Archive of Our Own

It was a typical day, or at least that's what it was supposed to be. 

“Appa!!” And that’s it.

“Hee-ah, I asked you to stay still for five minutes. what happened”  echoed in the house as he walked to the bathroom where he thought Jihee made a mess.

“I fell” she pouted when Seungcheol found her one leg in the bathtub and the other on the ground with the soap just a few centimetres away from it. It

“I thought I told you while I picked clothes stand still because the floor is wet.” Seungcheol unhooked the leg from the bathtub and found a blood spot on her other knee, clearly from hitting the months-old wound with sensitive skin on the bathtub's edge and then slipping on the soap which made her stretch her legs unintentionally. Seungcheol’s at a parenting stage where he can picture the scene in his mind in a very detailed way.

Seungcheol picked her up and made her sit on the toilet seat as he examined the wound. His mind was on autopilot as he grabbed a washcloth and cleaned the blood flowing around the imperfect circle. As a six-year-old, it’s normal to expect Jihee to cry but Seungcheol knows better, this is probably the thirtieth scar in this fifth year of her life and she was just staring at him expecting something to flow out of his mouth.

“I’m not going to scold you, don’t look at me like that” Seungcheol has never scolded her, and Jihee knows that, but she learned to act upset from her mom. 

“I’m going to dress the wound, though. I hope you take care of it.”

“Can I not go to school?”

“No, you’re going to school. Can you walk for me, Jihee?” Seungcheol held his hand out for her; she eyed it for a moment before holding his hands. He eventually pulled her to stand straight, which wasn’t a hard task considering how she only whimpered a little before taking a step. 

Seungcheol doesn’t process how the day after the wounding incident went, but they were at her school barely minutes before the gates closed.

“Mom will pick you up today; if she doesn’t, you know my number. Give me a call from the reception desk” Seungcheol patted her neatly combed bangs, which made her smile.

“I’ll go now, love you appa” she kisses his cheeks before waddling away. The wound dressing is sitting right on her knees. Seungcheol can only hope the dressing stays while she’s in this hellhole.

Weirdly, fewer patients were waiting compared to the previous days of this week. And no patient looked like they needed immediate treatment, which means a little bit of a peaceful mind.

“Your first appointment has to wait since an emergency case of an eleven-year-old who fell from a bike and tore her skin to her bones came in five minutes ago. I made her wait in your room, and Nurse Boo is checking on her.” The receptionist informed him as he signed in his attendance. He could only sigh.

“Thank you” he managed to smile before quietly escaping to his room from whoever his first appointment was in the waiting room.

And he should’ve expected to hear a loud screech the moment he entered.

“My skin’s fucking burning”

“I promise you, it’s not” Seungkwan simply smiled at her, who was on the verge of tears, but it was only an antiseptic cleaning around her big wound. It was probably seven times bigger than Jihee’s.

“What happened? Fell from a bike?” Seungcheol initiated small talk before he investigated the wound; no matter how much the children hate it, he was supposed to do it.

“What else does it look like?”

Seungcheol eyed Seungkwan, wordlessly asking ‘a problem child?’. And Seungkwan’s nod was enough to guarantee him that.

“I don’t need stitches, do I?” she screamed once again at the dab of antiseptic.

“You’ll probably need one from the looks of it” Seungkwan moved, and Seungcheol was with his gloves as he grabbed the tongs from Seungkwan.

“No! I can’t just-”

“Where’s the guardian?” Seungcheol turned to Seungkwan, who sighed a little before pointing to the other side of the room.

“Excuse-”

“Okay ssh. Yes, do you need anything else? I’m at the hospital because Chaewon scraped her knee so bad” the man continued speaking on the phone after shushing Seungcheol down. Wow.

“I’ll send you them in twenty minutes. Now I’ll go see Chaewon, the doctor is here” and for the first time, the man actually turned to Seungcheol and looked at him, looking at him up and down more accurately. “No, he’s not hot”

“Excuse me!?” Seungheol raised his eyebrows, what the fuck.

“Okay bye” The man then pocketed his phone and grinned awkwardly. “Sorry about that, is she okay?”

“I wish. she needs stitches, and you’re supposed to know since you’re the guardian”

“Thank you for letting me know” the man smiled. Seungcheol rolled his eyes internally, pretending that he did not hear what the man had just said in front of his face, and walked back to the girl, still screaming at Seungkwan.

“I’ll deal with it, Boo. Thank you” Seungcheol took the place of Seungkwan and got into his attire. The mask and glasses for his poor eyesight. The thought of not being hot settled in his mind uncomfortably.

“I- um, sorry about the thing. I didn’t mean it that way. It’s a-”

“Can you not talk when I’m working on your daughter’s wound”

“Well, okay, sorry.” If the back of his head had eyes, he’d be able to see Seungkwan giving the man a look. 

And it was good work once it was done, but he has to say the anaesthesia really worked well. She was silent but was boring holes into her dad’s face, who was sitting in the corner very apologetically.

“You may have to come back in a few days to see if there are no problems with your knee and consult the ortho department if necessary.” he turned to the guardian. “I’d suggest crutches if she can’t walk since the wound is quite large.”

“Thank you, doctor.” he smiled a little. Seungkwan helped her get up; it was interesting to see how the daughter’s resting face was very similar to the dad’s apologetic face. 

Seungkwan offered her crutches since she couldn’t bend her knee. Seungcheol expected the dad to follow them, but he stood there, fumbling his fingers with the suit pockets.

“Do you need something?” Seungcheol asked, breaking the unsettling silence.

“Look, I didn’t mean to talk about you like that. I couldn’t say yes because it’d be weird, but I could’ve said no and not added the ‘he’s not hot’ but overall, I’m sorry. It could be the cause of a bad day, and I don’t want it to be since you were really nice to Chaewon.” he broke the sentence midway, looking aimlessly. “I’m Min Yoongi, and I’m sorry” his hand extended out to SSeungcheolwho eyed it before giving in anyway.

“I’m Choi Seungcheol, and it’s fine.” he took the hand and shook it briefly before letting go. 

“We’re new to this neighbourhood, and it was stupid of me to try riding a bike before even getting to know the roads. But if you don’t mind, can I have your number to ask what to do if at all anything happens to the wound?”

“Well, you can always ring my telephone-”

“No, I mean, your number. For emergencies.” 

Seungcheol couldn’t refuse twice; he gave in and pressed his number on Yoongi’s phone, who got it with a smile. It’s not inappropriate; it can’t be from the looks of it. Yoongi seemed genuinely worried about his daughter’s condition, and Seungcheol knows the guilt of causing injury to his own daughter, so he let it be.

“Thank you, Dr. Choi.” he thanked him once again before walking out of his office.

The rest of the day went by swiftly, except for Minji calling him during lunch and apologizing for not being available tonight which translates to him taking care of Jihee for one more day, which happens to be Friday. He doesn’t have a problem with that; he loves spending time with Jihee and cherishes it even.

And he was glad to see the dressing still on her knees. 

“Appa! Where’s eomma?” she smiled toothily.

“Eomma’s busy. Do you not want to stay with me?”

“Can we watch Gabby’s dollhouse then?” 

“Okay, whatever you like Hee” he pinched her cheeks and walked her to the car.

