Chapter Text
Seokjin sighs against his pillow, unaware of what has woken him at first. He doesn’t dare open his eyes, knowing that if he does, he’ll never have a chance of falling back asleep. Instead, he blindly pulls the blankets tighter around himself and buries his face further into the pillow.
A soft chuckle near his ear tells him what, or rather, who had woken him.
“Angel,” his boyfriend says fondly, voice still deep with sleep. “Wake up.”
Seokjin still refuses to open his eyes, instead squeezing them shut tighter and scrunching his nose, before tiredly mumbling, “What time is it?”
“It’s time to wake up,” Namjoon replies, and Seokjin feels the bed dip beside him as Namjoon moves closer beside him. “Come on, I made you breakfast.”
“Now I know I’m dreaming.”
Namjoon huffs and shoves his shoulder. Seokjin rolls onto his back with a laugh, finally opening his eyes and looking at his impatient boyfriend. His eyes widen when he sees that Namjoon is in fact holding a plate of pancakes in one hand.
Seokjin sits up. “You actually made breakfast?” His eyebrows pinch together as he thinks, trying to remember if he has forgotten something important. There three year anniversary was two months ago, and Namjoon’s birthday was three months ago, and his own birthday was barely a month ago, and —
“You haven’t forgotten anything,” Namjoon says, easily figuring out Seokjin’s inner turmoil.
It's a skill of Namjoon’s that Seokjin envies. He’s able to read him so easily, always able to comfort him when he needs it without Seokjin needing to say a word. It can get annoying sometimes, especially when they are arguing about something and Namjoon can read right through him as if there’s a prompter on his chest displaying his exact thoughts and emotions.
Seokjin looks at the pancakes suspiciously. “Then what are these for?”
Namjoon raises his eyebrows, feigning offense. “What, I can’t make my boyfriend breakfast in bed?”
“Not without setting the kitchen on fire, usually,” Seokjin quips, attempting to wipe away the sleep in his eyes.
“I just wanted to do something nice,” Namjoon says with an eye roll before pushing the plate into Seokjin’s hands. He has the audacity to look sheepish once he does, wincing a little as he says, “But I would probably avoid the kitchen until I’ve had a chance to clean up.”
Seokjin huffs, but it’s fond, and his voice is warm as he stabs a bite of pancake with his fork and asks, “Joon, what am I going to do with you?”
“Marry me, hopefully.”
Seokjin chokes on the bite of pancake, eyes wide as he looks at Namjoon and sputters, “What?”
Namjoon takes the plate away from him and sets it on the bedside table. “My plan was to wait until after you finished the pancakes, but if I don’t do this now, I might explode.” He reaches into his pajama pants pocket and pulls out a small velvet box, opening the lid to reveal a stunning sapphire diamond ring. “Actually, I’ve tried to think of the best way to do this. I even had reservations at Pierre Gagnaire , but it didn’t feel right. I didn’t want to do this surrounded by strangers. I wanted this to be just you and me.”
Seokjin’s eyes are wide in shock and disbelief as he tries to process the words that are coming out of Namjoon’s mouth. They’ve been together for three years, and they’ve talked about marriage a few times, but Seokjin certainly never saw it coming now. They’ve both just graduated university a few months ago, and Namjoon is swamped with learning about the family business and Seokjin is the newest up-and-coming architect for the city of Seoul.
“Seokjin, I knew from the moment I met you when I spilled coffee on you in that cafe on campus that I was going to fall in love with you,” Namjoon continues, blinking back tears as he gazes at Seokjin with so much warmth and adoration. “I know things haven’t always been easy. I know we’ve had our disagreements, and my parents haven’t made this easy for you, but you’ve stuck by me anyway, and I love you so much for that. I even love our fights, because I love that you challenge me.”
Namjoon carefully pulls the ring out of the box, holding it between them.
“My grandmother gave me this ring before she passed, and she told me to save it for someone special. She liked you, and that’s not an easy thing to accomplish—” Seokjin laughs wetly, remembering the fierce woman who never didn’t say what was on her mind — “and I know that if I don’t ask you to marry me, she’s going to come back to haunt me. So, Jeon Seokjin, that’s what I’m doing. Right now, at seven in the morning on a Sunday with slightly burnt pancakes and a very messy kitchen, I’m asking you to marry me. Will you?”
“Joon…” Seokjin exclaims breathlessly, staring at him in awe.
“I kind of need you to answer,” Namjoon says, voice strained.
“Yes!” Seokjin laughs, launching forward to tackle Namjoon backwards on the bed before kissing him hard, straddling him with his knees on either side of Namjoon’s hips. “God, yes,” he breathes against his lips. “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.”
Namjoon smiles against his lips, dropping the velvet ring box on the bed so he can circle his arms around Seokjin’s back and pull him down flush against him. He holds the ring tightly in one hand as he kisses him, his heart absolutely soaring as he kisses his fiance .
He slowly sits up, continuing to kiss him as he does, until Seokjin is straddling his lap. Seokjin pulls back but stays close, keeping their foreheads pressed together as they catch their breath.
Namjoon lifts the ring between them again, and Seokjin leans back a little and blushes as he looks at it. He loops one arm around Namjoon’s shoulders, rubbing his back gently.
“It’s beautiful,” he says softly.
Namjoon kisses his nose. “When my grandmother gave it to me, I know she was thinking of you, and so was I. I’ve been holding onto it for months, trying to find the right time to propose. And then I realized that I would… I would just know when the moment was right, and that if I kept trying to overplan it, it was just never going to happen. And then this morning, I woke up way too early and when I rolled over to try to go back to sleep, I saw your sleeping face and I just, well, I knew . I knew it was time.”
Seokjin can’t contain his smile. “You’re too good for me.”
“No,” Namjoon replies, mirroring his smile. “That’s definitely you.”
He takes hold of Seokjin’s left hand and carefully slips the ring onto his finger. It’s a perfect fit. Seokjin tears up a little, and Namjoon leans forward to kiss him again.
“I, love, you,” Namjoon says, each word separated by a kiss. He pushes forward until Seokjin is laying on his back, never once separating their lips as he does. Every time they kiss always feels like their first — electric, passionate, and somehow tender yet deep at the same time.
Seokjin throws his head back against the pillow as Namjoon starts to kiss along his jaw, each touch of his lips leaving a ghost of heat on his skin. He slides his hands down Namjoon’s sides until he reaches the hem of his shirt and tugs on it impatiently.
Namjoon gets the message, leaning back to pull his shirt over his head before swooping back down to latch onto Seokjin’s neck. Things happen quickly after that, and Seokjin finds himself leaning back against the pillows with one hand tangled in Namjoon’s hair and the other gripping the sheets as Namjoon kisses along his inner thighs and uses his fingers to carefully prepare him. No matter how many times they’ve done this together, Namjoon will always take his time with this part.
“I’m ready,” Seokjin insists impatiently, tugging on Namjoon’s hair. He’s only wearing one of Namjoon’s shirts, which Namjoon refuses to let him take off, and his thighs are decorated with purple marks, painted there by Namjoon’s lips.
He’s always been a little obsessed with Seokjin’s thighs, especially when he wears his ripped jeans that show off his milky skin. He was wearing them the day they met, and Namjoon is never, ever going to let him get rid of them.
Namjoon kisses his thigh one more time before rolling on a condom and grabbing Seokjin’s hips, pulling him further down the bed. He keeps his hands on his hips as he slides in until he bottoms out, pausing to give Seokjin a moment to adjust.
“You’re incredible,” Seokjin sputters, cheeks flushed. “God.” He wraps his legs around Namjoon’s hips to pull him down on top of him. “Absolutely incredible.”
Namjoon quirks an eyebrow at him, holding himself up by his elbows on either side of Seokjin’s face. “Are you talking about me or my dick?”
Seokjin grins at him. “Both.”
Namjoon grabs one of Seokjin’s hands, linking their fingers together against the mattress. The engagement ring digs into his skin a little where their fingers are locked together, and he captures Seokjin’s lips in a heated kiss as exhilaration courses through him.
He starts to thrust then, and Seokjin moans against his lips. He starts slowly, wanting to take his time to appreciate Seokjin and have him unravel beneath him. He starts to kiss along Seokjin’s neck again, nipping at his delicate skin as Seokjin drags his nails against his skin, leaving behind thin red lines across the expanse of Namjoon’s back.
