Summary: All you wanted was to try a Ghostface trend but forgot that Jeon Jungkook never does anything halfway.
Word count : 3k ( almost ig)
warnings: :This is a consensual roleplay story with themes, chase & hide kink, mask kink and pretend predator/prey dynamics, scary & eerie Jungkook, mean & menacing dirty talk, heavy degradation, rough sex on the floor, choking, spitting, creampie, messy oral (face-fucking), squirting and morally questionable dirty talk during the scene. Reader is extremely into it trust me and nothing is without consent, later bombarded you guys with soft aftercare, fluff and loving Jungkook
A/N : Don't. Just don't come at me asking about my sense of morality because I'm done. I'm counting my days at this point. Inspo š
You were sprawled across the bed..facing your husband's feet and hugging one of his legs while mindlessly scrolling through TikTok. Yet another video popped up of girls screaming and running around while their men chased them wearing nothing but a Ghostface mask.
To be honest...you'd been kind of intrigued by the trend ever since it started blowing up.
Lowering your phone..you glanced at your boyfriend. He was lying comfortably beside you one hand tucked behind his head and your leg draped across his torso while he scrolled through his own phone. Probably reblogging something or posting another Instagram story that would give army mini heart attacks.
"Gguk," you called...your eyes shining with mischief.Ā "Mmh?" he hummed without looking up..still scrolling.
You suddenly sat up..making him fumble and nearly drop his phone. "I have an idea."
"You couldn't be any less subtle about it, baby?" he laughed shaking his head..sitting up as well.
"Don't laugh first." You shoved your phone right in front of his face. He leaned back slightly before squinting at the screen..watching the video.
"We should try this trend, baby. Remember those Ghostface masks we bought last to last year for Halloween? I think We still have them."
"The Ghostface thing?" he asked, eyebrows knitting together as he replayed the clip.
You nodded eagerly."Yeah. You know... the mask... chasing and... well... you know."
You awkwardly gestured with your hands getting flustered...trying to explain.
A teasing smirk slowly spread across his face. "So... you're saying you want me to chase you then fuck you? "
You snatched your phone back almost instantly and smacked the back of his head. "Yah! Don't say it like that."
"...But yes."
Your cheeks were already warming.
The thing about Jungkook was that he was just as weird as you. He'd happily entertain almost any ridiculous idea if it sounded exciting enough..especially if it made you smile. That didn't mean he wasn't soft. If anything...it was one of the things you loved most about him. He could go from being an absolute menace to the gentlest person you'd ever known in a heartbeat.
He laughed and pulled you closer by the waist and pressed a quick kiss to your lips.."Yeah...its hot" he murmured with a grin. "I can see why people are into it. Let's do it."
You immediately slipped off the bed..standing there in nothing but one of his oversized T-shirts.
"Okay... when do we start?" you asked..folding your arms across your chest..pretending the idea itself wasn't already making you wet.
Jungkook stood up too..suddenly looking much more serious than before. "Go hide somewhere, baby," he said. "Give me a few minutes." His unexpectedly committed expression made you burst into laughter. "You're taking this way too seriously."
"You asked for the full experience." He raised his eyebrows as if slipping into the character right away.
Still giggling but now a little nervou....you opened the dresser drawer and grabbed the old Ghostface mask and tossed it toward him.
"Call my name when you're done?." You said while walking out of the room and he nodded while catching the mask effortlessly.
The door clicked shut behind you.
_
You disappeared into the bathroom near the kitchen and stared at yourself in the mirror. Your heartbeat was already racing.
You checked the time on your phone, then shut it off. You fixed your hair and splashed cold water on your face and took a deep breath before stepping back into the hallway.
The apartment was quiet. Most lights were off and only the dim red light strips Jungkook had installed the ones he said looked better in his lives cast a low and eerie glow. Jungkook was nowhere to be seen.
You walked forward slowly. āBabe?ā No answer.
The apartment felt unsettling quiet..making your throat go dry. As you looked around your phone suddenly rang...the sound making you jump.
"Unknown number"
You answered the call with shaky fingers. Only heavy breathing came through the other side, āHello?ā you said, still No answer, āHello? Whoās this?ā you tried again then his voice came through low and rough. āShouldnāt have answered the call, dove.ā He breathed heavily into the phone.
Your stomach flipped. āB-baby, whatā?ā You laughed, scared shitless. āWhatās with the number??ā
āTsk tsk.ā
āWho-who are you?ā You played along catching his subtle warning.
āHave patience, darling. Maybe turn around and see me yourself?ā He said it calmly and instantly disconnected the call. You spun arounsd but no one was there you're heart was pounding loudly by now abd then you turned back to your original position and there he was...standing near the balcony.
You shrieked. āGod!ā
You stumbled back a few steps. He was wearing nothing but his jeans...his toned abs on full display...hand tattoos glowing under the red lights and that Ghostface maskā¦ it made you cunt throb because you're boyfriend looked so damn unreal.
āYouāre so obedient, my love,ā the masked man said...walking slowly toward you like he had all the time in the world. āFollowing my orders like a good fucking girl.ā
āWho-how? Who are you?ā you asked...fully committed to the act even though you were very terrified. āYou should keep your windows locked, dove. Anyone could come inside.ā He tsked, mocking you.
Before you could answer him he said, āRunā¦ā
āGguk, come on-ā he cut you off mid sentence,āRun.ā His voice was calm this time..a pause and he continued, āIf I catch youā¦ I kill you.ā he started walking towards you with larger steps now.
You shrieked and bolted...your bare feet slapped against the wooden floor as you sprinted into the living room...almost slipping while dodging around the couch. Heavy footsteps came after you.
As if he already knew you werenāt getting away..
You didnāt dare look back. You could hear his breathing through the mask..slightly muffled but very real...another slow footstep..then another..yhen suddenlyā¦ nothing...his footsteps stopped.
You kept running anyway...ducking behind the kitchen counter. Your chest rose and fell hard. You strained to hear any sound but there was just Silence.
Only the soft sound refrigerator humming and your own frantic heartbeat could be heard. āā¦Babe?ā you whispered...trying not to laugh at how scared you sounded.
No answer came so you peeked around the corner....it was empty.
So you got up and checked the guest room but it was also empty. The bathroom and the balcony was empty too so you called him out.
āJungkook?ā
The apartment suddenly felt much bigger than it actually was because every shadow looked wrong and every doorway felt like someone was standing just out of sight.
You slowly walked back into the hallway, hugging your own arms. āThis isnāt funny anymoreā¦ā
You took another step. The floor creaked beneath your feet...You froze.
āā¦Baby?ā
Silence....
āOkayā¦ I give up.ā
Just as you let out a nervous laugh and turned toward the bedroom......Someone was standing in the doorway...Perfectly still as if waiting for the perfect moment to pounce on you.
You didnāt even know how long heād been there...but his head slowly tilted to one side and not a word he said but those hollow black eyes locked onto you.
A scream tore out of your throat and stumbled backward on instinct before turning to run again.
The moment you movedā¦He moved too..and this time his arm snapped around your waist strongly...yanking you back hard against his bare...burning-hot chest.
You shrieked so loudly that you were sure tomorrow someone will definitely make a complaint about it.
The cold mask pressed against the side of your neck and you felt his hot breath through the fabric as he growled low.
"Got you. "
His voice came out as a lowand distorted growl through the Ghostface mask and before you could even breathe...Jungkook spun you around and shoved you down onto the hardwood floor. Your knees hit first..then your palms...the cold wood made you gasp. He was on you instantly...heavy and terrifying. The mask hovered right behind your ear as he pinned your chest down with one hand between your shoulder blades...forcing your ass up.
