33

"Hey, Joon. Sorry for leaving the house without waking you up this morning, I figured you needed the extra sleep since you got home late last night." You mumble into the phone held against your cheek as you clutch your bag and folders under your arms.

The little sticky note you left on his side of the nightstand this morning reminding him of the event, might've been left unseen because he didn't ask you about it. Or maybe he just doesn't care if you want to go out and have fun with your friends and previous coworkers.

Today was a Friday and it was the right timing because your bosses let you go home early after going over another case about actions in tort. The smile on your lips when you reach your sweet ride parked in front of the building, reaches your eyes.

The sleek white finish of the Porsche 911 gleams beneath the already setting sun, making it all steal the gazes of passersby. Though it's not rare to see foreign cars around the city, there are still curious youngsters wanting to see.

Namjoon had insisted you drive this one out of the three sports cars from now on because he thinks it suits you more than the one he gifted you a long time ago. Honestly, you hadn't attempted to bring up an argument about it since you know that once his mind is set on something, it'll stay that way for a while.

You would have been okay with the other one because it still functioned well and you were comfortable in it.

This one, though... Just looking at it makes your stomach churn. The city is packed with people and cars and narrow alleyways, getting a bit of scratch would be a nightmare.

Sighing into the phone one last time, you get in the car and toss your things in the passenger seat.

How are you always late when it comes to personal schedules?

"Sorry I didn't tell you last night. I got off work early today and I'm on my way home, then I'll be joining the get-together Hana put up for me. So don't wait up for me!"

Started by a turning motion, in typical Porsche fashion, to the left of the steering wheel, you ignite the engine to life and it rumbles under your feet. The doors lock automatically from the sensors and you tilt your head back in satisfaction.

"Okay..." You mumble, again. "I'll see you soon. Let me know when you get this."

After ending the call and placing your phone to the side, you take a moment to appreciate the interior of this beauty.

You can't believe he trusted you with such an expensive play toy. You wouldn't trust yourself either.

You wonder if he ever trusted Mr. Park with this - or at least any of his cars. But then again, you've never seen the old man drive anything other than the Benz.

The smallest reason makes you feel all giggly when you step on the gas and sing along to the radio for the rest of the way.

✧ ✦ ✧

The makeup bag is strewn in a way that you know Namjoon will definitely not appreciates because he prefers a clean, empty space, you line your lips expertly with cinnamon and velvet lipstick.

Late night and daily routines for you, have changed ever since you moved in with Namjoon in a way you weren't all prepared for.

Because the harsh reality was that you hated sharing your space. Perhaps you blame that on having to live in a small apartment with limited space to move around, for years.

You share the shower where he washes his worries away, the mirror where he practices his speeches, and the bed he comes home to every night.

What's his is yours.

If you only knew the real reason why Namjoon had suggested you only bring your necessities when he proposed this idea, which meant your identification cards, passport, visa, and birth certificate— he almost passed out when he saw you whip out more clothes, more shoes, and more bags ready to take up half of his walk-in closet.

Half.

His reaction to the idea was laughable. With widened eyes and parted mouth, although he hid it well with a forced smile and a nervous chuckle when he realized you weren't joking. A concern that soon left him when he saw the beam on your face after having finished hanging and folding boxes of clothes.

It was safe to say that Namjoon was slowly getting used to having another human being in his space. It was he who wanted this in the first place. And he didn't regret it one bit. Both of you will just have to compromise.

In the process of curling your hair into beach waves in front of the bathroom mirror, your phone buzzes against the granite counter and soon enough, the heat is off cooling while you open the message with wide eyes.

Finally, your brother replies to the message you sent him a week ago.

I know you're upset, but call me once you're home.I'll be waiting.[a week ago]

I'm fine. Stop worrying. I'm going back home tonight since I don't have school next week.[read 6:25 PM]

Your mouth curves just reading his message, though edged with coldness and distance. Anticipating a response, you quickly send, I'm glad. And failing to fight the urge to follow it with a genuine: I miss you.

The bubbles in the chat dance, your fingers hovering over the screen, and then, it quickly disappears.

Sunho leaves you on seen.

Brat!

You should have just left it at that.

You don't know how long this will go on. It makes you feel guilty because this didn't have to become such a big deal. And here you are pining over who should text first.

Letting out a sigh, you close off the application and grab your jacket from the rack to cover up your black long-sleeve bodysuit and skirt. It's a bit chilly outside from the previous rain, so there's no harm in bringing an extra layer of clothing if it means keeping yourself warm.

