Chapter Text
Yoongi had been very quick to reply to Hoseok’s text message and in a short time they had agreed to meet up again not two days later. Hoseok approaches the door of the cafe he had recommended with a small amount of trepidation. There had certainly seemed to be an immediate spark of interest in Yoongi when they had first met, but it had been rather overshadowed by the distraction and excitement of their dæmons. In short, not the most auspicious meeting. There were people who could be very sensitive when it came to dæmons who don’t get on. Which is understandable, given the fact the companions are generally understood to be linked to, if not part of, a person’s soul. However Yoongi had still been eager to meet Hoseok again, even given Agust’s obvious disapproval of Hopinmrion.
That is enough to give Hoseok tentative hope, but at the same time he doesn’t know what Yoongi and Agust might have said to each other in the past couple of days. Maybe he’ll have changed his mind and he’ll only come along in order to politely turn Hoseok down. Even worse, what if he doesn’t turn up at all?
“You’re thinking too loud, Hoseok.” He hears the muffled voice come from the inside pocket of his warm winter coat. “Just get in there, and see.”
Hopinmrion, to his honest surprise, had been very supportive of the whole endeavour. After listening to Hoseok giggle as he and Yoongi had texted back once or twice to organise their second meeting, she had leapt into action, joining him in watching the phone screen for incoming messages, even suggesting responses. However, she carefully avoided mentioning the elephant - or rather large, furry cat - in the room. The underlying thought was in both their minds but privately, Hoseok was perhaps equally nervous for how Hope was going to behave.
Despite that, her words outside the cafe are exactly the push he needs, as they often seem to be. He rolls his shoulders back, lifts his head and walks the last few feet to reach the entrance.
Opening the door to a rush of warm coffee and nutmeg scented air, Hoseok barely has to look around. His eyes seem drawn to the man sat in a bench table. Hoseok’s mind barely longers on the fact he seems to still be wearing his coat inside. Their eyes meet at the same moment as Yoongi looks towards the open door and Hoseok sees the other man’s face light up with a small smile. Almost immediately, Hoseok feels some of the tension leave his shoulders. As he walks over a matching grin spreads over his face. He sees Yoongi’s mouth move, obviously speaking quietly and only then does Hoseok’s smile falter. What he had thought was a furry hood on Yoongi’s coat suddenly has a pair of yellow eyes and they fix unfalteringly on him.
Still, he urges himself not to stop until he is standing at the seat opposite Yoongi. Both still smiling.
“You’re early.” He says, in a genuinely surprised tone.
“So are you.” Yoongi playfully tilts his head. Being something of a stickler for time, Hoseok had made sure to arrive 10 minutes before they agreed to meet. Yoongi chuckles, probably at his expression being a mix between surprise, confusion and slight embarrasment and continues, “I wanted to make sure we had a table so things could go smoothly.”
“Right, me too. I’m just not used to feeling like the late one.” As he speaks he opens his jacket and starts removing it, at which point Hopinmrion wriggles free of her customary pocket and easily climbs to her perch on his shoulder. Hoseok is very aware of the way Agust’s eyes immediately leave his face and latch onto the chipmunk dæmon. Hoseok instead seeks out Yoongi’s face, who slightly shakes his head with a resigned smile.
“But you’re not late so there’s no need to worry. Would you like me to get you a drink?”
“Oh, that’s okay, thank you. I’ll go order while I’m still on my feet.” Hoseok places his coat on the back of his chair and then they are all taken by surprise when Hopinmrion jumps down to perch on top of it. “Hope, I’m about to go over-”
“I know. I’m fine here.” She chirps back, her tone far more sweet than is strictly needed. Hoseok narrows his eyes at her and she just cocks her head, a picture of innocence.
He quickly apologises to Yoongi, who gives him a slightly wide eyed look but Hoseok is equally in the dark in this case. Hopinmrion is usually happiest when she sticks to Hoseok like glue. Choosing to stay behind with a near stranger is very unusual behaviour, even when the distance to the counter is no more than 5-6 metres. The chipmunk’s attitude shows that she’s not changing her mind, and Hoseok can’t do anything other than hurry to order his drink as fast as possible.
As he stands at the counter, he watches as Hope leans forwards on the back of his chair, clearly talking to Yoongi and Agust. He’s more worried about a potential interrogation happening where he’s not able to control his meddlesome dæmon. He very hurriedly returns with his coffee and sits down in his seat, directly blocking the view of Hope from Yoongi and Agust.
