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If you ever told 16-year-old Taehyung that he’d be where he is at 27, he wouldn’t have believed you.
Yet, here he is, living for free in the spare room of his childhood crush, filling out job applications at 11 in the night. He was doing fine until a year ago. He had an excellent job at the gallery, a brand new flat in the heart of the city living with Chul, the guy he thought he was in love with for the last 4 years.
Things took a U-turn a few months ago when Taehyung suspected Chul to have an affair. Honestly, he was always suspicious of it. Before they got together, Chul strongly loved the idea of open relationships. But Taehyung stood his ground that he does not want that. He wants to be exclusive. Just the two of them.
Chul could have turned him down easily. Taehyung had no money, no fame to his name. His father was only recovering from the market crash.
Chul, on the other hand, was practically raking in money. He always had people fawning over him. So it came as a surprise to Taehyung when Chul agreed to leave behind his “bad boy” image and took Taehyung as his own.
Chul helped his father too. He loaned him money to restart his business. The business flourished over the last four years. Chul and his father have grown closer, his father taking Chul’s side in all fights instead of Taehyung’s.
That explains why when Taehyung told his father that he was separating from Chul, the reaction was not positive. He’d been threatened, bullied, and manipulated for months by both Chul and his own father.
Only 6 months ago, he ran into Seokjin, in the middle of the night at one of Chul’s pub.
Taehyung assumed things would have changed. He knows through the grape vine that Seokjin was married and even had a child. He was not in touch with him after their high school.
He assumed that Seokjin wouldn’t remember him at all and even if he did, he would not be interested in talking to him.
But Taehyung was in for a surprise. Seokjin recognized him instantly and drowned him in a hug. They spent that night and many after immersed in long, nostalgic talks.
Through these talks, Taehyung learnt that Seokjin and his wife divorced almost immediately after they had their child. It was unfortunate, Seokjin told him, but it was necessary because being together made both of them unhappy.
Through those same talks, Seokjin slowly made Taehyung realize that he was being treated unfairly in his relationship. He encouraged Taehyung to speak up and stand up for himself. He was the reason Taehyung managed to see through Chul’s lies and manipulations.
All that was good. Except Chul grew aggressive and obsessive over time. He could not give up on his vices, but he wanted Taehyung to stay to keep up his “good” name in their circle and in the public.
One such drunken night, Chul got too hostile, and Taehyung had to run away from him with nothing on him except for his wallet and car keys. He came knocking on Seokjin’s door at 1 AM and stayed here ever since.
Taehyung sighs as he submits another application form. Chul used his influence to get Taehyung fired from his job leaving him jobless and entirely dependent on Seokjin.
Taehyung checks the phone again and feels uneasy to not have heard from Seokjin.
As soon as he puts it away, he gets a call from Yoongi.
“Is she asleep?” Taehyung asks, whispering as if his voice would disturb her sleep.
He can hear Yoongi’s long drawn yawn. “Yeah, Tae. Aureum’s an energy bomb,” he says in a low tone. “Jimin’s passed out next to her.”
“Thank you,” Taehyung sighs. He really is, he needed this evening to himself to prepare for the job opportunity he had the coming Monday. “I am counting on the next interview.”
“You will do just fine,” Yoongi assures. “Hyung isn’t home yet?”
“No,” Taehyung replies, his worry surfacing. “Should I go to his office? He falls asleep at the desk these days.”
“How will you go?” Yoongi asks, suppressing another yawn. “Do you want me to come? Should I go – “
“Ahh, please,” Taehyung turns down the offer. “It is okay. Take rest. She wakes up at 6 in the morning and won’t let you sleep again.”
Yoongi grunts and then chuckles. “I love taking care of her, you know. Maybe we should go ahead with the adoption plans.”
“You should. I told you that you have to,” Taehyung says, sounding fond. Then, “I’m getting another call. Must be hyung. Bye.”
“Bye,” Yoongi says and cuts quickly.
