Thread by @Namjiintae

No but get this. A thread fic from the point of view of Namjoon's toxic ex who thinks they can win Namjoon back after years but psych. Namjoon has moved on.
Should I maybe 👀 write this 👀?

It was good to be back home. The city where he was born in. Where he belonged. He had been back a week already. Had seen his parents, met up with his family. Yet Ken could not say he had achieved his purpose for returning. The text he had sent on the first day of his return.

Remained unanswered. A week was enough time. He poured himself a drink. A strong drink. And he dialled the number. It rang a couple of times before it was received. Ken's heart dropped into his stomach when he heard the voice. The deep, throaty voice. Always demanding to be heard

"Hello?" it didn't sound like he recognised the number and who it was.
"Hey you" Ken answered. It had been his standard greeting way back when. The voice was silent for a minute.
"Hi Ken. How are you?" He sounded... stoic. Uncomfortable. Like he'd had no intention of answering

this call had he known it was Ken.
"I'm good. I'm back in the city you know"
"I know I got your text" Ah. So he HAD been ignoring him consciously. That was to be expected. Ken hadn't thought it was going to be easy.
"Can we meet? For lunch or dinner sometime?" The voice hesitated

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea Ken. It's been way too long"
"Exactly my point! It's been so long. Please Namjoon-ah? For old time's sake?" A sigh. Ken could picture exactly how Namjoon must have looked as he sighed. Head tilted to one side, hand on the back of his neck.

"Fine. I'll see when I'm free this week?" He was in. He had a date.
"Sounds good Namjoonie" The call cut off without a goodbye

Ken was disappointed Namjoon has chosen a cafe they'd never been to. He'd only been gone for two years. Many of their fave spots were still around. The cafe was a quaint, little place with a lot of green and brown toned furniture. Ken waited. He was early. And Namjoon was known

for being late. He tapped his foot in nervousness. He'd tried to practice his lines and what he'd say but eventually he'd just given up. He'd take it as it went. The bell to the cafe twinkled. The cafe still has a bell on its door. Ken looked up and warmth flooded into him.

Namjoon looked so very different from the man he had left behind yet he looked the same. His hair was grey now, making him look a little older. It was also longer than Ken had ever seen it. He was still tall, obviously. Still a beautiful tan color. But he had filled out in the

past two years, as Ken could tell when he walked over to their table. He took off his warm denim coat and sat facing him, a cream colored sweater in display. He smiled. Gosh how Ken had missed his smile. Dimples for days, eyes turning into crescents.
"Hey" He began.
"Gosh. Hey+

Namjoonie. It's been so long" Namjoon nodded. A waiter appeared to take their order. He smiled at Namjoon.
"The usual Hyung?"
"Yep. Thanks Soobin." Ken felt a little left out. Namjoon was clearly a regular here and Ken had never been here before. He ordered a latte for himself.

"How have you been?" Namjoon asked politely. He was being Formal Namjoon. Just his expression alone proved that much.
"I've been well. London was good for me. You?"
"I've been good too" The conversation fizzled out and they stared around until their drinks arrived.

Namjoon's regular turned out to be a herbal tea of some sort.
"Since when do you drink tea?" Ken asked. Namjoon eyed him quizzically.
"Since a while actually." He made no move to continue speaking. Normally Namjoon was very chatty. But he was not interested in filling the silence

it seemed as he sipped his tea and looked out of the window onto the street.
"Won't you ask why I'm back?" He turned back to face Ken.
"Why are you back?" His tone betrayed nothing but polite inquisition.
"I missed home. And everything that came with it. The London life was good

but it was no Seoul." Namjoon regarded him coolly.
" Nowhere is as good as home you're right there."Just then Namjoon's phone lit up with a string of texts. It was sitting on the table, it lit up with the notifications. The wallpaper caught Ken's eye. It was a picture of a tree

With a person under it. A boy. Namjoon was quick to snatch the phone up so Ken couldn't make out his face. But he was sure it hadn't been Namjoon himself in the photograph. Ken gulped.

OK let's continue this 👀 who do we think is the boy in the wallpaper?

Namjoon quickly replied to the texts before slipping the phone in his pocket. Ken felt like asking about the wallpaper would be counterproductive at this point.
"So I heard you're actually making music these days?" He asked instead. Namjoon nodded, a little stiff.

"Yeah I'm writing and producing for a label I'm also signed at"
"I heard your raps Namjoon-ah. They were amazing. I am so proud you were able to achieve all this" Namjoon smiled. He was till being Polite Namjoon. Ken deserved it. Deserved Namjoon being closed off. For now.

"Have you met up with any of the old gang?" Ken shook his head. He had not approached any of their old mutual friends. Because he knew. Knew they blamed him for breaking Namjoon's heart 2 years ago. Blamed him for abandoning Namjoon and moving to London with his new boyfriend.

"Maybe we could all get together sometime?" He asked hopefully. Namjoon looked at him evenly, his face betraying nothing.
"Yeah. Sure" He was placating Ken, he realised. There was going to be no hangouts. Ken was right. They hated him. Namjoon raised his hand for their waiter.

