Chapter Text
『 You were "you"
I was "I"
We've been living without
Knowing each other
With a "Hi"
Now, it's you and me
It's "us" now 』
♡
DAY 0
Jaemin isn’t sure he wants to look up and meet Renjun’s gaze. “I feel like I should run away before you rope me into some weird video.”
That earns him a slap on the arm from the folder the video producer is holding. “You haven’t even heard what video it is yet.”
Taking a deep breath, Jaemin finishes reading the fifth report of the day. He sticks it in the growing pile before he finally gives Renjun his full attention.
“Do I want to know what video it’s going to be?”
The smile on the producer’s face is already a warning in itself.
“You’ve watched the Married For a Week series , yeah?”
Jaemin’s cup of iced coffee almost crumples in his hand. “No. I am not doing that.”
Renjun curls into himself, pouting. If anyone in his department would see what he’s doing right now, they’ll never let him live it down. “Come on, Jaem,” he whines. “You of all people should know that that series really helped boost our engagement and our subscriber counts.”
“Of course I know it. Doesn’t mean I should suddenly be part of it.”
The series was steadily growing to become a viewer favorite. It had all started when the same people that came up with the Handcuffing People Together for 24 Hours series were brainstorming for something new, but something along those same lines. People liked the idea of starting some sort of relationship or rekindling an old one by living with someone for at least a whole day, spending time with them and learning their habits.
With the steady stream of comments saying “I ship it” and “they’re so cute”, the producers decided they could take it a bit further. The first pair for the Married for a Week series were understandably awkward, dancing around each other in a tiny apartment, but at the end of it they became rather good friends. Jaemin sees them still sitting together at lunch. They might not have been the type that people would want to root for, but they worked in a way that’s still admirable.
The second pair was what really catapulted the series into becoming one of their most popular on the channel. After reading the reports the morning after the video was posted, Jaemin wasted no time in watching it. Jungwoo and Lucas, a marketing director and a communications coordinator. At first, they didn’t seem to be all that compatible, with them seeming shy around each other and their differences looking very obvious. Jaemin knew Lucas, knew that Jungwoo wasn’t the type that he could easily get along with.
But that week showed a surprising change in the both of them. Halfway through day three and they dared to become bolder, openly flirting to fluster each other. Often, the originally quiet Jungwoo looked pleased as Lucas was caught completely off guard by his attempts. That was the start of something that looked close enough to be a friendship, while continually toeing the line into a territory that made many viewers, including Jaemin, raise their eyebrows.
From then on, viewers had been constantly asking for another installment in the series, hungry for that sort of content. Jaemin saw the appeal of it, but he knew that the pairings mattered more than most anything else. It couldn’t just be luck. They had to pair two people that would give the viewers something to watch. A horribly mismatched pairing will be about 10 times as worse as setting someone up on a blind date.
In a swift motion, the producer perches on Jaemin’s desk, looking straight into Jaemin’s eyes. “It’s not gonna hurt you, you know. It’s just a fun little thing to do.”
Sighing, Jaemin laces his fingers together, placing them on his lap. His eyes dart to a frame on his desk. “Renjun, you know I can’t just do stuff like that.”
Renjun follows his gaze. “I know. But you must also know of what viewers have suddenly been craving.”
Jaemin knew the answer. Of course he did. It was his entire job. “And that is?”
“Family domesticity.” The producer’s smile is too bright, too much of a bad idea.
Rubbing at his temples, Jaemin huffs out a breath. There isn’t really any winning against the producer, not when Jaemin himself has informed him of the trends in the first place.
And of course, Renjun, ever-knowing, knows exactly who to pull for that type of concept. He was good at this, always was. Sometimes, Jaemin thinks, far too good.
“Can I at least meet them first?” Jaemin asks, sipping more of his coffee. He really hasn’t had enough caffeine for this.
Grinning, Renjun jumps off the desk. “Of course! I’ll call you in to a quick meeting later.”
Jaemin only nods, waving Renjun away. He’s gonna need to get a good amount of his work done before that meeting, as he feels like he might not be up to it after.
It’s… not exactly the best idea out there. Not a bad one, really, but not that great either. He sure wasn’t ready for any of it, especially letting an almost-complete stranger into his home and his life. It was all for the cameras and YouTube, yes, but it still was more than Jaemin has allowed in a while.
He drains his coffee cup. No use overthinking it now. One way or another, it was going to happen, and there wasn’t much he could do about it. Once Renjun scouts you for a video that was it.
Jaemin silently wishes that he could just end the day already.
♡
Blinking slowly, Jeno tries to process what he’s just been told. “Can you run that by me again?”
“You’re gonna be married to someone for a week,” Donghyuck says brightly, handing him a printout. “It’s for the YouTube series. You’re just gonna vlog your week with the person you’re ‘married’ to and then we’re gonna make it into a video for our dear viewers.”
Jeno skims over the printout. All he understands are the words domesticity and family . “And why me?”
Donghyuck pulls an empty chair to sit down next to him. “Because Jeno, you’re hot and single and you look like you have a mundane enough life for the video to be relatable. Plus, it looks like you’re not ready for marriage at all, so you’re perfect, basically!”
“Uh. Thanks?”
Scooting closer, Donghyuck leans in. “Listen. It’s just a week. You just have to put up with this person for a week and then you don’t have to acknowledge their existence after.”
He’s about to say something when the producer speaks up again. “Or, well, you can do as some of the others have done.” There’s a glint in his eyes that Jeno knows all too well.
“And that is?”
“You can actually start dating them.” Donghyuck looks pleased, his lip curling. A bit like a predator about to latch onto its prey. “Admittedly, that doesn’t always happen, but it can happen with you, who knows? Just think of it as a really long blind date.”