Taehyung checks the log. To his dismay, it is not Seokjin. The phone rings again and against his best decision, he picks it.
“I asked you to stop calling me,” Taehyung talks, ashamed of how weak his threat sounds.
The line is silent for a while and then the drunk voice says. “I will find you, baby.”
Taehyung shakes his head, not able to form words. He cuts the call and blocks the number.
He goes and feverishly rechecks all the locks on the doors and windows. Still, the shadows seem like living figures and he cannot stop panicking that someone might break in.
He takes his phone, books a cab, and rushes out of the house.
The cab drive takes longer than usual.
“What is it?” Taehyung asks as he peeks at the road.
The driver shrugs, “Accident on the main road. Container overturned on a couple of cars – “
“ – can you wait – “ Taehyung says already stepping out of the car, sweating profusely. He rushes to the ambulance and the police there, hoping to not see the one face.
“Who – “ Taehyung begins when he spots the cars. Two white sedans, out of which one is a cab.
He sighs in relief, catching himself on his knees. He ensures though, checking the ambulance again.
He comes back to the waiting cab, thanks the driver and they take a detour.
Taehyung pays the cab driver and checks his account balance. He is running low on money and has too much pride to ask his disappointed father for any.
He calls Seokjin again and his phone still is dead. He waves to the security guard, who is familiar with these late night visits.
“Can you please check on Seokjin-ssi?” Taehyung requests him.
The guard nods, takes the employee ID and waits for the ring. He exchanges a couple of words and then cuts the call. He says, “Seokjin-ssi will be down in a few minutes. Please sit in the waiting area.”
Taehyung thanks him and stands by the gate. After some time, he sees Seokjin’s hunched profile walking towards him.
“Hyung!” Taehyung waves.
Seokjin’s face breaks into a tired smile.
“Your phone’s switched off,” Taehyung complains as soon as he reaches him. “I told you to charge – “
“ – I fell asleep,” Seokjin frowns. “I didn’t realize it got so late.”
“Hyung, you’ve been coming home late every night. You’ll burn yourself out,” Taehyung says, taking Seokjin’s passenger bag from him. “You need to – “
“ – Tae. You know how it is. If this month gets on well, I will definitely get that promotion. I’ll fuck off from this place,” Seokjin explains. “Just this one month.”
Taehyung takes his hand and rubs over the palm soothingly. “If you think it is worth it.”
Seokjin leans his head on Taehyung’s shoulder, his breath on his neck. He says, “I don’t want Aureum having to choose between Piano classes and Taekwondo classes. If she wants to go to both, I want to be able to pay for both.”
Taehyung hugs him, “She’s blessed to have you.”
“Really?” Seokjin asks, his voice full of doubt. “I haven’t been spending time with her at all. She probably will forget my face – “
“ – hyuuung,” Taehyung chuckles, taking Seokjin’s face into his palms. His cheeks are still as soft as they were when they were sixteen. He brushes the corners of his eyes and says, “She loves you a lot. You are not that easy to forget.”
Seokjin pouts but nods. “I don’t think I can drive,” he concludes.
Taehyung suggests, “Should I?”
“Oh no. Your license is still suspended for 2 months,” Seokjin says. “No driving. We’ll take a cab.”
Taehyung sighs. It was unfair for them to suspend his license considering he was speeding and crashed into the divider only because he was escaping from his stalker.
“Did you eat?” Taehyung questions, as they fall into step.
Seokjin shakes his head.
“Why – okay. We’ll have dinner and then leave,” Taehyung decides. “What’s the nearest place?”
---
They take a cab to one of Seokjin’s favorite place.
“Beef ribs,” Seokjin says. “are the best thing to have.”
Taehyung watches him fondly, with his chin resting on his hand. “Do you want to drink?”
“Makgeolli?” Seokjin asks as he checks the menu. “Will you?”
“I don’t know,” Taehyung says meekly. “You can. It’s your off day tomorrow.”
