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Chapter Text

For as far as he could remember, Taehyung had always liked the mountains. Hiking brought him a certain peace of mind, the similar kind he would find in prayer and contemplation. After a very rocky start on the path of adulthood, he had found his calling in the retired ways of monastic life, which he would very soon embrace if God and the Reverend Father allowed it, but the mountains’ call was of another attraction that seemed to inexorably pull Taehyung back to them.

Up there all alone, surrounded by nature only, he felt free and infinite.

In the heights of Mudeungsan — well, to be fair, he rarely went all the way up anymore, only up to the first few hills — Taehyung would sing to his heart’s content. As he had spent his childhood in Mudeungsan, it never failed to remind him of fond childhood memories, his siblings’ laughter, and the songs their halmeoni had taught them all.

The hills were alive with the sound of music, these same songs that they had sung for a thousand years. Every time he came back, the hills would fill Taehyung’s heart with the sound of music and these memories. The man would forget all about the world down below, shedding his concerns with each step up like a thousand ugly scales hiding his body from the sun. He would always run up the last few metres leading to the meadows of the first little plateau like the erstwhile teenager he had been.

Up there, he was free.

Free of concerns, free of duties. It was just Taehyung, his memories, and the comforting scents and sights of the mountain surrounding him. His heart wanted to beat like the wings of a bird that rose from the lake to the trees, to laugh like a brook when it tripped and fell on its way.

But Taehyung couldn’t stay up there forever; the hills were only a liminal space allowing him some reprieve from the rest of the world. Like a secret garden that revealed itself at night only to disappear at the break of dawn, Mudeungsan was an escape that would lose its appeal if used too often. Still, Taehyung would always go to the hills when his heart was lonely, or when he desperately needed a change of scenery. He knew he would hear the memories of his halcyon days again; his heart would be blessed with the sound of music, and he would sing once more.

At this very moment, Taehyung was finding himself in a recurring predicament that, although harmless, benefitted no one — and always made Brother Mark frown. The postulant had gone to the hills in the beginning of the afternoon and had lost sight of time. He had to start climbing down immediately and run all the way to the abbey if he didn’t want to be late for dinner — he would already miss vespers, therefore he needed not to upset the Reverend Father and Brother Mark any further. With a sigh, Taehyung left his beloved meadows and trees and ran down the path as a faraway chime flew from a church on a breeze.

Meanwhile, at the abbey, the brethren were entering the chapel for vespers, which Taehyung, to no one’s surprise, didn’t attend. Once the ceremony was over, Reverend Father Namjoon, Brother Yugyeom and Brother Mark left the chapel to cross the cloister when Brother Baekhyun walked hurriedly to them, concern etching his delicate features.

“Reverend Father”, he started with a little bow, “I can’t seem to find him!” Reverend Father Namjoon arched an eyebrow.

“Taehyung?” he asked, although it was more of a rhetorical question. Brother Baekhyun nodded before continuing,

“He’s missing from the abbey again. I looked in every place I could think of.”

“Have you tried the barn?” Brother Yugyeom asked him. “You know how much Taehyung loves animals.”

“Well, perhaps we should take inspiration from the animals at the barn and put a cowbell around his neck”, Brother Mark scoffed. “That would inform us whenever he tries to sneak out, yet again.”

“I searched for him everywhere”, Baekhyun confirmed. “He wasn’t at the barn, nor at any of the usual places.”

“Brother Baekhyun”, Reverend Father Namjoon spoke up with a hint of a smile on his serene features, “it’s Taehyung that we’re talking about. Thus, I would suggest looking at every unusual place you can think of.”

Brother Baekhyun acquiesced wordlessly and parted ways with a bow to his superiors. The three of them resumed their walk across the cloister, Brother Mark now pursing his lips.

“Well”, he started, “this probably sheds another light on the already bright future Taehyung has here, Father Namjoon, and puts an end to whatever doubts you might still have.”

“Brother Mark”, Reverend Father Namjoon smiled, “my dear friend, I always try to keep faith in my doubts.”

“You know how the saying goes”, Brother Yugyeom chimed in, “‘the wool of a black sheep is just as warm.’”

“It is not a matter of sheep, Brother Yugyeom”, the elder frowned, “whatever colour they may be. We are discussing the future of our order. Taehyung has always had trouble fitting himself into a mould, whatever it was. Look where he is now! He couldn’t integrate well into society and took our abbey as a refuge from his rambunctious nature. He is trying his best, that is for sure, but years of an unruly life cannot be tamed by any set of rules, whether it is society’s or our own. Out of all the candidates for the novitiate I’ve seen in probably my entire life, Taehyung is the least—”

“Now, now”, Reverend Father Namjoon cut him off by placing an appeasing hand on his arm. “Let’s not be beside ourselves with a divergence of opinions.”

They had now crossed the cloister to reach three of their brethren, who were quietly conversing but turned their heads towards the newcomers. The head of the abbey spoke up.

“We were conversing about the future of some of the candidates for novitiate here”, he started, all five brethren now listening closely. “Brother Mark, our Master of novices, and Brother Yugyeom, our Master of postulants, were trying to help me evaluate the prospects of some postulants by expressing different opinions on the matter. Tell me, Brother Hyungshik, what do you think of Taehyung?”

“Taehyung is a wonderful person”, Brother Hyungshik took an enthusiastic step forward before slowing his movement, “most of the time.”

“Brother Sunghwan?”

“He is indeed a very lovable person”, the second brother stepped up, “except when sometimes, he isn’t.”

“Brother Bogum?”

“He is undoubtedly one the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure to meet”, the third brother hummed, “but somehow, he always seems to find himself in trouble.”

“That is exactly what I am saying!” Brother Mark turned to their superior with a small frown. “He keeps climbing up on trees like a rowdy teenager, at his age! Of course, he would scrape his knees, I’ve never seen one of his garments that didn’t sport a tear.”

“He waltzes on his way to mass”, Brother Hyungshik added, “and whistles on the stairs.”

“He always wakes up late and attends the First Hour with unruly strands and curls of hair.”

“I even heard him singing in the abbey, although silence must be observed. And he’s always late for chapel—”

“—but his penitence is real”, Brother Sunghwan interrupted with a firm nod. Brother Mark shook his head.

“He’s always late for everything!”

“Except for every meal”, Brother Bogum chuckled.

“I hate to have to say it”, Brother Mark sighed, walking up the few steps where the three brethren were standing, “but I very firmly feel—”

“—Kim Taehyung’s not an asset to the abbey”, the four of them finished in unison. Everyone turned to Reverend Father Namjoon, who was now slightly frowning and seemingly lost in contemplation.

“I’d like to say a word in his behalf”, Brother Yugyeom interjected.

“Be my guest”, Reverend Father Namjoon nodded.

“Taehyung-hyung makes me laugh”, Brother Yugyeom chuckled, immediately followed by Brother Sunghwan, Brother Hyungshik and Brother Bogum.

“Ah, wait!” their superior exclaimed, and all brethren turned their gazes on him. The man was pinching the bridge of his nose, eyebrows furrowed deeply in concentration. “I think I’ve just gotten some inspiration.”

“Again?” Brother Mark groaned, barely concealing an eye-roll, but he was ignored by Reverend Father Namjoon, who cleared his throat and started to sing,

“How do you solve a problem like Taehyung, aaaah? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?”

“How do you find a word that means Taehyung, aaaah?” Brother Yugyeom continued the song, always one to indulge the head of the abbey in his impromptu compositions.

“A flibbertigibbet?” Brother Bogum suggested, half-singing.

“A will-o’-the-wisp?” Brother Hyungshik added similarly.

“A clown”, Brother Mark deadpanned, clearly not amused. Reverend Father Namjoon simply hummed before carrying on with his song,

“Many a thing you know you’d like to tell him, many a thing he ought to understand—”

“But how do you make him stay, and listen to all you say?” Brother Mark finally sang back, shrugging wearily and taking a step closer to the older man. Reverend Father Namjoon smiled at him in all wisdom.

“How do you keep a wave upon the sand?”

“How do you solve a problem like Taehyung, aaaah?” Brother Yugyeom placed himself beside the two of them, singing passionately. Reverend Father Namjoon lifted his eyes to the sky as if looking for an answer God would bestow upon them.

“How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?” he reached a climax, and if his voice cracked at the highest note, none of the brethren dared comment on it. Brother Mark let out a minute sigh of relief, assuming the song was finished, but Brother Hyungshik came closer to them and picked up,

“When I’m with him, I’m confused, out of focus and bemused, and I don’t know exactly where I am…”

“Unpredictable as weather”, Brother Sunghwan added rapidly.

“He is flighty as a feather”, Brother Bogum completed.

“He’s a darling”, Brother Yugyeom nodded, only to be cut off by Brother Mark,

“He’s a demon.”

“He’s a lamb!” the younger brother insisted, glaring at the Master of novices.

“He’d outpester any pest”, Brother Hyungshik mused, still singing, “drive a hornet from its nest.”

“He could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl”, Brother Sunghwan added.

“He is gentle, he is wild”, Brother Yugyeom assured.

“He’s a riddle, he’s a child”, Brother Bogum placed.

“He’s a headache!” Brother Mark complained.

“He’s an angel!” Brother Yugyeom defended.

“He’s a man”, Reverend Father Namjoon cut the discussion short resolutely, holding his note and taking a few steps forward. The brethren surrounded him, looking towards the heavens before joining their hands in a sign of prayer. They all started singing the hook they had come up with a few minutes ago.

“How do you solve a problem like Taehyung, aaaah? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?” They exchanged looks with one another. “How do you find a word that means Taehyung, aaaah?”

“A flibbertigibbet?” Brother Bogum and Brother Hyunshik sang.

“A will-o’-the-wisp?” Brother Sunghwan and Brother Yugyeom continued.

“A clown”, Brother Mark turned to their superior, but Reverend Father Namjoon only raised his hands — the song wasn’t finished — and walked down the three steps to the centre of the cloister.

“Many a thing you know you’d like to tell him”, they all resumed, “many a thing he ought to understand.”

“But how do you make him stay?” Reverend Father Namjoon turned to Brother Mark.

“And listen to all you say?” the latter completed.

“How do you keep a wave upon the sand?” Brother Yugyeom countered, his mellifluous voice as clear as a thousand crystals.

“Oh, how do you solve a problem like Taehyung, aaaah?”

As the little choir held the last note, having tacitly decided it was going to be a fermata, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard resonating around the cloister and the outer parlour. The six of them turned their heads towards the gate from where they saw a panting Taehyung bursting out.

The postulant all but threw himself on the fountain that stood at the centre of the cloister, taking two hurried gulps of water, and started running again before he froze in his steps, sensing a few pairs of eyes on him. Like a deer caught in headlights, he slowly turned his head towards the six brethren, mouth slightly agape and cheeks a prominent shade of red — whether of shame or because of the run, no one knew.

Taehyung quickly rolled his eyes, knowing he would be up for a talk with Reverend Father Namjoon later, and adjusted his clothes as well as he could before walking out of the cloister in the direction of the refectory. Their eyes followed his retreating back until he was out of sight, and then, as if on cue, they harmonised their last line at the same time.

“How do you hold a moonbeam in your hands?”

When the song was finished with a sign of Reverend Father Namjoon’s elegant hand, they all shook their heads and made their way to the refectory as well.

The next day, Reverend Father Namjoon asked Taehyung to meet in his office after the Third Hour service. The postulant, although well-aware as of why he’d been summoned, couldn’t help but pace nervously around the hall, fiddling with the hems of his habit. When the door opened, Taehyung's head snapped up just in time to see Brother Yugyeom coming out of the office. The man, although younger than Taehyung but his superior nonetheless, offered him a reassuring smile.

“You can come in, now, Taehyung-hyung”, he said before ambling away.

Taehyung stepped into the office. Reverend Father Namjoon was sitting at his dark oaken desk, looking through some papers. Upon the postulant’s arrival, he lifted his head and motioned for him to enter.

“Come here, my child”, he enjoined him with an undecipherable expression, pushing his golden-rimmed spectacles up his nose.

Taehyung hastily closed the door and walked up to the elder, crouching to take his hand and pressing it to his lips in the utmost form of respect.

“Sit down”, Reverend Father Namjoon prompted him, and Taehyung almost lunged at the wooden chair facing the desk.

“Oh, Reverend Father”, he hurriedly started, “I’m so sorry for yesterday’s incident! The weather was so bright outside, I simply couldn’t help myself. The doors to the abbey were opened and the hills seemed to be calling me, and—”

“Taehyung-ah”, the older man cut him off gently but firmly. “I didn’t summon you in my office for this matter, nor for apologies.”

“But I insist, Reverend Father”, Taehyung pressed on. “Please, allow me to ask for your forgiveness.”

“Well, if that brings you some peace of mind…”

“It does, Reverend Father. You see, the weather was so tempting— The sky looked so blue, the hills looked so green, the air was so fresh even though we’ve entered summer already, and it carried so many scents, I simply had to be a part of the scenery! And the birds kept guiding me higher and higher as if they wanted me to soar to the heavens along with them!”

“But dear child”, Reverend Father Namjoon frowned with concern, taking off his spectacles, “what if dusk had fallen while you were still out there, lost and alone in the dark?”

“Oh, Reverend Father”, Taehyung smiled with a fondness that could only be brought by precious memories, “I grew up in these heights. Mudeungsan has always been my refuge, for as long as I can remember. I could never get lost in its paths! And besides, Mudeungsan is the reason I came to your door, two years ago.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You see, when I was still—” Taehyung took a deep breath, trying to steel his nerves at the mention of his past. “When I was still a teacher, and problems kept arising, I would go up in the mountain more and more often. And one day, I remembered climbing up some trees there as a child and watching the abbey from there. I would observe the brethren come and go in the cloister or the outside parlour, working around at the barn, or lining up and going inside the chapel for vespers. I remembered thinking they all seemed so serene, and the abbey seemed so peaceful. This is why I went to you when I couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted to find my own peace of mind in the ways of God.”

“I see”, Reverend Father Namjoon hummed pensively. Taehyung fidgeted in his seat, which made him arch one of his perfect eyebrows. “You still seem troubled?”

“Well… I have another thing to confess, Reverend Father”, the postulant played with the hem of his sleeve, avoiding his superior’s inquisitive gaze. “While I was up there yesterday, I sang without permission.”

“Taehyung-ah”, the elder chuckled, “the rule of silence only applies to our postulants within the abbey’s confines. You technically didn’t transgress it.”

“I just can’t seem to stop myself”, Taehyung shook his head in distress. “I can’t help but sing whenever I am. And even worse, I can’t help but say everything that goes through my head! Whatever I think, whatever I feel… And it’s terrible, really! You know how Brother Mark makes me kiss the floor whenever we have a disagreement?” Reverend Father Namjoon cocked his head to the side but didn’t say anything, so Taehyung went on. “Now it’s become a sheer reflex! I just start to kiss the floor whenever I see him, just to save time!”

“Taehyung-ah…” Reverend Father Namjoon paused, and let out a small sigh. “You said earlier that you came to us because you wanted to achieve inner peace through the ways of God. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you are ready to live as one of us, following our rules, does it?”

“Well, no”, Taehyung frowned dejectedly. “But I’m learning, Reverend Father, and I keep trying my best! I want to follow the Lord’s way and listen to His will.”

“I know, my child, I know. However”, the older man stood up and rounded his desk to stand next to the postulant, “it seems to be the Lord’s will that you leave us.”

“Oh, Father!” Taehyung exclaimed, falling on his knees and taking Reverend Father Namjoon’s hands in his trembling ones. “I beseech you to let me stay here! I will try harder, I promise, please, don’t send me away! I have nowhere to go but here…”

“It’s only for a while, Taehyung-ah”, the head of the abbey assured with a comforting smile, his dimples poking out. “I received a letter this morning from an acquaintance of mine. This might be a chance for you to go out into the world once more, and to gather a different experience from your previous one — and I can only hope for a better one. And after a while, if you’re still ready to become one of us, we will gladly take you back into our home.”

“But I’m ready, Father! I’ve prepared myself for the last two years—”

“Taehyung-ah”, Reverend Father Namjoon cut him off softly but firmly, a small smile stretched on his lips. Taehyung lowered his head in defeat, sitting back up on the chair.

“Yes, Reverend Father. If it is the Lord’s will, then I shall follow it.”

“Very well”, Reverend Father Namjoon smiled, satisfied, going back to his own side of the desk. “There is a family living about two hours away from Gwangju that is in need of a governess, or governor, until September. You would have to take care of seven children.”

“Seven children?” Taehyung’s eyes widened. “I mean, I have nothing against bigger numbers— I come from a family of five children myself, and I obviously like children since I was previously a teacher, but seven…”

“Don’t worry, they are not as young as you may think. The eldest, Jaebum, is already sixteen. Anyway”, Reverend Father Namjoon took out a blank piece of paper and a quill, the tip of which he dipped into the inkwell on his desk. “I will send my reply to Captain Kim and let him know I will send you over tomorrow.”

“Captain Kim?”

“A retired marine officer”, the older man explained while starting to write. “A fine and brave man, well-versed in knowledge and arts. His wife passed away a few years ago, and I reckon he has had some difficulties keeping someone to take care of his children.”

“Oh”, Taehyung licked his lips nervously. “Some… difficulties, you said?” Reverend Father Namjoon lifted his head and offered him an enigmatic smile.

“The Lord will bring you the answer in its own due time, my child.”

Taehyung could only nod silently, partly resigned but also partly curious at his newfound fate.

The rest of the day was spent packing his meagre personal effects into a bag and enjoying one last meal with his brethren.

“Don’t make that dejected face, Hyung”, Brother Yugyeom smiled gently at him. “Consider this an opportunity to reflect on yourself.”

“But I spent the last two years of my life reflecting on myself, here”, Taehyung pouted.

“I agree with Brother Yugyeom”, Brother Sunghwan patted his shoulder comfortingly.

“Plus, it’s only for a while”, Brother Minjae chimed in, his deep voice soothing Taehyung. “September is in three months. You’ll be back in no time!”

“I know you might be scared of the outside world”, Brother Hyungshik joined, “but it will be different this time. There will be only seven children, and you will most likely stay in a world of their own.”

“Yes”, Brother Bogum nodded. “You don’t have to go out. Besides, you love children. I’m sure it will be fine, and you will come back wiser and grown from this experience.”

“Thank you”, Taehyung smiled thankfully at the brethren — his close friends, his mentors and brothers, his hyungs, his found family. “I have nothing to fear, now, with God’s benevolence and your words of encouragement.”

“That’s the spirit”, Brother Minho chuckled, playfully ruffling his hair — a rare bold display of affection that would surely be reprimanded by Brother Mark if the latter had been watching, and thankfully, he was not.

— ♫♫♫ —

The next morning, right after the break of dawn, found Taehyung dressed in worldly clothes, his bag in one hand and his guitar case in the other, slowly walking down the path that led to the abbey’s giant wooden doors. The singing of the brethren, who were currently gathered in the chapel for First Hour, could be heard in the quiet of the morning, accompanying Taehyung on his way to the outside world after two years spent within the secured walls of the abbey.

With a heartfelt sigh, Taehyung pushed the heavy wooden door open and stepped out into the secluded passage separating the abbey from the street. The door slowly closed back with a creak. He shivered.

“When the Lord closes the door”, he recited from a meditation sitting he’d taken with Brother Sunghwan and Brother Yugyeom not so long after his arrival at the abbey, “somewhere, He opens a window.”

He took the few steps from the wooden doors to the iron carved portal separating the abbey from the rest of the world. The hinges grated when it closed in his back, and Taehyung hesitantly ventured into the still-empty street, taking in the all-too-familiar and yet foreign surroundings. A few metres on his right, a grey cat blinked at him before disappearing into a narrow alley. Taehyung sighed again and resumed his walk to the heart of the city.

“What would this day be like, I wonder?” he started humming to himself. “What will my future be, I wonder? It could be so exciting to be out to the world, to be free. My heart should be rejoicing… Oh, what’s the matter with me?”

Taehyung wouldn’t lie and say he wasn’t afraid at the prospect of stepping outside into the world once more, after two peaceful years within the walls of the abbey, ignorant of the news of the world and society’s troubles. But he also couldn’t lie and say he hadn’t missed the streets of the town he’d spent years, decades of his life roaming. He would still see some other people and get a little taste of the civilians’ life whenever he snuck out to go to the hills, but as an extrovert, he had missed being part of a crowd. The business of the market on a Saturday morning, the cheers and laughter of the children during the Gwangju Toechon Tomato Festival, the streets getting decorated for Chuseok…

“I’ve always longed for adventure”, Taehyung continued singing, thinking back to his teenage years and early twenties, full of hopes and dreams. “To do the things I never dared. Now here I am, facing adventure! Then why am I so scared…?”

Taehyung stopped walking and leaned against the parapet. From here, he could see a good part of the city, the small houses with colourful roofs and the covered market further on his right. The familiar sight was comforting.

“A captain with seven children, what’s so fearsome about that?” he mused, toying with the metal clasp of his guitar case. “Oh, I must stop these doubts, all these worries”, he chastised himself, resuming his walk down to the city. “If I don’t, I just know I’ll turn back.”

He went down the stairs that led to the abbey, a few houses, and Mudeungsan, passing by familiar shops he hadn’t stopped in front of in years. There was still the flower shop run by the halmeoni that never seemed to age, and the fish shop around the corner — the owner Taehyung remembered was nowhere to be found; a man in his mid-forties, probably his son, was manning the shop instead. Taehyung quickly signed and sent a word to the Lord for the old man, whether he had died or was still alive but unwell. He stopped a bit later to buy something to eat, as it was now around eight and he hadn’t had breakfast at the abbey.

