Summary - You would never expect it really. He’s doting. He’s sweet. He’s hardworking. But he’s forgotten his morals. Suspecting it is one thing, but when he confirms it, will you stay or walk away.
Warning - Cheating(Aftermath);
Word Count - 6.3k
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A/N - Additional Warning - The topics in the following update hit closer to home for some of us than I care to admit. Should the concept of future disbandment be a trigger, I suggest treading carefully.
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‘No, you’re incorrect, you fuck!’ You slammed the damned laptop closed after trying your password three times.
You glared in Jimin’s direction and your hand twitched for the stapler when you heard his loud convulsive laughter from opposite the table.
Instead of following through, you closed your eyes and took a deep breath. 'Jiminie,’ you placed a saccharine smile on your face, still not opening your eyes, 'shut the fuckup.’
For the life of you, you couldn’t remember your password. It was muscle memory for the longest time and the desktop showed up on its own some days. But today, when you actually needed to get into the work laptop, you couldn’t remember your password.
'What do you expect me to do, when you react like that. It’s entertaining to me.’
You frowned, but didn’t reply. A part of you was happy you made him laugh, but your more serious side needed to know what your executive assistant was up your ass about. Ria had been blowing up your phone all morning. The woman was supposed to be enjoying her Christmas holidays away from the snow in the bustle of Mumbai and yet, she was texting you at odd hours of the morning to check your mail.
A part of you felt ashamed, being a business owner meant that work didn’t stop and there should always be an open door for communication, but your last few weeks were a whirlwind to say the least and your first baby, your Arem, was being neglected.
The company was still standing, of course, you had the best staff, a loyal right-hand like Ria and a legal and PR team at the ready, but it deserved more attention when the new year kicked off.
'Close your eyes and do it.’ Jimin suggested from his sunk-in position in the office chair. His back was going to hurt later.
'Yeah, if it’s muscle memory, it’ll work.’ Tae backed him up from his position on the couch, at your right, his finger swiping aimlessly on one of his socials.
The soulmates had accompanied you to work, which wouldn’t even be an option if Ria just fucking told you what the issue was. The problem arose when you realized your work email wasn’t signed in on your phone. So work was the next best bet, because your work email was signed onto the work laptop. Usually you’d sync the devices, but it wasn’t working for some reason. And the only device automatically signed in…at work. Hence, your predicament. Technology was a blessing and a curse.
You threw your hands up in the air. 'I’m not usually like this! You know I keep lists and passwords and I know what’s going on.’
Taehyung shrugged. 'Chill, everyone forgets their passwords.’
You caught Jimin’s gaze and he motioned to the laptop with his eyes. Oh yeah. You were supposed to close your eyes and input your password.
Incorrect.
‘Fuck this!’ you pulled out your phone, having no choice but to get in touch with your IT department head.
Y/n [10.31] : Seo-Hyun, apologies for being an inconvenience on your holiday, but can you give me access to my work laptop please.
Seo-Hyun [10.32] : Do you ever take a break? Also, this is the third time this year I’m overriding on a day off. Did you forget again?
Y/n [10.33] : If you double up, I’ll get your department that expensive cappuccino machine you’ve been raving about.
Y/n [10.33] : Please.
Y/n [10.33] : I’ll explain at our annual meeting.
Seo-Hyun [10.34] : Give me a couple of minutes.
Y/n [10.34] : I’ll put the order in ASAP.
‘Are you sure you typed it in right?’ Tae asked, as you drummed your nails on the table in wait.
You nodded, feeling too antsy to reply. Ria was a professional. A cold, calculated, meticulous professional. She wouldn’t push if it wasn’t urgent, but also, if it was that urgent why couldn’t she just tell you.
‘Okay,’ Tae came to stand at your table, ‘how about, close your eyes, and as you feel the distance between the keys, open your eyes and make sure you press the correct one. So one key at a time.’
‘Come on, we’ll do it with you.’ Jimin leaned over the table toward you.
Tae clicked on the spacebar. ‘What’s your password?’
‘AremArc, shift, the first three numbers on the top.’
Tae and Jimin met each other’s eyes and then yours. ‘How the hell are you going to remember that type of password.’
‘It’s always been AremArc,’ you averted your gaze, ‘it was my dad’s, I just added the numbers.’
Sensing the change in your tone, they let the subject drop immediately. In all honesty, you didn’t have an explanation as to why you carried over your dad’s password. It just felt weird to notuse it.