“Hyuck…”
“Okay, I know, you’ve had this thing where you prefer finding a love life outside of your job. I’m not gonna force you to fall in love with him. Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. The point of the video is just to see how well two relative strangers can handle being around each other for a week.”
Jeno resists the urge to rub a hand across his face. “You make it seem like it’s an easy thing to do.”
Donghyuck purses his lips. “We’ve had six pairs so far. It wasn’t a completely life-changing experience by any means for them, but they had fun. The first couple of days might be difficult, what with the adjusting and all, but it’s just a slightly different sleepover honestly. Nothing too complicated, I promise.”
Biting the inside of his cheek, Jeno looks straight at his friend. “And what do I get from it?”
The producer shrugs. “A learning experience? A new friend, certainly. God knows you need that.”
“Again, thanks.”
A pen is pointed at him. “You can meet the guy later. See if you’re comfortable.” Donghyuck stands up from the chair. “I’ll email you the links of the previous videos. Watch them if you can. You’ll see that it’s pretty fun.”
Jeno watches him leave. “I haven’t agreed yet!” he calls out.
Donghyuck doesn’t even turn when he replies “I know.”
Later, at one of the smaller meeting rooms, Jeno finds that he’s the first one there. He checks his email again to make sure he’s in the right room, then finding a seat for himself some distance away from the board. There’s coffee and snacks on one table, and after a moment of consideration, he wheels his chair over to grab a muffin. Belatedly, he realizes he hasn’t eaten lunch.
The door opens, and in comes Renjun, one of the video producers he’s met for some projects before. Renjun smiles at him, taking his place near the board and opening his laptop. They don’t say a word to each other, so Jeno fills the silence with soft tapping against the table.
Donghyuck comes in a few minutes later, with his own laptop in hand and his “this might be whiskey” mug. Trailing behind him is Taeyong, who Jeno knows is most likely directing this whole shoot. They set up, getting ready for the meeting when someone else comes in.
Jeno tries not to raise his eyebrows in surprise at the newcomer. It feels like he’s holding his breath the entire time as the guy takes a seat right across him, scrolling through his phone and sipping at his iced coffee.
For a quick moment, Jeno stares at Donghyuck, trying to get him to look. When the producer does and Jeno widens his eyes, he watches as Donghyuck gives him the slightest of smirks.
Oh, curse Donghyuck for knowing too much.
So that he won’t stare at the man across from him, Jeno busies himself with looking through his emails. Surely there’s going to be a few he hasn’t answered yet, so he might as well get to them as they wait for the meeting to start.
It begins with Renjun saying, “Good afternoon!” in a voice that is more alive than any of them probably feel. “We’ll just run through the general flow of it, and then we’ll leave you to get to know each other.”
Jeno feels his stomach twist a bit at the words. He chances a glance at the man he’s apparently going to be married to for a week, and is met with a dazzling smile.
He’s gonna need to strangle Donghyuck a bit after this.
“As the both of you know, the Married For a Week series is immensely popular.” Donghyuck is looking at the two of them, his hands clasped in front of him. “It makes people excited to see the possible outcome of pairing strangers, especially seemingly incompatible ones, while also giving them a peek into habits and everyday situations that will change ever so slightly with the addition of another person in their life.”
Over his lunch break, Jeno did watch a couple of videos. A good amount of it was obviously fake, or edited in a way to make it look more appealing to the audience. Of course, that’s what the goal was, this idealized compilation of little moments that satisfy a particular fantasy.
None of it was perfect, of course. That was the charm in it. It all seemed absolutely human, with their slightly messy apartments to little pleasures like sharing ice cream. They wanted to replicate the way that relationships were, not exactly too idealistic, but still a tiny bit exaggerated.
Jeno appreciates the work that was put in it to make it look convincing, to make people want to see more. It was fun, yes, but it was primarily made to look romantic, as if the pairs had actual chemistry.
Now, Jeno hasn’t met any of the pairs. He doesn’t know if they were pretending the whole time or not. But he knows that with the cameras, not everything was as genuine as it could be. That’s just how it was.
The subtlest of acting to make it look real enough, but not too real. Jeno knew it well.
“Recently, the response has been better if the pair seems to be opposites of each other, yet they slowly learn that they have more in common than originally thought. Works best that way.” Renjun’s smile feels the same way that Donghyuck’s does. Kind, of course, but also scarily smart. “It’s the buildup that counts. It’s them getting to know each other.”
Another glance right in front of him and Jeno can see him tilt his head, as if mulling the words over. He wonders how he was told about the whole thing, how he could have reacted, what his thoughts are now. Is he really okay with this?
“Following the releases of our previous Mother’s Day and Father’s Day videos, we’ve noticed that our viewers also eat up the whole idea of taking care of kids, be it robot ones or real ones. This time, we’ve thought of incorporating that concept with an already successful series.”
At this, Jeno furrows his brows. They’re going to take care of a kid too? It’s not just this whole marriage thing, they’re going to be married with a kid?
He looks at the man across from him now, fully, trying to see his reaction. He seems unfazed, like he already knows this, or expected it.
Jaemin. Jeno knows the name well. Jaemin has always been cool and collected, like there was nothing in the world that bothered him, at least in the times that Jeno has seen him. Jeno hasn’t had much of an opportunity to really interact with him.
“This video will be released as part of our Father’s Day celebration on the channel. We wanted to show different aspects of fatherhood from different individuals that are either not actual dads or are new ones. It’s a way to explore fatherhood, all of its ups and downs, from all these varying perspectives.”
