Chapter Text
Wind rattling window frames awakens Seokjin. Although it’s past sunrise, the light in the room is low and paints everything in a dull blue-grey. He knows their alarm will be going off soon, so he might as well just get up now, but the warmth of Taehyung’s bare torso blanketing his equally naked body appeals to Seokjin far more than the thought of leaving their cocoon of blankets. In the day ahead there are errands, chores, and parenting - the markers of true adulthood. But at this hour, in Seokjin’s sleepy reverie, there’s only the steady rise and fall of Taehyung’s chest and the soft tickle of his black locks against Seokjin’s palm as he threads a hand into his hair.
Seokjin presses his plush lips to Taehyung’s head, lingering. Taehyung stirs with an irritated groan at the back of his throat that makes the elder smile. He knows how much the younger hates waking up early, but he normally gets over it in favor of the sacred alone time the morning brings. Taehyung’s arm, which wraps easily around Seokjin’s small waist, tightens its hold. Chuckling lightly, Seokjin kisses Taehyung’s head again, using more force than before to assure his awakening.
The tactic works. Taehyung turns his face to bury his nose in Seokjin’s throat. “Wha time ‘s it?” He grumbles, already swinging a leg over Seokjin’s under the comforter.
"Nearly eight,” Seokjin quietly informs, continuing to stroke Taehyung’s fluffy, unkempt hair.
“You woke me up early,” Taehyung accuses. The curled hand on Seokjin’s hip slides further still around him until it is splayed across his back. “‘S not time to get up yet.”
“You’re the one who promised to take Sunghoon to get pancakes before practice,” Seokjin replies. “And I want some time with you before he gets up.” He can feel Taehyung’s smile spreading across his face against his collarbone.
“We spend time together every day, hyung. We live together.” Seokjin dips his head and begins trailing kisses from below Taehyung’s ear and down the column of his neck.
“Mm, but not like this.” Once he places a final kiss on the juncture of Taehyung’s neck and shoulder, Seokjin lifts his head and trails the hand curled in Taehyung’s hair down to his face. Cheek cupped in Seokjin’s hand, Taehyung finally looks up at Seokjin. His brown eyes blink slowly as he continues to emerge from slumber, long eyelashes brushing his cheek. He looks like a dream — face a bit puffy and lips pouted, begging to be kissed. Seokjin complies, barely ghosting his lips over Taehyung’s. When he pulls away, the younger is smiling. “You look so beautiful in the morning, Voo-ah.”
Pleased to hear Seokjin’s sweet words, Taehyung leaves an open-mouth kiss on Seokjin’s sternum. It sends a shiver down the elder’s spine. “That’s cause your eyes haven’t adjusted yet.”
Seokjin laughs, the sound awkwardly loud in the stillness of the morning. “Even if they haven’t, I don’t have to guess. You look beautiful at all times of the day.”
Taehyung sighs, content. “I wish we could stay in bed all day.”
Unable to help himself, Seokjin kisses Taehyung’s warm forehead once more as he hums in agreement. The trill of the alarm interrupts their reverie. “Unfortunately, you chose to date a single parent,” Seokjin says. He has to lean away from him to silence the phone but the younger follows, chasing his body heat. “And if we want to make it to breakfast, I should get Sunghoon up now. He takes longer than you to get ready.”
“Not unfortunately,” Taehyung counters. He places one last wet kiss to Seokjin’s cheek before releasing his iron grip. “I love my DILFy boyfriend and his adorable son.”
Seokjin chuckles as he throws off the comforter. Goosebumps sprout all over his body at the exposure to the harsh morning air. “We’ll see how adorable you find him after all that sugar. It’s definitely not my favorite side of him.”
“He’ll skate it off,” Taehyung assures, aloof. “Plus, he always sleeps better the night after a sugar crash.”
Seokjin concedes to this point. Removing two towels from a drawer, he glances back at Taehyung with a coy smirk. “We should probably shower together. You know, to save time.”
Taehyung does not need to be told twice.
“Appa, Appa, look!” Sunghoon shoves a large forkful of pancake into his mouth, stuffing it to the brim. His full cheeks make him look like a greedy chipmunk. Taehyung and Seokjin both laugh at the child’s antics. Seokjin raises a napkin to Sunghoon’s sticky mouth and wipes some excess syrup from the corners.
