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ahundredtimesover · 3 years ago

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A Still Day or A Hurricane (07) | JJK

Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader

Genre/Tags: single mom lawyer!OC x pastry chef!Jungkook; angst, fluff, smut; age gap

Chapter Warnings: foul/explicit language; alcohol consumption; single parenthood, motherhood; mention of a sexual harassment case, inaccurate law stuff im sry; flirting and cute moments; eventual smut (18+)

Chapter Word count: 13.8k

Status: Completed

Series summary: Driven by your perfectionist attitude and need to have everything in order, you planned that by age 30, you’d have made junior partner, bought your own apartment, and have children. You achieved them, of course, and while the last bit required you to take matters into your own hands - no thanks to your ex-boyfriend who dumped you but to your best friend who directed you to a fertility clinic - you’re now a 31-year old who pretty much has her life under control. You’re ready to raise your child on your own, that is, until the 20-something pastry chef flirts his way into your heart, messing up the perfect little life you worked so hard to have for yourself.

A/N: I hope this makes up for a lot! Thank you again for all the love for ASDOAH! 🥰

Listen to: 2U (Kang Daniel), Perhaps Love (Eric Nam, CHEEZE) || Playlist 🎶

Series Masterlist

“So you said no?” Yoongi’s blank face doesn’t give much away, and while you always liked that about him, it’s times like this when you wish he was more expressive than you’re used to.

“Yeah, duh. It felt weird to go to lunch with him when he just broke up with his girlfriend and—” you stop at the sight of your friend’s cocked eyebrow at you, as if he knows something you don’t.

And knowing Yoongi, he probably does.

“What?”

“What!” You whisper-yell, trying not to wake the sleeping 2-year old on your lap.

Heejin moves only a little bit, her slightly parted mouth telling you she’s still very much asleep. She’s usually a morning person like you but she spent the whole of yesterday afternoon swimming in the inflatable pool with Subin in Namjoon’s backyard and used up all her energy for the next two days.

You’re currently at Blue Side on an early Monday morning, your meetup place with Jimin, Jin, and Ga-eun, another associate, before you head to the court for a trial. As usual, all of them are late.

“Nothing, go on,” Yoongi blinks at you, although you don’t miss the hint of amusement on his face.

He’s here to wave you off as your hype man during high profile cases like the one you’re all handling, and his presence is always appreciated. Even if sometimes he frustrates you because it’s Yoongi and he can.

“I was just saying it didn’t seem like it was in good taste if I said yes or like, what if I’m just his rebound or something?” You wonder out loud, earning you an actual expression from Yoongi - a look of disbelief.

“Should I have said yes?” You ask.

“That’s not me to say, but you? His rebound? You forget this is the same guy who left Seoul because you broke his heart.”

“That is not true,” you argue. “He left because of work.”

“Yup, you’re totally the one that he and Hobi were out drinking with the night before they left,” Yoongi rolls his eyes.

“Then what, Yae-won was his rebound? That’s not nice. And then they break up, then he comes back here to get over her?” You bite back.

“You underestimate his feelings for you, ___,” Yoongi frowns. “And him. You know, I don’t like a lot of people. And he did seem a little too eager and childishly in love with you at the beginning but, you learn a lot about a person when they’re hurt. And he did nothing that I expected him to.”

Yoongi recalls all those weeks when you ghosted the young man, and how Yoongi came to the cafe everyday to get your breakfast. Jungkook always seemed dazed and lost in his thoughts until a customer came, and then he’d try his best to be his best, even in front of your friends.

Jungkook never badgered Yoongi or your best friends when they’d drop by, only briefly asking if you’re doing okay. He always seemed apologetic for making you feel uncomfortable, and that he couldn’t be around to help you get through your last trimester. And when your friends called to ask him to go to you at the hospital, he went, no questions asked, and didn’t expect anything from you after he left.

Yoongi has known you for years, including the men who tried to be with you and the only man who was in that period, and none of them is even remotely close to how Jungkook is. At least with you. And as your friend, Yoongi will always go for the man who’d treat you like you deserve the world because you do. He just wants you to be able to see that, too.

It’s at this time when the bell rings and in comes the man who’s been swirling in your mind the past two days, the way he looked so casual and gorgeous at the supermarket making your heart beat faster whenever you think about it. Clad in loose pants and an oversized sweatshirt, he looks around the cafe and his eyes meet yours, flitting from Heejin to you, and the smile that’s half cheeky and half soft graces his face.

He waves when Yoongi turns, then disappears into the staff room.

“I’m gonna need to get used to seeing him again pretty much everyday,” you sigh, not out of frustration but out of nervousness.

“Hey, you liked it before,” Yoongi reminds you, and it’s not something you deny.

You always enjoyed seeing and being around Jungkook. You were just the selfish one who kept him close because you knew he wanted to be, and he’d been able to keep his feelings in check. But when you couldn’t, you cut him off so certainly, and it scared you how much it hurt when you did.

But things were different two years ago. You don’t know what parts of you changed but you know they did, and you could only hope it’s for the better. There’s a certain joy that having your daughter has taught you, and she continues to teach you that there are so many kinds of joy out there; you’re lucky if you even get a chance to feel them.

You’re removed from your thoughts when Heejin shifts in your lap, and she tilts her head to look at you with her sleepy eyes, and you melt into a puddle at how beautiful she looks.

“Hey, bubba,” you brush your nose against hers. “Good morning again.”

She does her toddler stretch, hugs you briefly, then lets you shift her so she’s seated comfortably on your lap. She waves at Yoongi then does their fist bump, then watches you slip the piece of croissant in your mouth.

It’s your cue to take smaller pieces for her to eat, and you guide her as she chews, asking her if it’s good every time she finishes.

From the corner of your eye, you see Jungkook exit the staff room and enter the kitchen, and your heart betrays you at how it sinks a little, given that in the past, he’d always have an excuse to be at the counter or serve tables so he could make faces at you and tease you. You hate thinking he doesn’t feel that comfortable doing that anymore.

Jimin and Ga-eun enter not long after, ordering their food before heading to your table with the news that Jin will just meet you at the court since he has to go home to change into his clothes.

“Didn't go home last night again, I see,” you chuckle.

“That boxing gym owner has him wrapped around her finger,” Jimin confirms. “He has such a weakness for strong and bold women. I think it’s a kink.”

His smug face directed at you earns him a scowl, and Jimin just laughs as he takes the seat across from you. Ga-eun sits next to you and plays with Heejin’s hand, babbling along with the toddler and you’re glad it’s her who does it this time.

The conversation shifts from Jin to the hearing to what you’re gonna do after the whole trial ends, and you momentarily lose your voice when Jungkook appears at your side, placing your colleagues’ respective orders on the table.

It’s that black rolled up long sleeve top underneath the white button-up polo ensemble again, his tattooed arm immediately catching your attention.

You hear someone clear their throat, and you turn to Jungkook who was apparently asking you a question. The playfulness on his face is back, too, and you scold yourself for being too transparent, vowing you’ll do better next time.

“Excuse me?” You say.

“I was just asking if you wanted something else to order,” he replies. “Heejin seems like she wants more but your croissant is finished.”

“She’s had enough for the morning,” you smile, “so it’s okay. Mom has a lot of food at her place that this little one can help herself to,” you say, given that you’re set to meet your mom here who’s Heejin’s designated babysitter today.

“Hmm, what about some warm milk? Get her day starting?”

“Oh, uh,” you turn to Heejin who’s already looking at Jungkook, tilting her head as if familiarizing herself with him. “Sure, that would be great, Jungkook.”

He nods and leaves, and the silence in your table is unbearable.

“Since when were you so polite?” Jimin cocks an eyebrow. “I mean, even how you rejected Kook’s offer of lunch last Saturday was polite.”

“It’s first thing in the morning, Park. I don’t wanna deal with this yet,” you frown.

“Just curious,” he beams, angelic charms suddenly on. “But then again, he was away for 2 years so you’re probably just getting used to him being around again and looking as good as that,” Jimin smirks, having noticed the way you eyed Jungkook earlier.

“Excuse you. I was just telling Yoongi that—”

You stop at Jungkook appearing next to you again, a warm milk in a small cup with bite-sized strawberries at the side. You appreciate the effort, as you’d mentally noted when you woke up this morning that you’d need to buy them again because Heejin eats them every meal with mashed rice.

