Archive of Our Own

Hoseok is no beginner to racing. When he was little he would race all the kids in his neighbourhood. They would have running races, bike races, and who could get to a certain amount of points while playing basketball. Everything was turned into a race for the fun of it.

When he was twelve he saw racing on television for the first time. He watched closely as the cars flew on his screen. They were all different colors with different numbers and stickers. It was cool to see and Hoseok easily became interested in racing and its community.

He had a little bit of an obsession as he got older. He started to pay more attention to cars and how they work. He talked to his friends about it but they weren’t very interested and often dismissed what he was saying. He tried to talk to them about what they liked but they conversed about girls. Hoseok never found himself crushing on a girl or having a liking towards them. He hasn’t exactly had a liking towards anyone.

He listened to the conversations they had, he put some input in about the girls but never said that he would date one. Yeah, they were pretty and popular but there was no attraction towards them for Hoseok.

He started to feel like an outcast of sorts. Like he didn’t belong with his friends because he couldn’t relate to them and couldn’t talk to them like he used to. There wasn’t that same relationship now that they were older and in high school. Their interested have changed and so have they.

Hoseok continued to watch racing. He didn’t talk about it as much. When he was in his sophomore year he started to learn to drive so he could get his license as soon as possible. The first time he took the test he passed it. He was happy, more so than the average teenager.

Yet, that spark he felt for racing started to diminish. He wasn’t feeling excited anymore while talking about it. It was the same thing. He couldn’t talk about the same thing over and over if he wasn’t enjoying it. He felt like he wanted to be into it, like he wanted to continue his obsession, but he didn’t put any work into it. It was weird. He was in a drought.

He sat on the roof during lunch, eating by himself with some kind of music playing and his keys dangling around his neck on their chain. He doesn’t remember what the weather was like or what day of the week it was, but he remembers that there was a splash of water that would eventually turn into a storm of rain to cure his drought.

He came up to Hoseok while the other was on the roof. He sat next to him without saying anything. It was awkward, Hoseok scooted away and didn’t say anything to him. He didn’t have anything with him, he had his earphones in and sunglasses on. Hoseok’s face doesn’t hide any emotion when he doesn't try. He looked disgusted and freaked apparently because the kid looked at him and took his earphones out. A smile graced his lips.

“I’m Jimin,” he introduced. Hoseok didn’t shake his hand, he didn’t say anything. He stared. It may have been rude to most people but Jimin didn’t care; he laughed at Hoseok. “I just transferred here a few days ago, so you probably don’t know me.”

The way he talked was smooth and clear. He looked confident, almost too much so. It was strange, Hoseok didn’t trust anything he said at first, but then he found no reason not to at least talk to Jimin. He’s not a dick that ignores people when they’re directly talking to him.

It took him a moment to do so, but he replied to Jimin. “I don’t know you, you’re right,” he said. Jimin laughed again. Hoseok offered a smile.

It was silent for a few moments. Jimin spoke again. “You’re Jung Hoseok right? A sophomore?” Hoseok nodded. “Okay. They said you would be up here, I thought they were lying to me.”

“Who?” Hoseok asked.

“Your friends. People lie a lot, it wouldn’t have surprised me if they lied.” Jimin ran his fingers through his hair, looking way too cool for just a simple, usually douchie, motion. “Anywho, I heard you like racing?” Hoseok snorts.

“Liked is probably more accurate,” Hoseok said. Jimin raised an eyebrow, lips parting slightly and head tilting. Hoseok noticed and explained. “It got boring -- lately it’s been boring. Just watching it with no one to talk about it with.”

“You watch it? Like on television?” Jimin asked. Hoseok nodded. “Like… professionally?”

“Yeah. That’s the only thing that airs on T.V. Don’t you know that?”

“No wonder you got bored,” Jimin laughed loudly. “It’s so boring with all those rules. What’s the point of watching it too? That sounds about as boring as watching paint dry. Do you like watching paint dry, Hoseok?”