The time of exactly seven thirty is what everyone agreed on, but it seems like Somi and Hana were too excited because they have been texting you nonstop, asking where the hell you are. It's not your fault considering they arrived two hours before the said time.

You aren't late, you just like taking your time.

Partly because the heavy feeling in your chest is caused by your boyfriend's failure to reply or call to ask about your whereabouts. Perhaps he's just swamped with work back at the office, which you can understand given his hectic schedule.

It's always busy at the end of the week since everything needs to be prepared over the weekend and then on to the following Monday.

Namjoon is, after all, a busy man. He never has spare time. His weekends consist of work at home, and the gym, and comes last, self-care.

It's truly devastating that he doesn't prioritize himself first, but it's even more upsetting how similar you are when it comes to your work and career.

It works because we understand each other more than anyone else and I couldn't imagine not having that sense of connection.

The fact that you barely get enough time together makes you value the time he makes for you, often after working hours when he wants to have unplanned dinner dates so you won't have to cook at home when you're exhausted and drained from the day's work.

Kissing and cuddling you in the morning minutes before he gets up for work instead of spending that time checking his schedule for the day.

It's moments like these that you wish you could keep forever.

It doesn't matter the duration, as long as he's there making you feel whole.

And somehow, you're okay with that.

It may not be the best arrangement for you two, but it's enough. You would never compete with his duties, no matter how much you want him to yourself. You don't want to deprive him of that.

The same thing goes for you. You wouldn't want anyone to do the same - take something you've been wanting for so long. It's like taking freedom and passion, life won't be as meaningful.

Shaking yourself out of it, you spritz your favorite scent one last time before pulling out your phone and sending one last message to your boyfriend, just in case he happens to see it when he has the time.

He must be working out late outside of town, and you make up a reason for the delay.

Hey, just checking in. I left the house a while ago.

Text me when you get the chance. I love you.[sent 8:00 PM]

You send it, hoping he does phone you back.

I left some Kalguksu in the pot in case you get hungry.

Just reheat it using the microwave[sent 8:01 PM]

✧ ✦ ✧

"Just one shot, just one shot!"

"All in one go!"

Your coworkers' shouting and howling fill the room with joy as you raise your hand to finish the last of your drinks. You didn't expect a company dinner at what you thought would be a small celebration with Somi and Hana.

You don't even know how they're able to pay for all this. Certainly, it couldn't have been from their own pockets. That wouldn't feel right. You remind yourself to ask them later. Figured you'd put it on your tabs as a final thank you, instead.

Time seems to fly by and midnight approaches. After two bottles of Soju and a couple of bathroom breaks, you're drunkenly singing along to Girls Generation's Gee.

You'd never drink again if you were sober enough to realize how stupid you looked crouched against the sofa, head thrown back in laughter.

"Hold on," you groan, reaching for your purse. "I have to go to the restroom." You don't get any verbal responses as they're too distracted with the dances flashing on the screen and attempting to imitate the little animations.

You don't spend too much time in the ladies bathroom, quickly fixing yourself up before you rush out into the neon-lit corridors. You're humming and giggling to yourself as your phone rings and vibrates against your arm.

You let it ring for a while. Once, twice, not giving it much thought until you notice Namjoon's name staring back at you.

Gulping, you feel yourself waking up with what appears to be guilt overtaking you. You have nothing to be guilty of. He's been ignoring you all day and now he decides to call?

You're not the type to let your emotions get the best of you, but that's exactly what happens when you grumble to yourself while pressing the decline button.

You lean against a wall, bending to secure the straps around your heels, which are wrapped like a vine up to your knees. The coat you brought with you to keep warm has vanished and is most likely back in the karaoke room where you left it. So responsible of you.

Your phone vibrates once more, and your face lights up automatically when you see who it's from.

Baby, where are you?[sent three hours ago]

And suddenly you're wide awake, the thought that both calls were from your boyfriend not sinking in. Yeah, you might've had more alcohol than you expected. The text was sent three hours ago. Where the hell were you, then?

I've been trying to call you, I'm on my way home.[sent 8:04 PM]

You aren't home?

Y/N send me your location[sent 9:15 PM]

Are you out by yourself?[sent 9:25 PM]

You've never felt more important until now.