“You’re eating so well, Sungsung,” Seokjin praises. “There won’t be a crumb left on your plate.” Sunghoon nods happily. Even though the hoard of food in his mouth prevents him from speaking, the shine in his eyes makes his delight evident. Taehyung’s heart swells with fondness when the boy looks over at him, wide eyes seeking a second round of approval.
Taehyung bops him on the nose. “Little princes must eat well,” he instructs, cutting strawberry in half on his own plate and moving it onto the child’s, “So they’ll grow up big and strong.”
With effort, Sunghoon swallows a considerable mouthful of food. “Tata, I’m not a prince!” He says through a laugh. Taehyung quirks an eyebrow at him.
“You certainly are,” assures Taehyung. “If your dad and I say you are, then you are.”
Sunghoon turns to his father with raised eyebrows. “Is Tata telling the truth, Appa?”
“Tata only speaks the truth, baby.” Seokjin lovingly strokes his son’s dark hair as he takes another, considerably smaller, bite. “You’re our little prince.”
Sunghoon considers this as he chews. Taehyung feels Seokjin’s foot knocking against his own under the table. Knowing it is intentional, Taehyung bumps his right back. From across the table, Seokjin gives Taehyung a momentary, flirtatious glance before continuing to dote on his son.
“I don’t think it counts if you’re only a prince to two people,” Sunghoon finally replies. “That’s not big enough for a kingdom.”
“We’ll have to find you one, then,” Taehyung determines. Seokjin checks his watch and informs them they need to leave soon to make it to Sunghoon’s ice-skating class on time. Taehyung goes into his leather satchel and withdraws his wallet, standing to pay before Seokjin can stop him.
“It’s just pancakes, hyung, your ego will live,” he teases before sauntering to the front counter. Seokjin always insists on covering their meals. At first, Taehyung assumed it was because of Sunghoon, that the elder didn’t want anyone else to be financially responsible for his child. Now, Taehyung knows Seokjin just loves to spoil him. While the younger does enjoy the pampering, he tries to fit in as many small gestures of appreciation as he can.
He gives the cashier their order, trying his best to be confident with his English. The cashier must find his accent endearing because she smiles encouragingly at him as she runs the credit card.
When he hands the signed receipt back, she adds, “Your son is very cute.”
Taehyung is momentarily dumbstruck, caught between wanting to correct her and considering how much of an overshare it would be to do so. He doesn’t need to give this random lady a rundown of his relationship with Seokjin and Sunghoon but it still feels odd to just take the compliment. He peers back at the table, grinning when he sees Sunghoon feeding a bite of food to Seokjin. Love is not a big enough word to describe the feeling that overwhelms him every time he looks at them. There is no limit to the lengths he would go for their happiness.
Warmed, Taehyung turns back to the clerk. “Thank you,” he replies simply, bowing slightly, out of habit. It’s an out of place gesture in this American diner but he hopes the cashier can pick up its intent. He retreats back to the table. Sunghoon’s plate is practically licked clean.
“Okay, little prince,” Taehyung announces, grabbing his jacket from the booth. “Are you ready to get on the ice?”
Impatient, Sunghoon doesn’t wait for Seokjin to get up. He climbs over his father’s lap to exit the booth, bumping right into Taehyung’s legs and clinging. “Thank you for the pancakes. Can we come back here again please?” Sunghoon asks sweetly.
Taehyung pats the boy’s head. “Of course, bokyo. Whenever you like.”
“Well, not whenever,” Seokjin corrects with a smile, “but definitely when you’ve been a good boy.”
Sunghoon releases Taehyung’s leg so his father can help him into his jacket. As soon as it’s on, he reaches his arms up and grabs the air with his hands. Understanding the gesture, Seokjin scoops the child into his arms. Sunghoon erupts into a bell-like laugh as Seokjin smothers his cheek in several kisses.
“Okay, baby, let’s go.” With Sunghoon balanced on one hip, Seokjin extends his free hand to Taehyung. As they exit the diner, Taehyung thanks the cashier again. His cheeks turn a rosy pink at her fond, admiring smile.
