Chapter Text
When Jungkook walked into dance the following Tuesday and Hoseok quickly crossed the room to place a loud kiss on his lips, Jimin and Taehyung both dropped their jaws in shock for a second before the cheers and whooping began.
“Hobi hyung, you’re gonna kill the kid! Look how red he is!” Taehyung gasped out between bouts of laughter as he slapped Hoseok on the the back. He was right, Jungkook’s complexion was nearing that of a tomato, and Hoseok couldn’t help but laughing too.
“Hyung, don’t make fun of me! You embarrassed me is all…” Jungkook muttered, trying to sound angry, but his shy smile betraying him.
“Aw, Jungkookie. Every day you grow up more and more, you’re making me feel old! Cut it out!” Jimin teased, wrapping an arm around the youngest boy’s waist, being too short to put it across his shoulders, and ruffling his hair with his other hand.
Eventually Hoseok was able to reign them in and start practice--weeks until the end of the year were rapidly disappearing, and many of his students had finals at their universities aside from the casual show he put on with the other instructors at his studio, so it was important that they utilized every minute of practice that they got. A few of his students, like Jimin, had solo dances for senior showcases, and Hoseok had been taking extra care to work with those few.
Jimin was undeniably one of the best dancers Hoseok had ever seen, but it was no secret that the boy struggled with a lot of self-doubt and insecurity, and he’d been working intensely with the younger boy over the past few weeks to perfect his routine. Whenever Hoseok complimented him, however, Jimin was always prepared to retaliate with a remark about not fast enough, not smooth enough, not good enough.
As Hoseok drove Jungkook to campus after practice, he voiced his concerns to the younger, their hands linked over the center console of the car.
“Hyung,” Jungkook massaged a thumb over Hoseok’s knuckles, “You worry too much about people.”
Hoseok sighed, “Kook, Jimin is one of my best friends. It’s hard for me to see him be so hard on himself.”
Jungkook looked towards him, “Hyung, he’s one of my best friends, too. In case you’re forgetting, I literally grew up with him. I don’t like it either, but there’s only so much you can do.” He squeezed Hoseok’s hand, “He’s always been like this, even when we were kids. You just need to be there for him. What you’re doing now is more than enough.”
“I just… Kook, he’s so damn talented, does he really not realize that?” Hoseok exhaled sharply, frustrated.
Jungkook moved his hand to rest on top of Hoseok’s thigh, “Hyung. No matter what he says, we both know he’s going to do incredible at his showcase. All we can do is love him and support him. Worrying won’t do anything.” He laughed, “You make me worry about you when you get like this. He’ll be okay, really. Let’s be happy. Look forward to this weekend.”
Hoseok smiled at the reminder. He was looking forward to the weekend, in fact, he hadn’t really been able to stop thinking about it. The thought of Jungkook meeting his parents both terrified and excited Hoseok, but he knew it would bring about more good than harm.
Before he knew it, it was Friday morning and he was helping Jungkook load his suitcase into the trunk of Yoongi’s car. Hoseok climbed into the back seat, letting Jungkook sit up front.
As they began driving, Jungkook turned to Yoongi and asked, “Why didn’t Jimin hyung come?”
The older let out a long sigh, “He’s practicing for his showcase. It’s about all he does these days.” There was a furrow to his brow, his lips pulled into a frown. “No matter what I say, he’s just so hard on himself, you know?”
“I know,” both Jungkook and Hoseok responded at the same time, causing Yoongi to let out a little laugh.
He ran a hand through his hair, “I know he’s gonna do incredible, I think everyone knows that. He just… he beats himself up too much. I’m afraid he’s gonna overwork himself and get hurt or something.”
Jungkook put a hand on Yoongi’s shoulder, “Hyung, he’s not gonna hurt himself. Hoseok hyung has been worrying about this same thing to me all week, and I’ve been telling him these same things. Jimin has always been like this, and we can’t let ourselves feel guilty about it. We just have to love him and support him. He knows his limits.”
Yoongi was silent for a minute. He made eye contact with Hoseok in the rear view mirror and smiled a bit.
