Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Wasn’t it funny, how life happened? How you grew up, matured, and how your views, opinions and way of living changed? How opportunities presented themselves, and you took them, and you found yourself doing something you never thought you’d be doing ten or twenty years ago?

When Hoseok was a child, he played tennis, and he thought he’d be a world champion one day. He wasn’t any good, and he lost almost all of his games, but still, that’s what he thought his future would be. And when he was in college, he studied literature, because he had no idea what he wanted to do in life and that was what his father had done. So now he knew all of Korea’s classics by heart, even though he never read another page of The Cloud Dream of the Nine again after he graduated. 

And now he stood in front of Sit Up, one of Seoul’s busiest fitness centres, waiting for his new boss to meet him so that he could start his new job as the pilates teacher here. 

It was fascinating - how life happened. How you met people and forgot about others and went through love, heartbreak, grief, struggle and euphoria, sometimes all at the same time. How you met people for the first time and just knew they were going to be important to you, or how the most precious friendships came from places you never expected them to come from.

It was almost amazing, that when the door opened, revealing a small man with cat-like eyes and soft cheeks, dressed in track pants, a T-shirt with the gym's logo on it and a fancy jacket (a very interesting choice of outfit), Hoseok knew that another chapter of his life was about to start, but he had no idea what the words written on the pages would be.

“Jung Hoseok,” the man said in a slightly raspy voice. His facial expression was stoic, although there was a hint of a smile dancing on his lips. 

Hoseok, on the other hand, greeted the man with a bow and the biggest smile he could muster. This was a great opportunity and he would try damn hard to not screw this up. “Min Yoongi!” he said as he stepped forward after Min Yoongi casually bowed back. He shook the man’s hand and asked, “Or should I call you Sajangnim?”

“Yoongi is fine. We’re not very keen on the formal work environment here,” Yoongi - Hoseok’s new boss - responded. He opened the door of the building where Sit Up was located, let Hoseok through it, and walked towards the elevator. “Are you excited for your first day?” he asked after pressing the button of the elevator. 

Watching how the lift went down from the sixth floor to the first, Hoseok nodded his head. “I am. Nervous, but excited.” When he heard he got this job two months ago, he couldn't be happier. He had been working as a Pilates teacher for a few years now. His previous job was in a yoga centre that was almost going bankrupt. So when he saw that Sit Up was looking for new instructors, he responded immediately. He even signed the contract right away when Min Yoongi told him he got the job.

The elevator arrived and Hoseok and Yoongi stepped inside it before Yoongi pressed the button off the fourth floor. “Good nerves, I hope,” he said as he stared at Hoseok’s red Adidas yoga pants, oversized white windbreaker and Air Jordan’s. 

“Definitely.”

Yoongi hummed lowly as the elevator doors opened, this time revealing the logo of the gym. “Well, we’re very excited to have you here. We’ve been trying to find a good pilates instructor for months. The last one was rubbish, to say the least. Me, my staff and my clients can’t wait to work with you,” he muttered as he walked towards the lobby. “For today, I’ll give you a quick tour so that you know where everything is located. Then Yeonjun from administration will give you your card and do your registration. He’ll also give you the clothes with the company’s logo. You don’t have to wear them, but it’ll be nice since the customers don’t know who you are yet. From then on, you should be good for your first lesson at eleven.”

Hoseok nodded and swiftly followed after Yoongi, who had already entered the main area and started to explain where everything was located. The tour was short but impressive, and Hoseok had to admit that he was a little blown away by the fitness centre. It was only one floor but it was big, with all the equipment athletes could only dream of. The colour scheme was neutral and light with lots of natural lighting. In the corners stood plants - “ for fresh air and oxygen” - and the main area was a big, open room stocked with fitness equipment and machines. There was even a Cadillac (a piece of pilates equipment for advanced students) which made Hoseok impossibly more eager to start this job. 

The open area transcended to a corridor with multiple doors that led to smaller, emptier rooms, meant for group or individual lessons that needed less equipment. It was where the gym taught their yoga and Zumba lessons, and where Hoseok would be teaching his mat-focused pilates lessons. Yoongi showed him one of the rooms and it immediately made Hoseok feel at ease. It was light and open, just like the main area, but the warm-white walls, flowy curtains, and plants in the corner gave it a mellow vibe. Through the big party of windows, the morning sun danced on the wood-look floor, and Hoseok briefly considered if he should do his morning stretches here instead of on his tiny balcony. 

Yoongi led him further down the hallway, showing Hoseok where the canteen and showers for employees were, as well as his office before they entered another bigger room; the spinning and boxing area. On the left, a dozen or so bicycles were located, where on loud, hype music, a bunch of people were sweating and pedalling for their lives. On the right, an actual boxing ring was located, as well as a fair share of punching balls. 

“I can’t believe you have a boxing area and a Cadillac,” Hoseok said, slightly blown away by the tour. This place had all the equipment he needed to give proper pilates lessons, unlike his former workplace. 

Yoongi just shrugged in response. “We just cater to our customer's needs,” he answered as he led Hoseok back to the main area. Once there, Hoseok noticed that a what-seemed-like a group session had just started, and he watched how a group of around fifteen people mimicked someone’s warming up. His eyes raked the room to look for the instructor, and he found a man around his age standing in front of the class doing squats.

Hoseok blinked twice, and then looked again. 

The trainer was dressed in a black T-shirt with Sit Up’s logo on it. His black hair was on the longer side and tied into a bun, although a few strands of hair had escaped and were now hanging in front of his big eyes. They were stuck to his forehead though, since his body was already slightly damp with sweat, the morning sun shining through the big windows doing a good job at highlighting the glimmer. Hoseok’s eyes roamed over his body, stopping at his upper body, where he saw that one of the man's bare arms was completely covered in black ink. Hoseok noticed that his movements were powerful, his posture assertive, but his gaze was calm and patient. And as the instructor did another squat, Hoseok’s gaze - partly subconsciously - went to his thighs, and he noticed that the pumped-up muscles almost made the fabric of his black shorts burst. 

Hoseok blushed and looked away. 

He could tell that this job was going to be very different from his last. Back at the yoga centre, the staff had been unmotivated and his classes would be drowning his energy. But here, at Sit Up, he could feel the energy as soon as he walked in. As if that wasn’t enough, the centre had all the equipment any pilates teacher could dream of, and Hoseok would have private rooms where he could quietly teach his classes. Additionally, his working hours were flexible, the work environment was informal, and his colleagues were actually his age (and not middle-aged women with camel toes). And if Hoseok was going to be working with cute boys like the one standing in front of him, well, he wasn’t going to complain. 

“That’s Jungkook,” Yoongi mentioned as he interrupted Hoseok’s thoughts. Hoseok quickly looked away after he noticed he was still not-so-subtly staring at the fitness trainer and looked at Yoongi instead, who was still standing beside him. “He’s our personal trainer. You’ll work with him a lot. Some of his clients are interested in giving Pilates a try.” He stopped talking, stared at Jungkook who was helping a man adjust his posture and looked at Hoseok again. “He’s nice. You’ll like him.”

Hoseok let out an enthusiastic noise before he looked at Jungkook again. Jungkook now seemed to have noticed their presence, because a small smile danced on his lips as he went to the ground to plank, and he raised one hand to shyly wave at Hoseok. 

Cute. 

With a warm smile on his face, Hoseok smiled and bowed before he waved back. Jungkook caught his gesture and widened his smile before he bit his bottom lip and averted his gaze back to the ground. 

Hoseok’s already hyped-up heart swelled a little. 

“Alright. That was it for the tour. I have a meeting now, but Yeonjun in the lobby will help you with your registration and some other things. If you have any questions, you know where to find me,” Yoongi said, ignoring the exchange between Hoseok and Jungkook. “Good luck on your first day, Hoseok,” he added as he walked out of the main area and into the hallway. 

Hoseok watched how Yoongi slowly disappeared and then shifted his attention back to the group that was obediently following their given instructions. Finding the synchronicity satisfying, he focused on the interior of the room again, and he tried to take in as much as possible as he walked around his own axis. Unlike some gym’s, the ambience was calm and peaceful, making Hoseok feel at home. He stopped walking around when he found rays of sunshine hit his face and took a deep breath. 

He still didn’t know where this new job would take him, but it was safe to say he was thrilled to find out. 

As day turned into evening, Hoseok watched his little class of eight leave the room. He waved and bowed all of them goodbye, feeling grateful for their warm welcomes as he sat back down on his mat after the last one left and closed the door behind them. He shifted his attention to the windows, where he watched the orange sunset behind Seoul’s grand buildings and smiled enthrallingly at the sight. It was early February, which meant that spring was just around the corner, and the literature major inside Hoseok thought about how every author would’ve jumped at the opportunity to connect that symbol to the new job Hoseok had started just today. 

He got up from his mat, stretched his limbs, and took a deep breath before he got up to fill a bucket with water and soap by the sink built into the room, throwing two cloths in it and grabbing a dry towel as well. Sitting back down again, he started to wipe down the first mat out of nine. The class he just finished was the last of today, and he had to conclude that for the first day, it went well. Sure, it was awkward, teaching strangers about their body and how to move it when you haven't built any kind of relationship with them yet, but Hoseok had always been a social butterfly at heart and tried his best to break through the discomfort. And although he’d gotten lost on his way to the canteen for his lunch break, a friendly physiotherapist called Seokjin that worked here occasionally had directed him the right way, and that’s how he ended up with his first friend here. 

Thus it was safe to say he was satisfied, motivated and excited. Even though it would take him some time to adjust to the place, he did not doubt that he would eventually do so. Maybe even sooner than he thought. 

He finished cleaning and rolling the second mat and stored it in the corner of the room, but before he could start on the third, he heard someone knock on the door. Figuring that it was one of the students from earlier, Hoseok hummed cheeringly to signal that the person could come in, and as he continued cleaning, he heard the door open behind him. 

“Hi,” a soft, unfamiliar, voice said. 

Since he didn’t recognize the voice, Hoseok turned his head out of curiosity. He found a freshly-showered man standing in the doorway, whose dark brown hair was blow-dried but still visibly damp, and whose strong body was drowning in an oversized, white, Sit Up sweater. 

Hot personal trainer, Hoseok thought as he stopped cleaning the mats and sat cross-legged on the floor. 

“Hey,” he said as he felt his face lit up. 

His expression got mimicked by Jungkook as he let himself into the room and walked towards Hoseok. “Hi,” he repeated. “I’m Jungkook, the personal trainer here. I think Yoongi-hyung introduced us earlier today, but I was kind of in the middle of something,” he added, referring to the fact that he was in the middle of a group lesson during their first encounter. 

Hoseok chuckled and watched how Jungkook bowed deeply before he sat down on one of the rolled-out mats in front of him. As Hoseok bowed back, Jungkook extended one of his hands for Hoseok to shake. Hoseok took it, noticed the tattoos on Jungkook’s knuckles and the dangling earrings in his lobes, and greeted, “I’m Jung Hoseok, the new pilates teacher. But you probably knew that already.”

“I do,” Jungkook answered with a kind smile. “You’ve been the topic of almost every conversation today. Everyone is thrilled to have you here.” 

“I’m excited to be here too.” Hoseok placed his palms behind him, leaned his weight on them and quipped, “So what was the consensus about me? I hope I made a good first expression.” So far, everyone he met had been more than friendly to him, but you never knew what people said behind your back. 

Jungkook folded his legs in a cross-legged position and said, “Everyone is mostly just glad that the pilates programme is starting up again and that there is a use for all the equipment stored around here.” He shifted his attention from the orange sky to Hoseok and added with a genuine voice, “But you made a good first impression. Yeonjun couldn’t stop talking about how friendly you were.” A chuckle escaped his lips before he averted his gaze to his hands that were disappearing in the sleeves of his sweater. “And, uh, I heard a lot of people talk about how attractive you were, too.”

Humming happily at the words of confirmation, Hoseok looked up at Jungkook, only to notice that his cheeks had flushed a light shade of pink. It made him look a little small all of a sudden, with his cheeks blushed and his same-shaded bottom lip in between his teeth. There was a big contrast between the guy Hoseok was introduced to mere hours ago, who looked almost intimidating with his tattoo sleeve, hair up, and muscular body.

“You’re cute when you aren’t sweating.”

“What?” Jungkook responded, voice a little mortified, eyes wide, obviously not taking it as positively as Hoseok had intended.  

“No!” Hoseok peeped. “I meant that you looked really hot earlier. Like, almost intimidatingly hot. Now you look rather soft and approachable. Especially when you blushed just then.” Said blush seemed to make a reappearance on Jungkook’s cheeks, which only further proved Hoseok’s point. 