Namjoon leans back, grabbing onto Seokjin’s hips again as he increases his pace, the sounds escaping Seokjin’s lips encouraging his every move. No longer able to hold onto Namjoon’s back, Seokjin scrambles to grab onto the sheets as Namjoon’s thrusts start to push him up the bed. He lifts one of Seokjin’s legs over his shoulder for a better angle, gazing down at the boy he’s in love with.
The entire time, he keeps hold of Seokjin’s left hand.
Seokjin’s cheeks are flushed and he’s biting his bottom lip between his teeth, looking up at Namjoon with hooded eyes. His shirt has drifted up a little, revealing his toned stomach.
“I love you in my shirt,” Namjoon says as he lowers Seokjin’s leg before laying ontop of him again.
“Then I’ll never take it off,” Seokjin replies, smiling against his lips before Namjoon kisses him with everything he has.
They remain locked together like that, Seokjin melting beneath Namjoon and accepting him into his mouth without a second thought. Sometimes, Seokjin will be playful and fight Namjoon for dominance just to give him a bit of a challenge, just to be stubborn, but not today. Today is all about kissing for their future, sealing themselves together in the next step in their lives that they’ve both been ready for since the moment they met.
“I love you,” Namjoon exhales, his breath mixing with Seokjin’s. “So much.”
Seokjin is rendered speechless as Namjoon increases his pace again, but he knows Seokjin squeezing his hand tightly is his way of saying he loves him, too.
Seokjin gasps in his ear. “I’m gonna — Joon, I’m —”
“Come for me,” Namjoon commands, and Seokjin does, his entire body shaking as he’s overcome with intense pleasure.
Namjoon is quick to follow, thrusting messily a few times before settling all the way in Seokjin with a soft grunt as he releases. They stay like that for a little while as they both come down from their highs. Seokjin lifts his hand to Namjoon’s head, gently carding his fingers through his hair.
“Can we just stay here?” Namjoon murmurs against his chest. “In our own little perfect bubble?”
“Oh, the world out there isn’t so imperfect,” Seokjin muses.
“Yes it is,” Namjoon grumbles.
“Okay,” Seokjin concedes, deciding he’s too tired to partake in one of Namjoon’s philosophical discussions.
Namjoon pushes himself up and carefully pulls out, kissing Seokjin as he does before climbing off the bed to grab a towel to clean them up with. Once they are both dressed (Seokjin still in Namjoon’s shirt with just an addition of a clean pair of boxers), Namjoon carries him to the living room, purposefully not letting Seokjin catch sight of the mess in the kitchen.
They sit on the couch together, Seokjin leaning back against Namjoon’s chest as he stares at the large ring on his finger. The sapphire in the center is surrounded by small diamonds, and it’s bigger than anything Seokjin ever would have imagined he’d have on his finger someday.
“Are you sure your grandmother would want me to have this?” Seokjin asks softly. “This has to be, like, a family heirloom or something.”
“It is,” Namjoon replies, placing a kiss into Seokjin’s hair. “And yes, of course she would want you to have it. She loved you.”
Seokjin brushes a finger over the ring. “Your mother is going to be livid about you giving me this.”
“Maybe,” Namjoon chuckles quietly. He pulls Seokjin closer back against him, tickling his sides to make him laugh. He kisses below his ear. “I don’t care what my parents think. I love you, and I can’t wait to make you Kim Seokjin.”
Seokjin turns around in his arms to smile at him, maintaining eye contact as he straddles him. He leans down to kiss him slowly, letting his lips linger for a moment before he pulls back to look down at Namjoon. “Round two?”
—
Hobi:
SEND ME A PIC OF THE RING
NOW
Jin:
[image attached]
Hobi:
Holy shit
Jin:
I KNOW
Hobi:
Like I know Namjoon comes
from money but DAMN
I’m so happy for you hyung
I know you would be happy no
matter what kind of ring
Namjoon got you, and I’m just
so so happy for you
Jin:
Thank you Hobi
I still can’t believe this is real
Hobi:
You’ve been together for three
years and Namjoon absolutely
adores you. It’s definitely real
Jin:
I’m so lucky
Hobi:
It’s not just luck, hyung
You deserve all of this
Have you told Jungkook?
Jin:
I’m meeting him for coffee
Tomorrow morning, I’ll tell
Him then
Hobi:
I have to keep this a secret
Until then?!
—
“You’re not wearing your ring.”
Seokjin turns around to see Namjoon watching him from where he leans in the doorway to their bedroom. Seokjin pushes himself up from where he was sitting in front of his vanity, leaving the ring safely in its box as he crosses the room to kiss Namjoon good morning.
“We haven’t told your parents yet,” Seokjin points out when he steps back, smiling a little as he fixes Namjoon’s tie. “The last thing we need is someone seeing me with the ring and your mother finding out before we’ve told her. She’s already going to be upset, I don’t want to get murdered .”
Namjoon rolls his eyes fondly. “She doesn’t hate you, you know,” he says as he brushes some of Seokjin’s hair back from his forehead.
Seokjin gives him a small smile. “I know.”
“How about you come to my office for work?” Namjoon suggests. “Father will already be there, and I can ask mother to come. We can have lunch together and tell them.”
“Okay,” Seokjin says, stretching up on his toes to kiss Namjoon again before walking past him to head toward the front door. “Jungkook and I are getting coffee at Hobi’s bakery before work,” he says as he goes, “Do you want to come?”
“So he can bribe me into paying for his?” Namjoon jokes as he follows him.
Seokjin laughs as he shrugs his coat on. “No, so that we can tell him that we’re engaged.”
Namjoon glances at his watch. “I have a meeting in thirty minutes, so I’m going to have to head straight to the office. Let me know how he reacts, though.”
“I will,” Seokjin promises, helping Namjoon pull on his own coat.
Namjoon smiles at him warmly, pausing to hold Seokjin’s cheeks and just gaze at him.
Seokjin blushes from the attention. “What?” When Namjoon doesn’t say anything, he scrunches his nose and presses, “What are you looking at?”
“You,” Namjoon answers simply, brushing his thumb over Seokjin’s cheek. “My beautiful, stunning, smart fiancé .”
“Stop,” Seokjin whines, cheeks flushing red.
He tries to hide his face, but Namjoon doesn’t let him, continuing to hold his cheeks and leaning down to kiss him. He kisses his forehead, his cheeks, his eyelids, and his nose before finally kissing his mouth.
“I love you,” Namjoon says when they separate.
“I love you, too,” Seokjin replies, smiling up at him in a way that makes Namjoon’s heart swoon.
“See you at noon for lunch?”
Seokjin nods, cheeks still squished between Namjoon’s hands. “I’ll be there.”
—
When Seokjin arrives at the bakery, Jungkook is already there, sitting in a booth with his roommate, Jimin. Seokjin isn’t surprised, the two of them have been practically inseparable since they were kids. Hoseok is behind the counter, and when he sees Seokjin, he practically starts vibrating in excitement, looking between him and Jungkook eagerly.
Seokjin hurries over to the table, sliding into the other side of the booth.
“Hyung!” Jimin greets with a sweet smile. “We ordered you your usual coffee and one of those muffins that you like.”
“Thank you,” Seokjin says, and as if Hoseok had been listening (which he definitely was), he arrives with said coffee and muffin. “Thanks, Hobi.”
“You’re welcome,” Hoseok replies. He remains standing at the edge of the table, looking at Seokjin expectantly.
Jungkook narrows his eyes in suspicion. “You two are being weird. What’s going on?”
Seokjin glares at Hoseok before turning toward Jungkook. “I, uh, I have some news.”
Jungkook raises an eyebrow. “Okay. What kind of news?”
“Namjoon proposed yesterday,” Seokjin says, watching Jungkook carefully for his reaction.
Until Seokjin was twelve, he was bounced around to various foster homes. And then he came to stay with the Jeons. Seokjin was a shy kid, and so was Jungkook at the time, so it had taken the two of them a little while to warm up to each other. But once they both discovered a shared love of video games, they became inseparable.
A year later, Seokjin officially became part of the family, gaining not only parents that he loved, but also a brother and best friend.
