Chapter Text
Flashing lights, reporters swarming around him, microphones shoved in front of him, this is what life is like for Kim Seokjin.
Senator Kim Seokjin.
Known as one of the youngest politicians at 35, Seokjin is best known for being one of the very few ones who has grit and courage to oppose the government’s wrongdoings. Many people have praised him for this, and that’s all that matters with him.
As he has always been one for the people, he’s rarely surrounded with security guards. He wants people to feel that they can reach out to him, and talk to him. But with a recent attempt on his life as he walked out of a Senate hearing, his parents, more specifically his mother, have asked him to have bodyguards with him at all times.
This attack caused a massive injury to one of his bodyguards which made him unable to work for a while. Turns out, a bullet on the leg takes quite a long time to heal.
“You don’t have to send out another bodyguard, Mother.” Seokjin says through the phone with a hushed voice, hand massaging his forehead.
“We cannot risk it, Seokjin! Two bodyguards are not enough, your father is sending you another one.” His mother replied.
“It just seems so obnoxious to have three bodyguards around me all the time.” Seokjin sighed. “It’s not exactly ideal, especially for a politician like me.”
“After that attempt to attack you, you need more bodyguards. If it were up to me, you’d be surrounded with 7 more bodyguards every day, every hour, every single second.” His mom replied.
“Okay, Mother, you’re being ridiculous now.” Seokjin said and sighed in defeat. “Fine. But just one bodyguard, okay? I know Father’s security agency has one of the best so I trust his judgment on this.”
“Okay, darling! Your dad will contact you soon about it, okay?” His mother said, voice suddenly cheerful. “I love you, sweetie, don’t forget to rest, okay? We’ll see you soon.”
“I love you too, Mother.” Seokjin said and hung up.
He sat back on his chair and let out a sigh, closing his eyes for a moment. It’s already 9 in the evening and he’s still in the office still reading tons of papers he needs to finish.
“Senator, it’s 9PM.” His secretary, Yoongi, told him, placing his clipboard on the senator’s table. “The interns got off around 5, and the other employees around 6. We’re the only ones here. And your bodyguards outside.”
“Right, right, we should head home.” Seokjin said, standing up from his seat and taking his coat with him. “There are no reporters or people outside the office during normal work days, I don’t get why I need to have two bodyguards with me at all times. Three, adding the one my parents are hiring soon.”
“Frankly, after someone tried to shoot you, bodyguards are exactly what you need.” Yoongi said, gathering some papers he knew his boss would like to read when he gets home. “You can’t serve the people when you’re dead. We still have a lot of unfinished business out here.”
“Yeah, fine, fine.” Seokjin said, heading out of the office where two of his bodyguards were.
The two were just as tall as Seokjin, but they definitely have more muscles than him. Still quite concerning that he can be shot easily on the head if someone wanted to.
Once Seokjin was dropped off in his apartment, the bodyguards left and were finally relieved of their duties for the day.
He took a shower, changed into pajamas, wire his eyeglasses and plopped on his bed with more papers in hand. He’s re-reading the minutes of the last Senate hearing, preparing for the next one.
While reading, his phone lit up with a notification coming from his Mother.
“New bodyguard cming tmrw 7am. Sent ur address. Luv u my darling -mother”
Seokjin chuckled. He sent a thumbs and a heart to his mother before locking his phone and going back to his reading.
He doesn’t know what time he fell asleep but Seokjin was awoken by a doorbell coming from his living room. He groaned, sitting up and spaced out for a moment, staring blankly at the blank TV across his bed. It was interrupted when he heard the doorbell again and he yawned, hopping out of bed with his eyeglasses in hand.
Without even sparing a glance in the mirror, Seokjin went to his front door to open it and see who’s ringing his doorbell this early in the morning.
He stared at the man in front of him, shoulders wide, arms and chest bulky in his black shirt, and a silver necklace dangling on his neck. Seokjin, finally coming to his senses, closed the door, leaving only a centimeter to communicate with the stranger outside.
“Who are you?” Seokjin asked.
“Um, this is Senator Kim Seokjin, right?” The guy asked, skeptical and confused.
“Who are you?” Seokjin asked again, firmer.
“Oh, um, I’m Kim Namjoon.” The man introduced. “Kim Securities sent me here. You’re Senator Kim Seokjin, right?”
“How do I know you’re actually a security personnel and not a murderer?” Seokjin asked with an eyebrow raised.