“Were you talking about me?” Jungkook smiles smugly.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” you playfully roll your eyes.

“Well, I hope you are, and I hope it’s good things.”

He pokes the inside of his cheek with his tongue, and you hate how that easily flusters you. You’re just glad he leaves for the kitchen before you give too much away, but Jimin and Yoongi, and even Ga-eun who’s one of the quiet ones at the firm, take this time to laugh at you.

“The way I’m reveling at this version of you,” Jimin beams. “Makes me wonder why you turned down lunch with him. Was it really because of Yae-won?”

“Duh! It seemed weird if they were still together, and it still was even after he said they’re broken up,” you reason, promptly feeding Heejin who squeals at the sight of her favorite fruit. “Like, he should give himself time to move on from it and stuff.”

“What makes you think he hasn’t?” Jimin asks.

“He just got back. I would assume they broke up right before he left, which makes sense. I mean, leave Seoul because of me, and leave Busan because of her,” you shrug, and you make it sound so simple, as if you've figured it all out.

“Except they didn’t,” Jimin says matter-of-factly. “They broke up 5 months ago.”

“Oh,” you say, sipping from an already empty cup, trying not to show how this bit of information is affecting you. “Uh, do you know why?”

“Yes,” Jimin responds.

“Are you gonna tell me?”

“And miss out on what could be a juicy conversation between you and Kook?” He acts shocked. “Of course not!”

“Yah, my life isn’t for your entertainment!” You kick his shin.

“I’m kidding,” he scowls. “It’s just not my place. You know me, I don’t meddle.”

“Sometimes I wish you did,” you sigh.

“Me, too. Maybe you and Jungkook would’ve gotten together long ago,” he sighs as well.

Yoongi disagrees. “She’s too stubborn for that. You think she got to where she is by letting others meddle and do the work for her?”

“Min, I know you think the world of me, but I’m not that perfect,” you tease. “I had a couple of you knocking sense into me when I was too up in the clouds.”

“That’s different, ___,” Yoongi replies. “It’s just with you, if you don’t believe in it, you won’t go for it. And you didn’t believe in you and Jungkook then. None of us would’ve been able to change your mind. He wasn’t part of the plan, remember? You would’ve tried to make him be a part of it if you really wanted, and you could’ve. He would’ve taken you back in an instant. But you didn’t.”

“You’re not wrong,” you nod.

“I rarely am,” he shrugs. “But tell me, am I wrong to think that even with all the great things that happened to you the past two years, something still felt missing? Like a part of you was yearning for something, and you just didn’t want to admit it?”

Your eyes travel to the counter where Jungkook is charming an elder woman, presenting to her the different danishes and by the way she’s laughing, he’s making her blush. He meets your eyes for a moment, that cheeky yet soft smile making another appearance, and you knew it was that.

“I’m not answering that,” you say, turning your gaze away.

Yoongi, who’d noticed the way your eyes seemed to land on Jungkook all morning, just hums.

“You already did.”

The rest of the week is a busy one, and you only get to drop by the cafe one more time. Back to handling multiple cases at a time, your days are packed. You had no choice but to leave Heejin at daycare the past two days, which is your last resort, and this Thursday, you’re lucky that your other trusted babysitter is free.

Needing to calm your mind a bit before heading to a court hearing, you pass by the cafe for your usual coffee and pastry, phone on one hand and tablet in the other. You’re giving instructions to one of your associates who can’t seem to follow your train of thought when you walk towards the counter, Dea’s always welcoming smile doing little for your mood.

You quickly state your orders, briefly closing your eyes in frustration after accepting that you’re gonna have to meet the said associate later despite your busy day ahead, when all you wanted to do after saying goodbye to Heejin was go back home right away.

“Tough day, huh?” Dea sympathetically says.

“I can’t wait for it to be over,” you groan.

You give your card and it’s the same time that Jungkook emerges from the kitchen with a tray of freshly-baked peach turnovers.

“Hey, good morning,” he beams at you, softness and care exuding from it.

You feel your furrowed brows relax a bit, the smile you make almost automatic as his bright eyes give you some form of relief.

They always used to. You remember a time when coming to the cafe in the mornings being greeted by his harmless flirting and silly stories made you feel lighter. Behind the playfulness, you always knew he just wanted to make you laugh, to remind you that you’re still allowed moments of joy. You suppose that hasn’t stopped.

“Hey,” you respond. “Those look good.”

“You want one?” He asks.

“I’m okay. Dea’s strawberry-filled donuts are my current guilty pleasure,” you say, to the delight of the woman in front of you.

“You’ve been away too long, Jeon,” she teases. “I’m her new favorite. Might’ve captured her heart or something, too.”

You giggle at the wink she gives you, and Dea laughs along when you both catch Jungkook rolling his eyes.

“Gotta step up my game, then,” he smirks before disappearing into the kitchen.

You take your order and settle in your usual corner, opting to check your phone that’s linked to the baby monitor to catch a glimpse of Heejin. She’s still asleep in her toddler bed while the babysitter sits by, studying while waiting for the little one to wake up.

It’s one of the wonders that’s allowed you to feel at ease when you’re away, even when it’s any one of your friends or family babysitting. Just knowing how Heejin is doing, hearing her squeal or seeing her smile, is enough for you to feel better, no matter how anxious or stressed you are.

You only allow yourself 20 minutes here before you head to a hearing for a civil case, and as you start to pack your things, you see Jungkook walk towards you, placing a small paper bag and a to-go cup.

“Cranberry black tea on-the-house as ordered by the deputy manager, aka me, and some chouqettes to go with it, as ordered by the pastry chef, also me,” he smiles.

“Chou—what?” You chuckle, peeking inside.

“They’re like mini cream puffs that we’re now serving with special drinks. I think you’ll like them.”

“You better tell Hobi about this,” you say, standing up with your things and your takeaways.

“I will. But think of it as a ‘glad to be back’ treat. It’s been so long since I made anything for you,” he chuckles, although you don’t miss the hint of shyness in it.

“Thank you, then,” you smile. “I’m sure I’ll like them. Thanks, Jungkook.”

“You’re welcome. And whatever you’re doing today, you’re gonna do great, okay?”

You nod adoringly, believing in his words, then walking out the door.

You sip from the drink at the stoplight, feeling your cheek warm at the note on the cup.

Am I still your favorite? :D

Not wanting to be distracted, you wait until later that night to think about him again - how his presence this morning calmed you down a bit, and how the little treats made you feel better and less hungry throughout the day when you barely had time to eat.

You message Yoongi, asking for Jungkook’s number with a disclaimer that you only want to thank the man for this morning, and he promptly sends it to you with only a smirk to go with it.

Keying it in, you send Jungkook a text.

[To: Jungkook] You were never my favorite though

You take a deep breath, feeling silly at being nervous about texting him again after so long, then feeling your heart drop at his reply.

[From: Jungkook] sorry, who’s this?

You groan because he probably deleted your number.

[From: Jungkook] kidding 😝 I know I was your only favorite. just like how you were my only favorite customer. 😉

You wanna smack him for flirting with you over text, but you can’t deny the way it’s making your heart race.

[To: Jungkook] Hmm, don’t know about me being your only favorite customer, Jungkook. 🤔🤔

You hope this time, he doesn’t catch on to the double meaning of your statement. But with him, you’ll never know.

[From: Jungkook] ___, you always were.

It’s 9AM that Saturday when you decide that the weather is too good for you to pass up a morning walk at the park. You were never the type to go out for strolls before, opting for other relaxation methods like spas and salon days when you’re free, but Namjoon was adamant that Heejin needs to be out to feel the fresh air and learn to enjoy nature.

You supposed he was right, and with the family park not too far from your place, you’ve been coming here with your daughter most weekends, exploring the massive outdoors and enjoying seeing Heejin be amused at the trees and flowers and birds and ducks by the lake.

You spend a good half hour just wandering at the east side before heading to one of the playgrounds. Pushing the stroller and bending to the side to point at the fountain, you don’t realize that you’ve swayed on your path, barely missing an oncoming jogger.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!” You say, turning towards the person after you felt the bump.