“He’s a good one, Hobi. You guys have a good thing going.” They were almost to the train station. “I’m happy for you guys.” Hoseok didn't respond. Jungkook coughed to cover up a choking sound and looked over to Yoongi.
Yoongi stiffened before locking eyes with Hoseok in the mirror again, “Does… does he know?” he asked hesitantly, gesturing toward Jungkook in the passenger seat. Jungkook nodded the slightest bit, and Yoongi’s eyes blew wide. “Well this is awkward.”
Hoseok didn't know what to say. What was there to say when your ex-best-friend-that-you-were-in-love-with-turned-tense-acquaintance realizes that your current boyfriend knows about that time he came onto you and maybe kinda ruined your life for almost a year? He wondered if his heart had stopped beating--he almost wished it would. Yoongi pulled into a parking spot, but no one moved.
Jungkook was the one to break the silence, putting a gentle hand on Yoongi’s arm, “Hyung, I’ve known for a long time. It’s okay.” Yoongi just stared at him like a deer in the headlights. “I mean, it wasn’t okay. It was actually pretty fucked up, but like, I don’t hate you. Well, I did for a little bit, but things have changed and it doesn’t have to be awkward.”
“Jungkook,” Yoongi’s voice was shaking, his perpetually stoic composure cracking a bit, exposing the more vulnerable Min Yoongi. “It was more than fucked up.” He turned around, “I know I’ve apologized to you, but I don’t think you understand just how sorry I am, Hobi. Anyone can tell that you’re not comfortable around me. I know you try, but I’m always gonna know that it was my fault that our friendship disintegrated like it has. You guys have every reason to hate me.”
“Hyung, please. We don’t hate you.” Jungkook urged, voice a bit strained as he tried to get the point across.
Hoseok didn’t want to listen to any more, “Please don’t argue, Yoongi hyung. I know you feel bad. I feel like shit about the whole thing too. I just want to be done with it. I know we said we would but neither of us really have.” He looked at his phone to check the time. “We can’t miss our train, but I don’t want to leave you on a bad note.” He unbuckled his seatbelt. “Your friendship was always more important to me than anything else. I loved you in a lot of ways, and I’ve moved on, but I still love you as my best friend, like a brother.”
Yoongi choked out a weak “Okay,” before quickly pulling his seatbelt off and opening his door. They all got out of the car and took the two suitcases out of the trunk. “Let me know what train you’ll be coming back on on Tuesday, I’ll come pick you guys up.”
“Thank you, hyung,” Jungkook said with a grateful smile. Yoongi smiled back, and Hoseok felt a sense of closure as he watched the older tell Jungkook about Hoseok’s parents.
“You think Hobi is peppy? Just wait till you meet his mother, Jungkook. That woman is pep personified and she’s gonna love the shit out of you. And probably tell you you’re too skinny like, every five minutes,” Yoongi described, his smile widening. “And Mr. Jung might seem kinda stoic at first, but honestly I’d be worried about what kind of jokes he’ll make. He’s gonna do his goddamn best to embarrass you.” Hoseok remembered fondly the Chuseok that Yoongi had visited home with him, his mother fussing over and coddling him and his father’s good-natured but incessant teasing.
There was an eagerness in Jungkook’s eyes as he listened, and it remained even when Yoongi waved goodbye and they turned to leave and go wait for their train. Hoseok could sense the nervous excitement emanating from Jungkook, and once they made it to the platform he wound an arm around the younger boy’s waist and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. The waited in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, Hoseok resting his head on Jungkook’s shoulder, until their train pulled up and they climbed on board and found a bench to sit on in the back. The ride was just under two hours with only one stop, so Hoseok settled his head on Jungkook’s shoulder, laced their fingers together on top of his thigh, and promptly fell asleep.
When he woke up, Jungkook was leaning his head on top of his, a thin stream of drool running from the corner of his mouth to Hoseok’s hair. He knew Jungkook drooled in his sleep, and at this point it didn’t phase him--it never really had. He gazed out the window and let his mind wander. Early November air promised chilly weather in Gwangju. Hoseok wondered if he would have the opportunity to show Jungkook around his hometown or if his mother would keep them trapped inside with her for the three days they visited. Either way, he was excited. He wondered if he should call his sister to let her know, but figured that his mother probably already had.