“Dr. Choi?” A voice behind them got his attention.

“Oh?” It was the same Min Yoongi from the morning, just that his hair was a little disheveled now.

“That’s nice. Your kid goes to this school, too? Chaewon’s transferring here too” he smiled widely, and Seungcheol noted Yoongi had a gummy smile just like him for the first time.

“That’s good. Is she feeling better?” Seungcheol had to converse, of course.

“Still a little pain, she says. She’ll probably start school next week because of the injury” The guilt was still on his face, and Seungcheol didn’t like it.

“I’d say more than a week, but it’ll be alright if she heals” Seungcheol gave him a tight-lipped smile.

“Yes… this is your daughter?” Yoongi turned to her.

“Hello, I’m Jihee” Jihee smiled at him. Seungcheol taught her well enough to greet people at the wrong time.

“She’s my daughter, and yes, she’s Jihee” Seungcheol felt a little stupid after saying it. Why is he confirming his daughter’s name now?

“I’m Yoongi. You can call me Yoongi samchon, if you want.”

“Yoongi samchon” Jihee looked at Seungcheol for approval, who gave her a nod.

“It was nice meeting you, Dr. Choi. I didn’t expect to run into you again, but I’m glad.” Yoongi smiled lastly. “I hope you had a nice day”

“I did, and I hope you did too” 

“Have a nice evening, Yoongi samchon!” Jihee greeted.

“Thank you, Jihee” he gave them one of those gummy smiles once again; it was pretty.

It was Saturday night with his beloved 2004 wine and some sad art that Spotify chose for him when his phone rang.

He paused the music on his tv and picked up the phone; it was an unknown number.

“Uh- hey doc?”

“Who is this?”

“I’m um- Yoongi. Chaewon’s father-”

“Oh, is she okay?” The hesitancy in Yoongi’s voice was worrying.

“She kind of tore off the dressing in anger. But there’s no bleeding. Can I just tie it back on my own?”

“If you can, please tie it back, we’ll redress it for her on Monday anyway” he paused, “why did she tear it off?”

“A petty argument” Yoongi sighed a little. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t be telling you this-”

“It’s okay, but please take care of her. And you can stop blaming yourself now; the wound won’t go away by that. You have to stay strong for her.” acute silence followed his sentence, making him regret whatever he said.

“Thank you, doctor. I’ll do my best”

“Yes. Take care, Yoongi ssi” 

The silence stayed. Seungcheol waited for Yoongi to hang up first.

“Have a good weekend” and he hung up. it was a bit unsettling to Seungcheol, and he didn’t know why.

Monday, Seungcheol managed to get to the hospital half an hour early. With his first appointment being Chaewon, he scanned the waiting room but didn’t spot them.

He was waiting anxiously, hoping Chaewon was completely alright, and he was just early for no reason.

He finally exhaled when his door opened.

“I said I’m fine” Chaewon spat bitterly as she walked in with the crutches and sat on the bed before Seungcheol could say anything. Yoongi’s face was less bright than the day Seungcheol last met him.

“Good morning, Dr. Choi” he said, either way, managing to smile a little. Seungcheol reciprocated it.

Seungkwan joined them a moment later, and Seungcheol was already undoing the bandages, slowly taking them off as Chaewon held onto Seungkwan for support.

Seungcheol can understand the kids; it sucks to stay at home in pain when they could go to school and do many more things. But he knew he couldn't expect the eleven-year-old to understand Yoongi’s mental state, he remembers how he was shattered when he knew he caused harm to Jihee. It was a very disturbing experience, but at least Jihee didn’t know how to talk back then. So it must be doubly hard for Yoongi and getting to know he was a single parent from Seungkwan only worsened the feeling.

“And you’re done, it’s healing pretty quickly. You’ll probably need one more redressal before it’s all over, and you can take it off.” Seungcheol smiled at her. “Is it hard to walk?”

“I can walk fine, but there’s some irritation” she said, and Seungcheol was right, she’s healing nice and good.  

“She’ll be fine in a week, I suppose. At least to the stage of going to school, you don’t have to worry” Seungcheol turned to Yoongi, who nodded back.

Seungkwan then helped her out of bed and out of the office. As Seungcheol asked Yoongi to wait back, Seungcheol didn’t realize his actions until Yoongi was waiting for him to speak. Conversing is hard sometimes.

“I- I just want you to know, it’s fine and mistakes happen. I know how you feel; I have been there”

“Hurting your daughter?”

“Unintentionally, yes. She went through a concussion at 3, and we were only playing with balls." Yoongi's eyes widened at that, and Seungcheol went tight-lipped. 

“How- that must be hard” Yoongi settled with that, being more careful with posing questions. Seungcheol smiled to himself.

“It was hard. It made me and my wife fight in the hospital, bad memories, you know. At least Jihee didn’t know to yell at me then, but Chaewon does, and that must be hard for you” Seungcheol was proud of himself for shifting it back to Yoongi so smoothly.

“But I don’t have my partner yelling at me; it could’ve been worse.” Yoongi smiled a little.

“If that makes you feel better, yes, true” 

“Thank you for sharing it, Dr. Choi. It made me feel better. Thank you for your words” Yoongi’s eyes seemed genuine, even if Seungcheol couldn’t see it clearly without his glasses.

“It’s okay, and you can call me Seungcheol. You’re probably older than me.” 

“But you seem wiser than me,” Yoongi paused. “So Seungcheol, then?”

“Hyung?” Yoongi smiled widely for the first time after hearing Seungcheol; it made Seungcheol’s heart bloom a little even though he didn’t want it to.

“Feels like I have a friend now, a younger friend.”

“You can consider me as your friend” Seungcheol stood up to look more friend-like. Yoongi seemed to understand it and chuckled a little. 

“That’s so nice of you, and you’ll be a friend who knows this neighborhood. It was really hard to talk to people and befriend them here, and considering how most of my neighbors were people over 50s, it didn’t help.” And there it was, bit by bit Yoongi was loosening it up. Seungcheol knew it was unprofessional of him to have this conversation during the clock, but where else could he talk to Yoongi? And he can’t even remember how many days it has been since he made friends; time simply flies.

“I know places here; you can ask me if you need any help, hyung. A single parent for a single parent after all” 

“Oh” Yoongi paused, visibly confused. “Sorry, didn’t know that-”

“Oh, um- yeah. I got divorced” Seungcheol didn’t realize what he said until a moment later; Yoongi had been friends with him for five minutes, and he was already ruining the mood.

“I’m sorry about that” 

“It’s fine. I should’ve not told you that in five minutes” and now Seungcheol wanted to hit himself on the head.

“It’s okay” There was a moment of awkwardness, and Seungcheol figured Yoongi played with pockets a lot. “So… I’ll see you then, Seungcheol? Have a nice day, and thank you for everything” 

“Thanks to you too, hyung. Have a nice day”

Yoongi gave one of his gummy smiles to Seungcheol before walking out.

Discussing about Jihee with Minji has been smooth most of the time, except when it’s about expenses. Seungcheol understands that Minji isn’t paid that well compared to Seungcheol and he hates it because Minji still wants to pay for her daughter when she clearly can’t and Seungcheol can’t even word his worries about it without them jumping into an argument. Seungcheol has had enough.

