Paradise

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/14749740.

Rating: Not Rated

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: M/M
Fandom: | Bangtan Boys | BTS
Relationship: Kim Namjoon | RM/Kim Seokjin | Jin
Character: Kim Namjoon | RM, Kim Seokjin | Jin, Kim Taehyung | V, Min Yoongi |
Suga, Jeon Jungkook
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Fashion designer Kim Seokjin, CEO Kim Namjoon,
Cheating, Angst, scandals, Bad decisions are made, Moral Ambiguity,
Top Kim Namjoon | RM, Bottom Kim Seokjin | Jin, Anal Sex, Anal
Fingering, Butt Plugs, Spanking, Blow Jobs, Hate Sex, Hate to Love,
background yoonmin, background taekook - Freeform, minor namseok,
discussions on cheating, Open Marriage, jin is married, but it's
complicated
Stats: Published: 2018-05-25 Completed: 2018-10-16 Chapters: 12/12 Words:
31914

Paradise
by saengie

Summary

Namjoon met Seokjin at Fashion Week in New York. He knew the fashion designer by
name, but not by reputation. Charmed by a smile, lured in by bedroom eyes, and enamored
by unrivaled wit. He hadn't expected things could go so wrong when it felt so right.

Notes
See the end of the work for notes
 New York

Kim Namjoon hadn’t sought fame, but it hadn’t really been his choice. Not when his grandfather
had been the CEO of one of the largest media groups in South Korea. Growing up, he knew his
place was at the head of the line for succession after his father, but the concept was so distant into
the future that it never sunk in that one day he would run the company.

Namjoon was a practical man, did well in school, graduated college with honors and a degree in
business management (and a minor in design but his parents didn’t need to know about that). He
was set to take over in twenty years, figured he had time to play a bit before he had to get serious.

But tragedy struck when the car that was carrying his entire family was struck by a drunk driver.
Overnight, Namjoon became a household name, his face all over newspapers and mobile sites. He
could no longer just walk down the street to the park like he used to. Too many people recognized
the young CEO. He was a star by birthright and circumstance. More to the fact, he was a
young, single CEO.

So, dodging swarms of young, available women looking to land the hottest bachelor in town had
become Namjoon’s new life. Of course all kinds of rumors swirled about him, that he had a
girlfriend or a secret wife. But gay? That was too ridiculous to believe the only son of a prominent
family couldn’t be gay.

Namjoon never denied the rumors, nor did he confirm anything. No one needed to know specifics
about his life.

Going to fashion week in New York hadn’t been his idea of the best vacation, but Taehyung had
insisted. Taehyung being an old friend from college who he had dated off and on a few times but
they were better off friends.

“Why would I want to go to fashion week? Why would I want to go to New York? There’s runway
shows here just as good,” Namjoon complained. “If this is just a ruse to get you close to that
photographer, Tae, I’ll kill you. Will he be there?”

Taehyung, who was lounging on Namjoon’s desk, avoided looking at his friend. “There may be an
appearance by one Jeon Jungkook, official Vogue photographer, but Namjoon, it’s New York. I’m
getting so bored of Seoul fashion.”

“So? Go to Tokyo then, or Hong Kong,” Namjoon rolled his eyes. “Why go to the other side of the
world?”

“Because I’ve never been,” Taehyung said. “And neither have you. What happened, I thought
Fashion Week was one of your goals?”

“Dreams Tae, and dreams take backseats to obligation,” Namjoon said, heaving a sigh. He was too
young for this really. He knew so little about the field and he couldn’t ask questions and appear
weak in front of the staff. Especially the vultures on the board. He couldn’t lose everything his
family had worked for.

“Namjoon, it’s been a year,” Taehyung said, his tone softer. “You need a vacation. You’re going to
burn yourself out.”

“I’ll think about it,” Namjoon said, considering the matter closed for now. He had spreadsheets to
figure out first.
Namjoon did consider his words over the next few days as promised, and maybe Taehyung was
right and he needed a break. When was the last time he’d even taken a day off? Two months ago?
Three? He’d lost track of the days and weeks, locked away in his office. Maybe a trip would be
good for him to clear his head.

Being the CEO made things easy enough to take time off, and Namjoon didn’t doubt that the
subordinates would manage without him for a week. They practically ran the company anyway. He
took his laptop and phone with him anyway just in case there was an emergency, but he hoped he
didn’t have to use them.

Despite the long flight and two layovers, by the time Namjoon and Taehyung landed in New York,
Namjoon felt better than he had in months. Work weighed on his mind, but he knew he didn’t have
to focus on it if he didn’t want to.

They had a couple of days to themselves first, enough time for Namjoon to sleep off the jet lag and
reorient himself to the time difference. So far, he could say he was enjoying himself in the city, just
shopping and eating at small restaurants. He didn’t know where Taehyung spent most of his time,
but they at least came back together to have dinner every night.

Namjoon was beginning to think maybe Taehyung had been right, he needed this.

When Namjoon and Taehyung were still in college, they’d dreamed of going to every runway show
in europe and in New York. Namjoon may have gone to school for business, but he could say one
of his first loves was for fashion. He liked putting together outfits, maybe even had a secret
instagram account he posted them to. So sitting front row at the runway of the biggest fashion
show in the north american continent was something of a dream come true.

Taehyung had disappeared on him again, but considering Taehyung had caught glimpse of the
entire reason for the trip setting up his camera, he didn’t expect to see him again for a while. So he
made do, sitting patiently in his seat and waited for the show to start.

“Which collection?” the man seated next to Namjoon asked and Namjoon looked up from his
program to blink at him. The man had spoken in korean and that had startled Namjoon a little, but
the good looking angelic face that was smiling at him startled him even more. Plush lips, droopy
doe eyes and a smile that could stop traffic and all of it was targeted right at Namjoon.

“Excuse me?” Namjoon asked, his voice catching and he cleared his throat in embarrassment.

“Which collection are you here to see? I personally can’t wait to see Zimmerman, the pieces in the
previews were the best interpretation of modern Victorianism I’ve seen in years,” the man said and
Namjoon had no idea what he was talking about. He didn’t recognize the name Zimmerman, but he
hadn’t been paying attention as much lately to new designers.

“I’m just here to see what’s new,” Namjoon said with a small shrug. “This is a vacation for me.”

“Vacation?” the man seemed amused, throwing his head back and laughing, the sound like battered
church bells and hell if Namjoon wasn’t endeared by it. “I don’t think I’ve heard anyone go to a
runway for a vacation. What is it you do? I’m Seokjin by the way, Kim Seokjin.”

Namjoon blinked at the name, something tugging at his memory. He knew the name but didn’t
know why.

“Kim Namjoon, and I’m in media,” Namjoon said.

“Namjoon? The KTV heir?” Seokjin’s eyes widened. “Oh you are so much cuter in person, I
almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Oh, yeah that… that’s me,” Namjoon grimaced, rubbing at the back of his head. Thousands of
miles from home on another continent and he was still getting recognized.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone else your secret,” Seokjin said, patting his hand. “I’m trying to
stay off of people’s radars as well, but the paparazzi followed me here.”

Namjoon wanted to ask why, but then it hit him like a two by four to the face. Seokjin. Kim
Seokjin. The biggest designer in Seoul. “You’re…” he pointed a finger at Seokjin who just
laughed.

“Was wondering if you knew me or not, most people at these things do,” Seokjin said. “Dispatch
followed me here, so be careful.”

“Shit,” Namjoon groaned and looked around, trying to catch the usual photographer Dispatch sent
around after korean celebrities abroad.

“What, afraid there’ll be rumors if we’re seen together?” Seokjin asked and when Namjoon looked
back at him, he swore there was a dark glint to the designer’s eye. “I’m kidding.”

“Well it does look strange that two of the biggest names in Seoul are sitting next to each other on
accident,” Namjoon said with a snort. “But I guess stranger things have happened.”

“I suppose so,” Seokjin hummed, and his gaze lingered so long on Namjoon that he was beginning
to wonder if there was something in his teeth.

He was saved by the lights of the room dimming and the stage lights brightening. Music slowly
rose in volume, a hard electronic beat and the first models were hitting the runway.

Namjoon did try to pay attention to the show, but sitting next to Seokjin was distracting. The way
the light was hitting his face, illuminating his profile like he was an angel. It had been a long time
since Namjoon had met anyone he thought was attractive in such a way that was mesmerizing. But
he knew better than to make assumptions about someone like Seokjin, and a wrong move here with
so many cameras could ruin not only his reputation, but Seokjin’s as well.

It was hard to concentrate though, and it didn’t help that Seokjin had seemed to lose interest in the
current collection because his attention was back on Namjoon.

“So, what plans do you have for the rest of the day?” Seokjin asked. The question was innocent
enough and Namjoon just shrugged.

“Nothing really, probably heading back to the hotel room,” Namjoon said, looking around for
Taehyung again. “Without my friend probably.”

“You’re not traveling alone?” Seokjin had leaned in to be heard over the music without having to
raise his voice.

“I’m here with an old friend, but he has his eyes set on a photographer,” Namjoon replied, tensing
slightly because now Seokjin’s arm was behind him on the back of his chair. “That’s why we’re
here, so he could have an excuse to talk to him.”

“Him?” Seokjin was so close that Namjoon thought for sure that he could feel Seokjin’s breath on
his collar.
“Yeah, a him,” Namjoon said and risked a glance over at the designer. “Is that a problem?”

Seokjin’s smile was warm as he leaned in closer. “Not in the least,” he said against Namjoon’s ear.
“Am I wrong about you?”

Taking in a slow breath, Namjoon let it out shakily and gave a small shake of his head. “No,” he
said, turning fully and coming face to face with Seokjin. “I don’t think you are.”

“Good to know,” Seokjin chuckled and pulled back. “Want to get dinner afterward then? Since
neither of us having anything to… do, later.”

Namjoon knew there was an implication there and hell if he wasn’t going to take it. Seokjin was
hot as fuck. How long had it been since he’d let his libido make the decisions? Longer than he’d
like.

Besides, they were in a different country, and one small reporter wasn’t going to get in the way of
him and some ass.

It seemed that Seokjin was on the same page, though maybe a few paragraphs ahead because his
hand moved from the back of Namjoon’s chair to slide down his back. He didn’t show any reaction
except a subtle look at Seokjin who just smirked and squeezed his ass.

“I think something’s come up,” Namjoon said, leaning closer to him. “I might have a thing to do
after all.”

“That so? What?” Seokjin’s smile grew and leaned in when Namjoon crooked a finger at him.

“You,” Namjoon whispered into his ear and he could see the gulp of Seokjin’s adam apple as he
swallowed roughly. “Maybe we should get out of here, beat the traffic.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Seokjin nodded, already gathering his things.

When Namjoon awoke the next morning, he wasn’t surprised to find himself alone. Seokjin had
told him he had to leave early to get to a meeting, but it was still a little disheartening. He knew he
slept like a log and didn’t wake easily, but he wished he’d been able to wake up before Seokjin left.
If nothing else to get his number.

Thinking of his phone, Namjoon pulled back the covers and eased himself out of bed. He rubbed at
his neck, not needing a mirror to know it was marked up, same as his shoulders and by the pull on
his back there were scratches across his shoulder blades. Small souvenirs of a great memory.

What surprised him more was that Seokjin had sent him a text, as well as added himself to
Namjoon’s contacts.

Sorry to bolt, but I had fun ;*

Let’s meet up when we get back to Seoul, have that dinner

Namjoon chuckled a little, replying that he would like that before moving on to his other messages.
There was one from Taehyung telling him not to wait up. There were a few from Yoongi and
Namjoon frowned. It wasn’t like Yoongi to send one text let alone several.

They were all the same:

call me
call me now
fucker, answer your damn phone

Turned out there were several missed calls from his best friend, and one from his best friend’s
boyfriend, Jimin. What the hell was going on? Namjoon knew the time different didn’t matter,
Yoongi was likely to be awake so he called.

”You fucking moron, what are you doing? In New York? In broad view of the paprazzi? Are you
really that dumb?” Yoongi started out yelling and Namjoon was confused, even more now.

“Yoongi? What’s going on?” Namjoon asked, pulling the phone away when Yoongi started yelling
again.

”You’re all over the goddamn news is what’s wrong! You and Kim Seokjin? Going to a hotel?
You knew the media was there asshole, what were you thinking?!”

Namjoon’s heart dropped and he fumbled with his phone to open up his laptop. It seemed like the
thing was going slow on purpose before the wifi reconnected and he could open a browser.

The news splash page was plastered with his picture. Him and Seokjin at the fashion show, of
flirting and smiling at each other, when they got up to leave. Pictures of them walking down the
street together, of heading into a hotel. Namjoon heard Yoongi yelling at him more but he couldn’t
focus on that now. One headline had caught his eye and the phone slid out of his hand onto the
floor.

Calls to the reps for Kim Seokjin’s wife have gone unanswered. Is there trouble in paradise?
 Room 732

“I’m not coming back to Korea,” Namjoon said, tapping his finger on the chair arm as he listened
to grumbling and swearing on the other end of the line.

”You need to Namjoon, the media is in a frenzy over this,” Yoongi huffed. “I’m doing everything I
can to keep them at bay but you have to come home and make a statement.”

“I don’t need to do anything of the sort,” Namjoon frowned. The laptop had been slammed shut
and not turned on again. He didn’t think he could take reading another article about Seokjin or
Seokjin’s wife. There had been shots of her as well, hands over her face as she was escorted from
her home to a waiting car.

”I would highly advise you make some kind of statement,” Yoongi said. ”Before Seokjin can. If he
puts out something first it will turn into an even bigger circus.”

That struck Namjoon as odd and his lips turned down into a frown. “Why is that?”

”You’ve never heard any of the rumors about Seokjin? He’s pretty infamous in the gay community
here for being a fuck boy. He’s married but picks up young gay guys for one night then tosses them
to the side.”

That information didn’t help Namjoon, but it did answer a few questions. “I’ve never heard any of
this Yoongi, you know I don’t exactly date.”

”No shit.” Namjoon could hear Yoongi rolling his eyes. “ Should have just let Jimin set you up
with that guy from his work, the dancer? Jimin says he’s pretty flexible.”

Namjoon groaned and rubbed at his forehead. “You really think I want to even think about dating
right now? This experience has taught me a valuable lesson Yoongi, dating isn't worth it and hook
ups are definitely not worth it.”

”You’re my friend Namjoon, and I’m doing my best as your manager of public relations to bury
this as quickly as possible, but you have to make a statement.” There was a finality in Yoongi’s
tone, the kind that not even Namjoon would dare go against.

“Alright, I’ll get something written up and sent over,” Namjoon said in resignation. “We’ll
emphasize it was just a friendly meeting, we talked, had a few drinks and dinner. That’s it.”

”I’m not even going to ask if that’s what really happened, plausible deniability and all,” Yoongi
replied. ”I’m going to get in contact with Seokjin’s reps to coordinate our stories. Hopefully he’ll
cooperate. He’s been known to tell the truth before.”

“Considering he lied to me, I find that interesting,” Namjoon said, tone flat. “I’m sorry for this
mes Yoongi, I know you were looking forward toa stress free couple of weeks with me out of your
hair.”

”It’s fine Namjoon, I’m used to cleaning up your messes. Do us both a favor though, and just stick
to your hotel for the remainder of your trip, okay?”

“That’s what I plan to do,” Namjoon snorted.

Saying goodbye and hanging up, Namjoon lay back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. This
trip was already far more than he had bargained for, and he still had a week and a half to go.

Taehyung had been made aware of the situation, how Namjoon didn’t ask, but the younger came
back a few hours before dinner.

“Oh my god Namjoon, how did this happen?” Taehyung asked when he was through the door, a
lost puppy on his heels.

“You left me alone,” Namjoon said, pointing an accusing finger at him.

“How was I supposed to know you were going to stick your dick in the first ass that came your
way?” Taehyung huffed, hands on hips. “But Seokjin? Of all people?”

“Does everyone know about what this guy does besides me?” Namjoon groaned, flopping onto his
back again. “I made a mistake, but it’ll be smoothed over by the morning.”

“You better hope so,” Taehyung said, hopping up onto the bed and look down at him. “Everyone
knows about Seokjin because everyone’s dated him, or well… had a thing with him.”

“Even you?” Namjoon asked, lips pursed.

“Not me, no, I’m not dumb and stay away from him,” Taehyung said, but pointed at the puppy he’d
brought home with him. “Jungkook knows him though, don’t you?”

“Just about every photographer, gay and straight, have um… been with him,” Jungkook said,
scratching at his neck. “I mean, he’s a nice guy, and he’s usually pretty upfront about what he
wants and how it’s only a one time thing.”

Namjoon sat up and looked at Jungkook curiously. “He never said anything about it being a one
time thing,” he said in confusion. “In fact, he put his number in my phone and told me to contact
him when we got back to Seoul.”

Taehyung and Jungkook exchanged glances before Jungkook shrugged a little at Namjoon. “I
don’t know what to make of that. I don’t think anyone’s gotten his number before. Well I can’t say
nobody, but not many?”

“Have you tried to get a hold of him since the news broke?” Taehyung asked and Namjoon shook
his head.

“No, I woke up and called Yoongi first thing,” Namjoon said. “He’s going to handle it, probably
be a good idea not to contact him again.”

“Probably,” Taehyung agreed. “Well, what are you going to do now?”

“Order room service and go to bed,” Namjoon said. “Yoongi doesn’t want me leaving the hotel
room until it’s time to leave.”

“That sounds boring,” Taehyung made a face. “I was going to see if you wanted to catch a show
with me and Jungkook. He’s leaving in a few days so we’re making the most out of being in New
York, going to go see Hamilton.”

“Do either of you know enough english to understand what they’ll be saying?” Namjoon asked,
looking at them with a raised brow as Taehyung got up.
“Nope, but that’s sort of half the fun,” Taehyung said. “It’s a musical, don’t need to understand to
enjoy music.”

“True,” Namjoon nodded, but he was pretty sure the show was more than just music and dancing.
Truthfully it was something he wanted to see while he was here, maybe he’d sneak out in a few
days.

The two left shortly thereafter and Namjoon was left alone with his thoughts. Well, his thoughts,
the dinner he’d ordered through room service, and a movie on pay per view.

Namjoon wasn’t trying to let any of the scandal bother him. Yoongi would handle the press. They
were a powerful enough company in broadcasting to make a scandal as minor as this go away.
Namjoon didn’t like the idea of that, but in this instance, it was kind of necessity. It wasn’t just
Namjoon’s reputation on the line. His thoughts kept going back to the images of Seokjin’s wife. She
didn’t deserve what her husband was doing to her.

Near the end of the movie, Namjoon was blissfully relaxed into the pillows and comforter when
there was a knock on the door. He wanted to ignore it, hoping it was someone who had the wrong
room because he wasn’t expecting anyone.

But the knocks didn’t go away so Namjoon sighed and rolled himself out of the nest he’d made for
himself.

The last person he expected to see when he opened the door was Kim Seokjin. Namjoon’s
expression hardened. He wasn’t a violent man, but he’d never had such an urge to hit someone like
he did in that moment. “What do you want?”

“You didn’t reply to my texts,” Seokjin said, trying a smile but it lacked emotion behind it. “I
figured I owed you an explanation.”

“I think I know enough to figure it out,” Namjoon replied icily. “You should leave, I don’t have
anything more to say to you.”

“But I have more to say to you,” Seokjin said, taking a half a step forward. “I know, you’ve heard
some horrible things the past few hours and I’m sorry I didn’t warn you about any of it. Please, let
me in, let me explain.”

Namjoon should have shut the door on him and gone back to his comfortable bed. He should have
told him to go fuck himself for being an asshole. But he didn’t. Namjoon had questions he wanted
answers to and he didn't like leaving this unresolved between them despite what Yoongi had told
him.

Stepping back, he motioned for Seokjin to come in. “I hope none of the media saw you coming into
the hotel,” he said, shutting the door when the other man was in.

“Well, I am staying here too so that made this a little easier,” Seokjin said, sitting down on one of
the chairs in the seating area. “I take it you haven’t left the hotel either?”

“No, I’ve been pretty much grounded,” Namjoon said. He went to the minibar to get himself a
drink. He had a feeling he’d need it to get through this.