Taehyung moved to cover your eyes with his hand and Jimin pulled your hands forward to hover at the keyboard.
‘Okay, feel it out.’
You rested the front of your wrists directly in front of the spacebar, following Jimin’s words, you typed without thinking.
You knew the Arem had a capital letter, Jimin helped with that, the Arc had another and then Tae held the shift button while you typed in the numbers.
‘Ah, you hesitated!’ Taehyung exclaimed.
Opening your eyes you watched your fingers hover over the numbers. Your ring finger felt right, as it rested on the ‘1’, the middle finger on the ‘2’ but your forefinger was…off. It was curved to match the ‘3’, but you didn’t remember curving the finger. Straightening it out, your forefinger met the ‘4’ and that felt right. A side glance affirmed that Tae still had the shift key down, so you tapped on the ‘4’.
Almost immediately the desktop came into view.
‘Well,’ Tae straightened up and crossed his arms. ‘We see why it was such a mission before.’
‘Thank you,’ You muttered ruefully, trying to hide your smile as Jimin reached over to fistbump his soulmate.
Looking back at your screen, you watched as a mouse moved on the screen of its own accord and a white pop up box requesting the change of your password was ticked. Seo-Hyun’s teamviewer did it’s thing and you panicked for your phone to tell her you got in.
'Check your stuff,’ Jimin reminded you, ‘it’s almost time to leave for the studio.’
'Actually,’ your doors swung open, revealing Seokjin, 'we just decided to crash here.’
One by one, they found a place in your office, as if they’d been here a hundred times and felt right at home.
You raised your eyebrows. 'I don’t recall giving anyone access.’
Unbothered, Jungkook plopped himself next to Tae, who returned to his original seat, Hoseok lounged opposite them, his arms spread wide across the back of the sofa and crossed legs on the table in front of him. Yoongi went to stand by your floor length windows, Jin came to stand by your chair, Namjoon sat on your desk on your right after pressing a light kiss to your hair and Ji-ho, your favorite lawyer, placed his books on your desk, evidently claiming the office chair, next to Jimin.
Your question might imply such, but you were far from annoyed. Your family was allowed in any of your spaces at any time, but you were confused as to how they got in.
During the holiday season, only you and necessary personnel knew the codes to get in and out, unless you trusted someone enough to share them.
None of the band members had codes to your company, not even Namjoon, because business was business. They were idols, a band, your architecture firm was not on their daily route, not even Hoseok and Jin.
Hurudid have access… depending, because it would be futile to not give him a code considering he frequented Arem to update you and he was capable of acquiring any access codes on his own. Why fool yourself and waste either of your time?
The only other person who had access to any location you frequented and reason to make calls and perform actions without clearing it with you was – 'Kenta,’ Jin tapped your chair and answered your statement.
That one word puts you at ease. Kenta would have been subtle. Satisfied with the answer, you leaned back in your leather chair, and rested your elbows on either side, like a lady in wait.
'Why the location change?’ Jimin voiced your next question.
‘I don’t come here often.’ Ji-ho answered, as if that was enough explanation. ‘I love your view, y/n.’ He walked around the office, stopping to scan your shelf, his finger brushing across your Map of the Seven 7 Album before rounding on you. 'Can I visit you anytime?’
Namjoon gave him the side-eye.
Ji-ho played up his serious persona, but even you could see the glint in his eye.‘You know,’ he put both hands in his pockets, blatantly ignoring Namjoon’s gaze, ‘if ever paperwork needs signing… or have a heart to heart or… something.’
‘Okay, let’s cut to the chase.’ Every single member smirked as Namjoon turned fully to Ji-ho who held his hands up in surrender.
Namjoon tried to be playful, you could see a smirk playing at the side of his lips, but it wasn’t genuine.
You could do nothing but shake your head at the situation.
Logically speaking, Ji-ho was a very handsome male, single, in a good job with impeccable financial wit and an open personality, but he would never make a move on you, he was very loyal to Namjoon and friends with him for a long time. But Namjoon, well… he was not logical when you were involved and even banter was a thin-ice sort of thing. Hoseok, Jin, the maknaes, even Yoongi, Namjoon would be fine with alone visits, but despite the deep friendship, Ji-ho was not family, he was not Kenta, and he existed outside the small circle of people Namjoon would trust blindly.