A big sigh drew out of him when he entered his house, tired both mentally and physically.

“At least next time, see if someone’s on the couch before sighing like that.”

“What the fuck-” it was Jeonghan, of course, it’s Jeonghan.

“Hey box head, how is Minji?” 

“You could at least try not to scare me like that next time” Seungcheol sighed, a little shorter this time before plopping down on the couch next to Jeonghan. “She’s not fine, and I’m not too”

“Is it money again?”

“And I hate it, can we not talk about it?” he eyed Jeonghan who gave him a nod. 

“Whatever you say” Jeonghan moved closer to him. “I just dropped by to check on you, if you’ve completed the wine I gave you last time. Seems like you did.” 

“I was tired and needed something, it’s lonely without Jihee, you know?” Seungcheol leaned on Jeonghan who stiffened a bit at the contact. Seungcheol looked up at him. 

“I understand which is why I bought you some more wine. Though, I feel like you could cut down the habit a little” Jeonghan smiled at him, pushing a few strands of hair behind his ear. 

"You mean it?" Seungcheol smiles, as he slowly helps Jeonghan slip onto his lap, him facing Seungcheol.

"Your eyes look really lonely" Jeonghan smiled and took a moment before attaching their lips. The contact was purely one of the reasons why Jeonghan dropped by. But Seungcheol isn't complaining, because, oh my god, he's being touched .

It was minutes before Seungcheol was fumbling with Jeonghan's shirt buttons and Jeonghan was pulling Seungcheol’s hair.

"Oh, what will you do without me?" Jeonghan chuckled when Seungcheol tore open his shirt.

"I'll try to see someone" Seungcheol answered as he connected his lips with Jeonghan's collarbone, making Jeonghan gasp at the contact.

"I hope you do that, I’m becoming serious with someone" Jeonghan barely moaned his words, but Seungcheol was able to make sense of them. His mind was in half haze as he twirled his tongue around Jeonghan's nipples.

"That's nice" Seungcheol said before lifting Jeonghan who was still wrapped around him on his hips. Seungcheol noticed his own shirt was half unbuttoned too, as expected of Jeonghan.

Seungcheol took him to his bedroom.

"Thank you for this Cheollie" Jeonghan placed one last kiss on his lips before falling back onto the bed as exhaustion from orgasm took over him. Seungcheol was in a similar situation.

"Thanks to you too, Hannie. And I mean it, I hope they treat you well."

"I hope so too. I've made the right choices, he's big just like you"

"Living your kinks I see" Jeonghan tossed a pillow at him for that. 

Seungcheol used to feel bad and dirty about this, the way he saw the attraction. Seungcheol really thought he was discreet with his attraction towards men, not that he wasn't attracted to Minji when they married. But the biphobia she threw at his face was getting difficult to handle, eventually ending up in them having to call it off. Seungcheol used to feel lonely, and for someone with a love language as touch, it wasn't helping one bit. He's thankful to Jeonghan for seeing through him and offering to help and take help at the same time. He chose to call it platonic sex and Seungcheol agreed to it. And Seungcheol got what he wanted from it, and he knew he could never see Jeonghan through any other lens. It was a perfect agreement. And it's going to end, the thought of crawling back to bed feeling lonely made Seungcheol want to cry, but he won't cry in front of Jeonghan.

"Also I noticed the new grocery shop membership. Under some name Yoongi?"

"Oh yeah, he's a new friend I made" Seungcheol turned to Jeonghan. "New to the neighborhood and a single father, I relate"

"A potential partner" Jeonghan's eyes twinkled in sarcasm, Seungcheol wanted to deny it but he was tired.

"Tell me about him" Jeonghan sat up on his elbows, eyes on Seungcheol like he was being held at gunpoint. He had to explain now.

"He got into an accident with her daughter which basically scraped the flesh off her legs and they came to me. I looked after them and that's how we got to know each other" Seungcheol shrugged. "His daughter goes to the same school as Jihee, and she's eleven. So he's obviously older."

"Oh, so you got a hyung" Jeonghan snorted. "That's nice, he'll take care of you"

"I don't need to be taken care of, Jeonghanie."

"You'll know once you're being taken care of, whether you need it or not."

Seungcheol didn’t say anything to it, as he pushed the subject to the back of his head.

The next day, which happened to be his day off, Seungcheol ended up running ten minutes late to pick Jihee up since Minji had some urgent errands to run.

He was surprised when he saw Jihee with Yoongi and Chaewon on a stone bench.

“Jihee?” her eyes lit up and she ran towards Seungcheol to hug his legs.

“Chaewon started school today because she can walk better and I saw Jihee waiting as I came to pick her up. So we stayed” Yoongi explained with a smile.

“That’s so kind of you, hyung, thank you” Seungcheol bowed a little, and Yoongi dismissed it.

“You’ve helped me with a ton more things, it’s all payback. I would’ve been fine to even drop Jihee at your home. But since her mom dropped her off today morning…” Yoongi trailed off with a confused look on his face. Seungcheol felt awkward.

“We switch like that since we share equal custody over Jihee” Seungcheol said and Yoongi nodded quickly.

There was a moment of silence before Chaewon pointed out something.

“You have a bruise?”

Shame shot up Seungcheol’s vessels faster than his dick had ever risen when he realized she was pointing at his neck. Yoongi’s eyes turned small as he squinted at it. How come he didn’t look at himself even once in the mirror before running to school in a SpongeBob t-shirt? 

“I- um, I hurt myself with the stethoscope” 

“That must hurt” Chaewon shook her head with Yoongi next to her, eating down the laughter building up inside him. Chaewon turned to her father cluelessly.

“Nothing, Chae. And don’t you think it’s time for your piano class?” Chaewon stood up immediately, holding onto Yoongi for support. “We’ll see you later, then. Bye!” there was a glint in Yoongi’s eyes that only Seungcheol saw, whose nerves were still screeching in embarrassment. 

“Bye Yoongi samchon!”

Yoongi just gave Seungcheol a shoulder pat before walking away.

Later the same day when Seungcheol sent Yoongi the address of the nearest golf club (because he asked for it) Yoongi brought up the topic of ‘bruise’ again.

From Yoongi hyung:

That was so unprofessional of Chaewon today, I’m sorry

To Yoongi hyung: 

Hyung, can you not?

From Yoongi hyung: 

I’m joking, should’ve expected you to date someone since you’re so young

To Yoongi hyung:

I’m like, 2 years younger than you.

From Yoongi hyung:

28 is still very different from 30

To Yoongi hyung:

Whatever you say

Seungcheol did want to explain to Yoongi that he was not dating and it was nothing, but he didn’t know why he wanted to. 

From Yoongi hyung:

Shed some light on my love life and tell me if there are any clubs or something like that

To Yoongi hyung:

Aren’t you too old for that hyung?

From Yoongi hyung:

I’m not accepting the Uno reverse card

Tell me

To Yoongi hyung:

There’s a new club that opened a few days ago and it’s two streets away from our kids’ school

But I’ve never been there

From Yoongi hyung:

Where did you find a partner then? a dating app? That must be sick.

To Yoongi hyung:

I didn’t date?