Jungkook let out a combination of a groan and a moan and raked his hands over his face. When he looked back at Hoseok the sunlight was hitting his face, and his lips were pressed together in a cute smile as if he was trying not to grin. It wasn’t long until he broke though, because as soon as Hoseok let out the first chuckle at the absurdness of this situation, he broke out in a fit of high-pitched giggles. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Hoseok said between giggles. He supported the weight of his upper body with his hand that had fallen on Jungkook’s ankle and held the other hand in front of his mouth as he tried to stop himself from laughing too hard. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that out loud. I just met you.”

Jungkook looked at him with a smile that closely resembled a bunny and responded with, “That’s okay. I’m thirty years old but people still call me cute all the time.”

With his expression returned to normal again, Hoseok responded with, “You should take that as a compliment. I wished I looked as youthful as you.”

“You have nothing to wish for. Believe me, you look great.”

Now it was Hoseok’s cheeks turn to turn a little pink, and he let out a high noise that resembled a giggle as he nervously touched his ear. When he caught Jungkook smiling at him, he averted his gaze to one of the laid out mats beside him. He slid himself to it to start cleaning it with his abandoned cloth. As he rolled it up, he watched the orange hue of the sun make patterns on the newly revealed hardwood floor under him before he asked, “So what are you doing here? Looking for a Pilates teacher?” 

“No, but my clients are,” Jungkook answered. From the corner of his eyes, Hoseok noticed that Jungkook had gotten up from his position as well and started to clean and roll up the mat he had been previously sitting on with the spare cloth in Hoseok's bucket. “That’s why I wanted to introduce myself. A couple of them are interested in taking on some classes.” 

“What are they looking for?” 

Jungkook sat up a little straighter at the question, his physique now showing a bit more professionalism and confidence. “Core strength. Flexibility. Working out without working on a treadmill,” he explained, his tone turning light-hearted as he ended his sentence. He then wordlessly took another mat and started cleaning it with a look of concentration on his face. 

Hoseok smiled. “Sounds like I’m your guy,” he said as he stood up to put the rolled-up mats in their designated bag. “They can join one of the beginner's classes to try it out. I’m happy to help.”

Taking his bottom lip between his teeth, Jungkook nodded his head before humming, seemingly pleased. “I’ll make sure to let them know.” He then handed Hoseok the last mat with a satisfied look on his face. The angle of his head caused the warm sunlight to catch the silver metal of his earring, making it sparkle. That, together with the warmth and openness in his big, brown eyes, caused Hoseok to stare at him a little longer than intended. But as he took in his new coworker’s features, Jungkook’s lips formed that shy smile again, and he broke the silence by asking, “So how was your first day?”

“Really good!” Hoseok chirped, getting back to cleaning the room. “Honestly, this place is everything any instructor could dream of. I worked at a yoga centre before I got hired here, and although I had the same job, it felt so different - in all the good ways. The energy is just so good, you know what I mean?”

Jungkook hummed again, the meledolic sound filling the room. “I do. I wouldn’t dream of leaving.”

“How long have you been employed here?” Hoseok asked, full of interest. 

“Almost four years. It wasn’t nearly as well-equipped then as it was now, but the energy was all the same. I guess we got Yoongi to thank for that.”

Hoseok stored the last mat in the bag and noted, “You sound fond of your boss.”

“I am. He might come across as a little stoic when you first meet him, but I promise you, he’s a softy at heart,” Jungkook explained. He sat back down on the floor again, about a meter and a half away from Hoseok, who was putting his personal mat in his bag. “He’s a skilled manager too, you know, always taking care of his staff and customers first before thinking of making big money.”

Somewhat relieved by the statement, Hoseok answered with, “He’s one of the good ones, then.” His previous firm had flaws in people as well as economic management, which made the whole work ambience go into a downward spiral. Stressed bosses meant stressed employees, which often caused customers to become unsatisfied. Hoseok was glad that didn’t seem to be a problem here. 

“He is,” Jungkook answered. He then got up and walked closer towards Hoseok. “Do you need help with that?” he asked once he saw Hoseok juggle his own backpack and the bag with all the mats in them at the same time. 

Wordlessly, Hoseok handed one of the bags over to Jungkook and started making his way towards the door.  Jungkook led them towards the storage place in silence. Once they entered the main room, Hoseok noticed that the sun had set and that most fitness machines were unoccupied. It was getting late. “I’m sorry if I kept you longer,” he apologized as he put his white windbreaker on. “You even helped me clean up. I’m sure you have better things to do after a shift.”

“I’m happy to help,” Jungkook responded with a genuine smile. “That counts for other instances too, by the way. Just scream my name if you have any questions.”

Reciprocating the happy expression, Hoseok chorused, “Noted.” He was pretty sure he could use all the help he could get, not because he was incapable, but because he was a newbie. He had to accept his fate of having to learn about working here. 

“Besides,” Jungkook said as he pushed open the door to the lobby. “I’ll be coming home to an empty apartment anyway.”

“Oh?” Hoseok let out. He rested his back against the wall as he watched Jungkook walk towards one of the lockers and asked, “No one that’s making dinner for you?”

Jungkook opened one of the clear lockers and got out a pair of blue-grey Balenciaga sneakers. “I wish,” he said, tone half-joking, half-serious, as he sat on one of the benches to put his shoes on his socked feet. “How about you?” he asked, one of his eyebrows lifted upwards, a small, barely-there smile dancing on his lips.  

Getting up to retrieve his own pair of sneakers, Hoseok responded, “Just my roommate. Probably his boyfriend.” He’d been living with his roommate Jimin since sometime during college (which was like, forever). And ever since Jimin had started dating Taehyung, Taehyung spent the night so often that he could be considered the third resident. The couple was looking to move out, but well, the housing market was a bitch, so Hoseok was still stuck with them for a little while. Not that he minded though; he liked the company,

“Good to know,” Jungkook responded, now back on his feet again. When Hoseok looked up he found the smile still on Jungkook's face, only this time, it had turned into a pleased grin. 

Hoseok got up from the bench with a jump and made his way towards the elevator, Jungkook on his heels. As he waited for the lift to come to the right floor, he noticed the employee card in Jungkook’s hand. Attached to it, he found a beaded keychain that looked like it was made by a toddler, with a picture of said toddler together with Jungkook attached to it. “Cute keychain,” Hoseok commented as he reached for Jungkook’s hand to bring the object closer to his face. 

Jungkook thanked Hoseok for the compliment with a lit-up face and a voice more cheerful than Hoseok had heard today. It seemed like he obviously adored his… niece(?) that was in the photograph. It was cute. 

When the elevator finally arrived, Hoseok dropped Jungkook’s hand that he had still been holding and walked into the tiny cubicle, positioning himself against the wall close opposite of the doors. Jungkook stood in the corner, fiddling with the keychain on his card as the elevator rode down until eventually, the doors opened up again, revealing the first floor. 

“I’m this way,” Jungkook said with the same soft voice he had used when he had introduced himself. His body language was back to shy again when he walked towards the stairs that led to the parking garage built underneath the complex, although his eyes were still paying full attention to Hoseok. 

With his thumb, Hoseok pointed towards the main entrance behind him to gesture that that was the direction he had to go in. He had driven here as well, but since he didn’t have his employee card this morning, he couldn’t enter the garage. “Have a good evening, then,” he wished.

He walked back towards the door as he heard Jungkook respond with, “Bye!”

Hoseok’s hand landed on the door handle. “Bye!” 

“I’ll see you soon, undoubtedly,” Jungkook spoke as he pointed upwards, gesturing to their mutual workspace a couple of floors above them. He then spun around, waved one more time, and bounced off the stairs. 

“Yeah,” Hoseok responded, mostly to himself, knowing that Jungkook wouldn’t be able to hear him anyway. Subsequently, he opened the door, got hit with a chilly breeze instead of the warm sunlight of that morning, and turned his head upward so that he could look at the building he’d just walked out of.

He took in all the windows and bricks, sighed in content, and spun around again, ready to go home. 

"There is food!" Hoseok said as he stepped out of the bathroom and saw Jimin, his roommate, standing in the kitchen. Hoseok was freshly showered, his hair towel dry, feeling as if the hot water had done wonders for both his sore muscles and his mind. He had come home about an hour ago and had only noticed how exhausted he was from his first day after he'd parked his car. Fortunately, a hot stream of water and some good music always helped better his mood - and if someone had prepared food for him, it was even better. 

Bopping his head to the relaxing music that was playing through his speakers, Hoseok walked closer to the kitchen to inspect what Jimin had made. Once near enough, he saw three plates (seemed like Taehyung was hiding somewhere in the apartment as well) filled with… greens? "There is salad," Hoseok said, the excitement in his voice gone.

Jimin hummed happily in confirmation as he sprinkled some parmesan flakes on the dishes. "What better way to celebrate your first day as a Pilates teacher than with a salad?" 

And although Hoseok wouldn't consider salad as a celebration food, he appreciated Jimin's gesture. He wasn't going to lie either; he did enjoy a good greeny dish now and then. So he popped a cherry tomato in his mouth, moaned when he tasted that it was a fresh, juicy one, and asked Jimin, "Did you make this?" while gesturing towards the plate.

"No," Jimin answered honestly as he dumped a bag of dressing over what seemed like a Caesar salad. "I bought it and put it on a plate. I work too, you know."

Hoseok chuckled at the reply; he wasn't surprised at all. As a lawyer, Jimin was a busy man, always juggling pro bono cases with giving legal advice to humanitarian organisations. But even if Jimin would have the time, Hoseok wasn't certain if Jimin was capable of making a dish like this, since he couldn't cook to save his life. It should be an annoying trait for a roommate but Hoseok had always adored Jimin and all his little habits, so he walked towards Jimin's side of the kitchen and leaned over to place a kiss on his head. "I'm starting to think that you and your boyfriend's apartment hunting is taking so long because you don't want me to stop cooking for you," he said as he wrapped Jimin's body up in a back hug.

"No, apartment hunting is taking so long because every decent place is either unavailable or unaffordable," said boyfriend commented as he walked into the kitchen.

"Hi, Taehyung," Hoseok greeted as he watched Taehyung reach for a crouton on the plate. Before he could get it, Jimin smacked his hand away, causing Taehyung to pout at him. Taehyung then shifted his attention back to Hoseok, and with a smile on his face, he said, "Hi, hyung. How was your first day?"

Hoseok grabbed one of the plates, settled down on one of the white chairs behind his wooden kitchen table, and took a bite before saying, "Really good. The place is awesome. I had fun teaching my classes. I can tell it's a good fit." 

As Jimin and Taehyung sat down on their designated chairs as well, Taehyung asked, "Any hot trainers I need to know about?"

"Hey!" Jimin responded as he swatted Taehyung's chest, looking offended. He turned his face back at Hoseok again, rested his chin on the palm of his hand and repeated jokingly, "Any hot trainers we need to know about?" 

Hoseok smiled at the pair's familiar but cute banter but stayed quiet as he shoved a big bite of salad into his mouth. He let his mind wander back to Jungkook as he chewed, thinking about his muscular, inked arms and cute smile. He smiled when he realized how kind Jungkook had been to him, but he quickly snapped out of his thoughts when he felt Taehyung and Jimin stare at him.

"Oh my god," Taehyung said. "There totally is!" Jimin finished for him. 

"There isn't," Hoseok answered, lying through his teeth. Without a doubt, Jungkook was an attractive man, but he wasn't about to tell these two that. Put a hot guy in front of them and all that would be coming out of their mouths were compliments and flirty remarks. He was not about to put Jungkook through that.

Besides, Jungkook was a cute coworker, emphasizing the latter word. Hoseok had just started this job and he shouldn't risk embarrassing himself by flirting with one of his colleagues just because they had pretty eyes.

"Hyung, how often do I have to tell you that you're a terrible liar," Jimin teased, although his voice and gaze were gentle. He gathered some chicken and lettuce between his chopsticks and added, "There is obviously someone that caught your eye. Now, tell us about them or we'll stalk the gym's website."

Hoseok sighed and played with his chopsticks before saying, "It's just the personal trainer. He stopped by after my last class to introduce himself, and if you're so adamant about me admitting it; yes, I find him quite charming." 

"And?" Taehyung asked, eyes wide, ready to listen to some kind of romance-novel-worthy story.

"And nothing," Hoseok responded with a laugh. He took another bite and added after swallowing, "It was my first day, Tae-ah. I didn't come there to flirt."

He watched Taehyung pout, disappointed at the anticlimax of the story that wasn't exciting to begin with, and heard Jimin say, "If you say so."

