Chapter Text
“It’s hitting you, right now, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“That I'm better at this than you are.”
Heesung accompanied the friendly remark with a malicious snicker. It didn’t take two seconds for Yoongu to grab the marker and try to scribble on his face. Unfortunately, Heesung had quick reflexes and caught him by the wrists, smirking in his face.
“That could have been dangerous.” He sniggerred.
“F..” Yoongu stopped himself, he couldn't curse in front of Jinie. “F- you, you numb brained mollusk!”
“Da! Da! Da!” Jinie exclaimed, seemingly shouting at him as she frowned in disapproval.
“It’s okay, Jinie, your uncles are dancing.” Heesung laughed.
“I hate you so much!” Yoongu groaned in frustration.
“It’s fine, I think your toad is cute.” Heesung said nicely. But Yoongu could see right through the fake niceties, they both knew it was supposed to be a dog.
“This idea was stupid!” He raged, freeing himself from Heesung’s grasp.
“No it’s not!” Heesung said, sympathetically patting his knee. “It was a good idea to suggest illustrating the stories we made for her at bedtime.”
“You’re the one who made them up, and my drawing skills are nonexistent. So why am I bothering myself with this?!” Yoongu crossed his arms against his chest as he sulked. “If we show her this, she’ll have nightmares.”
“Let me crochet a plushie, and you’ll see true nightmare fuel.” The man laughed.
Yoongu let a smile slip. He knew Heesung had just been teasing, and he appreciated that after seeing that he was upset, he was doing his best to reassure him.
“I guess, it’ll be memorable, at the very least.” He conceded, as he contemplated his drawing.
“It will be.” Heesung nodded. “But enough for today.”
“Why?”
“We said we’d go on a stroll before lunch today, didn’t we?” Heesung smiled brightly.
Yoongu had thought they were joking when they said that but the other man seemed determined.
They bundled Jinie in a jacket and a beret, since the weather was a bit colder today. Heesung insisted on carrying her, saying he had stayed home sitting on his sofa all day yesterday, and as Yoongu didn’t feel the need to fight him on every little thing to prove his masculinity anymore, he happily accepted.
The weather was pleasant, there was a chill in the air but not to the point where they felt cold. The sky was clear and painted in shades of blue, white and a bit of grey.
“This is nice, isn’t it?” Heesung hummed gleefully.
“Can’t say I’m having a bad time.” Yoongu smiled.
“Baa. Baa.” Jinie exclaimed, kicking her legs in the air.
“I think she wants to walk.” Heesung pointed out.
“We can stop for a bit and let her walk around.”
“Alright princess, down you go.”
Just as Heesung was putting her down, Yoongu’s phone rang. With a glance he saw Dan’s number and took the call.
“Hey! How is it going?” He asked.
“Great” Dan happily answered on the line. “I just wanted to let you know, we’re going to pick Jinie up today. We’ll be on our way, shortly.”
“Oh, great news!” Yoongu was a bit taken aback, he thought it would last a day longer or so. “We’re out on a walk right now, so send me a text when you guys are on the way.”
“Will do.” Dan replied. “See you later!”
“Yeah.”
Yoongu ended the call and turned to Jinie. “Guess whose dads are coming to get her?”
“Daa!”
“Damn, Jaekyung lost his vitality.” Heesung snorted. Yoongu glared at him but the man wasn’t done. “Hey Jinie, maybe they made you a sibling while you were staying with us.”
“Watch what the fuck you’re saying in front of her!” Yoongu reprimanded him with a slap.
Heesung arched an eyebrow at him, unimpressed. It took a couple more seconds for Yoongu to realise what he had said.
“Oh god!” he clasped a hand to his mouth. “Do you think she heard?”
“Daa, Daa!” She babbled, pointing disapprovingly at him.
“Not only did she hear, she saw what you did too.” Heesung shook his head. “Such a bad example for her. Poor sweet little Jinie. She’ll now turn into a violent thug, because of you.”
The second slap left before Yoongu could do anything about it. Heesung gasped, dramatically of course.
“Again?! Have you no same?!”
“Stop it!” Yoongu shushed him. “Jinie, Uncle was joking around. Don’t pay it any mind.”
“Baa!” She didn’t seem convinced.
“When I tell Jaekyung what you just did...” Heesung snickered.