Jeno raises a hand, and everyone turns to him. “Just wanted to ask.” He draws in a breath. “Are we going to be handling an actual kid? Is that okay for us to do? That’s going to need a lot of prior preparation, since the kid won’t be familiar with us…”
Before either Donghyuck or Renjun can answer, Jaemin pipes up. “It’s okay. It’s my son.” He sips at his coffee, still no discernible reaction on his face.
When he turns to face Jeno, Jeno holds back his surprise. It’s the first time they’ve directly looked at each other. “We’re going to take care of my son,” Jaemin says, the faintest of smiles on his face.
Oh.
Apparently, Jeno knows next to nothing about Na Jaemin.
♡
Wiping his hands on his apron, Jaemin picks up his phone. He had gotten a text notification some time ago, and is now only answering when his dinner is at a simmer.
[SOON-TO-BE HUBBY]
Are u sure it’s ok?
Jaemin bites his lip. Momentarily, he looks over the baby currently on the playmat in the living room, knocking two wooden cars together.
[COOL DAD]
Yeah, it’s ok with me
Jisung’s used to having people over anyways
Is it ok with u tho?
He pockets his phone, going to check on his stew. Stirring, he tries to clear his mind. The shoot for the video will start tomorrow, and with that, they’re going to start living together as well. They both technically agreed to the arrangement, but Jaemin knew that they were both hesitant. After all, it was going to be new ground for both of them.
Truthfully, his son was used to specific people, like his brother and brother-in-law, his parents, some friends. Jisung didn’t warm up quickly to people, and would often cry and hide in Jaemin’s shoulder. Having Jeno over would prove to be a challenge.
The whole thing, really. It was discussed that they will be sleeping in the same bed, and basically coexisting as any married couple would. Jaemin thinks of his bed, big enough for himself and the baby with some space to spare. He thinks of how no one else has really been in it for a while now.
With the weight of the phone in his pocket, he considers telling his brother. After all, Jaehyun always came by during weekends for dinner, bringing his husband and bonding with Jisung until the baby fell asleep. It was tradition now, even bringing their parents if possible.
Sooner or later, he’s going to have to calmly explain the whole situation, so Jaehyun won’t be taken aback at the presence of a stranger he hadn’t bothered to introduce to them. Jaehyun was always at least made aware that Jaemin had been dating, if the person wasn’t already introduced to him one way or another. It’s how it always has been.
Deeming the stew done, he turns off the stove and goes to check on the rice. Just a few minutes more, he decides when he opens the rice cooker. In the meantime, he gets out two bowls, one smaller with a suction cup base, and sets them down on the countertop. He glances over at Jisung, who is now very engrossed in putting his Mickey Mouse plushie into a tiny chair meant for a different toy.
Things were going to change very soon, even if it’s going to go back to normal after a week. How will Jeno’s presence change the home that was only ever for the two of them? Will it ever truly go back to the way it was after he leaves?
Jaemin goes into the living room, gently telling his son that it’s time for dinner. Jisung readily drops his toys, all except for the little plastic pony he always brings to dinner. Hoisting him up into his arms, Jaemin carries him over to peer at the stew first, making sounds that Jisung repeats.
“Is that yum yum, Jisung?” he asks, letting his son inhale the steam from the stew.
“Yum yum,” Jisung repeats, shaking his fist excitedly. Jaemin takes that fist and presses it to his mouth, smooching the tiny fingers.
He sets his baby down into his high chair, fastening his belt securely and handing him his sippy cup of water. Jisung throws his head back as he drinks, the pony in his hand held high so he can look at it.
Two bowls of rice are scooped out soon after. Jaemin takes out a few pieces of mushroom and zucchini, cutting them into small pieces to put on Jisung’s bowl of rice. He does the same with the pork, talking to his son to keep him occupied while he slices. Ladling the doenjang jjigae over the rice, he mixes it all together before pressing the bowl down onto Jisung’s high chair table and handing him his spoon.
Once he’s gotten a serving for himself, Jaemin sits at the kitchen countertop. He watches as Jisung spoons the food into his mouth, sometimes missing by a bit. The rice grains are all over his mouth and cheeks, but of course, Jisung doesn’t care one bit.
“Jisung,” he coos, reaching out to touch his baby’s head. “We’re going to have a visitor starting tomorrow.”
His son only looks up at him, tilting his head to the side. He’s pouting, something he might have gotten from Jaemin. “Uncle Jae?”
Jaemin shakes his head. Jisung tries again. “Uncle Junie?”
“No, Jisung,” Jaemin says, smiling. “You haven’t met him before.”
Jisung pouts again, looking down at his bowl. It seems like he’s trying to either find the answer in his bowl of rice or he’s trying to think of who else it could possibly be. “Appa.”
“Hmm?” Jaemin hums, tilting his head to see his son’s expression.
Looking up at him with wide eyes, Jisung asks, “Stay here?”
Jaemin takes a drink from his cup of water. “Yes, he’ll stay here.”
The baby seems pleased at this, scooping up more rice into his mouth. “New friend?” He says it with so much hope that Jaemin feels his chest constrict a bit.
“New friend, yeah.” He strokes the little head of hair again. “Hopefully you’ll like him.”
Jisung doesn’t answer this time, just keeps eating, and Jaemin doesn’t bring it up anymore.
When he’s finished with his bowl and about to get another serving, he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket.
[SOON-TO-BE HUBBY]
Yes
It won’t be too bad, right?
It’s just a week
[COOL DAD]
Yeah, just a week
We can do this!