From Yoongi hyung:

But you didn’t tell me???

To Yoongi hyung:

You didn’t let me!!

From Yoongi hyung:

Alright, whatever,

But I’ll probably go to the club, you can join me if you want

Seungcheol's heartbeat quickened after seeing the text pop up. Is he serious? A club? It’s been ages since Seungcheol even heard club music, leave his sappy 90s ballad-loving heart alone. 

From Yoongi hyung:

I’ll treat you since you did a lot for me. I’m sure you like wine

To Yoongi hyung:

You don’t have to

From Yoongi hyung:

But I want to

Send me the location and think about it 

Seungcheol quickly sent the location and closed KakaoTalk. If he really has to think about it, it was when Jihee was two years old, and he went to a club with Minji after leaving Jihee with a babysitter. That’s probably the first and last time he tried Jeonghan’s prank mix which was, Whiskey, vodka, and tequila. The picture of him throwing up three times stayed vividly in his mind.

But at least he was with his friends and Minji. How would it even be if he goes to a club with Yoongi? Are they even supposed to go to a club together, being just friends? He didn’t know, he didn’t want to know.

He pushed all of it to the back of his head, like always, and got to Jihee who was whining about the spicy risotto being too spicy for her.

Seungcheol said yes to Yoongi’s offer after Jeonghan told him, ‘At least you’re going to a club and drinking for free, who cares if you see him as a brother?’ Seungcheol wasn’t thinking about saying no, anyways. 

“Okay, so this Saturday?”

“Yeah, Minji will take Jihee. I think it’d be fine” Seungcheol gave him a nod as they both waited for the school gates to open.

“And I’m sending Chaewon to my friend’s house.” Yoongi turned to him. “Do you have something good other than these cartoon t-shirts and dress shirts?”

“You’re not any better hyung, do you have anything that isn’t black?” Seungcheol eyed the dark collarless shirt and black jeans and Yoongi tilted his head.

“This is navy blue, dumbass. And yes, I do.” Seungcheol laughed it off. And he also realized whenever Yoongi fights back or complains, he unintentionally talks in a pout. Minji once told him Seungcheol pouts a lot when he’s sulking. Maybe they do have a lot in common. 

But, does Yoongi notice him the same way he notices Yoongi? He’ll never know.

The gates opened and a pile of students walked while chit-chatting loudly.

“I’ll see who dresses better, it’s a challenge” Yoongi said, a little louder, as he waved for Chaewon.

“I’m usually very competitive hyung”

“Good, prove it by dressing better” Chaewon joined them a moment later. And Yoongi kissed her forehead.

“We’ll get going then, see you on saturday” Yoongi winked at him before walking away.

With the help of Jeonghan and his newly found boyfriend Mingyu, Seungcheol settled on a leather jacket with fluff on sleeves (owned by Jeonghan) with a black t-shirt underneath and plaid patterned pants. He was looking good and also a good kind of different. He owes his two friends a lot.

He put on his contacts, they made his eyes browner. He also dabbled a little gloss on his lips that Minji left for him. It made his lips redder, he felt perfect after a long time. 

After a small reevaluation, he left his house. Double-checked that it was locked all good and got into his car. He was supposed to pick up Yoongi. And he couldn't wait to meet Yoongi, solely to see how the elder was dressed.

It was a five-minute ride to Yoongi's with surprisingly no traffic on the roads. He saw a car just take off outside Yoongi's house, it was probably his friend picking up Chaewon. Seungcheol shrugged it away.

A loud ring of the doorbell and two minutes later, Yoongi opened the door and… wow.

Yoongi was clad in a sparkly pink garter crop top and high waist ocean blue pants which did show some of his tummy skin. He topped it with a magenta coat but it still exposed his collarbones. He also had boots that gave a loud tap as he walked, it was miraculous and something Seungcheol hadn't seen. 

"Enough color for you Cheollie?" Seungcheol finally looked up to meet his eyes only to find the graphic eyeliner and an ensemble of pink and blue shades on his eyes, pretty. 

"How do you- How could you even live with boring outfits after wearing something like this?" What a nice question to ask right off the bat.

"I mean" Yoongi smiled, and he was probably blushing too but Seungcheol couldn't see it under the blush coating. "That's how life works. Are you ready to go?"

"Totally. I can't believe I failed at this" Seungcheol sighed, Yoongi just gave him a shoulder pat in return and stepped out of the house too. As Yoongi locked the door, it gave Seungcheol time to stare at the black crimped hair (and his ass cupped perfectly in the pants)

And Seungcheol definitely saw Yoongi smirk.

If Yoongi's outfit wasn't shocking enough, the club turned out to be a gay club.

"Meant to be, I guess" Yoongi joked, and Seungcheol just eyed him as he showed the bouncer their IDs. It was all a smooth process. Seungcheol took some time to study the place clearly. There was some kpop thot anthem playing, and there were poles, a few of them with people on them. It's almost like Seungcheol didn't know it was a gay club but Yoongi did because everyone else there was dressed like him, some people even better than Yoongi which had him flabbergasted.

"C’mon let's get drinks first" Yoongi pulled Seungcheol with him, who couldn't resist. There were already eyes on Yoongi, most of them from a distance. Maybe they thought he was Yoongi's partner? it wouldn't be normal if they're in any other club but given that it's a gay club, he can't be so wrong. 

"-Margarita for me. You?" Yoongi was speaking to him, God knows from when.

"I- I'll take the same."

"Oh cute" Yoongi finished the order, and Seungcheol felt like a newbie. Well, he is a newbie.

He sat on a stool, next to Yoongi. The elder was smiling and Seungcheol knew why.

"You're nervous aren't you?"

"Am I? I just feel a little out of place hyung" Seungcheol confessed, and Yoongi held his hand.

"You'll be fine. And it's your first time, and your outfit is not too bad." Yoongi assured him and it almost confirmed Seungcheol’s suspicions.

"You knew it was a gay club didn't you?" And there, he asked it out loud.

"I did" Yoongi shrugged. "I just thought it'd be a surprise for you. Is it not-"

"No, it's perfect."

Silence dawned on them, it didn't feel like silence with the music playing in the background. Seungcheol had his eyes on the bartender, but he knew Yoongi was looking at him, observing him even.

But it only lasted a moment before a man approached Yoongi. He was one of the people who had their eyes on Yoongi from the moment they entered. Seungcheol couldn't even imagine how Yoongi nor the man were feeling. Almost like he was new to the whole section of approaching someone at a nightclub.

"I'll take the drink, but thank you. I already have a date." He heard Yoongi tell the man whose face stiffened but he bit it down and walked away. Seungcheol turned to Yoongi.

"He seemed genuine" 

"But I came here with you to spend time with you. I'm not an asshole" they were served their drinks, and Seungcheol took a sip, it was better to cover his expression after hearing Yoongi say that.

His tongue needed time to get used to it, but Yoongi was so chill with it. Seungcheol isn't a stranger to cocktails, but with the adrenaline pumping in himself and the skin feeling hot, it was a lot to take in. Yoongi just slipped his hand on Seungcheol’s knee.

"So, how did you get the hickey if you were not dating?"

"Do you really want to know?"

