"Where's all this coming from?"
"I think it's a reasonable thing to ask about."
Joohyuk sighs as he pulls his shirt over his head, ignoring Taehyung as he searches for his shoes.
"Is there a reason why not?" Taehyung asks looking down at his hands from where he still sits in bed.
"I just don't know, Tae. It seems weird that they even want to meet me. Like, why? Y'know?" Joohyuk asks looking over at him. "Who are they?"
"My friends." Taehyung says looking up at Joohyuk. "We've been officially dating for two months now."
"Babe," The older sighs, sitting down on the bed. "I get that it's important to you, but I don't see the point. What, do you need permission from them to date me?"
"You're being an asshole." Taehyung says crossing his arms. "Why won't you just meet them if you know it's important to me?"
"Because I'm not doing anything I don't want to do just to make you happy." Joohyuk shrugs. "I'm sorry, babe, I just rather not."
Taehyung looks off with an aggravated expression, not saying a word in response.
"I'll make it up to you, okay?" Joohyuk smiles, tapping Taehyung's chin. "Don't be a brat."
"A brat?" Taehyung asks narrowing his eyes.
"Here we go." Joohyuk sighs rolling his eyes before Taehyung continues.
"I'm sorry if wanting you to meet my friends makes me a brat, Joohyuk, but they're important to me~"
"No, you thinking I'm going to jump and do every little thing you ask me to makes you a fucking brat." Joohyuk says moving to the edge of the bed to pull his shoes on. "Just drop it, it's annoying at this point."
"Am I annoying?"
"Is that what I said?"
Taehyung rolls his eyes again, getting out of the bed before pulling on some pajama pants. "I have to get the twins ready to go to Jeongguk's."
"I'm gonna go."
"Whatever~"
"Hey." Joohyuk says stopping him before he walks out of the room. Standing and walking over to him before taking both his hands. "Don't be mad at me, Tae. That's not fair."
"I just don't~"
"You don't have to understand. It's still my decision." Joohyuk says kissing him on the forehead. "I'll see you later, maybe we can hang out tonight since your ex will have the kids."
"His name is Jeongguk." Taehyung says but Joohyuk is already walking out of the room.
"See you later, babe." He calls before Taehyung hears the front door open.
The brunette rolls his eyes as he goes to get the boys ready. He thought it was so stupid that Joohyuk didn't want to meet his friends. Especially when it was clearly so important to him.
He forces himself not to dwell on it as he wakes the boys. If Joohyuk didn't want to meet his friends he couldn't force him.
"Tae, it's me!" Jeongguk's voice calls after the front door opens.
"Almost finished!" Taehyung calls back as he ties Jaehyung's shoe. The baby still fast asleep as he lifts him to carry him out to Jeongguk.
"Woah, he's still asleep?" The ravenette asks when he sees them. "It's almost ten."
"I know, he fell back asleep after I woke him up." Taehyung says handing him off before going to get Hanjae, who sat babbling in his bouncer contently.
"What's the matter with you?" Jeongguk asks when Taehyung returns. "You seem upset."
The brunette sighs, the last person he wanted to talk to about his relationship issues was Jeongguk. "I'm fine. Just a little tired."
"Are you sure?" Jeongguk asks.
"I'm sure." Taehyung says. "I'll help you put them in the car."
After getting the twins situated in the car Taehyung waves Jeongguk off before going back into his apartment.
~Later that night...~
Taehyung rolls his eyes after opening his front door to find Joohyuk standing there with a bouquet of flowers and a small pout on his lips.
"What's this supposed to be?" Taehyung asks crossing his arms with an expecting expression.
"They're for you." The older says holding the flowers out to him before handing him a small gift bag. "So is this."
"Joohyuk, you didn't have to~"
"I shouldn't have called you a brat, even if you are one." Joohyuk shrugs. "Sorry."
"Nice apology." Taehyung says turning to go put the flowers in water.
"Are you still mad?" Joohyuk asks shutting the front door before following Taehyung to the kitchen.
"No. I can't force you to meet my friends." The brunette says. "I just wish you would because I care about you. And I want you to be apart of my life, which includes my friends."
"Open your gift." Joohyuk says nodding towards the gift bag. "I hope you like it."
Taehyung sighs as he opens the gift his eyes widening in shock. "What the fuck, Joohyuk?"
"Do you like it?" The older smiles. "It was handcrafted."
"Joohyuk, I can't take this. Are you kidding?" Taehyung asks opening the ring box. "Oh my god, you can't be serious."
"Do you like it?" Joohyuk asks leaning on the counter, laughing at Taehyung's reaction.
"I can't take this, Joohyuk." The brunette says shaking his head and closing the small box. "How much did it cost?"
"It doesn't matter~"
"Yeah it does."
Joohyuk smiles as he takes the box, opening it and taking the ring out as he rounds the counter. "Let me see." He says taking Taehyung's hand and slipping the ring onto the ring finger of his left hand. "Perfect fit."