Hoseok did say so. Jungkook was just being friendly. He probably pitied Hoseok for being new. There was no way he's into you, Hoseok told himself as he finished his meal.

"Okay, okay," Jimin responded, understanding that this was where the conversation ended. "Now tell me about your new workplace."

***

Hoseok had the honour of watching the crocuses bloom as he got into work every morning. He'd first noticed them on his second day. Back then it was just a small, shy group of purple flowers hidden in the tiny bit of grass in front of the building Sit Up was located in. One week later, the field had completely turned purple thanks to the tiny delicate flowers, and Hoseok felt proud watching nature grow. The crocuses were all in their full form now. 

Three weeks later, Hoseok no longer spared the purple rain a look. They belonged to the world now, no longer fresh and new and no longer interesting enough to study. 

And when Hoseok came into work this morning, he had to watch a humongous German Shepard pee in that beautiful bed of flowers, crushing at least half of them during the act. Heartbroken, he had inspected the broken stems and lone pedals, only to break one more when he accidentally stepped on them as he rushed towards the entrance of the building to attempt to be on time for his first class of the day.

(fourfiveseconds - rihanna, paul mccartny, kanye west) (YT)

It was only now, when he was midway through his last class before lunch, that Hoseok realized that the crocuses represented his new job, and Hoseok's attitude towards them was awfully similar to his energy in the past few weeks. 

Because, in an honest matter, the excitement of his first day, and even his first week, had worn off. Don’t get him wrong - he would still pick working here over his last job - but working at Sit Up had started to feel like actual work, and not like a field trip for Pilates teachers. As much fun as his first week had been, he’d fallen into a routine, which wasn’t completely unexpected but it was quite hard when he didn’t quite know what that routine was yet. 

He was still adjusting to the workplace and to the working hours that were different from his last, and to his new clients, and he didn’t have that many friends here yet. So yes; he didn’t look at the crocuses with excitement anymore, because he was busy and frankly a bit tired, and if he wasn’t working he was doing administration or researching to see what was going on in the field. 

And today, on the day that ugly dog had stepped on those pretty flowers, he had his first bad day. He was late for his morning class (why was he even trying with Seoul’s morning traffic?), had stupidly forgotten half of the lesson he had planned and had been very kindly (not) made aware of his mistakes by some know-it-alls in his class. 

He was lying on his mat for the cooling-down right now, ten minutes separated from his well-deserved lunch break, and he had to suppress the urge to close his eyes and just fall asleep so he could restart his day. To just slip away for a second and wake up to a new sunrise, and take a picture of that beautiful bed of flowers before getting into work. 

But every second wishing you were somewhere else was a second wasted, so after he bid the last person who left the room a cheery farewell, he splashed some water in his face, swept the hair off his forehead with a headband he had laying around, cracked some bones, and started tidying up. 

Hoseok wasn’t about to let this bad day ruin his positive vibes. 

So, juggling six pilates rings on either arm and a smile on his face, Hoseok walked out of the room and into the hallway, excited for the delicious gimbap that was waiting for him in his lunchbox. Humming to the upbeat music that was playing through the speakers for whatever class, he walked into the main area and immediately felt energized by all the people hustling and bustling around. 

Only then he tripped, fell, and dropped all twelve rings for them to roll around the - very full and busy - gym. 

Okay, so, maybe he wasn’t stronger than this bad day. 

“Hey!” sounded from the distance as Hoseok started gathering the sprawled out rings around him. “I thought I told you to scream my name whenever you needed my help.”

The voice that talked to him sounded too familiar, so when Hoseok looked up and was met with big, brown, kind eyes and a friendly smile, he wasn’t surprised. “Jungkook!” he greeted. “Hi.”

“Hi,” Jungkook responded as he reached out his hand. Hoseok took it, used it to get up from the ground, and found himself suddenly standing very close to Jungkook when Jungkook asked him, “So how is your day going?’

Momentarily distracted by the tiny mole on Jungkook’s lips that moved as he talked, Hoseok hadn’t fully understood the meaning behind the words. But then his eyes flew up to Jungkook’s eyes and he noticed that there were crinkles around them. Jungkook was teasing him. Hoseok smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed and a bit joyful. “Absolutely great,” Hoseok said sarcastically, gesturing towards the mess of rings they were still standing in. “As you can see.”

“Hmmm,” Jungkook hummed as he nodded his head, although he didn’t follow Hoseok’s gesture and kept his eyes firmly on Hoseok’s face. He took a second to look away though, just to stare up and down Hoseok’s body, and when they met Hoseok’s gaze again, his smile had intensified. “I think you look great, too.” 

Hoseok didn’t need a mirror to know that he was blushing. He dropped Jungkook’s hand (that he was still holding!?) and quickly bent down to busy himself with gathering the rings. “I’ll help you clean up,” Jungkook said as he bent down as well. 

“In all seriousness though,” Jungkook spoke after a while as he handed a couple of rings to Hoseok. “How have you been doing? I’ve seen you here almost every single day but you always look too busy to talk to.”

Hoseok stood up, six rings in his hands and watched the other six in Jungkook’s, and said, “Good! Yeah, I’m really enjoying it here,” he said. He wasn’t lying - he was enjoying himself, but he just chose to not mention the part where he was struggling. 

“It must be hard though,” Jungkook wondered out loud as he followed Hoseok to the place where the hoops were supposed to be stored. “Adjusting to a new workplace while working hours like crazy.”

After storing the rings in their rack, Hoseok spun around and leaned his back against the wall next to it. He stared at Jungkook, who was dressed in a black training jacket, black shorts, and a tiny clip that was keeping strands of hair from falling in his face. He noticed the genuine interest in his eyes - like he really wanted to make sure that Hoseok was doing okay - which caused something to blossom in his chest. 

Not a lot of people genuinely cared. Especially not if they were strangers. And that wasn’t a bad thing persé - people had other things to do, their own issues to worry about, and were often too caught up in the big, bad world around them to look at the newbie at work. But it seemed like Jungkook did, which made Hoseok want to be honest, too.

“I mean,” he started, daring to look Jungkook - who was only a little taller than him - straight in the eyes. “It has been. I knew it would take some time to adjust but I kinda thought that would pass after week two.”  

Empathy - welcomed empathy - shone on Jungkook’s eyes when he responded with, “It’s week three now, isn’t it?” He was swaying slightly to the beat of the music, an act that seemed to come subconsciously, and the movement reminded Hoseok of the calming flow of seaweed. 

Without thinking about it, Hoseok matched his swaying movements. “Week four, actually,” he corrected. 

Hoseok didn’t expect the look Jungkook gave him back. He couldn't really explain it; it was like his big eyes became even bigger and darker but the light coming from the windows got reflected in it, making it seem like stars were shining in between the darkness of his pupils and irises. There was a small, barely-there smile on his pink lips as well, and for some reason, it made Hoseok feel comforted and understood. He didn’t know why such a simple gaze did so many things to him, but he suddenly felt the urge to walk closer to Jungkook and hug him. “And the excitement has worn off but the struggles of this being new hasn’t?” Jungkook asked, voice soft, making Hoseok feel like they were the only one in the room. 

“Yeah,” Hoseok let out as he tilted his head to the side in befuddlement. That was exactly how he felt. “Yeah, exactly that,” he repeated. How did Jungkook know? What was Jungkook doing to him? Why did he suddenly want a hug from a guy he barely knew? Why did it feel so good to be looked at like that? “How did you know?” Hoseok asked, settling on the only question he didn’t have to find the answer for himself. 

Jungkook’s smile widened. Hoseok continued to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. “I started this job once too. Back then there was a lot going on in my life. So, yeah, I guess I know what it’s like to struggle to adjust,” he explained. Hoseok briefly wondered what it was that had been going on in his life, but quickly got distracted by Jungkook, who was now walking closer and lightly touching his elbow. “Have you at least made any friends yet? Eating lunch alone makes it worse.” 

Hoseok was very close to turning into a puddle on the ground but stopped himself from doing so (if pilates had taught him anything, it was discipline.) He shook himself out of his thoughts and said, “Uh, I’ve mostly just been sitting in whatever free space in the canteen.” 

“You should come with me and Seokjin-hyung. We always have lunch in Yoongi-hyung’s office,” Jungkook suggested. He had started to walk backwards but was nudging Hoseok’s elbow to make sure he followed along. “I mean if you want.”    

Lunch. With Jungkook. Not a hug, but a lunch. That would do. 

“Are you sure I won’t be a burden?” he asked just to make sure he wasn’t reading into Jungkook’s kindness. 

“Positive,” Jungkook responded with a grin. 

Lunch would definitely do. Maybe this day had the potential to be saved. 

“Okay,” he said. “Show me the way.”

Jungkook did. He led Hoseok through the main area and the hallway, making sure to stick close. When they arrived at the door of Yoongi’s office, Hoseok asked, “Wait, you really have lunch in your boss’ office?”

A chuckle escaped Jungkook’s lips as he held the door open for Hoseok. “Yeah. We’re close friends. And Seokjin is his partner. He gets the boyfriend privileges and I get the ‘I’m-his-favourite-employee privileges.” He watched Hoseok walk into the room, but before Hoseok could pass through the door, he gently grabbed his wrist. “Don’t tell him that, though,” he whispered teasingly. 

Hoseok could only smile back. 

“Jungkook!” a man dressed in a white Fila tracksuit shouted as soon as the pair entered the tiny office. Hoseok recognized him; it was Seokjin, the physiotherapist. He’d talked to him during his coffee break a couple of times. He was sitting on the desk in the middle of the room, a grin on his perfect face, and chopsticks that held some gogi wanjajeon in his hands. 

Jungkook walked towards him, high fived his hand, and turned back around to say, “Seokjin-hyung, this is Hoseok-hyung.”

“He’s been working here for a month now, Jungkook. I know him,” Seokjin responded. He bowed his head non-committedly and raised his hand in a wave. Hoseok smiled, bowed and then waved back. 

“I was just being nice, hyung,” Jungkook pouted as he sat down on a free space on the desk next to Seokjin. He gestured for Hoseok to come in as well, so Hoseok did, and sat down on one of the chairs standing in the corner.

He grabbed his water bottle out of his bag and took a few sips as he watched Seokjin tease Jungkook. “Of course, you are,” he said. “I taught you good manners.”

Jungkook threw his head back laughing. He looked young like this, with giggles escaping his lips and crinkles around his eyes. His elbow nudged Seokjin’s side as he said, “Please, we both know I’m the one teaching you manners.”

“Yah!” Seokjin scolded as he put his chopsticks down on the table and shoved Jungkook. Jungkook - who was still giggling in that same high-pitched tone - shoved him back, and before Hoseok could even blink, the two of them were play-fighting. Hoseok was watching two grown men play-fighting in their boss’ office like they were ten-year-old careless kids. The sight made Hoseok crack up, and before he knew it, he was matching Jungkook’s high pitched giggles as Seokjin pushed Jungkook towards him and Jungkook ended up sitting on the ground before Hoseok, leaning against Hoseok’s legs. 

“Take this to the boxing ring, will you?” sounded through the room as Yoongi walked through the door. He looked unbothered, like he watched this happen at least twice a day, and didn’t even look up from his phone as he sat down on his office chair behind the desk. 

“Sorry,” Jungkook apologized, although his eyes weren’t directed at Yoongi, but at Hoseok. He was sitting in between Hoseok’s legs with his back towards the chair that Hoseok was still sitting in and looked up, making Hoseok look at Jungkook’s face upside-down. He was smiling, and Hoseok couldn’t help but smile back at the weird sight of Jungkook’s face reversed. Jungkook stood up from his position and sank on the empty chair beside Hoseok, but not before briefly brushing Hoseok’s knee with his fingertips. 

“Hey, Hoseok,” Yoongi greeted once he finally put his phone down. “I didn’t expect to see you here. How are those classes with the pilates rings going?” 

Grabbing his lunch box and some reusable chopsticks out of his bag, Hoseok responded with, “Good! Some students are struggling with how to use them properly, but most of them are getting the hang of it.” Yoongi apparently hadn’t had the chance to use the equipment, since the old pilates teacher left just after he bought them, so he had asked Hoseok to experiment with them and give him feedback. “They’re a bit of a pain in the ass to store away though,” he added jokingly. 

Hoseok heard Jungkook chuckle beside him, but Yoongi didn’t give him any kind of reaction, probably not caring about whatever inside joke they had going on. He just nodded his head in satisfaction, told Hoseok to keep doing whatever he was doing, and stirred the cold noodles in his Tupperware. 