Yoongi nodded, his lips stretched but not too stretched to be considered a smile. He looked adorable. 

"I have a friend who used to be single. We were both lonely and embarrassingly horny, so we made a deal to have sex between us and it was better to keep it between us with no feelings involved. But now he has a boyfriend and I’m lonely again" Yoongi listened intently.

"So like friends with benefits"

"More like, friends and then benefit which was only sex"

"So, do you talk about me to him?" Yoongi raised his eyebrows, catching Seungcheol off guard.

"I- yes, I mean, no. What?"

"Oh, c’mon I don't believe you put together this outfit yourself. You had your friends help you"

"Is it that obvious?" 

"To me? Yes" Yoongi smiled proudly. "Do you want to hit the dance floor?"

Seungcheol couldn’t deny, that something about Yoongi in this setting made Seungcheol feel like he knew more about Yoongi than he has ever known in the past month. He didn't know if that was for the good. 

Yoongi held Seungcheol’s hands and took him to the dance floor, many bodies crashed onto them. One of them even stomped on Seungcheol’s foot without a sorry, from the outside it didn't look crowded but Seungcheol was feeling the crowd on his skin.

"Stay close if you don't want to be touched by random people" Yoongi pulled him closer. Seungcheol wanted to say 'then what's the point of being on the dance floor' but shut his mouth when Yoongi's hands settled on his waist.

"Do tell me if you want to go to someone else"

"No" Seungcheol muttered, Yoongi was so close to him it was threateningly hot.

"No?"

"I feel like you enticed me" Seungcheol giggled, and Yoongi returned it with his gums on display, just like Seungcheol.

"It worked?" Yoongi smiled, his top was dazzling in the light.

"You were trying?" 

Yoongi grinned more and pulled Seungcheol in with his jacket, his face centimeters away from him.

"Silly me couldn't get my eyes off you from the day I met you. And the more I got to know you, I wanted to know more. You're interesting, you know that?" Yoongi was speaking a lot, it was getting hard to focus with their legs slow dancing, Yoongi was in control.

"I take that as a compliment" Seungcheol attached his forehead to Yoongi's. "I just want to say, if we kiss right now, you'll be my first kiss who's not my closest friend nor a person I knew for years." Yoongi's eyes widened at that.

"I do want to kiss you, but if you don't want to, I'll understand"

"No, I-" Seungcheol was starting to feel guilty as he explained. But Yoongi was already taking him to the corner, probably to talk and hear better. 

"I'm sorry did I force you-"

"No, you did not hyung. I would've told you if that's the case" Seungcheol managed to smile. "It's just- I have never been with someone I don't know that well. Like, I know you but you know the attachment-"

"Kind of demisexual, if I'm right?"

"Sort of, yes, you can say that." Seungcheol sighed, he shouldn't have thought Yoongi had never heard about this.

"Oh" Yoongi looked away, his hand scratching his head on the side. "That's okay, I shouldn't have assumed. I'm sorry"

"You don't have to be sorry, but, I- I think I do want to kiss you hyung" Yoongi looked up at him.

"For real?"

"Yes" Yoongi blinked a few times as Seungcheol leaned forward a little.

But in the end, as Seungcheol expected, Yoongi gave in. His veiny hands held Seungcheol’s face in place as he attached their lips. As much as Seungcheol loved it, he also loved how Yoongi waited for Seungcheol to make the next move, even if it was tangling their tongues. Which Seungcheol did eventually, and Yoongi was smiling into it.

When they pulled away, Yoongi had this big grin on his face, it warmed Seungcheol’s heart in ways he couldn't explain. 

"I liked it, thank you"

"I liked it more. And no, don't thank me. Thanks to you for stepping out of your comfort zone for me, if I’m right. That means a lot" Yoongi kept a hand on his chest. Seungcheol couldn't help but awe.

"You're right. I like you, and for someone who finds it hard doing these things, you made it easier. I feel good, that's new"

"Well, if you tell me you'll feel better if we talk more and maybe connect more, I'm down. We can take a table and talk the whole night" Seungcheol’s heart only got warmer as he heard Yoongi speak. The fact that Yoongi even took it on him to spend time with Seungcheol to connect more since they very clearly are interested in each other, even though it's a bare minimum, it's something Seungcheol hasn't experienced in a while. He was lucky to have found Yoongi.

"If you're okay with it?"

"I'm more than okay with it, as I said, you interest me Seungcheol. I'd love to spend time with you"

And there Seungcheol took Yoongi's hands for the first time that night, as the elder led them outside the dance floor.

The sun hit Seungcheol’s eyes, weighing on him. An alarm rang, and Seungcheol didn't even know where he was.

"I'll get it" a hoarse voice, very much like Yoongi yelled over his face. He turned to his right to find Yoongi sleepily groaning as he sat up, his crimped hair now standing in all different directions.

"Hyung?"

"Oh you're awake?" Yoongi rubbed his face, if Seungcheol had to paint Yoongi in a hangover, the picture to reference was right in front of him.

He also realized he was on the floor, with a blanket over him. His clothes were still intact except for the jacket that was covering him over his shoulders.

"We drank and talked a lot, and then you were so close to passing out so I brought you to my house. I hope you don't mind" Yoongi told him, in a less hoarse voice. Seungcheol nodded, he remembered half of it.

"Do you remember anything?"

Seungcheol had to think for five minutes before saying "You told me you hit Hoseok's head on a banister which got you punished when you were 10?"

"Wow, sharp memory, I'm impressed" 

“I’m sorry I passed out so quickly” Seungcheol knew he was pouting as he said it. Yoongi just stared at him speechless for a moment.

“It’s- That’s okay. At least we spent time talking to each other, it was fun.” Yoongi smiled a little. To Seungcheol, this barefaced and smiling Yoongi with morning hair looked like the softest plush he would find at a store. He looked so comfy, not to mention the gray oversized sweatshirt he had on. 

“I can make some breakfast while you take a shower and I’ll pick a few oversized tees and shorts I have, they’ll probably fit you” Seungcheol nodded, slowly standing up. He needed to stretch and Yoongi was very openly staring at him.

“Where’s the bathroom?” 

“Uh- there, right to the green door.”

“Thank you hyung” Seungcheol wanted to kiss Yoongi before he went to wash, but maybe later.

Once they were settled to eat breakfast, Yoongi gave him a smile and a head pat as he served him some hangover soup and kimchi fried rice. It was perfect.

“You look good when you’re eating” Yoongi said, making Seungcheol grin at his plate. 

“You also look good in my clothes, they do fit you right” he continued, as he reached out to feel the fabric over Seungcheol’s forearm. 

Seungcheol was having an inner monologue going on, so now what? Should he ask Yoongi for a date? Should he confess he wanted to kiss Yoongi earlier? What is he even feeling towards Yoongi? 

“About last night, I do think it could’ve been a better place if we were going to talk. And I’m down if you are. Like I said already, I do want to spend time with you” Yoongi looked serious, genuinely meaning it. 

“Like a date?”

“If you want to call it that way, yes, I do want to date you Seungcheol”

“I’d love to, I guess?” Seungcheol knew he sounded unsure, it wasn’t helping the situation. “I’m just a little confused, like, I feel like it’s new, the whole dating thing I don’t know why. It’s taking time to process in me. But I do think I’d go on a date with you” and there it was, the word vomit.