“Sorry, I hope no one was too rude .” His smile is a little strained as he looks to check Yoongi’s reaction.
Yoongi only laughs warmly. “Actually, everyone here was perfectly civil. We had a nice chat, Hope here made it very clear she’s only looking out for you.”
Hoseok raises his eyebrow as Hopinmrion takes this chance to jump back to his shoulder again. Her lack of comment is also very unlike her. “I’m sorry anyway, for whatever she said. And to you Agust, I hope she wasn’t… needling too much.”
“Because I’m being on my ‘best behaviour’, I’m only counting it as one misstep.” Agust purrs almost sweetly from her mirrored pose on Yoongi’s shoulders. Yoongi pulls a face but doesn’t comment so Hoseok decides not to poke more into it.
“I’m almost disappointed they didn’t manage to make your iced americano festive too.” Yoongi says, changing the topic as he gestures to Hoseok’s cup. Hoseok looks down at his drink and only then notices the sprinkled powder on top of Yoongi’s hot drink, in the shape of a now slightly misshapen christmas tree.
“I guess I’m just making things awkward for them.” Hoseok jokes and Yoongi tilts his head.
“Huh, and here I thought that was unusually our job.” He says, including his dæmon in the gesture. Hoseok chances a glance at the cat and sees her face - he hesitates to continue calling it a glare - is now directed at the side of Yoongi’s face. Hoseok is quick to speak up.
“Not at all. Otherwise why would I be here now? I was honestly worried that maybe you might have changed your mind. Both of you.”
“I’d like to note that I absolutely have not changed my mind.” Agust’s dangerously soft voice cuts in. Yoongi reaches up a possibly warning hand to the base of her tail on his other shoulder. “Hey, the rat said her piece, I’m just adding mine. Now you go on as you so clearly refuse to listen to my opinion.”
“I am a chipmunk , thank you very much. But I know you already knew that, you big, furry loaf.”
“Hope…” Hoseok tries to interject as he already sees this spiralling rapidly downwards.
“Loaf?! What poor excuse for an insult do you call that, you scatterbrained rodent.”
“Agust!” Yoongi sounds both concerned and exasperated. Hoseok can’t help but find it a little endearing.
“It suits you, you lazy cat. Lying around all day, I bet you ask to get carried around everywhere so that you’ve forgotten how to use your legs.” Hopinmrion emphasises her point by skittering across Hoseok’s shoulders, down his arm and standing on the middle of the table, resting her front paw against the glass christmas tree centrepiece.
“I’ll show you lazy.” Agust moves quick as a whip, her speed admittedly coming as a surprise to both Hoseok and Hopinmrion, as it brings her to a standing position on the table. Delicately avoiding both Yoongi’s mug and the other decorations, she now towers above the chipmunk dæmon.
Or where the dæmon was, because as soon as she recovers from the initial shock - which is considerably faster than Hoseok or Yoongi do - Hope flies backwards. She lands briefly on Hoseok’s arm and then, as if made from elastic, springs halfway up the curtain next to their table, hanging onto one of the glittery strands of tinsel that decorates the room.
“Agust! What did I tell you?”
“Hope, come down! Please, we talked about this.” Both Hoseok and Yoongi speak at the same time while their dæmons, once again, stare each other down.
Agust makes a show of slowly but proudly sitting down, this time on the table. Meanwhile Hopinmrion makes no move to come down. She spins around so that she is now facing downover, in order to better glare at the cat. In doing so, the tinsel tugs from the place it has been attached and droops lower by a few centimetres. Hoseok hesitantly extends a hand but the small dæmon won’t spare him so much as a look. Hoseok can only roll his eyes at her show of pride while he worries from below. He knows that he’d never hear the end of it if he were to interfere.
If he doesn’t interfere to stop her from falling however, he would also never hear the end of it.
“Hope, please. We’re in the middle of a cafe.”
“And usually in polite company, one does not attempt to eat anyone else!” Hopinmrion replies in a sharp voice.
“Who said anything about eating a bony little thing like you? I was just going to show you how a real lady behaves.” Agust drawls in a self satisfied tone.
“Oh, that’s rich.” the chipmunk dæmon replies. As she leans forwards, the tinsel she hangs from once again swings slightly loose. This time Hopinmrion is definitely aware of the movement and tries to cover her little squeak of alarm as she dangles backwards and forwards, Agust’s eyes following her like a mesmerising pendulum. “You wouldn’t know proper behaviour if it tied your fat tail to a frozen lamp post.”
