AN: Hello, lovelies!  Boseok Gedo is definitely not a real place.  It's supposed to be along the lines of "Jeweled Crab Island".

Additionally, if you're enjoying the story, please vote so I know there's interest.  Comments are also appreciated.  I'm really very nice, I promise.  I'll reply to messages, as well, if anyone wants to say 'hi.'

Ta!

Edited 2/5/2020 - Just fixing some grammatical errors, nothing new.  I also need to learn to completely read through and do all the edits before hitting the publish changes button.  Derp.

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"I'm ready," Namjoon announced as he stepped out of the bedroom wearing his swim trunks and a red tank top. He had a towel thrown across his shoulder and had removed his watch and rings, not wanting to get saltwater all over them, or sand stuck underneath. "Jackie?" He glanced around and sighed in annoyance when he didn't see the man where he'd left him. The office door was closed again and Namjoon could hear his husband's voice from behind the wood. Rolling his eyes, he opened the door and poked his head in.

"Jackie," he hissed, not able to keep the glare from his features.

Jackson covered the mouthpiece of his phone with a hand. "Ten minutes," he whispered. "You can go down and start looking for your lobsters, I'll join you in just a couple, okay?" The shorter man pushed gently against the door, closing Namjoon out of the office.

For a handful of heartbeats, Namjoon stood staring at the wood-grain in front of him before clenching his fists. "They're crabs," he snarled under his breath before turning on his heel and stomping from the suite. A sixth tally mark was added to his mental list as he stabbed the button for the elevator more harshly than necessary. He watched the waves roll in from the window as the lift plunged smoothly for the ground floor. "You've known me for eight fucking years and still can't get that right?" he ranted under his breath. "Five years promising me we'd come down here and when we do, you spend the entire fucking time on your fucking phone. I may as well have come by myself. Fucking lobsters?"

They had spent the previous day settling into their suite, making good use of the bed. And the couch. And almost the kitchen counter, Jackson's phone interrupting them right before Namjoon had gotten his pants off. Namjoon ended up taking care of himself in the shower when "this will only take five minutes" turned into an hour-long phone call.

Room service provided them with a dinner they shared out on the balcony. For a brief moment, Namjoon thought that maybe, just maybe Jackson would put his work aside for them to be just them. Then, right as Namjoon popped the cork on a second bottle of champagne, the shorter man's phone rang. Jackson had said it was London on the line so he had to take it, because the time differences made it difficult to find a better opportunity to discuss whatever business they had. His husband had retreated to the office once more, and Namjoon drank an entire bottle of champagne on his own, watching the waves rolling in far below from his perch on the balcony railing.

Shaking away his mounting anger, Namjoon left the elevator and made quick work of the five-minute walk between the hotel and the beach. The moment Namjoon reached the sand, he dropped his sandals and towel on an unoccupied beach chair and went in search of the cocktail bar he'd read about in the pamphlets Seokjin had given him.

It was easy to find. The thatched, tiki-idol adorned hut stuck out like an orange road cone in a restaurant. It was a gaudy construct layered in silk-flower leis and shiny fringed banners advertising specialty drinks. When Namjoon slid onto a bar stool to order, he smiled in surprise at the face that greeted him from across the bar. The concierge that checked them in yesterday was slinging drinks while wearing a ridiculously large straw hat and a bright pink Hawaiian shirt.

"Ah, Mr. Wang!" Seokjin's teeth gleamed in the sunlight, looking ecstatic to see the younger man sitting there. While Namjoon was sure that the enthusiasm of the concierge... bartender?... was just part of good guest relations, it made him oddly happy that the shorter man appeared delighted to see him. "How have you found Cheongug?"

"It's as beautiful today as it was yesterday," Namjoon admitted, looking over the drink menu. "Whatever this thing is, I'll take it." He pointed to a fishbowl that was, if possible, pinker than Seokjin's shirt.

"Excellent choice!" Seokjin started rapidly pouring shots into a shaker from multiple bottles. Namjoon wasn't sure if he should be impressed or concerned that Seokjin wasn't even looking at the bottles he was grabbing before adding the spirits to the mix. "A Punch to the Face is a guest favorite. Give it a try. If you don't like it, I can make you something else instead."

Namjoon snorted at the name of the drink as he accepted it across the bar and took a sip. His eyes nearly rolled back into his head at how good the neon cocktail was. "Holy shit," he mumbled before taking another drink.

