the proposal (m)
banner done by the ammmahhzzing @eerieeditsâ
summary; Jeonâs the editor-in-chief for Big Hit Publishings, a closet romantic with a penchant for antagonizing his assistant on the reg. When his work visa is in the process of being renewed and he takes a trip to Norway, his eligibility to stay in America is on the line. However Jeon Jungkook doesnât go without a fight, and in order to save his job he offers you a proposal you can't refuse.pairing; editor!Jungkook x assistant!reader (f)genre/warnings; the proposal!au, fake marriage au, enemies to friends(!!!), friends to lovers, bouts of flangst, dry humping, slight blood but not too bad, lang, alcohol, poor jjk discovers he has the ability to feel emotion, poor y/n is in the middle as alwaysw.c; 20.1k of endless banter and koo hiding his romantic sidea/n; yeah, itâs almost summer. But i think we need a lil holiday magic in our lives! I rewatched the proposal this weekend and whipped this up. Why is koo so gosh darn easy to write? This is my longest fic since i wrote maze runner back in 2014!! i rec this extensionto get fully immersed in 2pov! Enjoy and pls tell me if thereâs any errors im too poopied to proofread it againdrabbles; 01
âWhen I hired you, you basically signed a contract that said youâd do anything for me.â
âYeah, Jeon. I did. That meant like, getting you coffee or working late hoursânormal work stipulations,â you can feel the hair on your scalp growing thinner, ânot commit f*cking fraud!â
Your boss looks moreso frustrated than you are, but you cease to care. Jeon Jungkook has been nothing but a thorn in your side since your employment at Big Hit Publishing two years ago. Being a budding author who wanted to graduate from online sites and freelancing, you accepted the job as the editor-in-chiefâs assistant in the hopes of getting your first book published.
However, your dreams of being an editor are quickly dissipating, especially when Jungkook corners you this afternoon and announces that he may have left America during the time his work visa was still processing. He may have to give over his editor-in-chief position because thereâs no way he can get a work visa processed in time. As a result of this information, he may have told his supervisors that you seduced him on a late night one year ago, and you two fell in love and have been secretly engaged ever since.
Because yâknow, your citizenship to this country is an asset to the company.
âWe didnât have to go to Norway to PR Emma Watsonâs autobio,â you huff, fingers going pale from how hard you were gripping your iPad. Jungkook is an esteemed workaholic, and you have no idea where it stems from. You remember that trip to Oslo, Jungkook insisting that you and him both go to make sure everything goes smoothly.
âYou werenât complaining when we went to that restaurant with the open bar.â he runs a hand through his coiffed hair, making the pomade untack from its style. âYou got so drunk that Emma held you while you cried about global warming.â
Wholly unamused, you frown. âJungkook, can you please take this seriously?â
âIâm taking this seriously, youâre not the one whoâs about to be deported in two weeks!â Jungkook hisses, face dangerously close to yours. Not that anyone would know what heâs saying, but you can tell from his defenses that he genuinely is nervous.
âYou wouldnât be deported if you had just set an earlier appointment to renew your Visa!â
âI wouldnât be deported if you had just set an earlier appointment to renew my Visa!â
At least twenty pairs of eyes are watching your confrontation, probably making their own conclusions as to what you two were fighting about again. Curse this office for having full-walled windows, you often feel like an ant in a plastic farm. Your work relationship is an anomaly to the rest of the staff. Before you started working at Big Hit, Jungkookâs assistants did not last long. Within the first week of working, you understood why.
Jungkook whirls around his desk, glaring at the glass doors as he puts himself between the staff and you. âIf you donât marry me,â he says lowly, close enough for his hot breath to fan your face, coupled with his fresh-scented cologne. It annoys you how good he smells. âYouâll also be replaced because they want to give the my position to f*ckinâ Karen of all people,â you fight the twitch of your lips. The only thing you two mutually agreed upon is the hatred of his co-editor, Karen. âAll of the late nights weâve worked together, the gallons of coffees you consumed, putting up with my sh*t, your dreams of becoming an author,â his eyes flicker to the way the grip in your iPad trembles, âwill go down the drain and turn to sh*t. Whether you like it or not, weâre in this together.â
Pretending to be unfazed, you bat your lashes, âSo are you saying, you need me?â
âFor f*ckâs sakeââ
âAh-ah, Jungkook. Iâm not going to ask you to get on one knee, but you should at least tell me how much you need me.â
You assume with great confidence that the only reason youâre kept on Jungkookâs payroll is because youâre not afraid to stand up to Jungkookâs bullsh*t. He looks positively disgusted at the mere thought of paying you an iota of a compliment. Youâd say on average, you get half a compliment a month from Jungkook. You say half because heâll compliment you, then downplay it with whatever flaw he can fabricate to get under your skin.
He loosens his lavender paisley tie, annoyed. âFine. I need you. I need you because youâre the only one who knows me well enough to be my wife. Youâre the only woman Iâve had full conversations with in two years and knows all my dietary restrictions, favorite books, foods, and hobbies. By process of elimination, you are my best candidate.â
âRomantic,â you roll your eyes, âI guess I do,â you push him away with a finger to his chest, âbut I want a raise. And after we finish Sorn and Markâs project, I want you to read my novel.â
âDone and done.â
âWell Jeon, I guess youâve wifed me up with your ways of seduction.â you muse sardonically, feeling more upset for yourself than anything.
âFantastic,â he sighs, finally throwing his tie across the desk and plopping in his armchair. âCancel the call with Janet, call PR about Irene Kimâs interview on Ellen, and order me a medium rare steak from J.J. Bittings with a side of brussels.â
âRight,â you mutter under your breath as you pull up your checklist, as if you didnât just give away your life to the Devil incarnate.
Jungkookâs back is already facing you, focusing on his computer displaying two new manuscripts. âOh, and on your way to Jâs donât forget to pick up your ring at Saks.â
âBitch, youâre asking me to pick up my fake wedding ring?â
Unbothered, he shrugs. You see the planes of his shoulders stretch beneath the blazer, because heâs deemed this conversation long over and he has work to do. âYeah, but itâs real diamonds.â
Youâve been seeing red for days.
While the rock on your ring finger is indeed beautiful because Jungkook has impeccable taste, it drags you down and arouses the elephant in the room everytime you show up for work.
You get enough stares on the daily, and you were just getting used to the looks of pity and sympathy for working under Jungkook, but now there are only snickers and playful winks as you trudge down the cubicles every morning. Everyday feels like the runway at a sh*tshow, and you are the headliner.
Taehyung clapped you none-too-hard on the back when you showed up to work the next morning, congratulating you on the engagement. âCanât believe youâre f*ckinâ the big boss!â
The rest of the staff poke their eyes out of their cubicles like Digletts, and you shush them, using your hand to make them sink down.
Coffee is spilling down your shirt thanks to him, and you reach for tissues in his cubicle. âCan you not say it like that, please?â
âOh, come on. I heard from the supervisors Jungkook went on about how you seduced him late at night and took charge,â Taehyung wiggles his eyebrows approvingly, and you fight the urge to not throw up your coffee in his face. âHow do you keep it so professional? Or do you save all that pent-up energy for after hours?â
âYou disgust me,â you grimace, stepping out of his cubicle and immediately regret wasting your five-minute break conversing with the typist.
Striding back into Jungkookâs office, he doesnât hesitate to rattle off the next items on todayâs agenda. He barely looks at you when you stride in, too focused on whatever corrections heâs slashing in red ink.
âDid you get Taeminâs second draft?â
âNo, and I told him that if he canât get me the draft by tonight he wonât get a publishing deadline and the number of copies published will be decreased by a third.â
âAnd Taehyungâs author agreed to our stipulations?â
âOf course, sheâd be dead not to.â you mutter, âsheâs a nineteen year old Influencer, what would she know?â
âExactly, thatâs why we milk it out as long as we can.â Jungkook throws the first draft in a large, intimidating pile, mixing in with all the others like a needle in a haystack. âWhich is why itâs important we snag dinner with her this weekend, we can reallyââ
âWhat, this weekend?â your sense of equilibrium cracks, and you walk forward to put his hands on his desk. âI took this coming week off for Christmas. Iâve planned this for months.â
âI know.â
âI canât just cancel my flight! I saved up for that!â
âAnd?â Jungkook brushes off your fury like a piece of lint, âIâm Korean. Christmas is a fake holiday for me.â
âYou canât just tell me I canât go home to my family, itâs the f*cking holidays!â
âWhy not, Iâve done it before. Remember on Valentineâs day when I told you the only date you have is a date with Kwon Boaâs publicist? Or on Secretaries Day when I argued that you donât feel appreciated by society anyway and therefore why bother taking one extra day off? Or during Easter when your family screamed in my office on speakerphone that you should quitââ
âOkay,â no need to be reminded of how much youâve wasted your life for this man, âbut this is different. Iâve already bought plane tickets and this holiday is special. Itâs a whole family reunion in the Poconos and weâve reserved over five houses to fit all of us! I canât just ditch!â
âBut I need you!â he replied just as hotly, in a tone that reminded you so many times of how tethered you are by this man. Two years have gone by, and the only thing that kept those strings together is the constant ache in getting your first novel published. âWith all the marriage stuff and stupid extentions we had to make on these writers thereâs no way we can get everything done before winter ends!â
âYouâve done it before, why canât you just ask Taehyung to assistââ
âTrouble in paradise?â
A chill travels up your spine, and you and Jungkook exchange panicked eye contact. A tiny, pretty blonde lady struts in the room like it's hers, plopping a fruit basket atop Jungkookâs manuscripts.
âIf by paradise you mean our relationship, then no.â Jungkookâs the first to recover, meeting you at your side and stretching an arm around your waist. âIâd say work-wise things are getting a little rough, but nothing we canât handle. Weâre a team, after all.â
âI just wanted to stop by as I was in the neighborhood,â the woman says, making herself comfortable in a leather seat reserved for guests. âCongratulations again on your engagement.â
You tack on a smile, squeezing Jungkookâs arm a little too hard, but itâs enough to make the lady in front of you smile back. âWhat brings you here, Taeyeon?â
Kim Taeyeon is Jungkookâs immigration liaison, AKA the person responsible for making sure youâre not breaking the law. Sheâs a pretty thing, with eyes sharp but a smile thatâs soft and deceiving.
âItâs just a shame you two have to rush a civil wedding,â Taeyeon sighs, looking at the window overlooking the city.
âAh, it takes some of the planning stress off my back, really.â you force a laugh, tugging Jungkook to sit on the couch opposite her. âAt least one thing is done. The thought of planning a whole wedding with over two-hundred people is so stressful.â
You werenât really going to have a white wedding with Jungkook (however you may have entertained the thought, which is reflected in your Google search history) but you had to keep up the ruse that you were. A civil wedding in two weeks, then a quickie divorce a year later.
âI know! My wedding was a real mess let me tell you, straight out of a movie!â Taeyeon is certainly the type of person to make you feel at ease, so at ease that itâs simple for you to melt your front. âBut besides the point, are you two doing anything special for the holidays?â
âAh, well I bought a flight to meet my family in the Poconos,â you start, trying not to succumb to your nervous habit of wringing your fingers. You grab Jungkookâs hand as a reprieve.
âAnd youâre not going?â Taeyeonâs gaze snaps, yes snaps, to Jungkook.
You try to step in, realizing your flaw. âWeâve just been so swamped with work, all the immigration stuff and with these book delays Jungkook suggested he stay behindââ
âBut weâve decided to prioritize our personal life and enjoy Christmas with our family,â Jungkook swoops in, threading his fingers between yours. He flashes Taeyeon a smile, and from the way his face lights up and his nose crinkles, you couldâve mistaken it to be genuine. âIâve never experienced a big family Christmas, yâknow. Iâve missed snowboarding too, I used to do it a lot in highschool.â
âOh, thatâs just so sweet!â Taeyeon cooes, clasping her hands together. âDo send some pictures when you come back!â
âOf course,â Jungkook stands up and attempts to leave Taeyeon out. You follow in tow, She obliges easily, mentioning something about just wanting to check in and she also has work to do.
âAlso,â Taeyeonâs head flickers to the people sitting outside Jungkookâs office. âYou should manage those workers out there,â she looks at you, sympathetic. âApparently, they didnât peg you as the type of person to sleep their way to the top. And thatâs just what I heard from walking down the hall once!â she laughs, tinkling brighter than a windchime, but you just tighten the grip on Jungkookâs palm. âSuch a childish assumption. Things can be much more complicated.â
She tips a âhappy holidaysâ off her shoulder, and you both are smiling like the loving couple you are. As soon as the elevator doors close and Taeyeon is really gone, Jungkook moves to let go of your hand, but you hold him in your grasp.