Your eyes widen as the person tilts their head, their own familiar dark orbs underneath the bucket hat meeting yours.

“You always have me falling because of you, ___,” he chuckles.

“Jungkook?” You move closer. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

His face turns smug, and you realize your mistake.

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

“Maybe not,” you briefly turn away. “But are you alright?”

“Yeah, it was just a bump. That’s a pretty strong stroller you got there,” he says.

“It’s safer,” you shrug, looking at him again, taking in his black shorts and sweatshirt, the thin material of the top sticking to his toned chest.

“So, uh, you out for a run?”

“Yeah. I’m on closing shift tonight so I wanted to do my exercise in the morning,” he responds, turning to look at Heejin who’s peeking out of her stroller.

Jungkook kneels and says hi, taking the hand that Heejin puts out for him.

“Hey, you,” he chirps. “You comfortable out here? This is a nice seat you have, Heejin. Maybe you could’ve told your mom there was a jogger she was about to hit.”

His cheeky face meets your frowning one, but it softens when you hear him continue to talk to her like he does it everyday. He compliments her sweatshirt-over-leggings outfit and says she has a prettier beanie than all the ones he owns. He asks about the weather and if she’s feeling cold, where she’s heading to and what she plans to do.

You can hear Heejin animatedly answering the best way a two-year old can, babbling even if you barely understand what she’s saying, but that’s more than you can ask for when it comes to her engaging with practically a stranger. They only met twice but she already seems enamored by him.

Perhaps it’s his eyes. Or because like your mom always says, kids are interested in attractive people. Maybe Heejin finds him funny.

Or maybe it’s because when you were carrying her in your womb, Jungkook made you smile and laugh a lot.

That’s a stretch, but it’s not impossible.

Maybe it’s just your brain making up reasons on your behalf, and on hers.

“I was pointing at the fountain,” you explain. “She likes the water.”

“Yeah?” He stands up, looking at you now, and he internally gushes at your semi-matching sweatshirt-over-leggings outfit.

“There’s a spot nearby where you can run past the floor and water will shoot up,” he says. “Have you been there?”

“No, actually. We’re only now starting to venture in this side of the park,” you explain. “But she’d love that.”

“I can take you there,” he offers, walking next to you then turning on the next left.

“You run around here a lot?” You ask.

“Just since I moved back. I got an apartment close by and I try to run here when I can,” he says. “It’s peaceful here.”

“Oh, what happened to your old apartment?”

“My parents rented it out when I went home, and it’s a long-term lease. But it’s okay. I bought my own place with a larger kitchen, like a baker’s paradise for all the things I want to make.”

“New recipes?”

“Yeah and just in general to practice. Hobi and I plan to do these seasonal desserts and seasonal events at the rooftop,” he smiles excitedly. “We tried that out in Gwangju and it was a hit. Like, you buy your seat and we serve a dessert and drink set, exclusive and limited menu.”

“Oh, is this the one for next week? Hobi told me about it and as always, we get dibs,” you smirk, remembering how he’d eagerly invited you to it and even offered it at a discounted price, but you insisted, especially since your entire family will be attending.

“Yeah! I wasn’t sure if people would go, but we posted it on social media and he even had me model for it,” Jungkook shakes his head. “But then again, this face could sell thousands so I’m not surprised we sold out.”

You playfully smack him. “You’re annoying when you’re cocky, you know that?”

“I do, actually,” he chuckles.

“Is that why you have mint hair?”

“Yeah,” he responds, removing his hat and combing his hands through his locks, and you regret asking because of how he’s now constantly doing it and you don’t know when every little thing he does has started to look attractive.

“You like it?”

“No,” you shake your head, but the laugh that leaves your lips tells him otherwise.

“It’s faded already but yeah, Hobi wanted a new look and to sort of announce that I’m back at the Seoul branch. Apparently a lot of customers were looking for me. Aside from you, of course.”

You slightly push him this time and he almost loses his balance.

“Humor me here,” he chuckles. “Or actually, don’t confirm nor deny. I wouldn’t know how to react with either answer.”

Neither do you, so you let it go and continue walking in silence now, just enjoying the sound of the birds and the rustling of the leaves on the grass. It’s peaceful out here like he said. It’s why you also like it, and it’s so massive that most times, you barely see other people nearby.

Jungkook jogs to the spot and attempts to get Heejin’s attention. You unbuckle the strap and help her out, loving how she’s looking around then excitedly squeals when Jungkook runs and as he said, water shoots up from the ground.

She starts running towards him, and you’re about to order her to stop when Jungkook meets her halfway and steadies her by holding both her arms.

“Careful, little one,” he chuckles.

He instructs her to put her arm out to her sides so the water will shoot up, then he tells her to tap her foot on the light and she follows, her sweet baby laughter ringing beautifully in your ears.

You’re a fan of her enjoying herself, even if every time she runs a little bit faster makes your heart stop. And the way she’s smiling and jumping up and down when Jungkook says they’ll go on another run is priceless.

“Hey, can I have her on my shoulders? My niece loves it when I do this for her,” he asks. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

You nod, since one other thing your daughter likes is heights. You doubt this child has any fear, and you trust Jungkook, so you agree.

He secures her on his shoulders and carefully runs around, guiding her spread out arms and she laughs again. You laugh along at his pained face when Heejin starts pulling his hair and hitting his brow piercing, and you hadn’t realized that this is what you needed after a really long week.

Perhaps it means something that it, again, has something to do with him.

“Alright, bubba, you’re getting soaked,” you exclaim. “Let’s get you dried up and dressed, yeah?”

You approach them with your arms out, asking her to get down, but she just shakes her head and says no. You try to talk to her then slowly match her stubbornness, your voice getting sterner as you go on, and you don’t realize how close you’re standing in front of Jungkook.

He could basically smell the ocean breeze scent of your cologne and count the individual lashes fluttering on your skin.

He’s smiling the whole time you’re going back-and-forth with Heejin about needing her to get down and her saying no every time, and he softens because you’re so weak for your daughter. You look a little frustrated but can’t help but laugh whenever she tries to speak.

And he can’t blame you; she’s adorable even when she’s being hard-headed. Affectionate, too, as her tiny hands move from his hair down to the upper parts of his cheeks, gently touching them.

“No, Ma,” she says in her tiny voice.

She babbles incoherently but he can pick up her saying she wants to play some more.

Jungkook sees you try to level your breathing, and that’s when he decides to do things his way, briefly smiling at you then turning around. He supports her back and holds onto her tiny feet over his shoulders, then he runs around again, triggering the water spouts and making sure she’s got her arms out to feel them.

He’s running faster than he had been, and while this would usually make you insanely anxious, the way Heejin is giggling so loudly is melting away your worry. She’s squealing and laughing and smiling with her eyes closed, mouth hanging open the entire time. She looks like she’s really enjoying herself, and looking at the man doing this to her, you see that so is he.

Jungkook slows down and sneakily takes Heejin off his shoulders when her arms are still out, and she ends up sitting on his arm, still beaming with excitement.

“You like that, sunshine?”

She claps and babbles some more, and you and Jungkook say “next time” at the same time, assuming she meant to say she wants another round.

“That was smooth,” you compliment him, as he places Heejin back on the stroller and he motions towards a nearby changing room.

“I needed to indulge her, catch her off guard, and then charm my way. It works with the ladies,” he winks. “Well, most of the time,” he adds when you laugh at his statement.

He offers to watch over the stroller as you change Heejin’s clothes and diaper, smiling at himself for his luck that he snoozed his alarm multiple times before finally waking up, otherwise he would’ve been up hours ago and wouldn’t have caught you on his way back to his apartment.

You exit the changing room with Heejin holding your hand, and like the traitor you’ve come to find out that she is, she cutely runs to Jungkook, arms up while her finger points towards the sky.

Liking the attention, he carries her then secures her on his shoulders again, as if he’d been doing this for long, like it’s so natural for the both of them. It doesn’t help that Jungkook’s arms are raised and flexed pretty much the entire time, his smile not fading one bit. He speaks to her affectionately, noting the same pet name he used earlier.

“Why sunshine?” You ask, as you near the playground.

“___, look at her smile!” He exclaims.

“Most babies’ smiles are adorable.”