“I must dream of the things I am seeking”, he muttered to himself as the streets gradually started to fill with shop owners or shopkeepers busy setting up for the day. “And I’m seeking the courage I lack. I’ll show them I’m worthy — and while I show them, I’ll show me.”

Taehyung arrived at the bus stop and paid for his ticket. He was thankful he had kept a small portion of his savings with him before going to the abbey, instead of placing everything in the bank. He had wanted to put all of his savings under his sister’s name, but she had firmly shaken her head.

“You never know what the future holds in store”, she had told him with wisdom contrasting with her young age. “Keep your money. It might come in handy one day.”

Taehyung boarded the bus and sat next to a window, tucking his belongings safely to his side. The bus was leaving at ten, in a few minutes, taking an increasing number of passengers. Taehyung took out a notebook he always used to carry with him when he was a teacher. He used it for scribbling and doodling, mainly, and while waiting for the bus to start its journey, he dove into the pages of his past with a certain emotion.

When he reached the last page he had written on, he turned it to reveal a blank one and retrieved a pen. This could be considered a new beginning, as much as it was, so Taehyung’s thoughts deserved a new page.

As the bus finally left the bustling streets he had always known, he started writing his made-up lyrics from earlier, and carried on with the rest of his song, feeling inspired. He muttered to himself, of course, as to not disturb the other passengers.

“I have confidence they’ll put me to the test, but I’ll make them see I have confidence in me. Somehow, I will impress them. I will be firm, but kind. And all those children — Heaven bless them —, they will look up to me, and mind me.”

He paused to look up at the city disappearing gradually to let the familiar greeneries of the countryside take over. Reverend Father Namjoon had said that the family lived two hours away from Gwangju, so Taehyung assumed they lived in a private domain, probably in one of those more European-styled mansions.

The bus left him at a crossroads of neat soil paths, obviously thoroughly looked after. Taehyung, reinvigorated by his inner pep-talk, followed the path on his right with a confident gait, resuming his song out loud since no one was around anymore. He had approximately twenty minutes to walk until he would reach the portal of the property, the bus driver had informed him earlier.

“With each step, I’m more certain! Everything will turn out fine! I have confidence the world can all be mine. They’ll have to agree I have confidence in me. I have confidence in sunshine, I have confidence in rain! I have confidence that spring will come again, besides which you see I have confidence in me.”

Taehyung was now running along the walls that defined the borders of the property, his trademark boxy smile on his face. The air was full of the fresh scents of nature — the earthy smells of the path, the woodsy ones of trees, the sweeter undertones of the flower fields further in the distance, carried by the warm wind. The sun shone brightly above him, the sky an azure blue. The weather was truly delightful.

“All I trust becomes my own! I have confidence in confidence alone!”

Taehyung suddenly stopped when he reached the majestic iron gates of the property, their intricate designs as beautiful as they were intimidating. He pushed one of the doors that opened with a squeak and walked through the well-kept French gardens with much less assured steps. But his past hour of self-reassurance had not been spent building up only to crash down at the mansion’s doorstep, so Taehyung took a deep breath and sang the last verse of his song while running straight to the door.

“I have confidence in confidence alone, besides which you see I have confidence in me!”

He pushed on the doorbell button before he could have second thoughts and slumped against the side of the doorframe, a little out of breath. Running maybe hadn’t been a good idea, after all.

Before he could start berating himself, the front door opened on a slightly shorter man who couldn’t be much older than Taehyung — a few years, at most. The postulant — well, postulant-on-hold now, probably — jumped up and straightened himself, clearing his throat with a smile he hoped was hiding his nervosity.

“Hello!” he exclaimed energetically. “Here I am!”

“Yes?” the man tilted his head to the side, his low voice surprising Taehyung as it didn’t quite match his physical appearance. “How can I help you?”

“I’m Kim Taehyung, the new governess— I mean, governor? Sent from the abbey to take care of the children, Captain!”

“Ah”, the man then chuckled, his catlike features stretching into a thoroughly amused expression. “And I’m Min Yoongi, the butler of the Kim household.”

“O-Oh”, Taehyung stuttered, feeling his cheeks heat up. The man’s eyes held genuine mirth in them, and the butler was a nice enough person to not mention his slip-up. Somehow, that put his nerves a little bit at ease. “Well”, he put his guitar case down to offer a vigorous handshake, “how do you do?”

“Very well”, the butler arched an eyebrow but responded as vigorously, his pale hands as big as Taehyung’s. “Please, do come in, Kim Taehyung-ssi.”

The postulant enthusiastically crossed the threshold only to stop a few steps in, mouth agape. Right in front of the entrance, where he and the butler stood, a few steps covered with a plush carpet led to a grand foyer; two doors with discrete but tasteful mouldings could be seen on each side of the open room including the one facing the entrance, separated by matching console tables with vases, small busts or other decorative objects, and a grand mirror or a painting hanging over each one of them. Four marble Corinthian-style columns — two on each side — supported a loggia that led to the upper level, the stairs separating in two at the entrance to reach each side up. The railings of the stairs and the loggia were made of white-painted wrought iron forged into the shape of flowers and leaves, adorned with smaller columns similar to the ones supporting the loggia.

When Taehyung lifted his head to the ceiling, more tasteful mouldings greeted his sight, as well as a massive crystal chandelier that lightened the foyer. The whole aesthetic consisted of mostly white with some subtle touches of gold and pink. Taehyung reminded himself to close his mouth when Yoongi walked down the few steps to the foyer.

“Wait here, please”, the latter told the bewildered governor before disappearing into one of the rooms.

Taehyung slowly walked down the carpet-covered steps, blinking a few times at his surroundings. Never in his life had he been allowed into such luxurious decor, and the display of wealth, although not outrageous, was throwing him for a loop. He placed his bag and his guitar at the bottom of the stairs and took a few hesitant steps into the foyer, looking around at all those locked doors that looked absolutely the same. There were a total of six rooms downstairs, at least, if the six doors weren’t hiding even more rooms behind. What did people need so many rooms for?

Taehyung approached one of the rooms. It was closed by double doors. Behind them was a salon with exquisitely crafted mouldings and paintings and beautiful marquetries, and French doors leading to what was probably a balcony. The few pieces of furniture were pushed against the walls, however, covered in white drapes. Everything seemed dusty and unused, Taehyung noted from the entrance, where he stood, the ray of light it created being the only lighting of the room.

The clearing of a throat nearly made him jump and he swiftly turned around, only to be met with a man about the same size as him but with much larger shoulders, their chests merely centimetres apart. The man’s face was devastatingly handsome, with a perfection akin to those antique statues one can see at the museum or in History books, Taehyung's brain unhelpfully registered. His deep brown eyes seemed to pierce through Taehyung and see the minutest details of his very soul; his perfectly kept eyebrows were slightly furrowed; his full lips, of a healthy shade of pink, were straightened into a thin line, and his shiny black hair was swept to the sides and parted to reveal a smooth forehead that was only creased with the frown the man was currently sporting.

Upon a quick look down, Taehyung noted that the man was dressed in a fitted black uniform, his gallons and distinctions sparkling under the light of the chandelier. The governor gulped, his wide eyes back on the other male’s face, his handsomeness not even shadowed by the severity of his expression. This man was none other than Captain Kim.

“In the future”, the latter started, his smooth but authoritative voice sending immediate shivers down Taehyung’s spine, “you will kindly remember that there are certain rooms in this house which are not to be disturbed.”

“I-I, y-yes, Captain, Sir”, he gulped, trying to regain his composure. The man assessed him with a severe gaze which reminded Taehyung of Brother Mark, but much more handsome. Taehyung must have had a funny look on his face because the Captain arched an eyebrow at him.

“What’s the matter? Why are you looking at me like this?”

“L-Like this…?”

“All funnily.”

“O-Oh”, Taehyung immediately bowed to ninety degrees before straightening back up, fiddling with the hem of his sleeves. “I didn’t mean to be rude in any way, it’s just— Well, you don’t really look like a captain. Sir.”

“Is that so? Well, I’m afraid you don’t really look like a governor either”, the Captain retorted. “Turn around.” When Taehyung didn’t react, only blinking at him, he arched an eyebrow again. “I said, turn around.”

“A-Ah, yes!”

Taehyung executed a clumsy twirl, feeling bare and insignificant under the scrutinising eyes of his new employer.

“Hat off”, the Captain ordered. Taehyung immediately took off his hat. The man’s frown deepened, lips pursing in barely concealed distaste. “It’s the shirt. You will put on something else before meeting the children.”

“B-But”, Taehyung stuttered, looking down at the greyish material that, granted, had seen better times but was still in fairly good condition. “I don’t have any other shirts. When we enter the abbey, our worldly clothes are given to the poor.”

“What about this one?”

“Well, the poor didn’t want it…”

Captain Kim raised one of his perfect eyebrows again, as it was apparently a trademark move of his, and Taehyung almost cowered in shame. But he was there to impress, he reminded himself, and as much as his new employer was intimidating, he felt a surge of confidence washing over him.

“I would gladly have made another shirt if I’d had the time. I can make my own clothes”, he proudly announced, silently thanking his halmeoni for having forced all of her grandchildren to learn how to sew, all those years ago.

“Brilliant”, the Captain deadpanned. “I will make sure to order you some material, then. As soon as possible. Now”, he continued, starting to walk around the foyer, his hands clasped behind his straightened back. “I don’t know how much the Reverend Father has told you.”

“Not much, I’m afraid.”

“You are the twelfth of a long line of governesses and governors, and hopefully the last, to take care of my children since their mother died. I don’t have many expectations from you, but I reckon you will do better than your predecessor — she lasted, hmm… Two hours.”

“T-Two hours?” Taehyung’s eyes widened. The Captain turned to him. “What happened…?”

“She, as any of the previous ones, revealed herself incapable of maintaining order and discipline, which are the two fundamental rules in this household. Coming from an institution of order and discipline yourself, I trust that you will be able to do a good job.”

“Yes, Sir”, Taehyung nodded resolutely.

“Every morning, you will assist them with their studies, as I will not allow my children to spend their summer in leisure. Then after lunch, you will accompany them on their daily walk around the park. After that, you will come back inside for three more hours of lessons, and then you will all have an hour to freshen up before dinner. Bedtime is at nine and must be strictly observed.”

“Excuse me, Sir, when do they play?”

“I will trust you to stick to that specific schedule”, his employer continued, ignoring Taehyung’s question. “In addition to that, I also trust you to make sure my children behave properly at all times, with the manners suited to our household’s name. Did I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Sir!” Taehyung repeated, even adding the army’s salute for good measure. 

The Captain just stared at him, thoroughly unimpressed, his face as stoic as ever. Then he took a silver whistle out of his pocket and blew it swiftly. Taehyung’s mouth fell open in shock as the sound of doors opening and closing could be heard from the loggia above, followed by loud rhythmic footsteps.

The governor turned to the part of the loggia opposite to him, where a few children of different heights and ages were now standing in line. Before he could count them, the Captain started to blow into his whistle rhythmically, the shrill sound soon accompanied by the repetitive clicking of heels against the floor. The children, dressed in some sort of greyish brown uniform looking as pitiful as Taehyung’s shirt, came down the stairs like a line of eerie robots, their straight faces not matching their ages in the slightest. They stood in a perfect line in the centre of the foyer, their heads held high and looking straight ahead.

At a specific whistle from the Captain, they all stopped clicking their heels on the floor and simply stood there, impassive, under Taehyung’s bewildered eyes.

“Children”, the Captain announced with a loud voice, startling him, “this is your new governor—” He stopped abruptly and turned his head towards the younger man. “What was your name, again?”

“Kim Taehyung.”

“This is your new governor, Kim Taehyung”, the head of the household resumed, “who you will refer to properly. And these”, he motioned to the emotionless human line in front of him, “are my children.”

“Nice to meet you”, Taehyung mumbled with a tentative smile, only to be met with seven weary side glances.

“Now, children”, Captain Kim continued, “as I sound your signals, step forward and give your name with a clear voice. You, Taehyung-ssi, listen closely to learn their signals in order to call them when you need.”

“W-Wha—”

The Captain started to blow in his whistle in different patterns — the “signals”, as he had called them — and a child stepped up to each one of them, their name resounding clearly along with a rhythmic tap of their foot on the carpet.

“Jaebum!”

“Yongsun!”

“Wheein!”

“Jimin!”

“Hyejin!”

“Youngjae!”

At the last signal, the youngest child didn’t move. The Captain repeated it, but to no avail, as the little boy only gasped and tapped his feet in rhythm. His father addressed a tight smile to a slightly dazed Taehyung.

“And Jeongguk”, the man answered for his benjamin. “Now, Taehyung-ssi, let’s see if you’ve listened carefully enough to memorise their signals.” Taehyung blinked and took the whistle, trying to not ponder over how electrifying the contact felt when their fingers brushed.

“I don’t think I need to use a whistle, Reverend Captain— I mean, Sir! I can just use their names, they all have such lovely names!”

“Taehyung-ssi”, the Captain took a step forward and Taehyung reflexively took one back. “This property is big and I don’t want to hear you screaming around while calling my children. You'll get used to the whistle, the children will help you. Now, when I want to call you, this is what you will hear”, the man resumed, blowing in his whistle yet again. Taehyung’s blood froze, then boiled in his veins — a very weird combination — at the shrill sound.

“Oh dear Lord, I’m sorry, Sir— Sir!” he exclaimed over the noise. “I can never answer to a whistle. That is possibly one of the most degrading things to do to another human being; whistles are for animals, pets — absolutely not for children, and definitely not for me.”

“Taehyung-ssi”, the head of the household called him with a voice so low that Taehyung feared for his life, but only for a split second. “Were you this much… trouble, at the abbey?”

“Oh, much more, Sir.”

“I see.”

The Captain turned around after a pointed glare in his direction, but Taehyung couldn’t bring himself to feel bad. He had spoken his mind again, but he knew he had been right. He tried not to stare so openly at the man’s broad back and wide shoulders; taking the whistle he’d been given, Taehyung blew it once. His employer slowly turned back towards him, an eyebrow raised up once again, a pose he definitely seemed to fancy and that made him look equally handsome and intimidating.

“Excuse me, Sir, but I don’t know your signal.” 

Taehyung internally cringed, because that line could almost be interpreted as flirting — something he hadn’t done in a while and that he definitely wasn’t supposed to do during his stay in the mansion — but held his position under the scrutinising gaze of the older man. The latter’s jaw imperceptibly twitched, but it was enough for Taehyung to catch it. He felt a small spark of pride lighting in his guts.

“You may call me Captain”, his employer said slowly, maintaining a heavy stare for a few seconds longer before turning around with finality, leaving the foyer without a glance back. Taehyung let out a sigh, and the children chuckled lightly as soon as the door closed.

“What am I supposed to say here”, he muttered, almost to himself, and the chuckles ceased immediately. “At ease? At ease.” The children, all straight faces and heads up high, complied. “Now that we are alone and with a decreased amount of tension, can each of you please tell me your name again, along with your age?”

“I’m Jaebum”, the boy who was standing the closest to Taehyung spoke up, staring coldly at him. “I just turned sixteen, and I don’t need a governor.”

“Well, Jaebum, in that case, we’ll just be good friends.” Taehyung moved forward to the next kid, who gave him a quick look-over.

“I’m Yongsun”, the girl introduced herself, apparently unimpressed by the check-up. “I’m fourteen, and I’m impossible.”

“Oh, really? Who told you that?” Taehyung chuckled.

“Jiyoon-unnie, four governesses ago.”

“I’m Hyejin”, the third child continued. Taehyung looked at her carefully. She kept looking straight ahead, avoiding his gaze.

“You… You didn’t tell me your age, Wheein-ah”, he remarked. The girl let out a small sigh while her little sister, further in line, took a step forward.

“I’m Hyejin”, she said, looking at Taehyung. “I’m ten. Unnie’s name is Wheein, and she’s thirteen. You’re a smart one, but I think your shirt is the ugliest shirt I’ve ever seen.”

“Hyejin-ah”, the boy standing in-between them spoke up, looking disapprovingly at his sister, “you shouldn’t say such things.”

“Why not? Don’t you think it’s ugly?”

“Oh, it is”, the boy shrugged, “but to be honest, Yoonhae-noona’s dresses were even uglier.” He turned his head to Taehyung and gave him a curt nod. “I’m Jimin, I’m eleven and I’m incorrigible.”

“Congratulations”, Taehyung smiled, moving forward.

“What does it mean, exactly? ‘Incorrigible’?” the boy asked, looking a bit unsure. The governor repressed a smile.

“I think it means you want to be treated like a boy.” The second-to-youngest child tugged on his ugly shirt, and Taehyung lowered his gaze on a cute little boy with chubby cheeks.

“I’m Youngjae”, the boy said. “I’m going to be seven on Tuesday!”

“Oh, really?” Taehyung beamed. “Then we’ll have to make sure to celebrate all together!” Youngjae’s grin seemed to brighten the whole room. The youngest child then tapped on the floor with his foot, his big doe eyes and little pout melting Taehyung’s heart.

“Yes, you’re Jeongguk, aren’t you?” The little boy nodded vigorously. “And you are…?” Taehyung trailed off. Jeongguk held out his small hand, all five fingers extended. “Oooh, you’re five? Our maknae is practically a man already.”

Judging from the toothy grin appearing on Jeongguk’s face, Taehyung knew this had been a good answer. He walked back to the centre, facing all the children, and offered them a smile.

“Now, children, I have to be honest with you. I was a kindergarten teacher at some point, but then I quit to enter the abbey. I don’t know anything about being a governor, though. I’m afraid I’m in need of advice.”

“Really?” Wheein asked, as all the siblings started to crowd Taehyung.

“You need advice from us?” Hyejin blinked, then exchanged a look with Jimin.

“Well”, Yongsun stepped forward, “the first thing to know is that you shall not hesitate to tell Abeoji to mind his own business.”

“You shall always come late at dinner time”, Jimin added.

“And never eat your soup quietly”, Hyejin chimed in while Yongsun plastered herself against Taehyung, imitating an obnoxious slurping noise.

“And always blow your nose during dessert!”

“Don’t listen to them, Hyungnim”, Jeongguk pouted, reaching to tug at his pants. “They’re all liars!”

“We’re not!” Jimin glared at their maknae.

“Why shouldn’t I listen to them, Jeongguk?” Taehyung asked gently, petting his head.

“Because I like you”, the little boy mumbled, hiding his face in the fabric of Taehyung’s pants.

Before Taehyung could say anything, the sound of clapping and approaching footsteps resonated in the foyer.

“Alright now, kiddos!” a man barged into the room from one of the doors, his voice firm and energetic. He looked about Taehyung’s age, like every other adult in that mansion so far, and exuded natural authority as well as charismatic confidence. “It’s time for your walk, per your father’s orders. Don’t crowd your poor new governor, you look like you are about to mob him. Come on, come on, it’s time to go outside!”

The children obediently took a few steps back and walked towards the front door. Taehyung watched their backs, from biggest to smallest, all seeming a bit defeated and lonely even though they were together. The man started to talk to him, bringing his attention back to him.

“Kim Taehyung, I assume?” he asked, holding out his hand and giving Taehyung a firm handshake. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jung Hoseok, the housekeeper. I’ll show you to your room, if you would follow me?”

Taehyung nodded and fell into step behind Hoseok, who took his luggage without asking and started to take the stairs on the left. The governor grabbed his guitar case and followed suit, looking back at the seven children who were standing in the entrance, the door open, and staring at them.

“Poor little lambs”, he sighed, looking at Hoseok, then let out a gasp when he felt something wiggle around his pocket. He reached his hand inside with a small frown. “Wha— aaaaah?!”

Taehyung almost let go of his guitar in shock, the foreign slim moving object jumping out of his hand — literally — and landing on the marble tiles, croaking once before going out the door, seemingly unbothered. Taehyung stared at the leaving frog with his mouth agape, then met the children’s knowing or cold gazes, before turning back to Hoseok who simply nodded at him.

“You’re a lucky one”, the housekeeper observed, readjusting his tie. “With Jiyoon-noona, it was a snake.”

“Wha—?” Taehyung gaped at the children. Jaebum and Yongsun smirked before disappearing through the door, imitated by their younger siblings. “Oh god. Okay.”

“You’ll either get used to it, or you’re going to quit”, Hoseok shrugged. “Anyway, your room’s this way.”

They finished climbing up the stairs and stepped onto the loggia. There were a series of aligned doors, with intricate mouldings just like the ones downstairs and on the opposite side, all closed.

“Those are the Captain’s apartments and study”, Hoseok tilted his head to the doors as they passed by, “and the children’s rooms are on the other side. Your room is further, there”, he pointed to a door on the far wall, on the third side of the loggia. “And the personnel’s rooms are up on the second floor.”

“How many are you?”

“Well, there’s me and Yoongi-hyung”, Hoseok mused, “then there are two maids to help me with the cleaning and the laundry, and a cook. We also have a gatekeeper, but he lives in the small building in the court, near the front gates. So that makes six of us— Well, we’re now seven with you. Anyway, this is your room”, he opened the door to reveal a decently sized bedroom with a double bed, a small wooden desk, a closet and an opened door leading to the bathroom.

“Oh wow”, Taehyung blinked, taking in the nice furniture, the wide windows from where the bright light of the sun was pouring in, and the white and pastel lily green wallpaper that matched the curtains. “I even get a private bathroom?”

“Yes, we all do. The Kim family is truly treating us well. We really can’t complain about the amenities.”