“Well, if it’s so boring why are you trying to talk to me about it? You can leave. I didn’t come looking for you.”

“Do you watch Cars as well? I used to, for real I used to. My younger self actually really enjoyed Cars, but I didn’t like watching racing from the television.”

“What are you trying to do? If you’re trying to piss me off it’s not going to work, I have a high tolerance for stupidity.”

“I’m not trying to annoy you,” Jimin said seriously. “Have you ever seen a race in real life, Hoseok?”

“No, there’s no race courses around here that I know of,” Hoseok muttered with a roll of his eyes.

“That’s funny,” Jimin giggled and shook his head. “You have a license, right?”

“Yeah, I do --”

“Good. Here’s an address. Come pick me up at ten and I’ll take you somewhere you’ve never been before,” Jimin said as he handed Hoseok a slip of paper. He stood up and walked away without another word. Hoseok didn’t understand at the time, but he decided he would trust Jimin and go here.

Hoseok remembers that night. He remembers he was nervous and cautious. He was outside a house, the sun was already set and it was dark. At ten he was about to leave, not liking how it was set up. At ten o’ two Jimin was standing outside the passenger door. He knocked on the window, scaring Hoseok.

Hoseok unlocked the doors and let Jimin in. “Hey,” Jimin greeted. “Let’s get going. My GPS will lead us there, just listen to the directions.” Hoseok didn’t question it. He thought that if he did he probably wouldn’t get a correct answer anyways. So, instead he asked different questions.

“So, how old are you, Jimin?”

“I’ve just turned sixteen,” Jimin grinned. “If you’re trying to start small talk, I’ll tell you that isn’t the right way with me. Icebreakers will just make this ride awkward. It wasn’t before.”

“I’m just asking question,” Hoseok defended. “If I die tonight I want to at least know a little bit about who killed me.”

“Are you saying I look like a murderer?”

“Murderers come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes, Jimin.”

Jimin snorted and rolled his eyes. They talked more until they started driving through a dark one-way road in the middle of nowhere. Hoseok’s eyes widened as he looked around at their surroundings. Tall trees loomed over the car on the left and right. No street lights lite the road ahead, only the headlights.

“You’re actually going to murder me, what the fuck. Where the hell are we going Jimin? This looks like a fucking horror movie,” Hoseok said quickly.

“It’s fine. Just keep going straight, it’s towards the end of this road.”

Hoseok, even to this day, doesn’t know why he trusted Jimin so much.

He held his breath and drove tensely until there was a light. It was creepy, the light was a single lantern that lead into the forest, marking a trail for cars to pass through. “Stop,” Jimin told him as they came up to the lantern.

Hoseok listened and stopped the car, his foot on the break as he waited for further instructions.

“Go in,” Jimin ordered. Hoseok looked over to him, glaring at him, and asked with his eyes if Jimin was serious about this. Jimin nodded without hesitation.

Hoseok drove in. Once the car was slightly in the trees he could hear noise from afar. It was the sound of other cars. “What’s that noise?” Hoseok asked. Jimin smirked and pointed for him to keep driving.

Hoseok clenches the steering wheel and continues.

“I have a friend,” Jimin said as the noises got louder. “His name is Taehyung. He’s from Daegu.”

“Daegu?” Hoseok asked. More lights were coming into view.

“Yeah.” Jimin rolled the window down. Hoseok could hear someone talking very loudly. “He’s here tonight. Said he needs something less stressful.”

Hoseok pressed down on the break quickly making Jimin’s knees hit the dashboard. Hoseok headlights shine the black car in front of them that is parked with dozens of others. “We’re here,” Jimin said with a grin.

Jimin opened his door and Hoseok followed. They walked forward, pass the cars and towards all the noise. Hoseok’s mouth fell agape when he saw the scene.

It was clear of any trees for miles and miles. There were a lot of people. Speakers were blasting music and calling names. Giant screens were holstered atop a building that was selling food. Names and times were placed one through twelve on one screen and on the other was live footage of what seemed to be a race.

“What the fuck?” Hoseok asked loudly. Jimin laughed happily.