āToo much?ā he rasped, already yanking the oversized t-shirt up over your hips. āTap my bicep twice and Iāll stop.ā You nodded frantically against the floor.
He laughed darkly the sound sending chills down your spine...,āBut thatās useless, isnāt it, dove?ā He shoved two thick fingers into your soaked pussy without warning...curling them viciously. āIām going to fuck you too dumb to even remember how to tap.ā
You cried out..already drooling on the floor as he finger-fucked you hard and fast...the wet and obscene squelching sounds filling the room. He added a third finger...stretching you open while his thumb rubbed rough circles on your clit.
āSay it,ā he growled..pumping faster. āTell me why your windows were unlocked.ā
You sobbed...hips jerking back against his hand..,āB-becauseā¦ I wanted you to come inā¦ā
āLouder, darling.ā he cut you off... āI wanted you to creep in and ruin me!ā you cried..tears spilling down your cheeks.
āGood girl.ā He pulled his fingers out with a filthy wet sound and slapped your pussy once...making you jolt. Then he freed his thick and heavy cock and slammed into you in one brutal thrust
You screamed...nails scratching against the hardwood as he started pounding you mercilessly on the floor.
Every deep stroke made your tits drag against the wood...your cheek pressed to the cold surface while the Ghostface mask stayed locked in place above you.
āDoes your boyfriend know?ā he taunted...voice menacing through the mask as he railed you..,āDoes he know his sweet little girlfriend is on the floor getting fucked stupid by a strangerās cock?ā
āN-no-ahh!ā you sobbed...pleasure ripping through you so hard your vision blurred. He grabbed a fistful of your hair and yanked your head back...forcing you to arch deeper.
āSay it. Tell me what a filthy little dove you are.ā
āIām a filth-!ā you wailed, drooling and crying as he destroyed your pussy. āIām getting fucked stupid on someone elseās dick!ā
āThatās right.ā His hips snapped harder...the sound of skin slapping skin loud and wet...,āMaking such a fucking mess on the floor like a desperate little dove. Look at you dripping everywhere baby.ā
He suddenly pulled out...leaving you clenching around nothing.
You whined pathetically until he sat back against the bed frame and dragged you forward by the hair,āOpen your mouth.ā
The mask loomed over you as he pushed his cock past your lips and straight into your throat. You gagged hard...tears pouring down your face while he fucked your mouth with deep and controlled thrusts.
āEyes up,ā he ordered and you looked up at the terrifying white mask...choking and moaning around his thick length. Spit dripped down your chin onto your chest and the floor.
āMessy fucking girl,ā he groaned...voice distorted. āCrying on my cock while your boyfriend is somewhere out there. Does he know you love being used like this?ā
You shook your head weakly...sobbing around his cock. He pulled out suddenly...strings of spit connecting your swollen lips to his glistening length.
āBeg for it.ā jungkook said, āPleaseā¦ please fuck me,ā you cried, voice hoarse and broken. āPlease just ruin-me-ā
He flipped you onto your back on the cold floor..spread your legs wide and slammed back inside your dripping cunt. The new angle made you scream...back arching as he pounded you mercilessly. His hand wrapped around your throat not squeezing hard...just holding you in place while the mask stared down at your tear-streaked and ruined face.
āGonna cum all over a strangerās cock, arenāt you?ā he snarled. āSay it.ā
āIām gonna cum-Iām cumming-!ā you sobbed...body convulsing violently as your orgasm crashed through you.
You squirted messily all over his cock and the floor...shaking and crying from the intensity.
Jungkook growled deep in his chest and buried himself into you deep...flooding your pussy with thick..hot cum. He stayed deep inside you..grinding slowly...letting you milk every last drop while you twitched and whimpered beneath him
._
You lay trembling and ruined on the cold hardwood floor...thighs shaking..tears still slipping down your flushed cheeks. Your pussy throbbed and leaking a messy mix of both your releases onto the wood beneath you. You could barely think straight..mind fuzzy...body buzzing.
The Ghostface mask hovered above you for a few more secondsā¦ then Jungkook finally reached up and pulled it off.
His face was flushed..hair messy and damp with sweat and eyes soft and full of love the moment they met yours. The terrifying ghost face was gone replacing with your boyfriend now.
āBabyā¦ā he breathed, voice hoarse but incredibly gentle.
He tossed the mask aside and immediately gathered you into his arms...lifting you off the messy floor and onto the bed like you weighed nothing. He pulled you against his chest...wrapping you up completely in his warm and strong embrace. His skin was hot and slightly sticky...heart still racing under your cheek.
āYou okay, my love?ā he whispered..pressing soft kisses to your forehead...your wet cheeks and uour swollen lips. His fingers stroked slow...soothing circles up and down your spine. āWas it too much baby? Be honest..im sorry if it was.ā
You shook your head weakly...still sniffling and trembling in his arms. āIt wasā¦ so much. Scaryā¦ but so good. I loved it.ā
He let out a relieved chuckle and held you tighter....one hand gently brushing your messy hair out of your face. āYou were so perfect, baby. So fucking good for me.ā He kissed the top of your head again and again...rocking you gently. āMy strong, brave girl.ā
You curled deeper into his chest....feeling safe and small in his arms after everything heād just done to you. He reached down and gently wiped the tears from your cheeks with his thumb, then kissed where they had been.
āI made such a mess on the floor,ā you mumbled shylyand embarrassed now that the heat had faded.
Jungkook laughed softly...the sound warm and fond. āIāll clean it later..don't think about it. ā He pulled the blanket over both of you and tucked you closer and his fingers tracing lazy patterns on your hip. āYou were crying so prettyā¦ taking everything I gave you like my perfect little dove.ā
You blushed hard and hid your face in his neck. He smiled and kept kissing you...soft andbloving kisses everywhere he could reach.
After a few quiet minutes...he tilted your chin up so you could see his eyes.
āWe should do this shit way more often,ā he murmured...voice low and sincere. āMaybe next time Iāll chase you with the lights completely offā¦ or tie you up first so you really canāt run.ā He smirked...but his eyes stayed soft with a hint of mischief. āOnly if you want to baby, of course.ā
You shivered at the promise but nodded...feeling warm and loved in his arms.
āI love you,ā he whispered...pressing one last gentle kiss to your lips. āSo much. You did amazing, baby.ā
He held you like that for a long time...stroking your hair and rubbing your back...whispering sweet praises until your breathing evened out and lulled you into a warm...safe haze in his arms.
SUMMARY -> jungkook, a divorced single dad, falls for his daughterās nanny.
TROPES -> she falls first he falls harder, yearning, age gap, angst, hurt comfort, absent mother, jungkook is a little pathetic
now playing: back to me - the marĆasĖ.āāŖ
SERIES MASTERLIST ā¦ MAIN MASTERLIST
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08: home
the front door clicked shut behind them.
silence settled over the house immediately.
it felt wrong.
too quiet.
jungkook stood in the foyer for a long moment, loosening his tie with one hand.
normally, arin would've been running through the hallway in her pajamas by now.
normally, you'd still be lingering by the door, reminding him not to forget the leftovers in the refrigerator or asking if he wanted coffee before you left.
instead, there was nothing.
just him and yoonseo.
she slipped off her heels without a word, setting them neatly beside the door like she'd never left this house in the first place. arin was at a friendās house for her first ever sleepover.
"arin looked happy," she said.
jungkook only hummed.
"she always liked school plays."
another hum. he walked toward the kitchen without looking back. he needed water. he needed silence. he needed about a thousand miles between himself and this conversation.
behind him, he heard leather scrape. the sound of a purse opening. paper rustling.
his jaw tightened before he even turned around.
when he did, there it was.
a manila folder.
she set it neatly on the kitchen island.
