Chapter Text
“-and then little Jiyeon decided to dump an entire bottle of glitter all over Dongwoo, and- Hyung! Are you even listening to me?” Taehyung whined, pouting because his hyung hadn’t been paying attention to his daily lamentations about work.
Hoseok shook his head, clearing it of his thoughts before smiling brightly at Taehyung and slinging an arm around his shoulders. “Ah, I’m sorry Taehyungie. There’s a lot on my mind. Please, keep telling me about your daycare shift.”
Taehyung scrunched his eyebrows together. “Hyung, what are you thinking about? You looked a million miles away…”
Hoseok shrugged. “Just school stuff.”
“Break isn’t even over yet, hyung, we still have four more days,” Taehyung said, giving Hoseok an encouraging smile. “Enjoy it!”
Hoseok chuckled. “I wish I could, but I still have four more lesson plans to write, and I work a full shift at the daycare every day until classes resume and I go back on my school schedule.” He groaned. “And I’m going to have to start applying for teaching jobs really soon. The school I was a student teacher at last year isn’t looking to hire a new teacher.”
Taehyung frowned as Hoseok let out an exasperated sound.
“There’s just so much coming up at once, you know? I only have one semester left to get my life in order. I thought I’d work at the middle school, but they only just told me earlier this week that they don’t have room for me. I’ll have to find a new place to live since I can’t stay in student housing after graduation, and I don’t know if I’ll try to stick around Seoul, or go back to Gwangju. And I have to take a bio and a maths class this semester since I stupidly pushed them off until the end, and-” Hoseok cut himself off with a sharp exhale and a tug of his own hair. “I’m stressed. I’m sorry.”
Taehyung pursed his lips thoughtfully and came to a halt, before quickly grasping Hoseok’s arm and turning them 180 degrees. “Come with me, hyung.”
Hoseok nearly tripped over his own feet as Taehyung dragged him along. “Umm… Tae? My apartment is that way,” he said, pointing over his shoulder. “Where are we going?”
“We’re going to get rid of some of that stress,” Taehyung said, whipping out his phone and sending a text. “You ever smoke weed before, hyung?”
Hoseok stopped so quickly that Taehyung, still holding his arm, was jerked backwards into Hoseok.
“T-Taehyung!” Hoseok stammered, whipping his head around wildly to make sure no one overheard. “Don’t say stuff like that in public!” he hissed.
Taehyung let out a little snort of laughter. “Okay so that’s a no.” He chuckled. “No one’s around, hyung. Besides, it’s no big deal.”
“No big deal?!” Hoseok asked incredulously. “It’s super illegal!! And, Tae, I’m going to be a working professional soon, I can’t get involved in that sort of...activity!”
Taehyung rolled his eyes, a playful grin on his face. “Relax, hyung, it’s not like I’m asking you to shoot heroin.” He chuckled again at the mortified expression on his hyung’s face. “I smoke like every other day, to help fight off anxiety and stress. And for fun. I promise it’s harmless.”
“Harmless until you get arrested and thrown in jail!” Hoseok countered.
“I’m very careful about it, hyung,” Taehyung insisted. “I’ve never gotten caught, and neither have any of the many people I know.”
“I just- I just don’t want to be a delinquent…” Hoseok admitted quietly.
“Hobi hyung, do you think that I’m a delinquent?” Taehyung asked pointedly.
Hoseok hesitated a moment before shaking his head no . Taehyung was responsible. He was a good student at a prestigious arts university, he worked two jobs, he doted on his younger siblings, and he was a kind friend. Taehyung was not a delinquent.
“Exactly,” Taehyung said. “Today’s the day of the week that I pick up my weed from my plug. I just texted him to let him know I’m getting it earlier than usual, and I’m bringing a friend. If you’re honestly super uncomfortable, I won’t force you to do it. But I think it might be nice for you to try it, at least once. What do you say?” Taehyung’s smile looked hopeful.