Jaemin thought, for a lot of different reasons, that they’d have a hard time doing this. Of course, they were going to try, because they didn’t really have a choice now. They had to try. But it wasn’t going to be easy.
Jeno had been quiet for most of the meeting. Jaemin felt like it was just how the guy was, the initial awkwardness aside. That was fine. Lord knows Jaemin needs some quiet in his life.
There was a lot to learn, that’s for sure. He never quite thought he’d be learning all about a person and his habits and how he lived and how to get along with him for a video, but well. It was about to be his life.
Doing all of this also meant he’d let someone learn about him too. Jaemin doesn’t quite remember the last time that’s happened. There isn’t much to learn, he thinks, as he has probably the most normal life outside of his job.
That was supposedly one of the points of the video. Just normal, everyday life, just with someone else in it. He’s already thinking about how much of his normal life he should really film without boring the viewers.
Later, when he and Jisung are both washed up and in their pajamas, he cradles the baby to him as he reads one of his favorite storybooks. It was always like this, their quiet winding down after about an hour of playtime after dinner. Things have always just been the two of them.
He savors it for one more night.
♡
DAY 1
“If only I were allowed to strangle you.”
Donghyuck laughs at him, not even looking up from his iPad. “I’m brilliant, aren’t I? Going to get you married to the guy you’ve been crushing on for years. I’m so great, honestly.”
“Fake married.”
“Whatever.”
Jeno frowns at his reflection in the mirror. The stylist had put some makeup on him so he wouldn’t look so much like death for the cameras, and he’s not quite used to the feeling of it on his skin. “This scheme of yours is not going to work out the way you want it to.”
The producer looks up at him then, pursing his lips. “You don’t know that yet. Have faith, Jen.”
Sighing, Jeno toys with the cuffs of his denim jacket. In a few minutes, he’ll be asked to come onto the set, and he’d have to talk about his initial thoughts of the whole thing before they formally started. Within a half hour or so, he’ll be married.
It’s all so weird, really. Donghyuck had given him another printout, with an outline of what he was supposed to talk about in his individual shoot. Even with it though, Jeno isn’t quite sure he’s confident in what he’s about to say.
Everyone was saying that it’s just going to be a relaxed first segment. Not a lot to say, and he’d be prompted anyways. It’s all just for intro purposes.
Jeno really isn’t sure what he’s supposed to feel. That morning, he’d already packed enough for the week, the duffel bag in his trunk feeling a little heavy as he went to work. The whole thing wasn’t something he knew how to prepare for. He only took his valuables and an extra pillow and locked his apartment behind him.
He hasn’t even seen Jaemin today yet. Not that it’s going to stop the steady twisting of his guts, but he at least wanted to joke around a little about their situation before it really, truly started. Maybe it could help. Maybe.
Soon enough, he’s called to the studio. Donghyuck gives him an encouraging pat on the back, that hand staying as a way to push him into the room. The producer goes to Johnny’s side, discussing something as Jeno is guided to the middle of the set, in front of an orange background.
He settles in, taking some breaths to calm himself. Renjun is right beside the camera, ready to prompt him for what he has to say. His smile is reassuring today, soft, even as he gulps down whatever’s in his tumbler.
“Ready when you are,” Renjun tells him. Jeno watches as everyone goes to their places, careful not to stare at him or make him feel pressured. That’s nice , he thinks. He can do this.
Giving a nod, Jeno licks his lips and prepares to begin.
The first thing they have him do is a very enthusiastic “We’re getting married!” which, embarrassingly, takes Jeno about 5 takes. It sounds so weird to say it, and with such a bright tone that suggests he’s actually excited about it? Just no.
Oh, he definitely caught Donghyuck losing it at every attempt. This is most definitely going to be blackmail material for the next few months or so. He’s going to have to try and nab Donghyuck’s phone to erase the clips of his voice breaking as he tries to say the words.
They’re assuring him that everybody is going to do that part, so he shouldn't be worried. He still is.
The next part is his initial thoughts, which he knows is at least going to be less embarrassing, so he quietly lets out a relieved sigh.
How do you know Jaemin?
He’s run this question through his mind a couple times now. Jeno knew that he needed to have a nonchalant answer, even if he also knew that Donghyuck was well aware of the real answer and is most likely to laugh at him again.
Jeno schools his face into a calm expression. “I see him around work. We don’t really talk or anything.”
Renjun makes a gesture with his hands to tell him to continue.
“Don’t get me wrong, I feel like he’d be a great person to be friends with. It’s just that I haven’t gotten the chance to really get to know him, y’know?”
He allows himself a little chuckle. “I guess with this week, I’ll finally get that chance to talk to him more, learn about who he is. Honestly? I don’t know what to feel about it, but we’ll just have to see.”
Giving the camera a shrug, Jeno waits for the next prompt.
Do you think you’ll fall in love after this week?
Jeno avoids Donghyuck’s gaze. He laughs, clasping his hands in front of himself.
“I don’t think so,” he says, and is relieved that his voice doesn’t waver in the slightest. “A week?” He shakes his head, as if in disbelief. “I don’t think I’ll fall in love after a week.”
He can’t, however, avoid Renjun’s raised eyebrows. Jeno bites the inside of his cheek.
“I know people want to see it happen,” he says straight to the camera. “I’m just here to prepare you for disappointment.”
Truthfully, though, he wasn’t sure. He was already treading dangerous waters with being fake married to someone he has a stupid crush on, and he doesn’t think being in the same quarters as he is will help in any way. It almost made him scared, but he pushes the feeling down.
Maybe, after this week, they’ll replay that clip of him saying that he doesn’t think he’ll be falling in love to mock him. Maybe.