Call me[sent 10:00 PM]

Your brow furrows in response to his messages. You can't imagine the tone of his voice because frankly, Namjoon has never spoken to you in that manner. However, he does not appear to be overjoyed with you. You're also stubborn and, at times, too prideful. Growing up, you didn't like being told what to do or having your decisions questioned.

In a way, you see it as an issue. A way of taming. It threatens all your beliefs for liberation. Namjoon knows that, he does. That's why he doesn't react as strongly when you text him a less-than-polite response, eyes slightly hazy from the toxicity in your system.

Ohhh yoyu're herew?[sent now]

Are you drunk?[read 10:18 PM]

You don't even get the chance to reply when his name flashes on the screen and you're fumbling it up to your ear. "You called," is your abrupt greeting.

"I did, because I'm worried. Where are you?" Namjoon replies, voice so demanding, yet so gentle in contrast to the tone in his messages. "Do you want me to get you?"

"Not yet..." You whine. "I'm still having fun."

"Y/N, did you drink?" His voice is an octave lower now as if his energy had diminished altogether. You stay quiet and listen to him talk to you like a child.

"Hey... Can you hear me?" Namjoon asks when the music in the background reverberates in his ear.

"Mmm... I'm here."

If you listen closely enough, you'll hear a deep sigh on the other side. "Okay, I think you've had enough. Are you with Somi?"

Your drunk-ass self doesn't even question how he knows about that. Instead, you happily chime, "-And Hana, too! You know Hana?"

The man on the other line chuckles to himself as he comfortably tilts back his head into the seat and lazes with his thighs widely spread. He's had a long day and he can't wait to crash into his comfort space - in your arms.

"Yes, baby. Yes, I do," he goes along with you. "I know Hana very well."

"Very well? She's the one who replaced me!" You cry out, frustratedly as the man on the other side of the phone bites his lip to stop himself from snorting and upsetting you even more.

He doesn't know if he should keep on with this or save you the embarrassment because unlike you, he thinks it's absolutely fucking adorable. He firmly believes you would never want to be called 'cute' or 'adorable' when you're sober.

The last time that happened back at his parents' house, you had blurted it out to him shamelessly.

Nevertheless, he decides to play with you for a while, knowing he probably won't ever experience this side of you again. One thing about you is you never act cute to get your way with him. If that was the case, you'd probably have him weak than he already is for you.

Namjoon never sees this adorable side of you - at least not on purpose.

"Stay on the phone with me until I get there, okay?"

"But you aren't invited."

A loud hiss signals at the end of the line. Seated in the backseat of the car while Mr. Park follows the GPS, Namjoon unbuttons his dress shirt, followed by the removal of his tie.

The Samgyupsal place in Hongdae takes an hour to reach. His own fault for arriving at the airport late. His plane was scheduled to land before six, and he wanted to be surprise you with dinner.

"I'll be wherever you are, Y/N."

✧ ✦ ✧

"Thank you, Miss Jeon. I'll take it from here." Namjoon muttered as he gently took you in his arms.

"Joonie! You're here!"

When he arrived outside of the place, he had stayed in the car and called Somi, just to find you sitting outside of the bathroom near a flight of stairs with your phone in your hand.

The call with Namjoon ended minutes ago and you were clearly too wasted to realize your phone ran out of battery, leaving him worried.

"It's no problem, bossman." The young girl grins up at the man, nervously scratching the back of her neck as she watched you cling unto him for dear life.

Somi had always felt like there was something weird going on between the both of you and she always thought she was being paranoid or nosy, but this... this was the moment she realized that she was not just imagining things.

No one calls him Joonie.

And no one wraps their arms around a man's neck the way you do without an explanation, and call it a day.

This was the confirmation.

You relax against him, and Namjoon's barely contained irritation bubbles beneath the surface. Your expression doesn't shift, still giggly, and all whiny, but Namjoon can feel the subtle change in your body. The touching, the feeling - it's the same way he feels when he goes a day without seeing you, offering support he didn't know he needed.

Namjoon straightens himself up and helps you stand on your heel-cladded feet. The sight of your skirt hiking up your thighs makes his jaw tighten because as much as he'd like to punch the next drunken guy that looks at you, he's not willing to go to jail.

Narrowing slightly, Somi's gaze moves to you. Namjoon can practically see the wheels turning in the girl's mind - your hands wanting to touch his face with his arms around your back.

