Archive of Our Own

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Somewhere along the way, Seokjin had lost track of the years. It was less than ten, but more than three, for sure. Maybe five? Probably five.Five years give or take a few months since Seokjin had wandered into his new life. From a stranded tourist, to a muse of a debauched artist, and now a loving husband. The years have been kind, mostly. Bumps in the road are inevitable, but nothing he and Namjoon haven't faced together. It's funny how a single phone call can change the course of a life, and how the ripples of that one moment of time can be felt months later. Seokjin was sure that after all of this, all they had been through, they would finally be at peace. After the harrowing and soul draining tumult of the last two months, Seokjin wanted nothing more than to sleep, relax, and rebuild his relationships with the people he'd hurt. It was Jimin's idea, surprisingly, to get away from Spain, to go on a vacation. Yoongi had joked about a vacation from what but everyone knew. Everyone had that same uneasy look in their eyes. Seokjin knew it wasn't only because of him, they all had their own lives and their own issues they were dealing with. But Seokjin knew, that if he had been stable, if he hadn't pushed everyone away, if he had helped instead of hurt, then Jimin wouldn't have thought it was necessary.So maybe Seokjin didn't mind the flights it took to get from Barcelona to Crete, nor did he mind the taxi ride to the villa Jimin had found for them. It wasn't an easy thing to find a place that would accommodate seven grown men in one house. But after a few weeks of planning and pulling strings, and throwing obscene amounts of money at people, Seokjin and Namjoon were setting their suitcases down into the room with a beautiful view of the mountains. Their home for the next month.The house that had been chosen wasn't near the tourist spots with the late night bars or crowded beaches. Much like they lived, they vacationed high up in the mountains with stunning views of the sea below. Seokjin could almost feel like they were still home, but instead of oranges he could only smell the sea."You want to take a nap?" Namjoon asked, softly, his voice having been on tip toes for the past few months. Distantly, Seokjin could hear thumping sounds and screams, the sounds of children tearing through the house the floor below. "Not much of a point," Seokjin said, opening up the odor to walk out onto the second floor terrace. It wrapped all the wary around the building with a few tables and chairs set up for barbequing or relaxing. Seokjin knew he was going to spend a lot of time out here, enjoying the quiet."I can tell them to be quiet," Namjoon said, following Seokjin out. He'd been like this for a while, always waiting for Seokjin to need him. Quick to offer to do something, anything if he needed it. Seokjin knew he was just trying to help, but it had grated on him so often that he had become quick to snap."You're doing it again," Seokjin said, leaning up against the stone rail, letting the breeze wash over him."Sorry," Namjoon murmured, quick to back down. "Just… tell me if you need something okay?""I just want to relax a bit on my own," Seokjin said, not looking back, not wanting to see Namjoon's sad eyes. He'd seen that so much lately. He wanted Namjoon to smile again. Seokjin wanted to smile again. It was over, the hard part was done and he was fine. They all were fine."I'll be downstairs if you need me," Namjoon said, and he disappeared before Seokjin could even roll his eyes. The irony was, Seokjin always needed Namjoon, had always wanted to be pampered and cared for by his husband. But that need to care had turned into something else, laced with pity and worry. It was a tainted well that he'd once drank from freely and he didn't know how to fix it. "Hey, Jin's trying to relax, keep it down," Namjoon said, his voice harder than Taehyung liked. But it had been that way for a while now. Stopping in the middle of where he'd been tickling Jungkook on their bed, Taehyung sat back and frowned at Namjoon, who looked like a ghost of himself."Wasn't the post of this so we could go back to normal?" Taehyung asked, keeping Jungkook pinned under him. "It's been ten minutes," Namjoon replied, leaning heavily against the doorframe. Just beyond him, he could see other people milling around in the kitchen, probably Jimin cooking, and fussing. "I know we're all a little wound up from the flight but can we please keep it down?""Agreed," came Yoongi's contribution from over Namjoon's shoulder."Fine, then close the door," Taehyung said, motioning for Namjoon to go."You think this is gonna help? All of us squished together in one house?" Jungkook asked, his hands settled on Taehyung's thighs."Probably not, but Jimin said Jin needs this," Taehyung said. "We were gone too long this time.""That's not my fault," Jungkook rolled his eyes and looked away. "We were only gone because you didn't want to be around Jin while he was… you know.""I did not! I just meant I didn't want to be in his crosshairs all the time," Taehyung argued, poking Jungkook in his firm chest. "We would be in the way at their place.""Right, which is why I said we should start looking for a place nearby," Jungkook said, sighing a little. "But you got mad at me for even suggesting it.""I didn't get mad, I got offended," Taehyung retorted, rolling off of him and sprawling on his back. "That was my home-our home- once and it doesn't feel right staying anywhere else.""It's been six years since you lived there," Jungkook said, sitting up. "And I was only there for a few months before we ran and we've been running ever since. I'm tired Tae. I'm tired of not having a home of our own. Jin needed us and you were too scared of being yelled at to be there. We need a place of our own.""I'm gonna go see if Jimin needs help," Taehyung said, rolling off of the bed, barreling out of the room before Jungkook could even call his name. "Hey, what are we making?" Taehyung fitted himself to Jimin's back, arms wrapped around his waist and snuffling against Jimin's blond hair."Just some fruit to snack on," Jimin said, not even deterred by Taehyung's presence. "Figured we wouldn't want a full meal yet but we need to rehydrate so fruit!""And wine," Yoongi said. "Which defeats the whole purpose of trying to rehydrate after hours of airline travel, Jimin. We should be drinking water-""Do you hear something Tae? It sounds like a party pooper," Jimin said, popping a bit of cut up melon into Taehyung's waiting mouth."Your husband is always a party pooper," Taehyung agreed, humming in approval at the taste of the melon. "He's gonna be even worse when the little-ow," Taehyung grunted at Jimin's elbow to his stomach. "What?""Not now," Jimin hissed at him. "Nobody else knows. We're keeping it a surprise.""But, why?" Taehyung frowned, mentally reminding himself to tell Jungkook that Jungkook never heard about Jimin and Yoongi's plan."Because, we just are," Jimin said, pointing the tip of the paring knife at him. "Especially Hoseok. Hoseok can't learn about it from anyone but us when we're ready. Promise me Kim Taehyung.""I promise," Taehyung held up his hands, unwinding them from around JImin and backing away. "But, I thought… you guys are all together, why are you doing this without him?""Hey Taehyung, how about you go get the rest of the suitcases out of the car," Yoongi said, and his tone left no room for argument. Taehyung looked between them, confused, but he moped himself out of the kitchen."He's already told Jungkook by now," Jimin said with a sigh, returning to where he was cutting up fruit."I'm sure Jungkook won't tell anyone," Yoongi said. "Namjoon and Jin haven't thought about much else but Jin that even if they were told, it wouldn't register.""That's why we're here though, right?" Jimin said, looking over at his husband and smiling. "Shake off the past few months, tell everyone exciting news, and go back home in a better place than where we were.""I know, but don't hang all your hopes on this being some magic place that cures all of us of the bad things that have happened," Yoongi said gently. "Maybe it isn't, but it's better than being back at home right now," Jimin said, hanging his head. "It was sucking the life out of everyone being there, I could see it. We need this.""We do, things haven't been right for a while," Yoongi said, taking the knife from Jimin and pulling him into a hug. "I don't know if they even will once we talk to Hoseok.""Which is why we put it off, we don't bombard him soon as he walks in," Jimin said, resting his cheek on Yoongi's shoulder. "He doesn't even know-""No, so we gotta ease him into everything that's happened the past few months," Yoongi said, running his hand up and down Jimin's back. "This was a good idea. We'll be okay.""I hope you're right," Jimin murmured, hugging him tighter.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

"I'm afraid the results of the biopsy were inconclusive."

"What does that mean? What happens now?"

"It means we need to do an exploratory. We would have to perform surgery. The results will take longer to determine, but we will know definitively if it's benign or malignant."

"How much longer?"

"A few weeks, maybe more."
 "Jin?"Setting down his glass of wine, Seokjin glanced over his shoulder to see Namjoon in the doorway of the patio. His husband looked just as handsome as that first day he saw him. There were lines etched in his cheeks, from too many smiles and too often in the sun, but they just made his dimples stand out more."Hey," Seokjin smiled, holding out his hand. "I'm sorry about earlier.""I forgot how cranky you get when travelling," Namjoon said, stepping out onto the terrace, taking Seokjin's hand in both of his own. He cradled the fingers, pressing kisses to each knuckle as he crouched down next to Seokjin's chair."You are far worse than I am about being a cranky traveller," Seokjin said, smiling softly and leaning his head against the back of the chair. "It's not the travel that's made me cranky, it's the past two months.""I was trying to give you an excuse," Namjoon said, pressing Seokjin's hand against his cheek. "Dinner is almost done. Do you want to eat downstairs with everyone or should I bring our plates up here?""Would be rude of me," Seokjin said, just drinking in Namjoon. In the soft light of the setting sun, Namjoon absolutely glowed. His hair was blond as usual, tied into a braid down his back. It had grown so long in the past few years. Seokjin teased him often enough about it, that he was going to cut it off, but he couldn't imagine his husband without his mane of hair. Especially when it was undone, and mess and Seokjin could tangle his fingers into it."They'd understand," Namjoon said, smiling until his dimples peeked out. "We're on vacation, we're allowed to be a little rude.""We can save that for later," Seokjin chuckled, leaning down to press a light kiss to Namjoon's forehead. "I can get through a dinner. Long as the kids are calmed down.""They took a nap," Namjoon said, not letting Seokjin pull back until they'd kissed. It was chaste for them, but it held a bit of promise for later when Namjoon nipped at his bottom lip. "They'll be on good behavior.""I doubt that, but maybe they can make me laugh at least," Seokjin said, wrinkling his nose. "I have a lot of things to make up for Joon. Not just with you, but with everyone.""There's no rush," Namjoon said softly. There was such sincerity in Namjoon's eyes, and such love that it was often overwhelming for Seokjin. Of course he was grateful his husband cared so deeply, had been so supportive through everything. Where would he be without his husband? How would he have faced his challenges without him?"Maybe not a rush, but I have a need to mend the bridges I burned," Seokjin said, looking towards the setting sun again as it dipped below the mountains to the west. "A month is both a long time, and a short time to make up for past grievances.""If it were anyone else, I'd agree," Namjoon said softly. "But these aren't just our friends, these are people who love us. Love you. I don't think it is going to take much to get them to forgive you, to welcome you back into their arms.""Feels like cheating," Seokjin sighed. "It shouldn't be that easy."It's not easy," Namjoon disagreed, standing up. He tugged a little on Seokjin's hand and with a resigned sigh, Seokjin stood to face him. "Forgiveness is never easy, we know that better than anyone. But understanding? That's easier. They all understand how hard it was, what you went through. They understand that you were scared and lashing out. They forgive you, because the alternative, would have been so much worse."Seokjin ducked his head, letting Namjoon pull him into his arms and to rest against his broad, sturdy chest. Seokjin had found comfort in these arms, a warm heart beating beneath this chest and a home in the man who kissed the top of his head. Namjoon hadn't needed to forgive him, but he did. Nor did any of the others, but they might. Seokjin just had to ask. Spend time with them, and and heal the part of him that not even the surgeon's tools could fix. Taehyung noticed him firms, smacking Jungkook on the arm to get him to turn around. They were all seated around the table, except for Jimin who was bringing out the last of the dishes to set in the middle of the table. Jungkook, cut short in his conversation with Yoongi hissed at Taehyung but went ramrod straight as Namjoon and Seokjin came down the stairs."Hey, what are we having?" Seokjin asked, a hesitant smile as he looked around at the others. He hadn't really spent any time with them the past few weeks, not even taking the same flight from home. So now, seeing the four of them, he couldn't help how face crumpled and the tears brimmed in his eyes."Oh, Jin," Jimin was the first to reach him, his hug like a soothing balm Seokjin didn't know he'd needed. Jimin, for all of his faults, was the touchstone Seokjin needed. Jimin was his friend, his co-conspirator, and always the first one Seokjin could turn to."I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just start blubbering," Seokjin said, choking out a laugh as he wiped at his eyes. "This is vacation, it's supposed to be happy!""Then these are happy tears," Jimin said, taking Seokjin's cheeks in his hands and smiling that sunshine smile at him. "I'm so glad you're here Jin.""I'm glad I'm here too," Seokjin said and let Jimin kiss him softly, none of Jimin's usual flair."Ugh come on, we're hungry," Taehyung said with a groan as Jungkook hopped up to his feet as well. Seokjin didn't even get two steps when Jimin pulled away before he was being pulled into a bear hug by Jungkook. "Ow, you're crushing me!" Seokjin laughed, pushing at him, but Jungkook's strength was no joke."Sorry," Jungkook said, grinning as he set Seokjin back down. "I really missed you.""I missed you too bun," Seokjin said, patting his cheek. "Go sit down, let's eat before Taehyung has a fit.""Where's my hug and kiss?" Taehyung pouted at Seokjin as everyone finally settled around the table."You didn't get up," Seokjin said, scooting his chair in. Taehyung muttered something under his breath but Seokjin had moved to look at Yoongi. "Well?""Well what? I don't need a hug," Yoongi said, dishing out food for himself and Jimin. "Unlike the rest of these idiots, I'm not horribly codependent.""When was Hoseok's flight getting in again?" Jimin asked, chin in hand as he watched his husband with a smirk."Seven in the morning, I already told you that," Yoongi frowned at him. "What?""Nothing," Jimin snorted, picking up his utensils."I can't wait till he gets here, will be nice to be around someone normal for a while," Yoongi grumbled. Jimin just rolled his eyes."Before we begin eating," Seokjin said, looking around at each of them individually. "I know things have been kind of rough the past couple of months. And I'm sorry that my words, and my actions may have hurt some of you. I love each and every one of you, and with this trip, I want to show you all that. Individually.""One on one?" Jungkook said, blinking a little at him. He shared a look between himself and Taehyung and Seokjin already knew what gutter those two were living in."Not like that," Seokjin sighed. "I mean, talking, one on one. I have some things I need to say to each of you, as I'm sure you all have things to say to me.""This vacation is more than just relaxing and drinking wine," Yoongi said. "We could have done that at home. But I think I speak for everyone when I say that home hadn't felt much like home. And not just because of you Jin. But all of us. This trip means a lot to me and Jimin, and I think it's important we spend time together. As a group, in smaller groups, or one on one. This was Jimin's idea, and I think he's right that it's needed.""We have all been kind of coming apart at the seams," Jimin said quietly. "So, while this kind of feels like home, it's somewhere neutral. We can talk, fight, lay out grievances, fuck. Whatever. This is all neutral ground, so we'll treat it that way. But at the end of the night, every night. We have dinner, and we go to bed happy. I don't want any fights carrying over into the next day. Okay?""You're assuming we're just going to fight the whole time? I thought this was vacation," Taehyung said with a frown. "I don't want to fight.""We are seven people have a lot of intense emotions and feelings, Tae," Namjoon spoke up. "We have a lot of things that need to be talked about. Right? We can't leave here until everything is out in the open and dealt with.""This feels more like couples therapy than a vacation," Taehyung said, leaning back in his seat, poking at his food. "It can be both," Jimin said. "But, tonight! No arguing, no fighting, no nothing. Just eating good food, drinking good wine, and going to bed happy.""Here, here," Yoongi said, lifting his wine glass. The others followed suit, though it took a poke to Taehyung's ribs from Jungkook for him to join as they tapped their glasses together. Later, when dinner has been consumed and the last glasses of wine finished off, Seokjin and Namjoon trudge back upstairs to their room. Seokjin knew just by looking that the mattress wasn't going to be as comfortable as his back home, but the sheets were fresh and clean and there was a cool breeze wafting in through the patio door. A perfect night, all things considered."Is it just me, or is the house pretty quiet?" Seokjin whispered as he climbed into bed, his clothes discarded to deal with in the morning."I thought you'd be happy about that," Namjoon replied, meeting Seokjin in the middle of the bed. "But it is pretty quiet.""There's no way the others are shy about fucking," Seokjin murmured, nuzzling his nose against Namjoon's shoulder, their bodies slotting against one another."Maybe they're just tired?" Namjoon suggests, gripping