Turn Up Trumps | Seokjin

Summary line: Christmas prompt #1 - Character A and Character B, sworn enemies, are chosen to prepare the company Christmas party.

“It’s an absolute nightmare!” You protest over the phone to your friend.

Namjoon chuckles at you, “You can always say no, you know?”

“No, I can’t.” You groan and slouch over your office desk, “He says if I do this, he’ll let me do the pitch.”

“That’s not fair.” Namjoon frowns.

“Tell me about it. But this is my first possible opportunity to show my work to the client and prove my worth. I’ve been here for two years. I’m even training new recruits!” You whine into the mouthpiece as quiet as you possibly can, “If I can build a good portfolio with my own projects that gets recognized, I can get out of here with a good name to use for myself.”

“Yeah. I know. It’s about time you leave this hell-hole. You’re wasted here.”

“You’re telling me.” You snort.

“But hey, while you’re looking at opportunities, use it as your strength to get through working with him.” You wrinkle your nose and sit up at Namjoon’s suggestion.

“You’d think that’s a good enough motivation. But it really, really isn’t.” You shake your head. You see him bobbing down towards you quickly.

“I got to go. The hellhound has arrived.” You end the call just as you hear Namjoon’s laugh.

“Tell me it isn’t true.” Seokjin arrives to your desk with eyes widened with disbelief.

“You better believe it, buster. We’re partners.” You fake a smile. He rolls his eyes and puts a hand on his hip.

“No. Nope. I can’t work with you. You have the worst ideas on this entire floor!”

“You’re controlling, nit-picky, and close-minded.” You shoot back.

He sighs and leans against your cubicle wall, “I don’t know how we’re going to get along long enough to prepare the Christmas party.”

You sigh and you’re about ready to flush, but you hear people opening doors and giggling.

“So I heard the pot has over ten thousand now.” You’re at the very last stall and there are six. For the two women, they enter two and three, so they don’t realize there’s anyone there.

“Yeah? What are the options?”

“So 1) Seokjin controls the plans, 2) Y/N controls the plans,” You perk up at both your names. What plans?

“3) it ends in a ball of flames, or 4) they actually work together for once and make the best damn Christmas party we’ve ever had.” Your eyes widen and your head whips to the direction of the voices.

“Who was the idiot to suggest option 4, much less bet on it?”

“No one,” the other giggles, “it’s just there for shits and giggles; just to see if there are any takers on it. I think someone is trying to open another option to bet any of the first three to happen instead of that.”

“Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of having options 1-3?”

“It’s still just going to be there for shits and giggles.” They finish their business and leave the stalls.

“So what do you say, you want in?” One asks the other.

“What are the odds?”

“First option is +150. Second is +900. Third is +100.” The girl giggles before she continues, “No one’s bet on the fourth.” You clench your fists.

“So basically order of chances to win are ball in flames, Seokjin, dead last Y/N, and basically the fourth is practically off the table.” The other laughs.

“Yeah. Basically.”

“Alright I’ll bite. I’m going with Seokjin.”

“I’m on ball of flames.” The other laughs and they leave the bathroom.

You lean against the wall and exhale loudly. You don’t know what you should be mad at more: barely anyone believes that you can overpower Seokjin’s ruling, no one believes you can pull it off, or the whole damn bet in the first place. $10,000 in the pool. That’s absolutely ridiculous. You think of how many employees are on this floor. Not even 100. That’s an average of $100 put into the bets.

You stand up straight with determination. You’re not going to let this happen.

“Seokjin!” You yell down the hallway. Half of the people look up from their desk. You’ve never noticed until now, but people are already exchanging glances. Well then a show you will give them.

“I need to speak to you. Now.” You turn to your right to strut into an empty meeting room with as much authority as you can muster, but your forehead hits the glass door. You stumble back and you hear snickering. Tears prickle in your eyes but you swallow the tightness in your throat. You push in and later on Seokjin follows in. You tell him to close the door.

“What?” You hear his obnoxious voice. You swallow and clench your teeth again. You close your eyes and hold your breath so your tears will disappear. You don’t face him as you continue to rub your forehead and you breathe when you trust your voice again.

“They’re betting against us.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This whole floor. Everyone’s betting that we can’t work together to make this Christmas party a success. There’s $10,000 in the fucking pot, Seokjin. On this floor.” You stop rubbing your forehead but your hand is still supporting it as you lean back onto the table.