Hoseok bit his lip, thinking it over. “I’ll come with you,” he finally replied. “No promises I’ll smoke with you, though.”
“That’s fine!” Taehyung chirped, looping his arm with Hoseok’s and resuming their course. “Now let’s go!”
-
After a twenty minute walk, they reached a tall apartment building not too far from Hoseok’s campus. Hoseok blabbered on and on about about some story his roommate had told him while they rode the elevator up to the 17th floor. He had a wide smile on his face, but Taehyung could see he was nervous.
“Hyung, relax,” Taehyung said reassuringly as they came to a stop in front of one of the doors. “Yoongi hyung is really nice.”
Hoseok shut his mouth and put on another smile as Taehyung rapped on the door.
A few moments later, the door was thrown open to reveal the guy who was presumably Taehyung’s plug. His eyes were puffy, as if he had been sleeping, his lips were pouty, and his cheeks were plump. The hood of his black hoodie was on, hiding most of his light green hair, making his pale skin seem almost translucent. He gave Taehyung a sleepy, familiar smile before turning his gaze to Hoseok.
Hoseok felt his whole body freeze up as the guy’s eyes travelled slowly down and up his body once, before making eye contact and offering him a half-smile.
“You must be Taehyung’s friend,” he said, his surprisingly low voice shooting shivers up and down Hoseok’s spine. With how petite and soft the guy was, Hoseok was expecting a much higher voice. “Come in,” he said, tilting his head toward the inside of his apartment.
Hoseok let out a breath he didn’t realise he had been holding before following Taehyung into the apartment.
“Yeah, this is Hoseok hyung!” Taehyung said, bounding into the apartment. “Hoseok hyung, this is Yoongi hyung. My Daegu brother!”
Hoseok smiled and nodded, eyes still roaming the apartment. It was neater than Hoseok had expected, and very plainly decorated, aside from an occasional Super Mario figure or Kumamon doll. It didn’t even smell that strongly of weed.
“Same amount as usual?” Yoongi asked Taehyung, grabbing a scale and a bag of weed.
Hoseok’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head at the sheer quantity of marijuana that Yoongi held in his hand.
“Yeah, just an eighth,” Taehyung confirmed with a nod. “Got any new stuff?”
Yoongi thought about it before putting his bag down and nodding. “Yeah, my guy got some new stuff in from Jeju, he calls it Whalein 52. It’s an indica, which I know you don’t usually go for. It’s really great though. Pretty fuckin’ intense.”
“Is it the same price?” Taehyung asked, licking his lips in anticipation.
“For you, yeah,” Yoongi nodded, picking up a different, slightly smaller bag of weed. “Want to give it a try?”
Taehyung nodded eagerly. He and Hoseok watched as Yoongi measured it out and bagged it.
“Honestly, half a bowl of this will knock you on your ass,” Yoongi said, handing the bag over. “This gets you stoned .”
“Awesome,” Taehyung said with a grin. He brought the bag to his nose and gave it a smell, eyes fluttering shut in ecstasy. “Hyung, this smells amazing. Hobi hyung, want to smell?”
Hoseok hesitated, twiddling with the zipper on his jacket, and glanced in Yoongi’s direction. At the warm, encouraging half-smile Yoongi gave him, Hoseok leaned in to give the bag a sniff. He instantly reeled backwards a step, caught off guard by the smell. It wasn’t necessarily unpleasant by any means, but it was certainly potent.
Yoongi threw his head back and laughed, high pitched with his mouth wide open and his eyes squinted shut. Hoseok felt his cheeks warm, pinking in embarrassment and something else.
“I take it you’re not a smoker?” Yoongi asked with a smile, eyes twinkling playfully in Hoseok’s direction.
Hoseok shook his head. “No, I- Taehyungie thought I might like it though.”
“He’s been under a lot of stress lately,” Taehyung added. “School and work and all that. I figured it could help him unwind a little.”