“I can tell”, he whistled appreciatively. “The room is even prettier than the one I used to rent when I was a teacher in the city.”

“You quit to take orders, from what I gathered?” Hoseok asked, putting his luggage at the foot of the bed. “Was there a particular reason?”

“Ah, well…” Taehyung’s face must have shown some discomfort, because Hoseok put a hand on his shoulder, patting it lightly.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable. I was just being intrusive. You can tell us when you’re ready, or not, that’s totally up to you. But don’t hesitate to ask Yoongi-hyung or me if you’re in need of anything, okay? You can come to us anytime. Our room’s upstairs, I’ll show you around quickly.”

Hoseok opened a more modest door hiding the service stairs right next to Taehyung’s bedroom, and they went up to the second floor. Even though this floor was reserved for personnel, it looked fine and well-kept. The floors were of polished wood, the joists didn’t look as if they were old and about to collapse on them at any moment, and there were no spiderwebs in sight. The staircase opened on a wide corridor with aligned doors and big windows running alongside its length, providing enough lighting.

“These are Jiwoo and Somin’s rooms— The maids”, Hoseok pointed to the first two doors on their left. “This is our cook Wooshik-hyung’s room. This is my and Yoongi-hyung’s room. The attic’s at the end of the corridor, but I doubt you’ll ever need to go there.”

“You two share a room?” Taehyung couldn’t help but ask. Hoseok turned to him with a smile.

“We’ve been married for ten years.”

“O-Oh”, Taehyung’s eyes widened. “Congratulations! That’s— That’s a long time. How old are you, if I may ask?”

“I’m thirty-four, and Yoongi-hyung’s thirty-five.”

“Ah, I see… Well, I’m thirty.”

“Call us ‘Hyung’, then”, Hoseok grinned.

“Call me Tae”, Taehyung reciprocated.

“Tae. Got it. It’s been a while since we’ve had someone younger than us around here. It’s nice, for a change.”

“Really?”

“Yes, every governess or governor before you was ol— I mean”, Hoseok winced, “someone with more maturity than us due to their additional years of experience.” The housekeeper glanced at Taehyung, who was biting his lips to try to contain his laughter. “Okay, they all were old hags, and I think that’s why they never grew on the kids. But you’re younger, so they might like you”, he shrugged. “I mean, they tolerate Yoongi-hyung and I just fine.”

“That’s reassuring, I guess”, Taehyung grimaced. “No pressure at all.” Hoseok laughed, the sound joyful and warming, his lips parting in a heart-shaped smile.

“Anyway, this is where you can find us when we’re not roaming all over the mansion and the rest of the property. Come on, let’s go back downstairs.”

They went back to the first floor, stopping in front of Taehyung’s room. Hoseok turned to Taehyung, smiling again.

“Well, I’ll let you get settled, now. I don’t know if you’ve had lunch?”

“Not yet.”

“Well, it’s almost two in the afternoon now, so lunch is over, but I’ll show you to the kitchen so you can eat something. You can take the afternoon to rest, I doubt the Captain will ask you to take up your post right away. You’ll most likely start tomorrow. I’ll be in Yoongi-hyung's study for the next hour — it’s the last door on the left when you come out of your room. Come find me and I’ll guide you to the kitchen.”

“I will”, Taehyung nodded, looking at the housekeeper with relief. “Thank you, Hyung.”

“Anytime, Taehyung-ah”, Hoseok smiled. “I’ll see you later!”

The man walked away to the other room, humming a mindless tune to himself. Taehyung watched his retreating back until he disappeared inside the room, a small smile on his lips. Hoseok had been warm and welcoming enough to put his nerves at ease. Taehyung hadn’t had much of an interaction with Yoongi, but if the man was anything like his husband, the governor knew they were people he would quickly become familiar with and rely on.

Unlike the Captain, whose aloofness had taken him aback. The master of the Kim household didn’t seem to like him much, and the little stunt he had pulled with the whistle would probably not do him any favours. Taehyung sighed, closing his bedroom door and starting to unpack the few things he had brought. Hopefully, he would be good enough at his job for the Captain to keep him until September.

Chapter Text

Seokjin glanced at the old grandfather clock in the corner of the dining room, its polished dark wood contrasting nicely with the fine ivory marquetries on its sides. It was five past seven. He frowned, glaring at the empty seat at the opposite end of the table, trying to repress the ticking of his jaw. As an officer of their country’s respected armed forces, punctuality was something he valued as much as discipline, and that Taehyung seemed to lack — which didn’t reassure him in the slightest, because if their new governor wasn’t a man of the former, chances were low that he would abide by the latter.

His children, filling the sides of the table, were sitting in complete silence. The man had changed out of his navy uniform to wear a bespoke dark grey suit, and per his request, his children had dressed with matching grey suits for the boys and light pink cotton dresses for the girls. They all were looking down at their plates of hors-d’œuvres, not even talking to each other, which made Seokjin frown.

Even if his children barely spoke at the table since his wife passed away, there would at least be one or two hushed whispers between Hyejin and Wheein, or Jeongguk would tug at Jaebum’s sleeve to earn a smile from his eldest hyung. Thus, their subdued attitude didn’t contribute to his rapidly dampening mood, and he glanced at the clock again. Seven past seven.

The sounds of running footsteps resonated in the hall behind him, and soon, Taehyung appeared in the doorway, a bit red in the cheeks — either due to his little run or to embarrassment, Seokjin couldn’t say. The sight was almost endearing, if he were to be honest, and added to the governor’s natural charms; but Seokjin wasn’t supposed to judge the man by his looks, he was supposed to evaluate his competencies. And, so far, if Taehyung’s physical features had admittedly been to his taste, his behaviour hadn’t. Seokjin repressed a sigh as Taehyung made his way up to his seat sheepishly.

“Good evening, children”, the younger man announced.

“Good evening”, seven voices replied in unison.

Taehyung sat on his chair only to spring up immediately with a loud yell as if he’d just sat on the grate of a fireplace or a bush of roses with plenty of thorns. The children repressed some laughs, and Taehyung quickly looked down on the brocade of his chair, eyes wide with confusion.

“O-Oh”, he stammered, looking abashedly at Seokjin, then back at his seat.

“What a refreshing little ritual”, the Captain remarked, lifting an eyebrow. “Something you learnt at the monastery?”

“No, it’s, uh”, Taehyung blinked rapidly. “It’s… rheumatism.”

“Rheumatism”, Seokjin deadpanned, tilting his head knowingly. “At such a young age. Interesting.”

“Oh, you wouldn’t believe it”, the governor nodded with an overdone expression of sadness, dusting something from the seat and sitting back down.

“How unfortunate”, he commented, unfolding his napkin and placing it on his lap before taking his fork. His children followed suit, the rule of waiting for the eldest of the table to start well-integrated in their manners.

“Excuse me, Captain”, Taehyung’s voice interrupted, and all heads turned towards him. The man blushed a little under their collective attention. “Haven’t we forgotten to thank the Lord?”

Seokjin’s jaw twitched as he swallowed his mouthful. He should have expected this from a man of the church — or well, almost one — he thought, fixating an intense and barely repressed glare on Taehyung. He put his fork down, though, imitated by his children, and all of them joined their hands. The governor looked around the table before he recited,

“For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen.”

“Amen”, Seokjin repeated, his pointed glare still fixated on Taehyung’s face.

“Amen”, seven voices concluded, before they all resumed eating.

“I would like to thank all of you”, Taehyung spoke up again, looking around at the children, “for the little present you left in my pocket earlier today.”

“What gift?” Seokjin inquired, noticing his progeny imperceptibly tensing. Taehyung offered a small smile.

“Oh, it’s a little secret, Captain, between the children and me.”

“Well, then I would suggest you keep your little secret to yourself while the rest of us eat.”

“You knew how nervous I was”, Taehyung continued, taking a sip of water, “being a stranger in a new household, with barely any experience in being a governor. It was really important for me to feel welcomed and accepted, which is why I’m really grateful for your thoughtful gesture of attention.”

Seokjin watched the young man smiling sweetly at each of his children, who looked paler and guiltier by the second. At the end of his little speech, they had all put their cutlery back on the table while Taehyung lifted up his own fork, the gesture a bit too innocuous not to be suspicious. Seokjin’s frown deepened when he heard a little sniffle at his left.

“What’s the matter, Youngjae?” he turned to his third son, putting down his fork.

“N-Nothing”, the child mumbled, glancing down at his lap.

As expected, Jeongguk started to tear up at the sight of his hyung crying. Seokjin barely repressed a desperate groan, because he knew Jimin had the softest spot for his youngest brother, and if Jeongguk started crying, then Jimin would cry, too. In a very predictable butterfly effect, Jimin’s tears induced Hyejin’s, which were quickly followed by Wheein’s. Soon enough, each of his children except Jaebum and Yongsun, who looked guilty as a fault and two seconds away from crying as well, were sobbing heartily in front of their plates. Seokjin’s mood plummeted as his annoyance soared. He took a deep calming breath before glaring openly at Taehyung, who was innocently taking another bite of his salad.

“Taehyung-ssi”, he offered the younger man his fakest cocktail smile, hoping it would conceal the heaviness of his murderous and withering look. “Is it going to be every meal or only at dinner time that you intend to take us all to the still undiscovered and marvellous land of indigestion?”

“Oh, they’re alright, Captain”, Taehyung eyed the watery disaster that he was undoubtedly the cause of, “they’re just happy.”

The cries only intensified, now filling the room. Jaebum had pulled Jeongguk on his lap and was patting his little back soothingly while the younger was sobbing against his chest. Yongsun was wiping the tears off Youngjae’s cheeks with her napkin. Jimin and Hyejin were seemingly in a competition of who would cry the loudest, and Wheein was looking at the ceiling and fanning her face in hopes of making her tears go away. Seokjin let out a heavy sigh, pushing back his plate of hors-d’œuvres. This was going to be a long dinner.

(Standing just shy from the open door, Hoseok and Yoongi exchanged a meaningful glance.

“That was so passive-aggressive of him”, the butler grinned. “I was a bit worried when I first saw him, but I think he’s going to settle in just fine.” Hoseok softly pecked his cheek, leaning against his back.

“I think so, too.”)

By the time they reached dessert, all his children had thankfully calmed down and were happily eating their floating islands with caramel sauce. Taehyung hadn’t made another comment throughout dinner, something Seokjin was immensely grateful for because he hadn’t been sure he would have held himself back from snapping at the younger man. Their dinner was interrupted by Yoongi, who came in politely and handed Seokjin a little note.

“A telegram for you, Sir”, he announced with a knowing lilt in his voice, as he did every time they had to interact formally with each other. Seokjin thanked his best friend with a nod and opened it just as Jaebum turned towards their butler.

“Hyungnim?” he asked. “Who brought it?”

“The young Jinyoung, of course”, Yoongi replied with a tilt of his head.

“Abeoji”, Jaebum licked his lips, “I’m finished with my meal. May I be excused?”

“You may”, Seokjin replied distractedly, his eyes roaming over the telegram. Jaebum gathered his cutlery on his plate and placed his napkin neatly on the table, before rapidly getting out of the dining room. “Children”, Seokjin announced, looking up from the note, “I’ll be leaving for Seoul tomorrow.”

A chorus of protests erupted from his children’s mouths.

“Oh?”

“Not again, Abeoji!”

“Already?”

Seokjin arched an eyebrow and the complaints ceased as quickly as they had started, everyone turning back to their plates. The Captain caught Taehyung staring at him, but the governor averted his eyes to the side, suddenly very interested in the designs of the beige wallpapers. Yongsun cleared her throat.

“How long will you be gone this time, Abeoji?” Jeongguk asked.

“I shall leave tomorrow, but I’m not sure how long I’ll spend there.”

“Are you going to see Baroness Moon again?” Wheein asked, only to be silenced by Jimin.

“Mind your own business!” he glared at his sister before looking up sheepishly at their father.

“As a matter of fact”, Seokjin spoke up, “yes, Wheein-ah.”

“Will we ever get to see the Baroness?” Hyejin asked.

“Why would she want to see you?” Jimin shot back. Hyejin opened her mouth to protest, but Seokjin cut her off.

“Well, it just so happens, Hyejin-ah, that you will see the Baroness. I’m bringing her back with me to visit us all.”

“Oh”, the children blinked in surprise.

“Along”, Seokjin sighed before a small smile tugged on his lips, “with Uncle Jackson and Uncle Bam Bam.”

“Uncle Jackson and Uncle Bam Bam!” they exclaimed cheerfully, Jimin and Hyejin grinning at each other, the little beginning of their quarrel all but forgotten.

“Well, if you’re finished with your dessert, you are free to leave the table”, Seokjin announced, putting his pastry fork down.

The children rose from their seats with barely contained excitement, the hallway soon resonating with hushed giggles and retreating footsteps. Youngjae looked a little upset, but he disappeared before Seokjin could ask him the reason. The Captain shrugged, imputing it on the exhaustion of the general meltdown Taehyung had induced earlier. Speaking of which, the governor hadn’t moved from his seat, simply staring at Seokjin from the opposite end of the table with an undecipherable expression.

“What is it?” he cocked an eyebrow at him. “Why are you staring at me like this?”

“You said you were leaving tomorrow?”

“Yes? Does that inconvenience you in any way, Taehyung-ssi?”

“Oh, no, not me”, Taehyung shook his head.

“I’m not sure where this conversation is going, then, but feel free to enlighten me.”

“Youngjae’s birthday is on Tuesday”, the governor simply said.

“How do you know?”

“He told me.”

“Oh, really?” Seokjin stared at him. “I’m glad to learn that you’re already bonding with my children, Taehyung-ssi.”

“Captain, you’re going to miss his birthday”, Taehyung pressed on. “Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

“I do feel a bit disappointed”, Seokjin shrugged, repressing the pang of guilt blooming in his heart, “but I doubt he will mind, anyway.”

“What if he does?” the younger man retorted softly. Seokjin’s eyes found his, trying to decipher the emotions brewing in the steadiness of his gaze.

“I don’t reckon we are close enough to talk so freely about those kinds of subjects, Taehyung-ssi”, Seokjin decided to cut the discussion short.

Something in Taehyung’s voice was putting him oddly on edge. Seokjin had deemed the man inoffensive, although a bit annoying, from their previous exchanges, but he was suddenly looking far more perceptive and mature than he had thought. This version of Taehyung was more dangerous, not for the children, but for Seokjin’s heart and defence mechanism.

This version of Taehyung seemed like he’d be able to take the upper hand on Seokjin. This was the promise of something more, presenting itself too strong and too soon, and the Captain didn’t want to think of any of its implications at the moment. All he knew was that Kim Taehyung, who had arrived barely a few hours ago, was in no position to talk to Seokjin about family matters.

“You’re right”, the governor bowed his head, breaking the string of his tumultuous thoughts. “I overstepped. My apologies.” He got up from his chair and walked to the door, slowing down as he passed by Seokjin. There was some hesitation to his movements, as if the younger man wanted to put a hand on his shoulder, but in the end, he didn’t dare to — and rightfully so. “If you would think about it once more, though…”

And Taehyung walked away through the door, leaving Seokjin rooted in his seat, alone, with a multitude of unpleasant thoughts.

(“Tae keeps earning brownie points”, Hoseok nodded appreciatively, observing from afar. “I’m starting to really like him.”

“I can only agree with you, love”, Yoongi laced their hands together to quickly squeeze his fingers before letting go. “This household is in dire need of a change, and Taehyung might be the one able to bring it.”)

— ♫♫♫ —

Jaebum shut the door leading to the main terrace, a mixture of apprehension and giddiness brewing low in his guts. Dusk had fallen a while ago, their lamps now all lit in the gardens, but it was still fairly bright outside, the summer sky taking a darkening shade of blue. He hastily went down the few steps leading to the gardens, passing by the perfectly trimmed bushes of forsythia and the box trees to turn right and take the small tiled path running along the river. He ventured further into the property, his heart beating faster with each step. There were a few thickets of lush greenery where he and his siblings liked to play hide-and-seek, and a small pond Jeongguk and Youngjae still didn’t have permission to get close to, and finally, the gazebo surrounded by some plane trees came into sight. The darkness was more present here, thanks to the shade the trees provided.

“Jinyoung-hyung?” he called out hopefully, approaching the painted wooden structure.

“Jaebum-ah!” the young postman waved at him. He was standing next to a white stone bench, his bicycle leant against a tree behind him.

Jaebum ran towards him and lunged himself in his arms, grinning from ear to ear. Jinyoung hugged him just as tight before loosening his grasp, allowing Jaebum to take a small step back and look him in the eyes.

“Have I ever told you how good you look in your uniform?” the young master laughed, the small street lamp next to the gazebo lighting their surroundings brightly enough to show off his pink cheeks.

“Jaebum-ah”, Jinyoung bit his lower lip. “We… We shouldn’t.”

“Why not?” Jaebum tilted his head. “Isn’t this why you’re here? To see me?”

“Well, of course!” Jinyoung hastily replied, one of his hands coming up to caress the younger boy’s cheek tenderly. “It’s just… I don’t know, it’s stupid, but what if your father—”

“There’s no way he knows”, Jaebum cut him off gently. “Don’t worry, Hyung.”

“I just don’t want to lose you”, Jinyoung whispered. “You’re so precious to me.”

“You’re precious to me, too.”

“I missed you”, Jinyoung confessed.

“Really?” Jaebum smiled abashedly but still looked pleased. “How much?”

“I missed you like an idiot misses the point.”

“Hyung!” Jaebum rolled his eyes, and the young postman chuckled fondly.

“I missed you so much that I even thought about writing you a telegram”, he answered seriously, “just so I could deliver it to you.”

“Oh, that’s a lovely idea!” Jaebum laughed, elated. “Send me a telegram.”

“Now?”

“Yes, why not?”

“But I’m already here.”

“Oh please, Hyung”, Jaebum pouted, batting his eyelashes exaggeratingly, “please send me a telegram.”

“Okay, let’s see…” Jinyoung brought a hand under his chin in mock contemplation.

“I’ll start it for you”, Jaebum chuckled, sitting on the bench. “It would start this way: ‘My dear Jaebum…’”

“‘My dear Jaebum’”, Jinyoung repeated, taking a seat next to the younger boy. “‘I’d like to be able to tell you how I feel about you. Stop. Unfortunately, this message is already too expensive for me. Stop. Sincerely, Jinyoung.’”

“Sincerely?” Jaebum exclaimed in mock offence.

“Cordially?” the young postman proposed with a teasing grin.

“Cordially”, Jaebum pouted, turning away. Jinyoung chuckled and leaned forward.

“You’re always so difficult to please, darling. You’re lucky I’m so much into you. Would ‘affectionately’ be more to your taste?”

“I definitely like ‘affectionately’ better”, the young master grinned, hugging Jinyoung again. The latter squeezed him tightly before letting go of him.

“Will there be an answer?”

“Let’s see…” Jaebum hummed contemplatively. “‘Dear Jinyoung-hyung, stop. Don’t stop! Your Jaebum.’” The younger boy took one of Jinyoung’s hands in his, toying mindlessly with his deft fingers. “I wish we didn’t have to wait for Abeoji to receive letters and telegrams”, he sighed. “I have no way of knowing when I’ll see you again, and it’s eating my heart away.”

“How poetic”, Jinyoung teased. “Don’t worry, Jaebum-ah, I feel the same way. The uncertainty gets less bearable every day. You are all the thoughts in my head and the love in my heart. I want you in so many ways that I can’t even put them into words.”

“Stop it, Hyung”, Jaebum feebly hit his arm. “You’re going to make me blush.”

“You love it, though.”

“I do”, he pouted self-consciously.

“And I do love it when you get all shy”, Jinyoung grinned, patting his shoulder. “God, you’re so cute. And you look even cuter when you’re holding my hand.”

“Stop it!” Jaebum flushed, hitting the postman lightly again, earning a good-hearted laugh and an endeared gaze. “You’re the worst, Hyung.”

“I know, I’m a handful”, he sighed dramatically before grinning maniacally again. “But Jaebum-ah… That’s why you have two hands.”

“Hyuuung!” Jaebum stood up, his cheeks crimson red, dusting his clothes if only to busy himself. “That’s it, I’m leaving.”

“Aw, don’t”, Jinyoung stood up as well and plastered himself onto Jaebum’s back, the younger boy shivering slightly at the surrounding warmth. “You know I was joking. You’re so precious, Jaebumie. Still such a baby.”

“I’m not a baby!” Jaebum pouted, turning around to face the postman, still safely in his grasp. “I’m already sixteen.”

“And to me, you are a baby”, Jinyoung teased, brushing their noses against each other tenderly before humming a little tune. “You wait, little boy, on an empty stage, for fate to turn the light on. Your life, little boy, is an empty page that all will want to write on.”

“To write on…” Jaebum sing-songed, then pouted again when Jinyoung stepped back to boop his nose.

“You are sixteen going on seventeen, baby, it’s time to think”, he sang, his mellifluous voice carrying pleasantly through the summer air. “Better beware, be canny and careful, baby, you’re on the brink. You are sixteen going on seventeen, people will fall in line”, the boy stood up, making a wide gesture to show an imaginary line of suitors in front of Jaebum. “Eager young lads and girls with rich dads will offer you food and wine.”

Jaebum couldn’t repress a smug grin, knowing he was handsome — he had been told countless times that he took after his father, whose handsomeness and charisma were notorious in the most upscale circles of Gwangju and Seoul. His late mother, too, was a renowned beauty; each of the Kim children had inherited their parents' good genes and dispositions. Jinyoung came to Jaebum’s side, placing an arm around his shoulders and singing in his ear,

“Totally unprepared are you, to face a world of men.” He waved his hand in front of them to an imaginary crowd again. “Timid and shy and scared are you, of things beyond your ken.” 

