#jaebum fluff

Jackson patted Jaebeom’s head and the staffs that filled the room tried to continue with their duties, but also be mindful of 7 crying and sobbing men in the centre of that room. Your gaze shifted to sobbing Mark and the way teared up Youngjae and Bam tried to calm him down. At least this view wasn’t tearing your heart into pieces. As a figure approached you, though, you had to readjust your eyes and focus on the man in front of you. The very next moment Jinyoung’s very warm hand grabbed yours and pulled you behind him. He felt your resistance and turned around, reading your face expression perfectly.

"I think he really needs you to calm him down." Jinyoung pulled onto your arm once again and you followed. "Hey, Seunah" Jinyoung called out in an attempt to whisper, but making it more of a low growl. Jackson, raising his head and seeing Jinyoung pulling on to you took a step back. Giving you space to come closer and giving you two space for privacy. Jaebeom raised his head a little, as he felt the loss of contact and took a few blinks to focus his teary eyes on you. Both Jackson and Jinyoung respectfully took a few more steps back and as you approached Jaebeom a little more, you couldn’t hold back a pout. Jaebeom straightened his back properly and it seemed the tears streamed down his face at a much lower pace. You pursed your lips and took a little step closer, not forgetting precaution and turning around to read the room - everyone seemed busy with themselves and their duties. But in all honesty - you couldn’t just stand and watch him any longer, even if the people watched you two attentively - your heart ached the moment you saw that first tear fall down his face back on stage. 

“You did so well-.“ You still whispered, everyone acted busy, but peoples’ ears were always perked up. Jaebeom blinked more tears down his face. Shit, you only made it worse for him. “Everything went so perfectly. You worked so hard. I’m so proud. These should be happy tears, everything worked out amazing. Right?“ you tried to give Jaebeom a smile, your words only made the tears fall down harder, while Park Jinyoung expected you to do the opposite. “Ah-, love, don’t cry.“ You finally sighed and reached a hand to his face, cupping his cheek and making a lame attempt at catching the teardrops - it did seem impossible. The waterfall that streamed down his face was impossible to stop with a finger. Jaebeom leaned in into your touch and closed his eyes. You tried to caress the softness of his cheek, while not making it too inappropriate for a working environment. “Everyone’s so proud and everyone are so thankful for the things you do. You’ve put so much hard work into this, it’s okay to cry. I can’t even hold back my tears for you and ah-.“ Jaebeom suddenly draped his arms over your shoulders and lost his face in the crook of your neck. You patted his nape in a very weak attempt to calm him down. He seemed crashed, drained and exhausted. You really wished you could lift him up just like that and transfer to bed and let him get as much sleep as he needed - doesn’t matter if its 12 hours or a week. You watched him work so hard all these weeks to make the concerts possible, you watched him all those years make all those things possible while also being a sweet and loving husband to you. “I just hope it’s tears of relief. As long as they’re not tears of pain - it doesn’t matter. We could cry all night long, right?“ You tried to give him a little kiss, forgetting all the work space boundaries in your head, landing your lips on his jaw. You patted his nape a few more times, moving your arms lower - you gave his waist a squeeze and rubbed your face against his shoulder - the sobbing man in your arms seemed to calm down at least a little. 

“I love you.“ you breathed out, somehow in unison with Jaebeom and as shocked as you were at the silly little coincidence, Jaebeom moved back a little and looked at you properly, with no tears falling out of his eyes,  beautiful irises focusing on you. 

“That’s silly of us.“ You giggled, moving your fingers to dry out the tears on Jaebeom’s cheeks. 

“But I, definitely love you more.“ He even made a weak attempt to smile and made you feel more at ease yourself. The air suddenly felt lighter and the second time he tried to make that little smile - the smugness on his face, your chest burned with love. Jaebeom covered your palm with his and moved it closer to his mouth. “I wouldn’t be here without your support.“ You knew exactly what he meant by that, how hard it was for both him and you to get his mind to a better place. You weren’t about to shy away and act like you weren’t behind it all. In a great partnership with the man himself, of course. 

“I know.“ You accepted with a playful nod and watched his lips give your palm a kiss with a smile. You were glad you could refer to dark times with a joke and a smile now. Jaebeom let go of your arm and tried to dry his face with the shirt he wore. 

“Ah!“ Jinyoung materialised behind you, his firm palm on your shoulder making you jump in place. “Nothing like a wife’s touch that could calm a man down.“ He teased happily, wrinkles round his eyes as he smiled were the reason for a little upward motion on the corners of your lips. 

“Sh! Shut up, there are strangers in this room.“ you hissed at the man, feigning annoyance. Jinyoung ruffled your hair with a teasing face expression.

“Hey, show some respect.“ you played back, your unending battle of teasing continuing every time you opened your mouths.

“Right, show some respect to my wife!“ Jaebeom chimed in, regret on his face immediate, as the both of you knew the comeback would be explosive. Jaebeom wrapped an arm around your waist, you not being sure whether he was backing you up or wanted you to back him up in this.

Jinyoung, though, already moved on -  looking at the members and then at his leader and giving you nod. 

She jumped, whirling around to see Jinyoung leaning against the hallway entrance, arms crossed, watching her with mild amusement.

“Plates,” she admitted, feeling a little self-conscious.