Yoongi nodded and retreated back to his desk of paraphernalia. He picked through a couple of the bags before grabbing one and walking back over. “Weed is a good relaxant,” Yoongi said, playing with the dime-bag in his hand. “That’s why I started. But, you don’t want to start with the one I gave Taehyung,” he said, jerking his chin in Taehyung’s direction. “Way too powerful. This will be a better first-experience for you.” He reached out to hand the bag to Hoseok.
“I don’t have any cash on me,” Hoseok said, still fiddling with his zipper.
“It’s half a gram, consider it a free sample,” he insisted, trying again to hand the bag over.
Hoseok hesitated before slowly reaching out to grab the bag from Yoongi. Their fingers brushed, and Hoseok nearly broke the bag from squeezing it so tightly in response.
“Thank you, Yoongi,” Hoseok said, giving Yoongi his brightest smile. “That’s very generous of you.”
“Yoongi hyung ,” Taehyung said with a grin. “He’s your hyung, Hobi hyung.”
“Yoongi hyung,” Hoseok corrected himself. “I- I wouldn’t even know what to do with this…” he trailed off, not wanting to seem ungrateful.
Yoongi looked at Taehyung and Hoseok. “We could smoke it together. Are the two of you busy?”
Taehyung shook his head, but Hoseok hesitated. On one hand, he had a lot of homework to catch up on. On the other hand...Yoongi was fucking beautiful.
“I’m not busy,” Hoseok finally said, meeting Yoongi’s gaze. When Yoongi smiled in reply, he couldn’t help but grin back.
“Awesome!” Taehyung exclaimed, clapping loudly and startling Hoseok out of whatever moment he and Yoongi were having. Or, whatever moment he thought they were having.
“Make yourselves comfortable, I’ll roll,” Yoongi said. “Even though it’s a nice light indica hybrid, a bong rip for your first time might just kill you. Or make you green out,” he joked, laughing lightly.
Hoseok smiled and breathed out a laugh, having no idea what Yoongi was talking about.
A few minutes later, the three of them were sitting in a circle. Hoseok had claimed the beanbag while Taehyung and Yoongi just sat on the floor, their backs against the sofa. Yoongi had brought a large glass of water and a throat lozenge over and placed it on the table beside Hoseok. Hoseok was jiggling his foot, nervous and a bit excited at the same time.
“Alright, just watch me, Hoseok,” Yoongi said, flicking the lighter on and bringing the joint to his lips.
Hoseok stared, mouth getting a little dry as Yoongi took a slow, deep drag, eyelids drooping shut. A thick curl of smoke floated off the lit edge of the joint when Yoongi moved it away from his mouth and inhaled deeply. He held his breath for a moment, before tilting his head back and opening his mouth, letting the smoke float out of its own volition.
Hoseok swallowed.
Yoongi stayed like that for a few seconds longer before picking his head up and looking at Hoseok. He reached over to hand Hoseok the joint, their fingers brushing once again. “You don’t have to hold it in as long as I did, and you should exhale more quickly. I’ve been smoking a long time, so I can let it just drift out.”
Hoseok nodded, and let Yoongi adjust the way his fingers were gripping the joint.
“So you’re gonna take a drag, as big or small as you want,” Yoongi instructed him. “Just breathe in however much you want. And then you’re gonna take the joint out of your mouth, but keep your lips shut, and breathe it into your lungs, okay? If you breathe out a thick white cloud, that means you didn’t hit it. It should be very thin when you exhale.”
Hoseok nodded again, and brought the joint to his lips. He breathed in for barely a second before moving the joint away and breathing the smoke in deeper. His lungs burned, the smoke choking a cough out of him before he could even try to hold his breath.
His body was seized in a coughing fit, and every time he tried to get it under control, he felt as if it made him cough even harder. He vaguely registered someone taking the joint from him, and he used his newly freed hand to support himself on his knees as coughs continued to rack his body. He could feel tears pricking at his eyes, the burning sensation in his chest getting stronger.
A warm hand came to rest on his upper arm, giving him a soothing squeeze as he slowly, slowly got his coughing under control.
