Jongin took a step back, eyes still staring straight into thin air as he attempted to absorb everything happening at once.

“Jongin…” Seulgi called out steps away from him, cutting off the agonizing silence swallowing the room whole. “Say something, anything—“

“How long have you known?” Jongin sternly asked, still refusing to meet Seulgi’s gaze.

Seulgi pursed her lips. “Uh,” She thought, pocketing her trembling hands. “The fatigue started over I don’t know, a week after ICT. Then it just continued. I’d train the normal amount of hours and not overwork, but I still felt the exhaustion eat me up more than ever. I lost my appetite, I was an emotional wreck which you would know I barely am, I was always, always tired, and it was only when I passed out that Joohyun decided to step in.”

“During the music show?”

Seulgi gulped. “It happened a few times before that, too.” She admitted. “And Joohyun dragged me to the hospital, and the doctors said what they said.”

“Thrice.”

Seulgi’s eyes shot up towards her boyfriend.

“Thrice, the doctors confirmed your pregnancy.” Jongin muttered under his breath, staring down at the floor, clenching his eyes shut. “Thrice, and you didn’t remotely let me know even just once—“

“I just didn’t want to tell you until it was fully confirmed—“

“But didn’t you think I had every right as your boyfriend to know you felt sick? And that you felt the way you felt?” Jongin looked up, finally meeting Seulgi’s eyes. “Or that you’ve been visiting the hospital?”

“I didn’t know what to say-- how to say it,” Seulgi claimed. “And I knew how important your deal in Japan was to you and the company, I didn’t want to worry—or distract you—“

“I called you. Every night.” Jongin pointed out, voice and tone still infuriatingly composed but eyes blackening by the second. “And you said you were fine. Every single time I asked how you were, you said you were fine—that everything, was fine.”

The silence resumed, and they were just left staring at each other. Seulgi sighed, taking a step forward towards Jongin until he slipped out his phone and started typing, raising his phone to his ear just a few quick seconds after. “Mr. Wu,” He said, his alter ego, President Kim making his entrance again. “Yes, you can go ahead with code 23, as stated by the bi-laws. But prioritize the media, this time— triple security on everything related to Red Velvet.” Seulgi was left in a daze, trying to comprehend all the gibberish Jongin was muttering on her own. “Keep the girls in their dorms, and away from anyone asking questions, including their social media accounts. Only thing you allow to be released is that Seulgi will be on hiatus due to an injury, and nothing else.” Jongin ordered. “Yes, I’ll be in contact through the Busan office for awhile. But don’t let anyone outside of KEnt know that as well.” He paused for a moment. “Update me after every hour—every half hour, if you can. Understood, Mr. Wu?” Jongin concluded austerely. “Thank you.”

He walked towards the edge of Seulgi’s bed and propped down, eyes glued to his phone, continuously typing at lightning speed. “What’s…” Even Seulgi’s voice was quivering. “What’s happening—“

“I can talk to your dad when they get home, or we can tell them together, whatever’s fine. You stop working from now up to let’s assume, until we send the child to school. Best if you barely leave the house for now too, just to be careful.” He continued talking and typing, talking and typing. “Oh and when would you prefer— summer when your stomach’s grown a bit, or should we do it soon while the bump isn’t obvious yet— but no, that wouldn’t be good for the media--“

“To do what?” Seulgi gaped.

“Our wedding.” Jongin answered; as if it was the most predictable response he could give. “Of course, we have to get married.”

Seulgi’s eyes were so wide open, it looked like they could pop out.

“Okay, so I’ll give you the rest of the day to think it through.” Jongin settled, neglecting the look of horror on his girlfriend’s face turning back to his phone. “So now, the rest of the girls will be on lockdown. Maybe around March or—“

“Jongin!” Seulgi borderline yelled, just to grab his attention.

Jongin’s gaze jerked upwards. “What?”

“Are you being serious right now?” Her question came out more as forced laughter.

Jongin knitted his eyebrows, finally putting down his phone and standing up. “Do you think I’m in any mood to be joking around?--”

“Lockdown? Hiatus? Marriage???” Seulgi reiterated, anger seeping out of every syllable.