At this, Yoongi’s hand quickly comes to cover his mouth and for the first time, Hoseok’s attention is drawn back to the man he had actually come to see. With a glimmer of delight, he takes in the curve of Yoongi’s eyes, without doubt hiding a smile behind his palm. He notices Hoseok’s gaze on him and returns the look.
“I’m sorry. That was a wonderful image.” He says and Hoseok feels something jump in his chest at the bubbliness of Yoongi’s voice when he’s trying to hold back a laugh.
“Excuse me!” Agust cries out, head immediately turning to glare at her soul partner. However, seeing that Yoongi is, above anything else, amused by this exchange of their dæmon partners lessens some of the anxiety Hoseok is feeling. He allows himself to see the funny side.
“Hope does tend to have a way with words, graphic images, talking too much and too fast for her own good.”
“Hey!” Hopinmrion’s ire immediately fixes on Hoseok instead.
“Oh really? I find a vivid imagination a wonderful thing.” Yoongi leans in, completely ignoring the cat who has now turned in the tight space on the table between the saucers, cutlery and christmassy decorations to face him fully. “In fact, it’s not like Agust here to say much at all for long periods of time. She’s quite quiet, usually. It takes a little while for her to come out her shell usually. But she likes people who are outgoing. More than she will admit.” Yoongi says, with a small smile towards Hoseok.
“I can’t help but feel like you’re putting words in my mouth.” Agust purrs out dangerously.
"Is that so?” Hoseok continues smoothly, ignoring the grumble that comes from both dæmons. “Hope would also like to add that although your first impression of her may have been a little… ungainly, she’d like to show you that she usually has a lot more grace.”
“Can we stop with the metaphor already? I’ll have you know I’m always graceful. Some people just happen to turn into skittering windmills the minute they touch the ice.” Hopinmrion sniffs, finally leaping off the strand of tinsel and delicately alighting on the tip of the centre table decoration.
With the force of her jump however, the tinsel strand finally completely detaches from whatever had been fastening it in place. Both Hoseok and Yoongi grab desperately to stop it falling further, perhaps bringing down the entire garland draped along the wall in the process.
It falls towards Hoseok and he manages to catch the end of it, but he brings his gaze back to meet Yoongi’s as they share a smile of amusement at the near disaster.
“Did you say graceful? I didn’t think the phrase ‘bull in a china shop’ could apply to something quite so insignificant.” Agust cuts in on their moment.
“Insignificant! I’ll show you insignificant, like an insignificant hole in your ear.”
At the same time, Yoongi looks more than just shocked, an expression of anger crosses his face. Instead of reaching for his dæmon however, his hand moves towards Hopinmrion. Hoseok feels himself freeze. Touching another person’s dæmon isn’t done, except usually between children or lovers, but instead Yoongi grabs the base of the glass decoration she balances on and tilts it away. Hopinmrion, who had looked poised to pounce on the cat dæmon, also holds herself suddenly still at the proximity of Yoongi’s hand.
“Agust, how dare you.” Yoongi’s voice is low, and the controlled anger in it sends another shiver down Hoseok’s spine. “You will never call someone or their dæmon insignificant. If you can’t apologise right now, I’m walking away because I won’t put Hoseok or Hope in a position where they have to listen to that.”
Agust and Yoongi’s eyes meet but Hoseok sees how fast Agust looks away again. “I’m sorry, Hoseok. That was untrue and uncalled for.” Her voice is low but meant to be heard. Hoseok nods but still feels tense.
“And?” Yoongi prompts and he sees the cat roll her haunches, clearly unwilling.
“And I’m sorry, Hopinmrion.” She says, more quietly. “You are significant-ly frustrating.”
Yoongi makes a noise of his own frustration but Hoseok reaches out a hand quickly to place it on Yoongi’s where he is still holding the glass christmas tree.
“It’s fine. You didn’t have to do that.” He says reassuringly.
“Yes, he really did.” Hope chitters, walking down onto Hoseok’s arm and returning to the safety of his elbow to survey the rest of the table.
“He did.” Hoseok is surprised that the voice comes from Agust who walks back to Yoongi’s chest, standing in front of him on the table but looking towards Hoseok. Instead of the glare he is used to from her yellow gaze, now she simply seems to be regarding him. “I don’t want you to think I, or Yoongi, think any less of you because you have a… chipmunk for a dæmon.”
“Oh, thank you. I didn’t-” Hoseok starts, but her sudden sincerity leaves him feeling they deserve the same from him. “I have heard comments in the same vein before, I have to admit, so I appreciate that Agust.” He says and catches Yoongi’s slight wince but Agust is once again the one who speaks up.