He turned Jaebum around so they were facing each other, the younger’s eyes looking at him in adoration. Jinyoung’s smile was blinding and radiating fondness even in the low lighting.

“You need someone older and wiser telling you what to do”, Jinyoung tapped his own chest proudly. “I am seventeen going on eighteen, I’ll take care of you!”

Jaebum took his hands in his, swaying them back and forth with amusement. He leaned forward as if to kiss Jinyoung, but the latter swiftly put a hand between their faces, arching an eyebrow. The young master let go of his other hand with a scowl, turning around and folding his arms against his chest. Jinyoung walked in front of him again, his hand held out in a peace offering. The younger boy merely shook it before turning back around. Undeterred, the postman wrapped himself around his slender but muscular frame, and Jaebum couldn’t help but melt at the contact. He dragged Jinyoung to sit on the stone bench, but as soon as they were seated, drops of a characteristic summer rain started to fall on them.

Jaebum tugged Jinyoung under the safety of the gazebo, the two of them watching the summer storm rapidly setting. The rain was becoming heavier, but neither of them seemed to mind, as they were stuck together in some sort of liminal space where the world seemed to belong to them only. Jaebum turned his head towards Jinyoung.

“I am sixteen going on seventeen”, he started singing, using the same melody as Jinyoung. “I know that I’m naive. Fellows I meet may tell me I’m sweet, and willingly, I believe. I am sixteen going on seventeen, innocent as a rose”, he smiled innocuously, matching his lyrics, and twirled around to make Jinyoung laugh.

The older boy stretched out his hand again, and this time, Jaebum took it. Jinyoung made him twirl again before initiating a little dance, neither of them minding the growling thunder and the bolts of white light occasionally fusing in the sky.

“Bachelors, ladies, drinkers of brandies”, the young master continued with a playful smile, running his fingers teasingly up Jinyoung’s arm. “What do I know of those? Totally unprepared am I, to face a world of men. Timid and shy and scared am I, of things beyond my ken. I need someone older and wiser telling me what to do.”

Jinyoung twirled him around again before pulling on his hand gently, bringing him closer and effectively caging him in his embrace. Jaebum beamed, leaning forward the slightest to bring their faces centimetres from one another.

“You are seventeen going on eighteen”, he whispered fondly, “I depend on you.”

The look in Jinyoung’s eyes had switched, turning a bit more passionate and hungry. Jaebum, ever the tease, pulled away before their lips could meet and squeezed his hands to ask for a dance. Jinyoung understood the message and stepped back just enough to bend forward into a deep bow, offering his hand like a fancy European gentleman asking a young maiden for a dance.

Jaebum took it with a laugh, and Jinyoung pulled him to the side of the gazebo, motioning for him to step on the small wooden bench circling a portion of the side. He then started to walk along the bench, Jaebum following obediently even if the action made him feel a bit like a mare that a proud owner would show off around a manège. Jinyoung guided him until the end of the bench, kneeling to offer the younger a makeshift step to the following bench.

Soon enough, Jaebum was running and jumping from bench to bench, laughing at Jinyoung’s antics, then yelped when the postman tugged him forward and used centrifugal force to spin him around, Jaebum’s body securely held by his muscular arms. When he slowed the pace, the younger boy landed safely on the ground and Jinyoung twirled him in his arms.

They both started a fast-tempo paced kind of waltz, dancing around and swaying and twirling until they let go of each other and slumped on opposite benches, breathless. They kept gazing intensely at each other, both very aware of the electric tension inside the gazebo, accentuated by the occasional lighting of the storm. They slowly got up, eyes still locked, and took a few steps forward to meet at the centre of the gazebo. Jaebum pressed himself closer to Jinyoung, his breath still coming out in short pants, and licked his lips. Jinyoung’s eyes trailed down to his mouth, the elder’s gaze burning with a fire that matched the one blazing in Jaebum’s insides.

Suddenly, Jinyoung grabbed him by the shoulders and crashed their lips together. Jaebum gasped in surprise, and Jinyoung seized the opportunity to sneakily swipe his tongue between his parted lips. Then he pulled back, grinning like a cat that got the cream, and ran away on his bicycle through the pouring rain.

Jaebum followed him out outside, mouth agape in shock, looking at his rapidly retreating form with a blissful smile blooming on his face. He brought a hand to his lips, uncaring of the water now running down on him, relishing the phantom sensation of Jinyoung’s plush lips against his, and let out a breathless giggle. He started laughing and spinning around under the summer rain, feeling powerful and infinite.

Feeling blissful and complete.

Feeling sixteen going on seventeen.

— ♫♫♫ —

The storm was raging outside, rain batting on the open windows that rattled with the wind. As Taehyung quickly went to one of the windows to shut it, a knock was heard over the rumbling of the thunder. He turned around and went to the door.

“Come in!”

Hoseok trudged inside with his arms full and his ever-warm smile on his face. Taehyung couldn’t help but smile back; the housekeeper’s cheeriness was infectious and put the governor at ease.

“Here are the fabrics for your new clothes”, he announced, showing off the rolls of cotton, taffeta and linen he was holding. “The captain had these sent out from town.”

“Oh Lord, those are beautiful!” Taehyung exclaimed, admiring the finesse of the colourful fabrics. “I’m sure they will make the prettiest clothes I’ve ever had. Tell me, do you think the Captain would allow me more fabric if I asked him?”

“More fabrics?” Hoseok tilted his head, eyeing the four rolls now in Taehyung’s arms pensively. “Do you need more clothes?”

“Oh no, not for me, for the children! I want to make them some play clothes.”

“The children of the Kim household don’t play”, Hoseok pursed his lips, going to close the other window in Taehyung’s room. “They march.”

“But you don’t really approve of that, do you?”

“Well”, the housekeeper sighed, turning to Taehyung. “Even if I disagree, I’m in no position to object. Yoongi-hyung might have an influence on the Captain, but I certainly don’t.”

“How come?” the governor asked curiously. Hoseok smiled.

“They are long-time friends. Yoongi-hyung’s father was the previous butler of the Kim household, so Hyung naturally took over when he retired. The Captain and he grew up together, if you will. Yoongi-hyung doesn't mind working here, for his childhood friend. And the Captain always seeks his opinion before making an important decision.”

“Oh, I see. I had no idea.”

“You only arrived today”, Hoseok laughed, “there are still many things to learn about this household — if you stay long enough, that is.”

The reminder that Taehyung’s head was on a metaphorical line dampened his spirits a little. Hoseok took notice and came closer, a spark of guilt in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Tae. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”

“It’s okay”, the younger man shrugged with a small smile. “It is only the truth, after all. Can I ask you a question, though?”

“Sure.”

“Why does the Captain— I mean, why the uniforms, the whistle, the march…?” Hoseok sighed again, shaking his head in disapproval.

“Ever since the Captain lost his wife, he runs the house like one of his ships. There used to be music and laughter from the time Madam Heeyeon was still there. Now, only silence, shrill whistles and orders, and echoing footsteps resonate around the mansion. There’s nothing that reminds him of her, not even the children.”

“But that’s not their fault”, Taehyung protested feebly, unsure if he was allowed to speak his mind so freely in front of Hoseok, even though the man seemed intent on putting him at ease. “I’m sure they are suffering from their loss, too. Putting them through all that… It just feels so… so wrong!”

“Well”, Hoseok smiled sadly. “It’s what the Captain deemed the safest way to raise his children, and his own way to cope. I don’t say I’m agreeing with any of this, but I do understand, in a way. Things were hard in my family when we lost my mother, too.”

“Oh”, Taehyung bit his lip. “I’m… I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It’s okay”, the elder smiled again, patting his shoulder affectionately. “It was a long time ago. I had plenty of time to mourn and rise again.”

“That’s admirable.”

“How do you like your room?” Hoseok tactfully trailed off to another subject, which Taehyung took in stride. “There will be new drapes at your windows.”

“New drapes?” Taehyung inspected the patterns on the white and pastel lily green curtains. “Why? These look fine to me.”

“Nevertheless”, Hoseok shrugged, walking to the door, “the Captain ordered new ones for your room. They will probably arrive in one or two days.”

“Oh, but I really don’t need them… Wait, Hyung!” he called just as Hoseok was about to cross the threshold. “Do you think the Captain will be open to talking about the fabrics for the children tomorrow?”

“He’s leaving for Seoul tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, right…” Taehyung ignored the pang in his chest when Youngjae’s dejected face came to mind. “Do you know how long he’ll be gone?”

“I couldn’t be less sure”, Hoseok pursed his lips, which Taehyung was quickly learning was a sign of disapproval or disappointment. “The last time he visited Baroness Moon, he stayed for a month.”

“A month?” Taehyung’s eyes widened. “But what about the children?”

“What do you think you’re here for, Taehyung-ah?” Hoseok chuckled dryly. “They stayed with their governess at the time, Yoongi-hyung and me.”

“O-Oh, right”, the younger man blushed. Hoseok leaned forward conspiratorially.

“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, I mean, we’re still not that close, yet, but if you ask Yoongi-hyung and me, the Captain is seriously entertaining the idea of marrying the woman before the first snow falls on Mudeungsan.”

“That would be wonderful!” Taehyung beamed, leaning against the door. “The children would have a new mother! They all deserve another parental figure to love them.”

“Yes, well”, Hoseok gave him a pointed look that Taehyung didn’t really know how to interpret. “Goodnight, Tae”, the older man smiled, and the governor understood that their conversation was over.

“Goodnight, Hyung. Say goodnight to Yoongi-hyungnim for me, too.”

“Will do.”

With a last warm smile, Hoseok closed his bedroom door. Taehyung turned around with a small sigh, taking in his surroundings once again. Everything still looked foreign to him — even the double bed was, in his books, a sign of opulence — but he was going to have to get accustomed to such displays of wealth. Not that the Captain or the children, or anyone here, was particularly showing off, but the mansion’s very grounds and furniture spoke of the level of comfort of the Kim household. Even the dressing gown Hoseok had lent him was more sophisticated than anything he’d ever worn.

Taehyung glanced at his reflection in the bathroom’s mirror from the open door, blinking at the stranger yet familiar man staring back at him. This is me, he thought. Kim Taehyung, governor of the Kim household.

It would take some time to get used to the idea, but Taehyung could see himself getting comfortable here. He couldn’t be certain, but there was a budding hope for him to be able to fit in — something that Taehyung had longed for, long ago, but failed to accomplish. This was a sensation he hadn’t felt in a long time, and as much as it frightened him, it also felt exhilarating. Maybe Reverend Father Namjoon was right. Maybe he needed to experience a form of social life again, get some time away from the monastery.

Determined to ask the Lord for strength and courage on his new journey, Taehyung took off Hoseok’s dressing gown and put it neatly on a chair, before kneeling at the side of his bed, resting his arms on the plush comforter — despite the summer, nights were still fresh in this region of South Korea. He signed and dutifully joined his hands together.

“Dear Lord”, he closed his eyes, a peaceful smile on his face. “Now I know why You sent me here. It’s to help those poor children prepare themselves for a new mother. I hope that I’ll be able to help them soothe their hearts from any lingering pain, and get them ready to welcome this new addition to their family. I pray that the Kim household will become happy again, under Thy watch. God bless the Captain, God bless Jaebum and Yongsun. God bless Wheein and Hyejin, little Youngjae and little Jeongguk. And… Oh, I forgot the last boy’s name. What’s his name again? Well, God bless ‘What’s-his-name’, too. God bless the Reverend Father, and Brother Yugyeom, and Brother… And all my brethren at the monastery.”

A rustle came from behind him while he was reciting the names of his found family, but before he could startle or really become afraid, the drenched silhouette of Jaebum flew past him and towards the door. Taehyung’s eyes fixated on the eldest child’s back.

“And now, dear Lord, about Jaebum!” The boy spun around, his wet back now plastered against the door, his wide eyes reminding Taehyung of little Jeongguk. Taehyung turned his head forward again, finishing his prayer. “Help him to know that I’m his friend, and help him to tell me what he’s been up to since dinner.”

“Are you going to tell my father?” The boy took some hesitant steps forward, getting closer to the other side of the bed. Water was dripping everywhere from his hair and clothes, his pleading eyes completing his miserable-looking appearance.

“Shh”, Taehyung only said, before carrying on. “Help me to be understanding so I may guide his footsteps. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen”, he finished, signing himself once more before looking back at Jaebum.

“I was walking out in the gardens, and someone locked the doors early because of the storm. I didn’t want to wake anybody up, though”, the young master grimaced, “so when I saw your window open, I thought…” He took a small step forward, making his best impression of Jeongguk’s puppy eyes. “You’re not going to tell Abeoji, are you?” he asked again, his voice taking on a pleading edge.

Taehyung stared at him, his face unreadable, then he hummed, standing up and going to inspect the window.

“How did you even manage to climb all the way up here?” he turned back around, bewildered. Jaebum’s face broke out into a smile — the first one Taehyung had seen on him, so far.

“We mastered the art just to play tricks on the governess or governor”, the boy grinned proudly. “Save for the little ones, of course, everybody knows how to climb your window. Wheeinie can even climb while holding a jar full of spiders!”

“Of s-spiders?” Taehyung slammed the window closed and gaped, horrified. Jaebum nodded enthusiastically, making droplets of water splatter around with the motion.

“Jaebum-ah, while you were taking your walk in the gardens, were you alone?”

The boy’s eyes widened, then he blinked a few times, trying to control his expressions under Taehyung’s unwavering gaze. He licked his lips and nodded tentatively. Taehyung arched an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side, trying his best to impersonate the Captain. Whatever expression he ended up having might have worked, because Jaebum paused then shook his head, eyes trailed on the floor.

Taehyung couldn’t repress a chuckle. Kids were so innocent, convinced that they could fool adults when those same adults had been in their shoes not so long ago.

“You know”, the governor spoke up, making his way to his closet, and Jaebum’s head snapped up. “If you wash your clothes tonight, nobody will notice tomorrow. You can just change in my bathroom and put this on for now”, he continued, taking out his spare pair of pale blue cotton pyjamas. He grabbed a spare towel in passing and gave everything to Jaebum, who smiled again. “Put your clothes soaking into the bathtub. We can have a talk when you’re all changed.”

“You know”, the boy said, standing at the entrance of the bathroom. “Earlier, I said I didn’t need a governor… Well, maybe I do, after all.”

Taehyung only chuckled before closing the door to the bathroom. Now alone again, for the time being, the mention of jars full of spiders came back to his mind. He warily glanced at the bathroom door, then the window, then his bed. He took a careful step towards the latter, one of his hands stretched out to grab the comforter. He removed it swiftly from the mattress, backing out as if he was about to get burnt.

Nothing caught his sight except the plain white bedsheets, now a bit ruffled from his antics. He was arranging his bed covers, chuckling, when the rumble of the storm exploded into a loud thunder, and his door burst open to reveal the small silhouette of Jeongguk.

“Jeongguk-ah?” Taehyung called out softly, smiling at the child standing at the door, who was clutching his bunny plushie for dear life. “Are you scared?”

The little boy shook his head vehemently, but another thunder propelled him against Taehyung’s leg. The governor patted his head, laughing softly before taking the child in his arms. They both sat on the bed, Jeongguk’s little face buried in the crook of Taehyung’s neck and pressed against his toy.

“It’s okay”, Taehyung petted his back, “you can stay here with me. Where are the others?”

“They’re asleep”, Jeongguk mumbled into his neck. “They’re not scared.”

A loud crack boomed again and the child dove back into the comfort of Taehyung’s embrace just as running footsteps approached from the door. The governor turned his head to be greeted by the sight of Wheein and Hyejin, who was holding Youngjae’s hand. He laughed, tapping on Jeongguk’s shoulder.

“You think so? Look, three of your siblings came here, too. Okay, come on children, everybody up on the bed.”

“Really?” Youngjae chirped, already running towards the plush comforter and hopping onto it. Hyejin followed in stride. Wheein walked across the room, more composed, and sat next to Youngjae.

“Really, but just this once”, Taehyung laughed, settling on the bed with Jeongguk still in his arms. “Now, let’s wait for the others.”

“Oh, they won’t come”, Hyejin shook her head. “Oppas and Unnie are the bravest among us. They won’t be afraid of a mere storm.”

“Well”, Taehyung started, but he was interrupted by the thunder once more. In a comical surge of events, as if they were all the subjects of a running joke, Yongsun and the second oldest son — whose name Taehyung still couldn't remember — appeared at the door, looking a bit distraught. “Look, here they are! You weren’t afraid, children, were you?”

“Oh no”, Yongsun lied through her teeth, taking a step forward. “We just wanted to make sure you weren’t afraid. Our siblings weren’t in their rooms, so we thought they might have gone to yours.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Yongsun-ah”, Taehyung smiled.

“That’s not my idea, though”, Yongsun turned her head to her little brother. “It was Jimin’s.”

“Jimin!” Taehyung exclaimed. “That’s the one I’d forgotten earlier! God bless Jimin”, he added, just as the thunder cracked again. The children all curled up into little balls on his bed, the sight absolutely comical to Taehyung’s eyes who barely repressed a laugh.

“Why is it so noisy?” Youngjae complained from Taehyung’s left side.

“Well”, the man hummed, “the lightning says something to the thunder, and the thunder answers back.”

“But why does the thunder seem so angry? It makes me want to cry”, the little boy went on, Jeongguk nodding firmly from Taehyung’s other side.

“It’s just his voice, darling”, the governor soothed, the term of endearment slipping from his lips unconsciously. “But listen, whenever I find myself scared or unhappy, I try to think about nice things.”

“What kind of nice things?” Hyejin, Jimin and Wheein spoke up at once, all the children turning their heads towards him.

“Let’s see…” Taehyung mused. “Daffodils! Green meadows, skies full of stars…” Surged by a sudden stroke of inspiration, he started to sing on the spot. “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favourite things!”

The thunder boomed again, the children curling up and pressing against each other with startled gasps. Taehyung decided to carry on with his song to distract them.

“Cream coloured puppies and basins of kimchi”, he sang lightly, “still steaming hotteoks and plates of bulgogi, wild cranes that fly with the moon on their wings, these are a few of my favourite things!”

The children were all gazing at him in awe — either from his voice or from his lyrics, he wasn’t sure. The good thing was that all of them seemed to have forgotten about the storm.

“I like hotteoks, too!” Jimin exclaimed, he and Hyejin wearing matching grins.

“What else do you like?” Youngjae asked excitedly, his eyes twinkling.

“Colourful hanboks with blue satin sashes”, Taehyung listed off with a boxy grin, looking at them. “Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, silver white winters that melt into springs, these are a few of my favourite things! When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favourite things, and then I don’t feel so bad!”

“Does it really work?” Wheein asked.

“Of course it does”, Taehyung nodded, “you try it! What do you like?”

“Coco!” Youngjae chirped.

“Christmas!” Wheein added.

“Fluffy bunnies”, Jeongguk beamed, showing off his bunny plushie for all the room to see.

“Snakes!” Jimin exclaimed, crawling playfully on the bed to scare Taehyung and his younger brothers, who jumped off the bed with a cheering cry.

“Chocolate icing!”

“No school!”

“Pillow fights!” Wheein grabbed a pillow and threw it at Hyejin, who caught it and threw it at Yongsun. The oldest girl grabbed it mid-air and looked around for her next victim. The door to the bathroom opened on Jaebum wearing Taehyung’s pyjamas, who exclaimed,

“Telegrams and letters!” before getting smacked in the face by the pillow. Yongsun grinned maniacally, successfully avoiding the throwback.

“Presents!”

“Ladybugs!”

The children were now all dancing around and jumping on the bed, surrounding Taehyung with peals of laughter and good cheers. The governor beamed, his boxy grin on full display, his heart filled to the brim with a feeling of joyful innocence and childlike wonder that he hadn’t experienced in years.

It brought him back to the paths of Mudeungsan and the games of tag or hide-and-seek he used to play with his siblings. His siblings… Taehyung chased the thought out of his head to avoid feeling sad; this was definitely neither the time nor the place.

“See what fun it is?” he asked instead, cheerfully, before singing again. “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favourite things!”

The children watched him move around the room, taking Wheein, Jimin and Hyejin with him to start dancing around. Jaebum held Jeongguk up in his arms and spun him around, the little boy laughing while holding onto his bunny plushie for dear life.

“Cream coloured puppies and basins of kimchi, still steaming hotteoks and plates of bulgogi”, Taehyung continued, letting go of the children’s hands to take the pillow. “Wild cranes that fly with the moon on their wings”, he threw it lightly in the air as a makeshift rendition of the moon, “these are a few of my favourite things!”

Yongsun snatched the pillow before Jimin could, placing it on her thighs and wrapping possessive arms around it. Her brother pouted but his mood shift didn’t last, Taehyung’s cheerfulness was much more interesting and contagious. The man continued with the hook of his improvised song, dancing his way towards the other side of the room again.

“When the dog bites—” he froze in his steps right in front of the open door, on the threshold of which suddenly stood a very unamused Captain Kim Seokjin.

Taehyung was rendered too shocked to let out a single sound. His eyes darted around the room at the same time the Captain was scanning it, while the children hastily composed themselves and stood at attention next to the bed. The master of the household glared severely at his children, then at Taehyung, who smiled tentatively.

“Hum… Hello…?” That sounded more like a question than anything else.

“Taehyung-ssi”, the Captain spoke up, the smoothness of his voice only accentuating his simmering anger, “did I, or did I not tell you that bedtime was to be strictly observed?”