“Not all of them take after their mothers, though,” he says simply. “And I don’t know. When she was born, she just looked so radiant. I may have only seen her for a while but she just looked so calm but joyful. I just had to get her sunflowers. And you, too. You had this glow about you, I guess. It was nice to see, and it felt right.”

You hum, letting the silence engulf you. It’s not hard to forget that for the most part of your pregnancy, Jungkook was there. Your loved ones basically pointed out that he made you happy and that might’ve added to the pregnancy glow.

“Those flowers were pretty,” you finally say. “Mom tended to them and they lasted long. I had them in the nursery those first few days.”

“Hmm, looks like I didn’t really leave until then,” he says jokingly.

But it does more to you than he knows. He always cared about you, and that day when you gave birth and he showed up without questions asked, he showed he cared for Heejin just as much.

“I’m sorry, Jungkook,” you stop in your tracks, and he turns towards you, seemingly as surprised as you are.

“I should’ve let you continue being a friend,” you add, realizing the other day that while not being with Jungkook romantically then was the right decision, you could’ve at least acknowledged that he wanted to be there for you, and maybe you could’ve found a way to not hurt him as much as you did.

“I know that’s what you wanted, and maybe I was overthinking it, or I just got too overwhelmed because you were someone new and having Heejin was also something new, and you just wanted to help but I shut you out and—”

“Hey, you did what you had to,” he comforts. “I never blamed you for what you decided to do, you have to know that. Heejin was always going to be the first priority. And then you.”

“But I hurt you in the process,” you bravely acknowledge.

“And it’s okay, I managed,” he gives you an assuring smile.

“I’m still sorry,” you mumble.

“And I still forgive you,” he says, shifting his face so he could meet your eyes. “Did it hurt when I left?”

You nod, finally able to admit it to him now. You never wanted to address nor recognize that pain - how you missed him, missed his stories and the laughter he always elicited from you. You missed his comfort and the assurance of his presence. But you always knew keeping him around would confuse you, scare you, and you weren’t ready for that kind of uncertainty.

“Then I’m sorry, too,” he responds.

“It wasn’t your fault, though.”

“Maybe not, but I also could’ve assured you more, I guess. I hate to think you carried that guilt with you, although I doubt you regretted it. You don’t strike me as the type who regrets things in their life, especially when you worked so hard for everything,” he observes, and by the way you nod, he knows he’s right.

“And I didn’t expect any less,” he smiles. “Things turned out well, too. Look at you, and look at this ball of sunshine you have.”

“We were okay,” you smile, taking Heejin’s hand in yours as her other one lays gently on Jungkook’s cheek. “It was tough but all my friends and family came together. And this one’s a little brat sometimes but she's the softest bean ever.”

“Takes after her mom, I see,” he jokes.

“You seemed okay there, too,” you say, flirting with the topic of his ex-girlfriend, which you honestly still can’t get over.

“I didn’t realize how much I missed my family. And then there was—”

His phone ringing interrupts what he meant to say, and you take Heejin from his shoulders once you see the video call prompt from a woman.

Strapping your daughter back in her stroller, you try to busy yourself with observing your surroundings.

“Hey, lil bunny! How’s my favorite brother doing?”

Jungkook fakes a gagging face but laughs at Eun-jung. “I’m alright. Went to the park for a run. What about you guys?”

“We’re good! Just wanted to call because someone has good news for you.”

Mi-Sun runs towards the screen and jumps up and down, showing off a gold ribbon with the widest smile he’d ever seen.

“Kookie, I got an award! Look!”

“Hey there, Sunnie. That’s a nice looking ribbon. How’d you get it?” Jungkook asks in awe.

“I played the piano today and my teacher said I did good! It has my name on it, do you see it?”

She fills the screen with the ribbon and Jungkook hums then showers her with praises.

“I’ll get daddy’s video and show you!”

She scurries somewhere and Eun-jung fills him in.

“She had her piano recital today. She was a bit nervous so I showed her the video of you wishing her luck and that helped,” Eun-jung smiles. “That’s why she wanted to mail you her ribbon but I said you’d probably lose it so she’ll just draw you a replica and we’ll send it one day.”

“See, I knew my good luck videos would help!” He says. “And that’s really sweet of her. I seriously don’t know where she got it from. Even your husband over there isn’t the most charming one.”

“Hey, I heard that!” Chang-wook yells.

“Miss you, bro!” Jungkook laughs.

“Miss you, bro!” The older man replies, sitting next to his wife and waving. “I feel like I haven’t spoken to you in so long. How have you been, by the way, after the break up and all?”

“That was 5 months ago!” Eun-jung smacks his arm. “You’re like, way behind the news.”

“It’s because no one talked about it! You just casually mentioned that he and that florist were broken up like it was nothing.”

“Yeah, because he said it so casually to me, too,” Eun-jung says. “Did you even cry or something?”

Walking next to Jungkook, you pretend not to be affected by what you’re hearing. You were gushing earlier with how sweet and close he seems to be with his niece, and now you’re a little nervous and definitely curious with what really happened between him and Yae-won.

“I was sad, duh. I just… I don’t cry about those things,” he responds, and it’s either he’s lying right now, or Jimin did when he said that Jungkook cried when you didn’t speak to him for weeks.

You feel him look at you from your periphery, so you walk a little faster towards the playground just a few meters away. You park the stroller by one of the benches and take Heejin’s hand to guide her towards the swing. You push her gently as she giggles, and you try to focus on her sweet sound instead of glancing at Jungkook, who’s now sitting at the bench and being so animated, perhaps marveling at his niece's gold ribbon.

It’s around 10 minutes later - not that you’re counting - when he starts walking towards you, stopping in front of Heejin to surprise her. He stands next to you after a few more pushes, apologizing for his sister interrupting your conversation earlier.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. You did say she’s abroad and it’s nice you two still talk like that,” you wave him off. “Plus, you seem really close with your niece. That was nice to see. I should get my siblings to make good luck videos for Heejin,” you laugh.

“Yeah, my sister’s a worse brat than I am, nothing like her daughter. But it’s nice, you know? I don’t get to see Mi-sun grow up but the calls and videos help. I get to teach her how to bake that way.”

“Aww, that’s really sweet, Jungkook,” you smile. “So you were talking about missing your family back home and then—”

“Ma!” Heejin catches your attention, and you stop the swing then see her point towards the slide.

“You wanna go there, bubba? That’s a slide. Do you want to play there next?”

“Ma!” She repeats, then makes the s and d sounds of the word, impatiently bouncing on the strapped swing so you unbuckle the belt and lead her towards the slide.

She makes her way up the steps, and you direct her hand on the railing for support. Jungkook comes over and says he’ll guide her there so you could wait at the bottom of the slide for her, and you agree.

You watch Jungkook try to guide Heejin, but in her toddler way, she removes his hands on her shoulders, telling him no, and you laugh at his comment that she’s too young to be that independent as he catches her before she falls face-first on one of the steps.

“You guys okay?” You ask from where you are, as you see their figures behind the bars make it to the top.

“Yup, we ironed out our issues and we’re good, don’t worry,” he responds.

You’ve noticed Heejin’s developing curiosity, observing her surroundings then insisting on what she wants - a toy, her food, and now, what she wants to do. She likes to go about it her way, like when you ask her to identify animals, she won’t follow, choosing instead to identify colors.

Her favorite word after Ma is no, and your own mom had commented that’s exactly how you were as a two-year old. Heejin is a little overconfident, too, thinking she’s capable of climbing up stairs when she needs a bit of help, or that she can bite a whole pear but barely making a dent. It’s like looking at the mirror sometimes and it’s absolutely amusing.

The only difference this time is that while you had your grandparents and your mom’s best friend - Byeol’s mother - helping raise you, now, Heejin has so many more. Between your siblings and your friends, there’s no shortage of the people who want to take care of her. And the man you’re with right now might just be added to the list.

“She’s ready,” Jungkook yells, and pretty soon, down goes Heejin, giggling adorably as she meets you at the bottom of the slide.

You go for a hug but she ignores you to run to the stairs to where Jungkook is already waiting, ready for another round. This goes on a few more times, with you and him effectively communicating, Jungkook hyping her up at the top and you praising her when she makes it safely on the other side. He peeks at you and Heejin on the ground, and you observe them before he helps her slide down.