“Same,” Seokjin sighed. “I guess I should apologize again, for not telling you about… my
situation.”

“You mean your wife?” Namjoon said lightly, unscrewing the cap on a bottle of overpriced
whiskey. “How long have you been married?”

“Nine years,” Seokjin replied, seemingly interested in the cuticles on his left hand. “It was an
arranged marriage. Set up when we were in grade school. I know what you’re thinking, who does
that anymore? Well, old connected wealthy families, that’s who.”

“Nine years is a long time, does she… know what you do? Your dalliances?” Namjoon asked,
sitting down across from him.

“We have an agreement,” Seokjin said. “Long as I keep the affairs out of the news, then she’ll
continue to play the part of the happy wife.”

“That doesn’t seem very fair to her, what does she get out of it?” Namjoon frowned, sipping at his
drink.

“She gets her inheritance, provided we stay married for at least ten years and provide an heir for
both our families,” Seokjin said.

Namjoon’s eyes widened and he sat up a little more. “Do you have a child together?”

“We do, a daughter, she’ll be eight in afew months,” Seokjin said. “So in a few months, we’ll have
been married ten years and will have fulfilled the terms of our obligation towards each other.”

“And then what? You’ll divorce?” Namjoon shook his head. “What of you, what do you get?”

“I got a daughter, and protection from rumors that could kill my career,” Seokjin said. “I’ve
always been careful not to cause a scandal for her sake, and my daughter’s sake.”

“Except now,” Namjoon frowned. “Have you spoken with her?”

“Of course, I called her as soon as the first reports went up,” Seokjin said, his answers getting
shorter and his expression souring. “I’m not here to talk about my relationship with her other than
to tell you that it’s what she and I agreed on. We aren’t in love, never have been.”

“But you are dishonoring her and your vows, aren’t you? By cheating on her with half of the gay
men in Itaewon?” Namjoon asked incredulously.

“Is it cheating if it’s agreed upon?” Seokjin tilted his head. “We have what you would call an open
marriage. I am a bisexual man, who happens to prefer men more than women. She has a boyfriend,
they’ve been together for six years and will probably marry him shortly after the ink dries on our
divorce papers.”

“It still seems wrong,” Namjoon said. “If I had known then I would have brought you back here.”

“Well, good thing it doesn’t matter what you think about my marriage,” Seokjin said tersely. “This
is why I don’t do more than one night stands. I thought maybe you would be different but I can see
now you’re just like the rest of the men I’ve liked. Can’t see past what for me has been the best
thing to happen to my life.”

Namjoon’s expression hardened and he had to look away. “You should have told me regardless.”

Seokjin let out a weary sigh. “I know, I was wrong for that. I usually do. But I didn’t want anything
to ruin our moment together.”

“Evn finding out afterward ruins the moment,” Namjoon said. “You dragged me into a scandal
unwittingly. Our PR teams may be handling the fallout and telling the public we’re just friends, but
that doesn’t change the fact that we had sex under false pretenses.”

“Did you think it was more than a one night stand?” Seokjin asked. “Because for once, I didn’t.”

“At this point, it doesn’t matter what I think because I won’t get in the middle of this” Namjoon
shook his head. “Whatever I may have or may not have wanted from you means nothing. You have
a wife and a child and until this goes away, I’m going to be looked upon as a gay home wrecker by
some.”

“And that would be terrible,” Seokjin said quietly. “Rest assured you didn’t wreck much of
anything since there was nothing there to wreck.”

“Just my reputation, and your wife’s,” Namjoon replied shortly. “I think we’re done here, you can
leave.”

“Namjoon,” Seokjin said with a sigh. “I don’t want this to be the end. I’d like us to be friends.”

“I don’t,” Namjoon shook his head. “I’m new to my position still and I can’t have anymore
scandals like this. I made a mistake and let myself get caught up in something I shouldn’t have
because I was on vacation and thought for once I could take time for me. Turns out that isn’t an
option for me. It’s better if we don’t ever see each other again.”

“Very well, I’ll respect your decision,” Seokjin said, slowly getting to his feet. “For what it’s
worth, I enjoyed myself with you. In and out of bed. I thought you and I could have something very
special. But I understand. I wish you luck.”

“You too,” Namjoon nodded, but his heart wasn’t in the words. At this point, he just wanted to
Seokjin gone.

Namjoon heard the door click closed behind Seokjin and he let out a heavy sigh. It hurt him more
than he thought it could sending him away. He did like Seokjin, had been looking forward to
maybe seeing him again. But now, he just wanted this whole mess to be over and to go back to his
daily routine. He’d learned a painful lesson: happiness and success weren’t compatible.

Picking up his phone, he went into his contacts and scrolled down to Seokjin’s number. His thumb
hovered over the delete button. It was for the best.
 The Village
Chapter Notes

tags have been updated for this chapter

“It’s been a week Namjoon, you haven’t left the hotel in a week,” Taehyung said, lounging on
namjoon’s bed. “We’re leaving tomorrow, let’s go have just one night of fun.”

“I already had one night of fun and look where it got me,” Namjoon said, not bothering to look up
from his laptop. He’d gotten curious about the news after Yoongi had handled the situation. Most
of the articles had vanished from the front pages quickly, and even the forums seemed to have
moved on from the scandal.

“A blip in the news about going out with someone for drinks,” Taehyung answered. “It was not the
big scandal you thought it would be, no one cared.”

“I cared,” Namjoon replied flatly. “It was my reputation on the line, my company’s reputation
too.”

“And nothing happened, you’re worrying for nothing,” Taehyung sighed. “Even Yoongi said you
were in the clear right? That you didn’t need to keep your head down anymore? Come on, I’m
asking this as a favor as your long time friend. You need to go out, clear your head. This was your
vacation and you let one night put a damper on it.”

“I know it makes no difference to you if you end up on a front page, but it matters to me,”
Namjoon sighed. “I never asked for this life, to be something I’m not, to have paparazzi
questioning my every move.”

“I know, but you’ve got the best PR manager in the industry,” Taehyung said. “I’ve never met
anyone can bullshit as effectively as him and get away with it. No matter what you get caught
doing or what people think you’re doing, he’ll make sure they know they’re wrong, even if they’re
right.”

“Doesn’t mean I should put him in that position if I don’t have to,” Namjoon said.

“Namjoon, no one knows who you are here,” Taehyung said. “That one photographer is gone,
Jungkook knows him, he’s already back in Seoul. American news don’t care about you and we’re
going to a club, who’s going to know you there?”

Namjoon sighed, closing his laptop. “You know I’m not big on clubs.”

“Neither am I, but we only live once Namjoon, and unlike you I’m making every moment of this
trip,” Taehyung said, hopping up to his feet. “Jungkook’ll be here in ten minutes, get ready to go.”

“I didn’t agree to go,” Namjoon called after him as Taehyung headed for the door.

“Ten minutes!” Taehyung shot back over his shoulder. Namjoon gave a frustrated groan, rubbing
at his face. He was going to regret this.
Namjoon had been to clubs before. He’d spent most of his weekend nights in college at clubs. Gay,
straight, whichever had the best music and cheapest drinks. He wasn’t that picky then, and
considering he knew very little of New York then he wasn’t going to be picky here either.

But he knew a gay bar when saw it, because of course Taehyung would drag him to a gay bar after
he had a gay scandal. Namjoon was not a violent man by any stretch of the imagination, but he
wanted to throttle Taehyung and probably would have if he wasn’t attached to Jungkook’s overly
muscled arm.

After a half hour though, Namjoon maybe wasn’t as unhappy with Taehyung as he thought he
would be. The atmosphere was pretty relaxed, the music was good, and the drinks weren’t watered
down. Namjoon had no intention of getting drunk, that was the last thing he needed was to get
caught making out with someone he didn’t even know in a back alley somewhere in the Village.

Of course, all good things come to an end because while seated at the bar, Namjoon looked over to
see Seokjin leaning up against the bar next to him, trying to get the bartender’s attention.

“You have to be kidding me,” Namjoon groaned a little too loudly because Seokjin looked over at
him and blinked.

“Namjoon? What are you doing here?” Seokjin asked, puzzled.

“I was having a drink,” Namjoon said, finishing off his glass and getting to his feet. “But now I’m
leaving.”

Seokjin’s hand grasped Namjoon’s arm and held him tight. Seokjin didn’t look like much more
than broad shoulders, but Namjoon knew all too well what kind of physique he was hiding under
those clothes.

“Let go,” Namjoon said, eyeing the hand on him before looking up at Seokjin’s face. There was a
small twinge in his chest meeting those eyes and he quickly batted it away.

“Let me buy you a drink, as an apology,” Seokjin said. “Please?”

“I think you’ve done more than enough,” Namjoon said icily, but Seokjin’s hand remained firm.

“You’re still mad at me,” Seokjin’s shoulders sagged.

“Yeah, I’m still mad,” Namjoon tugged at his arm again. “You lied to me, ruined my vacation, and
almost ruined my life.”

“But I didn’t, everything got smoothed over,” Seokjin said. “As far as anyone knows, we’re just
friends, and I really want us to be. Wouldn’t it look better if we were at least cordial to one another?
Have drinks every now and then?”

Namjoon sucked in a breathe to buy him time. That urge to hit something was back. “We’re not
friends, not after what you did.”

“I want to make this up to you, please,” Seokjin said, his doe eyes wide and sad.

“One drink, and then I’m gone,” Namjoon said. One drink couldn’t hurt, and if Seokjin wanted to
get something off his chest then he could do so and then they’d never have to talk again. It wasn’t
ideal, but if it meant Seokjin wouldn’t hound him again then he could manage. It was just one
drink.

Namjoon hadn’t intended to really listen to what the man said, but he couldn’t just ignore him
either.

“You’re the only one I was scared to tell,” Seokjin said. “That if you knew the truth, that you
wouldn’t let me kiss you.”

“No, I wouldn’t have,” Namjoon said, breaking his own rule not to engage in conversation.
“You’re the first one in a long time I thought I had a connection with. But you’re-”

“Married I know,” Seokjin waved it off. “But you know now the whole story. So why be mad at
me still?”

“Because I don’t like being lied to, even a lie of omission,” Namjoon shook his head. “Makes me
think about what else you could be hiding.”

“You know everything now, I don’t want to keep secrets.” Seokjin had stared at him so intensely it
had made a flush creep up the back Namjoon’s neck. Those eyes and those lips were hard to say no
to.

“You’re still married,” Namjoon pointed out. “That’s a hard thing to get past.”

“It’s not a real marriage, and it never will be.” Namjoon could tell Seokjin was laying it on thick,
desperate for Namjoon to forgive him.

“Then I don’t think there’s anything else we need to say,” Namjoon said. Seokjin fell quiet, and
Namjoon took a breath.

Namjoon was true to his word, he only had one drink. He let Taehyung know he was leaving first,
too tired and too overstimulated from loud music and too many people. He wasn’t surprised to find
Seokjin waiting out at the street.

“We can share a cab?” Seokjin suggested as he flagged one down. “We’re heading back to the
same place after all.”

Namjoon really wanted to argue, really didn’t want to be in that close of proximity to Seokjin, but
he nodded. At least Seokjin seemed to understand he didn’t want more conversation, the cab silent
except for the cab driver’s music. His hands clenched and unclenched.

Even in the elevator at the hotel, Seokjin just leaned up against the wall after selecting his floor,
arms crossed. Namjoon knew he was staring at him, but refused to look over. He couldn’t let
Seokjin win.

Opening the hotel room door, he turned to look back at Seokjin who stood just on the other side of
the threshold, a question in his eyes.

“You sure…?”
Namjoon reached out, curling his fingers into Seokjin’s too nice of a dress shirt and pulled him into
the room. The door slammed shut and he pushed Seokjin up against it. He knew this was wrong,
that he should have left the bar when he first saw the older man, not let him talk to him. Not let
him look at him with those eyes or talk to him with those lips.

He had Seokjin pressed up against the door, but was just staring into his eyes, his jaw working as
he continued to war with himself. He’d been back and forth about this the whole cab ride over. He
shouldn’t be doing this.

“Namjoon?” Seokjin whispered, his hand curling over Namjoon’s hips and gently urging him
forward. “Kiss me.”

Tsking in annoyance, Namjoon leaned in and captured Seokjin’s lips in a heated, dominating kiss.
Like before, it was hot, searing, but playful. Seokjin knew how to work his lips and tongue that had
Namjoon fighting to keep his sanity. The hands that had kept Seokjin pinned to the door were
moving down to his waist, tugging at the button down to slip it out of his slacks.

Seokjin hummed in appreciation, his hips rocking forward enough that had Namjoon grunting.

“Don’t do that,” Namjoon grumbled, nearly ripping Seokjin’s shirt off in his haste to get the
buttons undone.

“Do what?” Seokjin grinned against his mouth, nipping at his bottom. “This?” His hips rolled
again. “What are you going to do about it if I do?”

Namjoon pulled back and frowned at Seokjin before turning him around and shoving him back
against the door. “You’re testing me,” Namjoon said, unbuckling Jin’s belt and pants, shoving
them down to his knees. Seokjin managed to kick them off, just left in his open shirt.

“Seems like the only way to get a reaction out of you I like is if I make you mad,” Seokjin said,
wincing when Namjoon’s hand landed harshly on his bare ass. “See?”

“Maybe I should just open the door and shove you back out into the hall,” Namjoon said, rubbing
his hand over Seokjin’s hip. “Wouldn’t be a tenth of the humiliation I felt, but it’s a start.”

“You could,” Seokjin said, glancing over his shoulder at him. “Or you could fuck me. Hate sex is
fantastic.”

Namjoon’s eyes narrowed and he spanked him again, harder. “Is that why you were trying so hard?
Wanted me to fuck you so hard while cursing your name?”

“Yes,” Seokjin groaned, resting the side of his head against the door. His back arched a little,
pushing his ass out and back into Namjoon’s groin again. “You can’t tell me you don’t want to, I
know it’s all you’ve been thinking about the past week.”

Namjoon hated that he was right. Hated that he had let Seokjin get under his skin so easily. He
hated that all he could think about was fucking Seokjin, sliding into his tight ass again. He hated
that he’d jacked off to that image countless times all week. How could he not want this? Not want
Seokjin?

Most of all, he hated that he wanted Seokjin so bad, he was willing to overlook the fact that
Seokjin had a wife and a daughter waiting for him back home.

Growling slightly in frustration, Namjoon took Seokjin by the arm and propelled him into the
room. He pushed the elder towards the bed and onto it, finally ridding him of the ripped shirt
before frantically pulling his own off. Seokjin helped rid him of his pants and before too long
Namjoon had Seokjin on his knees at the edge of the bed.

“Are you still mad at me?” Seokjin asked, eyes locked on Namjoon’s as he slowly rolled down
Namjoon’s boxers, the strained fabric releasing his hard cock.

“Yes,” Namjoon said, breathing in and out harshly in anticipation. He knew Seokjin would be good
at this if his kissing was anything to go by and he was not disappointed. Seokjin leaned forward a
little, mouth open as he dragged his tongue along the underside of the shaft. Namjoon’s eyes
fluttered, his hand curling into Seokjin’s hair.

“Will this help me get into your good graces again?” Seokjin asked, lifting his hand to hold
Namjoon’s cock steady before closing his mouth over the head and slowly slid down the length.

Namjoon could feel his knees wanting to buckle as he let out a shaky sigh. “It’s… it’s a start,” he
managed to get out when Seokjin found a rhythm. It was a slow, tortuous long slide in and out and
Namjoon wanted nothing more than to hold Seokjin’s head steady and fuck his mouth.

Seokjin stilled, letting his jaw go slack and looked up at Namjoon with water eyes. Namjoon
hadn’t realized he’d said that last bit out loud and fuck if Seokjin didn’t look like the hottest thing
he’d ever seen right then. He hated himself for being so weak.

Holding Seokjin’s head in both of his hands, Namjoon slowly thrust in and out of his mouth,
amazed at how great it felt, how warm and wet it was. Namjoon groaned, his eyes closing as he
picked up the pace a little. Maybe he thrust a little deeper, a little too deep as Seokjin gagged
around his length and that had him pulling out. He didn’t really want to hurt Seokjin.

“Sorry,” he said, cradling Seokjin’s face in his hands and brushing his thumbs over the man’s
cheeks.

“Mmm, s’fine,” Seokjin grinned up at him, but his voice was a little hoarse.

Namjoon was having second thoughts, or would it be third thoughts at this point? Did he really
want to do this?

“Namjoon?” Seokjin sat up, taking Namjoon’s hands in his own. “I think you should fuck me
now.”

“I…” Namjoon faltered a little. “I don’t… maybe this is a bad idea.”

Seokjin’s expression pinched slightly but he gripped Namjoon’s hands tighter. “Namjoon, fuck me.
You know you want to. I want you to. I want you to fuck me so hard I can’t walk in the morning.
I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you, and I know you want me.”

“Doesn’t mean we should,” Namjoon said, but he felt what little resolve he had crumbling.

A mouth on your cock usually does that. Namjoon barely got his bearings again when Seokjin’s
mouth slid off and yelped when Seokjin slapped his thigh. “Fuck me.”

Scowling, Namjoon pushed Seokjin back and flipped him over onto his hands and knees. He was
startled to see something peeking out at him between Seokjin’s ass cheeks and spread them slightly
to see a small silver ball. Seokjin was plugged.

“You were planning to get fucked either way tonight huh?” Namjoon said, letting his thumb press
against the ball to push the plug in further. Seokjin’s head snapped back and he groaned. “That’s
why you were at the club hm? Wanted a dick to fill you up?”

“Yes,” Seokjin whimpered, his thighs shaking now that Namjoon was pulling the plug out and
pushing it back in. “Wanted you, was thinking of you. fuck, you have no idea… how much… how
much I want you. Was so happy to see you at the bar.”

“If I had turned you down back there, would you have asked someone else?” Namjoon asked, his
voice steady, a counterbalance to the way Seokjin was whimpering and wailing.

“No, yes, fuck I don’t know,” Seokjin said, shaking his head. “Doesn’t matter, just wanted you.”

“Hard to believe that, but I guess it makes this easier,” Namjoon said, grasping the plug tightly and
slowly easing it out. Lube oozed out of him and Namjoon groaned at the sight. “You’re so wet
Seokjin, I don’t even know if I’ll need lube.”

“Used a… a whole tube,” Seokjin said, his head pressed into the mattress. “I’m ready, so ready.”

Namjoon tossed the plug off the bed and reached over to the bedside table. Taehyung had left an
extra pack of condoms for whenever he and Jungkook were at the hotel room (which wasn’t often),
and Namjoon didn’t think Taehyung would mind if he used one. Rolling it on with one hand, he
slid a finger from the other hand into Seokjin’s hole and used the lube to slick himself up.

Pressing the head of his cock against Seokjin’s entrance, Namjoon hummed in appreciation at the
tight heat he slid into slowly. Seokjin had used a lot of lube, made the slide easy and Seokjin was
gasping for air as he babbled.

“So big, fuck you’re so big,” Seokjin’s eyes were rolled up in the back of his head and his fingers
were curled tightly into the sheets. “Feels so fucking good, fuck I never wan anyone else’s cock.”

Namjoon let him go on, though he seriously doubted Seokjin meant that last bit. “No?” Namjoon
mused when he bottomed out. He waited a moment to let Seokjin adjust and to calm himself down.
He was not going to finish too early. “You love my cock so much?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Seokjin whined, already rolling his hips slightly. “You have no idea, no idea how
good you feel.”

“Probably as good as you feel around me,” Namjoon said, kneading Seokjin’s ass. “What if I want
to hold you to that? What if I don’t want you fucking anyone else but me?”

Seokjin’s eyes focused and he turned his head a little more to look at Namjoon. “Then I won’t,” he
said. “Just you, only you.”

“I don’t believe you,” Namjoon hissed, beginning to move. “You’d cheat on your wife, how would
I know you wouldn’t cheat on me huh? How would I know you weren’t sucking dick every chance
you get?”

“Wouldn’t… wouldn’t I swear,” Seokjin gasped. “Please Namjoon.”

“Please what? What are you begging for already?” Namjoon asked, letting one hand run down
Seokjin’s broad back while he held him still with a hand on his hip. “I’m already fucking you, isn’t
that what you wanted? What more do you want from me?”