“Y-You did, b-but the children were afraid of the storm, so I just thought— You did, Captain, Sir”, Taehyung lowered his head and bit his lip.

“Do you, by any chance, have difficulty remembering basic instructions?” the Captain scowled, low and menacing, and even if everything in Taehyung screamed at him to cower, the governor held his head high.

“Only during summer thunderstorms, Sir”, he retorted with aplomb. Behind him, Jimin snickered, and the Captain immediately focused his eyes on his progeny.

“Jaebum!” he called out, coming closer, and his eldest son startled.

“Yes, Abeoji?”

“I don’t remember seeing you anywhere after dinner?”

“Oh, is that so?” the young master sputtered, blinking rapidly. “Well, as a matter of fact, I was— I was—”

“What Jaebum is trying to say, Captain”, Taehyung interrupted, and the older man’s head snapped back at him, “is that he and I have been getting better acquainted tonight!” Jaebum nodded vigorously. “But it’s already much too late for you children to still be up”, Taehyung cut off a bit firmly before his employer could ask anything more, “please go back to your rooms at once!”

The seven children wordlessly complied, swiftly getting out of Taehyung’s bedroom to escape their father’s impending wrath. The governor slowly turned to the Captain, who was already staring at him with his unreadable but cold glare.

“Taehyung-ssi”, the latter spoke up again, “you have managed to remember that I’m leaving tomorrow morning, haven’t you?”

Taehyung nodded silently, sensing that mentioning Youngjae’s birthday again and asking the man to delay his departure would definitely not play in either his or the little boy’s favour at the moment.

“Can I also reckon that you remember the first rule in this house is discipline?” Again, Taehyung silently nodded, looking sheepishly at the Captain from under his eyelashes. “I can trust, therefore, that before I return, you would have acquired some?”

Taehyung’s cheeks turned incarnadine at the Captain’s words — a low blow, definitively, and he sensed his annoyance flaring. Which is probably why he found himself opening his mouth before he could control himself.

“Captain!” he called the man, who was already halfway through the door. His employer barely turned around, arching an eyebrow, his face still as undoubtedly handsome and unwelcoming as ever. “I was wondering, would it be possible to have more fabric so I can make some play clothes for the children—”

“Taehyung-ssi”, the Captain rolled his eyes.

“I won’t ask for much more”, Taehyung insisted, “please Captain, I beseech you—”

“You are obviously many things”, the Captain fixed his harsh glare on him, “not the least of which is repetitious.”

“But they’re just children!”

“They are”, the man nodded, a cold smirk blooming on his beautiful lips, “and I am their father. Good night.”

The door shut on Taehyung’s gaping mouth, his eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. Too shocked to even utter a word, he stayed frozen in place for a good minute before letting out a low growl of frustration.

“What an absolute… an absolute… douche!”

Taehyung angrily flung his foot in the air and immediately yelped when the latter bumped into one of the metallic bedposts. Jumping around on one foot like a crazy clown, the young governor slumped on the chair next to the window and massaged his aching foot with a groan. He internally cursed and blamed his employer for his bad luck, before quickly asking for forgiveness to the Lord for having such hostile and rambunctious thoughts. He stared into space for a few minutes, still massaging his toes, when his eyes focused on the pattern of the curtains. The curtains.

Taehyung’s eyes widened as he recalled Hoseok’s words. The drapes were going to be replaced soon, so technically… They wouldn’t be needed anymore. Right? Excitement had swiftly overcome his frustration. Taehyung’s eyes roamed around the bedroom. There were three windows, all with drapes on each side. That was plenty of fabric, he reckoned, probably enough for seven children's pieces.

Looking at the curtains one last time, then at the rolls of fabric that he had piled on his little desk, Taehyung smiled, a brilliant idea forming in his head. He took out the voluminous sewing kit Hoseok had brought to his room earlier and looked around for a pair of scissors. Oh, the Captain was in for a surprise.

Chapter Text

Taehyung woke up the following morning after two meagre hours of sleep, the sun peeking through the now curtainless windows. He stretched out with a yawn, exhausted but satisfied. He glanced at his tiny desk, drowned under scraps of fabrics, then at the chair where his two new shirts and one pair of pants lay against its back.

“Oh, shoot!” he exclaimed when his gaze landed on the clock on his nightstand. It was already seven.

Taehyung scrambled up from the plush comfort of his bed to freshen up and get dressed before running to the dining room. After two years of being a postulant, the man was used to waking up early to attend the First Hour. He hadn’t meant to “sleep in” — if one could consider seven in the morning to be an ungodly late hour to rise and shine — but he had stayed awake most of the night to make clothes.

He was wondering if the Captain would scold him for being late, because surely the military turned men into early risers. Taehyung really didn’t want to leave a worse impression than the one he undoubtedly had already forged into the older man’s head. At least he was wearing one of his new shirts, so hopefully, his new boss would let him off the hook for his potential tardiness.

To his surprise, when he came down to the dining room, an apology on the tip of his tongue, there was only Hoseok. The man was cleaning up the Captain’s place, putting the remnants of his breakfast on a silver platter with practised ease. The housekeeper grinned at Taehyung upon his arrival, his smile rivalling with the sun.

“Good morning, Tae! How did you sleep?”

“Good morning, Hyung”, the younger man replied, smiling back at him. “My night was short but pleasant.”

“Short?”

“Well, I stayed up quite late to make some clothes.”

“Right”, Hoseok nodded before eyeing Taehyung appraisingly. “Nice shirt, by the way! You sure know your thing, I’m impressed.”

“Thanks, Hyung. How about you? Did you sleep well?” he inquired, more out of politeness than out of real interest.

“I’d say the same as you, actually. My night was rather short but pleasant.”

“Why sh—” Taehyung cut himself off with a groan when he noticed Hoseok’s mischievous smile and the playful gleam in his eyes. “Really, Hyung? What happened to you saying we were not that close yet?”

“I slept on it and revised my judgement”, Hoseok nodded in faux-seriousness. “Plus, we can’t become close if we don’t share these sorts of confidences. The sooner, the better.”

“Well, when you put it that way…”

“Although, if you do feel uncomfortable about certain topics, please do tell me so. With you being, well… a postulant, and all”, the housekeeper finished sheepishly.

“Oh”, Taehyung laughed. “No, no, it’s okay! As you said, I am not a man of the Church yet, and I spent years as a civil before coming to the monastery. I’ve seen and experienced plenty on my own, but this conversation might wait for another day.”

“Of course.”

“Where’s the Captain? The children?” the governor asked, and Hoseok took the hint.

“The Captain already left for Seoul”, he answered, gesturing to his platter in some sort of further explanation.

“Already? That’s a shame”, Taehyung sighed but shrugged. “When did he leave?”

“Not long ago. I’d say fifteen minutes before you came down.”

“Ah, I see…”

“On the weekends, the children don’t usually wake up before nine”, Hoseok continued. “During the week, they get up at eight and they start studying around nine. You’re here early, though.”

“Monastic life tends to turn you into an early riser”, Taehyung shrugged again. “The First Hour starts at six, for example.”

“Oh, all members of the personnel wake up at six or around. Then we all take breakfast into the kitchen”, the housekeeper explained. “You don’t have to, though. As the governor, you’re supposed to eat breakfast with the children. I don’t think the Captain said anything about it?”

“He didn’t.”

“Then that’s up to you, I suppose.”

“Well, I can just take my breakfast with the rest of you if I wake up early, and with the children at eight if I sleep in”, Taehyung mused. “I assume the maids already do so many services, so I don’t want to inconvenience them. I’ll just eat breakfast in the kitchen for today if it won’t be a bother to the Chef?”

“It won’t be”, Hoseok assured. “As for Jiwoo and Somin, I’m sure they won’t mind, but you can always talk to them directly. Follow me, I’ll take you to the kitchen.”

Taehyung thus followed Hoseok through the ground floor, the man moving swiftly but with a certain grace that seemed to exude from his attitude.

The kitchen was as typical as a kitchen in a big mansion could be, at least in Taehyung’s imagination. More than twice his little bedroom back at the monastery, it had a door leading to what the governor assumed was the cellar, and another leading outside, in a small court. The spotless white tiles and clean sleek copper amenities showed the neatness and care of the people evolving in the room on a daily basis.

Yoongi was in the kitchen when they entered, making small talk to a man looking a bit older but no less handsome — like every member of the personnel Taehyung had had the opportunity to meet so far. He was wearing a white blouse and a white apron, leaving little to no doubt about his role in the mansion. Both men turned their heads upon their arrival, smiling sincerely at Taehyung and Hoseok.

“Hi, love”, Hoseok teased as he approached Yoongi, who rolled his eyes fondly.

“You saw me fifteen minutes ago, Hoseokie.”

“Those were fifteen minutes too long.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“You love me.”

“Lovebirds”, the man in white cleared his throat before tilting his head subtly to Taehyung, who caught his gesture nonetheless but appreciated the thought.

“Right, right.” Hoseok huffed but his eyes were playful, indicating that this was a common enough occurrence. “Tae, meet Choi Wooshik, our amazing and talented cook. Wooshik-hyung, this is Kim Taehyung, the new governor.”

“I apologise we haven’t had the opportunity to get introduced yesterday, the fault is mine. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Taehyung-ssi”, Wooshik bowed.

“Likewise”, Taehyung bowed back. “And really, it’s nothing. I only just arrived. But please, call me Tae.”

“Call me ‘Hyung’, then.”

“Tae was wondering whether it would bother you if he ate in the kitchen today?” Hoseok asked Wooshik, who shook his head.

“Not at all. The table is big enough, and I have an hour free before I start preparing lunch anyway. We can get better acquainted if Tae wants my company.”

“I’d be delighted”, Taehyung grinned, and Wooshik mirrored his smile. Hoseok squinted his eyes, going back and forth between the two of them.

“Well, it’s all settled, then”, Yoongi said, breaking the moment and tugging his husband by the arm. “Sadly, we’ll have to be excused. Duty calls. Taehyung, after your breakfast, if you could come to my office on the first floor? I’d like to have a word with you before the children wake up.”

“Am I in trouble already?” the governor mused, unconsciously biting his bottom lip. Yoongi chuckled, the sight unfamiliar but endearing to Taehyung.

“No, no, at least, not yet. I just wanted to talk about the requirements of your job here, since I didn’t have time to do that yesterday.”

“Oh. Of course.”

“Very well, then. I will see you later”, Yoongi nodded at him, then to the cook, before leaving and tugging Hoseok along.

Wooshik offered Taehyung another smile, his eyes disappearing a little, and moved around to start boiling some water.

“So, Tae, what do you usually have for breakfast? The Kims enjoy a more Western-style cuisine during the weekends; which is why I can offer you bread and strawberry jam, with a cup of warm tea, or coffee, if you’d like. We simple folks prefer rice and soup with eggs and banchan, so there’s that, too.”

The younger man blinked, slightly overwhelmed at the amount of information — and food — Wooshik had just dumped on him. The cook, sensing his predicament, let out a small laugh.

“Sorry, that was probably a lot. I heard you came here straight from the monastery? I assume there weren’t as many options.”

“Indeed. And even before the monastery, my lifestyle was not this comfortable.”

“How about we start slow with rice and leftovers galbitang, then? I can make you a simple omelette, too.”

“That’d be lovely”, Taehyung answered gratefully. “Thank you, Hyung.”

“It’s nothing”, the cook flipped him off with a grin. “Just sit at the table, I’ll join you in a few. You are free to pour yourself a cup of tea — the teapot and cups are in this cupboard, the tea is in this jar on your right.”

Taehyung and Wooshik made small talk over Taehyung’s breakfast and a shared pot of tea. The elder was attentive and kind, listening without prying. His face and demeanour were pleasant, his smile made his eyes disappear into tiny crescents and his laugh sounded as joyful as it was sincere.

He and Taehyung bonded over childhood memories in Mudeungsan, since Wooshik came from a small village at the foot of the mountain, a little bit further in the East from Taehyung’s own hometown.

By the end of Taehyung’s breakfast, it was safe to say that Wooshik had taken a liking to the younger. He promised the governor to show him his special recipe of sundubu jjigae sometime, as Taehyung had shown interest in improving his cooking skills — not that he would necessarily need to cook at the monastery, but one was never prepared enough. Thus, with a light heart and a new friend, Taehyung made his way to Yoongi’s office.

His good mood had given way to a bit of apprehension when he knocked softly on the closed door of Yoongi’s office. A muffled answer came from behind the white-painted wood and Taehyung entered the room. It was of a decent size with simple furniture. A desk covered with neat stacks of papers, a small pedestal table with files, a few shelves filled with more files, archives, and books. The butler had stood up from his chair upon Taehyung’s arrival, and with a reassuring smile, he motioned for his visitor to sit on the guest chair.

“I hope you had a pleasant night, Taehyung, and that your room suits your taste.”

“Oh, I couldn’t dream of a more comfortable bed”, Taehyung answered honestly. “The mattress is incredible.”

“Well”, Yoongi chuckled, “I’m glad to hear that. As you know, the Captain left early this morning, and I reckon he didn’t tell you much about your duties here as a governor.”

“He didn’t, although I caught the children’s schedule and other bits of information here and there from Hoseok-hyung and Wooshik-hyung.”

“Okay, great. Hoseok told me you would sometimes have your breakfast with us if you wake up early; you will always be welcomed at our small kitchen table.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call that kitchen table ‘small’, Hyungnim”, Taehyung snorted and Yoongi grinned sheepishly in return.

“Ah, you’re right. Your standards tend to change a bit when you’ve been living here for as long as I did.”

“How many years has it been, if I may ask?”

“All my life, actually. Hoseok probably told you, but the Captain and I are childhood friends. My father was the previous butler. He’s still alive and well”, he added with a small smile when Taehyung made a face. “He is currently enjoying his well-deserved retirement days with my mother back in their hometown, in Daegu.”

“Oh”, Taehyung blinked before his trademark boxy smile took half of his face. “My mother’s family comes from Daegu, too!”

“Really? I’ve been there a few times, although it’s been too long since I last visited.”

“We can always go together next time!” Taehyung chirped, so elated that he didn’t even notice the full implication behind his words, nor Yoongi’s surprised look.

“Well, I guess we will have to see about that”, came the latter’s reply before he adjusted his tie and cleared his throat. “So, about your schedule…”

The rest of the hour passed quickly in Yoongi’s office. The butler briefed Taehyung on whatever the Captain had forgotten to inform him of, which was mostly everything in regards to his job, the property and the amenities. Taehyung was actually glad Yoongi was the one taking care of the explanations. The older man had a calm and steady composure which, paired with his pleasant low voice, made the whole presentation a lot less unnerving than it would have been under the Captain’s supervision. It actually soothed Taehyung’s nerves about his brewing concern of doing a good job and not getting fired, as he, for all his rambunctiousness (as Brother Mark would say), tended to be a perfectionist, and his good nature made him eager to please others by doing what was expected from him.

Taehyung willed away the malicious thoughts already rushing in his head calling him an undeserving failure and focused on the present. Even though the Captain didn’t seem to like him much, the man was currently away and everyone besides his employer obviously enjoyed his company. The children, although guarded at first, had already started warming up to him, which proved that Taehyung indeed had a way with children, and the governor was determined to not let anyone down. Not the Lord, Who was watching him trying to overcome his fears and shortcomings, not Reverend Father Namjoon, who had recommended him with this task, not the Captain, who had hired him even if solely out of sheer necessity, and definitely not the children, whom he had been entrusted with.

They still had a long way to go before getting to know each other, but Taehyung’s heart had already grown fond of the seven little humans who undoubtedly had more to offer than what met the eye. The governor knew that not all of them would open up easily, though. The poor lambs had a long history of complicated governesses and governors, and Taehyung didn’t want his name to be added to the already too long list of people who had come and left after their mother’s passing. Even if their moment the night before was a certain step towards complicity, he had more to do before gaining the children’s trust.

The Lord was being benevolent, though, because He had led Taehyung to the Kim household at a very opportune moment to do just that. This is why, when Yoongi asked him if he had any inquiries about the job or further questions about the house or the family, Taehyung replied,

“Hyungnim, I was wondering if there was anything planned for Youngjae’s birthday this upcoming Tuesday?”

Yoongi arched a surprised eyebrow, but that didn’t deter the governor.

“Well, Wooshik-hyung and I agreed on a special meal and a design for the birthday cake. Their afternoon study session is also going to end an hour early.”

“Only an hour?”

“Yes?”

“But they are only children! The youngest is five!”

“I’m not the one making the decisions”, Yoongi shrugged. Taehyung frowned.

“What about gifts?”

“The Captain said he was going to send something on Monday, from the city. It’s from him and the whole family.”

“So he really isn’t planning to come home to celebrate Youngjae’s birthday?”

“Not that I know of”, Yoongi shook his head. Taehyung tried his best not to openly scowl in front of the butler. The man’s face was more neutral and controlled than Hoseok’s, but Taehyung could still sense his disapproval of their employer’s decisions.

“Hyungnim, can I speak honestly to you?” he asked, serious.

“Of course.”

“This is ridiculous”, the younger man stated bluntly. Yoongi’s eyes widened, but Taehyung was only started. “They are children, they deserve to enjoy their childhood and their summer vacation! Of course, I’m not being disrespectful of your work, but I want to plan a real birthday celebration for Youngjae. He deserves a real birthday party. He’s seven, for the love of God, and a birthday only comes around once a year! It’s the day he came into this world. It’s a precious day; it ought to be celebrated!”

“Taehyung”, Yoongi started, astonishment apparent on his features, but Taehyung didn’t let him continue.

“Please, Hyungnim”, he leaned forward. “You know I’m right. I’ve barely met the children, but I already know Youngjae is a sweet boy. He might not be asking for much, but I am convinced he would be delighted to spend his special day having a good meal with his family and playing games with his siblings. You and Wooshik-hyung already took care of the meal, please allow me to contribute by organising a fun afternoon. Please.”

“Well…” The butler licked his lips before speaking up slowly, as if he was carefully choosing his words. “Taehyung-ah, you are their governor. That means that, technically, you get to decide when they should or should not have their study sessions. This is not of my resort.”

Taehyung’s mouth fell open. He didn’t know Yoongi very well yet, but the man had always seemed stricter and a bit more difficult to approach than his husband. And, as he was a close friend of the Captain’s, Taehyung had assumed Yoongi would be set on abiding by the rules the master of the house had decided. The governor had been preparing himself for a tedious battle of the wills against the butler, but the latter’s had surprisingly easily crumbled. Taehyung knew that Yoongi’s position and ties to the Captain didn’t allow him to openly disagree with the man, especially in front of another employee of the house, but this response was telling enough. Yoongi was granting him permission to go against the Captain’s intended ways, in the most explicit manner he could.

“I’d even say”, Yoongi continued, cutting off Taehyung’s train of thoughts, “that this is a matter between you and the Captain. If he has something to say about your decision, should he find out, you alone will be held accountable.”

The younger man winced but nodded. That was, so far, half of the battle he had won. The over part would be more delicate to handle, he knew.

“About that… I think Youngjae would be pleased if the Captain could attend his birthday party. The Captain— His father”, he corrected himself, “is the only parental figure he has left. Shouldn’t he be there to celebrate, too?”

“Well, that decision is for the Captain to make.”

“I know”, Taehyung insisted, “but somebody has to knock some sense into him! Obviously, he will not listen to me, but you’re his friend, Hyungnim. If you could try to convince him— no, even simply talking to him…”

Yoongi sighed, his gaze fixed on his desk. Taehyung held his breath in hopeful waiting. The elder lifted his head to him after a while.

“I’ll see what I can do”, he relented, and Taehyung almost leapt on his feet to round the desk and hug the man. “But I cannot promise you anything. The Captain is as stubborn as can be. And I will have to inform him that you don’t intend on respecting the children’s studying schedule. I’m afraid he will not be pleased.”

Taehyung winced at those words. Yoongi was right, he would probably suffer the consequences, but if it was for Youngjae’s sake, he was willing to take the risk of probably getting fired. He voiced his thoughts to the butler, then, who nodded.

“Very well. I will keep you informed of the Captain’s response.”

“Thank you, Hyungnim”, Taehyung bowed his head gratefully. “I’m sure Youngjae will be touched if his father can come to his birthday party.”

A knock on the door interrupted them, both turning their heads to see Hoseok poking his through the door.

“I figured you were still in here”, he told Taehyung with a smile. “The children are up.”

“Oh shoot, I hadn’t realised it was already this late!” The governor sprung up to his feet. “I’ll be going, Hyungnim, thank you for everything!”

Taehyung was out the door before any of the “Hyungnims” could reply. Hoseok glanced at his husband, a knowing smile on his thin lips.

“A bit disarming and terribly endearing?”

“You’re reading my mind, love”, Yoongi chuckled, standing up and walking across the room to place a little peck on Hoseok’s lips.

“I really think he’ll do some good in this household”, the housekeeper hummed. “He is exactly what we needed.”

Mornings and breakfasts were a great way to learn more about people. Those were the moments, even if often shared, where one usually tended to themselves. There was something endearing in witnessing how someone organised their morning routine, their little quirks in getting ready to start the day. It was all mundane tasks, but it could also feel weirdly intimate when someone was letting you into their routine and letting you see more vulnerable sides of themselves.

Taehyung couldn’t wait to learn all the morning routines of the Kim children, then, which is why, after assuring them they didn’t need to wear their horrendous uniforms as long as their father wasn’t there and could have breakfast in their pyjamas, he spent most of their breakfast observing them and mentally taking notes.

