out of the steamy bathroom to dress for their looming life-changing meeting. The air feels charged with anticipation as they prepare for what lies ahead.
"Ready?" Namjoon asks, extending his hand to Jimin. A smile lights up his face, radiating warmth and assurance.
Jiminâs heart flutters at the sight, and he gladly takes Namjoon's offered hand, intertwining their fingers comfortably. "Ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this, husband."
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Silent Grace | xi : "When it's bad, it's worse"
Ship: Min Yoongi x Fem reader
au/genre: Mafia!au
rating: M
wc: 3.5k
Chapter warnings: Yoongi's parents are fighting. Mrs. Min slaps Min (As she should cause tf?)
summary: The biggest bombshell has been dropped on Yoongi. He just learned that his best friend will now the run family that was promised to him, and all the while, he gets a surprise visit.
tagss: @shadowyjellyfishfest @baechugff @maunosorioh @shelylamc @princess-sunshyn @scuzmunkie @wanceu @coldcoffee2121 @maunosorioh @massivelyfullenthusiast @bangtan-famiglia-net
The room was as quiet as a mouse. Everyone was shocked. All except Namjoon. He kept his head down as he felt both yours and Seokjinâs gaze on him. Yoongiâs face went pale as his father mentioned Namjoonâs name. Min sighed softly but Kim was as happy as can be.
His son, calling the shots. He was proud.
âCome on up Namjoon,â Min said clapping for him bringing the rest of the crowd to clap for him as well. You did not clap, nor did Seokjin or Jungkook. Yoongiâs mother watched her sonâs face fall apart right in front of her.
She was completely taken aback by this sudden decision.
Namjoon walked up the other side of the grand staircase and stood right next to Min. Namjoon kept his eyes away from Yoongi. He wanted to look everywhere but at him. He couldnât look in front of him either. You and Seokjin were giving him the most confused but hurt look.
He wanted to be anywhere but here.
Yoongiâs piercing gaze never left his father. He thought he hated Hoseok.
No.
He hates this man more.
at Yoongi and for a moment felt a sense of regret seeing the look in both his and his wifeâs eye.
The same look of hate and disgust they had for him when he had stepped out of the marriage.
The same look Yoongi gave when his father forced him to give up his dreams for this life.
The same look that all his sons gave him.
âYoongi listen-â Min started but Yoongi swatted his fatherâs arm off of him.
âDonât fucking touch me.â He said lowly.
Your heart wrenched at hearing his hurt voice. His mother felt the same and walked over to him, trying to take him into her embrace but Yoongi refused. He shrugged her away as well. âDonât.â
Yoongi looked up at his father, tears burning his eyes as he was far more hurt than upset.
He was heartbroken.
Agitated and filled with frustration, Yoongi uttered, "After all the lies, secrets, and people I've hurt, all the friendships I've sacrificed for this, does it end like this? Was it all in vain?"
Min repeatedly shook his head, gently placing his hands on Yoongi's shoulders. "No, son, no. Your efforts are honorable and haven't gone unnoticed. I'm aware of your capabilities and know you'll make me proud as our leader. However, I need you to continue as the underboss for another year."
"And you thought it was a great idea to make me inferior to MY underboss?" Yoongi's speech became slurred as his anger intensified. "You knew this whole time, didn't you? As my friend, not just your boss, you couldn't tell me?" he addressed Namjoon, who had remained silent until now.
Namjoon tried to explain, "I didn't know how you would react, Hyung. I thought it would be better until you told Y/n."
Yoongi's laughter turned manic. "So, you've been aware of this for quite some time."
Seokjin stood stunned, unable to find words. Namjoon looked at Yoongi, unsure of what to say.
âHyung..â
"No," Yoongi started, his voice firm. "We are no longer on that level, boss." Yoongi shrugged off his father's hands and brushed past Kim and Namjoon, storming down the stairs, ignoring the pleas of Min and his mother to stay.
With emotions barely concealed, Yoongi walked directly toward you, his eyes pleading for understanding.
âBaby, are you okay?â you asked, reaching for his hand.
âCan you walk now? If you need help, Iâll carry you. We need to get out of here,â Yoongi muttered in a defeated tone. His parents stood behind him, trying to catch his attention, but Yoongi ignored them both.
Turning to Seokjin and Jungkook, Yoongi requested, âCan you get the car? Weâre coming out.â Jungkook nodded and looked at Seokjin, who couldnât tear his eyes away from Namjoon. Namjoon avoided Seokjin's gaze as well.
Yoongi tapped Seokjinâs arm lightly, breaking his trance. âLetâs go,â Yoongi said.
Seokjin nodded and followed behind Jungkook.
Jimin, unknown to anyone was among the crowd and he was shocked.
He knew Yoongiâs father was fucked up in the head but he never thought he would choose someone else over his blood.
