Invisible Affection | Taejin

48. I Wasn't Expecting You

Seokjin was still reading the message beneath the picture when another one arrived, followed by a third telling him not to call yet because Hoseok had finally fallen asleep. He stopped with his thumb above the screen and returned to the picture Yoongi had sent. The baby was tucked against Hoseok's chest, his face turned toward the camera, with one small hand resting beside his mouth. Hoseok looked exhausted, his hair pushed away from his forehead, and his eyes almost closed, but he was smiling.

For a while, Seokjin remained seated at his desk, zooming in on the picture to look at the baby's face. He couldn't believe it; his friend was a father now. Seokjin wanted to hear his voice, to ask how he felt and whether he needed anything, but he read Yoongi's message again and put the phone down.

He managed another few minutes of work before reaching for it again. This time, he saved the picture and sent a reply congratulating them both, then added a request for Hoseok to call whenever he felt up to it. He would be awake for several more hours, and if the call came after that, he didn't mind.

*****

When Hoseok called, Seokjin had eaten and changed into something comfortable, though he hadn't returned to his work. He answered from the sofa, smiling as his friend's face appeared on the screen. Hoseok was propped up in bed with the baby in his arms, and he looked down at him before turning his attention back to Seokjin.

"He's here," Hoseok said, his voice catching as he smiled. "I know you saw the picture, but look at him, Jin." He adjusted the phone, trying to show more of the baby without disturbing him. "He's been sleeping like this for almost an hour. Every time someone offers to take him, I say no, and then I complain that my arm hurts."

Seokjin leaned closer to the screen, looking at the small face beneath the edge of the blanket. "He's beautiful," he said. "How are you feeling? You look tired."

"I am tired. I don't even know how to explain how tired I am, but I keep looking at him instead of sleeping." Hoseok glanced down again and brushed a finger against the baby's cheek. "Yoongi's worse. He keeps taking pictures, and then he shows them to me while I'm holding him, as if I can't see him myself."

"I'm sending them to people," Yoongi said from somewhere beyond the screen, and Hoseok rolled his eyes.

"You took seven pictures of his hand," he replied, turning his head toward him. "Who needs seven pictures of the same hand?"

"I do," Seokjin said while laughing and settling back against the sofa. "Send them to me. You can send the rest too."

Hoseok laughed, then looked down when the baby moved against him. Seokjin waited while he adjusted the blanket and spoke to his son, his voice changing in a way Seokjin hadn't heard before. He watched his friend bend his head and kiss the baby's forehead, then do it again before lifting his eyes to the screen.

"I wish you were here," Hoseok admitted. "I didn't think I would get so emotional about everyone meeting him, but I want you to hold him. Jimin came earlier and cried before he even sat down."

Seokjin smiled, though his throat had tightened. "That sounds like him. Did he stay long?"

"Until Jungkook told him I needed to sleep. Then he cried because he had to leave." Hoseok shook his head, still smiling. "I love him, but I couldn't stop laughing, and laughing hurts right now."

"That's good info to know. I promise I won't make you laugh when I come," Seokjin said, shifting his phone into his other hand. "I'll sit there and behave myself."

Hoseok looked up at him. "Have you thought about when?"

"I have. There's a week next month that would work for me. I need to move one meeting, but the rest I can do from there if I need to." He paused, checking Hoseok's expression. "Would that be too soon? I don't want you to feel like you have to entertain me when you're trying to get used to having him home."