Chapter Text
‘Come in, guys,’ Hoseok says, trying to sound super casual. ‘Have a seat!’
‘Everything okay, Seok-ah?’ Jin says, flopping down on Hoseok’s sofa and laying his arm along the backrest. It’s very sexy and distracting, and Yoongi has curled up next to him which is extremely cute, and Hoseok has to firmly remind himself about the important agenda talking points.
‘Ah,’ he starts, taking a seat at his desk, facing them both. That was a mistake. Now he feels like he’s being observed, like some kind of lab specimen.
‘Take your time, Hoba,’ Yoongi says gently, and Hoseok takes a deep breath. No matter what, Yoongi and Jin are his hyungs, and they won’t want him to be hurt. Not beyond repair, anyway, and Yoongi is good at fixing things. He can do this.
‘Okay,’ Hoseok says. ‘Let me just - let me get this out without interruptions, and then I’ll take questions. All right?’
Jin and Yoongi both nod, both of them clearly trying to suppress a fond smile, and Hoseok has to look at the ceiling for a second to stop himself from just attacking them both with his affection. Why are ceiling tiles always gross, no matter how much money gets spent on them? The predictability of ugly corporate office decor soothes him, and he takes a deep breath. He’s ready.
‘Well,’ he starts, looking at a spot on the sofa between Yoongi and Jin. ‘Right. Three things, to start with. One, I know about your secret relationship.’ There’s a small noise from Jin, but Hoseok holds up a hand beseechingly. ‘Let me finish, please? Or I’ll never get it out.’
Jin opens and closes his mouth, and then nods. His ears are red.
‘Thank you,’ Hoseok continues. ‘Two, I am jealous of your secret boyfriend fishing trips, because three - well. I like you both. Very much. Actually, this is stupid, because this is about me being honest, so honestly, I should be honest, and just say it. I love you, and I love you,’ he finishes, looking up finally and saying it, properly, firmly, bravely, to each of them in turn.
They both are open-mouthed, gaping at him. Yoongi has untucked his legs and is sitting up very straight. Jin’s entire neck is bright red.
They look at each other, and then both look back at Hoseok.
‘You can speak now,’ Hoseok adds, hurriedly. ‘Thank you for listening.’
‘Um,’ Yoongi croaks. ‘I think, probably, we should address point number one first?’
Jin nods mutely.
‘Sure,’ Hoseok says. He feels super great. No more secrets! Proper grown-up communication! They’re so good at this, they’re gonna nail this whole chat.
‘The thing is, Hoba,’ Yoongi continues. ‘There isn’t - well, what secret relationship do you mean?’
‘You two,’ Hoseok says. Come on, Yoongi-hyung, keep up, he thinks. ‘I know you’ve been dating for a while. Or did I read it wrong? Is it a friends with benefits thing? You seem really into each other, though. It’s cute.’
Jin is still speechless, but he’s started making sporadic spluttering noises.
Yoongi glances at Jin and rolls his eyes. He rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably and looks up at Hoseok as he says, ‘Hoba, honestly. We aren’t dating. Or friends with - well, we’re just friends. Did you really think we were?’
‘What?’ Hoseok hears himself say. Not dating? Not anything at all? That can’t be right. ‘That can’t be right,’ he says, and Jin snorts.
‘It’s definitely right,’ Jin says, much too loudly. He kind of laughs, but it doesn’t feel nice. ‘Nothing to see here, Seok, just two ol’ fishing bros. No feelings at all! You must have got your wires crossed somewhere!’
Hoseok knows Jin well enough to know nothing he’s saying is true, and he looks to Yoongi for support. However, Yoongi is staring at the wall.
‘But you like each other,’ Hoseok says.
‘Says who?’ Yoongi says suddenly, eyes snapping back to Hoseok. ‘Has anyone told you that?’
‘I don’t need them to!’ Hoseok says. He’s the one talking too loudly now. ‘I see the way you look at each other! I see the way you make each other laugh and how peaceful you are after your fishing trips and all the little things you do for each other when you think nobody is looking!’