There was a difference with your husband. He loved deep, and he loved in levels. Love was love and trust was trust. Blind, unquestionable trust was a different tier.
Reaching over to lace your fingers through his, he looked down at you, a warm smile gracing his features, but his eyes were hard, serious, slightly protective even.
You were reminded all over again, of how deeply embedded he was in your existence, how there would never and could never be anyone else. The past was the past. It had to be. You had a future to build with this man.
Ji-ho made his way to his seat and placed three different booklets in front of Namjoon. Within those seconds, as a unit, the energy in the room shifted. It could practically be felt, the way the band stood at attention, despite their relaxed stances.
‘Wait!’ Seokjin stopped Ji-ho just as he opened his mouth. 'I brought bubble wrap.’
True enough, Jin pulled out a piece of bubble wrap from his coat pocket.
'Why do you need bubble wrap?’ Ji-ho asked with genuine confusion.
'For y/n.’ Jin passed it over. 'Bubble wrap relaxes her.’
You giddily, made grabby hands and started popping them one by one, quietly and in sequence.
'Okay. So. What does everyone know?’
'Wait, wait,’ Taehyung interrupted Ji-ho, 'Jin hyung, we’ll be using swear words.’
It wasn’t a question and it wasn’t lost on anyone that Taehyung was not asking for permission.
'Since we’re being honest, hyung.’ Jimin came to his soulmate’s aid.
'Namjoon?’ The man in question turned his chin toward the leader.
Your husband looked down at you and you shrugged. Swear words and blunt talk did nothing for you or to you. You preferred it.
Namjoon pressed, 'Are you comfortable with that?’
You assured him. 'I’ve thought worse.’
'And said it.’ Jimin muttered under his breath.
You kicked him under the table and felt satisfaction at his soft 'Ow’.
'Hyung,’ Namjoon addressed his Jin, 'no language barriers since this is an open and honest discussion.’
Seokjin sighed. 'I need bubble wrap too.’
'Okay,’ Ji-ho, started, 'again,’ he looked around the room, searching for any opening mouths and add ons, 'What do we know?’
The answers came fast.
'That Namjoon hyung cheated at a bar sometime in October.’ Jungkook stated.
You didn’t even flinch, neither did Namjoon. Props to both of you. Either it was getting better, you were stronger, or maybe it was because of who stated it, Jungkook held no malice in his tone. He’d just stated a fact.
Smart move. Coming from a hyung, it could have been taken as disappointment, from a maknae, as judgment, but Jungkook was one of the maknaes that provided clarity instead of further confusion. Fact was fact. That’s all it was now. Namjoon had cheated. It was time to move on.
'That the bitch signed two NDAs one of which cannot be used against her and the second has a partial loophole to work with.’ Hoseok looked to be sucking on a sweet in his mouth, the round shape of it being pushed to either cheek when he spoke, 'She also submitted photos via her brother, which we got on video feed from Heeyoung.’
'Maiya makes herself look put together,’ Yoongi has his back turned to everyone, hands in his pockets as he watched the skyline before him, 'but she’s had a hard life, a hard past and despite her job, she makes it look like she comes from money, which we all initially thought, but she’s struggling and she’s taking care of her problematic brother.’
'A brother who was down the wrong path and caught in such, and is still on the run.’ You felt Jin’s hand by your head, on the back of your chair. 'She kept blaming a roommate that she supposedly had and now can’t be found. A bullshit story if we’ve ever heard one.’ Jin derided without humor, 'Why lie if you can’t do it properly?’ He asked no one in particular.
'Her lawyer fell off the face of the earth after leaving a prestigious company and has probably washed her hands of her brother’s case. So,’ Jimin clicked his tongue, 'no way out, no end in sight. A bar, an idol, money, … five seconds of fame.’
'So she’s broke, desperate and sees Namjoon hyung as an opening,’ Taehyung stands up, and walks around Hoseok’s couch, 'she wants to wash her hands off the situation once she signs the NDA and gets her money and payment from the company for keeping her mouth shut, maybe to save her brother to pay that lawyer, or buy a new life altogether…’ he stops next to his Yoongi hyung. 'But then she gets vindictive when we dismiss her. Greedy. Manipulative.’
'But we have y/n’s NDA,’ you felt Namjoon’s pride in you, his tone holding nothing back, 'with an acute connection, but a connection nonetheless, which we enforce.’
And ruin her.