Jungkook is the most important person in Seokjin’s life, and he values his opinion so much. It means a lot to him that Jungkook and Namjoon get along so well, and he doesn’t doubt that Jungkook is going to be happy for him, but he still finds himself apprehensive as he waits for Jungkook to say something.
“Finally!” Jungkook exclaims, throwing his hands up in the air. He climbs out of the booth to walk over and slide in beside Seokjin, pulling him in for a hug. He’s quieter as he says, “I’m happy for you, hyung.”
Hoseok claps happily, squealing in excitement as he sits next to Jimin.
“Where’s the ring?” Jimin demands, reaching across the table for Seokjin’s hand.
“I’m not wearing it,” Seokjin says, showing his bare hand. “We haven’t told his parents yet, so we didn’t want to risk anyone seeing it before. You know how those little socialites are. If someone sees me with the ring, it’ll be through all the gossip circles within an hour.”
“You know, you’re going to officially be one of those socialites now,” Jungkook teases. “All the fancy business events, charity galas… you’re first class , hyung.”
“Oh, whatever,” Seokjin chuckles before looking at Jungkook tenderly. “I’m also always going to be a Jeon.”
Jungkook grins at him. “Hell yeah you are.”
Jimin slams his palms against the table impatiently. “Okay, can I at least see a picture of the damn ring?!”
—
Seokjin stops home on the way to Kim International Realty headquarters to grab the ring, waiting until he is inside the expansive building to slip it on his finger. He keeps his hands in his coat pockets as he crosses the lobby to the elevator, greeting the receptionist along the way.
He rides the elevator up to the top floor and steps out to find Namjoon waiting for him.
“Hey,” Namjoon says, wrapping his arm around Seokjin and lifting him a little as he kisses him.
“Hey yourself,” Seokjin replies when he pulls back, reaching up to fix a strand of Namjoon’s hair that has fallen loose from the gel.
“You’re wearing it,” Namjoon observes, catching Seokjin’s hand and looking at the ring. He kisses Seokjin’s knuckles. “I love how it looks on you.”
Seokjin blushes. The sound of heels against the marble floor pulls them from each other’s embrace, and they turn to see Namjoon’s mother walking toward them. She’s dressed to perfection as always, a tight-fitted yet modest navy blue dress hugging her perfect figure, and her hair is twisted back into a low bun, the loose strands framing her face styled there intentionally.
“Darling!” she says when she reaches them, pulling Namjoon in for a hug and kissing his cheek. “I was elated when you asked me to come for lunch.” She steps over to Seokjin, kissing his cheek as well. “And Seokjin, I’m so glad you could join us. It’s been too long since the four of us have shared a meal together.”
“It has,” Seokjin agrees, nerves bubbling in his stomach.
He knows the woman doesn’t hate him. She’s warmed up to him over the years, and is usually polite. But Seokjin also knows that she and Namjoon have fought about him before. Namjoon tries to shield him from that, to keep him out of it, and Seokjin appreciates him for it.
Mrs. Kim wants what is best for her son, and Seokjin didn’t fit the standard that she was expecting, but Seokjin thinks he has managed to win her over during the past three years. He thinks he’s been able to prove himself.
She leads the way to Namjoon’s father’s office, Namjoon and Seokjin trailing a few steps behind her. When they enter, Namjoon’s father is already waiting for them, sitting on one of the brown leather couches in the seating area of his large office.
He stands to greet her, kissing her briefly before gesturing for everyone to sit down. There’s an expanse of food on the coffee table between the two couches, and Namjoon helps Seokjin out of his coat before the two of them sit across from his parents.
“So,” his father says as he starts to dish food onto his plate. “What’s the special occasion?” He glances at Namjoon. “Mondays are a busy day for us, so it must be something important for you to request us all to have lunch together.”
“Every day is a busy day for us,” Namjoon points out lightly, making his father chuckle in agreement.
Namjoon reaches over to take hold of Seokjin’s hand.
“It is important,” he says, and something in his tone makes his parents give him their full attention. “Seokjin and I…” he pauses to smile at Seokjin, who squeezes his hand encouragingly. He looks back at his parents. “We’re engaged. I proposed yesterday.”
It’s quiet for a long moment, and then Mr. Kim is laughing heartily. “Is that all? This is hardly surprising, son. I’m honestly just surprised you haven’t done it sooner.”
Namjoon exhales in relief as he joins in with his father’s laughter, leaning over to kiss Seokjin’s temple, his lips lingering there for a moment. Seokjin is smiling so hard his cheeks start to hurt.
“Is that my mother’s ring?”
“Yes,” Seokjin says, holding his hand out for Mrs. Kim to see. “It’s beautiful. I feel very honored to—”
“You gave him my mother’s ring?” She’s looking at Namjoon now, posture stiff and expression pinched.
Seokjin falters, slowly lowering his hand back into his lap.
“Yes,” Namjoon says, placing his hand on Seokjin’s knee for comfort. “Grandmother gave it to me, and she told me to save it for someone special. She loved Seokjin, and I know she had him in mind when she gave it to me.”
“You should have talked to me — to us — about this.”
“Why?” Namjoon asks, exhaling through his nose to keep his composure. “I didn’t think it would be such a shock that I would be proposing to Seokjin, nor do I need your permission to do so. As for the ring, Grandmother gave it to me. I understand how important it is to this family, which is why I’ve given it to the person I love and want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Mr. Kim is suddenly much more serious, glancing at his wife cautiously. “Of course you don’t need our permission,” he says carefully. “A little heads up would have been nice, though, so we could have been a little prepared on how to handle things moving forward.”
Namjoon’s grip on Seokjin’s knee tightens a little. “This isn’t some business deal that you need to handle.”
His father gives him a pointed look. “Everything involving our family is a business deal to a certain extent.”
“Well, Seokjin is not ,” Namjoon states, and his hold tightens even more, not even realizing he’s doing it. “He’s not a business deal, he’s my fiancé. He won’t be treated as anything else.”
Mrs. Kim has gone quiet, but Seokjin can feel her gaze on his hand, and he self consciously covers the ring with his right hand.
Namjoon’s brother, Taehyung, chooses that moment to burst through the doors with a bottle of champagne in hand. “I’m ready to celebrate! I’m so glad Namjoon finally proposed, he’s been bugging me about it for months now. Do you know how hard it was to keep this all a secret?”
He doesn’t pick up on the tension in the room, walking over to stand behind the couch and reaching down to grab Seokjin’s hand to look at the ring.
“That looks so good on you, hyung,” he says with a grin, wiggling his eyebrows at him. “Very elegant, but also sexy.”
Seokjin smiles a little. Thank god for Taehyung. He never had to fight to win him over. Taehyung accepted him with open arms from the very beginning, and Seokjin feels like he has gained another brother.
Namjoon’s mother looks horrified at Taehyung calling her mother’s ring sexy. Mr. Kim tugs on his tie awkwardly, unsure what to say next.
Taehyung finally starts to sense the tension, and he glances between everyone. “What did I miss?”
Their mother clears her throat and forces a smile, gesturing toward Seokjin. “Taehyung, how about you walk Seokjin back to work. Your father and I have some things to discuss with Namjoon.”
Taehyung’s eyes narrow a little. “...Okay.”
Seokjin goes to stand, but Namjoon is still holding onto him.
“Joon,” he says softly.
Namjoon turns toward him, ignoring his parents. “You didn’t even get to eat.”
“I’ll get something on the way,” Seokjin tries to reassure him. “It’s okay.”
Namjoon sighs before standing, letting go of Seokjin’s knee to instead grab his hand and pull him to his feet. He helps him into his coat, and then walks him to the door with Taehyung.
“I’m sorry,” Namjoon says quietly.
Seokjin smiles at him softly, reaching up to hold his cheek. “It’s okay,” he says again, keeping his voice low so Namjoon’s parents won’t hear. “I’m not surprised, but thank you for standing up for me.”
“Always,” Namjoon promises, kissing him quickly before letting Taehyung guide Seokjin out of his father’s office.
He remains in the doorway for a moment, smiling to himself as he watches Taehyung throw his arm over Seokjin’s shoulders and whisper something in his ear, which makes Seokjin tilt his head back in laughter.
He wishes he could go with them, but then sighs and turns to walk back into the office. It’s going to be a long day.