‘Hoseok,’ Jin interrupts, and he’s never sounded quite like this before, cold and monotonous and polite. He’s staring at his hands, clasped tight between his knees. ‘I’m sorry to have confused you. And I’m sorry if that’s pushed you into a confession you might not have made had you not been misinformed. But I think Yoongi has made it clear that dating is not an opti- ah, not what’s happening, and so I don’t think I have anything more to add to this conversation. I would like to leave, if there’s nothing else you need me for.’
Hoseok blinks at the Jin he doesn’t recognise and nods. His tummy hurts. ‘Um. Sure. If you want to go then go, hyung. It’s okay.’
Jin nods, once, and then stands up and leaves. He doesn’t look at either of them. The door closes behind him, and Hoseok dares to glance at Yoongi. He looks miserable.
‘Hyung, I’m so sorry,’ Hoseok says, quietly. ‘I really thought - and Jimin agreed, it’s not just me—’
‘You told Jimin?’ Yoongi asks, looking up.
‘I’m sorry,’ Hoseok says again. This might well have gone even more badly than Hoseok’s imagined worst case scenario. He’s not prepared for the emotions on Yoongi’s face, and he feels a bit untethered without a hyung to hold him down.
‘No, Hoba, it’s okay. Don’t be sorry.’ Yoongi rubs his hands over his face and sighs. ‘You needed to talk to someone, I understand.’
‘Okay.’ Hoseok looks at his nails, just to distract himself from how wet Yoongi’s eyes are. He wants to go and join him on the sofa, put an arm around him, have an arm put around himself, but he’s not sure it’s allowed.
‘You’re right,’ Yoongi says, quietly, after a moment. ‘It’s not just you.’
‘Sorry?’ Hoseok says. ‘What do you mean?’
Yoongi takes a deep breath, looks into Hoseok’s eyes, and says, ‘it’s not just you. You haven’t been imagining things. I like Jin-hyung.’
Hoseok’s eyes widen. ‘Fuck,’ he says. ‘I knew it!’
‘Well, exactly,’ Yoongi says. ‘But he doesn’t like me back.’
‘Oh, hyung,’ Hoseok says, practically chortling in disbelief. These idiots. ‘You have to trust me. He absolutely does.’
‘I really don’t think he does, Hoba,’ Yoongi says, looking up at Hoseok sadly.
Despite himself, Hoseok takes the three steps to the sofa and sits down with his shoulder nudged up against Yoongi. Yoongi presses into it, a little, and Hoseok feels warm again.
‘What makes you think that?’ Hoseok asks.
‘Well - a few months ago we were fishing, and it was so early we caught the sunrise, and we were both on the bow of the boat watching it, and our hands touched, and I just - I tried to take his hand properly so I could say something, and he literally leapt away from me and was all screechy about forgetting his new rod which was an absolute lie anyway, and I know he knew what I was about to say. I know he did.‘
Hoseok hums. ‘Hyung is an idiot,’ he says fondly, shoving his shoulder gently against Yoongi again.
‘I know he is,’ Yoongi says glumly, and Hoseok laughs.
‘He is, but I meant you.’
Yoongi huffs. ‘Aish, can’t a guy get some sympathy for his rejection?’
Hoseok laughs, ‘I dunno, hyung, you tell me,’ and then regrets it immediately.
‘Oh!’ Yoongi says. His face is unreadable. Probably pity, Hoseok thinks. ‘Oh, Hoba, I’m so sorry!’
‘Ah, it’s all right, I’ll get over it,’ Hoseok says, waving a hand breezily.
‘No, I mean - I never - ah, hyung really is an idiot, I focused too much on the other things, and you must feel - ah, fuck,’ Yoongi says in a rush, and surges forward to kiss Hoseok on the mouth, hard and wet and sudden, hand on Hoseok’s jaw, nose pressed tight to Hoseok’s cheek.
‘Fuck?’ Hoseok echoes as they break apart, both a little breathless. ‘Wow. What? Fuck.’
‘Mmm,’ Yoongi agrees, mouth pink and eyes bright. ‘I think I forgot to say. I love you too.’
‘Fuck!’ Hoseok says, feeling like if he lets go of Yoongi he’ll hit the ugly ceiling like a helium balloon.