âOh Yoongi, if your grandfather was here,â Jimin mumbled to himself, âHe would have killed your father by nowâ
Jimin sympathized with Yoongi's plight. Yoongi had sacrificed everything for his father's approval, giving up his music, basketball, and a normal life. Even though they were at odds, Jimin would never wish such a fate upon anyone, not even Yoongi.
He watched Yoongi take your hand as lead you out of the home, with parents standing there defeated.
As Jimin turned to walk away, a loud smack reverberated through the room. He spun around quickly and noticed Min's head tilted to the side and his wife breathing heavily. She screamed at him, but Jimin could not decipher the words as she rushed after her son.
Jimin stood frozen. He had never witnessed Yoongi's mother standing up for herself or her children in such a manner. Evidently, Min was equally shocked and appalled.
Yoongi managed to keep his emotions in check up until he got outside. He couldnât believe that someone else betrayed him like Hoseok did. His own father and best friend. It makes what Hosoek did seem so small now.
Before entering the car, you turned to Yoongi. Before you could speak, streams of tears flowed incessantly down Yoongi's cheeks, staining his eyes and cheeks red. Your heart shattered into millions of pieces.
"H-how could he do that to me? I did everything I could...and more. He's supposed to be my father," Yoongi began, tears streaming down his face. "How could my dad do that? I'm his son. I'm the one who stayed when the others left. Where's the father's love everyone talks about? Isn't he supposed to love me? All he does is find new ways to hurt me," he said in a broken voice.
You couldn't bear it any longer and pulled him into a comforting embrace. Yoongi finally broke down, hiding his face in your neck and letting out all his pent-up emotions on your shoulder. Seokjin came behind him and rubbed his back while Jungkook watched with concern for his leader.
Hearing Yoongiâs broken voice devastated you but it sent needles right through his motherâs heart. She wanted nothing more but to comfort her son. She made her way to him once again this time Yoongi allowed her to get closer. You looked at her as she looked at you with pleading eyes. You nodded and moved to the side allowing Yoongi and his mother to have this moment.
Yoongi wiped his face and avoided his motherâs gaze. She kept holding onto his hand hoping for a chance to comfort him.
âDid you know, mother?â he asked. She shook her head.
âNot at all. Weâve been talking about this moment up until this moment. I didnât think he would consider anyone else. He seemed so happy to finally hand this down to you.â She said rubbing his hands. Yoongi scoffed and shook his head.
âHeâs happiest when Iâm embarrassed or put on the spot. Genuinely happy for me? Doubt it.â
Yoongi kept his eyes on his mother until he heard a voice he wished he hadnât.
âHyung,â
Yoongi looked up and saw Jimin looking back at him. Your eyes went wide, silently praying that the same thing that happened last time wouldnât happen again. Yoongi pushed you and his mother behind him as Seokjin and Jungkook were right next to him. Jimin immediately put his hands up.
âIâm not here to start any fights or even to argue. I just want to talk,â Jimin started. âSee, look,â
Jimin reached into his jacket pocket and pulled his gun out, dropping it to the floor and kicking it to Yoongi.
Yoongi relaxed a little but still, he didnât trust him.
âWhat do want, Park? Sadly, Iâm not in the mood for pointless conversations.â Yoongi said crossing his arms.
âI know,â Jimin sighed, âI saw what happened, andâŚHyung you didnât deserve that.â
Yoongi was taken aback as he looked at Jimin. What the hell is he telling him that? He know he didnât deserve that shit.
âThat was the most fucked up thing Iâve seen your father doâŚand weâve both seen him do a lot worse,â Jimin said. Yoongi looked to the sky as his tongue poked the inside of his cheek, trying desperately to hold in the already spilling tears. Jimin sighed and walked closer towards Yoongi but still not too close as Jungkook and Seokjin both got closer to him.
âWhy are you here, Park?â Seokjin asked this time, becoming agitated as this conversation continued.
âThis might not be the best time to say this..but Ji-hoon is back in town,â Jimin said.
The air became thick once again. Yoongi felt another drop hit the bottom of his stomach.
âHeâs here? I want to see him. Where is he?â Yoongiâs mother asked. Jimin stepped a little closer but this Yoongi signaled Jungkook and Seokjin to stand down.
âHeâs with Hoseok right now. I probably shouldnât be here butâŚHyung. IâŚâ Jimin paused for a second causing everyone to grow confused.
"Yoongi, I have never hated you, and even now, I don't feel hatred toward you, Seokjin, or even Namjoon," Jimin stated sincerely.
"I don't believe that," Yoongi responded skeptically. "Just a few weeks ago, you were physically assaulting Namjoon in front of my girlfriend. You've been monitoring her every move since you discovered her identity. You can call me hyung all you want, but I don't trust a single word you say."
