Thread by @returnoftay

a #taegi au where it takes his son's birthday party for yoongi to realize maybe he's a little in love with taehyung.

[1] There were a lot of things Taehyung enjoyed about spending time with Yoongi: his sense of humour, his attentiveness, his calm and collected demeanour, his wicked sex drive. All of those things kept him coming back, kept him asking for more.

[2] At first, when they’d just been friends, Taehyung had been more than okay with that—he could experience most of those things without dating him— but once their relationship had progressed, he’d realized he couldn’t go back.

[3] He was realizing that now too. Nothing about what he liked about Yoongi was on display now, not really. He was running around, a frantic aura around him as he tried to put out each fire before it spread and ruined the whole day.

[4] He wasn’t joking around, he wasn’t paying attention to him, he certainly wasn’t calm, and they were nowhere near a bed. And yet, here he was, staring at him. He was sure if he was being drawn in some manga or comic book, he’d have heart eyes and blush lines on his cheeks.

[5] He wasn’t being subtle nor was he trying to be. There was just something about today that made Taehyung want to watch him, to snuggle him close and crush him in a hug. He couldn’t do that, they weren’t allowed, but he wanted to.

[6] “Tae, have you seen—” Yoongi halted as he saw Taehyung’s look. “What?”

Taehyung smiled and shook his head. “Nothing, sorry.”

Yoongi tilted his head but, before he could ask a follow-up question, he heard the telltale sound of a kid screaming and was diverted.

[7] “Shit. Can you find the water balloons? I hid them so the kids wouldn’t start early and I can’t find them.”

“I’ll find them,” Taehyung promised, pushing himself up so he could search. As he passed Yoongi, he squeezed his shoulder, hand lingering longer than a friend’s would.

[8] If anyone was paying attention he was sure they’d notice, but no one ever did. “You’re doing amazing, baby.”

“I just want this to go well,” Yoongi murmured, leaning into Taehyung’s touch. Yoongi had been worried about this day for weeks.

[9] It was his son’s first birthday party in their new neighbourhood and everyone was there. They’d had some issues when the families realized he was a single dad—it didn’t fit the ‘ideal’ of a suburb—but it had been okay since then.

[10] This birthday party was like a trial run to see if the community really accepted him. Taehyung honestly thought it was stupid—it shouldn’t matter what random people who just happened to live near him thought—but it mattered to Yoongi so he played along.

[11] “Look at how much fun everyone is having,” Taehyung pointed out. “Jin has them eating out of the palm of his hand and I’m pretty sure at least half the couples here are considering asking Jimin to third for them.”

[12] Yoongi snorted, his hand reaching up and settling on the tip of Taehyung’s. This was as far as they’d go in public. Yoongi wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed, he didn’t care—all the adults knew Yoongi was gay and his son was a surrogate child—but Jinwoo didn’t know about them.

[13] Yoongi didn’t want Jinwoo to grow up with a variety of Yoongi’s significant others coming and going so he never knew who Yoongi was dating. Taehyung had known that was his way for years and now that it was him hidden in secret, he understood.

[14] He wasn’t going anywhere but he’d wait until Yoongi was sure of that too. He had all the time in the world.

“DADDY!”

Whipping around, Yoongi’s eyes fell to his son, who was wearing a crooked sparkly silver crown with fake jewels and a ‘7’ right in the middle. “Yes, honey?”

[15] “You said you’d play hide and seek with us,” Jinwoo reminded him, smiling up at him and Taehyung. “Uncle Tae can play too!”

Yoongi kneeled and straightened the crown. “Uncle Tae is working on a special task for me but I can play.”

[16] Jinwoo pouted, his brows furrowing as he looked between his dad and Taehyung in confusion. It was his birthday, why wouldn’t his uncle want to play with him? What else could be so special? “But I want to play with Uncle Tae too.”

[17] The panic on Yoongi’s face was so obvious that Taehyung felt his chest contract. He was taking all of this so seriously but the fact it was Jinwoo’s seventh birthday just made it even worse. Yoongi practically breathed for his son and he didn’t want to mess anything up.

[18] “Well, maybe I could—”

Interrupting Yoongi, Taehyung crouched down and waved Jinwoo over conspiratorially. The small boy ran to him immediately and leaned in, his tiny hand covering his mouth even when he wasn’t the one talking.

[19] “I heard Uncle Kookie say that he was the bestest at hide and seek and no one could beat him.”

“I’m the bestest!” Jinwoo protested immediately, his foot stomping indignantly. No one ever found him when he was hiding. Not even his dad.