You blinked at the intrusive thought. Blowing out a breath, quickly and quietly so as not to draw any attention from the men beside you, you pushed the negativity away. Yes, you hated her. You wanted to wring her fucking neck, truly and probably go to far. Even then, you might not feel remorse. In reality you weren’t capable of such cruelty, but that didn’t mean you weren’t angry.
'Alright,’ Ji-ho clapped his hand together, 'everyone’s on par.’
He pulled forward one of the booklets and entered lawyer mode. 'Well, let’s not beat around the bush, the brother is going to be taken into custody, we know this. He can’t clear his name. And he’s racked up quite the rap sheet.’ He picked up what looked like a criminal record and scanned it quickly before putting it back. 'Unfortunately,’ he looked up at you and sighed. 'There is nothing that can be done to save him, from what I know, because there are no witnesses on his side, the owner caught him fair and square and the video feed wasn’t working.’
Steepling his fingers, he watched as Yoongi moved to stand behind Jin, leaning casually against the wall, hands still in his pocket.
You understood. Some felt closer to others. Some felt more protective of others. It was why Jin leaned on your office chair, his forearms crossed over the back as he loomed over you. Yoongi behind him.
Hoseok and Jungkook were up and both leaning on the back of a single seater couch, crossed arms, facing you.
'We have to remember that it’s deep in the holiday season.’ The lawyer leaned back in his chair as Taehyung, last to form the protective circle, sat on your desk, his feet on the space of Jimin’s chair. It was a laughable situation. There was enough space, but everyone practically hovered over one another and it felt… right. 'The best I could do from my side was get a signature from our CEO on a written document stating the threat of her being sued and that she could be required to pay’ he reached over to open the second booklet, 'financial damages and related costs, as we have stated.’ He put the page down. Most probably a mock up of her NDA.
'Why can’t things be simple?’ Hoseok rolled his eyes in impatience.
You tilted your head to the side. Your Hobi, lovely Hobi, filled with so much love. The person that would eventually feel the full force of that love, would be truly blessed.
'If only.’ Taehyung derided after his hyungs annoyed statement.
'So now, we just have another pending issue.’ Jin asked pointedly, his arms crossed, making him out to be the hyung with the most business sense and legal knowledge.
'Well, yeah, I can’t call a court in session in the middle of the holiday, hyung, especially one of this magnitude. It’s not like we’re on a remand list. This is new.’ Ji-ho held his own against the oldest irritation. 'This band, even a minor picture, of someone unknown, a random fact that could be taken negatively, would cause uproar. Your fans are… passionate.’
You dropped your face to hide your smile and popped another couple of bubbles slowly.
Internally, you cheered Ji-ho on. The boys were very protective of their ARMY. Rightly so. But being a part of them, having your own hidden stan Twitter, having read Tumblr fanfic and seen reactions first-hand, some of them were borderline problematic and delusional.
The good ones made up for it. Yeah. Some of the soft stans were so loving and pure. Some of the hardstans were the most honest and savage. They made up for it.
'So, I will enforce this as soon as I can, and I will in no way back down, or settle for any sum of money because,’ he looked at you and Namjoon, 'it’s the two of you. Regardless of the shortcomings you see in yourselves, you are two upstanding citizens in society. You, y/n, represent yourself, a progressive female that develops the community and country, and you represent Namjoon, as a backbone of the band, his family and the leader that he is. Namjoon I don’t need to explain to you who you are.
Because of this, a case like this would draw a lot of attention. She would not look good of course, but neither will we.’
You liked how he said 'we’. As a company you would face this. Together.
'The question,’ Ji-ho stood up, and walked to the center of the room, addressing all of you at once, 'will be why are we going so hard, why are we pushing for this.’
'But first,’ he looked at Yoongi, 'What are NDAs?’
The man looked mildly startled, but replied after clearing his throat. 'Non-disclosure agreements.’
'Yes, but what do they stand for.’
'They’re a barrier.’ Namjoon narrowed his eyes, following Ji-ho’s prompting. 'They safeguard, doing their best to keep them in place as well as state consequences of crossing those barriers.’
'Exactly.’ A curl of his lip on one end, and then poker face. 'If we enforce this NDA, the consequences for Maiya Song will already be taking place.’ He motioned with his hands, from one position to another. Moving from one side to the other. You blinked. Like crossing a bridge.
Jin straightened up so fast you felt a draft by the movement. 'Which means there’s no barrier.’