They arrive at the rink with plenty of time for Sunghoon to change. Like all children his age, the mechanics of taking clothes on and off is still difficult for him. It takes Seokjin an average of ten minutes to dress him properly and get the skates tied comfortably on his feet.
The front desk clerk smiles politely at them upon arrival, checking in Sunghoon without having to ask for his name. The boy has not been taken lessons for long but he’s already made an impact. His instructor says he shows promise — how they can tell at the age of four, Seokjin has no idea, but he’s proud nonetheless.
Taehyung turns to head to the stands where Seokjin will meet him to watch the class. He gets stopped by Sunghoon yelling, “Tata!” Taehyung halts and looks back at him expectantly.
Sunghoon, clutching Seokjin’s hand, peers up at his father. “Appa can Tata help me get ready today?” He asks nervously.
Seokjin grins tenderly at his son. “Of course, Hoonie.” The elder turns to his boyfriend for affirmation. “You’re okay with that Taehyung-ah?”
A slight blush on his cheeks, Taehyung regards Sunghoon warmly as he extends his hand to the child. He immediately runs to Taehyung and happily clasps their hands together. “Of course, little prince, whatever you want.”
“Actually,” the receptionist interrupts, almost terse, “only family members are allowed in the locker room.”
Seokjin narrows his eyes at the worker. His challenging stare is a stark contrast to his usual amiable nature. “Taehyung lives with us. He’s one of Sunghoon’s emergency contacts. He’s not a stranger. And I’ve seen plenty of children get ready with their nannies, who are not family members.” He states lowly, disdain evident. “How is this any different?”
The front desk woman tuts, disinterested. “It’s for the safety and comfort of all our family’s He’s not an official parent or guardian and therefore—“
“He’s just as much a part of this family as —“
“Hyung,” Taehyung interrupts coolly, “it’s alright.”
Seokjin, despondent, tries to push back. “No, it’s not,” he emphasizes. He reaches out and gently pats Taehyung’s cheek, tender despite the anger burning in his irises. “You care for Sunghoon as much as I do and I’m not going to let someone talk about the love of my life like he’s just some passerby.” Seokjin misses the surprise flashing across Taehyung’s face as he turns back to the secretary. “Your policy is outdated and homophonic. I suppose if Sunghoon’s birth mother walked in, a complete stranger —“
“Jin-ah,” hisses Taehyung, a warning. He flits his gaze down to Sunghoon. Seokjin understands the message - not now, not in front of him. Sunghoon’s eyes are wide with distress. His grip on Taehyung’s hand is tight. Thankfully, four-year-olds are not very strong. Taehyung levels his voice and lets out a deep sigh. “It’s alright, jagiya.”
Seokjin glares at the receptionist but ceases his argument. A dull ache pains his heart, swelling when Taehyung crouches down to Sunghoon’s level. “It looks like I can’t go back there right now,” Taehyung explains patiently.
“Why not?” Sunghoon whines with a pout. Taehyung strokes a hand through his hair, attempting to soothe the boy. He could use some soothing himself.
“I’m not allowed, bokyo. But I will be watching in the stands the entire time. Okay, sweetheart?” Sunghoon’s head droops in disappointment. Wanting to cheer up the child, Taehyung adopts a lighter tone and asks, “Kisses for good luck?”
Sunghoon replies with a dejected nod. Leaning forward, Taehyung brushes Sunghoon’s hair off his forehead and places several feather-light kisses there. “I’ll see you really soon, okay?”
Still quiet, Sunghoon turns back to his father and retakes his hand. Seokjin stares at his boyfriend, heavy with guilt and unsure what to do next. Taehyung nods in the direction of the locker room. “He’s going to be late. Go, please.”
Seokjin shoots Taehyung a final apologetic glance before he finally leads Sunghoon away. Taehyung swallows the lump in his throat, determined not to cry in front of this woman. Then he heads to the stands, to exactly where he’d promised he’d be.
two years before
By the time Sunghoon turned two, Seokjin had resigned himself to the fact that he may be single the rest of his life. Being a single parent with a full-time job was time-consuming. All of his free time was dedicated to Sunghoon’s health and happiness. If he wasn’t directly taking care of the boy, he was reading parenting books and researching the best practices for raising a child, alone, in a major city.