Seokjin's thigh and hitching it higher against his hip. "I'm pretty tired myself. And a little tipsy from wine.""You saying we should just.. Go to sleep?" Seokjin looks at him in feign horror. "It's the first night of vacation, what are we? Old married men?"Namjoon chuckled, kissing Seokjin softly. "We are, I think I saw a gray hair this morning.""That would be unfortunate, but I think you would look dashing with gray hair," Seokjin said, smiling as he leaned in to kiss him again."Oh, I wasn't talking about me," Namjoon grinned the five seconds it took before Seokjin caught on."What? No!" Seokjin tried to make an escape, to run to the nearest mirror and prove him wrong. "I do not have a gray hair!""Shh, Jin, I was kidding," Namjoon laughed, his arm going around Seokjin's waist and pulling him even closer. "But even if you did, I wouldn't care.I'd still think you're the most beautiful, the sexiest, most amazing man.""You better," Seokjin grumbled. He let Namjoon kiss him again, tilting his head to deepen the kiss.Maybe it was the sea air, and maybe it was an unfamiliar bed, but Seokjin wasn't tired, so he made Namjon tire him out. When morning came, Seokjin was wide awake watching the sky through the windows. He marveled at how blue the sky was, creeping out of bed so as not to wake Namjoon. Pulling on a robe, he went out to the patio and waited for the sun to rise up over the mountain. It reminded him of home, and how he liked to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning on the back patio. He loved watching sunrises and sunsets from his lounger. Crete was beautiful, there was no doubt, but it wasn't home. Seokjin often wondered how his life would be if he had decided to skip the wine tour five years ago when his engagement had ended. If he had gone on a tropical cruise, or went even farther to New York or Los Angeles to enjoy a different kind of city. What if he had come here, to a Grecian isle instead of the back country of Spain.Obviously, he wouldn't have met his husband, or his friends. Where would all of their lives be now?Seokjin didn't hear Namjoon getting out of bed, but he did hear the heavy footfalls on the stone before Namjoon wrapped himself and a blanket around Seokjin from behind."Morning," Namjoon murmured, his hair a disheveled mess as he pressed kisses to Seokjin's neck. "Why are you up?""You know I don't sleep well in a strange place," Seokjin replied, leaning back against him. "Saw the sun rising, wanted to come out and enjoy it."Namjoon rested his chin on Seokjin's shoulder and looked out towards the mountain, the sun climbing it's way over. "It's beautiful.""It's prettier back home," Seokjin said. "But I guess it's nice enough for the next month.""Nothing is prettier than the sunrise back home, except maybe watching you in the sunrise," Namjoon said. "Come back to bed, I want to warm you up."Seokjin chuckled, turning around in Namjoon's arms and kissing him. "You go back to bed, I'm going to make coffee and breakfast.""Bed isn't nearly as fun by myself," Namjoon mumbled against his lips."Then go crawl into bed with Tae and Jungkook," Seokjin replied back. "Yoongi's probably already gone to get Hoseok.""Probably, he was itching to leave last night," Namjoon chuckled. "You sure I can't convince you to come back to bed? I'll be quick.""You and quick do not belong in the same sentence," Seokjin said, pushing him away. "I mean it, if you're lonely go get Tae to wrap around you. I'm hungry."Namjoon pouted, but he shuffled back inside. Seokjin cast another glance up at the sun as it cast it's warm light across the landscape. Not the red and amber hues that Seokjin was used to, but turquoise skies and green dotted brush along the mountainside. It was beautiful in its simplicity, but it would never be home. Seokjin puttered around the kitchen, scouring for utensils to make breakfast. He chose to ignore the sounds coming from the next room after Namjoon had gone in to bother Taehyung. Seokjin wasn't the only one who needed to reconnect with everyone and he wasn't going to get in the way of hat for Namjoon.They would need a lot more groceries if they were going to survive the next month, but Seokjin was able to cook up a good meal that he could put in the fridge so the others could reheat later. He took his food back upstairs to the patio to eat, enjoying his alone time. Probably the only he'd get for a while.The rest of the house stayed quiet, though Seokjin knew Jimin had got up at some point to have some coffee and breakfast, and the sounds from Taehyung and Jungkook's room didn't quiet for a few hours either. It was about the time someone came out on the patio, a lighter step than Namjoon's. Seokjin glanced and smiled softly."Hoseok," Seokjin said with a happy sigh. "How long has it been?""A few months," Hoseok said, joining Seokjin at the table. He looked good, tired from his long travel, but good. "The others are being obnoxious, thought I'd come say hi to you.""Hm, that so," Seokjin murmured, sipping at his glass of wine. "I take it they told you finally?"Hoseok sighed softly, rubbing his hands together. "They told me a little bit, but I wanted to hear from you.""Probably going to need more wine for this," Seokjin said. "It'll be my price for telling you. You'll have to get me a glass of wine when I'm done.""Fair enough," Hoseok nodded, his eyes never wavering from Seokjin, intense, but concerned."Four months ago, I went for a routine check up," Seokjin said. "Well, they found a growth. A small little tumor in the lymph node of my left armpit." Seokjin had to look away from Hoseok, staring out towards the sea in the distance. "They thought it was a cyst, but were going to do a biopsy just to make sure.""Shit," Hoseok breathed out. So, they hadn't told him the worst bit then."We scheduled the biopsy for two weeks later," Seokjin continued. "I wasn't panicking yet. It was just a cyst. This was just a routine check. So, went in, they made a little incision and took a sample. Sewed me up and sent me home. Everything was fine, it was just a cyst. Then they called me a week later, said I needed to come in."Seokjin took in a deep breath, wishing he had more wine right then. "They sat me and Namjoon down and told me it wasn't a cyst. It was a tumor. But the test was inconclusive if it was…""... if it was cancer," Hoseok finished for him because Seokjin was having trouble talking. Nodding Seokjin gripped the wine glass in his hand, something to ground himself until he could touch Hoseok. He couldn't touch Hoseok until this was all out."So, they gave me options," Seokjin said when he could find his voice. "Wait, see what it did. If it grew and became… cancer. Or wait for it to be nothing, benign. Or they could cut it out and do chemo on me right away. Just to be safe.""Oh shit, Jin," Hoseok reached out, squeezing Seokjin's arm."I didn't like any of those options," Seokjin shook his head. "I didn't want to be cut open and treated with literal poison if I was fine. So, I chose to wait." "You didn't… oh my god Jin, how long?" Hoseok asked in a whisper."I waited two months," Seokjin said. "For two months I agonized over what to do. Let it tear me apart inside because… they didn't know if I was dying. They had no idea and I was so scared. I was so, so scared Hobi.""Why didn't you call me? I would have been here in an instant," Hoseok said, scooting his chair closer. "The others… they didn't say anything.""I told them not to, not to worry you," Seokjin said, shaking his head. "I pushed everyone away, I didn't want to be with anyone. Taehyung and Jungkook ran, as usual. Yoongi and Jimin, I don't know what's going on with them but they went home and closed the doors and never came out. And Namjoon… fuck, I don't know how he's still with me.""He loves you," Hoseok said, taking Seokjin's hand off of the wine glass and holding it. "So, what happened?""I waited, and went back to the doctor to do more tests," Seokjin said, feeling like he could breathe again. "It was a benign growth. It wasn't any bigger, it wasn't attacking other cells. So they cut it out and threw it away. And that was it. No cancer. Just… two months of me worrying and being afraid I was going to die. For nothing."Hoseok squeezed Seokjin's hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss the back of it. "It's not for nothing, I don't think anything that happens is for nothing," he said softly. "I'm glad you're okay.""I am too, I'm glad I'm not dying," Seokjin laughed, the sound watery and he wiped at his eyes with his free hand. "But I hurt everyone. I was mean, I lashed out. I took out all my frustration on people I love. It's why we're here. Because Jimin thought it was time for me to make peace with everyone.""Well he picked a beautiful place to do it," Hoseok said, his soft smile easing onto his lips. "How's it going so far?"Seokjin shrugged, finally looking up at him. "Don't know yet, the first day wasn't great. But I was tired. Long day.""Tell me about it," Hoseok snorted, resting his head against Seokjin's shoulder. "How about we take a nap hm? I'm exhausted, Yoongi and Jimin are going to hover around me if I try to sleep downstairs right now.""I think a nap sounds great," Seokjin nodded. His heart ached and his soul felt so weary from reliving the terrible few months. Hoseok had to be told the truth, but it didn't make it easier for Seokjin to tell him, and no one else would have the right to say how Seokjin felt about what had happened. It was a nod to how tired he was that he didn't even make Hoseok get him his wine. But, he could save it for later.Hoseok led him back inside and they slid into the covers. Into Hoseok's arms that always held love, and compassion. There was no judgement in these arms. "I mean it, that I'm really glad you're okay," Hoseok said, pressing his lips to Seokjin's forehead. "I don't know what any of us would do without you. Namjoon would be a wreck, and can you imagine how lost Tae and Jungkook would be? You're… our center.""I think Jimin's more the center than me," Seokjin murmured into Hoseok's chest. "But I appreciate you trying.""You're still important to us," Hoseok said, scooting down so they were eye to eye. "You're important to me.""You're important to me too," Seokjin said, touching Hoseok's cheek. "You know, those few months we were in Seoul together, it felt nice having someone to commiserate with.""That feels like a lifetime ago," Hoseok said. "When you left, I had no one to commiserate with. It's been lonely.""Hobi…" Seokjin sighed, rolling over slightly and pulling Hoseok on top of him. "You don't have to be lonely. You know that."Settling on his knees, Hoseok smirked down at him as he leaned in to give Seokjin a kiss. "I know, Jin, I know," he said. There wasn't much said after that, Seokjin offering comfort as much as Hoseok was. They hadn't worm much more than underwear to bed and those were thrown out from under the covers quickly. It wasn't often that Hoseok and Seokjin were alone together, usually Namjoon with them, sometimes Jimin. But having all of Hoseok's attention on him, that was something magical. Hoseok knew the right places to touch, to caress, to kiss. Hoseok had figured out the places that made Seokjin squirm and gasp. He figured out pretty quickly that Seokjin's nipples were sensitive, and liked to torture Seokjin with pinches as he sucked Seokjin's dick. Like now, where Hoseok was squeezing one of Seokjin's nipples with one hand, bobbing his head up and down his dick while gently fingering him with the other hand. It wasn't dry, Seokjin still worked open from the night before, but it wasn't as wet as he usually liked it."Hobi," Seokjin groaned, his head tilting back into the pillow. "Come on, just fuck me, please.""You sure?" Hoseok asked, lapping at the head of Seokjin's dick. "Kind of just want to watch you squirm until you come on my finger.""Fuck, no, please," Seokjin whimpered, lifting his head up to look down at him. "Please, let me ride you."Hoseok's eyebrows went up and his heart shaped smiled turned feral. Before Seokjin could even let out a squeak, he was being manhandled over to straddle Hoseok's waist. Before long, he was slowly sliding down onto Hoseok's waiting dick with a sigh.They were both pretty tired, but Seokjin could still get him off. Could still work his hips and touch his chest and arms the way Hoseok liked to be stroked. He could tilt his head back, letting his hips snap forward and back as he ground his ass. He could feel Hoseok tensing underneath him, his eyes fluttering between want and exhaustion. He could feel Hoseok was close when Hoseok grabbed his thighs and started to snap his hips up into him. He knew Hoseok was coming by the startled gasp and his eyes clenching closed.When Hoseok went boneless, Seokjin groaned and slowly rolled off to lay next to him. "Thanks Hobi," Seokjin murmured, not even caring about cleaning up as he closed his eyes. Hoseok's soft snore was his response and Seokjin had to laugh to himself. If only that happened every time, then Seokjin wouldn't have to worry about the emotional talks for a few days. When he was ready for them anyway.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

For as long as Taehyung could remember, he never liked sleeping alone. When he was young he slept nestled between his parents because they couldn't afford a crib. As he grew older, he shared a small mattress with his brother until he was too old, too big to be home. When he ran away from home, barely sixteen, he found himself in other people's beds, trading favors for a good night's sleep and someone to hold onto him.He'd been lucky enough to catch the attention of an older, wealthy man who liked the paintings Taehyung sold to make money. For just the cost of sucking an old man's dick, Taehyung got to go to college and another warm bed to sleep in. It was good, it was comfortable, and Taehyung had learned a number of things about love and life and pleasure in that first year. When the man died, and Taehyung ran to Spain with his art group in school, Taehyung found another bed to fall into, in the arms of a young, vibrant artist who he loved fiercely. Taehyung had never felt as safe and as loved as he had with Namjoon, and their bed was filled with the secrets of pleasure between them.Then there was Jungkook, who found his way into Taehyung's path who had fit so seamlessly into Taehyung's heart and bed like he belonged there, and he'd never left. He was the only true constant now in Taehyung's, and it was hard to sleep without him, even worse to wake up.What TAehyung liked the best though, was waking up, completely and utterly fucked out, with Jungkook cradled against his chest. Even more, was the heavy body of Namjoon behind him, strong, steady arms wrapped around them both. If anything, this was home, these two people, and the others that drifted in and out of whatever bed Taehyung was in. But this he especially liked."You awake?" Namjoon murmured in his ear, rubbing his nose against Taehyung's shoulder."Am now," Taehyung grinned, letting Namjoon wake him up again. He vaguely remembered Namjoon climbing in not long ago and waking him up by more pleasurable means which had somehow culminated in being fucked by Jungkook and Namjoon at the same time. It was a great way to start the day, the first real day of their vacation. Somewhere above their heads was the sound of creaks and groans, Seokjin's telltale gasps. Taehyung turned his head to look up at the ceiling with a curious frown. "Who's with Jin?""Hoseok," Namjoon said with a bit of mirth in his voice. His hand was wandering down Taehyung's bare thigh and back up to knead at his ass. "Just got in. Didn't even come say hi to me. Jimin told him what was up finally so he went to go talk to Jin.""Hobi has magic healing hands, he'll get Jin out of his funk," Taehyung said, sighing in a happy hum. "As much as my dick wants to go again, my ass is a little sore. But don't stop touching me.""Should I go find Jimin then?" Namjoon chuckled, peppering kisses across Taehyung's shoulders."For me or for you?" Taehyung snorted, the chest rumbling and their low whispers rousing Jungkook."S'goin' on?" Jungkook mumbled, his eyes barely cracking open as he rolled over onto his back."Namjoon's horny," Taehyung said, groaning because Namjoon had taken to palming his hand over Taehyung's dick."Alright, alright, I got the message," Namjoon chuckled. He tilted Taehyung's face towards him and left a light kiss against his lips. "You want breakfast?""Only if it's made by someone other than you," Taehyung grinned at him, yelping at Namjoon swatting his ass lightly. "Yes, please.""Alright, I'll see what we got," Namjoon said, sitting up and climbing up off the bed. He went around to give Jungkook a kiss on his forehead before leaving, closing the door behind him.Taehyung scooted into Jungkook's space and wrapped around him, his long legs hooking over Jungkook's waist and nuzzling his nose into his shoulder. "Hi.""Hi," Jungkook smirked, his arm curling around Taehyung's shoulder and cuddling him close. "Sleep okay?""Not really, this bed is too lumpy," Taehyung said, scratching at Jungkook's belly. "Got better after Namjoon came down though. It's nice being sandwiched between two of my favorites.""I know, it's your number one complaint when we're out on the road," Jungkook said. "No one to be the other bread piece.""Not one of my favorites anyways," Taehyung said. Before they'd come back to Namjoon and Spain and mended fences, there had been plenty of addendums to their pair. Men they met in bars or coffee shops who thought they were exotic and beautiful. Which, they were beautiful, and definitely more beautiful together, but they were nothing when compared to Namjoon. Or Jimin. Or anyone else awake or asleep in this house."You know, I hate to bring it up-" Jungkook started, but winced when Taehyung flicked him on the nose."If you know, then don't do it," Taehyung sniffed. "You've been trying to bring this up every day for two months and I just don't want to.""I keep bringing it up because I want to actually talk about it," Jungkook said, annoyance clear in his voice. He sat up, pushing Taehyung's leg off of him as he scrounged for clothes. "But you just want to put your fingers in your ears and act like you can't hear me.""There's nothing to talk about!" Taehyung argued, sitting up as well. "I keep saying no, I don't want to do this, why do I have to keep saying that?""Because you don't have any good reasons why not!" Jungkook snapped at him, and Taehyung shrank back at his tone."Don't yell at me," Taehyung said, lips pursed.Running his hand through his hair, Jungkook took a deep breath before he said anything. "I'm sorry. I'm frustrated Tae. You don't get that. So, I'm gonna go see if Namjoon needs any help."Taehyung watched him go, his shoulders slumped and his heart hurting. The sheets were still warm from the two who had left him, and he tried to spread out, to cozy