He continued to seem utterly confused. “I don’t understand what you’re trying to say, I’m just being rational—“

“Rational??” Seulgi echoed, flailing her hands backwards. “You think rational is what I want you to be right now??”

“No, Seulgi. It’s what I need to be.” Jongin responded firmly, pocketing his phone. “We can’t both be emotional wrecks—“

“That’s not what neither of us need right now, Jongin!” Seulgi cut him off, sending Jongin in disarray. “I don’t need you to be rational, or logical, or whatever the you think I need—what I need is for you to be here.” Her voice faded down to a whisper.

Seulgi shoved her face into her palms, taking deep breaths. Jongin, left staring.

“I’m ing terrified, Jongin.” She mumbled, dropping her arms back to her side before looking up. “I just need my boyfriend, I just need to hear that it’s going to be okay, that we’ll make it through anything like we always do—I just need you.”

“I’m scared too.” Jongin let her know, sighing. “You’re not the only one who’s scared--”

“For me?”

His gaze stabilized.

“Scared for me?” Seulgi reiterated, louder and clearer. “Or scared for yourself? For your career, and everything you’ve built.”

Jongin raised a brow, shaking his head. “Don’t be ridiculous—“

“Am I?” She questioned. “Having the Japan branch find out you knocked up some girl won’t be the best news, huh President Kim—“

He continually shook his head. “You’re not just some girl, Seulgi—“

“Exactly.” She resolved. “Exactly.”

Seulgi indignantly sat down at the foot of her bed, Jongin running a hand through his hair and over his face in frustration. “So, what do you want me to do, Seul?” He asked, agitated. “You want me to hug you and tell you that it’s going to be okay, and that both our careers won’t be under jeopardy if this gets out, and that I am completely confident in our capacity to raise a family—because I can’t do that right now, Seulgi.” Jongin scoffed. “I can’t. I can’t tell you something even I don’t believe in, so what do you want? What exactly do you want-- need from me—“

“I think you need to leave.” Seulgi cut him off, eyes steady on the ground and moving towards her stomach below her.

Jongin’s head shifted directly at her. “What?”

“Leave.” Seulgi restated, looking up at him, no hesitance in her tone. “Go back to Seoul, leave—“

“Seulgi.” Jongin looked at her as if it was the most absurd thing she could say. “I’m not just going to leave you here, you’re pregnant—“

“I’m telling you to.” Seulgi finalized. “You’re asking what I need, then there. That’s what it is.”

“You…” Jongin stammered for the right words, stepping towards her. “Seul, you can’t be serious--”

She backed away, turning her head away from him. “I am.” She replied, no hint of reluctance whatsoever.

Jongin was once again, left in a daze, not knowing what to do next.

“You should go before my family gets home.”

Jongin stepped back, towards the door, a million times more frightened than he was a few minutes ago.

Author’s Note

Where has all the fluff gone

Lels, that was a hard chapter to write. Sorry, it took so long! But I hope this chapter leaves you wondering what’s going to happen to our precious seulkai next dundundun leave your guesses on the comment box below! *finger hearts for yall*

PS. Thanks for all the messages of concern and interest regarding me finally meeting EXO. Yeah, I died like three million times last January 23. I still think about it every day up to now. About Jongin (who was injured and seated during the entire show but was still the most beautiful boy in that entire arena and in the world for me on that night) every day. I hope some of you have gotten the chance or will get to see EXO one day soon, too. Because I swear to jesus christ and all the angels and saints, it will change your life. And make you believe in the existence of God and all things magical and ethereal. I’m not even exaggerating. Read this thread if you want to know more about my exoluxion experience lmao

PPS. Belated happy birthday, Kang Seulgi! ✦ (Did yall see her bow at Sehun tonight at the Gaon Chart Awards, I feel so blessed????????)

PPPS. Everyone continue streaming Choco Bank on Naver for our precious newbie actor, Kim Jongin!! (Three episodes are out already!)

Thanks for all the patience, guys. I’m extremely busy stressing over college but I’ll still try to update as much as possible. Love you all!