“Hey, relax, it’s okay. I only confessed I like you like 12 hours ago, you don’t have to tell me what you want to do about it so quickly. Take your time” Yoongi caressed his forearm, his fingers resting on the soft fabric.

“Thank you hyung” Seungcheol smiled and Yoongi returned it.

He did end up kissing Yoongi before leaving for home, which had Yoongi panting against his lips. Seungcheol felt guilty, for no reason.

Days passed since they went to the club. Yoongi did text him constantly, and so did he. But something after the incident made it clear to Seungcheol that he misses Yoongi, a lot when he’s not around.

Maybe Seungcheol did get attached to Yoongi in a month.

Though his feelings were still not as clear as day, he knew what to do about missing Yoongi.

To Yoongyoongie :

Hyung are you free this weekend?

Honestly, it was only five minutes after the text,

From Yoongyoongie :

Kinda

Where do you want to go?

To Yoongyoongie :

idk

I just want to spend some time with you

From Yoongyoongie :

ah I'm honored

I was thinking maybe your place? Since we’re mostly going to talk and I’m kinda running tight on my bills to take you to a restaurant

To Yoongyoongie :

okay then I’ll get to cleaning my house

From Yoongyoongie :

cute

I’ll send you the time

Seungcheol felt his cheeks warm at it before he went back to see a wailing baby.

Later they finally fixed it on Sunday night, and Seungcheol was feeling a lot when Yoongi chose Sunday night because he believes that’ll give him a better Monday morning.

And Yoongi showed up at 7 pm with a bouquet full of roses in his hand.

“You really didn’t have to” Seungcheol smelled the roses either way, and Yoongi was smiling with his teeth out.

“I wanted to, I picked them on my way as I walked here” Yoongi looked around as Seungcheol helped him put the coat on the coat hanger. “You cooked?” he asked him, after noticing Seungcheol in his apron.

“I- yes. I’m not a great cook. I usually do takeouts from one of my friend’s restaurant nearby. But I tried something” Seungcheol shrugged.

“Let me see, then. I’m a great cook” Yoongi smiled cheekily before walking to the kitchen with Seungcheol following him.

It was a simple japchae, maybe if we ignore how cumbersome working with onions was, but he was almost done with sauteing all the vegetables and Yoongi simply picked up an apron.

“I just want to do the rest of the sauteing, or just be here with you in the kitchen. But let me be” Yoongi explained. Seungcheol just giggled, but let him be.

As Seungcheol learned how to saute, (he didn’t, he was more focused on Yoongi’s facial expressions) he was starting to zone out a little when Yoongi kicked his feet.

“Ow, what was that for?”

“Pay attention to the pan, not to my face”

“You noticed?” Seungcheol felt his cheeks redden.

“Yeah” and he saw Yoongi’s cheeks redden. He was making Yoongi blush, which is something.

“Do you realize we both are similar in a lot of things?” Seungcheol initiated, the silence with the oil sound wasn’t comfortable.

“Like what?”

“Our smiles are gummy smiles, we both are from Daegu, we’re the younger brothers in our homes, we take alcohol well, we both have a lot of husband qualities and not just because we’re married and then got divorced. We also have similar opinions, from our music taste to our favorite movies”

“Some of it is generic, but I agree. I love how you noted all this” Yoongi gave him a look, and that stilled Seungcheol a bit, he was really noting all of it. 

“But you missed one thing” Yoongi said, finally plating the japchae that was done. “You pout a lot”

“Bold of you to assume I don’t know” 

“You should’ve said ‘so do you’ so I don't have to explain myself, dumbass” Yoongi hit Seungcheol’s shoulders, who just hit him back. After all, Yoongi is still a hyung he likes to make fun of. Maybe that’s what Jeonghan meant by he needed someone elder to look for him.

Yoongi freed himself off the apron and that’s when Seungcheol finally noticed Yoongi’s outfit that was a simple black t-shirt and high-waisted pockets cut out khakis, but the t-shirt was half sleeved and god forbid Yoongi ever wears half sleeve along with a Rolex.

“I swear to god, don’t tell me you’re just noticing my Rolex”

“No, no-” Seungcheol was caught red-handed, “Your clothing choices for tonight are… interesting?”

Yoongi sighed, “if you’re going to bully me for khakis, go ahead, I blame it on myself for not doing the laundry” Yoongi held a hand up like he was being accused when all Seungcheol did was stare at Yoongi’s newly exposed arms.

“I have nothing against the khakis. I just didn’t know you own half-sleeved shirts”

“Oh” then Yoongi realized, “that’s- yeah, you’re right. I don’t own this?”

“Hyung?”

“Okay, wait, let me think” Yoongi held his forehead. Seungcheol’s brain bulb finally glowed.

“Hyung” he stifled laughter. “That’s the t-shirt that I wore to the club”

Yoongi just stared at him in disbelief for thirty seconds before slamming on the dinner table, which made the curry shake a little. “You’re right! I took it out of the closet to bring it to you but instead I wore it?”

“Interesting, I was right” Seungcheol finally broke into laughter, Yoongi following him, and them laughing together while Seungcheol’s eye still couldn’t help but keep noting if the curry is going to spill or not.

“Oh my god, I’m so dumb. For a moment, I thought it was Chaewon’s”

“But it fits you so well like it was made for you more than me” Seungcheol complained.

“Well, we all know you only wore it to show off your assets, it was meant to be tight on you” Yoongi smirked a little, and Jeonghan’s words replayed in his mind, and he said the same.

“I’m so embarrassed, let me just eat”

Yoongi reached out to serve Seungcheol before he could refuse. And rightfully, Yoongi got back to his seat only after petting Seungcheol’s hair and giving him a gummy smile.

Seungcheol was contented.

Later the same night, Yoongi was being all petty as he made Seungcheol rent The Man From Nowhere for them to watch. 

“That’s my favorite movie, you have to watch it” Yoongi added, as he grabbed a beer can for them from the fridge like it was his own. Seungcheol sighed.

“Fine, I’ll watch it, but if it’s too much blood and guns for me, I’m closing it and we go to sleep”

“I’m going to be next to you, it’ll be fine” Yoongi climbed up the couch bed and laid back next to Seungcheol on the headboard.

“Fine, I trust you” 

He didn’t.

Fifteen minutes into the movie and Yoongi’s lips were between his.

“This was your plan, isn’t it, to put your favorite movie in the background and kiss me in the name of comfort?” Seungcheol breathed between kisses, and Yoongi only smiled.

“Do you not like it?”

“I love it” Seungcheol smiled as he pulled Yoongi onto his lap, which did shock the elder but they eased into another kiss rather quickly and Seungcheol was very aware of the heat building between them.

“I think I really like you hyung, I sound stupid-”

“No, you don't”

“I-” Seungcheol paused, unintentionally whining a little, “Like, you see it right? I do feel attracted to you. But I don’t know if sex is what I want and it’s just- I feel shitty when I push you away after building it all up. Like in the club-”

“Seungcheol-ah” Yoongi’s voice softened, almost humming. “I can take a no, and you don’t have to feel responsible for ruining the mood or anything, you are not ruining the mood in the first place, got that?”