And so they all started eating their lunch. Yoongi told them about this fitness conference he was going to this weekend, and Seokjin and Jungkook discussed the first episode of a new drama that had aired last night. Hoseok could tell that the three of them were close, judged by their little inside jokes and small comments about things that were going on in their lives. But still, they did their best to pull Hoseok into their conversation, explaining every topic they were on. Jungkook especially made sure to give Hoseok attention, asking him personal questions in between bites of his chicken and filling him in on all the workplace drama. 

It was when they were in the middle of a conversation about their favourite athleisure brand that Yoongi got a call he urgently had to take, which left Seokjin without an interlocutor. He patiently waited for Jungkook and Hoseok’s conversation to finish before asking, “So, Koo, how is flirting with Hoseok going?” with a teasing smile directed at Jungkook on his face. 

Hoseok’s eyes widened. Surely he’d heard that wrong. His ears were deceiving him. Seokjin surely hadn’t just asked that. “What?” he peeped, feeling his cheeks grow hot. This day was taking turns faster than a rollercoaster. 

Next to him, he saw Jungkook crawling in on himself in the chair, cheeks, neck and ears pink. He was staring at the ground all while bouncing his foot on the ground, and when he looked up at Seokjin, he didn’t look amused. “Hyung,” he whined. 

“I’m kidding. I’m kidding,” Seokjin laughed, obviously noticing how mortified the two were but finding joy in it. “Jungkook is obviously doing a great job,” he muttered under his breath, although no one could hear him. 

The room was silent after that, but not the comfortable kind. It was the awkward kind, with Hoseok being confused about what had just happened, Jungkook feeling embarrassed and maybe even a little caught, and Seokjin finding the situation amusing but not showing it. 

But thank god, Seokjin fixed the awkward mess he’d created by switching topics. “So, Hoseok, tell me, how did you get into Pilates?” 

“Funny story, actually,” Hoseok started, happy to get the three of them out of this uncomfortable silence. “I majored in Korean literature here in Seoul, but I never really cared for it. I cared more about the dance groups I attended and the gym sessions that I went to. One of my friends took me to a yoga class once, and I liked it, so I did yoga lessons for a while. Then I discovered Pilates, got obsessed with attending lessons and learning new skills and techniques, and decided that I wanted to become an instructor instead of being miserable at the bookstore I worked at.”

“You studied Korean literature?” Jungkook asked in what seemed like genuine surprise. 

Hoseok couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, I know. Boring, basic, nothing you would expect from me,” he said, knowing that it was true. “But my dad was a Korean teacher, so I just did what he did since I had no idea what to do with life. Wasn’t the best decision I ever made, but at least it got me the college degree I needed for the Pilates program.” 

“That’s so funny,” Jungkook responded, dimples showing. “I did the same thing. Studied business because I had to do something, then fell in love with helping people stay fit during college.” He put his lunch box and water bottle back into his bag and positioned himself on the chair so that his chest was pointing towards Hoseok. “ God, I hated my major. It was so boring that I almost failed,” he side-commented, reminiscing the old days. 

“And people think that once you pick your major, your future is determined.”

“Bullshit. I could become a pilot tomorrow, if I wanted,” Jungkook commented. 

Seokjin laughed at that, making his presence in the room known again. “No you can’t,” he told Jungkook. “Your eyesight is shit.”

“Won’t it be fine with lenses and glasses?” Jungkook asked as he pointed towards his eyes. 

“I don’t know, actually,” Hoseok admitted. He didn’t know that Jungkook had poor eyesight, and wondered what he would look like wearing glasses. It would probably make him look even cuter. 

The room fell silent for a few beats of silence, all of them thinking about pilots with bad eyesight and what they could do with their lives if they wanted to, before Seokjin asked, “Hey, Jungkook, that reminds me, is Nari still going to the doctor tonight?” 

Nari? Hoseok wondered as he saw Jungkook nod his head in agreement. Who was Nari? He briefly pondered if Nari would be a girl Jungkook was dating, but then reminded himself that Jungkook had basically confirmed that he was single the day they met. Hoseok then questioned himself why it mattered who Nari was anyways. It was none of his business. (The fuzzy feeling that appeared in his stomach whenever Jungkook smiled at him argued otherwise, but Hoseok deliberately ignored those as he watched the conversation unfold in front of him). 

“Text me how it goes, will you?” Seokjin requested. 

“Of course.” 

“Cool,” Seokjin answered as he checked his phone. “I have to go now. My next client is coming in three minutes,” he said as he grabbed his backpack. “Bye!” he shouted as he left the room. 

Hoseok looked around the room after watching Seokjin disappear into the hallway, studied the lines of sunshine dancing on the floor and followed their traces until his eyes landed on the spots where the light hit Jungkook’s face.

And so there were two, he thought to himself. 

He caught the soft smile Jungkook gave him, felt his stomach warm up again, and said, “Thank you for inviting me here. You really turned my bad day into a good one.”

“I just hope you feel more at ease at work from now on,” Jungkook admitted. He subtly laid his hand on Hoseok’s knee and added, “We should do this more often, though. I want to get to know my new favourite coworker better.” 

Hoseok blushed but shook his head. He could tell that Yoongi, Seokjin and Jungkook were close, and he didn’t want to be a burden. He was perfectly fine having lunch in the canteen. “I wouldn’t want to intrude-”

“You wouldn’t-” Jungkook immediately responded. “I mean,” he corrected after he noticed the strength and directness behind his words and seemed a little embarrassed about it. “You don’t have to do anything, of course. But I would like to have lunch with you again. Because I want to. We can sit in the canteen the next time, or go outside if you prefer.” 

And of course, Hoseok wanted to have lunch again with Jungkook, not only because he didn’t want to spend his breaks alone again, but because he somehow felt drawn to Jungkook. So he nodded his hand, placed a hand over Jungkook’s that was still on his knee, and got up from his chair before saying, “Okay. That’s a deal, then.” He fetched his bag and put it on his shoulder before adding, “I have class now, but I’ll see you around.”

“Okay,” Jungkook said. “See you,” he added.

Hoseok could tell that Jungkook was watching him leave. He smiled to himself, feeling giddy, and the rest of his classes that day went perfectly fine.

***

Jungkook and Hoseok kept their deal. That lunch in Yoongi’s office wasn’t the last one they shared. As a matter of fact, it was the first of many; they started to share gilgeori, coffees. and bibimbap not only in the office with Seokjin and Yoongi, but also outside on a bench with just the two of them. 

Hoseok was doing better, too. Spring had fully settled in and he finally felt like he had adjusted to his new job. He knew almost all of his regular pupils by name now and had built some kind of relationship with them, and he was a lot more familiar with his coworkers, too. The lunch breaks with Jungkook helped; they made him feel more at home. Besides, it was nice having someone to ask all your questions to.

That light, warm feeling still appeared in Hoseok’s stomach whenever Jungkook smiled at him, and it was only getting worse. Jungkook… He was treating him so well. Hoseok didn’t really know what he did to deserve all the attention - the secret smiles when they crossed each other in the hallways, the hand on his shoulder whenever Hoseok had to teach yet another class, and all the times when Jungkook wordlessly showed up to help Hoseok clean up after his last lesson of the day - but he wasn’t complaining. He liked Jungkook, maybe more than he would like to admit, and the truth was; they got along well. They shared common interests, both inside and outside work, and Jungkook made Hoseok laugh. 

So, here they were, sharing another lunch, this time in the juice café located on the floor below them. They had initially scheduled this meeting to talk about Jungkook’s clients that were following Hoseok’s Pilates classes, but the line between work and personal life had been crossed a while ago, which is why they were currently talking about what they would do if they won the lottery today. 

Hoseok had to remind himself to keep an eye on the clock. Taehyung and Jimin were picking him up soon to view yet another apartment, and Hoseok had a habit of forgetting about time whenever he was around Jungkook. 

Yes. He knew. He was in trouble. But- whatever. There were worse things in the world than developing a crush on the hot personal trainer. 

“I just think that people who spend all of it right away on some million dollar mansion are stupid,” Jungkook explained. They were still on the topic of lotteries, and they’d both agreed that they wouldn’t spend their imaginary fortune right away. 

Hoseok nodded his head enthusiastically. “Right!” he exclaimed as he played with his chopsticks in the air. “Obviously, you pay off any kind of debt first. And then, you either invest or save. You gotta make sure you have something for later.”

“And I wouldn’t quit my job right away,” Jungkook argued. Some of his wavy hairs kept falling in his face because he was talking so animatedly (Hoseok had noticed Jungkook’s little habit of not being able to sit still) but it made him look cute. It matched the soft vibe he gave off with his big, oversized white shirt and black sweats. 

“But you love what you do,” Hoseok debated. He didn’t know Jungkook that long yet, but he knew that much. He seemed to genuinely care about his clients and was really passionate about actually helping people become healthier and feel better in their own skin. 

Jungkook tilted his head to the side and admitted, “True.” He then took a bite of his flatbread falafel, which reminded Hoseok that he had a delicious plate full of goat cheese toast in front of him as well. 

So he stuffed his face and continued to explain where he was coming from. “Like, if you grill burgers for eight and a half thousand won an hour all day, I get that you would walk right out of that door.” Hoseok wouldn’t quit his job either, but still, he understood why people would. 

“Yeah, you’re right,” Jungkook admitted. “ God, we really need to pay our fast food employees more,” he commented offhandedly. “But even then; invest the money. Don’t spend it buying a fucking island just because you can or something.” 

“Do you think a lot of people go bankrupt when they win the lottery?” Hoseok wondered out loud. He wouldn’t think so, but also understood the temptation of spending all your money at once and then adjusting to a luxury lifestyle that you couldn’t afford anymore later down the line, because ha! you quit your job of flipping burgers. 

Jungkook stared at a spot on Hoseok’s shoulder for a couple of seconds, a pout on his lips, obviously in thought. Subsequently, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t know. Let’s Naver-search it.” He grabbed his phone out of his pocket and turned it on. When the screen lit up, Hoseok noticed that his wallpaper was a picture of a cute four-year-old girl with pigtails, and he faintly recognized the face from the keychain on Jungkook’s employee card. 

“Hey,” Hoseok commented as he gestured towards the phone screen. “Is that your niece? She’s cute.”

“My niece?” Jungkook questioned, looking a little lost. But when he noticed that Hoseok was pointing at his Samsung, his eyes widened and a chuckle escaped his lips before he said, “No. Not my niece. She’s my-”

“Hi! Can I help you two with anything else?” A waiter - who seemed to have appeared out of the dark and suddenly stood at their table - asked, (rudely) interrupting Jungkook’s sentence. 

It annoyed Hoseok a little bit (mean human beings and people without manners; two of his biggest pet peeves) but he, in fact, did need something else. “The check, actually. My friends are coming to pick me up soon,” he requested. The waiter nodded, told Hoseok that he would get the check soon, and bowed. 

“Oh my god,” Jungkook muttered as the waiter turned back around. 

“What?”

When Hoseok turned his head he found a phone screen shoved in his face, and a shocked Jungkook said, “The Washington Post just told me that about seventy per cent of the folks who win the lottery go bankrupt.”

Hoseok gently took Jungkook’s wrist that was attached to the phone screen blinding Hoseok’s eyes and moved it away, and once the screen was far enough away to read, he muttered out, “Wow.” It really stood there. 

“Damn, apparently it’s scientifically proven that winning the lottery doesn’t make you happier,” Jungkook said as he took the phone in the hand that Hoseok’s wasn’t holding. 

“Shit,” Hoseok swore after hearing the phrases Jungkook quoted from the article. “I guess I should just find that sugar daddy, then.”

Jungkook laughed at that, putting his phone screen-down on the table as he did so, and it was only then that Hoseok noticed that he was still holding Jungkook’s other wrist. He dropped it to the table, but Jungkook was quicker and placed his hand over Hoseok’s. “Daddy?” he questioned after his giggles had died down and Hoseok’s hand was now comfortably underneath his. One of his eyebrows was raised, almost suggestively, but a genuine curiosity shone in his eyes. 

“Yeah,” Hoseok muttered as he slid his hand out of Jungkook’s hold and placed it in his lap. “Daddy, mommy, male, female, everything in between. I don’t really care actually,” he confessed as he nervously played with the skin on his neck. “I just. Yeah. Uh. I hope that’s okay with you,” he rambled, suddenly feeling anxious; he always became a bit nervous when he came out to someone new. It wasn’t because he wasn’t comfortable in his own skin, but because there were still plenty of people who didn’t accept him for who he was. He was almost a hundred per cent sure that Jungkook wouldn’t mind anyway, but still, he couldn’t help himself. 

The curiosity in Jungkook’s eyes morphed into something softer. It reminded Hoseok of a warm, comforting blanket of brown. “Of course I don’t,” he responded, voice a lot quieter than before. “I’m bisexual myself, actually.”

