Work Text:
Namjoon has his head down with Soobin, checking things off one of their endless lists, when he becomes aware of just the tiniest bit of scent: freshly baked pastries.
He lifts his head, and Jungkook is standing next to Taehyun, looking unsure. “Taehyunie said I could come in?” he says, or asks, his voice rising high at the end of the sentence.
Even with all his pre-event nerves, Namjoon can’t help but smile at Jungkook, neat and proper in a burgundy suit with a black shirt under it. Taehyung’s doing, most likely. Namjoon takes a moment he doesn’t entirely have to step forward and wrap his arms around the omega. “You’re always welcome here,” he says into Jungkook’s hair.
Jungkook’s scent flares for a moment, then retreats into a socially-acceptable, barely detectable level. Namjoon fights the urge to bury his nose in Jungkook’s scent gland. He’s busy, and at work, and he’s not officially a member of Jungkook’s pack; scenting him in public, especially as an alpha, would be inappropriate. But he knows his own scent, “green and growing things” as Jungkook describes it, has crept out a bit too.
He controls himself on multiple levels and lets go of Jungkook. “I have to…” he says, gesturing behind him at a mostly patient Soobin. “But look around, see what you think.”
“I don’t want to be in the way,” Jungkook says.
“Taehyun-ssi will take care of you.”
“I don’t have anything to do until the showing officially opens,” Taehyun says. “Come on, hyung, I’ll show you my favorite piece.”
“Okay,” Jungkook says. With one last shy glance at Namjoon, he lets himself be led away.
Namjoon allows himself a heartfelt sigh before turning back to Soobin, who is nearly vibrating with the need to get going. “Sorry,” he says. “Where are we on social media?”
“Yeonjun is—” Soobin looks behind Namjoon and cuts himself off. “Yeonjun-ssi!” he hisses. “I told you to leave the caterers alone!”
Yeonjun rolls his eyes but steps away from the waiters laying out trays of hors d'oeuvres. “Fine. I’ll go take pictures of Jungkook hyung with the artwork. If that doesn’t bring in traffic, I don’t know what will.”
Namjoon can’t disagree. “Ask permission before you post anything,” he warns, and Yeonjun gives him a lazy salute before loping off with his camera.
The artist of the evening, Lee Taemin, comes in, and Huening Kai hurries over to be his assigned shadow for the evening. Namjoon gives Taemin a pre-showing pep talk. “You’ve done this before, so just remember: these are your guests at your party. Talk about the paintings and your process as much as you want; Taehyun or Beomgyu or I will tag in once people start making noises about buying things. You’re the artist tonight, not a salesman.”
“I'd heard you were good at this,” Taemin says, shoulders relaxing a little, “and I can see why. Thank you, Namjoon-ssi.”
“Try to have as much fun as possible,” Namjoon says, and sets Taemin on his way as the doors officially open.
The majority of Jungkook’s pack are among the first to arrive; Hoseok and Jimin are running late, but Hoseok was sure to send an emoji-filled text conveying their apologies. Seokjin and Yoongi come at seven on the dot. The next time Namjoon has time to look, Yoongi has vanished (presumably into the kitchen) and Seokjin has sweet-talked a waiter into letting him carry a tray of canapes through the room. He is swarmed, and probably not because the food is that outstanding.
“Don’t let him hand out champagne,” he murmurs to Soobin, who is also watching it happen. “That’s not in the budget.”
Soobin nods, dimples appearing briefly. “Understood.”
Taehyung appears out of nowhere, buttonholes Taemin for a brief but intense conversation, then goes to examine every painting with utter fascination. Namjoon hears him in conversation with no fewer than three prospective buyers in the course of the first hour.
“Everyone he talks to buys a painting,” Taehyun tells Namjoon. “He’s almost as good as me.”
“Should we offer him a commission?” Namjoon asks Jungkook.
“Don’t encourage him,” Jungkook whispers.
“But it’s profitable if I do,” Namjoon whispers back, and Jungkook hides a giggle behind one hand.