"Would you like to put that on your room tab?" Seokjin was, if possible, grinning even wider at Namjoon's reaction to the drink. When the blond nodded in response to the question, Seokjin started tapping away at the register's touchscreen. "I'm sorry for this inconvenience, but can I see your room card? The hut sometimes has trouble connecting to the main system and it's not letting me access room accounts. I can just slide the room key, though, and it will put the charge there, then once it syncs back up with the main system, your credit card will be properly processed."

Namjoon set the drink down and started digging in the pockets of his swim trunks. He froze when he realized that his wallet was back in the suite; he was too preoccupied with making an angry exit to remember to grab it. "I don't seem to have it on me," he admitted sheepishly.

"That's fine. Does your husband have his?"

"He's not down here." Namjoon's lips pressed thin, trying to come up with a solution to the situation. "I'll have to go back up and get it-" he cut himself off with a groan. "Except I can't work the elevator without my card. Damn it, I'm such a dipshit sometimes."

Seokjin's laughter caught Namjoon off-guard, a high, squeaky noise he was not expecting bursting from the other man's mouth. "Don't worry about it. The drink is on the house this time." Composing himself, Seokjin gripped his side of the bar, leaning forward slightly.

"Are you sure?" Namjoon eyed the drink dubiously. "It isn't like I can't afford it." His voice was quiet, although they were alone at the hut. "I don't want you to get in trouble for giving out free drinks."

Seokjin winked at Namjoon. "Don't worry about it, Mr. Wang. Your concern is sweet but I won't get in trouble. Promise."

The wink did something very strange to Namjoon's stomach. At least, he thought it was the wink. Maybe the alcohol was hitting him already. Blinking rapidly, Namjoon mentally shook himself and returned Seokjin's smile. "Thank you." He slid off the barstool, drink in hand. "I guess I'll see you around, then?"

"I do hope so. Oh, and just talk to any of the concierges and they can let you back up into your room when you're ready to return. Or you can come get me and I'd be happy to do so, myself. Enjoy your morning, Mr. Wang."

"Namjoon." The silvery-blond blurted, stirring his drink with the fruit-laden plastic pirate sword poking out of it. "Just Namjoon is fine." He could feel warmth spreading into his cheeks and looked dubiously down at the drink in his hand, deciding to blame it for the sudden flush. This thing really was a punch to the face if the alcohol was working that quickly.

"Well, if we're being informal, you can call me Jin-hyung." Seokjin winked again and Namjoon swallowed.

"Yeah, okay." He looked at his drink, then out at the ocean, then over his shoulder toward his beach chair. "Uhm. Bye now." He hurried away, chewing on his bottom lip as a very uncomfortable feeling curled around in his belly. He knew exactly what that sensation was: guilt. Guilt at feeling his chest squeeze from the hotel worker's wink, and for letting that incredibly bright smile not only make him feel better, but for letting it make him forget the source of his anger.

Reaching his chair, Namjoon sank down onto it and sipped at his drink, watching the waves lapping gently at the shoreline. It was so peaceful. As he set his drink into the cupholder of his chair, he wished he'd thought to bring a book down with him. Or his wallet. Or his keycard. He squinted at the sun. Or his sunglasses. He felt a bit like a hot mess and, whether it was Jackson's fault or not, he blamed his husband for his own lack of foresight. Thinking about the man brought the tight press of anger back to his chest and Namjoon found himself glaring at the sand as he dipped his bare feet under the warm granules.

With a huff, he pushed himself to his feet and grabbed his drink. He was here to relax, not to give himself an ulcer. As he made his way toward the water, he took a long drag on the straw and let the warmth of the alcohol radiate through his body. If there was one thing that would help take his mind off inconsiderate spouses, it was an adorable crab. He just needed to find one.

***

Seokjin handed his bar rag to Jaehyun when the young man came to relieve him of his shift. "The computer is acting up again," the older informed him. "Make sure they have their room keys before making their drinks, unless they have cash. I don't want to find out you've been giving out freebies."

"No problem, boss." The taller man gave his superior a smart-alecky salute that earned him a straw hat to the face as Seokjin tossed it at him. With a laugh, the younger jammed the hat onto his head and turned to a guest that was approaching. Seokjin took that as his moment to leave and headed out from the little hut back toward the hotel. He had only made it two steps, though, before he heard his name hollered across the sand. Turning, he was greeted with the signature bunny-smile of one of the lifeguards.