“Harder, fuck me harder,” Seokjin replied, his voice shaky. “Never stop.”

“I’ll have to stop sometime, you’ll have to go back to your wife,” Namjoon said bringing a hand
down on Seokjin’s ass again and smirking at the large red handprint he’d left. “Would you go back
to her and think of me while you fuck her? Think of my cock in you while you mount her?”

“No, no,” Seokjin shook his head, scrambling to get up to his forearms. “I don’t… we don’t…
fuck, Joon.”

“You don’t fuck her? That’s a lie, why do you keep lying to me?” Namjoon smacked his ass again,
and again. “Tell me, tell me you’ll think of me when you fuck her Seokjin.”

“Yes,” Seokjin wailed, his head bobbing limply with each harsh thrust.

“Good,” Namjoon held Seokjin still as he pounded into him. His anger and hurt fueling every snap
of his hips. He wanted Seokjin to feel this for days afterward. He wanted Seokjin to remember this.

Seokjin came untouched, screaming as he spilled onto the sheets below him. Namjoon flipped him
over onto his back and reentered, picking up the brutal pace he’d set again. Seokjin was beyond
sensitive, still not down from his high and was screaming. Namjoon’s lips curled in a snarl and he
leaned down to attack Seokjin’s neck with bites and sucks. He wanted everyone who saw Seokjin
to know that he’d been fucked so thoroughly. That someone owned him.

Namjoon didn’t last much longer, his whole body trembling as he pulled out and ripped the
condom off. Grasping his cock, he gave a few short pumps before he was coming all over
Seokjin’s belly and chest. Seokjin’s breathing was ragged and he stared up at Namjoon with huge
watery eyes. He looked completely fucked out and for a second, Namjoon was proud that he’d
done that to him.

But that moment didn’t last long and he sat back, limp cock in his hand.

“Shit… Namjoon,” Seokjin whispered, taking heaving breaths. “That was…”

“A mistake,” Namjoon cut him off. “I’ll get something to clean up.”

Getting off the bed, he ignored Seokjin’s protests for him to stop, going to the bathroom and
closing the door. He leaned his hands on the counter and just looked at himself in the mirror.

What had he done?

 Flight 7507

It’s funny the clarity that comes after a mind blowing orgasm. Thoughts and feelings no longer
clouded by a fog of lust. Regret, shame, all kinds of feelings come flooding through when a
moment is taken to stop and reflect. Namjoon didn’t have a real moment to sort himself out, other
than realizing mistakes had been made.

Maybe if he’d taken a moment to stop and be rational, things wouldn’t have gone so wrong.

Leaving the bathroom with a washrag in hand, he handed it to Seokjin who was still on the bed
without looking at him. “Get cleaned up, then you should go,” he said, grabbing clean clothes from
his suitcase.

Seokjin took the cloth from him, and Namjoon could see Seokjin was looking at him out of the
corner of his eye.

“Joon… can we talk about this?”

“There’s nothing to talk about, I think we’ve got this… whatever this was out of our system, don’t
you?” Namjoon said, pulling on his sweatpants. “Go home to your wife Seokjin.”

“That’s unfair,” Seokjin sighed. Namjoon heard a rusting of sheets and the creak of the mattress. “I
was serious when I said I wanted to see you more after we get back to Seoul.”

“I can’t, I have a life and a business and I can’t just-”

“Why not?” Seokjin was moving closer by the sound of his bare feet on the carpet. “Why do you
deny yourself something you clearly want?”

Namjoon flinched at the feel of Seokjin’s hand on his bare back. “Please just go. We can’t do this
again.”

“Are you that worried about your reputation?” Seokjin snorted. Namjoon whirled around, scowling
at Seokjin as he pushed him away.

“Yeah, I am,” Namjoon hissed. “Some of us actually care how people look at us. Some of us don’t
want everything we’ve worked for to be destroyed because of one night of indiscretion with a slut.”

Seokjin recoiled as if slapped, his eyes widening at Namjoon’s words. “... I see,” he said quietly,
lips thinning. “Well, good to know how you really feel. Thank you.”

Namjoon felt a pang in his chest at the hurt look on Seokjin’s face and he beat himself up silently
as he watched Seokjin gather up his clothes and dress. No words were exchanged, there didn’t need
to be. Namjoon thought about apologizing, but he figured in the end it was best to let Seokjin go
hating him. It would be easier on them both.

Namjoon had never felt more ready to go back home and get back to drowning himself in work.
This vacation had been a nightmare and the worst idea Taehyung had ever had.

“Excuse you, this was the greatest idea I’ve ever had,” Taehyung countered when Namjoon told
him as much. They were seated on the plane, getting comfortable for the short flight to their
changeover. “I got to hook up with the hottest photographer in the business.”

“Good for you,” Namjoon grumbled, closing his eyes and leaning back in the seat. “Next time
you’re going on your own. I barely saw you the whole time we were here.”

“Aw, did you miss me?” Taehyung cooed, poking Namjoon on the arm. “Next time I-” he stopped
and Namjoon opened his eyes to look at him. Taehyung was staring ahead with wide eyes.

“What?” Namjoon followed his gaze and immediately groaned. Seokjin was coming down the
aisle, boarding pass in hand and looking for his seat. Namjoon felt his heart clench and tried to
hunker down in his seat to no avail.

Seokjin saw him, immediately stopping in the aisle and the two stared at each other for a long
moment before the man behind Seokjin nudged him. Seokjin pulled his gaze away and looked for
his seat again, brushing past Namjoon to sit in the row kitty corner behind him.

“Just ignore him, it’s only a four hour flight,” Taehyung murmured to him. “You don’t even have
to talk to him.”

Namjoon just shoved Taehyung away and closed his eyes again. “I don’t know who you’re talking
about.”

Four hours and some change wasn’t a short flight despite what Taehyung had said. It was four
hours of knowing Seokjin was sitting behind him, could see him and it was unnerving enough that
he felt like Seokjin’s eyes were always on him. Looking back would only confirm that.

Halfway through the flight, Namjoon knew he was in trouble. He had to use the bathroom and that
meant getting up and turning around and seeing Seokjin. But he had to go. It took nearly ten
minutes for him to screw up the courage to get up and when he did, he immediately locked eyes
with Seokjin. Definitely a mistake. Seokjin’s lips thinned and turned away and Namjoon wanted to
say something, but it wasn’t a good idea.

Not that he had many of those lately.

Namjoon splashed water on his face after finishing washing his hands. There were only a couple
hours left on the flight, he could do this. Once they got off the plane, he knew the odds that they
were on the same flight bound to Seoul were pretty high, but that was a bigger plane, less likely
he’d have to be near Seokjin.

Toweling his hands and face off, he unlocked the door and stared in horror at seeing Seokjin
standing on the other side. He didn’t get to say anything before Seokjin was pushing him back in
and closing the door and locking it.

“What-”

“Shut up,” Seokjin hissed at him, pushing him up against the small sink. The space was not
designed for two people and they weren’t exactly tiny to begin with. Namjoon watched in horror as
Seokjin sat down on the toilet and his hands went to the button on Namjoon’s pants.

“No, stop,” Namjoon murmured, catching his hands. “I said this was over.”

“And I don’t agree,” Seokjin said, looking up at him. “I’m going to give you the best blow job of
your life and if you still don’t want to see me again afterwards then I’ll respect that.”
“You just can’t stand the fact that someone doesn’t want you, can you?” Namjoon growled,
flinging Seokjin’s hands away.

“That’s a lie and you know it,” Seokjin said. “You want me, you know you want me, why do you
keep denying it?”

Namjoon sucked in a breath, looking away. “If you don’t get why, then I know I’m right in making
this decision.”

Seokjin stood up, their bodies barely an inch from one another. “I’ve never met anyone so stuck on
the fact that I’m in a fake marriage. It isn’t real Namjoon, and soon it won’t even matter.”

“It matters now,” Namjoon said, looking back at him. “You need to respect that.”

Seokjin’s eyes narrowed at that and he leaned back a little. “I don’t have to respect anything,
especially from someone that called me a slut. You don’t have to like what agreement I have with
my wife, but you should be the one respecting that.”

He left, opening the door and slipping out before Namjoon could respond. Knocking his fists down
onto the sink, he took a moment to regain his bearings. Seokjin sure did have a way of twisting his
head around.

Namjoon was on pins and needles the entire rest of the flight. He didn’t bother trying to sleep but
he did close his eyes to keep Taehyung from asking questions and bothering him. Taehyung knew
something was up since they were gone at the same time, but thankfully he didn’t say a word. Not
even on their long flight home to Seoul, Taehyung wisely kept quiet.

Also thankfully, Seokjin wasn’t on their flight.

“You think you’ll ever see him again?” Taehyung asked when were in hour ten of their flight over
the pacific.

“I hope not,” Namjoon said quietly. “He’s nothing but a distraction that I don’t need.”

“Well that’s a lie,” Taehyung snorted in amusement. “Namjoon, you are in desperate need of a
distraction. I thought the vacation would help but that just made things worse with the scandal.”

“Hence why I’m saying I don’t need a distraction like him,” Namjoon argued. “Can we not talk
about this?”

“No, I think we need to,” Taehyung said, scooting so he was more facing Namjoon in his seat.
“You work yourself to the bone. You never allow yourself any kind of fun. Discreet fun. Was
Seokjin a good choice for that? No, he’s too loud, too much for you. But that doesn’t mean you
can’t have something. You need someone to help you with the stress.”

Namjoon hated that he was stuck listening to this. The worst part was that Taehyung was right. If
he had learned anything about the experience with Seokjin was tht he did need a distraction. He
needed something fun to make all of his effort worth it.

“I wouldn’t even know where to begin Tae,” Namjoon sighed. “I haven’t had much luck finding
someone, not since you and I stopped.”
“Jimin told me about that friend of his,” Taehyung said. “The dancer? Maybe you should talk to
Jimin.”

Namjoon hummed at the suggestion, glancing out the window of the plane. They still had a few
hours before they landed. Would give him time to think.

“I don’t think New York air agreed with you,” Yoongi said. “You look like shit.”

Namjoon rolled his eyes but continued with signing the paperwork in front of him. “That all you’re
here for?” he asked. “I do have a lot of work to catch up on.”

“I was here as a friend, but if you want to talk business, then we can,” Yoongi shrugged. He pulled
out a file from his briefcase and plopped it down on Namjoon’s desk. “Figured you’d want to see
the final agreement we came to with Kim Seokjin’s lawyer.”

“Agreement?” Namjoon set down his pen and pulled the file closer. “What did you do?”

“It’s a gag order,” Yoongi said. “Neither you nor Kim will talk about what happened in New York
other than the prepared statement. You went and had drinks as friends. You won’t say what drinks
you had, how you guys are friends, nothing except that you had drinks-”

“-as friends, yeah I got it,” Namjoon grumbled. “We’re not allowed to contact each other again?”

“Nope, that was my stipulation,” Yoongi said. “Kim Seokjin is bad business Joon. We don’t- you
don’t need him influencing your reputation more than he already has. I thought we were clear on
that, you haven’t seen him since that night have you?”

Namjoon closed the file and pushed it back towards Yoongi. “According to that, I’m not allowed to
answer that question.”

“You… fucking idiot,” Yoongi’s eyes were wide and his mouth open. “What…? We agreed you
weren’t going to leave the hotel, what the fuck happened?”

“Taehyung dragged me out to a club-”

“A club?!”

“-and Seokjin was there,” Namjoon said, ignoring Yoongi’s outburst. “One thing just… led to
another and-”

“Stop, stop, no, do not tell me any more,” Yoongi waved his arms. “If I don’t know then the
lawyers won’t know. Are you out of your fucking mind Namjoon?”

“It won’t happen again, I’ve made sure of it,” Namjoon said, looking up at him. “It’s done. I won’t
have anything to do with him anymore.”

“You better not, or the least of your worries will be what the tabloids have to say,” Yoongi said.

“I know I screwed everything up with getting involved with him, but I learned a valuable lesson.
Don’t fuck with people you don’t know,” Namjoon said. “Especially when you know the media is
around.”

Yoongi visibly relaxed and leaned back in his chair. “Well, I hope this is the last I ever have to
hear of Kim Seokjin in relation to you.”
“It will,” Namjoon nodded, toying with the pen. “That leads me to what I want to talk to you about.
I was going to call Jimin but since you’re here… tell Jimin he can give his friend my number.”

“Hoseok?” Yoongi’s eyebrows went up. “Why?”

“Because even if the whole thing with Seokjin had been a nightmare, there was a bit of stress relief
talking and being with someone on an intimate level like that. I’m not going to come out to the
media or anything, but I guess I wouldn’t mind…”

“Getting laid now and then,” Yoongi finished with a nod. “Hoseok’s a nice kid. He’s a lot like
Jimin, kind of too happy and bouncy for his own good, but I think he’d be good for you. He’ll
make you keep up with him.”

Namjoon let himself smile a little at that. “Sounds like my type,” he said, though truthfully he
wasn’t sure if he had a type. At the worst, it couldn’t hurt to try. And as long as things were kept
on the downlow, and it never made it to the front pages of the portal sites, then why not?

“I guess we’ll see,” Yoongi chuckled. “I know Jimin will be happy, and that’ll be one less thing he
nags at me for.”

“I didn’t take Jimin as the nagging type,” Namjoon said, shaking his head. “Complain all you
want, you know you got the best guy out there.”

“That I do,” Yoongi’s smile softened. “I hope Hoseok is the guy for you, and we never have to
hear the name Kim Seokjin again.”

“Now that I can agree on,” Namjoon laughed.

 Corner of Itaewon and Usadan

"If you fuck this up, I'm killing you myself," Jimin said, pointing an accusatory finger at
Namjoon's chest. "Hoseok is nice, he's not an asshole like that Suck Jin guy."

"His name was Seokjin and I hope not," Namjoon said, taking Jimin's hand in his own and
squeezing it. "I'm not going to screw this up. I want to meet him, I really do."

Jimin searched Namjoon's face with a critical eye. "You say that..."

"Give him room to breathe Jimin," Yoongi said, an arm going around Jimin's shoulders to draw
him back. ""You need to be nice too. Technically this is Namjoon's first ever real date."

"First ever?" Jimin looked confounded at that. "How is that possible? I thought you and Tae dated
for years?"

"I don't know if getting high in our dorm room and fucking constitutes as dates," Namjoon replied
wryly. He leaned back against the wall. They were waiting at the restaurant for Hoseok as well as
for their table to open up. "So no, I've never been on an actual date."

"Does this still count then? It's kind of a double date," Jimin pursed his lips. "If I'd have known that
I would have just made the reservation for two."

"I'm fine with this, really," Namjoon waved off his concern. "It'll feel like meeting new friends, I
think that'll make it easier."

Yoongi and Jimin shared a look, that kind that couples who've been together for way too long
make like they're reading each other's thoughts.

"Stop it," Namjoon kicked at Yoongi's shin. "You two are going to make more nervous than I
already am, that's not fair."

"We're just... concerned," Yoongi said slowly. "After the whole thing with Kim, I didn't think you'd
be open to dating again so quick, and going out in public."

Namjoon didn't think their concern was unfounded, he had thought about it quite a bit in the days
leading up. "Far as the public is concerned, we're just friends out for dinner."

"You know you can't keep using that line, it'll only work so many times," Yoongi said with a snort.
"Someone's bound to get suspicious."

"That's their problem," Namjoon rolled his eyes. "I'm not planning on taking any guy back to a
hotel room again so I don't see the issue."

Yoongi was cut off when Jimin smacked him hard in the chest with his palm. "Hoseok's here, no
more talk about this. He doesn't know about the scandal or Suck jim."

"Seokjin," Namjoon corrected again with a hiss. The door to the restaurant was opening and in
came a man with a bucket hat on his head, an overly bright smile... and the worst sense in fashion
Namjoon had ever seen. Between his bright orange and blue shoes, wide legged cut off pants and
oversized flannel shirt, Namjoon was sure he'd rolled around in a flea market somewhere to put this
ensemble together.
Maybe there had been something to the adage that clothes made the man, and Namjoon hated
comparing this guy to a fashion designer, but considering how sharp Seokjin had looked to this
mishmash of textures and colors Hoseok was wearing, Seokjin won hands down.

But he shouldn't compare them. Seokjin may have had the looks and the nice clothes, but he could
tell by Hoseok's warm smile that there was a better personality below all that fabric.

"Hi, sorry I'm late, the trains were running slow," Hoseok said, pulling his hat off and bowing
towards the three.

"You're fine, we're still waiting on our table anyway," Jimin said, looking between Namjoon and
Hoseok, waiting for one of them to introduce themselves. Of course they didn't. "Hobi, this is
Namjoon, Namjoon, Hobi."

"You're the famous guy right?" Hoseok said, bowing again towards him. "Can't say I've heard of
you but I guess if you get your splashed all over the internet then you're famous."

Namjoon froze, his smile cracking and eyes widening slightly. "All over the internet?"

"Yeah, couple of days ago? Jimin said you were all over the news," Hoseok said, his smile fading
slightly as the the tone in the room shifted. "I guess I wasn't supposed to say that huh."

Jimin smacked Hoseok in the arm and glared at him. "No, you weren't," he muttered.

"It's fine," Namjoon said, finding his voice again. "Just a no nothing scandal, not even worth
thinking about."

"Right, of course," Hoseok nodded, his smile brightening again as a waitress approached to show
them to the table.

Dinner was relaxing, and Namjoon found himself smiling for the first time in months. It was an
easy, light smile that showed how comfortable he was. Seokjin had made him smile of course, but
that had been feral and dark kind of smile. Not the smile that eased into laughs because of the story
Hoseok was telling.

He liked Hoseok. Hoseok was fun, and lively, and he felt at ease with him. Hoseok was handsome
of course, and Namjoon caught him more than once checking Namjoon out. Well, they checked
each other out.

Hoseok wasn't Seokjin. That should have been a good thing. They didn't scurry off together once
dinner was done back to either of their places, but they did exchange numbers and made plans to go
out for coffee the next day.

"You made Jimin a very happy man," Yoongi said in their meeting the next day. The actual
business part was done and Yoongi was closing up his files.

"Which I take it meant you are a very happy man?" Namjoon said, aligning a stack of papers on his
desk.

"He gave me a blow job in the car ride home," Yoongi grinned, easing back in his seat. "You know
how often he does that? Never. He's very happy you and Hoseok got along. He even did the thing
when I had him bent over the footboard of the bed."

Namjoon shivered a little. "Yoongi, I'm glad you and Jimin have a very active sex life, but can you
please not mention when he lets you indulge in your oppa kink? It grosses me out."

"Says the guy who likes to suck toes," Yoongi snorted. "You know, Hoseok's a dancer, his toes
might not be that nice to suck on."

"That was one time," Namjoon groaned, dropping his head in his hands. "I'm never letting you and
Taehyung be around each other anymore, you two conspire to give me endless amounts of grief."

"I'm afraid that is not your call anymore Joon," Yoongi laughed. "Taehyung and Jimin are really
close friends now."

"Shit," Namjoon muttered. "What's it going to take to get you two to stop gossiping about me?"

"Nothing, I've learned so much from him," Yoongi said. He glanced down at his phone on the arm
of the chair when it beeped at him. Tapping the screen awake, his expression soured.

"What's wrong?" Namjoon asked, lifting his face from his hands to see Yoongi's expression.

"I've had our people keep tabs on Kim Seokjin," Yoongi said. "He's in the news again. Seen out
with his wife last night at... the restaurant we were at."

"What?" Namjoon blinked, eyes going to the phone when Yoongi turned it toward him. Sure
enough, there was Seokjin at one of the restaurant tables. A woman was seated with her back to the
camera and Seokjin was smiling fondly at her.

"He must have gone there after we left, I sure as hell didn't see him," Yoongi said. "I thought you
said he and his wife were pretty much separated."

"That's what he said," Namjoon said quietly, looking away. "It's got to be a stunt. To get hte media
off his case for a while."

"I don't know Joon, that's the not the face of someone who hates their wife," Yoongi said, putting
his phone away.

"He doesn't hate her," Namjoon retorted a little louder than he had intended. Yoongi's eyebrows
shot up at his tone and Namjoon immediately sank back in his chair. "He doesn't hate her," he
repeated. "They have an agreement so she can get her inheritance. He doesn't love her."

