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People applaud as Seokjin enters the room, a cream colored cardigan over a simple white T-shirt, shape his body. His jeans are dark, a complete contrast against the white of his t-shirt and sneakers. Maybe, just maybe, that’s not what people expect him to look like. He stands in front of a big banner, politely raises his right hand, and blinks a few times to get his eyes to cooperate before smiling and letting the flashes go off as the clicking sound fills the small room. He does a full 180º, looking at different photographers as they call his name. Jungkook pulls his chair back and he smiles, taking the notes the younger man is handing him.
“I could swear Kook-ah said ‘no more than 15 people, hyungie’ when trying to coerce me Into coming.” He says into the mic and the journalists laugh politely with him. “Are you ready to begin? Okay.” He points at one journalist who raises her hand.
“Good morning, Seokjin-ssi. Park Jimin from the Daily.” She says and Seokjin blinks, looking at Jungkook and pointing at her.
“You have the same name as a close friend of ours!” He giggles and notes as fingers in front of him move faster, typing and analyzing any and every word he is about to say. Seokjin doesn’t enjoy the spotlight.
The journalist smiles again. “Seokjin-ssi, could you tell us why your new book, “Abyss”, is different from the others?”
Seokjin crosses his legs and rests against the back of his chair. Jungkook walks closer to him again, setting a glass of water in front of Seokjin. “You see, it might sound weird to you, but I’m older. I have seen and experienced things in the last few years that sharpened the way I look at the world, as well as the way I decide to portray it.” Seokjin explains calmly and sips his water, giving the journalists some time to take notes. “Abyss brings a new depth to the flow in which I conduct my stories.”
She nods and sits down again. Seokjin points at a young journalist. As he stands up, Seokjin offers him a smile. “There’s no way you’re graduated and working for a big company, young man.” He points out and the other in the room laugh, but the confidence in the younger’s eyes does not waver.
“Good morning, Seokjin-ssi. I’m Kim Jungwoo, from Hyowon High School.” He announces and Seokjin nods. “I’d like to ask you about your writing style and if you could give us tips that would improve our writing.”
“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Jungkookie,” he points towards Jungkook by the side of the stage, “who is my manager, but above it all has been one of my best friends for the longest time. Jungkook is responsible for the kids and teens here today, implementing this beautiful project to connect the youth to literature.” Jungkook scrunches his nose and gives Seokjin the smile that he loves the most. “I know we're here to talk about my book, but if I could ask you all for a favor, please ask people to check “The Kore Project”. It’s a really beautiful project and we’re always searching for new participants.”
He takes another sip of his water before continuing. “About my style… I don’t think I have anything amazing to say?” He asks and journalists just shake their heads, making him laugh. “I see you disagree with me. Well, I try to romanticize every and any part of the world. There’s a difference between seeing the world and bringing it to life. I’ve never expected to be here, sitting down with you all, answering questions about my rawest work until now. But, since I am, I’ll try to see the subtle shining lights that emanate from this encounter.” Journalists go completely crazy in front of him, hands and fingers typing even faster. “If I was to write about this encounter today, I’d talk about the weather, how the clothes feel against my body, how Jungkookie has never gotten my coffee wrong because he loves what he does and I’m happy to be one of the people he does love.” He looks in time to see Jungkook mouthing ‘sap’ towards him. “I’d tell you about the ride here, about my heart beating so loud against my chest I could barely hear my thoughts… I would try to make you relive this moment with me, even if you weren’t there.” Seokjin watches as the teen nods. “I hope I answered your question.”
Hands up in the air again and Seokjin points towards an older man he has already worked with. “Thanks for coming, hyung.”
The man smiles. “Good morning, Seokjin-ssi. Cha Seojoon, from CNN Korea. Years in this field gave the freedom to be bold so, Seokjin-ssi, how do you feel now that you have been labeled a part of the most powerful couple in South Korea?”
Seokjin snorts at that. “Hyung, I like that you asked that question because you know I’d never answer anybody else but you. Always very bright of you.” He gives the man an appraising nod. “Many of you are here today because well, I released a new book but also because the world came to know about my marriage. All I have to say about it is that I have been happy for years and I pray every day it won’t change. About powerful…” Seokjin chuckles, “Power is so vain. The amount of hatred forced on us has been very… challenging. We both have very public personas but, at the end of the day, it’s just me and my husband. Two nerds who are too shy to function and enjoy peace and quiet, good music and better wine.”