“Well let me make it clear, my dislike for your dæmon has nothing to do with you. It’s all because of her lack of understanding of personal space and outrageous failure to recognise the joy of silence.”
“And my dislike for your snootiness is completely aside from your stupid, big, fluffy butt and more because you are completely up it.” Hopinmrion says cheerfully, giving a polite nod to Yoongi to indicate - Hoseok assumes - an apology and her version of forgiveness.
Agust stands, does a leisurely stretch while the three others at the table watch her warily for her next move. Then as she arches her back and returns to her normal height, a sudden flash of a paw darts out. Hoseok and Hopinmrion are too stunned to react as Agust ever so gently boops the chipmunk on the top of her head.
“Revenge.” The cat says simply before returning to her almost protective position in front of Yoongi’s chest.
“For what?” Hopinmrion spits out, fussing with one paw over her ear as she stares the cat down.
“The first time we met.”
The chipmunk looks like she’s about to retort with something, but then Hoseok struggles to hold back his laugh when she tilts her head and says easily. “Fair enough.”
“If I dare to suggest that this could be you two on… passable terms, maybe I can finish my coffee without worrying about breaking up a fight?” Hoseok ventures, and receives a wordless acceptance from both dæmons. He strokes Hopinmrion gently on the top of her head before turning back to Yoongi, surprised to find a shadow still lingering in his eyes.
“Really, Hoseok. I’m very sorry if anything either of us said offended or hurt you.” Yoongi says and Hoseok, who realises only then that their hands are still joined together on the candle holder, gives a grateful squeeze. “I’d do anything to prove we weren’t like those old fashioned and narrow minded people that try to fit dæmons into neat little boxes.”
“I didn’t think you were, really.” Hoseok reassures, Yoongi so distinctly uncomfortable with being associated with such stigma that Hoseok can’t help but be reassured. “I’m happy to get back to a different topic. Why don’t you tell me more about yourself, either of you?”
“Actually, I got the impression you were about to tell us something about yourself. You mentioned the ice skating?” Yoongi says hesitantly. Hoseok blinks, taken aback by the realisation that Yoongi had been listening to him so attentively that he remembered the exact point the conversation had been cut off, even with major distraction taking place in the middle of it.
“Right… yes. I meant to say… I haven’t ice skated since I was really little. It’s not my thing but, umm-” Bragging about himself has never been his strong suit either and Hoseok stumbles, the words sticking in his throat. Fortunately for both himself and Yoongi, Hopinmrion has no such problem with speaking out loud and clear.
“You should see him dance. You won’t believe he’s the same person. Really.” She says, and then goes back to fussing with the collar of Hoseok’s sweater.
“Oh? I didn’t expect that.” Yoongi says genuinely, but Hoseok barely dares to look up at him as he wishes he could hide the blush currently heating up his cheeks.
“It’s just a hobby I’ve been doing for years.”
“I don’t dance myself, but ice skating is my hobby that I’ve been doing for years and you said I was pretty good. So maybe it’s your turn to impress me.” Yoongi says, and his confident tone makes Hoseok take the risk of looking up.
Immediately, he’s glad he did. Yoongi may have mastered the confident teasing tone, but the pinkness of his round cheeks show that he’s just as nervous as Hoseok is. That alone gives Hoseok a burst of courage, knowing that they’re both seemingly on the same wavelength.
He feels Hope’s tail tap a couple of times against his neck, her own reminder that no matter what happens, he’ll never be completely alone.
“You don’t strike me as the clubbing type. And I couldn’t imagine that you go to fitness classes like pilates.” Hoseok hums, teasingly and Yoongi responds with the bubbly laugh Hoseok had been hoping for.
“No, you got me there. I’m not one for crowds, really.”
“Well then I don’t know how I can really show off to you. I usually go dancing with my friends, or a fitness class some evenings. Or maybe our next date should be somewhere a little more private?” He thinks out loud mischievously.
“N-next date?” Okay so the adorable way Yoongi stumbles over his words in surprise is almost enough to make Hoseok glad he misspoke in such a bold way. Almost, as his brief feeling of endearment quickly gives way to concern and embarrassment.
“That is… if you want to meet again. I thought maybe somewhere we wouldn’t attract the attention of everyone in the establishment.” Because their dæmons’ loud spat had noticeably turned heads in their direction. Hoseok had already planned to leave an extra generous tip as an apology for the damaged decorations.