Seokjin smiles at him. “I’ll have if you have. And, neither of us are driving.”
Taehyung can’t say no to him. “Okay. Just one cup.”
---
“You are still such a light weight,” Seokjin giggles as they step out of the restaurant. They aren’t drunk drunk but are buzzed enough.
“Still?” Taehyung pouts. “Well, you still are a horse.”
Seokjin laughs. “You grew up so much, Tae. You were always a head shorter.”
“Not a head,” Taehyung argues. “An inch or so.”
“An inch?” Seokjin’s voice hitches. “You are still an inch shorter!”
Taehyung rolls his eyes. “You are shorter than me.”
Seokjin stops and pulls Taehyung towards him. He says, gesturing at their heads, “See.”
Taehyung knows he is taller than Seokjin. Not by much, just a couple of centimeters. But all that doesn’t matter. He ‘sees’ like Seokjin asked him to.
He sees the dark lashes on the pink cheeks. He sees the reddened nose. He sees the blood-rush in the lips. The little curve at the corner of those lips. The little dimple that appears when he bites those lips.
“Tae – “ Seokjin whispers low. It almost sounds like a plea.
Taehyung runs fingers through the black hair and brushes his cheek. “Hyung, how are you still so breathtakingly beautiful?”
Seokjin blushes and dips forward.
Taehyung cups his cheeks and pulls him in to kiss.
It is soft. Just like the first time they kissed. 12 years ago. But it’s so much more sweeter, like breathing in fresh air for the first time in years.
He hears Seokjin’s soft moan, and it makes him hungrier. Taehyung kisses him harder, pulling him impossibly closer.
When Seokjin moans again, they separate. Seokjin hides himself in Taehyung’s shoulder, making the latter sick with fondness.
“We – home – we’ll go home?” Seokjin suggests.
Taehyung nods, “Yeah.”
They both pull out their phones, book cabs ignoring the surged prices. Thirty minutes later, they are drunk and horny with no cab.
“Should we hitchhike?” Seokjin says, watching the deserted roads. “It is past 12. There is no way we’ll get cabs anymore.”
Taehyung gets up and stretches his arm.
“Look, there’s a ride – “ Seokjin says and waves to the minivan.
Taehyung whispers in fear, “Minivans are murderers choice of vehicle.”
Seokjin looks at him in wonder. “You are mad.”
The minivan stops by. It is already crowded with no place for more.
However, the driver says, “It’s 2000 back to the city center, 3000 if you want to be dropped off at an exact location – “
“ – what the fuck – “ Taehyung barks in surprise.
The driver raises his eyebrows. “Look man. This is the last ride to the city for the night. The next one comes at 6 in the morning.”
“I will punch him,” Taehyung mutters under his breath.
Seokjin kisses his temple to soothe him.
“Should we’ve called Yoongi or – “ Taehyung says as Seokjin gets into the crammed minivan. “Wait. Where should I sit?” he asks, seeing no place for him except for –
The driver says, “His lap is free estate.”
Taehyung reluctantly takes the said lap. The driver rides off immediately.
The first fifteen minutes goes fine or as fine as it can get in a crammed car ride with an unruly driver.
“We won’t pay him,” Taehyung whispers, craning his neck to do so.
Seokjin wraps his arms around his waist and pulls him closer to himself. “Let it be, Tae. It is a one-time thing.”
Taehyung adjusts himself on Seokjin. Now that his anger, alcohol and adrenaline have significantly subsided, he starts to realize the position he is in.
The minivan jumps up and down, the roads being merciless and even if Taehyung tries he always ends up with his ass pressed to Seokjin’s crotch.
He still tries. He moves forward every time after he brushes his ass against the crotch.
“Tae – “ Seokjin’s voice comes broken and in a whisper.
Taehyung hums, thinks Seokjin is asking him to stay still and not initiate unwanted sex. “I am trying not to – “
“Just stay on top,” Seokjin says through gritted teeth. “You are causing – “ he gulps. “ – friction.”
