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jinkook-centric ot7| sentinel/guide | 5.0k words

Seokjin slowly opens his eyes to the gentle sound of music being played drifting through his door. The notes weave with the early morning sunlight that peeks through the drapes, and he curls further into the sheets to let himself take a moment to enjoy before getting ready for the day.

He eventually pushes himself up and out of bed with a quiet sigh, tiptoeing through the room to leave. He slides the door open to another room that he quickly walks through until he gets to another door on the other side. Opening it reveals three people sitting in the center of the room, and Seokjin carefully closes the door behind him so he doesn’t distract them.

He should know better though, as Jeongguk, ever so in tune with him, lifts his eyes from his two-person audience. He doesn’t stop playing as he does so, but Seokjin can see the way his gaze sharpens and the way the corner of his lips lift around the mouthpiece of the flute. He’s just as in tune to Jeongguk after all.

Seokjin gives him a soft smile as he leans against the door, letting his gaze slide down to the two that are sitting in front of him. His heart immediately squeezes as he takes in the way his kids watch Jeongguk, completely entranced by the music. In another world, this would be them spending the morning together as a happy family.

Not in this reality. Here, Jeongguk is his attendant, and the children are Seokjin’s and the Queen’s.

That will change however, if the rest of this day goes according to plan.

Seokjin takes a deep breath, and steps forward. As if sensing him, his daughter glances over her shoulder and a smile breaks out on her face as she pushes herself to her feet to run to him. “Appa!”

“Hi, little star,” Seokjin murmurs as his daughter throws her arms around his legs. Her brother stays at Jeongguk’s feet, using the opportunity to scoot closer to the attendant and reach for the flute.

“Yongsun-ah.” The warning edge in Seokjin’s voice is enough to cause his son to freeze. He bites back a smile at the pout that comes to Yongsun’s face.

“Appa,” his daughter whines, pulling his attention away from his son and he quickly leans down to pick her up.

“Yes, Youngmi-yah, I’m here,” Seokjin murmurs quietly as she wraps her arms around his shoulders. He’s flooded with fondness and affection as she nestles her face into the crook of his neck, and he can’t help but hold her a little tightly. He looks back over at his son, swaying to the gentle music that Jeongguk plays, then lets his gaze shift up to Jeongguk. He’s not surprised to find Jeongguk still looking at him, and he knows that Jeongguk is thinking the same thing.

Today has to go well. For all of them.

The music grows quieter as Jeongguk comes to the end of the song, the final note echoing almost sweetly through the room.

“Another!” Yongsun demands, shifting to his knees.

Jeongguk smiles as he brings the flute away from his lips. “Sorry, Yongsun-ah. We have to get ready for the day, but I promise I’ll play you another song later.”

Seokjin quickly interrupts Yongsun from beginning to whine, closing the distance to rest a hand on his son’s head. “We have a busy day, little star, come get ready with your sister.”