“It’s underground racing,” Jimin said, a wild look in his eyes. “But, it’s only Gwangju underground racing. Back in Busan we had a larger area. It’s smaller here, but there are less rules and it’s more free. Apparently in Seoul they do it on the highways and it gets wild. That’s going to be my next stop.”

Hoseok watched as the cars flew past each other on the screen. There were sirens in the background as they swerved past civilians and tried to avoid the cops.

“Here if you’re getting chased by the cops it’s your own problem and you have to deal with it. Back in Busan we had a point system; if you helped a contestant get rid of the cop that was chasing them you got fifty points,” Jimin informed.

“This is so -- how long has this been here?” Hoseok asked.

“It’s been here since I was born, from what I’ve heard,” Jimin shrugged. “It’s just been hidden so the cops don’t come runamuck.”

That’s when racing became exciting again.

Hoseok was never the smartest, he admits. He didn’t like to study and he didn’t like to hurt his brain with questions and explanations he didn’t understand. He liked things to be simple. All of his teachers have always told him he’ll get nowhere in life if he doesn’t work for anything. Hoseok still didn’t care. School wasn’t interesting and neither was going to university. He was interested in something else.

He entered his first race when he was seventeen, half a year after Jimin showed him the underground race place (he found out later people called it the ‘truant’ because a lot of the people that race are truants). He practiced in the middle of nowhere, taking risk with everything he did. He won his first race the same year he started. After that first win he started to improve and make a name for himself. He was dubbed one of the best rookies in Gwangju.

Jimin dropped out of school, leaving to race more. Hoseok never met Taehyung, he didn’t have the chance to. His first night at the truant was wild and unpredictable.

Hoseok graduated high school but he didn’t go to university. Instead, he found himself buying a new care with all his winnings. He left home and headed to Busan, the place where Jimin started. From there on he continued to race.

Seoul was probably the most exhilarating racing experience Hoseok has had. He remembers is first Seoul race. He had three cops and counting chasing after him. It was crazy. He didn’t win that one, but he survived it.

Now Hoseok is twenty-four. He’s been underground racing for almost seven years. He’s taken break in between, of course, but he’s still not bored of racing. He doesn’t know if he can get bored of this. It’s always something new, something exciting. It’s totally different when you’re racing. It’s nothing like the television makes it out to be.

“You’re good,” Jackson says. He just finished another race. His black leather jacket is protecting him from the cold Autumn air. Even with the body heat of hundreds of people, it still is cold.

“Thanks,” Hoseok grins. He takes a drink from the women passing, she smiles and continues to pass the alcoholic beverages out. “You weren’t to bad yourself. This was your first Seoul race, right?”

“Yeah,” Jackson laughs. “It’s different from Andong. It’s refreshing to get a taste of something new, you know?”

“I know.”

“But, I don’t think this was my favorite, honestly,” Jackson sighs. “Ever been to Daegu?”

Daegu?

“No. I’ve heard some stuff about it. Seems a lot of people talk about. What’s so good about their racing?” Hoseok asks. Jackson laughs loudly.

“It’s different. I recommend you try it sometime.”

“How come no one ever wants to talk about their racing? They all say it’s so good but when people ask questions they go silent, like shit --”

“Shut up,” Jackson says. “It’s like a rule. If you’ve been to Daegu you don’t spill what they’re about to people who haven’t been. They need to experience it theirself.” With that Jackson left. Hoseok leans against his car, sipping his drink as he thinks.

All those years back, Jimin talked about having a friend in Daegu, right? Taehyung was supposed to be from Daegu. Maybe Jimin’s there. That’s a good enough reason to go right?

Wait. Since when does Hoseok need a reason to see a new kind of racing? Why does he need a reason?

Hoseok laughs to himself. He shakes his head. He tosses the rest of his drink away and gets into his car. He’s never needed a reason. He’s not going to start now. Whether Jimin’s there or not, he’s going to Daegu. He needs to see what everyone talks so highly about.