"sign them."
he stared at it. didn't touch it. didn't even look down. instead, he looked at her. really looked at her. the expensive coat. perfect makeup. the detached expression she'd worn almost the entire afternoon.
his jaw flexed.
"...seriously?"
yoonseo folded her arms.
"i've been waiting two weeks."
"you've been hounding me for two weeks."
"same difference."
he let out a humorless laugh.
"you flew to america for paperwork?"
"i was already nearby."
"don't."
his voice came out flat.
"don't insult my intelligence."
she didn't answer.
because they both knew. she hadn't come for arin. she hadn't suddenly missed being a mother. she'd come because her lawyer told her an in-person visit would get the papers signed faster.
that realization settled into his chest like lead. he stared at the folder. then slowly looked back up at her.
"...you really used her."
yoonseo's expression barely changed.
"don't be dramatic."
"dramatic?"
he laughed once.
"you walked into that school today pretending to be mother of the year."
"i am her mother."
"biologically."
that finally earned him a reaction.
her eyes narrowed.
"careful."
"no."
he stepped closer.
"you be careful."
the kitchen suddenly felt much smaller.
he couldn't stop now.
months of resentment clawed their way to the surface.
"do you know what her favorite movie is?"
silence.
"do you know what stuffed animal she sleeps with?"
nothing.
"what teacher she has?"
"..."
"what size shoes she wears?"
she looked away.
he laughed bitterly.
"exactly."
"i've been busy."
"everyone is busy."
his voice rose despite himself.
"i'm busy."
he pointed toward the empty hallway.
"i'm the one getting her ready every morning."
another step.
"i'm the one packing lunches."
another.
"i'm the one sitting through parent-teacher conferences."
another.
"i'm the one holding her when she cries because she thinks her mom forgot her birthday."
yoonseo's expression hardened.
"i didn't forget."
"you called three days later."
"i was overseas."
"you have a phone."
silence.
the kind that only existed between people who had already run out of things worth saving.
she sighed.
"are you done?"
he stared at her.
"...that's all you have to say?"
"what do you want from me?"
she sounded tired. not guilty. tired. like this conversation was inconveniencing her. he shook his head slowly.
"nothing."
his voice dropped.
"i stopped expecting anything from you a long time ago."
something flickered across her face. gone almost immediately.
instead, she smiled.
small. sharp.
"interesting."
he frowned.
"what."
"you seem... emotional today."
he didn't answer. she leaned casually against the island.
"i wonder why."
his stomach tightened. he recognized that look. she wasn't finished. not even close.
"it couldn't possibly have anything to do with your nanny."
he looked at her evenly.
"leave her out of this."
"why?"
she tilted her head innocently.
"she's clearly become part of the household."
his jaw tightened.
"she works for me."
"mhm."
she nodded slowly.
"that's one word for it."
he felt irritation creep beneath his skin.
"say what you actually mean."
she smiled wider.
"she's sweet."
silence.
"very pretty."
he said nothing.
"very young."
still nothing.
"how old is she?"
"..."
"twenty?"
he didn't answer.
"twenty-one?"
his stare stayed fixed on her. she laughed quietly.
"god."
another shake of her head.
"she practically still looks like a student."
because she was. he hated that she'd even said it.
"she is a student," he replied coldly.
"exactly."
another smile.
"which makes all of this..."
she gestured vaguely.
"...interesting."
"there is no 'all of this.'"
"isn't there?"
she looked almost amused now.
"she looks at you like you've hung the moon."
his heart sank. he kept his face perfectly still.
"you're imagining things."
"am i?"
she folded her arms.
"she blushes every time you speak. she laughs too hard at your jokes. she watches you when she thinks you aren't looking."
he clenched his jaw. because she wasn't wrong. she noticed. of course she noticed.
yoonseo had always been frighteningly observant.
"she has a crush."
she shrugged.
"it's cute."
he didn't move.
didn't blink.
"she's young."
another shrug.
"girls that age get crushes."
his voice stayed calm.
"and?"
"and..."
she smiled again.
"...it's pathetic that you're entertaining it."
his head lifted.
slowly.
"watch yourself."
"why?"
"because you're talking about someone who has done nothing wrong."
"i didn't say she did."
she laughed lightly.
"i'm talking about you."
he felt something dangerous settle in his chest.
"she's kind."
"she's naĆÆve."
"she cares about arin."
"she cares about you."
he looked away. big mistake. yoonseo noticed immediately.
"...there it is."
his eyes snapped back to hers.
"what."
"that look."
she smiled knowingly.
"you're falling for her."
he scoffed.
"don't flatter yourself."
"i'm not."
she tilted her head.
"i'm observing."
he laughed once.
"you don't know anything."
"i know enough."
she walked around the island slowly.
"i watched you today."
he said nothing.
"you watched her every time she wasn't looking."
"..."
"you looked disappointed when she left."
"..."
"you called her a car."
"..."
"you've never called me a car."
he stared at her.
"you've never needed one."
"no."
she smiled.
"i suppose not."
silence.
"have you slept with her?"
everything stopped.
the air. the room. his heartbeat. he stared at her.
"...what."
"you heard me."
his voice came out dangerously quiet.
"don't."
"i'm asking."
"no."
"really?"
she sounded unconvinced.
"because she's certainly devoted enough."
his hands curled into fists.
"she comes running every time you call."
"stop."
"she cooks."
"stop."
"she practically plays houseā"
"enough."
his voice cracked through the kitchen like thunder.
yoonseo fell silent.
his breathing had quickened. not because he'd been accused. because she'd dragged you into something filthy.
something you didn't deserve.
you.
who apologized when you stayed too late. who blushed when he complimented you. who worried over whether he'd eaten breakfast.
the thought of someone reducing your kindness to that made him sick.
"she is a genuine person."
every word came out clipped.
controlled.
"don't ever stand in my house and imply her kindness is motivated by anything else."
yoonseo watched him carefully. then smiled slowly.
"...you love her."
he laughed. a bitter, exhausted laugh.
"this conversation is over."
"you didn't deny it."
he grabbed the folder from the counter and shoved it back toward her hard enough that it slid across the marble.
"take your papers."
"jungkookā"
"get out."
she blinked, "excuse me?"
"get. out.ā his voice shook.
silence. for a long moment, neither of them moved. then yoonseo slowly picked up the folder.
"...you've changed."
he looked at her without emotion.
"no."
his voice was quiet now.
"i finally remembered that you donāt get to run your mouth in my house anymore. leave."
for the first time all night, she didn't have a response. she simply stared at him. then turned, walked to the front door, opened it, and left.
āiāll email you the amendment again. donāt ignore me.ā
the house fell silent again. jungkook stood alone in the kitchen, his hands still shaking. he looked around the empty room. his eyes drifted toward the chair where you'd sat that morning. where you'd fussed over him for skipping breakfast. where you'd smiled so shyly when he'd called you sweet.
he closed his eyes. because somehow...the quiet felt even louder now.
the house had never felt this quiet.
jungkook stood in the kitchen for another minute after yoonseo left.
then another.
his eyes landed on the second coffee mug still sitting in the drying rack.
small.
white.
the one you'd somehow started reaching for every morning without thinking.
he stared at it.