Without missing a beat, Seokjin points at a kid sitting by the front row. “From one experienced journalist to the next one. Go on.”
The kid stands up and a few people coo at him, one of them being Jungkook. “Good morning, Seokjin-ssi. I’m Lee Dongin, I study at Daehyun Elementary School.” He stumbles cutely through his words, ears going pink and hands shaking slightly. Seokjin motions for the boy to come closer to the table.
“Excuse me, I need to have a chat with my new PR intern.” Seokjin announces as the kid reaches the table. “Jungkook, water, please?” He asks, as he brings the kid around the table. “Hi, Donginnie. I’m Seokjin hyung. Are you okay?”
The kid nods and looks down. Jungkook offers him a cup of water. “Thanks, Kookie. Do we have cookies in the back? I think my new friend might need something good and sweet too.” Seokjin winks at Jungkook and the other walks out of the room. “Now, Donginnie, ask hyung the question you prepared.”
The kid pouts and sips his water. Seokjin feels like biting him. “Aren’t you the cutest thing?” He ruffles the other’s hair. “Do you want to take some time and ask hyung later? Kookie is getting you something good to munch on, I can come back to you later, let those other people ask first.”
“Can I ask just you?” The boy mutters and Seokjin stokes his back lightly.
“Sure can, sweetheart. No need for loud microphones. Tell hyung your question and then hyung will repeat it and answer so the other nice people can write it down, okay? Is that good?” He watches the boy’s reactions and nods.
“Hyung, what’s the best part of writing a book? And why your book has no drawings?” He mumbles and Seokjin feels laughter bubbling from his chest up. He chuckles and strokes the boy’s hair back.
“Thank you for asking me that, Donginnie.” Jungkook walks up the stage and hands Seokjin a package of cookies before kneeling by the boy.
“Hi, Donginnie. I’m Jungkook. Seokjin hyung sent me to get us a cookie, would you like some?” The kid nods and Seokjin offers him a cookie, also handing one to Jungkook. “Hyung…”
“Eat, you’re also my baby.” Seokjin jokes and puts a whole cookie in his own mouth. He winks at Dongin as Jungkook guides him back to his seat. “Excuse me for making you wait, I had an urgent meeting to attend.”
The journalists laugh. “So, I was asked what’s the best part of writing a book and why there’s no drawings in my books.” Seokjin chuckles again. “Well, I love writing the first sentence. I think it’s the best part, it makes me feel full of possibilities.” He makes a pause so people can catch up with him. “About the drawings… Yoongi has been pestering me about a kids’ book for years, actually. He says I have a unique way of turning things into art. I don’t believe him much, when you all know that it’s him who does that.” He sighs and a small smile covers his features. “I can’t confirm anything but I must say that famous illustrator and really good friend of mine, Jung Hoseok, has been spending a considerate amount of time sitting inside my office. Also dropping watercolor on white rugs Yoongi chose.” He explains and people smile at him. “Expect great things, that’s all I can say for now.”
He points at another journalist in the back. “Kim Mirae, from BBC Korea”, she introduces herself. Seokjin knows this kind of journalist, she’s coming after his throat. Everything about her stance tells him that. She’s been through a male-dominated field or she’s just sharp. Either way, he knows there’s a dangerous question coming. “About your long-term relationship with the worldwide known producer, Min Yoongi, would you say ‘Abyss’ is about the coming and going of love?”
Seokjin pouts and tilts his head. He thinks for a second. Jungkook, from the sidelines, shakes his head at him, telling him to dodge the question. “Coming and going of love? I don’t know about that, to be completely honest with you.” Jungkook walks up the stage and Seokjin holds his gaze impassively before looking at Jungkook. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll answer this one.”
Jungkook glares at the journalist before walking to the side of the stage again. Seokjin intertwines his fingers and watches where the ring rests, holding two beautifully cut diamonds that shine. He looks at it once again. “I don’t know about the coming and going of love, these tides people talk about. I know it’s hard to believe, but I’ve been in love with my husband since we were 16 and not even for a day has my heart, soul nor mind wavered. Yoongi is a natural force, magnetic from the core of his being and as a moth, I was blindly attracted to him. My books until now do not even dip their plot close to my life, they’re a piece of content which I mold to fit what I see from the world.”