“Fuck.” You hear his hands slam down on the table. Good, he’s just as mad as you. Actually, that’s impossible, since you haven’t explained the whole bet in detail. You bet if he knows that he’s the second best option, it might shine up his ego more than it should, so you’re going to leave that out for now. You need his alliance. You turn around to face him.

“Seokjin, I propose this. We put away all our resentment towards each other to make this work. We’ll give Namjoon $100 each to place a bet on us. We make it a success and we split the money threesies.”

“Threesies?”

“I’m not going to argue with you now. I need your help.” You show the determination on your face to prove to him you’re for real. Forget the fact that he’s got an ego the size of the world. Forget the fact that he always goes against your suggestions and all opportunities you get in making decisions that matter. This is war.

He studies you for a bit and he finally agrees.

“But we have to plan in secret. We need to act like we can’t agree on anything so people continue to bet against us.”

“Like that’s difficult.” He interrupts. You exhale in exasperation with a pointed look.

“Sorry. Okay. Yeah, I agree. But since we’re calling truce right now, we have to not let our arguments in front of everyone get to our heads, okay? I’m all about showing them up just as seriously as you do. And if we’re too busy holding resentment for our act, then we’ll get nowhere and play right into their hands.” Seokjin explains. You agree with him. You don’t nod your head because you can see people attempting spy as they pass by. You cross your arms to act like you’re still trying to argue.

“We’ll work offline. We can’t plan in this building. Walls are thin and corners have eyes. We need to meet outside.”

“We can go to my place. I’m actually one of the people who live furthest from the company.”

“Okay. Text me your address.”

“I don’t have your number.”

“It’s on my business card.”

“I don’t have your business card.”

“Then find one, damn it. I can’t openly give you one.” He sighs and rubs his face.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m still willing to work with you. As much as I’m frustrated with you, this is just for show to the outside.” You resist raising your eyebrows. He’s not kidding when he’s trying to put away his resentment.

“Alright. I’ll find a way. I’m going to leave now, and I’m going to make fun of you for hitting your head.” He turns to open the glass door, making people scurry away so they don’t act like they’re spying.

“You know, if you want to somehow intimidate me to go your way, you got to at least know how to use your eyes before opening a damn door.” He makes his last remark and leaves. You pout and lean against the table, rubbing your forehead again.

As according to plan, Seokjin is able to text you his address. You’ve explained to Namjoon how the bet works and tells him the deal. Of course he’ll agree; he’s just as much as Seokjin’s friend as yours. With this newfound determination he sees in both of you, he’ll not only bet on it, he actually believes it. He’s the only person here that believes in you, it just sucks he’s not on your team. Given his friendship with both of you, it will be no surprise for people to see him bet on you two out of loyalty.

At 7pm, you show up to Seokjin’s building with hot Italian food in your hands. He asked you to bring dinner because he doesn’t have enough for two.

You ring him through the lobby and he tells the doorman you’re okay to come in.

Jeez. No wonder he lives so far away. If I had a place like this, I’d never move either. You think to yourself as you walk through the lobby towards the elevator.

When you get up there, you hear him shout that the door is open and you let yourself in. You smell amazing food. You’re hungry and your Italian food on the cab ride here was enough to make you salivate and stomach growl, much to your embarrassment to the cab driver, but this…wow. You’re ready to drop everything right now and start digging in to your food, container and all, anything just to get something in you to satiate your hunger. But your smell senses tell you that your Italian food won’t satisfy you anymore.

“Let’s eat in here.” He calls out from the kitchen. You walk in to see a whole meal placed before him as he unties his apron.

“You said you didn’t have enough food for two! This is enough for three!” You set your bags down on the counter.

“Have you seen me eat? This is my serving size.” You tilt your head to look at him up and down, “Where do you put it all?”

He doesn’t answer you and starts digging in. You sigh and take out your food that now looks measly and unappetizing compared to what he’s cooked for himself.

“Okay. So theme. Let’s start brainstorming.” You say as you take your first bite. He groans.

“Can we do this after we’re done eating?” He pleads with his mouth full and wide eyes. You twitch a grin, “Fine.” He doesn’t think much of your expression and continues to eat.

“You should have told me to come later.” You express.

“It’s fine. We’re going to have to get used each other right? What’s an extra thirty minutes for dinner?”

“Thirty minutes? That’s how long it takes to scarf all that down?” You widen your eyes.

“Yeah. Wanna bet that I can finish in 20?” He grins.

“No thanks. I’ve heard enough about bets for the rest of this year. And the next.” You continue your food.