Jinyoung wordlessly walked over, reaching up to the highest cabinet above the sink and pulling one down.

“Who keeps plates up there?” she grumbled, taking it from him.

“Tall people,” he replied before pouring himself a glass of water.

Y/N shot him a look but decided to let it go.

The awkwardness followed her throughout the next few days. It wasn’t that Jinyoung made her uncomfortable, exactly—but at the same time it was him. He moved through the space so easily, so naturally, while she second-guessed her every step.

She was hyper-aware of the little things: the way he would walk past and glance at what she was watching, the way she’d hesitate before grabbing the remote when they were in the living room at the same time. She felt more like a guest than this being her new home.

One evening, she reached for the bathroom door to use the shower, but just as it swung open, Jinyoung was standing there in more nothing than a towel.

Y/N immediately froze. Her thoughts must have been written all over her face, judging by how quickly she felt it heat up.

Droplets of water still clung to his skin, tracing slow paths down his toned chest and disappearing beneath the towel slung on his hips. His damp hair was a mess, strands sticking up in different directions as he rubbed another towel over his head, completely unfazed by the situation.

Jinyoung barely reacted. “You need the bathroom?” he asked casually, voice smooth and unaffected—like this was the most normal thing in the world.

Y/N’s brain short-circuited. “I—uh—yeah—but no, I—” She stopped, shook her head, squeezed her eyes shut, and pointed blindly down the hall. “I’ll just—”

He bit back a smirk but stepped aside, motioning for her to go in. She sidestepped him, keeping her gaze strictly on the floor.

“You know,” he said as she reached for the door handle, “if you’re this awkward about seeing me like this, you’re gonna have a rough time when we’re actually expected to act like a couple in public.”

Y/N remained frozen before he shut the door.

The next morning, Y/N woke up earlier than usual, her mind already racing with the plans she had for the day. She needed a break from the awkwardness of cohabiting with Jinyoung, so she had arranged to meet Sihoon for a quick catch-up. But as she stretched and rubbed her eyes, she realized it had only just reached 12 PM. 

Y/N hesitated as she stood at her bedroom door, pressing her ear to the wood in an attempt to hear any signs of movement. Was Jinyoung awake? Was he up yet, or was she going to have to navigate the rest of the morning in silence with him? She shut her eyes tightly, mentally scolding herself. Why do I even care? she thought.

After a brief moment of hesitation, she opened the door. The apartment was eerily quiet. No sounds of water running in the bathroom, no movement in the hallway, no signs of life from the living room. Y/N furrowed her brows, slightly confused. She expected Jinyoung to be up at this time—it was already past noon on a Saturday, after all. But there was no sign of him anywhere.

She walked through the apartment, checking the kitchen, the bathroom, even the living room. Nothing. The place felt unusually empty. Did he leave? she wondered.

Her mind buzzed with questions, but she shook them off. As she reached for her shoes to leave, she couldn’t help but feel like she was she were sneaking out of her parents' house without telling them.

“Get it together, Y/N,” she muttered under her breath, taking a deep breath as she opened the front door.

As she made her way toward the cafe, though, something was nagging her. She couldn’t help but pull out her phone and decided to send Jinyoung a quick text, just in case he was wondering where she was when he came back.

I’ll be out with a friend

she typed, pressing send before shoving her phone into her purse and continuing her walk. It felt strange to send the text, almost like she was trying to preemptively explain herself.

The cafe was a welcome distraction, and as soon as Y/N arrived, she was greeted by Sihoon, who was already halfway through a cup of iced coffee.

_______________________________________________________

“A towel?” Sihoon asked, her eyes going wide in dramatic disbelief as she leaned forward. 

Y/N sighed, stirring her own iced coffee absentmindedly. “Yes,” she said, the word heavy with both exasperation and curiosity. 

Sihoon leaned back in her chair, narrowing her eyes as she observed Y/N. “That’s still insane. I mean, do you even—” She trailed off as she took a long look at Y/N’s face. “How did he look?”

Y/N blinked, caught off guard by the question. She absentmindedly smirked, recalling the way Jinyoung leaned in just a little too close. His hair is still wet from the shower. His body too.

“All I’m going to say is I’ve really changed my mind on mandatory enlistment,” Y/N admitted before taking a sip of her coffee shadily, a teasing glint in her eyes. They shared a laugh at the comment.

Sihoon raised an eyebrow, clearly not missing the shift in Y/N’s tone. “So you’re enjoying this, I see?” she asked, her voice low with a playful edge.

Y/N hesitated, trying to figure out how she truly felt. “I don’t know. He’s nice, but it’s awkward. I feel like a guest in his space.” She shrugged, leaning back in her chair. “I don’t know how to make myself feel at home.”

Sihoon tapped her nails thoughtfully against the edge of her cup, her gaze flicking back to Y/N. “Sounds like you need to take up space, then. Make it yours too. Move your stuff into the bathroom, leave a blanket on the couch—something.”

Y/N blinked, surprised by the simplicity of the suggestion. It made sense in a way she hadn’t thought of before. “That’s… actually smart,” she admitted, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Or maybe get out of the house, who knows? It could be the apartment making things awkward for you too.” Sihoon suggested, leaving Y/N to think.