"I actually need to run" He said as the boy approached them.
"A mocha latte to go Hyung?" He asked. Namjoon nodded and handed him a card before Ken could object.
"Hey I asked you out! Let me pay" Namjoon waved him off.
"it's OK, take it as a welcome back treat. Besides.+

it's not like it was a date" With a smile and a wave, Namjoon stood up. He put his denim jacket back on. Pulling his phone out, he made his way to the counter. He didn't look back at Ken before he headed out.

OK let me continue this #btsau 👀

Despite Ken's best efforts in the upcoming days to hold a text conversation with Namjoon, it didn't seem to be working. He always replied, that wasn't the thing. But the replies were hours apart and no effort was ever made from the other side to keep the convo afloat.

As much as Ken was dreading it, he needed to get a friend group hangout going just to see Namjoon again. He made the group text, cringing mentally. It was painful but he needed an in. Right now he had no idea what was going on in Namjoon's life. He managed to trick 2 of his+

friends into going clubbing with him, determined to gather intel.
Jaehwan and Jimin met him outside the Itaewon club. It had been so long. Ken patiently made small talk and waited for his friends to get drunk. It didn't take long.
"So how're the others?" He asked casually. "Tae

Joon etc." Jimin hiccuped.
"They're fine. Tae has a gallery exhibition coming up. Namjoonie Hyung's doing well now too."
"All still single?" Ken ventured calmly.
"Well I am. Tae is. Jaehwan here too" That just left Namjoon. Was he not single? His friends were prattling on about

something and Ken tried to focus. He had to get more out of them. But it was useless. Both Jimin and Jaehwan were now past the point of no return. They were giggling and falling over each other. At least Ken at an in now.

Ken paid their tab and bundled his friends out onto the street.
"This was fun Kenny" Jaehwan slurred as he slipped in to the cab after Jimin. "Let's try to get the whole college gang back yeah" Ken ventured. Jaehwan agreed in gibberish and the cab was off. Ken stood around

waiting for his own. It was chilly, he hid his chin into this coat.

The Seoul night life was buzzing all around him. Voices, music and the sound of traffic accumulating in a pleasant buzz. Ken looked around, remembering how he used to come here back in the day. Before he decided he was going to follow his banker boyfriend to London.

Ken kept looking around as his cab neared on the app. His eyes were caught by the sight of a familiar head of grey hair. Surely it wasn't. Loads of people had grey hair. But this person was also tall and built like Namjoon. The figure was crossing the road to the side Ken was on.

The light caught him just as he got to the pavement and it was him. It wasn't surprising. There were only so many places one could clubbing in Seoul. And their entire friend group had been pretty big on clubbing. Namjoon set his back to the wall and Ken on instinct hid a little.

Which was just as well. Since a moment a later another person walked over and INTO Namjoon. Literally into him. He calmly wrapped his arms around Namjoon and got pulled into the long coat he was wearing. He was faced away from Ken. Namjoon had a too fond smile on his face.

The person tilted his face up to ask Namjoon something and he looked into his phone and then replied. The person nodded. It seemed like they were waiting for a cab too. Ken watched with a sinking feeling in his gut as Namjoon leaned his head forward a little. The person wrapped

all around him was whispering something into his ear. Namjoon began to laugh. Discreetly, like they were sharing a private joke. He then angled his face to whisper his reply and Ken ducked further into the pavement. His heart was hammering in his chest. One thing was for sure.

Kim Namjoon was definitely, not single.

Oh hey there #btsau let's continue you💃🏾

Ken was well aware of the moral and ethical questions him literally stalking his ex raised. But he was fresh out of options. He had tried to do the harmless thing: stalk Namjoon on social media. But his accounts were private and Ken was locked out. His public twitter had no

photos of his mystery partner. Ken then stalked Jimin and Jaehwan. Taehyung had blocked him everywhere, pretty soon after his break up with Namjoon. But the two Js had no pictures of Namjoon and his boyfriend posted. There were a couple of group shots but the friends group had

changed considerably since Ken had left. People named Hobi, Seokjin, Yoongi and Jungkook, who weren't around when Ken was, were a part of the gang now. Ken studied them carefully. The Yoongi dude was too short to have been the person Ken saw hugging Namjoon. The Jungkook kid was

too jacked and not lean enough. That left this Hobi dude and Seokjin. It had to be between them. But no matter how much Ken lurked around the social networks of his friends, he never got another clue to pinpoint Namjoon's new boyfriend.

That's why here he was. Hiding behind a

newspaper and sunglasses, in a cafe across the road from Namjoon's apartment. Finding the address had been easy enough, Ken just called his label and pretended to be from a flower shop, tasked to deliver flowers to the place. Now it was 8 on a Tuesday and pretty soon Namjoon

and his boyfriend would leave for work. With any luck, they would come down together. Even if not, Ken knew the two faces he had to find. Hobi or Seokjin. He saw the face before he saw Namjoon. Ken had been staring with some interest at a black car that had come to stop in front

of the building's entrance. A person, looking very much like a manager got out and stood on the pavement. And then Ken saw him. Walking gracefully out the entrance. He was wearing a long coat and a high necked sweater underneath it. He walked over and spoke to the manager,

a pleasant smile on his face. Then they both got into the car and it drove off. Seokjin. It had been Seokjin. Namjoon was dating Seokjin.