Jaebum tended to be a bit drowsy, but he would always wake himself up to assist his younger siblings. Yongsun and Wheein seemed to have no such trouble, the girls happily chatting with Hyejin over the latest books or songs they had discovered. Jimin was slumberous like Jaebum, silently munching on his food and seemingly needing time to himself. Taehyung would later find out that the boy tended to get a lot more cranky if Hyejin and he bickered over breakfast, and the governor would make sure to let Jimin have his safe space to wake up on his own.

(As he’d get better acquainted with them, when something would happen between the two, Taehyung would never press them for reconciliation or explanation. He would remind them that he was there to listen if they wanted to share, but they had to calm down first. This would usually prompt them to reflect on their behaviour. Hyejin and Jimin were both smart and good-hearted, they were just a bit too proud to admit when they were wrong. But their love for each other would always prevail over their bursts of ego, and both would reconcile over teary apologies.)

Youngjae and Jeongguk were two little sleepyheads, which was absolutely adorable. Taehyung didn’t know if their morning drowsiness was due to their young age or simply ingrained in their personality, but the sight of Youngjae leaning against Jaebum, or Jeongguk dozing off into his bowl of rice was terribly endearing. Taehyung would later learn that sometimes the youngest would get fussy, especially after a bad night, and Yongsun or Wheein would take the boy into their lap and feed him until his bleary eyes would return to their usual doe-eyed shape, full of innocence and wonder. Taehyung would never admit it, but the morning Jeongguk decided to climb onto his lap instead and opened his little mouth in a clear indication he wanted to be fed by him, the governor almost teared up.

But those patterns Taehyung would get acquainted with over time. There would be lots of mornings to take notes from. Some would be filled with happy smiles, some with little incidents promptly resolved with heartfelt apologies and kisses on the cheek, sometimes with a few tears rolling down on rosy cheeks. But nothing too concerning for Taehyung, especially since those siblings were close and good-natured, despite a few fights and stupid arguments. Tears would often spill in the household. Children were learning to deal with their emotions every day, and sometimes they had trouble containing them, whatever their nature. And that was okay. Taehyung was precisely there to help them learn.

For the moment, though, the governor was still trying to become closer to the children and to figure out what gift(s) would make Youngjae happy and what he would enjoy doing during his birthday party. The key was, obviously, to ask Youngjae’s siblings first.

After breakfast, then, Taehyung skillfully asked Jimin to help Youngjae brush his teeth first and to read him a story once they were done, claiming that he would help Jeongguk brush his teeth right after them. If Jimin arched an eyebrow at the odd request, he simply shrugged and dragged his little brother to their room.

Taehyung grabbed Jeongguk’s hand with a smile, took a seat on one of the now-empty chairs in the dining room, and put the toddler on his lap. Jeongguk tilted his head, his curious eyes fixed on his face, and Taehyung resisted the urge to coo and pinch the boy’s little cheekies.

“Jeongguk-ah”, he started with a knowing smile and a low voice. “Hyung needs help with something, and only Jeonggukkie can help me.”

“Only me?” the boy whispered, blinking.

“Yes, only you. That’s why it has to stay a secret between you and me, okay?”

Jeongguk nodded vigorously, almost falling off Taehyung’s lap in the process, and the adult secured his little arms in his big hands before chuckling.

“Okay, the secret. You know Youngjae’s birthday is coming very soon, right? So Hyung wanted to find a special gift for Youngjae because birthdays are important days. But I only arrived yesterday, so I don’t know Youngjae very well. But you, Jeonggukkie, know Youngjae very well!”

“I’ve known Youngjae-hyung all my life”, Jeongguk assured with another over-enthusiastic nod. “I can help, Hyung!”

“I’m very glad to hear that”, Taehyung beamed, resisting the urge to coo at the toddler’s cuteness. “Could you tell me more about Youngjae? What are some things he likes, or some he dislikes? What games does he like to play with you?”

“Oh, that’s easy! Youngjae-hyung loves Coco the most in the world!”

Taehyung blinked at Jeongguk’s face, trying to understand what the boy was referring to.

“He loves… coconut?”

“No, Hyung”, Jeongguk giggled, his body swaying a little. “He loves Coco! Our dog Coco!”

“You have a dog?” Taehyung asked, trying to remember if he had ever seen a dog in the mansion. He had no memories of a dog, but maybe it stayed outside, in the gardens that he had yet to explore.

“Yes”, the boy smiled. “He likes Youngjae-hyung the most so he stays in our room, but he still lets me pet him! But Jaebum-hyung and Hyejin-noona can’t pet him, because they are allergic to his fur.”

“Oh, I see.” That was useful information to store for later.

“Coco is old and sleeps a lot”, Jeongguk continued. “Hoseok-hyung says he’s sick because he’s old. He also said everyone gets old eventally. I don’t want Abeoji to get old and sick”, he finished with a pout. Taehyung frowned, clearly unhappy with the turn this conversation had taken but still somewhat understanding the boy’s logic. Jeongguk hadn’t mentioned it, but he had lost his mother — maybe to an illness. Although he might have been too young to remember much, the loss must have still left a mark on the child’s young mind.

“Dogs and humans don’t age the same way”, he explained gently, choosing to let the boy’s mistake go for now. “I don’t think your father will get old and sick anytime soon. He’s still very much energetic, see? He’s even travelling!”

“Oh”, Jeongguk stretched out the syllable as he tilted his little head, considering his words.

“So, Youngjae likes spending time with Coco, petting him and playing with him?” the governor veered the conversation back to its original topic. “I’m sure he plays with you and the rest of your siblings, too. What games does he like to play?”

“Youngjae-hyung is good at gonggi! And he likes to play neolttwigi with Hyejin-noona and Wheein-noona, and I always want to play with them, but Jaebum-hyung said it’s dangerous, so I can’t”, the boy pouted again. “We also play tag and hide-and-seek, I’m always good at hiding! And, and, and Youngjae-hyung wants to play jegichagi with Jaebum-hyung and Jimin-hyung, but they never let him play.”

“Ah, jegichagi is a bit difficult”, Taehyung mused, ruffling the little one’s hair. “But we can try sometime later during the holiday, okay? You, me, and Youngjae.”

“I can try, too?”

“Yes, you can”, Taehyung chuckled at the boy’s eagerness and wide eyes. “But it’s difficult, so it’s okay if you’re not good at it at first.”

“Jimin-hyung plays very well.”

“Oh, really? I’m a very decent player, too. Maybe I found myself a valuable opponent.”

“What’s ‘valuable’, Hyung?” Jeongguk asked, looking too cute with his little brow furrowing at the unfamiliar word.

“Ah, it means ‘to hold value’. It’s when something or someone is ‘precious’, ‘helpful’ or ‘worthy’ to you.”

“‘M not sure what that means”, Jeongguk mumbled. Taehyung resisted the urge to coo and hold the boy’s plump cheeks between his hands again.

“It means that Jimin is probably as talented as I am.”

“Oh! Okay.”

“Well then!” Taehyung smiled, knowing that the others would be looking for him soon and that he still had to help Jeongguk brush his teeth. “Thanks for talking with me, Jeonggukkie! You helped Hyung a lot.”

“I did?”

“Yes, little one. You are a very helpful boy, and I’m glad you are my friend.”

Jeongguk beamed under the praise and Taehyung’s heart radiated warmth and fondness. The youngest Kim was an absolute delight, so precious and good-natured, so soft and bright-eyed. He reminded Taehyung of his former students and his mood consequently dropped, tainted with the bitter taste of failure. He shook his head to prevent his demons from rearing their ugly heads once more, focusing on the boy in his lap instead.

“How about we brush our teeth and get on with our day?” he asked, voice a bit too joyful to be natural, which Jeongguk didn’t seem to pick up on. The toddler grinned instead, flashing his adorable bunny teeth and wiggling out of Taehyung’s lap.

The man stared at Jeongguk’s retreating back, a small smile on his face. There was no use dwelling on the past, he remembered the words Reverend Father Namjoon had told him one day. He had to learn to forgive himself and learn from his mistakes, and then, allow himself to move on. He would need time, though, the older man had said, but there was no rush. Taehyung could take all the time he needed.

Two years had passed since their conversation, and Taehyung had started to forgive himself, even if the guilt sometimes came back to haunt him. But while he was on the path of forgiveness, it seemed that Reverend Father Namjoon had also sent him on an unexpected quest of “learning from his mistakes”. It was the Lord’s will, he knew, that Taehyung helped the children to welcome the thought of a new mother and rekindle the Kims’ family spirit. But there was an additional trial, too, one specifically made for Taehyung, his end of the bargain in this whole ordeal. A second chance. Learning to properly take care of children without getting too involved, learning boundaries while still showing empathy. The Lord was offering him a second chance in the form of a challenge, and Taehyung was set on succeeding — for the children, for the Kim family, and for himself.

— ♫♫♫ —

As far as he could recall, Kim Seokjin had seldom doubted Min Yoongi. They had known each other all their lives, save from Seokjin’s first three months of existence — Yoongi had indeed had the audacity to come into the world a little after Seokjin, but maybe this had been the very first sign of the younger’s deference to him and his family. They had fought a few times, of course, as all children eventually do, but they had always made up just as fast. Seokjin still remembered clearly the day when a little Yoongi, smaller than him and even paler than now, had sworn that he would support and follow Seokjin until the end.

“Hyung is always there for me”, the boy had said, “so I’ll always be there for Hyung, too! Just like my Appa is helping your Abeoji, I want to become someone you can always lean on!”

And Yoongi had kept his promise.

At least, until Seokjin broke it.

Tears had been spilt the day Seokjin announced he was staying in the Marines Corps at the end of their mandatory military service.

“Don’t cry, Yoongi-yah”, he had chuckled while embracing his shorter friend. 

Yoongi had always been smaller, daintier than him, and he had never been able to quite catch up with Seokjin’s height, even during their adolescent growth spurt. Yoongi had filled up well, though. His piercing eyes balanced the softness of his features, and his composure and sharp tongue — when needed — were enough to put all the pretentious peacocks with fragile egos and the constant need to prove themselves in their place. Yoongi had gained defined muscles during their rigorous training, too. He was a fine young man, almost as much as Seokjin himself. Said fine young man felt no shame crying when he needed to, too.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner, Hyung? I would have— I would have enlisted, too!”

“And that’s precisely why I didn’t tell you, silly.”

“But Hyung, I have to go with you! I have to— I promised you, Hyung!”

“Yoongi-yah”, Seokjin had detached himself from his friend. “I’m not leaving forever! What’s with you? Plus, if you go with me, who will watch over our parents? My father will soon retire, and your father is getting old, too. Didn’t you say you wanted to help me take care of the house? Go back home, and ask your father to teach you the ropes. I’ll return home as often as I can. I entrust you with everything while I’m gone. You can watch over everyone for me, can’t you, Yoongi-yah?”

And Yoongi could, so Yoongi had done.

He had taken over his father’s duty at the mansion. He had also taken an interest in Seokjin’s father’s business, which didn’t need much supervision, but still. The old man had never pressured Seokjin to take over after his retirement, but Seokjin was his only child. Yoongi had proposed to keep the Kim family’s business running, like a regent waiting for his sovereign — either Seokjin, eventually, or one of Seokjin’s future children — to step in. But Seokjin’s father hadn’t been satisfied with this self-proclaimed title: he had turned Yoongi into a collaborator, despite the latter’s protests.

“It’s your family business, decades of hard work! It’s almost a family heirloom! I can’t accept this. It doesn’t feel right.”

“And your family, Min Yoongi, has been in this house for almost as long”, Seokjin’s father had said. “You grew up within these walls, almost like my second son and Seokjin’s brother. I trust you, Yoongi. I know you care about the mansion and about Seokjin, this is why I’d appreciate you taking a more active part in our business. Of course, I won’t force you to take this offer if you don’t want to. It’s entirely up to you, Yoongi. If you want to leave and work elsewhere, I’ll support you, too.”

Yoongi didn’t want to leave, though. So Yoongi had stayed, and he had become the best butler Seokjin could ever have hoped for, on top of being his best friend. Yoongi had been there when Seokjin had fallen in love for the very first time, and when he had proposed to his girlfriend. Yoongi had been his best man at his wedding. Yoongi had supported him through every one of his children’s birth, and when he’d lost his parents, then his wife.

Yoongi was a good judge of character, too. He had selected the personnel for the mansion when it had been time for a turnover. Neither Seokjin nor his late wife had had any complaint regarding the cook, the maids, the gardener, or the housekeeper. They were family, too, in a way, and Seokjin was thankful to Yoongi for playing a huge part in providing his children with a stable, prosperous, and nurturing environment. Even more so after his wife’s passing. Yoongi — and Hoseok, now that the younger had become a significant part of Yoongi’s life, and thus, Seokjin’s — had been his anchor after Heeyeon’s sudden death. Heart attack. Unpredictable. Unavoidable.

This was a time Seokjin didn’t like to recall at all. There had been so many things to take care of; Heeyeon’s business, her will, her funeral. And, of course, explaining to the children that their mother was gone and would never come back. This had been the hardest part, obviously. And once again, Seokjin was grateful Yoongi had been there to take care of the more administrative parts, and Hoseok had been there to help talk to his children.

And then life had resumed its course. Not that time had ever stopped; life had carried on even though it seemed Seokjin’s had stopped. Everyone had been understanding of his situation, but Seokjin didn’t want to be pitied or spared. He had thrown himself into work to prove he was still as capable.

Ever since he’d retired from the Marines, he had taken over part of his late father’s and Heeyeon’s businesses, thus alleviating Yoongi’s workload. He was still part of the armed forces, though. He was not sailing anymore but still took part in important meetings and occasionally supervised training camps.

But all those occupations prevented him from fully partaking in his children’s education. Heeyeon had been the one closely following their studies. Not that Seokjin wasn’t interested, he just had lived the earlier years of his career sailing on a ship, which, admittedly, hindered his investment in his children’s lives. This had been the most important factor in his early retirement. He had worked hard and earned his rank as a Captain, but he no longer had the desire to go further on the hierarchy scale. Money thankfully wasn’t an issue, and missions on the sea didn’t give him as much thrill as they used to. His family mattered the most, now.

But Fate had been cruel. Heeyeon had died barely two years after their youngest’s birth. And Seokjin, as determined as he might be, felt lost when it came to raising seven children on his own. He had been away too many times, even though he had tried to come home as often as possible.

Most of the time, he tried to ignore the reproachful voice in his head telling him he had been wrong to focus on his career this long. He had missed parts of his children’s early years, and that was something he would never be able to mend. Seokjin couldn’t turn back time, no matter how much he wished to, and maybe he was too late. Maybe he had missed too much of his children growing up. These thoughts, coupled with the guilt of taking every moment with his late wife for granted, sometimes still ate him up at night, but he tried to chase them away. Again, he couldn’t turn back time, and wallowing in guilt and self-pity wasn’t helping.

There was something Seokjin could do, though, and did well: he ordered people around as a living. Seokjin’s job was to maintain order and discipline on a ship, and ensure his men were safe and provided for. Raising children, assuredly, shouldn’t be much harder. They were tiny humans, to treat with more care, but the basis was the same. He could take care of the order and discipline in his household.

Seokjin thanked the heavens that his children were such good-natured creatures, always sweet and (almost) never causing trouble. They had taken the implemented changes without a complaint — the uniforms, the signals on the whistle, the stricter schedule. Seokjin always made sure they knew to go to him if they needed to, too. He was a Captain, but most of all, he was their father. So he would sometimes read a story to Youngjae and Jeongguk, play board games with Wheein, Hyejin and Jimin, inquire about Jaebum’s studies and his plans after graduating, and talk about sports with Yongsun.

Overall, Seokjin was doing a good job. He tried his best to be an attentive father, and the household's new rules had helped provide a sense of stability back to their lives.

Unfortunately, as previously stated, Seokjin was a busy man. Yoongi and Hoseok helped when they could, but they had other tasks to deal with, too.

Seokjin needed someone to help watch over his children and teach the younger ones, as his progeny was homeschooled and Heeyeon had been the one overlooking their early education until they grew old enough to get a preceptor.

For some unknown reason, maybe as another way to try to get a semblance of control back over his life, Seokjin had insisted on hiring a governess or governor himself. Every time he had sought Yoongi’s advice on a candidate, the younger had merely shrugged,

“Seems decent enough”, before going on with his tasks.

But “decent enough” was not quite enough, apparently, because none of Seokjin’s picks seemed to last. They had come and gone, sometimes faster than a season, and Seokjin couldn’t explain it any other way than the lacking abilities of the people he’d hired. Maybe Seokjin wasn’t the best judge of character when it came to these things.

So when his cousin Namjoon, a wise ecclesiastic a few years his elder and currently in charge of the region’s monastery, had recommended him one of his postulants to be his governor for the summer, Seokjin had naturally turned to Yoongi for advice.

“He seems nice and he has experience with children”, his butler had said, which was probably the first time he was saying something positive about one of the candidates.

“Namjoon-hyung did mention he’s a former teacher. I wonder why he quit, though.”

“The Call of the Church, probably”, Yoongi had shrugged, deeming this statement explanatory enough.

So Seokjin had accepted Kim Taehyung as the new governor for his children, mostly because he needed someone to fill in the position, but also because he trusted Yoongi — and Namjoon. They probably were the only two people he would blindly entrust his life with. If the two of them reckoned Kim Taehyung was perfectly capable to tend to his children, then he had no reason to object.

Except that now, for the first time in his life, Seokjin was starting to doubt Yoongi and Namjoon and everything else when it came to Kim Taehyung.

This man, albeit breathtakingly beautiful, almost as handsome as Seokjin, was probably the complete opposite of the idea and expectations Seokjin had of a governor. Kim Taehyung had come into his house looking like he’d been away from life and civilisation for a tad too long — and maybe it was the case, as Seokjin knew clergymen seldom meddled with the rest of the world — and, to start things off on a good note, had been caught snooping around the otherwise closed ballroom, and he had even had the nerves to talk back to Seokjin, his new employer, within fifteen minutes of being introduced in the mansion. That was not, by any means, what would be considered a first good impression.

But Seokjin had tried to not judge Kim Taehyung too hastily. Maybe the man would redeem himself after his less than stellar performance. He couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only had the governor arrived late for dinner, still dressed in that horrendous greyish lump of a shirt, but he had also managed to make five of his seven children cry at the table. Only to be found hosting a party in his bedroom with the aforementioned children, now laughing and jumping around, way past bedtime.

Seokjin didn’t know how he felt towards the man anymore — irritated, for obvious reasons like the governor’s tardiness and his apparent incapacity to follow simple instructions; baffled, too, by Kim Taehyung’s mere existence; wondering if the man was intentionally challenging Seokjin’s authority or if his impertinence was inherent to his nature. The former teacher had just nonchalantly waltzed into their lives and seemed determined to ruin everything Seokjin had struggled to build those past three years. Well, ‘ruin’ was probably a bit strong of a word, but it was clear to Seokjin that Kim Taehyung disregarded everything remotely close to order and discipline.

Seokjin briefly wondered, as he clutched the phone receiver maybe a bit tighter than necessary, if Namjoon hadn’t sent Kim Taehyung to the Kim household to subtly dispose of him — the Captain doubted his newly-appointed governor was fitted for monastical life, given his aforementioned predispositions. But he quickly dismissed the thought. Namjoon was not the kind to have recourse to such convoluted methods. He was a man of the Church, for God’s sake. Even if Kim Taehyung had tested Namjoon’s good nature to its limits, the latter’s beliefs would prevent him from just sending one of his postulants away, and moreover, to Seokjin’s house.

“You have reached Captain Kim Seokjin’s household”, Yoongi’s low voice crackled through the receiver, pulling him out of his musings. “How may I assist you?”

“Yoongi-yah, it’s me”, he chuckled, still finding the butler’s introduction funny even after years of hearing it.

“Oh, Hyung!” Yoongi’s tone lightened, making Seokjin smile. “You don’t call very often while staying with Baroness Moon. Is there a problem?”

“No, everything is going well on my end. I’m more worried about yours, actually, which is my reason for calling.”

“Why?” came Yoongi’s amused voice. “Afraid Kim Taehyung burnt down the mansion and kidnapped the children, leaving the rest of us to a certain death?”

“Don’t jinx it!” Seokjin chastised, shivering at the prospect of anything happening to his progeny and his house.

“Everything is fine, Hyung. Taehyung is getting along well with the kids, much better than the last three governesses. Jeongguk, especially, has been clinging to him all day, and you know how your youngest son can get around strangers.”

Seokjin only hummed in reply, a frown already marring his beautiful forehead.

“He also taught Wheein how to fix the hem of her skirt, which was getting a bit short, and Jimin let him borrow his favourite book.”

“Jimin let him borrow his favourite book”, Seokjin repeated stupidly.

“At least, I think it is his favourite book”, Yoongi continued, oblivious to Seokjin’s stupefaction. “Isn’t ‘The Little Prince’ his favourite?”

“I think so.”

“Well, at some point Taehyung said he’s never read it, and Jimin bolted to his room to retrieve the book. I believe that’s the story Taehyung is currently reading to the younger ones tonight.”

“I am starting to believe Kim Taehyung’s hobby is to make my younger children cry.”

“If it worries you, I will make sure no tears will be spilt in the mansion tonight.”

Yoongi’s statement, although mainly meant as a joke, didn’t manage to lighten Seokjin’s mood. He wasn’t even sure what he was feeling, but it didn’t feel particularly pleasant.

“Was there something else?” Yoongi’s cautious voice asked.

“Sorry, no”, Seokjin shook his head even though his friend couldn’t see him. Whatever was happening with him, he had to get a hold of himself.