Jungkook reached out for Hoseok’s hand again - that was still (now a little less) nervously twitching the skin on his neck - and placed it on the same spot on the table as before, putting his hand over it like earlier. Hoseok watched it happen before he looked at Jungkook’s eyes again, and God, he just- Why was Jungkook doing all these things to him? Why was he all kind and comforting and understanding and funny and perfect? He was making it impossible for Hoseok not to like him. 

“About that sugar daddy thing,” Jungkook said after a couple of beats of silence. There was a small, shy smile on his face when he continued, “I’m far from rich, but if you ever feel like it, I can treat you to dinner. You know, outside of wo-”

“Hobi-hyung! There you are!” a voice that sounded an awful lot like Jimin’s called through the room. 

And yes, not even three seconds later, Jimin, dressed in a navy blue button-up and black slacks appeared and sat down on the free chair next to Hoseok, wearing a bright smile on his face. Soon after that, Taehyung followed along, looking gorgeous in earthy tones and his wavy dark brown hair. He sat down on the chair beside Jungkook, turned his full body toward him, and rested his chin on his hand before commenting, “You must be Jungkook. I’m Taehyung, this is Jimin. We’re Hoseok-hyung’s friends.”

Jungkook politely bowed before he looked back at Hoseok with big eyes. When Hoseok noticed that his knee had started bouncing under the table as well, he mentally beat himself up. “ I’m sorry,” Hoseok mouthed towards Jungkook as he detangled their hands. Jungkook had obviously wanted to ask something before Jimin and Taehyung came barging in, but it was too late for that now. The mood was ruined, and if Hoseok wasn’t careful, Taehyung and Jimin would start grilling Jungkook with questions soon. 

“Jungkook, is Hoseok-hyung as stern with his students as he is with me when I don’t do something right?” Jimin had already started to ask.

“I don’t attend his classes,” Jungkook responded with an awkward laugh. “But from what I’ve heard he’s really patient and people learn a lot from him. The clients are really happy with him, and so am I- we. So are we,” he complimented, stuttering a bit around the last part of the sentence, blushing after the words escaped his mouth. 

Cute.  

Jimin seemed pleased with the answer, nudging Hoseok’s shoulder with raised eyebrows as he sat back in his chair, but Taehyung wasn’t satisfied yet. “What about you?” he asked, ever so shamelessly. “What do you think about Hobi-hyung?”

“Okay, that’s enough!” Hoseok practically shouted. God, he should’ve never told Taehyung and Jimin that he thought one of his coworkers was attractive. “We have to go if we want to make it to the apartment in time,” he said to make the two of them leave. “You two wait outside. I still have to pay.”

Fortunately, Jimin and Taehyung did as they were told and left the juice bar. Hoseok sighed, regretted that he hadn’t just asked for them to stay in the parking lot, and sank back in his chair. “I’m sorry for that,” Hoseok apologized. 

“That’s okay,” Jungkook assured with a small smile. He looked a little awkward still, but not uncomfortable, and his leg had stopped bouncing. “They seem, uh, sociable.” 

Giggles escaped Hoseok’s lips. What an understatement. “They are,” he said. “A little too much, sometimes. I promise they’re actually really nice when you get to know them.” As chaotic as Taehyung and Jimin sometimes were (especially when together) they meant a lot to Hoseok and had been with him for a long time, supporting him through whatever shit he was going through. They could be annoying sometimes, but Hoseok loved that about them, too. 

“I believe you,” Jungkook promised. He folded his legs and leaned his elbows on the table, fingers playing with Hoseok’s unused napkin.  

The proximity of Jungkook’s hand to his reminded Hoseok of the conversation they were having before they got interrupted. “Before they came, you wanted to ask something. What was it?” he asked. 

“Oh, that,” Jungkook commented as he seemed to visually tense up. “It’s nothing important. It can wait,” he said as he waved his hands in the air to physically wave the topic away. 

“Are you sure?” Hoseok questioned. Judged by the look in Jungkook’s eyes earlier, it seemed pretty serious. 

Jungkook nodded his head rapidly, which put Hoseok’s mind at ease. “I’m positive,” he said. He then shifted his attention to the clock hanging above the bar before looking back at Hoseok. He leaned further on the table and said, “Go and have fun with your friends. I’ll take care of the bill.”

“Oh, but you don’t have to!” Hoseok immediately argued. He could take care of his own bills, even though he should probably get going.

“I want to,’” Jungkook guaranteed. His hand travelled from Hoseok’s napkin to his index and middle finger, and he squeezed them before dropping his hand in his lap again. “You should enjoy your free afternoon. Don’t worry, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Those words brought a wide smile to Hoseok’s face, and he just knew his mouth looked like a heart right now, but he couldn’t care less. He just really liked the promise of seeing Jungkook tomorrow. So he stood up from his chair, said, “Okay. I’ll see you,” before he bit his lips. He started to walk towards the exit, but before he could make it to the door, he made sure to stop behind Jungkook’s chair. He wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s shoulders in a hug-type gesture, not being able to suppress the urge. 

Jungkook seemed a little surprised at first, not expecting the physical affection, but after a second of stiffness, he leaned his head backwards and put his hands over Hoseok’s arms, falling into the warmth. Hoseok could see the smile appear on Jungkook’s face underneath him, and that was the reaction he wanted, so he dropped his hand and started to walk towards the exit, not looking back but feeling Jungkook’s eyes on him as he walked out. 

“I really like this big party of windows,” Hoseok commented as he roamed around the living room of the apartment Jimin and Taehyung had chosen to view. It was a nice and light place, not very spacy but big enough for two people, and all the walls were freshly painted white. 

“I think Taehyung fell in love with the bedroom,” Jimin commented with a smile as he walked out of the living room area and into the master (and only) bedroom. 

Hoseok followed along and after he walked through the door, he found Taehyung staring at the four empty walls in awe, Jimin wrapped around him in a back hug. “I really like this apartment,” Hoseok heard Taehyung whisper to Jimin. 

“Me too, baby bear,” Jimin whispered back before he kissed Taehyung’s shoulder. He wrapped his arms a little tighter around Taehyung’s body and planted his chin on his shoulder. It was moments like these when Hoseok realized how in love his two best friends actually were. 

“Do you think we’ll get it?” Taehyung asked hopefully. The apartment was great: flawless even. The problem with it? Taehyung and Jimin weren’t the only ones interested in it. Around five more couples were on the list, and Jimin and Taehyung could only hope they were the ones to get the apartment in the end. 

Jimin buried his head further into Taehyung’s neck. “I don’t know, love,” he admitted honestly. The pair had been trying to find an apartment for almost a year and a half now, and it was an exhausting journey. Jimin had even tried to take on more law cases to expand their budget, but it had burned him out so much that they had eventually decided to stop looking so intensely and just see if something came on their paths. 

Taehyung broke out of Jimin’s hold and walked around the room again before he sat on the windowsill. His eyes travelled from the floor to Jimin, to Hoseok. “What do you think, Hobi-hyung?”

“I think it really fits you two,” Hosoek spoke tactfully as he sat down on the floor in front of Taehyung. “And I hope that whoever owns this place sees that.” 

“I agree,” Taehyung answered. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Jimin walked towards them and sat on the ground in front of Taehyung, taking his legs and wrapping his arms around them. “Positive thoughts,” he manifested. 

“You know what would cheer me up?” Taehyung commented with a mischievous grin on his face. 

“Hmm?” Hoseok and Jimin hummed in unison.

Taehyung nudged Hoseok’s knee with his foot and said, “Discussing the Hoseok and Jungkook situation.” 

Hoseok groaned and fell to the ground, already knowing what was about to come.

“Listen,” Taehyung said. “You told us he was attractive, but you didn’t tell me he looked like that. Because holy damn, that man is hot. Why haven’t we seen him at the breakfast table yet?”

“Because he’s my coworker, Taehyung-ah,” Hoseok argued as he rolled on the ground. He knew this conversation was inevitable as soon as Jimin and Taehyung would run into Jungkook, but that didn’t mean he had been looking forward to it. 

“It looked like you two were on a date, though,” Jimin mentioned. Taehyung was playing with his hair and he was leaning into the touch, but his eyes were still on Hoseok. 

Taehyung nodded his head behind him. “Yeah,” he confirmed. “We saw. We were watching you from the hallway before we barged in. It looked like a scene from a drama.”

Hoseok rolled his eyes. He wasn’t even surprised. Then, “Wait? You were watching us? Then why did you interrupt us so rudely!?”

“Because it looked like you two were about to kiss,” Jimin explained. 

“What? No! He was just about to ask me something,” Hoseok made clear as he felt his cheeks turn red. “But even then, why would you interrupt that?”

Taehyung shrugged. “Because we weren’t sure if you wanted to kiss Jungkook,” he admitted, seemingly, honestly. “Apparently we were wrong,” he added, which earned an embarrassed grunt from Hoseok. “But the kissing could wait. This appointment couldn’t,” he explained, gesturing at the apartment. 

“I hope you two get this apartment and move out,” Hoseok teased. 

Jimin reached forward to slap Hoseok's leg, acting offended even though he knew Hoseok was joking. When he settled between Taehyung’s legs again, head resting on his boyfriend’s lap he said, “No, but, seriously. Why don’t you just go out with him?”

( excuses - audrey mika )( YT )

It was funny how well Jimin knew him. He liked to joke around but he also knew when to stop and turn the conversation into a more serious direction. Like right now; when he knew that Hoseok was definitely into someone, but didn't really know what to do with it. “I don’t know," Hoseok admitted honestly. “I just started this job. I don’t know if I should start a new relationship. Especially not if it’s with my coworker.”

Jimin snorted. “It’s a date, hyung. Not a marriage proposal.”

“I know," Hoseok sighed. Why did he feel like a fourteen-year-old girl with a crush? He was thirty-three years old, for fuck's sake. He had had boyfriends before and had been on plenty of dates. He's been there, done that, and yet - it wasn’t as easy as it seemed. “God, I really like him though," he admitted, wanting to say it out loud for once. 

“I knew it!” Taehyung whispered into Jimin's ear. 

Hoseok let out a dry chuckle and raked his hands over his face. “I don’t know if he’s into me like that, though.”

“I’m pretty sure he is,” Jimin and Taehyung said in unison. 

“How would you know that? You met him, for like, three seconds." 

Jimin started laughing loudly while Taehyung tried to explain himself. “You can see it in his eyes," he said as he slapped Jimin's shoulder to stop him from laughing. "He was looking at you all fondly. It was adorable.”

“That’s just the way he looks," Hoseok argued. 

“God, you’re so oblivious sometimes," Jimin all but groaned. “Just get yourself together and ask him out when you get the chance. I’m willing to actually bid money on him saying yes. And even if he doesn’t - there are worse things in the world.”

Taehyung leaned over again to whisper in Jimin's ear, “Jungkook might actually beat Hoseok to it.”

“At this rate, he will," Jimin responded as he rolled his eyes.

“Shut up," Hoseok whined. “I've been wondering if he was flirting with me or just being friendly for weeks now.”

Jimin looked like he wanted to scream while Taehyung stayed calm and collected and asked, “Hasn't he been spending almost every lunch break with you?”

“Yes," Hoseok agreed. This was one of the things he was doubting about. Spending lunch with your coworker was just a friendly thing to do, right?

“And helped you clean up after your classes?” 

“Yes”

“Meaning he stayed longer at work just so that he could talk to you.”

“...Yes.” Right. Hoseok hadn't thought about it like that yet.

Taehyung smiled, pleased with himself. Jimin took over the conversation. “And he was holding your hand when we came in?”

“Uhuh,” Hoseok responded as the feeling of Jungkook's warm hand came to mind. 

“And his eyes are warm and fond and sparkling whenever he looks at you.”

This time, Hoseok just nodded his head. He could see where they were getting at.

“And he smiles at you all sweetly.”

Yes. Yes, Jungkook did smile at him sweetly. He did that a lot, actually, Hoseok realized now that he was thinking about it. 

Shit. 

“Hyung?” Jimin asked with a knowing smile. 

“Yes?” Hoseok responded, already knowing what Jimin was going to say. 

"Just ask him out.”

“Okay.”

***

(Hoseok never got to ask Jungkook out. Why? Blame the wine. Always blame the wine)

***

( sanctuary - joji ) ( YT )

It was two weeks later when the thing happened. It was a Friday night, the sun was already set behind the tall buildings of Seoul, and Jungkook and Hoseok had locked themselves up in one of the training rooms to do their administration. It turned out they had that in common too; passionate hate for everything that had to do with taxes and bureaucracy. They both had a habit of procrastinating, which was why they were doing their administration on the last Friday of the month. 