You don’t want to think about how this looks to a stranger, but it feels good to be in this bubble with him around. You didn’t think it would be this fun, especially as you and Jungkook bicker in between.

Around the 6th slide, Heejin has grown tired. She jumps in your open arms and starts to make biting sounds; it’s how you know she’s hungry. Like with most of her words, she starts with saying only the first syllable, then you guide her through the correct term until she’s able to say it fully.

Jungkook runs down and asks if she’s okay, and you tell him that playtime is over and it’s time to eat. You notice how his face falls a little, and you wish you’re not that obvious yourself. You’d planned today - lunch at a nearby restaurant, nap time in the afternoon, arts and cartoons after, then dinner at your mom’s place.

You hadn’t planned on bumping into Jungkook, but you’re really happy that you did. He’s been back for weeks and you remember how your weekends with him used to be, and a selfish part of you wants them back.

“There’s this Asian fusion restaurant I want to try,” you say, “and this one is hungry.”

“Alright. I can walk you guys back to your car and then head out,” he says, standing next to you as you fix the stroller.

“You have a shift today, right?” You ask.

“Yeah, in the afternoon.”

“So, would you maybe like to have lunch with us? As friends,” you say, turning towards him.

You have a certain glimmer in your eyes, and your smile is one he doesn’t think he’s seen. Maybe it’s just been too long, or maybe it’s because it looks different. He knows, because it’s making him feel something different with you.

Hope.

“I’d love to,” he beams. “As friends.”

“Okay, good,” you respond, turning back to the pathway.

You’re a little preoccupied as you turn silent, and Jungkook thinks back to how the morning has been, and the one question you perhaps have had since last week when you first saw each other after months and he’d told you about Yae-won.

“There’s something you want to know. What is it,” he initiates.

“What happened with you and Yae-won?” You finally ask. “It’s just, you two looked happy when I saw you. I’m just wondering how it could end in a break up. But you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I’m probably just being nosy. And maybe too forward. I—”

“I was gonna tell you anyway if you didn’t ask,” he interjects. “But, uh. Yae-won supplied the flowers at the cafe. She still does, actually. Then she became a regular and started helping us with getting the place out there. And we became really good friends. And that was really the best part about it.”

You hum, thinking it’s not much different with you and him.

“She’s outgoing and just loves trying out new things,” he continues. “Those few months of being together were incredibly fun. We would just drive out to a new town or stay up until sunrise with our two-person bonfire by the beach and just talk about the most random things. I needed that, I guess, being home and having someone to do all my hobbies with.”

He says them with softness on his face, like he’s remembering how that felt like, like it was a really good time, and you’re glad he can do that - remember someone and feel happy. You wonder if at any point he remembered you, he looked the same.

“Then what went wrong?” You ask.

“I realized we were much better as friends,” he responds. “It took some time but she realized that, too, eventually. And uh,” he stalls, waiting for you to face him, which you do.

“The intense feelings, the desire, the vision of a life together… I know what that’s like. And it wasn’t like that with her.”

You feel your heart stop at this, at his words that seem to comfort yet scare you at the same time because of, ironically, how certain they are. Because with the way he looks at you, you know he’s referring to you. For all that he is, anytime he talks about you, there’s this confident and unwavering tone. Acceptance, even, of what he feels, and of what you feel, or don’t feel.

He holds your gaze and it shouldn’t surprise you that you want to get lost in his eyes, because much as you’re confused about how you feel, his certainty is the one you need, the one you want to hang onto.

“You looked really happy though, when I saw you guys,” you say again, wanting any kind of confirmation.

You look away, feeling like you’re not ready for all of this, all at once.

“I was. But that was different.”

“Different from what?”

“From before that. From right now.”

“How?”

“Do you really wanna know? Because I’ll tell you everything,” he responds, voice shaking for the first time. “But I don’t want to scare you, I don’t want to rush you and push you away by asking you to be close. I’ll take what you’ll give, whatever it is you’re ready to. It’s been so long and I just wanna be around you again like this. Let’s start here. If that’s okay.”

It’s what makes you smile. There’s still the man you know, that you learned to enjoy spending time with over two years ago. What he’d been since you saw him back last week is everything you remember - cheeky, bold, sweet, dependable, and incredibly caring, sometimes more than you deserve.

It’s also what you need - that honesty, that assurance, that trust.

“Then we’ll start here,” you say, your face softening at how soft he looks. “And then we’ll see how it goes.”

“I’d like that,” he replies, remembering the words he’d told you those years ago, the change in you giving him more hope.

You exchange smiles before he helps you secure Heejin in the car seat then loads the stroller in the trunk before heading to the passenger seat. You laugh at him smelling himself before entering, assuring you that there’s nothing to worry about, and the short drive to the restaurant is spent narrating Heejin’s antics and him sharing about the nieces and nephews he spent a lot of time with back home.

Lunch goes by well, the comfort from before seeming like it never left. It’s a little different with Heejin now in the picture, though, as his eyes flit to her every few minutes, especially when your own daughter is trying to get his attention. She’d stare at him with curious eyes and aher mouth open when he’s about to eat, and you and Jungkook jointly chuckle as he’d feed her a tiny piece of the dumpling or broiled chicken.

He makes sure to let her drink water after a few mouthfuls, though, and wipes her chin when it spills there.

“Hey, you don’t have to,” you stop him. “I asked you to lunch, not to babysit her.”

“Jealous? I can feed you, too, if you want,” he smirks.

“That’s something I can do perfectly on my own, thank you very much,” you nudge his shin. “But I mean it, she’ll get used to it. She lets the others do that for her, too.”

“Others?” He asks, a bit worriedly.

“Tae, Joon, Park, Min. Jin, too, even if he can’t seem to nail down the appropriate size for her,” you chuckle.

He’s quiet for a little bit before he asks. “So did you, uh, see anyone the past 2 years?”

“Jungkook, what happened between us was because of me, not you,” you remind him. “I didn’t have time to get into anything. Not with you, not with anyone after you. Dating just wasn’t part of the plan.”

“And now?”

“Now, well, this little one is still a handful. Work still takes up so much of my time, most men still suck,” you laugh. “But I’m open to it. It’s just gonna be tough and maybe take a while.”

You see his lips turn up in the sexiest way, with his dimples popping up, trying to stop it from getting even wider. You have to stop yourself from smiling too much, too, as the thought of him wanting to try with you makes you nervous and excited at the same time.

“Relieved?” You tease.

“Let’s just say, you’re not an easy person to forget, Kim ___,” he looks intensely at you.

“But like you said, we’ll start here,” you circle back, tearing away from his gaze before you get lost in it again.

“Here is good, ___. Here is good.”

Two years is a long time. It’s what you tell yourself the night after you have lunch with Jungkook and then the next day when you spend it with Byeol and Namjoon and their other halves.

You didn’t give yourself the chance to figure out what you felt for Jungkook when he was around and even when he was away - up until 6 months ago, at least. But with him being back, with the wave of emotions that came with him, and the time in between when you felt what it was like without him, you tell yourself you don’t want to stand in the way of another kind of happiness this time.

Even Heejin’s, as you recall how she spent that morning laughing at and with Jungkook who seemed to enjoy making her smile, too. You’d told your friends before that you weren’t looking for a father for her, but that was a defense mechanism you had so you wouldn’t bring yourself to regret a decision you made because you didn’t know how to handle the consequences.

While you tell yourself that Heejin doesn’t need a father because yours left when you were young, if there’s a chance that someone comes around, then you don’t want your daughter to miss out on that experience just because you and your siblings managed without one, especially if the potential partner is someone as great as Jungkook.

You see your mother with Jung-jae, how happy he makes her, and how happy that makes you. It’s a different kind of joy seeing people you love be loved greatly, you realize.

But then again, being your partner is different from being a father altogether, and it’s not as simple as just deciding you like Jungkook and wanting to be with him and him feeling the same. You and Heejin are a package, and there’s so much baggage you carry that you don’t know if he’ll be ready for them.

“I’m sure Jungkook knows,” Namjoon assured you during dinner the next week when his mom brought so much food and he had you and Byeol over. “He wouldn’t have tried and stayed when you were pregnant for him to not accept what comes with being with you.”