‘Yeah,’ Yoongi says, and he grins, gums out, eyes crinkling as Hoseok stands on the sofa and starts dancing, humming a celebratory tune. ‘Sorry for taking so long to reply.’
‘Fuck!’ Hoseok says, again, sitting back down but this time onto Yoongi’s lap.
‘Say something else, you idiot,’ Yoongi says, smiling, hands on Hoseok’s waist.
‘No,’ Hoseok says, and Yoongi huffs a laugh as Hoseok leans forward to kiss him again and again.
Hoseok has imagined this moment many, many times, despite his best efforts to stay sane. He’s imagined Yoongi pliant and panting in his hands, Yoongi kneeling over him with his eyes dark and demanding, Yoongi kissing him softly and gently under the moonlight; and yet none of them even come close to this. Nothing even touches having Yoongi tip his chin up to meet Hoseok’s mouth, his soft pretty lips kissing Hoseok on his cheeks and his nose between giggles, breaking apart because their smiles are too wide.
‘I love you,’ Yoongi eventually murmurs against Hoseok’s lips, and Hoseok is gonna have such a good bedtime story for Jimin tonight.
‘Fuck!’ Hoseok says again, suddenly, leaning back and Yoongi shakes his head, still grinning.
‘What now? Still surprised?’
‘I mean obviously, hyung, I’m going to be surprised for at least another five to seven business days, don’t be stupid,’ Hoseok says. ‘But no. What about Jin hyung?’
Yoongi’s face falls. ‘Oh,’ he says.
‘Yeah, oh,’ Hoseok says. ‘You like him, right?’
Yoongi’s gaze shifts to his hands. ‘I mean, a bit?’ He sounds guilty.
‘Hyung,’ Hoseok says, firmly. ‘I like you both. It’s okay for you to like us both too. And I would bet my entire album on the fact that he likes you, so don’t worry about that. I just don’t know if he likes me, that’s my main concern with regards to this project.’
Yoongi nods seriously, and then laughs again. ‘Why do you keep talking about this like a business proposal, Hoba?’
‘Because if I don’t, I’ll just be screaming non-stop,’ Hoseok says, matter-of-factly. ‘Come on, hyung, think straight.’
‘Of course,’ Yoongi says, trying to keep his face composed. Hoseok grins back, and then Yoongi sighs. ‘Do you want me to talk to Jin-hyung? See if he’s calmed down?’
Hoseok hums uncertainly. ‘I’m not sure. Maybe we should give him a couple of hours to process?’
‘Yeah, okay,’ Yoongi says, looking relieved. ‘Good plan.’
Hoseok looks at his watch. ‘Right now, though, you may kiss me for another twenty minutes, and then I have to work.’
Yoongi rolls his eyes, and leans forward before Hoseok stops him with a finger on his lips. He has to use every single thread of willpower not to stick his head into the corridor and yell about touching Yoongi’s mouth, but he manages.
‘Ah, that twenty minutes must also include any other business!’ Hoseok says, sternly. ‘So use your time wisely, old man.’
‘Old man!’ Yoongi shrieks in annoyance, but his voice cracks halfway through and they both collapse sideways on the sofa in giggles.
‘I do have some any other business, Hoba,’ Yoongi says, when their laughter subsides. ‘Um. This means we have to talk to Joonie, right?’
‘Of course,’ Hoseok says, tucking Yoongi’s hair behind his ear. He can do that now! It’s allowed! ‘I want you to be my boyfriend, so you have to pass the Bangtan Approval Interview.’
‘What,’ Yoongi says, blinking. ‘Why wouldn’t it be you be passing the Bangtan Approval Interview?’
‘Because I am beloved by all? Because I am Bangtan’s sunshine? You’re blinded by love, hyung, you’re asking very foolish questions.’
‘Wow, really? I don’t know, Hoba, I’ve never heard anyone call you sunshine before, I think you’d better start prepping for the interview. Get your business suit out.’
‘Oh, boy,’ Hoseok laughs. ‘You’re even more annoying as a boyfriend, huh?’
Yoongi just grins, and kisses Hoseok again, for a long time.
‘Let me talk to Jin-hyung, first,’ Hoseok says, eventually. ‘And then we’ll think about Joonie. Okay?’
