ASK HER OUT

Something was definitely cooking between Jungkook and Namjoon. Seokjin could smell it, thick and suspicious, like a secret simmering too long on the stove. He’d seen the way they leaned in too close, whispering behind half-closed doors, all goofy grins and conspiratorial glances. The moment they realized he was watching, the mood would shift. Smiles vanished, backs straightened, and suddenly it was all awkward throat-clearing and manly shoulder pats, as if that could cover up whatever had been bubbling beneath the surface.

By Thursday, Seokjin’s curiosity had officially boiled over. After lunch, both Namjoon and Jungkook had brushed past him with a half-baked excuse: something about Jungkook needing help from Namjoon. Whatever it was, it didn’t involve Seokjin, and that alone made his right eye twitch. He stood there in the hallway, dumbfounded, watching them disappear down the corridor like co-conspirators. He didn’t see either of them again until the end of the day.

That night when Seokjin brought it up at home, Namjoon just shrugged. “It was nothing.”

Seokjin arched his brow, slow and deliberate, the way he always did when he knew he was being lied to. His gaze was sharp enough to cut glass.

Namjoon sighed, already smiling. “You really don’t need to worry so much, Jin. You’ll find out soon enough. And when you do, I think you’ll be over the moon.”

It was sweet. Reassuring, even. But it wasn’t enough. Seokjin had never wanted to know something this badly in his life. So, he did what any self-respecting husband and older brother would do: he planned to eavesdrop.

The next day, he got his moment. He hid just around the corner and heard Namjoon’s voice, hushed but urgent.

“God, how long do we have to keep this up? Seokjin’s getting more suspicious by the day. You need to act, Jungkook. You can’t wait forever.”

Jungkook let out a long breath. Seokjin imagined his shoulders slumping just from the sound of it.

“I know,” he said. “I was thinking… Maybe I’ll do it tonight. At the team dinner. I’m nervous, but I think it’s time.”

His voice trembled, just barely, but there was something underneath it: anticipation. Hope.

Seokjin’s heart thudded against his ribs, his forehead folding into deep lines.

What exactly was Jungkook planning? A dramatic confession in front of the entire company? A sudden retirement? No, ridiculous. Jungkook was too young, too ambitious. That wasn’t it.

What if… he was leaving Kim Enterprises? The idea hit Seokjin like ice water. The tension in his brow faded, replaced by a sinking weight in his gut. That made sense. Too much sense. Why else would Jungkook choose a public setting, surrounded by coworkers? It had the makings of a farewell announcement, after all.

Seokjin swallowed hard. Whatever this was, he wasn’t waiting around to be blindsided. He was going to that dinner to find out the truth. Whether he was invited or not. Seokjin straightened, turned on his heel, and marched back to his office with newfound purpose. He’d heard enough. Time to clear his schedule, pretend everything was fine, and lie in wait until the perfect moment arrived. Oh yes, he would be ready. He dropped into his chair and tapped the power button on his computer like a man preparing for battle.

A few minutes later, Namjoon strolled in, all soft footsteps and dimpled smiles. Seokjin saw him in his peripheral vision but didn’t flinch. He kept his face set, his gaze locked on the screen as he scrolled furiously.

Namjoon stopped short, watching him.

Seokjin was staring intently at a dead Windows screen, one Namjoon knew for a fact hadn’t worked since yesterday, when Seokjin had complained about a weird bug. Namjoon had promised to call IT. He hadn’t. Now Seokjin was “working” on a frozen screen, scrolling like his life depended on it.

A flicker of concern crossed Namjoon’s face. Something had short-circuited in that beautiful brain of his husband, and he knew exactly what it was: Seokjin was onto them.

“Are you okay, Jin?” he asked slowly.

Seokjin blinked up at him, then flashed a bright, unsettling smile. “Yeah. Why?”

He was absolutely not okay. If Namjoon was secretly helping Jungkook look at other companies, he was dead meat. Seokjin wouldn’t cook his favourite meals for a month. Maybe two. He just had to wait for the moment, and then Namjoon would get what was coming to him. For now, Seokjin kept his expression carefully neutral.

“Just asking,” Namjoon said, coming around the desk. He leaned over Seokjin’s shoulder and glanced at the screen. “Weren’t you complaining about this computer being busted yesterday?”

Shit. Seokjin had, in fact, completely forgotten about that.

“I was, yeah,” he said quickly. “I just thought I’d try my luck. Maybe it fixed itself or something.”