Taehyung’s eyes widen as he realizes that him moving back and forth hasn’t helped anyone. “So – sorry.”
Seokjin doesn’t respond, only tightens his hold around Taehyung, who tries to not move but fails.
By the time they reach their place, Taehyung can feel Seokjin between his ass cheeks and he can feel his own hard on fighting against his boxers.
Taehyung doesn’t even count the notes before he shoves it at the driver.
“I thought you didn’t want to pay him,” Seokjin pokes at him with a chuckle.
Taehyung sees that he too is sweaty. His lips have become a magnificent red with how much he was biting on them all the way.
“I am – sorry – I didn’t know what to do – no place – “ Taehyung says. “I wasn’t – “
Seokjin blushes. “That was – it is okay – you have a nice ass.”
Taehyung giggles and kisses him, unabashed that their hard-ons are rubbing against each other through their pants.
“Bedroom?” Seokjin asks.
“Yes, please,” Taehyung begs.
---
Two weeks later
“Papa,” Aureum says, her doe-eyes teary. “Budday.”
Seokjin quickly picks her up and pecks her nose. “My lil’ bear, Papa is sorry. Very sorry. But guess what? We’ll have a huge party tomorrow night. Your friends can come over. Your favorite uncle Yoongi will be here too. Don’t you want that?”
She stares at him, eyes wide, contemplating.
“And a cake!” Taehyung pipes up. “Whatever flavor you want.”
This has Aureum jumping in Seokjin’s arms. “Maio Kat? Favor?”
Taehyung takes her into his arms, smiling at the relieved look on Seokjin’s face. “Mario Kart isn’t a flavor, but we’ll get that for our bear.”
“It’s time for bed now? Yeah?” Seokjin says, as soon as Taehyung and his daughter start a game of peek-a-boo.
“Don’t like,” Aureum whines hiding behind Taehyung, a hand wrapped around his one leg. She barely reached his knee. “Wanna play.”
“If Aureum doesn’t sleep now, she’ll fall asleep tomorrow evening. And, the party won’t happen,” Seokjin fakes a sigh, as if he is talking to Taehyung. “Don’t order the cake, Tae. She doesn’t – “
“Aureum will sleep!” she shouts, peeking from between Taehyung’s knees.
“Will she?” Taehyung asks picking her up again. He loves playing with her. It doesn’t tire him, and he’d do it now too if not for Seokjin’s stern looks.
Aureum nuzzles on his shoulder and nods. “Tae. Cake.”
“I’ll get the cake,” Taehyung whispers. “Don’t tell your papa.”
Seokjin rolls his eyes at them.
Taehyung takes her to her room, puts her plushie next to her.
“Story?” she asks slyly.
“Which – “ Taehyung begins, naïvely.
Seokjin tuts, “No story tonight, Aureum-ah. Only sleep.”
She pouts at him.
Taehyung can’t help coo at her, can’t help noticing how much she looks like Seokjin.
“Kissy?” she asks with another pout.
Seokjin smiles at her fondly. “Kissy, always yes,” he says before he kisses her cheek.
Aureum relaxes and then fires, “Kissy for Tae-pa?”
Taehyung is startled. He pecks her cheek instead and smiles, “Happy?”
Aureum rolls her eyes – Taehyung has to bite his lips to not laugh out loud at Seokjin’s shocked expression. She repeats, pointedly starting at Seokjin, “Kissy for Tae-pa.”
Taehyung decides to play along. He too asks, feigning innocence, “Yeah. Where’s kissy for me?”
Seokjin grunts, quickly leaves a peck on Taehyung’s cheek. He storms out mumbling about some two brats.
Aureum giggles when Taehyung kisses her forehead gently and whispers a good-night.
“Love you, Tae-pa,” she mumbles as she sinks into sleep.
“Love you too, baby,” Taehyung replies as he closes the door.