"Are you sure?" Yoongi tilted his head slightly. "Why are you defending him after what he did?"

"I'm-" Namjoon closed his eyes and took in a slow breath. Why was he defending Seokjin? "Can
we not talk about him, ever again? Please?"

"If that's what you want, but I'm still going to keep tabs on him in case he tries anything," Yoongi
said. "I don't trust him."

"You don't trust anyone besides Jimin," Namjoon pointed out, leaning forward in his chair again
and opening his eyes. "Far as I'm concerned, Kim Seokjin doesn't exist. I don't know who he is.
Don't bring up anything else about him unless he's died or something."

"Why, you planning on going to his funeral?" Yoongi laughed. "How awkward would that be with
his wife? How would you introduce yourself? 'Hi, my name's Namjoon and I fucked your husband
in a hotel in New York once.'"

"You know, I don't think I'd be the only one with a story to tell like that," Namjoon said. "Anyway.
He no longer exists, understand?"

"Understood," Yoongi hummed in amusement. "So, you think Jimin's told Hoseok about your toe
sucking thing yet?"

Namjoon's eyes widened. "I'll kill him."

Namjoon liked Hoseok. He was fun to be with. Their coffee date turned into another dinner and
then a walk along the river. Hoseok was fun, he had a warm heart, and didn't seem to mind that
their dates ended with a light kiss before they went their separate ways.

Hoseok was nice. But Namjoon knew it wasn't going to last. Maybe he'd realized it somewhere in
the middle of their third dinner out, that despite how Hoseok could have been perfect for him, there
wasn't anything there.

To say Namjoon wasn't disappointed would be a lie. He wanted to like Hoseok, knew Jimin and
Yoongi had put high hopes on them being something more. But when he thought of Hoseok, all he
did was compared him to Seokjin.

It came to a head when Hoseok invited him upstairs to his apartment after their third week of
dating.

"You want a drink or something?" Hoseok asked, his smile was small and promising.

Namjoon knew he should have said no, bid him goodnight and left. But... maybe whatever
chemistry they lacked was just missing that final ingredient. And it surely wasn't alcohol.

When the front door of Hoseok's apartment closed, Namjoon pulled him into a kiss, nearly
slamming him up against the wall. Whatever coyness Hoseok had been acting at disappeared and
his hands were everywhere in an effort to get Namjoon's clothes off. They grappled with each other
and moved through the apartment, bumping into furniture and walls until Hoseok led him into th
bedroom.

Namjoon was very much attracted to Hoseok, his dancer's body and tight muscles. Namjoon
wanted to map his tongue over his skin and see just how flexible he was. Luckily Hoseok was in
agreement because he was urging Namjoon on with sight sighs and hisses of want.

It wasn't the best sex Namjoon had ever had, but it wasn't the worst either. Hoseok had been a
vocal and enthusiastic participant, but when Namjoon dropped down onto the sheets next to him,
he felt an unsatisfied. He'd gotten off, as had Hoseok, but it felt like there had been something
missing.

"Hey," Hoseok said, rolling onto his side. Namjoon turned his attention back on Hoseok and not on
unfortunate thoughts. "That was it wasn't it?" Hoseok said and Namjoon's brows furrowed in
confusion.

"What do you mean?" Namjoon asked, turning towards him. He put his arm around Hoseok's waist
and pulled them close together.

"I mean, that was the final test," Hoseok said, resting his hand on Namjoon's bare chest and
looking into his eyes. "The test of whether or not we should keep going. We didn't pass."

Namjoon's eyes softened a little and he looked down at a couple of marks he'd left on Hoseok's
shoulder.

"It's okay," Hoseok said, his smile still too bright. "I think we both know you're still hung up on
that guy."

"What guy?" Namjoon murmured, running his hand up and down Hoseok's bare back. He didn't
like they were having this conversation now. He'd have preferred it would be clothed and over
coffee. Not when the come was still drying on the sheets and he couldn't bolt immediately.

"That guy, that designer guy," Hoseok said. "Jimin wasn't supposed to tell me about it but he did.
He hurt you pretty bad huh?"

"I'm over it, him," Namjoon said but Hoseok didn't look convinced. Nor should he be, if Namjoon
was going to be honest with himself.

"You're not, and it's okay," Hoseok said, lifting his hand to rest on Namjoon's cheek. "I knew being
a rebound wasn't the way to go, but Jimin can be really convincing. But hey, at least we had some
fun, and I got to distract you for a little while right? Can't be that bad."

Namjoon sighed heavily and rested their foreheads together. "I don't want you to think it was
because of you," he said quietly. "I wish I would have met you first. I think we'd be great together
if it hadn't been for him."

"Maybe, but I think things work out the way they're supposed to for a reason," Hoseok said. "You
and me, we weren't going to be anything. Not that I didn't mind this, it'd been a while since I'd got
dick like that, so I'll at least have that story to tell."

Namjoon made a face and poked at his side. "No stories, I've had enough of those," he grumbled.

"I can tell," Hoseok leaned forward to kiss Namjoon again. It was gentle, no heat behind it... and
no spark. "I hope with the next one you can get over him."

"Next one?" Namjoon shook his head. "I don't think if there'll be a next one. I don't think me and
dating mix."

"That's silly," Hoseok said. "You're a fantastic guy Namjoon. If you finally open yourself up to
someone, they'll be the luckiest person in the world. Don't deny yourself just because some asshole
played with you. You deserve better."

Walking home, Namjoon let himself think about everything Hoseok had said. Namjoon wasn't sure
if he believed Hoseok's words, but he wanted to. Maybe he did deserve better. Hoseok hadn't been
right for him, but that didn't mean there wouldn't be someone else out there for him.

Turning the corner, he ran smack into someone else who was taking the same corner and the two
of them landed in a heap on the sidewalk. Cursing at himself, Namjoon scrambled to get off of
whoever he'd landed on and held out his hand. "I'm so sorry," he said in a panic. "Are you okay?
Are you hurt?"

A slim hand slid into his and the stranger's face hit the street lamp as he sat up.
"I'm fine, Namjoon," Seokjin said, looking up at him.
 Blue 55

“Seokjin?” Namjoon blinked a few times, helping the stranger to his feet.

“I’m sorry?” the man said and Namjoon dropped his hand, taking a step back. “I think you’ve got
me confused with someone else.”

Now that he got a proper look at him he could see it wasn’t Seokjin. They shared a resemblance,
but nothing more.

“Yeah, sorry, you just look like someone I know,” Namjoon said, bowing hastily to continue on.
Why had he thought that was Seokjin? Was he that fixated on the man that he couldn’t even walk
down the street without thinking someone was him? It was disconcerting to say the least.

The worst possible thing he could have done was tell Yoongi, so obviously that’s what he did.

“Let me understand this,” Yoongi said, leaning back in his chair. “You went home with Hoseok,
banged, decided it wasn’t going to work out, and then thought some stranger on the street was the
man you supposedly hate?”

“That about sums it up, yes,” Namjoon said, taking a sip of his beer. The plan had been to head
back to Yoongi’s place for dinner but Jimin had threatened to cut off Namjoon’s balls so they
detoured to a bar for drinks.

“You’ve got it worse than I thought,” Yoongi said. “I thought for sure hopping into bed with
someone else would get that asshole out of your system.”

“Is that why you agreed to set me up with Hoseok? Because you thought a rebound fuck was going
to help?”

“I thought it couldn’t hurt, and maybe you’d actually like Hoseok,” Yoongi said. “Jimin’s probably
going to be pissed at you for a while about it you know.”

“I know, but it’s not like Hoseok was that upset about it, he understood,” Namjoon shrugged.

“Understood what? That you’re hopeless?” Yoongi rolled his eyes. “So what are you going to do
now?”

“I don’t know, give up on dating again?” Namjoon shrugged. “I don’t want to do that to another
person until I’ve got him completely out of my system.”

Yoongi looked perturbed, his lips set in a think swol as he played with his beer mug. “Maybe
you’re going about this the wrong way?”

“What does that mean?” Namjoon frowned. “So far, everything has been the wrong way, what
could possibly be the right way?”

“The lawyers would kill me if they knew I was even suggesting this,” Yoongi sighed, leaning
forward a little. “Maybe the best way to get over him is to fuck him through it. You’re only hung
up on him because you had great sex with him, but the first times are always the best. A couple
more times you’ll get bored of each other and move on.”

Namjoon looked at Yoongi in horror and if they weren’t in the middle of a bar with angry looking
bouncers ready to throw people out for fighting, he’d have knocked him down right then.

“That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard,” Namjoon said instead. “All you’ve said to me this
whole time is stay away from him, don’t go near him, forget him. Now you want me to call him up
and be fuck buddies until he’s out of my system?”

“Yeah,” Yoongi nodded. “Couple rounds of bad sex and you won’t be wanting to see him
anymore.”

Namjoon crossed his arms, staring at Yoongi like he had a third head. “I doubt it would work.”

“Never know unless you try,” Yoongi grinned, motioning with a nod of his head to something over
Namjoon’s shoulder. “Bonus is that he’s sitting over there.”

Whipping his head around, Namjoon caught sight of Seokjin sitting at the bar, smiling and
laughing at whoever he was sitting next to. Namjoon watched him take a shot, set the glass on the
top of the bar. It was as if Seokjin knew there were eyes on him because he turned his head and
looked straight at Namjoon. His smile waned when they locked eyes and Namjoon felt his heart
clench tightly in his chest.

Seokjin was no less handsome now than he had been the last time Namjoon saw him.

“That is him right, and I’m not just hallucinating too?” Yoongi asked and Namjoon blinked a few
times, tearing his eyes away to look at Yoongi. “Yeah, that’s him. Uh, let’s get going yeah? I’m
sure Jimin wants you home soon.”

“Coward,” Yoongi snorted. “Go say hi, he hasn’t stopped looking at you.”

“I’m not going to go talk to him, your idea is stupid,” Namjoon said, gathering up his suitcase and
waistcoat.

“Maybe, but uh, too late, he’s coming over,” Yoongi said, finishing the last dregs of his beer. “I’ll
tell Jimin you said hi?” Yoongi was up and heading off before Namjoon could stop him and even
before he could get up, there was Seokjin.

“Running from me?” Seokjin said, leaning a little over the table, one hand on the back of
Namjoon’s chair and the other on the table. “Hi Namjoon.”

“Hi, I was just leaving,” Namjoon said, scooting to get out of the other side but Seokjin was faster,
grabbing his arm.

“Can we just talk for a second?” Seokjin asked, his smile was a almost like a playful pout and he
batted his eyelashes. “Okay, two seconds. Please?”

“We don’t have anything to talk about,” Namjoon said, but made no move to get up again. “What
do you want?”

Seokjin let his arm go to slide into Yoongi’s vacated seat. “To say I’m sorry, about what happened
on the plane” he said, folding his hands in front of him. “I assumed wrongly that you were just
feeling nervous and that if I… pushed a little you’d come around. I’m sorry.”

An apology was not at all what Namjoon had been expecting and it was clear by the shocked
expression. “Oh… um,” he scratched at the side of his neck and looked away. “I accept your
apology? I think? I’m not going to say it’s okay because it wasn’t.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Seokjin nodded. “I like you Namjoon, I was very serious about that. But I can see
my situation isn’t what you want so I’ll respect that.”

Namjoon took a slow breath, thinking about his words carefully. “I’m not going to say that I’m not
disappointed with how things turned out, because I am. You’re the first person I had any kind of…
anything with in a long time.”

“Well, I could tell you were enjoying yourself,” Seokjin said, his lips curling into a small smirk.
“Especially that second time when you were saying those things while your co-”

“Seokjin,” Namjoon hissed, glancing around at the other patrons. Luckily no one was within the
immediate vicinity, but it’s not like Seokjin was being quiet.

“Sorry, got caught up in the memory,” Seokjin said, his bottom lip caught between his teeth. “It’s
such a shame Namjoon, I think we could be great together.”

Wetting his lips, Namjoon sat up a little in his chair. “I thought so too, at first. But then I found out
you failed to tell me a very important detail of your life.”

“Is it really so terrible, that I’m technically married?” Seokjin asked. “If she has no problems with
our marriage being open, why does it really matter?”

“Because… it’s just wrong,” Namjoon sid. “You took vows, didn’t you? I thought a marriage
meant you had to be committed to that person, body and soul.”

“Marriage is a slip of paper and registering with the government,” Seokjin said. “It doesn’t define a
relationship. People get married all the time out of duty, because they get pregnant or because their
parents arranged it when they were babies. You think every marriage has to be defined by archaic
terms because of a few words?”

Namjoon frowned as Seokjin spoke. As a gay man, Namjoon had never really thought much about
marriage, other than it was too important to do frivolously. Marriage was supposed to be forever,
that’s what his parents had said, what society said.

“Marriage is sacred,” Namjoon said finally. “You disrespect her and yourself by going outside of
it.”

Seokjin’s shoulders drooped slightly and he gave Namjoon a sad smile. “I don’t agree. And neither
does she. We want to be with people we love. I know she loves her boyfriend, and I’m happy for
them. I never considered it for myself before but now? I want to fall in love to Namjoon. Why
can’t I have that?”

“You can, but you’re still married now,” Namjoon replied. “For what it’s worth, I don’t envy your
situation. You shouldn’t have had to get married in the first place.”

“No, I shouldn’t have, but we can’t have everything we want in life,” Seokjin said quietly. “I’m
honestly surprised your parents didn’t have a bride picked out for you already.”

“Wasn’t really enough time for them to start nagging at me about a wife,” Namjoon said. “I would
have gone through with it of course, but I wouldn’t have liked it.”

“But you would have stuck through it? You’d have stayed married to someone you didn’t love for
the rest of your life?” Seokjin asked. “You don’t think, that after ten years or so of being married to
someone you weren’t even attracted to, that you wouldn’t have wanted to look elsewhere?
Wouldn’t have come to an agreement?”
Namjoon wanted to reply immediately that of course not, he would have honored his vows and
stayed faithful. That’s what filial sons did. Married and had grandchildren and stayed married until
one of you died.

But there was a small part of him that balked at the idea, a tiny voice that recoiled in horror at even
the thought of being married to a woman.

It struck him then at how he’d never thought about the situation in that way before. He could judge
Seokjin all he wanted for his decisions, but if the roles had been reversed? Would he have done the
same?

“Well?” Seokjin pressed when Namjoon didn’t reply. “I’m right aren’t I? You wouldn’t have done
any different.”

“Yes I would have,” Namjoon shook his head. “I wouldn’t have been running around, different
guys every night. That’s not who I am. It would have to be… something special.”

“Like someone you cared about, a boyfriend? Someone you fall in love with?” Seokjin said.
“Yeah, that’s what I want too Namjoon. It just didn’t end up like that.”

“Why not? What changed your mind?” Namjoon asked, tilting his head slightly. He realized he
knew so very little about Seokjin, only what a portal search had told him and what rumors had been
floating around.

“This isn’t a conversation I want to have here in a bar, with a hundred ears to pick up my sordid
life,” Seokjin said. “We need to go somewhere more private.”

Namjoon knew this was a bad idea. But what was one more bad idea heaped onto a pile of bad
ideas?

“And I guess that your place is off limits,” Namjoon said and Seokjin just smiled at him. “Fine,
come on.”

Getting to his feet, he grabbed his briefcase and coat, not bothering to wait to see if Seokjin was
following before he left the bar.

Namjoon’s penthouse wasn’t far, just a sort cab ride and the longest elevator ride of Namjoon’s life
until they were stepping through the doors.

“Got anything to drink?” Seokjin asked, slipping off his shoes and making himself at home.

“I’ll pour some wine,” Namjoon said, watching Seokjin drape himself over a couch. It struck him
how oddly perfect he looked there. Like he belonged. Maybe it was because the couch had been
worth fifty million won and Seokjin’s clothes alone were probably worth just as much.

“You know, it took us about three months to figure out that not only did we not like each other, but
that if we were going to get through ten years together we had to figure out a way to get along,”
Seokjin said, balloon glass of red wine perched in his hand. “We did try at first, consumated the
marriage, tried to have a regular sex life and everything, but it wasn’t great.”

“Enough to have a child though?” Namjoon said, sipping at the wine.

“In vitro,” Seokjin hummed. “But I’ll get to that, don’t interrupt.”

“Apologies,” Namjoon chuckled, relaxing in his chair and loosening his tie. “Go on.”
“Like I said, we really tried the first three months to be a normal couple, what everyone expected,”
Seokjin continued. “But I felt nothing for her, she wasn’t a man, to put it simply. She was
squeamish about the idea of putting a vibrator up my ass so, naturally things wouldn’t work.”

“Naturally,” Namjoon echoed, his lips quirking a little. He couldn’t imagine that had been a fun
experience for her.

“We sat down and had a long talk about how to make sure we both got what we wanted. I wanted a
child, to keep my parents happy and because I wanted to be a father, and she wanted her
inheritance,” Seokjin said. “Open marriage isn’t something that’s really accepted anywhere, but we
did some research online and thought that it was the right thing for us.

“We both wanted to fall in love with someone, to have a rich and rewarding relationship. Since we
couldn’t have that together, we started dating. Very discreet of course, it couldn’t get back to either
of our families. But she was luckier when it came to boyfriends, they didn’t seem to mind the
situation. I other hand… didn’t have the same luck.”

“Because you were married to a woman?” Namjoon asked. If he had felt that way about it, he
could imagine other men did too.

“That was part of it, the other part was some of the men I would go on dates with thought I was
just experimenting,” Seokjin said. “Some… weren’t looking to date but just quick hook ups. Some
of those men turned out to be like me, who were married but were really gay. Some of them
weren’t so nice.” Seokjin’s smile slipped slightly and he took a look slow sip of his wine.

Namjoon’s brows furrowed and his expression darkened. “Did they hurt you?” he asked quietly.

“His name was Heejun, and he presented himself as a man who was gay, but hadn’t dated before,”
Seokjin said. “He took me out on a very nice date. Dinner, wine, all very nice and I thought he was
so handsome and just what I was looking for.”

“What happened?” Namjoon pressed when Seokjin fell quiet again. “If this is too hard, you don’t
have to talk about it.”

“It’s good to talk about it, so you know why I am the way I am,” Seokjin said with a shake of his
head. “He took me home after our date, came upstairs to my apartment. I wasn’t the type to sleep
around then? But he thought I was, because he thought I was a hooker or something. The dinner
and wine were payment, and he expected service. If I was good I’d get a tip.”

“Oh shit,” Namjoon closed his eyes. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

“I didn’t either, when he told me that,” Seokjin said. “I laughed and he got mad and hit me. Called
me a tease. I was so shocked and confused that I just… tried to make him happy? I thought if I did
that then maybe he’d see that I wasn’t looking for a one time thing, that I wasn’t a hooker. So, I
had sex with him, willingly… to a point. Bu when he was done he threw a few bills at me and left.”

“That guy was an asshole,” Namjoon said, looking up at Seokjin again. “Is that why you don’t date
anymore?”

Seokjin shrugged one shoulder, finishing off his wine. “It was the start of a long series of bad dates
and awful men. No one wanted anything serious, so I gave up. If all men wanted was a quick fuck,
then it was better than the alternative. Going home to a woman I didn’t care for, not making an
attempt to be happy. I couldn’t bear the idea.”

“So why me then, why after all that you decide to go after me for more than just a night?”
Namjoon asked. He was sure there was more Seokjin was holding back, but what he had shared
was painful enough so Namjoon wasn’t going to pry.

“I’ll be honest that I don’t know,” Seokjin replied. “I had every intention of it being just one night,
at first. But the way you touched me, the way you made me feel? Like I was wanted? Special?
You talked to me like I was a person. Sure there were others that had done that before, but it just
felt right with you.”

“I felt the same,” Namjoon said before his head could catch up to what his mouth was saying.
Wincing, he continued, what more did he have to lose at that point? “When I saw you had put your
number in my phone and had told me you wanted to see me again, it made me happy. For a minute,
and then I found out what you hadn’t told me. You know, you hurt me just like you were hurt.
Not… obviously in that way, but you were no better than those men who used you.”