himself into that part of his home that was now empty. But it wasn't the same.He didn't hear the door open, but he knew someone was in the room when the bed dipped and a body slid in under the sheets. Warm arms wrapped around his middle and pulled him into a back hug."Hey, what was that about?" Jimin asked. "You two never fight.""We fight all the time," Taehyung murmured, turning around to curl into Jimin's warmth. "We're just never around you guys when we do.""Okay, so what was the fight about?" Jimin asked, carding his hand through Taehyung's hair. "What's going on? He looked really upset."Playing with the collar on Jimin's shirt, Taehyung debated trying to act cute or give Jimin a blowjob to distract him. But Jimin wasn't Jungkook or Yoongi and easily distracted by sex. Distracting, yes, because Jimin was sex in skinny jeans, but when Jimin wanted to talk about something, nothing worked."It's the same thing we've always fought about, but now he's really dead serious about it," Taehyung said. "He wants to buy a house near you guys in Spain."Taehyung could hear Jimin's restrained glee, because of course Jimin would like the idea of them all being real neighbors."And we don't want to do that because…?" Jimin lead, scratching at Taehyung's scalp. "Because you don't have any furniture? Or, because you'd never be home? Or because one tiny apartment in Seoul you never actually stay at is more than enough?""That's Jungkook's apartment, not mine," Taehyung grumbled. The company had given it to Jungkook to stay at when he was in Seoul for promotions, but it was just a place like a hotel. Transient, with a too firm of bed."Okay, so then is it about furniture? Well we can get you furniture," Jimin said. "There's a great craftsman in town, or there's Ikea, obviously or-""It's not about furniture either," Taehyung groaned. "It's… I don't want to live in Spain without Namjoon there. I've never lived anywhere but his house. Nowhere else would be home.""That's ridiculous and you know it," Jimin frowned at him. "You and Kook haved stayed with us for long periods of time. It wouldn't be any different. That's an old excuse, give me something more recent.""It's not an excuse," Taehyung sniffed as he pinched Jimin's nipple in retaliation. "You asked for reasons. It's a valid reason!""Yes, sure, fine," Jimin swatted Taehyung's hand away. "Okay, give me a more recent reason.""If we go and live somewhere else then Jin and Namjoon will think we don't want to be with them," Taehyung said meekly, and by the look on Jimin's face he knew Jimin wasn't buying that one either."Patently untrue, I don't even need to tell you that," Jimin said, gentler than before. "Namjoon will always want you with him.""But Jin?" Taehyung asked, noting the omission in Jimin's words."Jin's put up with a lot from you Tae," Jimin sighed. "But, he loves you, just like we all do. You know it hurt him that you ran away when he got sick.""Which just reinforces the fact that if Jungkook and I buy a house, and don't stay with them, he'll think we don't want them!" Taehyung said, pointing at him. "Am I wrong?""Yes, you are so incredibly wrong it hurts my heart," Jimin groaned. "Maybe you and Jin need to talk. That's what this whole vacation is about. Talking to each other.""I thought it was mostly about you and Yoongi giving Hoseok an ultimatum?" Taehyung grumbled, earning him a well earned pinch to his arm. "What? It is.""It was more than just that, but yes, we wanted to tell Hoseok about our decision here," Jimin said, pulling Taehyung in for a hug. "But Jin needed this vacation too. He needed a safe place to talk to everyone and apologize. It's what he wanted.""He didn't do anything wrong, I'm the one that ran," Taehyung said, closing his eyes."Honestly? You probably were right to run, it was… not fun," Jimin said quietly. "It was hard to be near him. He didn't want comfort, or reassurances, or anything. He drank way too much wine and cried a lot and it was hard to watch him go through it."Taehyung curled his arms around Jimin's waist, sliding his hand up the back of Jimin's shirt. "I don't do well with people who aren't doing well. I was scared. I thought… he could have died.""Yeah, it's why it was so hard for him," Jimin nodded, pressing his lips into Taehyung's forehead. "We've gotta give him a whole lot of extra love, okay? He's still hurting about it, but we can help him get past it.""All the more reason to stay in his house when we get back," Taehyung said. "The Jungkook thing aside, I think we need to be with him.""I agree, but the Jungkook thing isn't going to go away Tae," Jimin said. "You two should talk, and find out the real reason you don't want to buy a house.""I already told you two very valid reasons," Taehyung grumbled. He was working his other hand down into Jimin's pants, squeezing the curve of his ass and nuzzling into his neck."You gave me excuses," Jimin hissed, bucking his hips slightly. "What are you doing?""Namjoon got me riled up but my ass hurts," Taehyung said, his hand sliding between Jimin's ass cheeks to press against his hole. It was wet, and and when he pushed his finger in, Jimin moaned at the easy slide. "I see you and Yoongi had some fun?""You know how anxious he gets when Hoseok's coming," Jimin groaned as Taehyung slid his finger in and out of him. "He kept me up until he had to go get Hobi from the airport.""You two were pretty quiet, I didn't hear a thing," Taehyung chuckled, nipping at his neck and rolling them over so he had Jimin caged under his bigger frame. "You're usually so loud.""He gagged me," Jimin chuckled, helping Taehyung pull off his pants. His breath hitched as Taehyung slowly slid inside. Jimin never minded that Yoongi liked to use a sloppy amount of lube, made repeat performances easier as well as later partners. He wrapped his legs around Taehyung's waist and let Taehyung slowly rock into him."He doesn't usually gag you, he reserves that for me," Taehyung murmured, pressing chaste kisses to Jimin's cheek and jaw."That's cause you talk too much," Jimin said, his breath hitching. "He just wanted me quiet last night. It's okay, I liked it.""You like anything," Taehyung teased and Jimin just laughed in agreement. Jimin was always easy, not just in sex but in life. He was a wild untamed thing once, but years and domesticity had somewhat mellowed him. Not enough to be boring, but even Taehyung knew Jimin's wild days were behind him. Jimin was maturing, taking on a new responsibility that Taehyung would never consider.That didn't make him less of the person he was, because he could still make even Taehyung blush in embarrassment with the things he came up with. But the eagerness of Jimin's desires had been tempered into a molten pool instead of an exploding volcano.Maybe that was what happened as you got older and found love, found a home to be in. Maybe that's the real reason Taehyung was afraid.Taehyung came with a muffled whine into Jimin's neck, unable to help the tears that were gathered in the corners of his eyes. Jimin, his soulmate, knew, and curled his arms around Taehyung's shoulders and hugged him. "It's okay," Jimin whispered, petting down his hair. "I got you." When Jungkook came back with a bowl of rice and a fried egg, Taehyung was still sniffling into Jimin's chest. They'd cleaned up and Jimin had made him put clothes on so they could cuddle in the warmth of the nest Taehyung had made."Tae?" Jungkook looked alarmed, setting the bowl down and climbing up onto the bed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled, don't hate me.""I don't hate you," Taehyung said, accepting Jungkook into their cuddle pile and kissing him gently, but with a whole lot of love. "I'm not crying about that. But you're forgiven for yelling.""Then why are you crying?" Jungkook asked, looking to Jimin for answers but Jimin shook his head. Jimin didn't know specifics, that wasn't his to know yet. But Taehyung would fill him in later."Just, you know, stuff," Taehyung said. "Jimin's ass being what it is.""Jimin's ass made you cry?" Jungkook looked skeptical, but he accepted it for what it was."My ass has made many a man cry," Jimin said smugly. Yoongi, unaware of the conversation, poked his head into the doorway. "Tae have you seen- oh, there you are," he said, looking at Jimin with his eyebrows all the way up to his forehead. "Come on, Hobi's up.""Time to go make two more men cry," Jimin said, kissing Taehyung and then Jungkook on the cheek. "You two play nice, and remember what I said Tae. Go talk to Jin. I'm assuming he's free now if Hoseok's beckoning Yoongi to bed.""Yeah, yeah, I'll go find him after breakfast," Taehyung said, waving him off. With Jimin gone, Jungkook wiggled his way back into the hole he'd left behind earlier."Are you sure you're okay?" Jungkook asked, nervously biting at his bottom lip."Yeah, I'm sorry," Taehyung said, squeezing his bicep. "Look, you're right. We do need to talk, but," he emphasized when Jungkook opened his mouth, excitement in his eyes, "I've gotta talk to Jin first. Okay? I promise, we'll talk.""Promise huh?" Jungkook looked elated, and relieved, and fuck if Taehyung wouldn't do anything for that smile. Maybe putting off the talk hadn't been the right choice, and maybe he needed to do more compromising than he had been lately, but things always seemed to come up."Yeah, I promise," Taehyung said, kissing him again. "Now, feed me, Seymour!""We are never watching that movie again," Jungkook complained, getting up to retrieve the bowl of rice."You love Little Shop of Horrors!" Taehyung gasped in outrage. "You wouldn't stop singing Somewhere that's green for weeks!""It was a hint, Tae," Jungkook said."You… charlatan!" Taehyung pointed at him. It was well past noon and close to dinner when Taehyung found himself outside of Seokjin's door. No one but Namjoon had seen him since breakfast, but it was understandable. As much as this vacation was about Seokjin repairing the broken relationships, it was also about mending his own scarred self. And it was only the first full day so there was plenty of time, but Taehyung knew he couldn't go through the rest of the week without figuring out where he stood with Seokjin."Jin?" Taehyung called, knocking on the door. It swung open with the lightest of his taps, but he didn't see Seokjin anywhere."I'm out here," Seokjin called from the open patio door. Taehyung shuffled his way over, popping his head out to see Seokjin sitting at a table, his legs propped up on another chair. "Hi?" he looked bemused and tilted his head."Hi," Taehyung waved sheepishly and came outside. "Wow, this view," Taehyung whistled, stepping towards the railing. "Looks even better up here than downstairs.""It is something," Seokjin said, and Taehyung knew Seokjin was watching him. "What can I do for you Taehyung?""Um, yeah I just wanted to see how you were doing?" Taehyung said, which was true, but not the whole truth. "Make sure you had a drink, if you needed anything.""You're not the hovering naggy kind like Namjoon," Seokjin said, closing his book and setting it on the table. "So, why don't you tell me why you're really here?"Shoulders slumping, Taehyung leaned up against the stone railing and looked down at his slippers. "Jimin said I should talk to you about something but I don't know if it's the right time or not.""If it's because of how the last time we talked I yelled at you about your music, I'm sorry," Seokjin said. "I have a lot to apologize to you for. I think of everyone you took the most of my hostility.""I get why, you know? You and me haven't… we've never been as close as me and Namjoon, or you and Kook," Taehyung said. "We orbit different spheres. I love you, and I know you love me, but we're not like that.""No, I suppose you're right," Seokjin said, frowning a little at him. "I think we should change that. It's been long enough, I've forgiven you for everything that happened. I guess I held you at arm's length so long I didn't know how to bring you in."Well, this was going a lot better than Taehyung had thought it would. But, he still had things he needed to say."But that isn't why you want to talk to me, is it?" Seokjin asked. "What you want to ask, it doesn't have to do with me?""No, well, kind of, but not really," Taehyung dithered. "See, Jungkook keeps asking me about buying a house near you guys, and I keep telling him no. I thought it was because, you know, I didn't want to live anywhere else but with Namjoon," Taehyung ignored the way Seokjin's lips pressed into a thin line, " but I don't think that's the real reason? And I also thought that you would um… think I didn't love you guys or something, and that you would be even more mad at me."Pulling his feet off the chair, Seokjin sat up to look at Taehyung with a serious frown. "Tae, that's all bullshit," he said, pointedly. "Namjoon knows, and I know, exactly how you feel about us. You flit in and out of our lives like a ghost, you cause havoc wherever you go, and when you leave, it's like cleaning up after a tornado. But, no matter what, we love you. And we know you love us. That isn't going to change because you live at a different address. Now, as far as not wanting to live anywhere that isn't with Namjoon? You live everywhere and nowhere. You can live without Namjoon, you did for years. Yes, you pined for him, but you can do it.""Yeah, I kind of realized how stupid it sounds," Taehyung said. "I think Jimin was going to beat me up over it. But, those were just excuse. Lies I was telling myself. And yeah, it'll be sad that I don't live with Namjoon, but that doesn't mean I can't visit, right?""Of course, we know you'd visit, all the time," Seokjin chuckled. "So, did you figure out the real reason you don't want to talk to Jungkook about finding a house?"Taehyung nodded, glancing to the side, admiring the view of the mountain he didn't know was there. "Remember when I first came back, and I told Namjoon that I was scared of settling down with Jungkook?""Yes, the one thing you were completely honest about," Seokjin said. "It's still true, isn't it." That wasn't a question, and fuck if Seokjin couldn't see right through him at all times."Yeah," Taehyung nodded. "I'm still scared that if we buy a house, and move in. We'll be… well… committed. And I'm totally committed to Jungkook. But a house is like… it's everything I ran away from.""How do you mean?" Seokjin tilted his head. "When you ran away from Namjoon?""No, I mean, kind of, I mean when I ran away from home as a kid," Taehyung said. "My parents, they had these expectations of me when I was growing up. I'd get married and have kids and take over the family farm. That was it, that was what my life was supposed to be. But I didn't want that, I wanted so much more.""Oh, Tae," Seokjin sighed softly. "I've never heard you talk about your parents. I didn't know any of this.""No one does," Taehyung shrugged. "I've never told anyone about it. My parents found out I was gay and they were so ashamed of me. So, I ran away when I was sixteen and never looked back. I never wanted to settled down with a wife and kids and be a farmer.""So, Jungkook wanting to buy a house in the wine country of Spain, feels like settling down to be a farmer?" Seokjin asked."He keeps talking like we need a home, we have to have a house to have a home, but my home is in him," Taehyung said. "It's wherever he is, because a house is just wood and glass and things. My home is with people I love.""Which is why Namjoon's home, is your home," Seokjin said softly. "Oh, Tae it makes so much more sense now. I'm so sorry.""It's nothing to be sorry over," Taehyung shook his head. "I finally realized why I'm having trouble, so I see it as a good thing. It doesn't matter where I live, it shouldn't matter. Because Jungkook is my home. Not Namjoon."Seokjin let out a soft sigh, his smile was sad, but so loving it made Taehyung want to start crying all over again. "Does that mean you're going to talk to Jungkook and finally settle down?""No, it means I'm going to let Jungkook buy a house wherever he wants, and live with him there," Taehyung said with a chuckle. "I'm never going to settle down."At that, Seokjin laughed, the first time Taehyung had seen Seokjin laugh in weeks. It was a sight to behold, and Taehyung didn't think as he pushed away from the railing to cross the patio towards him. Seokjin's laugh died, but he took Taehyung's hand when offered and stood up."I have a lot of making up to do," Taehyung said, his arm curling around Seokjin's waist. "So do you right?""I do," Seokjin nodded, tilting his head side to side. "Fresh start?""Fresh start," Taehyung nodded, drawing Seokjin in for a kiss.It was not the first time they'd kissed, nor would it be the last. But it felt new, it felt different. The tension had eased between them, and Taehyung was ready to fully open his heart to this man who had become so important.Seokjin didn't let the kiss last long before he was pulling Taehyung into the bedroom through the open door. He sat down on the edge of the bed and Taehyung knelt between his legs."Kind of feels like the first time again," Taehyung said as he eased Seokjin's cock out of his pants, stroking it to life."It does, but it feels more important this time," Seokjin said, his eyes fluttering. Taehyung wasn't wasting time as he leaned down tolick along the underside of the shaft. He grinned at Seokjin's soft moans, continuing to run his tongue around the shaft and head. He didn't properly take Seokjin in until Seokjin grunted and pulled slightly at his hair. "Don't tease.""I love teasing," Taehyung chuckled, but did as prompted. Taehyung liked to think he was good at giving head, though he knew from experience that Seokjin was a god amongst men at it. But he could work Seokjin up and edge him until Seokjin was a slightly homicidal mess. He threatened, cajoled, and whined at wanting more, wanting to get off. But, Taehyung was a master at witholding pleasure. He knew the telltale signs of when Seokjin was about to come and squeeze at the base of Seokjin's cock. He grinned at Seokjin's expletive laden threats to his life. He would sometimes get distracted and bite at Seokjin's thigh or hip, only earning himself a hair pull and seokjin holding his head still as Seokjin fucked his face. He didn't mind.Taehyung reveled in it really. Something about being manhandled by Seokjin, who was normally so kind and gentle made Taehyung's blood boil. Seokjin knew his own strength, and never wanted to hurt anyone, unless he was being denied an orgasm.So when Taehyung finally let him up, smiling up at him while Seokjin came all over his face, he knew they were going to be better than ever. He loved Seokjin, a lot more than he thought he did.Not as much as Jungkook, or Namjoon. Right? Or, maybe it didn't matter, because love was love and it had no scale. (But he definitely loved Jimin most)

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