-------------------------------------------------

As Y/N stepped into the apartment, she hesitated, looking around nervously for any signs of Jinyoung. The air felt thicker than usual, and she couldn’t shake the awkwardness that had lingered since their last interaction. She shut the front door behind her, the sound reverberating through the quiet apartment. It was... unnervingly silent.

She crept toward the living room, peering around the corner cautiously. No Jinyoung.

Her shoulders loosened slightly in relaxation, but at the same time the uncertainty of where he was gnawed at her. Where was he? Either she was asking herself that because she just wanted to avoid the possibility of running into him unexpectedly - or because she wanted to know. Maybe a little bit of both.

But as she made her way down the hallway, towards her bedroom, she stopped short when her gaze landed on something unexpected.

A box of white roses was resting on her bed.

Y/N’s breath caught in her throat as she dropped her purse without a second thought, her feet carrying her forward almost automatically. She sank onto the edge of the bed, staring down at the box, the delicate petals peeking out from beneath the lid.

A piece of paper caught her attention—just a small note. She recognized Jinyoung’s handwriting immediately, though the words seemed to hold weight beyond their simplicity:

“Went out for a bit. Relax. -J”

Y/N blinked at the note, her heart skipping a beat. The words felt oddly reassuring, but also... strangely cryptic. What did he mean by "relax"? Was it to not turn every small interaction into something more complicated than it needed to be? She couldn't help but feel a tightness in her chest as she read the note again, but she didn’t quite know why.

It was just... sweet. In its simplicity. She picked up her phone and, on a whim, looked up the meaning of white roses.

Her eyes scanned the text quickly, and she stopped dead at one phrase in particular: “White roses symbolize purity, innocence, loyalty, and reverence. They can also represent new beginnings, everlasting love, and respect.”

Her face flushed instantly at the mention of everlasting love. She quickly snapped her phone shut, trying to shake off the fluttering in her chest. No. That wasn’t what this was about. It had to be about new beginnings, something more... neutral.

She let out a shaky breath, the tightness in her chest remaining despite her attempt to reason with herself. Maybe she was overthinking it after all. Maybe she was reading too much into a gesture that was just meant to be... kind.

Either way, it was a thoughtful gesture. She couldn’t deny that.

--------------------------------

The next morning, the PR meeting stretched on, filled with details and logistics, but Y/N couldn’t help but feel that this one was different. There was a weight to it—something more pressing.

One of the PR managers, a sharp-eyed woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, stood in front of the group, clearly about to drop something important. “We have an opportunity with Vogue Korea,” she began, the words hanging in the air like a promise. “An exclusive interview and photoshoot.”

Y/N’s heart skipped. The idea of being featured in Vogue Korea was something she hadn’t even dared to dream about, and now it was within reach. She fought to keep her excitement in check, trying not to let her face betray how thrilled she was at the possibility.

But before she could fully indulge in her excitement, the manager continued, “Before we confirm everything, though, we need to ensure you two are aligned.”

Y/N blinked, a slight confusion flickering in her eyes. “Aligned, how so?”

The PR manager didn’t miss a beat. “Well, it seems you two have a basic understanding of one another, especially with the living situation. That’s a good start. But now, we need you to get into the finer details. You’ll need to start crafting a story—how you met, how your relationship has developed, your little quirks, those small details that will make it feel authentic and real for the public.”

Y/N shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She hadn’t really thought about little things; she was too caught up in the big ones.

Jinyoung, sitting next to her, caught her glance and leaned slightly toward her, his voice low and playful but with a hint of seriousness. “Guess we have homework,” he said.

--------------------------------------------

They arrived back at the apartment, Jinyoung tossing his keys onto the counter with a familiar ease. Y/N trailed behind, shutting the door behind her. The atmosphere between them felt… charged, though she wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was just the anticipation of what came next.

“Ahem… so… how should we do this?” Y/N asked, shifting on her feet.

Jinyoung barely looked at her as he opened the fridge, reaching in and pulling out a case of beer. “Do you want to see the rooftop?” he asked instead, completely ignoring her question.

Y/N blinked. “Uh, sure?”

Before they headed up to the rooftop, Jinyoung glanced at Y/N, noticing how she wrapped her arms tighter around herself as the temperature dropped. “It’s cold up there,” he said, his voice unexpectedly thoughtful. 

“Oh” Y/N commented. She looked at the blanket on the couch. “Should I bring that?” Y/N asked. “That’d be a good idea” Jinyoung commented as she grabbed the blanket and held it to her.

Jinyoung looked her up and down, as she stared back innocently, almost like he still wasn’t convinced of something. “Wait here” he said before walking to his room. Y/N tilted her head confused.

A moment later, Jinyoung returned to the living room with seemingly a sweatshirt in hand. “Here,” he offered, passing it to her before walking towards the door. Y/N looked down at the black sweatshirt in her hands which smelled of Jinyoung, her heart warming as if she was wearing it already. With this, she looked up at Jinyoung and followed behind him out the door.

A few minutes later, they were stepping onto the rooftop, greeted by the cool night air and the vast sprawl of city lights stretching beyond them. Y/N tugged at the sleeves of her new oversized sweatshirt, covering her hands as a light breeze swept past. She had always loved rooftops—there was something grounding about being above everything, yet still part of it. And this one? This one was quickly becoming her favorite.