"I, uh... Will she be fine?" Somi asks hesitantly, not really sure if she's okay letting her boss, a man, take care of you. "I can call a cab to take her home."

Namjoon tears his gaze away from your drunken state and looks at the girl.

Is he annoyed that she's judging him? Yes. But he understands where her concern is rooted. He's still a man and she doesn't know your relationship.

Somi is a good friend, he thinks. Though he would have definitely appreciate it if she hadn't let you drink that much knowing you can't handle your alcohol that well - or at all. He settles with the thought that Somi doesn't know you as much as he does outside of work. Just assumes that you've got good alcohol tolerance just 'cause you're Korean.

"I know where she lives," he explains in hopes to lessen her doubts, but digs himself a deeper hole the way he says it. "I can take care of her," he clears his throat, "Y/N trusts me."

Somi looks back to check on you, her body wrapped in someone's jacket. Eyes hazy and nose reddened, she clears her throat.

"I will call her to make sure she gets home safe."

Namjoon nods, signals to Mr. Park to round the car before the door is opened and he carefully tucks you in the backseat. Your protests are futile because soon enough, the seatbelt locks around your tiny waist and the door shuts again.

"That's not necessary," says Namjoon. "I'll take it from here. You may leave."

Somi raises a brow in question. "She's my friend and I want to make sure."

"I'll tell her to call you tomorrow when she's sober enough to remember," Namjoon says, reaching for his wallet. Somi's eyes widen even more.

"Put the tab on the company's credit card."

"But-"

"-And from now on, you're not allowed to celebrate Company dinners without my permission. Got it?"

"Yes, bossman."

"I'm glad we have an understanding," Namjoon says. "Now go back inside and keep this between us. I don't want to hear anything about what happened here tomorrow."

Without another word, Namjoon gets inside the black Benz, leaving Somi still frozen and a little disoriented from the whole interaction.

When she goes back inside the restaurant to explain to everyone that she got stuck in the bathroom until a staff came and helped her, they all laughed and continued on with their night as if their boss hadn't just come and crashed it.

Truthfully, he wasn't even invited in the first place and the news never got to him.

✧ ✦ ✧

A slide of a card accompanied by a few beeps grants him the entrance to the house and the door jerks open with a click.

"...Are we home now?"

"Yes, baby, we're home now."

After closing the door shut behind him, Namjoon makes his way towards the living room with you in his embrace, an arm looped around his torso and his left arm around your back just to get you to walk properly.

His actions are effortless when he shakes his suit jacket along with your purse and throws it over the back of the couch.

"Hey, stay awake for me, okay?" He nudges your cheek with the tip of his nose and he gets a whiff of the soju in your breath. He presses a kiss on your earlobe before tucking hair over your shoulders. "We're almost to the bedroom, baby. Will you be fine walking up the stairs or do you want me to carry you?"

Licking your dry lips, you gesture towards the kitchen. "Water. I want to drink."

"Okay, let's get you tucked in first." He hums as he bends down on his knees to carry you.

"Noooo, no!" You cry out, swatting his arms behind your thighs. "Don't carry me. I'm heavy."

He straightens up and lets out a deep sigh. "How about a piggyback r-"

He doesn't even get to finish his sentence when you're already taking your place behind him and raising your legs on his side for him to take. With a chuckle, Namjoon bends forward a little and lifts you by the back of your thighs.

"Hold on tight. Wrap your arms around my neck-"

"Ow- baby! Not that tight, you're choking me."

You giggle softly before loosening your grip on him and instead, press your cheeks against his toned back and tracing the ridge of his biceps with your thumb as he hikes up the stairs effortlessly.

Seconds later and you're being tucked into your side of the bed, lights dim, and the sight of your boyfriend walking in and out of the bathroom creating shadows.

It's not until you feel a weight on the mattress, you realize Namjoon brought makeup wipes and a warm dampen towel to clean your face for you.

"Don't want you to regret sleeping with makeup on, love," he whispers, voice raspy from exhaustion. "Sit up for me. I'll be fast."

With a groan, you slowly sit up and the huge sweatshirt you have on loosely clings to your shoulders. "Thank you."

He grins, making sure he's not being harsh with your skin. "Thank me when you're sober."

You jut out your bottom lip in response. "I want a kiss."

"Nope," he chirps. "Can't give you what you want, love, that's your punishment."

"Punishment?" You wonder, eyes dilating. "For what?"