There was only one rule on their vacation. Well, two, but Taehyung not being allowed to cook was a rule everywhere. The one rule was that if you were home for dinner, you ate dinner with everyone. It had been Jimin's rule, and he wasn't going to let anyone out of it. Not even his husband, or his boyfriend. It was a time for sharing, it was a time to laugh and joke and tell stories for the millionth time.It was family time, and Jimin loved his family. He put a lot of extra care into making these dinners and if he was cooking then dammit everyone was eating. It felt most important that it was the first night with Hoseok there. All seven of them crowded around the table, enjoying warm home cooked food. Hoseok may laugh a little loudly and Taehyung may dominate the conversations with his tales of wandering europe, but it was good. It was nice.Of course Hoseok just had to ruin it."Okay kids, it's time," Hoseok stood up, dropping a bag in the middle of the table. The dishes had been cleared and everyone was enjoying a bottle of malvasia wine that had been stocked in the wine cooler."Is that…?" Namjoon's eyebrows went up. "How did you manage to get weed through customs?""Oh, Joonie, my dear friend," Hoseok put his hand to his chest, smiling sadly at Namjoon. "Always buy local.""You've been here what, twelve hours? How the hell did you manage that?" Yoongi asked with an incredulous look. "I picked you up at the airport!""Why are we arguing about this and not smoking?" Hoseok said, blinking at him. No one had a good argument for that, except Jimin, who just made a face at Hoseok. "We couldn't have our first night be nice and normal, could we?" he said, watching Hoseok prepare a couple of roiled joints."Chim, this is vacation, we need to relax," Hoseok said. "Some of us more than others.""What could you possibly need to relax from?" Jimin half laughed, joking, but Hoseok stopped what he was doing and looked up at him with a frown.The quiet chatter the others had been in quieted down and all eyes were swiveling between the two. "Really?" Hoseok shook his head. "You know, I could be really mean and ask you that back. Considering you do what again, in Spain? Besides drink and fuck around?""Hey," Yoongi reached over to put his hand on Hoseok's shoulder. "You know he didn't mean it like that. And Jimin does a lot too." He looked at Jimin, his eyes hard and Jimin knew they would be talking later. Sighing, Jimin turned away and finished off his glass."Well, I'm sorry, but I don't feel like getting smoked out tonight," Seokjin said, refilling his wine glass. "So, I'm going to go back upstairs and count the stars until I pass out.""I think I'll join you," Jimin said, just grabbing one of the unopened bottles and an opener. He met Hoseok's eyes again, giving him a sheepish smile and mouthing 'sorry' at him. Hoseok just shrugged and went back to what he was doing.Jimin was a little jealous of the view Seokjin had on his patio, but knew better than to say anything. Half of this trip was for Seokjin's benefit so Jimin had been more than happy to give him the best room. He deserved it. But next time Jimin made vacation plans he was getting the good view."So, there's tension between you and Hoseok?" Seokjin said soon as they sat down at the table. "Everything okay?""Fine," Jimin replied, much sharper than he had intended. "I mean, as far as Hoseok knows everything is fine. So I don't know why he snapped at me like that.""As far as Hoseok nows?" Seokjin questioned, and it was a valid question."Yoongi and I have to talk to him about something important," Jimin said, opening up the bottle. "Hoseok doesn't know it yet, but maybe he can sense it. I don't know.""He's very perceptive when it comes to you two," Seokjin hummed. "Maybe all your nervous fidgeting and Yoongi constantly touching him as him wary.""We're that obvious?" Jimin's shoulders slumped. He had hoped to have at least a bit of a good time, the three of them, before the impending implosion."Let's put it this way, if I noticed it, then he sure as hell noticed it," Seokjin said, looking at him. "I hope whatever it is you have to talk to him about isn't going to shatter his heart. He looks fragile."Jimin had to agree. Since the moment Hoseok had arrived, he'd skittered around Jimin and Yoongi like he was on roller skates. They talked, they kissed, but there was something off about Hoseok. Maybe they were all off. "Maybe he has something to tell us too," Jimin said, grunting when the cork came loose. He poured a healthy amount in his glass and topped of Seokjin's. "I'm not going to speculate, I've got enough on my mind I'll drive myself nuts.""Fair enough," Seokjin said, thanking Jimin and downing half the glass. Jimin could tell Seokjin was nervous. They may drink like fish but Seokjin was the one who savored his wine, Jimin was the one who opened his jaw like a snake and let it pour into him."Okay, what's up?" Jimin said when Seokjin was too quiet for too long.Seokjin sighed, setting down his glass and looking at Jimin with a sad, remorseful smile. "You know, you're one of the strongest people I know. I admire you, a lot.""Sudden praise? What did I do to earn that?" Jimin laughed, not sure what this was about. Seokjin admired him? For what? All Jimin ever had done was follow his own pleasure."By continuing to be my friend after what I did, and what I said," Seokjin said. "I don't deserve that friendship.""Jin… after what you went through, how could I not be your friend?" Jimin said softly. "You were hurting. You were scared. I didn't take any of those things to heart. Believe me, I've been called much worse than a slut who… how did you put it," Jimin's lips pursed, thinking back to that day when Jimin had found out there was something very, very wrong with his friend. "Oh right, you called me a slut who only got anywhere in life by sucking someone's dick.""I shouldn't have… it was a horrible thing to say when you were just trying to help," Seokjin said, his voice quieter than it needed to be. "I kicked you out, told you that I didn't need your friendship or your help. I was cruel. I'm very sorry.""I don't need an apology, but I'll gladly accept it if we never talk about it again," Jimin said, reaching over and taking Seokjin's hand in his own. "You are my closest friend. Tae's my soulmate, but he's not the one who gives me good advice. Pretty much the opposite, actually. You always know the right things to say, and you're always there when I need you."Seokjin let out a breath, one he'd been holding for months it seemed. He clasped Jimin's hand in both of his own and dropped a kiss to his knuckles. Jimin could see by the way Seokjin's face was scrunched up he was trying not to cry."Don't you dare cry," Jimin said, shaking his captured hand. "You start crying and then I'll start crying and then we'll be blubbery gross messes."Snorting, Seokjin sniffed a little and pulled away to look at him. His eyes were glassy, and his smile watery, but he was still the hottest man in the house if Jimin was going to be honest."You're such a good person Jimin," Seokjin said, his voice catching. "Thank you, for not hating me.""How could I hate you? How could anyone, ever hate you? Fuck, Jin, you're the best out of all of us," Jimin said. "And you love Namjoon so much, and he loves you and I wish you would just have babies already."Seokjin laughed, his full throated bark of a laugh, his shoulders shaking and squeaking on every breath. How long had it been since Jimin had heard him laugh like that? The kind of laugh where he collapsed against the table.So much of this trip was about Seokjin healing his relationships, but Jimin knew it was to heal Seokjin as well. "I mean it, I could never hate you," Jimin said when Seokjin's laughter had died down. "I know you didn't mean the things you said, and they didn't really bother me anyway. I wasn't hurt, but I was confused about why you were acting that way, why you were shutting everyone out. I'm hurt you didn't tell us. But I understand.""You are too good, too understanding," Seokjin said. "Yoongi is a lucky man. He's lucky Namjoon didn't keep you all to himself. I guess I'm lucky too. Not only did I benefit from getting the love of my life, but I also benefit from having you as a friend.""Damn right you do," Jimin said. "Now, can we stop this heavy talk and go cuddle for a while? These chairs are not that comfortable.""Sounds good to me," Seokjin nodded.They polished off the rest of their glasses and headed inside. It was nice for Jimin to lay down with Seokjin, enjoying his sturdy frame to cuddle against and be showered with the gentles of affection. Jimin loved to be pampered, and everyone knows Yoongi could give him the best pampering with sex and pleasure, but Jimin liked this soft pampering that Seokjin could provide. But Seokjin was tired and a little wine tipsy, and within a few minutes he was fast asleep. Jimin knew Seokjin had had a long day with talks with different people plus the rounds with Hoseok in the morning, so Jimin wasn't at all bothered as he slid out from between Seokjin's arms and tip toed out of the room. He turned off the light and shut the door, making his way back downstairs. The dining area and living room had cleared out. Taehyung and Jungkook's room was closed and Jimin could hear their voices inside. Whatever it was, it was serious because neither of them were laughing or shouting, but serious low tones that mean that hopefully they were talking. Jimin wasn't going to hold his breath on that one though.Jimin checked in on his and Yoongi's room, smirking when he found Hoseok sprawled out on the sofa, Namjoon and Yoongi on the bed. Shoulder to shoulder, the two were talking softly, passing a joint between them. Their knees knocked as they snickered to one another.It was moments like these that reminded Jimin that his husband had a whole history with Namjoon and Hoseok. One Jimin hadn't been a part of. There was a deep level of trust and love between the three of them."Hey, save any for me?" Jimin asked, closing the door behind him before approaching the bed."Of course," Yoongi said, offering it up as Jimin crawled up on the bed and straddled his legs. Yoongi smirked as he took a hit then motioned for Jimin to lean in, shotgunning the smoke into his mouth.Jimin grinned against his lips as he exhaled, the smoke escaping and he kissed Yoongi lightly. "Thank you.""Hm, should I go?" Namjoon asked, but he looked comfortable, a hand behind his head against the headboard."I don't know, Jin's already asleep," Jimin said, finally taking the joint from Yoongi and taking a long inhale. "Might as well finish this with us.""That an invitation?" Namjoon tilted his head, lips quirking. "What if Hobi wakes up?""Hobi smoked two on his own already and passed the fuck out," Yoongi said. "He's not waking up till morning.""He had a long day," Jimin nodded, passing the joint to Namjoon so he could lean in and nuzzle his nose against Yoongi's. "What with travelling here, fucking Jin and then getting into a fight with me.""That wasn't a fight," Yoongi said, rubbing his hands up and down Jimin's sides. "He's on edge.""I know, Jin thinks he knows we want to talk to him," Jimin said. "And maybe he has something to say to us too.""As if it's not bad enough," Yoongi sighed."I'd ask what's going on, but he might wake up so maybe we shouldn't talk about him in the room," Namjoon said softly. "He's right," Yoongi said. "We'll talk to him soon, okay?"Jimin nodded with a pout, leaning against Yoongi's chest and sighing. "So, Jin and I talked. He apologized, I told him it wasn't needed.""Maybe not for you, but it was for him," Namjoon said, closing his eyes. "He's not going to feel better until he's talked to everyone and apologized. He got Tae and Hoseok. You're probably up next Yoongi. Or Jungkook.""What about you?" Yoongi asked. He'd slid his hands under Jimin's shirt to scratch lightly at the skin on his back. Jimin would purr if it was physically possible. But the longer it took Namjoon to answer, the more concerned Jimin got and he lifted his head to look at him.Namjoon didn't worry about much. Only if it involved Seokjin or one of his friends. But this was a look Jimin had seen before. Years ago, when things were still a mess and Namjoon had broke the news that he was leaving Seoul. It was his lost look, like he didn't know what to do."We've talked, but nothing… nothing too deep yet," Namjoon said finally. "I know he's scared to talk to me. He's afraid what I'll say. And honestly I'm a little scared too. I don't know… I don't know if Jin wants to stay.""Wait, what?" Jimin sat up properly, frowning at him. "You think Jin wants to leave you?""When it was bad, the worst, he took out a lot of his anger on me," Namjoon said, taking another long hit from the joint before putting it out. "But that's between us and I never- I tried to be understanding. I tried to be comforting, I tried to help. But the more he fell apart, the more I smothered him and I think he resents me for it."Jimin and Yoongi traded worried looks. It was hard to say what Seokjin really thought, he always held his emotions and thoughts at bay. Neither Jimin or Yoongi knew how bad it got, they didn't see either Namjoon or Seokjin for months. They had locked themselves away and though Namjoon said it had been fine, Jimin knew it probably wasn't."That's bullshit," Yoongi said finally. "You're in your head again, you always do that. Jin loves you, and he's not going anywhere.""But-" Namjoon tried to argue, but Yoongi wasn't having it. "No, no buts," Yoongi said. "You didn't leave him Namjoon. You stayed by his side. That's the part he'll remember."Namjoon sighed, dropping his hand and letting his head hit the wood behind him. "Maybe," he conceded. "I won't hold my breath.""Please don't, we want you alive," Jimin said, reaching over to give Namjoon a light kiss. "Jin will talk to you when he's ready.""I hope it's soon, I feel… lost without him," Namjoon said, lifting his hand to brush Jimin's hair out of his eyes. "Sometimes, I miss when you and I were together."Jimin sat back a little in shock, and he felt Yoongi's hands tighten around his waist. Yoongi wasn't one for being possessive, but Namjoon's confession was a little startling."Joon," Yoongi said, shaking his head. "No, you don't. That wasn't what you wanted.""I know, and I know it was the right thing to do but," Namjoon was still looking at Jimin with a fond smile, his dimples peeking out. "I miss how simple it was between us. We had no boundaries, no limits. Nothing hurt.""It would have, if we had let it go on too long," Jimin said gently. "We didn't love each other like that. We would have hurt by denying real love. Me with Yoongi, you with Jin.""And I keep reminding myself of that, but this voice in the back of my head wonders if it's enough," Namjoon said. "If love is enough for him to stay.""Love is what kept you two together when Taehyung came back," Yoongi reminded him. "He loved you so much he let Taehyung walk all over you and your relationship. He loved you so much that he was willing to let two people who'd hurt you walk right back in without a fight.""Well I wouldn't go that far," Jimin butted in. "But Yoongi's right. You and Tae, you put Jin through hell and he stayed. He stayed because of his love and trust in you. Don't think he'll just forget about that."Namjoon looked tired, that bone deep exhaustion creeping up on him. Jimin had never seen Namjoon so affected, not since the dark days when Taehyung had left him, or when Seokjin had gone home to Seoul.Jimin wasn't going to let Namjoon self sabotage like that again. Not now.Crawling off of Yoongi, Jimin parked himself in Namjoon's lap, much to Namjoon's surprise. "Hey," Jimin grinned at him, looping his arms around his neck. "How about I give you a bit of distraction hm? That always seems to cheer you up."Letting out a dry laugh, Namjoon folded Jimin in his arms and leaned against him for a hug. "Simple, right?" he murmured into Jimin's neck."Always," Jimin said, turning his head so they could brush their lips together.Namjoon was a gentle soul, but a fierce lover. It was one of the things that had attracted Jimin in the first place. Namjoon could be kissing, gently, just enough to tease, then turn on a dime to be greedily trying to devour Jimin. But Jimin was no slouch or passive lover either, and he gave as good as he got. But there were also times where Namjoon was so hungry for something physical to hold onto that Jimin was often washed away in the current. Namjoon could fold him and bend him like origami and leave Jimin gasping for more.By the time Yoongi joined, Namjoon had Jimin on his hands and knees, pushing his cock into Jimin's stretched hole. Jimin was trying to be quiet for Hoseok's sake, but he'd gasped loudly when Namjoon fucked into him hard."Gotta be quiet," Yoongi said, lifting Jimin's head up by his hair. Jimin tried to smile, tried to show how eager he was but Namjoon was fucking out his frustrations into Jimin and Jimin could barely hold on. His soft little sounds of pleasure were turning into little squeaks and if they weren't careful then Hoseok really would wake up."Guess you need something to occupy your mouth huh? Yoongi said. He'd pulled his half hard cock out of his pants and Jimin didn't waste time to lunge forward, wrapping his mouth around his husband's dick. It was somewhat of a grounding exercise for Jimin, focusing on Yoongi's length and taste. It was familiar, it was good, it was hopefully the kind of thing Namjoon needed.Jimin knew first hand that Namjoon had stamina, so he was surprised a little when Namjoon's hips faltered and he was keening as he came. Maybe he was tired or had been too worked up from the pot, it was hard to say. Jimin would think about it later since Yoongi was flipping him onto his back and fucking Namjoon's come back into him. Jimin wailed, sharply when Yoongi slammed into him, quickly muffled by Yoongi's fingers shoving themselves into his mouth and gripping at his jaw. Not enough to hurt, or gag, but it did keep him from shouting.At some point, Jimin lost track of how long and how many different ways Yoongi was pushing him around for. It couldn't have been as long as it seemed, or it could have been longer. But by the second time Yoongi came, Jimin had orgasmed twice and was lying in a pool of his own come, drool sliding down his cheek, and completely fucked out.When he came to awareness of his surroundings, he was cleaned up, tucked under the comforter, and Namjoon and Yoongi were sitting at the foot of the bed."Go sleep with your husband," Yoongi was saying softly. "No matter what happened, he's still the person you love, and should be spending every night with while here. He needs you, you know he does.""It's just hard," Namjoon admitted. "I don't want to lose him.""Then don't," Yoongi patted his back. "Now go, I'm fucking tired."Namjoon made a groan of displeasure but he got up. Yoongi also got to his feet, bringing Namjoon into a tight hug that went on longer than usual. Jimin rarely saw the two like this, and it made him smile at how Yoongi was showing his vulnerable side to someone else. "I know you're smirking over there," Yoongi said once he'd closed the door. Jimin thought he'd been caught but Yoongi was looking towards Hoseok on the sofa. "How long you been awake?""Since about the time Jimin started sucking your dick," Hoseok said, sitting up. "He okay? Namjoon, I mean.""He'll be fine, you know how he gets," Yoongi said, holding out his hand to Hoseok. "Come on, let's go to bed. Jimin wants cuddles.""When doesn't Jimin want cuddles?" Hoseok said with a tired sigh, and Jimin's lips curled up slightly. That had been a joke. Maybe things would be okay.