Namjoon let out a laugh, low and warm, the kind that always made Seokjin’s irritation wobble a little.

He jabbed an elbow into Namjoon’s side. “What’s so funny?”

In an instant, Namjoon spun the chair and positioned himself in front of Seokjin, caging him in with his arms. Seokjin ended up face-to-chest, glaring upward with pure, petty annoyance.

Namjoon tilted his head, a grin playing at his lips. “What’s going on up here?” he asked, tapping Seokjin’s temple with a light finger.

Seokjin didn’t answer. He just reached out and pinched Namjoon’s nipple through his shirt—hard.

Namjoon yelped, twisting away with another laugh. “What the hell?”

Seokjin leaned back, arms crossed. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? What’s going on with you and Jungkook?”

Namjoon blinked, then his smile faded into something quieter. “Ah. Still hung up on that?” His tone was light, but there was something guarded underneath. “Why are you so worried? I told you it was nothing.”

“You did,” Seokjin said, shifting in his seat. “But I’ve still been... uneasy.” He hesitated, then exhaled. “Is Jungkook leaving the company?”

Namjoon stared at him for a second, caught off guard.

“What? No. Why would you think that?”

“I overheard you two earlier,” Seokjin said. “Jungkook mentioned something about ‘doing it at the team dinner tonight.’ That’s when people usually drop big announcements. I just assumed...” He trailed off with a shrug, trying to play it off, but the tension lingered.

“Oh, Jinnie,” Namjoon murmured, his shoulders sinking as he dipped his head to meet Seokjin’s eyes. “You really need to stop watching K-dramas. They’re messing with your brain.”

Seokjin pouted, lips jutting out in exaggerated offense.

Namjoon chuckled softly—then, without thinking, leaned in and kissed him. Just a brief press of lips. Gentle. Familiar. “Jungkook’s not going anywhere. You can relax,” he said, his hand moving gently up and down Seokjin’s arm.

“Then what is it?” Seokjin asked, eyes sharp with suspicion, as unrelenting as ever.

Namjoon let out a slow breath. He hadn’t planned to say anything yet, but better that than letting Seokjin spiral by himself. Who knew what melodramatic theory he’d come up with next?

“Jungkook wants to ask someone out.”

Seokjin lit up instantly. “Who is it? When? How’s he asking them out? Spill everything.”

Namjoon let out a long breath. “This is exactly why he didn’t want you to know. You always get ahead of yourself—he still remembers how you decided he and Rhea were meant to be and basically talked him into dating her.”

Seokjin sank back into the chair with another pout. “I was trying to help.”

“He knows, baby. We all know,” Namjoon said, rubbing his shoulder. “But you’ve gotta let him handle things on his own. He’s not a kid.”

Seokjin frowned. “Then why’d he come to you?”

Namjoon hesitated, then shrugged his shoulders. “He wanted some advice. You know—how to approach someone. A bit of dating stuff. Some… physical stuff.”

Seokjin sat up, affronted. “I could’ve told him all that! Why didn’t he just ask me?”

Namjoon laughed softly. “Because you’d have drafted a wedding speech before he even said hello.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

Namjoon rolled his eyes. More or less, he ended up spending the better part of half an hour going in circles with Seokjin. He laid out the details—Jungkook had a plan to ask out the girl he liked at the upcoming team dinner. Yes, she worked at Kim Enterprises. “Yes, Jungkook hid this from us.” And somehow, through sheer patience or divine intervention, Namjoon got Seokjin to promise he’d take a step back and let Jungkook handle it his own way.

With a resigned swivel of his chair, Seokjin turned back to his lifeless computer. Namjoon clapped a hand on his shoulder as he passed.

“Well, that solves your little mystery, Sherlock,” Namjoon said, tossing a glance over his shoulder as he made his way back to the front of the office. He checked his watch: 10:45 AM. With a quiet sigh, he pulled out his phone. “I’ll call IT. Your computer should be up and running by the end of the day.”

Seokjin nodded, eyes already scanning the open documents. “Alright. I’ll review some files in the meantime,” he replied.

Just like that, he slipped back into his professional role. His curiosity was piqued—momentarily satisfied, but far from silenced. Who was this girl? How had she managed to find her way into Jungkook’s guarded heart? And how had Seokjin missed it until now?

