The Shadows of power

9

Chapter 9: Secrets Over Dinner

After a long day, the Kims returned home, their tiredness melting away as they each retreated to freshen up. The house was filled with the familiar warmth of family, and the kitchen soon buzzed with activity as Jin, with the help of J-Hope and Jimin, prepared dinner. Tonight, the table was set with an assortment of dishes, but the main feature was seafood, specially requested by Suga.

As everyone gathered around the dinner table, ready to eat, J-Hope began to serve Namjoon some seafood. But before the plate could reach him, Jin quickly intervened.

"J-Hope, don’t! Namjoon’s allergic to seafood," Jin said, his voice calm but urgent.

All heads turned towards Jin, the room falling into an awkward silence as everyone stared at him as if he had said something strange. Jin, suddenly the center of attention, lowered his gaze, feeling flustered at the way everyone was looking at him. Namjoon, sitting across from Jin, appeared momentarily stunned, processing the fact that Jin still remembered this detail about him.

He still remembers? Namjoon thought, the realization catching him off guard.

Breaking the tension, Taehyung spoke up, curiosity getting the better of him. "Wait, Jin, how do you know that? We’ve all lived with Namjoon-hyung for years, and none of us knew."

Jungkook, ever the thoughtful one, added, "Well, to be fair, Taehyung, after Jin-hyung arrived, we started eating meals together more often. Before that, Namjoon-hyung was always busy and out of the house."

Jin, feeling the weight of their attention, gave a small, awkward smile and tried to play it off. "It’s nothing, really. I was just reading through your files... your medical history, I mean. I wanted to make sure I had a proper diet plan in place, just in case. It’s better to know these things before an emergency happens, don’t you think?"

The explanation seemed to satisfy everyone, and they turned back to their meals. Namjoon gave Jin a subtle nod of appreciation, though his mind lingered on the thought that Jin had taken the time to learn such personal details.

As the family began eating, things took a more playful turn beneath the table. Jungkook, always up to something, slyly reached over and took Jimin’s hand under the table, squeezing it softly. Jimin, his cheeks immediately flushing, shot a warning glance at Jungkook, but it was clear that he wasn’t too upset. He had grown used to these little moments.

Taehyung, not one to miss out on the fun, did the same, sliding his hand into Jimin’s free one. Now holding both of their hands under the table, Jimin was trapped, his face growing warmer with each second. The trio exchanged secret glances and soft smiles, an unspoken connection passing between them as they ate from their plates, sometimes feeding Jimin in between their teasing.

Across the table, J-Hope and Suga, who had been watching the three with fond amusement, exchanged a knowing glance. Suga, always subtle, took J-Hope’s hand under the table, causing J-Hope’s face to light up in a blush. He smiled shyly and tried to continue eating with his left hand, but the awkwardness of it made him fumble. Suga chuckled under his breath, enjoying the sight of J-Hope’s flustered state.

Namjoon and Jin, sitting at the head of the table, were not oblivious to the couples’ antics. They shared a quiet understanding, deciding to let the playful moments continue without interruption. Namjoon smirked, and Jin’s eyes twinkled with amusement, both secretly enjoying the dynamics unfolding before them.

As dinner came to a close, the group moved to the living room to unwind. Jimin, ever the instigator, came up with an idea to keep the evening lively. "How about we play ‘Never Have I Ever’?" he suggested, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

The suggestion sparked immediate interest, and everyone quickly gathered in a circle on the floor. The mood was light and playful, with Suga lounging comfortably and J-Hope sitting beside him, still blushing from earlier.

Namjoon, ever the leader, began the game. "Alright, who’s going first?"

Taehyung, not one to shy away from such games, jumped in eagerly. "Never have I ever... kissed someone in secret."

The room erupted into laughter as the tension eased. After a brief hesitation, Jungkook, Jimin, and J-Hope sheepishly raised their hands, each of them grinning as they confessed to the playful accusation.

Namjoon chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Interesting start. Seems like there’s more to this story."

Jungkook, always looking for a chance to stir things up, took his turn. "Never have I ever... stolen something from someone else’s room."

This prompted more laughter, and this time Taehyung and J-Hope raised their hands, causing Jimin to gasp dramatically. "I knew it!" Jimin exclaimed, pointing accusingly at Taehyung. "You took my favorite hoodie last week, didn’t you?"

Taehyung grinned sheepishly, offering no denial. "Guilty as charged."