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Time on vacation can move slowly when you do very little but lounge around paradise. Though it was only the fifth day, it felt like it had been a month already. Considering the amount of drama bouncing around the walls of their little island hideaway, it wasn't surprising. But for Hoseok, who liked to run at the first hint of trouble, it was something like being caged. Sure, he could get in the rental car and take off, spend the rest of the month at a beach house on the other side of the island if he wanted to, but he didn't think the problems would just go away.Those problems being Yoongi and Jimin, who were acting normal. Too normal, too accommodating. It wasn't like them to always be smiling at him, to make sure he was having a good time. Something felt strained and Hoseok had a feeling what it was."That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Namjoon said flatly. The two of them had found a hideaway in their little corner of paradise, a covered patio off the back bedroom with a table and chairs. It didn't have any kind of view, but it was perfect to sit and smoke at."How is it dumb? They've been hassling me for years about moving in," Hoseok said, passing the bowl to him. "Then three months ago it just stopped. They've stopped asking when I'm going to visit, they've stopped telling me they miss me. Jimin's stopped sending me videos of him and Yoongi fucking."Namjoon choked on his inhale and set the lighter and bowl back on the table. "Is that why you sent me that video of you masturbating?""Ah, yeah, that was an accident," Hoseok said with a small laugh. "Sorry.""Don't be, Jin loved it," Namjoon said, sitting back in his chair. "I think you're being paranoid. No, I know you're being paranoid. They love you, they do.""But enough to keep going?" Hoseok shook his head. "No, I think they want to end it. I think they just want to be the two of them from now on. They're using this vacation as one last fuck to get it out of their systems. But at the end of the month, they're going to sit me down and tell me it's over.""Well, I'm glad you've already had that conversation in your head, will help with the real thing," Namjoon frowned at him. "You're being dumb. Paranoid, delusional pothead.""Excuse you," Hoseok squawked in outrage. "I am not paranoid, or delusional. I am a pothead but that's just me and how I'm going to be… maybe that's it! Maybe Jimin's tired of my smoking.""Jimin smokes more than I do," Namjoon said, rubbing at his forehead. "I think you just need to talk to them. Get them alone, try not to jump their bones first, and talk to them. With clothes on. Put a parka on Jimin if you have to. But talk to them.""Talk doesn't go nowhere," Hoseok said. "I'm so tired of talking.""Bullshit, you talk circles around everyone but Tae," Namjoon said. "But when it comes to Yoongi you clam the fuck up. I don't get it. I've never got it. Just like I've never got why you don't want to move in with them.""If you're gonna be like that I'm just gonna go find Taehyung to smoke with," Hoseok grumbled, scooting down in his seat. "He understands me.""Do not give pot to Taehyung here. Unsupervised he'll end up in the ocean," Namjoon said, rubbing his forehead. "Maybe you should talk to him first. Listen to his reasons why he doesn't want to buy a permanent place with Jungkook and every argument you give him as to why he's being stupid, keep that in mind for yourself.""You're being awful mean," Hoseok pouted at him. "What's wrong? Things still not okay with Jin?""Don't distract," Namjoon pointed at him. "We're talking about and your boyfriends. Not me and Jin.""We can talk about both," Hoseok said with a shrug. "Or neither."Namjoon seemed to give up, his shoulders slumping and he hung his head. "Jin and I are fine. We still need to talk about things but, it can wait. You, on the other hand, really need to talk to them. I mean it. You're just driving yourself crazy over nothing.""It's not nothing, there's something going on," Hoseok said. He took another long hit off the bowl and sat back as he exhaled. "Is it wrong of me not to want to hurry up their breaking up with me though?""If I thought they were going to break up with you, yes I would see your point," Namjoon said, his tone gentler than before. "But I don't think that's what's going on. So, I'm going to tell you again to talk to them. Then I'm going to go inside and let you fuck my brains out. Sound like a deal?"Hoseok snorted, leaning his head back into his chair and looked at Namjoon who was smirking at him. "You're extra horny here.""I recently went through a rough patch with my boyfriend who didn't let me touch him for close to two months," Namjoon said. "I'm a little pent up."Hoseok's eyes widened at Namjoon's admission. "Joon…"Namjoon waved off the concern with a flap of his hand. "It's nothing. We're past it. But I'm antsy, and I want to get laid. You in or do I need to go find Jungkook?""I'm insulted you'd think I wouldn't want a piece of your ass," Hoseok said, leveling him a look. "Who's better?""Giving? Yoongi. Taking? Jin," Namjoon said, getting up. "But Yoongi isn't here and he'd want to rim me for an hour. I just want to get fucked.""You must be pent up if you'd turn down oral from Yoongi," Hoseok said, gathering up the bowl and his lighter. "And fuck you, I know I'm better than Yoongi."Namjoon opened the door that lead into the bedroom, smirking at Hoseok over his shoulder. "You think so? Prove it.""I know so," Hoseok sniffed stomping after him. "Wait, I didn't even know you two fucked." The door slammed shut behind them. Of course, Hoseok dragged his feet on talking to Jimin and Yoongi. He knew it was probably a good idea, and it was torturing him. But he was scared. Really scared that after everything he'd been through with them, he was going to end up alone completely. It was his own fault, and he knew that. He just wished he'd been able to give them what they want.So on the sixth day since their arrival, Hoseok found himself being pulled by the hand by Jimin towards their room."Let's talk," Jimin had said, and usually that meant something very different so Hoseok, bemused, followed along happily. Doubly happily when he found Yoongi waiting for them. But his smile disappeared when Yoongi looked up at him."Hey, we need to talk," Yoongi said. Yoongi had on his serious face. Not his usually half asleep serious face, but his awake, focused, this is important serious face. Hoseok felt his heart squeezing uncomfortably in his chest because the floor beneath him just disappeared and he was falling into a chasm. He wanted to run.Taking in a deep breath, Hoseok crossed his arms and waited until Jimin was sat down next to Yoongi. "Okay. What about?" he asked, eyes flicking between them."Yoongi and I have been talking," Jimin looked to Yoongi, his eyes sad, like he didn't want to do this. He didn't want to break Hoseok's heart but why? Why was Jimin- "And we really want a family.""Family?" Hoseok blinked, his mouth opening and closing, unsure how to react. "What does that mean?""Children, we want to raise children," Yoongi said. "Jimin and I are going to adopt.""So, just like that you're going to have kids and I'm… I'm what, out?" Hoseok frowned. This was so unexpected he started pacing around the room, trying to wrap his head around what Jimin and Yoongi had decided."Of course you're not out," Jimin said. "We want you a part of this, of us, our family. You are as much a part of this as we are.""But you decided you wanted to adopt kids, without talking to me," Hoseok said, baffled. "What if I didn't want kids? What if I didn't want that?""It's something Jimin and I have wanted," Yoongi said. "You… aren't around to talk about it.""We talk every day! We text, we send each other stupid videos and you're telling me I'm not around?" Hoseok laughed, the anger boiling over to the point of ridiculousness. "Unbelievable. I thought things were going fine, and now you do this."Jimin and Yoongi exchanged glances. "Things haven't been that well the past few months Hoseok, we miss you," Jimin said softly. "We want you with us. But you won't commit. You won't even call us your boyfriends. What are we to you?"Hoseok stopped dead in his tracks in shock, eyes darting between them. "You think… You think I'm not committed?" he asked in a whisper."It's not something you like to talk about," Yoongi said, rubbing his hand up and down Jimin's back. "We need more Hobi. We love you so much, but we can only wait so long before you figure out where you want to be. We want you to live with us, raise a family together. If you don't want that, I understand.""I need time, okay? You just dumped this on my lap like… like you were adopting a puppy or something," Hoseok said, scrubbing a hand through his hair. This was just way too much. He went from one extreme, believing they were done with him to this? Whatever this was? A family, raising kids? Being bound to them for life?"We've given you a lot of time to want to be with us, for good," Jimin said. "Yoongi and I want kids, and we want you too. You'd be a great father.""Doesn't mean I've even really thought about having kids, not like this," Hoseok said. He had, once, thought about kids, when he was dating a girl after Yoongi and Jimin. Not that he'd loved her enough to be a husband and father with her, but still. "I need to think about this, like really think.""Of course," Yoongi gave him a sad smile, and it tore at Hoseok's heart. "But we're moving ahead with adoption, with or without you." Hoseok imagined Yoong reaching into his chest, pulling out his heart and throwing it at the wall like a wet paper towel.Blowing out a breath, Hoseok turned and headed out of their room, the door closing harshly behind him. He wasn't entirely sure where he was going, but when he ended up in Taehyung and Jungkook's room, they took him in without question.Neither of them even asked what had him so out of sort, though he could see the question hovering in Jungkook's too expressive of eyes. He let them cuddle him, let them pay attention to him and trade little kisses.Despite not knowing either of them for very long, he had grown a close attachment to them. When they were in Seoul, they often would invite Hoseok over for drinks or a little more. They were fun, they were easy, and they didn't make Hoseok's heart feel like it had been trampled. It was good to not think. It was good to just feel and let them wash away the anger he'd felt bubbling up inside him. Hoseok left sometime in the afternoon. He took one of the cars and drove straight to the nearest beach. He ignored his phone that had a dozen missed calls and texts, mostly from Jin worrying about him. A couple of text from Namjoon asking him to call when he was ready. One from Yoongi asking where he was. And one from Jimin saying they'd told the others about their plan. They wouldn't talk to Hoseok about it unless he wanted to.If there was anyone in his life that Hoseok knew would always do his best to be a force of good in his life, it would be Jimin. After years of pining and self flagellation between them, Hoseok and Yoongi were like the negatively charged end of a magnet. Neither could come together, always sliding off one another without touching. It was Jimin, the positive end that had snapped them together with him in between and now they work as one.But it was always Jimin soothing things between them. Calming their intense fires back to kindling and cooling their fires. Hoseok honestly didn't know how he did it. Jimin was a force to be reckoned with and if he put his mind to it could probably create world peace if he wore tight enough pants and batted his eyes at the right people. Or launch a thousand ships for his lips and world war three for his ass but that's besides the point. The point is, Jimin always knew what was needed to be said. So when Hoseok got back to the house late, he ventured to their room and found Jimin out on the back patio, the back door wide open. Yoongi was nowhere to be found so either in the spare room upstairs or with one of the other pairs."Hey Hobi," Jimin said. A tiny candle flickered on the table to illuminate the space of the covered patio. Jimin was curled up into one of the chairs, smoking a cigarette."Didn't you quit?" Hoseok asked, sitting down. "I did, but the past couple of months have been stressful," Jimin said. "I took one from Namjoon's stash I'm not supposed to know about.""Thief," Hoseok joked, but it felt like poison his tongue. "What's up?""I remember when we were all living in that little tiny apartment together, before we got signed," Jimin said, looking out across the grass. "Before anything between us happened. I remember thinking how happy I was. You and I were getting close. I was falling head over heels in love with Yoongi. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else, anywhere else.""Seems like a lifetime ago," Hoseok murmured. Those were good times, mostly. That was before Namjoon had left and Hoseok had taken out his frustrations and pining with another man while watching Yoongi and Jimin become the greatest couple he'd ever known. "It does, we were so young," Jimin said. "I was too wild, I think. For you. You didn't like the things I'd done, how me and Yoongi got together. You didn't like that I'd gone from Namjoon to Yoongi.""No, I didn't understand then what had happened," Hoseok said. "I didn't really get it until I realized how in love with you I was.""And Yoongi," Jimin said, turning to look at him. "That time, when you and Yoongi were being absolutely idiots about your feelings for each other but were okay sharing me? I don't think I've felt more taken care of, or loved." He turned away again to take another drag. "Then everything went to shit. It was the first time I felt scared. That because of me, how I lived my life, it was going to destroy us."Hoseok watched Jimin, frowning slightly at the point he was getting at. He couldn't quite get what this was about, but Jimin always had a good point to his words."I'm not the same person I was back then, even if I still like to have fun and seek my own pleasure," Jimin said. "But when we were together, it felt like a real family. Which I didn't have that great of a family. So, it was so… welcome. To have two people I loved and cared about within arm's reach."But when we ran, my family was gone. I had Yoongi, but we were broken. We were hurting so bad because of what happened and you weren't there. It took so long to come back from that and build our home and rebuild our family. Our family keep growing. Namjoon and Jin, Taehyung and Jungkook. You. You're our greatest family and all we wanted was for you to be with us."Hoseok hung his head, not sure what to say. It hurt, to hear that Jimin had been hurting. But he'd been hurting too. He knew that. Jimin knew. There had been enough pain and blame to go around."We didn't decide to raise kids because we want you out of the picture," Jimin continued softly. "We want to have a family. Better ones than we had. We want to raise kids in a home full of love and safety. We never for a second thought we could do it without you. We don't want to do it without you. But if you don't want this, we understand. But we need it, Hobi. We need our family.""It just doesn't feel fair that you give me this ultimatum," Hoseok said finally. "You decide something huge without me, then drop it on me in the middle of vacation.""I know, it's not fair," Jimin said. "The reason we're here, besides Jin's business, was to tell you. To be on neutral ground and so you didn't feel like you were being attacked. We don't want to hurt you. We love you. We want you in our family. We would have loved to sit down and talk about this with you before we decided. We kept trying to get you to come see us, but you blew us off. Months. We waited months. We realized, we couldn't wait on you to be ready for this. We could wait to tell you, because you weren't going to be around."Hoseok blew out a slow breath, leaning back in his chair. "I have to think about this, you know," he said finally. "I need time.""I know, and that's fine," Jimin said, reaching over to put his hand on top of Hoseok's. "We have months to go. I just ask, in between now and then, nothing changes. We haven't broken up, we're not pushing you out. We want you with us. If you choose to go, we understand. But for now, at least until the end of vacation, we're together. Okay?"It felt a little odd to think that way, to not let the thing they'd told him affect their relationship. It felt odd, and insensitive. But, at the same time, Hoseok knew it would be for the best. He could fold himself into these feelings with Yoongi and Jimin and just love them.That, by far, was more important."Alright," Hoseok nodded, squeezing Jimin's hand. "I can agree to that.""Good, because Yoongi was so beside himself Taehyung and Jungkook had to go keep him occupied. He's probably getting the life sucked out of his dick right now," Jimin said, getting up. "You want to join them?"Hoseok looked up at Jimin, smiling softly at how beautiful he looked in the pale light that shone out from the door. Jimin was a force to be reckoned with at any given time, but especially in soft lighting with bedroom eyes."Not really," Hoseok said, slowly standing up. Jimin seemed to get the hint and he crowded into Hoseok's space. "Kind of just want you for myself.""You don't get me alone often," Jimin murmured, running his hands up Hoseok's chest. "I've missed you.""I've missed you too," Hoseok said, leaning into kiss Jimin gently. "Think anyone will notice?""Nah, Namjoon and Jin have been upstairs for hours, and those two will fuck Yoongi into a coma," Jimin said, chasing after Hoseok's lips. "Kind of like what you're going to do to me.""That a command?" Hoseok grinned, snapping his teeth lightly to tease. "It's a premonition," Jimin chuckled, and pushed Hoseok towards the door and the waiting bed. "Didn't you know I'm clairvoyant?""I knew you were a demon," Hoseok said, laughing as Jimin shut the door behind them.