Taehyung looks down at the ring before looking up at Joohyuk. "This can't still be about our argument earlier."
"It isn't, but it is at the same time." The older smiles down at him. "I got it as kind of like a promise ring."
"It looks too expensive for me." Taehyung says looking down at the ring again. "You didn't have to get this for me, Joohyuk. Seriously."
"I wanted to." Joohyuk says. "I know we've only been officially dating for two months but we've know each other so since September. That's a big deal for us."
"What exactly am I promising?" Taehyung asks looking up at Joohyuk.
"Your commitment." The older says wrapping his arms around his waist. "I want to know that you're mine. And only mine."
"You're such an idiot." The brunette smiles as he wraps his arms around his neck, standing up on his tiptoes and kissing Joohyuk. "I'm only yours, I promise."
"Say it again." Joohyuk says, slowly trailing kisses down Taehyung's jaw towards his neck.
"I'm yours."
"Again."
Taehyung laughs at Joohyuk, pulling away from their embrace and taking his hand. "I can show you better than I can tell you."
"Please do." Joohyuk smiles as Taehyung leads him to the bedroom.
Maybe things weren't perfect between them all the time, but when they were Taehyung was happy.
And sometimes he felt like that's all that mattered.
~Jeongguk's house...~
"Taehyung's here, Gguk!"
"I'm coming!"
Jimin smiles at Taehyung as he lets him inside, shutting the door behind him.
"How are you, Tae?" He asks leading him to the kitchen. "Was the drive alright?"
"I'm good, and it was." Taehyung says leaning against the island across from Jimin. "What have you guys been up to all day?"
"Nothing really." The older shrugs as he focuses on the fruit he's cutting for the cake he's working on. "I just got off not too long ago."
"How's work?" Taehyung asks. "Still the same?"
"Unfortunately, yes. But I'm looking around for somewhere else. And I'm seriously leaving this time." Jimin laughs before noticing the ring on Taehyung's finger. "Woah, Tae, is that a ring?"
"Oh, it's nothing." The brunette says subconsciously covering the ring with his right hand.
"Let me see." Jimin says holding his hand out, examining the ring when Taehyung puts his hand in his. "What's the occasion?"
"There isn't one." Taehyung says taking his hand away. "It's just a promise ring."
"Wow, good for you two." Jimin smiles. "That must mean things are pretty serious, huh?"
"I guess." Taehyung chuckles. "He's a nice guy, he's sweet."
"I'm glad he's treating you right." Jimin says before he hears Jeongguk coming downstairs.
"Don't run down the stairs with my babies." Taehyung says with wide eyes. "Are you insane?"
"I'm not running." Jeongguk says letting the twins down. "You're late, by the way."
"I know, one of the car riders' parents didn't show up." Taehyung says kneeling down and holding his arms out for the boys.
"That sucks, what happened?" Jeongguk asks.
"We called their emergency contact." The brunette says kissing the boys. "Say bye-bye to Appa. It's time to go."
Hanjae obediently waddles back towards Jeongguk, taking clumsy steps until he reaches the ravenette. Jaehyung on the other hand crawls away from both of them.
"Jaehyung," Taehyung says scooping him up before he gets too far. "you're only one years old and you're already hardheaded."
"Give him a break, Taehyung." Jeongguk says kissing Hanjae's chubby cheek before carrying him to Taehyung. "Come on, I'll help you put them in the car."
"Alright." Taehyung says. "See you later, Jimin."
"See you later." Jimin says before the two of them walk out the front door.
Jeongguk is buckling Jaehyung in when he notices the ring for the first time. "Nice ring."
"Oh, thank you." Taehyung says, he kept forgetting he was even wearing it.
"Joohyuk gave it to you?" Jeongguk asks out of curiosity.
"Yeah."
"14k?"
"I think so."
"Cute."
Taehyung rolls his eyes slightly but he doesn't say anything else as he climbs out of the backseat.
"Text me when you get home." Jeongguk says walking back to the front door.
"I will." Taehyung says climbing into the drivers seat. He sighs when Jaehyung starts whimpering and squirming in his seat. "Don't cry, Jae. We'll be back."
"M-Ma-ma..." Jaehyung whimpers, looking up out of the window with wide teary eyes.
"I know, baby." Taehyung says looking at him through the review. "We'll be back."
"Mama~!" Jaehyung wails.
Taehyung turns on some soothing music, hoping that it'll calm Jaehyung at some point during the thirty minute drive.
Jaehyung cries his little heart out for almost fifteen minutes before settling down. And as if on cue, Hanjae feels the need to burst into tears immediately after his brother when his pacifier falls out.
When they finally get to Taehyung's apartment Hanjae and Jaehyung have both cried themselves to sleep.