His tone had your eyes widening.
'Which means she can reveal that I cheated.’ Namjoon mimicked his hyungs tone.
The realization was heavy, and caused internal panic to start building within you. Because how the fuck could you be so stupid.
Ji-ho stood in front of your family, unnerved. 'I am here with paperwork that I will get to processing in the new year, and I will take her down. I needed all of you, because I am asking the seven of you… to think about this again.’ You watched his eyes move to each face. 'Because once Namjoon is labeled a cheater, there is significant risk for not only him, but for this band.’
The silence that descended on your family… was deafening.
This was… this was new information. You wanted to laugh. Hysterically so. The bubble wrap discarded on your desk you viewed the small samurai sword set in front of you.
Yoongi had gifted you those. For the longest time, Yoongi kept you at arms length. It was who he was. Because he cared about his band, he cared about his brothers and his music. No one had the right to ruin that.
But here you were, getting justice, for a fucking blowjob, being vindictive, letting them go through with this when the world could turn against them.
They wouldn’t understand. They wouldn’t get it. Namjoon was not a bad person. Namjoon was the best human being. He was so much more than just a leader and a millionaire and an idol. He wove dreams from threads as delicate as spiderwebs, he valued the world around him, his surroundings, his family, his parents and his brothers, his life, his heart, his soul was built on the monumental victories of sharing his feelings, of his words translating onto paper, to create new meanings, to create a safety net that held people to the Earth between life and death.
People needed to see that. People needed to understand. One mistake didn’t undo his rights. And that one mistake couldn’t steal six other futures.
You felt the sting at the edge of your eye. Your throat tightened at the thought of any of their realities being altered.
The mere potential of someone pushing them into early retirement, the alarm that made wee-woo fucking sounds in your brain sounded out at the thought of the band nolo her being a band.
No comeback. No more harmonies and concepts. No tours. No concerts. Separate ways.
You looked up at Namjoon, almost hyperventilating, in his separate lifestyle he’d choose music, composing, mentoring, producing like Yoongi, but none of it, absolutely none of it would go smoothly if he was labeled a cheater.
'Well, we’ve had a good run.’ Jungkook pulled you out of your thoughts.
The last person you expected to say something like that.
'Excuse me?’ You seethed. Clenching your fists to keep from growling at the maknae.
He met your hard stare, unflinching. 'We have.’
'No,’ you stood up and pushed your chair back with enough force to send it backwards. 'Hello. This,’ you pointed at everyone, including him, 'is the band. The fucking band, we are talking about. I don’t need to say the full fucking name for any of you to know what I’m emphasising.’ You felt Namjoon’s hand at your back and closed your eyes to take a deep shuddering breath. Tears spilled out of your eyes. You couldn’t pinpoint why. 'This changes everything, Ji-ho.’
'I can’t believe we didn’t think of this.’ Jin whispered next to you as if you weren’t shouting.
'Realistically speaking,’ Namjoon mumbled, 'as cocky as it may sound, I have pulled in the industry. I would be the known face, and she would be the outsider.’ His voice grew loud. 'Therefore my supposed story is more believable.’
Ji-ho shook his head. 'You’d still be under scrutiny. Everything would change. You would not be the desired, saintlike, grounded, humble male that everyone sees of you.’
'You will hear words like, 'I knew something was wrong with him.“ You scoffed, willing yourself to stop leaking fucking tears when you weren’t crying. Frustration was a helluva bitch.
'Somethingis wrong with me.’ He plastered his body against yours. 'I cheated on my wife. I did the wrong thing. I deserve anything I get for it.’
You attempted to shrug out of his hold as he grabbed a tissue to wipe your cheeks. 'This isn’t just about you.’ Grabbing the tissue from your husband’s hand, you turned back to Ji-ho. 'Don’t do it.’
'Now, y/n,’ he offered you an apologetic smile, 'unfortunately, your say in this, has to be put aside. I need the band’s consent. Management will be on your asses as soon as I get this paperwork to them, you all know this.’
Yoongi pushed off the wall. 'Why does it sound like you’re convincing us to not sue her?’
Was he out of his mind? The most ruthless of the group. The most protective. Was he actually considering going through with this?
'I adore y/n, hyung. But this isn’t just about your band. This is the intent of the message you carry across in your songs, this is the validity of your statements, these are profits, and finance, and stocks. It’s tourism and globalization. This band is not just a band.’