He furrowed his eyebrows, thoughts spinning. There would be a long conversation when he and Jungkook met in private. No doubt about it. By midday, a technician from IT arrived to take a look at Seokjin’s computer. The problem was clear: a failing drive, but the fix was swift. Within twenty minutes, the technician had it replaced and the system was running smoothly. Seokjin offered a polite smile and a slight bow in thanks. Once the door closed behind the technician, he sat back down and logged in, ready to pick up where he left off.

He skimmed through his emails before reviewing the budget allocation report from the finance department for the Jeju Project. With the design phase for the project now complete, the Creative Division was planning a team dinner to celebrate the milestone that evening. The project had been particularly difficult, especially since it was the first time they had partnered with a rival architecture firm on a government contract.

Seokjin somehow found himself wondering which woman on the team Jungkook liked. Distracted, he opened the team folder and began clicking through the profiles of each female employee. He scrolled slowly, browsing names and faces.

Kun Nari? Probably not. She looked much younger than she actually was. Jungkook didn’t mind an age gap, but he seemed more like someone who dated people his age—not her specifically. Jessie? Definitely not. The two of them together would look like a criminal couple. Seokjin actually snorted at the image. Jihee was next—already taken, and an amazing mom to a little angel. That left one name: Han Aera.

He clicked on her photo and leaned in, squinting slightly. Pretty. Same age as Jungkook. Plus, her name rang a bell. She’d joined Kim Enterprises recently and was already making a solid impression. But there was something else, something tugging at the back of his mind. He was sure he’d seen her before. Or heard her name. Once. Maybe twice. But when? Where?

Then it hit him.

There was a quiet buzz in the office about one of the employees knowing Park Jimin, especially after the collaboration with Park Corporations was confirmed. Apparently, they were from the same town and had attended the same school. Now that Seokjin thought about it, he recalled seeing Aera and Jimin talking once. Nothing intense—just an easy familiarity, like old friends catching up. Intrigued, he pulled up her employee file and scanned her credentials. Everything seemed normal at first, until something peculiar caught his eye. Interesting.

Now he had a hunch. Maybe this was why Jungkook, of all people, seemed so intent on asking her out.

Evening settled slowly, the sky fading to dusk as the city below lit up in a scatter of golden twinkles, mirroring the stars overhead. A cool breeze drifted through, carrying the scent of spring—crisp, fresh, and full of promise. It was the kind of night that invited you out.

Down the hall, footsteps echoed as workers began to clock out. Seokjin didn’t need to look. He could feel it—the quiet shift in the air, the subtle chill creeping into his office as the building emptied around him.

A soft knock broke the stillness.

“Come in,” Seokjin said, his eyes still on the desk.

Namjoon stepped inside. “You’re still at it? Not done yet?”

He glanced briefly at the man already in the room—an accountant standing patiently with a folder in hand.

“Almost,” Seokjin replied, finally looking up. He turned to the accountant he’d summoned to go over the budget allocation report from that morning. “Everything looks fine. Go ahead with the payments.”

Mr. Ahn gave a polite bow. “Yes, sir.” He collected the file and made his way to the door.

“Good day,” he added before leaving.

“Good day,” Seokjin and Namjoon echoed together.

They exchanged a glance once the office had emptied, the quiet settling in around them.

“Ready to head home?” Namjoon asked, dimples flashing as he smiled.

“Not yet. We’ve got one more stop to make,” Seokjin said, grinning as he slipped into his coat, his round cheeks puffing up.

“Where?” Namjoon didn’t get an answer—not until they were standing outside the restaurant where the Creative Division was holding their team dinner. He blinked, then turned sharply on his heel. “Absolutely not. I am not letting you sabotage this.”

Seokjin laughed, looping his arm through Namjoon’s and guiding him inside. “I’m not sabotaging anything. I’m just here to congratulate my team. That’s all.”

“I know why you’re here,” Namjoon said quietly, shaking his head. “You came to rattle Jungkook.”

Seokjin scoffed, lifting a brow. “He’s my brother, Namjoon. Why would I rattle him? I’m here to support him.”

Namjoon didn’t answer right away. His eyes shifted to the table where Jungkook sat, shoulders rigid, eyes tracking the new arrivals with slow realization. He looked like he was bracing for impact.

“Could’ve fooled me,” Namjoon muttered.

Just then, Taehyung spotted them. He stood abruptly, smiling wide as he offered a crisp 90-degree bow. Seokjin returned it with practiced ease, his grin never slipping. Namjoon followed a beat later, his smile tight and brittle.