âSheâs onto us,â you snap, tugging him closer to you so your co-workers wouldnât read your lips.
âDonât you think I know that?â he bites back. He looks offendingly at the fruit basket adorning his desk.
âWhat if we get caught, Jungkook?â you start to spiral, feeling your deepest fears crawl to the forefront of your brain. Youâve done extensive Google research on commiting fraud, and if you do get caught, Jungkook will never be able to come back to this country and youâll have a fine of up to $250,000. Your boss doesnât pay you nearly enough to get by with that kind of debt. âWeâll ruin this company, and our lives, and any hope of being published or credible.â
âHey, relax,â Jungkook whispers in your ear, the tone oddly comforting. He pulls you into his arms, and you barely have a chance to recover when he squeezes you extra tight around your waist. Jungkook only ever hugs you when doing PR, and even then itâs an awkward half-hug. Hell, he never hugged you on your birthday. âThis is what weâre gonna do. Weâre gonna book my flight to the Poconos, bring some manuscripts so we can work remotely, and no one will ever know.â
You sigh into his arms, nodding tiredly. It feels nice to be hugged like this. His arms are strong and warm, and you feel small and protected. Itâs been a while since youâve felt like that. Maybe Jungkook did have a heart under all that muscle.
âIâm putting up a good show, arenât I?â he says, and you feel your heart drop just a little. Disappointed, but not surprised.
From your view facing the cubicles, you see at least half the employees comically bugged with heart eyes at you, enamored by your fake relationship.
âDo not stretch your long-ass legs on this plane, Jeon,â you nudge your smaller leg away from your section of leg room, âJesus, weâre flying economy!â
It scares you how little you fought against Jungkook joining you for the winter holiday. It is the logical decision after all, Taeyeon is on your trail about your sudden engagement and you both needed to keep up the ruse. That includes going on family vacations. Also, the fact that Jungkook works through Christmas because he doesnât celebrate it does make you feel a little bad. You canât remember the last time the man took a vacation.
The man in question barely moves at your weak attempt, and stretches his leg even further across your seat. âSorry, babe,â he says, fishing around his seat for the included blanket.
âItâs fine, Kookie.â You reply sweetly, and decide to kick off your shoes to drape a leg over Jungkookâs thighs, âyouâre like a portable footrest!â
He looks absolutely insulted at your objectification, but smartly decides to choose his battles and lets you keep your position. Tucking himself in with a scratchy blanket he waves you off, âWhatever, just wake me up when we arrive.â
âWhat, no.â you pull up your iPad, shoving the note entry in his face. âI know everything about you, and yet you know nothing about me. I made this easy on you and just wrote everything down. You just have to read it.â
âSeriously? Iâve known you for over two years, Iâm sure I know enough about you.â
âReally, then how do I like my coffee?â
âUh⊠hot?â
You give him a look and he knows. With a sigh he grabs the iPad from your hands. Within seconds heâs giving you another dirty look, as if heâs skimming a conspiracy novel.
âYou know all this random sh*t about me?â Jungkook asks, scrolling down as to what feels like your life story.
âYes, because unlike you, I listen when you talk.â
âFine. Whatâs my favorite type of weather?â
âA warm and sunny day, which correlates to your favorite kind of date which is walking along the beach at sunset. ClichĂ© much?â
âOkay, rude. Whoâs my favorite artist?â
âYou like a little bit of everything, but since seventh grade youâve been pining for IU. In the office, you like to sing along to Lauv and Hozier.â
âFavorite movie?â
âThe Marvel Series. But you really like 5 Centimeters Per Second, you like the romance.â
âAnd how do you know my favorite anime movie is 5 Centimeters Per Second? Iâm pretty sure Iâve never told you that.â
âJeon, when we were promoting Momo Hiraiâs self-help book at Anime Expo you were gone for two and a half hours at 1:50 sharp.â your bossâ Adamâs apple bobs and he swallows thickly at your admonition. âAnd low and behold, you gave yourself thirty minutesâ time to line up early because when I checked the schedule Makoto Shinkai had a panel on âThe Otakuâs Perspective on Romanticââ
âAlright alright, I get it.â Jungkook slumps in his seat, as comfy as it can get with your legs draped around him and a seat at the far end of the plane. You know heâs trying to hide a blush, and you feel proud for making him a little flustered. âYouâre lucky Iâm a fast reader.â
The plane ride goes relatively fast, with Jungkook asking quick questions about your family and other random things. Itâs like playing a game of 20 Questions, instead itâs the final boss battle with 200 questions and if he doesnât get them all right, the penalty is deportation.
When you land, youâre both stiff and glazed over. Once you exit the terminal, Jungkook ditches you for the bathroom and says heâll meet you at the luggage pickup. You give yourself a few moments, gearing yourself up for the long week ahead of you. At the luggage pickup, you see a tall man watch the revolving conveyor belt with interest. Either that, or heâs zoning out.
âJoonie!â you cry, nearly dropping your phone upon seeing your big brother. Heâs dressed comfortably in a grey sweat ensemble, as if he rolled out of bed and came straight to the airport.
A bright grin takes over his face, and he doesnât hesitate to smush your body against his. Under his tall frame you sway, your toes barely swiping the ground. âYouâre alive!â he cheers, pulling back and holding your shoulders to get a real look at you. âI can see youâve gained a little weight, eyes are a little dark, but Iâm glad the Devil let you go. I still canât forgive him for making you skip out on Jinâs wedding.â
You donât appreciate the way that Namjoon picks and prods at your exhaustion, but you know he means well. While he does not know your boss by face and name, he had enough artilerary from the billions of phone calls to learn about the Devil and the havoc heâs wreaked upon your life.
When you donât respond he gets the cue that you do not want to talk about work this week, and he smacks his lips together. âBut nothing a little R&R canât fix! The ski resort nearby has a really nice outdoor jacuzzi and we could set an appointment for facials if youâd like. Or we could do absolutely nothing and turn into baked potatoes and watch movies until our eyes burn up.â
âBoth would be great,â you smile softly, catching two familiar suitcases make their rounds on your flightâs conveyor belt. You grab your pink luggage with one hand, and Jungkookâs black chrome one with your other.
âSo, whereâs the new beau?â Namjoon rocks back and forth on his heels, hoping to get a glimpse of the mystery boy you mentioned youâd be bringing as of two days ago.
âHe really had to go to the bathroom,â you squint your eyes to make out the newcomers exiting the dropoff area. âOh, there he is. Kook!â
Like a goddamn model, he struts in your field of vision like nobodyâs business. Unlike you who stayed in your apartment all day before leaving, Jungkook decided to spend a few hours at Big Hit in the morning to tie up most of the loose ends before your trip. Heâs talking to what you assume to be is a client, noting the way his brow furrows as he clutches his phone with a tight hold. Heâs changed out of his tie and leather oxfords, but heâs dressed crisply in a dark button up and blazer ensemble, still wholly overdressed for a family reunion.
Namjoon starts behind you, âHe looks...â
âHandsome?â you goad, elbowing him, âCharismatic? Undeniable presence?â
âHard.â
You donât know what to make of that adjective, and you subtly shrink further in your jacket as you mull over the implications of his word choice.
Jungkook steps up to the two of you, ending his call. His eyes float between you and your brother, and he manages to put two and two together. âHey man,â Jungkook gives a practiced smile, extending a hand. âIâm Jungkook, Iâve heard lots of things about you.â
âGood things, I hope.â Namjoon chuckles, returning the handshake. âIâve heard absolutely nothing about you, though. Canât wait to get to know you this week.â
âLooking forward to it,â Jungkook takes his luggage and Namjoon grabs yours, leading you two out to his minivan. While Namjoon is preoccupied with getting the car started, Jungkook looks at you as if heâs already regretting making the trip down. âThis girl has two braincells to her name. I just got off the phone with Sornâs publicist.â
âWhat trouble can an influencer do?â you reply in disbelief.
âExactly, influencing is the trouble,â he pinches the bridge of his nose, âshe did some mukbang and now sheâs in the hospital for food poisoning.â
âAh, donât get too worked up,â you help him lug your suitcases in the trunk. You spot Namjoon subtly eyeing you two from the rear mirror. Pressing a thumb between his brows, you make work to melt away the 11-shaped stress lines on his forehead. âLetâs just send her a Lush gift basket and sheâll be fine.â
You ignore the way Jungkookâs gaze lingers on you longer than needed, running over to your seat at shotgun.
The inside of his car smells like bergamot and lemon, and the sweet, vulnerable side of you wants to cry over how much youâve missed your brotherâs scent. Itâs been way too long.
Once youâre all safely in the car and driving Namjoon says, âSo, are you going to hide the engagement ring or give the family a collective heart attack?â
You tense, hands automatically floating to the teardrop diamond weighing heavily on your ring finger. The story that you two contrived about your relationship isnât too complicated, but complex enough that it seems convincing. Instead of being your boss, Jungkook is your Literary Agent who gives you referrals to new and upcoming authors. You working closely together and bonding over the stresses of the publishing world, have kept a secret relationship under wraps for over a year to avoid any unprofessionalism or favoritism.
âI was thinking about that the whole ride, actually,â you twirl the metal back and forth, watching it gleam in the light. âMom and dad know, but I donât wanna lie to the rest of my family. Theyâll freak out because itâs the first time theyâre meeting Kook and weâre already engaged. Itâs just a location thing, yâknow. You guys donât live in the city so weâve never had a chance to really talk it out.â
Namjoon snorts, âOr, because your boss never gives you a break.â
If Jungkook finds any offense, he doesnât show it. Putting what should be a comforting hand on your shoulder, he says from the back seat, âI already told you babe, do what makes you comfortable. But I donât want to lie to your parents early on, you donât wanna make the situation any more complicated.â
In other words, you better tell them about our engagement because Taeyeon could be hiding in the bushes waiting to catch us.
âSmart man,â Namjoon says shortly, but you canât tell whether itâs a compliment or not.
âYeah,â you exhale, turning to smile stiffly at Jungkook, âno use hiding the inevitable, right?â
The next couple hours are overwhelming. Thereâs a party right when you walk in your winter villa, your parents throwing you a reunion party (not for your family, but for you specifically because youâve been MIA since Big Hit) with the house filled to the brim with family members. Within seconds your favorite cousin checks out the rock on your finger and screams that youâre engaged.
Everyone must be so high off the fact that youâve made it to a family event that theyâre elated you have a life outside of work. Jungkook is treated like a prince, charming the hell out of all your aunties and baby cousins.
âOh, pumpkin!â your auntie squeals, linking arms with you while youâre trying to eat your dinner, âI just hugged your fiancĂ©, and he has abs! Lucky you!â
âAuntie,â you hiss playfully, âyou hugged him that tight?â
âHeâs part of the family, isnât he?â
âRight,â you force a smile, downing your glass of champagne. The bubbles burn your throat pleasantly.
âBabe, can you come here for a second?â Jungkook manages to swim his way through the throng in the living room, holding out a hand for you, âyour mom said that our room is ready, care to lead the way?â
His smile, as pretty as you can care to admit, renders your aunt speechless, and she lets him whisk you away to a long hallway that leads to a set of bedrooms. Jungkook lets go of your hand as soon as you're alone, letting his palm run along the pictures that decorate your hallway.
He stops at a picture of you and Namjoon as kids, faces tanned and lips cherry red from your twin popsicles melting on your hands. âWow,â Jungkook pretends to be alarmed, âI didnât know you used to be cute, what happened?â
âShut up,â you smack his hand away, walking ahead of him.
âI thought you guys reserved a bunch of houses, why does the furniture look worn and thereâs pictures of you everywhere?â
âOur extended family has reserved houses, but this is actually my familyâs vacation home. I used to go here every winter and summer break,â you reach a bedroom in the corner of the hall, smiling at your wooden name tag hanging on the front, âthis is my old room.â
It certainly doesnât have that youthful charm it once had, but there are still bits of your childhood scattering the room. Thereâs ticket stubs and photobooth strips tacked to a corkboard near your desk. Books that you would reread cover to cover are organized proudly on your shelf, worn for wear.