"...fuck."
he rubbed both hands over his face.
he was exhausted.
emotionally wrung out.
the argument had drained whatever energy he had left.
all he wantedā
was for you to walk through the front door.
he could picture it so easily.
your soft "i'm here."
the way you'd slip off your shoes.
the pink socks.
the cardigan that was always threatening to slide off one shoulder.
the way you'd ask if he'd eaten before you'd even asked how his day was.
his chest tightened.
he missed you.
the realization settled over him so suddenly he almost laughed.
you'd left barely three hours ago.
and he already missed you.
pathetic.
absolutely pathetic.
he wandered into the living room.
everything still carried traces of you.
one of arin's coloring books sat open on the coffee table.
you'd been helping her color two mornings ago.
there was still a tiny pink hair tie tucked beneath the couch.
he knew it wasn't arin's.
it was yours.
it must've fallen off your wrist.
before he could stop himself, he bent down and picked it up.
a simple elastic.
nothing special.
he rolled it between his fingers.
then realized what he was doing.
"...get a grip."
he set it back down immediately.
almost guiltily.
like someone had caught him.
he climbed the stairs instead.
his bedroom offered no relief.
he loosened his tie completely and let it fall over the chair.
changed into sweatpants.
washed his face.
none of it helped.
his mind kept wandering back to you.
the way you'd looked standing in his entryway today.
all dressed up.
you'd bought that dress.
he knew you had.
because he'd never seen it before.
and now...
he couldn't stop wondering why.
had you been excited?
had you smiled while getting ready?
had you spent extra time picking your earrings?
his stomach twisted.
you'd thought you were having dinner with him.
he hadn't even gotten the chance to explain.
the disappointment on your face when he'd quietly said they needed to leave...
it replayed over and over in his mind.
you'd hidden it well.
too well.
but he'd seen it.
because he'd been disappointed too.
he sank onto the edge of his bed.
forty-eight hours.
that's when you'd be back.
monday morning.
forty-eight hours suddenly sounded unbearable.
he'd gone entire business trips without thinking twice.
now two days felt impossibly long.
he leaned back against the headboard and reached for his phone before he could overthink it.
your conversation sat near the top.
his thumb hovered over the keyboard.
did you make it home?
too formal.
he erased it.
are you home safe?
deleted.
he sighed.
then typed the simplest thing he could think of.
did you make it home okay?
he looked at it for a second.
then hit send. seen by no one. he placed the phone beside him. she'll answer in a minute.
you always answered. you were probably changing into pajamas. washing your face. talking to your mom. he smiled faintly.
five minutes passed. nothing. he checked the screen again. still delivered. ten minutes. nothing.
he tossed the phone onto the bed.
don't be ridiculous.
she has a life.
she doesn't have to answer immediately.
fifteen minutes.
he picked it back up.
still nothing.
his chest began filling with a strange, unfamiliar uneasiness.
had you fallen asleep? were you on the phone? did your battery die? he frowned.
or...had he done something?
his thoughts immediately drifted back to the play.
the way you'd disappeared into the crowd.
the way you'd insisted on leaving early.
the way you'd smiled only with your mouth. not your eyes. he swallowed. you were upset.
he hadn't understood it then.
not completely.
but now...
looking back...
something had changed.
you'd seemed quieter.
careful.
almost distant.
his stomach sank.
had yoonseo said something?
had you overheard something?
had he missed something obvious?
he looked down at your unanswered message again.
his thumb hovered over the keyboard.
he wanted to text again.
did i do something?
are you okay?
i'm sorry about dinner.
instead, he locked his phone.
no.
he wasn't going to overwhelm you.
if you needed space, he'd give it to you.
he set the phone on the nightstand and lay back against his pillow.
the room was dark.
empty.
his eyes drifted toward the ceiling.
forty-eight hours.
he'd see you in forty-eight hours.
if he was lucky.
the weekend became the slowest thing he had ever endured. it shouldnāt have.
he'd sat through sixteen-hour negotiations without checking the time once. he'd crossed oceans for investors. he'd survived weeks away from home. forty-eight hours should have been nothing.
instead, every hour seemed to stretch into three. he checked his phone more than he cared to admit.
saturday morning.
nothing.
saturday afternoon.
still nothing.
by saturday evening, he had convinced himself you were simply busy.
sunday came.
still no reply.
his message remained delivered. never opened. he stared at the screen for a long moment before locking it again. he wasn't entitled to your time. he knew that.
you didn't owe him an immediate response.
you didn't owe him any response.
still...he couldn't stop wondering.
had you changed your number?
no.
had your phone broken?
unlikely.
had he upset you?
that possibility refused to leave him alone.
he replayed friday over and over.
your smile at the beginning of the day. the excitement in your eyes. the pretty dress.
then, your smile after meeting yoonseo. smaller. careful.
your quiet voice during the drive. the way you'd disappeared into the crowd without saying anything. the way you'd insisted on leaving afterward.
how had he not noticed? he'd been so distracted by yoonseo. so busy trying to keep the peace. he hadn't noticed you slipping further and further away.
the realization sat heavily in his chest all weekend.
sunday night found him standing in arin's bedroom. she was already asleep after returning from her sleepover, sprawled dramatically across her bed with one stuffed bunny hanging halfway onto the floor.
he bent down, covering her properly with her blanket. his eyes drifted toward the little calendar hanging beside her desk.
monday.
you'd be here tomorrow. he smiled despite himself.
tomorrow.
he'd finally get to see you.
he'd apologize for dinner. he'd explain what happened. he'd tell youā
his thoughts stopped there.
tell you what?
that yoonseo showing up had blindsided him? that dinner hadn't been canceled because he didn't want to go? that he'd actually been looking forward to spending that hour with you far more than he should have?
his ears warmed. no.
he couldn't say any of that. he sighed softly before switching off arin's bedroom light.
"tomorrow," he whispered.
he dreamed about you again. not the cottage this time. nothing elaborate.
just you sitting across from him at that little restaurant he'd mentioned over the phone.
laughing. talking.
asking him questions about work while stealing fries from his plate. every time he looked at you, you smiled. every time he smiled back, you smiled wider.
he woke before the food even arrived.
monday morning came entirely too early.
jungkook was already downstairs when the doorbell rang.
his heart reacted before the rest of him.
he opened the door almost immediately.
you stood there.
same canvas tote. same soft curls. same gentle smile.
but, something was different.
you looked up at him.
"good morning, mr. jeon,ā you said politely, avoiding eye contact.
his smile faltered.
"...good morning."
there was no shy laugh. no warm conversation. you stepped politely around him.
"good morning, arin!"
your entire face lit up the moment arin came running down the stairs.
"pretty nanny!"
arin nearly tackled you.
you laughed, catching her effortlessly before spinning her once.
"i missed you."
"i missed you too!"
your voice was full of warmth. full of affection. exactly as it had always been.
you kissed the top of her head. fixed the crooked strap on her dress. asked about her sleepover. listened with complete attention as she launched into a five-minute explanation about pillow forts.
jungkook watched quietly from the kitchen. the difference became impossible to ignore.
with arin, you were yourself.
you barely looked his way.
every interaction was polite. professional. careful.
"would you like coffee, mr. jeon?"
"thank you."
"i'll leave it here."
"okay."
that was it.
no fussing over whether he'd eaten. no teasing him about living off caffeine. no quiet little smiles.
just...distance.
it hurt more than he expected.
far more.
he caught himself waiting for you to ask if he'd slept.
you didn't.
waiting for you to notice the dark circles beneath his eyes.
you didn't.
waiting for you to quietly slide breakfast in front of him anyway.
instead, you simply prepared arin's breakfast before cleaning up after her. professional. efficient. kind.
to everyone.
except there was now an invisible wall around him. one he had no idea how to climb.
work wasn't much better.
he reread the same contract three times without absorbing a single sentence.
"you've been staring at page four for fifteen minutes."
jungkook looked up.
beomgyu stood in the doorway holding a tablet.
"...have i?"
"yes."
he walked inside, setting several folders down.
"everything okay?"