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When Jimin had stood up at dinner and told everyone there that he and Yoongi were adopting children, there had been a moment of complete shock. No one had expected it, least of all Jungkook. He hadn't known either Jimin or Yoongi very well when he lived with Namjoon and Taehyung all those years ago. The time in between where he and Taehyung had roamed the world he'd heard stories from Taehyung about them, but getting close to them had been very recent. Between staying with them off and on over the past two years and recording his albums with Yoongi and Hoseok, he'd gotten a better sense of the three and how they worked. He liked them, especially Jimin who was close to Taehyung. Jimin was a hurricane in a bottle who swept you in with such force it left you dazed. Yoongi he admired for his knowledge of music and how he was a stern, but guiding hand against Jungkook's back. Hoseok was the outlier, the one that Jungkook spent the least amount of time with and usually it was in Seoul away from the others. He liked Hoseok, but of all the people he knew, Hoseok was the one who kept himself distant. Jungkook didn't know why, and Taehyung didn't seem to know either. Obviously he had tried asking Jimin but Jimin just dazzled him with a smile until Jungkook forgot the question.So as he sat there, listening to Jimin talk about how he and Yoongi have talked about it, and came to the decision to adopt and raise children, Jungkook had a question on the tip of his tongue. He looked around, and others seemed concerned as well. Were they thinking the same as he was thinking? Is that why Hoseok wasn't at dinner? Questions swirled and Jungkook sat back, feeling sick to his stomach. When dinner was over and cleaned up, Jungkook watched Jimin go back to his and Yoongi's bedroom alone while Yoongi pacing around the living room like a nervous housecat."Is everything okay?" Jungkook asked from the door of his and Taehyung's room. Taehyung had gone to pester Namjoon and Seokjin for a bit and who knew how long that would take.Yoongi stopped where he'd been rounding the coffee table on his third lap, looking up at Jungkook. "Everything's fine," he said gruffly, but he had that look people get when they've got an itch they can't scratch."I don't think the security deposit covers you wearing a hole in the floor," Jungkook said, crossing his arms. "So, what's wrong?"Shoulders slumping, Yoongi waved at Jungkook to head into his room, following behind and closing the door. "Hoseok left earlier and he won't return our texts or calls," Yoongi said, leaning up against the door. "We're worried about him."Jungkook sat down on the edge of the bed, crossing his legs under him. "Did something happen with you guys? He came and saw us earlier but wouldn't say what was up. And… you and Jimin said that just you and him were adopting a kid, you didn't mention Hoseok. Did… did you guys break up?"The longer it took Yoongi to answer, the wider Jungkook's eyes got."No, we didn't break up," Yoongi said finally. "We don't want to break up. We're just… waiting on Hoseok to catch up.""I'm not sure I understand," Jungkook replied, frowning at him. "He didn't agree to adopting kids?""He wasn't part of the conversation," Yoongi said, closing his eyes. "We made the decision without him because he wasn't there, and hadn't been there. It took Jimin making us go on this vacation for him to agree to come see us.""So, you just did it without him?" Jungkook shook his head, still confused. "I thought- aren't couples supposed to make big decisions together? To agree?""In a normal relationship, of course," Yoongi said, finally crossing over to sit next to Jungkook on the bed. "But sometimes you just have to make a decision for someone.""I'm not sure I agree with that," Jungkook said. "But, I guess Taehyung does make decisions for me.""There's a difference between making a decision for someone because it's what's best for them, and making decisions without the other person in mind," Yoongi said. "Taehyung was the latter, is the latter. He does things without regard for what you want. He's gotten better.""Then, how does it work that you and Jimin made a decision without Hoseok, but that's okay?" Jungkook asked. "It doesn't seem like it's okay.""Hoseok's the kind of person who won't move, unless shoved," Yoongi said. "He's a stubborn asshole. But, I'm the same way. Hoseok wasn't going to make a decision on whether or not he wanted to be with us, completely. I got tired of waiting. This decision, was about mine and Jimin's future. We want Hoseok as a part of it, but if he doesn't? Well this is where it ends.""That seems harsh," Jungkook said quietly. "No wonder he's upset.""Yeah, well, this wasn't easy for us," Yoongi said. "We love him, but something had to be done. I wasn't going to wait for him forever." He turned slightly to look at Jungkook, nudging him with his shoulder. "But I hear you and Taehyung are finally going to settle?"Jungkook blew out a breath, sitting back on his hands. "Yeah, I don't know what changed but he said we could try it. How do you do it?""Do what?" Yoongi tilted his head. "Buy a house? I can help you with that-""No, I mean," Jungkook shook his head, trying to figure out what it is he's trying to say. "How do you deal with someone who doesn't want to commit? You convinced Jimin to commit, right? How did you do it? Got him to settle down, buy a house, get married?""I didn't 'convince' Jimin of anything," Yoongi snorted. "I just did it.""But what if he had said no? What if he hadn't wanted any of those things?" Jungkook asked. "What would you have done?""I'd have dragged him kicking and screaming," Yoongi shrugged.Jungkook guffawed at that, shaking his head. "No you wouldn't have.""You're right, he would have kicked my ass," Yoongi chuckled a little. "But here's the thing, Jimin followed me when I decided to leave because he loves me. Same as Tae loves you. He'll follow wherever you go, if you take the reins. You can't give people like them freedom to decide for themselves, they self sabotage.""That seems possessive, and controlling, and I would never do that to Tae," Jungkook said. "Of course it does seem like that, and Jimin would be pissed at me for every saying this, but it's the truth," Yoongi sighed. "Taehyung and Jimin need someone to give them structure. Stability. You're not trying to control Taehyung because you know what's best, you're trying to give him a foundation to be safe in. That's the difference.""So, you're saying instead of trying to talk him into it all this time, I should have just gone and bought a house?" Jungkook asked. "I think he would have killed me.""You think so?" Yoongi tilted his head at him. "Or would he have sulked and been angry for a while until he came to his senses? Taehyung and Jimin can argue until they're blue in the face if you let them. Sometimes to their detriment.""You keep saying that like they're identical, they're not," Jungkook argued. "How do you know Tae would have done just like Jimin and followed me?""Because he loves you," Yoongi said. "I know full well they're different people, but they're the same in the places that count. Aversion to commitment is one of them. Yeah, Jimin and I hit it off really quickly but that didn't mean he was completely committed to us as a couple. He was scared of it, and scared of running to a new home, and scared of marrying me, and scared of settling down. We went through hell those first few years, and there were days I was sure I'd wake up to find him gone." "But he didn't leave, you two are like, the strongest couple I've ever seen," Jungkook said. "I don't know if Taehyung and I are that strong.""No? You don't think after five years of running around with him, sharing your lives, that you aren't strong? You are fully committed to him, anyone can see that," Yoongi said. "And despite what Taehyung says, and sometimes what he does, he's pretty committed to you too. The idea of it may terrify him, and doesn't want to put a name on it, but you two are it for each other."Jungkook wasn't completely certain if he were honest. He was scared Taehyung would bolt soon as they got back to Spain. Decisions in a vacation paradise were one thing, but going back to reality, he might change his mind.He noticed Yoongi was still fidgeting, rocking forward and back slowly as he wrung his hands. Hoseok still wasn't back and he'd likely just end up pacing out in the living room again if Jungkook let him. So, he figured he could be a good distraction. Yoongi had helped him, after all, put some things into perspective.Dropping onto his knees, he avoided Yoongi's confused gaze as he pushed himself between Yoongi's legs."What are you doing?" Yoongi asked, but didn't make a move to stop him as Jungkook was doing the ties that were holding up Yoongi's pajama bottoms."You look stressed," Jungkook said, working the bottoms off of Yoongi's hips and with a bit of help from Yoongi, down to his thighs. "I'm a little stressed too. So, you know." There was this thing that was between them that Jungkook didn't know how to name. He admired Yoongi, saw him as a strong person, confident. Yoongi knew what he was, what he wanted, and never hesitated. At least, in all things that weren't Hoseok.Jungkook had never been good at showing his affection in subtle ways, and sometimes he got a little overwhelmed. Yoongi, was an imposing person and easily overwhelmed Jungkook to the point that Jungkook wanted nothing more than to drop to his knees and please him. The first time, in Yoongi's studio, when Yoongi had played back Jungkook's first song they ever recorded, he'd dropped to his knees so fast he barely recognized the fact he was sucking Yoongi's dick until he came.There had been many blow jobs since then, and even a few times where Yoongi would join in when Jungkook and Jimin cornered. But alone like this, by themselves, Jungkook was always more than happy to be on his knees for Yoongi. He enjoyed the way Yoongi ran his thin nimble fingers through his hair, the whispered words of encouragement, the heavy dick in his mouth. This time was no different, and if it helped Yoongi keep his mind of some things, he would be happy to tease and edge him for a while.By the time Taehyung showed up, Yoongi had already came down Jungkook's throat and was still ready for more. Then it became Jungkook keeping Taehyung gagged so he wouldn't scream while he rode Yoongi. Taehyung didn't ask what it had been about later when Yoongi had fallen asleep between them, but his smile was warmer and Jungkook knew just how in love he was. Jungkook had no idea what had happened with Hoseok once he got back to the house, but by the way he and Jimin were acting something good had happened. Not that he was going to ask because he shouldn't know anything about them. Yoongi didn't seem as pleased but at least things didn't seem as tense in the house anymore."Hey, Kook?" Seokjin called him from the stairs. "Can you bring me another bottle of wine?"Jungkook, who had been trying to convince everyone to go down to the beach later, shot up from where he'd been sitting on Namjoon's lap on the couch."Yup, on my way!" Jungkook called, racing for the wine cabinet. He could hear Hoseok and Namjoon chuckling at his expense but he didn't care. He was happy to fetch for Seokjin because Seokjin deserved to be waited on, far as he was concerned.Taking the stairs two at a time, Jungkook entered Seokjin's room with a bit of trepidation. So far, he hadn't set foot up here, what Hoseok had dubbed as Seokjin's lair of sin."You go up there, you're gonna get fucked," Hoseok had warned him earlier. Jimin had rolled his eyes and told him not to listen. Seokjin wasn't going to fall from the ceiling and trap him in bed. Not that Jungkook really would have minded."I'm out here," Seokjin called and Jungkook shuffled out to the patio."Wow," Jungkook whistled at the view. "No wonder you live up here," he said, setting the bottle down in front of Seokjin. He went to the stone rail, leaning up against it."It's been wonderful," Seokjin hummed thoughtfully. "You want to sit down? Have a drink with me?""You sure that's okay?" Jungkook looked back at him. "I know you really want to be alone when you're out here.""I invited you, didn't I?" Seokjin raised an eyebrow at him, nodding towards a chair. "Sit."Jungkook did as bid, pulling out the chair and sitting himself down as Seokjin poured him a glass."So, now that I've got you up here," Seokjin started and Jungkook's eyes snapped up to his face, "I want to talk to you." Jungkook relaxed. A little."Talk? About what?" Jungkook asked, accepting the wine and taking a sip. He wasn't a wine connoisseur like Seokjin, or a frequent imbiber like Jimin, but it was sweet and tangy and hit the spot."About… things," Seokjin said evasively. "About how I treated you. I shut you out, like I did with everyone. And I'm sorry I wasn't able to explain what was going on, and that I wasn't there for you."Jungkook frowned a little, looking down at his glass, swirling the dark red liquid around. "You don't need to apologize Jin. I… didn't understand, but I do now. I was kind of focused on Tae anyway. I knew you had good reason for what you did, not that I knew what it was. But, the thing with Tae was more important I guess?""About wanting to buy a house and settle?" Seokjin asked and let out a heavy sign when Jungkook nodded. "Yeah, Taehyung told me about that. I think you and he had a talk though?""Kind of, we're gonna talk more later tonight after dinner," Jungkook said. "But, I think it'll be okay. I'm gonna put my foot down on this. Like, make him really, one hundred percent commit.""That could be dangerous," Seokjin said. "He already ran away once from commitment.""Yeah, but he's never run from me," Jungkook said. "I mean, yeah, he sometimes would take off if things got too real, but he always came back. He'll always come back. At least, if I have a house, somewhere fixed. No matter where he runs, he'll know how to get back.""Good, I think that's what you need," Seokjin said. "You both need a real home. Away from everyone. Something that's yours.""Tae said his home is me, and I get it, but I need more than that," Jungkook said, taking another slow sip. "I love living with you guys, but I'd rather it just be visits every now and then you know?""I wouldn't mind that at all," Seokjin said, reaching over to run his hand through Jungkook's hair. "You're a good kid Jungkook. You have such a big heart, you've been good for Taehyung. Namjoon thinks so, and so do I.""Well, I think he's good for me too," Jungkook said, leaning into the touch. "He made me feel like life was worth living to the fullest. And that's fun and all? But I want to slow down, and actually enjoy the slow parts of life too.""Those are the best parts I think," Seokjin said. "Waking up late in the morning, just enjoying being able to lay in bed and get up when you want. No hurrying, no deadlines. Just, living.""That's what I want," Jungkook said, closing his eyes. "I know Tae wants it too, he just doesn't know how to say it.""Let him say it in his own way," Seokjin said. "Don't try to force it."Jungkook chuckled a little. "Yoongi said the opposite.""He would, he's an intense person," Seokjin sighed. "You know Tae best. You figure out how to work it out."Nodding, Jungkook opened his eyes to look at Seokjin. He looked far more relaxed these days than he had at the beginning of the week. Jungkook imagined by the time their vacation ended, he'd be back to his old self. Without thinking, he leaned in and kissed Seokjin gently on the cheek. "I'm glad you're okay," he said, resting their foreheads together."Me too," Seokjin whispered back. He settled his hand on Jungkook's cheek and pulled him in more so he could kiss him. Jungkook pushed back into the kiss and let it deepen. He had missed this, if he were honest. Seokjin was a fantastic kisser and so gentle. Being with Seokjin was like being in the presence of god or an angel. Hoseok's earlier warning flitted around in the back of his head when Seokjin stood up, but he swatted it away and took Seokjin's offered hand to be lead into the bedroom. Jungkook didn't think, just acted as he pushed Seokjin down onto the bed, stripping off his clothes. Seokjin was gentle, sure, but he also demanding as a lover. He whined, he begged, he threatened. None of which Jungkook paid any attention to as he worked Seokjin open with his tongue and his fingers. He swatted Seokjin's hands away when Seokjin tried to punch him to hurry up. Jungkook giggled and snickered and teased Seokjin to rile him up more until Seokjin was red in the face from annoyance. It was when he was on a long tangent about how utterly insufferable Jungkook was being that he pressed him and fucked Seokjin like he'd needed to for the past two months. It wasn't graceful, or sweet, but the hard skin on skin slaps and smacks to Seokjin's ass that he liked. It was Jungkook pushing his fingers into Seokjin's mouth when he got too loud, smirking when Seokjin choked a little because he knew how much Seokjin liked that feeling. It was Jungkook flipping him onto his bell and trapping his hands behind his back with one hand and fucking him with long, deep, slow strokes until Seokjin was babbling in frustration. It was making Seokjin come with just his cock and his dirty words, urging him to come onto the sheets his dick was trapped against.It was the fucking that had him orgasming so hard he was sure he was going to pass out.It was, to Jungkook at least, the real apology, and forgiveness Seokjin needed. "So, beach tomorrow?" Taehyung hummed as they got ready for bed later that night. Dinner had been delicious as usual and they'd smoked out in the living room until people started wandering off to fuck or sleep."Yeah, I think it'll be fun," Jungkook said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Hey, so, can we talk for a sec?""We're talking now aren't we?" Taehyung teased, turning off the bathroom light. He trundled over to the bed, shirt off and just clad in his comfy flannel pants. He looked enticing, as usual, and his eyebrows wiggled as he crawled towards where Jungkook was sat at the headboard."You're not funny," Jungkook rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help smiling. "Oh, okay, this is serious serious," Taehyung said, climbing into Jungkook's lap. "What's up?""Well, I think we should talk, about the thing," Jungkook said, his hands resting on Taehyung's hips. "And I think I've come up with something you'll be okay with.""Something I'll be okay with? I already said I was okay with buying a house," Taehyung said."You did, but after a lot of thinking and talking with some people, I don't think that's what's right for us, right now," Jungkook said. "You're scared about settling, I know you are. So, I want you to get used to it. I want you to get used to the idea of being in one place. Slowly.""Okay, what does that mean? Taehyung frowned at him. "Are we buying a house or not?""Kind of," Jungkook said, flinching when Taehyung pinched his nipple. "Ow! Okay, look. I think… we should buy a tiny house."Taehyung sat back, blinking at him with wide eyes. "A what?""You know? Those like really tiny houses that are barely bigger than a closet? And you can haul them around on a trailer?" Jungkook said, already reaching for his phone. He'd thought of the idea earlier when looking at houses for sale and an ad for a tiny house had come up."You mean, like a caravan?" Taehyung questioned, taking Jungkook's phone when it was offered. "Oh, it's like… it's like a little miniature house.""Yeah! So, it's a house, but you can take it with you," Jungkook said. "And, if in a year or so, we want to buy some land from Yoongi, cause he offered, we could make it a permanent place for the house."Jungkook watched Taehyung's face intensely, not knowing how he would react. He'd not put that much thought into it, but it seemed-"It's perfect," Taehyung said, a slow smile creeping up on his lips. "Kookie, I think it's a perfect idea.""Yeah?" Jungkook felt a huge weight falling from his shoulders. Months and years of agonizing and worrying gone in seconds. He'd never felt so light, so happy. He wrapped his arms around Taehyung's middle and pressed his cheek against Taehyung's chest. "Thank you, thank you so much.""Oh, baby," Taehyung crooned, cradling Jungkook's head in his arms. "Thank you for being so patient with me. And for coming up with amazing idea.""I just thought, we could travel, and get used to the place you know?" Jungkook said, twisting his head to look up at him. "Get used to our home, and then, you wouldn't feel so stuck when we finally put it somewhere permanent.""You're so smart," Taehyung murmured, pressing his lips to Jungkook's forehead. "It's perfect. You're perfect. I don't deserve you being so perfect.""I'm not perfect," Jungkook said, squeezing Taehyung tighter. "But I want you to be happy too. Because, we will have a home, a permanent home soon. But I wasn't going to force you into some place you didn't know yet.""It's okay, I would have been okay anywhere long as I had you and a bed," Taehyung said softly. "I've always thought of my homes as mobile, and ours will be. Fuck, baby, it's so perfect."Jungkook had more to say but Taehyung was kissing him and any thoughts of more talking went out the window. Well, talking about the house anyway. There was plenty of talking, mostly whispered I love you's and dirty growls of more and harder until Taehyung's voice finally gave out.For the first time, in a very long time, Jungkook went to sleep, absolutely positive that Taehyung wasn't going to run again.