A few times over last hour of the ride Jungkook would stir a bit, but remained asleep until the train pulled into the station and Hoseok gently nudged him awake. The younger boy offered him a sleepy smile and a soft kiss on the lips before they took their bags and headed out onto the platform. As soon as they made it outside the station, Hoseok pulled his phone out and texted his mother to ask where she was parked. She responded within seconds, and he took Jungkook’s hand with a laugh to lead him towards the lot where they would find her. She was waiting with the trunk of the car open, and the moment she noticed them approaching, she let out a screech and hurried towards them.
“Jeon Jungkookie! You’re really here!” she cried, pulling the boy into a tight hug. “You’re so tall, oh my, Hoseokie, is he taller than you?” she took a step back, examining Jungkook with a heart-shaped grin. “What a handsome boy! Oh Jungkookie, what a pretty face you have! And you’re a dancer too, right? Tall, strong, handsome,” she turned to Hoseok, “How in the world did you catch him?”
Hoseok was too flustered to respond immediately, but after taking a moment to regain himself he gestured to Jungkook’s red cheeks and said, “Mama, please. You’re embarrassing him.”
She waved him off, “Psh, if he can date you, he can handle it. Put the bags in the trunk,” she turned to Jungkook, “Come here, honey. You can ride in the front.” The boy’s eyes widened, and he tried to help Hoseok load the bags, but she scolded him and ushered him into the car instead.
Hoseok didn't mind, laughing at the flustered look Jungkook gave him as he climbed into the back seat. The drive from the station to the house was under ten minutes, but with the bombardment of questions, it felt like a lifetime to Hoseok.
“Jungkook honey, how old are you?” she asked as they pulled out of the lot.
“I just turned 22 in September, but I'm actually only a freshman at the university,” he responded, eyes locked with Hoseok’s in the rear-view mirror, silently begging for help. Hoseok smugly smiled back at him but kept his mouth closed.
“Ah, so young. Hoseokie is starting to get old,” she mused and Hoseok’s smile faltered a bit, “It’s about time he found himself a good boyfriend.”
Now it was Jungkook’s turn to look smug, “It’s okay--he’s still young at heart, so I can look past his age,” he said with a satisfied smirk, suddenly gaining confidence.
Hoseok gaped as his mother continued, “You know, Jungkookie, Mr. Jung is almost six years older than me and I’ve never regretted being with an older man. It has its benefits.”
“Mom! You can’t just say things like that, oh my god. Please stop,” Hoseok pitifully begged, praying they would be to the house soon.
“Hoseokie, don’t be shy! And at your age, someone young like Jungkookie will do you nothing but good.” The street was in sight. “I can already sense the chemistry between you two. There's a long and bountiful future ahead of you.”
“ Bountiful !” Hoseok screeched, leg anxiously bouncing as he stared out the window when they finally rounded the corner and the house at the end of the street entered his view.
Jungkook turned around with a wide grin, “Yeah, Seokie. Long and bountiful.”
Hoseok’s jaw dropped--either at the informal language or blunt statement, he wasn't sure. Probably both. Possibly the nickname alone. Jungkook continued to grin even as the car pulled into the driveway and he and Hoseok’s mother climbed out.
“Hoseok, why don't you get the bags unloaded? I'm gonna show Jungkookie around the house, okay?” his mother asked in that tone of voice that all mothers use when their question is actually a command.
Hoseok gritted his teeth as Jungkook blew him a kiss before being whisked away into the house by his over-eager mother. What a little shit. Jungkook had never been so confident before--always exhaustingly polite, endearingly shy--and suddenly Hoseok was dreading the rest of the weekend. He heaved a sigh as he pulled the bags from the trunk and trudged towards the house. Once inside, he could hear Jungkook and his mother talking happily in the kitchen and couldn’t help the small smile that crossed his face. Not wanting to interrupt them, he dragged the bags down the hall and into his tiny bedroom.