Jungkook groans in relief, plopping his body down on your freshly made bed. âYour familyâs really clingy.â he sighs, throwing an arm over his eyes.
You turn to give him a snappy answer, but it dies in your throat when you see what heâs laying on. The familiar family quilt sinks under Jungkookâs weight, mocking you. You shriek, throwing your arms over to lug his body to the other side of the bed. Bundling up the quilt in your arms, you glare at a very appalled Jungkook.
âThe hell is wrong with you, woman!â he cries, not loud enough to escape the room, but enough to have your body vibrate in annoyance.
âJeon, they put the f*cking baby blanket in my room,â you mutter more to yourself than him, folding it under your arms.
The blanket is comfy in your grasp and youâre sure itâs clean, but the fact that you werenât actually married and in love made its appearance a whole lot worse.
âSo?â his eyes are wide in confusion, âmy mom still has my baby blanket too, Iâm not gonna shoot anyone because of it.â
âItâs not my baby blanket,â you admonish, âitâs the baby maker blanket. A weird family tradition when someone gets engaged.â
âWhich means?â
âTheyâre expecting us to f*ck and have children.â
The thought of procreating and starting a family with you mustâve caused all the champagne to return to his throat, and he looks a little pale. âI think Iâm gonna be sick.â he lies back down on your mattress, and you leave him be so you can chuck the blanket back in your parentsâ room.
Youâre barely out the door when a young man is waiting out in the hallway for you, poised to knock. âHey, baby girl.â they throw you an easy lopsided grin, opening their arms to you.
In your haste, you slam your bedroom door a little too loudly. âYoongi!â You let yourself sink into his waiting arms, reveling in the familiar embrace you missed so much. Yoongi is Namjoonâs best friend and work buddy, not to mention the man youâve had a crush on since you were able to walk. While you can safely say at this moment there is nothing serious going on, a small part of you always wishes there could be.
His voice husks in your ear, âWhy are we hugging in between the baby blanket?â
âOh!â you brush past him, opening the door to your parentsâ room and flinging the offending item as far into their room as possible. âSorry, Jungkook and I were a little freaked out when we saw it. Weâre definitely not thinking about children right now.â
âJungkook,â he hums, and your smile falters just a tad when you see the way Yoongi tips his head down in thought, âIt was quite the news. Congrats though.â
You want to say what youâre supposed to say, that yes, you should be happy. But the selfish part of you does not want this exchange between you and Yoongi to be happening. When you get your quickie divorce in a year, the small, hopeful part of you hopes you and Yoongi could be something.
Before you have a chance to fabricate a response, strong hands encircle your waist, and you feel Jungkookâs chin digging into your shoulder.
âThanks, man,â Jungkookâs voice rumbles, âwe really appreciate it.â
Yoongi gives a nod, muttering something about catching up later before he walks back to the party.
Itâs then that Jungkookâs weight feels impossibly heavy on your shoulders. âYou know, youâve been doing a really sh*tty job of being my wife-to-be ever since we landed,â Jungkook whispers, feather soft lips dusting across the shell of your ear. Itâs an act so intimate you can imagine your family passing down the hallway could be mistaking you two for speaking unthinkable acts. A toddler cousin spots you two and giggles, babbling something to your uncle about how youâre hugging. âYou did so well when we were with Taeyeon and Big Hit.â
âItâs not the same when Iâm lying to my family,â you turn to face him, equally simmering. âThese are people that actually love and care for me, unlike you.â
âAt least I care about whatâs most important,â he grits back, âour jobs, our futures. Is that not enough for you to keep it in your pants?â
âExcuse me? You donât even know him!â
âI donât have to know him because Iâm holding you right now and youâre practically sweating through your cardigan.â he grimaces, digging his chin further into your collarbone, literally trying to get under your skin. âYour face looks like a cherry tomato.â
You turn your head to bite back, your noses touching. The staring contest seems to last for days. Unlike Jungkook who doesn't know how to register basic human emotion, you still have hopes for a life after this. Before you have a chance to answer, your favorite cousin enters the hallway, oblivious to your concerns. Jiminâs red all over, passing you two flutes of blush champagne. âHurry up, weâre making speeches!â
Champagne is overflowing like Niagara, and you and Jungkook are the reason for it as youâre thrusted into the living room. Your weird uncle is in the middle of a long-winded speech about his fishing business and how dreams are made from âbait and a dreamâ. You make eye contact with him, and he gestures wildly to you and Jungkook.
The crowd proceeds to go wild, echoes of speech! Speech! Reverberating throughout your living room. You and Jungkook share uneasy smiles, unsure of where to go with this show.
Deciding itâs your family by blood, you start first. âHonestly, when I moved to New York I wasnât expecting to feel so lonely,â you clutch your flute with both hands, swirling your drink absentmindedly. You then turn to Jungkook, giving him a tender smile which he returns back just as fondly. âUntil I met Jungkook. Iâm really happy that I get to share this week with the people I love the most, so let's drink to family!â
Jungkook lifts his glass, âThank you for the warm welcome, I canât wait to spend time with all of you. This is my first Christmas with a large, loving family. Cheers to that!â
The room erupts in cheers, allowing themselves to clink glasses and chase down their respective drinks. Even the little ones crowding the kiddie table in the back are enjoying their apple juice while making silly faces at the new couple.
Jungkook weaves his arm between yours, and you get the signal to do a couplesâ drink. He eyes you with mischief, as if to say we did it. After you two take your drink, Jiminâs the first to drunkenly yell, âOhmygod just kiss already!â
âKiss kiss kiss!â
âThis is going on my story so make it good!â
âKiss him before I do!â
âOh my god,â you groan, throwing your forehead on Jungkookâs chest. Your family really is something else.
As if the chants canât get any louder, itâs hard to focus on anything but Jungkookâs presence. Jungkook lifts your chin up, murmuring, âLetâs give the people what they want.â and he presses his lips to yours.
Itâs awkward at first. Why wouldnât it be, youâre making out with your boss, in front of your family, pretending to be engaged. But Jungkook doesnât let up, parting your lips slightly to deepen the kiss. As much as you want to make up how terrible and disgusting kissing Jungkook is, it really isnât. His lips are soft and he tastes like the peach champagne, and his grip on your waist is strong and warm.
He leaves you breathless when you pull away, a smirk on his lips for a brief moment before he turns shyly to your family who are probably foaming at the mouth now.
Maybe itâs the champagne coursing through your veins, but why does it suddenly feel so hot in the middle of winter?
The first day back starts off wholly uneventful, with Jungkook working on some manuscripts and you preparing dinner with Jimin. Most of your family is on the resort hitting the slopes, so youâre quite thankful for the reprieve since the party was so overwhelming. The blonde is all smiles as he bumps the oven closed with his leg, letting your lasagna bake to perfection.
âIâve missed you so much,â Jimin rests his head on your shoulder, âitâs definitely not the same when weâre adults. Frankly, it sucks balls.â
âBig balls,â you agree, gnawing on a leftover baguette from last night.
âSpeaking of big balls,â Jimin wiggles his brows as you attempt to move farther from him.
âPlease donât say it.â
âCâmon! Just tell me if the sex is good!â
âNo!â you cry, flicking your crumbs at him.
âI will open this oven,â his hands are already on the handle, âand your dish will undercook.â
âDonât you dare!â he opens the oven a tad, and you slam your hand down. âFine! The sex is fantastic, happy?â
âEwh, no!â The storm door swings open, revealing Namjoon, Yoongi, and Lisa, Namjoonâs lady friend. âI didnât need to hear that, thanks.â
Your face looks absolutely pained as you watch the two older men walk in. They were the last people youâd ever want to share about your sex life too, even if it is fake. You can only bear to look properly at Lisa as they kick off their boots and shake the snow off their heads. Lisa pokes her tongue in her cheek, looking at you with a wild look in her eyes. âIâve heard so much about your current drama. Canât wait to hear the 411 from you, though.â
Yoongi looks unfazed, then again you never really know whatâs going on in his head. âYou guys wanna go to a movie tonight?â Yoongi asks, grabbing a slice of the baguette and dipping it in a dish of olive oil. âI think the one thatâs showing is based on a book your company published.â
âIs it âRotten Loveâ?â
âThatâs the one.â
Pushing yourself off the counter, you nod eagerly. âIâll go tell Jungkook to get ready. We can eat dinner real quick and then go right after,â you grab a bottle of water from the fridge, âJoonie, set up the table please.â
Jungkook doesnât notice you walk in, and you can hear the faint sound of Muse blasting from his Airpods. Heâs on your floor, doing pushups while reading a transcript under him. This time heâs using your iPad, every few seconds taking a thumb to scroll down. Sweating through his shirt, you can see the beads running along his silver reading glasses. Itâs completely contradictory, your muscle bunny of a boss getting in his reps while psychoanalyzing a potential novel, but somehow it works with him.
âManiac,â you mutter, bending down to place the cool water bottle on his cheek. He stops abruptly, like youâve pressed the pause button on his seemingly robotic arms. Seriously, you canât fathom how he manages to do both. You swipe the iPad under his body in place of a white towel, which he accepts gratefully. This isnât the first time youâve had to snap him out of it, sometimes youâd catch him at the company gym nearing 10PM, reading on the treadmill.
âWhat time is it?â he asks, fluting the water bottle down his throat.
Ignoring the way his neck glistens in sweat, you say, âItâs almost seven. Câmon, weâre gonna eat dinner and watch a movie. Youâve cooped yourself up in this room all day, time to interact with the world.â
âWhat movie?â
âThe book we published in 2018, âRotten Loveâ? They made it into a movie,â and you canât help the wry grin that takes over your face when you say your next words, âguess who directed it.â
He sighs, rubbing the towel over his damp hair. The normally styled strands fall limply at his forehead. âI donât remember, I shifted over that project to PR. Any directorâs fine, but please please please donât let it beââ
âJung Hoseok!â
âSon of a bitch, we gotta go.â And itâs the first time in a while you see a genuine smile graze his features, one not laced with you and your marriage. Itâs an old pastime for you both to get picky over Jungâs work. âI swear, he better not put his scenes all over the place like last time, I got whiplash.â
After a quick dinner you all pile into Namjoonâs minivan, making your way to the theatre. The drive is fast, and before you know it youâre waiting in line to get inside. It seems that the PR between the film studio and Big Hit did a good job assisting, because thereâs a sizable line despite being half an hour early.
âSo honey,â Lisa leans into you, squishing you further into Jungkookâs shoulder. âDid you like, help out with the publishing of this novel? To be honest I donât even know what your job is,â Lisa admits with a shrug, âyouâre not a glorified coffee girl, are you?â
âNo,â her mixed enthusiasm never fails to stump you, âAh, but I really didnât do much in the production of âRotten Loveâ,â you reply easily, relaxing into Jungkook as he moves to drape an arm around your shoulder. âI just told my boss to sign some documents nâstuff. Itâs really nothingââ
âBabe, are you kidding? You ran the whole freakinâ project!â and youâre in shock, because for the first time in the history of ever, Jeon Jungkook is paying you a real compliment. âIt was her first assignment when she got hired as the big bossâ assistant. A lot of people in the office doubted her,â he squeezes your shoulder, âbut not for one second did I doubt her, you could see how hard she worked to make it perfect. I heard the boss was really impressed, too.â
You remember that period of time. Jungkook made you dive headfirst into the publishing for âRotten Loveâ, letting you sink or swim in his decision for keeping you employed. After a full month of meetings, negotiations, and debating whether you should have caffeine IVâed in your body to save time on eating, you got Jungkookâs evaluation. You remember the stoicism in Jungkookâs frame as he surmised your work, throwing you a flippant âitâs decentâ before sending you off to do more work.
Relief flooded your system after those two simple words, because that meant you had a chance and you could keep your job. But this? If what heâs saying is true, youâre on Cloud 9.
âAwh, thanks Kook.â you squeeze his arm, letting your fingers trail down to lace your fingers with his.
Lisaâs face is all scrunched, and she doesnât hesitate to stretch over you to smush Jungkookâs cheek between her two fingers. Her blue nails dig into his soft skin. âI like him, honey. Keep him, heâs so cute.â
She leaves you alone after that, skipping over to bother Namjoon about buying an extra bucket of popcorn.