Namjoon turned back to Seokjin. “We’ll see.”

Seokjin let out a sharp laugh and shoved Namjoon lightly in the chest before slipping into the empty seat beside Jungkook, who looked equal parts confused and wary.

“Good evening, everyone,” Seokjin greeted, eyes crinkling as he smiled, all charming.

“Good evening, Mr. Kim,” came the chorus in reply.

Everyone looked surprised—and more than a little pleased—to have the CEO among them. Jungkook’s emotions swung like a pendulum, impossible to settle. He couldn’t shake the suspicion that Namjoon had let something slip to Seokjin. The way Namjoon kept casting apologetic glances his way, and how Seokjin’s eyes kept flicking to Aera, made it hard to believe otherwise.

Namjoon met Jungkook’s eyes—wide, uneasy—and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

The words hit softer than Jungkook expected. A sigh slipped out before he could stop it.

Sitting next to him, Seokjin was in his element, smiling easily, trading jokes with the staff like he’d known them forever. But Jungkook watched the way his attention kept circling back to Aera—how he leaned in just a little when she spoke, how his laughter came too fast, too ready. None of it escaped Jungkook’s notice. The knot in his chest twisted with every passing second. This couldn’t be a coincidence. Jungkook had never told Namjoon who he liked—not directly. So even if Seokjin had wheedled something out of him, there was no way he should’ve known it was Han Aera.

And yet, here they were.

“Tonight’s dinner and drinks’ on me, everyone. You’ve worked hard. Please enjoy,” Seokjin declared out of the blue.

The table burst into cheers, laughter echoing as hands clapped and glasses clinked. The boys were the loudest by far, revelling in the rare chance to drink to their hearts’ content. Their noise rose above the hum of the restaurant, drawing more than a few curious glances from nearby tables. It wasn’t long before the restaurant lady made her way over, a knowing smile on her face and a notepad in hand, ready to take their orders.

“Fried chicken for me,” Mark said with a grin. “Nothing hits like fried chicken and soju.”

Taehyung nodded, already loosening up at the mention of alcohol.

“I’m on a diet, so I’ll just get something light,” Nari said, her smile tight, posture perfectly straight, as if she were holding herself in place.

Jessie went next, casually ordering Korean BBQ, and Namjoon and Aera followed suit.

Seokjin leaned toward Jungkook with a nudge. “You’re not ordering?”

Jungkook didn’t look up right away. He was still staring at the menu. “I don’t know,” he muttered, tapping his fingers on the table. “Nothing’s jumping out at me.”

Seokjin laughed quietly. “Then let me pick. I’ve got good taste,” he said, and ordered hot pot for the both of them without waiting for protest. The lady jotted everything down with a practiced nod and disappeared through the kitchen doors, leaving behind the low thrum of conversation and the clink of glasses.

“So, what’s everyone got planned now? Any special post-project treats?” Taehyung asked, knocking back his shot with natural finesse.

Nari was the first to chime in. “Salon tomorrow,” she said with a sigh. “A little self-care to feel like a human again.”

Jessie nodded. “Same here. I booked a massage. Sitting like a statue in front of my screen all day gave me boulder shoulders,” she added, rolling her neck with a crack.

Mark leaned forward, his tone softer. “I’m taking Jihee and Ma-hee out for a drive this weekend. It’s been rough—between her pregnancy and the project... we need a breather.”

Taehyung perked up. “You’re bringing Ma-hee?” He practically bounced in his seat, drumming a fist on the table. “I’m in, please. You know how much I love babies, especially your daughter.”

Mark agreed and laughter rippled around the table, until all of a sudden, all eyes turned to Jungkook.

“Me?” he asked, startled, pointing to himself like a deer caught in headlights. “Uh... I guess I’ll just take some time off. Catch up on sleep, maybe.” He gave a small shrug, the kind that tried not to look disappointed.

The group nodded, the mood settling again.

Aera spoke last. “I think I’ll visit my parents. They volunteer with a government organization, so it’s hard for them to take time off. I haven’t seen them in a while.”

Seokjin looked at her, his voice quieter. “That’s really admirable,” he said. “It says a lot about them… and you.”

Aera turned to him, caught off guard for a second—then smiled, soft and genuine.

Jungkook’s eyes shifted between them—Seokjin, then her, then back again. Something moved in his chest.