"Jin-hyung,"the young man started, reaching out to try to flick Seokjin on the forehead. The older swatted the hand away with a roll of his eyes.

"No respect!" His indignant tone didn't meet his eyes, though, and he moved to ruffle the dual-toned pink-and-blond locks of his dongsaeng. "What do you need, Kookie?"

"Jimin-hyung and I were going to have a bonfire tonight, out on the cape. Think you can wrestle up the others?" The hopeful look in the younger's eyes made him resemble an eager puppy and Seokjin resisted the urge to pinch the lad's cheeks.

"I don't know," he replied slowly, tapping a crooked finger to his chin. "Yoongi has a full house tonight at the Ciel and Hobi won't leave him to handle it alone..."

"Oh, come on, hyung." It came out as a whine and Seokjin raised his eyebrows. "Ciel closes at eleven. The busboys can do the dishes. We'll have the fire going and ready and they can join us by midnight. Especially if Tae-hyung lets us use some of his horses to get there faster."

Seokjin made a bigger show of mulling it over. When Jungkook looked like he was about to pout, Seokjin sighed. "Tell you what, I'll convince Yoongi and Hobi to let the rest close up shop, but you have to talk to Tae about the horses." There was a wicked gleam in Seokjin's eyes as he watched the color drain from Jungkook's face.

"I... but..." The young man's face turned bright red, an edge of panic creeping into his voice.

"If you can't ask him to borrow a horse, you'll never be able to ask him to dinner, Kookie," Seokjin said gently, placing a hand on the other's shoulder. "In fact, you should invite him to come out with us tonight!" Seokjin clapped at his sudden idea. "I'll bring some wine. It'll be a good time."

"But-"

Seokjin didn't wait to hear the excuse Jungkook was trying to stammer out, waving as he walked away. "See you tonight, Kookie!"

***

Jackson never came down to the beach. Namjoon thought he'd feel bitter about it but when his husband inevitably failed to show up, all he felt was a resigned acceptance of something he already knew would happen.

After a couple hours of beach combing in which he found so many crabs, a brief dip in the ocean, and a refreshing nap under a colorful umbrella, the blond decided to head back up to his room for a shower. He still had several hours before dinner but wanted to have plenty of time to get ready. It was, after all, a special night. Even if Jackson was too wrapped up in work to enjoy the beach with him there was no way he'd miss their anniversary dinner.

As he made for the stone pathway that led from the beach to the hotel, a flash of bright pink caught the corner of his eye and Namjoon turned to see Seokjin also approaching the pathway.

"Hello, Namjoon!" The dark-haired man waved, hurrying his pace so that they both reached the walkway at the same time. "Heading back in?" Namjoon nodded and the concierge swept his arm in a 'come along' gesture. "I'll take you up, then."

Namjoon fell into step beside the other as they walked along the twisty, palm-lined sidewalk. "I appreciate this. I'm not usually so scatterbrained."

"We all have our moments."

"Today has been one giant moment for me, then. No wallet, no key, no book. I even forgot to bring my phone down," Namjoon continued, running a hand through his salt-sticky hair. He grimaced at the rough texture.

"Pardon me if I'm talking out of place, but I don't think phones have much of a place on the beach. Then again, I may just be used to seeing too many angsty teenagers spending the family vacation with their nose buried in Instagram."

Namjoon chuckled. "I'm not a huge fan of them either, to be honest." His brain flashed a picture of Jackson glued to that damn cellphone but he shoved it away. "But I would have loved to take some pictures of the crabs I found, and my phone is the only camera I have."

"Crabs?" There was a glint of amusement in Seokjin's eyes that wasn't lost on Namjoon.

"I like crabs," the younger man murmured, a defensive edge creeping into his tone. He didn't mean to feel so riled but the morning comment from his husband still hurt a bit.

"You should take an excursion to Boseok Gedo, then. It is named for the blue-shelled crabs that live there."

Namjoon nearly stopped walking in his surprise but managed to keep moving forward, although his foot did catch the edge of a slightly raised cobble. He stumbled a couple steps before strong hands gripped his arms, halting the motion. "Oh, damn, I'm sorry." He straightened with Seokjin's help and gave a half-laugh, cheeks flushing as embarrassment slammed into him. His arms felt suddenly cold when Seokjin let him go and he rubbed self-consciously at his bicep.

