"No."

"Please!"

"Absolutely not!"

Jungkook groaned as his father once again denied his request. "It's only dinner!" he whined. Seokjin stopped cutting the carrots on the chopping block and sighed at his son.

"Ah yes, because it just went oh so well last time!" He replied sarcastically.

Now, just what was Jungkook trying to achieve? After the atrocity that was the last family dinner, Jungkook figured a do-over was in order. Jackson had since accepted that Tae and Jungkook were a couple and now it was Namjoon's turn.

Before he could get the ball rolling, Jungkook would need Seokjin to agree to it. Which it was easier said than done.

"Kookie, if you're asking to go over to Taehyung's house for dinner, I don't mind but I really don't want to host another gathering for a good while." Understandable since that time didn't end well. However, as far as Jungkook was concerned - this wasn't about Jin and how he felt.

"DaAaaAAAd!"

Namjoon poked his head in from the other room, earning a groan from his husband. "Is something wrong Kookie?" He asked.

Jungkook looked up at him with big eyes, leaning against the kitchen counter with a pout. "Dad, can we please have TaeTae and his father over for dinner?"

His father furrowed his brow. He glanced over at Jin who had his hands on his hips, slowly shaking his head. "What did Appa say?"

"He said no..."

"Then why did you ask me?"

"Because he's not the boss of you."

"...Okay, they can come over." Namjoon dodged an incoming carrot from Jin. He chuckled as he caught one heading straight for his head.

"Namjoon!" Jin whined. The younger man smiled, coming behind his husband and wrapping his arms around his waist.

"Don't be like that love," he grinned, burying his head in the crook of the older's neck with a smile. "It's been too long since I've seen Jackson, and dinner sounds nice.

"You saw him two days ago at work- you know what, nevermind." Defeated, Jin sighed. He looked over at Jungkook who was eagerly texting his boyfriend the good news.

Seokjin couldn't help but smile. "Well, at least now I'll have a good chance to get to know Taehyung." At that, Namjoon narrowed his eyes as if he had forgotten Taehyung was coming as well.

"You know what, in hindsight maybe we shouldn't-"

"They'll be over tomorrow night! It's too late to change your mind. Thanks Dad, you're the best!

------------------------------

The next night rolled around faster than anyone had anticipated. While Jungkook was happy about it, Jin, not so much. Truth be told he was just tired and expecting the worst. Call him a pessimist, but he could tell something was going to go wrong.

That didn't mean he didn't cook the food to the best of his abilities to shove down Jackson's throat. Was Seokjin silently hoping he'd choke? No. Of course not. Well maybe, but he was going to keep that thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Jungkook was busy running around the house making sure everything in there was clean. Counters? Spotless. Carpet? Vacuumed. Dust? Never heard of her. Jungkook was on it. "Gosh, you're worse than Appa," Jimin commented as he watched his brother make his bed for the fifth time today. The younger couldn't help it, his perfectionist side had started to kick in and he was going full force.

Jimin furrowed his brow, watching as Jungkook put his stuffed animals in his closet. "What are you doing?" He questioned.

"I'm just putting these away. I don't want Tae thinking I'm childish or something." The older teen scoffed at him then plucked a pink bunny from his brother, who immediately tried to snatch it back, and looked down at it.

"Trust me, he already knows that," he said matter of factly while walking over to the bed and putting the toy back down. "And he loves you regardless. Why go through the effort of hiding your interest?"

"Because-"

"Because nothing," Jimin shushed. "Bunny stays. Now, don't you have more dirt to obsess over?" Jungkook left his room grumbling under his breath with Jimin rolling his eyes from behind.

As he walked into the living room, Jimin pulled out his phone to text his group chat.

BabyChick: Omfg someone help me

Sunshine: what happened????

BabyChick: Jungkook's gone crazy with cleaning. He just told me to stay outside so he could vacuum. AGAIN

BabyChick: Istg I'm going to die here

Yoongles: lol rip

Sunshine: what's the occasion?

BabyChick: Tae is coming over and I think he's stressing

Yoongles: think?

Sunshine: Aww! That's cute!

BabyChick: its annoying

Sunshine: he just wants his house to be nice for his bae!

Sunshine: Do you do the same when I come over kitten?

Yoongles: no

BabyChick: Yes you do

Sunshine: AWWW YOONGI 💞💞💞✨✨❤❤💖💗💗💓💕💕

BabyChick: Can someone just pick me up? The drama doesn't start till tonight. And I honestly don't want to be here any longer than I have to

Sunshine: you sound like Yoongi

Alien: AWW KOOKIE YOU'RE CLEANING JUST FOR ME? 💕

Yoongles: oh right, I forgot you were in this group chat

Yoongles: wait isn't Jungkook here too?

Kookie: hey Jimin, do you want to arm wrestle?