Seokjin caught the flicker of it and leaned in, voice low and just for him. “It’s her, isn’t it? The one you told me about.”

Jungkook let out a breath, heavy and quiet. There was no point lying—Seokjin never asked unless he already knew. He reached for the soju bottle, fingers steady even though his thoughts weren’t. He poured them both a glass.

“How’d you figure it out?” he asked, eyes fixed on the drink instead of his brother.

Seokjin offered a small smile, glass in hand. “I checked her background. Busan Public School. Same as you.”

A soft clink of glass met the quiet between them. Jungkook drank.

“Besides,” Seokjin said, grinning, “you’ve been staring at her all night like you’re in a romance novel. Thought I wouldn’t notice?”

Heat rushed to Jungkook’s face. He hadn’t expected a few shots of soju to betray him like this. Still, Seokjin calling him out? He should’ve seen it coming.

“Did Namjoon tell you about today?” he asked, trying to recover, but his voice betrayed the embarrassment he felt.

Seokjin shook his head. “Nope. I dragged it out of him.”

Jungkook laughed under his breath. “Figures.”

Seokjin laughed too, the sound warm and knowing—just enough to let Jungkook know he wasn’t being judged, only seen.

“But I don’t get it,” Seokjin said, a moment later, sounding confused. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

Jungkook scratched the back of his neck, letting out a small breath. “I don’t know… I guess I just didn’t know how to bring it up.” A pause. “Honestly, I wasn’t sure how you’d take it.” Jungkook motioned to himself, the transformation plain as day. “I thought maybe you’d say I was rushing things or just… not be cool with it.”

Seokjin didn’t say a word. He just stared at him—blank, unreadable. Visible change or not, Jungkook was still the same anxious idiot, always second-guessing himself. With a sigh, Seokjin rubbed his temples. Jungkook quietly poured him another glass of soju.

“You’re such a dumbass,” Seokjin grumbled. “Why the hell would I think that? It’s good news. You’re not gonna die a virgin, and you finally get to sniff a damn coochie. I’m proud of you.”

“Quite down, will you? You’re so embarrassing,” Jungkook groaned, pressing a finger to his lips as he glared at Seokjin. His ears were red, his face hot, like he was cooking on the grill next to the meat. “Get a filter.”

Seokjin knocked back his drink and sighed, “Ahhh. Namjoon’s been trying to install one on me for years. Total failure. No one can stop this stream of brilliance.” He cackled at his own words like he’d just delivered a stand-up routine.

Jungkook shook his head. “Namjoon deserves a medal. Seriously, how did you two even get married? You’re like Deadpool and… I don’t know, a librarian put together.”

Seokjin grinned. “Exactly. My chaos meets his calm. It’s cinematic.”

Jungkook narrowed his eyes. “Don’t turn this into a superhero metaphor—”

“I’m Batman.”

Jungkook stared at him. “You need help.”

The night ended softer than Seokjin had expected—quiet laughter, warm air, and a lingering sense of something new. All the worries he’d carried were unnecessary. Instead of distance or awkwardness, there was something hopeful waiting in the form of Jungkook finally choosing to open his heart—after so long spent closing it off.

When Seokjin asked if he needed help—setting up the date, planning the details—Jungkook shook his head. He wanted to keep it simple. Rhea was helping him fix up the apartment.

“At least let me pick your outfit,” Seokjin said, tone light but pleading. They stood at the curb, the restaurant fading behind them, as their teammates trickled out one by one. Mark and Taehyung left first, followed by Nari and Jessie. Each offered a bow in passing, and Seokjin and Jungkook returned the gesture, exchanging soft goodbyes.

Jungkook sighed, shoulders relaxing. “Let me ask her out first,” he said, stealing a glance at Aera as she stepped outside. Then, after a beat, “But yeah, you can pick the outfit.”

Seokjin’s pout instantly bloomed into a grin. “Okay!” he beamed, clapping his hands like a child let loose in a toy store.

Jungkook laughed under his breath, already turning back toward Aera.

“Let’s go,” Namjoon said, smiling, tugging gently on Seokjin’s arm.

Seokjin let himself be pulled, but his gaze stayed on Jungkook—on the way he reached for Aera’s hand, fingers weaving together like it was the most natural thing in the world. They smiled at each other as they walked, their voices trailing off into the night.

Then Jungkook looked back.

Their eyes met.

He smiled.

And in that moment, Seokjin knew—really knew—that he was happy for him.