"fine."
beomgyu gave him a look that clearly saidĀ i don't believe you.
before he could press further, another executive stepped into the conference room.
"good news."
jungkook looked up.
"the expansion was approved."
that got his attention.
"already?"
the executive nodded.
"we've officially outgrown this building."
jungkook leaned back slightly.
they'd known it was coming.
the company had doubled in size over the last year.
new hires.
new departments.
new investors.
they'd been squeezing people into conference rooms and temporary workstations for months.
"construction starts next week," the executive continued. "they're estimating twelve to fourteen weeks."
jungkook frowned.
"where's everyone working?"
"hybrid."
another folder slid across the table.
"executives will primarily work remotely."
"...from home."
"correct."
he blinked.
his home.
which meant...
his thoughts immediately drifted there.
you.
arin.
the kitchen.
breakfast.
the living room.
three months.
the executive kept talking.
"it'll save us leasing temporary office space."
jungkook barely heard him.
because another realization had already settled in.
arin was only four.
she couldn't quietly entertain herself all day while he worked.
you'd still need to be there.
which meant for the next several months all three of you would be under the same roof.
every day.
breakfast.
lunch.
afternoons.
evenings, sometimes.
the thought should have made him nervous.
instead, it was the first thing all morning that made him smile.
small.
hopeful.
because maybe, just maybe, being close to you again would give him a chance to figure out what had happened.
and maybe, if he was careful, he could find a way to make you smile at him the way you used to.
working from home sounded wonderful in theory.
in practice, it was torture.
jungkook's office had always been his escape.
structured.
quiet.
predictable.
home wasn't.
home smelled like pancakes in the morning.
home echoed with arin's laughter.
home had you.
he walked through the front door with his laptop bag over one shoulder just before eight.
you were already there.
of course you were.
you were kneeling beside arin in the living room, carefully helping her tape construction paper onto what looked like a cardboard castle.
"higher," arin instructed.
you obediently moved the paper up half an inch.
"here?"
"a little more."
you adjusted it again.
"perfect!"
you smiled so brightly at the praise that jungkook's chest tightened.
you looked up when you heard him.
your smile softened politely.
"good morning."
"morning."
there was a tiny pause.
"...your office is all set up."
he blinked.
"my office?"
you nodded.
"i dusted everything and moved the boxes out of the way so you'd have room."
his eyes drifted toward the hallway.
he hadn't asked you to do that.
"...thank you."
"of course."
just that.
no teasing.
no little lecture about remembering to eat.
no warm smile lingering for an extra second.
you simply looked back down at arin.
"okay," you said softly. "should we make the tower taller?"
"yes!"
jungkook stood there for another moment.
waiting.
for what, exactly, he wasn't sure.
you never looked back up.
his stomach sank.
he quietly disappeared into his office.
it wasn't until almost noon that he emerged again.
he'd spent nearly four hours pretending to work.
pretending being the important word.
he'd answered emails.
joined two meetings.
reviewed three contracts.
and somehow retained absolutely none of it.
because every few minutesā
he heard your laugh from somewhere else in the house.
or arin shouting your name.
or both of you singing badly together.
it was impossible to concentrate.
he followed the sound into the kitchen.
you were standing at the stove in one of your oversized cardigans, stirring soup while arin sat at the island coloring.
neither of you noticed him immediately.
"does daddy like carrots?" arin asked.
"i think so."
"he picks them out."
you frowned dramatically.
"really?"
"mhm."
you looked thoughtfully into the pot.
"well..."
you fished out three carrot slices with a spoon.
"problem solved."
arin gasped.
"you're so smart."
"thank you."
"i'm smart too."
"you are."
"pretty too."
you smiled.
"the prettiest."
jungkook leaned quietly against the doorway.
his heart ached.
because this...
this was exactly how he'd imagined home sounding.
you finally noticed him.
your shoulders straightened automatically.
"lunch is almost ready."
professional.
again.
he nodded.
"smells good."
"thank you."
you returned to stirring.
he stayed where he was.
he didn't know why.
he just wanted to be near you.
after a moment, you reached carefully for a bowl on the highest shelf.
it sat just beyond your fingertips.
you stretched.
a little farther.
still couldn't reach.
before you could grab a chair, jungkook stepped beside you.
"here."
his arm lifted over your shoulder.
his chest brushed lightly against your back as he reached for the bowl.
you froze.
completely.
he noticed immediately.
"...sorry."
he stepped back, handing it to you.
your fingers brushed his.
tiny.
accidental.
your cheeks pinked almost instantly.
"thank you," you murmured.
you didn't meet his eyes.
instead, you busied yourself pouring soup into bowls.
jungkook watched you quietly.
"...that's a nice cardigan."
the compliment slipped out before he could stop it.
your hands stopped moving.
"what?"
"your cardigan."
he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"...it's cute."
you looked down at the pink knit fabric like you'd forgotten you were wearing it.
then...
very slowly...
your ears turned pink too.
"oh."
a tiny smile threatened to appear.
you caught it immediately.
pressed your lips together.
"thank you."
your voice came out so quiet he almost missed it.
you turned back toward the soup a little too quickly.
jungkook noticed you smiling to yourself anyway.
his own lips almost lifted.
almost.
arin looked between both of you suspiciously.
"your face is red."
your eyes widened.
"is it?"
arin nodded enthusiastically.
"really red."
you laughed nervously.
"it's hot in here."
jungkook glanced toward the thermostat.
it definitely wasn't.
arin accepted the explanation immediately.
"oh."
you looked relieved.
jungkook found it unbearably adorable.
the three of you ate lunch together.
or rather, arin talked enough for all three of you.
she explained her cardboard castle, her imaginary dragon, the unfairness of nap time, the fact that dinosaurs would probably enjoy grilled cheese.
you listened like every sentence deserved careful consideration.
asking questions.
encouraging her.
laughing in all the right places.
jungkook mostly watched.
every now and then, he'd look at you.
every single time, you were already looking away.
it wasn't obvious. most people wouldn't have noticed. he did. you never lingered. never held eye contact. never smiled directly at him anymore.
the warmth that used to belong to him had been packed away somewhere he couldn't reach.
it hurt.
more than it should have.
after lunch, you stood and began gathering bowls.
he reached for his automatically.
"leave mine."
you blinked.
"...i can wash it."
"i know."
he held the bowl a little closer to himself.
"i want to."
you hesitated.
then nodded once.
"okay."
you didn't argue.
that somehow felt worse.
before, you would've fussed.
told him to sit down.
told him he worked too hard. now, you simply accepted it. like there was a line you refused to cross anymore.
he washed his own bowl slowly.
listening to you and arin disappear into the backyard.
their laughter drifted through the open kitchen window.
he dried his hands.
looked outside.
you were helping arin blow bubbles across the grass.
the afternoon sun caught your hair.
you laughed as one landed on your nose.
arin laughed even harder.
you looked beautiful.
so heartbreakingly beautiful it almost made him angry.
because you were still exactly the same girl he'd fallen for.
kind.
gentle.
soft.
the only thing that had changed was the way you looked at him.
and jungkook had no idea how to fix it.
authorās note:
even more angst!
i have so much more motivation after seeing how much you guys actually love this series! i thought that people liked my oneshots and didnāt care for my girl but i was so wrong! thank you so much for showing this series love, itās my babyš¤
hi kandi! whats ur dream career or job ? :) btww i love my girl super duperrrr
ooooo thank you for the question! i would like to work in public relations or advertising! i also have a passion for the performing arts so of course i would love to act or sing as well! i plan to continue doing that stuff in my local community theatres and choirs. thank you for the questionš¤
WHATTTTTT WASSSS TGE REASON FOR YOU TO MAKE ME SAD LIKE THISSSSS OMGGGGGšššššš IM ABOUT TO THROW HANDS AT HIS EX WIFE/MOTHER OF HIS CHILD OR WHATEVER TF SHE IS(im joking pls donāt take it serious lolol) LIKE WHOOOOO ARE YOU TO TALK TO MY POOKIEBEAR LIKE THAT
I was so close to throwing my phone away because arinās mom really thought she did something GIIIIIIIIIIRL I NEED TO BE IN THAT FIC AND TELL HER SOMEššššššššš£š¤Øš¤Øš¤Øš¤Øš¤Øš¤Øš¤Øšššš«£š¤š¤
anyways ly thanks for the update and please do not make us sad like this again i cannot handle itšš
GUYS THE ROMANCE IS MORE TOE CURLING IF THEY SUFFERš i promise you guys that things are going to be happierā¦eventuallyā¦
jokes aside thank you for the message! this put a smile on my faceš¤ iām glad you enjoy my storyš„¹š„¹
SUMMARY -> jungkook, a divorced single dad, falls for his daughterās nanny.