—
“You haven’t done anything wrong, you know,” Taehyung says as he walks side by side with Seokjin. “My parents… they’re just…”
“I get it,” Seokjin says, hands stuffed in his pockets. “I know I’m not what they imagined for Namjoon. I know they always intended for him to graduate college, meet someone like one of you, you know, like a — another business heir or a socialite or whatever, have this grand wedding that would be the event of the year, and then start a family. They definitely didn’t plan on me, a kid who bounced around from foster home to foster home and was only able to attend Seoul National University because of a scholarship, and I can’t blame them for being caught off guard.”
Taehyung scoffs. “You’re too nice, hyung. They may not have seen you coming, but you’ve been with Namjoon for three years. They’ve had plenty of time to get used to it.” He stops walking, grabbing Seokjin’s shoulder and turning him to face him. “And don’t talk about yourself like that. You’re not some foster kid. You’re a Jeon, and soon, you’re going to be a Kim. And I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to have you officially be my brother. And you got a full-ride scholarship to the top university in the country. That’s something to be fucking proud of, not ashamed.”
Seokjin smiles. “Thanks, Tae.”
Taehyung beams at him, wrapping his arm around his shoulders again as they continue to walk. “Plus, it’s not like you’re someone who’s just with my brother for our money. You’re a successful architect working for the city. You’re helping design half of the new buildings going up in Seoul next year. You’re a freaking badass.”
Seokjin snorts. “I don’t know about badass, but thank you.”
“My brother really loves you, you know,” Taehyung muses. “I wasn’t kidding when I said that he’s been coming to me for months now about how to propose to you. I suggested that he do it at one of our mother’s charity galas just so I could watch her lose it, but I suppose that’s not what the moment is supposed to be about, eh?” He waves his hand dismissively. “Anyway, he really loves you, and you make him really happy. I know our family can be tough sometimes, but I’m really grateful you’ve stuck by him anyway. He’s under a lot of pressure with work and stuff, but I think you’ve helped keep him grounded.”
“I really love him, too,” Seokjin says softly. “I’d stand by him through anything.”
“Good,” Taehyung chirps happily. “Because I’m sorry, but the next few months of wedding planning with my mother is going to be hell .”
Seokjin groans, resting his head on Taehyung’s shoulder. “Maybe I should run while I still can.”
Taehyung laughs. “Don’t worry, you’ve got me on your side, too. Own that ring, hyung. Flaunt it. The wedding… that’s just a ceremony. You’ll get through the day, smile all pretty for the cameras, and then after that, you and Namjoon have the rest of your lives together.”
Seokjin smiles, lifting his hand to look at the ring. Taehyung whistles, and Seokjin shoves him playfully, making Taehyung laugh as he stumbles to the side a little.
“So, what are we doing for lunch?” Taehyung asks, grabbing back onto Seokjin. “Because I know you didn’t get a chance to eat anything before my mother had what I am assuming is one of her classic meltdowns.”
“Japchae?”
Taehyung moans in appreciation. “I knew I liked you.”
—
Hobi:
How did Namjoon’s parents react?
Jin:
Pretty much how I expected
Hobi:
How bad? Like… you need a cupcake
To cheer up bad or you need a couple
Drinks to cheer up bad?
Jin:
I think it’ll be okay but…
Drinks after work?
Hobi:
Meet at our usual place at 7?
Jin:
Yes! Namjoon’s probably still talking
With his parents, so he’ll definitely
Need a few drinks too.
Hobi:
Ooh tell him to bring Yoongi
Jin:
Why?
Hobi:
Because he’s pretty to look at
And I don’t want to be a third wheel
Jin:
You’re not a third wheel!
Hobi:
with you and Namjoon,
everyone else is a third wheel
Jin:
...see you at 7
Hobi:
With!! Yoongi!!
Moe’s Bar is a small hole-in-the-wall place near Hoseok’s bakery, and Seokjin spots Hoseok immediately when he steps inside. Hoseok is saving a table for them, and he is already sipping on what looks like a very fruity mixed drink. He smiles brightly when he sees Seokjin, waving in wide movements even though Seokjin has already noticed him.
Seokjin strips his coat off as he walks over, hanging it on the hook on the edge of the booth before sliding in across from Hoseok.
“Let me see it,” Hoseok says, extending his hand toward Seokjin impatiently.
Seokjin lets him take hold of his hand, laughing when he pulls it close to examine the ring.
“The pictures didn’t do it justice,” Hoseok gushes before letting go of Seokjin’s hand and leaning back in his seat. “It’s beautiful, hyung.”
“It feels weird,” Seokjin says, looking down at the ring. “Like, I don’t know if this is ever really going to settle in. It still feels like a dream.”
“Well, the meeting with Namjoon’s parents couldn’t have gone too horribly if this all still feels like a dream, right?” Hoseok asks.
A bartender walks over, and Seokjin orders himself a drink. Once she has walked away, he turns back to Hoseok.
“I… I honestly don’t know,” Seokjin admits, placing his elbow on the table and resting his chin in his palm. “His father seemed happy at first. He said he wasn’t surprised. But Namjoon’s mother got upset about the ring. It used to belong to her mother, so I guess she was upset he had given it to me without asking her first? And then they said that Namjoon should have talked to them about this first so they could have things figured out. His father basically compared our engagement to a business deal.”
Hoseok frowns. “What did Namjoon say?”
“He defended me, like he always does,” Seokjin says, smiling a little. He pauses as the bartender sets his drink down in front of him before adding, “Taehyung showed up with champagne, so that broke some of the tension.”
“Of course he did,” Hoseok snorts fondly.
“I feel bad for Namjoon, honestly," Seokjin says, tracing his finger around the rim of his drink. “I got to escape and get lunch with Taehyung. He had to stay back and deal with his parents. He always takes the heat from them. He tries to keep me out of it, which I appreciate, but I feel bad that he has to deal with that alone.”
“I don't get what their issue is,” Hoseok grumbles. “I get that you weren't raised the same way as Namjoon. I get that you weren't born into money or their world, but so what? You're an incredible person. You've worked hard to be where you are, and you deserve every good thing that comes to you. You also deserve Namjoon. He's not someone who is more worthy or whatever bullshit his family likes to think.”
Seokjin takes a deep breath. “Thanks, Hobi. It's going to be okay. I’m not worried. They'll come around. They always do.”
Hoseok waves his hands dismissively. “Okay, enough talking about this. We should be celebrating. Namjoon's parents are just a little bump in the road. You're getting married! To the love of your life!”
As if on cue, the door opens and Namjoon steps inside, followed by Yoongi. Namjoon smiles when he sees them, walking over and leaning down to kiss Seokjin while Yoongi goes to the bar to order a round of drinks for the table.
Seokjin pulls back from the kiss, scanning his eyes over Namjoon's face. “You okay?”
“Exhausted,” Namjoon replies as he settles in the booth beside him. “But yeah, I'm okay.”
“I'm sorry,” Seokjin says quietly.
Namjoon kisses him again. “Don't apologize. You have nothing to apologize for.”
Yoongi returns then, setting a tray of drinks on the table before sliding in beside Hoseok. He leads a short toast, and they all clink their glasses together before taking a sip of the burning alcohol.
“I can’t wait until you two officially announce your engagement,” Yoongi muses with a mischievous grin. “All of Namjoon’s admirers are going to be heartbroken.”
Seokjin takes another big swing of his drink.
“I’m kidding!” Yoongi chuckles, reaching across the table to give Seokjin’s wrist a squeeze. “People call you Seoul’s Sweetheart, you know? People are going to be excited to hear about the engagement.”
Hoseok coos. “Seoul’s Sweetheart? That’s so cute.”
Namjoon smiles and wraps his arm around Seokjin’s waist and pulls him a little closer, pressing a kiss to his temple.
“People are going to be dying for an invite,” Yoongi adds. “Your wedding is going to be the biggest event of the year.”
Seokjin bulks a little at that, leaning into Namjoon a little more. Namjoon gives his hip a gentle squeeze.
“I don’t care about the wedding,” Seokjin says quietly, and Namjoon frowns a little at that, so he’s quick to add, “I mean, I do. Of course I’m excited for it and so happy. But I know that it’s going to be more about expectations and pleasing your parents. I care about what comes after.” He smiles softly at Namjoon. “I care about being your husband, about spending every day for the rest of my life with you, about starting a family. That’s what I care about. Our wedding day will be miniscule in comparison to the rest of our lives together.”