[20] “That’s what I said but he said no. I bet if you and your dad can catch him, he’ll have to admit you’re the best,” Taehyung suggested, his eyes flicking to Yoongi, who visibility relaxed when Jinwoo nodded.

[21] They watched him dart away, nearly running into Jungkook’s legs as he tried to detangle a pair of fairy wings from the netting of the blowup castle. Kids’ parties were a hellscape, but Taehyung was kinda enjoying it.

“Thanks,” Yoongi whispered.

[22] “No problem. Now go play hide and seek with your son. I’ll find the water balloons!”

Yoongi nodded and darted forward, much like his son, only to freeze and step back, a hand on his lips like he’d forgotten himself for a moment. “Thanks, Tae. Seriously.”

[23] “It’s not a problem. Go,” Taehyung ordered before spinning on his heel and disappearing into the house.

It took him nearly a half hour to find the balloons—Yoongi was seriously good at hiding things—but he managed to do it and carry them out.

[24] He walked out into a scene of chaos. Jinwoo was sitting on Jungkook’s stomach looking victorious while the man laughed and Yoongi shook his head. All the parents were watching fondly as well and Taehyung knew the day had been a success.

Now it was time for the final event.

[25] “Did someone ask for water balloons?” Taehyung called, wincing at the screams that echoed through the backyard. “Everyone line up! You all get six each!”

“Only six?” Jinwoo asked. “Can’t we just take’em?”

“Is that fair?” Taehyung wondered, tilting his head.

[26] Jinwoo pursed his lips and looked around, then shook his head. “Some are slow.”

Taehyung pressed his lips together to prevent himself from laughing and nodded. “Exactly. But the birthday boy gets seven.”

“I do?!”

“You do,” Taehyung confirmed. “Now line up!”

[27] Considering how often they lined up for school, that was the only part of the day that went according to plan. After that, chaos reigned. Yoongi, with the marvelous ability of hindsight, realized he should have known that would happen but he’d just thought it would be fun.

[28] And it was. The kids were screaming and laughing, half of them soaked from head-to-toe for some reason while the parents watched from a safe—and dry—distance. Hoseok had taken it upon himself to provide ‘adult’ beverages for them, so they were all delighted.

[29] But the yard was a mess, kids slipping and sliding everywhere. Yoongi dreaded cleaning up, but Jinwoo was smiling, so he figured it was okay.

“Your child is incredibly competitive,” Taehyung commented, watching Jinwoo run around, the only one completely dry.

[30] “I think I let him spend too much time with Jungkook.”

“Says one of the most competitive people I know,” Taehyung teased, his smile light.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Yoongi denied, his tone deadpan even as his lips kicked up in the corner.

[31] “Uh huh,” Taehyung snorted, then straightened from where he’d been leaning on the glass sliding door and reached for the handle. “I’m going to join.”

“Join?” Yoongi asked only to see Taehyung step outside and grab his hose. “Oh, no.”

[32] Yoongi watched in muted horror as Taehyung turned on the hose and sprayed Jinwoo, who had yet to get wet. There was a pause before Jinwoo whipped around and threw his last two remaining balloons at Taehyung, who took the hits easily.

[33] Yoongi figured that would be the end, but then the other kids joined in and it devolved into Taehyung just chasing them with the hose.

“He’s a good man,” a quiet voice commented, drawing Yoongi’s attention.

[34] It was Sooyoung’s mom, Junghwa. She was the volunteer coach for the local soccer team and head of the book club. Basically, she was terrifying. And Yoongi desperately wanted her approval.

“He is,” Yoongi agreed, beating down the urge to shift awkwardly under her gaze.

[35] “Have you been together long?” She asked, making Yoongi tense in surprise. “Oh, don’t be like that. Everyone can tell. We just didn’t say anything because we assumed it had to do with Jinwoo.”

[36] Yoongi grimaced, his gaze drifting to the yard where Taehyung was now trying to move with two children attached to his legs. “I don’t want him to get attached if he’s going to leave.”

Junghwa nodded. “You’re a good dad. We weren’t sure at first, but you are. Stupid though.”

[37] “Excuse me?” Yoongi hissed, despite his desire to make her like him.

“You think that man is going anywhere?” Junghwa asked, gesturing to the yard.

Namjoon had joined now but they were still losing miserably. Yoongi gave it ten more minutes max before they admitted defeat.

[38] Namjoon looked harried, like he was trying to keep track of things all at once. Taehyung didn’t. Jinwoo had somehow managed to climb onto his back but he was still smiling and laughing, spraying himself just so he could get Jinwoo too.