“I know, I wish I had handled all of this better,” Seokjin said. “I’m allowed to fuck up, aren’t I? I
panicked, and made a bad decision. I know you would have turned me down if I’d told you.”

“I would have,” Namjoon conceded, setting down his empty glass on the table between them. “But
because you didn’t, here we are.”

“Here we are,” Seokjin repeated back at him and the two just looked at each other for a long quiet
moment. “Wherever here is, anyway.”

There was a war raging inside Namjoon between his head and his heart. He knew what he should
do was thank Seokjin and show him out. He knew that was the right course of action, he knew that
it was safer to shove him out of his life and be done.

Namjoon stood up and walked around the coffee table, his eyes on Seokjin. Seokjin was wary, as
he should be, and he looked at Namjoon’s hand that was outstretched for a moment before taking
it. He set his glass down and stood up.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the moment I saw you,” Namjoon said,
pulling Seokjin in close. “Every part of me tells me you’re right for me, but wrong for me at the
same time. It’s confusing, but fuck if I don’t want you.”

Seokjin opened his mouth to speak but Namjoon hushed him, covering his lips with the tips of his
fingers. “I haven’t forgiven you for what you did, nor do I like what position you put me in. But I’d
be denying myself if I said I never wanted to see you again.”

Resting their foreheads together, Namjoon let his hand trail away from Seokjin’s lips, curling
around the back of his neck. “Whatever this is, it’s real, and I don’t want to deny myself something
real.”

“It could be real,” Seokjin whispered. “I want it to be. So badly.”

Namjoon closed his eyes, his heart racing in his chest. “Just for tonight, I’m going to pretend that
everything else isn’t real, just you and me together. I don’t want to think anymore about what’s
going to happen, or how this could hurt us both. I just want you.”

“I want you too,” Seokjin nodded, inching forward more, their lips brushing together. “Please
Namjoon.”

Namjoon knew the moment they kissed, it was over. There would be no going back, completely
losing himself in Seokjin and what he was offering. There would be consequences, ones he
probably hadn’t even considered yet.
Breathing out a content sigh, Namjoon kissed him.
 Cheongdam-dong

There was a buzzing behind Namjoon’s eyes, an inherent sense of something different that had him
waking slowly. It took him a few moments to understand what was off, about as long as it took his
eyes to focus and determine what this black blob was in front of his face.

The black blob was the back of Seokjin’s head, his hair sticking out in various directions. Namjoon
groaned a little as he woke up further, his brain catching him up on what had happened last night.

He’d kissed Seokjin, and then they had fallen into bed together. It was, once again, the best sex
he’d ever had, and if every time was like that then he really was screwed. There would be no
getting over Seokjin, no bad sex or boring sex to get Seokjin out of his system.

If he were honest with himself, he didn’t want that anyway.

Sighing softly, he scooted closer and wrapped his arm around Seokjin’s waist, pressing his chest to
the other’s broad back. It was comfortable, it felt right. This wasn’t love, not yet, but it was the
foundations of feelings. Even Namjoon in his limited experience knew what it was. He knew he
should be careful, there was so much that could go wrong.

But in the warm confines of his bed, a world away from the outside, he could pretend that
everything was perfect and would be forever.

Seokjin stirred and his breathing changed to let Namjoon know he was waking up. Pressing light
kisses to Seokjin’s neck and the top of his spine, he smiled when Seokjin turned slightly to look at
him.

“Morning,” Namjoon murmured and Seokjin’s just awake puffy face was scrunched in confusion.
“Sleep okay?”

Seokjin grunted out a soft ‘yes’ before turning over to nuzzle into him. “Didn’t mean to sleep
over,” he mumbled into Namjoon’s neck.

Running his hand up and down Seokjin’s back, Namjoon glanced at the bedside table, seeing as it
was far past time for him to have gotten up. “I hope that was okay though?” Namjoon said, an
unasked question in his voice.

“Worth it,” Seokjin chuckled and gave Namjoon’s neck a few sleepy kisses. He pulled back
abruptly, his eyes more awake this time as he looked at Namjoon. “And you’re okay with it?”

Namjoon let out a sigh, but he nodded, giving Seokjin a smile. “Yeah, I am,” he said, not letting
Seokjin go. “I didn’t think I would be, but waking up like this, with you here? I could get used to
it.”

Visibly relaxing, Seokjin pressed himself back into Namjoon’s hold and hummed. “Me too,” he
said softly. “We could be so happy together, this is so perfect.”

Closing his eyes and just soaking in Seokjin’s warmth, Namjoon tried to ignore the voice in the
back of his head that was telling him it wasn’t going to be perfect, something was bound to go
wrong. “I wouldn’t say perfect, but it does feel right,” he said finally.

“I’ll take it then,” Seokjin chuckled. He pulled away to glance at the clock and groaned. “I have to
go, I have a meeting in a few hours and I need to be showered and presentable.”
“You can shower here, I have clothes you can wear,” Namjoon said, not thinking about how that
would look. Seokjin chuckled at him, turning back to give him a slow, hungry kiss.

“Tempting, but I need to be wearing my own designs for this meeting,” Seokjin said between
kisses.

“I guess I should let you go then,” Namjoon said, his grip tightening on Seokjin and rolling them
until he was on top, Seokjin’s legs going around his waist. “When can I see you again?” he asked as
he mouthed at his collarbone.

“Good question,” Seokjin chuckled, running his hands through Namjoon’s hair.

“Tonight?” Namjoon asked, peeking up at him as he shifted further down, the kisses continuing
down his chest.

“I wish, but tonight is my night with my daughter,” Seokjin said, his eyes staying locked on
Namjoon’s until Namjoon took his nipple in his mouth and he groaned softly. “It’s… our one on
oh, one on one time.”

Namjoon tried to not let his disappointment show, focusing on riling Seokjin up. If he wasn’t going
to see him tonight then he needed a bit more to keep him going until the next time he saw the
designer.

“Mmm… why don’t you… oh… oh… yes, Namjoon,” Seokjin’s eyes fluttered shut because
Namjoon had slipped a hand between them to palm his slowly waking up cock. “Why don’t you
come to the house… meet them?”

Namjoon stopped and his head snapped up to look at Seokjin who had opened his eyes again when
the touch stopped. “I’m sorry, what?” Namjoon blinked at him, wanting to make sure he
understood what was being asked.

“I want you to meet my daughter, and my wife,” Seokjin said. “If we’re going to… continue, then I
think it’s important that you all know each other.”

Namjoon shifted to sit back up on his knees. He stared down at Seokjin, taking in his bare form
and how perfect he was. Perfect in every way, physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually. He was
the epitome of everything Namjoon had ever wanted in a partner, a boyfriend, but hearing the
words ‘my wife’ slip over his lips had Namjoon backpedalling so hard he was sure he hit a wall.

“I don’t know, that seems too… way too soon,” Namjoon said, scrubbing at his hair. “I need to get
used to us, this first. I need to get around the fact you’re married still!”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if you met her? So you can see how we are together?” Seokjin asked, sitting
up. His hands went to Namjoon’s arms and he shifted until he was more in Namjoon’s lap.

Namjoon didn’t protest, liking Seokjin’s weight on him and he looked up into those beautiful doe
eyes. “It feels weird,” he said. “Your daughter won’t find it strange?”

“My daughter is wise beyond her few years,” Seokjin said. He leaned into Namjoon more, arms
going around his neck and kissing his cheek and his nose. “She knows mommy and daddy aren’t
together, and that mommy has a boyfriend and daddy likes boys too.”

Namjoon closed his eyes, resting his forehead on Seokjin’s shoulder and weighed his options.
“Have.. you ever brought a boyfriend home?” he asked, the sound muffled against Seokjin’s skin.
“No, you’d be the first,” Seokjin said. “She’ll know you’re the real deal, because we always were
straightforward with her about who we bring home. If we like them, we’ll get her approval first.”

Namjoon snorted a little into Seokjin’s chest before pulling back. “So our entire relationship will
hinge on the opinion of a child?”

“Yes, my child,” Seokjin grinned down at him. “She may look like her mother, but she’s got my
sharp eye and wit. She’s going to love you, just like her daddy.”

Namjoon’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline and Seokjin blanched when he realized what he had
said. “You know what I mean,” he said, huffing a little. “Now, I’ve got to leave in a few, so are
you going to fuck me or what?”

“Sure are demanding,” Namjoon growled, pinching Seokjin’s waist and dropping him back down
onto the mattress.

“You have no idea,” Seokjin laughed, limbs encircling Namjoon when the younger all but pounced
on him.

Namjoon didn’t go into work that day. Mainly because by the time Seokjin had showered and left,
it was into the afternoon. That and Namjoon didn’t want to have to face Yoongi’s critical stare. He
could ignore his PR manager’s texts, that was easy, but Yoongi would hunt him down and turn the
screws to get an answer out of him about what happened the night before.

So Namjoon lounged around his apartment, thinking about what he wanted to do. He hadn’t made
any promise towards Seokjin or his proposal, and he didn’t know what to think. Or what to do.

As fate would have it though, someone called him when he needed someone who wasn’t Yoongi to
talk to.

“Tae, I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to hear from you,” Namjoon said when he answered
the call.

“Really?” Taehyung sounded amused. ”You’re never happy to hear from me, what’s up? You get
laid?”

Namjoon withheld a sigh. “Yes, but that’s not… well it’s part of the point,” he said. “I need
advice.”

“I’m all ears my friend.”

So Namjoon relayed what happened since they got back from New York and how he’d met up with
Seokjin again and about meeting Seokjin’s wife and daughter. Taehyung was unusually quiet until
Namjoon was finished, and that didn’t bode well for Namjoon’s state of mind.

“Well?” Namjoon asked after a beat of silence when he was done.

“I think you’ve got yourself in quite the mess,” Taehyung said, bluntly. “You sure you want to do
this? Be with him I mean?”

“I don’t know, all I know is that avoiding him wasn’t working, I couldn’t stop thinking about him,”
Namjoon said. “I’ve never been this… happy about being with someone else.”
“Oh, ouch,” Taehyung feigned hurt. “Well, I think it’s risky, and I already warned you that the guy
was bad news. You didn’t listen to me before, so I doubt you’ll listen to me now. But, with that
being said, he maybe sounds sincere in wanting to make things work with you if he wants to
introduce you to his kid and the lady he’s married to.”

“So you think I should do it? Meet them?” Namjoon asked, tapping his fingers on the arm of his
chair.

“I think that if you really want to be serious with him, you need to, to clear the air about what their
situation really is,” Taehyung replied. “He could be lying, and bluffing about wanting you to meet
her, hoping you’ll say no so you’ll never find out the truth. If he balks when you say you’ll do it,
then you’ll know he’s a lying cheating bastard.”

Taehyung was right. This could be just a ploy to ease Namjoon’s fears but with no intent to follow
through. If Namjoon had any question about Seokjin and his marriage, this would be the time to
find out. Before things got serious. Before he actually let himself fall in love.

“Alright, you’re absolutely right,” Namjoon said. “Thanks Tae. I knew you’d give it to me
straight.”

“How dare you imply I do anything straight,” Taehyung snorted. “Now if we’re done talking about
your love life, I did have a reason for calling.”

“I’m sure you did, sorry to hijack the conversation,” Namjoon said with an amused smile. “What
can I do for you?”

“I’m getting married.”

“You’re what?!”

“To Jungkook! We’re going back to the states in three months to have a real wedding with a
marriage license and everything!” Taehyung sounded so pleased with himself, and Namjoon was
beyond confused.

Namjoon’s call with Taehyung lasted another hour or so, and he was still just as confused when he
hung. Taehyung was impulsive, sure, but he’d never been this impulsive. Namjoon didn’t know
what to think or what to say.

Taehyung had been a part of his life for so long and the idea that Taehyung had found someone
worth settling for was astounding. He and Taehyung had explored their sexuality together, loved
each other off and on until they realized they didn’t work (still fucking every now and then didn’t
count, they were bros).

But Taehyung had been adamant, absolutely sure that Jungkook, the hot photographer he chased
around the world was the one for him. Taehyung was impulsive, but he wasn’t stupid. If he knew it
was real, then Namjoon knew it was real.

Not that it made sense to Namjoon but Namjoon was happy for him all the same. But still, their
engagement would be longer than their time dating and three months was a long time for
something to go wrong. Namjoon did clear his calendar for that month anyway, just in case.

At least Taehyung’s problem had given Namjoon a distraction for the rest of the day until Seokjin
called him.

”Well?” Seokjin asked when Namjoon answered.

“Text me the address, I’ll be there,” Namjoon said. “I hope you know what you’re doing Jin, I’m
nervous.”

“Hmm… Jin, I like that,” Seokjin chuckled. “I do know what I’m doing. I know this is right, that
we’re right. They’re going to love you.”

“We’ll see,” Namjoon gave a watery smile despite the fact Seokjin couldn’t see it, hoping it
showed in his tone. They hung up and he got ready to go, dressing casual. He had no idea what was
in store for him or how long he’d be there. It could just be a quick meet and pleasantry exchange
before he’s shooed out the door. Seokjin hadn’t really given him any idea of what to expect.
So when he ran the buzzer of Seokjin’s villa, he was a little surprised to be greeted by a young
woman with sharp eyes and a critical look. Namjoon recognized her from the news reports, though
she was much shorter than he had thought.

“Hi, you must be-” Namjoon started but was cut off when she waved him in quickly and slammed
the door shut.

“Yes, I’m the wife,” she said, folding her arms over her chest as they stayed in the entryway. “And
I know who you are so let’s cut the bullshit.”

Namjoon was more than a little taken aback at her demeanor. Was what he feared true? Did
Seokjin lie to him?

“I’m… not sure I understand,” Namjoon said.

“Jinnie and I have made it this close to my full inheritance, and you almost cost me everything,”
she said. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just kick you out?”

“Joo,” Seokjin’s voice cut through and Namjoon looked up to see him coming down the hall. “Stop
it. You know it wasn’t his fault.”

“It’s his fault just as it was yours,” Joo snapped at Seokjin. “After all we did to bury your stupid
scandal, you’re just going to invite him back into our lives?”

“We told the media we were friends, so far as anyone is concerned, that’s what we are,” Seokjin
said, his voice stern. “Friends visit each other.”

Joo’s scowl flicked between them, and he could see it was going to be a hard sell on her. “Why
couldn’t you have picked a normal, non celebrity?” she said finally, her arms dropping to her sides.

“Darling, how could I spend the rest of my life with someone who wasn’t on my same level?”
Seokjin said, pulling the small woman into a hug. Namjoon watched, unsure what to say or do with
this interaction going on. Joo’s entire demeanor softened though she still glared at Namjoon
slightly.

“He’s cute at least,” Joo said, pushing Seokjin away. “But you two need to be very careful. We’re
so close, I don’t want all this falling around our ears at the last second.”

“We’re aware,” Seokjin soothed. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

“Fine, fine,” Joo threw her hands up and walked around Seokjin back into the rest of the house and
Seokjin let out a heavy sigh.

“I’m sorry, she wasn’t happy when I told her you were coming over,” Seokjin said, wrapping his
arms around Namjoon’s neck and kissing his cheek. “I hope she didn’t scare you off, she’s such a
protective tiger when it comes to me. Well, her inheritance mostly, but a little bit of me as well.”

Namjoon tried to relax, even if he was still standing in the doorway with his shoes on. He returned
the hug and tried to breathe normally. “You were telling the truth,” he said quietly, closing his eyes
and resting their foreheads together.

“I was,” Seokjin replied softly, but a touch of hurt in his voice. “I’m glad you can believe me
now.”

“I wanted to, but… I had to be sure,” Namjoon said. He took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift off
his shoulders. Everything would be okay. Seokjin wasn’t lying to him, their marriage was almost
over, they could do this.

Seokjin hummed a little and gave him a light kiss before pulling back. “Shoes off, there’s one more
person you have to meet,” he said. “And I made dinner so I hope you brought your appetite.”

Namjoon smiled a little, taking off his shoes and followed Seokjin through the hall and into a
spacious living area.

“I’m leaving Jin, make sure she gets to bed by eight, and no sex in my bed,” Joo was saying, as she
came out of a hall with her purse over her shoulder.

“But your bed is so much nicer,” Seokjin teased. “I’m kidding! There will be no sex here tonight.”

Joo gave Namjoon a once over before looking back at Seokjin. “Don’t make promises you can’t
keep. Just make sure she’s asleep and try not to be too loud?”

“Good night Joo, have fun,” Seokjin shooed her off towards the door. He turned back to Namjoon
with a wry smile. “She spends the night at her boyfriends on my and Sunhee’s one on one day.”

“Are you sure you want me here today then?” Namjoon asked. “I can go.”

“No, no, stay,” Seokjin said, aking his hands. “This is important. If you’re going to be here, if
you’re going to be with me, then I want us to spend time together.”

“And you don’t think it’s too soon? Too fast?” Namjoon asked quietly. “This is a lot for me Jin.”

Seokjin looked between Namjoon’s eyes, worrying at his bottom lip. “I just don’t waste any time.
I’ve… been looking for someone like you for so long, I can’t imagine not wanting to share
everything with you.”

That didn’t really ease Namjoon’s worry, but for Seokjin’s sake, who was putting so much hope on
this night, he relented and smiled. “Okay, I’ll stay.”
 The Guest Bedroom

Seeing Seokjin with his daughter was an experienced Namjoon hadn’t really prepared himself for.
The wife and how that interaction could go badly had been the only thing on his mind. The
daughter had been a point he’d been ignoring for a while now. Seokjin had a daughter. A small
mini version of him and to be in Seokjin’s life meant to be in her life too.

That hit him the moment Seokjin took his hand and lead him down the hall to the young girls
room. “Sunhee?” Seokjin tapped on the door and opened it, revealing a room full of toys and pink
and baby blue everything.

In the midst of a mountain of tows, a girl sat with some kind of robot, twisting its arms around. She
looked up and Namjoon could definitely see the mother in her features. But she also had Seokjin’s
sharp eyes.

“Hi baby, I wanted you to meet someone,” Seokjin said, leaving Namjoon at the door to kneel
down in front of her. “Remember how I said Daddy had a new friend?”

“You mean boyfriend?” The girl deadpanned and Seokjin snorted a laugh at her. “Yeah, boyfriend.
His name’s Namjoon, you want to say hi?”

Sunhee sighed as if put upon, tossing the robot to the side before looking at Namjoon. She gave
him a once over, shrewd narrowed eyes and her lips pursed. “Hi,” she said.

“That’s not polite,” Seokjin poked her arm. “Get up, give him a proper greeting.”

“Mom didn’t make me do that with her boyfriend,” Sunhee grumbled but got up and bowed.
“Hello, nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you as well,” Namjoon said, bowing back. He looked to Seokjin when the girl went
back to her toys and Seokjin just gave a shrug as he got up.

“Dinner will be in twenty minutes, these toys better be cleaned up by bed time,” Seokjin said as
headed out. Namjoon didn’t hear Sunhee’s response as he was backed up out of the room. “She
likes you,” Seokjin grinned, his arms going around Namjoon’s neck.

“How can you tell?” Namjoon frowned. “She’s not what I expected.”

“I told you, she’s too smart for her own good,” Seokjin chuckled, leaning in to give Namjoon a
kiss. “She didn’t make one of her observations that she does about new people. Like she doesn’t
like their shoes or their haircut. You impressed her. That’s not easy to do.”

“You said she’d love me,” Namjoon grumbled, hands on Seokjin’s hips to keep him close and kiss
him again.

“She will, but she’s like a grumpy housecat, has to get used to you,” Seokjin murmured against his
lips. “Plenty of time for that.”

“Right, plenty of time,” Namjoon nodded, but even he could tell the heart wasn’t in his words. He
didn’t like to think he could be making a mistake in all this, but it was a possibility.
Dinner went about as well as Namjoon thought it would, the young girl eating but not making
much conversation despite Seokjin’s attempts. Namjoon felt like he was intruding the whole time
but Seokjin didn’t seem to get agitated or frustrated, so maybe she was just like that all the time.

Either way, she didn’t waste time when she was done eating to get up and leave, Seokjin calling
after her to get ready for bed.

“I see what you mean about being your child,” Namjoon said. “She doesn’t listen just like you
don’t listen.”