“Oh, um, yeah, I can show you my ID, I guess?” Namjoon said, patting his pants and finally getting his wallet. Seokjin watched him fumble the cards in his wallet, some dropping on the floor. Seokjin was sure a 10,000 won bill also flew away for some unexplainable reason. “Here.” Namjoon handed it to him politely with a bow through the small gap.
Seokjin took the card and examined it for a while. Convinced that he is actually a guard sent by his father’s agency, he opened the door and he watched this Namjoon guy pick up his cards on the floor. Seokjin returned the ID to him and he stepped back to let him in.
“Come in.” Seokjin said. “If you murder me, just know you’re the only prime suspect. I do have CCTV cameras all around my place.”
Namjoon bowed to him and entered. Seokjin closed the door and led the way, telling Namjoon to sit down on his couch in the living room. Namjoon sat on the couch carefully, while Seokjin got him a glass of water. He’s not exactly the warmest host, nor is he knowledgeable in welcoming people into his home, but this is the best he can do right now.
Seokjin placed a coaster on his coffee table and the glass of water in which his gesture was received with a bow.
“I’ll have to get ready for a while.” Seokjin said. “I’ll be out half an hour tops.”
“Yes, sir.” Namjoon said, standing up and bowing.
Seokjin went back to his room to start preparing for work today. He picked out a suit and hopped in the shower.
He’s a man, he doesn’t need that much time in the shower, nor prepare.
And as a man of his word, Seokjin was out in the living room in half an hour. He spots Namjoon drinking from his glass of water and he walks up to him while fixing his necktie.
“We can go.” Seokjin said.
Namjoon stands up abruptly, making the water spill on his shirt and almost losing grip of the glass. However, thanks to Seokjin’s fast reflexes, he was able to support it from the bottom.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Senator.” Namjoon said, bowing his head while holding out the glass with stretched arms.
“It’s okay.” Seokjin said, taking the glass and placing it on his kitchen counter. “Just a little spill. I have tissues in my car, just wipe it away.”
They walked out of Seokjin’s apartment and into the building’s parking lot where Seokjin’s car is. The two bodyguards were already there, and Seokjin handed the keys to one of them while the other guard opened the door for him.
Namjoon was about to sit on the front seat where he usually is with his previous clients, but Dohan, the one who opened the door for Seokjin, stopped him.
“That’s my seat.” He said. “Get in the back with the Senator.”
“W-with the… with the Senator?” Namjoon asked.
The guard just looked at him like he’s stupid and tilted his head to gesture that he should be at the back. Having no choice, Namjoon gulped and went to sit on the back of the car, next to the Senator. There’s a huge gap between them, obviously, but still, he was nervous.
While on their way to the office, Seokjin was reading something on his tablet, biting his index finger as he did so.
“I don’t have time to brief you about everything so Dohan and Bomin will do it.” Seokjin said without even looking at Namjoon.
“Oh, um, okay, Senator.” Namjoon said, nodding.
“Please, don’t call me Senator, it’s too… too much.” Seokjin said. “Just Seokjin. Or whatever their codename is for me.”
“Okay. Seokjin-ssi.” Namjoon nodded again, fiddling with his hands.
“Since you’re new, all you need to do is learn from these two and maybe observe the usual day of work, learn the most important times of the day, additional protocols and whatever is needed.” Seokjin said. “So just relax, okay? You’ve been tense since you arrived in my apartment.”
“Oh, um, sorry.” Namjoon said.
They arrived at the office at exactly 8 o’clock on the dot. Yoongi was already there, keeping the interns busy with whatever he wanted them to do while waiting. They greeted Seokjin and he gave them a smile before sitting on his table.
The bodyguards were left outside the door, briefing Namjoon of his job while also on duty.
“Yoongi, what’s today’s agenda?” Seokjin asked. “Any important meetings?”
“There's honestly not much today so we thought it would be the best time to brainstorm some bills to propose.” Yoongi said. “The interns have drafted some and they wanted you to look into them.”
“Okay, let’s do that.” Seokjin said with a smile. “What time should we start?”
“We’re thinking after lunch, around 1.” Yoongi said, checking his clipboard. “Also, the Senate hearing for the casino raid was moved to Friday afternoon so we have more time to prepare for it.”
“Okay.” Seokjin said. “Looks like I actually have time for breakfast today. Can you call Namjoon outside?”
“Namjoon? A new guy?” Yoongi asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah.” Seokjin said, arranging the papers on the table. “Mother wouldn’t stop hounding me about having another bodyguard after the incident, especially since Geonu got injured.”
“And you’re going to ask him to run errands?” Yoongi asked.