No one could dispute his statement.
'This is a family first, before a band.’ Jin stood tall, taking his place as the solid head of a structure. 'We understand where Ji-ho is coming from. So, everyone… thoughts.’
Taehyung waved his hand. 'Sue the bitch.’
'Y/n deserves justice.’ Jimin didn’t look up, his finger tracing a pattern on Taehyung’s pants.
'Hey now, wait –,’ you protested.
'We’ll survive,’ Hoseok raised his eyebrow at you, 'we can do other things.’
They were being so nonchalant, so agreeable. What the fuck!
Jungkook nodded to Ji-ho. 'Do your thing, hyung.’
'Guys, stop!’ You shouted, but no one seemed to be listening.
'Priorities change.’ Yoongi added. Somehow the two words said so much.
'That’s it!’ You banged the table. 'Are you all crazy? We can’t have anyone knowing exactly what happened.’
'Baby,’ Namjoon soothed, crowding you with his presence, his scent, his hand on your thigh.
He was calling to you so calmly. As if you weren’t in a frenzy, as if the consequences be damned.
You broke out of his hold and walked up to Ji-ho threateningly. 'Fuck that bitch. And fuck her brother and fuck what happened. Whatever. It’s over. She doesn’t have any other leverage, since she handed the pictures. The NDA is still in place to make sure she keeps her cock sucking mouth shut and she has her money.’ You breathed hard as you offloaded on the lawyer who looked taken aback. You didn’t care. You didn’t give a fuck.
Raising a shaky hand, you pointed a threatening finger in his face. 'You will save this band. And you will save my husband. We are not risking this.’ You closed your hand into a fist and turned away, hands on your hips. The emotions churned inside you as you held your head. Feeling a fresh wave of vindication, you whipped back to him. 'Let her go. Let her brother go. Fuck her lawyer and her case. Screw her plans, fuck her life, and fuck her fucking lipstick color, just fuck it!’
Namjoon grabbed your arm and pulled you into his hold before you could say anymore. Shaking like a leaf, you hid in his jacket, in his warmth, wanting to scream at the new developments and downright refusing to accept the end of one of most glorious eras you had ever had the blessing to experience.
You dared not peep at Namjoon. You knew what you would find. Sadness and resignation only, as he held you so close to his heart. His arms around you were so tight, it was as if he wanted to keep you there forever. He started rocking from side to side and kissed your forehead.
'You’re going to court Ji-ho.’
You attempted to push out of his hold, your panic rising again, but he held strong, he held you to him. He was making himself clear, he would be making this decision. He would not listen to you.
'Namjoon,’ you tried shoved at his chest and tried to protest, but it came out muffled.
'No.’ He held strong at your neck and met your eye. 'I’ve wronged you. And you have done enough for me and this family. It’s time for us to show you how much we love you. It’s time for change.’
'ARMY’s –,’
’– will understand.’ Jin completed for you.
You looked above Namjoon’s shoulder blade to see your comfort human offer a sad smile.
You closed your eyes and stopped shoving, burying yourself in Namjoons hold.
'I am human, y/n.’ He sounded like he was reminding himself as much as you. 'And if your true love can accept that, and make sense of it, then my real fans will. If it comes out.’
'Joon, please.’ You whispered into his shoulder.
'Shh,’ he rocked you again. He kissed your forehead again. 'Shh.’
In any other setting, with anyone else, you would never let anyone see what power Namjoon had over you, but you couldn’t care, this time, power dynamics were the least of your problems.
'Unless…’ Yoongi murmured.
Your eyes snapped open to the male behind Jin.
'Unless what?’ Jin voiced your question.
'Namjoon makes a statement instead.’ Yoongi looked behind you, silently asking Ji-ho for his opinion.
'Take the ball completely out of her court.’ A deep respect laced the words that came from behind you.
'No.’ You shook your head stubbornly. 'As admirable and as brave as that is. We’d rather not go that far.’
What was the use? The consequences racing through your mind was for a 'what if’ situation. If Namjoon put out a statement, it would be a sure thing.
Namjoon shifted you back, keeping you at arm’s length. 'You trust me right. Right, y/n?’
'I do.’ The words left your lips, as your fingers dug into his forearm. You were under scrutiny. Such a question, in such a setting, a moment’s hesitation would have been warranted, and it would have made a world of difference.