Jinyoung led them to a large sectional couch in the middle of the rooftop. As Y/N hesitated, unsure of where to sit, Jinyoung took the blanket she had instinctively been hugging against her chest and casually spread it over both of them. His movements were fluid, practiced, like he’d done it a hundred times before—but for Y/N, it made her heart skip for reasons she couldn’t quite name.

They were lying side by side on the sectional, the city lights casting a soft glow across the rooftop, bathing everything in a kind of peaceful stillness. The air was cool, but the warmth between them kept the chill at bay, their bodies slightly pressed next to one another under the blanket Jinyoung had draped across them. She settled in beside him, watching as he popped open two bottles of beer, the soft hiss of carbonation filling the air before he handed her one. They clinked bottles in an unspoken toast before taking their first sips. Jinyoung leaned back, head tilting as he took a slow gulp. Y/N tried not to stare, but she was suddenly all too aware of how… good he looked. The way his fingers held the glass, the way his lashes fluttered as he swallowed—it was ridiculous.

Jinyoung leaned forward slightly, letting out a satisfied sigh, setting his bottle down for a moment. After he had kicked his feet up on the couch, arms stretched out lazily along the backrest, looking completely at ease in a way she hadn't seen before. His hair, still a little messy from the wind, made him look effortlessly attractive, like he hadn’t even tried. Y/N couldn't help but glance at him—his jawline, the way his eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and the way his lips curved when he smiled. It made her feel warm all over even without the blanket.

After taking a sip of her beer, Y/N shivered slightly before she could stop herself.

Jinyoung noticed immediately. “Are you still cold?”

“No—no, I’m okay!” she insisted, a little too quickly.

He raised a brow, unconvinced. “We can go inside if you want.”

She shook her head. “No, I like the view.”

Jinyoung studied her for a moment, his gaze sweeping over her. Then, casually—almost too casually—he asked, “Do you want me to hold you?”

Y/N’s brain short-circuited.

Did he just—?

The words had been so easy, so effortless, like it was the most natural thing in the world for him to offer. And maybe it was. But for her, it sent every coherent thought scattering like fallen leaves.

“Yes,” she blurted out before she could think better of it.

Jinyoung didn’t hesitate. He grabbed a pillow, tucking it beneath her head, before shifting closer. One arm draped lazily just under her crossed arms and around her waist, his warmth immediately cutting through the chill. His other hand propped up his head as he leaned over her slightly, the proximity suddenly impossibly intimate.

Y/N could barely breathe. He was so close now—closer than before—and the worst part? It felt good. Too good.

“So,” she said, feeling awkward, eyes flicking toward him. “How did we meet?”

Jinyoung went quiet for a moment, gaze fixed ahead as he mulled it over. Then, slowly, he turned to her.

“We could say…” He trailed off, watching her intently, something unreadable in his gaze.

“The café?” he finally suggested.

Y/N blinked. “We can say I was a regular there. You know, one of those mysterious customers who always orders the same thing and never talks.” he suggested.

Y/N smirked. “That’s oddly specific... but I did have customers like that though.” She shrugged.

Her eyes narrowed. “What would you order in this hypothetical scenario?” she asked.

He looked away, trying to think of something he didn’t actually order.

“I take you for a black coffee type of guy,” she offered.

Jinyoung let out a short laugh, shaking his head.

“Okay, so you were a mysterious café customer's secret celebrity, you ordered a black coffee everyday, and somehow we ended up together? Is that even believable?” Y/N asked, skeptical. “Wouldn’t I recognize you instantly if I saw you?”

“Would you?” he challenged. “If I had my incognito outfit on?”

She scoffed. “Of course I would.”

He raised a brow. “How?”

“Your voice, probably.”

Jinyoung shook his head, laughing. As they were both begining to get tipsy, the more laughs they shared, the lighter the night was feeling.

“What’s funny?” she asked.

“To be honest, Y/N, you seem like you’d be too oblivious to notice if I was a customer at your café.”

She nudged his arm, offended. “Excuse me?”

“I’m just saying,” he defended, smirking.

“For your information, I used to know all of my customers’ orders by heart before they even opened their mouths,” she said proudly.

“Well, that’s probably why you didn’t recognize me,” he quipped.

Y/N’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of something unreadable passing over her features.

“I’m saying in this scenario,” Jinyoung added quickly.

She huffed. “Well, there are other ways I would have recognized you.”

“Oh really?” he teased. “How?”

“Your eyes.”

Jinyoung’s smirk lingered. “Oh yeah? What about them?”

She stared at them for a moment, feeling a little too aware of how he was watching her. “They’re… very unique,” she finally said, voice quieter.

He shook his head, unconvinced. “I don’t believe you.”

She huffed, rolling her eyes. “Well, it’s not like you would’ve gone to some random café anyway. If we’re being really honest here, so let’s just be as delusional and creative as we want.” She crossed her arms. 

“Of course I would,” he replied.

“You probably don’t even remember the name of the café. You only visited once just to tell me to quit.” she argued.

“Hot Choco Café.”

Y/N’s head snapped toward him in surprise.

“…Okay, so you do remember,” she muttered, suddenly flustered.

Jinyoung looked very pleased with himself.

“Well tell me, why would a celebrity like you go to my cafe?” she asked.

Jinyoung didn’t answer right away. His fingers drummed lightly against her arm as he looked away, as if debating whether to entertain the conversation or let it fade into something else.

Then, finally, he said, “It was quiet.”