Seokjin looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Would you rather do it?”
There was a pause for a while before he headed towards the door, calling out Namjoon’s name. Seokjin chuckled, rolling his eyes at his secretary before going back to the papers on his table.
Namjoon peeks his head from the door before entering inside. He saw his boss on the table, busy signing some papers so he walked towards him.
“Sir? You called for me?” Namjoon said, catching Seokjin’s attention.
“Ah, yes.” Seokjin said. “There’s a cafe on the ground floor, can you please get me a hot americano and an egg sandwich? And you should also get something for yourself, Dohan, and Bomin.”
Namjoon nodded.
“Here’s my card.” Seokjin said, handing it to him.
“I’ll be right back.” Namjoon bowed, and left the office.
Yoongi suddenly emerges out of nowhere, a knowing smirk on his lips. Seokjin rolled his eyes, handing him some papers he’s finished.
“So that’s the new guy.” Yoongi said in a teasing tone.
“Yep.” Seokjin said, scrambling through more papers. “I’m gonna need another copy of this in case it gets lost. We’ll have to safekeep the original document.”
“Got it.” Yoongi nodded. “Jimin-ah, I have a task for you!”
With Yoongi finally leaving him alone, Seokjin can finally start reading the papers which needed his immediate attention.
Halfway through reading, he heard a knock from his door and an intern immediately stood up to check who it was.
“Um, for Senator Kim. He asked me to buy this.” Namjoon said through the door.
“Let him in.” Seokjin said, putting down his glasses on the table. “Did you get something for yourselves?”
“Yes, Senator. Thank you.” Namjoon nodded and placed the coffee and paper bag of sandwich on the table.
However, with the clash of their hands as Namjoon puts the coffee down and Seokjin reaching out for it, the coffee spilled all over the papers on the table.
Namjoon gasped, trying to catch the falling cup but it was already too late. The papers on the table are now tinted brown, some stacks have already fallen on the floor after Namjoon’s attempt to catch the cup.
Knowing immediately that he fucked up, Namjoon knelt on the wet floor with his head bowed down and hands firmly on his thighs.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Senator! I deserve to be punished, I’m really sorry!” Namjoon said, eyes closed tightly.
“What are you doing? Get up.” Seokjin said, eyes furrowed while patting his handkerchief on his pantsuit.
“I’m so sorry, I deserve to be punished! You can fire me if you want, Senator Kim, I’m so sorry!” Namjoon said, still on his knees, rubbing his hands together as an apology.
Seokjin raised his eyebrows and sighed.
“Will you please just get up first?” He said, holding Namjoon’s wrist and forcing him to get up. “First of all, never kneel in front of me. It makes me feel bad.”
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel that way, Sir.” Namjoon said, head still hanging low.
“These papers are photocopies, the original copies are safe in Yoongi’s desk so don’t worry.” Seokjin explained. “Can you just get me my extra suit in the car?”
“Yes, Sir.” Namjoon nodded with his head still bowed. “I’m truly, truly sorry, Senator Kim.”
“You’re dismissed.” Seokjin said and Namjoon walked out of the office.
The interns have finished wiping the spilt coffee on Seokjin’s seat and he thanked them. One by one, Seokjin and Yoongi separated the documents while the interns listed them down to be photocopied again.
“Lucky you don’t have a lot of paper on your table.” Yoongi said. “And you’re being too kind. When I met you, you literally growled when I accidentally stepped on your shoes. Keyword: accidentally.”
“When I met you, I was a teenager, Yoongi.” Seokjin chuckled. “There are other things far more upsetting than spilt coffee.”
“Really?” Yoongi asked in a suggestive tone.
“Just have these photocopied again, that’s all we’re doing today.” Seokjin said, leaning back on his chair.
“You do have a meeting by 3.” Yoongi said.
“Photocopy then meeting.” Seokjin said. “Have the photocopies in my car so I can read it at home.”
“Senator, you always work so hard.” Jimin, one of the interns, said while writing down the documents to be photocopied. “I always wonder whether you even rest at home.”
“Oh, he doesn’t.” Yoongi said, shaking his head.
“Hey, I do sleep.” Seokjin said, eyebrows furrowed.
“Sleep is not the only type of rest.” Yoongi said. “And you sleep at like 3 or 4 in the morning, I see you on Kakaotalk.”
“That app is not accurate, don’t even believe it.” Seokjin said. “Anyway, just focus on this, please, so we can go home early.”
“You heard the boss.” Yoongi said.