“Well, in that case, I have something to tell you.”

Ah. There it was. Seokjin’s blood ran cold, expecting the worst.

“You know Youngjae’s birthday comes next Tuesday”, Yoongi started, his voice a bit too innocuous. “And we were wondering if you would like to… Come back home, to celebrate with hi— with us?”

“Celebrating?” the elder frowned. “It’s a weekday. I thought you had a cake prepared, and the gifts I have sent to the mansion? What more is there to a celebration?”

“Taehyung just thought—”

“Ah”, Seokjin cut him off, annoyance starting to rise up his chest. “I should have guessed. It’s Taehyung again, isn’t it? What did he manage to convince you to do, Yoongi-yah?”

“Technically, he’s the one in charge of managing the children’s schedule as he sees fit. He’s their governor.”

“Min Yoongi, what does he plan on doing?”

“A party.”

“A party”, Seokjin deadpanned. “On a weekday, in my own house, while I’m not even present.”

“Which is why he’s been wondering if you wanted to come.”

“Is he inviting me to my own home?” the Captain scoffed. “Unbelievable.”

“It could be nice, though”, Yoongi hummed. “How long has it been since you’ve attended a birthday party, Hyung?”

Seokjin frowned, trying to recall the last time he had genuinely celebrated anything, and coming with nothing. Ever since Heeyeon’s passing… No, he shook his head. He was not going to take down that road tonight.

“Hyung? Are you still here?”

“Yes”, he gulped. “Yes, I’m here.”

“So?” his friend softly pressed on. “What should I tell everyone?”

“I’m—”

“Jin-ah?” a female voice, coming from behind, cut him off. “Are you coming? The game is about to start.”

“Ah, yes. I won’t be long”, Seokjin mumbled, gesturing to the phone.

“Take your time”, the woman replied before leaving the room.

“Was it the Baronness?” Yoongi asked.

“Yes. I should be going, we’re playing cards tonight, and the first game is about to start.”

“Hyung! What should I tell Taehyung?”

“That he shouldn’t waste time in throwing parties and ensure my children finish their homework for the summer as I asked.”

The line went silent for two seconds too long. Then Yoongi’s voice resonated through the speaker again, calm and poised, on the verge of indifference, the kind of tone he would take when assuming his duties as a butler when Seokjin had company at the mansion.

“Very well. I will convey your message to him.”

“Thank you, Yoongi.”

“You should probably go, Hyung. The Baronness is waiting.”

“Right. Talk to you soon, Yoongi-yah.”

Seokjin hung up with a small sigh.

He trusted Yoongi to maintain his household while he was away, but Kim Taehyung was turning out to be someone to watch out for. Maybe he would have to come back home a bit sooner than planned. He would have a word with his friends about it later, he thought as he made his way downstairs to the salon where the Baronness’ joyous society welcomed him with exaggerated cheers.

They had prior engagements in the upcoming weeks, but Seokjin would be able to return home by the end of the month. Hopefully, by then, Kim Taehyung would have fallen in line with the way of the house.

— ♫♫♫ —

On Tuesday morning, Taehyung rose even earlier than normal and greeted a surprised Wooshik in the kitchen. They ate breakfast together, and the cook was trying to battle Taehyung out of a cooking apron when four confused Somin, Jiwoo, Hoseok and Yoongi entered the room.

“What are you doing?” Jiwoo raised an eyebrow like she would sometimes do when she witnessed Jimin and Hyejin bicker over trivialities, and the two elders had the decency to look a bit sheepish.

“Tae keeps insisting he wants to help me cook for Youngjae’s birthday meal”, Wooshik explained.

“I failed to get one of the gifts I had planned for him, the least I could do is to ensure he gets an extra-delicious birthday lunch and an extra-delicious birthday cake!”

From the corner of his eyes, Taehyung saw Yoongi’s apologetic face, and he momentarily felt bad for him. He had very well understood, when the butler had delivered the Captain’s message, that Kim Seokjin didn’t plan on coming back for Youngjae’s birthday and even seemed to despise him more for trying to make his child happy. Yoongi wasn’t the one to blame in any way, though, even if he was clearly beating himself up for it, so Taehyung made a mental note to assure his hyung that he didn’t resent him at all.

“Don’t you have the children to look after, Tae?” Hoseok inquired, the hint of an amused smile stretching on his lips as he fetched four bowls from a cupboard.

“All the more reason to make the most I can here.”

“Taehyung-ah”, Yoongi spoke up, and the governor stopped struggling in Wooshik’s hold to direct his full attention to the man. There was something about the butler, really, that filled Taehyung with respect and reverence, not unlike Reverend Father Namjoon made him feel. Their presence felt large, imposing in any room they were in, but never in the forceful way politicians and businessmen carried themselves and rather with the serenity and wisdom of one who has lived a hundred years. And Taehyung, foolish and impulsive and light-headed Taehyung, was no match for them — couldn’t possibly fathom even going against them.

So, with a small dejected sigh and the hint of a pout on his thin lips, he gave the apron back to Wooshik and shuffled his feet out of the kitchen. The others looked at him go with various degrees of pity in their eyes.

“He looked like a kicked puppy”, Somin cooed, walking to the stove to fill the bowls Hoseok had taken from the cupboard.

“Let’s hope he doesn’t teach all the tricks to Jeongguk”, Yoongi muttered as he took a seat next to his husband. “The kid’s already a menace as it is.”

Taehyung’s sour mood didn’t last long, however. All it took was Yongsun coming down to the dining room, smiling fondly at a sleepy Jeongguk clutching her hand in his much smaller one while stifling a yawn for the governor’s heart to melt.

“Good morning, you two”, he cooed, noting with satisfaction that the children had listened to him and were wearing their pyjamas instead of their horrendous greyish uniforms. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did, thank you”, the girl replied while Jeongguk only nodded, climbing on a chair with his sister’s help. “And you?”

“Me too, me too. You’re up early, though. Are the others still asleep?”

“I left the bedroom on my tippy-toes to not wake Hyung up”, Jeongguk perked up just as Hyejin and Wheein came down, too, looking cheerful enough even though their energy level weren’t at their peaks yet.

“Did you? Such a good boy, Jeonggukkie”, Taehyung ruffled the maknae’s hair affectionately. “Good morning, girls! Did you sleep well?”

“We did, thank you”, they offered him matching smiles before they took place on each of Jeongguk’s sides.

Just then, Jiwoo and Somin entered the room, greeting the children and placing steaming bowls of chestnut porridge in front of them.

“Thank you”, they bowed in unison. Jiwoo and Somin smiled at them before retreating to the kitchen.

“You’re all so polite”, Taehyung chuckled fondly, mostly to himself, but Yongsun caught it nonetheless.

“Eomma always insisted politeness and open-mindedness were important. She used to tell us, ‘Do not do to others what you wouldn’t want being done to you’, amongst other things.”

“She was a wise woman.”

“She was.”

The hint of sadness on Yongsun’s smile broke Taehyung’s heart. He patted her hand comfortingly, familiar with the pain and longing but knowing full well that grieving was a personal and solitary journey. The silent exchange was interrupted, however, when an excited Jimin barged into the room, none of his usual sleepiness and consequent grumpiness present on his features, followed by an amused Jaebum, who had effortlessly adopted Taehyung’s spare pyjamas.

“He’s coming, he’s coming!” Jimin grinned, his eyes disappearing into little crescents and painting the definition of mirthful and insouciant youth on his face.

Jaebum took a seat at the table, next to Taehyung, but his little brother stayed by the door, looking into the corridor. When Youngjae poked his head through, Jimin lifted his arms in celebration, crying out,

“Here comes the birthday boy!” in the same pompous tone one would have announced the arrival of the king in the Joseon era.

“Mansae, mansae!” Hyejin and Wheein cheered, lifting their arms and startling Jeongguk, who dropped his spoon into his bowl with a small hiccup.

“Youngjae, happy birthday”, Taehyung waved at the boy, who waved back shyly.

“Happy birthday, Youngjae-yah!” Yongsun beamed at the same time, sitting sideways and opening her arms so the boy could throw himself at her.

The little trio of troublemakers had come closer, too, crowding their siblings and chanting “Happy birthday, happy birthday!” while Jaebum chuckled at the scene. 

“My spoon”, Jeongguk mumbled dejectedly, staring at its handle slowly drowning in his chestnut porridge. Repressing a coo, Taehyung saved it before it disappeared into the mixture, tapping it against the bowl and using a napkin to clean the handle.

“Here you go, Jeonggukkie.”

“Thank you!” the boy smiled before directing his attention to his noisy siblings. “Hyung, Hyung, Youngjae-hyung! Happy birthday, Hyung!”

“Thank you, Jeonggukkie”, Youngjae beamed, circling the table to engulf his little brother in a hug. “Thank you, thank you!”

“Here, Hyung”, Jeongguk said, scooping a bit of his porridge with his spoon, then all but shoved it into Youngjae’s mouth. “It’s for you!”

“That’s very kind of you, Jeongguk”, Taehyung intervened before the youngest could choke his brother with another mouthful, “but Youngjae will get his own bowl soon. Jiwoo and Somin are coming with his breakfast, see?”

True to his words, the maids entered the room again, fussing a little to make all the children sit before placing the missing bowls on the table. Finally, everyone was quietly and happily eating under Taehyung’s fond but watchful gaze.

“What are we doing today?” Youngjae eventually asked, his hesitant voice contrasting with his hopeful eyes.

“Please, Taehyung-oppa, don’t make us do our homework today”, Hyejin pouted, joining her small hands together and batting her eyelashes. Taehyung widened his eyes comically and put a hand against his chest as if her words had wounded him greatly.

“Of course not!” he sputtered indignantly. “No one is doing any homework on Youngjae’s birthday!”

“What do you have in mind for today, then?”

“Games! Presents! A good meal and a delicious birthday cake! We’re supposed to have fun on this special day, children.”

“What kind of games?”

“Presents?”

“A delicious birthday cake?”

It was endearing, truly, to see where each child placed their priorities — Jimin and Jeongguk on the games, Jaebum on the presents, Youngjae and the girls on the cake.

“Come on, let’s get dressed”, the governor declared with a joyful voice and a clap of his hands. “We have a long day ahead of us!”

The rest of the morning was spent with Taehyung and the children playing hide-and-seek inside the mansion until Hoseok ushered them all into the gardens with a playful eye-roll, stating that their poor maids were going crazy with the constant interruptions in their cleaning schedule. Taehyung apologised with a grimace and Hoseok only let out a fond sigh, taking in eight pairs of contrite puppy eyes with various degrees of effectiveness, then closing the terrace doors to their faces.

“I’ll call you when lunch is ready!” was all he said before he locked them out and turned around without looking back.

“How heartless of him”, Taehyung put a hand against his chest again in theatrical disarray — he had noticed his exaggerated antics always made Hyejin, Youngjae and Jeongguk giggle.

“At least it’s not too hot outside”, Jaebum provided, offering a smile to the birthday boy. “Hyung”, he added as an afterthought, “have you visited all the gardens yet?”

“I’m not sure. How far does this property extend to?”

“See the woods other there?” Yongsun pointed at the patch of greenery on the flank of the hill across the river, on their right. Taehyung’s mouth fell open, eyes darting to each of the children’s faces in surprise before squinting at the youngest, who was trying his best to contain his giggles.

“You’re lying”, he said, his accusation holding no real bite. Jeongguk let out his laugh while Jimin and Hyejin groaned, shooting half-amazed, half-reproachful gazes at their governor.

“Ugh, how did you know?”

“Do you think it’s the first time I’m handling a group of little jokesters like you?” he teased, ruffling Jimin’s hair and earning a cry of protest. “You’ll have to do better than that, kid.”

“Is that a challenge?” Hyejin’s eyes twinkled, leaning against Jimin. Taehyung stared at their matching grins and similar height, although Jimin would undoubtedly hit his teenage growth spurt soon and leave his sister at least a good ten centimetres lower.

“You two are a menace”, he shook his head with a smile. “You look like evil twins.”

“That’s exactly what Minjoo-unnie said, four governesses ago”, Wheein said proudly, nodding at her younger siblings.

“Minjoo-noona was mean”, Youngjae mumbled, frowning. “She always wanted Jeonggukkie to talk.”

“And she always said I didn’t sit prettily enough”, Yongsun rolled her eyes. “What does that even mean? She could just have said I’m ugly.”

“You’re not ugly!” Jimin and Hyejin protested.

“I think Noona is really pretty”, Jeongguk added, his voice surprisingly clear, tugging insistently at Yongsun’s dress as if to prove his point further.

“The prettiest!” Youngjae agreed.

“Aww, thank you, Youngjae, Jeonggukkie”, she smiled, patting their heads.

“Good thing Minjoo-noona is gone”, Jaebum concluded, his tone leaving no room for arguments. Taehyung smiled awkwardly and decided to veer this conversation to another topic, sensing there was a lot to unpack here but that Youngjae’s birthday was definitely not the right moment.

“Anyway”, he said, redirecting the children’s attention to him. “I haven’t ventured very far in the gardens or the property. Are there any parts of it that you really like, Youngjae? Do you want to give me a special tour?”

The little boy nodded, taking Taehyung’s hand and dragging him to a bed of colourful flowers. The children seemed content to just show Taehyung around, for now, the elders recalling happy memories of wild games of tag or hide-and-seek in bushes, or the time Jimin almost fell into the little pond further back because he wanted to see the fish closer.

“Since then, Abeoji got Seojoon-ssi to place a wire fence around the pond, and Youngjae and Jeongguk are forbidden to come near it alone, at least until Jeongguk is ten.”

“This is unfair”, the youngest pouted. “I want to see the fishies.”

“Your dad said you couldn’t go alone”, Taehyung consoled him. “You can ask one of your siblings or you can ask me next time, and we’ll go see the fishies together.”

This seemed to placate Jeongguk for the time being, and the tour continued. They eventually reached the wall marking out the edge of the property. They followed it, still mindlessly chatting, until they arrived at a side entrance, the iron gates not as majestic as the ones at the front. There was a little cabin adjacent to a small building, both facing the mansion and forming a small court of sorts. There was a canopy on the other side of the building, where chunks of wood and neater logs were stacked, left to dry for the upcoming winter. The door of the cabin was opened, and Jimin raced to it with a cheeky grin.

“Seojoon-ssi! Are you inside?”

A man emerged from the cabin just as the rest of the group reached its entrance, and Taehyung’s mouth opened a little. The stranger was tall, taller than him, and considerably broader. He was wearing a tank top, work pants and an impressive pair of boots. His skin was thick and tanned, the unmistakable proof of hours spent working under the sun, and his hair was half-swept at the back of his head. There were traces of perspiration on his skin and clothes — he probably had been in the middle of working. Two years of monastic life had shielded Taehyung from worldly desires, but the sight of this man reminded him that he was, in fact, still very much subjected to them.

“Seojoon-ssi”, Jimin chirped, “hello!”

“Hell— Good morning”, the man greeted awkwardly, head bowed and hands clasped in front of him. “D’you, hum. Did you need anything from me, Young Master?”

“Ah, Seojoon-ssi, I told you you didn’t need to be so formal with us!” Jimin scowled, his cheeks puffing up endearingly with his pout. “Right, Hyung?”

“Jimin”, Jaebum sighed, smiling apologetically at Seojoon, “leave Seojoon-ssi alone. Although my brother is right, Seojoon-ssi, we won’t mind if you want to be less formal with us. We treat our personnel as equals in this household and we would like to make sure you feel welcomed and safe here.”

“Thank you, Young Master”, Seojoon bowed a little towards Jaebum. “Your, uh, kind words are appreciated. I, hum— Did you need anything…?”

“Oh, right!” Jimin exclaimed, taking Taehyung’s free hand — the other one was still clutched in Youngjae’s — and pushing him forward. “I don’t think you’ve met our new governor yet?”

“Good morning”, Taehyung spoke up carefully, not wanting to overwhelm Seojoon further, as the man was obviously uneasy in front of all the children. “I’m Kim Taehyung, the new governor. At least, until they get sick of me”, he tried to joke.

“Nice to meet you, Kim Taehyung-ssi”, Seojoon bowed.

“Oh please, just call me Taehyung”, he laughed. “No need to be so formal with me either.”

“Sorry, Taehyung. I’m Park Seojoon. I sometimes work for Captain Kim around the property— Y’know, the gardens, all the outside work, any repairs… ‘Been working here for a few years now.”

“Oh, I see. That must be a lot of work, I’m impressed.”

“I’m good at my job”, Seojoon grinned proudly, his confidence blooming like a flower under the sun.

“I can tell”, Taehyung assured, finding the way the man’s eyes disappeared into crescents when he smiled very similar to the way Jimin’s did. “You surely must be, for the Captain to keep you around.”

“Ah, thank you”, Seojoon bowed again, seemingly back to his subdued and uncomfortable self. “I, uh. I hope he keeps you around, too.”

“Well.” Taehyung licked his lips, resisting the urge to glance at the children, whom he felt were staring at him. “We’ll see about that.”

Their conversation was interrupted when a door opened on the side of the mansion and a bright-eyed Wooshik came out, shouting happily,

“Seojoonie-hyuuuung! Can you—”, and stopping dead in his tracks when he saw eight other people in front of the cabin.

“Y-Yeah?” Seojoon turned to the newcomer, his cheeks flushing a vivid shade of red, and Taehyung saw Wheein and Yongsun giggling together from the corner of his eye.

“Oh”, Wooshik only said, sporting a healthy blush of his own, his eyes darting between Taehyung and Seojoon. “Taehyung.”

“Hyung”, the governor replied, only a little bit teasing, before turning to the children, who were all grinning from ear to ear except Jeongguk — the boy was too young to recognise the fluttering signs of a budding romance just yet. “We were just passing by and I figured I should introduce myself properly.”

“That’s good”, the cook muttered.

“Well, we’re going to take our leave now, aren’t we, children? Let’s leave Wooshik-hyung and his Seojoonie-hyung be”, he added with a cheeky wink before racing off to the mansion, followed by the children.

“Yah!” Wooshik sputtered behind them, cheeks flaming red. “Taehyung-ah!”

The eight troublemakers were long gone, though, leaving behind the two blushing men with the echoes of their joyous laughter.

“Why do I have a feeling that you led me to Seojoon-ssi’s cabin on purpose?” Taehyung asked the girls later, after a delicious meal consisting of Youngjae’s favourite food. The boy had even been delighted to see that watermelon was not on the menu for dessert, something Taehyung had taken note of for future reference. The birthday boy was currently taking a nap in his bedroom with Jeongguk, Jimin had retreated to his shared room with Jaebum to read, and the eldest was nowhere to be found but had promised Taehyung he would be back safely by three. Taehyung had given him a stern look, a feeble rendition of the Captain’s glare, and had prayed to the Lord that it would be effective enough to make the boy uphold his word.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about”, Wheein replied, but the mischievous glance she exchanged with Hyejin right after that statement all but denied it.

“Are you trying to play little matchmakers?”

“Maybe”, Yongsun pursed her lips. “Maybe not.”

“Trust me”, the governor sighed but with a fond smile, “you shouldn’t meddle with other people’s love affairs. You shouldn’t meddle in anyone’s business at all, actually. You’ll often end up in trouble.”

“Are you speaking from experience, Oppa?”

Taehyung eyed the three girls, who had subconsciously leant forward a little over the dinner table, pressed against each other. Their eagerness for gossip was endearing and terribly obvious, and he tried not to chuckle at their hopeful faces. He wasn’t going to share anything with them, of course, but he could indulge a little.

“Maybe”, he grinned, all mischievous and conspiratory. “But I promised not to tell. Plus, it wouldn’t be very nice of me, as a future postulant.”

“It’s not gossiping, though”, Yongsun tried to bargain. “What if it is simply our dear governor telling us about life experiences so we are better prepared when we go into the world?”

“You’re a clever little one, aren’t you?” Taehyung laughed. “I’m afraid you’ll need more to sway me, though. As I said, I have younger siblings, I used to be a cheeky child myself, and I used to be a kindergarten teacher. I know all the tricks already.”

“I tried”, the oldest of the girls let out an exaggerated sigh, making her sisters giggle.

“I’m sure you’ll live through this, Yongsun. Listen, how about you lend me a hand to prepare our next activity while your brothers are sleeping?”

The girls thankfully took the bait, the distraction welcomed, and the four of them went to Hoseok for help. As it turned out, everything Taehyung had asked for was stored at the back of Seojoon’s shed. The man let them in, offering a sheepish smile at Taehyung when the latter grinned at him.

The next activity was a giant game of yutnori. Taehyung had decided to divide their joyous party into two teams, Team Taetae and Team Youngjae, and the kids would play the pawns. Taehyung had asked Hoseok for help in either finding or designing sticks big enough to be comical. In the end, they had taken bolster pillows and Taehyung had spent a few hours sewing the lines on them with Jiwoo’s help. Youngjae and Jeongguk were delighted to see yutnori sticks almost as big as them, and maybe halfway into the game, Hyejin and Jimin started to throw the bolsters at each other instead of playing, but it was a nice game in Taehyung’s opinion.

The winning team — Youngjae’s, as Taehyung had made sure to let the birthday boy win and, to his relief, his teammates had tacitly understood his intentions — then picked one member from the losing team to grant them one wish whenever they desired, as long as it stayed a reasonable and safe one.

“Oh, you’ll see”, Hyejin cackled to a pouty Jimin, “I have a few ideas already, Oppa!”

“You’re a witch”, the boy retaliated.

“Please stop, you two”, Yongsun intervened before the troublemakers could start a petty fight or chase each other all around the gardens. “I think Taehyung-oppa has another activity planned for us, right, Oppa?”