Namjoon’s heart melts, and he leans down to kiss Seokjin. Yoongi makes a fake noise of disgust, and he and Hoseok leave the booth to go sit at the bar to give the two some privacy.
“You’re amazing,” Namjoon says quietly, his breath ghosting Seokjin’s lips as he pulls back just a little to gaze at him warmly. He reaches up to stroke Seokjin’s cheek. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
“So much better than some socialite, right?” Seokjin teases.
Namjoon laughs happily. “ So much better.”
“Do you think it’ll get better?” Seokjin wonders, still leaning into Namjoon and looking at him curiously. “Like, once we’re married, do you think they’ll like me more or at least stop putting so much pressure on you about it?”
Namjoon shrugs. “Oh, I don’t know. This is how they’ve always been. I don’t think their pressure will ever let up. I already know that as soon as we’re married, the pressure is just going to shift to my mother wanting grandchildren.”
Seokjin smiles a little before turning to grab his drink. “At least that won’t be a problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“Grandchildren,” Seokjin replies, glancing at him before taking a sip. “She won’t have to put any pressure on you about that since you and I do want kids.”
“Right,” Namjoon says slowly. He pauses before adding, “But she’s going to want them right away. I was thinking they’d be more of an… eventually thing.”
Seokjin turns back toward him. “Eventually?”
“Yeah,” Namjoon says with a gesture of his hand. “Like, a few years or so from now. Not right away.”
“Oh,” Seokjin says quietly. He thinks about it for a few seconds before nodding. “Okay.”
“We can talk about it more at home?” Namjoon suggests softly, once again easily reading the emotions that Seokjin is stuffing down beneath the surface.
Seokjin leans into him again, falling more in love with Namjoon every second. “Sure.”
—
“So,” Namjoon says as the two of them are getting ready for bed. “Kids.”
Seokjin groans sleepily, crawling into the bed and flopping against his pillow. “Can we talk about it tomorrow?”
Namjoon chuckles softly, pulling back the covers to get into the bed beside him. He lays on his side, propping himself up on his elbow as he looks at Seokjin. “I could tell that this is important to you, which means it’s important to me.”
Seokin stares up at the ceiling for a moment before sitting up and leaning back against the padded headboard. “You want kids someday, right?”
“Of course,” Namjoon says, moving to sit beside him, their shoulders pressed together.
“Just not right after marriage?”
Namjoon exhales slowly. “Yeah. I mean, I’m still getting adjusted to my new role at the company, you know? And you’re still new with your job, too. I just don’t want to rush anything. We’ve got plenty of time for kids. I want to enjoy our life as newlyweds, just you and I, and I want time for us to get settled into our careers.”
“That makes sense,” Seokjin says, resting his head on Namjoon’s shoulder. “I don’t need kids right away. I just wanted to make sure it’s something you want someday.”
Namjoon kisses the top of his head. “Someday, you and I are going to have a beautiful family. I’m thinking… two, maybe three kids? Ideally a boy first, and then girls, so they can have a protective older brother. And we’ll be the best parents ever. Not like mine. We won’t be too strict, or put a ton of pressure on them. We won’t decide their futures. If they want to work for the company someday, they can. But they won’t have to. Who knows, maybe they’ll want to be an architect like you.”
Seokjin sits up and turns to look at him, heart swelling. “I love you so much.”
Namjoon reaches up, placing his hand on the side of Seokjin’s neck and rubbing his thumb across Seokjin’s cheek. “I love you, too. And I can’t wait to marry you.”
—
One Week Later
Seokjin smiles up at the house that he was eventually able to call home. He remembers when he was nine, he was being moved to his fifth foster home, and he thought that he would never truly have a home. Everything was temporary. He stopped getting attached to any place or any person, because in the end, they never wanted him.
And then three years later, he came to stay with the Jeons, and he finally found people who wanted him, and he finally had a home .
He doesn’t even have a chance to knock before the front door is swinging open and his mother is pulling him in for a crushing hug. He lets her squeeze him, wrapping his arms around her to hug her back.
Seokjin visits every week for a family lunch, and every week she hugs him like it’s been years.
“You’re too skinny!” she scolds as she steps back, grabbing his hand and pulling him inside. “I’ve made kimchi jjigae. I’ll send you with leftovers for you and Namjoon.”
“Namjoon will love that,” Seokjin says as he shrugs off his coat. “He loves your cooking.”
Jungkook is in the living room, playing a card game with their father. Their father wins, like he always does, before standing and crossing the room to hug Seokjin, patting his back as he does.
“Namjoon isn’t with you today?”
“No,” Seokjin says as he steps back. “He had to go into the office.”
“On a Sunday?” his mother calls from the kitchen entryway. “That’s ridiculous!”
“He’s the future CEO,” Seokjin says with a shrug. “When duty calls, he has to go.”
“More like when his father calls,” his mother mumbles.
Seokjin smiles at her antics. His parents accepted Namjoon with open arms. They absolutely adored him, especially his mother, and she hates that he is constantly overworked.
“Speaking of Namjoon… I actually have some news,” Seokjin says, suddenly a little nervous.
Jungkook leans back in his chair with a knowing smirk, crossing his arms over his chest as he waits for their parents’ reactions.
Seokjin holds his hand up, displaying the ring. His father’s eyebrows pinch together in confusion, while his mother gasps loudly. And then she’s squealing, running forward to grab his hand as she is jumping up and down.
“Oh my god, look at that ring!” she gushes.
“It belonged to Namjoon’s grandmother,” Seokjin says softly.
His mother sniffles, placing a hand over her heart. “It’s beautiful.”
Jungkook goes to grab some champagne so they can celebrate. After they eat, Seokjin sits with his mother on the front porch despite the chill in the air, while Jungkook shows their father some of the designs for the recent video game he is working on.
“You’re happy, right?” she asks, eyes lingering on the ring.
“Very,” Seokjin replies with a smile. “I don’t… I don’t care about the ring. Namjoon could have given me a paper ring or a ring from a toy shop and I’d be happy. I just want him.”
She returns the smile. “Namjoon is everything I wanted for you,” she says. “All I’ve ever wanted for you is to be happy, and to be loved the way you deserve to be loved. Your father and I tried so hard to make up for the first years of your life. When we saw you… we just knew. We knew you were ours, and we knew we were never going to let you go. After Jungkook, we tried for years to have another child, but it never worked out. And then we saw you, and we knew all the waiting and trying and failing was because the universe was bringing us you. We didn’t need to create another child because we already had one.”
“Mom…” Seokjin breathes out, reaching up to dab at his eyes.
Her eyes are wet as well as she reaches over to wipe at his tears with her thumb. “I’m so proud of who you’ve become and everything you’ve accomplished. You’re an amazing older brother to Jungkook, an incredible son, and an amazing person. I’m so grateful, and so proud, to call you my son.”
Seokjin can’t say anything, scared that if he opens his mouth, all that’s going to come out is a choked sob.
“And now I’m gaining another son,” she says happily. “I’m going to give Namjoon a call later and scold him for not coming with you to tell me. He owes me a coffee date. We haven’t had one of those in a while.”
Seokjin laughs a little. When he and Namjoon first started dating, Namjoon and his mother bonded over their love for coffee, and they started having monthly coffee dates without Seokjin. At first, Seokjin had been confused and a little concerned about what the hell they could possibly be talking about on these dates, but he had grown to love it, because he had seen how close they had become, and to him, that meant everything.
“I’m sure he’d love that,” Seokjin says quietly.
Jin:
On my way home
Namjoon:
I’m about to leave the office, so
I’ll see you soon :)
Jin:
You’re still at the office?? It’s
Been hours
Namjoon:
Yeah, we had some last minute
Things to finalize, but everything is
Good now
Jin:
Have you eaten? My mother sent
Leftovers
Namjoon:
God bless your mother
How did she take the news?
Jin:
She was excited, but fair warning -
She plans on calling you herself
Namjoon:
Your mother calls me at least
once a week
Jin:
She does??
Namjoon:
Yep. We gossip about you.
Jin:
(eye roll emoji)
Namjoon:
See you soon :)
Namjoon is already home when Seokjin arrives, and he’s barely made it through the door before he is wrapped in strong arms. He somehow manages to place the tupperware of leftovers on the entryway table without dropping anything, and then he circles his arms around Namjoon’s shoulders and just lets him hold him.