Hello kids let's update
#namjin #namjinau #btsau #allthetags

Ken has done his research. He had moped around for an hour sitting there at the cafe outside Namjoon's apartment and then he'd spurred into action. So what if he was dating? Ken had dated too and yet here he was. He just needed to gauge his opponent. Find out his weaknesses and

play to his own strengths. Ken went back to the socials. Kim Seokjin as it turned out, was moderately famous. He was an actor and had quite an illustrious theatre career behind him. He had only just broken onto TV. His debut drama had done well and now he was doing some alt,

unromantic piece that critics were excited for. An Indie Darling, he was called. Ken's mood got gloomier and gloomier as he stalked Seokjin. The man was talented and artistic, just like Namjoon was. Ken with his business degree, was inherently boring. Point Seokjin.

Ken went over all 150 something posts on his Instagram. The man was Handsome with a capital H. His face was tailor made for selfies, which he took a lot of. He had great style, pulling off sweaters, hoodies and suits with equal ease. Several points to Seokjin.

Ken couldn't quite place when and where Seokjin had become part of his old friends group but he was now a staple. So he couldn't possibly be boring or a shitty person. Then where was Ken going to find his edge? There had to be something. No one was perfect. He just needed to get

closer to find out Seokjin's. He had to meet him. Without Namjoon knowing.

If you'd already stalked someone once, doing it again couldn't make you that much of a worse person. That was what Ken concluded anyway as he tried his best to hide behind a rack of coats. He was at one

of the fanciest malls in Gangnam District. Where the stars did their shopping. He had tailed Seokjin from that morning. Like he had been doing the entire week. After his 5 hour long talk show appearance, Seokjin had taken his black tinted car to the mall. And he'd entered it,

sans manager. Jackpot! He'd spoken on the phone for a bit, wandering around aimlessly. Ken had been keeping his distance so he couldn't hear him but the call was short. Now he was in this shop, rifling through some suit options. Ken made the mistake of glancing at a prize tag.

Holy shit. Once upon a time he had been able to afford these fancy things courtesy of his rich boyfriend. Not so much anymore. Seokjin was alone and no one was watching them. This was as a good an opportunity as any. He came over to him, leaving his spot behind the coat rack.

OK let me take a break from shouting about #Dynamite to add to this a bit
#BTSisBack #NAMJOON #namjin #namjinau

Seokjin looked up at the sound of Ken approaching. His expression turned into a schooled, public facing within seconds. It was actually quite impressive. He obviously thought Ken was a fan who had spotted him.
"Hi" Ken plastered on his best fake smile in the face of Seokjin's

genuine one.
"Hello" He replied. His voice was soft and good natured in real life as opposed to loud and expressive when he was on TV.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help but approach you. You look very familiar" Seokjin smiled again, his ears turning pink.
"Well yeah, I'm actually an

actor. Maybe you've seen me in something?" Ken shook his head.
"No I think I saw you in a friend's picture. Do you know Park Jimin?" Seokjin's face lit up as he nodded, turning to him fully. Ken had his attention now.
"Oh yeah. Me and Jiminie are close friends." Ken fake laughed.

He wasn't a terrible actor himself, thank you very much.
"Wow. Small world. I'm a good friend of Jimin myself" Seokjin quirked an eyebrow at him. He really was, extremely handsome.
"Oh how then have we never hung out before?" Ken had practiced this shit. He was ready.
"I knew him

back in college. I've been abroad recently" Seokjin nodded in understanding.
"Oh college. Then you must also know Tae and Nam-" So close. Ken had been so close. The conversation had flown to Namjoon effortlessly. But before Seokjin could continue, they were interrupted.
"Hyung!"

Both Ken and Seokjin turned around to face the voice. Ken cursed his entire being. It was Kim Taehyung.

Taehyung walked over to them with the same stuck up confidence he had had since freshman year of college. Ken and Tae had never gotten along. He was one of Namjoon's closest friends so they had hung out a lot on campus but he never made any effort to hide how little he liked Ken

dating Namjoon. Which is why Ken was sure after he broke up with Namjoon Tae must have pulled a huge I told you so on the gang. And then he had blocked Ken from everywhere.
"About time Taetae" Seokjin said fondly as Taehyung reached them. But the man had eyes only for Ken right

now. And they were calling for murder.
"Ken" He said, calmly.
"Hi Tae" Keep cool Ken. You can deal with him. Just keep your head.
"Oh yeah Ken here was just telling me how he knew you guys in college" Seokjin said happily. It was a trained happy tone though. The change in air had

not gone unnoticed by him. He was eyeing Taehyung carefully.
"Oh was he now? How much detail did he go into?" Ken gulped.
"Not anything important. I just saw Seokjin here in some pictures so I thought I'd say hi"
"Right." Taehyung had not believed a single word Ken had said.