âAt first I was nervous having you near my family for a week,â you say brightly, rubbing a thumb over his hand, âbut I kinda like seeing you try so hard to not rip other peopleâs heads off.â
He puffs out his cheeks in an attempt to soothe the stinging. âCould be worse, I could be engaged to Karen.â
With that you laugh, loud enough to turn heads and have Jimin and Lisa send you adoring looks. Jungkook sends you a nervous smile, the one that heâd always send you during team meetings when he was unsure of how to respond to something. Instead of giving him a smart answer, you get on your tiptoes to pat his reddened cheek. âBut sheâs right, you are kinda cute when you wanna be.â
Instead of replying, he squeezes your hand tighter to lead you inside.
Everything is smooth sailing after that. You, Jimin and Yoongi are saving the seats while Jungkook, Lisa and Namjoon are getting the refreshments. Jimin is prattling on about a new job interview and youâre listening attentively, while Yoongi shoots off advice every time Jimin says heâs nervous.
Yoongi looks past Jimin to give you that gummy smile that always made your chest ache. âChim, remember when she applied to work at Jamba Juice?â
âOh my god,â Jimin giggles, clutching your arm. âWhen you had to do a trial run in front of the manager? You forgot to put the lid on the blender and you sprayed the staff with green juice?â
âThe stains took forever to get out,â you pouted. âAnd I didnât appreciate the snaps you saved of me. I got nervous because you were recording me!â
âAm I hearing some juicy details about your childhood?â Jungkook appears, passing a huge tub of buttery popcorn to Yoongi.
âEmphasis on juice,â Yoongi says tartly, popping a handful of kernels in his mouth.
âYes, do you wanna see a picture of your fiancĂ© covered in green juice? She wore a low-cut shirt that day so it got deep, man.â Jimin says, using his hands to gesture obscenely to his own chest.
Youâre mortified, and you push down Jiminâs phone and cover whatever receipts he has on you. âJimin, Iâd like to stay engaged, if you donât mind?â
Your not-so-favorite cousin cackles in response, telling Jungkook that theyâll talk later.
âHere,â Jungkook cooly hands you a King-Sized KitKat.
âAwh,â you marvel, immediately opening the wrapper, âyou actually read my notes and found out what my favorite candy was?â
He scoffs, dark bangs blowing up. âWho doesnât like KitKats?â but youâre giving him the look, and he sighs, âCâmon babe, just gimmie a break.â
âHa-ha,â but you break off a piece anyway, lifting it to Jungkookâs lips. Itâs then that the theatre starts to dim, and the telltale signs of the movie begin. âReady to rip Jung Hoseok to shreds?â
âAlways.â
Barely fifteen minutes pass and Jungkook is spreading his legs. Youâre about to kick him before he leans in to whisper, âThey made Renee too dull,â he sighs in disappointment, as if he sincerely had high hopes theyâd bring the novel to justice. âI mean, I get it, in the novel sheâs supposed to be a plain Jane. But she isnât grey.â
âRight?â you lean into Jungkook, throwing your legs over his thighs like youâre back at the airport. This isnât out of intimacy, you think to yourself, you just need to be close enough to Jungkook so you donât disturb the other patrons with your talking. âSheâs either a bad actress or they messed up her character. I really got upset when I read this part, but itâs kinda bland on the screen.â
As much as you love Jimin, you know heâs not going to get your over-criticality over the media. Yoongi and Namjoon are on the other end of the row, but they wouldnât be too pleased having you gab over the movie because youâre too much of an aficionado. Jungkook is the only one who can tĂȘte-Ă -tĂȘte, or in this case, Kit-a-Kat with you.
You sigh into his shoulder, inhaling his clean scent. âLetâs pray Jung didnât completely butcher the chapter where Kenzo reflects on his penniless journey.â
âIâll leave the theatre right then and there if that happens, care to join me?â
âAlready out the door, bossman.â
Jungkook looks away from the screen briefly, reaching forward to take an obnoxiously big bite of the KitKat in your hand. You stifle a giggle, and before you can soak up his cheeky grin heâs already looking back at the movie.
You wonder what Jungkook is like outside of work, if he has that side to him. A little part of you wishes that this playfulness heâs exuding is real. Not to your fake marriage, but a playfulness he can execute to a person that he really likes. Two days out of the office and youâre starting to see that Jungkook has the capabilities to enjoy life, however simple it may be.
The movie is finished in a blur, and you and Jungkook are still bickering over the intricacies of the film compared to the novel. The night air is cold and burns your cheeks, reminding you exactly how late youâve been out.
âWell, I thought the romance was so boring!â Lisa blurted, wanting an in. Her lime green ski jacket glares in your vision, and you move away from her immediately. âNo one cheated on each other, there was no drama, or evil best friend!â
âWhoa there,â and you see the little fire in Jungkookâs eyes, one youâve learned early on to stay away from when you spent hours in his office debating over manuscripts and plotlines. He stares down at Lisa, really stares down. âYou think every romance needs some sort of internalized conflict for it to be good? Why canât they just grow and learn from the external conflict together? Itâs literally useless for them to break up over and over justââ
And thatâs your cue to walk ahead of them, because while you did agree with Jungkook, youâve heard this debate one too many times. Ever the closet-romantic at heart. You hope Lisa doesnât lose her patience and punch him out.
âHey,â you feel a hand pat your hair, and you look up at Yoongi. He looks absolutely fluffy in his long puffy jacket, and he matches your steps with his. âDo I look ugly tonight, or something? I feel like we barely exchanged two sentences with each other.â
âWhat, never!â you chastise, âyou always look good, Yoongi. And we have the whole week to catch up, remember?â
âReally, then why donât we go out in two days to pick out a tree for your house? Joon and I are planning on going.â
âI would love to go pick a tree!â you exclaim, âthe last time we got a tree together was when your brother had to lift.â
âGreat,â and he pats your head again, but this time his hand lingers to finger the ringlets of your hair. âItâll be just like old times, baby girl. Iâll pick you up at 9.â
Unbeknownst to the both of you, Jungkookâs argument ended minutes ago and heâs mulling over a new type of internal conflict.
âOwie, ow, owâf*ck you! Ow!â
âWell if you just hold still,â Jungkook grimaces, taking his turns with both hands to simultaneously wipe the injury with a cloth and then pressing the affected area with an ice bag.
âBuh ih hurths!â your voice is muffled by the cloth, stained red with freshly bloomed blood.
The ski lodge started off great. You enjoyed a fabulous beligan waffle breakfast courtesy of Jiminâs parents, and then made the trek to the slopes. Youâve been here dozens of times, so you didnât feel an inclination to gravitate to any of the fancy schmancy sports. You were fine playing shuffleboard inside, but your inner youth complained that itâs the holidays and you should be getting out more.
Jimin and Jungkook (who claimed he hasn't snowboarded since he was 16 yet heâs doing tricks like a goddamn Olympian) were shredding on the slopes while Namjoon and Lisa were skiing on a smaller hill. You and Yoongi watched safely from the lift, riding it like a kiddie attraction. You mustâve taken the lift at least ten times, complaining about how youâre both too lazy to function and you could really use a hot chocolate and a fireplace.
After the fifteenth time on the lift, legs numb, you stumble over with heavy boots to where Lisa and Namjoon were waiting for Jimin and Jungkook. They wanted to walk around more and see if they could try a more difficult slope.
While you were waiting, you had to admit that Jungkook did kind of cool all decked out in his gear. A competitive, playful smile was easily reflected in his gaze despite his helmet and goggles.
That slight admiration is knocked right off your feet when Jungkook speeds by way too close for comfort and youâre in his path. Jimin had already slowed next to your friends and family, looking at you in anticipated horror.
Itâs far too late, and despite the fact that Jungkook manages to pull your body to his while you wipe out, your face crashes into his helmet and you taste metal.
Mildly disoriented from the impact, Jungkookâs muffled string of curses nurse you back to a decent consciousness as he tries to carry you to the lodge.
âHoly sh*t, I got that on camera!â Jimin cries, gesturing to the Go-Pro nestled in his helmet.
So now youâre in pain and itâs all Jungkookâs fault. Your bottom lip is split, and the burn on your face wonât go away.
You watch as Jungkook dotes on you, his bangs pushed up everywhere due to his grey goggles haphazardly being propped upon his forehead. His pink tongue sticks out as he concentrates on not getting blood on your sweater. Itâs just you and him that are stuck around in the lodge after you got pummeled, standing by the fire while everyone else continues on with the fun.
âWhy were you over there anyway, in the middle of the slope?â he scolds.
âIt was the slow down zone, Jeon. You were the only one not slowing down, you speed demon.â
âSorry,â he says gruffly, pressing a little too hard with the ice and you wince. He lets up and presses the cloth to your lips to soak up the moisture.
âDid you say something?â
âI said, Iâm sorry.â
You sigh dramatically, âI wish I had a camera to save that sh*tty excuse of an apology.â
âSpeaking of cameras,â he shucks his phone out of his pocket, handing it to you. âJimin uploaded the video.â
That man, you donât know where he has the means to quickly upload and edit things, but if itâs for the âGram, itâs worth it to Jimin. You open Instagram and immediately click on @chimmyboiâs story, immediately wincing as the first few seconds reveal the brunt of the impact. He should really put a disclaimer before uploading content.
The tumble between you and Jungkook doesnât look so bad, but itâs when you get up does it look gnarly. Your chin is dribbling in red liquid, and Jungkookâs throwing off his helmet and goggles in a panic.
He makes a half-assed snowball where youâre lying on the ground, pressing it against your mouth. With his other hand he pulls you into a sitting position, not caring that youâre staining his clothes as he hauls you on his body.
âOhmygod,â you splutter, trying not to move your lips, âI look like I got decked with a hockey puck.â
âIt wasnât that bad, donât be a baby.â Jungkook sees the piecing glare you give him, and he sighs. âOkay, it looked pretty bad. I was a little worried back there, but now the bleeding pretty much stopped and holy sh*tâstop smiling! Youâre making it open up further!â
âYou were worried?â
âShut up.â
The ice bag is watery and not doing much anymore, but Jungkook still insists to cool your face down. You lift a hand to his cold ones, attempting to take the bag and cloth from his grasp.
âYou should go board with Jimin and the rest of them. I can take care of this.â
âItâs fine,â he reasons, reaching for the ice bag but you hold on tighter.
âCâmon, I know the only thing you were looking forward to this entire trip was going snowboarding. Iâm a big girl, I can be alone for an hour or two.â
Jungkook locks his jaw, gnawing at his cheek as he mulls on his decision. âWouldnât I look like a bad partner if I leave you?â
âNah, this has happened before. Almost always someone gets injured on the trip. Last time something like this happened I was eight and I got five stitches on my leg. This is nothing. Youâre fine.â
âBut still.â
âFine, you wanna make it up to me?â
You scan the room for any ideas, and it settles on a trio of girls huddled by the register of the built-in cafĂ©. Theyâre pretty snow bunnies, decked out in sweater dresses and fur lined boots. They remind you a little of The Powerpuff Girls, all in pastels and attached to the hip. Their gaze has taken hostage in Jungkookâs frame, blatantly ignoring the fact that majority of his attention is directed towards you. You wonder why you havenât noticed them sooner, because now the staring is getting borderline discomforting.
Slipping off his goggles with your free hand, you gesture subtly to the girls. âThey think youâre hot. Go flirt with them a little and get me a free drink, Iâm sure theyâll pay for you.â
He doesnât understand the correlation, âWhy would I do that?â
You shrug, separating the strands of hair that stick to his forehead. âLisa and Namjoon do it all the time when they go clubbing. They compete and pretend theyâre single for like two hours, and then they keep a tally of how many people offer to buy them a drink.â
âThat is completely different, but Iâm open to trying it when we get back to the city.â he acknowledged briefly, getting up from his crouching position. âI got a better idea.â
Puzzled, you watch him saunter over to the register. Like bees to the honey, the girls follow Jungkook with their eyes, watching him exaggeratedly mull over the menu.
He spares the slightest of head inclinations to the drooling trio, âHello ladies.â The smile is not flirtatious, but kind.
You suppress a giggle, burying your chin in your scarf as you watch the whole interaction. You donât even know why you asked Jungkook if he would flirt with those girls, as he kept most of his dates private over the years. You picture a college-aged Jungkook getting his daily breakfast on his way to class, ignoring the way his presence attracts heads.
The barista hands Jungkook a tray filled with a plastic cup of ice, and a cup filled with something hot, and a chocolate croissant. He grabs a straw from a tray, stabbing it in the hot drinkâs lid.