“I do! I was just surprised - and happy -” Yoongi adds in quickly as an assurance, “that you thought this was a date too. I’ve been burned before.”
“I’ve been there.” Hoseok almost smiles, more and more finding a common soul in Yoongi. “But yes, definitely a first date and open to a second. Although I’m a bit booked for the next few days. Or week actually.” Hoseok says with a smile, but Yoongi just tilts his head questioningly. “Tomorrow? Christmas day?” Hoseok ends up prompting.
“Right! Of course.” Yoongi laughs self deprecatingly. “I guess you just had me so distracted I forgot the date of our date.”
“Oh boy.” Agust huffs, her eye roll nearly audible in her tone as she carefully winds herself back into position on Yoongi’s shoulders. At the same time as her muttering, Hoseok also hears the higher pitch of Hopinmrion in his ear, sighing out “Oh brother.”
“Hush you.” Hoseok doesn’t pretend they couldn’t both hear their dæmons interjections. “He’s charming."
“If you’re won over by that he’s got you you should see him when he’s actually smooth.” Agust replies across the table, as if her partner in question wasn’t between them.
“Okay, less input from the fur.” Yoongi snaps back with his voice full of warmth.
“I’d love to. See that, I mean.” Hoseok replies to Agust’s comment anyway with his eyes focused on Yoongi. Yoongi hurriedly tries to move the conversation on.
“How about new year? It’s always a great atmosphere in the city square.”
“That seems like the opposite of a private event." Hoseok raises his eyebrow and Yoongi gives a delicate laugh at the fair comment.
“I figure there’ll be too many people there wrapped up in their own lives to be paying much attention to us. Or our troublesome dæmons.”
“Didn’t you just tell me you don’t like crowds.” Hoseok asks, half playful but also very hesitant to agree to something that might make Yoongi uncomfortable.
“But old year’s night is special, and I like the idea of starting the new year with something different.”
“Start as you mean to go on.” Hoseok wiggles his eyebrows in what might be a flirty gesture if he didn’t exaggerate it so ridiculously. He’s glad to make Yoongi chuckle.
“I don’t know how to explain it. I just like the idea of seeing you somewhere…memorable. Also-” He starts and then trails off. Hoseok notes the slight movement of Agust, a frown turned on Yoongi that told him she knew what he was about to say. Hoseok couldn’t yet read her well enough to tell if she was agreeing or warning him against speaking. “Also my apartment is pretty close by. If I, or we, decide we’ve had enough of the crowds.”
“An apartment near the city square. Oh hello, you didn’t tell me you were loaded.” Hoseok laughs, and then sobers. “You’re not are you? If you turn out to be some kind of chaebol heir I might have to leave in shame right now.”
“I’m not, just a right place, right time kind of deal.”
“Oh good, as long as I’m not going to end up in one of those situations shaming myself by using the 12th instead of the 8th fork.” Hoseok laughs away and Yoongi’s eyes crinkle with the force of his smile.
“It wasn’t only Hope with that active imagination, then.”
“No, no, that was all Hoseok. I don’t need to use complicated third person metaphors to introduce myself.” Hopinmrion adds primly and Agust laughs.
“No, I can see you talk about yourself without any prompting at all.” Agust mutters in Yoongi’s ear, but still loud enough that everyone at the table can hear.
“That’s right. Better than talking behind people’s backs, you tawny draught excluder.” Hope replies easily, with such a tone of disappointment and no offence whatsoever that Yoongi and Hoseok both burst out laughing.
“Well, as much as it might surprise you, this has been fun.” Hoseok says, swirling around the ice at the bottom of his glass that he’s been dragging out for as long as possible.
“For both of us.” Hopinmrion adds, and shoots Agust a look as if daring her to answer back. The cat chooses the silent option.
“It really has.” Yoongi replies. “And I mean it, It’d be great to see you on new year’s eve. Maybe I can make you dinner before the fireworks.”
“Dinner, really? Maybe that’ll give these two time to get some of their animosity out of their systems in private. I have a feeling we’re only going to get more of the same.”
“I’m hoping for more of the same, and a little of something new.” Yoongi tips his mug towards Hoseok, who catches his meaning immediately, along with the surprising flutter of butterflies. He didn’t expect a date in his 20’s to leave him feeling like a nervous 16 year old again but he chooses to believe it’s a good sign.
Still, he manages to pull himself together enough to reply with a wide smile “Right. Let’s make it a date then. To New Year’s Eve. And to something new.”