He leans back against the door as Namjoon buries his face into Seokjin’s neck and exhales slowly.
“Long day?” Seokjin murmurs, gently carding his fingers through the hair at the nape of Namjoon’s neck.
“Yeah,” Namjoon says quietly. “I missed you.”
Seokjin smiles a little. “I missed you, too.”
They stay like that for a few minutes, just content to be within each other’s arms. Seokjin hums softly in Namjoon’s ear, knowing how it often calms the other.
Namjoon places a soft kiss against his neck. “I love your voice.”
“I love you,” Seokjin replies.
Namjoon steps back then, kissing Seokjin softly before grabbing the tupperware and carrying it into the kitchen. Seokjin kicks his shoes off before following him.
“We should go away for a couple days,” Namjoon says as he gets himself a bowl of food. “Just you and me.”
“Where?” Seokjin asks, hopping up on the kitchen island counter, swinging his feet.
Namjoon hums as he thinks. “How about the house in the countryside? We can drive there Friday after work and spend the weekend there so we can get out of the city for a bit?”
The microwave beeps to signal that Namjoon’s food is done warming up, and he pulls it out before turning to look at Seokjin for a response.
Seokjin smiles at him. “That sounds amazing.”
“Yeah?”
“Mhmm,” Seokjin says, his smile growing as Namjoon crosses the kitchen to kiss him.
Namjoon kisses him for a few seconds before stepping back to devour his food. He moans happily. “Your mother’s cooking is the best .”
“You think anyone’s cooking is the best.”
“You would too if you never grew up with home-cooked meals,” Namjoon retorts playfully.
But it’s true. Namjoon may have grown up never having to wonder who his parents were or if he was ever truly going to have a home, but that didn’t mean his parents were actually present in his life. His father was always at work, and his mother was always in her own little world, off planning galas or traveling with friends. Namjoon was closer to his nanny than he was to his parents.
Namjoon finishes his food, placing the empty bowl in the sink before walking back over to where Seokjin still sits. He takes hold of Seokjin’s left hand, lifting it to smile at the ring.
“I’m excited for the wedding, but you want to know what I’m really excited for?” Namjoon murmurs.
“Hmm?”
“The honeymoon .”
Seokjin squeals as Namjoon suddenly lifts him and throws him over his shoulder, starting to carry him toward the bedroom. “What are you doing?!”
Namjoon playfully smacks his ass. “I want to practice for the honeymoon!”
Namjoon:
My meeting ran a little late,
Can you meet me at the office
And we can leave for the countryside
From there?
Jin:
Okay. No work this weekend though, please?
Namjoon:
I promise
Jin:
Okay :)
Seokjin sits in Namjoon’s office, leaning back in one of the chairs with a tablet in his hand as he reviews some of the latest updates from one of the engineers on his recent project. Namjoon is still stuck in his meeting, and at this point, they will be arriving at the house pretty late in the evening.
The door opens and Seokjin lifts his head, but it’s not Namjoon stepping inside, it’s Mrs. Kim.
“Oh,” she says when she sees him. “Hello, Seokjin.”
“Hi, Mrs. Kim,” he says, locking his tablet screen and sitting up straighter. “What are you doing here so late?”
“Mr. Kim and I were supposed to get dinner,” she says, waving her hand dismissively. She smiles a little as she walks toward him. “But the meeting ran late, which I’m assuming you know since you’re here.”
Seokjin nods. “Yeah. We were supposed to leave two hours ago, but…” he shrugs.
She sits in one of the chairs. “Ah, right. Namjoon mentioned you were going to the country house for the weekend.” She glances over Seokjin, crossing one ankle over the other as she angles herself toward him. “I’m sorry for the way I reacted about the engagement.”
“Oh,” Seokjin says, caught off guard. “You don’t have to apologize, Mrs. Kim —”
“I’m not,” she cuts in smoothly. “I’m sorry about how I reacted at that moment. It wasn’t very appropriate of me. But I’m not sorry about why. You… you are like a treat. Something sweet and delicious that we all want but shouldn’t have too much of. I let Namjoon indulge in you, because frankly, I didn’t think it would last. I figured he’d grow tired of you, that he’d come to his senses on his own. But he didn’t, and now we have a problem.”
Seokjin stares at her. He doesn’t know what to say, what to think, or even what to feel. He knew Namjoon’s mother didn’t necessarily love him, but he never imagined this. Or at least, he never imagined she would voice her disapproval of him to his face.
“You’re not good for him,” she continues, as if what she is saying isn’t hurtful, as if she doesn’t care how he feels, which he realizes, she probably doesn’t. “Namjoon has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, and that responsibility is only going to grow as he moves up in the business. He also has a reputation and a status to maintain. You won’t help him with that. All you will do is tarnish it.”
“Mrs. Kim —”
“You don’t belong in this world, Seokjin. You’re not a part of it. You were never meant to be a part of it, and you never truly will be. My son —”
“I love him,” Seokjin cuts in desperately, although he doesn’t know what he’s desperate for. Her approval? For her to understand? “ I love him .”
“You’ll ruin him. You’re going to drag him down, tarnish his reputation and lower his status. There’s no moving up for you, only moving down for him.”
Seokjin sputters. “Namjoon doesn’t care about status —”
She tutts at him like a child. “He says that now. But when it starts to slip, when he realizes what marrying you has done to him, he’ll resent you.”
“That’s not…” Seokjin trails off, at a loss for words.
Mrs. Kim stands, not bothering to disguise the disgust in her eyes as she looks down at him. “You should consider what I’ve said. If you truly love Namjoon, then you’ll do what’s best for him.”
She stares at him for a moment longer, the implication in her words clear, before she turns and struts out of the office.
--
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Namjoon asks for the tenth time since they’ve started driving to the house. “You’re being really quiet.”
“Just tired.”
“Seokjin.”
Seokjin keeps his gaze forward, staring blankly out the windshield with his jaw clenched. He can’t look at Namjoon. He can’t, because if he does, he’s going to break. He’s been holding it together since Mrs. Kim spit her fire at him in the form of cruel words, and he does not want to break down now.
“Seokjin,” Namjoon says again, this time softer. “Talk to me. Please. I can tell you’re upset about something. Is it me? Is it because I worked late?”
Seokjin inhales shakily. “No. God, no. It’s not you, Joon. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Then what is it?” Namjoon asks desperately.
“I don’t want to ruin the weekend.”
“ Seokjin .” Namjoon pulls the car over to the side of the road, puts the car in park, and looks at Seokjin. “Talk to me. You’re starting to freak me out.”
Seokjin blinks hard, trying and failing to stop his tears from spilling over. “I’m sorry,” he sniffles, wiping at the few tears that roll down his cheek. “It’s just — when you were in your meeting, I saw your mother and she… she said some things.”
“What did she say?”
“That I’m not good for you,” Seokjin says, voice small. He feels so pathetic. “That I’m going to tarnish your reputation. That I don’t belong in your world. That I’m going to drag you down, and that you’re going to hate me for it.”
Namjoon is silent. The silence stretches on, and with each passing moment, Seokjin starts to feel like he’s going to throw up. He’s never doubted his relationship with Namjoon, not once. Not even when his parents clearly disliked him, because Namjoon always defended him. Always stood up for him. But now he’s silent, and for a split second, Seokjin has a fleeting moment of doubt.
“Are you okay?” Namjoon demands suddenly, his voice ragged.
Seokjin looks at him, and is blindsided by the pain and disappointment he sees in Namjoon’s eyes. “What?”
“Are you okay?” Namjoon repeats. He reaches across the center counsel to hold Seokjin’s face. “You know that none of what she said is true, right? You are amazing. You are the best person I’ve ever met. I am so fucking in love with you, and nothing my mother says is ever going to change that.”
Seokjin’s face scrunches as he tries to not start crying again. “I love you, too.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Namjoon exclaims. “Why did you let us leave without saying anything? I should have spoken to her—”
“I didn’t want to upset you,” Seokjin cuts in. “I — I just wanted to get away for the weekend. To put all the stupid elitist agenda and crazy work schedule behind us for just a few days and just be us.”
Namjoon strokes his cheek with his thumb. “We can still do that.”
Seokjin’s eyes flicker over his face. “But I can tell you’re mad.”