---
Seokjin decides to go the extra length for forgetting Aureum’s birthday party. He sent out e-invites to the parents of her classmates, makes sure Taehyung tells it to everyone in the classroom (both in the morning and the evening). He ordered two custom cakes – one based on ‘Ponyo’ and the other one of ‘Mulan’. Oh, plus the cupcakes and the rest of the party is all Mario-Kart themed.
Yoongi and Jimin drop by two hours earlier with the party hats and a huge gift that has to be dragged (and many smaller gifts that Jimin decides to give later when Seokjin isn’t around) into one corner of the room. They help Seokjin move the furniture around, put up the leftover decorations.
“The cakes should be here any minute,” Seokjin says as he calls them. Again. “I swear if they mess up – “
“ – where’s the queen?” Jimin asks as he adjusts the letters of Aureum’s name with the tongue between his teeth. “I thought the school bus isn’t available this month. How is she coming home?”
Yoongi rolls his eyes like he is mildly annoyed with Jimin’s stupidity.
“Tae,” Seokjin says. “He – Oh Hello!“ He pauses, lifts a finger as he steps into another room to take the call with the caterers.
“Of course. Tae will pick her up,” Yoongi says to Jimin with another roll of eyes. “What did you expect?”
“It was supposed to be a segue to get him to talk about his feelings for him,” Jimin huffs, stepping down the stool. “I mean – they already fucked,” Jimin mouths the last word, used to Aureum being around.
“Yeah but – “ Yoongi stops as soon as he sees Seokjin come back into the living room, typing furiously.
“The cakes comin’?” Yoongi asks. “We should get – “
“No,” Seokjin lets out a little whine as he falls onto his heels with hands over his ears. “The delivery guy ran into some problem and I have to wait here for the caterers and Tae is coming back with Aureum and I still didn’t iron her dress. I am the worst father ever. Aureum hates me – “
“ – hyung, no!” Jimin is quick to pull him into a hug. “We’ll go pick up the cakes. We are almost done here.”
Seokjin wipes his tears and looks at him, “You will? Can you – “
“Hyung, yeah we will. Give us the address, we’ll be on the way,” Yoongi says grabbing his coat from the closet in the foyer. He gives Jimin his, who takes the location and bill details from Seokjin’s phone.
When the elevator doors open, Taehyung is seen playing with Aureum and Jimin breaks into his usual cooing mode.
“Ah my birthday queen!” he squeals, taking her from Taehyung’s arms. “We’ll have so much fun today. So much to eat. I got you gifts!”
Aureum giggles merrily. “Gifts?” she asks, her eyes bright. “Not one? Two?”
Jimin kisses her noisily on her cheek, “More than two. Many!”
Aureum claps and hugs Jimin around his neck.
“We are blocking the lift and getting late,” Yoongi reminds as he stands on the threshold on the elevator door, making it wait for them.
Jimin sticks his tongue out at him, “You are just jealous that I am Aureum’s favorite uncle!”
Yoongi frowns, not denying the claims.
Taehyung takes her back and says, “Aureum-ah, tell them that they are both wrong. I am your favorite uncle, aren’t I?”
Jimin and Yoongi exchange exasperated looks. “I am sure you and we two don’t fall in the same category.”
“What does that mean?” Taehyung asks, a pout evident on his face.
Aureum is quick to mirror his expression. “Yes what?” she asks, just to join in on the conversation.
Jimin is about to jump out of the elevator to coo at her again but Yoongi pulls him back in. He says, “Nothing. Go help hyung. We are going to get the cakes.”
“Cakes!” Aureum catches it. “Tae-pa how many?”
Yoongi turns to Jimin, wide-eyed, mouthing, ‘Tae-pa?’
Jimin gives his crescent eyed smile while the elevator doors close. He shouts, “Tae-PA, take care of the other Appa!” He then breaks into a bubble of giggles as he is watched endearingly by Yoongi.
---
Taehyung finds Seokjin on call with the food caterers, shouting at them to make it faster.