Done for his individual shoot, he’s ushered back into the dressing room. Jaemin is there already, smiling at him brilliantly through the mirror. Jeno returns the smile, settling into the sofa in the room.
He knows he’s going to be in trouble soon.
♡
“You ready?” Jeno asks.
Jaemin takes a deep breath, pushing the sleeves of his oversized sweater over his hands. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
They’re sitting on stools at the side as the staff prepared for the next segment. A different backdrop is put into place, pale pink and pretty. A stylist is beside them, with flower crowns and the rings they’re supposed to put on each other. Jaemin is relieved that they didn’t pull out the fake flower archway that they had for one of the other videos, and that they aren’t going to have a whole entourage either.
His individual shoot went pretty well. He’d answered the questions best as he could, and he played along with the quotes they had him say for the intro. Renjun was pleased at the outcome, and expressed his excitement about the upcoming segment.
It was going to be kind of a wedding ceremony, in the simplest way possible. Admittedly, the idea was pretty cute. Just them together in the middle, saying quick vows and slipping the ring on. There were some flower petals that were going to be thrown onto them for that perfect shot. Jeno seemed to be more relaxed now too, compared to the meeting the day before, and Jaemin is glad.
They’re called to go to the middle of the set, made to face each other. Jaemin can’t help but giggle a little at the situation, and it makes Jeno smile too. He decides that he likes Jeno’s smile.
Together, they bow their heads to have the flower crowns placed on top. The crowns are a bit snug, and the ribbon attached to them are being blown about by the fan that’s facing them. Neither of them know whether or not the cameras are filming already, but Jaemin doesn’t quite care.
Renjun has them hold hands, and that makes Jeno giggle. Jaemin decides he likes that too.
Somebody stands to their side, holding the rings on a tiny pillow. Jaemin feels like if he keeps staring at Jeno he’s going to start laughing and ruin the whole thing. He swallows it down, willing a calm expression to stay on his face.
After a while of just looking at each other, they turn to the crew, already unable to stifle their laughter. “Wait, where we supposed to say the vows already?”
Everyone erupts into laughter, Jeno included. It makes Jaemin squeeze his hands unconsciously.
Once everyone has mostly settled down, they face each other again, smiles wide and traces of their laugh still there. Jaemin takes a breath to calm himself, pushing away the feeling of cameras on them.
“Today, I give myself to you in marriage,” he begins, trying to be unfazed by Jeno having to stifle his giggling. “You have me from this day until Monday next week.”
Jeno is starting to go red from holding it in, but Jaemin continues. He vaguely thinks of how his words aren’t exactly to the script, but he doesn’t care. “I promise to encourage you in your work, to drive you everyday, to make your coffee the way you like it. I promise you access to all the herbal stuff Renjun has been giving me, for sickness and for health.”
There’s a laugh bubbling in Jaemin’s chest again, and he lets it out. “I promise to cherish you, and let you win against me in games.”
“Oh, I will.”
Jaemin pretends to roll his eyes. “These things I give you today, and all days of this coming week.”
He slides the ring onto Jeno’s finger, choking back a giggle when it barely goes past the second joint. Jeno can’t hold back anymore, laughing openly at the sight. “God, how am I supposed to go up against his vows?” Jeno asks the crew.
Facing him, Jeno takes a deep breath. He’s slightly squirming under Jaemin’s gaze, which is cute.
“Today, I give myself to you in marriage, from now until Monday,” he begins, and his thumbs are subconsciously running over the backs of Jaemin’s hands. “I promise to wake you up in the mornings, to shove money for gas into your hands even if you refuse, to try to cook something edible for the both of us.”
“Don’t worry, I can cook.” Jaemin grins at him, watches as he tries not to react to it.
“Oh, that’s great!” He slumps a little, as if relieved. Jeno looks into his eyes, the smile still there. “I promise to lend you all my jackets and let you hog the covers, in sickness and in health.”
Something about this whole thing makes Jaemin want to laugh until his sides hurt. It’s too much.
“I promise to hold you in the highest regard, and let you use my Netflix and Spotify Premium.”
Jaemin finds himself grinning again, wider than before.
“These things I give you today, and all days of this coming week.”
The ring for him fits, just so, and it’s cold against his skin. For a moment, Jaemin watches as it catches light.
Renjun waits a beat before shouting, “I declare you man and husband! You can hug or whatever.”
Jaemin notes the slightest pink dusting Jeno’s cheeks and ears as he goes in for a hug. They break away a few moments later, just in time for the petals to be showered over them. Some confetti canons go off as well and Jaemin watches as pieces of confetti catch in Jeno’s platinum hair. Donghyuck has them press closer together for the commemorative photo, and Jaemin easily slings his arm over Jeno’s shoulders.
It’s weird, all of it, but Jaemin thinks it might not be that bad.
♡
“Hey, I just need to drop by the daycare center real quick.”
Jeno immediately nods, folding his hands in his lap. “Of course.” He pauses. “I’ll meet him, then?”
The smile on Jaemin’s face is still bright as ever even in the darkening car. “Yes, you’ll meet him in like, 15 minutes.”
Settling into the passenger seat, Jeno looks straight ahead. “Do you think he’ll like me?”
Even without looking, he can hear Jaemin huff out a laugh. “Are you nervous?”
“A bit.”
The song playing on the radio fills in the momentary silence. There is a light rain now, making Jaemin’s windshield look like it has thousands of stars.
“He’s not always okay with strangers,” Jaemin admits, and Jeno feels his stomach drop. “But, for the record, I think you’ll be okay. Just give him some time.”