Jimin nodded, acknowledging Yoongi's feelings. "You have every right to feel that way," he agreed. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're still my hyung, and I genuinely want to resolve our issues. I tried to convince myself that I hated you, but it wasn't true. You, Hoseok, Seokjin, and Taehyung are all still close to me. You guys are all I have, and it's been challenging not having you guys in my life," Jimin admitted, his eyes welling up with tears.
Yoongi's heartstrings were tugged at by Jimin's honesty and vulnerability, and he found it hard to hold back his own emotions.
~~~~~~
Jimin didnât have anyone for most of his life. No one looked after him, no one looked for him. He really couldnât remember a time when he did things with his parents. He doesnât even remember who his parents are. He couldnât even point them out if he wanted to.
It didnât bother him either. He has been taking care of himself since he was only 12 years old. He had his place and he learned from the landlord that his parents paid for him to live there rent-free. If anything that bothered him the most was the fact that his parents had enough money to buy a place for him, make sure there was food in there, and send him a monthly allowance but didnât care to be there with him or even bother to call.
All that changed when he met Hoseok. They immediately hit it off and became close.
And that changed his life forever.
âPark, is it okay if I have some friends over at your place tonight?â Hoseok said over the phone.
âFriends?â Jimin thought to himself.
âWould I know them?â Jimin asked. âNot Taehyung since he goes to school with me. Not Seokjin since he already graduated but you might have seen my two other friends. Min Yoongi and Kim Namjoonâ Hoseok explained.
âWhyâd you give a random person our full names Hobi?!â one yelled.
âItâs not like he wouldnât know it anywayâ the other teased.
âWhy didnât you say MY full name?â another whined.
âOh shut up, itâs not that big of a deal. Anyways, Park! What do you say?â Hoseok asked excitedly.
âI donât, my mom really does like companyâ Jimin teased which caused Hosoek to laugh.
âWhat the hell are you talking about?! Your parents practically donât exist.â Hoseok joked back which caused Jimin to laugh. âWhatever, Hyung. I donât care, you know that. They can comeâ
Within the next hour, there was a knock on the door followed by chaotic mumbles. Jimin opened the door and the group of boys poured in, making sure to kick off their shoes at the door.
âOkay, guys, this is Park Jimin or Park,â Hoseok said wrapping his arm around Jiminâs shoulders âHeâs the same age as Taehyung but he's older. Looks like youâre still the baby Tae.â
The boys began to laugh as Taehyung groaned in annoyance. âStill?â
âAnyways, the one with the dimples is Namjoon. The one who calls himself handsome all the time is Seokjinâ Hoseok started before Seokjin interrupted âI am, handsomeâ which caused another way of laughter.
âAnd the quiet, serious guy is Yoongi. His dad is like super rich and thatâs the only reason we keep him aroundâ Hoseok joked which caused Yoongi to scoff before rolling his eyes. Doesnât your dad own companies too? My dad isnât the only rich one here.â Yoongi snorted.
âYeah, but your dad has the best booze and the best parties,â Taehyung said which all the boys agreed causing Yoongi to shrug âI donât think so but oh well. Itâs nice to meet you Park, welcome to our packâ Yoongi said with a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jimin will never forget how meeting them made him feel. They were more than friends to him. They were his family and he hated to see how torn theyâd become.
You stepped closer to Yoongi and hugged him tightly from behind before rubbing Seokjinâs back who had lost control of his tears ages ago.
âYou donât have to forgive me, honestly I wouldnât be upset. Just know that, I know deep down you and Hoseok can fix this. I know things can be the same again.â Jimin said before looking at you then Jungkook âWith new additions. The only reason why I kept in touch with Y/n was not for Hoseok aloneâŚwe didnât even know she was attached to you, Hoseok was infatuated with the way she looked and carried herself, I mean come on Yoongi look at her.â
Yoongi couldn't help but chuckle breathlessly at Jiminâs comment. He too was infatuated with you and could not leave you alone either.
âBut once we saw that picture of you and her on her desk, I thought to myself, that maybe I could get close to her and see you again. To tell you how I felt. Iâm sorry Y/n to take your picture and use you as I did. I want to give this back to you.â Jimin reached deep into his pockets and pulled out the picture from your desk that you loved so much, passing it to you with a smile. Your eyes lit up and stepped from behind Yoongi to take the picture back with the biggest smile ever. âThank you!â you couldnât help but be happy to get your photo back.
Yoongi smiled a bit seeing you as happy as you were. He turned back to Jimin, âI know how you must feel, and trust me, I never wanted it to be this way. But, I donât think this can be resolved. Not easily at least. Hoseok and I both crossed lines that we shouldnât have. Iâm sorry but as far as a family reunion goes, I donât think that would be possible.â Yoongi said sadly but truthfully.