Not that he’d ever complain. It was at his insistence that Sunghoon’s birth mother even went through with the pregnancy. They had already broken up by the time she found out she was pregnant. When she called to tell Seokjin, she was resolved to terminate the pregnancy. The fact that she didn’t want children was a huge factor in their breakup.
Seokjin’s entire life flashed before him — the potential for dating again, the fear of never finding anyone, the ache for a child — and before he even knew what he was saying he blurted, “Please don’t.”
Seokjin agreed to pay for all the medical bills, pregnancy supplies, anything she needed. He had invested his money well and could think of no better use for it. She agreed.
When Sunghoon was born, Seokjin was momentarily worried that she would have a change of heart. Maybe she would want to be a part of the baby’s life after all, and then what he would do?
She held Sunghoon exactly once. After five minutes, she passed him onto Seokjin and said, “You are a good man. I know you will care for him well.” After she was discharged from the hospital, Seokjin never heard from her again. He’d also never been more in love than he was with the tiny baby with the mole on his nose and dimples to match his own. His love for Sunghoon eclipsed any other feeling he’d ever felt before. Even on the days he cried from sleep deprivation and general parental anxiety, he never once regretted his decision.
If he didn’t have his best friend Yoongi, and his husband Jimin, Seokjin probably would have had a mental breakdown in the first six months. Thankfully, Yoongi and Jimin were on the same journey as Seokjin with their twins, Jay and Jake, born only a few weeks before Sunghoon. The ability to mutual complain served as Seokjin’s much-needed therapy. Often, Seokjin would text them at 3 am when Sunghoon woke up crying and hungry only to find out one of them was also awake with one of their kids.
Seokjin did not know how deep his gratitude to them would run until a few weeks past Sunghoon’s second birthday, at the start of a new year when everything would change.
Yoongi and Jimin owned and ran a popular bakery in their Brooklyn neighborhood. They specialized in Korean baked goods and were immensely popular with the immigrant community. Seokjin stopped in often, not just for the food but because Jimin loved the time to shower Sunghoon with affection when his own children were not around and therefore could not get jealous. On what appeared to be a regular Wednesday morning, Seokjin put Sunghoon in his warmest coat and strapped him into his stroller with a blanket over his legs. Then the two walked the few short blocks to Serendipity, Sunghoon pointing out every dog they passed on the way.
Upon entering, Seokjin expected to see Jimin or Yoongi at the register, but on this day he was immobilized at the sight of a new, dazzlingly handsome face behind the front counter. Seokjin knows for a fact his jaw dropped at the sight of him — because he was repeatedly told this detail later — and he stood, frozen, blocking the door for several seconds before a random babbling from Sunghoon knocked him out of his reverie.
Seokjin moved inward, crouching in front of the stroller to unbuckle Sunghoon and feeling suddenly self-conscious, knowing the stranger was watching him complete the mundane task. His cheeks burned as he lifted Sunghoon out of his seat and situated him on his hip, using his free hand to stash the stroller in a small nook. He had done this regularly in front of Yoongi and Jimin countless times but the new employee made it feel like a performance. Seokjin felt hot all over despite the freezing winter temperature.
He approached the counter slowly. Only a couple of the cafe tables were occupied — Seokjin purposefully picked off-peak visiting times — so he did not feel guilty for taking his time. When he reached the register, the new cashier flashed him a wide, boxy smile that sent Seokjin’s heart racing. “Hello,” he said, in hesitant English, “How can I help you?”
Seokjin was speechless. He ordered the same thing every time and yet his mouth could not seem to form the words, “red bean cake and a coffee.” Stuttering, he mumbled, “I- um -“. He paused and took a big breath, hoping to gulp down his fear. “You’re new here,” he stated instead, in Korean.
Surprised, the cashier raised his eyebrows but his beautiful smile, thankfully, did not leave his face. “I am,” he agreed, also slipping into his native tongue. “You must be a regular.”
“We come all the time,” Seokjin explained, bouncing the toddler on his hip once. Sunghoon giggled. “We love this place, right? Uncle Yoongi and Uncle Jiminie’s bakery is our favorite.”
The cashier gasped. “Uncle Jiminie? Are you Seokjin-ssi?”