“They tend to be a bit too sad.” The journalist fires.
Seokjin chuckles. “Isn’t it sad? If you live in modern society and don’t think there’s sadness at the corner of your eyes all the time, I wonder how you live.” He smiles and Jungkook has to contain himself before laughing.
“That’s a very dark look at reality, Seokjin-ssi.”
“I have never once promised you brightness, comfort nor a soothing touch to mend to your cuts.” Seokjin smiles at her, seeing that she’s now taken aback. “In fact, I have never promised anything. But to answer your first question, no, ‘Abyss’ is not about my relationship with Yoongi. But I hope you also have the chance to ask him that.”
It’s another 8 hours before Seokjin is finally walking back to his car. “You owe me.”
Jungkook opens the door and Seokjin climbs in, waiting so Jungkook can pass him the bags. “I know. But thank you. You’re going to be featured in every major news outlet tomorrow, hyung, and that’s amazing.”
“Hug?” Seokjin asks and Jungkook gives him the best bunny smile before bending inside the car and hugging him. “I hate journalists, Kookie, they’re so mean!” Seokjin whines against Jungkook’s shoulder.
“But you love me, hyung.” The other mocks, hands carefully patting Seokjin’s back. “And I have a degree in my office saying I’m one of them.” He pulls back and Seokjin pouts.
“Yeah, but you’re the only good one.” The elder whines again. “Taehyungie is one of them, he’s a mean one.”
Jungkook makes him scootch over so he sits by his side and the driver pulls out of the underground garage. “He has to be, hyung. He works for old politicians. Either he becomes mean or those old farts will eat him alive.”
Jungkook checks his phone. “Joonie hyung said that he picked Hoseokie hyung from your office and that he dropped your new rug there too because Yoongi hyung wouldn’t shut up about the rug.” He reads out loud. “That’s utterly dumb, hyung. Who puts a white rug on the ground, you know?”
“Tell Yoongi that.” Seokjin answers back, turning his phone so Jungkook can see a picture Jimin sent him. “Cute, right?” Jungkook nods and goes back to his phone. “Are you having dinner with us, Kookie?”
“Not today, hyung. I’m meeting Tae hyung by the capitol so I can drive us home.”
“Don’t you two want to come?” He offers. “Yoongi has been talking about marinated I don’t know what... He talks about this marinate beef? Pork? Meat? I don’t know, every time he has the chance.” Seokjin frowns before turning his screen off and turning towards Jungkook. “Yesterday I was taking my shower before bed and he was applying my expensive skin care products on his face - which is rude, by the way,” the elder points out, “and he starts talking about this damned dish again! I was butt naked in the shower and he was talking about spices and butter!” Seokjin fumbles around, hands moving fast. “And, on top of that, applying 700 dollars eye cream on his unshaven chin!” Seokjin sighs. “I married a swine.”
“About that, Yoongi changed his plane ticket to the same day as yours.” Jungkook informs. “In… about 20 days you’re going to the US together.” He rolls the calendar on his phone. “And I’ll get there two days later, with the rest of the crew.” As the car stops, hugs Seokjin. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow, okay hyungie?”
“Have breakfast with hyung?” He asks and Jungkook nods. “Good, I’ll make us eggs.”
“Scrambled, please.”
Seokjin rolls his eyes and climbs out of the car. “As if I wouldn’t know.”
He walks inside, pulling his shoes off and putting the bags on the couch. There’s a delicious smell of nutmeg and onions around the whole house. Seokjin takes his cardigan and hangs it in the closet by the front door. “Yoongi-ah?”
Yoongi doesn’t answer but the elder listens as the sound of a blender goes off. He is going towards the kitchen and a head pops out of the room. Small eyes, round cheeks, and a mop of black hair, long where it needs to be shaved underneath, just like Seokjin likes it. “I’m making pork!” Yoongi announces and goes back to the kitchen.
“Kiss?” Seokjin laughs and Yoongi waddles back towards him, kissing him hurriedly, and stepping back in front of the stove.
“How was the press conference, Jinnie?” Yoongi asks as he blows the sauce on a spoon to taste it. Seokjin pulls a pitcher of water from the refrigerator and throws back two glasses before answering Yoongi.