So that’s how they ended up here; gym close to empty (turned out people didn’t like running on treadmills on a Friday night), lights dim, laptops on their laps as they were sitting on the ground. 

Jungkook had announced that he was nearly falling asleep around ten minutes ago and had promptly decided that the best way to fight that was to put some slow music on the speakers and grab his emergency bottle of wine from Yoongi’s office. 

Hoseok hadn’t asked Jungkook out yet - had honestly been too busy to do so (excuses, excuses), but that did lead them here; two people, attracted to each other, locked up in a room. Sharing sips of wine from the same bottle to the melody of slow music, tension slowly growing between them. 

Yeah. Hoseok should’ve known where this was going. 

Except he did not, at least not yet, so he rolled his neck, getting the cracks out, and continued to play around with his Excel sheet. “I really, really, should stop putting things like this off.”

“I didn’t expect you to be the type to shove things around, to be honest,” Jungkook commented. He took a swing of the bottle before he handed it to Hoseok. 

Hoseok laughed. You’d be surprised, he thought to himself. “It depends,” he said instead. He took a sip of the bottle himself, tasting the notes of cherry on his tongue, and explained, “I’m pretty organized with most things, but this is just something that… you know how something else always seems more important?” 

Jungkook agreed with a nod and a chuckle before he continued to type away on his laptop. Sometime later - probably the time it took him to fill in the data from one client - he peeked over the screen of his laptop and asked, “You gonna be fine, though?” He twisted the screen of his laptop so that Hoseok could get a glimpse of his (very full) sheet before he bent it back and added, “I’m almost done.” 

“We have till Sunday, right?” Hoseok asked to confirm. He could potentially finish tonight, but it was nice to know that he had a couple of days until it needed to be handed in. He saw Jungkook nod from the corner of his eyes, glanced at his screen, and decided, “Yeah. I should be fine then.”

“Good,” Jungkook responded with a grin on his face. He clicked on his laptop a couple more times before he closed it and moved it away. He placed it somewhere on the floor, out of the way. Then, after raking a hand through his messy waves, he shifted around until he crawled towards Hoseok, movements a little tentative and hesitant, but also like he had something in mind. 

Once he was close enough and Hoseok could feel Jungkook’s body warmth, which was undoubtedly higher in temperature because of the alcohol, Jungkook let himself drop on the floor until he was lying down. His stomach was on the ground and his chin rested on the palm of his hand, but his face was so close that it might as well be resting on Hoseok’s knee. Jungkook looked up then, meeting Hoseok’s eyes over the bright screen of his laptop, and Jungkook was doing that pretty thing where he pursed his lips just the tiniest bit, making them pinker, and angled his head slightly to the side. “‘Cause I don’t wanna spend the rest of my Friday night doing this,” he said as he traced the back of Hoseok’s laptop. 

( gimme love - joji ) ( YT )

Hoseok smiled and met Jungkook’s gaze before he raked his hand through Jungkook’s hair. His hair was down today - no clips or buns - and his locks were wavy and messy. He had showered already, now dressed in black sweats, a white long-sleeved T-shirt, and an oversized white T-shirt overneat. The dim lighting from the ceiling was shining on his face, highlighting the content smile on his pink lips, as well as the dark brown eyes that were still looking at Hoseok like Jungkook wanted to climb into his soul. Hoseok didn’t say anything for a second, letting their eyes and their bodies and the way Jungkook was leaning into his touch do the talking, before he all-but-whispered, “What do you want to do?”

“Tell me something,” Jungkook requested, eyes never leaving Hoseok’s but closing a bit as he leaned into Hoseok’s touch. The movement reminded Hoseok of a purring cat. 

“About what?” Hoseok asked, a bit confused but smiling nonetheless. 

Jungkook looked at Hoseok like he could consume every word to leave Hoseok’s lips like it was the last word on a page, no matter what the word would be. “Anything,” Jungkook responded. He bit his lip, showing the mole underneath it, before he added, “Something about you. I don’t care. Tell me about your childhood, your college days, what your apartment looks like, your morning routine, anything.”

A fond expression appeared on Hoseok’s face at the words, and he closed his laptop and pushed it to the side so that he could give Jungkook his undivided attention. When Jungkook immediately placed his arms on Hoseok’s legs and rested his head on one of his knees, Hoseok felt his insides warm up. Jungkook was looking at him like Hoseok was the only person in the room, and he knew that that was factually true, but still, Jungkook giving him his full attention made Hoseok feel all sorts of things. So, he put his hands back in Jungkook’s hair, playing with the strands and massaging his scalp, trying to do the same as he thought of something to say. 

Eventually, “I have a balcony. It’s faced east, so I can see the sunrise. Every morning, I come there, sit on my old mat, do some stretches and then meditate for five minutes as I watch the sun come up,” he explained. He felt Jungkook’s fingers play with his pants - white sweats, matching his yellow T-shirt - and let himself enjoy the feeling for a second before he continued. “I swear, I can’t go without it,” he laughed. “If I oversleep and have to hurry, and I can’t sit down and do my thing, I feel off the entire day. It’s probably dumb, but it makes me feel really grounded and calm and positive, and if I skip it, everything just hits harder.”

“It’s not dumb,” Jungkook promised. It made Hoseok smile. He looked at Jungkook’s fingers that were still playing with the fabric of his pants and noticed that the nails were painted yellow and purple. “Your nails,” Hoseok said. “They’re the same colours as the flowers we’re trying to grow on the balcony. They match the painting in my living room, actually.”

Jungkook looked at his fingers before he shifted his attention back to Hoseok again. “You paint?” he asked, looking intrigued. 

Hoseok shook his head and explained, “No. They’re bought. I love them, though.”

“I have art in my apartment, too,” Jungkook said as he rested his head back on Hoseok’s knee. Hoseok tucked his hair behind Jungkook’s ear as he listened to him talk. “They’re not mine either, although I wish they were. I used to paint a lot when I was a kid, but I don’t anymore.”

Hoseok studied Jungkook’s face - his long eyelashes that fluttered close every time Hoseok stroked his hair, the moles on his lip and neck, the lazy smile on his pink lips. Hoseok's insides were warm and fuzzy, and he knew it was not because of the wine. Their Excel sheets were long forgotten, and the music in the background was just that; a part of the environment, just a thread to interwave their conversations together. Hoseok wasn’t even sure if the gym was still open for customers at this point. In fact, he wondered if they were the only ones here.

He wouldn’t mind if they were. 

“Tell me something about you, too,” Hoseok asked, well aware of the fastened heartbeat in his chest. 

Jungkook peeled himself off Hoseok’s lap to sit up straight, and immediately, Hoseok missed the warmth of his touch. But Jungkook only reached for the wine bottle, so after he retrieved it, he was close again, their knees touching. He took a few sips from the bottle before he handed it to Hoseok. As Hoseok took the glass object, he noticed that Jungkook’s already-pink lips were stained red from the liquid. And suddenly, Hoseok got the overwhelming urge to kiss the stain away. 

The itch had always been there, probably since he’d laid eyes on Jungkook, but with the way Jungkook was looking at him, and with the way his mouth was rosy pink and inviting, it was like Hoseok couldn’t get the thought out of his mind anymore. 

He tried to chase the feeling away by taking a sip from the bottle himself, but failed; the urge was still there. It only left him wondering if Jungkook would taste like the wine that was dancing on his tongue right now. If he had the same cherry and chocolate notes. 

“Did you know I’m from Busan?” Jungkook asked, voice quiet, no need for the tone to be louder. It managed to shake Hoseok out of his thoughts. When he shook his head, Jungkook reached for Hoseok’s knee, letting his fingers play with the white fabric again. “Not a lot of people know,” he said. “I’ve lived here since college.” 

Hoseok took Jungkook’s hand in his and let Jungkook play with his fingers instead. He watched with enamoured eyes as Jungkook talked and somehow felt himself drown in the words. “Tell me about it,” he encouraged, desperate to hold onto the conversation. 

“When I was a child, I used to go to the beach with my parents and my brother every other weekend,” Jungkook started. “Even in the winter, when it was freezing cold and everyone stayed in their homes.” He smiled at the words, looking lost in the past for a moment before he shook himself out of it and focused back on Hoseok. “I loved it. The crisp breeze, the calming sound of waves, how small you feel when you look at a body of water that is just so big and powerful.” He bit his lips, then licked it, and clutched Hoseok’s fingers before adding, “It calms me down.” Then, “I miss it.” He stared back at Hoseok again, and Hoseok felt the world around him disappear. Jungkook grew more beautiful with every sentence he spoke. “Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I come back. I buy a ticket to Busan, sleep in my childhood bedroom, and come to the sea to just look at it all day.” 

“Take me someday,” Hoseok spoke, not really knowing where that request was coming from, but feeling like it was the right thing to say. Everything felt different tonight - the words heavier, the music slower, looks lingering longer and with more intensity in them - and Hoseok just felt bolder. 

“I will,” Jungkook promised. 

( come around me - rituals of mine ) ( YT )

Hoseok smiled at the words. It was a genuine smile - one where the corners of his lips fully curled up and his teeth were visible. He just couldn’t help but smile; he felt giddy because of Jungkook’s answer. Because of tonight. Because of Jungkook. 

As a response to Hoseok’s bright smile, Jungkook reached out and traced the apple of Hoseok’s cheek with his fingers. With eyes so big and deep brown that Hoseok could drown in them, he whispered, “Has anyone ever told you that your mouth looks like a heart when you smile?” 

Hoseok’s breath hitched in his throat. People had told him that, but still, he shook his head no. “It’s beautiful,” Jungkook spoke. His voice was soft, quiet, but the words were laced with intention. The vibe felt different from any other conversation they ever had, even from the one they finished not even a minute ago. Maybe it was the wine. It could be all the mutual attraction as well. “Your entire face lights up when you smile like that,” Jungkook continued to say. He leaned closer, eyes sparkling and magical, and whispered, “It does things to my heart.”

Hoseok’s heart was beating so loud in his chest that he couldn’t hear the rhythm of the music anymore. His palms felt sweaty, his cheeks hot, and his surroundings were slipping away. All he could hear and see, and even smell, was Jungkook. All he wanted to touch was Jungkook. He suddenly wondered why they hadn’t done this before. He contemplated if now was the right time to ask Jungkook on that date. 

He didn’t get the chance. 

Jungkook’s lips were already on his. 

They were soft. They were very very soft and they were kissing Hoseok gently, tentatively, almost innocently, but at the same time, they weren’t shy. They knew exactly what they wanted. And Hoseok was right, because Jungkook did taste a little bit like the wine they had just drunk, but also like raspberry chapstick, and fuck. Just fuck. Jungkook’s hand had fully cupped Hoseok’s face now, the other clutching his hand still, and Hoseok felt engulfed by him. 

When Jungkook kissed him again, it was less insecure but laced with a lot more intent. Hoseok realized that this was one of those things that he hadn’t realized his body had been screaming for until he had it.  

When Jungkook pulled away, a slight giggle escaped Hoseok’s lips, the sound floating in the air. Hoseok felt like he was floating, too. He felt light and dizzy and giddy and god, Jungkook was looking at him again and he was just so, so, so gorgeous. “I’ve been waiting to do that,” Jungkook confessed, his smile shy but sly. 

“Do it again, then,” Hoseok requested. 

And Jungkook did. He immediately reached forward again, and this time, Hoseok kissed him back. One of his hands flew to Jungkook’s hair to play with the strands just like he had done before, and the other reached for Jungkook’s shirt, tugging him closer. 

Closer, until Jungkook’s arms were wrapped around his neck and his kisses were no longer tentative but slow and intense. Jungkook smelled like a fresh shower, and his fingers were playing with the short hairs in Hoseok’s nape as well as the hem of Hoseok’s yellow shirt and… shit. Shit shit shit. This was addicting. 

“Closer,” Hoseok requested, whispering the words into Jungkook’s mouth. Jungkook listened - listened immediately - and shuffled closer, clumsily so, because his hands, as well as his lips, were still on Hoseok, and Hoseok had to uncross his legs, and Jungkook was eager. Too eager, because as he awkwardly tried to crawl onto Hoseok, his knee hit the bottle of wine, tipping it over. 

The bottle fell, spilling some of the remains of red wine onto Hoseok’s sweatpants. Jungkook’s reflexes were quick enough to not let more than a few drops stain Hoseok’s pants, but still, the red smudge was there.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” Jungkook apologized as he placed the bottle on the ground far away from them, his head resting against Hoseok’s shoulder as he did so. He was looking at the red stain, the deep colour contrasting against Hoseok’s white pants. 