Despite not betting on it, he still finishes it in 20 and he washes his stuff as you finish yours.

“Jeez, you eat so slowly.” He wipes his hands dry when you finish your last bite.

“You’re just insanely fast, especially for your portion.” You wrap up your trash and dump it, “Okay, theme…”

In three days’ time, you two have planned out the contents of the party. Now you have four days for its logistics and execution. What used to be the clash of the titans to the both of you turns into an inside joke as you two act out your arguments. You two go in circles and get nowhere. When you get to Seokjin’s home, you guys actually laugh over what you two argue. It’s sad to admit, but if you were anyone other than yourself or Seokjin on your floor, you’d find the two of your arguing just as entertaining; but you’ll be damned before you stoop to their level and bet on it. According to Namjoon, ball of flames is increasing its odds and the pool increased by $500.

“Look, a luau inside this building is stupid. We have no space for it, it’s a fire hazard, and really, during Christmas?” Seokjin raises his voice at you.

“So many people go tropical during the season so they can avoid the cold, it happens! And who said luaus have to include a fire show or tiki torches? You were the one who told me to think bigger last time. Is this not thinking big?”

“This is called thinking poorly. And if you have no fire show or tiki torches, you’re being even less inauthentic; and that’s bad enough. What kind of half-assed theme is that?” Seokjin’s phone dings and he ends this conversation with you.

You drop back down to your seat and blow away the bangs in your hair. You get a text message.

Seokjin: That was really good!

You smile and reply: Thanks. Not bad yourself.

Once again, conversations in the bathroom are the best ways to receive intel.

“Oh, you should have heard it. It’s like actually witnessing them light up a roll of toilet paper and getting ready to throw it in the middle of the party.” Someone laughs as they talk over the phone. You roll your eyes. We’ll see who’s laughing when you guys see how great it is. Even if everyone’s bummed out at the party, they won’t be able to deny, it’s going to be fantastic.

“Oh, and Y/N’s arguments. They’re terrible! She suggested a luau. Can you believe that? As if we have space for that crap…Yeah I know. I don’t understand why she’s even still here.” Your limbs grow cold and your breath stills.

“Yeah, I don’t know what the boss is thinking, letting her train new recruits. We’re just going to have to unravel all that training and start all over. I’ve already got two under my wings asking for some real advice under-the-table…Yeah, well, he started the bet. If he didn’t dangle the chance for her to pitch, she wouldn’t work with Seokjin. Not like she’s going to get the chance anyway…” The conversation leaves the bathroom.

You close your eyes and lean your head back against the wall. You try to take a deep breath, but it’s slowly turns into quiet sobs.

Tonight, you’re quieter than normal, letting Seokjin lead the conversation and make the final decision.

“What’s going on, Y/N? We’re halfway through. We’ll show them up, get our money, and go for a shopping spree! I’m already thinking about an extravagant dinner. Yum.” He sees that you make no expression, comeback, or share his enthusiasm. You don’t even look at him and stare straight between your knees.

His voice turns soft.

“Y/N? It’s obvious that you’re not okay. There’s no use in not telling me anymore. Come on, we’re partners on this.” In the light, he sees tears form in the corners of your eyes. Before he can think “uh oh”, they already begin to fall.

“What’s the use? No one here believes in me. Everyone is just going to think you were the one who planned it all and then decided to split the credit, all in the ‘spirit of Christmas!’ I-I didn’t tell you at first because I need you to work with me. There are two more options to the bet. One option bets that you are the one who makes all the decisions and pulls it off; the other is me. Every day, both our chances decrease because more people are starting to bet on ball of flames, but mine are now zero to none. Everyone here thinks I’m a fucking joke. Do they think I want to be here? I don’t want to be here. If I get a chance to pitch and let clients even know I exist, it’s my ticket out. I know that if people give me a chance, they will see that I can do really good. I can’t express my ideas well every time but I’m getting there. What I say and what I’m really thinking of are vastly different.” You’re choking your sobs and but continue.

“You know, our boss is the one who started the bet and he dangled the pitch to me just so I’ll bite. He still thinks I’m going to lose. W-what kind of lousy jerk is he? If he doesn’t believe in me, he should’ve just let me live and have you plan the whole thing. Why does he have to humiliate me like this? Better yet, just fire me. It’s better than this.” You put your head down into your arms that rest on your knees and let yourself go.