But the fact that you could answer, as you looked into your husband’s face and held onto his hands, in front of your whole family, without doubt – it was a testament to the strength of the foundation of your marriage.
Namjoon leaned forward, an arm curling around your waist, a thumb and forefinger tipping up your chin. 'Will you leave me,’ he breathed against you, 'when the world thinks bad of me?’
The refutation was instant. 'No!’ Your hands curled into fists on his jacket. 'We’re in this together.’
A slow smirk graced his face and uplifted your heart. He brushed his nose against yours and… you crumbled. Closing your eyes, taking in the feel of him, his unshakeable resolve wafted over you. That easily, the fight was lost to you.
'Ji-ho.’ Your husband lifted his head and said after a moment. 'A statementif things go south.’
'I’ll inform the authorities about her brother. And send the letter thereafter.’
You could feel Ji-ho move, stopping directly behind you. You felt a gentle hand on your hair a second later.
'Sleep with one eye open, Ji-ho.’ You threatened lowly.
Namjoon’s lips twitched.
No one said anything as the lawyer sighed, gathered his stuff and showed himself out.
The ones left, were family only. This was the necessary circle.
Namjoon met his hyungs eyes and then each of the members in turn, a silent message that bared so much understanding, passing between each of them, his knees buckled and you yelped, grabbing a hold of whatever material you could between your fingers as Hoseok and Jungkook caught him and Jimin pushed Ji-ho’s discarded chair under him.
'Joon,’ you whispered in concern as he dropped his head in his hand and covered his eyes with his palm.
You stood next to him, petting his hair, his face near your abdomen. No one said anything.
He finally looked up, after minutes of silence. 'I’m sorry.’
'No.’ The person you least expected, came toward his fellow 94-liner. 'No more apologizing.’
Hoseok looked ready for war. It did everyone good to see that the most optimistic one, was finally on the same page as the leader.
'I don’t know if she will reveal it.’ Jin had a Jungkook attached to his back. You almost smiled, the maknae would go to his comfort place too. 'And if she does there’s no guarantee that our days as a band will come to an end. But we always knew it was numbered.’
'Our ages.’ Yoongi stated, his focus back on the skyline.
'Our schedules.’ Taehyung suggested.
That reason would come from him because he would go into acting full-time.
'Our lives.’ Jimin muttered. His leg up on the chair, the other resting below. 'We can finally have workable, breathable, lives.’
'And we’re adults now. It’s not always going to be hopeful and happy.’ Jungkook reminded everyone. The maknae had to know though, he would always be the baby.
'This could be a real outlook for everyone actually.’ Jin nodded his head as the wheels turned in his head. 'We’ve grown up, so why can’t our message?
In fact, our message only gets carried across as it does, because we’re being true to ourselves. Like what’s happening in our hearts and brains and our lives. It would only make sense to be true to ourselves and our journey by expressing it through our music.’
'We can all express this change through our music.’ Hoseok admitted, following his hyungs train of thought.
'There was a fear before of not being able to date or show significant others or get married because of the fan base and the demographic and the desirability,’ Taehyung looked up, and met Namjoon’s eyes, 'but you took that step hyung, and we are still thriving. We have packed schedules for at least the next two years and plenty of comebacks individually and together. We won’t fall apart yet. And we have time to put ourselves across and build our Plan B.’
'We are allowed to step out of the boundaries they had for us.’ Jin’s determination carried itself across. 'This is life and it will not always be great but we will learn from it. And maybe someone could save their marriage or think differently or remember to forgive when it’s necessary.’
'This band,’ Yoongi finally looked at you, 'is what it is, because we make our own path and take risks. And some of them were worth it.’ Seeing the tumultuous emotions on your face, that you felt inside, he looked away before continuing. 'And besides being a band, we are a family. We want wives. Kids. Lives. Soon.’
'No more running.’ Jimin stated, more to himself.
The wording confused you. Running? From what? From… who?
'I find it easy these days.’ Jungkook said from behind Jin’s back.
'What’s that, Kook?’ Jin asked over his shoulder.
'To not care about anyone’s approval and disapproval.’
Jungkook struggled a lot with himself and his fans. He didn’t want to embarrass anyone or feel embarrassed. Being himself was one thing, but for such a long time, he gave what was asked and showed only what was wanted. To say those words and be confident in himself… it was a feat.
You felt Namjoon’s palm at your back and the side of his face placed at your stomach.
Instantly your brain whipped up one word, 'submission.’