“The kids were nice, but the meanies were meanies.” He nags before hugging Yoongi’s back, head resting on the other’s shoulder. “This smells good.” He says and nuzzles against Yoongi’s neck.
“Me or the food?” He asks and Seokjin bites his shoulder.
“Both, but I’m starved, so I appreciate the food.” Seokjin jabs his side and Yoongi squirms in his hug.
“Did they ask about me?” He smirks and Seokjin jabs his side again.
“They will forever ask about you.” Seokjin explains and sways Yoongi lightly, from side to side, a melody that only they can hear. “The new girl from BBC asked me if the book was about our relationship.”
Yoongi snorts and relaxes against Seokjin’s chest, letting the sauce simmer in front of them. “We’re married, you’re not in captivity.” He mocks and turns his face around just enough to kiss under Seokjin’s jaw. “What did you answer?”
“That I have been in love with you since we were 16 and that my heart has always been yours.” Seokjin says against Yoongi’s hair. “Except for yesterday. Yesterday I thought about divorcing you.”
Yoongi’s face fills with mischief, gummy smile, and small eyes just for Seokjin. “I bought you a new Dior eye cream.” He says and Seokjin finally smiles at him before giving him lots of kisses.
“Who’s the best?” He asks and throws both his hands up, cheering. “Yoongichi!”
Turning around, Yoongi lets his hands travel around Seokjin’s waist before pulling him close. “You’re so spoiled, hyung. You’re unbelievably spoiled.” The elder opens his mouth but Yoongi covers it with his whole hand. “Before you ask who’s fault is that, it's mine. I know. Fucking mine.” Seokjin nods and Yoongi doesn’t need to see his lips to know he is smiling. “I’m glad you’re back in time for dinner.”
“Are you staying home?”
“Until midnight, hyung.” Yoongi informs and opens the freezer, pulling frozen fruit out. “I have a recording session that starts at 1, so I’m leaving a bit before it.” He points at the almond milk and Seokjin makes a face, shaking his head. “Hey, almond milk is good for you, I told you that.”
“Just do mine with orange juice.”
Yoongi glares at him. “Why don’t you just drink soda, then? It’s full of sugar anyway!”
“Deal!” Seokjin beams and Yoongi gapes at him as he skips towards the refrigerator. “Thanks for offering, love!” He pulls a can of soda out and pops it open, taking a long sip, finishing with a satisfied ‘ah’.
“Who the hell bought soda?” Yoongi opens the refrigerator again, looking for another can. “Smells like Taehyung!”
Seokjin drinks the rest of his soda and nods. “Hm, smells like Taehyung. Good boy, Taehyung.” He mocks and Yoongi rolls his eyes.
“Tell Taehyung to stop putting junk food inside my house anytime he comes over.”
“Never!” Seokjin announces and runs out of the kitchen still laughing.
“WandaVision?” Seokjin calls from the couch and Yoongi runs down the stairs.
He sits down and when Seokjin lifts his arm to press play, Yoongi slaps the remote away. “Wait! I gotta pee!” He fishes the remote from the floor and puts it inside his pocket. “I’ll take this with me, I can never trust you.”
As the bathroom door closes, Seokjin mutters, “I’d have pressed play.”
“I knew it!” Yoongi yells from the bathroom and Seokjin laughs.
When Yoongi comes back, Seokjin snuggles against him. “I think the neighbor is fishy.”
“That’s just the smell from the sneakers you threw by the front door.” Yoongi fires back without even looking at Seokjin.
Seokjin pulls back and looks at him. “When I started dating you, I thought you’d be mean to other people, not to me!”
Yoongi huffs and pulls Seokjin back against his chest. “And yet you married me, flat ass. Who’s the real winner?”
Seokjin pouts. “I don’t have a flat ass, Yoongi.”
Yoongi has the audacity to laugh before landing a hard slap against the side of Seokjin’s ass, making the other jump and shrink. “Yup, you got some cake, Jinnie.” He laughs again and pulls Seokjin closer. “Now cuddle me because I think the neighbor looks kinda fishy.”
Seokjin chuckles but hugs him anyway, watching the characters on tv. Yes, not even a day. The moment Yoongi smiled at him and went on about this crazy book he was reading, Seokjin was sold.