“Aureum will get ready for bath, won’t she?” he asks her.
Aureum hops away to her room repeating merrily, “Aureum big girl.”
As soon as she is inside her room, Taehyung hugs Seokjin from the back, causing the elder to yelp and almost drop the phone.
“Where’s Aureum?” Jin asks.
“Getting ready for bath,” Taehyung says with his chin over Seokjin’s shoulder. “Caterers causing trouble? Should I intervene?”
“And? Threaten them to come home sooner?” Seokjin mumbles. His eyes are closed, his head resting sideways on Taehyung’s.
“Maybe? Can’t I threaten?” Taehyung asks, as he turns Seokjin around in his arms.
Seokjin chuckles, “That made me smile, Tae. You can’t hurt an ant.”
“Why would anyone hurt an ant?” Taehyung retorts. Then, “I’ll sweet talk them, then?”
“Hmm, hmph,” Seokjin says, pressing his lips on top of Taehyung’s head. “Thank you. I’ll go iron Aureum’s dress and get her ready.”
Taehyung blushes to his roots. Things have clearly shifted since that one night. Yet, Taehyung isn’t sure about where Seokjin wants this to go. He doesn’t know if they are on the same page or if they ever will be.
Nevertheless, these little displays of affection get his heart racing.
Seokjin squeezes him softly by the hips, gives him a smile to die for and leaves.
Taehyung sighs, bringing together every sweet cell of his brain to coax the caterers to get things done their way.
---
Seokjin had mentioned it to their project team multiple times that he would not be available for a single call today. But when have corporate companies listened to your needs?
“The third report is already out,” Seokjin talks, with the phone precariously held between his cheek and shoulder. “The Controls team has to review it – yeah. We’ve sent the analysis on the previous reports – they are in the shared folder – “
He groans as he plugs in the iron box, annoyed with how the team has to ask everything.
“What do you mean they got deleted?” Seokjin grunts. The intern apparently got confused and cleared out the whole folder as part of their 3-week retention policy.
“It’s already past 5!” Seokjin says, absolutely annoyed. “If you guys didn’t notice until now that you did not have the previous – well, of course, I have it on my laptop – give me a second.”
He logs onto his laptop, attaches the files in a mail and also uploads it to the shared folder again. He speaks into the phone, “Do not call me again – I made sure everything was ready just so that it’ll be easier for you.”
“Yeah – fuck. Bye,” he cuts the call and stares with teary eyes at the little grey smoke.
---
Taehyung tries to comfort Seokjin, who is curled into a little ball at the foot of his bed with his head between his knees.
“Hyung – “
“The cakes aren’t here yet. The caterers are being mean to me. And I spoilt her dress. She likes it so much – “
Aureum picks the burnt dress and walks to Seokjin. She says, “Appa. It is pretty.”
“Do you hate Appa?” Seokjin asks, between sniffles.
“Aureum loves Appa,” she says hugging him. “Dress is pretty with holes.”
Seokjin laughs wetly. “I am so sorry. I will – what are you doing?” he asks Taehyung.
Taehyung’s busily ripping out a gift.
“Tae – “
Taehyung smiles sheepishly. “I know you asked me not to get anything. But I saw this purple dress and it’s so perfect for our baby. You know I love purple, and it came with a silver tiara and a knife – “
“ – Tae,” Seokjin gasps as soon as he pulls out the dress. “It is so beautiful!”
“For me?” Aureum asks, her eyes wide, mouth agape.
Taehyung can’t help but laugh at how the father and daughter look exactly like one another. “Yes, baby. For you.”
“It has a knife?” Aureum asks as she takes the dress from Taehyung’s hands. “Swod? Like Mulan?”
“Yep. Like Mulan,” Taehyung confirms.
She admires the tiara, giggling as she goes on to try the dress.
“Sorry,” Taehyung says as he kneels in front of a dazed Seokjin. “But it all worked out – “
“ – hey,” Seokjin says, his smile tender as he runs his hand over Taehyung’s cheek and into his hair. “I – Aureum’s really lucky to have you.”