His face betrayed his mistrust.
"So... were you guys close? In college?" Seokjin asked Tae, evenly. He nodded.
"Oh yeah. Super close. Ken here used to date Namjoonie Hyung" Ken had really hoped to have a couple of casual conversations with Seokjin before this point came up. But

trust Taehyung to ruin things for him always. Seokjin's eyes widened in understanding and he turned back to stare at Ken. His gaze was much more critical all of a sudden. Shit.
"Oh that was you. Yeah Joonie told me you were back in town" This caught Ken by surprise. Namjoon had

talked about him to his boyfriend? Why? Also since when was Namjoon Joonie? Taehyung snorted. He had been studying Ken.
"Didn't Hyung tell you Ken asked to meet up with him?" he asked Seokjin in mock innocence. He was humiliating Ken. Ken had to keep his cool and not take the

bait.
"Of course he did" Seokjin shrugged. "Whenever Joonie goes to Lotus Cave without me he gets me my favourite drink" He added, blushing a little bit more.
"Does he go anywhere without you and not bring something back for you?" Seokjin laughed, his ears now glowing red.

Ken had had enough. There was no point to stay here and be insulted further.
"Well it was nice meeting you Seokjin. I have to be off now"
"Likewise" Seokjin said event and smiled. It was a little less genuine than before but still better than the mocking one Taehyung was wearing.

"See you around Ken. Or not" Oh he'll see them around. Ken wasn't backing off this easily. They hadn't seen the last of him yet.

It has been ages but today seems like a good day to update let's geddit
#namjin #namjinau

Ken wasn't sure how he found himself on this Jeju weekend getaway with his old friends but he knew he had Jaehwan to thank. Ken had kept in touch with him and Jimin to keep the gang close to him. And it paid off cuz Jaehwan invited him on the trip after he merely mentioned it to

him in passing over coffee. Th truly jackpot point was that it was Jaehwan's birthday they were celebrating so no one else (Kim Taehyung) could really object to who he invited. So here Ken was standing on the porch of Jaehwan's parent's beach house, quitely observing the gang.

He met Yoongi, Hobi and Jungkook for the first time on arrival. He had driven in with Jae himself. The rest had driven in two more cars and arrived after them. If the three Kims were against Ken being there they didn't let it on. Pleasantries were exchanged. Namjoon had nothing

more than a tight lipped smile for Ken as they shook hands. So courteous. So formal. It was time to break the formality some how. After that they pretty much ignored him, deciding rooms. There weren't enough of them for couples to room together, Ken noted with satisfaction.

But his satisfaction couldn't morph into anything more as Taehyung was quick to announce they'd decided on the way over that he'd room with Namjoon and Jin. He said it making eye contact with Ken for some reason. The Cold War was afoot. Ken took the room with Jimin and Jae

without argument and went to unpack. He had to focus. Catch Namjoon and if possible Jin alone and try his best. He hadn't spent all those lonely evenings in London watching K Dramas for nothing. He knew how to scheme. When Ken came down from his room everyone was doing their own

thing. The Jungkook kid and Yoongi were on the porch playing guitar and talking about music. Ken went down to the beach. Jin and Hobi were on the sunbeds, chatting idly and the rest were in the ocean. No Tae in sight. Time to execute some schemes. He went over to the pair.

Jin immediately folded his legs, making space for Ken to sit. He smiled at him. Apparently he wasn't all that opposed to Ken after all. Good people were so easy. "I hope you weren't talking about anything private?" He smiled at the two. Hobi shook his head, also smiling.

"Nope. Just idling. Trying to get a tan"
"So you both weren't in college with us. How did you meet the gang?" Ken accepted the glass of punch Jin poured for him with thanks.
"Well Hobi here works with Joonie. At the label. So do Yoongi and Jungkook" Jin explained.
"And you?"

Seokjin had the nerve to blush. "Oh nothing major. I met Joonie at a party. Kinda clichéd."
"Oh. Namjoon is not very fond of clichés. He likes everything to be like super meaningful doesn't he?" Jin's smile dimmed just a little as he sipped his punch.
"Yeah. He does"

"It is super meaningful now Hyung, don't worry" Hobi waved it off and turned to Ken.
"So. How about you tell us some of the dirt on those 4 from college?" He was pointing to where the rest were playing in the waves.
"Oh where to begin. They were totally different people back then

Especially Namjoon. I knew him best after all"
"Different how?" This time it was Seokjin who'd asked. Ken noted with glee the unease in his voice.
"Well he looks oddly stationary now. The Namjoon I knew was always moving. Trying new things. Never settling down. He was never built

for the domestic life. That's kinda why we broke up" Jin and Hobi exchanged glances.
"That's not what-"
"I know the story they all tell. But trust me if I had believed that Namjoon had it in him to settle down, with anyone, I'd have stayed" His audience was dumbstruck.

They were both staring at him in shock. Hobi snapped out of it first.
"That's not the Namjoon we know" Ken nodded at him, sipping his punch.
"It was the one I knew. And I don't think he had any reason to act fake around me back in college"
"People change" Hobi argued, now looking

a little cross. It didn't slip Ken's notice that Seokjin was oddly silent.
"Do they? Does anyone ever truly change?"