“Indeed”, the governor smiled at the eldest Kim daughter thankfully. “We’ll need to be paired into four teams of two for the next activity. I will decide the pairings”, he added when he saw Jimin and Hyejin throw each other a competitive glance.

“Not fair!” they immediately pouted when Taehyung paired them together.

“It’s for bonding”, he patted their heads with finality. “You have to learn to appreciate your siblings and rely on them.”

“I appreciate my siblings plenty”, Jimin huffed.

“Oh yeah? Then why are you always stealing my pillows?” Jaebum countered, amused.

“I’m just borrowing them, Hyung! They are just more comfortable, is all.” 

“Children, can we focus on pillow-stealing later?” Taehyung clapped his hands and everyone turned their heads to him. “We have more important matters at hand, I’m afraid.”

“Like what?” Youngjae asked.

“A treasure hunt.”

“A treasure hunt?!”

The children’s eyes immediately started to twinkle, and Taehyung was reminded of halcyon summer days spent playing hide-and-seek with his siblings. He didn’t let his smile falter, though. This day wasn’t for him to reminisce his bygone memories but for Youngjae to create precious ones of his own.

All the groups were decided — Jaebum and Youngjae, Yongsun and Jeongguk, Hyejin and Jimin, and Taehyung and Wheein — and they started the treasure hunt, that Taehyung had begged Hoseok to beg Yoongi to agree on. The butler had relented on the conditions that the limits of the hunt would be defined and strictly observed. As for the prizes, they were coupons for snacks Wooshik would cook for them when they wanted. The game had been tailored so everyone would gain a little something, to make this experience a pleasant one in their collective memory.

The treasure hunt was fun but pretty much anticlimactic. Jimin and Hyejin actually teamed up and won most of the coupons, their respective competitiveness adding up. Wheein discreetly gave half of hers to Youngjae, and Yongsun and Jeongguk won last place but the youngest didn’t seem to mind, to Taehyung’s relief — he had been worried the boy would burst into tears.

They had just finished counting their coupons when Hoseok and Somin called them for a well-deserved snack. Youngjae insisted that Taehyung and Jaebum sit on each of his sides, a request simple enough for the two of them to comply. Jeongguk claimed Taehyung’s other side, and Jimin and Hyejin sat side by side in front of them.

Wooshik had done a great job with the birthday cake — not that Taehyung had ever doubted his skills, of course. It was also the first time in two years that he had the opportunity to indulge in a good portion of sweetness, and he revelled in the taste of ripe strawberries grown under the sun and fresh homemade cream.

“It’s a delight”, he told Wooshik, who was quietly and fondly observing their little party as the children stuffed their faces with cake — something their father surely wouldn’t approve of, but one of the few positive aspects of his absence was that he wasn't there to witness his children’s lack of manners.

Thinking about the Captain brought a shadow toTaehyung’s face. Despite Yoongi’s words earlier in the morning, a part of him had kept hoping that, maybe, Kim Seokjin would change his mind and attend his son’s birthday party. It was nearing tea time, and there was no sign of the man’s arrival. Had he been alone, Taehyung would have kept hoping and praying to the Lord for a miracle, but he wasn’t, and the time wasn’t for vain prayers but for making sure a young child would have the happiest birthday possible.

After the cake, for which the seven children thanked Wooshik with respectful bows and enthusiastic cheers, they were allowed some free time to shower or just rest. Taehyung helped Youngjae and Jeongguk bathe, as they wanted to wash the grime of a day full of activities. The girls stayed in their room to read, Jaebum snuck off to talk with Yoongi, and Jimin napped — stealing one of his hyung’s pillows that he held clutched against his chest.

Dinner passed in a relaxed and pleasant fashion, the children cheering at the dishes Hoseok and Jiwoo laid out in front of them — again, Youngjae’s favourites. Seeing the siblings interacting with each other, totally at ease like little adults at a fancy dinner, made Taehyung’s heart clench again. He wondered how often and how long the Captain went away from the mansion for his children to be so accustomed to being on their own. His seat at the end of the table was empty, defying Taehyung in a screaming proof of his absence.

The governor couldn’t help but glance at the children, whom he had gotten attached to in merely a few days. He could see, under the playfulness inherent to youth, a sense of maturity and graveness that shouldn’t hover over a child’s features.

 He observed Jaebum, a child no more but yet an adult, keeping an eye out for his siblings’ well-being like the head of household would. He noticed how Wheein and Yongsun, only thirteen and fourteen, tended to the younger with signs of what one would call “motherly instincts”. Jimin and Hyejin’s bickering held all the characteristics of a love language, a clumsy reminder of each other’s presence, a reassuring constant in their ever-changing life. Youngjae’s pleasing nature prevented him from unabashedly basking in everyone’s doting, the boy always making sure his elders and little brother were happy. And Jeongguk, precious little Jeongguk, whose shyness had probably increased with the stream of passing tutors who would never be able to replace a much-needed parental figure…

It made Taehyung sad, incredibly so, to see their young eyes obscured with the veil of grief that they had probably not fully processed yet. He couldn’t help but resent the Captain, too, even if he didn’t know much about the man. It was clear he cared for his children, but his way of showing it was actually not showing it and, oddly, leaving his children to his butler, housekeeper, and now a governor who would stay until summer ended. Taehyung knew his time at the Kim mansion was borrowed, but, as he watched Youngjae and Jeongguk laugh at a joke Wheein had made, he vowed to do his best to preserve the children’s happiness and ease the transition from their remnants of grief to the prospect of a new mother. They deserved nothing but the best, loving, and united family, and Taehyung would make sure all happened according to plan.

But for now, he had to ensure the day would end up smoothly.

“Youngjae-yah”, he called the birthday boy as their dessert plates were cleared. “You might have wondered if we had planned any gifts today.”

“Oh…” the boy chuckled, a bit bashful. “I did wonder but I didn’t want to seem, uh… Demanding?”

“You’d never be demanding”, Hyejin stroked her brother’s hair fondly.

“You’re a good boy and we all love you very much”, Jimin added with an endeared smile. “And anyone who thinks differently can just—”

“Jimin-ah”, Jaebum interrupted, seemingly out of habit, and Jimin closed his mouth after peeking guiltily at Taehyung. The governor just smiled at him, shaking his head. It’s okay.

“Well”, he continued, “we do have presents for you. Shall we take a look at them?”

“Yes, please!” Youngjae grinned excitedly.

This was the signal Yoongi and Hoseok were waiting for, the couple striding into the room with their arms full of wrapped gifts and a mysterious wicker basket that they dropped at Taehyung’s feet. Yoongi held out the first package to the boy with a smile.

“A kite?” Youngjae blinked in surprise once he unwrapped it.

“From Jaebum and Yongsun”, Hoseok winked. The two eldest children nodded, relieved that their brother seemed to like it.

“Next one, next one!”

Youngjae revealed his gifts one by one, making sure to thank everyone with an endearing smile that never failed to melt the heart of its receivers. Wheein had gifted him a shirt. Jimin had bought a book from a series the younger apparently liked, promising to read it with him before going to bed, as they liked to do. Hyejin had gifted him a family of little rubber ducks, knowing Youngjae liked to play in his bath. Jeongguk, too young to have an allowance, had poured his heart into a drawing of their family for his closest hyung — and Taehyung absolutely didn’t tear up when he noticed the toddler had included the entirety of the staff, including him.

His father had sent him a beautiful miniature boat with such intricate details that Jeongguk refused to even touch it in fear of breaking his Youngjae-hyung’s gift. Hoseok promised to place it safely on the shelf in their shared bedroom before handing the boy his next gift.

Youngjae also got a plushie from Wooshik, a wooden charm that was supposed to prevent nightmares from Jiwoo and Somin, and a new set of bed sheets with colourful patterns from Yoongi and Hoseok that Youngjae insisted to put on his bed the next time they had to change the sheets.

When Taehyung’s turn came, he retrieved two packages from the wicker basket and handed them over to Youngjae with a smile.

“Here you go, Youngjae-yah.”

“Thank you, Hyung! What is it?” The boy poked at the wrapping, his finger sinking in the mysterious gift.

“Open it! You’ll see.”

The bigger gift was a pair of shorts that Taehyung had made himself the other night from the old curtains of his room — not that he was going to tell the children that.

“What is it?” Youngjae asked again, curious.

“A little surprise from me!” Taehyung grinned, his trademark boxy smile making the children unconsciously smile as well. “I made you some play clothes for the summer. And I made a matching coat for Coco”, he added, gesturing to the smaller package, “although I guess he won’t be able to wear it until autumn. He’d get too hot, now. I’m sorry, I should have thought about that.”

“You made a coat for Coco?” Youngjae’s surprised face illuminated with unbridled joy. “Oh, thank you so much, Hyung!”

“I figured you’d be cute together in matching clothes”, Taehyung hummed. “And not just you and Coco! In fact, I made play clothes for everyone”, he announced, taking out the mentioned garments and distributing them to the children.

“Oh wow!”

“That was unexpected…”

“Is it really for us? Is it okay?”

“Of course it is”, Taehyung assured the surprised children. “I want you to be comfortable for the outings I have prepared in the following days!”

While the youngers cheered at his answer, with Jimin and Youngjae trying to guess what sorts of outings he was talking about and Hyejin explaining to a confused Jeongguk what an outing was, the elders exchanged wary glances.

“Hyung”, Jaebum addressed him, seemingly taking it as his responsibility as the eldest sibling, “how often will these outings occur? We have to… Father was adamant about us studying for the holidays.”

Taehyung couldn’t help but frown at his words, a fresh wave of resentment against the Captain rushing through him — he would have to say a lot of prayers of repentance to the Lord tonight, as it wasn’t appropriate to feel negatively against anyone, least of all against his employer and the father of his protégés.

“How are your grades? Do any of you have difficulties in a specific subject?”

“Well, Jeongguk is struggling a bit with his spelling and Jimin and Hyejin despise maths”, Yongsun mused.

“We can still work on that over the summer and have fun together”, Taehyung countered. “What about you three?”

“We…” Jaebum looked at his sisters. “We’re decent, I suppose.”

“Then what need do you have to study during a well-deserved break?”

“Well—”

“Listen, as your governor, I’m the one deciding about your study time over the week. I’m the one monitoring your progress and I will take responsibility for your summer studies — or lack of them — in front of your father. You should be able to let loose and enjoy summer as any children would.”

The teenagers stayed silent, not knowing what to reply. Taehyung offered them a smile, half-reassuring and half-apologetic.

“Anyway, I have plans for us tomorrow, so I think it’s wise to retire for the night.”

A glance at the rest of the table and at the grandfather clock confirmed his words. Jeongguk was half-asleep against Hyejin’s side, his new overalls clutched in his tiny fist. His sister was stroking his hair softly, whispering with Jimin so as to not disturb the maknae. Youngjae was fumbling with his shorts and Coco’s coat quietly, but his eyes were getting heavy with sleep. Hoseok and Yoongi had long disappeared with all the wrappings and the gifts, probably putting them away in their respective places — bathroom, bedroom, playroom…

“Alright, children! Time to go to bed”, Taehyung said, standing up and taking Jeongguk in his arms.

Jaebum imitated him silently, scooping Youngjae up from his chair, and they exited the dining room with the rest of the children following suit. It took a bit of time to convince the youngers to wake up long enough to get changed into their pyjamas and brush their teeth, but soon everyone was tucked into bed — even Jaebum and Yongsun — and off to dreamland.

Taehyung went down to help his colleagues clean up, then he went up with his own nightly routine. He prayed for a while this night, asking the Lord for forgiveness over his less than friendly thoughts about the Captain and for strength to reunite this family again. Then he got into bed, sighing in contentment at the freshness of his bedsheets.

His mind, full of excitement at the prospect of what he’d planned for the following day, was eventually shadowed by more serious matters. He couldn’t help but think about Kim Seokjin once again, though, feeling a pang of disappointment in his heart, even if he knew the chances of the man actually showing up had always been akin to none. He wondered, as slumber slowly took him under, where the Captain was, what he was doing, and if he’d thought about Youngjae today. For the boy’s sake, he hoped the man had.

— ♫♫♫ —

The familiar silhouette of the mansion shrunk as his car took him farther on the road. Seokjin sighed, running a tired hand through his hair before gripping the steering wheel tighter. He tried not to think too much, but his mind was plagued with thoughts from earlier events and conversations.

He wasn’t sure what had come over him. Maybe it was an odd feeling, or maybe it was Yoongi’s words. Whatever the reason, he had been telling his friends that he had to return to his estate for the day and that he would be back at night, and, before he could realise what he was doing, his car was passing the outskirts of the capital. Four hours later, he had found himself in front of the gates of the Kim mansion, suddenly unsure of what to do. He had parked his car at the back of the estate and had walked through the gardens, unseen, experiencing for the first time in a long while the feeling of sneaking into his own home.

The children were running around in the gardens with Taehyung, thankfully too preoccupied to pay attention to his silhouette hiding behind trees and bushes. He almost scolded them for making this much noise and frolicking outside when they were supposed to study, but that would have blown his cover and revealed his position, so instead, he’d silently entered through one of the French windows on the side terrace.

He didn’t quite know what had pushed him to take refuge in Yoongi’s office, either, but his friend had always been a reassuring presence to him. Maybe he’d been unknowingly seeking comfort and familiarity his best friend never failed to provide.

“Jin-hyung? Oh my god, you gave me a fright! What are you doing here?” Yoongi had been startled upon discovering him sitting at his desk, hovering over an opened finances register.

“Is that any way to greet your best friend?” he had teased. He’d then stood up to engulf the smaller man in a quick hug, relishing the familiarity of home.

“Seriously, Hyung, what are you doing here?” the younger had repeated, surprised. “I thought you said you wouldn’t come back?”

“Well, I sort of changed my mind…” he had mumbled.

“Do you want me to announce you to everyone downstairs?”

“No”, Seokjin had shaken his head. Yoongi had stared at him, so he had to fumble with his words to formulate a proper explanation when he still didn’t fully comprehend his actions. “I was— I just— I don’t know, I felt compelled to come back. But once I arrived in front of the gates, I just…”

“You felt the need to hide and cower”, Yoongi had finished for him, earning a swat from the master of the house.

“No! It’s like a secret inspection, you know? I’m just making sure Kim Taehyung is doing a proper job with my children.”

“Well, as I told you yesterday over the phone, he seems to be doing a fantastic job with your children.”

“Still. I want to see it with my own eyes.”

“Are you not trusting me, now?” Yoongi had arched a playful eyebrow before his face had turned serious once again. “Hyung, do you really not want me to announce you?”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll show myself if I see fit.”

“As you wish. I have to go, it’s almost snack time. You can stay here, I’ll tell Hoseok to not let anyone go near my office.”

Seokjin had been on a mission, though, so he had snuck out a few minutes after Yoongi to spy on his children and Kim Taehyung. He had then retreated again into Yoongi’s office before shower time, and Hoseok had brought him some snacks and a pitch of water.

“What is it?” Seokjin had asked his housekeeper when he’d seen the dry look the younger had thrown his way.

“Nothing”, the man had shaken his head.

Seokjin hadn’t insisted, letting him go, but he had felt a pang of guilt and shame as the hardness of Hoseok’s stare seemed to linger over him, slowly imprinting on his skin.

‘Shame’, it said. ‘Coward. A father too scared of facing his children.’

And it wasn’t true, but it also was.

Seokjin’s mind was brought back to the present time as he approached a village he had to pass through to go back to Seoul. The sky was dark, dusk having fallen hours ago and cooling the air of the summer night.

He slowed his car and parked on the side of the road, at the entrance of the village. He was almost halfway through his journey, he could take a deserved break. An old man resting on his porch noticed him and waved him over like he would any village kid. Seokjin made his way to him and bowed respectfully in greeting. The elder wordlessly handed out a beer, and Seokjin, too polite to refuse, took it with a smile. He sat next to the man, uncaring of the dust that would get on his pants, and lifted his head to contemplate the stars.

Dinner had been an odd experience, witnessing his children interacting without being in the room himself. It was like seeing a painting or watching a movie, Seokjin feeling more and more like a stranger in his own home as the dinner went on. He couldn’t help but notice, with a certain amount of guilt, that his children seemed more relaxed in casual clothes, chatting amongst themselves. Maybe he’d think of allowing casual clothes during the weekends?

He had noticed Kim Taehyung often staring at the back of his empty seat, too, as if the man was trying to burn holes into the fine brocade. He’d wondered if the governor was thinking about him, maybe cursing him and his absence — and Seokjin wouldn’t have been able to blame the man, because he wasn’t in the seat he was supposed to sit on.

It had been familiar, and yet foreign, to see his children’s features not strained into impassible faces, to hear their laughter and playful jabs as clear as day and not stifled as if they were scared they’d be caught and grounded. Seokjin had watched Jeongguk being the most comfortable he’d ever been with a tutor, maybe even with him, his own father, and it had brought a dull sense of pain in his chest. He had watched Jimin and Hyejin getting along and making sure Youngjae was eating well. He had watched Jaebum beam at something Kim Taehyung had said, and Yongsun cackle freely at one of Wheein’s mimics.

It had been familiar, and yet it wasn’t, and Seokjin couldn’t help the growing feeling that he didn’t quite know how to belong in this atmosphere while Kim Taehyung obviously had no problem fitting in.

He had been too distracted to really pay attention to the conversations, his mind focused on watching and staying hidden. Hoseok had almost bumped into him one time, and had given him the same unimpressed and judging stare, but had stayed silent. That hadn’t done anything to ease Seokjin’s growing sense of discomfort.

The gifts had been an experience of its own, too. Seokjin had felt a bit offended, really, that Youngjae had seemed a bit perplexed in front of the miniature boat he had spent half an hour selecting for him, wanting to get an accurate replica of one of those ancient vessels that had never failed to make him dream when he was a child himself.

He had decided to leave, then, before the end of the unwrapping. He’d seemed to have reached his limit, the feelings bubbling up his chest too much to bear.

“You’re leaving?” Yoongi had asked, confused, when he’d seen Seokjin retreat to his office.

“Yes. It’s getting late. I should go back.”

“Aren’t you going to congratulate Youngjae?” Hoseok had asked, and Seokjin had been unable to look at him in the eyes, too afraid of the disappointment he would undoubtedly see in them.

“It doesn’t seem like he needs it. But please relay my birthday wishes to him.”

“Very well.”

Yoongi’s voice had been detached, impassible, the polished tone he’d use for guests and unannounced visitors. There had been a lump forming in Seokjin’s throat, slowly constricting his airway. He’d known for sure, then, that it was time to leave.

“One more thing”, he’d heard himself say through the fog of his intricate feelings. “Today was a special occurrence. From now on, please make sure Kim Taehyung observes the expected study schedule until I return.”

“Of course.”

Again, this tone — flat, dull, unbearable. And this strange lump in Seokjin’s throat, growing, suffocating him. He could almost hear the “Coward” burning at the tip of Yoongi’s tongue, so he had fled his house without turning back, almost running to his car and leaving his estranged home.

And now here he was, resting in a village lost in the middle of the countryside, on his way back to Seoul, and feeling an unpleasant sense of un-belonging. He should have relished the fresh night air, the starry sky, and the cold beer, but he only felt trapped in a liminal space, physical and psychological, a sensation he hadn’t experienced in a very long time.

He thought about the smiles and laughter radiating off his children. He thought about their expressions of sheer happiness, which he hadn’t seen in a long time — ever since Heeyeon’s passing, actually. He thought, with an intricate mix of feelings, about the way Kim Taehyung, with his handsome face and his tendency to not abide by the simplest rules, had succeeded in getting his children into his pocket when no other governess and governor could. He thought about the man’s influence on his household, how his unruly behaviour had managed to bring such beautiful emotions out of his children again.

Kim Taehyung was not order. Kim Taehyung was not discipline. Kim Taehyung was the opposite of everything Seokjin had implemented in his household ever since his wife had gone, and it had taken him merely three days to make his children laugh. It was not even a matter of jealousy, the reality of his situation too jarring for that. At that moment, Seokjin felt that he was considerably lacking as a father and a caretaker.

This Kim Taehyung was making him question his core principles, throwing him into a very much unwelcomed crisis. Should he change? But how could he, when all he had known was order and discipline? It’s not as if his methods of education were wrong, either; his children seemed compliant and barely complained. Seokjin was confident in his leadership skills, but he had to admit that, maybe, there were some lessons to learn from Taehyung. The problem was, would Seokjin be able to put them into application once the future postulant would have returned to the Monastery? And what if his children reacted badly to a change of routine, on top of possibly having a new mother?

(Something Seokjin had yet to announce to his children. Something Byulyi and he had decided on a while ago but, for some reason, he had been stalling.)

The old man next to him stretched his arms, wrinkled but strong despite the obvious years of hardships they had to carry, and turned to him with a small smile.

“It’s going to be fine, lad. Stay safe”, he told him with a pat on the shoulder before disappearing into his house.

Seokjin knew it was time to go, but he stayed a few minutes on the old man’s porch, finishing his beer and looking at the stars as if they held an invisible answer to his half-formed questions. He almost felt a sense of relief, here, lost in the middle of nowhere, unknown and unseen. But he knew he couldn’t stay forever. He had to return to Seoul, to his friends, to his children, to Yoongi and Hoseok, to Kim Taehyung.

So, with a sigh, he stood up and made his way to his car, feeling thrown out of his depth. His thoughts kept swirling in his head all the way to Byulyi’s place, following him to his room, through his nightly routine and keeping him from sleeping for the most part of the night.