There was a certain feeling about coming home--the sound of his mother’s voice, the old posters and photographs on his walls, the somewhat musty smell that he couldn’t describe any more eloquently than simply “my childhood.” He looked towards his tiny twin bed and wondered if Jungkook would want to sleep in it with him or if the younger boy would rather stay in the guest room on the opposite side of the house. Selfishly, he wanted him here, but he knew the latter would probably be more practical. And decent. And probably what his parents had anticipated. He rolled his eyes at himself but picked Jungkook's bags back up before heading down to the empty room at the end of the hall.
This room had a similar nostalgia, but the smell was one associated with elderly relatives and the occasional stranger that his juvenile self was supposed to, but didn't, know. He noted that the dresser was dusted off and the bed neatly made, but threw the bags sloppily onto the comforter regardless.
Back in the kitchen, he found Jungkook casually sitting at the table, intently listening to his mother tell some irrelevant story as she busied herself with preparing what appeared to be a meal large enough for the entire town. He moved forward until his hands were on the back of Jungkook's chair and bent down to kiss the boy's soft hair.
“Did you invite all of Gwangju to dinner, mama?” he teased, a playful smile on his lips.
The small woman continued to work as she responded, “Of course not, honey. But I want to make sure there's enough food for you two growing boys. Jungkookie needs to eat to keep all those muscles he has nice and big.” Jungkook leaned his head back and grinned up at Hoseok at the comment. “Also Dawon is coming.”
“I'm excited to meet her,” Jungkook commented before Hoseok had a chance to respond.
His eagerness elicited a laugh from Hoseok's mother. “She'll love you, Jungkook. She and Hoseokie are so similar she might try to steal you from him. You're quite the catch.”
“Mama, have some shame!” Hoseok whined, still smiling.
“I'm too old to worry about something like shame, honey. Come help me with this,” she tutted, waving Hoseok over to herself.
“Yes, ma'am,” he answered, ruffling Jungkook's hair as he walked away from the boy and the table and over to the counter.
Conversation flowed easily between the three of them as the minutes passed, Jungkook repeatedly offering to help, and Hoseok’s mother repeatedly refusing to let him. Truthfully, she was doing more cooking than working, but Hoseok didn’t mind. He was happy to let her and Jungkook grow comfortable with one another on their own, so he dutifully prepared the food until there was a sharp knock on the front door immediately before it swung wide open.
“I’m home!” Dawon sung, slamming the door behind her and immediately appearing in the entryway to the kitchen. Within seconds, she had her arms wound tightly around Hoseok’s waist, squeezing him until he couldn’t breathe and refusing to let go despite him struggling against her. Eventually she released him, laughing hard as he gasped for air before grabbing her and lifting her off the ground. She screamed once and swung a fist at the side of his head, causing him to shout and drop her back onto the ground. She pulled an elbow back in anticipation of another swing, but was interrupted by their mother.
“Dasom! Is that any way to act in front of a guest? Or in front of your mother? You’re lucky your father isn’t home yet,” she swatted her daughter’s arm with the hand towel she had been holding, eliciting a squeal from the girl. “Don’t laugh! Show some respect. You’re 28, not 8.”
Still laughing, Dasom pulled her mother into a hug, “I’m sorry Mama, I was just excited to see him. It’s a been a while.” She then turned around and reached a hand over the table towards Jungkook. “You must be Jungkook, then. Right?”
He was suddenly shy again, not at all the outgoing boy who had hit it off so well with Mrs. Jung. It was carefully and hesitantly that he shook the hand offered to him, and Hoseok couldn’t hold back a snort.
“Kookie, she’s not gonna hit you,” he teased.
Dasom smiled wide, “Ah yeah, I didn’t mean to intimidate you, kiddo. I’m very kind and loving, I promise! If you know Hoseokie well though, then I’m sure you can understand why I treat him the way I do,” she said with a wink, further flustering Jungkook.
“No! I mean, no, it’s nice to meet you!” he flailed his hands awkwardly.