“But-” Seungcheol sighed, words were twisting in his tongue and he didn’t know how to say he finds himself in a weird position about liking Yoongi without offending Yoongi. 

“But?” Yoongi’s fingers fumbled with a few strands of hair near his ears. “Just because you label yourself as something, doesn’t mean you have to fit in it hundred percent.” Seungcheol hated how Yoongi was right.

“I feel like I’m even weird for wanting to kiss you, it’s just, I don’t know”

“You don’t have to be so strict on yourself, Cheol-ah.” Yoongi felt like his favorite comforter when Yoongi wrapped his arms around his shoulders. “I do say fuck labels, but I also know the euphoria it brings. But that doesn’t mean any restraints.”

They fell into silence, except for the movie playing. Seungcheol gave himself to Yoongi’s embrace.

“Do you want to just cuddle and fall asleep? We can do this later” Yoongi held Seungcheol’s face by his cheeks, and the younger nodded.

The next morning, he woke up to see Yoongi hurriedly picking up his things next to him.

“Hyung?”

“Oh, morning, Cheol-ah” Yoongi then continued to peck him on the forehead. “I’ve got to pick Chaewon up and get her to school. It’s 6 am”

“Oh yes” Seungcheol shot up at the mention of school, he has to call Minji to check if she was still taking Jihee to school.

“Do you have somewhere to go too?” Yoongi turned to him, tucking his shirt back into his pants. 

“I’ll have to call Minji first. But can you wait for a minute? I’ll drop you off at your friend’s place?”

“That’ll be so nice of you” at that, Seungcheol called Minji. 

“Morning, is Jihee ready for school?”

“I had to pull an all-nighter at the office, sorry, can you take her to school?”

“Then where was she the whole night- you know what, forget it. I’ll be there in five minutes.” Seungcheol hung up, his head hurts and the anger that was so close to building up wasn’t helping.

“Is everything alright?” Yoongi interjected.

“I hope. C’mon, let’s get going.” Seungcheol didn’t want to explain further. He took five minutes to ready himself and was out of his house with Yoongi behind him.

The car ride was mostly silent except for Yoongi telling him the directions to his friend’s house.

“This is nice, it’s close to Minji’s place, can we pick up Jihee too after Chaewon?”

“Cool” Yoongi replied, with eyes on the map and road.

“Is everything okay with Minji?” Yoongi asked once they neared the destination. 

“I hate that her job makes her overwork, I don’t even know what Jihee did the whole night without her.”

“She can change jobs?”

“I have told her that a lot, but I don’t understand what stops her from doing that.” Seungcheol saw Chaewon standing in her uniform and next to a bright brown-headed man. Yoongi gave him a nod as he parked right next to them.

“Thank you so much, Hoseokie. This is Seungcheol and this is Hoseok, my friend” Yoongi introduced them. Seungcheol greeted Hoseok and he did the same. Chaewon quickly got in the backseat on her own.

“I packed her lunch too, I hope you like it Chaewon, have fun at school. And also” Hoseok moved to Seungcheol’s side after waving at Chaewon. “Sorry, we had to meet this way. And thank you for taking care of him, he’s so happy”

“Hoseok can you not-” Yoongi stopped him, and Hoseok shrugged before waving at them with the happiest smile Seungcheol has seen in a while. Seungcheol found himself grinning.

“Appa what happened to our car?” Chaewon spoke right after Seungcheol got out of the parking. 

“It’s good, I just dropped by Doctor’s house this morning about something and he has to pick Jihee up from her mom. Their house is nearby” Seungcheol side-eyed Yoongi who had completely aced lying by now.

"But what did Hobi just say about him taking care of you, are you alright?" Chaewon was looking at Yoongi through the back mirror, who was thinking of a lie.

"It's just, I'm fine Chaewon-ah. It's like brotherhood. I take care of him as my younger brother and he does it back to me. Like how Chaeyoung cares for you and you care for her back." Seungcheol knew Chaeyoung is Chaewon’s elder sister who's with Yoongi's ex and that Yoongi and Chaewon go to meet Chaeyoung every month. 

"Oh" she nodded and finally took the attention of the two adults. Seungcheol grinned to himself and in no time they were at Minji's place. 

"I'll go get her" Seungcheol told Yoongi and got out of the car. Thankfully Minji only lived on the second floor and the apartment building's elevator was broken. He could climb two floors.

When he got to it, he knocked on Minji's door. It was Jihee who answered it, she was in the middle of putting on her shoes. 

"Good, Jihee. Let's go? Where's eomma?" 

"She told me she's going to rest" Jihee looked around. The place was a mess, and Seungcheol couldn't help but sigh.

"It's okay Hee. Did you sleep well at night?" Seungcheol slowly escorted Jihee out of the house, not before writing a note to Minji of course. 

"I did. I watched Gabby’s dollhouse with granny and she put me to sleep" Jihee smiled. Oh, he forgot about his ex mother in law. He didn't know she was at Minji's place.

"Where's granny then?"

"She went out to buy groceries" and when Seungcheol got out of Minji's house, he was met with the woman they were just talking about. She was holding two bags of groceries. 

"Seungcheol-ah, how are you?" She smiled at him, so pure and just like Minji’s. It always had comfort in it.

"I'm fine, I didn't know you were home?"

"I'll be staying for a month, as you know, she needs help. And who else will she go to if not me?" Seungcheol smiled, there was a contented feeling in knowing that there was someone for Minji. He knew she needed it.

"Take care, then, I'll see you later." He bowed to her, along with Jihee who kissed her granny's cheeks and then walked with Seungcheol. 

"Did you have breakfast?" Chaewon asked Jihee.

"No, unnie."

"I did pack two sandwiches, if you want" Yoongi offered, and Jihee just looked at him confused for a moment. Seungcheol was busy blaming himself for not thinking about breakfast.

"It's fine, I packed it for Chaewon but she already had breakfast. You can have this" Yoongi said again, nudging Seungcheol's elbow this time. 

"Yes, Jihee, take it. Also thank Yoongi samchon."

"Thank you, Yoongi samchon" she smiled and got it obediently. Yoongi gave Seungcheol a smile, it was meant to be assuring but Seungcheol was stressed out. 

When they finally reached the school, thankfully twenty minutes earlier, Seungcheol finally breathed it out. He kissed Jihee’s forehead and watched Yoongi do the same to Chaewon before they walked together. It was one of the most wholesome things that happened this morning.

"Are you alright?" Yoongi turned to Seungcheol once they were in the car and the kids were sufficiently at a good distance from them.

"A little"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I-" Seungcheol sighed. "I don't know, I'm angry but I don't know whom I'm angry at."

"It's okay, breathe it out. It is tough handling a kid and the custody just makes it worse. And it's on her this time, you don't have to blame yourself." Yoongi kept his arm on Seungcheol's shoulders who was on the verge of crying.

"You can cry to me"

And then the dam broke, Seungcheol found himself wailing against Yoongi's shoulders. 

"It's just, I don't know. I know she can do it and we can raise Jihee nice and good. Both of us have been decent parents and all of the sudden this stupid job of her which is very important to her, more than her child sometimes is messing things up. I don't like it" Yoongi stroked his back through it all, as Seungcheol let it all out.