TROPES -> she falls first he falls harder, yearning, age gap, angst, hurt comfort, absent mother, jungkook is a little pathetic
now playing: around you - hyunjin (loona)Ė.āāŖ
SERIES MASTERLIST ā¦ MAIN MASTERLIST
PREVIOUS CHAPTER ā¦ NEXT CHAPTER
07: the play
the first thing you did was change your outfit.Ā then you changed it again.Ā and then one more time.
your bedroom looked like a clothing store had exploded. dresses draped across your bed, discarded shoes littered the floor, hangers hooked over your desk chair.
your mom leaned against the doorway with crossed arms.
āyou know,ā she said, āmost people only try on this many outfits for dates.ā
āit's not a date.ā
āmm.ā
āit's literally not.ā
āokay.ā
you sighed dramatically, holding up two dresses.
āblue or pink?ā
āwhich one's making you smile like that?ā
you frowned.
āwhat do you mean?ā
āyou're smiling.ā
your hand immediately flew to your face.Ā you were.
āi am not.ā
āsweetheart, i gave birth to you.ā
you groaned,Ā āmommy!ā
she laughed,Ā āblue.ā
you looked between them again before finally nodding.
āi was thinking blue too.ā
it wasn't anything extravagant.
just a soft baby blue dress you'd bought two days ago after telling yourself you absolutely, definitely needed something nicer for arin's school play.
which was ridiculous.Ā you already owned dresses,Ā but somehow this one had reminded you of spring.
you slipped it on carefully before sitting at your vanity.
then your favorite heels.
not too tall.Ā cute enough to make you feel pretty.Ā comfortable enough to chase a kindergartner if necessary.
you refreshed your hair,Ā added a little pink gloss andĀ a tiny bit of blush. it wasĀ simple.Ā you didn't want to look like you were trying.
because you weren't.Ā obviously.
your phone buzzed.
arin had sent you a picture through jungkook's phone.Ā she stood in her little costume, beaming from ear to ear.
look pretty nanny!!!!
your heart melted.Ā you immediately typed back.
you look beautiful, sweetheart!! i can't wait to see you! ā”
your mom wandered back into your room just as you were slipping on your earrings.Ā she stopped.Ā blinked.
then placed a hand dramatically over her heart.
āoh.ā
you looked up.
āā¦what?ā
āhe's done for.ā
heat flooded your face.
āmom.ā
ālook at you.ā
āi'm dressed for the play.ā
āmhm.ā
she walked closer, gently touching one of your curls.
āyou've always liked getting dressed up.ā
ābecause it's fun.ā
āand because your sexy boss is picking you up.ā
you hid your face.
āhe is not picking me up.ā
āreally?ā
āwell...ā
your voice became much smaller.
ātechnically...ā
she smiled so knowingly it made you want to disappear.
āhave fun.ā
āit's not a date.ā
āi didn't say it was.ā
āyou were thinking it.ā
āi absolutely was.ā
you grabbed your purse to hide your embarrassment.
āi'm leaving.ā
āalready?ā
ābefore you say anything else.ā
she laughed as you hurried toward the front door.Ā outside, the evening air was cool enough to make you shiver.Ā you smoothed your dress down one last time andĀ checked your reflection in the glass of the front door.
then waited.Ā your stomach fluttered.
it was silly.
it wasn't a date.
it wasn't.
you were just going to support arinĀ with her dad.Ā because she'd invited both of you.Ā that was all.
headlights appeared at the end of the street.Ā your heart skipped.Ā you smiled without meaning to.Ā the black sedan rolled to a stop in front of your house.Ā your smile lingered as you walked toward it.Ā until the driver's door opened.Ā it wasn't jungkook.
a man in a dark suit stepped out instead.Ā he offered a polite bow.
āgood evening.ā
you blinked.
āā¦good evening.ā
āi'm here to pick you up, miss.ā
your smile faltered just slightly.
āoh.ā
the chauffeur opened the rear passenger door.
āmr. jeon asked me to bring you to his residence.ā
your fingers tightened around your purse.
it wasā¦ okay.Ā he was busy.Ā he was a ceo.Ā why had you expected anything else?Ā you climbed into the back seat anyway.
āthank you.ā
as the car pulled away from the curb, you rested your hands in your lap.Ā you told yourself not to be disappointed.Ā you really meant it.
after all...it wasn't a date.
the familiar gates slid open.
the car rolled slowly up the long driveway before coming to a smooth stop in front of the house.
you smiled to yourself, gathering your purse.
"thank you," you told the driver.
"my pleasure, miss."
you stepped out, smoothing the skirt of your dress against your thighs.
the house looked quiet.
usually by now, the front door would already be flying open, arin greeting you with open arms.
you smiled automatically at the thought. you climbed the front steps and rang the bell. nothing.
you waited another moment. still nothing. maybe they were running behind. you tried the handle. it turned easily.
"hello?" you called softly as you stepped inside.
your heels clicked lightly against the hardwood floors.
"...mr. jeon?"
silence.
well...not silence. there were hushed, tight voices coming from the kitchen.
you rounded the corner with an easy smile already forming.
it disappeared almost instantly.
jungkook stood near the kitchen island, sleeves rolled to his forearms, tie loosened around his neck.
he wasn't alone.
there was a woman standing across from him. she was strikingly beautiful.
she wore an ivory blouse tucked into tailored black trousers, gold jewelry catching the afternoon light spilling through the windows. every strand of her dark hair sat perfectly in place.
she looked expensive, elegant, and older than you by several years.
the kind of woman who never seemed to wrinkle or sweat or trip over her own feet.
she was saying something quietly when she noticed you. her eyes lifted first. then jungkook turned. his expression changed immediately.
"...oh."
he looked almost surprised. like he'd forgotten what time it was. your stomach dipped.
"hi," you smiled uncertainly.
"hi," he answered, a beat too late.
an awkward silence settled over the kitchen. you looked between the two of them.
they were standing closer than you expected. not inappropriately. just...comfortably. like people who had once known each other very well. your fingers tightened around your purse strap.
"i'm sorry," you said softly. "i didn't mean to interrupt."
"you didn't," jungkook said quickly. too quickly. he cleared his throat, "arin's already at the school."
"oh."
he rubbed the back of his neck.
"i dropped her off early."
"okay."
another silence.
the beautiful woman looked at you calmly. not smiling. not frowning. just...looking.
you suddenly became painfully aware of your dress. your stockings. the ribbon you'd tied into your hair that morning because your mom insisted it looked cute. heat crept slowly into your cheeks. jungkook seemed to realize he hadn't said anything.
"right."
he gestured awkwardly between the two of you.
