Seokjin anxiously scrolled through the video recordings from the security cameras, capturing Jungkook's unexpected arrival at the house and, most importantly, the kiss they shared. Without hesitation, he quickly deleted them, desperately hoping Chungjae hadn't received any notifications on his phone or noticed that Jungkook had been there.

In spite of deleting the videos and thoroughly reviewing the recording log of the saved images, he couldn't shake off his concern about the suspicious timing of Chungjae's text message coinciding with Jungkook's kiss. He couldn't shake off his concern despite the message's harmless content.

He was well aware that if Chungjae found what had transpired, he would never hear the end of it. It could ruin so much between them; the last thing he wanted was to be labeled unfaithful. He also had no intention of doing anything that could interfere with their relationship. He was determined to establish clear boundaries with Jungkook, as he noticed that Jungkook tended to overstep them, especially since he unexpectedly showed up at his house.

Taking his phone, he crafted a message and sent it to Jungkook. Hoping it would be the last message he would ever have to send on that subject.

*****

Jungkook's phone chimed just as he stepped out of his car. He quickly retrieved it from his pocket, checking the message on the screen. A smile formed on his face as he realized it was a message from Seokjin.

After reading the message, he angrily slammed his car door and hastily put the phone back in his pocket.

Dear Mr. Jeon,

I'm sorry for reaching out to you this late; I believe it is important to establish a clear understanding and maintain mutual respect between us.

What happened tonight should never be repeated. I have some concerns about it. I am happily engaged and deeply committed to the man I admire, with plans to marry. I value how we work together, but I may need to consider leaving if my concerns are not considered. We can establish a positive and productive working relationship, provided that you can acknowledge and honor my boundaries and the commitment I have in my current relationship.

Thank you,

Seokjin

*****

Jin carefully set the extra side dishes on the table, then settled into his seat across from Chungjae's mother, Cho-hee, who had visited him.

He watched as she looked over everything he had set up but avoided touching anything.

"Would you like me to prepare you a plate?" Jin graciously extended his offer, eager to be of service.

He had taken great care to prepare a delicious meal for his future mother-in-law, knowing her selective taste in food.

"No, I'm good, thanks. This is quite a lot of food. Is this how you and Chungjae usually eat when he's home?"

Jin smiled as he replied, "It's not always like this. I do make this type of food, but not this much. I made a little extra today just for you. I wasn't sure about your preferences and wanted to ensure that I have a variety of options for you."

"That was thoughtful of you, but it wasn't necessary to go to such lengths. I'm especially picky about my food choices, and unfortunately, I don't find anything inviting on this table. Nevertheless, I recognize your thoughtfulness and effort."

With a positive demeanor, Jin replied, "I am sorry for not consulting with you beforehand about your preference."

"It's fine, and there's no need to worry. I understand that you are still adapting and getting used to being a member of this family."

"Thanks for your understanding. Next time, I will strive to improve by putting in more effort. " Jin responded and casually started picking at the food before him.

"Did my son inform you about the purpose of my visit today?" Cho-hee inquired, gazing at Jin from across the table.

Jin glanced at her, raising his head, "No, he didn't tell me about anything."

"I would like to suggest an earlier date for your wedding."

Jin was taken aback by Cho-hee's words, leaving him confused and unsure how to react or what to say in response.

"It seems that my son has approached you about starting a family, but you are hesitant to fulfill his request. Initially, I couldn't comprehend your reluctance to fulfill his request. However, after contemplating the situation differently, you might prefer to be married before granting his wish.

I completely understand, so I would like to move the wedding. Once Chungjae returns from his trip, it seems ideal for the two of you to get married."

Jin's heart was pounding with anxiety, and to make matters worse, he felt a deep sense of emotional pain. He could not understand why Chungjae would discuss such a sensitive matter with his mother. Something that should've been kept private between them.

"Seokjin, did you hear me?" Cho-hee wondered why Jin hadn't replied.

"Umm, I did, but I would rather maintain the current wedding date. If we change the date and move it earlier, it would unfortunately prevent my mother from being able to attend. She is currently in the process of recovering and has some limitations on her activities during this time. It's still unclear how successful the surgery will be, so I don't want to add any stress to her recovery since I know she wouldn't want to miss my wedding." Jin felt he might be going on and on, but he wanted his Cho-hee to grasp why changing the wedding date wasn't the best decision.

"Seokjin, I understand your concern regarding your mother's absence from your wedding. It would be fair and reasonable for her to attend, particularly considering the substantial financial investment made to restore her health.

However, the delay this would cause is an issue for me, as it interferes with something my son wants. Unless you're willing to give in to his wishes before the two of you tie the knot?

I'm confident that it can be done and I don't think you'll be at a stage where you will be showing too much before the wedding. What are your thoughts?"

Taking a deep breath and making an effort to conceal any hint of ungratefulness, Jin mustered a smile as he replied to Cho-hee. "I am going to carefully think about it and make every effort to meet Chungjae's wishes, if possible, before our wedding."

"That's great. Thank you, Seokjin. I'm pleased to see your willingness to reconsider. I understand that joining our family may be a unique experience for you, and there are many things to adapt to, given our specific preferences. Rest assured, you are not alone in this.

We also face similar challenges when it comes to dealing with you. We have never welcomed someone like you into our family before. My parents and even their parents would have disapproved of that, but I'm determined not to follow in their footsteps. I want my son to be happy, and the moment he saw you, it seemed he had a clear objective in mind, and look at how it all worked out." Cho-hee beamed at Seokjin, her smile radiating a sense of happiness.