“As if he listens to anything you have to say.”
“Cold.” Heesung snorted. “Anyway, better get home and get her bags ready.
“Yup.” Yoongu agreed.
The way back to Heesung’s palace felt strangely solemn. Taking care of Jinie had been tiring, and honestly Yoongu had to give kudos to the new parents because that shit was not easy. But at the same time, he would miss seeing her sweet little face everyday before and after work.
“I cover the bedroom and bathroom, and you cover the living-room and kitchen?” Heesung suggested when they got home.
“Sure.”
With the two of them, it didn’t take long to tidy everything up. But the more Yoongu put away, the sadder he felt. Even though he had known it was only a temporary arrangement, the truth is that it had been a lot more fun to take care of Jinie together than he had originally imagined. Now that they were done, he didn’t really have a reason to hang out with Heesung anymore, did he? At least, not until the next rut or heat.
That realisation somehow made him feel down.
“I’m done!” Heesung announced as he joined them in the living room, arms full of bags.
“Same here.” Yoongu said. As they’d put Jinie’s makeshift playpen away already, he was sitting on the rug to play with her.
“All that is left now is to wait for them.” And as Heesung was saying that, the doorbell rang.
He went to open the door, while Yoongu stayed with Jinie, but it seemed the little girl could tell something was happening because as soon as the door clicked open, she started crying.
“Oh your radar is good, Jinie.” Yoongu brought her to the door, patting her back soothingly to comfort her. A head of hazel hair appeared out of nowhere, and Yoongu didn't have to think about it, he just let go of her.
“Oh, my baby!” Dan said, his voice trembling with emotion as he hugged his daughter against him. He hummed her hair, sighing in comfort before kissing her head. “Daddy missed you so much.”
Yoongu stepped aside when he saw a big shadow approaching. Strong arms closed around the two, as Jaekyung leaned down to kiss his daughter. He, too, took a deep breath of her scent.
You had to have a heart made of stone not to be moved by the scene. Yoongu turned towards Heesung to say as much but was left speechless when he saw the man tearing up.
“Are you crying?” He asked, as one should never do to someone getting emotional.
“Noo..” Heesung denied as he cleared his throat.
Then both parents paused, freezing in place for a second before they freaked out about her first tooth. Dan was gasping and congratulating her, while Jaekyung’s eyebrows were raised high, as he tentatively slipped the tip of his finger in her mouth.
Jinie didn’t need more, she immediately chomped on the finger. Smiling innocently when Jaekyung groaned in pain.
“I can’t believe she had her first tooth, when was it?” Dan asked excitedly.
“Yesterday morning.” They truthfully answered.
“Boy, how will they react when they see she can walk?!” Yoongu thought. It was a pity he wouldn’t be there to see it. Dan might actually faint this time.
Both dads hugged their daughter once more, much to her delight as she grabbed their hair and giggled.
When they finally broke the hug, their friends turned to look at them again.
“My daughter reeks of you.” Jaekyung glared at Heesung.
“My bad, next time I’ll let her fend for herself and go sleep outside.” Heesung rolled his eyes.
Dan elbowed Jaekyung in the ribs, glaring at him. “Is that the example you want to set for Jinie?!”
Jaekyung made a face but there didn't seem to be any actual anger in him. And Yoongu kinda hated the fact he knew why the man was so appeased compared to usual.
“Thank you for looking after her.” The champion finally said.
“No problem.” Yoongu smiled, before turning to Dan. “Whenever you need us, she’s a lovely girl, it was a pleasure to spend time with her.”
Dan’s eyes were full to the brim as he took his hand and squeezed it. The gesture was simple but conveyed his message clearly.
“Everything is packed.” Heesung motioned towards the bags. There’s just some stuff that I put in the washing machine, so I'll get it to you next time.”
“Of course.” Dan smiled softly at him. “Well, we won’t bother you guys any longer. One week was more than enough already. We’ll invite you to dinner, as a thank you.”
“I’ll gladly accept the dinner invitation, but not if it’s a gift to thank us.” Heesung insisted. “I agreed to be her godfather, it wasn’t to get something in return, in exchange for taking care of her. And I’m sure, Yoongu agrees.”
“Yeah, Heesung’s right.” He nodded. “I’d be happy to have dinner together, but because I want to spend time with you, nothing more.”