"this is..." he hesitated for the smallest second.
"...kang yoonseo."
your eyes shifted toward her.
"arin's mother."
everything inside you went completely still. your smile faltered before you could stop it.
"...it's nice to meet you."
you bowed your head politely. yoonseo returned a small nod.
"you too."
her voice was soft. elegant. controlled. she looked you over once. quickly. taking in your dress. your shoes. your purse. then her gaze returned to your face.
"you're younger than i expected."
you blinked.
"...i am?"
she smiled pleasantly.
"jungkook said you were in college."
your stomach tightened.
"oh."
you laughed nervously.
"yeah."
"how old are you?"
the question caught you off guard. you answered anyway.
"I'm twenty-one."
"mm."
she nodded once.
"that's a fun age."
you weren't entirely sure what that meant.
"...i guess."
she smiled again, still perfectly polite.
"i barely remember being twenty-one."
you smiled back automatically.
"i'm still figuring it out."
"i'm sure."
there was something about the way she said it. not rude. not exactly. just...something. you couldn't quite place it.
jungkook spoke before the silence stretched any further.
"she's been taking great care of arin."
you looked at him instinctively.
his expression had softened.
"really," he continued. "i don't know what we'd do without her."
your cheeks warmed.
"i-it's really no big deal."
yoonseo glanced at jungkook.
then back at you.
"i'm sure she's grateful."
your smile became smaller.
"she's a wonderful little girl."
"she is."
the answer came quickly.
almost automatically.
for just a second, something unreadable crossed yoonseo's face before disappearing again.
she folded her hands neatly in front of her.
"it must be nice."
you tilted your head.
"...what is?"
"playing such an important role in her life."
your heart skipped.
"oh."
you smiled sheepishly.
"i just babysit."
yoonseo's lips curved politely.
"of course."
you nodded. of course that's all it was.
you were just the nanny. just helping. just filling in while needed. why did hearing someone else say it make your chest feel unexpectedly heavy?
you glanced toward jungkook without thinking. he was already looking at yoonseo. his jaw had tightened almost imperceptibly. for reasons you couldn't understand, the sight made your stomach sink even further.
they looked...like they belonged in the same room. like they shared a history you could never compete with.
and suddenly, standing there in your favorite dress, you felt very, very young.
you stood there quietly, fingers curled around the strap of your purse.
the kitchen suddenly felt much smaller than it had the dozens of times you'd stood in it before.
jungkook had gone strangely quiet.
yoonseo hadn't.
she rested one hand lightly against the marble countertop, posture effortless. elegant. composed. the kind of woman who looked beautiful without ever seeming to try.
she smiled at you.
"so."
you smiled back politely.
"how long have you been working for jungkook?"
you hesitated for a second.
"a few months."
"and you're still in school?"
"mhm."
"what are you studying again?"
"marketing."
"how nice."
her smile stayed perfectly in place.
"balancing school and work must keep you busy."
you laughed softly.
"it does."
"but you're twenty-one."
she tilted her head just slightly.
"i remember having endless energy at twenty-one."
you smiled sheepishly.
"...i wish i had endless energy."
"give it a few years."
you laughed politely.
"i'm already tired."
"i'm sure."
there was something about the way she said it.
not rude.
just...carefully chosen.
you couldn't explain why.
she looked toward jungkook for the briefest moment before looking back at you.
"you must spend quite a bit of time here."
"mostly when i'm watching arin."
"of course."
she nodded once.
"children need consistency."
"they do."
"especially after..." she smiled gently.
"...changes."
your smile faltered for only a second.
"yeah."
you glanced instinctively toward jungkook.
he hadn't said a word.
his expression was unreadable.
yoonseo continued pleasantly.
"i imagine you've become very comfortable here."
you smiled.
"a little."
"it's easy to."
she looked around the kitchen.
"it's a beautiful home."
"it is."
"and jungkook works long hours."
"he does."
you couldn't help the concern slipping into your voice.
"he's been really tired lately."
yoonseo looked at you for a long moment.
then smiled.
"how attentive."
heat crawled up your neck.
"i just worry."
"of course."
another smile.
"someone should."
jungkook finally looked up.
his jaw had tightened.
you noticed that much.
what you didn't notice was the tiny look yoonseo gave him.
brief.
calculated.
she knew exactly what she was doing.
"you've made yourself very useful," she continued.
you blinked.
"...i try."
"i'm sure you do."
she crossed one leg over the other.
"it's rare to find someone willing to be so... flexible."
you smiled uncertainly.
"i like helping."
"mm."
she nodded.
"that's important."
another pause.
"especially when someone spends so much time in another person's home."
you looked down at your shoes.
"...i guess."
jungkook's eyes stayed on yoonseo.
hard.
warning.
she ignored him.
"arin seems very attached to you."
your heart softened immediately.
"she's such a sweet little girl."
"she is."
yoonseo's smile didn't move.
"children become attached very easily."
she folded her hands together.
"it's important they understand who'll still be there a year from now."
your stomach dipped.
"...right."
you hadn't thought about it like that.
you knew you weren't permanent.
you'd graduate eventually.
find another job.
leave.
the thought made your chest ache unexpectedly.
jungkook spoke for the first time.
"yoonseo."
his voice was calm.
too calm.
she looked at him.
"what?"
"that's enough."
she blinked innocently.
"i'm talking about arin."
"i know."
his answer came immediately.
she smiled.
small.
almost amused.
"you're awfully defensive."
silence settled over the kitchen.
you looked between them.
had something happened?
you felt like you'd walked into the middle of a conversation without realizing it.
yoonseo turned back toward you as though nothing had happened.
"i hope i'm not making you uncomfortable."
your eyes widened immediately.
"oh, no. not at all."
"good."
she smiled.
"i was simply curious."
she picked up her handbag.
"jungkook has always had excellent judgment when it comes to choosing people."
he didn't answer. she continued anyway.
"i'm glad he's found someone he feels... comfortable having around."
there it was again. that tiny emphasis. so slight you almost missed it. you simply smiled politely.
"i'm just happy i get to take care of arin."
"of course."
jungkook looked at his watch. then slipped his keys into his pocket.
"we should get going."
the sentence came quicker than expected.
you blinked.
"...already?"
he nodded once.
"we should head to the school."
your heart fell.
oh.
the restaurant.
you'd forgotten about it until now.
or...
maybe he'd forgotten.
or maybe plans had changed. of course they had.
arin's mother was here.
why would the three of you have dinner together now? that would've been strange. you swallowed the disappointment before it could reach your face.
"okay."
you smiled. small. careful.
"...i'm sorry," he said quietly.
your brows lifted.
"for what?"
he hesitated. his eyes flickered toward yoonseo before returning to you.
"today didn't go the way i planned."
your smile softened.
"it's okay."
and you meant it. families came first. they always should. you would never ask him to choose anything else. you just wished your heart understood it as easily as your head did.
the drive to the elementary school was quiet.
too quiet.
you sat in the backseat with your hands folded neatly in your lap.
jungkook drove.
yoonseo sat in the passenger seat.
they didn't talk much.
every now and then, they'd exchange a few quiet words you couldn't quite make out.
you looked out the window instead.
watching neighborhoods blur into playgrounds and soccer fields.
you told yourself it didn't bother you.
of course they would sit together.
of course they would arrive together.
they were arin's parents.
you were...
well.
you were just her nanny.
the realization settled a little heavier in your chest than you'd expected.
the school parking lot was overflowing.
parents hurried toward the auditorium carrying bouquets of flowers and balloons.
children in little costumes darted through the hallways while teachers desperately tried to herd them backstage.
"looks busy," you smiled.
jungkook nodded.