"No, I should be the one apologizing; trip hazards on the walkways are inexcusable. You're okay, though?" Seokjin was looking down at the offending cobble with pursed lips but Namjoon nodded anyway, murmuring an affirmative. "I'll have maintenance sort that out immediately. You're sure you're okay?"

"Really, I'm fine. If you hadn't caught me, I would probably have gotten a little roughed up, but it's okay. I'm used to it."

"Used to it?" They started walking again and Namjoon watched something flicker across the other's face before realizing how his words may have been interpreted.

"Oh, no! No. I mean... I'm clumsy." He rubbed the back of his head and gave the concierge a halfhearted smile. "Jackie is always telling me he should just wrap me in bubble-wrap to save me from myself." He cleared his throat self-consciously. "My parents even refused to let me get my driver's license because they thought I'd be too much of a hazard to other drivers." Namjoon's face heated up at the scrutiny in Seokjin's expression. The younger smiled broadly and shrugged. "It's true. I'm a walking disaster zone. My friends in high school used to call me Hurricane Kim." He cringed internally at his running mouth but he couldn't seem to stanch the word-vomit.

"Kim?" Seokjin held the door open for Namjoon as they reached the hotel.

"Maiden name," Namjoon explained, moving into the lobby. "Though I don't know if that's really what it would be called since I'm not a woman. There really isn't a masculine version of that, is there?" He chewed on the side of his index finger in thought as they moved toward the North Tower elevator. "Pre-married name is a bit of a mouthful, though." He tapped the finger against his chin. "Birth name, I guess. My original name? My parent's family name." 'Jesus, Joon. Stop. Talking.'

"I think I've gotten the picture quite clearly," Seokjin interrupted. Namjoon was glad to see that the other man was smiling, and that the genuine expression reached his eyes. They boarded the elevator and were zipping upward in a matter of seconds. "My 'maiden name' is also Kim." Seokjin winked at Namjoon again and the younger man's stomach flipped like an Olympic gymnast, but this time it was at Seokjin's phrasing, not his action.

"You're married?" He mentally scolded himself at the instant feeling of disappointment that hit him at the thought. He was married; why did it matter if the cute concierge wasn't single? He nearly jerked in surprise when the implication of Seokjin's words hit him: he'd said 'maiden name'. Was he married to a man? He was gay? That would explain the flirting at the Tiki-bar-

"I'm married to my job," Seokjin's words pulled Namjoon's mind from the rabbit-hole. "I was just making a joke. Not a very good one, based on your reaction. My family name is Kim."

"Oh. Yes. Right." Namjoon gripped both ends of the towel that hung around his neck to keep his hands from fidgeting. He gave a little chuckle. "I can be a little slow on the uptake sometimes." He mentally scolded himself for the conflicting feelings warring inside him at the news that Seokjin was not married; elation had just throat-slammed disappointment into the general vicinity of his small intestine. Meanwhile, guilt was currently standing on the sidelines waving a giant foam finger that clearly read 'you're married, dumb-ass.'

The elevator dinged, signaling an end to the uncomfortable ride. Relief entered the fight, smacking both elation and disappointment with a folding chair.

Once the door to his room was opened, Namjoon bowed politely to Seokjin. "Thank you, again. I hope I'll be less of a bother from here out."

"Really, Namjoon, it is my pleasure to help in any way I can." Seokjin bowed back. Then, with one last wink and a smirk, the dark-haired man disappeared back into the elevator and out of Namjoon's sight.

Bracing himself for the fight that was probably going to break out when he heard Jackson's excuse for not coming down to the beach, Namjoon moved into the suite. The office door was open, his husband nowhere in view. He found his spouse in the bedroom, dressed for the beach, dead-asleep diagonally across their king-sized bed. The anger he had felt before melted off him like candle wax at the peaceful expression on Jackson's face. He must have been exhausted from being up so late on the phone with London and then again early with an investor from New Zealand.

As quietly as he could, Namjoon pulled a pair of clean sweatpants from the dresser before slipping into the bathroom. He'd wake Jackson up after his shower and then they could both get ready to go to dinner. Smiling to himself, Namjoon was glad when excitement made a grand entrance to the party, distracting all the other emotions long enough to clothesline them into submission. Tonight was going to be fantastic, he was going to spend it with the man he loved, and then they could finally get this vacation back on track.