Kookie: I want to see how quickly I can break your hand 💕

BabyChick: shit

------------------------------

By the time four pm rolled around, everything was in order. Jungkook kept the house clean, Jimin successfully kept his arm, Seokjin had all the food ready, and Namjoon? He was fine.

Really he was.

"Hun, you looked stressed."

"What do you mean? I'm fine."

"Namjoon you've been watering this plant for five minutes." Namjoon's eyes widened at his drowned bonsai plant and cursed under his breath. Jin sighed as he took the watering can away from his husband.

"What's on your mind, Joon?" The younger man shrugged. He sat himself down in an armchair looking conflicted.

"I'm not sure it's just...the boys are growing up so fast! Jimin already had his first boyfriend and so has Jungkook. I just..."

"You just want to keep them by your side?" Jin finished and Namjoon nodded.

"Yeah." He was happy they were experiencing life yet a part of Namjoon still wished they were his babies. He missed getting a new scribble drawing from Jimin and spending time in the garden with Jungkook. It was the little times they had that he enjoyed.

Seokjin understood where he was coming from. Sure, it's upsetting knowing your kids were no longer kids but they had to grow with them. "It's scary not knowing what they've done or who've they done it with, but we need to be there for them no matter what and not hold them back from experiencing new things."

It didn't take long for Namjoon to pick up what he was referring to. The man sighed once again. "I guess I have been pretty protective, haven't I?"

The older wrapped his arms around Namjoon, affectionately draping himself across his shoulders. "Yes. Yes, you have. Let them have fun while they still can. When they need us, they'll talk to us and we'll be there. For now though, we should allow them to make some of their own choices."

Not long after their talk, Taehyung and his father had arrived. The Kim's went to greet them but to their surprise, there was an unexpected guest.

Taehyung flung himself into Jungkook's arms making Jimin gag. "Gross. You two act like you didn't see each other literally a few days ago." At the same time, the adults were conversing amongst themselves.

"Joon, Seokjin, this is Mark." Mark smiled at them and shook their hands respectfully. Jin was a little surprised, to say the least. He wasn't expecting extra guests. Especially not Jackson's new partner. After a few rounds of introductions, everyone went to the dining room.

The Taekook duo sat together hand in hand with everyone, minus Jimin, sitting with their respective partner's as well. "I thought you had a boyfriend Jimin, why isn't he here?" Jackson questioned.

Jimin sucked in a harsh breath. "He's in Japan." He replied, trying his best to keep his voice level. Jackson sensed his tension and quickly dropped the subject.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Mark," Namjoon said with a smile. "He never shuts up about you." Jackson rolled his eyes, yet made no effort to hide his smile.

"Oh really?" Mark teased.

"I can help it," Jackson grinned. "Not when I have someone as amazing as you by my side." The couple giggled at each other, intertwining their hands under the table while Jackson placed a kiss on Mark's cheek.

Jimin let out an unnoticed huff of boredom. Is this all the dinner was going to be? Friendly banter? He could've gotten this at school. If the night continued like this he may just leave early.

"I'm surprised Jackson," said Jin. "I didn't expect you to move on so cleanly," Jimin smirked. He could always count on his father to bring the drama and leaned forward to listen in.

Jackson narrowed his eyes at him. "It wasn't all that difficult. I know what I want in a person and I can actually handle myself." Seokjin scoffed and glared at the younger man.

The two of them never actually made up. They only apologised to Namjoon and though they promised him they'd stop being petty they never made that promise to one another.

Sensing something had gone wrong, Jungkook and Taehyung turned away from each other and towards the adults. "Now what is that supposed to mean?" Jin hissed.

"Don't answer that," Namjoon warned. He sent both of them a glance of disapproval that they were quick to catch.

Meanwhile, Mark was sitting there in pure confusion. "Um...context?"

"Don't ask." Replied all three adults in unison.

"Right well, it's been real, it's been fun - but we gotta go." Jungkook grabbed his boyfriend's hand and sprinted out of the dining room, not waiting for anyone's response.

Sure, one reason for this dinner was for Namjoon to get to know Taehyung, but the other reason was just to spend time alone with Tae without having to pay for food. "Don't forget to lock the door!" They heard Jimin shout.

"You've got a nice room," Taehyung commented as Jungkook locked his door. His eyes wandered around till they landed on a pink stuffed animal. Tae picked it up and cooed, despite its worn state. "Bunny?" He assumed.

Jungkook blushed and nodded. "I've had him for years."

"Cute." Taehyung noticed how clean the room looked then smirked. "You know Kookie, you didn't have to do all this cleaning for me." The younger rolled his eyes and threw himself onto his bed.

"What if I'm just a tidy person?"

"We both know that's not true," Tae snickered. He rolled onto the bed as well, with Jungkook quickly curling up to him. "There's a chance they'll be talking for a good while. What should we do?"

Jungkook hummed. "Netflix? I'm sure I can sneak some popcorn up here."

"Sounds like a plan."