"stay close."
you opened your mouth to answer.
then a teacher hurried over.
"mr. jeon?"
he turned.
"we need to confirm seating for immediate family."
"right."
the teacher smiled politely toward yoonseo.
"mom too?"
"yes," yoonseo answered before jungkook could.
the teacher scribbled something onto her clipboard.
"perfect. front row."
front row.
family.
you felt something quietly fold in on itself inside your chest.
before either of them could look back at you, you smiled.
"i'm just going to use the restroom really quick."
jungkook frowned.
"you don't have toā"
"i'll find you."
you smiled again.
"don't worry."
then you disappeared into the crowd before he could stop you.
you never looked for them.
instead, you slipped into one of the last rows near the back of the auditorium.
it was easier here.
safer.
from where you sat, you could still see the stage perfectly.
you could also see them.
jungkook and yoonseo.
side by side in the front row.
exactly where they belonged.
you looked down at your hands.
what had you been thinking?
you'd bought a new dress.
curled your hair.
gotten butterflies because he'd invited you to dinner.
you'd actually let yourself imagine...
no.
you squeezed your purse a little tighter.
that had been silly.
embarrassingly silly.
the lights dimmed.
the curtains opened.
and suddenly, there was arin.
standing proudly in an oversized chef hat that kept slipping over one eye.
you couldn't help smiling.
she was adorable.
she spotted her dad immediately.
waved enthusiastically.
jungkook waved back just as dramatically.
you laughed quietly to yourself.
arin looked toward the audience again.
this time her eyes searched longer.
they found you.
all the way in the back.
her entire face lit up.
she gave you the tiniest little wave.
hidden against her apron so the teacher wouldn't notice.
you smiled and waved back just enough for only her to see.
she beamed.
then turned back toward the audience just before the play started.
she was wonderful.
every line.
every little movement.
every exaggerated expression.
she remembered everything.
when another little boy forgot one of his lines, arin whispered it to him so quietly the audience barely noticed.
you pressed your hand against your mouth to hide your smile.
of course she did.
that's who she was.
kind.
brave.
sweet.
just like her father.
when the curtain finally closed, the auditorium erupted into applause.
you clapped until your hands hurt.
"that's my girl," you whispered to yourself.
the lobby filled almost instantly.
parents holding flowers.
teachers congratulating students.
children running everywhere still dressed in costume.
you stayed near the back.
happy just watching.
thenā
arin walked through the auditorium doors.
still wearing her chef hat.
she looked around excitedly.
"daddy!"
she ran straight into jungkook's arms.
he caught her effortlessly.
"you were amazing."
"i didn't mess up!"
"you were perfect."
she giggled.
yoonseo stepped forward.
"surprise."
arin froze.
"...mommy?"
your heart stopped.
for one suspended secondā
nobody moved.
then arin threw herself at her mother.
"mommy!"
yoonseo caught her.
a little awkwardly.
but she caught her.
"hi."
"you came!"
"i told you i would."
arin looked like she'd been handed the moon.
she couldn't stop smiling.
she grabbed one of jungkook's hands.
then one of yoonseo's.
standing between them.
laughing.
talking so quickly neither of them could keep up.
you watched from across the lobby.
they looked...
beautiful.
like one of those family portraits hanging in department store frames.
mom.
dad.
daughter.
whole.
complete.
exactly the way a family should look.
your throat tightened.
what had you been imagining?
that you somehow belonged there?
that you'd ever fit into that picture?
you'd let yourself get carried away.
you'd mistaken kindness for something more.
mistaken shared breakfasts and soft conversations for...
your eyes burned.
you looked away before anyone could see.
"pretty nanny!"
your head snapped up.
arin had spotted you.
before anyone could stop her, she took off running.
straight toward you.
you barely had time to brace yourself before she crashed into your arms.
"hi, sweetheart."
you hugged her tightly.
"you were amazing."
"did you see me?"
"i saw everything."
"i remembered all my lines!"
"you did."
you smiled through the tightness in your throat.
"i'm so proud of you."
arin grinned proudly.
"did you like my chef hat?"
"i loved your chef hat."
she giggled.
you smoothed a wrinkle from her apron.
"your mom came."
arin nodded excitedly.
"i know!"
her smile somehow got even bigger.
"both my mommy and daddy came!"
your heart cracked quietly.
you nodded.
"i know."
you kissed the top of her head.
"you should go spend time with them, sweetheart."
she frowned.
"butā"
"go."
you smiled warmly.
"they're waiting for you."
she turned.
looked toward her parents.
then back at you.
"...okay."
she hugged you one more time.
then skipped back toward them.
you watched her slip her tiny hand into jungkook's.
the other into yoonseo's.
the three of them disappeared into the crowd together.
you stood there for another few seconds.
then quietly picked up your purse.
time to go home.
you had almost made it to the front doors.
"wait."
you turned.
jungkook was walking toward you.
alone.
his brows pinched together.
"you're leaving?"
you smiled gently.
"i didn't want to interrupt."
"interrupt what?"
you looked past him.
toward arin.
toward yoonseo.
"...family time."
something in his expression fell.
"you don't have to leave."
"i think i should."
he looked like he wanted to argue.
instead, he asked quietly,
"how are you getting home?"
"the bus."
his expression changed immediately.
"no."
you blinked.
"...it's okay."
"it's not."
"really, i don't mind."
he was already pulling his phone out.
"jungkookā"
"i'm calling you a car."
"you don't have to."
"i know."
his voice softened.
"...i want to."
you looked down.
"...thank you."
he booked it in silence.
neither of you said much while you waited.
the car pulled up only a minute later.
he opened the door for you.
you smiled.
small.
careful.
"thank you for inviting me."
his chest tightened.
this wasn't how today was supposed to go.
"...i'm sorry."
you looked at him.
"you keep apologizing."
"because i keep feeling like i owe you one."
your smile wavered.
"it's okay."
he searched your face.
something felt off.
he just couldn't figure out what.
"i'll see you monday?"
you nodded.
"monday."
you climbed into the backseat.
before closing the door, you looked up at him one last time.
"tell arin i'm really proud of her."
"...i will."
the door clicked shut.
the car pulled away.
jungkook stood there watching until it disappeared around the corner.
he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just watched something slip through his fingers.
you made it exactly three blocks.
then your vision blurred.
you covered your mouth with one hand.
a tiny sound escaped anyway.
the tears came all at once.
quiet.
embarrassing.
impossible to stop.
you turned your face toward the window so the driver wouldn't notice.
how pathetic.
you'd had a crush on your boss for what?
a few months?
you'd built castles out of breakfast and kind smiles.
you'd imagined things that were never yours to imagine.
he had a family.
a beautiful daughter.
a beautiful wife.
whatever they were...
they had history.
they belonged together.
you had mistaken being welcomed into their home for belonging in it.
another tear slid down your cheek.
you wiped it away quickly.
then another came.
and another.
you laughed once through the tears.
small.
broken.
"you're so stupid."
the words were barely louder than a whisper.
outside, the city kept moving.
inside the car, you cried all the way home.
authorās note:
sheās backkkkk
i genuinely feel so bad for going on such a long hiatusšš iāve been so busy with no time or energy left for even checking tumblr. i got so motivated after seeing all of the messages from you guys wanting an update so thank youš¤ i hope you like the chapter and chapter 8 will be out this week :)
jungkookās nose is genuinely one of his cutest features, itās sooo unique and pretty even if it doesnāt fit westernized beauty standards. i love how it looks on his face. idk just thought i would tell you guys
i know this is a bts/kpop blog but iām gonna talk about avatar the last airbender for a second. idk if this is controversial but i have been a huge zutara stan since 2020 sorry they just had too much chemistryšš
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