BLOSSOMED | SEOKSOO FF

PART 44

As Jisoo drove, the low rumble of the engine filled the silence between him and Seokmin. It was a strange comfort, a grounding sound that reminded Seokmin he was finally out, finally free. But every bump in the road made his stomach churn, his fingers fidgeting in his lap. He glanced sideways at Jisoo, who seemed calm, too calm, focused on the road like this was just any other day.

“You okay?” Jisoo finally asked, his voice cutting through the heavy tension. His eyes flicked to Seokmin briefly before returning to the road.

Seokmin forced a smile, though his voice betrayed him. “I’m fine. It’s just… a lot. Everything feels different.”

Jisoo hummed in agreement, his tone measured. “It is different. But that’s not a bad thing. Just... brace yourself. There’s going to be a lot of energy, especially from Soonyoung. And,” he added, glancing at Seokmin with a raised brow, “Hannie’s mood swings. You might want to stay out of his way for now.”

“Jeonghan?” Seokmin frowned, already imagining the chaos. “What happened?”

Jisoo sighed, gripping the wheel a little tighter. “He’s pregnant, and his patience is nonexistent. He’s been snapping at everyone. Trust me, if you so much as breathe wrong around him, you’re getting a lecture. Or a death glare.”

Seokmin snorted, the sound nervous but genuine. “I’ll tread carefully.”

“Good.” Jisoo gave him a tight-lipped smile. “We’re almost there. Just remember—chaos. That’s all you need to expect.”

As they turned onto Jihoon’s street, Seokmin’s anxiety kicked into overdrive. The house was already a hub of noise and movement. Cars lined the driveway, voices spilled out onto the front yard, and laughter rang through the air like music—loud, discordant music. His heart pounded as Jisoo parked the car.

Jisoo reached over and squeezed Seokmin’s arm. “Hey. You’ve got this.”

Seokmin nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah. Sure. What could possibly go wrong?”

Before they could even knock, the door flew open, and there stood Jihoon, his usually calm expression betrayed by the slight twitch in his jaw. Behind him, Soonyoung was practically bouncing on his toes, a baby in his arms and a toddler clutching his leg.

“You’re here!” Soonyoung shrieked, shoving the baby at Jihoon and launching himself at Seokmin. The hug was suffocating, and Seokmin barely managed to stay upright. “I missed you so much! Look at you! You’re out! You’re—”

“Soonie, let him breathe,” Jihoon snapped, juggling the baby like a pro as the toddler tried to climb up his leg. “And stop screaming in his ear. He’s not deaf.”

“Sorry, sorry!” Soonyoung stepped back, only to thrust the toddler forward. “Dino, say hi to your Minnie!”

The boy looked up at Seokmin with wide eyes, grinning from ear to ear. “You look different!” he declared loudly. “But you’re still my Minnie, right?”

Seokmin chuckled, his voice shaky. “Yeah, Dino. I’m still me.”

Jihoon, looking like he was one second away from losing it, muttered, “We need to get inside before Jeonghan hears the commotion and comes storming out.”

Inside, the chaos intensified. The living room was a whirlwind of people. Seungcheol was trying—and failing—to calm Jeonghan, who was pacing angrily with a bowl of grapes in hand, snapping at anyone who dared speak too loudly.