Hoseok followed Jungkook’s gaze and studied the spot, deep and dark and wet, and… he didn't mind it. Liked that it reflected tonight. Liked how it was like a heart that had finally spilt its contents. Deep and red and a bitch to get out, undoubtedly leaving a mark, more permanent than a hickey. Giving Hoseok a souvenir that he can really keep. 

So he shifted his attention from the splotch to Jungkook, who looked a little guilty and was anticipating for Hoseok to say something. But he also looked so very pretty still, making Hoseok place his fingers on his cheek, forcing Jungkook to lift his head from Hoseok’s shoulder and look Hoseok in the eyes instead. “It doesn’t matter,” he promised. “They were old anyway.” And then he pulled Jungkook closer, closer for real this time, clutching the fabric of his white clean shirt, dragging him fully into his space, kissing him as if he needed it. Was desperate for it. 

And swiftly Jungkook was in his lap, and Hoseok’s hands were around Jungkook’s waist, and his hands were trying to touch every inch of Jungkook he could find. The music got slower, deeper, intenser, and so did their breaths, Hoseok noticed, as he could feel Jungkook press his chest up against Hoseok’s. Their kisses got bolder too, with Hoseok licking into Jungkook’s mouth and Jungkook pulling on Hoseok's bottom lip. 

Hoseok dared to slip his hands underneath the fabric of Jungkook’s shirts and found hot, fair skin there, tight around the muscles that flexed every time Jungkook moved his arms. He let his hands travel around it, exploring the dips between his ribs and the bumps from his moles until eventually, he let them rest on Jungkook’s shoulder blades. When Jungkook took Hoseok’s bottom lip in between his teeth after a particularly deep kiss, Hoseok dug his nails into the flesh of Jungkook’s shoulders in response. It earned a tiny moan and another little bite from Jungkook. Which in turn, made Hoseok make a whimpering sound. 

“Fuck,” Hoseok murmured when Jungkook kissed him again, leaning into Hoseok so much that their gravity point shifted and Hoseok went down until his back hit the floor, bringing Jungkook - still in his lap - with him. And now Jungkook was on top of him, giggling into Hoseok’s mouth as they tipped over, making Hoseok feel dizzy. Making Hoseok wrap his arms around Jungkook, hiking his shirt up, pulling him closer. Making the room around them stuffy and hot. 

And then things got intense, and their kisses turned messy, and Jungkook’s lips were suddenly on Hoseok’s neck, kissing, biting, sucking, leaving marks in the same colour as the stain on Hoseok’s sweatpants. And Hoseok was letting out moans, high and breathy, from something deep within him, something that hadn’t been activated in a while, something that drove him crazy. He held onto Jungkook’s shoulders again, digging his nails into it, whimpering, “Jungkook” when Jungkook scratched his teeth over his collarbone. 

Nipping at the skin right under Hoseok’s ear, Jungkook shifted, and… fuck. He was hard. Holy fucking shit, he was hard and Hoseok could feel it pressing against his thigh. He was hard and so was Hoseok and oh. Oh. Jungkook was shifting again and now his thigh was against Hoseok’s groin and fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. 

Hoseok’s mind was clouded. He didn’t even need to listen to himself to know that he had just let out a moan. He couldn’t think clearly anymore, let alone hold himself back. All he cared about was Jungkook. About getting out of here. 

About getting Jungkook under him as fast as possible. 

“Please tell me you live nearby,” Hoseok asked desperately once they broke apart. Jungkook’s forehead was resting against his as they were trying to catch their breaths, even though they were sharing the same air with this proximity. It didn’t matter anyway; Hoseok was sure the dizziness wouldn’t leave him anytime soon. 

“My apartment is a fifteen-minute drive away,” Jungkook answered, sounding a little out of breath. 

Hoseok leaned in for another kiss. He closed his eyes for a bit, the pace of his mind so much slower before he opened them again. 

“Take me there.”

(“Why are you smiling?” Jungkook asked - smiling - as his hands continued to shampoo Hoseok’s hair. They were standing in the tiny shower cubicle of Jungkook’s bathroom, washing their bodies clean. 

Hoseok carefully opened his eyes to look at Jungkook. “Am I?” he asked, unaware of the fact that he, in fact, had been smiling softly at Jungkook as his scalp got massaged. 

“You are,” Jungkook responded as his own smile intensified, making him look like a bunny. He slowly dropped his hands from Hoseok’s hair and put them on his waist instead. 

Hoseok stepped closer to Jungkook and placed a kiss on his chin. “It’s just-”

“-Is this weird?” Jungkook asked with a nose scrunch, either referring to them showering together or to them having fallen into bed together. Perhaps to both.

Hoseok quickly shook his head. “No. Not at all,” he admitted, his heart feeling light. “This is just- you’re just- I feel really good right now.”

“Okay. Good. Me too,” Jungkook responded as he wiped some foam of Hoseok’s forehead. “Should I go back to washing your hair?”

“Yes please.”)

( bijoux - soap ) ( YT )

The soft white noise of cars passing by the apartment in combination with Jungkook’s snoring was the delightful background music Hoseok got to wake up to. His body was sprawled out face-down on the mattress when he opened his eyes, and he noticed that his leg was hooked around Jungkook’s. He was only dressed in a fresh pair of underwear (courtesy of Jungkook) which meant that his back was naked and uncovered, but the hot sunlight shining through the windows did a good job of warming his skin up. 

He rubbed his hands over his sleepy face and let out groggy morning noises in an attempt to fully open his eyes. Once he succeeded, he continued to roll onto his back, careful to not let out too many complaining noises as he stretched the rest of his limbs. When he felt like he was awake enough to function a decent amount, he rolled back onto his side again, first to check the time on the clock (8 am, he really hadn’t slept much). Then to look at Jungkook’s face, to see whether he was fast asleep or if he would wake up sometime soon. 

It appeared that Jungkook was still in deep sleep. His face was puffy - his right cheek an extra amount because he was resting his hand under it - and his pretty eyelashes delicately touched his pink cheeks. His hair was messy and peaked out at odd corners and as Hoseok followed the trail of his hair, he noticed a few purple bruises along his hairline. Jungkook was completely naked underneath his warm white sheets, except for a pair of underwear, and thanks to the stunning morning lighting, the muscles of his arms and back were highlighted. As Hoseok reached out to trace Jungkook’s arms ever so slightly, he noticed that his nose scrunched up a bit, and the soft, cute snore-like noises that came from his mouth got a bit louder. Hoseok tensed and hoped that he hadn’t just woken Jungkook up, but after a couple of moments, Jungkook snuggled a little more into the pillow before his breathing flattened out again. 

Deciding it was best to leave Jungkook asleep for now, Hoseok placed three tentative kisses on the place where Jungkook’s hair hit his forehead and rolled back on his back. 

Hoseok stared at the ceiling - which was white, in contrast to the concrete-like coloured walls of Jungkook’s bedroom - and let out a deep breath. That really just happened, he thought to himself. Last night really happened. He felt a smile creep upon his face, but didn’t even fight it, because he wasn’t going to lie; he had really enjoyed himself last night. And not just because the sex was good, or because Jungkook treated him so well, but because it was Jungkook. Because Jungkook was great, sweet and kind and funny, and had wanted to kiss Hoseok for a really long time now. For a split-second, Hoseok wondered if it would’ve been better if he had just gotten his balls together and asked Jungkook out first, but he then decided that it didn’t matter. He could ask Jungkook out now. Once they were both awake and enjoyed breakfast together, Hoseok could ask Jungkook out. He didn’t want this to end here; with just last night. He wanted to see Jungkook again, not just at work but in his free time, and he wanted to kiss him when he felt like it and flirt back without feeling like he had to second-guess Jungkook’s intentions. 

Yeah. He would ask Jungkook out. And Jungkook would say yes - because Jimin and Taehyung were right - and all would be great. 

He laid in bed for a couple more minutes and spent it studying the interior of Jungkook’s bedroom (grey walls, big windows, a wooden bed frame, a wooden closet, water colouring paintings in different shades of blue and a human-sized mirror leaning against the wall) and staring at Jungkook’s face (he was still fast-asleep and this state made him look a lot cuter and more innocent than he did in bed last night) before he heard his tummy rumble and started to get restless. He decided to get up - he was never one to laze around in his bed for long anyway - and carefully peeled Jungkook’s leg off his before he stepped out of the bed. 

Hoseok found his pair of white sweatpants lying around somewhere on the wooden floor and grimaced when he spotted the red wine stain on it. He didn't mind the spillage yesterday - still didn't - but he also didn't want to wear the dirty pants. When he realized that his T-shirt was still somewhere in the living area as well, he decided that Jungkook probably wouldn't mind if Hoseok borrowed some of his clothes. 

So, Hoseok walked towards the old wooden doors of the closet, opened them, and found an array of mostly sportswear and comfortable clothes. He grabbed a pair of grey sweatpants that didn’t look like he would drown in them and a lilac, oversized T-shirt, put them on and then walked towards the kitchen. 

Jungkook’s apartment was small, so the kitchen wasn’t hard to find, especially since it was attached to the living room. The space was light and open, with a huge rug in front of the couch on the light wooden floor and a big party of windows with flowy curtains behind them. It gave a sense of serenity to Hoseok, especially because the kitchen was white with wooden details as well, and he contemplated for a second if he should do his morning stretches on that huge rug in the middle of the apartment.

Deciding that he could make some breakfast first - he was hungry, and he was sure that Jungkook would appreciate the gesture; he was a decent cook after all - he walked into the kitchen, only to almost trip over a pair of shoes. Frowning, Hoseok picked the shoes up, and his frown intensified when he saw that they were a pair of light purple converse in what would be a size for kids. Hoseok put the shoes aside, wondering why the hell Jungkook needed such a pair of shoes, but then decided that wasn’t any of his business. 

Thus, he continued to step into the kitchen, opening cabinets as he did so, and eventually found some kimchi, eggs, cheese, and leftover rice in the fridge and decided that would make an acceptable meal. 

As he started cooking, he found his phone - charged (when did Jungkook do that?) on the countertop, and he used it to play some soft music while he cooked his eggs. He shot a quick text to Jimin too, telling him that he didn’t need to worry about Hoseok not being home since he was at Jungkook’s, which earned him a bunch of keyboard smashes and thumb-up emojis in return. 

Eventually, the food was ready and the coffee was brewing. Hoseok was about to plate his modest dish up when he suddenly heard the sound of a doorbell ring through the apartment. He stopped his movements, not really knowing what to do; Jungkook was still asleep, and it was eight-thirty am on a Saturday morning, and Hoseok was literally a stranger in this apartment. He decided to ignore it for now; if it was important, the doorbell ringer could come back later. He searched for a mug in the cabinets and poured himself a hot coffee, only to hear the doorbell ring again not even two minutes later. 

Hoseok frowned, put his coffee to the side, and walked towards the front door. If the person behind the door had rung the doorbell twice, surely it must be important. If it wasn’t urgent, they would’ve left already, or maybe even texted or called Jungkook. Perhaps it was a neighbour who needed help, or maybe it was a package that desperately needed to be delivered (that was a thing, right?).

When Hoseok arrived at the front door and the doorbell rang for the third time, he decided that he definitely needed to open it. So without knowing what to expect, he unlocked the door with the key that was in the hole and peeked his head through the opening. 

Like Hoseok had said; he didn’t know what to expect. However, he hadn’t expected this. 

In front of Jungkook’s door stood a woman around his age, hair black and pushed back in a tight ponytail, dressed in formal clothes. She was holding hands with a tiny girl, probably around the age of someone who went to kindergarten. She was holding a small backpack in her other hand. 

“Hello,” Hoseok croaked out, beyond confused. “Can I help you?”

The woman with the ponytail frowned, while the little girl just tilted her head to the side in a confused manner. “Who are you?” the woman asked, a little suspiciously. “And where is Jungkook?” 

“Yeah,” the girl said as she tried to peek through the door and into the apartment. “Where is appa?”

Appa?  Hoseok thought, bewildered. Where is Jungkook - the dad? he repeated in his head. He rubbed his face with his hands, concluding that it was way too early for this before he stared into the girl's big, brown eyes again. 

Big… brown… deer-like eyes. Eyes that were the shape in between round balls and almonds. Eyes that were sparkling. Eyes that looked an awful lot like Jungkook’s...

Hoseok’s eyes widened, and then immediately flew to the little girl’s feet and noticed that they should be the same size as the purple converse he tripped over earlier. His eyes then flew towards the girl’s face and concluded that it looked an awful lot like the girl on Jungkook’s phone background. 

Jungkook.

Appa. 

Jungkook was the dad, Hoseok pieced together.