The question turned out to be rhetorical as Namjoon himself chose that moment to reappear. He was dripping from hair to toes. Gloriously shirt less. And holy shit had he not looked like THIS when Ken had access to his naked self. Man had hit the gym hard. He stood over them,

towelling himself a bit before tossing it aside. "Hey Ken could you go sit with Hobi?" Ken nodded, plastering his fakest smile on his face as he moved to sit on the beach bed in front. Namjoon collapsed on the bed with Jin. Rather he collapsed on him. "If I wanted to get all wet

and sandy I'd have gone for a swim" Jin grumbled. He still looked shaken, his smile not quite as bright as usual. Namjoon didn't miss this point. "What's wrong?" He glanced over to Ken briefly who turned to Hobi and asked him some bullshit question about where he had gone to

college. When Ken chanced a glance back, Namjoon was leaning up to whisper something into Jin's ear. The foul mood Ken had worked so hard to put Jin in was evaporating with every whispered word it seemed.
"So Namjoon. We were just talking about how you two met at a party. Kinda

cliché no?" Hah. Jin looked sour again as he looked down at Namjoon who had his cheek against his chest looking at Ken.
" So? "
"Weren't you always looking for a grand love story?" Namjoon looked at him for a beat. Then shrugged.
"That was a long time ago. I'm happy with just a

love story now". He looked up at Jin who smiled down at him. "Now come on. Please" Namjoon got up and began to pull Jin with him. A lot of whining ensued but eventually Jin shed his t-shirt and the pair ran to the water. Ken saw as they went splashing a little away from the

others.
"Adorable the two of them" Hobi spoke fondly, pulling a Nintendo Switch from his beach bag. "Hey Ken do you mind moving to that bed, I wanna spread out a little"

OK I have no clue if anyone's even still reading this but here goes😅 Namjin go beaching y'all.
#namjin #namjinau

Trying to scout the pair Ken was determined to break up was not easy after that. Mainly because no one really broke off in groups to do their own thing. When they gathered for lunch, they didn't ungather. After lunch was a volley ball on the beach. When it got to sun down, they

started preparing for a bonfire in front of the house. Ken obviously had to help. There was a moment where Jin went away with Yoongi and Jungkook to get their barbecue for dinner going but Namjoon chose that exact moment to go take a shower and so Ken missed his chance.

So Ken let his plan take the back burner for a bit and genuinely enjoyed the dinner. The meat was delicious and afterwards the casual banter and Jungkook lazily strumming his guitar by the fire made the whole scene warm and comfortable. Ken had been so fixated on trying to win

Namjoon back he had not stopped to notice how he was also pretty friend less. What a stupid move it had been to leave all this behind and follow his last boyfriend to London. He took part in the friendly conversation, grateful that everyone except Taehyung and Namjoon were being

completely normal and friendly towards him.
It must have gotten late, by the time the talking broke off into groups as everyone started to get tired of it. Jungkook and Yoongi were back to strumming guitars together. Hobi was scrolling through his phone. Jimin Jaehwan and Tae

were apparently deciding on a movie to watch. Finally Ken set his eyes on Namjoon and the sight broke him a little. It had escaped Ken's notice when exactly Jin had left his seat in favor of joining Namjoon in his, but there he was. Snuggled up with his head on Namjoon's

shoulder. He was dozing off it seemed. And Namjoon was looking at him like he had hung the moon. He was holding Jin around his knees that he had pulled up into Namjoon's lap. His other hand he had gently brushing Jin's cheek. Ken got up and took the seat directly in front of him.

Now within earshot, Ken could hear what Namjoon was whispering to him. "Are you trying to get me to carry you to bed?" Jin made a non-committal whiny sound and snuggled in yet more. Namjoon kissed him on his forehead. Then his eyelids. Jin was obviously not fully asleep

as his lips turned into a small smile while Namjoon placing light kisses all over his face. Wow. And Ken had been glad they didn't have a room to themselves to be all romantic. They didn't need a room it seemed, to be this saccharine sweet. Ken waited patiently. But even after he

was sure Jin was asleep for good Namjoon didn't seem to be interested in taking his eyes off him. Ken cleared his throat to get his attention. The others had gone in a moment ago to set up the movie. Namjoon looked up at him, surprised to find them alone on the beach, so lost in

his own thoughts he had been.
"He's quite handsome" Ken pointed over to the sleeping man. Namjoon's face broke in a smile that made Ken slightly nauseous.
"Yeah he is"
"And in the showbiz" Namjoon looked confused at this, frowning. He was still every bit as cute as he had been in

college.
"So?"
"Nothing I was just wondering doesn't it get annoying, all the attention he gets?" Ken knew the pair weren't public. They went out and stuff mainly because Jin was still kinda low key. But if the success of his recent drama was any indication, that was about to

change. Namjoon shook his head slightly, taking care to not move to much.
"What does it matter? Those are just fans"
"No I meant the others. From within the industry. Costars and directors. It's a weird industry"
"I trust Jin completely, if that's what you're implying"

This wasnt working. If anything Namjoon seemed to be getting angry. Ken decided to switch tactics.
"No of course not. But what about when he makes it big? And you guys can't be public anymore?"
"We'll see when that time comes. Whatever is best for his career and us"

"And if the two clash? What if the career needs anonymity but you want to be public?"
"I'll want whatever makes him happy" Namjoon looked about ready to ditch this entire conversation. But it's not like he could go anywhere with a sleeping Jin in his lap.