Namjoon has found himself, without consciously meaning to, taking Jungkook around the gallery with him. He keeps a hand on Jungkook’s back whenever he can, introducing him to patron after buyer after debutante. Jungkook is shy but willing to take part in every conversation if asked. Otherwise he’s just there, at Namjoon’s side, keeping him grounded and calm—if occasionally a little distracted.
***
On their second or third pass around the galley, Namjoon notices that Seokjin is speaking with an older woman in front of one of the larger abstract paintings on show tonight. Laughing would be more accurate, actually. The woman is holding a glass of champagne in one hand and covering her mouth with the other. And Seokjin looks like he’s…reeling in a fish.
Namjoon raises his eyebrows at Jungkook and Jungkook shrugs, though his face scrunches cutely in amusement.
“Do you know that woman?” Jungkook asks after a moment. They’ve stopped their stroll to watch Seokjin and the woman continue their conversation (or, Seokjin’s one-man comedy act).
That’s one of the things Namjoon has enjoyed most of all this evening, getting to let Jungkook into his world, sharing little anecdotes about various guests and watching Jungkook take it all in.
Namjoon needs another few seconds before he realizes he does know the woman Seokjin is talking to. “I do, yeah. Park Eunseo. She’s a journalist who specializes in art news. Not exactly a critic, but…”
Jungkook turns toward him and Namjoon is briefly distracted by his large doe eyes blinking at him, all of Jungkook’s attention focused solely on Namjoon, encouraging him to continue. It makes something flutter in his stomach.
“She’s a member of an old professor’s pack. Our class had a small cohort and he’d invite us to dinner occasionally. Everyone in his pack had some ties to art and Eunseo-nim happened to have an art column in a magazine.
“Eunseo-nim was very kind and didn’t mind that I always monopolized her time during those dinners. We spent hours talking about art and philosophy. I had a lot to say back then," Namjoon adds, tone going a little self-deprecating.
Jungkook gives him a knowing look, a gleam in his kind eyes, but doesn’t say anything about how Namjoon still has a lot to say. Namjoon’s face heats, head dipping down to his chest, feeling both bashful and seen.
It’s then that Seokjin seems to spot them; his smile somehow manages to grow wider and brighter as he takes them in. This, too, sends a thrill through Namjoon, and he squeezes Jungkook’s hand reflexively. Jungkook squeezes back.
“Namjoon-ah, Jungkook-ah!” Seokjin waves the two of them over. His face is flushed and handsome, no doubt feeling the effects of whatever champagne he’s had. “Come meet the only woman to sweep me off my feet.”
Eunseo swats at Seokjin, tutting at him and shaking her head. When she looks up at Namjoon her smile is warm and comforting. “Hello, Namjoon-ah. It’s been a while.”
Namjoon closes some of the distance between them and tilts forward in a slight bow. “Seonsaengnim.” Eunseo makes an exaggerated scoffing noise that makes Namjoon laugh. Once he straightens himself back up he tells Seokjin, “Park Eunseo seonsaengnim and I go way back.”
Eunseo nods. “Yes, I knew our Namjoonie before he got all of these muscles.”
“Oh really?” Seokjin asks, voice going conspiratorial. “I bet he was awfully cute.”
”Of course he was!”
Namjoon covers his face then, sure he’ll burst into flames and turn to dust if he looks at any of them. It’s more than enough just to hear the combination of Seokjin’s squeaky laughter and Jungkook’s low giggle.
Jungkook, thankfully, takes pity on him and makes his way over to Seokjin. “Come on, hyung. Let’s give them some time to catch up.”
Then he bows to Eunseo. “It was nice to meet you Eunseo-nim. Maybe we’ll get the chance to talk later tonight.”
”I’d like that,” she says with a tilt of her head. Then Seokjin and Jungkook are leaving, though not before Seokjin sends Eunseo an overly dramatic air-kiss. It’s probably inappropriate, but Eunseo loves it.
”He’s quite the charmer, that one.”
Namjoon nods, eyes still trained on Jungkook and Seokjin’s backs as they return to mingling with other guests and patrons. “He most definitely is.”