Seokjin gave an offended last, hitting him lightly with a dish towel as they cleaned up. “I’ll have
you know she listens just fine… to Joo.”

Setting the gathered plates on the counter as Seokjin started filling the sink, Namjoon frowned
slightly and opened his mouth before he had a chance to think about what he was saying. “Is that
because Joo spends more time with her?”

Seokjin looked up at him, eyes wide and the hurt melted quickly into a frown of displeasure. “That
was low,” he said, shutting the water off. “I spend as much time with her as I can.”

“But you do spend nights out at bars, instead of at home,” Namjoon said. He was already up to his
ankles, why not head for his knees?

“I did, yes, but… you don’t understand,” Seokjin said, gripping the edge of the counter. “I was
suffocating being here with them. Joo has her boyfriend over most every night. It’s like… I’m not a
part of the family. I couldn’t do it. I’m weak, I know, I let some other man come in and be her
father.”

Namjoon could see the tears starting to form and the waiver in Seokjin’s voice. He’d touched a raw
nerve, that was obvious. “Hey, hey,” Namjoon put an arm around Seokjin’s shoulder and pulled
him in for a hug. He let Seokjin bury his face into his neck and just held him as his shoulders
shook. “You’re still her father,” he said softly, rubbing his hand up and down Seokjin’s back. “No
one can take that from you.”

“He’s a better father than me,” Seokjin whispered. “You’re right, I’m never here… how can I be?”

Namjoon wasn’t sure of what to say. He had no experience with raising children, or being a father.
His own relationship with his father had been strained at best, much like Seokjin’s with his
daughter. “It’s not a good situation you’ve got going,” he said, just holding Seokjin. “I know you
think you’re doing what’s right by getting out of it. But you need to be here more.”

“I can’t, I can’t, not if he’s here,” Seokjin shook his head. “He’s the father she deserves.”

“No, don’t think like that,” Namjoon pulled back to look into Seokjin’s red rimmed eyes. “My
father was never around when I needed him, never had time for me.You can’t let her slip away like
that Jin. She’s your daughter. You need to be here for her. More than one night a week. Even…
even if that means I’m not in the picture.”

“What?” Seokjin’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “No, no I just got you, you can’t just leave
me already.”

Sighing heavily, Namjoon squeezed Seokjin’s shoulders before dropping his hands. “You need to
think about what’s best for her. If being in her life is important, make that your priority. Not a
boyfriend.”
“Joon, please,” Seokjin whispered, more tears threatening to fall. “It shouldn’t end like this, we’re
barely anything.”

“Which makes it easier to stop,” Namjoon said, looking away. “I like you a lot, and this hurts me
too. But I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

Seokjin took a step back, shaking his head. “I can’t believe this…”

“It’s for the best-” Namjoon started to say but Seokjin cut him off, throwing himself at him and
smashing their lips together. Namjoon wanted to protest, to push him away but Seokjin’s lips were
eager and hungry and Namjoon already knew how weak he was for the man.

He should have stopped when Seokjin pulled him away from the counter and led him down the
hall, should have left before Seokjin pushed him into a room and shut the door. He shouldn’t have
kissed Seokjin back. He shouldn’t have helped him out of his clothes and onto the bed.

But Seokjin was the forbidden fruit he couldn’t stay away from. He was addicting in his hungry
lips and eager tongue that wrapped around his dick so well. The gasps and moans as Namjoon’s
fingers worked him open and the way his body twisted and turned and folded so nicely when
Namjoon fucked him.

Namjoon knew he was a goner when his name dropped from Seokjin’s lips. The look of pure bliss
and contentment when he froze over top of him, his hips flush with Seokjin’s ass as he came. There
was no turning back. But maybe Namjoon knew that already.

“I don’t think I can do this without,” Seokjin murmured, head resting on Namjoon’s chest. “We’ll
be separating next month, just after our anniversary and the lawyers confirm the conditions of the
will were met.”

“What will happen then?” Namjoon asked. It was well past midnight, and they’d yet to move from
where they’d curled together.

“She and Sunhee will move out, they’re going to get an apartment and her boyfriend will move in
after a few months,” Seokjin said. “I offered to let them have this place but Joo said she wanted a
fresh start. I don’t blame her. We’ve lived here for ten years.”

Namjoon understood Joo’s thought process. It had never really been her home if it had been
Seokjin’s too. “Will you want a fresh start too?”

“I don’t know yet, I like this place, it suits me,” Seokjin said, squirming around so he could
stretched out on top of Namjoon. “Where else would I go?”

Namjoon didn’t really have answer for that, it’s not like they were at the point where they were
even ready to talk about moving in together (he’d almost just walked out even). “It’s not like you
have to go anywhere if you don’t want to, but it’s an option.”

I hadn’t thought about it much honestly, this whole thing… it’s almost over,” Seokjin took a deep
breath and closed his eyes. Hands folded on top of Namjoon’s sternum, Seokjin lay his cheek
down on top of them. “We’re splitting custody equally, but with my work Sunhee will be with her
mom more often.”

“Maybe that’s why it’s important you spend as much time with her now,” Namjoon suggested.
“Another night a week of you and her, that shouldn’t be hard to do right?”
“I suppose not,” Seokjin hummed. “But that means you and I-”

“You and I will work around you and her, not the other way around,” Namjoon said. He brushed
the hair out of Seokjin’s eyes before laying his arms over the man’s shoulders. “I didn’t have a
good relationship with my dad, don’t be like my dad, don’t push her away.”

Seokjin was quiet, but Namjoon could tell he wasn’t asleep yet. “What about him?”

“That you’ll have to talk to Joo about,” Namjoon replied. “If it bothers you, talk to her.”

“What if-”

Namjoon put his hand over Seokjin’s mouth and twisted his head until their eyes were locked. “I
don’t have all the answers you want Jin. I wish I did. I’m being as supportive as I can, but I can’t
solve this for you. This… this a lot for someone who has never had a boyfriend before let alone a
boyfriend who’s married with a kid. I’m trying my best to be supportive, but I’m barely holding on
as it is.”

Listening with wide eyes, Seokjin sat up and scooted forward to lean down and kiss Namjoon’s
lips softly. “I’m sorry, you’re right,” he whispered against Namjoon’s lips. “I forget that you… you
haven’t been here since the beginning. I’m sorry.”

Namjoon just let them kiss for a moment, enjoying the softness of the moment. He didn’t want
anymore thoughts of situations that he had no clue how to help on. He just wanted to kiss his
boyfriend.
 Seokjin's Bedroom
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

One month.

One month of complete and utter bliss and Namjoon was sure he could live the rest of his days in
Seokjin’s warm arms. Bask in his gentle smile. Subsist entirely on Seokjin’s essence.

That’s not to say it was easy. There was still tension whenever Seokjin had to talk with Joo about
their daughter and the upcoming plans. There was still something lingering unresolved that
Namjoon couldn’t quite place. He was still an outsider to their dynamic. He hadn’t been there for
years like Joo’s boyfriend. He had no say in their decisions, and didn’t feel he had the right
anyway.

But something still felt off.

“Maybe it feels off because it is,” Yoongi said simply. Always helpful, Yoongi had dragged
Namjoon home with him for the night. It was one of Seokjin’s days with his daughter so Namjoon
probably would have gone home and eaten cardboard while staring at the ceiling. So at least he
was getting a good home-cooked meal amongst the lecture from Yoongi.

“I know it’s not… ideal,” Namjoon sighed. Of course Namjoon had filled Yoongi in on everything
pretty much immediately, the man seemed to have a radar for whenever Namjoon was in over his
head. “But the party is next week, and then it’s over.”

“Maybe it’s the fact they’re planning a huge anniversary party two days before they announce their
divorce,” Jimin said. “That’s pretty fucked up to me.”

“It’s only an anniversary party for the public,” Namjoon shook his head. “To them, and those that
know, it’s a celebration of divorce.”

“Who celebrates divorce?” Yoongi sneered, glancing over his shoulder. Namjoon always found it
funny that between Jimin and Yoongi, Yoongi was the better cook. Not just a good cook, but a
damn good one at that. Namjoon probably would have starved to death if it hadn’t been for
Yoongi. “Weird people, that’s who.”

“I heard people throw parties for divorce, a way of celebrating no longer being shackled down,”
Jimin said. “I would totally throw a party.”

Namjoon snorted at the look of disapproval Yoongi shot over his shoulder at Jimin. “I’m going to
burn the hell out of your steak for that,” he huffed. Jimin shrieked out a laugh, but stumbled his
way out of his chair and into the kitchen, babbling out an apology. Namjoon couldn’t help but
smile, watching how Jimin curled up around Yoongi’s back, kissing his cheek and pouting. He
couldn’t hear what he was whispering but he knew enough to know it was sweet words; things only
Jimin had figured out to calm Yoongi down.

It was hard not to envy how the two had so easily fallen into each other. Namjoon couldn’t really
remember life before Jimin, just a vague notion of a sour Yoongi who thought the whole world
should burn. Jimin brought out something in Yoongi, a will to look out for others. Yoongi had
always cared for his friends of course, but now he went that extra step, even if he was loathe to
admit it.
Namjoon envied them, because they made it look so easy. They had their struggles getting together
of course, but nothing so dramatic that the rights to the story could have been sold as a makjang
drama like Namjoon’s. He wondered who would play him, maybe Lee Minho, but would he look
good as a blond? Seokjin would probably want Song Joongki but Namjoon didn’t think he could
hold a candle to Seokjin. That and their chemistry would be all wrong.

"You're not actually going to this party though, are you?" Jimin asked, interrupting Namjoon's
musings. He'd come back to his chair at the dining table across from Namjoon, his eyes concerned.

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Namjoon said, scrubbing at his hair. "I want to be there to support
Jin."

"I get that, but it's just... it's going to be a big party right? Lots of celebrities and paparazzi," Jimin
said, drumming his fingers on the table. "You can't be his boyfriend there, just his friend."

Namjoon blinked at Jimin, the words rocking him more than he had thought they would. He hadn't
even considered how it would look if he was there. Why would he? He was just going to his
boyfriend's wedding anniversary party, nothing weird about that.

"And then two days later they announce they're divorcing?" Jimin was continuing. "I know you,
and I know you don't want that kind of attention. If anyone sees you with him, close to him, they're
going to want to ask you what you know."

"It's none of my business, that's what I'd say," Namjoon said, mumbling slightly. His mind was
racing at all the ways this could go sideways. But, he had to be there. Jin was counting on him to
be there.

"Joon," Jimin reached his hand over the table to lay over Namjoon's. "Maybe you shouldn't go.
You're going to have a hard enough time as it is once they separate and you're spending a lot of
time with him. What if he wants to go public?"

"He knows I don't," Namjoon shook his head. "I think you're overthinking this. It's just a party."

"Just a party can land you the front page of Naver," Yoongi said, setting bowls of side dishes on
the table. "You two disappear to get in a quick blow job and suddenly you're in another gay
scandal with Kim Seokjin. I got you out of it once, I don't know if I can do it again."

"Sure you can, you work magic," Namjoon grumbled. The words were light but his tone was
heavy. "I appreciate you guys being worried, fuck I am worried. But I promised I'd go. Jin would
be devastated if I didn't."

Yoongi and Jimin traded solemn looks, the kind that spoke of conversations they'd had on the
matter. He hated that they talked about him. Hated that anyone was worried about his relationship
with someone he loved.

"If you're sure," Yoongi said, finally letting the matter drop. For now.

It wasn't that Namjoon didn't trust his friends and their opinion on the matter. He did, implicitly.
Otherwise he wouldn't have even said anything to them about what was happening with Seokjin.
But sometimes he thought they maybe over-worried.

Yoongi was protecting his best friend and employer, so of course he was thinking of it in terms of
being a public relations officer. Jimin was just Jimin and worried about everyone and everything.
Namjoon had briefly thought about talking to Taehyung about it but dismissed it just as quickly.
Taehyung was chaos wrapped in Gucci and if he sniffed out that Namjoon was going to a party
where fashion big wigs were going to be, then he'd have a hanger on that he didn't need.

That and Taehyung probably wouldn't be that helpful. Namjoon loved Taehyung like a brother, and
shared an intimate history with him, but that didn't mean that Namjoon altogether trusted
Taehyung's decisions. The eloping in Vegas was evidence of that.

So, Namjoon did what he did best and ignored the whole situation. It couldn't blow up in his face if
he was careful.

When Namjoon had pictured there would be a party, he thought it would be the usual stuffy affair
he was used to from his socialite days when he was younger. He was from old money, so generally
the people who gathered in those parties were older, refined, stuck up.

So the bedlam he was assaulted with the moment he stepped inside Seokjin's villa was not what he
had expected.

The music was loud, people were screaming and shouting and laughing. Each room he passed
seemed to be of a different theme. The guest bedroom had been turned into a ball pit, the living
room a dance stage, and the kitchen a full service bar.

Everywhere Namjoon looked there were half naked models lounging, people dancing and writhing
together. There seemed to be some sort of game being played out on the veranda but Namjoon was
not that curious to see what it was lest he get dragged into something.

Besides, he'd been there twenty minutes and he still couldn't find Seokjin.

He did, however, find Joo. She'd assembled a harem in her bedroom, a queen on her throne of
pillows in the middle of her bed. There were women and men, some more scantily clad and some
outright naked. Namjoon had just walked into an orgy and Joo was at the helm.

"Joonie!" She grinned, lifting her glass of wine at him. Her speech was slurred, probably a little
drunk, but her eyes were glassy, maybe more than just drunk. "Everyone, this is Joonie, he's the
dick my husband's sucking now."

Namjoon froze, eyes widening. "I-"

"Kidding," Joo cackled. "God you're so fun to torment Namjoon. So, so repressed. Live a little huh?
Have some fun, relax..." her eyes peeled away from him to survey her queendom. "I'm sure one of
these lovely ladies will help you relax?"

"No, that's fine," Namjoon held his hands up, palms out to keep the couple of heads that had
popped up at bay. "I'm just looking for Jin, have you seen him?"

Joo sipped at her wine, her eyes narrowing dangerously at him. "Haven't seen him," she said
coolly. "Check his room, I think I saw him head in there with a tight little twink."

There was a chorus of giggles from around the room, and the eyes on him seemed to be laughing.
Like they knew something he didn't.

"Right," Namjoon said, trying not to let the fear rising up in his chest get to him. He wasn't going
to let her goad him. Not now.
Turning, he left the room and the debauchery behind him. He knew Joo was just saying these
things to get a rise out of him. She'd been doing it all month. Hinting at Seokjin meeting other
people when Namjoon wasn't around. For cheating on him. On them. She couldn't be right though,
Namjoon trusted Seokjin. Seokjin wouldn't do that.

It didn't help the bile that was creeping up the back of his throat though. Namjoon knew Seokjin's
reputation. He was a player. Had been a player. Past tense. He wouldn't do that to Namjoon.

Seokjin's bedroom door was closed. There were people lingering in the hall, watching him
approach. That same knowing smile, the laughter in their eyes. There was a joke that had been told
and he was the punchline.

Taking a breath, Namjoon twisted the door handle and pushed it open. He didn't want to see, but he
had to see. His eyes landed on the bed, their bed that they shared when Namjoon stayed over. The
bed they'd laughed and cried and fucked in. The bed that was just a touch too big for two people
and where they'd hollow out a cocoon in the middle.

The bed was made, and Seokjin was laying up against the headboard. He was smiling, right at
Namjoon.

"About time you got here," Seokjin said, holding out a hand to him. Seokjin was wearing a silk
black robe and probably not much else. Waiting for him.

But most importantly, he was alone.

"Fucking... Joo," Namjoon let out the breath he'd been holding, closing the door behind him.

"She tell you I was in here with someone?" Seokjin laughed. "I told her to say that. I'm sorry, I
couldn't help myself."

"It's not funny," Namjoon grumbled, stepping towards the bed. "I... I didn't want to believe you
would do that."

"I wouldn't," Seokjin cooed, sitting up on his knees. The robe fell away and Namjoon had been
right; that there wasn't much underneath. Not much meaning nothing. Namjoon could feel his
blood boiling already just looking at his gorgeous, gorgeous boyfriend.

"So, why aren't you out enjoying your party?" Namjoon asked, stopping at the foot of the bed.

"I made my rounds already," Seokjin shrugged, knee walking closer until he was in front of
Namjoon. "But my party doesn't really get started until you show up."

"This is not the kind of party I was expecting," Namjoon said, watching Seokjin with disinterested
eyes as Seokjin began to unbuckle his belt.

"What, you think it was going to be a wine and cheese kind of party?" Seokjin laughed, pulling the
belt off and tossing it to the side. "You must not get out much."

"No, but you knew that," Namjoon said, lifting his hand to drag his knuckle over Seokjin's cheek.
"Jin... is this a good idea? There's so many people-"

"Who are drunk or stoned, or a combination of both," Seokjin shrugged, working to unbutton his
pants. "Don't worry, it's under control."

"Is it though?" Namjoon frowned. "You guys are so close, if it got out today of all days-"
"Namjoon I'm about two seconds away from giving you the best suck of your life," Seokjin said,
punctuating his sentence by shoving his hand into Namjoon's boxers. "Shut up, relax. I'd offer you
something to relax but I need you fully functional for the next hour or two."

Namjoon wheezed, steadying himself with a hand on Seokjin's shoulder at the firm grip around his
dick. "F-fuck," he groaned.

"Not yet," Seokjin chuckled. "Need to get you good and warmed up first."

"Jin... fuck Jin can you just-" Namjoon gasped as Seokjin pushed his boxers and pants down
around his feet and swallowed him whole.

Namjoon kind of lost the plot of what he was going to say after that, too focused on how good
Seokjin's mouth was.

Namjoon woke to a pounding headache, a dry throat, and feeling like he'd been put through a meat
grinder. His memories of the night before were hazy, though he clearly remembered fucking
Seokjin into the mattress before they rejoined the party. Drinks and maybe a bit of weed had
topped off the night, but another round of Seokjin riding him had been the last thing he
remembered before passing out.

It had been a good night, what he remembered of it. Rolling over, Namjoon cracked his eyes open
and smiled at Seokjin who looked to be asleep still. He looked calm, and happy, and Namjoon
couldn't help but puff his chest up a little knowing that Seokjin would soon be free. They'd gotten
to the tenth anniversary, they'd met the conditions for Joo to get her inheritance and soon, Seokjin
would be all his.

An envelope on the bedside table caught Namjoon's attention and he frowned slightly. It was a
large yellow envelope with Seokjin's name scrawled on it.

"Baby," Namjoon scooted closer to wrap his arms around Seokjin's waist and press a kiss to his
forehead.

"Hm?" Seokjin's perfect face scrunched slightly and he opened his eyes. "Why are you yelling?" he
mumbled.

"Sorry," Namjoon lowered his voice. Seokjin had taken far more shots than he had. "There's
something on the table," he said softly.

Seokjin turned slowly and looked. "That's Joo's writing," he mumbled, rolling in Namjoon's hold to
reach over to the table. Pulling the enveloped closer to him, he opened it up. A few pictures fell out
of the envelope as Seokjin pulled out the contents. A thick stack of papers that Namjoon assumed
was the separation papers.

"Oh..." Namjoon's heart stilled as he looked at one of the pictures that had fallen, picking it up. It
was him and Seokjin, in bed. This bed. It was a series of pictures taken from a security video.
There was video out there of them having sex.

"Oh my god," Seokjin sat up, ignoring the pictures. "She... I can't believe... fuck."

"What's wrong?" Namjoon tossed the picture aside and sat up, eyes wide and worried.

"She's... she's taking my daughter," Seokjin whispered. "She’s filing for sole physical custody. Her
 boyfriend is going to adopt her, they want to take my name off the birth certificate. They want to
take my daughter."

Namjoon couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"They can't do that right? You have rights," Namjoon said. Seokjin turned his head to look at
Namjoon, eyes dark and angry.

"It's because of you," Seokjin said. "She's going to use our relationship, a homosexual relationship,
as reason why I'm not fit to be a father. That's why she encouraged our relationship. So she could
get custody of our daughter. If I fight it, we'll be exposed."

Namjoon felt the floor beneath him opening up and he was falling into the black depths below.

Chapter End Notes

what, you thought the angst was over? we're just getting started.

special thanks to @galsaeg_piano for the beta =)

go check out her work!