"Is that how healthy relationships work? Does one person need to be so self sacrificing?" The expression on Namjoon's face led Ken to believe he had finally landed a punch. Which is why his response took him by surprise.
"What do you know about sacrifice?" Ouch. That had been a

punch to Ken. He would nurse this blow later though. For now, he plastered his most believable concerned expression on his face.
"I just want you to have someone who can be with you fully. Hold your hand when you need him to without worrying about paparazzi" Namjoon looked at him

for a beat. Ken wondered if maybe this had landed? But Namjoon had his best poker face on.
"Thanks for you concern Ken. Frankly speaking, you don't need to worry about me. Anymore" And then, Namjoon very calmly slid his hands under Jin's knees and with the other supporting his

back, he carried him up into the house.

Namjoon didn't come down for the movie. Ken had nothing better to do so he decided he would watch it anyway.
"It won't work" The voice made him jump. At some point, while Ken was too engrossed in the movie Taehyung had replaced Jimin

by his side on the sofa.
"What?"
"Don't act dumb" Taehyung kept his eyes on the screen. "What you're trying with Namjoonie Hyung. It won't work" There was no point in pretending. Not with Tae.
"Why not? Because you'll stop me?"
"I won't need to. It's because you weren't

nearly as important to him as you seem to think you were" He turned to look at Ken. "While Jin Hyung? He means the world to him"

OK KIDS LET'S GO FULL K-DRAMA
#NAMJIN #NAMJINAU

"Ahhh they have a sale on formal wear Hyung!" Ken was pulled violently over to some showroom that apparently, had a sale on formal wear.
"What do you need formal wear for?" Ken questioned looking around the showroom. Jimin was a professional dancer, not a lot of occasions to wear

suits.
"I do suppose there is time yet. It'll be in the spring" Jimin mused to himself. Ken's ears perked up.
"What's in the spring?" Jimin didn't answer but Ken was sure he was pretending to not listen. "Jiminie. What's in the spring?"
"Nothing" This was most unusual.

For one Jimin didn't keep secrets. For two, he didn't slip up like this. He was clearly excited about this whatever it was. And he wasn't telling Ken because he was probably not invited.
"Come on. You can tell me" Jimin bit his lip.
"You can't tell anyone OK. This is top secret"

Ken nodded, his curiosity through the roof. "Umm Jin Hyung and Namjoon Hyungs wedding will be in spring. Most likely" Ken could feel the world spinning. He was suddenly nauseated. The lights were brighter suddenly. How did that happen?
"Wedding?" He echoed weakly. Jimin nodded.

"But. BUT THEY'RE NOT EVEN ENGAGED" Ken practically yelled. Jimin flinched, looking around self consciously.
"Yeah I know. They will be" What the hell, this made no sense.
"Jimin. Please be specific" Jimin appeared to be regretting every life choice that led him to be here on

this day, shopping with Ken. But he sighed, realizing there was no way out.
"This weekend is Jin Hyung's birthday weekend. December 4th. Namjoonie Hyung will propose. He's told us all. Gotten a ring and everything. Wrote a song" Jimin shook his head fondly. Of course

Of fucking course Namjoon had written a song. Ken needed to sit down. He found a seat in the the showroom and sat down. Jimin looked at him with worry. But worried like a kind person was worried for everyone. Not like he was on Ken's side here. No. Everyone was team Kim Seokjin.

All his friends and now his only true boyfriend he'd actually loved. The man had taken them all.
"Hyung. I'm sorry. But this was always going to happen" Jimin crouched by his feet. Yes. Ken should have seen this one coming. He should have seen it coming.

The only way to stop the spiralling in Ken's head was alcohol. He'd ditched Jimin somehow even if being the considerate person he was, he'd tried to accompany Ken home. At 8 in the evening, Ken was sitting at the closest bar he could find and ordering his first drink.

What a disaster. What a mess. Ken had tried so hard. He'd planted the seed of insecurity! Wasn't that what broke all couples? That and we'll one of them running off to London. Ken punched the bar, cursing his own past self. Namjoon had been his. His boyfriend. He had been SMITTEN

for Ken. But he'd been a dreamer. Head in the clouds. Wanting to do music as a career. The audacity. Ken wanted stability. Wanted big money. A comfortable life. He'd asked Namjoon to ditch music and do business. He'd absolutely refused. Then Ken had asked him to choose.

Him or music. Such a dick move. Namjoon had chosen music and it had absolutely broken him to do so. He had broken Namjoon by leaving how did he get over him so quickly? He'd loved hard right? Where was the love gone? How had he recovered? What magic had this stupid pretty funny

talented Seokjin woven? No. There was nothing that actor could have done to remove all feelings Namjoon had for him. It struck Ken around 1 am. This was not a normal proposal. The timing was too convenient. This was Namjoon panicking over the cracks in their relationship.

That Ken had uncovered with his schemes. No Namjoon was heading for divorce. Ken had to save him. Ken staggered out of his stool. Hastily paid his tab. Probably paid a few hundred wons more than the bill. And then he rushed head first out on the street. And into a thunderstorm.