Taehyung’s holding his breath and they turn to glance at Aureum at the same time.
Aureum’s in her dress already, trying to make the tiara stay on her head.
When Taehyung looks away from her, Seokjin’s smiling at him. He says, slowly, “Me too.”
“Huh?” Taehyung says with his eyes round and waiting.
Seokjin glances at Aureum. When he’s sure she’s not looking here, he says, “I too am lucky to have you” and quickly pecks Taehyung on his lips.
Taehyung gasps, immediately digging his teeth into his lower lip. But he bursts into a laugh when he sees that Seokjin’s the one who turned rose-pink.
“Party!” Seokjin says with a squeak as he gets up.
Aureum sways her hips along with her dad and says loudly, “Party, party yeah!”
Taehyung is quick to scoop her up in his arms and join the cheer.
---
They sing the birthday song. Aureum feeds Seokjin the slice first and then to Taehyung, who doesn’t miss the evil grins on Yoongi and Jimin’s faces.
“Food!” Jimin shouts and the kids are everywhere.
Taehyung goes around, introducing the other kids’ parents to Seokjin.
“It’s really sweet how you’ve your work sorted,” one of the mother’s says. “My wife and I are struggling to find a balance just like you two.”
Seokjin blushes to his roots, “Yeah – it’s cool.”
Taehyung shyly realizes that they are holding hands and gently squeezes the other’s hand.
“I’ll – I’ll go check on Aureum,” Taehyung says, getting out of the situation. He blushes even more as the parents continue to coo over their unlabeled relationship. He washes his face once and comes out to check on Aureum when he spots him at the doorway.
The cheerful sounds in the room die down to low languid noises. His hands become clammy. His vision blurs even more when the guy smiles at him – cold and evil.
Taehyung rushes towards him and drags him out of the house by his wrist.
“I found you, babe,” Chul says, all his teeth on display. “Missed you.”
“I asked you to leave me alone!” Taehyung whisper-yells. “Why – why are you doing this? I am restarting my life here – “
“By being what? A nanny?” Chul chortles. “You still need me to find a job, Tae.”
“I – I don’t – “ Taehyung stammers. “I can – I will get a job. I am trying – “
“It’s been six months,” Chul sneers.
Taehyung swallows hard. “I know. I am trying – “
“I am trying. I am trying,” Chul mocks him. “You can come back, babe. I will accept you as you are. I don’t mind that you stayed with someone else for money – “
“ – Chul – “
“ – no, babe, really. You don’t have to worry about a job. I will give you everything – “
“Tae?” Seokjin steps out and closes the door behind him. “Hello? Who are you?”
Taehyung tenses, “Hyung. It’s nothing. Go inside. The party – “
“Hyung?” Chul frowns. “Is this your sugar daddy then?”
“Chul stop. This isn’t the right place. I will talk to you later – “ Taehyung pleads.
Seokjin steps next to him. “You are Chul,” he says, his voice seething with disgust. “The fuck do you want?”
Chul smiles gently. “Please don’t get me wrong. Our Tae here has been looking for jobs and alas, hasn’t found any in the last 6 months. He reached out to me to help – “
Seokjin’s frown increases.
“ – hyung, no. I didn’t talk to him – “ Taehyung cuts him off, worried. “I swear I – “
“ – go on then. Show your call logs. He talked to me only two weeks ago,” Chul dares.
Taehyung whimpers. He didn’t call him. He shouldn’t have answered the call –
“Just fuck off,” Seokjin spits, his arm sliding around Taehyung’s waist. “I don’t believe you.”
The door swings open. Jimin steps out looking concerned. Yoongi follows.
Taehyung feels extremely humiliated. He is spoiling everyone’s mood. Now, everyone will know what a loser he had been.
“Tae-pa,” Aureum cries, trying to get out of Yoongi’s arms.