 Tokashiki Island

“I’ll be honest,” Yoongi, who had been going over the letter with Namjoon’s team of lawyers, sat
back down at the table. “This doesn’t look good. It could be worse, but it could be a lot better too.”

“What do they think?” Namjoon nodded towards where his lawyers were huddled over a few
copies of Seokjin’s prenup agreement.

“They think that with this letter they can file an injunction with the court preventing her from
releasing any damning pictures, but doesn’t mean they won’t leak. Of course, you could go after
her for that if they do leak, but the damage would be done.”

Namjoon glanced at Seokjin beside him, the man’s usual carefree smile had been absent for days.

“So, it’s either lose my daughter, or have a huge scandal that destroys my career and Namjoon’s,”
Seokjin said. “How is this fair? How does she get to do this to us?”

“It’s fucked is what it is,” Yoongi said, glancing between them. “Here I thought you would be the
problem in all this, Seokjin, but it’s your soon to be ex wife.”

“Who says I’m not the problem?” Seokjin said, looking down at the table top, his hands clasped
together tightly. “I should just face the reality shouldn’t I, that I’m going to lose the one good thing
I got out of the past ten years?”

“We shouldn’t be ready to give up without a fight,” Namjoon said. “Isn’t that letter, blackmail?
Can’t we do something?”

“If we press on the pictures, she’ll probably leak them,” Yoongi shook his head. “I don’t
recommend we do anything right now.”

“Do nothing?” Namjoon repeated, scowling at Yoongi. “We can’t just do nothing Yoongi, that’s
not an option.”

“It’s the best option we’ve got,” Yoongi replied. “My job is to keep you out of scandals, so shutting
up and letting the lawyer’s figure something out is what we’re going to do.”

Seokjin’s head snapped up at that and he looked between them. “That’s what you care about? Is
keeping Namjoon’s name out of the news?”

“That’s my job,” Yoongi replied. The two stared at each other for a moment before Namjoon
leaned forward to cut in.

“He’s trying to help, Jin,” Namjoon said, covering Seokjin’s hands with his own. “I wouldn’t have
set up this meeting if I didn’t think he’d be able to do something.”

“Something for you,” Seokjin hissed at him, pulling his hands away. He stood up abruptly,
smoothing down his shirt. “I need some air.”

Namjoon didn’t protest, watching Seokjin leave the room and sighing. “What do I do Yoongi?”

“You want my opinion as your public relations, or as your best friend?” Yoongi asked. “As your
PR, I’d be yelling at you that I told you being with him was a bad idea and now we’re in a
nightmare situation.”
“I’m aware, thanks,” Namjoon rubbed a hand over his face. “And as my best friend?”

“I’d say that you need to make a choice,” Yoongi said softly. “Do you love him? Love him enough
to out yourself for his happiness? To risk your entire life, for him?”

Namjoon’s hand dropped to the table and he looked at Yoongi. “I don’t know.”

“I suggest you figure that out,” Yoongi said. “Otherwise, it’s not just you that’s going to be hurt
here.”

“I should have listened to you in the first place and stayed away from him,” Namjoon said.
“Maybe he wouldn’t be going through this right now.”

“I think he would have, I think she had plans on doing this no matter who he was with,” Yoongi
said. “Don’t you dare blame yourself for this, you got caught in a power move you didn’t see
coming.”

“You did, in a way,” Namjoon sighed. “What do you think the best choice is? As my friend, not as
my employee.”

“As your friend… if it’s love, then it’s worth whatever hell rains down on you,” Yoongi said. “You
know Jimin and I went through a lot of shit with his family, so I know what it’s like to be in a
position of being outed without your consent. But I’d do it all over again if it meant living the rest
of my life with Jimin, because I love him that much.”

“You’d been together years at that point,” Namjoon replied.

“Doesn’t matter if it had been two months instead of five years,” Yoongi shook his head. “When
you know, you know, and I know that he is the love of my goddamn life. I knew it on our first
date.”

“I really need to think about this,” Namjoon said.

Yoongi sighed softly, leaning back in his chair. “I wouldn’t think too long. If you’re going to be
there for him, he’s gonna need support. Better make it clear if you’re going to bail on him.”

“Leaving would be the asshole thing to do wouldn’t it?” Namjoon said. “Guess I just need to figure
out if I’m an asshole or not.”

“You are an asshole, let’s not lie to ourselves,” Yoongi snorted. “It’s about if you love him enough
to go through this with him.” Yoongi tapped his fingers on the table, eyeing Namjoon for a
moment. “Worst timing, but maybe you two should go on a trip. The two of you. For a couple of
days. Nothing is going to happen on his case, she hasn’t filed yet. I think you both could use some
time away.”

“You know, it was a trip away that got us in this mess in the first place,” Namjoon said, but he
liked the idea. Seokjin could use time away. Not just from his apartment and the memories, but
everything. “I’ll talk to him about it.”

Surprisingly, Seokjin agreed to the vacation. Maybe it was because he was so drained after
everything that he saw the merit in it, or maybe he was too drained to care. Either way, they
boarded a plane to one of the smaller islands of Japan. One that wasn’t big on tourists, and mostly
just scenery. Namjoon had Yoongi take care of the arrangements and Namjoon was pleasantly
surprised by the small villa that had been rented for them.

The house was small, but luxurious, and had a beautiful view of of the sea as well as a mountain.
Surrounded by trees and nature, it was definitely calming. No matter what happened, at least there
would be this good memory for both of them.

“Yoongi said he’d call soon as they heard from the courthouse,” Namjoon said. They’d settled into
two deck chairs on the back patio, watching the sun set over the sea.

“I’m anxious,” Seokjin said, hugging his knees to his chest. “I don’t think I’ve stopped being
anxious since I woke up that day. I’m sorry she dragged you into this. That I dragged you into
this.”

“You couldn’t have known,” Namjoon shook his head. “Don’t blame yourself for this.”

“I am, because I should have done better,” Seokjin said, resting his cheek against his knee and
looking at Namjoon. “I should have did like you said, honored my vows. Not made such a
spectacle of myself. I shouldn’t have got into so many scandals.”

“You were in an unfair situation, you had no idea that after everything you two went through
together that she’d pull the wool over your eyes at the last moment,” Namjoon said. “You agreed
to see other people. How she can use that against you, and you can’t do the same is vile. Absolutely
vile.”

“A part of me thinks that if I’d been sleeping with other women, she wouldn’t have tried this,”
Seokjin said, his eyes distant. “But because I’m gay, she didn’t want me around our daughter.”

“I don’t believe that, you raised her for years without comment,” Namjoon shook his head. “You
know, something about this just doesn’t make any sense. Either she’s a damn good actress or
there’s something else going on.”

“What do you mean?” Seokjin frowned. “What else could be going on?”

“I don’t know,” Namjoon shook his head. “I just thought she was better than this, she seemed to
care about you, about us. Was it just to use as blackmail? I don’t think so. Something is wrong
about all of this.”

“Wrong or not, the situation is what it is,” Seokjin said. “I know you’re just trying to give me some
hope, but I know better. I’m losing my daughter.”

Namjoon didn’t have a response to that. He didn’t want to give Seokjin false hope. Anything could
happen, there was still time for miracles.

There was a nervous energy between them as they talked and maneuvered around each other. An
unspoken dance of unfamiliarity in their predicament. Were they still together? Were they breaking
up? Namjoon couldn’t answer because he didn’t know what would be best himself. Would
breaking up even help Seokjin a this point?

Would it even save Namjoon himself?

The more Namjoon wondered about what course of action to take, the more he concluded some
things. No matter what happened between them, they could both still be outed. Distancing himself
from Seokjin would do nothing, the damage was already done. It would just hurt.

“I don’t want to break up,” Namjoon confided one night as the sweat cooled on their bodies, the
sounds of chirping bugs underlying their heavy breaths. “I love you.”

Seokjin turned his head to look at him, gaze unwavering and expression unreadable. “I don’t want
to break up either,” he whispered, touching Namjoon’s flushed cheek. “I need you Namjoon, so
much.”

“Fight her,” Namjoon said, pulling Seokjin close, resting their foreheads together. “Fight her, don’t
give up on your daughter.”

“But…” Seokjin’s eyes darted between his, confusion creating a wrinkle between his brows. “If we
do that, she’ll-”

“I know,” Namjoon said shortly, his jaw working. “Jin I love you. None of this fair, but I know one
thing, I love you, and I’m ready to fight for you. For you and your daughter. Whatever happens,
we’ll deal with it. I’m not losing you.”

Seokjin was quiet, mapping Namjoon’s cheeks with his fingers. “You have to be sure, you can’t
say this then change your mind,” he said, his voice wavering. “This is my entire life Namjoon.”

“You are my entire life,” Namjoon replied softly. “I was floating before I met you. I had nothing,
no one and lived in a perpetual state of nothing. You have been a whirlwind, a twister that tore
through my life and opened my eyes to a world of color. I can’t imagine being without you.”

Tears were welling Seokjin’s eyes and Namjoon brushed them away with his thumb when they
spilled over on his cheeks. “Namjoon…”

“In the morning, let’s call the lawyers,” Namjoon said. “Tell them that we’ll take the risk of being
outed. You’re going to fight for your daughter.”

Seokjin didn’t have a voice to speak, just nodding and tugging Namjoon into a watery kiss.

It may have been a snap decision for Namjoon, only realizing as he lay there with Seokjin that he
couldn't imagine life without him that it had clicked for him.

Namjoon knew Seokjin had been the one in that first meeting. Had been the one to excite him, to
draw him out of his self imposed seclusion. Had been the one to make him take chances, accept
consequences, and to finally live.

Maybe it was dumb, maybe it would be the worst decision of his life, but Namjoon didn’t think so.
Just like Yoongi knew Jimin had been the one, so did Namjoon know Seokjin was it. It had been a
fact he’d been trying to deny for months. But Namjoon couldn’t give Jin up. Refused to let him go
from his head or his heart.

Even if he had denied it up and down, Seokjin was firmly there in his life. It was why he defended
Seokjin’s actions, why he turned a blind eye to the bad decisions. It was why no matter how much
Namjoon knew it would destroy everything his family had built, he couldn’t let Seokjin go.
 Jongno-gu

Leg bouncing nervously, Namjoon and Seokjin were sat next to each other on the couch in his
office, surrounded by glass walls to preside over the other workers on the top floor. Namjoon made
countless life altering decisions in this office, so the irony wasn’t lost on him that his own life was
in the hands of a group of men and women, and Yoongi, in the office directly across from him.

“It’s not going to be good news,” Seokjin murmured, and Namjoon squeezed his hand in response.
By the twisted frown on Yoongi’s face, Namjoon had to agree. If it were good news, Yoongi’s lips
would be pressed into the usual thin line and his eyes impassive. Namjoon knew Yoongi well
enough to know when he was frustrated, and that was a look of frustration.

“We don’t know, he could be trying to fake us out,” Namjoon said, though even he didn’t believe
it. Yoongi didn’t fuck with people like that, not when it was this important.

“I’m gonna lose my kid,” Seokjin’s voice was raspy, too many hours of crying had robbed him of
his usually silky tone. Namjoon glanced over to see he’d ducked his head, eyes closed tight. “This
is a nightmare.”

“There’ll be something we can do, there has to be,” Namjoon said quietly, pulling his hand from
Seokjin’s to wrap it around his wide shoulders. Good strong shoulders that were holding up the
weight of the world, too much weight for one man. Namjoon wanted to bear some of that weight,
to protect Seokjin. But it came at such a high price.

The sound of the door to his office opening had him looking up, Yoongi nodding as he came
through and closed the door behind him.

“Well?” Namjoon sat up a little, but didn’t let go of his hold on Seokjin.

“There are a couple of options, but none of them good,” Yoongi said, sitting down in the chairs
across from them. He laid the paperwork out on the table between them. “They want to file an
emergency injunction with the court to keep her from releasing whatever photographs or videos she
has. That will not prevent them from being leaked however, she can claim they were done without
her knowledge.”

“It is blackmail isn’t it?” Seokjin asked. “Taking video without our knowledge and threatening
us?”

“It is, and we can use that,” Yoongi said, taking a deep breath. “But if she drags this fight
publically, then the reasons why you filed the injunction could be released to the press. The
damage would be done whether she released them or not.”

“So… we just let her win?” Namjoon frowned. “We let her take Seokjin’s daughter without a
fight?” Seokjin let out a choked gasp, his entire frame collapsing in on itself and he buried his face
in his hands

Yoongi’s frown deepened and he sat back in his chair, hands resting in his lap. “The lawyers see
only one option. Get out ahead of this. Come out together, file the injunction publically and the
reasons for it. It will look strong enough to the courts that her motivation was criminal and you
could possibly keep custody.”

“Possibly,” Namjoon repeated. “Ruin both of our images for the possibility, not a guarantee, but a
possibility. That’s not very encouraging.”
“I didn’t say it was, and believe me, the lawyers weren’t sure of any rate of success,” Yoongi said.
“But we all know how unfavorably people look on a queer man raising a child. Even if it’s an
airtight case of blackmail, she could still retain custody from you simply being bisexual, Seokjin.
A bisexual in a sexual relationship with another man, while still married.”

Seokjin had regained a bit of his composure, though his cheeks were damp with tears. “Even if…
even if I wanted to do that, that would mean dragging Namjoon through this with me. I can’t.”

“That’s something you two need to talk about,” Yoongi said, looking at Namjoon. “The lawyers
are looking out for your best interest in all of this Joon, but those images could leak whether we do
what she wants or not. We can’t do anything to her without it going public.”

“I need a minute,” Seokjin said, getting to his feet. “Need some fresh air.” He didn’t wait on
Yoongi or Namjoon, just striding out of the office and disappearing down the corridor.

Settling back into the couch, Namjoon looked up at the ceiling and scrubbed at his hair. “What do
I do Yoongi?”

“Go back to the night Taehyung convinced you to go to New York and tell you to stay the fuck
home,” Yoongi said, nonchalantly. “I knew he would be trouble.”

“Who, Taehyung? He’s always been trouble,” Namjoon snorted. “No, I know that’s not what you
meant,” he put in when Yoongi opened his mouth to correct him. “You know, even knowing what I
know now, and the position we’re in, I don’t regret any of it.”

“Of course you don’t, because you love him,” Yoongi said. “But neither of you are in a good
position right now. No matter what, you’re going to get hurt.”

“I know,” Namjoon closed his eyes. “Is love enough to do this?”

“If you’re asking my opinion, then yes,” Yoongi said. Namjoon opened his eyes and tilted his head
slightly to look at Yoongi. “We already had this talk. Love is that important.”

“Enough to ruin not only my career, but the company? And Jin’s company?” Namjoon asked. “Is
our love worth it?”

“At this point, it’s not about you two,” Yoongi said. “Will our company suffer? Not if I can help it.
We’re a media agency, we can spin this however we want. Will Seokjin’s company suffer?
Probably not. He owns a fashion house, it’s rather expected, not to be stereotypical or anything, but
it’s expected. What’s more important, your reputation, or Seokjin’s daughter?”

“I’m surprised you’re putting a child over reputation,” Namjoon frowned. “My reputation.”

“You and your ego is the least of my concern when a child is involved,” Yoongi rolled his eyes. “If
Seokjin is a good father and wants to be in his daughter’s life, then he should be. No one should
take away a parent’s rights unless they’re abusive. If Jimin and I were in the same position, I’d
have done the same for Jimin’s hypothetical kid.”

“Yeah but you and Jimin are practically married, and you don’t have-”

“I swear Namjoon, I will break your expensive toy collection if you tell me that your reputation is
more important because you’re missing the point,” Yoongi pointed a finger at him. “You know
what kind of family Jimin comes from, not so dissimilar from yours or Seokjin’s. His reputation
would have been at stake just as much, and he means a lot more to me than you.”
“You realize, you, my public relations manager, whose sole job is to keep me and my name out of
scandals, is advocating for me to go out in front of the country and announce not only am I gay, but
have been in a relationship with a married man for two months?” Namjoon asked. “You really
think it’s a good idea?”

“No, I think it’s a terrible idea,” Yoongi snorted. “But it’s your only option. The question, is if you
love him enough to stand by him and do this with him.”

“This feels like a deja vu moment,” Namjoon said with a groan. “You’ve already said this to me
and I said yes, but this is something else Yoongi. This is our whole lives. What if we break up in a
few months? Would it be worth it?”

“You planning on breaking up with him?” Yoongi perked a brow at him. “You arranged a meeting
with your lawyers to look over his prenup agreement, the letter and photo evidence she’s
blackmailing him with instead of letting him handle it with his own lawyers. Namjoon, you’re head
over heels for this guy and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

Namjoon couldn’t argue, he knew Yoongi was right, as usual. He had committed himself to
Seokjin. No matter what.

“Set up a press conference for tomorrow,” Namjoon said. “I’ll talk to Jin. We’ll want that
injunction filed, sooner the better.”

“I’ll get everything set,” Yoongi nodded. “I’ll need final confirmation by the end of the day and
tomorrow we’ll get everything in motion.”

“What do you think our chances are?” Namjoon asked as Yoongi got to his feet.

“Truthfully? Very slim,” Yoongi said. “And for what it’s worth, I think no matter what happens,
you’ve made the right decision.”

“Past you would be screaming at me,” Namjoon pointed out.

“Past me wasn’t looking at the bigger picture,” Yoongi shrugged. “I got reminded of that not too
long ago.”

Namjoon questioned, tilting his head to the side as he looked at Yoongi. “Something happen?”

Yoongi wasn’t one to discuss his problems, Namjoon only knowing about the past with Jimin
because of the lawyers that were involved.

Yoongi’s lips quirked a little and Namjoon could see the softness in Yoongi’s eyes. “I asked Jimin
to marry me.”

Mouth dropping, Namjoon sat up. “Holy shit, congrat-”

“He said no,” Yoongi cut him off and Namjoon was struck dumb in confusion. “Only because he
doesn’t want to get married as long as his parents would be able to interfere. So, we eloped.”

“You what?” Namjoon shot up. “How?”

“Calm down, it’s not what you think,” Yoongi laughed. “We exchanged vows to each other and
gave each other rings. Nothing official anywhere, no ceremony. But to us we’re married, and that’s
what counts right now. As long as Jimin’s parents can have an impact on our lives, we have to do
what we have to do.”
“One of these days, I’m going to get my lawyers to look at Jimin’s contracts and the things they
made him sign,” Namjoon said. “I’m surprised you haven’t done it already.”

“Only because he’s asked me not to,” Yoongi shrugged. “Believe me, I’ve tried, but at the end of
the day, it’s up to him. It’s the bigger picture. His happiness, that’s what matters.”

Namjoon pondered those words as he let Yoongi go, sitting in silence in his office for a while until
he went in search of Seokjin. There was a rarely used door that led to an exterior fire escape where
Namjoon found his boyfriend leaning up against the railing.

“Hey, you going to stay out here all day?” Namjoon asked, leaning next to him.

“Considered it,” Seokjin replied. His tears were dry but his skin was flushed pink from tears and
constant rubbing. “But that would be running away wouldn’t it?”

“Only running if you actually go somewhere,” Namjoon said. “I don’t want you going anywhere.”

“I don’t know where I could go at this point,” Seokjin shook his head. “I’m in way over my head.”

“Well, that’s why I’m here, to give you a boost,” Namjoon said, putting his arm around Seokjin’s
waist. “I’m calling a press conference tomorrow.” He ignored how Seokjin’s head snapped up and
looked at him, continuing to look out over the city. “And I told Yoongi to have the injunction filed
tomorrow morning. Unless you say otherwise, tomorrow morning you and I will tell the press what
Joo has done, and what she had intended to do.”

“What?” Seokjin’s voice was barely a whisper, the breeze almost carrying the soft sound away as
it whipped around them. “You want to… to come out?”

Namjoon nodded, confirming to himself, again, that this was what he wanted. Not just for Seokjin,
but himself. Because being together meant that he had to face this head on, with Seokjin. “We can’t
lose Sunhee.”

“We?” Seokjin echoed. “You mean, we as in we?”