When had it begun to fucking rain? How long had Ken been in that bar? Nothing mattered though. Ken flailed around trying to find a cab, getting drenched. People were looking at him like he was crazy. Which he probably was. But Ken had a boyfriend to get back. He gave up on trying

to get a cab in the rain. And headed for the subway. It was Friday. Even if it was after 12, it was just the 3rd day of December. It hadn't happened yet. Ken could salvage this. Ken practiced what he was gonna say over and over. He almost missed his stop.

It was around 2:30 am when Ken stood outside the apartment door. He'd been outside of this building many times now. But it was the first time he was actually going to see the apartment he had been stalking. Ken pressed the buzzer.

Shining through the city with a little funk and soul and updating this #namjinau while at it.
#wipwednesday
#namjin

The door beeped open and Ken was met with a sight that nearly took his breath away. It seemed like the heavens were on his side as it was Namjoon himself standing there looking at him, from a little distance away.
"Ken? Are you OK?" the concern in his voice was a little less than

Ken would have liked. He mostly sounded confused. Ken couldn't see him very well. He stepped inside the apartment, soaking wet. He pushed his shoes off hurriedly and dropped his coat on the floor. He was making a mess in someone else's home but Ken couldn't care less. Namjoon had

not moved from beside the intercom he had used to let Ken in.
"We have to talk Namjoon" That seemed to break him out of his shocked stupor. He looked Ken from head to toe once and then began to walk into the place. Ken followed. The apartment was big. It was also luxurious.

The entire building was. But even with the lights out it looked warm and cozy. Ken caught sight of a blanket on the huge couch before he saw Namjoon had gone into the kitchen. He followed. The light was on in here. The house was centrally heated but Ken was still shivering.

"Did you run here in the storm?" Namjoon sat on the counter, still eyeing him like he was crazy. Which was fair. Namjoon looked like a dream, literally. He looked very soft somehow. His hair was down in his eyes, not styled and silky straight. His face was round and eyes smaller

than they usually were. He must have been deep asleep. He was wearing pajamas. They looked insanely huggable. He was staring at Ken still. Patience Ken, he schooled his thoughts into focus.
"No. I tried for a cab in the rain for a bit"
"What's wrong? Why are you here?"
Here goes.

"Jimin told me about the proposal. Namjoon. You can't do it" The look of confusion on those adorable features morphed into something unreadable.
"I can't?" there was an edge to his voice. No, wrong approach. Namjoon didn't like being told he could not do something. It made him go

do that very thing. Ken backtracked.
"I know why you're doing this Namjoon. You have nothing to prove OK? You have done so so well for yourself ever since college. Proved everyone wrong. Most of all me. I accept it. I was wrong to try to take music away from you. I see it now"

"Well thank you. For saying that. I still don't see how that had anything to do with my proposal" Thank you? Ken had admitted his biggest mistake and than was all he got?
"You don't have to rush into this to prove a point Namjoon. You've known the guy two years. Half of which you

must have spent getting over me. How can you be ready already? " Namjoon pursed his mouth and didn't say anything for a moment.
"Is this about us getting back together somehow? Be honest for once in your life Ken" That was as unlike Namjoon as it got. The mean words, sharp tone.

"Listen Namjoon we were-" Before Ken could finish though they heard another voice.
"Joonie? Who are you talking to?" The voice was very sleepy. And sounded oddly nasally. Barefeet made their way over to them, barely audible over the sound of the storm. Seokjin walked in, rubbing

his eyes with one hand. He stilled when he caught sight of Ken. "Ken?"
"Did we wake you baby?" Both of them looked away from each other and at Namjoon. Seokjin walked over to him, shaking his head.
"No. Got cold without you" He yawned. Namjoon pushed his hair out of his face,

feeling his forehead. Seokjin's nose was an angry red. A cold.
"Sorry" Namjoon looked more concerned about having broken Seokjin's slumber than he had had looked when Ken had turned up at 2 am on his door drenched in the rain. Ken's heart clenched painfully, as he watched

Namjoon's entire attention get directed to Seokjin, almost involuntarily. He was shaking his head.
"M'fine. What's going on?" He looked over at Ken over his shoulder briefly.
"Ken here had somethings he had to say." Seokjin frowned and looked down at Namjoon. He was taller, with

Namjoon sitting on the stool. He leaned his head down and Namjoon began to whisper into his ear. It was like Ken wasn't even there. He looked away, annoyed. Seokjin brought his left hand to cup Namjoon's face. Something glinted, making Ken look back up. A ring. It was a plain

band. Rose gold, with a pretty pink diamond set in it's centre. Big enough to catch your attention but not terribly flashy. Gorgeous. No. But Jimin had said. How? What the hell? Seokjin leaned back nodding.
"I'll leave you guys to it. Hurry back" He added, a little whiny. Namjoon

nodded. Seokjin walked back out, but stopped when he caught sight of Ken. "He's drenched. Make him some tea Joonie. He'll get sick" Then he had the nerve to smile at Ken. His same good natured smile. Like Ken wasn't sitting in his home, trying to snatch his man away.