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Time alone in a small house with seven people was a rare commodity. Unless you were Seokjin who had commandeered an entire floor for yourself, you had to find places to hide if you wanted to get five minutes without someone in your space. For someone like Yoongi, who valued his privacy more than any of them, it had not been easy.The only real time he got to himself, was late at night when the rest of the house had gone to bed. Jimin and Hoseok often conked out at the same time so Yoongi would slide out of bed and go sit on their little patio. If Hoseok had left his bowl and bag he'd smoke alone, otherwise he'd just enjoy the night air and the soft sounds of crickets.It was good time to think, to worry, to wonder about the future. He had been anxious about telling Hoseok their plans for good reason, and even if Jimin seemed to smooth things over, it still felt like Hoseok was edging away from them. Maybe even more now."Hey, Yoongi?"Yoongi glanced towards the door, seeing Jimin in the dim light of the moon. He'd pulled on a sweater and not much else, taking a seat in Yoongi's lap after he closed the door. It took a bit of shifting before they were comfortable, their feet outstretched to another chair, Jimin curled up on his side against Yoongi's chest."Can't sleep?" Jimin asked, his fingers curled into Yoongi's shirt."No, hard to sleep with him here," Yoongi said, ignoring the way Jimin looked at him. "You know what I mean.""You mean that you're anxious about what's going to happen and things are so unsettled that you can't sleep near him," Jimin said. "I know. You're always so anxious with him.""We spent half our lives dancing around each other," Yoongi muttered petulantly. "I don't think that's ever going to stop.""It needs to, because I can't keep being the middleman," Jimin said tiredly. "I love you both so much, but I can't always be the one putting us back together."Sighing, Yoongi buried his nose in Jimin's hair. "I'm sorry I keep putting that burden on you. I don't know why I have a hard time with this, with him.""You're so afraid he's going to run from us," Jimin replied softly. "You handle him like glass and it's so heartbreaking to watch. He does the same thing, like you can't be real adults with each other and figure shit out.""What is it you'd like me to do then?" Yoongi frowned. "Tell him he has to stay? I'm not going to do that to him."Jimin sat up then, shifting to straddle Yoongi's waist and poked him in the belly with a finger. "You did it to me. You made choices for me when I needed it. Why are you so unwilling to do that to him?""Because he's not you," Yoongi said, shaking his head. "I couldn't live without you, Jimin. I couldn't last a day without you. Him being here has to be his own choice. Because as much as I love him, as much as I need him, I can still breathe without him."Sighing a little, Jimin brushing his hands through Yoongi's hair, leaning down to gently kiss him. "That's a lie, and we both know it," he whispered against his lips. "You've always needed him. More than you ever needed me. Those years without him? You were a ghost. You weren't yourself. You come alive when he's with you. I may be the air in your lungs, but he's the sun that lights up your sky."Yoongi's breath hitched slightly, the impact of Jimin's words hitting like a truck. Sleep did eventually claim Yoongi when Jimin dragged him back to bed. It took a while, his thoughts rattling around so loud he was sure it would wake the neighbors. When he woke up in the morning, he wasn't alone though, as he usually was. Jimin was probably off making breakfast, but Hoseok was there, curled closer to him than usual, his eyes closed.Turning onto his side, Yoongi just watched Hoseok sleep. It wasn't something he did often, often too busy to appreciate these quiet moments by themselves. He scooted closer, drawing Hoseok into his arms, ignoring Hoseok's groan of complaint as he tucked himself into Hoseok's body."Yoongs?" Hoseok murmured and Yoongi could feel Hoseok patting his hair awkwardly as he woke up. "What's going on?""Nothing, just… wanted to hug you," Yoongi said, pressing his nose into Hoseok's bare chest. "Didn't mean to wake you.""S'okay, should probably get up anyway," Hoseok said, letting his fingers card through Yoongi's hair. "You're not usually a morning hug kind of person though. You okay?""No," Yoongi answered honestly, hugging Hoseok a little tighter. "I miss you."The fingers stilled for a moment as Hoseok let out a soft sigh. "I miss you too," Hoseok said, and he pulled back so Yoongi would look up at him. He was beautiful in any light, but the soft morning light where everything was just a bit fuzzy and dreamy, he looked even better."Jimin told me you two talked," Yoongi said, his voice low. "That things aren't going to change between us.""For now," Hoseok said. Yoongi tried not to flinch at that, though his heart clenched tightly. "Things are gonna change Yoongs. You guys are talking about kids. Everything will change after that.""I know, I know, I mean… you and me, nothing has to change," Yoongi said. "Hobi I don't want to lose you again.""I don't want to lose you either," Hoseok said, tracing Yoongi's cheek with his thumb. "But this is a huge, huge change. I've got a life in Seoul, we've got the label and all these things there. I need time to really think about this.""You've had years," Yoongi said, but his tone wasn't accusatory, it was desperate. "We've been waiting for you, for so long. I just want you to be home with us. Fuck the label, fuck Seoul and everything there. We don't need it. I don't need it. I need you. I need you, and Jimin, and our family. Please, be our family."Yoongi wasn't even aware he was crying but Hoseok was crying too and wiping Yoongi's cheeks free of his tears. The way his face twisted and his eyes scrunched it was clear he was trying to say something but he couldn't. Yoongi didn't care what his words would be, didn't care that Hoseok was going to just keep saying the same thing over and over, repeatedly punching Yoongi in the chest with his excuses.Before Hoseok could say anything, Yoongi pushed himself upward to kiss him. A kiss of desperation and anger and Hoseok met him halfway. Their teeth clashed hands fumbling with each other's clothes until Hoseok had Yoongi on his back and working him open. There weren't any words, just pants of labored breathing and the crackle of fire between them. Yoongi wrapped his limbs around Hoseok when he pushed in, fucking him hard and fast. The tears in the corners of Yoongi's eyes weren't from pain, not the physical kind anyway, and his soft little sobs were cries of the heart.It reminded Yoongi of their first time, years ago, right before life went to shit. It didn't make him feel better then and it didn't make him feel better now. But it reminded him just how important Hoseok was to him, and how losing Hoseok would rip him to pieces. They didn't say anything afterwards, just curled up tightly together in the middle of the bed, not wanting to let go. If Jimin knew about what happened, he didn't say anything when he joined them later for breakfast in bed. He slid in behind Hoseok in bed, and fed them bites of his kimchi pancake and told them the plans of the day."We're going to the beach after lunch," Jimin said, humming as he chewed. "Jin doesn't want to go but I think if I send Jungkook up he'll sweet talk Jin into it.""Jin's soft spot for that kid is a mile wide," Yoongi said, stretching his arms out over his head."Like you're one to talk," Jimin smirked at him out of the corner of his eye."Everyone loves Jungkook," Hoseok said, shifting to sit up and steal another bite of the pancake. "He's just got those big eyes and that smile, you can't say no to him. He's like a cuddly bunny.""He's a demon," Jimin snorted. "Let him fuck you once Hobi, you won't think he's a cuddly little bunny anymore.""The day Hoseok bottoms for anyone is the day I eat my hair," Yoongi said, rolling over to find his clothes. "He's that good?" Hoseok blinked at Jimin. "I mean, I knew he was, just by how he fucks the life out of Jin but… really?""Really," Jimin nodded, winking at him. "Try it, just once. It'll be a whole new world of sex for you."Hoseok pursed his lips, seriously in thought and Yoongi just shook his head. He didn't think Hoseok would even consider it, but well, stranger things have happened. Most of the rest of the morning was getting ready for the beach. Showers were taken, lunch was made and eaten, bags were packed. Between Seokjin and Jimin they packed some boxes with dinner and snacks and whatever they would need for the hours they were planning on spending away from the house.They piled into the two cars shortly after noon and took the long drive down from the mountains to the beach. Yoongi didn't care enough to know what the beach was called, just that it was far from the touristy beaches with the clear waters and powder sands. This sand was a little rougher, and the sea a little bluer, but it was perfect. There were only a few other people enjoying the sun that day, and their small little gaggle of goons set up shop in the best place on the beach. Spreading out a few blankets, two umbrellas, and enough chairs to go around, it was good enough to call home for the next few hours. Yoongi and Seokjin were the only two who stayed behind on the beach as the others raced into the water. There were screams and splashes as they played. Yoongi watched with a fond smile as Hoseok lifted Jimin up and threw him further out into the water, Jimin screaming the whole time."Things seem more at peace between you three," Seokjin said, drawing Yoongi's attention."Maybe," Yoongi shrugged a little. "Hard to say right now. We're ignoring the situation until vacation's over.""Ignoring things doesn't make them go away," Seokjin said, but his tone was enough for Yoongi to know he wasn't really talking about them."You want to talk about it?" Yoongi asked, folding his hands over his belly and relaxing in his chair. "They'll be out there for a while.""You're the last one on my list to talk to," Seokjin said. "I'm the last person you even need to apologize to, you didn't even say anything to me," Yoongi said, keeping his eyes on Jimin in the water."Still, you were there to witness it," Seokjin said. "I said terrible things to your husband. Things any other loving husband would punch me in the nose for.""Jimin can fight his own battles," Yoongi snorted. "He's punched more people than I have at least.""So I can count myself lucky he didn't punch me," Seokjin nodded. "I would have deserved it. No matter what I was going through, I shouldn't have said those things to him.""Probably not, but Jimin doesn't let those things get to him," Yoongi said. "He's a lot stronger than he looks. I forget that sometimes. But you don't need to apologize to me Jin. Not at all.""It would make me feel better," Seokjin said, pouting a little. "I'm sorry, for being a bad friend."Yoongi didn't think Seokjin was a bad friend, not at all. But if it was what he needed, Yoongi accepted the apology. "You're forgiven, so let's not talk about it again. Except, I'm not really the last person you have to apologize to, am I."It wasn't a question, rather a statement of fact. Yoongi watched their five friends and lovers still playing in the water. Namjoon was standing waist deep, shaking his head at Taehyung and Jungkook who were trying to get a game of chicken fight going with Hoseok and Jimin. Namjoon turned, looking towards the shore and waved. Seokjin waved back."You're not wrong, I still have to talk to Namjoon," Seokjin said. "I've been trying, for weeks. But I can't apologize to him when I keep snapping at him."That caught Yoongi by surprise and he looked over at him. "Are you two fighting?""No, I wouldn't call it fighting," Seokjin said, taking in a deep breath. He looked better than he had in weeks, more sun to him and his didn't look as dead in the eyes either, but he had a weariness to his shoulders. "He gets in my space, I get annoyed and snap at him. He retreats, comes back later, repeat the cycle. He's been trying to avoid me for days now.""Ah, that explains why he's been hovering around the rest of us at night," Yoongi nodded slowly. "I think it's time you two had that talk. He's… having a rough time. I probably shouldn't tell you, but he won't because he's a chicken… but he thinks you're going to leave."Seokjin's head snapped towards him, eyes wide. "What? Why the hell would he think that? Is he stupid?"Hands spread wide, Yoongi shrugged his shoulders up to his ears. "No, but it's Namjoon. He gets in his head," he said, shoulders sagging down into a slouch. "He's worried that he's smothering you and you'll leave.""God, that idiot," Seokjin exhaled heavily. "I love him, even if he's an idiot. I would never leave. Why would I want to? He's the best thing that's ever happened to me.""And you're the best thing that's ever happened to him," Yoongi said. "So don't let this go on too long. Talk to him, set him straight, apologize. Get back to being the stupidly in love gross people we know.""We are not gross," Seokjin made a face at him. "If anything you and Jimin are worse.""Jimin is worse than everyone," Yoongi conceded. "But he loves a lot, probably more than should be legal.""Namjoon's the same way," Seokjin nodded. "It's probably why they didn't work you know? All that love, it was too much for two people to contain by themselves. They had to share it.""I think that's a good way to think about it," Yoongi nodded. "It's why Jimin will make a great father. He has endless amounts of love to give. It's good to share it.""You both are going to be good fathers," Seokjin said gently. "I don't know who's going to be the stern parent between the two of you, though my money's on Jimin.""Excuse me?" Yoongi wrinkled his nose. "How do you figure?""Because if a kid puts those big doe puppy dog eyes on you, like Jimin does, you'll fold like a house of cards," Seokjin snickered. Yoongi hated that he had a point and grumbled a bit. "Jimin won't be any better.""Maybe not," Seokjin said with a soft hum. "Hoseok will be good a father too. He might be the stern one.""I'm not counting on Hoseok being there," Yoongi said, ignoring Seokjin's look. "I'm not. It's easier that way.""I think he'll surprise you," Seokjin said. "He loves you a lot more than you realize.""Love doesn't keep people, you know that," Yoongi replied. "I begged him to stay. But he wouldn't say one way or another. Not now. He needs time, I get that. But it still hurts not knowing.""He'll make the right decision," Seokjin said, reaching over to take Yoongi's hand and squeeze it gently. "Those few months when I was with him back in Seoul, before I came back. We spent so much time together and he was miserable. He hated not being with you. He tells me all the time how much he misses you. And Jimin. He's scared.""I know, but I'm more scared of losing him," Yoongi said. "Jimin made it clear to me that I can't really be without him.""When he got here, he was worried you were going to break up with him," Seokjin said. "He admitted it was his own fault, by not being with you two as often as he should. So, going from thinking he's losing the two people he loves, to finding out his family wants to grow and keep him around, it's a huge turn around for him. Give him time to sort it out, he'll make the right choice.""I'm gonna hold you to that Jin," Yoongi said, squeezing his hand back.