What The Heart Wants (Hoseok x Reader ft Namjoon)

Four: The Confession and The Arrangement

The atmosphere inside the grand dining room was thick with tension. Y/N sat opposite Namjoon, her fingers nervously twisting the delicate napkin in her lap. The lavish meal spread before them sat untouched, the weight of unspoken words looming over the table. The candlelight flickered between them, casting soft shadows across Namjoon's stoic face as he carefully sipped his wine.

They hadn't spoken much since their engagement was finalized, avoiding the conversation they both knew was inevitable. Y/N had tried, in her own way, to come to terms with her fate, but the constant pressure from her parents and the dull ache in her heart for Hoseok had become unbearable.

Namjoon, for all his politeness and gentlemanly demeanor, felt distant—detached, almost as if he was as much a prisoner to this arrangement as she was. And tonight, as they sat together for what was supposed to be a "getting to know each other" dinner, Y/N felt her resolve cracking.

She couldn't keep pretending anymore.

Setting the napkin down, Y/N cleared her throat, her voice coming out shaky. "Namjoon, can we talk? Really talk?"

Namjoon's eyes flicked up from his plate, meeting hers. He seemed to sense the gravity in her tone and carefully set down his fork. "Of course. What's on your mind?"

Y/N hesitated, searching for the right words. How could she tell him that she didn't want this marriage? That she couldn't stand the thought of giving up the person she truly loved for the sake of appearances and family obligations? But as she looked into Namjoon's kind, yet guarded eyes, she realized she wasn't the only one holding back.

"I..." she began, her voice wavering. "I don't want to marry you."

Namjoon blinked in surprise, but there wasn't the sharp sting of shock she expected. Instead, there was a quiet resignation in his expression, as if he had been waiting for her to say it.

"I'm sorry," Y/N continued, the words tumbling out now that she had broken the silence. "It's just... I don't love you. And I don't think it's fair to either of us to go through with this when our hearts are elsewhere."

Namjoon leaned back in his chair, his shoulders visibly relaxing, as if a weight had been lifted off of him. He sighed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Y/N, I... I've been thinking the same thing. Honestly, I didn't know how to bring it up without disappointing everyone."

Y/N felt a small wave of relief wash over her. She wasn't alone in this. "You don't want to marry me either?"

"No," Namjoon admitted, his voice soft but steady. "I don't. It's not that I don't think you're wonderful, because you are. It's just... I'm in love with someone else."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat, not from hurt, but from recognition. He was trapped, just like her.

"Who?" she asked gently, leaning forward, her voice filled with curiosity rather than judgment.

Namjoon's gaze flickered, as if he was struggling with whether or not to confess this part of himself. But after a moment, he exhaled deeply, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that spoke of deep trust.

"It's Seokjin," Namjoon said quietly, his voice almost a whisper, as if saying the name out loud would shatter the delicate balance they were standing on.

Y/N blinked, taking in the weight of his confession. Seokjin—his best friend. Suddenly, it all made sense: the distant looks, the lack of true engagement in their wedding planning, the way Namjoon's eyes always seemed to light up when he mentioned Jin. It wasn't just friendship; it was something much deeper, much more complicated.

"Oh," Y/N said softly. "You're in love with him."

Namjoon nodded, a small, bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I've been in love with him for years, but I couldn't... I couldn't tell anyone. Not my parents. Not even Jin, at first. But now, well... he feels the same way."

Y/N's eyes widened. "He loves you too?"

Namjoon nodded, his expression clouded with a mix of longing and pain. "Yeah, but we both know it's impossible. My parents would never accept it. They want me to marry you and secure this merger, to carry on the family legacy. They have everything mapped out, and there's no room for me to live the life I actually want."

Y/N's heart ached for him. It mirrored her own situation in so many ways—bound by duty, expectations, and the weight of their parents' ambitions. She reached across the table, placing her hand over his.

"I'm so sorry, Namjoon," she whispered. "I understand more than you know."

Namjoon looked at her, his eyes softening as he realized she wasn't judging him, wasn't angry. "Do you love someone else too?" he asked quietly.

Y/N nodded, feeling the familiar flutter of emotion at the thought of Hoseok. "Yes... Hoseok. He's been my best friend for as long as I can remember. But somewhere along the way, it became more. I love him, and I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else."

Namjoon squeezed her hand gently. "Then we're both trapped in the same prison, aren't we?"

Y/N nodded, tears stinging her eyes. "I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm losing everything I care about."

For a long moment, they sat in silence, the gravity of their situation settling over them like a heavy blanket. But then, Namjoon leaned forward, a spark of something—determination?—flickering in his eyes.

"We could make a deal," he said slowly, his voice low and careful. "An arrangement, if you will."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you mean?"

Namjoon's gaze was sharp, his mind clearly working through the logistics. "What if we went through with the wedding? On paper, everything would be as our parents want it to be. We'd get married, secure the merger, keep up appearances. But... we'd have an understanding. We'd live our lives as we see fit."

Y/N blinked, processing his words. "You mean... pretend?"

"Yes," Namjoon said, his voice growing more confident as he spoke. "We can be married in name only. Behind closed doors, you can be with Hoseok, and I can be with Jin. Our parents won't know. We'll play the part, but we won't actually live it."

Y/N's heart raced at the thought. It was risky—deceptive even—but it was also the only way she could see herself surviving this. She could still have Hoseok, still hold onto the love that made her heart soar, and Namjoon could have Seokjin.

"But what if we get caught?" Y/N asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "What if they find out?"

Namjoon shook his head. "We'll have to be careful, but I think we can do it. We'll give our parents what they want, but we'll live our own lives in the way that makes us happy."

Y/N bit her lip, her mind racing. It was dangerous. It was deceitful. But it was also a chance—a chance to hold onto the love she wasn't ready to let go of. She glanced at Namjoon, seeing the same desperation and hope reflected in his eyes.

"Okay," she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. "Let's do it. Let's make this arrangement."

Namjoon let out a slow breath, relief flooding his features. "We'll be partners in this, Y/N. We'll make it work. I promise."

Y/N nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips for the first time that evening. It wasn't the life she had imagined, but it was better than losing everything she held dear. They would lie, they would deceive, but in the end, they would both get to keep the ones they truly loved.

And for now, that was enough.