He has a place in Seoul. It’s big and he owns it but he doesn’t call it home. He owns a place in Gwangju and in Busan, but those aren’t home either. Right now, there’s nowhere that’s home because it doesn’t feel like home. They’re just places to sleep. That’s all they’re ever used for too. They’re nothing more and nothing less.

So, he falls asleep in Seoul. He wakes up the next morning in Seoul. He takes a shower and changes his clothes. He keeps the jacket on, puts some sunglasses on with a mask and grabs his keys and a coffee. Then, before he knows it, he’s on his way to Daegu with his GPS leading him.

He thinks while he’s driving. He doesn’t know why there are so many thoughts running through his mind. He doesn’t know why there’s so much stress gathering in his bones. He doesn’t understand why he’s nervous.

He’s nervous. He laughs at that conclusion. He hasn’t been nervous for a race in years. He’s not even racing -- he’s checking out what type of races they have. He’s checking the water before swimming. Just the tip of a toe in. That’s it.

He doesn’t want to race. Not in an unknown pla -- unknown? Since when has he ever known about the place he’s racing at? He always just wings it. He goes there, checks the place out, and signs up before he even knows the rules! Why the fuck is he so nervous?

Daegu isn’t the only place people talk about. They talk about Seoul and Busan and Incheon a lot too. He’s been to all those places. He’s won a race in every city! Daegu’s going to be nothing different.

Yet, every talks about it like it’s so different. It’s frightening. What can be so different? Do they do something absurd? It can’t be crazier than Incheon. They allowed weapons in Incheon. You were allowed to shoot at your fellow racers (that was one hell of a race).

He gets to Daegu and starts to feel sick. He decides that it’s because he hasn’t eaten and stops at the nearest restaurant. He takes his time ordering and eating, knowing that he won’t be able to find anything out about racing until it’s at least sunset.

He feels better after eating, doesn’t feel as uneasy. He knew it was because he didn’t eat. He’s not nervous about racing. Of course he’s not.

He travels the city. Takes in the sights and walks around. There’s a lot. He doesn’t stay long for anything, only around for an hour or so, but he still finds himself entering a place with the sun high in the sky and exiting with it below the horizon.

He feels a tingle in his stomach as he gets into his car. He pulls out a sticker and places it on his dashboard, a light turns on in the sticker and it glows. It’s a national signal that the underground racing committee has set. If you want to know something about underground racing you put the sticker on. If someone flashes their lights at you twice you pull over and you help each other.

Hoseok drives around for thirty minutes, yawning to himself, before someone flashes their lights at him. He peeks up and pulls over. A tall lanky man exits the car behind Hoseok, Hoseok gulps and exits his own.

“Hey,” the man greets.

“Hey,” Hoseok says. He holds his hand out to shake, the man takes it with a grin.

“New to town?” He asks. Hoseok nods.

“We’re heading down right now, follow us,” he says. Hoseok looks towards the man’s car, there’s a younger male sitting in the passenger seat. He has wide eyes, circular glasses on his face. He’s smiling happily, looking youthful.

“Alright. I’m Hoseok,” Hoseok says.

“Namjoon. Welcome to Daegu,” Namjoon grins as he turns around and walks back to his car. Hoseok gets into his car again and waits for Namjoon to pass him so he can follow. He feels nervous all over again and he doesn’t know why. It’s odd.

Namjoon’s car starts to move and Hoseok sits up straight in his seat. As the car passes he sees the younger passenger blow him a kiss and smile brightly as they leave. Hoseok gulps and follows them. He’s not scared shitless.

It takes them fifteen minutes to get there. Hoseok knows because the clock says so, but to him it felt like a few seconds. He follows Namjoon’s car all the way in. This part is different from Gwangju and more like Seoul. No cars are parked in the middle of nowhere, they all go into a parking lot where it’s lite up and there are a lot more people around. There’s lights on and already Hoseok can see screens showing the current race that’s happening. He can’t see much but it looks about the same as everywhere else.