âExcuse me,â one of the girls coquettishly puts her hands behind her back, puffing her chest out as she leans over Jungkookâs order. âThe regular croissants actually taste better in my opinion.â
âWell my wifeâs had a hard day, so I think she deserves something sweet.â
He doesnât even turn around as he makes a beeline to where youâre seated on a loveseat, carefully placing the tray on the coffee table.
âYour better idea was making them jealous?â you ask, unsure of his intentions.
He shrugs, âCollege-Jungkook always wanted to show off his girlfriend like that, so indulge me for a second, alright?â
Rolling your eyes you reply, âMy life is about indulging you. Donât forget the trips Iâve made to the grocery store when your personal fridge was out of bananaââ
âI thought I said we donât speak of those hard times,â he cuts you off, âever.â
You stop him from filling up your ice bag with the ice he brought. âCâmon Jeon, youâre burning daylight out there. I got this. Youâve stalled enough, go have fun in the snow with Jimin, you adrenaline junkie.â
He scrunches his nose, but relents when you throw him his jacket and goggles. Before he pulls on his gloves, he cups your face with both hands to pull you in a kiss. His hands are cold from the ice, gluing you in place in fear of him kissing you too hard. But itâs barely that, a brushing of lips so tender as he takes extra care with your open lip.
âIs this also a self-indulgent request?â you pucker, âwho knew there was a hormonal teenager under that editor-in-chiefâs body.â
His eyes flicker to the audience in the back, and you donât need to look behind you to note that theyâre glaring daggers in your head. Itâs like youâre straight out of a rom-com.
âYouâre leaving me to the bunnies,â you say teasingly.
âThen hurry up and get better so you can join us,â he taunts, âor else you canât help me bury Jimin in the snow.â
Itâs a tempting offer that makes you down your drink so you can enjoy the rest of your day.
Light seeps through your windows, rays kissing your eyelashes and willing them to open. You groan, hand splaying out to wake up Jungkook. When you find his space empty and cool, you sit up and search for your fake-fiancé.
Heâs on the floor, smack in the middle of his morning workout. Your iPad is under his body, and somehow heâs managed to find a setting where the document scrolls for him automatically. Heâs not wearing his Airpods, so you rasp, âJeon, youâre crazy. I get the morning workout, but you donât have to look over any more transcripts. I think youâve read enough for this week.â
âIt helps me ignore the burn,â he says shortly, and you see the ripples of his back flex with every push-up. âAnd I wouldnât have to do so much reading if my assistant would just do her job.â
âI already told you, Iâm not working during my vacation.â you throw off the sheets, padding to your closet. âIâm going to pick the tree today. You should go to the mall with my mom and Jimin to pick out some new ornaments.â
âWhat?â he gets up, and you ignore the perfect view of tight muscles decorating his abs. Exactly how long was he awake for to have sweat clinging to his shirt? Youâre going to short-circuit and itâs barely 8:30. âBut I wanna go help pick out the tree.â
âYou donât have to do that, Joon and Yoongi got it.â
âYoongi, really? You think he can carry a tree?â
âThis isnât a pissing contest, Jeon.â you settle on a burgundy Patagonia jacket and grey leggings. âBesides, Yoongi and I are just friends.â
âYou sure about that, baby girl?â
You whip around to poke at his chest, and you ignore how smug he looks. âDo not test me, Jeon. Like you said, Iâm with you every step of the way in this marriage. Iâm not going to jeopardize that over some childhood crush.â
âWow, your life is really turning into a Wattpad entry,â he admonishes, âfake-fiancĂ© still pining over his older brotherâs best friend, really high-qual stuff.â
âIâm serious.â you grit, âI took a week off so I can get away from you and that was ruined, so I would like a little bit of space today.â
And that gets Jungkook to back away. His face deflates a little, and you feel a little guilty for making him upset, but you stab that thought down and convince yourself that he deserves it. Itâs not like he cares about you, he just wants to show off to the boys.
âFine,â he turns around to put on a fresh shirt, and you almost notice the pout marrying his face. âYou couldâve just told me you wanted space. Iâm getting kind of tired of you too, you know.â
He flops on the bed and you huff in reply, quickly throwing on your attire inside your closet while he watches a YouTube video. You check your phone, and at 8:59 a knock is at your door. Jungkook doesnât bother to get up to answer, and you open the door to see a sleepy Yoongi with a paper cup in his hand.
âAn English breakfast with two sugars and a dash of milk, baby girl.â
You mask your wince at the pet name. It hadnât bothered you when you were young, but its starting to feel coddling now that Jungkook is making you hyper-aware of the attention. âPerfect,â you faux-beam, the hot beverage warm your fingers.
âIâll just warm up the car andââ
âBabeeeeee,â the deepest, sexiest voice echoes from your bed and out in the hallway. He sounds absolutely tempting, and needy. You freeze at the way your boss can so easily pretend heâs exhausted and wanting you, âcome back to bedddddd. Iâm not done with you yet.â
Yoongiâs ears are red, âAaand, Iâll let you finish whatever business you have.â
The older man bolts out of there, and you snap your head back to look at an innocent Jungkook. He tilts his head at your bout of anger.
âYou know, I have half a mind to fling this tea down your shirt.â
âWhat?â he looks at you like a child caught with a hand in the cookie jar. âHe canât be the only one who can call you baby.â
Honestly, you didnât mean to lash out on Jungkook like that. You did need to put up a face as you were each other's significant others, but it doesnât mean you have to be together all the time. To top it all off youâve been feeling weird as of late, and you can only attribute these terrible feelings to a certain brunet whoâs been sleeping in your bed.
But you pin these feelings for another time, because you need to enjoy what little quality time you have with your brother.
âHey, whaddya think of this one?â It's just you and Namjoon picking the tree, and Yoongiâs sitting in the cabin keeping warm. He said to call him once youâve decided, since it is your house.
âHm, itâs fine.â you shrug, inhaling the pine. âMaybe a little too tall.â
Namjoon nods, and you follow him to the next row of greenery. Heâs been pensive this whole time, and you have a feeling heâs hiding something. Surrounded by pine and the fresh winter air he says, âHey, I just wanna say sorry.â
âWhy, did you like that tree over there? I donât mind it, we can go back!â
âWhat, no? Iâm sorry for being weird around Jungkook.â
âHuh?â sure, you noticed the weird language and terseness he gave Jungkook initially, but you chalked it out as big brother issues.
You two continue to walk around the forest aimlessly, not really tree hunting.
âI was just upset that the engagement was so sudden,â Namjoon starts, and you feel the guilt start to set camp in your stomach. âAnd I donât know, at first he just didnât seem like your type? I always thought you wanted to date someone gentle, someone you could hold and depend on. He looked so serious, and maybe a little immature.â
âHe is a little immature,â you agree softly, digging your boots in the snow, âbut I donât love him any less because of it. Weâre growing together.â sh*t, why was that so easy for you to say?
âFigured,â and Namjoon stops to place a hand on your shoulder, âI see the way he looks at you, and you canât fake love like that.â
Namjoonâs admonition is so convincing that you almost convince yourself that it is something.
Something is bothering Jungkook, and he doesnât know why.
Itâs not the billions of charges he made on his credit card for new ornaments, because it simultaneously inflated his ego and impressed your mom.
Itâs not the way Jimin hangs onto his every word and doesnât let up, because it is refreshing to have your cousin find a genuine interest in him.
Jungkook, Jimin and your mom have been taking laps around the mall for the past hour. Theyâve floated around here and there, picking out whatever catches their eye for the tree.
Jiminâs in the middle of explaining the Jamba Juice story when a glimmering window display catches his eye.
âHun, have you not bought her a present yet?â your mom says over his shoulder.
âNo,â he exhales, embarrassed that he just admitted he didnât think of getting you anything in front of your mom. âShe doesnât ask for anything, really.â Besides her book published, a raise, and a potential promotion as editor, but they didnât need to know that much.
âGood thing youâre with the right people!â Jimin cheers, ushering him into the jewelry store.
Funny enough, he knows exactly what to get you. Once he points it out, Jimin and your mom âoohâ and âaahâ respectively, agreeing that what he chose was perfect. If you had asked Jungkook a week ago what kind of jewlery you like, heâd give you a dumb look and say âsomething shiny.â But thatâs whatâs bothering him. He just walked right into the store, saw what was right, and everything just clicked.
Jungkook pins that thought for later, because once their shopping is done theyâre back at your villa, arranging the ornaments and detangling the lights that have been holed up in the closet for eleven months.
Jimin and he are sitting on the living room floor, stabbing thread through popcorn. He really only saw this craft in the movies, and the small part of him is amazed that you and your family go through the hard work to make your holidays so warm.
Your mom appears from her bedroom, clutching something in her hand. She sits in front of Jungkook, a huge smile on her face.
âBefore you say anything,â and it strikes him how similar you are to your mother. Thereâs that tone he always receives before he gets new news, or the way youâre eager to share something that will make him happy. âI donât want you to think this is a luxurious gift or anything. But I realized that you donât have a wedding band so I went through my old cases and found this.â
She opens her palm slowly, revealing a simple black band.
Jungkookâs lips part to form words, but his vocal cords betray him. At first glance, this ring couldâve been mistaken for one of Jiminâs plentiful rings adorning his fingers. Upon closer inspection however, Jungkook notes that this band is thinner and more worn. The metal looks strong and old, the slight scratches and faded color revealing that it was a well-loved piece of jewelry.
Your mom is offering Jungkook a wedding band.
âIf you donât like it, thatâs okay!â your mom says quickly, nerves radiating because of Jungkookâs silence. âIt was my grandfatherâs. Donât feel as if you have to accept it. Itâs not a wedding band persay, but I think it matches and it looks about your size and we didnât get you a Christmas gift soââ
âItâs perfect.â Jungkook tells her firmly, sending him a tight-lipped smile. âThank you, I guess we kind of rushed the engagement so I didnât think of getting a band of my own.â
Your mother is grateful, dropping the ring in Jungkookâs awaiting palm. âI think my daughter should be the one who puts it on you, donât you think?â
âRight,â he echoes, and he just stares at the ring in his hand, feeling weird in his chest. He canât remember the last time someone put this much thought in getting him something this significant. He canât accept this ring, but he canât refuse it either. âI could never find something with this much value from a little shop in New York, so thank you.â
âOh, and while weâre on the topic of New York,â Jimin puts down his completed popcorn wreath, ây/n said she already put in her off days for Easter, so you should too. Itâll be at my place this year, and I live by an indoor skydiving zone. She mentioned youâre an adrenaline junkie.â
âShe also mentioned that your birthdayâs in September.â your mom pops in, âWe were thinking we could take Friday off and stop by for the weekend. Iâve always wanted to see Hamilton!â
Jungkook knows theyâre trying to cheer him up. Theyâre trying to make him feel part of the family, feel wanted. But he canât remember the last time heâs felt wanted unless itâs for a book deal or a business exchange. Itâs been so long since heâs felt this warm, and he didnât realize how much he yearned for it until he proposed to you.
âHey man,â Jimin puts an arm around his trembling shoulders, âare you alright?â
âFine,â heâs crying, and doing a sh*t job at hiding the tears. âItâs alright, I just,â he canât even find the strength to get up and walk away from this. Is it pathetic that heâs breaking down in the comfort of your cousin and mom, starved for affection? âI just, I miss my family. Itâs just the four of us, but theyâre all the way in Korea and itâs been awhile since Iâve really celebrated anything with them. They visit sometimes but itâs not the same, yâknow? And work is so stressful but Iâm not in a position to say that. And your family is just so, so nice and it makes me miss them even more. Youâre all so lucky to support each other like this.â
Jimin and your mom sandwich him like an Oreo. Itâs almost funny, how two smaller humans are comforting this big human and not the other way around. âPoor baby, itâs your family too.â
Pathetic. Itâs pathetic how much he wishes to have a family like yours, but he canât have that.
âCan we please not tell y/n about this?â Jungkook wishes, leaning his head on your momâs. âSheâs going through a lot right now with work and stuff, Iâd rather just talk to her about this after the holidays, if thatâs okay.â
âItâs quite alright, sweetheart,â your mom runs a hand through his hair, and his eyes automatically flutter closed, âjust remember, your feelings matter too, okay?â
You and Jungkook slip into bed at the same time, murmuring half-hearted âhow was your daysâ and brief descriptions of your outings. Itâs a little awkward considering the morningâs events, but not unbearable.
âThe tree smells really nice,â Jungkook tries, looking up from his phone.