Eunseo clears her throat and Namjoon turns, feeling caught out. She only raises her eyebrows a fraction before opening her arms wide for a hug. Park Eunseo was always a small woman, but with her age and the muscle Namjoon has put on, she seems even smaller in his arms.
“It looks like you’ve done well for yourself, Namjoon-ah,” she says as they part. Eunseo smiles at him and he can tell there’s real pride there, in her voice and her eyes.
“Thank you, Eunseo-nim,” Namjoon says, voice thick with emotion. “It’s hard to believe we’ve been open for a year.”
Eunseo makes an agreeable noise as she sips her champagne. “Actually, I meant your pack. They all seem so charming, not just Seokjin.”
It’s a good thing Namjoon hadn’t been holding his own glass of champagne otherwise he would have dropped it. “Wh-what? Pack? They’re not my—”
Eunseo hushes him. “Of course they are. Your secret is safe with me. I think it’s sweet the way they’ve all come out to help you tonight, don’t think I haven’t noticed them talking with patrons, helping with the food… All of that and they still,” she pauses, considering. “Gravitate towards you. Even if they’re not physically nearby, their eyes seem to find you.”
Namjoon’s brain can’t possibly formulate a response to that, can hardly process it, but that fluttering feeling is back in his stomach. That nauseous sort of excitement he gets whenever he lets himself think about being a real member of Jungkook’s pack.
Eunseo squeezes his arm, bringing his attention back. “I’m happy for you,” she says, voice full of affection. Namjoon can only nod in reply.
“Now, could you tell me about this painting? Seokjin and I thought we saw a fish somewhere in there.”
***
Namjoon makes an effort to mingle on his own after his conversation with Eunseo. It’s a good distraction. Though he supposes work shouldn’t be the distraction for tonight. With that thought in mind, he beelines for Soobin to check in.
”Things are going well,” Soobin reassures him, eyes darting around to mentally confirm that everything is in fact going well. “I promise. Now, go back to mingling.”
Instead of doing that, Namjoon looks for Jungkook and Jungkook ends up finding him. Namjoon has the desire to kiss Jungkook, but he refrains, aware of their public setting. He settles on wrapping his arm around Jungkook’s and lets himself be led to a painting Jungkook wants to show him. Having Jungkook pressed close to his side is just the comfort he needs.
***
Namjoon isn’t sure when exactly Jimin and Hoseok had arrived, but he could sense a shift in the room after they did. Not like they had some kind of grand entrance, but he could sense amongst the rest of Jungkook’s pack and within himself—a settling of something he wasn’t even fully aware of until it was no longer upset—once they were finally in the same space.
Even though he knew they were here, it’s the first time he’s seen them all night, and it sends a wave of warmth through Namjoon.
The control he has on his scent flares just in the slightest. He doesn’t think anyone else nearby notices, but Jungkook does, wide eyes turning toward him with a questioning look. Namjoon exhales, gets himself under control, and only feels a little embarrassed when he looks toward Jimin and Hoseok with a sheepish smile.
Jungkook follows his gaze and lights up. “Oh yeah, the last of the hyungs are here! You haven’t been able to see them yet.”
“The last of my most important guests,” Namjoon corrects, because it feels important to say. His voice is low enough for only Jungkook to hear, but his tone is light.
Jungkook laughs, but it strikes Namjoon, then, just how much he means it.
They’re not his pack, not officially (no matter what Eunseo may think), but they feel like his. And it feels good having the six of them all together in a space that means so much to Namjoon. It feels…unreal, the way they all seem to slot so easily into this setting; the way they’ve slotted so easily into his life.
Namjoon is startled out of his thoughts by the quick there-and-gone press of a kiss to his cheek. Jungkook looks far too pleased with himself, like he’s gotten away with something much worse. Namjoon blushes, but thankfully everyone closest to them is distracted by some artwork or conversation.
Jungkook rearranges his and Namjoon’s arms so they can properly hold hands. He tugs Namjoon towards where Jimin and Hoseok are chatting (and laughing) with Yeonjun. “Come on, let’s go say hi.”