He gets out of the car and locks it even though it’s an unspoken rule that no one touches someone else’s car, no matter what they don’t touch another person’s car.

He walks over to Namjoon’s car. His eyes widen behind his glasses as he sees Namjoon deeply kisses the kid with glasses. His hair in Namjoon’s hands as Namjoon dominates him. Hoseok whistles lowly and smirks at them. Namjoon pulls away looking confident meanwhile the kid looks flustered and in love. It’s a sight to see, honestly.

Namjoon steps out of the car and shuts the door behind him. His windows are rolled down, showing off the beautiful interior of the car. “Come on, Jungkook. Grab your laptop, baby,” Namjoon says. The kid -- Jungkook -- scrambles to grab a carrier as he steps out of the car.

Hoseok had an epiphany two years ago when he was twenty-one, about to be twenty-two. That epiphany was when a man walked up, kissed him, and then gave him a blowjob after Hoseok’s first win in Incheon. Hoseok realized that he liked guys a lot, but he likes girls too considering he went through a phase where he would sleep around after his wins. He’s slept with many girls and guys, all okay experiences. So, he’s seen a lot. But, looking at Jungkook, the (he assumes) younger looks like something out of a wet dream.

Fishnets cover his legs, short booty shorts rest against his thighs and hug his small waist. He wears a big white shirt that say “Daddy’s VIP” along with a black and silver jacket that says his and Namjoon’s name on it. Next to Namjoon’s name it says racer. Next to Jungkook’s it says second.

“Eyes off, he’s taken,” Namjoon grins as he wraps his arms around Jungkook’s waist and rest his hands on his hips. Jungkook seems to inwardly melt at Namjoon’s touches.

“Sorry,” Hoseok says. “First time I’ve seen the attire on, uh --”

“A guy?” Namjoon fills. Hoseok nods, slightly embarrassed. “It’s alright,” Namjoon laughs. “A lot of people have that same reaction when they’re new. You’ll get used to it, we have a lot of guys that wear what people call ‘feminine’ clothing. It’s something that’s the norm here, you know?” Hoseok nods.

They walk through the crowds of people. Namjoon leads the way, protecting Jungkook all the way through. Jungkook sticks close to Namjoon and holds onto the carrier tightly. Hoseok raises an eyebrow at the black bag but doesn’t say anything.

They get to an area where it’s calmer. There’s a table that Jungkook sits down at. He opens the carrier and pulls out a laptop, immediately logging in and typing away at it, face serious and no longer flustered as he concentrates.

“Come on,” Namjoon says to Hoseok. “Let’s get you signed up for a race, hm?” Hoseok nods, mouth slack and nervousness returning. “You have the jacket on, if anyone tries to come near you tell them I’ll rip them in two, okay, Princess?”

“Okay,” Jungkook says as he continues to type away. It’s a screen full of code and other things Hoseok doesn’t understand.

Namjoon starts to walk away so Hoseok follows, looking away from the laptop. “We have to go to Seokjin to sign up,” Namjoon says. Hoseok nods, acting like he knows he that is even though Namjoon clearly knows he doesn’t.

Hoseok looks around at the place as they walk. It looks like everywhere else he’s been, smaller than Seoul but around the same layout. He’s confused, doesn’t know what’s so special about this place.

Namjoon enters a building. It’s almost all empty spare for three people and two of them are making out, it looks like it’s going to go further than making out in a few minutes, actually.

“Fuck, mhm, I fucking love your ass, Tae-Tae,” one of them growls while the other moans out and leans further into the touch.

“Okay, stop it. There are people,” the other-other says. The two don’t stop, they don’t even look away, but they do quiet down some.

“Hey, Jin,” Namjoon smiles. “I’m here to sign up. We’ve also got a newcomer that’s wanting in.”

“A newcomer?” Seokjin asks skeptically. He looks towards Hoseok, raising an eyebrow at him. “How many wins do you have under your belt and where from?”

“Uh --”

“What’s your name? I’ll just look you up.”