Jeno nods, looking out the window. He hasn’t really been around babies too much, other than babysitting his sister’s toddler every now and then. It was unfamiliar territory, but then again, all of this was.
The rest of the car ride to the daycare is silent, the only sounds being the rain lazily hitting the windows and the soft song playing. Jeno almost falls asleep, the motion of the car and the scent of rain lulling him. It had been quite the day.
When the car comes to a gentle stop, Jeno looks around, slightly disoriented. Maybe he did fall asleep. Jaemin is already moving to unbuckle his seatbelt, and Jeno somehow finds words.
“I’ll come with you.”
Jaemin looks up at him then, hesitating. Then, he nods, unbuckling his seatbelt and reaching into the backseat for an umbrella. Jeno retrieves his own from his bag, stepping out of the car at the same time Jaemin does.
The soft pitter-patter of the raindrops on his umbrella is calming, and he’s grateful for how the night is cooler than the morning had been. Together, they walk towards the daycare center, all brightly lit with colorful murals on the walls.
Pushing the door open, they’re greeted by a soft, tinkling bell. Jeno inhales the scent of lavender, silently noting that there were very few kids on the playmats playing. Jaemin doesn’t need to go to the counter to inquire, as a woman with the nametag saying “Joy” approaches him, already smiling.
He’s lead to a room, while Jeno is asked to wait. Jeno takes a seat on one of the red plastic chairs lined up against a wall, biting his lip and fiddling his thumbs. Nursery rhymes are being played over the speakers, and one of the screens playing a kid’s show has some of the kids watching intently. There are two dozen drawings of various animals posted onto the walls, as well as little laminated names under them. One of the daycare nurses offers him water and cookies, but he politely declines.
A few minutes later, Jaemin emerges from the room, a two-year-old dressed in a bear hoodie on his hip. He seems to have an animated conversation with his son as he follows Nurse Joy to the counter to sign the logbook. The kid hasn’t seemed to notice Jeno yet.
The conversation continues even as the pair approach Jeno, who is already standing up from his seat.
“Big sun."
"Oh, you saw a big sun?" Jaemin's voice is different as he talks to his son, even brighter than usual, a pleasing lilt to it. "How big was it?"
The boy stretches out his arms as far as they can go, pride on his face. "This big, appa!"
And there, when he smiles at his son, Jaemin looks like he glows with the force of a thousand suns. Jeno feels like that alone can power the world for centuries to come.
It's a little unfair, especially when his son shares the same smile.
Finally, they come up to where Jeno's waiting, Jaemin switching his son to his other side. Jeno approaches them cautiously, not wanting to scare the baby. He lowers the camera he had been using to film a few clips of them.
He sees Jisung register his presence, promptly hiding his face into Jaemin's neck. The smile on his father's face softens, a hand placed on his back.
“It’s alright, Jisung,” he coos, rubbing soothing circles with his hand. “This is the visitor we’ll be having.”
Jeno stays put, unmoving until Jaemin gestures with a slight tilt of his head. Coming forward carefully, Jeno tries to peek at the boy’s face.
“Hi,” he gets out, softer than he originally intended. “Hi. I’m Jeno.”
Jisung peeks out one eye, looking at him like he’s trying to decide whether to trust him or not. Jeno lets an easy smile spread across his face.
“I’ll be staying over, if that’s okay with you?” he says, drawing closer. He sees the baby’s spine tense just a bit, but Jisung doesn’t make a move to hide his whole face again.
“Jisung-ah.” Jaemin’s voice is like smooth honey. “You’ll be okay with that, right, honey?”
There’s the slightest of nods, and Jeno breathes a sigh of relief. Stretching out one of his hands, he lets Jisung hold onto two of his fingers. He wriggles them in greeting.
“Hello, Jisung,” he says, as gentle as possible. “How old are you?”
Letting go of his fingers, Jisung holds up two of his own.
“Two? That’s great!” Jeno has no idea if what he’s saying is what he should say, but Jaemin nods at least.
“Do you want to have Uncle Jeno carry you?” Jaemin asks, starting to shift the baby’s weight. Jisung responds by shaking his head, wrapping both arms tightly over his dad’s neck.
“Okay, okay,” Jaemin says, rubbing his back again. “Too much for today. We’ll try again tomorrow.”
It has at least stopped raining for the meantime, and both of them carefully walk to the car. Jaemin puts Jisung into the baby seat after a bit of a struggle, since the baby doesn’t want to let go of Jaemin yet. He’s soothed with words, Jaemin pressing little kisses on his hands as he promises that they’ll be home soon.
Jeno doesn’t mind it when Jaemin starts playing nursery rhymes for Jisung, happy that the baby seems to be distracted by them. At a stoplight, Jaemin has Jeno reaching over to the back to hand Jisung a little plush toy that squeaks, and the baby seems enamored with it for the rest of the ride home.
The Na residence is a cozy one-storey home tucked in a relatively quiet part of town. There’s the beginnings of a garden, mismatched pots with plants of different heights. The steel gate closes behind them a little loudly, jolting a drowsy Jisung from his father’s shoulder. Jeno opens the front door for them, letting them enter before him and his duffel bag.
For someone who’s living with a two-year-old, the space is relatively clean. There’s a playmat and some toys in the living room in lieu of an actual coffee table, and a laundry basket full of plushies and colorful onesies in one corner, but other than that, it wasn’t what he expected it would be. Jaemin gives him a little tour first, showing him the bedroom, the bathroom, a laundry area, and a home-office-slash-guest-bedroom. It’s all quaint, but neat and homey. He films everything, but mostly Jaemin’s form as he goes from room to room.