Y/N blinked. “That’s it?”

His lips twitched. “What more do you expect me to say the barista was cute?”

Y/N blushed.

“Well we already know you thought that but I don't know maybe you liked the coffee too.” she joked.

Jinyoung let out a soft chuckle. “So both things are compliments to you?” he confirmed.

She laughed.

“So what other details about this encounter?” she pressed. “When do I finally notice you’re the Park Jinyoung?”

“Maybe I finally said something to you one day. And you were surprised, because you thought I was rude for never talking.”

She scoffed. “Sounds about right. So in that moment that's when you reveal yourself to me? Do I recognize you then?” she questioned.

Jinyoung tilted his head, considering. “Sure, we'll say that's when I showed you who I really was, and you knew me from being an ahgase" he explained.

Y/N narrowed her eyes at him.

"I'm telling Vogue Korea that Y/N, I'm not budging" he said firmly.

"What that I'm your fan?" she asked.

"Yes" he confirmed.

"But doesn't that make it seem like I'm a little vapid if I didn't recognize my own idol?" she questioned.

"I actually think it’s better for the story if you didn’t recognize me.” he stated simply.

Y/N frowned. “Why?”

“It makes it seem like you were just genuinely nice to me. No hidden agenda.”

She stared at him for a beat, her lips parting slightly before she tilted her head. “Is that a recurring theme in your relationships?”

Jinyoung turned to her, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Well, technically, there is an agenda in our relationship—so yes.” A smirk played on his lips.

Y/N huffed. “We’re talking about our fake relationship, Jinyoung. And for the record, I still don’t have an agenda either way.” She crossed her arms.

“Oh?” He leaned in slightly, causing her to tense. “Not even a little one?” he asked.

“Not even a little one,” she confirmed, chin tilting up defiantly.

Jinyoung studied her, his eyes flickering over her expression like he was searching for something.

“So I didn’t make you feel special and that’s what would’ve made me interested in me?” She challenged me. “Isn’t that the opposite of what would spark someone's interest in another?” she questioned.

“In my case, making me feel unspecial makes me feel rather special.” he stated casually.

“That’s very masochist of you… I’ll be sure to tell Vogue Korea you’re into that” she judged, causing him to laugh.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he rebuttled. Y/N face grew red. “I wouldn't thank you”

“So that's what you liked about me… that I made you feel unspecial… hypothetically speaking?”

He sighed. “Not unspecial, just… normal… myself…” he corrected softly. “Well that amongst other things” His gaze lingered for a beat too long. Then, slowly, the corners of his lips curled, the smile almost imperceptible but still there.

Oh.

She raised her eyebrows, intrigued. “And what other things are you referring to, Mr. Park?”

Jinyoung leaned in slightly, one hand absentmindedly tugging her just a little closer to him.

Y/N smirked, fully expecting a compliment.

“All the free coffee I’d get,” he said, deadpan.

Y/N’s smile dropped instantly.

A sharp smack to his arm.

Jinyoung burst out laughing.

“Okay, okay,” he conceded, still grinning. “You too I guess.”

She narrowed her eyes playfully. “What about me you guess?”

He tilted his head, pretending to inspect her. “You’re very… unique.”

Another smack.

Jinyoung continued laughing before finally relenting. “Pretty,” he corrected.

Y/N felt her cheeks heat.

“Like a flower,” he added, pulling the string on the sweatshirt he lent her to tighten the hood she had up, hiding her face.

Y/N was grateful because her face was so red.

“Is this what you say to all your girlfriends?” Y/N joked when she finally had the courage, opening her hood to look at him.

“No, just my fake ones,” he smiled. Y/N laughed.

“So is that my new pet-name or something - flower?” she asked.

“Do you want it to be?” 

“Some flowers have thorns, you know” she added.

“I can handle it” he said. A smile grew on her face watching him.

“What’s mine then?” he asked her in return, interested.

Her mind raced a bit looking up at him, still floating with the haze of alcohol. 

“Jinyoungie?” She suggested being unsure.

Jinyoung couldn’t help but laugh.

“What?? I think it’s cute,” she argued.

“Cute?” he groaned, his lips curving upward. 

“Yeah. I like it,” she said, pouting.

He didn’t respond, but there was satisfaction in his eyes - which meant he’d let it slide.

She tucked herself closer, the blanket pooling around them like a cocoon. They hadn’t said much for a while, the alcohol leaving a buzz of contentment in the air, but it didn’t feel awkward. They were used to each other’s presence by now. The conversations they’d shared, the little details they already knew about each other, lingered in her mind.

Jinyoung shifted slightly, turning his head toward her, and she caught him looking at her, his gaze warm, but thoughtful. She tilted her head up, meeting his eyes, trying to figure out what he was thinking.

“You know, in the month and a half we’ve known each other we’ve learned a lot about each other. We don’t even need to make things up, we can just be candid about it,” she offered.

“So you want me to be honest about how you like your toast burnt?” he questioned, likely referring to this morning where her toast was very much black.

“I don’t like it that way, it just happens that way” she laughed.

“So I should say you can't cook instead?” he questioned.

Y/N laughed at his suggestion, absentmindedly pulling rubbing her eye. Jinyoung watched her for a moment before shaking his head with a small smirk.

“You always seem to want to sleep,” he pointed out.