âYeah, makes the whole room smell like Christmas.â
âYeah.â
âDid you have a good time shopping, find anything good?â
âYeah.â
âThatâs nice.â
[11:29] Jimin: hey, you know my roomâs right next to yours right?
[11:29] Jimin: we share a goddamn wall and im NOT hearing sh*t
[11:29] Jimin: are you putting that baby blanket to good use ;)
[11:30] You: YOUâREE DISGUSTING are we even family!!!! Can i disown a first cousin??
[11:30] Jimin: iâm just sayin.. U said it was fantastic
You throw your phone away, letting it slide off to the mattress and onto the baby blanket. Yes, the baby blanket is unfortunately here to stay. Over the course of three days, the quilt is like a ball in a tennis match between you and your mother. Youâve given up and just kept it on the floor.
âI have a question,â you say aloud, motioning to your bed partner.
âShoot.â
âWas it true when you said I was the only girl you knew well enough to be your wife?â
âOf course, thatâs why weâre here.â
âIâm just wondering, because I really thought you could pick any girl in the office to be yours.â you stuff your hands under the covers, playing with your ring. âI mean, youâre kinda-sorta handsome. You couldâve picked someone just as pretty and they would have studied your whole life story for you.â
Jungkook's phone falls in his lap, and he looks at you like youâve lost a couple brain cells. âNormally, I would eat up the fact that you admitted I was attractive. But do you realize youâre just as beautiful, if not more?â
What?
âI know itâs unprofessional, but how professional can we get when weâre married, but youâre the whole package, y/n.â and he says it with such fervor, you canât formulate a response. âI wouldnât have wanted anyone else. No one else can take my sh*t and throw it right back in my face, or debate with me for hours on end about a novelâs direction. Only you can do that.â
âIâm sorry,â you shake your head, âthanks, youâre right. Iâm just clouded, and stressed. And Jiminâs being an ass and itâs really bothering me.â
His chocolate eyes flicker in the darkness of your bedroom, making note of your phone on the floor. âWhatâd he say?â
âItâs stupid, he said that he thinks itâs weird he hasnât heard us bang all week,â you force a laugh, âitâs my fault though, he wouldnât get off my back so I gave up and told him the sex was fantastic.â
âAre you worried heâs unconvinced?â
âA little, maybe? I donât know.â youâre wrinkling your bedsheets now, turning the cotton into putty as your sweaty palms wring at the edge.
âI donât mind giving him a show.â Jungkook blurts, and you instinctively pull the covers closer to your chest, even though youâre fully clothed.
âWhat, like fake moan into the wall?â
âThere are things you can do over the clothes,â he says matter-of-factly, pulling the sheet of his bedside down slightly. âAnd you just said youâre stressed. Iâd be a bad fiancĂ© to not let you relieve some of that tension.â
Jungkook opens his arms and gestures for you to get on his lap. Your body is hot all over, and you canât tell if itâs because youâre horrified or aroused. Maybe a little of both.
âAre you kiddingâyouâre my boss!â
âAnd weâre consenting adults!â he narrows his eyes at you, âdonât say youâve never thought about it before.â
And the sick, twisted part of you has, a lot. Thereâs something about a man in a tailored suit and owning up to its power thatâs really attractive. Not to mention all those times theyâd be traveling for work, stumbling for a quick McDonald's bite at 12AM and heâd be dressed casually in tight black jeans and combat boots. The energy really kept you on your toes.
âWow, I really hate late-night talks. All the secrets come out, donât they?â
âIf it makes you feel better, your ass looks great in pencil skirts,â you turn to him with flared eyes, âwhat? Iâm just trying to let you know I mayhaps find you attractive.â
âMayhaps you should stop talking before I regret this.â
His eyebrows lift and disappear from his bangs, the hair freshly dried and fluffy from his late night shower. He then pats his lap with a little blasĂ© as if to say âhop onâ, and you ignore the way how good the seat looks, his boxer briefs doing nothing to hide his unmentionables.
Trying to fight alongside your last drop of dignity, you take your time.
âCâmon y/n, donât make it weird.â
âItâs been weird, Jeon! Jiminâs next door!â you hiss, backing away slightly, âGive me some time, I canât just hump my boss!â
âYouâre not humping your boss.â Jungkook has the audacity to grin, the expression looking absolutely sinful in the moonlight. âThink of it as your lover wanting to make you feel good.â
The bridge between love and hatred is a fine, fine line stemmed by passion.
Careful, you lift your blankets up and slip out of them, moving to sit up. Itâs ridiculous, tiptoeing around your bed to avoid any sudden creaks in the aged wood of your mahogany headboard.
âWeâre out to prove to your family we f*ck on the reg,â Jungkook snips, âyou can make noise.â
Within seconds, heâs hauling you on his lap. You squeak in surprise, feeling the thin material of his boxers seep through your thin silk shorts. You wriggle around, monitoring Jungkookâs expression. He does not allude too much, but you take note of the way Jungkook secures you with his hands between the swells of your thighs.
âIâm not a rollercoaster, stop adjusting like youâre gonna buckle up.â
Jungkookâs dry humor lightens the mood considerably, and you canât help but smile timidly at his attempt to make you feel at ease. He lets you take your time, and you never imagined someone so demanding in the office can be so⊠kind in bed.
You dip forward to kiss his lips once, twice. He looks needy, but lets you set the pace. You appreciate that. Youâre salivating at his willingness to make you feel good, and you whimper as he nibbles on a sensitive spot on your neck.
You need more. Sensing your urgency when you jerk his chin up, he muffles your sounds with a harsh kiss, taking care to moan deeply into your mouth. The heat is luxurious on this winter night, burgundy kisses exchanged between the sheets like secrets. His tongue slips between your teeth, tasting every inch of you and exploring you like the deepest texts.
He pulls away slightly, and youâre drowning in his gaze. âAm I still just kinda-sorta handsome now?â he nips at your neck, sucking on a spot between your jaw.
âN-no,â and you pull him up by the chin, taking in his messy hair and glazed eyes, âyouâre f*cking sexy,â and you tug your mouth to his once more.
You donât even realize that youâre rolling your hips until Jungkook breaks the kiss in favor of grabbing your hips, making sure your core is nestled perfectly between his hardening length. It doesnât take long for the both of you to get wet, and the silk glides easily between your thighs like butter.
âThatâs it, baby girl,â he encourages, one hand reaching up to cup your breast, âuse me, make yourself feel good.â
âPlease, donât call me that,â you whine against his mouth, trying to keep the mood in, âBabe is fine, but baby girl makes me feel like a little kid and Iâm not a little kid.â
âYou damn right,â and he lifts his hips to meet yours in a sharp thrust, and you gasp hotly into his mouth. Itâs too late to muffle your moans, not when youâre drenched with two pathetic pieces of fabric stopping the both of you. âYouâre a gorgeous, intelligent, strong, amazing woman.â
With every compliment, he does all the work, thrusting with each adjective like heâs blessing poetry into your body.
âJ-Jungkook,â the name is muffled against his shoulder, too fuzzed in ecstasy to be embarrassed by the drool coating his tank top. His hair tickles your shoulder as he nips at your clothed breasts, swirling around your nipple. âI-I, mâgonna come,â
âYouâre almost there huh?â and he slips a hand between you two to find that sweet spot, swirling designs between your shorts. âf*ck, youâre so wet.â
And youâre shaking, collapsing into his embrace as he rides out your high. He cradles one hand in your hair as you rub furiously against his other, chasing your pleasure like a starved animal.
âK-Kook,â you murmur into his neck, finding the strength to roll your hips one more time to check. âYouâre still hard, do you want me to help?â
âNo.â heâs forthright, and as tired as you are, you force yourself to pick your head up. Sweat lines his brow and his face is flushed, but heâs already helping you off and handing you a tissue from the nightstand.
âWhat?â youâre hurt, and donât want to admit why.
âDonât feel like you need to,â he grunts into your forehead, dipping a chaste kiss right in the center. âJust let me do something nice to you for once.â
As much as you want to, you donât complain as he tucks you in. You donât complain when you see a wet stain on his Kirby boxer briefs. You donât answer back when he checks his phone one more time and pulls you in to press a kiss to your cheek. Itâs 12:31.
âMerry Christmas,â he murmurs into your skin, and turns over so his back faces you.
Christmas is a loud and eager affair. The entirety of your family piles into your house while still in pajamas, aunts and uncles from other villas running in with their children with their newly opened toys and gadgets. Thereâs a buffet style breakfast piled on the kitchen island, and youâre all eating in the living room while watching holiday movies.
Jungkook melds right in, unsurprisingly. He has your baby cousin Dante in his lap, teaching him how to use the controls of his new Nintendo Switch.
Despite only meeting Jungkook a few days ago, you notice that some of your family have taken the liberty of giving him small presents. You spot a simple silver chain around his wrist, courtesy of Jimin, and a fluffy grey scarf wrapped around his neck, courtesy of your auntâs impeccable knitting club.
âHe fits right in, doesnât he?â
Yoongi hands you your usual cup of tea, and you accept it gratefully. Youâre sitting right next to the tree, and you notice that some of the ornaments are miniature books. You absentmindedly run your fingers over the carved wood, especially on the ones that are your favorite titles.
âYeah,â you hate to admit, so you whisper it into your mug. But Yoongi can hear, he always does. âI didnât think it would be this easy.â
âEasy to love him, or easy to fit into this family?â
You splutter into your mug, and Yoongi does the right thing by patting your back. It feels a little bit like heâs burping a baby, but otherwise, it soothes your lungs.
âI am happy for you, you know.â he says, knocking knees with you. âIt might not seem like it now, but I truly am.â
Deciding not to dwell on his subversive confession, you thank him for the tea and excuse yourself. Dante seems like heâs got the hang of MarioKart, so you tug Jungkook by the hand and lead him back into your bedroom.
âI got you a present, but I didnât feel like making a scene about it,â you pull out a pink gift bag, tufts of white tissue paper sticking out. âAlso, itâs kinda cheap and it was a last minute thing, so donât have any high expectations.â
âGee, youâre really making me feel deserving of this gift,â but he takes his time in unraveling the bag anyway.
He pulls out a shiny onyx black mug, rolling it between his hands. On one side itâs engraved in gold cursive âWorldâs Best Bossâ but on the other side itâs engraved, âWorldâs Best Husbandâ.
âSubtle,â he grins, pulling you into a hug. He gets that itâs a gag gift, but because itâs from you, it's a lot more meaningful. You couldâve easily delved into his bank accounts and see what he buys for himself, but you decided to take the more personal route.
âThanks,â he murmurs into your hair. And to really throw you off he says, âFor my gift, Iâve decided to publish your novel.â
You shove him away as if youâve been stung, and you barely have the voice to ask, âAre you serious, youâve read my novel? I didnât even send you the first draft!â
âWe share the same Google Drive, it was easy to find. If you had noticed, itâs the only thing Iâve been reading this week,â he shrugs as if itâs nothing, but heâs in actuality giving you your lifelong dream. âYou deserve it, really. Iâm sorry if you felt like it wasnât ready to be read. But it was wonderful, youâre a real wordsmith.â
âIâm not upset,â you canât be, not when he smells so good and heâs trying to hug you all over again. âHow many copies?â
â10,000.â
â20,000.â
â15,000, and Iâll even give you permission to dedicate your novel to me.â he raises his brows irreverently.
You scoff at his arrogance, but you donât admit to confessing that along with professors and your family, you would be dedicating it to him. âWell my gift feels like absolute sh*t,â you deadpan, âcan I have a do-over tomorrow? We can go to the mall or something.â
âYouâve done enough for me,â he disagrees, breaking away from you to place the mug on your desk. âAgreeing to my farfetched proposal, letting me into your home. I think thatâs an amazing gift.â
âYouâve been way too nice,â you look at him wearily, noting the rosiness in his cheeks.
âYou say that like itâs not possible!â
âWho knows? Maybe the Christmas spirit has performed a miracle, who am I to judge?â and you canât get enough of the man, running into his heart one more time. Pressing your ear to his chest you sing, âWell, in the Poconos they say, that Jeon Jungkookâs heart grew three sizes that day.â
It may have not grown three sizes, but if the living room wasnât so loud, maybe you couldâve heard his heart beating three times as fast.
The calm after the storm is your favorite part of Christmas. Most of your extended family has left to mull in their own homes, leaving your family to laze around until itâs just you and Jungkook that are awake.
