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Jungkook felt like he was going to vibrate out of his skin with excitement. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying his best to focus on the road. He felt a hand squeeze his thigh and looked to the passenger seat where Namjoon was flashing a big dimpled smile.
“Are you excited?” Namjoon asked, though he clearly knew the answer.
Jungkook giggled. “I think I could’ve run to the shelter if I wanted.”
Namjoon laughed brightly, taking one of Jungkook’s hands in his own and pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “Me too.”
These past six months living with Namjoon on the beach had been a dream come true. Even better than Jungkook had imagined it would be. They woke up together every day, took early morning swims in the ocean, and ate late night s’mores over bonfires. Shared kisses shared under the stars.
It was magic. Almost perfect.
The only problem was that Jungkook found himself alone much of the time. Namjoon worked full-time, and while there were some days that Jungkook could go with him, exploring the beach for samples, most days he spent alone in their beachside cottage. He was working from home currently, doing freelance photography before he found something more concrete.
He didn’t mind spending time on his own, but lately he’d begun to feel lonely. He found himself counting down the hours each day until Namjoon would be home again. The days when he had no photos to edit were particularly tough, no work to distract him from the quiet emptiness of the house.
It’s not that Jungkook hadn’t managed to make any friends. One of Namjoon’s coworkers, Taehyung, had come over to their house for dinner one night and had brought his boyfriend, Jimin. The four of them hit it off immediately. Now, they hung out weekly, Jungkook and Jimin spending time together when they could, but Jimin worked long hours as well, managing the only dance studio in their small beach town, and so his visits were limited.
Jungkook had done his best to hide his loneliness from Namjoon. He never complained, never wanted Namjoon to feel guilty for working and doing what he loved. He should’ve known that Namjoon, the person who knew him better than anyone, would see right through him.
Earlier that week, Namjoon got home from work and found Jungkook on the back porch, watching the waves while he sipped a mug of tea. He felt arms wrap around his waist and a kiss to his temple.
“Hey, love,” Namjoon said, resting his chin on Jungkook’s shoulder.
“Hey,” Jungkook said, leaning his head against Namjoon’s. “How was your day?”
“Ah, it was okay. I missed you.”
Jungkook giggled. "You saw me this morning.”
“Yeah, and that was too long ago!” Namjoon replied, squeezing Jungkook tightly and nipping at his neck. Jungkook squealed with laughter as Namjoon’s hands gripped his sides, right where he was most ticklish.
“ Hyung,” he whined, trying to catch his breath, but unable to stop giggling.
Namjoon grabbed his hands, turning him around so that they faced each other. “It makes me happy to hear you laugh like that,” he said, smiling. “I’m sorry I've been working so much and haven’t been able to take you in the field with me these past couple weeks. I miss you so much, and I can only imagine what it's like for you, here in this empty house.” He took Jungkook’s face in his hand and rubbed his thumb over his cheek.
Jungkook tried to dismiss his worries. “I’m fine, hyung. I don’t mind some time alone. Besides, I’m so proud of you.”
Namjoon sighed. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Hey!” Jungkook said, slapping at his chest. “No self-deprecation allowed! I promise, Namjoon-ah, I’m really okay.”
“Well, that’s a shame,” Namjoon said, smiling almost deviously. “Because I had an idea I thought you would really like.”
Jungkook cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
“Tae was showing me a picture of Yeontan today, and I had an idea. About a way to keep you company while I’m gone all day. How would you feel about getting a dog?”
Jungkook's eyes widened. “ Hyung. Are you serious?”
Namjoon nodded, “What do you think?”
Jungkook threw his arms around Namjoon’s neck, hugging him tightly. “Yes!”
And now here they were, pulling up to the shelter after a near thirty-minute drive. As Jungkook got out of the car, his body felt alight with pure happiness. Not only would he have a dog for the first time since moving out of his parent’s house, but it would be their dog. His and Namjoon’s. Together. They’d talked about the implications of getting a pet together and both understood the gravity of this next step. But Jungkook wasn’t worried. He knew this was it. He’d known Namjoon was the one from the moment he’d met him, all those years ago. Even if it had taken quite a while for him to confess his feelings and realize they were returned.
Namjoon intertwined their fingers as they walked to the door, squeezing Jungkook’s palm gently. “Remember, we want an adult dog.”
Jungkook nodded. “No puppies.” They’d agreed on this last night. Puppies were cute, but too much work. And potty training was the worst.
“Hello,” Namjoon said to the woman seated at the front desk. Jungkook could hear the faint sound of barking echoing from within the building. “I’m Kim Namjoon, and this is my boyfriend Jungkook. We got an email last night that our application had been approved.”
The woman smiled warmly. “Oh, yes! I remember your application. Right this way!”
They were led through a set of double doors, and the barking grew louder.
“Ahh, hyung, I’m so excited,” Jungkook whispered, pressing himself to Namjoon’s side.
The room was full of twenty or so kennels, with dogs of all shapes and sizes, along with a few cats as well. Jungkook felt like a child in a toy store, barely able to contain his glee. He pulled Namjoon by the hand as he practically ran to the closest kennel. Inside was a black pug, her curled tail wagging excitedly when she saw Jungkook.
“Hyung, look at this one!” Jungkook said. “It’s so cute!”
“Kook-ah, it says here she’s already been adopted,” Namjoon said. “Good for you, Kimchi!” Kimchi wiggled her little butt as she danced in a circle, snorting loudly. Namjoon and Jungkook both giggled at the sight.
“Let’s look at the next one,” Jungkook said, undeterred.
They walked along the kennels, greeting each dog with sweet voices. Jungkook would’ve taken them all if he could, but he was sure when he saw the right dog, something would click in his brain, letting him know that it was meant to be.