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Not once in their entire relationship did Namjoon feel he couldn't talk to Seokjin about something important. He never felt like he had to walk on eggshells around him, or hold back his feelings on anything. Even during the tumultuous time when Taehyung had returned and the chaos that brought, Namjoon knew he could always talk to Seokjin.Somewhere, not long ago, Seokjin had retreated so far within himself, locked so many doors and built so many walls, that Namjoon felt lost, like a stranger to the man he loved. Seokjin had receded so far down into himself during the two months between doctor visits that he was a ghost. He would rarely sleep a full night through, Namjoon often waking to find Seokjin down in the guest room, staring at the prints on the wall. Despite Namjoon's best efforts, he didn't say much, and if he did, it was hostile, and bitter.Namjoon didn't give up, despite Seokjin's harsh words. He was a patient man, even if he felt rejected when Seokjin would turn away from his touch, or hurt when Seokjin would yell at him. He knew Seokjin was hurting, and scared. Like a wounded animal he'd prowl around the house, hiding in corners and lashing out at anything that moved.Through it all, Namjoon tried to keep upbeat, tried to not let it get to him. He made apologies to the others for Seokjin, then closed them off from the rest of the world until Seokjin could deal with people again. For two months as Seokjin raged around their home, Namjoon yearned for help, for someone to talk to, but really, the only person he wanted to talk to was his husband. Their home no longer felt like the sanctuary it was supposed to be, bug a cage with no escape.He missed the calm Seokjin who loved life and warm wine and passionate kisses. He missed the sweet man, the fiery lover, and the one person in the world who Namjoon needed more than he needed himself.When the dust had settled and Seokjin learned he was okay, there was an eerie calm to their home. There were unsaid apologies, too many tears, and Seokjin looking like the broken man he was. Namjoon didn't know how to fix him, but he tried. He tried until he smothered Seokjin in comfort, until Seokjin became annoyed at his attempts to be in his space at all times. Namjoon knew that despite how much better Seokjin was feeling, and how many doors he'd opened and walls he'd torn down through the past two weeks of healing, they weren't better yet. Namjoon wanted to believe the other's words that Seokjin wasn't going to leave, but nothing between them had changed. Yes, Seokjin smiled at him again, and yes they made love and enjoyed each other physically, but it never felt like it did before. It felt fragile and Namjoon was far too clumsy to hold onto something so delicate.He also knew, that if he wanted to fix things with Seokjin, they needed to talk. But that alone proved to be far more difficult than he had imagined. There were just too many people around always needing attention. If Taehyung wasn't pouting at Namjoon or Jungkook wasn't trying to show off to Seokjin or Yoongi wasn't having a mental breakdown about Hoseok, then it was Hoseok needing some head pats. It was a lot. The only one who seemed to be self sufficient in getting attention away from himself and Seokjin was Jimin, and Namjoon wasn't sure if that was intentional or not. But he should have known, especially when he found Seokjin and Jimin conspiring together near the end of their second week in the kitchen. They'd shut up the moment they saw him, pretending like they hadn't been whispering like school children."What's for dinner?" Namjoon asked, looking between them. "That's what we're discussing," Seokjin said, nudging Jimin in the side."Right! Uh, we were thinking of going out," Jimin said, wincing when Seokjin nudged him again. "I mean, me and Yoongi and Hoseok, going out. To dinner. Just us. A date night?""And Taehyung and Jungkook said something about wanting to go out tonight too," Seokjin said. "So, I was thinking that I could cook for us? We could stay in?"Namjoon knew a set up when he saw it, but he just smiled at his husband, and nodded. "Yeah, I think I'd like that." The house cleared out faster than Namjoon thought possible, though he didn't imagine Seokjin's hushed threats to Taehyung to "Get out before I cut up all your clothes" either. It was a little endearing that Seokjin was going to so much trouble for them to have alone time, and acting like he had no idea what Namjoon was talking about when confronted."You're paranoid," Seokjin sniffed as he stirred some meat in the pan. Namjoon had long since learned to stay far from Seokjin when he was cooking, but he liked being near to talk. "They wanted to go out, I didn't.""What if I wanted to go out?" Namjoon asked, teasingly. "We've been here two weeks and other than the beach we haven't done much of anything on the island.""I'm saving that for next week," Seokjin shrugged. "I have a whole itinerary planned. Six days of non stop fun and shopping and sightseeing until we're sick of it.""No you don't," Namjoon laughed, and Seokjin leveled an unimpressed frown at him. "I know you, you're not the planning kind of person. You want to experience things authentically.""Excuse you? I do so like planned things, I even went on a wine tour!" Seokjin sniffed, but his lips were curled in the tiniest of smirks."You went on a wine tour that your ex fiance planned, and you didn't even get through a full day of it," Namjoon reminded him. "Then you had to call some poor local to give you a ride and somehow, ended up marrying him.""All part of the plan," Seokjin said, letting his smile grow. "A long, convoluted plan that involved lots of wine.""Regret it?" Namjoon asked, exposing the vulnerable part of his heart for the first time in a long time. Maybe by the way he asked it, or the way his eyes were wide, searching Seokjin's, that Seokjin knew not to give a flippant answer as he was prone to do.Seokjin turned down the burner on the stove and set his wooden stirrer down before coming out of the kitchen to where Namjoon was standing awkwardly. His smile was sweet, almost bittersweet as he lifted his hand to cup Namjoon's cheek. Namjoon couldn't help leaning into the hand, his heart bursting in affection for this beautiful man who stood in front of him."Not for a second," Seokjin said, drawing him down for a kiss. It wasn't chaste, or languid, but it wasn't as fiery as it usually was. It was… loving. "I love you so much," Seokjin said when he pulled back, resting their foreheads together. "After dinner, we're going to talk, okay?""Okay," Namjoon nodded, his hand on Seokjin's hip squeezing lightly.  Dinner, as usual, was delicious. Seokjin always knew how to make the best meals and it was nice seeing him enjoying cooking and eating again. Namjoon couldn't honestly say how they survived those months when Seokjin wouldn't go near the kitchen, but somehow he managed to keep them fed and not burn down the house in the process.They ate their dinner on the top patio, watching the sun go down as they ate and talked. They sipped wine and relaxed when the plates were clear. Namjoon didn't know if he should go first, but he figured Seokjin wanted to be the one to talk."I've talked to everyone," Seokjin said after a while, swirling the wine in his glass around. "I've said what I needed to say and I think I've managed to patch up the holes I made. Some bigger than others. I thought you would be the easiest one, you usually are. But I keep thinking about how horrible I was to you, and I have so much to make up for. So I kept putting it off and trying to get the courage to say… how sorry I am."Namjoon reached over to take his husband's hand in his own, lacing their fingers together. "I don't need an apology Jin," he said softly. "I just need my husband back.""You may not need to hear, but I need to say it," Seokjin said, taking a deep breath. "And I need you to accept it, or… or not.""Of course, of course I do," Namjoon said immediately, bringing Seokjin's hand up to his lips and kissing his knuckles. "I love you, and I know you have regrets. But I want you to understand that nothing would ever make me stop loving you. I married you, I promised to be there by your side through everything. Including the hard times."Namjoon could see tears were forming in Seokjin's eyes by how they were shining in the low light, his lower lip trembling and how he tried to speak but he couldn't get the words out."I forgive you, Seokjin, now, can I have my husband back?" Namjoon asked in a near whisper. "I've missed him so much.""I've missed you too," Seokjin hiccuped and nearly tipped over the table as he climbed out of his chair and into Namjoon's lap. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry this took so long.""It's okay," Namjoon clung tightly to him, pressing his nose into Seokjin's shoulder as he felt Seokjin shaking. The months and weeks of tension between them melting away. He didn't care about the words said, or the things done, the items broken. He only cared that Seokjin could come back to him a whole man. That's all he'd ever wanted. They sat there for a long while, Seokjin crying until all that was left was dry eyes and a soft hitch in his breath. Namjoon didn't want to let him go, but the chair wasn't comfortable and Seokjin wasn't exactly light."We should clean up," Namjoon murmured. "Then… go to bed.""We could go to bed first, then clean up," Seokjin replied and Namjoon chuckled softly. "If we do that, it'll be hours," Namjoon said, drawing his nose up the line of Seokjin's neck, loving the way his husband smelled. "Kind of want to destroy you."Seokjin shuddered in his arms and he turned his head to look at Namjoon with darkened eyes and a sly smirk. "I was kind of hoping you would. Tear me down, build me back up. Fuck me until I don't even know my name.""That what you want?" Namjoon nipped at his jaw. "Want me to fuck you? That what you want baby?""Yeah," Seokjin hummed, tilting his head as Namjoon licked a path up the side. "Please. Please fuck me."Namjoon growled a little, his heart racing as he pushed SEokjin up to standing. They were a little wobbly from the wine, and Seokjin was a little drained from crying, but Namjoon got him into bed and naked soon enough.Despite how aggressive they were, Namjoon was going to take his time. He wanted to show Seokjin just how much he loved him. He wanted Seokjin to know that he would take care of him in every sense of the word.He'd missed the sounds of Seokjin, the ones he made when he was being eaten out, flat on his back with his legs spread so Namjoon could hear those beautiful sounds. He liked knowing that Seokjin was enjoying himself, that they were reconnecting in a way that was more than just fucking. He took time to work him open with two slicked fingers, even if he didn't really need it. He edged Seokjin a few times too many until Seokjin was begging desperately."Fuck me, please," Seokjin groaned, his face red from arousal and desperation and he looked so beautiful like that. But Namjoon wasn't to be dissuaded from his mission, and that was to show Seokjin just how much he loved him. He sucked and kissed and licked his way up Seokjin's body, teasing at points of skin he knew didn't get nearly enough attention. He bit down into the skin around Seokjin's niplle, letting his tongue flick over the erect nub until Seokjin's was writhing and squirming under him. Namjoon grinned when he let go, working his way up until he was eye level with his husband."Fuck, get on with it," Seokjin whined, wrapping one leg around Namjoon's hip and trying to get some friction on his cock. Namjoon chuckled at how cute he was, finally pulling his fingers free and adjusting his stance on his knees."So demanding," Namjoon said, ignoring Seokjin's swats to his arms and leaning in to kiss his pouty lips as he pushed his cock in. Seokjin whimpered, a heady sigh of relief that seemed to come from the depths of his soul. Namjoon just smiled, working a slow rhythm until he was punching the breath from Seokjin's lungs with every hard thrust.They'd had sex a few times since they got to the island, but this felt like it. The way they moved, they way they could draw out from each other what they needed the most. This wasn't just a physical need to be fulfilled, but a call from their souls and hearts to mend each other in ways only they knew how to do. This wasn't just sex, this was reconnecting, this was gaining back their rhythm that had been lost.Namjoon sat back on his knees, drawing Seokjin up to sit on his thighs and let him slowly rock himself back and forth on Namjoon's dick. This was the looking into each other's eyes and kissing and being as close as they could possibly get to one another. This was Namjoon, whispering to his husband how much he loved him, and Seokjin whispering back.When Seokjin came from Namjoon's hand, it was with a soft cry, and a full heart. When Namjoon finished himself off over Seokjin's belly after laying him back down, it was while staring into Seokjin's warm eyes and gentle, loving smile. This was the Seokjin Namjoon loved, and never wanted to lose again. They lay together, sticky, sweaty, and grossly in love for a long time. Giggling at each other and reminding themselves why they had fallen in love in the first place. Namjoon couldn't keep form touching Seokjin's skin, his hair, the parts of his body that Namjoon had mapped in his mind. He knew his husband, he knew what he loved, what he hated. He knew Seokjin better than anyone he had ever known, yet he still found ways to surprise him, and keep their love a well tended flame. Sometimes, love needed a bit of rekindling. The coals would cool and feelings waned. It sometimes just took a bit of time, and forgiveness to get back what you know you have. By the time the others came back hours later, Namjoon and Seokjin had cleaned up themselves and dinner. It was late, but not so late that they didn't say no when Hoseok had asked them to come outside with them.The night was cool, the sky clear, and the seven of them spread out some blankets in the patchy grass behind the house."Taehyung and Jungkook found a fireworks market," Jimin explained when they settled on the blankets. Jimin was laying between Yoongi's legs, arms settled over his husband's thighs and head laying in his lap while Yoongi was leaned up against Hoseok next to him. They looked at peace, though Namjoon knew full well things between them might not be settled for months."Do we trust them with fireworks?" Seokjin asked, though he'd also sat down, leaning back on his hands and looking up at the stars."No," Yoongi said, his gaze caught between watching Taehyung and Jungkook warily to Hoseok."It'll be fine, promise!" Taehyung said as he and Jungkook worked on setting up one of the fireworks on a cinder block he'd pulled from somewhere."As long as you don't light that too close to the house," Seokjin said. "I don't think the deposit covers burning it to the ground.""It's fine, Jin," Taehyung said and Namjoon could hear Taehyung's eye roll."Well if they're going to light up, then so am I," Hoseok said, shifting around so he could pack a bowl. It got passed around a few times, even Seokjin partaking before the first firework was lit.There were cheers from the two closest, and even laughs of delight from the others at the colored lights that went shooting up into the sky. It wasn't the kind that bloomed and popped, but fiery rockets of colors and sparks and wizzing sounds. It reminded Namjoon a little of the small fireworks back in Spain at the festivals. They dazzled and delighted all ages. He tugged Seokjin into his arms, pressing his chest against Seokjin's back and wrapping his arms around his waist."So, I take it you two had your talk finally?" Yoongi asked, motioning between them. "You look less like you hate each other.""We never hated each other," Namjoon said, resting his chin on Seokjin's shoulder. "We just…""Weren't on the same wavelength," Seokjin said with a shrug. "But I think we got it now.""Good, cause if I have to talk Namjoon one more time about how you aren't leaving, Jin, I'm going to murder him," Yoongi said. "I just want things to go back to normal.""Honestly, I don't think anything will go back to normal," Jimin said. "I didn't mention it earlier, but I got a call from the social worker, they have a match."Everyone's eyes swung to Jimin, even Hoseok who had gone perfectly still."And?" Yoongi prodded Jimin in the shoulder."And, in less than six months, we'll have a baby," Jimin said, looking up at him. "They think it's twins.""Twins?" Yoongi murmured, eyes wide."That's… wow," Namjoon said, watching the three of them. "Well, congrats.""We'll have to talk more about that later," Yoongi said, poking Jimin again and again and Jimin squirmed, giggling."We've got big news too!" Taehyung said as they lit off another firecracker. "We're buying a house!""Kind of a house," Jungkook amended, pulling Taehyung further away as the sparks went up. "We're gonna buy a tiny house and drive around with it. Then uh… we'll do the thing we talked about Yoongi.""The thing?" Jimin sat up and looked at him. "What's the thing?""The thing is I'm going to sell them a bit of our land to build a house on," Yoongi said. "So they'll be nearby."Jimin gasped, turning back to look at Taehyung and Jungkook with wide eyes. Hands clasped against his heart, it looked like Jimin was going to go off like a firecracker himself. "I am so. So. Happy!""Figured you would be," Taehyung said, coming over and crawling his way into Jimin's lap. They ended up tipping over into Yoongi who complained about the weight but didn't move. "WE're gonna be neighbors Chim!""Soulmates and neighbors," Jimin cackled. As usual, wherever Taehyung went, Jungkook followed and he also came up to the blankets, but chose to park himself in Seokjin's lap. "What do you think?""I think that it's a great solution," Seokjin said, cupping Jungkook's cheeks with his hands and squishing them. "I can finally have my guest room back.""What would be the point? We never have guests," Namjoon snorted."Never know, we could meet new people," Seokjin chuckled, kissing Jungkook. It never failed to do something to Namjoon to see Seokjin have intimate moments with one of the others, and he tightened his grip on Seokjin's waist and nosed against his neck."You are insatiable," Seokjin nudged him a little but didn't stop him, just went back to kissing Jungkook."He's almost as bad as Jimin," Hoseok agreed. Namjoon glanced over to see Taehyung and Jimin were wrestling together, by the looks of it Taehyung was winning. And by winning, it was getting Jimin's clothes off."It's a good thing we picked a place that wasn't close to anybody," Yoongi said, watching Jimin as well. "We'd scandalize the locals." When they ran out of firecrackers and tired each other out with sex, they staggered back inside to sleep. Namjoon was drunk on wine and weed and Seokjin when they cuddled up close in their bed. It wasn't as nice as their bed at home, but they could still make a pocket that belonged just to them and pretend."Joon?" Seokjin whispered in the near darkness, their faces inches away from each other."Jin?" Namjoon replied just as softly."What do you think about maybe getting a dog?" Seokjin asked. "With Taehyung and Jungkook leaving, it'll just be us, all the time.""We're way too young for empty nest syndrome," Namjoon sighed. "But… we can get a dog.""Good," Seokjin closed his eyes and passed out. He had a smile on his lips that Namjoon had missed so much, and he couldn't help kissing it gently before he closed his eyes. He dreamed of a man he knew a lifetime ago. A stranger who had shown up one day like he was sent from the gods, and had become his entire world.