And Namjoon’s right. Jungkook had always respected your wishes, your time, your boundaries, your decisions, and not once did he complain, not once did he show bitterness, or even make you feel bad for what you did.

You don’t find people like that just anywhere. Life can surprise you and you'd miss out on a lot if you don’t let it, they reminded you.

And you try to let it, like this whole week when you passed by the cafe for to-go drinks because of hearings and meetings, and every time, Jungkook left little notes on your cup.

Show them who’s boss, okay? But don’t scare them too much! :p

Good luck on your hearing today and don’t forget to eat. :)

Tell Heejin her mom looked so beautiful today, I almost fainted.

That last one was yesterday after he asked if he could compliment your look and you shyly nodded.

You were donned in a blazer dress that let you exude enough confidence and power and femininity with your gold pumps and red lipstick. His message earned him a roll of your eyes, though you couldn’t stop yourself from smiling the entire ride to the hotel for a business meeting, and you felt like a teenager who couldn’t get over her crush telling her she’s pretty.

It’s mid-afternoon the next day, the start of the weekend, and you find yourself at the lone long table amidst smaller ones for the other customers at the Blue Side’s rooftop for the seasonal event. You’ve got your whole family with you, your best friends, and your work friends.

Hobi and his team prepared a menu of sweet and savory desserts featuring fall flavors meant to make you feel warm and cozy - from sweet rice bars, to prosciutto and fruits puff pastry, roasted pears, and apple dumplings. You finally got to try the persimmon tart that Jungkook has been raving about, and marveled at his other upgraded and delicate-looking dishes like the parfait with macarons and the mille feuille he was teasing you with.

The sweetened rice drinks and teas are the perfect match, and the most amazing part about the afternoon was Jungkook preparing Heejin her own set of toddler-appropriate desserts - apple crumble, poached pear, and a mini persimmon cake.

“Don’t want to leave the little one out,” he says, as you say your thanks again, especially as you see her bright eyes scan the food, which she eventually wipes out.

Seeing Jungkook in his element was always enjoyable for you. You’ve seen him whip up a dish with all the things you were craving and try out a recipe he’d never done before. You’ve watched him present his desserts like he’d been doing them for years and years, and you didn’t realize how much you missed that, too.

There’s a glimmer in his eyes whenever he serves and talks about what’s next on the menu, the excitement bursting out of him when someone - usually Sun-hee or Taehyung - asks about the ingredients he used, and the pride when someone - usually your mom - praises his work.

You can’t help but follow him when he moves, the smile not leaving his lips even when he’s being pulled from one table to another. You try to focus on the conversations happening at your table, but it’s hard when Jungkook keeps catching your attention, especially in his oddly tight jeans and pale yellow button-up polo that's rolled up to his elbows. His locks have gone back to black, and today you find out his hair parting on the side is your weakness.

You don’t notice your eyebrows furrowing until Byeol nudges your arm.

“Looks like you’re not the only one captivated by your man, huh,” she laughs, motioning towards the table where Jungkook is, with all 4 women’s mouths hanging open and their eyes focused on him and the way he moves.

You can see how they eye his tattooed arm, the biceps popping out of his polo, and how their eyes trace his face, and that familiar feeling of jealousy bubbles inside you.

Yuri must’ve heard, as she turns to where he is then surveys the area. “Is there a reason why, aside from our table, there are barely any male customers? Is Jungkook the reason? Are they here for the food or for him?”

“Could be both,” Hobi emerges from the bar nearby. “I mean, with that face and these dishes? Why not? A lot of those are regulars, but some of them probably bought slots because of my brilliant idea of having him model in the promos for this,” he laughs. “Now they’ll be regulars, too!”

“Can confirm,” Jimin now joins in. “I overheard some of them looking for Kook and hoping he’s not wearing his apron or something.”

You choke on your drink at that because, well, same.

“They were gushing about you, too, though, Hobi. They were wondering if it’s a requirement to be attractive to work here,” Jimin winks.

“Ah, well, we regularly get business cards in the tip jar and I found a napkin with a number on it a while ago so…” Hobi blushes. “Anyway, looks like it’s a hit and this is probably gonna happen again. I hope you liked it, guys, and thank you for coming.”

“It was amazing, Hobi,” you compliment, the rest of the table agreeing. “And to have this little one join in on the fun with her own desserts, that’s pretty special and top notch service.”

“Thanks,” he chuckles, “although I’d say that’s more of Jungkook wanting to impress the daughter of the woman he’s apparently still into, so, that’s on him. I’m pretty sure he didn’t make Subin’s as special as what Heejin got. Sorry, Namjoon and Ma-ri.”

Everyone laughs, and you feel your cheeks warm despite the cool weather, especially with the rest of your family and friends teasing. Sun-hee cupping your face and saying you’re getting flustered and then squealing catches Jungkook’s attention, as he glances at your table curiously before putting up a thumbs up sign directed at you and mouthing are you okay.

“Everyone, shush. We are adults who are friends and have decided to, you know, sort of see how things go,” you try to say with a straight face.

“Yup, friends who had a park and lunch date,” Yoongi reveals.

“And friends who totally enjoy flirting through messages on to-go cups,” Hobi laughs.

He responds to your wide eyes by saying that Jungkook’s on kitchen duty in the mornings but asks Dea to tell him when you’re there so he could prepare your drinks and leave a note on your order.

“Please let this end well. I’m gonna have another heart attack the next time Jungkook burns everything and wastes my ingredients because he’s too sad,” Hobi continues.

“You called me?” Jungkook jogs next to his boss.

“Nah, we were just teasing you and ___.”

“Is she getting flustered?”

“Yup!” Many from your table respond.

“Okay, keep going,” he winks at you, then heads down to the cafe, perhaps to the kitchen.

“Oh, honey. Let yourself feel all this,” your mom says as you shake your head at his teasing. “It’s nice to give into love, you know? It’s absolutely beautiful.”

She leans on Jung-jae who kisses her forehead, and you’re glad that the attention shifts to them, as Sun-hee not-so-discreetly asks when they plan to get married.

You know with Jungkook, it’s far from love, but it’s definitely something. Things start from this superficial feeling of excitement and joy, you think. You’d typically think of every single step after, but not right now. Jungkook is making you feel all kinds of emotions that you didn’t think you’d ever feel, and it’s already surprising you.

The sun has already set by the time you all decide to leave and let the staff clean up. As you’d expected, most of the guests are still here, ordering bottles of wine that Hobi had smartly made a staple in the cafe for nights like this.

Heejin is asleep in your arms as you ready to head out. All the sugar made her active, and you’re thankful for your siblings taking turns in skipping around with her to expend her energy. Now, they’re used up, and though getting heavy at this point, you don’t mind. You like it when Heejin clings to you like this.

You’re waving goodbye to the staff when you hear your name being called. You turn around to see Jungkook and resist the urge to wipe the sweat trickling down the side of his head, as he’d been on-the-go all afternoon.

“Did you enjoy it?” He asks.

“Of course, Jungkook. They were all wonderful. I’m so happy for you guys. I can’t wait for the next one.”

“Me, too,” he says. “Looks like this little sunshine enjoyed it as well.”

He caresses her cheeks and smiles at her soft breathing, and resists the urge to do the same with you.

“Can I call you tonight?” He asks, his gaze holding yours, hoping he gets to have a moment with you after the tiring day he’s had.

“Some of them are coming over at my place,” you respond, his face falling a little. “But you can come over after you clean up here. And you can stay, if you want.”

“That sounds better,” he excitedly smiles. “I’ll see you, then.”

It’s past 10 that night when he arrives, just as your friends are about to leave. He’s apologetic that it took so long, but you say that you don’t mind. You’re sure he’s tired but he insists on staying even just a while; the more he wants to see you, he says, because he barely got to speak to you today.

So you agree, and you spend the next three hours talking about work and food over the tartlets he made for you. And that night, you sleep with the biggest smile on your face and your heart leaping out of your chest.

It’s easy to be charmed by Jungkook. There’s this youthful radiance about him that’s insanely attractive, in addition to his already gorgeous features, and underneath that is this thoughtfulness and care that just makes you feel comforted, that makes you naturally trust him.