After the tour, Jaemin sets Jisung down on the playmat, handing him some of his toys. “Would you mind watching over him for a bit? I’ll just cook a quick dinner.”
Jeno nods, settling into an armchair near the playmat. He decides to put away the camera for a bit, not wanting to invade Jisung’s space too much on the first day. Jisung has his own world, not even minding him as he tinkers with his wooden food set. There’s a little knife as well, and he cuts through the velcro holding the pieces together.
To Jeno’s surprise, Jisung puts some random slices of the wooden vegetables into a tiny plate and stands up to give it to him, expression shy.
“Is this for me?” Jeno tries to replicate the way that Jaemin talks to him, but ultimately fails. Jisung only nods, going back to sitting on his mat and putting together another plate of toy food.
“You have to pretend to eat it,” Jaemin calls out from the kitchen, and Jeno hears him open and close the fridge.
When Jisung returns with another plate, still shy, Jeno makes eating sounds, holding up the pieces to his mouth. The baby seems to be pleased, holding out half a wooden carrot to him. Jeno takes it, saying a small thank you as he pretends to eat it. It makes Jisung smile, just the slightest bit.
“He likes you,” Jaemin says, looking up from where he’s chopping something rather quickly. “He even fed you.”
Jeno laughs, training his eyes back on the little bear engrossed in another one of his toys. This time, it’s a set of big building blocks, brightly colored and standing in a tall tower.
“It’s an honor to be liked by a baby,” Jeno replies. Jisung returns to him, taking the plates. Jeno makes a gesture to show that he’s full. “They’re always the biggest critics.”
Even from where he’s seated, Jeno can hear Jaemin’s chuckle. “You’re right about that.”
Not long after, Jaemin calls over his son to the kitchen. Jisung looks up after a bit, standing on his little legs and walking over to his dad. Jaemin picks him up easily, showing him the food. The smile on his face is toothy, puffing his cheeks out. Momentarily, Jeno thinks about how this must be their everyday, and how he feels a bit like an intruder.
Okay, a lot like an intruder.
Jaemin calls him over after a minute, putting a bowl of kimchi fried rice in front of him before securing Jisung in his high chair. The baby makes grabby hands at the food, and Jaemin gently reminds him that it’s still hot and to be careful. Jisung blows excitedly on his little spoonful of rice, and Jeno suppresses the urge to reach over and squish his cheeks.
Well, Jaemin sure wasn’t lying when he said he could cook. It wasn’t just decent, the bowl of rice felt like coming home after a long day. Jaemin is quietly pleased at his grunts of approval, hiding his smile as he helps Jisung clean off his sticky fingers.
“So, everyone,” Jeno says into the camera, panning it down to his empty bowl. “A testament to how good of a cook my hubby is.”
That earns him a light slap on the arm, but Jaemin is laughing anyways.
Jeno offers to wash the dishes so Jaemin can give the baby a bath. He seemed grateful at that, whisking Jisung off into the bathroom to get him clean.
Once done with the dishes, Jeno wanders into the bedroom, taking out his pajamas and his own soap and toothbrush. He waits patiently for the two to emerge from the bathroom, perched on the bed. In that time, he uses the chance to look around the room.
Jisung’s cot is beside the bed, his blanket a light green with sheeps on it. There’s some toys in the room as well, just spilling out of one drawer. A few framed pieces of art are on the wall, as well as Jisung’s drawings pinned to a board on the dresser. Not much decoration, as Jisung could easily reach a lot at this age, but the room didn’t feel bare.
“Okay, first night here.” He turns the camera around to film some of the bedroom. “It’s all real now, I guess."
They come soon after, Jisung giggling in his towel-wrapped state. Jaemin seems to have taken a bath as well, his hair damp and his bathrobe on. “Incoming baby!” he warns, and Jeno stands up immediately. Jisung is placed in the middle of the bed, Jaemin making sounds as he dries his hair. Jeno mumbles that he’s going to use the bathroom, and Jaemin grants him a nod before turning back to his son.
There’s a space on the shelf inside the shower for Jeno’s soap and shampoo, and it makes him smile.
Jeno thinks that it’s like home already.
♡
“And with that, the little kitty is back in his little crib, safe and sound.”
Jisung’s bottle of milk has already dropped to his lap, and Jisung’s head is soon to follow. Carefully, Jaemin maneuvers him so that he’s cradled into his arms. He makes his way to the crib beside the bed, gently setting his son down. Jaemin smooths his hair back, putting his favorite Mickey Mouse plushie beside him before pulling up the blanket.
“Goodnight, Jisung,” he whispers, leaning down to press a barely-there kiss on the small forehead.
Jeno practically tiptoes into the bedroom, careful not to rouse the baby. It makes Jaemin laugh.
“It’s okay. He doesn’t wake that easily, don’t worry.” He pats the space beside him, and Jeno still crosses the room with caution.
He seems to be holding his breath. Jaemin shakes his head, giggling. “You really don’t have to be that careful, you know?”
“Just wanted to be sure.” Jeno’s eyes dart to the crib, at Jisung’s sleeping form. “Is it always that easy to make him fall asleep?”
Jaemin shakes his head. “Usually there would be another hour of playtime after dinner, but he must be exhausted from today.”
Jeno nods, still looking at the crib. “He’s such a sweet baby.”
That makes Jaemin smile. “Yeah, he is.”
For the first time since Jeno came in the room, Jaemin takes a look at him. His hair is damp, spiking out in odd places. He’s dabbing his towel to his ears and neck, catching stray droplets. On his frame is a tank top and loose-fitting pajama bottoms, and he sits cross legged on the bed now. Jaemin’s gaze catches on the dark ink on his skin, patterns snaking their way down his shoulders and upper arms, disappearing under his shirt.