"Mmm, let's talk about it tomorrow," he finishes his task and gathers the dirty wipes in his hands. "You need to sleep now."

"Okay... Goodnight, Joon."

A rustle of clothes being discarded and a door being shut drowns out the sleep in your eyes and in a second, you feel soft, pillowy lips on your forehead.

"Goodnight, Y/N," he murmurs against your ear. "I'm sorry for the headache you'll feel in the morning."

✧ ✦ ✧

That morning, you wake up with a headache.

Shocker.

"How's the head?" Namjoon asks as he emerges fresh out of the shower with stringy hair and water droplets trailing down his bare chest. A white towel hangs lowly around his waist as he makes his way to you, pressing his lips to yours.

Almost instantly, the smell of his aftershave fills your stuffed nose. A whine resounds your throat as you sink deeper back into the pillows. Seeing him like this makes your headache a little easier to handle.

Namjoon frowns as he looks down at your state.

"I feel awful," you say as you lick your chapped lips, trying to be discreet as your eyes shift to his lower region, where you can't ignore the obvious print. It was then that you realized you may be perverted than he is.

Namjoon hides his smirk at your not-so-obvious stare down his body, mumbling under his breath. "Tell me about it."

"My nose is stuffed and I feel like my head is about to explode any minute now."

"How about a warm bath? I already prepared it for you." He offers as he heads back into the bathroom and comes back with a tiny bottle of painkillers. "Take this first," he hands you a glass of water. "Then we can go have breakfast together."

"Is Mrs. Han here already? I can go make us breakfast."

"No, not yet. But you go and take your bath." He nudges his chin towards the bathroom while he goes to grab you a robe. "I'll take care of it, hun."

Finally getting up with the help of your boyfriend, you perch your hands on his shoulders to steady yourself. Like they had a mind of their own, your eyes travel down his chiseled abs as he throws the silk material over your body. When he realizes, the tip of his mouth tips.

"I don't remember giving you permission to ogle me."

With a roll of your eyes, you shamelessly scratch his chest with the tip of your acrylics. His jaw tenses at that and your hands travel lower. "That too?"

Before your hands can work the knot on the towel keeping it tuck and secured around his hips, he catches your wrist with a sigh.

"No. You have to go take a bath before the water gets cold."

You slyly smirk, looking down at his front. You bite your lip and pout at the struggle he must be feeling. "You don't want me?"

Narrowing his eyes, he pulls you against his body and inches his lips to your face. "Oh, I do. Trust me."

"Then, what's stopping you?"

You don't get to hear his reply when suddenly you're being carried to the bathroom. Blurriness impairs your vision and blood quickly rushes to your head. A hard slap comes down your behind and you gasp in shock.

"Joon!" You scold, careful not to flash him with your underwear.

The sweatshirt you had on last night had been discarded in the middle of the night when you woke him up to bring you a bucket as you hurriedly emptied your stomach with contents. He had to change you out of it and help you in your night-slip.

Soon enough, he's sitting you down on the cold surface of counter like your were some kind of porcelain doll. A hiss and a string of curses passes your lips as you glare at him.

"You'll regret that later."

"Mhm, okay," he only hums at your words and ruffles his hair. He forces himself to stand between your legs and steals another kiss to your open mouth before he marches out of the bathroom, leaving you. "Later, baby. Later."

"Shut the door!" You called out behind him.

He only chuckles before doing as told. "Don't drown in there and come downstairs when you're done."

Later that hour when you've finally got yourself back together and decided on one of his shirts, some comfortable cotton shorts, and your dried hair clawed back messily, you finally paddle down the stairs with glee.

The first thing that welcomes you is the aroma of something smoky... and then the sight of white in the air. Your mouth curves up imagining Namjoon with an apron around his hips. And then all that feeling dissipates as soon as you really see what's going on, and who is sitting in one of the stools with a horror stricken eyes.

"Seokjin?" You choke on your spit and in doing so catch the flecks of crimson on your boyfriend's face. Air leaves you, perhaps a bit too quickly, as you put your bare feet down at the bottom of the stairs.

"Y/N..." Namjoon fans the smoke from the burning pan and forces on a smile as Seokjin clears his throat with an even bigger grin on his face.

"Hey, sister in-law," he sings out as if this whole thing brings him amusement. "Long time no see."

Well... well, well... that was something! Can you guess what will happen in the next chapter?

Thank you for 5k reads! This is beyond amazing & I couldn't have done it without you guys.