You’re at least not the only one captivated by it. Your family and friends seem to be, thanks in part to his delicious desserts and the free ones they occasionally get. Heejin isn’t immune to his charms as well. Since that fall event when he made her little desserts that she thoroughly enjoyed, you’d noticed her slowly finding comfort in him, too.

It’s why when Jungkook offered to babysit her for the morning, you couldn’t say no, not when Heejin practically had her arms out when he approached you at your table in the cafe earlier, worry painted on his face at the sight of panic on yours.

Your usual babysitter was supposed to come by your place, but when she didn’t show up, you decided to head to Blue Side and asked her to meet you there instead since it’s nearer to her place. But she apparently had food poisoning and couldn’t make it, so you went about figuring out who would be taking Heejin for the day.

You told Jin you could have your afternoon meeting virtually, but it’s the morning one with a client that you can’t miss, and with none of your loved ones available to care for her, you decided on your last resort which is daycare. Heejin has her moods and this morning, she woke up a little crankier than normal so you knew that being around other kids would frustrate her.

Stood in front of you in his balloon denim pants and jacket over his usual plaid shirt, Jungkook asked what was wrong and he immediately volunteered as the morning’s babysitter.

“I’m closing shift,” he said. “I’m just here because I needed to check on some things since Hobi is in Gwangju. That means I’m free. I can look after Heejin, don’t worry.”

“Are you sure?” You asked. “Wouldn’t you want to be resting or gaming or working out?”

“Those are good options except I did them yesterday, and playing with the little sunshine is something I wouldn’t mind at all.”

You weighed your options, knowing he's a good choice and a man you trust, so you agreed. You told Heejin that Jungkook will be with her today and even if she didn’t understand, the fact that she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and excitedly said Kookoo when he asked her who he was, was enough to let you know that she wouldn’t mind at all, too.

And so you’re standing here, at your apartment living room, giving Jungkook all the information he needs - from Heejin’s doctor’s details to the nearest police station in case there’s an emergency, and the step-by-step process of feeding her and changing her diapers and what to do when she starts yelling and throwing her toys.

“I took care of toddlers, ___,’” he assures. “And they’re a lot rowdier and more spoiled than this little one. We’re gonna be okay.”

“Okay,” you sigh in relief.

You lead him to the nursery and point to everything essential for the day.

“She has a schedule. I woke her up early so she’s probably gonna be sleepy. Make sure she has her baby blanket on her legs,” you say. “And please don’t encourage her to do weird things like lick cream off her face or put tiny things in her nose.”

“Why the heck would I do that?” He gasps.

“You put a marble in your nose when you were a kid and enjoyed it, Jungkook,” you deadpan. “I feared for your mother. And you laughed when she was panicking.”

“I was 5 and Ma was being dramatic,” he defends. “I loved pranking her when I was a kid. One time I ran into the house saying I got bit by a snake and showed my ketchup-stained leg and she started crying. We don’t have snakes at home, ___.”

“Why are you like this?”

“Because it was hilarious!” He laughs. “But come on, I’m a very responsible adult. And I would never teach someone else’s kid those things.”

“But you’d teach your kid?” You cock an eyebrow.

“Yes, if their mother is fun to annoy,” he smirks.

“Good luck to your kid’s mother, then,” you chuckle, taking Heejin’s hand and kissing it.

“Hey, I’m a little childish sometimes but I have my moments,” he turns serious. “Heejin and I will just play and have fun and I will behave. You have the baby monitors linked to your phone so you can check up on us. It means a lot that you’re even trusting me to do this and I’m not gonna screw this up because, well, I adore this child and having you hate me is the last thing I ever want to happen.”

“Okay,” you smile, knowing he’s right.

You trust him so much, that’s the truth and the thing that worries you, because it seems so easy for you to let this man into your home and care for the most important person in your life, and this once, you don’t want to think of what that really means.

You explain to Heejin once more that Jungkook will be staying with her and that you’ll be home soon, and you hug her tightly one last time before you head out the door and into your car.

It’s five minutes later when you check the monitor and see Jungkook standing in front of the camera with Heejin in his arms, waving at you with his adorable, boyish smile, his bright eyes shining behind his bucket hat. You let out a smile because he just knew you’d be checking them out right away.

Glancing at your phone has become second-nature to you already, as you wonder what the two are up to. From the car ride to the walk to your client’s residence, you’re constantly looking at your phone.

“So early to be waiting for texts, huh,” Jin teases as you both sit in one of the lavish studies, waiting for the company’s President and his wife to arrive. “Jungkook in the afternoon shift?”

“Actually, he’s at my place,” you inform your colleague, showing your phone and the scene in your living room where Heejin had finally gone back to sleep.

She’s on the sofa, which is big enough for her to lie in comfortably, arms splayed out. You can imagine her parted mouth and soft breathing as she hopefully dreams of cupcakes and ice cream.

“He’s babysitting? Wow, that’s quite the step-up,” Jin observes. “Your babysitters went through intense interviews and background checks and you even met each worker at her daycare and now you have Jungkook taking care of her just like that.”

“Don’t be dramatic,” you frown at him. “I didn’t have any other option because she was cranky this morning and didn’t even want to leave the house and Jungkook offered. And I actually really trust him with her. He made her desserts and now he has her heart.”

“Like mother, like daughter, huh?” He cocks an eyebrow, earning him a scowl. “It’s cute, though. I feel like he’s the type who’d make Heejin run around and play as much as she wants to but would be so soft and gentle with her, like now.”

Jin motions to your screen and you see Jungkook pull down her shirt that’s gone up her belly again after moving so much, which she does a lot when she sleeps. He gently pushes her deeper into the couch and carefully rearranges the pillows around her, then properly lays her favorite blanket on her legs and then removes the strand of hair on her face. He looks at her briefly before he returns to his seat on the other end of the couch and turns to his phone.

“He’s like a natural,” Jin voices out. “Like he could actually be a good dad. What do you think?”

“Don’t put ideas in my head, Jin.”

“I’m sure you’ve thought about it. You can’t not, I know you. With the way you seem to be entertaining the idea of being with him? I’m pretty sure this is a test of some sort.”

“Shut up,” you say, not wanting to think or say more.

He isn’t entirely wrong though, but any prospect for you includes being a prospect for Heejin, too. And it just so happens that Jungkook is amazing with kids, especially yours, and anyone whose heart she has, has yours as well.

Jin teasingly smirks at you right as your clients arrive, and you spend the next 2.5 hours discussing a case you weren’t expecting - a sexual harassment suit against the son of a senior government official. The family said they wanted you specifically to represent their daughter. They’d seen some of your trials and have heard about your pro bono work helping single mothers and other women and they just knew you’d fight just as hard for a case like this.

To have a powerful family ask you to do this to expose the deplorable actions of a public servant’s son says a lot. The backlash would be insane and their company could be at risk; the country isn’t one that favors its women, after all.

But Ms. Han knows that those who have less power and resources are too scared to speak up, and if she’d be the first one to do it so the perpetrator, whom you’ve heard from your government connections is exactly what she says he is, would at least feel the effect of what he’d done, then she’d do it.

You’d looked at women who’d experienced what she did in the eyes and saw the same things in hers - fear, apprehension, desperation, strength. And you tell her the same things you’d told them. “We’ll fight this. I’m with you, and we’ll do everything we can to let him pay for what he's done.”

“We’ll get him. This isn’t the first time but it’s a powerful family speaking up now. We might have a chance,” Jin tells you.

He calls your team to meet for lunch and go over the assignments in building the case, turning to you to say it won’t take long but they’ll take your lead.

“Yeah, it’s okay. Better to get started on this now,” you respond.

You get into your car and look at the monitor to see Heejin now awake, jumping up and down the couch as Jungkook holds her hands. He guides her to the floor where they both start dancing to something you assume is playing on the TV, and you laugh at their hips moving and the way they’re both into the moves and the song.

It’s amazing how seeing your daughter laugh can easily rid you of the stress you’re under. Her eyes are closed and you turn up the volume to hear her squealing. She takes Jungkook’s hands and lets him twirl her, and then he makes some exaggerated dance moves, causing her to laugh again.