“You have tattoos,” he states, still looking at them. Jeno’s head tilts up to meet his gaze, and he seems almost sheepish.
“Yeah. I have a lot,” he chuckles, rubbing at his neck. Jaemin can’t quite make out all the patterns yet, but he’s fascinated at how they move when Jeno moves his arm.
Jaemin stops himself from reaching out and tracing the paths of dark ink. “I like them.”
Jeno’s eyes seem to light up at that. “Really?” He sounds so sincere, so hopeful about it, and Jaemin almost melts.
“Really.” He smiles at him. “Can you show them to Jisung in the morning? He’ll love them too.”
The smile on Jeno’s face is so wide it might just split his face. “Of course! I’d love to show them.”
When he’s like that, all excited and smiling, Jaemin can’t help but be reminded of a puppy. Jeno has the face and demeanor of an excited pup, with a body that will most likely send his brother into a conniption.
Speaking of.
“By the way,” he begins, and Jeno is instantly alert. “My brother likes to have dinner here during the weekends, so I just wanted to ask if that’s alright with you? We can skip this weekend if you’re not comfortable with that.”
Jeno’s eyes widen. “Oh, uh, of course that’s fine! If you’re okay with me meeting him, I’d love to!”
Jaemin smiles again. He doesn’t think there’s anyone more sincere than him.
Wordlessly, Jaemin reaches for his bedside table, retrieving the camera. He asks a question with his eyes, and Jeno nods.
Slowly, Jaemin films the tattoos, or at least what he can see. “Wow,” he breathes out. “Didn’t know I married a bad boy.”
Jeno almost shoves the camera right out of his hands.
Jaemin turns the camera to face them, and they lean against his headboard. “Okay everyone,” he says, tilting his head towards Jeno’s. “We’re gonna set some ground rules.”
Beside him, Jeno nods, pursing his lips. “Okay, what’s the rules?”
“First one: No falling in love.”
This makes Jeno cough, crumpling into himself from laughter. “Hey that’s a legitimate rule!” Jaemin all but whines, slapping Jeno on the back as quietly as he can.
“Okay, fine. I never intended on doing that anyways.”
Jaemin stares at him for a second before looking away.
“Second one: Everything in this house is yours to use, but with care, please.”
Jeno hums, giving a little smile to the camera. “Noted.”
“Next one: We’ll stick to the chores schedule as best as we can.”
At this, Jeno turns to look at him. “We don’t have a chores schedule yet.”
Jaemin waves with his hand. “I’ll make one in the morning.” Jeno nods at this.
“Next: We should talk about any problems.”
This earns him a raised eyebrow. “Oh, we’re really in this marriage thing, huh? Okay.” The smile he gives the camera is soft.
“Any problems, okay?” Jaemin turns to face him, pouting slightly. “We need communication for this to work.”
“That makes sense.”
“Fifth: No loud music when Jisung’s asleep.”
“Done.”
“Sixth: I haven’t thought this through. Do you have anything you want to make a rule?”
For a while, Jeno ponders on it, tapping his lip with a finger.
“Sixth: I wasn’t kidding when I said let me pay for gas.”
Jaemin levels him with a look, but it isn’t like Jeno will give in any time soon. So, he concedes. “Anything else?”
“Mmm. I guess we shouldn’t bring friends over here with no prior warning?”
Oh, that one’s pretty good. How come Jaemin didn’t think of that?
“I like that one. No Donghyuck and Renjun here unless the both of us agree to it.”
Jeno chuckles. “I agree to that. Should we add more?”
Jaemin hums, trying to think. “We need to say if we’re uncomfortable with something.”
Furrowing his brows, Jeno asks, “Isn’t that like, the fourth one?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Jaemin looks down at his lap. “Just wanted to warn you: I’m rather… clingy at times. Just tell me if it bothers you, okay?”
By the look on Jeno’s face, it seems like he didn’t expect that one at all. “Uh, yeah, sure. It’s cool though, I think.”
Jaemin must really be sleepy if he sees Jeno squirm around like he had earlier. “That’s about it, yeah?”
There is an answering nod.
“Okay then. We both gotta go to sleep. See you tomorrow, everyone!” They wave goodbye, and Jaemin turns the camera off, setting it back down on his bedside table.
Jeno slumps beside him, his shoulders dropping. “This whole vlogging thing is so tiring.”
Chuckling, Jaemin replies, “Tell me about it.”
There’s a while of silence, and Jaemin can practically hear Jeno worrying down on his bottom lip. The bed is at least gracefully big enough to fit the both of them without them having to cuddle or anything, and Jaemin feels like Jeno is relieved at the thought.
In the lamplight, their rings reflect the yellowish glow. They look almost gold like this. Jaemin knocks his ring against Jeno’s.
“We’re really doing this.” He breathes, closing his eyes momentarily. “We’re going to be together for a week.”
“It’s weird, isn’t it?” Jeno says, all too quietly.
“Very weird.” Jaemin allows himself a smile, but he knows it looks tired. “But I guess it won’t be terrible.”
Jeno snorts. He’s warm, his body heat radiating and almost kissing Jaemin’s skin. It’s tempting to lean into him. “Let’s try not to be terrible to each other.”
Jaemin shakes his head. “We won’t be.”
They settle into bed not long after, Jeno taking out his own pillow and blanket. Unsurprisingly, they sleep with their backs to each other. Jaemin has no idea if it will change over the days, but he finds himself wishing that it would. Just a bit.
He’s still going to get back at Renjun for even roping him into this, but for now, Jaemin doesn’t mind it as much.