Y/N blinked. “I do not.”

“You do,” he countered easily. “Just like how your nose scrunches up whenever you’re about to argue with me.”

Her mouth fell open. “It does not.”

Jinyoung just raised an eyebrow. “It literally just did.”

Y/N groaned, throwing her head back against the couch. “Okay, fine. Since we’re pointing out habits, you try really hard to look annoyed, but it’s way too easy to make you smile.”

Jinyoung scoffed. “That’s not true.”

“Uh-huh,” she drawled. “And you’re ridiculously organized. Like, freakishly organized. I mean the kitchen is just too much. I can’t even imagine your sock drawer.”

“Why would you imagine my sock drawer?” he asked, pressing his lips together, eyes narrowing slightly before the corner of his mouth twitched—just barely.

Y/N gasped, pointing. “See?!”

He couldn't help but laugh at how she had called him out, and neither could Y/N.

As the night stretched on, their laughter softened, the haze of tipsiness settling over them like a warm blanket. Nestled against each other, their bodies naturally gravitating closer, they exchanged quiet musings—mapping out the finer details of their story.

___________________________________________

When they returned to the apartment later, the warmth of the rooftop still lingered between them, but as Y/N reached for the hem of the sweatshirt, ready to take it off, Jinyoung stopped her with a quiet word. “Keep it,” he said, his gaze flickering toward her. His voice was soft, almost secretive, as if the simplicity of the request held more weight than he let on. “It suits you.” Y/N’s fingers stilled, the sweatshirt feeling more like a part of her now than just something she’d borrowed. She glanced at him, unsure of what to say, but the sincerity in his eyes made her hesitate before pulling it off. Instead, she left it on, letting the fabric cling to her as.

Slipping into bed, Y/N snuggled into the fabric, the faint scent of his cologne clinging to it—clean, warm, undeniably him. Lying there, she couldn't help but think about how effortless it had felt to sit and talk with him on the rooftop, so different from the tension that filled the apartment all week. Wandering around his space with him in it had made her feel claustrophobic, like she was waiting for permission to even breathe. But out there, under there, it hadn’t felt suffocating. It had just been them. And they were closer than they had ever been before, and for once, she felt comfortable being so close to him. Maybe—just maybe—she could start feeling like herself around Jinyoung, too.

AN* guys it's gonna heat up really quick so stay tuned, if you wanna be on the taglist , comment or dm me :)

-> Chapter 16

“Jinyoung isn’t the reason I’m in bed right now, though he wasn’t thrilled I’d be taking a leave of absence.”

“Did you hurt yourself? I told you those heels you insist on wearing are dangerous.”

You rolled your eyes, remembering the multiple times he had removed you out of everything you wore but those heels. “No, I didn’t fall. Though, I guess I better be more careful in the future.”

“I’m not following.”

“What do you think about this house here?” you asked, turning your laptop around to show Jaebum. “It has four bedrooms and a reasonably sized backyard. It could do with some renovations, which we could get done over the next few months before we can’t.”

Jaebum merely stared at you.

“I know when your grandfather asked me to sign up as your wife five years ago that he wanted great-grandchildren, and I almost laughed in his face at the mere concept. And then, when I broke out of the contract and left the firm, he wasn’t thrilled with me at all. Especially since I stole his other favourite candidate to boost my newly purchased law firm. But do you reckon he’ll forgive me for all of that in nine months’ time? Well, more like seven. It turns out that morning sickness doesn’t come as early as—”

Jaebum’s lips crashed down on yours desperately, stealing away your breath and the rest of your sentence.

You had taken the leave of absence for only a week. You knew when it came to actual maternity leave that you would be more concerned about the running of your firm. By then, though, you would have trained up your recent employee to handle your cases as you took a much-needed break from the stresses of other people’s relationships.

You needed to focus on your own a little more carefully now.

“You’re pregnant?” he finally asked when his kisses turned tentative, as if he needed to be careful with you. “I thought you didn’t possess a single maternal bone in your body?”

“Hey! I think I do okay with Mark and Tessa’s triplets, don’t you? If I can babysit three of them for an evening, I’m sure to do fine with just one of our own.”

Jaebum’s mouth tipped up. “You sure it’s just one?”

“Thankfully,” you admitted with a quick exhale that made him laugh. “I had to get it checked immediately as soon as the test came back positive.”

“And to think, you were going to give this all up after a year with me,” Jaebum teased, kissing your temple as he finally joined you on the bed. You watched him soak you in with those bedroom eyes of his, laughing silently at how they had finally gotten you in the predicament you now faced.

“You had your chance to escape back then.”

Jaebum kissed you as he shook his head slowly. “There was no way I could escape you. I was yours long before our marriage of convenience.”

“Conveniently mine?” you wondered as his hands explored your body, eliciting waves of arousal despite the first trimester fatigue you were resting at home with.

“Conveniently yours,” Jaebum agreed, kissing you again.

“I could get used to that. I mean, if this marriage needs to have a reason, it ought to be that I belong to you, right?”

“No modern woman like yourself would belong to anyone.”

“Not anyone else,” you confirmed in a whisper, staring into the eyes of the man who had loved and worshipped you for years. “But for you, I think I can negotiate that into our ongoing contract.”

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You sat there with your laptop on your lap, and your legs stretched on the couch. With frustration, you closed my laptop, placing it on the coffee table before covering your face with your hands.