“Jungkook, come here,” Namjoon said, waving Jungkook over. In the kennel was a red doberman puppy, its head cocked to the side as it stared at Namjoon. “It says he’s only 8 weeks old,” Namjoon said, reading the clipboard hanging on the kennel door. “His previous owners abandoned him.”
“Poor baby,” Jungkook said. The dog turned to look at him, and there it was. That click in Jungkook’s brain. “Hyung, I know we said no puppies but –”
“He’s ours,” Namjoon said, taking Jungkook’s hand. “Don’t you feel it?”
Jungkook nodded, smiling brightly.
Less than twenty minutes later the adoption papers were signed, fees paid, and Jungkook and Namjoon were loading their new family member into the car. They’d asked for a name when signing the papers, and Jungkook had decided on Bam. Bam sat in Jungkook’s lap as Namjoon drove, covering his face in sweet puppy kisses.
Their first stop after the shelter was the pet store, where they bought everything Bam could possibly need, as well as some things he definitely didn’t. Jungkook carried him as they shopped, not wanting him to touch the floor since he wasn’t fully vaccinated yet. Namjoon grabbed a collar decorated with Iron Man symbols and a red name tag to match, engraved with both of their names and Jungkook’s phone number. Bam slept peacefully in Jungkook’s lap the rest of the way home, apparently exhausted by his first adventure.
“Welcome to your new home, Bam,” Namjoon said as they led him into the house for the first time. Bam’s tail stood straight up as he sniffed, taking in his surroundings, and then he was off like a rocket, bounding around the house to explore, nearly tripping over his chunky little legs and his tail wagging so fast Jungkook could barely see it.
“Let me get my camera!” Jungkook exclaimed, running to the bedroom.
They spent the next few hours playing with Bam’s new toys and setting up his food bowls and kennel. Namjoon and Jungkook were completely infatuated by the little dog already. Everything he did was adorable and funny. The way he wiggled his butt before pouncing on a toy or tripped over his own feet while running to jump in their laps. Jungkook took at least 100 photos of him.
Yes, it was all cute, until later that evening, when Namjoon had left the room for a moment and Jungkook spotted Bam squatting over his boyfriend’s favorite hoodie. “Bam, no!” Jungkook squawked in panic, but it was too late; Bam began to pee, soaking the fabric. Jungkook grabbed the puppy and ran him outside. “I’m so sorry, hyung!” Jungkook said when he came back in, trying his hardest not to cry. “I should have been watching him more closely.” But Namjoon just laughed, squeezing Jungkook against his side and placing a kiss to his hair.
“I shouldn’t have left it on the floor,” Namjoon said with an easy smile. “Don’t worry, baby, it’ll come out.” He turned to Bam. “But you, mister, are going to have to learn to potty outside.” Bam cocked his head innocently before running off to pounce on a toy.
That night, Jungkook insisted Bam sleep in the kennel on his own, much to Namjoon’s shock.
“He has to learn to sleep through the night,” Jungkook explained.
“I didn’t expect my sweet Jungkookie to be such a stern dog dad.”
Jungkook giggled as he readjusted the blankets in Bam’s kennel. He didn’t want to leave Bam in the crate either, but he knew it was for the best. Bam had to learn to sleep through the night on his own.
“Be a good boy, Bammie,” Jungkook said, scratching between his ears. “Daddy and I will see you in the morning.”
“Daddy?” Namjoon said, raising an eyebrow.
“Shut up.” Jungkook's cheeks flushed.
“No, I like it,” Namjoon said with a dimpled smile. “We’re both his daddies, huh, Bam?” Jungkook smiled and warmth spread through his chest as he watched Namjoon place a stuffed Spiderman plush in the kennel and give Bam a kiss goodnight. It was only a few minutes after Namjoon and Jungkook had gotten comfortable in their bed Bam began to cry.
“Jungkook.”
“Just ignore it, he’ll stop,” Jungkook said, trying his best to ignore the pitiful cries himself.
It wasn’t much longer before the cries turned into full on howls .
“ Jungkook,” Namjoon said with an audible pout. “He’s just a baby.”
Jungkook groaned. “Alright, but just for tonight. Tomorrow we’ll move the crate in here with us and see if he does better.”
Jungkook could barely make out Namjoon’s grin in the dark.
“Thank you, baby.” He kissed Jungkook's cheek.
“You big softie,” Jungkook grumbled, unable to contain his own smile.
When Namjoon returned he tucked Bam between their bodies, and the puppy surprisingly laid down, immediately falling asleep, perfectly content now that he had his dads on either side of him. Jungkook ran his hand over the puppy’s soft fur, happy that Bam felt as much comfort here as Jungkook had when he’d moved in with Namjoon.
“Look how cute he is,” Namjoon cooed. “Baby! We should bring him to the boardwalk. Like a little family outing.” He kissed Bam’s head and Jungkook melted.
“Hyung, we can’t bring him out until he’s had all of his shots,” Jungkook reminded him.
“Oh, right,” Namjoon said, sighing. He sat up suddenly. “What if we borrowed Yeontan’s carrier! You know the one that’s like a front-facing backpack? Just to get some ice cream?” Jungkook could just barely make out the shape of his pouting lower lip in the darkness of their bedroom, but he could hear it in Namjoon’s voice. And who was he to deny such a sweet request?
“I think that would be okay.”
“Yay!” Namjoon leaned over and kissed Jungkook’s smiling mouth.
And two days later there they were, ice creams in hand as Bam dangled limply from the carrier on Jungkook’s chest, completely worn out from his latest adventure. The night was cool, the sunset turning the horizon into a collection of oranges and pinks as the waves broke softly against the shore. As they walked hand in hand back to the car, Jungkook couldn’t stop smiling.