“Sorry if I wasted it,” Hoseok croaked, horrified to find that his voice was barely more than a whisper.
“Hey don’t worry about it,” Yoongi said, handing Hoseok the glass of water. “You didn’t waste it, you coughed like that because you really did breathe it all in. Plus, coughing is supposed to make it more potent. Congratulations on your first hit.”
“Don’t feel bad, hyung, I coughed like that too when I took my first hit,” Taehyung said, giving Hoseok a toothy smile. “It gets a lot easier after the first hit.”
“Honestly I’m kind of scared to take a second hit,” Hoseok said, voice just above a whisper. “I don’t think I could handle it.” He cleared his throat, trying to get rid of the raspiness.
“You don’t have to take another hit if you don’t want to,” Yoongi said. “Although it really does get a lot easier after the first one. You get used to the heat and the smoke.”
Hoseok nodded and drank half the glass of water while Taehyung took two puffs out of the joint and passed it along to Yoongi.
Yoongi took another slow, almost lazy drag. Hoseok was transfixed, watching the way the smoke tendrils curled out of the end of the joint and Yoongi’s mouth before vanishing in the air. Hoseok shook his head when Yoongi offered him the joint, and just watched as Yoongi and Taehyung passed the joint back and forth. Hoseok had never really understood the smoking aesthetic that a lot of people loved, but he couldn’t deny how Yoongi looked like art when he was breathing smoke out like that.
“Do you feel anything yet, hyung?” Taehyung asked, his voice sounding a little muffled, a little far away. Hoseok turned his head quickly to look at him, his brain registering the sights and the movements a few moments later. He blinked slowly, his eyelids heavy.
He stared at Taehyung for what felt like an eternity before nodding. “Yeah, I think so.”
Yoongi smirked and handed the joint to Hoseok. “Take another hit before it gets too small. It gets hotter the closer you get to the end.”
Hoseok’s arm felt a little heavy, like he was moving through water instead of air, as he reached for the joint. He fumbled to get a grip on it, and gave Yoongi a grateful smile when he helped him. He licked his lips and brought the joint to his mouth. He stared down the joint, hypnotized by the way the end glowed orange as he inhaled, by the way the thick strand of smoke curled up off the end after he finished his pull. He passed the joint to Taehyung as he inhaled the smoke into his lungs. He felt the burn and bit back the cough so he could hold the smoke for a second before quickly breathing it all out. He coughed again, but only briefly that time. The warm tingly sensation in his throat from the cough felt more intensified, like he could feel every individual nerve ending that was burning.
He reached for his glass of water and gulped the rest of it down. The water felt cooler and fresher than it normally did. He felt almost as if he could taste every single molecule of water that he drank. His body and movement felt heavy, and his brain felt sluggish. Sounds were muffled, like he was listening to echos rather than the words themselves. But the senses of touch and taste were somehow heightened.
Hoseok sunk into the beanbag chair, giving in to gravity’s strong, tempting pull. His body was sinking, his thoughts muddled. But a small part of him felt light, almost like he was floating out of his body.
At one point, what could have been seconds or hours later, Yoongi put some music on. The music was slow and relaxing, and Hoseok let his eyes close as his body felt the music. He felt like he was drifting down a river, only the river was music, tangible and visible behind his closed eyelids.
Taehyung, usually bubbly and talkative, was strangely quiet. Hoseok couldn’t really say anything though. He was usually even louder than Taehyung, but his tongue felt too heavy for him to even think about talking.
“No matter how many different strains I smoke,” Yoongi said suddenly, jarring Hoseok out of his quiet reverie. “This one is always nice to come back to.”
Taehyung hummed in agreement.
“Do the different weeds have very different effects?” Hoseok asked, rolling his head on the beanbag to look in Yoongi’s direction.