Jin offered a subtle smile yet remained silent.

*****

"My mother mentioned that she enjoyed spending time with you today. I am proud of you; thank you for making her feel welcome in our home."

"I'm glad that her visit was enjoyable. By the way, may I ask about something?"

"Sure, my love, what's the matter?" Chungjae asked over the phone, interested in what Jin wanted to discuss.

Jin took a deep breath and asked, "What made you share your wish for us to have a child with your mother? Didn't we already talk about this privately? I've already told you what I think about it. I thought we had an understanding about this, Chungjae?"

"Seokjin, we didn't have an understanding of this. We have different wants and perspectives. You did not consider my needs a top priority, which I find quite selfish. I did not tell my mother about it to seek her input. Rather, I confided in her to seek guidance and gain a fresh perspective on whether my actions were self-focused."

"I won't say you're being selfish, Jae, but my thoughts aren't being taken into consideration. You expect us to start a family while you're constantly on the go and prioritizing your work. Will our dynamic shift if we decide to have a child together?"

"What do you mean by that, Seokjin? If we have a child together, we must share the responsibility of caring for our child, especially if one of us cannot be there. I fail to understand why this is even a consideration on your part. It's about time you put aside your self-interest and fulfill my wishes, as I'm certain you know I had other options, individuals my family would have favored. However, I made my own choice to choose you. Your family also benefits from my selection of you."

Jin's eyes welled up with tears, which he quickly brushed away before speaking, "There's no need to say that, Jae. I fully understand that you had numerous options available, and if you believe that I am not meeting your expectations, then perhaps I am not the ideal person for you to be with."

"Seokjin, you are the person I want to be with, so say useless things. We will keep trying for a baby when I get there and proceed with our wedding as planned. Anyway, I have to go now. Thanks for being understanding and thinking about our future and not just about yourself. I love you, and I miss you. Send me pictures."

*****

Jin felt trapped in an endless cycle of events unfolding in his life. He tried to avoid appearing selfish to his family, Jae, and Jae's family, but it was sometimes difficult.

He didn't want to cause any trouble with his new job, but he understood that he might be the one to blame if he didn't respect Jae's wishes. He contemplated whether he was truly in the wrong.

Initially, he didn't consider himself selfish. Still, he was able to connect with how others might perceive him that way, considering that nobody understood the reasons behind his need for a job.

As his mind became consumed by many concerns and ideas, he let out a deep sigh and shut the laptop before him, realizing he had been more lost in thought than productive.

After shutting the laptop, he unintentionally locked eyes with Jungkook, sitting across from him. They were on a private flight bound for the Maldives. Although he had initially been optimistic about it, given it was his first work trip abroad with Jungkook. The dynamic between him and Jungkook had noticeably shifted, and he couldn't help but feel responsible. He had sent a message without ill intentions, hoping to establish some boundaries. However, instead of what he had hoped for, he found himself on the receiving end of Jungkook's silence and disinterest.

He had hoped that Jimin would join them on the trip and had assumed that would be the case for all their travels. However, it turned out that he was Jungkook's sole companion. This was something Jae was unaware of. Jin had initially mentioned that it would be a group of them traveling based on his assumptions. Now, he was unsure how to admit his mistake without upsetting Jae.

He started fiddling with his engagement ring with a heavy sigh, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. Occasionally, he would catch Jungkook's gaze, and for a brief second, their eyes would meet before he quickly averted his gaze and attempted to shift his attention elsewhere.

Needing some privacy, Jin rose from his chair and navigated his way to the restroom at the rear of the aircraft. He was aware of the presence of a bedroom on the plane and had been informed that he could use it for rest. However, this information was relayed by Hoseok, who was not accompanying him on the flight. He hesitated to go and lie down, concerned that it might cause problems with Jungkook.

He disliked the oppressive silence that had settled between him and Jungkook, leaving him pondering how to mend their relationship. However, he couldn't understand how it was possible, as Jungkook no longer acknowledged him whenever he spoke.

Entering the bathroom, he quietly closed the door behind him. He was amazed by the spaciousness of the bathroom, which brought back memories of the plane Jae had once taken him on for one of their numerous dates.

Taking a brief pause, he revived himself by splashing water on his face and inhaling deeply, seeking to soothe his mind, anxiety, and all the things that had been troubling him. He understood that if he didn't make an effort, he would become overwhelmed with emotions, which he wanted to avoid, especially during his travels.

While attempting to compose himself, a sudden knock echoed through the bathroom door. He paused briefly and said, "One moment." With a steady breath, he approached the door and slowly opened it.

Upon seeing Jungkook, he mustered a slight smile and tried to exit.

As he tried to leave, he was suddenly pushed back inside, with the door soon closed behind them as Jungkook entered, causing Jin to fall even more surprised.

"A wise person once said boundaries are meant to be pushed, and rules exist to be broken," Jungkook stated, tugging Jin closer, their gazes locked in a captivating exchange. "It's hard for me to go on this trip with you without considering the possibilities between us," he whispered, moving his hand to the small of Jin's back. Jin's throat tightened as he tried to swallow the feelings he was experiencing.

"Jungkook..." Jin said but had no other words beyond that as he became silent and stared at Jungkook. 

Jungkook smiled and pressed his lips against Jin's, their kiss eventually growing more needy as he carefully lifted him and guided him onto the bathroom sink. Jin's legs naturally wrapped around Jungkook's waist, drawing them closer together as their lips moved in a perfect rhythm.