Dasom reached over the table and ruffled his hair, “Oh my god, Hoseokie. He’s so cute! How did you get him?”
“Back off, he’s already mine,” Hoseok laughed, pushed her hand away from Jungkook’s hair.
She brushed him off and sat down in the chair next to the younger boy, “Jung Dasom. The big fool’s big sister. You can call me noona.”
Hoseok just smiled and continued helping his mother cook, giving up on trying to rescue Jungkook from Dasom. He was going to have to get used to her eventually, he might as well start now. Over the ambient noise of his sister and mother chattering and dinner being prepared, Hoseok would occasionally catch Jungkook’s eye, and it was as if they were having a conversation of their own.
About half an hour later, when the food was almost ready, the door once again opened, and Hoseok’s mother urgently wiped her dirty hands off on the apron she was wearing and hurried to greet her husband. Hoseok didn’t miss the widening of Jungkook’s eyes as his father’s warm voice filled the house with a happy greeting. The younger boy hurried to stand from his chair, nervously flitting his eyes from his boyfriend to the doorway.
“He’s really not bad, kiddo. Don’t look so freaked out, you’ll scare him,” Dasom mused, holding back a laugh.
“I hear there’s a party going on in here?” Jungkook stiffened when Mr. Jung walked into the room, and Hoseok wrapped an arm around the younger boy to try and help him relax. After Dasom greeted him with a kiss on the cheek, the man turned to pull Hoseok into a tight hug. “It’s good to see you, Hoseokie. We’ve missed you here.”
“Dad, this is Jungkook. My boyfriend,” Hoseok introduced, gesturing towards the poor kid with his arm robotically stuck forward in anticipation of a handshake.
Hoseok watched in delight as his father firmly shook Jungkook’s hand and as Jungkook sputtered a greeting that really didn’t make much sense at all. It was entertaining to see the younger boy so tongue-tied. He considered this to be payback for the informal speech earlier.
They sat down to eat and for a while it was silent, everyone eager to finally eat after a long day of work or travelling. Hoseok’s father was the first to speak up.
“So how did you two meet?”
Jungkook, cheeks full of food, whipped his head towards Hoseok, urging him to answer himself.
Hoseok smiled, “Kookie is in the dance program at the same university that I went to, and he’s also in my class.”
“Mm teacher-student thing, I see,” Dasom mumbled, earning her a glare and a smack from her mother when Jungkook choked on his mouthful.
“He and Jimin grew up together in Busan, too. So we were like, automatic friends,” he explained, winding an arm over the boy’s shoulders.
“Ah, Jimin. I miss Jimin,” Dasom pouted, “Hoseokie, how does someone like you have such cool friends?”
Before Hoseok could defend himself, his father spoke up, “Jimin is such a sweet kid. How is he? How’s Yoongi doing? I haven’t heard about them in quite a while,” he squinted his eyes towards Hoseok, “You are still friends with them, right?” Jungkook flicked his eyes towards Hoseok but continued eating.
“Yes, yes, of course. Everyone is doing well. Jimin is practicing for his senior showcase right now. He’s so talented, I’m sure it’s going to be incredible.”
“Maybe I’ll have to come and visit then,” Dasom said through a mouthful of food, “Since no one would ever come and visit me down here.”
“They’re not your friends, noona,” Hoseok reminded her, rolling his eyes.
In response, she stuck her tongue out towards him, but didn’t argue further.
Conversation was lighter after that, and after Jungkook had been persuaded to take both seconds and thirds, Hoseok’s mother began to clear the table. Dasom got up to help her, and Hoseok figured that since he helped cook, he could be excused from clean-up.
He stood up took Jungkook’s hand, “I’m gonna show Jungkook the guest room.” They were excused with a nod from his father and he dragged his boyfriend down the hall.
Once they were in the room, he closed the door behind them. “I know they’re a lot, sorry about that,” he apologized.
Jungkook just smiled, “It’s okay,” he sat down on the bed and held his hands in his lap, “It was easy with your mom because it just felt like I was talking to you, but then there were more people and I got shy…” he trailed off.