‘Okay, cutie,’ Yoongi says, and Hoseok actually does scream, this time. Good thing his studio is soundproofed. And good thing Yoongi’s time is up, because he needs to calm down with some emails and maybe a bit of light dusting.
‘That’s enough from you, young man,’ Hoseok says in Yoongi’s dad’s voice, pulling him up off the sofa, and Yoongi pulls a repulsed face.
‘You are never, ever, allowed to do an impression of my father after we’ve been kissing, I’m setting that as an iron-clad rule right now,’ he grumbles, and Hoseok kisses him on the nose in apology.
‘I’ll let you know when I’ve talked to Jin-hyung, okay?’
‘Okay, Hoba. Good luck. Hey,’ Yoongi adds, turning around. ‘Guess what?’
‘What?’ Hoseok says. He has a fair idea what.
‘I love you,’ Yoongi grins, and Hoseok was right, but somehow it’s terrible.
‘I love you too, hyung,’ Hoseok says, trying not to scream again, and pushes Yoongi out of the door. ‘Now go away and let me work!’
Obviously, once he’s shut the door and sat back down at his computer, he can’t focus on mundane things like making ground-breaking music. His mind is absolutely racing with thoughts of potential seaside rendezvous, images of what Yoongi’s post-kiss glow looks like, worries about Jin and the cold, hurt way he stalked out of the studio.
It’s time to text Jimin.
Less than a minute later, there’s a knock on Hoseok’s door. He cracks it open, and says, ‘who is it?’
‘Let me in, you bully,’ Yoongi grumbles, pushing the door open and kicking it shut behind him. He stands in front of Hoseok, looking wary. ‘Is this real? You sorted things out with him?’
Hoseok grins. He know he looks smug, but he is smug, and why wouldn’t he be? ‘I sure did, princess,’ he says, trying not to laugh. ‘I got you a fine husband!’
Yoongi swats half-heartedly at him, but he’s grinning too. ‘Really?’ He says. ‘Honestly. Really? He just said he likes me, right? You saw that?’
‘I saw it, and frankly I orchestrated it,’ Hoseok says, tugging Yoongi back to the sofa. ‘You should be thanking me.’
‘Oh yeah?’ Yoongi says, straddling Hoseok’s lap. ‘You want me to show you how thankful I am?’ He’s breathy and jittery and it should be a cheesy line but Hoseok just wants to kiss him and never let go.
‘No, stop that,’ Hoseok says suddenly, turning his head away from Yoongi’s advances. ‘No kissing until Jin-hyung gets here! You already got a head start, and I don’t want him feeling left out.’
Yoongi humphs, and climbs off, settling into the corner of the sofa and crossing his arms. Hoseok can tell he’s only pretending to be cross. ‘Why did I have to end up liking someone so sickeningly thoughtful?’ Yoongi grumbles.
‘Ah, you’ll cope,’ Hoseok says cheerfully, slapping Yoongi on the thigh. He goes to the door to peek down the corridor, and just as he’s about to draw his head back in, Jin appears around the corner, and when their eyes meet he breaks into the biggest smile Hoseok has ever seen. He jogs down to Hoseok’s door, and Hoseok stands aside to let him in, closing the door behind him and turning to see Jin standing breathlessly in front of Yoongi, fists tight at his sides.
‘Yoongi-chi,’ he says, reaching to pull Yoongi to him by the waist, and Yoongi’s breath hitches as their noses brush. Hoseok feels like he should give them privacy, but Jin reaches out for him. ‘Seok-ah,’ he says, glancing over, not moving his face from Yoongi’s. ‘Come here. I want you both.’
It should be weird, three of them kissing at once. It should feel awkward, and formulaic, and confusing, and it is nothing but perfect.
Hoseok can’t believe he gets to watch Yoongi and Jin’s first kiss. He strokes Yoongi’s cheek, runs a thumb along Yoongi’s jaw, feels the movement of their kissing. He rests his head on Jin’s shoulder, Jin’s arm around his waist, and Yoongi pulls away to kiss him, too, Jin’s fingers in his hair, and then Jin’s mouth is on his for the first time, and it's perfect, and he’s warm and fuzzy and on fire and in love.