They looked like family.

[39] Yoongi rubbed his chest, his heart suddenly beating a mile a minute. “I don’t want him to.”

“Then tell him that,” Junghwa muttered. “That poor boy has been staring after you since you moved in. It’s painful. Plus we took bets and Sooyoung needs new shin pads.”

[40] Shaking his head with a small smile, Yoongi let her walk away. He knew Taehyung would never leave as a friend, but they hadn’t even been dating a year yet and he was still so worried it would end. There was no reason for it but Yoongi was still worried.

[41] He didn’t talk to anyone about it, mostly because he knew they’d call him stupid just as Junghwa had done.

'That poor boy has been staring after you since you moved in. It’s painful.'

[42] Yoongi furrowed his brow. He’d lived here for over a year. They’d only been together 8 months. Had Taehyung been pining after him?

Refocusing on the yard, Yoongi watched in slow motion as Namjoon broke the hose and all the children scattered so they could point and laugh.

[43] Taehyung bent over, his body shaking as he laughed at Namjoon while Jinwoo tipped precariously forward from the angle and wrapped his arms around Taehyung’s neck so he wouldn’t fall.

[44] Taehyung placed a hand on the back of Jinwoo’s head and straightened, turning to smile at the birthday boy, who smiled back before wiggling free and taking off with his friends.

Taehyung watched him go, a soft expression on his face that made Yoongi’s heart ache.

Oh.

[45] Why was he so worried? Why did it matter? Even if they broke up, Taehyung would never leave. He’d known Jinwoo since the moment he was born, Yoongi had held his hand while waiting for the announcement of his safe delivery. Taehyung was always there.

[46] So why was he worried?

/Because you’re a coward./

Yoongi blinked, surprised at himself. Maybe he was. Maybe he was giving himself an out so he wouldn’t get hurt. Maybe he didn’t need that.

[47] Sliding the door open forcefully, Yoongi ran out of the house. Taehyung saw him coming and raised his hands in apology. “Namjoon broke the house, not me!”

Ignoring him completely, Yoongi jumped on him, his arms wrapping around his neck much as Jinwoo’s had.

[48] “I know this is a bad time but I think I love you.”

Taehyung stuttered audibly. “You what?”

“I love you,” Yoongi repeated, feeling a sudden pressure in his chest evaporate. It felt so good to say. “I love you.”

“I-I— Yoongi, people are staring. Jinwoo—”

[49] “I don’t care. I love you,” Yoongi repeated.

For a moment, Taehyung soaked that in. He’d known, of course, but hearing it was different. Hugging Yoongi in public was different. “I love you too.”

“You do?” Yoongi asked, leaning back to see his face.

[50] Taehyung nodded and cupped his cheek, placing a chaste kiss on his lips, a promise for later. “I do.”

Yoongi smiled wide and kissed him back, lingering just a little longer. Or would have if his son hadn’t interrupted. “Daddy, that’s gross. You only kiss boys in private!”

[51] “/What/?” Yoongi gasped out, whipping around. Taehyung let him go and he nearly stumbled as his feet hit the ground. What had his son just said? Only in /private/?

Jinwoo made a gagging face. “You only kiss Uncle Tae in private! That’s the rule!”

[52] “The rule…” Yoongi trailed off, then rubbed his forehead. What had made him think Jinwoo wouldn’t notice that Taehyung hung around more than literally anyone else? Wishful thinking on his part. “You can kiss people in public if you want. Boys too.”

[53] “You can?” Jiwoo considered, tilting his head, then grimaced. “No. That’s gross. No kissing at my party!”

Yoongi laughed. “Alright, I’m sorry, honey.”

Jinwoo nodded in satisfaction then paused, eyes narrowed. “But if you want to kiss Uncle Tae other days, that’d be okay.”

[54] “You sure, bud?” Taehyung asked. “It’s okay if you don’t like it.”

Shaking his head, Jinwoo fiddled with his crown. “Daddy’s happier when you’re here. Plus you play with me.”

[55] “Well, in that case,” Taehyung declared, running to Jinwoo’s side and swinging him up and around, his smile widening when Jinwoo’s shrieked in happiness and struggled against Taehyung’s hold even as he smiled and laughed, his expression delighted. “What if I kiss you too?”

[56] “Noooooooo,” Jinwoo cried out in playful protest. Yoongi honestly felt like he was going to cry.

“Dinner and a show,” Junghwa commented dryly from a few feet away, raising a brow as she watched the display. “What a nice addition to the neighbourhood.”

FIN

there's just something about soft dad yoongi, you know? let me know what you thought!

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