“Playing mummy, are we?” Chul sneers at him, realizing his sweet demeanor isn’t working with Seokjin. “How do you find people gullible enough to cheat – “
“ – Chul, stop. Please,” Taehyung sniffles. “I didn’t – “
“He isn’t cheating anyone,” Seokjin says firmly. “I am asking you to leave one last time, Chul. Or else I’ll have to call the police.”
Chul shakes his head, cackling loudly. “You don’t see it, do you? This whore will raise just another whore – “
Taehyung sees red. By the time his mind clears, Chul is on the floor, blood flowing down his nose.
“I’ll – I’ll have you in jail, Kim Taehyung,” Chul shrieks. “How dare you – “
Seokjin pulls him up by the collar and pushes him down the stairs. “Show your face another time and you won’t have a face left.”
He comes back to Taehyung and hugs him.
“I am sorry,” Taehyung cries. “I am sorry. I did not call him, hyung. Please believe me. I did not – “
“ – Tae,” Seokjin soothes him. “I believe you. It’s okay. We’ll get a restraining order, yeah? Don’t worry.”
Taehyung sniffles more.
Seokjin whispers in his ear, “The punch was hot.”
That has Taehyung giggling amidst the tears. He slaps his arms and hides himself in his neck. “Shut up.”
Aureum wriggles out of Yoongi’s hold and runs to them. She tugs at their pants and Jin has to pick her up.
“Tae-pa, don’t cry,” she says. “I’ll give you kisses. Appa will give you kisses too!”
Jimin clears his throat and says “Appa has been giving him kisses.”
Seokjin shushes him.
“Give me Aureum. You guys take some time” Yoongi says, taking Aureum back. He says to her, “We’ll give your friends gifts, shall we? They want to leave too.”
Aureum looks worried still. “Tae-pa?”
“Tae-pa will be back soon. He has a boo-boo,” Jimin says to her, giggling. “Your Appa will kiss the boo-boo away.”
Seokjin smacks him on his head making Aureum laugh. Jimin hands them two glasses. “Adult drink,” he whispers.
“Go on, now,” Yoongi pushes them and goes back in.
“Terrace?” Seokjin asks.
Taehyung nods.
---
“I don’t mind being called the Mommy, hyung,” Taehyung says, leaning his back on the railing.
Seokjin huffs, “There can be two Papas in the same house.”
Taehyung smiles, “Aureum doesn’t even call me Papa.”
“Oh, you know she does except when she is being a brat like you,” Seokjin points out, sipping on his whiskey like it’s hot tea.
“You are the brat, hyung,” Taehyung says, playfully moving closer to him along the railing.
Seokjin is about to retort but he sighs. He hesitates before he says, “Tae – Do you – I – I sometimes wonder if it would be all different and better if I wasn’t a coward. If I just stayed back that night or had the courage to call you again.”
“Hyung – “ Taehyung interrupts when their eyes meet. “We were dumb. And 17.”
“ – Look at us at 27. Nothing that we dreamt of when we were seventeen.”
“I don’t know about you, hyung,” Taehyung says, straightening himself and wrapping both his arms around Seokjin’s waist, making him put the glass on the ledge. “This is exactly what I dreamt of when I was seventeen.”
“Celebrating our daughter’s birthday on the wrong night, watching your ex get punched, and finding out you lost your potential job because of staying with me?” Seokjin asks, eyebrows raised
Taehyung laughs, elated by the use of ‘our’, touching his forehead to Seokjin’s. “But think about it, hyung. If you never left that night, we wouldn’t have had Aureum with us. Do you want that?”
Seokjin smiles, “Oh no. I don’t think I can live without you two brats.”
Taehyung rubs his nose with the other and agrees. “Me too,” he says before he meets Seokjin’s lips.
They both sway together, murmuring sweet nothings to each other, giggling just like they did when they were 17 in the light of the setting sun, their whiskey long forgotten on the ledge.
- The End.