“Jung Hoseok --”

“Oh, fuck! Jiminie that was my neck, you ass!” Tae-Tae cries out. Hoseok looks over at them as the other pulls away from Tae-Tae’s neck. He locks eyes with the guy before turning away, then quickly turning back because holy shit --

“Jimin?” Hoseok asks.

“Hoseok?”

“Holy fuck, you have over two hundred wins?!” Jin screams. Namjoon whistles highly while Taehyung’s jaw goes slack and Jimin laughs loudly.

“Oh, do I?” Hoseok asks and rubs the back of his neck. “It’s not much considering how long I’ve been racing…”

“That’s a shit ton. What do you mean?” Namjoon asks. “I’ve been racing for years and only have around forty wins.”

“Hoseok’s a good racer,” Jimin announces. “I’ve had the pleasure to see it myself back when I was younger.”

“That sentence makes you sound like a fifty year old,” Taehyung says with an eye roll. Jimin pouts at his boyfriend.

“Anyway --”

“How do you know him?” Jin asks, interrupting Jimin.

“I was about to explain.” Jimin runs his fingers through his hair, much like he did when they were teenagers. It makes Hoseok nostalgic somehow. He smiles warmly; a closed and casual smile, but a smile. “When I was in high school I went to Gwangju because I heard the place was pretty cool --”

“Tae lived in Gwangju for a little bit didn’t he?” Jin asks.

“Ah, that’s why he went. He was a horny teen --” Namjoon starts.

“Shut up,” Jimin hisses. “I heard some guys talking about Hoseok and how he hasn’t been talking about racing or something. I asked them about it and they told me where he was and stuff. I went out on a limb but it was all good. He trusted me and that night we went the to Truant.”

“I have friends at the Truant,” Namjoon hums. “So, you’ve been racing since you were a teenager?”

“Well, yeah? Jimin got me into this. I did my first race and fell in love. Now, I’ve just been traveling around and racing where I can, you know?”

“So, that’s how you got here in Daegu then?”

“Yeah. This place has been talked about a lot. I wanted to see what’s the hype.”

“Ah, it’s different, yeah,” Taehyung says with a smile. “Makes me proud to be from here, honestly.”

“What is so different here?” Hoseok asks.

“You can’t really tell until you see a race,” Taehyung says, a smirk appearing on his face. “Let’s go outside and watch the one that is about to start, yeah-yeah?” He leads the way, walking out of the room and back outside. Jimin grins and follows him, running after the taller.

“You’re signed up for a race at one, so it’s going to be awhile. You might want to check up with them and have Namjoon and Jimin give you advice since they’re drivers,” Jin advises.

“Alright, thank you.”

“No problem, now you should go watch that race. Namjoon, point out the important stuff. Knowing those two they’ve already forgotten about what they’re doing.”

“Gotcha. Lets go, Hoseok.”

Hoseok follows Namjoon out of the room, he turns to wave at Jin but the other is already doing something on his computer.

They walk back to see Jungkook laying down on the table, laptop propped on his stomach as he types and eats some chips. Jimin and Taehyung are sitting on the table next to him, eyes focusing on the screen that says a race is about to start.

“Anyone important racing?” Namjoon asks as he walks up and stands between Jungkook’s legs. He places his hands on the younger’s thighs as he cranes his neck to look at the screen.

“Not until later tonight,” Jungkook answers. “At midnight Hyungi is racing.”

“We’ve got to race against that creep?” Taehyung whines as he rests his head on Jimin’s shoulder.

“He has another Second?” Namjoon murmurs. Jungkook nods.

“I can’t see who they are, they’re signed in anonymously and have high security.”

Hoseok takes a seat, pulling up a chair to the table, propping his feet on it. He doesn’t understand what they’re talking about but he figures if he watches the race he’ll know soon enough.

There’s a timer ticking down, showing that there’s thirty seconds until the race starts.

“He’s signed up for two races tonight. One right after another,” Jungkook tells them. “Midnight, skipping half past, then racing again at one.”

“Ew, that means Hoseok has to go against him too. Unlucky,” Taehyung says.