Jim Carreyâs version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is playing on Netflix, arguably the only superior rendition of the children's book. The tree is still glowing by the fireplace, soft white lights trickling in the darkened room.
Earlier in the night, you and Jungkook had cuddled up in the middle of the couch under a blanket, and were too lazy to move even when the entirety of your family vacated. Either of you couldâve easily shoved each other off and went to bed, but here you are, making offhand comments over hot cocoa. Each second that passes by, youâre more aware of how well you two sink between the fabric like youâre meant to do this. The domesticity terrifies you, but you donât dare to point it out.
âHow does his face do that?â Jungkook turns to you, contorting his face into funny expressions. Itâs a poor attempt at the green creature on the screen, but it makes your mouth twitch and you fight the urge to giggle. âItâs like heâs made of rubber.â
âHe has a sense of humor, unlike some people.â
âVery funny,â he says, turning away to take a sip of his cooca.
Sinking further into the couch, you unconsciously latch onto him more, savoring his body heat. âCan I confess something?â
âWhatâs up?â
âA week ago, I loathed you. I used to have recurring dreams about you getting run over by a Wonderbread truck. And I was driving the truck.â
âWow, that makes me feel so much better.â
âNo really, if I had the opportunity to watch you get hit by a cab, I wouldâve paid for it.â
âIf it were possible for me to file for divorce at this very second, now would be time. You are a walking red flag.â
âOkay, but!â you shush him with a finger to your lips, and he goes cross-eyed at the touch. âAfter seeing your stellar performance this week and an impeccable display of human emotion. I think after all of this, we could be friends.â
âFwends?â he says through your finger, mouth smushed. âWhy whuh we?â
Instead of lifting your finger right away, you swipe at his cherry lips, getting rid of the marshmallow sticking to the corners.
âBecause we get along.â you say simply.
âBecause weâre supposed to be getting married.â
âNo! Weâve always gotten along! Weâve just been too up our asses to notice!â you sit up, appalled. âHereâs my theory, a change of setting has suddenly spurred on your character developmentââ
ââyâknow I really donât appreciate your use of literary jargon, itâs really pretentiousââ
ââbecause without your external conflict, you have a chance to let loose and enjoy your life for once!â
Jungkook frowns, adjusting his frame so he slightly hovers you. Heâs pretty like this, dressed in fluffy black pajamas and his face soft. His eyes absorb the Christmas fairy lights, and you notice for the first time in two years that there are no longer purple bags under his eyes.
âI donât know,â he murmurs, voice so small you wonder if heâs worried to crush the moment. âFriends are hard.â
You shake your head vehemently, âFriends are easy, keeping them is the hard part.â
He doesnât know why heâs being so weird about this. Youâve worked for him for over two years, you know him as well as you know your skincare routine, down to the last detail.
âJeon, donât think too hard about this,â you try to get him to lighten up, the intense look in his eyes throwing you in for a loop. It makes the little hamster wheel in your head spin rapidly, and you wonder if youâre really crossing a line. âJimin said you had a really good time yesterday, I was almost jealous I couldnât come shopping with you.â
He cracks a smile at that, âYeah, Jimin and I shared a moment,â and he leans down to the shell of your ear, âand he said he really enjoyed our moment last night.â
âOh my god!â you grab a nearby throw pillow, chucking the rough fabric in his face.
He breaks into a laugh, but not the wine and dine chuckles that heâd have between terse negotiations for work. Itâs a full out giggle, like heâs proud to have riled you up enough to break your resolve. Who knew your angry face could be so cute?
âI guess if weâve crossed a line, might as well make it all the way to the end,â Jungkook says easily, running a hand through his chocolate tresses.
You and Jungkook are leaving the day after tomorrow. Most of your stuff is packed and ready to go, and youâre currently spending the rest of your night at a sit-down dinner with your immediate family plus Jimin.
Itâs peaceful, you muse. Jungkook even offered to help cook. Back at Big Hit not once did he ever bring leftovers from home, always insisting you order something for him during work. Kimchi fried rice is a simple dish, but Jungkook had taken great care in making sure it was cooked properly and adjusted to your familyâs tastes.
Your parents are glowing and enjoying their time with the whole family, a rarity that grows more valuable with age. The meal soothes you like a balm, reminding you of old conversations that had you spew milk out of your nose or Namjoon accidentally spilling beans on your lap.
âOh, you should also clear your schedule for the first week of September,â Jimin says absentmindedly, shoving another mouthful of fried rice. âBesides Easter, Jungkook says we can celebrate his birthday and visit for the weekend.â
âSeriously,â Namjoon balks, sitting up straight as he regards you in disbelief. âYouâre sure your Devil of a boss will enjoy you out of his chains for two vacations, god forbid you take the holidays off again.â
The grip on your fork tightens, but you steel yourself. Honestly, you were wondering why it took Namjoon this long to let it all out. He was always vehemently against your job, as he was the person who got the brunt of your vents when you were stressed. Probably for the sake of Christmas he let it go, but now that itâs over, the topicâs fair game.
âOh, câmon Joonie,â your mother frowns, ânot at the table.â
âHe isnât that bad, Joon.â you reason, completely ignoring Jungkook as you stare straight at your brother. âHe means wellââ
âMeans well?â Namjoon barks a laugh, as if itâs the most laudable thing. âSis, you cried everyday for a straight month after you were hired.â he places his hands on the table, regarding you carefully, âI had to personally call your doctor in New York to get you sleeping pills, and not to mention that two weeks ago, you were crying again because you were worried he forgot your vacation and would make you work! Donât tell me he âmeans wellâ when Iâve been busy picking up the pieces!â
At this point, youâre livid. Jungkookâs right here, and while you canât go ahead and out the fact that he is your boss, you can still have his back.
They donât know that youâve picked the pieces back up, reinforced yourself to create a better version of the person you once were.
âHe does mean well,â you cry, matching your brotherâs red tone to a T. âHeâs just stressed and genuinely cares about the company. I choose to work long hours because he takes his time in making sure the work we publish is worthwhile, and I support that. Heâs hard on me because he knows I have potential. Heâs going to make sure I succeed.â
Namjoon looks at you like youâve grown two heads. âYouâre seriously defending your sh*tty boss?â
Jimin puts a hand over Namjoonâs in an attempt to placate him, but he shoves it away.
âHonestly,â Namjoon spits venom, âhow can you possibly stand to be around someone who makes your life so miserable?â
Your meal has gone cold, and your fists clutch desperately at your jeans. The breath is robbed from your lungs, and you canât look at anyone for fear of them regarding you with guilt. You know since the day you got hired that your family wasnât exactly enthused at your bossâ level of expectation and work output. But they donât know the industry, and they donât even really know Jungkook past the surface level. .
But you know in their eyes, theyâre right. Their daughter left their comfy home to pursue her lifelong dream, only for it to be broken in a matter of weeks. Itâs natural to feel protective, and while youâre resilient and were able to get it together as of late, it wasnât enough for them to understand. As someone who loves you, itâs obvious theyâd want to blame your boss, blame Jungkook for your suffering.
You imagine your father would ask Namjoon to step outside, or your parents would make Jimin pull you and Jungkook out. Neither of those things happen.
A warm, large hand is placed on top of yours. You look towards Jungkook, face unreadable as he squeezes your thigh.
âNamjoonâs right.â Jungkook utters, pressing his lips together. âYou deserve to be treated with respect. The boss has never appreciated the hard work you do, at least not out loud. Youâre too good for him.â
âJungkook,â you gape, putting your other hand over his.
He pulls away at your touch, glancing at the clock. âThis dinner was wonderful,â he says gently, looking apologetic to your parents. âExcuse me, but I promised to call my parents at this time.â
The excuse is completely half-assed, but no one says anything as he leaves, walking out the door without a coat. The table is terse, with your parents attempting to coax out dessert while Jimin clears the dinner table. You refuse to look at Namjoon, who has no idea why youâre so upset. You wait five minutes before you mumble about getting Jungkook a jacket.
However, when you open the door he isnât sitting on the porch. Heâs all the way up the street, too far for you to be heard with a yell, and walking farther into town. The black hoodie falls to your side, disappointed.
Jungkook does in fact, call his parents. Your mother suggested it when she gave him the ring, thinking it would ease his homesickness if he made a better effort to communicate his feelings.
And so he spends over an hour huddled in a cafe, talking about nothing and everything with his mom and dad. He tells them about the little novelties heâs experienced this week, like making popcorn strings and picking out themed Christmas ornaments. He tells him how he promises to book a flight back to Korea as soon as his work visa goes through. While he doesnât mention the proposal, he mentions you. He prattles on and on about how strong and beautiful you are, and how youâve crept up on him and made him realize how awful of a person he was.
His mom prattles excitedly through the line, saying that women make you realize how much better you can be for them, but she doesnât know the half of it.
Jungkook sat there in your dining room, Namjoon boldly telling you off about how miserable heâs made you.
And yet still, you defended him in ways he never imagined. Your relationship has always been mutual, and prickly at best. You balanced each other out, but he knows he doesnât deserve you. When he first hired you, he rendered you indispensable like all the other assistants that couldnât handle it. Youâd break eventually.
And you did break. But you picked up the pieces and put yourself back together, and you didnât resent him for it. He hated that. How can you trust someone whoâs hurt you so much?
He canât let you go through with this marriage. Youâre wrong. You donât need him to be successful.
[11:09] You: mom unlocked the door for you. Jimin and i went out for drinks so idk when ill be back
[11:09] You: please donât be mad at me
Silly girl, why would he ever be mad at you?
His plan is simple, Sneak into your villa, grab his luggage, and try to book the earliest flight back to New York. Then, he can come clean to Taeyeon and spend the year in Korea while they work out his visa issues. Heâll quietly pack his things and clear out the office before Monday. Hopefully by the time he makes it to Busan, he can forgive himself. Heâs going to regret missing your expression when you get to hold the first physical copy of your novel.
This plan proves difficult when he sees Namjoon waiting outside for him, sitting on his luggage and reading a book. His long legs are splayed across the porch, and he doesnât spare Jungkook a glance.
âKnew something was off,â the older man doesnât look up from his novel, âfound the mug on her desk, bossman.â
Muttering a curse under his breath Jungkook opens his arms, âAre you gonna beat me up now?â
âWhat? No, Iâm a lover, not a fighter.â Jungkook scoffs, and watches Namjoon roll his luggage to the back of the van. âAnd out of the kindness of my heart, Iâll save you the Lyft fare and drive you to the airport.â
Is he that predictable? He flinches at the sudden jet of the ignition, and he takes heavy, snow-laden steps to the passenger seat. Once buckled in, Namjoon tosses the book in his lap. âSome light reading for the drive.â
If Namjoon wasnât the driver, he wouldnât hesitate to chuck the book at his big, intelligent head. Instead, he glowers, clutching the book tightly. Itâs only when they round the corner to a house brightly decorated with lights, does he see what novel Namjoonâs plucked.
A Mutually-Assured Attachment. Jungkook tosses the book back and forth between his palms, noting the soft cover is so worn it could melt apart in his lap. It feels tended and loved from years of use.
Itâs Jungkookâs first novel, and you had a copy. One of the first editions, if he remembers the cover art correctly. Granted, he thought you had some of his books purely because of your job, but not one from your childhood. Frankly he thought this should have never been published, but he was nineteen and that in itself was a large feat.
He carefully peels the pages, and takes out his phone to shine the flashlight mode. At the very front, blood red ink is scratched next to the title: âthis is THE most pretentious title iâve read in my life! Donât disappoint me jeon!!â
Your handwritingâs all over the place. He sees graphite, gel, and glitter pens mark the margins, as if youâve come back each time to write something new. The annotations vary, from âthis part sucksâ to âsh*t, thatâs good i should do thatâ. You draw little pictures of the objects heâs contrived, from the little brass locket one character cherishes to the facial expressions you imagine they hold.
And at the very end, your handwriting sits neat and bold on the inside cover: I can do better than him.
Jungkook chuckles to himself, turning off the light. Youâre always right.
Namjoon senses the younger one is done, and he clears his throat. âI really really donât understand what she sees in you.â
âI donât understand either,â Jungkook agrees easily, his finger tracing your handwriting. He muses that you were always out to get him, even if you didnât know it.