           “Hey, you okay?” You heard your boyfriend’s voice, asking you.

           You removed your hands to see him all showered before he could lift your legs up so he could sit on the couch beside you and plopped them on his lap.

           “Just tired… I don’t get how my boss work sometimes, he gave me all these numbers and documents that I know nothing about, and he told me the deadline is in two days.” You complained.

           Jaebum chuckled before he could run his hands on your legs, giving them light massages.

           “Do you want to go out and get some food first?” Jaebum offered. You looked at the clock that was sitting beside the TV and it was showing 5.47 PM in the afternoon.

           “Yeah, we should probably get something to eat since I’m not in the mood to cook myself.” You grumbled getting up from the couch to go over to Jaebum’s bedroom. You just grab his jacket that was hooked on the chair before you went back out to see Jaebum with carkeys in his hands.

           “Let’s go.”

Once you both got into the car, Jaebum asked you what you wanted to eat but you were not sure and you let him choose.

           “Come on, we’re not going to have a debate on what we’re eating for dinner. I’m letting you choose because, you’re having a bad day today.” He said, placing his warm hand on your thigh.

           You let out a breath shaking your head. “I don’t know what I want to eat, I can think—” Your words were cut by the sound of your phone ringing. As you picked your phone, you turn to Jaebum, putting your finger in front of your lips, telling him to keep quiet and Jaebum did shut his lips, focusing on the road.

           “Yes, Mr. Lee ?”

           “(Y/N), I’m sending you documents and files that is due tomorrow, I hope you’re not too busy.” Your boss suddenly said, making you raised your eyebrow.

           “I’m sorry sir, but I have a lot on my plate today, you just sent me numbers and documents last night, that I don’t know about, and I haven’t even finished on that yet, that one still have a long way to go.” You explained to him.

           “No, no,  no, I need you to work on those right now too! I’m sure you can handle all of them.” He said, with a laugh.

           “I can’t! Can I just pass it on to Carter?” You asked, feeling the tears burning in your eyes.

           “No! I want you to work on it! You can handle data like this better than anyone else, so I’m expecting all of them clear by tomorrow noon.” He demands.

           You leaned back on your seat trying to negotiate with your boss.

           “Can I have them all done by 2 days? Please, that’s all I’m asking.” You pleaded.

           You could hear him exhaling, unhappy about what you asked for, but he finally gave in.

           “Fine, I’ll be expecting ALL OF THEM—done by Thursday.” He said.

           “Great… thanks.” You quickly hung up the phone, dropping it between your legs before covering your face with your hands.

           “Everything okay?” Jaebum asked you.

           “I’m sorry Jae, can we just grab something fast and eat back at your place? My boss just gave me another thing that I need to work on.” You moaned, trying your best not to cry.

           “It’s okay, I understand, let’s just get something from the grocery and some other stuff you need—and I’ll cook… sounds like a plan?” He asked you.

           You looked to him giving him a weak smile before kissing his cheek and rest your head on his shoulder.

           “Sounds like plan to me.” You breathed.

You and Jaebum practically bought a lot of food. Ramen packs, meats, sauces, rice, and even some little snacks and other necessary things that you needed. Bottle drinks, canned drink—you both are stocking the fridge and the cabinets in his place.

           When you got back, Jaebum told you to just get to your work and he’ll handle the rest. You insisted on helping him but he didn’t let you. You finally gave up and walked towards the bedroom where some of the papers were placed. You brought it to the coffee table sitting on the floor before you could open your laptop and continue on your work.

           Jaebum put away all the stuff that you both bought into their places. Since he knows you’re already hungry, in advance, he made you a cup ramen. Bringing it over to you with a glss of iced water.

           “Thank you baby.” You thanked Jaebum, holding onto his arm before he could lean down to kiss your forehead.

           “Don’t work too hard on yourself.” He said, before walking back to the kitchen.

           The more you looked at the numbers at the screen the crazier you feel. You looked up to the clock on your laptop screen and you feel like that’s the ticking time bomb of your life.

           “(Y/N)…” You heard Jaebum’s voice calling you.

           “Yeah?” You turn to him, who was moving plates of food onto the table.

           “Come on, dinner’s ready.” He said before he could walk towards you.

           “I’m in the middle of something, can you wait for 5 minutes?” You asked him.

           Jaebum let out a sigh before he could sit right behind you on the couch, placing his lips on your shoulder.

           “Jae…”

           “What?” He asked, his voice sounded gruff.

           “Stop.” You told him.

           “I’m not doing anything, I’m just kissing your shoulder.” He said, before he could trail his lips towards your neck.

           You took a deep breath, feeling his warm lips slowly exploring your neck.

           “If agree on dinner now, will you stop?” You sighed, your hand holding onto the side of his head.

           “Yes…” He answered, looking up to your eyes.

           “Fine, let’s eat then.” You said, giving in, before you could give him a peck on the lips and closed your laptop.

Both of you walked towards the table and your ere surprised on how much he cooked.

           “They look so good!” You complimented, taking a seat on the chair.

           Jaebum opened the fridge taking out a can of coke. “Do you want one?” He asked.

           You nodded your head. “Yes please.” You answered him.