Yoongi nodded. “The two main types are sativa and indica. Sativa is said to give you more of a head high, and give you energy or make you hyper. That’s what Taehyung usually gets. Indica is what we took, and it’s supposed to be more of a stoned, body sensation. It makes you pretty lethargic and relaxed. That’s what I usually smoke. But there isn’t much scientific backing to plant type causing a specific high or stoned sensation.”
“You’re talkative today, Yoongi hyung,” Taehyung commented before Hoseok could say anything in response to Yoongi’s explanation. “And extra smiley.” His voice was playfully suspicious.
Yoongi shrugged. “I’m just awake. You usually come when I’m ready for bed.” He snorted. “Sometimes you even wake me up.”
“Ah so that’s why you’re such a grump most of the time,” Taehyung said with a slow nod, grinning mischievously.
Hoseok watched and listened to the exchange, a sleepy smile slowly creeping across his face. The weed made their accents more noticeable as they slipped into their Daegu dialect.
Hoseok always thought Taehyung’s accent was cute, and teased the younger when his excitement or surprise or tiredness would cause his hometown roots to take over. He pursed his lips and tapped them with the tip of his finger. Did his accent slip out earlier when he spoke? He tried to recall, but it felt like it had been hours since he had spoken.
“Your lips bothering you?” Yoongi asked, breaking Hoseok’s concentration.
At some point, Hoseok has transitioned from poking to pinching and tugging on his lower lip. He blinked owlishly, let go of his lip, and shook his head. “Ah, no. I was just thinking…” he said, furrowing his eyebrows and tilting his head to the side. What had he been thinking about?? “About something,” he finished blandly. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember anymore.”
Yoongi grinned and shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. Are you having a good time?”
“Yeah hyung, how are you feeling?” Taehyung asked, eyes widening in concern at Hoseok.
“I’m having a great time,” Hoseok said, his words slurring together the slightest bit. His mouth couldn’t keep up with his brain. Or maybe it was the other way around. “I feel like a cloud. Really, really heavy, but lighter than everything around me, making me float.”
Taehyung’s eyes widened as his jaw dropped. “Hyung. That’s an amazing analogy.” He turned to look at Yoongi. “You know, I always forget that clouds are heavy as fuck since they just float all the time. But they’re full of water, y’know? Heavy, man.”
Hoseok grinned, all teeth and squinty eyes, and let his head fall back to the beanbag as he drifted off again.
-
It was nearly dark outside when Hoseok felt someone shaking him awake. His head was a little fuzzy, like he had taken too short a nap that just left him more tired than before, but he felt more aware and with it than he had before. He guessed that meant the high was over.
“What time is it?” Hoseok asked, glancing over at Yoongi, who had changed into flannel pajama pants at some point. “I’m really sorry if I kept you late. I didn’t mean to overstay my welcome.”
Yoongi let out a yawn as he shook his head. “You didn’t overstay, don’t worry. I expected you to fall asleep since it was your first time. It’s just a little after 7.”
“Oh shit I gotta meet my friend in half an hour!” Taehyung exclaimed, exploding into activity as he scrambled to get his stuff together. Apparently he had emptied his backpack out at some point, and had notebooks and some camera supplies littered across the floor between all of them. “Bogummie hyung said I could shoot him for one of my projects. He’s gonna kill me if I’m late.”
Yoongi leaned back into the couch, unconcerned as Hoseok helped the frantic Taehyung gather his things. “The next bus comes in four minutes,” he said, glancing at his phone. “You should hurry.”
Taehyung gave Yoongi an exasperated look and stood up, slinging his bag onto his back in the process. “Yeah, thanks, hyung,” he said sarcastically. “Don’t forget you promised me you’d let me shoot you sometime, too!” he exclaimed, hopping around on one foot, struggling to pull his sneakers on. “I have the perfect theme and location picked out!”
Yoongi waved his hand dismissively, the ghost of a smile flickering across his face. “Yeah, yeah. Hurry up before you miss your bus.”
“Are you coming with me, Hobi hyung?” Taehyung asked, eyebrows shooting up questioningly. “I’m going the same direction as you.”