Fuck. Jungkook had a daughter. 

Like a movie, Hoseok got flashbacks from the past few weeks. The keychain, the colourful manicures, the pictures of what Hoseok thought was his niece, Seokjin’s comment about the doctor's appointment - it all made sense now. Jungkook had a daughter. 

Shit! 

“I’m, uh, I’m Jung Hoseok,” Hoseok stuttered as he awkwardly bowed, figuring that he couldn’t stay in quiet panic much longer. “I’m… I’m Jungkook’s coworker.”

“What are you doing in our apartment?” the little girl asked, seemingly a little scared, as she looked at Hoseok with her big eyes. 

Good question, kid. I had sex with your father last night. That’s why I’m here, Hoseok thought as he wished he could sink through the ground. He wanted to walk into the wall and hope it was a secret door to another universe. He wished he could teleport and transport himself back to his apartment. Or to Jungkook’s bed, still asleep, beautifully oblivious. Or perhaps to last night, to before they kissed, so he could ask Jungkook who the fuck that girl on his phone screen was. 

But he couldn't, so he tried to dig in the deepest corners of his brain to come up with a proper excuse. “Uh, I was having a sleepover with your- your dad? Yes. I was having a sleepover with your dad.”

Hoseok couldn't believe he slept with a father. He couldn’t believe Jungkook was a father. Had he missed some kind of memo? Had Jungkook just not told him? Was he scared to tell Hoseok, or had he just wanted to lead Hoseok on? Shit- Hoseok was about to ask Jungkook out in a couple of minutes. Well- that plan could be thrown out of the window.

Right? 

Yes. Because Hoseok wanted to leave this scene as soon as possible. 

“How old are you?” he asked the girl, trying to make it as non-weird as possible for her. He didn’t want to traumatize the poor child. 

“Four years old,” the girl answered, looking shy. Hoseok didn’t blame her. 

Hoseok tried his best to put his nicest smile on his face when he said, “If you’re old enough, you can have sleepovers with your friends too. They’re really fun.” He looked at the woman, wondering if that excuse was good enough or if he had just made the situation even more difficult for her, but the mother just looked at him with an expression that read what the fuck is going on? Hoseok just smiled awkwardly at her, not knowing the answer to her question either, before another set of thoughts shot through his head:

If this woman was this girl’s mother, and this girl was Jungkook’s daughter, did that mean that this woman was Jungkook’s wife? Did that mean that Jungkook was cheating on her with Hoseok? No- it couldn’t be. Jungkook didn’t seem the type to do that. It wouldn’t make sense for his wife to be standing in front of the door like that on a Saturday in the morning. Plus, Jungkook had told him that he didn’t have anyone who cooked for him. If Jungkook had a wife, he wouldn’t come home to an empty apartment… Right? 

“Are you Jungkook’s wife?” Hoseok whisper-asked the woman, just to be sure.

The woman’s eyes widened. “What?” she answered with an expression of confusion. “No. God, no. Just the co-parent. Jungkook didn’t tell you?” she added. 

No, Hoseok thought. Jungkook hadn’t told him. Why hadn't he told him?

But at least he wasn’t the other man, so he could throw that worry out of the window. He hid his body further behind the front door - that was still only half-opened since he was too stressed to care about the fact that he was not letting Jungkook’s child into her own home - and took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. 

Just as he took his third breath, he heard some rustling behind him, and before he knew it, he saw Jungkook walk towards him. He was still half-asleep, obviously not aware of the situation, and unknowingly commented, “There you are,” in the softest, prettiest morning voice Hoseok had ever heard. Jungkook wrapped his arms around Hoseok in a back hug, still so sleepy, and kissed Hoseok’s shoulder a couple of times before he noticed that the door was half-open, but closed enough to hide whoever was behind it from Jungkook’s vision. “Who are you talking to?” he asked Hoseok sleepily as he buried his face in the crook of Hoseok’s neck. 

Hoseok didn’t have time to melt and kiss Jungkook good morning like his heart wanted him to, because the woman finally fully pushed open the door after she heard a second voice. “Jungkook!” she said. “There you are.” 

Jungkook, who was still clinging onto Hoseok’s body, tensed. His eyes went from half-open to wide as he peeled himself off Hoseok's body and he placed a hand on his neck on the spot where Hoseok knew he had left hickeys last night. “Yongsun! Nari! What a surprise!” he let out, startled. He then crouched down, looked into the child’s eyes with the softest gaze ever, and whispered, “Hey peanut. Good morning.” before he opened his arms and wrapped them around his daughter. While he petted her hair, he looked up at the woman with slightly narrowed eyes and asked, “Noona, what are you two doing here?” with a voice that sounded a little worried, but passive enough for the kid not to notice anything strange. “I’m not supposed to pick her up until tomorrow evening.”

“I’m sorry. I tried to call you but your phone kept going to voicemail. Something came up at work and I...” the woman started to explain, but Hoseok didn’t think he had the right to hear it. He fled from the scene and walked towards the kitchen, mind working a hundred miles an hour. When he walked towards the wooden kitchen table, he saw his untouched cup of coffee standing there and he decided that he might as well sit down and drink it as he waited for Jungkook to solve whatever situation that was. After that, he could ask his most urgent questions and let Jungkook and his daughter be for the day. 

But- what were his most urgent questions? The first one that came to mind was why didn’t Jungkook tell him? It wasn’t that Hoseok had anything against children or the caretakers of them. He was thirty-three, and he knew plenty of people who had families already. He liked kids and wouldn't mind having his own family, somewhere down the line. 

But still; a heads-up would’ve been nice. And Hoseok maybe should’ve asked - after he saw that wallpaper, or after that conversation with Seokjin - but it was Jungkook who was the father here. It was Jungkook who had continuously asked him out for lunch, it was Jungkook who had flirted with him, it was Jungkook who had kissed him, and it was Jungkook who took him here. So Jungkook should’ve told him. Unless… unless this was only meant to be a one-time thing. 

Which led Hoseok to his second question; did Jungkook want that date, or not? Did Jungkook just wanted to have a night of fun, get into Hoseok’s pants, or were those lingering touches real, and were Jimin and Taehyung right, and had they maybe just done things in the wrong order? 

Hoseok groaned, drank half of his caffeinated drink in one go, grimaced at the bitter taste, and sat back in his chair again. He looked at the purple converse that he had set aside not even half an hour ago and forced himself to take a breath and assess the situation. 

Okay, so Jungkook had a child. A daughter, to be precise, who was four years old. The child had a mother, but the mother wasn’t in a romantic relationship with Jungkook, which meant that Jungkook was single, like he said he was. But, he still wasn’t alone, because he had a child that he hadn’t told Hoseok about. And maybe Hoseok should’ve picked up on some of the clues, but he hadn’t. 

He had also just met the child and her mom. After all, he was in Jungkook’s apartment, because he had slept with Jungkook last night. Twice. And he’d wanted it. And had enjoyed it. And he had made Jungkook breakfast - that was now cold - because he didn’t want it to be a one-time thing. Because he wanted it to be repeated - not just the sex, but all of it. More of it. 

He stared at himself in the reflection of the windows, noticed that he was still wearing Jungkook’s clothes, and asked himself two things. The first one was if he regretted it. The answer came easily; No, he didn’t. Last night was amazing, and it still was. 

The second question was a bit more difficult; did he still want this to be more than a one-time thing? Did he still want that date? Did he still want more of Jungkook, even though he had a child? Hoseok stared in his cup as if the black liquid held all the answers but found nothing, so he just took a sip of it. As he swallowed the drink, he realized that Jungkook was still Jungkook. He probably should’ve told Hoseok, and Hoseok was definitely looking forward to the conversation he was absolutely going to have with him, but it wasn’t like Jungkook had done anything bad. It wasn’t like he had broken Hoseok’s heart. He had just… surprised him. 

So Jungkook was still Jungkook, the same Jungkook that now walked into the room, this time dressed in a pair of light-washed jeans and a black T-shirt instead of the sweats he was in earlier. 

“Hi,” he carefully greeted as he leaned against the wall. 

Hoseok didn’t answer him right away. Instead, he drank the last of his coffee before he slowly got up from his seat and walked towards Jungkook. He stood still at a healthy distance, close enough for a conversation, but far enough for it to be slightly awkward. 

“So,” Hoseok said. “You have a child, huh?” he asked teasingly, deciding to go for a light-hearted approach. 

At the question, Jungkook knitted his eyebrows together. “You didn’t know?” he asked, confused. 

Ah, Hoseok thought to himself. So that’s where it went wrong. 

“No,” he answered, smiling despite the situation. “You never told me.”

“Shit,” Jungkook swore, visibly getting stressed again. “I thought you knew. Everyone at the gym knows. Shit,” he half-rambled. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you. And I’m sorry that just happened. I didn’t know…” He raked a hand through his still-messy hair, let out a humourless chuckle and continued with, “Shit. Sorry. I screwed this up, didn’t I? I thought you knew. Sorry. I should’ve told you.”

“Calm down, Jungkook,” Hoseok interrupted as he walked towards Jungkook and softly took his hand out of his hair. “You’re fine,” he decided. 

Jungkook’s eyes met Hoseok’s and Hoseok could see him visibly relax. Jungkook dropped his hand from his hair, still letting Hoseok hold it, and slumped further against the wall. Hoseok hadn’t thought about how stressful this situation must be to Jungkook. Your child unexpectedly showing up at your apartment and running into the guy you just slept with must not be a fun situation to deal with. 

Jungkook sighed before he said, “Yongsun- Nari’s mother. Wait,” Jungkook said with a chuckle before he restarted his explanation. “Nari is my daughter. Yongsun is her mother,” he explained, starting with the basics. “We’re not together. We never were. So we co-parent. I take her every other week. Uhm. This week is her week, and I wasn’t supposed to pick her up until tomorrow night. But something came up at her work, and basically, she didn’t have anywhere else to bring her. So she came here. Obviously,” he told Hoseok rapidly. “But- yeah. I didn’t know. I’m sorry you ran into her like that. That must not have been a nice surprise.”

“It surely was an interesting way to wake up,” Hoseok joked. Jungkook looked guilty enough - Hoseok didn’t need to make it worse. 

“I want to explain all of this to you,” Jungkook confessed. He unconsciously started to swing Hoseok’s hand that he was still holding before adding, “I want to talk to you. Not just about this, but about last night too. If you want.” He then looked towards the direction of a room Hoseok hadn’t even noticed before - presumably Nari’s - and added, “But I can’t right now. Nari- They’re in her bedroom right now, but Yongsun is leaving soon.” He focused his attention back on Hoseok again and softened his voice when he asked, “But can we talk on Monday? You work on Monday, right? Can you meet me for lunch?”

Hoseok understood that Jungkook had to take care of her daughter right now, but he did really want that conversation. There were a lot of questions still dancing in his mind and he felt like Jungkook owed him an explanation. He preferred to have it right now, but whatever, he could wait until Monday. So he nodded his head and ended up saying, “Yeah.” 

More relief seemed to coarse through Jungkook’s body before he whispered, “Just-” He stopped himself, closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath, holding Hoseok’s hand a little tighter as he did so. When he opened his eyes again, they were big and pleading. “Are you mad at me?” he asked. 

Hoseok couldn’t stop the fond expression from forming on his face, so he just went with it and stroked Jungkook’s hair with his free hand. “I’m just confused,” he explained honestly. “And a little shocked. It wasn’t very… relaxing meeting your daughter that I didn’t even know existed first thing in the morning right after we slept together.” He tugged a few strands of hair behind Jungkook’s ear and added, “But I’m not mad. I would really like to talk to you, but I understand why you can’t right now, and I’m okay with that.” 

His hand moved from Jungkook’s hair to his cheek, and he cupped it while looking into Jungkook’s eyes. They didn't look stressed anymore, nor were they pleading. Instead, they looked relieved and were filled with something that most closely resembled admiration. “Go spend your Saturday with your daughter, okay? I made breakfast. You can heat it if you want. I’m going to leave you two be. I’ll talk to you on Monday,” he said, announcing his department. 

But instead of letting go, Jungkook reached for Hoseok’s hand that was cupping his cheek and put his own hand over it. He hooked his fingers through it and asked in a soft voice, “Can I kiss you good morning before you go?” 

And fuck- it shouldn’t happen in this situation, but Hoseok’s heart somersaulted in his chest. His face broke out in a smile as he nodded his head, utterly adored by Jungkook, and pulled him closer. He kissed him briefly on the mouth before he detached himself and walked away, grabbing his phone and wallet from the kitchen counter before turning around, and saw Jungkook smile at him. 

God, he thought to himself. He was in big trouble.