âMy hatred for Hoseok runs too deep for me to forget it or put it in the past,â Yoongi admitted.
Jimin nodded. âNo, I understand. I just wanted to let you know how I felt Hyung. Have a good night and Iâm about what happened back there. For what itâs worth,â Jimin started
âWe all know what an amazing leader you are.â
Jimin bowed and headed to his car before disappearing into the darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Namjoonâs heart sank into his shoes. He couldnât believe what he was seeing. He refused to believe what he was hearing. He refused to believe that Yoongi, someone that has been by his side since they were kids, wrote him off so quickly. He turned to his father with tears in eyes full of hatred.
âI told you that was going to happen! I told you! Now I lost my brother. You really expect Yoongi and Seokjin to work under me? Are you fucking insane?â
âNo I donât but you need to make them,â Min said standing next to Kim. His face was still red and stinging from the slap his wife gave him earlier. âYoongi isnât going to give in easily but donât take what he said personally. Either way, he knows that he has to follow your orders reguardless of what he thinks.â Kim added.
âYou are the closest thing he has to silbings. He lost his real brothers, Hoseok, Taehyung, Jimin-all of them. You think heâll want to lose you too?â Min said.
âThat what hurts the most! Weâre like brothers and it looks like I betrayed him when I told you I didnât want to do this to him.â Namjoon argued.
âTHAT NO LONGER MATTERS,â Min yelled, âMy son hasnât lost anything to know how serious this is. His brothers? Big deal. His friends? Oh fucking well. But Y/n/? If he lost her, heâll lose his mind. You see how much he loves her and heâll do anything to protect her. Up until now, he has done everything surrounding her. His world revolves around her. With someone else in charge and no date insight to when heâll be boss, he will have no choice but to contiune under my leadership through you. You need to her to twist his arm.â
âI will not hurt Y/n.â Namjoon said sternly.
âI didnât say to, you didâ Min said before walking off to find his wife.
Namjoon could not believe what he was hearing but he couldnât argue anymore. The word was out and the damage was done.
~~~~~~~~
Min pushed through the crowd that just resumed partying and ignoring everything that happened. He needed to fine his wife. He couldnât handle her being that upset with her.
He hated to admit but he was just like Yoongi when it came to his wife. Min was and still is in love with her. Even through all of his infidelities, sheâs still the one he wants. She has been with him through everything and he would hate if this is how it ended.
Fortunately, as she walked through the door, tears stained her cheeks. Before facing Min, she shut the door behind her. He softly grabbed her waist and pulled her close.
"Darling, please try to understand," he began, but she pushed him away.
"No, I refuse to make any more effort to understand. You are free to inflict as much pain as you choose on me. I have made the decision to accept it because I love you. However, you have crossed the line for the final time. You have damaged each of our children. Two of our sons want nothing to do with us, and the one who does complete all of your requests and more, including the one in which you forced him to abandon his aspirations in favor of yours. You embarrass him in front of everyone we know and grant his rightful position to someone who has no claim to it? Someone who served as his right-hand man? Tonight, I witnessed Yoongi cry to Y/n in a way I had never seen before. Since Hoseok, I haven't seen him that wounded. So no, I have no interest in making sense of it any longer. She sobbed before retiring to her room, preventing Min from speaking.
"Will everything be okay with you two?" asked Kim.
Min was terrified. He was overcome with fear.
"Yes, everything will be okay with us. She just needs to unwind, much like Yoongi. So I can make it up to her, get everyone out of here. Tell Namjoon to schedule a meeting for tomorrow. I must speak to my son."
"Of course, sir."
~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning was hell for Yoongi. He didnât want to accept reality. Too many things had happened in only a few weeks, and he hated it. He no longer had control of things. He couldnât ensure your safety anymore. Granted, Namjoon could still follow the things Yoongi has set in place but he could hardly trust Namjoon now. He didnât trust him.
Sleep did not find Yoongi as he hoped. He spent the night holding you as close as he possibly could. So when Seokjin knocked on his door, he wasnât annoyed.
âCome in,â he said sitting up and covering you back up. Seokjin came inside and closed the door behind him.
âGood morning, boss,â Seokjin said.
âYou donât need to call me that. We are on the same level, Seokjin.â Yoongi said placing his back against his backboard, running his fingers through his long hair.
âI donât care what your father says. Youâre the boss.â Seokjin said sternly. Yoongi chuckled and shrugged.
âWhatever floats your boat,â Yoongi started âWhatâs going on?â
âYou probably donât care but Namjoon requested to have a meeting.â Seokjin started.
âYouâre right, I do not give a fuck.â Yoongi shrugged. Seokjin chuckled.
âYou might after I tell you this,â Seokjin said causing Yoongi to look at him. âHit meâ
âHe wants Y/n to attend the meeting.âÂ
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