Namjoon, Kim Namjoon, the leader, the idol, the rapper, was holding onto you for strength, in front of his band.
You didn’t push him away. You were slightly confused with his actions. But you would never push him away. He needed comfort. His family was saving him from his own mess. He’d need all the strength you had to offer.
So you settled both your hands in his hair instead. His other arm pulled you closer to him straight after.
'Kook’s right.’ Taehyung reaffirmed his only dongsaeng’s words. 'When was the last time we looked for approval?’
'The only people that matter… are in this room.’ Hoseok crouched low, and Namjoon turned away from you to meet the eyes of his fellow 94 liner. Hoseok swallowed hard before saying his piece. ’'Even when this rain stops, when the clouds go away, I stand here, just the same.”
'Hobi –,’
’Iam here.’ Hoseok touched Namjoon’s knee. 'Your best friend. I will be here through it all. We will do this.’ Once Joon nodded, Hoseok stood up and checked on each member. 'Everyone here needs to remember that there are always second chances, no matter what happens, and with whatever does happen, we can get through it together.’
Head nods, affirmations, high-fives were met all round and you bent forward to place a kiss on Namjoons head.
To others, it would seem dramatic. But to the band, to the ones that had experienced Hoseok and Namjoon first hand, it was a shift.
No one, no one ever, fucked with their family. Even backed into a corner, they would adapt and stay strong, and they would fight, should the need arise.
You always knew this day would come. But for it to be so real and for such a reason…
'Not that this is relevant at all,’ Taehyung lifted his shoulders, as if what he was about to say was no big deal, 'but y/n… what’s wrong with Maiya’s lipstick shade?’
After listening to BUTTER, i felt so motivated. it changed my whole life, now i’m a successfull person. i got 10 olympic gold medals, 6 oscars, 2 Nobel prizes. next year i’m planning to buy the moon. it all happened because of you. Thank you so much ♡
️summary: hoseok comes home in the middle of the night and it doesn’t take long for you to realize something is wrong. very, verywrong.
️pairing: reader x mafia!hoseok
️rating: mature, 18+
️genre: smut, mafia AU, guarded AU drabble though it can be read as a standalone story
️warnings: standard smut warnings, feelings because apparently i know no other way
️word count: 1.7K
️notes: i’ve had in mind to write a series of these drabbles for the guarded AU involving all of the original story characters. all returning home from the same terrifying night on the job, each processing the trauma a bit differently. as always, thank you for reading and please talk to me about it! of course, i couldn’t have written or posted this without the help and guidance of @ladyartemesia@btsarmy9593and@hobi-gifthank you so much ladies. also a big thank you to the very sweet @diorggukie who was so kind to answer my questions!
He comes to you in the dead of night.
The bed dips under his weight as he slips quietly beneath the covers, pressing the length of his body to yours. You start to rouse when he wraps himself around you – firm chest at your back, strong forearm banded over your waist – and you open your eyes to darkness, disoriented.
“Hoseok?” You call out to him, not quite awake and not quite asleep.
No answer.
“Baby?”
Still no answer.
The fear comes over you slowly, pulsing from your legs to your chest to your arms. Finally then to your brain, sounding the alarm inside your head as the pieces start to fall into place.
It took me awhile to reblog this all beacuse i felt so much for this little drabble. It felt like i was punched. First, Hoseok in Guarded is the type of person so in control of his emotions (we saw a lot of this in the main story), even during their confrontation you can feel his control over his emotions. Even during during the smut, if you recall it was Amsaja who pounced him in the elevator! Which is why i was totally floored by how Ana wrote Hoseok in this little (only in word count!), but i guess its warranted - the man almost died! For the 1st time, i saw a side of Hoseok in panic, not even afraid but terrified, almost out of his mind. Its almost grounding to think that hey, he’s human after all, Amsaja wondered the same thing in the main story, come to think of it!
Now to our Amsaja, a fierec woman who went so much truama and pain and got out from all of it so strong that Hoseok was her only weakness. A weakness you might think, but really it was Hoseok who made her brave and take chances, made her rethink of everything and put things in perspective. Ok, so maybe I am exaggerating, maybe Hoseok was just a portion of it but still. And it continues into this drabble, made her brave enough to think of things she never thought she needed in her life. I always thought Amsaja is a brave woman and now she is showing us that bravery is not the absence of fear but having fear and yet going through it all because she knows she can.