As soon as Namjoon brought the suit Seokjin had asked him, Seokjin changed into them and went on to his meeting while the interns and other staff were in the copy room with a bunch of papers.
The meeting was done in an hour, leaving Seokjin an extra hour in his day. His staff had already gone home, Yoongi was excited because he could prepare early for his date, the interns were excited to hang out and drink after work, and Seokjin had nothing to do but go home in his large, cold apartment.
Seokjin wonders about his personal life while sitting in the backseat of his car, looking out through the window as the city flashes before him.
He loves his work, he really does, because he’s finally fulfilling his small dream of creating a change in the world. A small and gradual change but still a change.
It will be almost a year since he was elected a senator, his face was almost everywhere for being called the youngest senator, for being opposed to the other senators’ decisions, and for fearlessly exposing the dirt against the government.
Yet he wonders. He wonders what’s waiting for him outside of politics. What if he doesn’t get elected again? His win was due to pure luck, his mother adding that his good looks probably played a part because people are tired of seeing old, potbellied, balding senators and congressmen.
And he wants to get married too. But it’s impossible with homophobic politicians leading their country.
He’s tried many times, with a few younger senators, to pass a bill protecting the rights of those in the LGBTQ+ community, protect them against discrimination, and to legalize gay marriage but it always gets denied before it even reaches the President.
Although it is not a public knowledge that Seokjin is gay, and he doesn’t think it’s that important, he’s still known to the community as a fierce ally.
As soon as Seokjin arrived home, he plopped on the couch, letting out a huge sigh.
He loves his work, he really does, but there are days when he just feels so… stagnant. It’s like no matter how hard he works, he can’t see any progress.
But that’s his life. The moment he accepted his election, he already dedicated his life to public service, leaving behind his own personal life. But he wanted it, and he’s happy, but sometimes, he feels too burnt out over the most mundane things.
Today was one of those days.
*~*~*~*~*~*
“So a run-down for tomorrow’s schedule, we have to be ready and prepared by 9A.M. for Senator Kim’s commencement speech in SNU, and then we have a celebratory lunch with Senator Kim’s foundation scholars, and then we have a few invitations for your appearance in different events.” Yoongi said, tapping at his leather notebook.
“Any news on the bills we proposed?” Seokjin asked.
“Not a single feedback.” Yoongi said with a pursed smile.
The interns groaned, knowing that they, along with Senator Kim, worked really hard on it. Seokjin nodded and smiled.
“Hey, don’t lose hope.” Seokjin encouraged them. “I know you guys really want to get it on the first try but sometimes, these guys don’t really care about how it could help the people. Don’t lose hope, we’ll try again, okay?”
The interns nodded, smiling at their boss’ encouragement.
“I’m thinking of collaborating with Senator Taehyung Kim.” Seokjin said. “He’s a few years older than me and he’s already cemented his name in politics. The other Senators and Congressmen respect him.”
“Because he’s a nepo baby.” Jimin said, rolling his eyes with his arms crossed in front of him. Jihyo elbowed him on the side, offering a sweet smile to their boss.
“I know.” Seokjin said with a smile. “As much as we don’t like to smooch off of other people’s connections, sometimes we can use it to our advantage and let it be our leverage. And Taehyung’s my friend, he’d love to help us for sure.”
“Should I pen a meeting with Senator Kim?” Yoongi asked.
“Can you ask if he’s free for dinner this weekend?” Seokjin asked. “I feel like if we get him as my co-author for the proposed bill for LGBTQ+ rights, they might listen.”
Yoongi nodded and made a call from his table. Few minutes later, there was a knock on the door, revealing a smiling Taehyung with open arms as he walked towards Seokjin.
“I’ve been waiting for your call!” Taehyung sajd, hugging Seokjin and patting his back. “I thought we’re not friends anymore.”
“I just got busy.” Seokjin said with a smile, pulling away from Taehyung and patting his back. “How’ve you been?”
“Good, good! And you?” Taehyung asked.
“Alive.” Seokjin chuckled. “I was wondering if you’re free for dinner this weekend? It’s been a while.”
“Sure, sure! And it’s my treat.” Taehyung said. “Let’s talk about the bill you want, okay? Oh, I’ve never felt this excited in my work ever.”
“Glad I got you somewhat excited to work.” Seokjin said with a smile.
“I’ll tell my secretary to reserve a table for us, I’ll let you know, okay?” Taehyung said, squeezing Seokjin’s shoulder. “Your interns can come, make it a learning experience for them.”
“Am I included?” Yoongi asked jokingly.