Namjoon masks his surprise by clearing his throat. âBut Iâd rather seek to understand than live the rest of my life having my sister resent me. I donât really know what you two are going through, but if she trusts you with her life, Iâll try. Emphasis on try.â
âI donât deserve your trust.â
âYou damn right you donât,â succumbing to his impulses Namjoon makes a sharp turn, and Jungkook holds his stomach together before it flies out the window.
You come home to find your room cold and barren. All of Jungkookâs things are gone, except your Christmas mug.
You at least thought Jungkook would spare you a goodbye before he ditched you. You hoped youâd at least consider each other friends who provide explanations after all of this.
Lifting the mug off the desk, you hear a little clink in the glass, the chime unfamiliar. Hurriedly, you pour out its contents. A heavy, tungsten black ring lands in your palm. You clench the metal between your fingers, hugging it to your chest.
Mind made up, you dash out to the hallway, nearly bumping into your cousin. At the same time you and Jimin blurt, âWe need to go to the airport.â
Apparently Namjoon warned Jimin that something fishyâs going on. Namjoon didnât know what, but he had the inkling that Jungkook was hiding something. Once Jimin received the text to meet them at the airport, he flung you in his sedan and floored it. Flushed with adrenaline, Jimin is speeding with a fervor youâve never experienced.
âCan you please, take the edge off and tell me what the hell is going on?â
Just like how Jungkook didnât want Big Hit to go down the drain, you didnât want this week to be in vain. You canât wait a year for Jungkook to come back, and you didnât want to publish your first novel without him by your side.
âLong version or short version?â
âThe in-the-middle version. I donât think I have the brain capacity to absorb all your drama right now but I really need some answers.â
âO-kay. Basically, Jungkook isnât a Literary Agent. Heâs my god-awful boss. Or was awful, I donât know. Jungkook left the country before his work visa was fully processed. Thatâs a breach, so he needs to live in Korea for a year to come back. But he canât run Big Hit remotely, so he proposed to marry me to attain citizenship.â
Your head whips to the dashboard and you cry out, barely stopping the impact with your hands.
âSorry, sorry!â Jiminâs eyes are focused on the red light, absolutely terrified. âBitch, youâre committing fraud with your boss! You could go to jail, thatâs like, the hottest love story ever!â
âBut heâs going back to Korea because now he suddenly realized he can forge basic human connection.â you mutter, âso no, weâre not going to jail because heâs decided to do the right thing.â
âSo what youâre saying is, Jungkook has achieved self-actualization and decided to peacefully move to Korea and sacrifice the company for you.â Jimin is carving his free hand in the air, gesturing wildly. âDonât you see! He really likes you.â
âYeah, so now we need to go to the airport and tell his dumbass this isnât the time to be selfless.â
Once you find a spot youâre rushing out of the car, weaving between carts and people to find the correct terminal. This airport is much smaller than JFK, so itâs easy for you to navigate and get past the TSA. It also helps that Jinâs wife is an attendant.
âHe chose the 1:45 flight in Terminal 31A,â Mijoo chirps from her tablet, leading you in the right direction. Sheâs dressed impeccably, the odds and ends of this airport glued together by her impeccable organization. She points to the clock, which glares a digital 1:18AM. âYou have time.â
âThank you Mijoo,â you exhale gratefully, âand Iâm so so sorry I skipped your wedding!â
âThis is the 300th time youâve said it,â Mijoo rolls her eyes, pushing you and Jimin forward, âBut Iâll make sure not to miss your wedding.â
Youâre sweating from your down jacket, and you canât believe itâs really all come down to this. The one person youâve spent the last two years of your life doting on, and you didnât want to stop. You wanted him not just for the publication of your novel, but because you needed him.
Jungkookâs sitting in the waiting area of Terminal 31A, looking wholly inconspicuous as he reads a book and has his hood propped up.
Fists balled, you stride forward only to have Jimin tug you back. âWhat?â
Jimin pulls off your thick coat, making haste to wipe the sweat off your brow with his sleeves and flatten your messy hair. âWhat?â he tilts his head to the side, âyou need to look good before the big confrontation. Iâm recording this for archival purposes. Do you have any lip balm by any chance? You look chapped.â
You slap his hands away, but those grubby fingers just come back with a vengeance. âMy life is just a big show to you, isnât it?â
âLiving vicariously all day, every day.â
While Jimin parts your bangs, the intercom cuts through the air.
âThe 1:45 flight to John F. Kennedy International airport will now commence boarding. Please line up according to the ticket class.â
Jimin smiles at you, squeezing your shoulders and gestures for you to go. To your horror, Jungkook is first in line. Panic bubbles to your throat.
âJeon Jungkook!â you cry, voice echoing throughout the terminal. âIf you so much breathe in the direction of that plane I will call Mark Lee right this second and tell him the book series is off!â
Like a deer in the headlights, Jungkook heeds to your voice immediately. In his stupor you jog forward to snatch his wrist and pull him out of line. You donât let go until youâre away from the long line, and Jungkook tugs his wrist away.
âDonât you dare call him,â Jungkook looks serious, as if you didnât drive all the way to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life. âI will never forgive you if you terminate Mark Leeâs contract.â
âAnd I wonât forgive you if you get on that plane.â
Pain flashes in his eyes, and he shakes his head. âI need to. I canât let usâlet you go through with this. You and your family deserve better.â
âWhat? Jungkook, I agreed to this just as much as you did.â
âNo, you didnât.â heâs adamant, and steps back with every step you take forward. âAs your boss I threatened you, held it over your head like an ultimatum. Iâve hurt you,â his voice cracks, looking at you desperately, âwhy would you want to be stuck with me when Iâve made your life miserable?â
âIf I really wanted to leave, I wouldâve done it a long time ago.â You reason, âDo you really want to leave the company behind? To f*cking Karen?â
âOf course I donât!â Jungkook exclaims, âbut it isnât worth hurting you, hurting your family and everyone that loves you.â
âAnd what about you? Youâll be hurt when you leave,â and you step forward, so close that your chests are touching. You take hold of his hands, clutching them between your small ones. âDonât go, stay with me in New York. Weâll both work hard and try to not run each other to the ground. Letâs be better together.â
Youâre practically begging, biting your lip raw and hoping Jungkook understands how good this change is for the both of you.
Jungkook is conflicted, looking back and forth between the airline boarding for JFK and your watery eyes. He hates seeing you like this. He canât imagine you, the strongest woman heâs ever met, crying because of him. Namjoonâs voice echoes in his mind and he tries to smash it to the edge of his memory. But as always, youâre right.
He replaces your grip with his own, and gets down on one knee.
Jungkook says your name like it's the sweetest of songs. Youâve never seen him so terrified. ây/n, I didnât do it right the first time, so let me try again. Please, marry me. Marry me because I want to date you. I want to take you out and give you what you deserve, what we deserve. I want to do better for myself, do better for you. Iâve realized youâre the only person that makes me feel like Iâm simultaneously on fire and on thin ice,â he pulls out a velvet box from his pocket, revealing a thin band with interlocking black and clear diamond studs. Itâs a pretty little thing, with a groove in the center so it stacks perfectly with your engagement ring. âThis was supposed to be your Christmas present, but I chickened out at the last second,â he says sheepishly, tucking his head in. âBut if you let me put this ring on your finger, I promise to be your home away from home.â
With a sob you fall to your knees, throwing yourself onto Jungkook. A small âoofâ escapes his lips, and he struggles to hold your waist so you both donât topple over. âYes, yes, yes!â you cry, pulling away to cup his face with both hands, pulling him into a sweet kiss.
Jungkookâs smile takes up his entire face, and he eagerly pecks your lips one more time before ripping the ring from its holder and stacking it on top of your engagement ring. The teardrop diamond is nestled perfectly between the thinner bandâs V. âPretty,â he says, pressing his forehead to yours.
âWait,â you pull out the black ring that you found in your room, holding it to his face. âIâm assuming this is yours?â
âYeah,â he replies, âyour mother said it was your great grandfatherâs. Itâs not an engagement ring, but itâs the thought that counts.â
âIt matches,â you hum, placing his simpler band in his ring finger. Once itâs on, you take a deep breath. âsh*t, weâre really doing this?â
Jungkook pulls you to stand, wiping the happy tears from your cheek. âWe are, weâre a team, remember? Weâve crossed the line and we gotta finish it.â
And he picks you up, the workouts definitely paying off as he spins you around like youâre the leads in La-La Land, drunk off the happy chemicals firing in your brain. Jimin whoops and hollers, along with all the other patrons in the vicinity of the airport terminal.
Your real-fiancé puts you down, the both of you now hyperconscious of the stares people give you. Other people have filmed the proposal as well, completely smitten by your confessions.
âJungkook,â you giggle into his shoulder, âyou were right. Our story is straight out of a Wattpad entry.â
âDown to the super cheesy in-public airport proposal?â he chimes, pressing his forehead to yours. âCouldnât have asked for a better love story.â
âI canât wait to fall in love with you,â you whisper, quiet enough for his ears only, âfor real, this time.â
âNot that itâs a challenge,â he teases softly, âbut Iâm already halfway there.â
some months later.
âLike the new office, boss lady?â your new assistant (yes, you have an assistant!) asks kindly, his bubbly presence uplifting you immediately. He leads you to the window box, filled with tiny plants. âI figured you like succulents, because you have no time to water them and theyâre prickly like you.â
âVery funny, Seungkwan.â you chide good-naturedly, picking up a succulent with a yellow flower in the middle. âBut thank you, your interior design skills are outmatched. I canât wait to work with you.â
âMe too, your social commentary you published on the literary industry? And you managed to lace it all up in an inconspicuous fantasy novel?â Seungkwan boasts, âI applied for this position right then and there.â
âThanks Seungkwan, why donât you take your lunch and weâll meet back at one to discuss our plans for next week.â
âSounds good, do you want me to pick you up something?â
âIâm good, Iâm meeting with the bossman.â
Seungkwan gives you that look, his lips jutting out in a suggestive manner that almost makes you burst into giggles. Your assistant decides not to bother you until after youâve eaten, and bids you goodbye.
Just when you get a moment of peace, a handsome face pokes his way inside. âHello editor,â Jungkook knocks on your door for the sake of attention, but youâre already dragging him into the office and shutting the door tight. âLike your new office?â
âLove it,â you moan, gesturing to Seungkwanâs light filtering curtains. Theyâre not dark, rather a tasteful sea green, but theyâre opaque enough to stop wandering eyes from peeking into your space. Your personal space was a qualm that immediately needed to be mended after your experience in Jungkookâs office. âA lot more private than your office.â
âA little part of me hates how much you deserve this promotion,â he sits on your desk, and doesnât hesitate to pull you between his legs, letting you lean into his chest, âbut I do love the added privacy.â
You fiddle with the buttons of his navy collar, his strong thighs trap you between him, âWhy, miss me already?â
He shrugs, âTaehyung doesnât look as good as you do in a pencil skirt.â
You laugh, brushing the strands of hair that fall from his coiff. âNo one looks as good as I do in a pencil skirt.â A firm grip confirms that, two strong hands cupping your backside. âMr. Jeon!â you gasp playfully, pushing him away slightly to pinch his cheeky grin. âCan we save this for later? Iâm hungry, but we can always continue this for dessert.â
He groans in your neck, âLove the sound of that, Mrs. Jeon.â
bonus.
âFUUUCCCKKKKKK YEEAAHHHHH!â Park Jiminâs voice bounces off the walls of Taeyeonâs office, his face taking up the entire screen of his desktop as the camera shifts harshly between him and you and Jungkook at the airport. âMy cousinâs not going to jail! WOO!â
Taeyeon pauses the YouTube video at a particularly unflattering screencap: Jiminâs nostrils are flaring wildly and he looks fairly high mid-scream.
A low whistle escapes Jungkookâs lips, âWow. That videoâs viral,â he looks to you appreciatively, âif Jimin kicks off his YouTube career, you think we can milk a memoir outta him?â
âPotentially,â you reply nonchalantly, playing with your rings.
âSo,â Taeyeonâs voice is icy, slashing between your casual conversation, âyouâre getting married, for real this time?â
âYep,â Jungkook pops.
âAlright,â and from her desk she pulls out an ungodly stack of documents, one that mirrors your own back at the office. âJungkook, youâll stay with me. y/n, youâll go to Vernonâs office and heâll give you the same spiel. Weâll interview you privately with the same questions. A hair out of place and youâre in trouble. You sure you want to go through with this?â
You and Jungkook exchange looks, betting your own company that you got this in the bag.
âHit us with your best shot.â