“Of course I’m mad,” Namjoon says, pulling his hands back to angrily strike the steering wheel. “I’m pissed. At her , not you. I want to scream at her. How dare she speak to you like that.”
Seokjin slumps back in the seat. “This is why I wasn’t going to tell you. You’re going to be angry all weekend.”
Namjoon hits the steering wheel a few more times before taking a slow breath. He taps his fingers against the steering wheel as he takes a few more deep breaths before leaning back in his seat.
“Okay,” Namjoon says slowly. “I’m not going to let this ruin our weekend.” He starts driving again. “We’re going to go through McDonald’s so you can get your favorite fries, and then we’re going to go to the country house and have an amazing weekend with no smothering parents and no work pressures. Just you and me. I’ll deal with my mother when we get back.”
“You don’t have to say anything to her—”
“Yes I do,” Namjoon says. “You’re my fiancé , and I’m not going to sit back and let her treat you this way.”
Seokjin sniffles, reaching over to take hold of one of Namjoon’s hands. “I love you.”
Namjoon lifts their intertwined hands to kiss Seokjin’s knuckles. “I love you, too. Me and you against the world. No matter what.”
—
They sleep in the next morning. Seokjin is the first to wake, smiling when he finds himself nestled in Namjoon’s arms. The window above the bed is open, letting in a cool breeze, and he can hear the sounds of birds chirping.
It’s peaceful here, and after just one night, he feels more relaxed than he has in a long time.
Seokjin shifts a little, careful not to wake Namjoon, and is about to roll over so he can snuggle into Namjoon’s chest and go back to sleep when suddenly his stomach twists. He pauses, inhaling slowly through his nose, and then he’s throwing the covers off of himself and scrambling across the room to the bathroom.
He makes it just in time to throw up in the toilet. He grips the edges tightly as he pukes until there is nothing left in him, and then he’s dry-heaving painfully.
“Seokjin?”
There’s tears stinging the corner of his eyes from the pain. He’s aware of Namjoon kneeling down beside him, rubbing circles on his back as he continues to dry heave.
The dry-heaving eventually stops, and he sags back against Namjoon, who automatically catches him. Namjoon gently wipes his mouth and flushes the toilet before pressing his palm against Seokjin’s forehead, brushing some of his hair back.
“You don’t feel like you have a fever,” Namjoon murmurs. “How do you feel?”
“Nauseous,” Seokjin mutters. “And tired.”
Namjoon kisses his temple. “Do you feel like you’re going to throw up again, or can I help you back to bed?”
“I… I think I’m done throwing up,” Seokjin replies. “The nausea is starting to fade.”
“Okay,” Namjoon says quietly before carefully helping Seokjin to his feet and guiding him back to the bed. “You rest for a bit. I’m going to run into town and get us some groceries. I’ll make sure to grab you some Gatorade and soup.”
Seokjin presses his face into the pillow. “I’m sure I’m fine. It’s probably something I ate. Maybe the McDonalds?”
“You did eat a lot of french fries,” Namjoon says with a soft chuckle.
Seokjin swats at him half-heartedly. Namjoon cards his fingers through his hair for a few minutes, watching as Seokjin starts to drift back to sleep. He stays there a moment longer, smiling down at the man he loves so much, before standing and getting ready to go to the store.
When he gets back, Seokjin is awake and looking much better. He’s sipping on a mug of coffee, seated on a chair by the large floor to ceiling windows in the living room that look out over rolling fields.
“Hi,” Seokjin says brightly, hopping up and walking into the kitchen to help Namjoon unpack the groceries.
“You look a lot better,” Namjoon observes, feeling relieved at the sight.
Seokjin hums as he puts some food in the fridge. “I feel a lot better. I think it was just the McDonalds or something.”
Namjoon circles his arms around him from behind, pressing a kiss just below his ear. “How much better are you feeling?”
Seokjin laughs and turns in his hold, looping his arms around Namjoon’s neck and smiling up at him, raising an eyebrow. “You’re insatiable.”
“I have you completely to myself,” Namjoon responds, leaning down to start kissing along Seokjin’s jaw. “No work.” Kiss. “No family drama.” Another kiss. “I plan to take full advantage of that.”
Seokjin gasps as Namjoon starts to kiss along his collarbone. He tangles his fingers in Namjoon’s hair and tugs him closer. “Please do.”
Namjoon lifts him, making Seokjin laugh happily as Namjoon carries him to the bedroom.
—
Seokjin wakes up sick again. He, again, makes it to the toilet just in time, and this time the pain is so intense he chokes out a sob between rounds of vomiting.
“Okay, this is not normal,” Namjoon says as he finds him in front of the toilet again, gently running his hand along his back in an attempt to be reassuring. “This isn’t something you ate. I think we should go to a doctor.”
“M’fine,” Seokjin forces out, and then he’s vomiting again.
Namjoon shakes his head. “Nope. You’re not fine. We’re going to the doctor.”
“It’s a Sunday,” Seokjin mutters tiredly. “They’re not open.”
“Fine, we’ll go to the hospital then.”
“ Joon .”
“We’re not debating this,” Namjoon says, helping Seokjin to his feet.
He helps Seokjin change into some clean clothes, and then they are in the car driving to the closest hospital.
“I’m fine,” Seokjin says, pouting as he looks at Namjoon. “Really. I’m starting to feel better already.”
“It won’t hurt to have you checked out,” Namjoon counters. “I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Overprotective,” Seokjin mutters, sinking in his seat a little.
Namjoon smiles. “I’m not going to apologize for that.”
They arrive at the hospital a few minutes later, and Seokjin pouts the entire time until they are in a room, waiting for a doctor to come back with his lab results.
“I’m sorry,” Seokjin says quietly, swinging his legs as he sits on the examination table.
Namjoon’s eyebrows shoot up. “What for?”
“Ruining our trip,” Seokjin sighs. “This was supposed to be our little getaway, and I’ve spent half of it puking.”
Namjoon leans against the table, rubbing his hand along Seokjin’s spine. “Don’t apologize. You can’t help it if you’re sick. Besides, we still got to get away for a little while. I still enjoyed our weekend.”
The doctor returns then, an apprehensive smile on her face. “Well Seokjin, you’re not sick.”
“I’m not?”
“No.” She smiles gently. “You’re pregnant. The nausea you’ve been experiencing is morning sickness, and it likely will continue for the next few weeks.”
Seokjin and Namjoon are both completely frozen. Namjoon’s hand has gone still where it was rubbing Seokjin’s back, and Seokjin’s eyes are so wide, it would be comical in any other situation.
The doctor glances between them. “I’m getting a vibe that this is unexpected?”
“I — we… ” Seokjin stammers. “We use protection. Condoms. Every time. There’s no way…”
“Condoms can break,” she points out politely, like he’s fragile.
He probably is right now, because Namjoon still hasn’t moved, Seokjin’s not even sure if he’s breathed , and Seokjin is too scared to look at him, too scared to see his reaction.
“I’m guessing you are very early along,” the doctor continues, focusing on Seokjin. “Probably just a few weeks. I recommend setting up an appointment for an ultrasound within the next week or so for your first checkup. It’s important you get this process started and regular checkups scheduled right away.”
Seokjin forces himself to nod. “Okay.”
“For now, I’m going to give you some medication for the nausea that should help,” she says. “Some other symptoms you might start to experience are fatigue and cramping, so don’t be too alarmed by that.”
“Okay,” Seokjin says again, because he doesn’t know what else to say.
The rest of the appointment is a blur. He fills out the required paperwork, is given his prescription, and quietly follows Namjoon to the car.
Namjoon is still silent, grip on the steering wheel tight as he drives back to the house. Seokjin glances at him a few times, but Namjoon’s gaze remains straight ahead, and his jaw remains clenched.
“Joon,” Seokjin tries at one point, but Namjoon shows no sign of hearing him.
Seokjin leans back in his seat, pressing his lips together as he tries not to cry. His hands are shaking as he holds his small bag with his prescription in his lap.
He can’t believe this is happening.
They get back to the house, and Namjoon climbs out of the car without a word. Seokjin doesn’t move from the passenger seat, watching him walk inside.
Seokjin takes a moment to collect himself before climbing out of the car and hurrying after him. He finds Namjoon in the living room, standing by the windows with his arms crossed over his chest as he stares out.