“No.” Taehyung shook his head jokingly.
“I’ll still come anyway.” Yoongi said, rolling his eyes.
“I believe you.” Taehyung laughed. “Well, I’ll see you all later, okay?”
“Thanks, Senator Kim!” Seokjin said with a smile, giving him a bow as the older senator left his office.
“We are not going.” Yoongi immediately told the interns.
A collective groan was heard from the group.
“But Senator Kim invited us.” Jihyo said.
“It’s called courtesy.” Yoongi said.
“We’ll have a group dinner next time, okay?” Seokjin assured them.
“But Senator Kim…” Jimin trailed off.
“Jimin’s got a huge crush on him.” Sohee teased.
“I do not.” Jimin denied, covering Sohee’s mouth with his hands. “Thank you, Senator, we’ll get back to work.”
As the work day ended, his bodyguards dropped Seokjin off his apartment and left to rest for the night.
However, that night, Namjoon had an uneasy feeling settling in his heart. It was unexplainable, yet it wouldn’t go away no matter how hard he tries to put it off.
“Can you turn the car around back to Senator Kim’s apartment?” Namjoon asked Bomin.
“Why?” Bomin asked, eyebrows furrowed. “Is something wrong? Did he call?”
“No.” Namjoon said.
“We can’t fraternize with our clients, Namjoon.” Dohan said. “Once we're off the clock, we’re off the clock.”
Namjoon kept quiet, his hands clasped together.
As soon as Namjoon was dropped off his block, he waited for his colleagues to be gone before hailing a taxi back to Senator Kim’s apartment complex.
“Can you please wait for me? It won’t take long.” Namjoon told the cab driver.
He went up to the Senator’s front door and walked back and forth, thinking if he’s breaking protocol by checking on his client. To justify his actions, he thinks that checking on Senator Kim, even after working hours, is still part of his job. His safety is their top priority after all.
He gulped and knocked on the door.
“God, I hope he doesn’t think I’m being annoying.” Namjoon muttered.
Seokjin opened the door shortly, already in his pajamas and wearing glasses while drying his hair with a towel.
“Namjoon?” Seokjin asked. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, um, just wanna make sure you’re safe.” Namjoon said, fiddling with his fingers.
“I am.” Seokjin nodded with eyebrows furrowed. “Why?”
“Um, nothing.” Namjoon said. “I apologize for imposing on your private time this evening.”
Seokjin looked at him confused and with eyebrows furrowed. He sighed and looked at Namjoon.
“Let this be the first and last time, Namjoon.” Seokjin said. “I know my safety is your priority, but you’re off-work now, I’m off-work, so that’s that.”
“I’m so sorry.” Namjoon said apologetic, head bowed down.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Seokjin said, closing the apartment door.
Namjoon sighed and bumped his head on Seokjin’s door. The uneasy feeling never left even after seeing Seokjin is safe, so he doesn’t know whether he should stand there and make sure he’s safe all night or just go home as he was told.
Until he heard what seemed to be a window crashing followed by Seokjin’s scream.
Without any thoughts, he kicked Seokjin’s door open. Fucking metal doors, why were they invented in the first place?
With adrenaline rushing through him, he punched the keypad of Seokjin’s door to deactivate it and the door opened. He ran inside to see Seokjin under his glass coffee table, and he saw glass on his floor, and he saw the broken window.
He didn’t hear a gunshot being fired but a bullet flew past him, almost getting him by the ear. He crouched down and immediately got the huge pillow from Seokjin’s couch.
“Can you crawl over to me? We need to get out of here.” Namjoon asked.
Seokjin, visibly scared, nodded and crawled over to Namjoon. Namjoon pushed over the couch at an angle that would protect them when they try to get out of the apartment.
“Hug this.” Namjoon said, giving the huge pillow to Seokjin.
Seokjin followed and hugged the pillow, closing his eyes while shaking. Namjoon knelt, head still low and hooked his arm under Seokjin’s leg and on his back.
With all his might, he pushed himself up and within 2 seconds, they were out of the apartment followed by bullets hitting the hallway walls.
Namjoon carried Seokjin down the stairs, dodging every window he could see. He didn’t take the risk of taking the elevator, thinking that the whole building is now compromised.
The cab driver, upon seeing Namjoon carrying a person, got out of his car.
“What’s happening?” The driver asked.
“Just open the door, please!” Namjoon said.
The driver hurriedly opened the back seat and Namjoon carefully placed Seokjin on the seat before entering himself. Namjoon said his address and the cab drove away.