Then he walked out finally. Namjoon sighed. He sounded tired. "You've already proposed?" Ken's voice came out small and betrayed.
He stared in his lap.
"Yeah"
"When?"
"4 hours ago" Ken looked up. He was too late. He'd been too late after all. Namjoon had made the mistake already.

"Weren't you supposed to do it on his birthday?" A door closed in the distance.
"Yeah. But I had the ring on me and there was... a moment. Felt right" Namjoon smiled slightly.
"I think you've made a mistake Namjoon. You-"
"No" Namjoon looked at him, all traces of a smile gone.

"You need to stop Ken. Whatever this is. You left, right? You made a choice. I was never angry at you for it. You wanted something from life, I wanted something else. That's that. You can't come back now, claiming to know what I want" Ken was dumbstruck. Namjoon looked so done.

He was going to lose him. Again.
"But you loved me! What happened to all that love? How did you forget it all no that's not possible" He shook his head stubbornly. Namjoon was now looking at him with pity. It was worse.
"What happened was I met Seokjin. You wouldn't know Ken,

because I don't think it's happened for you yet. He's... everything. You have no clue how quickly and how hard I fell for him. And he fell right back. You can't know what that's like, wanting someone the way lungs want air to breathe. That was never us. We weren't it."

Namjoon looked at him steadily. "We would never have made it Ken. Seokjin or no Seokjin. I can say that now because I've felt what love is. We were never in love" That was the sentence that did it. Ken she'd one tear. Then another. Then began to cry. He set his head on the

counter and sobbed. He heard a clink, and looked up momentarily. Namjoon had gotten up off his stool. He was putting a kettle on. Ken went back to his crying. A while later, he felt arms engulf him as a the sound of a mug setting on the counter reached his ears.

"You're disoriented after your breakup Ken. I know it must be hard being an outsider in Seoul. But this is not it. You need to give it time. Process. Heal. Move on" Ken clung onto the arms around him. His body knew this was the last time he was experiencing this. This warmth.

Namjoon held him until his tears hiccuped to a stop. He then disentangled himself and pushed the mug into Ken's hand. His pity tea. "I don't suppose I'm scoring an invite to the wedding?" He managed after silently sipping half his drink. It hurt. So badly. The words he was saying

But Ken had been so delusioned. He had been so wrong. He had to salvage some oh his dignity. Namjoon smiled at him. A more honest one this time.
"How about you decide if you're ready for it when it comes. It's not until spring"
"Will he be OK with it? Me being there?"

Namjoon shrugged. "Why not? He knows I love him. I'm sure it reflects in everything I do by now. No room for doubt" He was blushing. Ken smiled. A sad smile.
"It does" Ken stood up. "Congratulations Namjoon-ah. I'll let you go back to your fiancé" Namjoon nodded. Then told him to

wait and rushed into the apartment. A door opened somewhere. Ken looked around the living room again. A home. Namjoon came back with a fresh jacket. He pushed it into Ken's hand, promising to have his wet one dry cleaned and sent over. The storm had let up now. It was time

Ken left.
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Spring in Seoul was beautiful to say the least. There were cherry blossoms in every tree above Ken's head. He was sitting at a table in a roadside cafe, grabbing lunch with his friends. Old and new. Jimin and Jaehwan were there. The Jungkook kid too since

apparently him and Jimin were a thing now? Ken had also invited his friend Kai from work. It was nice to have friends again. Have a job. Places to be, things to do. Lunch plans.
"How was that big wedding you guys were on about last time?" Kai asked the 3Js.

For the most part they refrained from mentioning Namjoon around Ken. Ken was sure he hadn't spilled the details of what had happened that night when Ken showed up to his place to everyone. But he must have said something because no one spoke of him around Ken. They had spoken of

the wedding, beyond excited as they were. Namjoon and Seokjin had booked a hotel by the ocean for the event. Flown all their guests out. Very few people had been invited. Ken had received one, as promised. He had sent his best along with gift money, but RSVPed no.

"It was beautiful" Jimin sighed. He pulled his phone out, and began showing pictures to Kai. Kai didn't know the details about who Namjoon was. Not yet. Ken kept glancing around at the spring around him. He was fine for the most part. He had done what Namjoon had asked. He was

giving himself time.
"They've gone to Jamaica for the honeymoon" Ken turned around in time to catch sight of a selfie. It looked like Seokjin had sent it to the group chat. He looked gloriously tanned in it, sunglasses pushing his now brown dyed hair off his forehead. He was in a

hammock. And buried in his t-shirt was a sleeping Namjoon. His beautiful brown skin had gotten darker. He was glowing in the sun. Jimin quickly pulled the phone back.
"Jin Hyung keeps complaining Namjoonie Hyung is sleeping too much on the trip. I don't think he minds much though

No. Made sense for him to not mind. Ken sighed. He didn't have to pretend. Everyone knew he was affected by this. Maybe he will always be. Namjoon had been so sure they hadn't been in love. Maybe he hadn't been. Ken wasn't sure about himself. For him, Namjoon was always going to

be the one that got away.
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WOHOO. Look who managed to complete this supposed-to-be-short story finally. Thanks to all who read it. I made it as dramatic and K-dramaesque as I could 😂 it was fun to write!