Dan’s eyes were menacingly wet again.
“Alright.” He accepted. “Then we’ll find some time for a totally innocent dinner party.” he chuckled.
“You still gotta bring the dessert though.” Jaekyung interjected.
“Yeah, sure, whatever. Get out of my place!” Heesung rolled his eyes at the champion.
“Do you need help with the bags?” Yoongu asked.
Jaekyung looked him up and down, snorted in his face and grabbed all the bags in one go. “I think I'm good. Thanks for offering, though.”
“Insufferable bastard.” Heesung and Yoongu both thought.
“Yoongu, do you need a ride home?” Dan turned back to him, as he was about to leave.
“Oh hum… I… No?” He stuttered, his ears and neck burning. “My bags!” He nervously chuckled. “I still have to pack my bags, I didn’t have time to.”
“Oh okay.” Dan nodded. If his friend had noticed his odd behaviour, he didn’t let it show. “Well, see you around!”
Jaekyung nodded in their direction before slamming the door shut behind them.
There was a moment of silence, where both him and Heesung stared at the door. It was so silent in the apartment all of a sudden.
“Can we talk about the amount of hickeys and bite marks?!” Heesung broke the silence.
“Oh my god, there were so many! I didn’t know where to look.” Yoongu exclaimed. He had tried not to notice it. But honestly it didn't seem like neither Jaekyung, nor Dan, had tried to hide them. “Like right there! In your face!”
“Alphas…” Heesung said disapprovingly.
“Yeah… Although, he probably didn’t make the marks he had, himself…” Yoongu pointed out.
“Right! But it’s his rut, so in the end, it’s his fault.”
“I like that logic.” Yoongu chuckled. “Alright! I have to pack my stuff now.”
“Yeah…” Heesung nodded. “I guess you do.”
Yoongu didn’t question his words. It didn’t take a genius to get what Heesung was trying to convey. Though, he was glad he didn’t seem to be the only one disappointed that their little time playing house was over.
Once everything was in order he grabbed his bag and joined Heesung who was waiting for him.
“Do you want me to give you a ride?” Heesung asked.
“No, it’s fine.” He gently declined. “I think I need the time walking home to slip back into my everyday life. It’s crazy how quick we can get used to a new routine.” He chuckled.
“That's true.” Heesung smiled. But Yoongu had seen him smile and laugh so much in the past week, that he could tell right away that this one was fake.
“We’ll keep in touch, anyway.” He started rambling. “We said we’d try to train together, again. Jinie’s birthday is coming up and there's the dinner Dan hyung mentioned… And other stuff too, probably. I guess. “
Yoongu had complained for years that he was seeing too much of Heesung. Now, the opposite prospect scared him. It wouldn't be the first time the world played a cruel joke on him, just as he was about to find happiness.
Heesung put a warm hand on his shoulder, squeezing it softly. “You’re right, we’ll definitely see each other a lot.”
The tingles Yoongu felt, where Heesung touched him, traveled from his shoulder to his stomach. The little somersaults they made in his stomach left him wondering if those were what people called butterflies. It was strangely similar to knots of anxiety or anticipation. Maybe it was a mix of both.
Heesung’s words sounded like a promise. And Yoongu wanted to trust him to keep it.
“We can hang out and do other stuff too. Probably. I guess” Heesung chuckled as he poked fun at him.
But Yoongu wasn't mad, he felt reassured actually. He felt a rush of adrenaline and decided to make the best out of it before he got self-conscious again. He closed the distance between him and Heesung and wrapped his arms around him. Pulling him into a hug.
“You said it, so if you don’t, you’re a liar.”
Heesung was frozen in place for a moment. Yoongu was starting to second-guess his gesture, when two strong arms wrapped around him, holding him tight. It was not a bear crushing hug, it was tender, like a warm and protective force enveloping him.
It was hard for him to tell how long they stayed in that embrace. But when they pulled away, they were both red in the face.
“I should go.” Yoongu said.
“Sure. Tell me when you get home.” Heesung told him.
Yoongu nodded, and they both turned an even brighter shade of red.
By the time he reached his place, his face still sported a pink hue, that his roommates did not fail to comment on.
“Dammit!” He internally cursed as he threw himself in his bed and screamed in his pillow. “Those are definitely fucking butterflies!”