This goes on for the duration of your ride to the restaurant and in the private room for your meeting, and by the time you’re seated, you see Jungkook doing a handstand, with Heejin next to him clapping excitedly. He stretches his legs into a line, then does it in the other direction. Jungkook stands back up but does the handstand again at your daughter’s insistence.

[To: Jungkook] Careful, you might break your neck. You look a little rusty.

It’s a few seconds before he checks his phone. He laughs then looks up the monitor with a sly smile.

[From: Jungkook] creep

You snort at this and Jin gives you a knowing look.

[To: Jungkook] Seriously though. Don’t let her bully you into doing those things. She’s recently gotten into acrobatic stuff so she probably won’t make you stop

[From: Jungkook] it’s fine. she’s laughing so hard it’s adorable. it’ll probably tire her so she might be asleep when you have your meeting

[To: Jungkook] Hmm, that’s true. But you still have a shift. Don’t use up all your energy.

[From: Jungkook] psh I’ll have you know I have amazing stamina. I don’t get tired 😏

[To: Jungkook] Creep. Anyway, I’ll just have a quick lunch meeting. I’ll let you know when I’m on the way home.

[From: Jungkook] we’ll just be here. have fun ☺️

You turn to Jin who lets you preside over the meeting, and you discuss your plan of action and delegate tasks. You glance at your phone as you do, with your colleagues not minding at all and even asking what Jungkook and Heejin are up to, with you responding that they’ve now finished PE class and are doing Music. They laugh along as you briefly show your screen, with Jungkook letting Heejin play the little drum that Jimin got her for her birthday. You see him play for her, guide her hand, and give her an applause and a high five.

You’re suddenly overcome with a feeling of yearning, as you want nothing more than to be there with them. You want to hear her laugh, and him, too. You want to marvel at his smile, at his scrunched nose, at his bright eyes, the way you do at your daughter’s everyday.

Your meeting finally ends and you message Jungkook that you’re on the way home.

You enter your apartment and see both of them seated on the floor, playing with the tea set, and when you call Heejin’s name, she stands up and runs towards you.

“Ma! Tea! And cookies!” She yells, wrapping her arms around you. “Kookoo and cookies. Eat, Ma, eat.”

You kiss her cheeks and say that yes, you’ll both eat with Kookoo, and pass the bag of takeout to Jungkook.

“I got Thai from where we had lunch. You should eat before you head to your shift.”

“Oh, thanks, ___. You didn’t have to,” he says, going to your kitchen to prepare them.

“You spent your morning with Heejin, Jungkook, and you made yourself silly with your dance moves to make her laugh. Lunch isn’t enough,” you respond.

“And I had the best time,” he states. “Jinnie thinks I’m funny. She’s just like you.”

“Correction, I think you’re silly,” you chuckle. “And Jinnie? Having nicknames with my daughter now?”

“She started it,” he shrugs. “But she likes it. She kept repeating it to me. While pulling both my piercings, actually. I almost lost my lip.”

“She does that repeating thing a lot,” you say. “But really, thank you. I’m glad your face is still intact,” you chuckle, knowing Heejin can get a little rowdy sometimes. “And I know I kept watching but I was at ease the whole time she was with you. I needed that.”

“Everything okay?” He asks, as you both take your seats and you cut the noodles and satay for Heejin.

“Yeah. It’s just, any sexual harassment case we get is a tough one,” you say. “We’ve had several that had to be dropped and I just hope it won’t happen with this. It’d be big if we win it.”

He smiles at you tenderly, the playful look on his face softening.

“You’re gonna do great, I know it,” Jungkook says, always with so much confidence when it comes to you.

“You don’t know that,” you sigh. “It’s an entire system and culture we go against every time we take these things on.”

“I know you, though,” he counters. “Win or not, you’re gonna fight hard and make people get behind you. And whatever small win you’ll get is gonna make a difference. You know that, right?”

You nod, comforted by his words. It’s hard being a woman, especially in the field you’re in, and you know that with every case you take, you’re fighting for more than just your client.

But you do this so you can try to make this place a safe one for your daughter, too. It wasn’t easy for your mom, nor is it for you, and even for your sisters, and you want to fight these battles so you can help create an environment where Heejin would feel safe to do what she wants, love whom she wants, and be what she wants. You do this not just so you can teach her to fight for herself and others, but also to create a world where she doesn’t have to.

“Thank you,” you smile, and you and Jungkook proceed to talk about the morning and how much energy Heejin had.

“Just let me know if you need me to look after her again, okay?” Jungkook says. “I can always work around my shifts and I wouldn’t mind.”

“That sounds good and I’ll definitely take note of that.”

Lunchtime ends and after Heejin’s post-meal ritual, she yawns and promptly falls asleep on the couch. Your laptop is set up on the dining table where you can watch her, and with your internal meeting happening in a few minutes, you take your seat as you wait for Jungkook to finish in the bathroom before he leaves.

You can’t deny the tiny part of you that wants him to stay, even if you’d told him that you didn’t need him to.

Jin and Yoongi appear on screen, saying that the other senior and junior partners are on their way to the conference room from another meeting.

“So how was—”

“Hey, ___, I’ll go ahead,” Jungkook cuts Jin without knowing. “You sure you don’t want me to stay?”

“Oh, is that Jungkook I hear?” Yoongi looks amused.

“Hi, Yoongi! Hi, Jin!” Jungkook peaks from behind you and waves at them.

“You’re there… on a work day… when ___ is working from home,” Yoongi eyes you curiously.

“Oh, shut it. He offered to look after Heejin this morning because the babysitter couldn’t make it,” you clarify. “And he’s just about to head out for his shift.”

“Hmm, okay,” Yoongi smirks.

“Anyway, I’ll go ahead,” Jungkook says. “Just text me if you need anything, okay? Or for whatever reason, actually. I’d like that.”

You don’t trust yourself that your voice won’t crack so you just nod and bite your lips to keep you from smiling too widely.

He whispers goodbye to Heejin and looks at you before he walks out the door, leaving you a giddy mess.

“I wonder when she’s gonna admit she has it hard?” You hear Yoongi say. “That’s over two years of pent up emotions.”

“Nah, she’s too proud for that,” replies Jin.

“I’m here, you know,” you frown at your friends. “And I’m not exactly denying anything, which is a change from how forward I was to him before.”

“Yeah, but you’re not admitting to anything, either,” Yoongi points out. “But it’s ironic, isn’t it? Heejin was why you didn’t want to be with Jungkook before. Now she’s the one bringing you both together. I hope you don’t walk away from him a second time around, especially not when he’s making you feel the way he does.”

“And you always say how much you want to show your daughter how it’s important to fight for yourself,” Jin adds. “You know it’s important to show her that happiness matters, too, and just like her mom, she shouldn’t just let things pass her by.”

“I know, and I’m learning,” you respond.

“To what?” They both ask.

“To allow him to make me happy? To not think that things are gonna get screwed up the moment they start going well?”

Your friends hum as the other partners start filling the room, and you all focus on the meeting that lasts the entire afternoon.

Later that evening, you think about how Jungkook looked with Heejin earlier in the morning as you cradle her in your arms after her bedtime story, how excited she looked when she was dancing with him, and how she pouted when you said he’d leave after she took her nap.

The old you would be worrying that your daughter’s slowly getting attached, but when so are you, maybe it isn’t so bad.

[From: Jungkook] did Jinnie sleep late? she seemed to have a good nap earlier 😅

[To: Jungkook] Yeah, someone tired her out. Then she wanted me to dance when she woke up. No thanks to you, my daughter probably thinks I’m boring

[From: Jungkook] nah, she has the coolest mom ever 😏 so did you dance?

[To: Jungkook] I did. But she didn’t look impressed. She was looking for you after

[From: Jungkook] oh Jinnie. I miss her already 😩

[From: Jungkook] was she really looking for me? or is that her mom speaking? 🤔

[To: Jungkook] Shut up. I’d tell you if I want to see you again.

[From: Jungkook] and???

[To: Jungkook] I do.

[To: Jungkook] I’ll drop by the cafe early tomorrow for breakfast. Join me before your shift?

[From: Jungkook] YES

[From: Jungkook] I mean, yes of course. Ok, I’ll sleep now so I can see you sooner

[To: Jungkook] That’s not how it works but okay haha I’ll see you tomorrow!

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