“Joon.”
Nothing.
“Namjoon, please .”
Namjoon finally turns to look at him. “I’m sorry. I’m just — I’m just trying to process. How could this happen? We — we were so careful—”
Seokjin drops into one of the chairs, resting his elbows on his knees and rubbing his temples. “I don’t know.”
“This is the last thing we need right now,” Namjoon exclaims, starting to pace. “We talked about this. We didn’t want this for another few years. We’re not ready for something like this! We’re barely ready to be married. I still have to convince my family about that, and now I’m going to have to tell them about this? This — this is not okay, Seokjin!”
“It’s not like I planned for this,” Seokjin forces out, shrinking in on himself a little at Namjoon’s sudden anger.
But Namjoon continues like he hasn’t heard him. “This is not okay. I don’t want to be a parent yet. I have enough to deal with right now. I already have too much on my plate. Work is a lot, and I can’t — I can’t have a baby to worry about, too! This — this is not okay.”
Seokjin stands. “You can keep saying it’s not okay, but that’s not going to make this go away. This is happening, Joon.”
Namjoon presses his lips together, shaking his head as he looks at him. He places his hands on his hips and looks away.
“Joon,” Seokjin says softly, desperately trying to get him to look at him. “I… I know that this isn’t ideal. I get that. But I can’t apologize for something that is out of my control. It’s not like I did this to you. I’m just as surprised as you are.”
Namjoon doesn’t say anything.
Seokjin places a hand over his stomach. “I know that this isn’t ideal,” he says again. “That this isn’t the timing we wanted, but Joon, we’re going to be parents . And I know it’s scary and unplanned, but it can be a good thing.”
Namjoon shoulders deflate and he drops his gaze. “I’m sorry, Seokin, but I can’t be happy about this. Not right now. I’m going to need some time.”
“You don’t think I’m scared?” Seokjin exclaims as he gestures toward himself. “That I’m not absolutely terrified? You’re not the only one who has a big career! You’re not the only one who has things to lose here!”
“I know!” Namjoon shouts. “I know that this doesn’t just affect me! This isn’t what we agreed to! We agreed to wait. To get married, to focus on our careers. We agreed that we wouldn’t do this until we were both ready!”
“Stop acting like this is something I did to you!”
“Then stop acting like you aren’t happy about this!”
Seokjin takes a step back, looking at Namjoon in disbelief. “You think I’m happy about this?”
“Yes!” Namjoon says stubbornly. “This is exactly what you wanted. You wanted to start a family. I’m the one who wanted to wait. So don’t try to pretend like this isn’t what you want.”
“None of this is what I want,” Seokjin chokes out. “How can I be happy about this when you’re so upset about it? Do you think I like seeing you this upset? That I feel some sort of satisfaction or victory? I agreed to wait to start a family. I agreed with you. Stop talking to me like I went behind your back. I’m just as caught off guard as you are by this, and I’m fucking terrified . And the last thing I need is you yelling at me!” He breaks then, reaching up to wipe at the tears rolling down his cheeks. “I need your support . I’m scared, and I hate that you’re so unhappy, and I feel like this is all my fault even though I didn’t do anything wrong. The condom broke, Namjoon.”
Namjoon stares at him for a long moment, clearly conflicted, before dropping his gaze. “We should pack up and head home,” he says quietly. “We can talk more later when we’ve both cooled off.”
He walks to the bedroom without another word, and Seokjin sinks back into the chair, bringing a hand to his mouth to suppress his cries.
He can’t believe this is happening.
—
The ride home is mostly quiet. Namjoon’s body slowly loses it’s tension as he drives, and at one point, he reaches over to take hold of Seokjin’s hand.
When he does, Seokjin exhales a breath of relief he hadn’t even realized he was holding and holds his hand tightly.
“I’m sorry I freaked out,” Namjoon says softly. “I’m just… this is a lot.”
“I know,” Seokjin replies, squeezing his hand. “It’s a lot for me, too. I… I don’t even know what to think or how to feel right now. I keep pinching myself or waiting for someone to jump out and say we’ve been punked or something.”
“But you’re happy, at least a little, aren’t you?”
Seokjin looks at him. “Is that really such a bad thing?” He sighs when Namjoon doesn’t say anything. “It’s not ideal. I get that. I did agree with you that we should wait. But I’m never going to be completely devastated about the thought of you and I starting a family together. I know this isn’t the timing that we wanted, and that this is going to make some things difficult, but we’re going to have a baby , Namjoon, and yeah, I’m a little happy about it. I’m terrified about what comes next, but I’m also... kind of excited about it... is that so horrible?”
“No, of course not,” Namjoon says quickly. He exhales slowly. “It’s not horrible. It’s just…”
“Poor timing,” Seokjin supplies.
“Yeah,” Namjoon says quietly. “Poor timing.”
They drive the rest of the way in silence.
When they get to the apartment, the valet is quick to run out to greet them. Some people grab their luggage while the valet parks their car.
Seokjin used to protest against the help when he first moved in with Namjoon, not used to it and not understanding why people insisted on helping him with things like carrying groceries inside. But he’s used to it now, and he stopped fighting against it a long time ago.
Once they are inside, Namjoon tips the staff, and then they are alone in their apartment. The silence is deafening.
Seokjin walks past Namjoon, going into their bedroom to start unpacking his bags. Namjoon doesn’t follow, and when Seokjin peeks out a little while later, he sees him sitting at the kitchen island, typing away on his laptop.
Seokjin fiddles with his sleeve, hovering in the entryway as he watches him. Namjoon is tense again, shoulders stressed and eyebrows pinched together as he reads something. It’s a common sight, but Seokjin hates thinking he might have added to the stress rather than relieving him of it.
He steps into the kitchen, careful to be quiet as to not disturb Namjoon as he works. He opens the fridge to see what food they have, but then decides he’s too tired to cook anything.
Seokjin shuts the fridge and turns to Namjoon. “I’m going to order some takeout. Do you want anything?”
“Sure.”
Seokjin doesn’t press him any further, knowing all of Namjoon’s usual orders. Just as he has finished ordering, Namjoon closes his laptop and looks at him.
“Can we talk?”
Seokjin looks up from his phone, shoving it in his pocket and looking at Namjoon. “Of course.”
Namjoon sighs softly, pressing his lips together for a moment as he thinks, as if he’s trying to carefully choose his words. “Can we keep this between us for now?”
Seokjin blinks, tilting his head to the side. “This? You mean me being pregnant?”
“Yeah,” Namjoon says. “I know that’s a lot to ask, and I hate that I am even having to ask you this. But while we take time to process, and I figure out what we’re going to do, I’d like to keep this just between you and me for now.”
Seokjin frowns a little. He’s never kept anything from Jungkook before, and the thought of keeping something like this from him feels wrong, but he also understands why Namjoon is asking him this.
It’s different in Namjoon’s world. A pregnancy announcement is a big deal, and announcing one before they’ve even announced their engagement would be considered scandalous. It could hurt his reputation.
His heart clenches at the thought, and he drops his gaze. “Yeah, of course. I can do that.”
Namjoon exhales in relief, walking around the kitchen island to kiss Seokjin’s temple. “Thank you.”
“Are you going to tell your parents?”
“I’m going to have to,” Namjoon says, rubbing his hand along Seokjin’s back and resting his chin on the top of Seokjin’s head.
“Should we do it together?”
“No. I should tell them alone. They are… they are not going to be happy about this. And I don’t want you near my mother until I’ve talked with her about how she treats you.”
Seokjin sighs, leaning into Namjoon. He tilts his head back to look up at him. “Are you sad?”
Namjoon looks down at him for a long moment. “No. I’m not sad. Just…”
“Processing.”
“Yeah. Processing.”
Seokjin separates himself from Namjoon. “I’m going to go lay down until the food gets here.”
“Okay,” Namjoon replies, already distracted as he returns to his laptop.
Seokjin walks into the bedroom, climbing into the bed and pulling the blankets up to his chin. He lays on his side, knees bent and a hand resting on his stomach. He turns his face into the pillow to muffle his cries as the day catches up to him. He feels completely overwhelmed, torn between joy and fear.
He’s scared of what is going to happen next, but he’s also determined to face it head on.
As long as he has Namjoon by his side, he can get through anything.