"Poor babies." Taehyung chuckles as he unbuckles them. Carrying Jaehyung inside before rushing back to get Hanjae.
He puts them down in their bassinets to finish out the rest of their nap while he cooks dinner. He wasn't much of a chef but he's been having fun experimenting lately.
He's searching for a new recipe on the internet when his phone rings. Seokjin's number showing up on the screen. "Hey, hyung." He answers.
"Hey, Tae, are you busy?" Seokjin asks.
"No, I was just about to cook dinner." Taehyung sighs sitting down at his kitchen table. "What's up?"
"Nothing, I was just calling to see if I could come over. I need your advice on something." Seokjin says in an odd tone.
"My advice?" Taehyung asks in surprise. "What is it, hyung? You never ask me for advice, I'm honored~"
"I'm serious, Taehyung. It's important." Seokjin says. "Can I come over?"
"Yeah. I'll be here." Taehyung says. "You're worrying me now, hyung."
"No, don't worry." The older says. "I'll be over in a little bit."
"Okay."
~Half an hour later...~
Taehyung smiles as he lets Seokjin inside. Hugging him briefly before leading him to the living.
"How are you, Taehyung? How was class today?" The older asks as they sit down across from each other on the couch.
"It was good. It's national tin can day so all the kids did was decorate tin cans all day." Taehyung chuckles. "What about you? How are things?"
"Good, things are good." Seokjin sighs softly, avoiding Taehyung's eyes as he answers. "I can't complain."
Taehyung pouts softly at Seokjin. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Things are good, really." The older says looking up at Taehyung. "There's just one thing that I don't know what to do about."
"What happened?" Taehyung asks. "Is it something Namjoon did?"
"Yes, but he didn't do it by himself." Seokjin says looking down at his hands.
Taehyung looks confused for a moment before he understands what his hyung is saying. "Wait, hyung, are you...?"
"I'm pregnant." Seokjin nods.
"Oh my god, Seokjin." Taehyung says covering his mouth in shock. "Does Namjoon~"
"No." The older says shaking his head, looking up at the ceiling as tears form in his eyes.
"What's wrong, hyung?" Taehyung asks, surprised by the older's tears. He would've thought that Seokjin and Namjoon would he happy to have a baby together.
"I just don't know how I feel yet. My doctor says I'm only a few weeks right now." Seokjin sighs wiping his tears. "It's like...I want to keep it, but I'm scared. I don't know how Namjoon will react. Last time I got pregnant Chaebong~"
"Namjoon isn't Chaebong, Seokjin." Taehyung says before he can finish. "He loves you. He'd never leave you, especially now."
"What if he does leave me?" The older asks with tears in his eyes. "What if he feels like I'm trapping him by keeping the baby?"
"He's just as responsible for your pregnancy as you are, hyung. You didn't get yourself pregnant." Taehyung says. "Namjoon isn't going to put all the responsibility on you, he's not that kind of person. You know that."
Seokjin nods, sniffling as he continues to dry his tears. "I'm scared, Tae. This wasn't part of the plan for me and Namjoon. What if our relationship isn't ready for this?"
"Namjoon loves you and Saebin. I can tell the two of you love him too. You'll feel better once you talk to him about it. Then you'll know what he thinks instead of assuming the worst." Taehyung says reassuringly. "Don't doubt your feelings for each other. You never know, this baby could be the best thing that's ever happened to you guys' relationship."
"You think?"
"I think."
Seokjin chuckles softly through his tears, smiling at his friend gratefully. "You really are a great friend, Taehyung. You always make me feel better."
"Come on, bring it in." Taehyung smiles opening his arms for the older. Seokjin moves into the embrace with a relieved sigh. "I can't believe you're actually pregnant, hyung. That's insane, I've never seen you pregnant."
"Shut up." Seokjin laughs. "I don't even know if we're keeping it."
"Well if you do, I want to be a godparent. And I'll be highly offended if you even consider anyone else." Taehyung says. "You're my best friend, I love you so much."
"I love you too most of the time." The older says. "Of course you'll be the godparent. Who else?"
"Exactly." Taehyung says. "Come on, I'll cook dinner and we can eat together."
"You and 'cook' should not be in the same sentence." Seokjin says as Taehyung pulls him to the kitchen.
"Hey, I can cook!" Taehyung says defensively.
Seokjin tilts his head at Taehyung, giving him a look. "Last time I checked you didn't even know you needed water to boil pasta."
"I did know, I just forgot to put it in. Give me a break." Taehyung says rolling his eyes. "I'm not making pasta tonight, luckily for you."
"I'll help you anyway." The older says examining the ingredients Taehyung already had set out.
"If you insist." The brunette says reading the recipe on his phone.
The two of them move around the kitchen doing their part to prepare the meal. Seokjin was grateful for the momentary distraction from his current situation.
Thanks to Taehyung's advice, he knew what he had to do next.