           Jaebum watched you as you gobbled your meal, and that he was actually sad to see stressed like this. He didn’t like that your boss had to make you work on yoru day off all of the sudden and giving you much, more, extra work again just a few moments ago.

           “Jae, you okay?” You asked, taking a drink of your coke.

           “Yeah, I’m okay, I’m just a bit irritated that your boss is giving you so much work.” He confessed, before taking a spoonful of rice.

           “I know… I hate it as much as you do, but I’ll try my best to be done by 9 okay?” you told him

           “Okay.” He smiled warmly extending his hand on the table and you took it. He brought it up to his lips to give it a gentle kiss before you both could enjoy your meal together.

Jaebum cleaned all the dishes while he told you to get back to your work, so you could finish early. You sat back down on the floor in front of the coffee table while Jaebum continued to his office to get into a meeting with his crew. Jaebum finished up his meeting at 9.30 PM as he walked out the room, he saw you still focusing on your laptop, typing something down.

           He let out a sigh before he walk closer to you and sat beside you.

           “Are you done?” He asked you.

           “No… not yet…” You sighed. “If you want to go to bed, it’s fine, you can go ahead.” You told him.

           “No, I’m not sleeping without you.” He pointed, wrapping his arms around your stomach. “Just take a break, leave it for tomorrow.” He whispered on your shoulder.

           “I wish I can, but I don’t know…” You whined, turning to him.

           “Fine, let’s just take a break then, for a while… you can do that right?” He asked and he watched you looking blankly at your laptop screen before you could nod your head.

           “You right, a 10 minute break won’t be so bad right?” You said, closing your laptop before the both of you could move up to the couch.

           You lay your head on his chest as he held you tight in his arms.

           “This feels nice…” You said, closing your eyes as you wrap your arms around him.

           “Yeah, you’ve been on that laptop for a whole day, you deserve a break.” Jaebum told you, and you nodded in agreement.

           “I know what else that can make you feel better.” Jaebum said, a hint of confidence was in his voice.

           “What?” You let out a light giggle, as you shift your position so that you can face him.

           He then slowly leaned his face closer to you, pressing his lips against yours. His kiss was gentle, but deep. You could feel his hand on the side of your hips, tugging your closer before you could move your position so you were straddling on his lap.

           You parted your lips from his lips, catching your breath.

           “Screw my deadlines, I want you for now.” You told him, connecting your lips back with his. Jaebum smiled and he wasted no time changing his position. He placed his hands on your ass before he could stand up, carrying you in his hands.

           “Do you want to move to bed, or should we stay here?” He asked, moving his lips to the corner of your lips then working his way down to your jawline. Your hands traveled up onto his head, getting a grip of him, as you felt his teeth biting your shoulder.

           “Bedroom—I don’t want to love you with my work being its witness.” You grumbled, wrapping your arms around his neck, burying your face on his shoulder.

           He then proceeds to walk towards the bedroom. He kicked the door closed behind him before he could place you slowly on the bed, He hovers on top of you while his lips didn’t part from yours. He lifedt the hem of the t-shirt you were wearing before you could part your lips from his and raise your body slightly so it was easier for him to strip it off of you. You then pushed him lightly, sitting up on the bed, pulling his shirt over his head before he could continue to crash his lips on yours. You let out pleasure moans as he sucked the sweet skin of your neck. His hand moved down between your legs, slipping under the fabric of your shorts and underwear.

           You felt your whole body just became alive as warmth spread throughout your veins.

           “Spread your legs for me baby.” He whispered into your ear, biting your ear lightly.          

           You did what he told you, and once you felt his finger inside you, you let out a whimper, digging your nails onto Jaebum’s back. You felt his finger moving slowly against you. Jaebum then slowly moved his hands away and pulled your pants down before he could pulled his down on his own.

           He connected his lips back onto you but you pulled your lips away, gasping for air. You felt the tip of it against you, before he slowly pushed himself inside you.

           “Jae…”

           “Hold still baby…” He whispered . You nodded your head as you closed your eyes, feeling him inside you.

           At first he moved slowly against you, you then pulled him close to you, moaning. You hid your face on his shoulder before your could feel Jaebum’s movement getting faster against you.

           “Jaebum, don’t stop, please don’t stop.” You moaned against his ear, only to make him move faster. Once he finished, he lets it out outside before he could collapsed on the bed next to you. You try to catch your breath as he tried to catch his. You turn to look at him before you could move yourself to snuggle into him.

           Jaebum let you rest your head onto his chest as he wraps his arms around you. He kissed the top of your head before he could let out a long breath.

           “Well that was a hell of a 10 minute break.” Jaebum commented and you giggled on his chest before you could move yourself so that you were facing him.

           “You didn’t even let me breathe!” You told him and he chuckled.

           “But it was a good break right?” He asked, tucking strands of hair behind your ear.

           “Better than I expected… just wasn’t a break at all.” You rolled your eyes. You looked over to the door, before you could push your hair back with your hand.

           “What?” You want to go back to work?” Jaebum asked, there was a hint of disappointment in his voice.

           You shook your head, giving him a sheepish smile. “Nope, I can’t think straight anymore, all I want is to be in this bed with you right now.” You told him, with a low voice, leaning down to kiss him.

           “Well in that case…” Jaebum suddenly grabbed your hands with his before he could shift his body from the bed, spinning so that he was hovering on top of you as you giggled.

           “Are you up for round 2?”