The three of them look up as Namjoon and Jungkook approach. Yeonjun says something behind his hand that has Jimin tipping over with laughter, nearly taking Hoseok down with him as he clings to his arm.
“Anything you’d like to share?” Namjoon asks.
“Ah…no,” Jimin says, stifling another giggle.
Yeonjun shakes his head. “No, but—hang on, don’t go anywhere. Sajangnim,” he tacks on at the last second. He rushes off, leaving the other four blinking after him.
After a brief, bewildered moment, Taehyung joins them. “Yeonjun said you needed me.”
“Always,” Jimin says, “but did he say why right now?”
Taehyung shrugs.
“Drinks?” It’s Seokjin, who unfortunately for Namjoon’s budget has gotten his hands on a tray of champagne flutes. He hands them out; Namjoon is close enough to see that the one he gives Taehyung is the slightly different color that marks it as non-alcoholic.
By this point, Namjoon isn’t surprised at all to see Yoongi walk up to them, jacket off and shirtsleeves rolled up. Namjoon forces his gaze away from Yoongi’s forearms as Yoongi accepts champagne from Seokjin.
“Perfect!” Yeonjun appears from behind Yoongi.
“Yeonjun-ssi…” Namjoon puts on his most patient tone. “What are you doing?”
“Pack picture,” Yeongjun says, and oh, that makes sense. They’re all there in their finest. It’s the perfect time for a photo.
Namjoon steps away, ignoring the way his heart gets heavier at the thought. He tells himself that maybe they’ll display the photo at home with some of the other pack photos he’s seen, and he’ll always know that he got to be a small part of—
Jungkook grabs Namjoon’s arm and tugs him back. “Where are you going?”
“Well, a pack picture—” Namjoon starts, but Jungkook is already shaking his head.
“Don’t be silly, Namjoon-ah.” Seokjin hands Namjoon the last champagne flute.
“Smile!” Yeonjun says. Namjoon turns, Jungkook on one side and Taehyung on the other, and has no problem at all following instructions.
***
Later, much much later, when the gallery has returned mostly to normal, and it seems shocking that it could ever be this quiet, the seven of them remain.
It’s peaceful, Namjoon thinks. He’s sent his employees home for the night, finally bullying Soobin out over his protests, and is now sitting down for what’s possibly the first time all evening, adrenaline seeping out of him. Jungkook is sitting next to him, head resting on his shoulder. Jimin is by their feet, his own head against Namjoon’s knee. It can’t be comfortable, but he doesn’t seem to mind. Namjoon’s pretty sure Taehyung’s head is in Jimin’s lap.
They probably make quite the sight. One that Hoseok has absolutely snapped many, many photos of.
Namjoon can hear Yoongi and Hoseok shuffling around, picking up the remaining odds and ends. He senses Seokjin coming up behind him before he really knows it’s him. He puts his hands on Namjoon’s shoulders and squeezes lightly.
“Come on, kids, time to go home.”
Namjoon's eyes open slowly as everyone shuffles up onto their feet and gathers their items. The weight of longing and uncertainty settles uncomfortably in his body, keeping him in place. He tracks their casual touches, their soft chatter, and imagines all of them settling into their house for the evening. Namjoon thinks of his own empty apartment then. Maybe he’ll finally open the bottle of whiskey Seokjin and Yoongi gifted him. A celebration of sorts. But just the thought leaves him feeling hollow.
When Namjoon doesn’t make any move to get up, it’s Yoongi who comes to stand in front of him.
His arms are still distractingly on display. He looks tired. He looks handsome.
They all do.
”Let’s go home, Namjoon-ah,” Yoongi says, voice low and rumbly. “You did well tonight.”
There’s a murmur of agreement that moves through the group. Namjoon feels something loosen inside himself. He feels that warmth again, but before he can think about it, small hands take hold of his wrists and Jimin is hauling him up. Jungkook holds on to his other hand and Hoseok follows closely behind as they all head out of the gallery.
They went patiently for Namjoon to lock up, and then the seven of them head home.