You feel Seokjin lightly put his hand on your shoulder to try to soothe you. Then he sighs and decides that you need more than just a hand on your shoulder. He reaches further to grab your other shoulder to pull you into his embrace. You two sit on the floor against his couch as you sob into his chest. He rubs your back and run his fingers through your hair as he watches his shirt dampen.

“First of all, I found out about the other options a long time ago. After you told me, I heard more about it in passing from other people. To be honest, I wasn’t mad at you. In fact, I got a mad for you too.” You’re a little shocked by his confession.

“You’ve been here longer than anyone else on our team; where’s that credit? I know you’re not planner as much as executioner. I have nothing to say against your case whenever the planning is over and you’ve been given responsibility. You’re reliable there, do you understand? I’m sorry in the past when I always seemed like I was against your ideas. Maybe they just weren’t fully formed verbally. But I should have paid more attention, give more patience, and try to find out exactly what you thought so. Working together with you on this shows me that you can do the job. It just depends on the communication, or how many people you need to communicate with to get the idea through.” He almost forgets why he started to talk or what his point is, but man, he’s got the ball rolling.

“And not only are you an executioner, but you have experience in this field, in this company, and on our team. You know every old trick in the book that others try to recycle over and over, and I agree with you when you say it’s not innovative enough. You do hold value. Our boss is an asshole. It doesn’t take this bet to realize that. If you think people don’t like you, you should listen to what people say about him. But you don’t. You don’t get into such office politics, I mean, other than when it’s against me. But it’s only arguing; you’ve never gotten in my way, or anyone’s way, for your own gain. You do everything for the good of the project. You stay away from gossip and you work diligently.” You don’t realize it, but he tightens his hold on you as he lists all your values.

“So, screw the bet. Screw the boss. Screw the party. Screw everyone who’s against you. You don’t answer to any of them for anything. You know you’re better than this. I know you’re better than this.” Your sobs subside and you just listen to his words and his heartbeat.

He takes a deep breath when he’s finally done. He repeats in his mind what he just said. He never consciously realized how much he can actually say about you. He never thought that he actually notices so many things about you.

You two sit there for a while. Tonight, planning is obviously shot. Forget that. But it’s okay, ‘cause you’re ahead of the schedule anyway.

“Thank you.” You croak. He takes a deep breath and runs his hand through your hair again, “No need to thank me.”

Your silent tears fall again, but this time out of appreciation.

For the next few days, it’s quiet in the office. You don’t want to be their entertainment feed like a circus animal. You no longer have the energy and patience to come up with false arguments with Seokjin, and he gets it; it’s actually his idea to stop the in-office arguments. Now everyone just thinks you two had the biggest fight ever which ends up to have to you two not speaking to each other. It still makes people talk, but they’re itching for an answer like they have lice. No one dares to ask though. Everyone tiptoes around you two like you’re a lioness taking a light nap. Latest news from Namjoon is that the pool is now a little under $16,000.

On the day of the party, you send a mass email reminder about the party invite. All guests have already RSVP’d in excitement to see the party results. Maybe at the party, you two will have a final showdown. You ignore all whispers as you quietly make your way through the office. Everyone gets a half-day off and come back in the evening in their best evening wear.

You look at yourself in the mirror at your party get-up. Even though you find solace in Seokjin’s words, you’re not excited to see everyone’s disappointment that they bet on the wrong horse. You sigh and make your way downstairs to see Seokjin waiting outside for you with a bouquet of red roses.

“What are you doing here? What’s this?” You laugh and take the bouquet from his hands. Your cheeks redden like the roses.

“Well obviously these are for you. And, we’re not going to the party.” You look up at him in shock.

“What? Why not?”

“Why should we? Just because we planned the best damn party doesn’t mean we have to show up. We don’t owe anyone. If anything, I believe the entire 16th floor owes us $16,000 in total. I already have Namjoon to host for us. You don’t need everyone going up to you saying, ‘Wow, I can’t believe you actually did this.’ Not tonight. Tonight, you’re going to be with someone who actually appreciates you.” He points at his own nose and you smile.

“So what are we doing instead?”

“We,” He leads you to his car and opens the door for you, “are going to celebrate early from that extravagant dinner I was gushing about. We are going to celebrate Christmas ourselves. Namjoon will reimburse tonight from my share. We,“ He closes your door when you’re safely tucked in and walks to the other side to get in, “are going on a date.”

You crack a smile and he looks over. He smiles and stretches out a hand to cup your cheek.

He leans really close and his forehead touches yours, “You have a really beautiful smile, you know that?”

“I do now.” You say quietly.