“She’s your daughter, but you’re my boyfriend,” Namjoon turned, pushing away from the railing
to pull Seokjin close by the hand on his waist. “A boyfriend that I love a lot, and am committed to
making sure you’re happy. Losing Sunhee shouldn’t be a part of us loving each other or being
together. So we’re going to fight for her, no matter the cost.”

Seokjin’s eyes were welling with fresh tears, his mouth open but unable to speak and Namjoon
could see a mix of overwhelming horror and love mixing in his expression. “Joon…”

“We don’t deserve what’s happening to us, but your daughter deserves her father,” Namjoon
continued. “And you deserve to be her father. If you agree, then we’re doing this.”

“I-I’m just… I can’t ask you to do this,” Seokjin whispered, shaking his head. “You shouldn’t…
this isn’t even about you.”

“If it involves you, then it’s about me,” Namjoon said. “I’m in those pictures, because I’m your
boyfriend, so it is about me. I’m not scared Jin. I love you. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure
you’re happy.”

Seokjin lost all ability talk, gasping out a choked sobed and falling into Namjoon’s chest.
Wrapping his arms tight around him, Namjoon pressed a kiss to the side of his head. He didn’t like
seeing Seokjin cry, but these were hopefully happy tears, and from now on, those would be the
only ones he cried.

Nerves would forever be Namjoon’s undoing. Speaking in front of people made his hands shake,
though he was lucky there was never a tremor in his voice. Going in front of hundreds of reporters
first thing in the morning was not a good way to start the day, but it had to be done. It had to be
done before the injunction was officially filed, before the paparazzi who made it their life’s work
to come through filed court cases got a hold of it. They had to get in front of the scandal and make
it their own.

But that didn’t mean that he and Seokjin weren’t stressed. Namjoon paced in his office, watching
the clock. Seokjin kept checking his phone for messages then setting it back down on the couch
cushion beside him every ten seconds.

By the time Yoongi came to collect them, Namjoon was sure he’d wore a whole in the carpet from
the pacing. He took Seokjin’s hand and they left the office together, not caring who of the
employees that were there saw. It wouldn’t matter, in ten minutes everyone would know anyway.

“I have some news before you go out there,” Yoongi said as they approached the conference room
where the press were waiting. “The lawyers had to contact her lawyers, as a formality, for the
injunction.”

“What’d they say?” Seokjin asked first when they stopped in front of the doors.

“Joo’s lawyers referred them to her parent’s lawyers,” Yoongi said, looking to Seokjin. “Because it
was them who set up the private investigator who took the pictures and the videos.”

“I don’t understand,” Seokjin shook his head, brow furrowed. “Joo’s… parents did this?”

“That’s what it’s looking like,” Yoongi said. “If they did, Joo’s going along with it.”

“The inheritance,” Seokjin said quietly. “She has to go along with it for the inheritance.”

“So what do I say then? What do we do?” Namjoon asked, glancing at the wooden doors beside
them. “If I say it was Joo who was forcing our hand and it wasn’t then we’ll look-”

“Like we’re trying to slander her good name, yeah,” Yoongi said. “What you’re going to say, is
that it was an anonymous message, that you don’t know where it came from, but someone was
looking to blackmail you. Leave your daughter out of it. If we can publicly trap Joo’s parents into
admitting what they’ve done, then we’ll have a leg to stand on.”

“But what about the injunction?” Namjoon shook his head. “None of this seems right.”

“The lawyers think they can file it privately, because of the parties involved,” Yoongi said. “Joo’s
parents have a lot of power and money, and they can say both parties need to be protected.”

“If not?” Seokjin’s hand was clamped tightly around Namjoon’s and Namjoon could feel him
shaking.

“Then… we’ll file it anyway,” Yoongi said. “We’re not going to let them bully you.”

“I don’t know Yoongi, something doesn’t seem right,” Namjoon shook his head. “Have the
lawyers keep looking into this, hold off on the injunction until we know for sure who it was.”
Yoongi frowned, but nodded. “Alright, if that’s what you want. You still want to go through with
this press shit show?”

“Yeah, we’re not hiding anymore,” Namjoon said, looking to Seokjin for confirmation. His
boyfriend looked pale, but he nodded as well. Taking a deep breath, Namjoon waited for Yoongi to
open the doors and walked in to blinding flashing lights with his head held high, and Seokjin’s
hand still in his own.
 Little White Chapel

The lights hurt Namjoon’s eyes, and he couldn’t even get used to them before a hand was on his
arm pulling him back. Glancing at Yoongi beside him he frowned, watching Yoongi answer his
phone. Yoongi wouldn’t have answered it now if it wasn’t important, wouldn’t have stopped
Namjoon from going in if it wasn’t news.

“You’re sure?” Yoongi asked, pulling Namjoon back out of the doorway. Namjoon let the doors
close, his confusion mirrored in Seokjin’s face expression as well. “Yes, do that, I’ll delay the
press. Just hurry.”

Yoongi hung up his phone and breathed a heavy sigh. Normally, Namjoon would have allowed
him to have a minute to gather his thoughts but they were kind of on a timetable here.

“Well?” Namjoon urged, probably a little more curt than he should have.

“I’m pushing the press conference back a few hours,” Yoongi said, tapping out text messages in his
phone. “It’s not Joo, and it’s not her parents.”

“If it’s not them then who is it?” Seokjin demanded. “Who else could possibly-”

“I don’t have details yet, give me a half hour,” Yoongi said, pocketing his phone. “You two need
to be elsewhere for a while. I’ll have the driver take you back to Namjoon’s and-”

“I’m not going anywhere until I learn more,” Namjoon said. “You look absolutely shaken Yoongi.”

“The lawyers have reason to believe someone on the board is behind it,” Yoongi said, glancing
back and forth down the hall, keeping his voice low. “If that’s true, then we need to figure out
who, how and why before we talk to anyone.”

Namjoon swayed slightly, that information nearly knocking him out flat. Someone in his
company?

“What does someone in Namjoon’s company have to do with me and my daughter?” Seokjin asked
quietly.

“That I’m still working on,” Yoongi said. “Go home, give me an hour.”

“Yoongi-” Namjoon tried to argue but Yoongi had already turned and was pulling his cellphone out
again, not paying any attention to Namjoon.

“I really don’t know if I can go home and wait on pins and needles,” Seokjin said. “Do we have a
choice?”

“There’s always a choice,” Namjoon said, watching Yoongi’s receding back. “But this time, I’m
actually going to listen to him for once.

No, Namjoon did not like the idea of going back to his penthouse. He did not like that they were
stuck there with no information, kept at a distance from something potentially disastrous happening
back at the company. But as distraught as he felt, he had to keep it under wraps for Seokjin’s sake.

Namjoon poured them both a couple of drinks and settled them on his couch. Squished into the
corner with Seokjin between his legs, back leaning against his chest, he sipped slowly at his
whiskey.

“It’s been a half hour already,” Seokjin said. He hadn’t touched his gin and tonic, but Namjoon
didn’t blame him. Sometimes even a drink didn’t sound appealing under stress. “How much longer
until we call him and demand answers?”

“Ten minutes,” Namjoon grunted. It was ten minutes longer than Namjoon wanted but he had to
trust Yoongi knew what he was doing. Yoongi was damn good at his job, just as long as Namjoon
followed his directions. He hadn’t done a good job of that lately.

“I don’t understand if it’s not Joo, then why won’t she return my calls?” Seokjin asked, the
question floating out without answer. “She moved her things out of the apartment, won’t talk to
me, won’t let me see my daughter. How could she not be involved?”

“Maybe whoever did this is threatening her,” Namjoon said, carding his hand through Seokjin’s
silky black hair. “We just have to be patient and find out what’s going on first, it’ll probably
answer whatever questions we have.”

“I don’t like sitting around waiting,” Seokjin said, turning onto his side. He lay his head on
Namjoon’s chest and closed his eyes. “It’s been a week of absolute silence Namjoon.”

“We’ll figure it out Jin,” Namjoon said, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “We’re not losing
her.”

Seokjin didn’t reply, and Namjoon didn’t blame him for not wanting to talk right then. There was a
lot happening and it was overwhelming. So it came as no surprise when he felt Seokjin’s body go
lax and he drifted into a doze. Namjoon quirked a smile, hoping Seokjin would sleep for longer
than a few minutes as he hadn’t been resting well at all.

Namjoon woke to the sound of the door slamming and his eyes cracked open in confusion. He
hadn’t been aware he’d fallen asleep and looked down at Seokjin who was rousing as well.

“Well no wonder you weren’t answering your phone,” Yoongi chided as he came into the living
room and dropped down into a chair. “Been trying to call you for twenty minutes.”

“Sorry, we dozed off,” Namjoon said, helping Seokjin sit up and blinking away the remnants of
sleep. “What’s going on?”

“Did you find out who’s doing this?” Seokjin asked, running a hand through his hair.

“First of all, it’s two people,” Yoongi said, glancing up at Namjoon then at Seokjin. “Joo’s
boyfriend, a Shin Jongsoo?”

“That asshole,” Seokjin seethed, ready to leap up off the couch but was held tight by Namjoon’s
hand on his arm. “I knew it. I knew he was an ass and I knew he was no good for her!”

“Calm down,” Namjoon said. “You said two people Yoongi?”

“Shin Dongyup, a member of your board of directors Namjoon, Jongsoo’s cousin,” Yoongi said,
leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

“That’s… convenient,” Namjoon frowned.

“Yeah, too convenient,” Seokjin said. “What does a member of Namjoon’s board have to do with
me and my daughter?”

“Very little,” Yoongi said. “None of this was about you. You were a means to an end.”

“You better start explaining Yoongi,” Namjoon said, his brow furrowing.

“Shin Dongyup, his father is Shin Hyosung, remember him?” Yoongi said, continuing when
Namjoon nodded. “Shin Hyosung was Namjoon’s father’s right hand man for decades. They built
this company together,” Yoongi explained to Seokjin. “When Namjoon took over, Hyosung helped
him until he retired. Shin Hyosung is a good man and had every confidence that Namjoon would
run the company successfully.”

“But, Dongyup took over for him,” Namjoon said, his lips settling into a thin line. “He was very
vocal about the fact that he thought his father should have taken over, not me.”

“So Dongyup wanted you out?” Seokjin looked confused, and honestly Namjoon was confused as
well.

“More than out, he wanted to make sure to ruin Namjoon,” Yoongi said. “Dongyup was one of the
few who knew Namjoon was gay, most of the board does. Most of the board doesn’t care as long
as Namjoon stays out of scandals.”

“So when I got into an almost scandal with Jin…” Namjoon sighed. “He saw it as an opportunity.”

“That he did,” Yoongi nodded. “It didn’t matter if it was Seokjin, or whoever you dated next.
Dongyup was going to do whatever he could to ruin you.”

“So it’s a coincidence that Joo’s boyfriend happened to be Dongyup’s cousin,” Seokjin said.

“But they used it to their advantage when you two started dating seriously,” Yoongi confirmed.
“Make no mistake, Namjoon would have been caught in a scandal either way.”

“So how does Joo and my daughter fit in?” Seokjin asked, crossing his arms. “I can’t believe she
would go along with this.”

“Far as we can tell, she hasn’t,” Yoongi said. “The divorce papers that were filed with the court
were forged, they’re not legal. Joo’s laywers confirmed she’s been out of the country, on vacation
since the night of your anniversary party.”

“She didn’t tell me she was going anywhere,” Seokjin sat up. “Is that why she hasn’t been
returning my calls?”

“Correct, and I’ve also confirmed your daughter is with her,” Yoongi said. “Jongsoo took them on
vacation as well as Joo’s parents to celebrate the impending divorce, and their engagement. They
have no idea any of this is happening.”

“By the time they get back, the damage will have been done,” Namjoon said quietly. “If we had
had that press conference, Dongyup would have convinced the board I was a liability and voted me
out. Jin was never in any danger of losing his daughter.”

“No,” Yoongi answered quietly. “Well, far as I know, no. I don’t know what goes on in women’s
heads so I really couldn’t say for sure.”

“Why would Jongsoo do this? Potentially ruining his relationship with Joo? Why?” Seokjin shook
his head.

“I don’t know this Jongsoo person, you’ll have to ask him,” Yoongi said. “But if he’s anything like
his cousin? He’s in it for money. If Dongyup had succeeded and possibly taken over as President
of the company, they’d both stand to make a lot of money if Jongsoo came to work here. Nepotism
at it’s finest.”

“We can worry about that shit stain later,” Namjoon said. “What do we do Yoongi?”

“I’ve called an emergency board meeting in twenty minutes,” Yoongi said. “We have the evidence
we need to make sure the board understands what Dongyup was planning. I contacted the police as
well. I’m not sure what laws they’ve broken, but I’m sure at least one.”

Namjoon blew out a heavy sigh and leaned back into his seat. A huge weight felt like it was lifting
off of his shoulders. “So we’re okay?”

“I’d say we will be in about a half hour, yeah,” Yoongi said, quirking a smile. “See, if you’d listen
to me more often, you wouldn’t get yourself into these messes.”

“You do not need to rub it in,” Namjoon groaned, rubbing at his eyes. “If I’d have listened to
you…” he glanced at Seokjin who had his face buried in his hands, his shoulders shaking.
Namjoon didn’t say a word, just pulling Seokjin into his arms and holding him. He looked at
Yoongi who was watching them with a fond smile.

“We gotta go though, if we wanna fix this before shit hits the fan,” Yoongi said.

“Five minutes,” Namjoon murmured, nodding to Yoongi who got up and left the room to give
them a bit of privacy. “Hey,” he whispered to Seokjin, running his sides. “Are you okay?”

Seokjin shook his head, slowly looking up at him. Namjoon gave him a sad smile, brushing the
tears from his cheeks. “I thought I was losing everything,” Seokjin whispered. “These people…
these assholes… did all this for money. Used my daughter like a pawn for fucking money.”

“I know,” Namjoon said. “I’m so sorry Jin. I’m so sorry they did this to you. To us. I won’t let
them get away with this.”

“Me either,” Seokjin confirmed, his eyes hardening and gave a resolute shake of his head. “I’m
gonna sue the shit out of them.”

Namjoon had to laugh, drawing Seokjin in for a light kiss. “We’re going to destroy them.”

There are some moments in life that pass by in such a quick blur that you aren’t sure you really
lived through them. Meeting Seokjin and falling in love with him had been like that. One moment
Namjoon was a single man, the next he was committing himself to someone he barely knew, but
loved dearly. Despite the trials they had gone through, he wouldn’t give up a moment of it. The
experience had defined them as a couple, of who they were to each other. Namjoon had never
known love could be so encompassing and far reaching that he would risk his entire world to be
with someone. And he’d do it again in a heartbeat.

By the time the furor had died down, by the time two men were in jail awaiting trial and Seokjin
was reunited with his daughter and a very confused and upset Joo, Namjoon felt like he could
finally breathe. Since the moment he’d met Seokjin it had been one disaster after another, but now?
Now he was safe, they were safe, and he could love Seokjin as he wanted to.
Seokjin and Joo’s divorce was filed, properly, and Namjoon helped Seokjin move his things into
Namjoon’s apartment. The villa was sold, and Joo and Sunhee found a place close to theirs to live.
Joo of course had been devastated to learn the man she had spent so many years with had been
playing her for her money, but not so devastated that she wouldn’t testify against him in court
(using her daughter as leverage in blackmail had not gone over well apparently).

Neither of the two men who had tried to destroy so many lives got much jail time, but they did get
their names and pictures and entire history displayed for the whole country to see. The perks of
being a media company meant that Namjoon could make sure these two men never worked again
once they were out of jail. There wouldn’t be a man or woman in the country who didn’t know of
the two cousins who’d conspired to create a fake gay controversy between two friends and try to
steal a company.

But all that would come later, when Namjoon and Seokjin would return to Seoul, because shortly
after the board meeting that had seen a screaming man be taken away by the police, Namjoon and
Seokjin boarded a plane.

They had a wedding to go to.

“If I said I was surprised that Taehyung would be getting married by Elvis, I would be a liar,”
Namjoon murmured to Seokjin as they sat in the rickety white chairs.

“I don’t know Taehyung that well, but I’m not surprised either,” Seokjin whispered back. They
weren’t the only witnesses, a married couple behind them as they watched Taehyung and Jungkook
exchange vows in broken english. No one cared it wasn’t real, that they couldn’t register back
home the marriage. It would be real for them, because the little chapel would give them a
certificate with their names on it declaring them married.

“Namjoon.” A hissing voice behind him had Namjoon turning to look at a frowning Jimin. “Tell
Yoongi no.”

“No what?” Namjoon asked, confused.

“No I’m not getting married in Las Vegas,” Jimin said. “He’s trying to talk me into it.”

“Aren’t you already married?” Seokjin asked and Namjoon chuckled at the look on Jimin’s face.

“Who told you-”

“Yah, be quiet in the peanut gallery, some of us are trying to get married!” Taehyung huffed, one
hand in Jungkook’s, the other on his hip as he glared at the four of them. “You’re the worst
friends.”

“We’re the best friends you’ll ever have,” Jimin countered. “Fly across the world to watch some
pot bellied impersonator pretend to marry you, we could have done this at home, Yoongi’s uncle
would have done it for free!”

“Jimin,” Yoongi groaned. “This is the wedding they wanted.”

“And? My point still stands,” Jimin crossed his arms and sat back in his chair.

“We done?” Taehyung looked at Jimin expectantly before turning back to the Elvis and motioned
for him to go on.
“If we get married,” Seokjin leaned over to whisper into Namjoon’s ear. “We’re running away and
eloping.”

“Joo would kill you,” Namjoon pointed out, putting his arm around Seokjin’s shoulder. “So would
your daughter.”

Seokjin processed that for a moment, but by the twist of his lips Namjoon chuckled in victory.
“Let’s worry about marriage talk after your divorce is finalized.”

“Probably a good idea,” Seokjin hummed, leaning into his side. “Kind of miss being a bachelor
anyway.”

Namjoon huffed and poked him in the arm. “Quiet.”

“Make me,” Seokjin chuckled. “Later, in the room?”

“In the hall closet if you don’t stop,” Namjoon growled, turning to press a kiss to the side of his
head when the Elvis up front declared Taehyung and Jungkook married and the two crashed into
each other for a kiss. He didn’t need to see his best friend sloppily making out, he’d seen enough of
that for a lifetime.

Much later and back at the hotel, after the newlyweds had been congratulated and they disappeared
to go fuck somewhere, Namjoon had taken Seokjin’s hand and led him outside towards a beautiful
tropical garden attached to the hotel grounds. There wer ponds and bridges and all kinds of neat
little areas to sit and relax in.

“This reminds me of that god awful shirt you were wearing when we first met,” Seokjin said as
they strolled through the paths. “What possessed you to wear a hawaiian shirt to a fashion show?”

“It was clean,” Namjoon shrugged. “I was on vacation.”

“Sometimes, I think about those first few days and how badly you were denying you wanted me,”
Seokjin said. “It was the cutest, most stubborn little act I’d ever seen.”

“I was trying to stay out of a scandal,” Namjoon huffed at him. “Good to know that it didn’t matter
and I was destined for one anyway.”

“Would you have done the same, if it had been someone else?” Seokjin asked. They stopped on a
bridge overlooking a stream with brightly colored koi peeking up at them. “Say it was that Hoseok
guy you fucked to forget me.”

“I should have never told you his name,” Namjoon sighed. “If I hadn’t met you? I don’t know.
Maybe. Maybe it would have been easier to deny.”

“You think you would have loved him?” Seokjin asked, and Namjoon knew a trap when he heard
it.

“I think I was too head over heels in love with you to try,” Namjoon said. “But again, if I hadn’t
met you, maybe. But I only went out with him because you were bad news.”

Seokjin tilted his head back and laughed. “What are you talking about, I am bad news. Second
most famous gay fuck boy in Seoul.”
 “Second most?” Namjoon’s eyebrows went up. “Do I want to know who was first?”

“Probably shouldn’t say, he did just get married,” Seokjin snickered, leaning into Namjoon.

“... Oh,” Namjoon blinked at him, then blinked again. “Wait, which one?”

Seokjin just laughed again and wrapped his arms around Namjoon’s neck to kiss him, and
Namjoon kind of forgot what he was asking because kissing and loving Seokjin was more
important than anything else right then. And ever would be.

End Notes

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