Seokjin’s face broke out into an equally surprised smile. “That would be me.”
The cashier turned his kind, awed smile towards Sunghoon. “And that must make this Sunghoon.”
Sunghoon, feeling shy, turned his head into Seokjin’s neck. The father laughed, kissing Sunghoon’s dark hair. “It’s okay, bokyo, you can tell him. Are you Sunghoonie?” The toddler nodded, his cheeks turning red like his dad’s. “I’m embarrassed that you seem to know my name, and my son’s, but I don’t know yours.”
The man’s expression also turned shy. “Oh, right. I’m sorry that must seem creepy. I’m Taehyung,” he explained. A lightbulb immediately lit up in Seokjin’s head.
“You’re Jimin’s Taehyung!” Seokjin exclaimed, delighted. “He talks about you all the time!”
“He talks about you, too,” Taehyung practically whispered. Seokjin quietly noted that bashful was an excellent look on Taehyung. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Seokjin quickly tried to recall everything Jimin has ever said about his best friend, still living in Korea. Until now, it seemed. “Jimin told me he’s been begging you to move here for years. Have you finally given in?”
Taehyung chuckles — the sweetest sound to have ever graced Seokjin’s ears — and nods. “I couldn’t stay away from Jiminie any longer, it seems. And there are many opportunities for artists here.” Taehyung gestures to the bakery around him. “Plus Yoongi-hyung offered me a job while I get on my feet.”
“Do you bake?” Seokjin queried. Already, he hoped no one else would enter the bakery so they could keep talking.
“Not so much baking,” Taehyung admitted, walking to the pastry case, “but I’m an artist so I can decorate.” Taehyung opened the back door of the refrigerated display and pulled out a tray of heart-shaped macarons — Jimin’s specialty — except that day, the hearts were decorated to include little faces. Seokjin didn’t even realize Sunghoon was paying attention until he pointed at the macarons.
“Tata cookie,” he squealed happily. Seokjin laughed, furrowing his eyebrows in playful confusion.
“What was that baby?” He asked, tucking some hair behind Sunghoon’s ear.
“Tata cookie!” Sunghoon repeated, emphatic. Then, he pointed directly at Taehyung and exclaimed, “Tata!”
Taehyung laughed heartily at Sunghoon’s antics. “Sunghoonie, it’s not polite to point and call names,” Seokjin reprimanded gently.
“No, it’s alright,” Taehyung insisted. “It’s funny because Jiminie has always called me TaeTae. They are very similar.” Taehyung leaned slightly closer to the toddler. Seokjin noticed his eyes practically sparkled with kindness. “You can call me Tata if you want.” Sunghoon beamed at him with a happiness Seokjin had never seen directed towards anyone but him before. Taehyung picked up one of the macarons and held it out to Sunghoon, peering over at Seokjin for permission. “May he have one, Seokjin-ssi?”
“Of course,” Seokjin assured, pretty sure he’d say yes to anything Taehyung asked so long as he smiled at him like that. “And please call me hyung,” he added boldly. “If you’re friends with Yoongi and Jimin, you’ll be seeing a lot of me.”
Sunghoon took the macaron and started gnawing on it happily. Taehyung’s smile relaxed into something more tender as he stared at Seokjin. “I’m glad to hear that,” he said. Their moment of eye contact probably only lasted a few seconds tops but in Seokjin’s brain, it felt like an eternity. Long enough that Seokjin wondered what it might be like to see Taehyung every day for the rest of his life. His heart fluttered at the thought.
The sound of the bakery door opening broke the spell. Seokjin and Taehyung broke their prolonged stare, both with reddening cheeks. Seokjin hurried to withdraw his wallet from his pocket, still balancing Sunghoon on one side. “Say thank you, Sunghoonie,” Seokjin instructed.
“Tata thank you,” Sunghoon nearly sang, mouth covered in red crumbs.
“It was nice to meet you, Sunghoon,” Taehyung said cheerfully. His gaze met Seokjin’s once more as he added, “And you too, hyung.”
Before Seokjin and Sunghoon had arrived back home, Seokjin had already texted Yoongi asking if Taehyung was seeing anyone. Little did he know, Taehyung had texted Jimin the exact same question.