Sitting down next to him, Hoseok took one of the younger boy’s hands in his, “I know you do.” He held the hand to his lips before continuing, “It took you weeks before you could have a real conversation with me. I’m almost jealous of my mom,” he teased, squeezing the hand in his.
“Shut up,” Jungkook was blushing, “I just want to make a good impression. This is important to me.” He leaned his head onto Hoseok’s shoulder.
“I know, baby,” Hoseok brought his other hand up to play with Jungkook’s hair. “They already love you, trust me.” They sat there in silence, enjoying the solitude for a few minutes until there was a loud banging on the door.
“ I’m coming in so please don’t be fucking! ” Dasom screeched as she threw the door open, eyes squeezed shut. She slowly peeled one open and heaved a sigh of relief when she saw them just sitting there.
Rolling his eyes, Hoseok asked, “What do you want.”
“Dad wants to watch a movie, so I came to get you guys. You can pet each other’s hair on the couch,” she said before turning around and exiting the room.
“She’s so loud…” Jungkook groaned as Hoseok stood up, pulling him along.
The older laughed, “Try growing up with her. I should be deaf by now.” He pressed a kiss to Jungkook’s cheek before leading him back out of the room and to his family.
They settled onto the couch, Jungkook initially sitting stiffly but soon relaxing and leaning into Hoseok as the movie began. As soon as he began massaging his fingers through Hoseok’s hair, the older knew he was a goner. No more than fifteen minutes in, he was struggling to keep his eyes open.
“-yung. Hyung,” Hoseok jolted awake to Jungkook shaking his shoulders gently. When he peeled his eyes open, the younger heaved a sigh of relief. “Oh thank god, I thought I was gonna have to carry you to bed.”
Hoseok reached his arms out, “Carry me. I don’t think my legs can work right now.”
“Hyung I just sat for like two hours and watched a movie with your family while you snored on my shoulder. Don’t make me carry you.”
“Please, Kook. Please. I’m begging.”
“And I’m not carrying you.”
“But you’re so strong. I know you can.”
Jungkook dragged a hand down his face before groaning and leaning down. Hoseok shrieked, expecting to be tickled, but was surprised when Jungkook actually lifted him up off the couch with a grunt. In an attempt to not fall, he flailed before wrapping his arms tightly around the younger boy’s neck and his legs around his waist.
“I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”
“I didn’t either but I was tired of you complaining. Where’s your room?”
Hoseok directed the younger boy down the hall, clinging probably more tightly than was necessary to his muscular shoulders. After nudging the door open with his foot, Jungkook dumped him down onto his bed.
“That was kinda hot,” Hoseok commented, a little bit in awe, a little bit flustered. He could still feel pressure on the bottom of his thighs where the younger boy’s hands had held him up.
Jungkook snorted softly, “Shut up. You were just asleep, now go back to sleep.” He turned towards the door but Hoseok called after him.
“Kook, wait. Come back,” he whined.
“What,” the younger deadpanned. “I’m tired.”
“Give me a kiss,” Hoseok demanded, reaching for Jungkook’s shirt to pull him down. He complied easily, unable to hide his grin as he was being dragged down. It was a short kiss, a soft kiss, but when Jungkook pulled away they were both smiling like idiots.
“Goodnight, hyung,” Jungkook whispered with a hand on the doorknob.
“Goodnight, Kookie,” Hoseok whispered back. The younger lingered for just a moment before he moved into the hallway and shut the door, leaving Hoseok alone with his thoughts.
He was at home with Jungkook. Jungkook had smelled extra good today. Hoseok wondered if he had bought new cologne just for the trip or if he had just never paid attention before. It seemed like a lifetime ago that he woke up in his apartment that morning, but it also seemed like a dream to be here, in this bed.
Oftentimes when he came home, the experience--the smell of his room, the sound of his parent’s voices, the shape of the shadows on the walls--could make him feel like he had never left at all, like he was still just a teenager, but this time something was different. All he could smell was Jungkook, all he could hear was a soft “goodnight,” and all he could think was that he might be in love.