Hoseok nodded and quickly got ready. It made sense for them to ride together. It would be weird if he stayed here without Taehyung. He didn’t even know if he was welcome to stay longer, actually.
“Thanks for the hook-up, hyung!” Taehyung yelled, already halfway out the door.
Hoseok scrambled after him, but not before turning to Yoongi, smiling brightly, and saying, “Thanks so much for everything, Yoongi hyung. It was really nice to meet you. I hope we see each other again.”
Yoongi looked a bit taken aback for a brief moment, but his surprise melted away to reveal a warm smile. “I hope so, too.”
-
Hoseok and Taehyung had made it to the bus stop with only seconds to spare. When they were sat down and able to catch their breaths, Hoseok turned to Taehyung.
“So, um…” he started, uncharacteristically shy. “Yoongi hyung. How did you two meet?”
Taehyung, who had been going through his bag repeatedly to ensure he had all of his equipment, paused to look up at Hoseok. “One of my noonas at my uni gets her stuff from him. She introduced us when I started smoking more, so I could buy my own stuff. Why?”
“Oh, well, you said he was your Daegu brother,” Hoseok stammered. “I thought maybe you knew him from back home.”
Taehyung grinned and shook his head. “Nah, I found out we have the same hometown after I bought from him a few times.”
“Do you usually smoke with him?”
“Actually, no,” Taehyung said, tapping his chin. “He doesn’t usually smoke with any of his customers. I was surprised when he offered today.” He paused and tilted his head, thinking about it. “He probably offered because you’re totally new to it. Everyone else that goes to him has been smoking for a while.”
“I see…” Hoseok said, nodding. “Well, thanks for taking me with you. I actually did really enjoy it. I feel a lot better than I did this afternoon.”
Taehyung beamed. “Any time, hyung! I’m really glad it was such a positive experience for you!” He grinned sheepishly. “To be completely honest with you, my first time was really rough. It was at my first university party. I went because this guy I liked was gonna be there, so I didn’t really know anyone. But the people there passed a blunt around, so I hit it. I got really, really paranoid, and was scared the rest of the party,” he admitted. “But every time after that, I did it with a close friend, or by myself in a controlled environment, and it was always great. I wouldn’t have had you do it with strangers for the first time, that’s for sure.”
Hoseok raised his eyebrows in alarm. “Well, I’m glad it wasn’t like that for me. How did you get talked into trying it again after such a bad experience?”
“One of my hyungs at my school offered some to me when he and I and a few other close friends were hanging out,” he said. “They all reassured me that it’s totally different when you’re with people you trust. So, I took their word for it and had an amazing time.”
Hoseok hummed, accepting Taehyung’s answer. “Hey, so uh, not to be weird, but, uh. Yoongi hyung. Could- would you mind giving me his contact number?” he asked, the tips of his ears going red. “In case I want to buy more stuff, of course.”
Taehyung nodded and sent Yoongi’s contact information over text.
“ Plug Hyung ?” Hoseok asked with a snort. “That’s what you have him as in your phone?”
“I thought it was funny!” Taehyung defended himself.
Hoseok chuckled and shook his head. He save Yoongi’s number to his phone, and rested his head against the window to get a few minutes of shut-eye.
-
[Plug Hyung - 19:17]
So… That was your beautiful friend that you’re always going on about?
[KTH - 19:18]
nah, Jiminnie is the beautiful friend im always goin on about
[KTH - 19:18]
...u think Hoseok is beautiful? *eyes emoji* *eyes emoji* *eyes emoji*
[Plug Hyung - 19:19]
Shut up.
[KTH - 19:19]
*eggplant emoji* *tongue emoji* *water drops emoji* *okay emoji*
[Plug Hyung - 19:20]
If you send me one more fucking emoji I’m going to block your number and cut you off.
[KTH - 19:20]
plug hyung no!!!!!
[KTH - 19:20]
{1 Attachment: Hobi Hyung.csv}
[KTH - 19:20]
will u forgive me now?