"And I don't know how to not feel like I should take responsibility for it. I know it's not my fault. But were supposed to be together and now I broke it up, maybe I'm the wrong, I just-"

"You're not, Cheol-ah. You're doing way better. Look at you, you're happy now. Probably happier than you used to be."

"But for Jihee-"

"Jihee is fine, you're doing a good job at raising her. Maybe you might have to talk to Minji and do it for your kid and not do it for yourself. Or maybe Minji has a point that you have to understand. But I'm sure it'll be alright once you try to talk freely." Yoongi wiped his tears, swatting them off his cheeks. The elder just smiled at him, it was helping.

"Thank you hyung. It means a lot. And yes, I’ll talk to her once again" Yoongi then gave him a kiss on his forehead, Seungcheol returned it as a peck on his lips.

As per Yoongi's instructions, Seungcheol did show up at Minji's place the next day, which she said was her week off. And Seungcheol was glad that she's even getting a week off.

"Look, if you're going to blame my job, I understand. But to keep food in my belly, and Jihee's belly in some days, I need this job. I'm working my ass off for the promotion which I assume I'll get next week. If everything works out, I'll get better at being a mom. I can promise that." She concluded, and that's all Seungcheol needed to hear.

"It's settled then. But I do suggest keeping Jihee with me if there's only a week left for your promotion. It's better for both of us." Seungcheol reconsidered it thrice and even talked to Jeonghan and Yoongi about it. He doesn't need an extra pile of stress on his head.

"Alright. I'm at the loss here I'll do what you want to" Minji agreed, and Seungcheol considered his job done. He was about to walk out when

"I heard you got a boyfriend. My mom saw him the day you came to pick Jihee up" 

"He's not my boyfriend?" Seungcheol frowned, "he's- well, he's an elder brother whose kid goes to the same school as Jihee and we're just friends."

"Can you atleast not lie to me right now, Seungcheol? I'm not going to kill you if you date another man. And even if it's someone you're going to date in the future, I just want to know with no bad wishes behind it" He knew that, and of course he knew he had to tell her and Jihee if he's ever dating Yoongi. He had to explain everything to Jihee. But how can he tell Minji how complicated it is without getting shamed for it?

"Yes, maybe you can say we're seeing each other. But not dating, quite literally. He's got a kid who's 11 and it's hectic for both of us" he explained, Minji simply nodded.

"Whatever you do, I just hope you put Jihee first."

"Always" He promised, and Minji promised too. They were on a good deal.

"Told you it'll all be fine." Yoongi finger gun-ed him and Seungcheol just shrugged it off.

They were at a restaurant outside the hospital. It was Yoongi who wanted to join Seungcheol for lunch and so they were here.

"She also asked me if I'm dating you. Apparently my ex mother in law saw you in the car" Seungcheol said, biting down on the dumplings. He noticed Yoongi shifting in his seat.

"And what did you say?"

"I said we're seeing each other. We might date in the future, I mean, get serious and everything. She told me to put Jihee first, which I always do without her having to tell me" Yoongi just gave him a nod. Seungcheol was really so much like Yoongi, he could tell when Yoongi wasn't feeling it, or something was bothering him. 

"Is something wrong?" and he voiced it out.

"It's just- my ex wanted to know the same. And I told him, yes we were dating. I know I fucked up, I'm sorry"

Seungcheol felt like shit with flies flying on top of him.

"I know we didn't talk about it yet. And, yes, we didn't say if we were serious yet and I just"

"Hyung" Seungcheol stopped his word train with no end. "It's okay, and I think I just said that because we didn't talk. But that doesn't mean we're not- I mean, we're literally on a lunch date right now?"

"We are?" Yoongi gave out a broken laugh. 

"Of course, we are. I don't think i'd hesitate if I have to ask you on a date"

"Oh?" Yoongi smirked. "Then ask me out on a date?"

"You're not doing this right now"

"I am, and you deal with me" Seungcheol couldn't help but agree.

"Fine, so, Min Yoongi, would you officially date me and be my boyfriend?" Seungcheol held his hand out, there was embarrassment slithering up on his back but he can slide it off for Yoongi.

"Yes, now you act lucky"

"I am lucky"

"Oh my god, no" Yoongi held his temples, and Seungcheol was happy.

And they talked, for hours, to decide how to tell their loved ones who go by the names Chaewon and Jihee. Yoongi's idea was they go to Chaewon first, who's older and probably smarter. But Seungcheol couldn't imagine doing this two times, so they assembled the kids after school at an ice cream parlour.

"Okay, so you both are here because, we both need to tell you something" Yoongi started, the kids eyes immediately went to him.

"We both are dating" and he blurted out while Seungcheol’s eyes went wide, who was waiting for his more experienced speech about this.

"What-" Chaewon was the first one to react, as Jihee just stared at them cluelessly. Yoongi held Seungcheol's hand, and Chaewon raised her eyebrows.

"I mean, Seungcheol is going to be my boyfriend and I am going to be his boyfriend too" 

"But don't appa need a girlfriend?" Jihee spoke, eyeing her dad. Seungcheol probably said fuck heteronormitivity to himself a hundred times. All three of them were looking at him.

"Appa only needs who makes him happy, Jihee-ah. And Yoongi samchon makes me happy. So, I need him" 

"But, does that mean I have a sister now? Again?" Maybe Chaewon isn't smart after all, if that's the only question she had.

"What? No. I mean, yes, she can be your sister. But not legally?"

"Chaewon unnie is my sister?" Jihee's eyes widened, and she turned to Chaewon.

"She can be-"

"Yes, I'm your sister now." Chaewon smiled at Jihee, the same smile as Yoongi. Seungcheol chose to remain silent and watch the bond form.

"That's great! I can be Min Jihee then and not Choi Jihee"

"Guys, that's not the point. We're not married yet. And until we marry, you're Choi Jihee and you're Min Chaewon" Yoongi said, shutting down the conversation. Jihee simply frowned.

"Okay… also, what do I call him? I have been calling him doctor for months now?" Chaewon spoke, now it's another hard question that both adults didn't know how to answer.

"Call me Cheol maybe? I can do no honorific if I'm not going to be called ahjussi"

"Then Yoongi samchon can just be Gi?"

"Gi is cute" Yoongi agreed, which made Seungcheol smile.

"Oh then you can also help me with Biology, I've been struggling a lot."

"We can do that, Chaewon-ah. As long as you don't have a problem with me"

"If appa is happy, I'm happy too" chaewon smiled, probably the first time she smiled at him.

"Yes, if appa is happy, I'm happy" Jihee said, following Chaewon, making all of them smile. Seungcheol was feeling a lot.

He held Yoongi's hand tighter, who leaned to him a little. Seungcheol wanted Yoongi to lean on him completely, but he knew they can't do everything today. After all, Yoongi promised to take baby steps with him like romance is new for both of them. It all meant one thing, Yoongi was probably the best occurrence in the last three months, and he wasn't going to let go of it easily. And he knew Yoongi wouldn't, either. It puts them in perfect balance. 

Maybe that's all that Seungcheol was looking for, he was looking for a balance.