There’s a loud beep, gaining their attention.

The cars are being shown on screen along with their owners. Hoseok raises an eyebrow, already this is different. There’s two racers per car. One person from each car is wearing a jacket like the one Jungkook is. Hoseok is about to ask a question but when he looks over to Namjoon the other one is pointing to the screen and placing a finger over his lips.

“Rules are the same. Shake hands with each other, be respectful, we’re all here for the same reason,” the person over the microphone says. “Any upgrades that have been made to your car are fair. New traps and weapons are allowed, try only to damage cars, you don’t have to be a murderer to win.” Hoseok licks his lips as they go dry. “Racers, enter your cars and start the engines. Seconds, go ahead and clap for yourselves, this track that you’re racing is different. The map file is being uploaded to your computers as we speak.

“Your missions, or as I say tasks, are on the side, make sure you finish every task before you come back here. First to finish all their task and return is the winner. Seconds, get in the car.” There’s cheering as the other’s get into the passenger seats. Hoseok can feel the atmosphere change in an instant. “Three. Two. One.” Without any other warning they’re gone.

“Seconds?” Hoseok asks, throat going dry and eyes wide. This is new.

“Yeah,” Namjoon says. “That’s the main difference between Daegu and everywhere else.”

“What’s a --”

“A Second is the racer’s partner. They have a laptop and use it as their main weapon. They can hack into the system and see who you’re up against, that means you can make last minute changes. They can find short cuts for you to take that come in handy once you’ve done your tasks. They can also read your tasks to you, which while driving is really important,” Jimin says.

“Seconds are scary,” Namjoon says with a light shudder. “They’re basically a make-it or break-it. The racer is important but so is the Second.” Hoseok looks towards Jungkook, the young boy is eating chips while watching a video game video on his laptop.

“He can’t be --”

“He can be,” Taehyung answers with a pout. “Kookie is a bully. We raced against each other last week and he put a virus in my computer so I couldn’t see our tasks.”

“Yeah, thanks by the way. We weren’t even winning. You just wanted to mess with us,” Jimin says. Jungkook laughs. “You’re dating the spawn of satan, Namjoon.”

“He’s an angel,” Namjoon hums. “But these thighs are evil,” he growls as he grips Jungkook’s thighs tightly, making the younger gasp in shock.

“Can you race without a Second?” Hoseok asks dryly.

“You can,” Jimin shrugs. “It makes you look cocky and arrogant though. Might not want to make that impression on your first race.”

“So what should I do?”

“Go find a Second,” Namjoon tells him. “There are a lot of people looking to be someone’s Second. Just ask around or something.”

“Eh,” Jungkook mutters. “It’s Saturday night, remember?”

“Oh, yeah,” Namjoon mumbles.

“What’s that mean?” Hoseok asks.

“It’s probably going to be a little bit harder to find a Second because there are so many races tonight. Saturday is the main race night. You should still be able to find someone willing to. Maybe you should start looking around right now?”

“Oh, okay. Uh -- um…”

“Just go around and ask. People are chill,” Jimin says. Taehyung nods in agreement.

So, Hoseok walks away from the others in order to try and find a Second. Pretty soon, he finds out that it’s harder than he originally thought. Everyone is already paired from what he can tell.

“Ask people with a laptop,” a guy told him once he was declined. “If they have one and aren’t on it they’re most likely a Second but don’t have a racer. That’ll probably be your best chance.”

Even after following the guy’s instructions he hasn’t found a Second.

He doesn’t know how long he’s been looking, it feels like too long as he sits down next to a girl who is on her laptop. He lets out a drastic sigh that’s far too dramatic and catches the girl’s attention.

“You alright?” She asks with a small smile. Hoseok raises an eyebrow. “You look stressed.”

“Oh, uh, yeah.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I’m a new racer, looking for a Second. I’ve got a race soon and yeah…”

“I can be your Second,” she says with a smile. Hoseok thinks he’s just found heaven. This can’t be true.

“Really?” he asks. She nods. “Oh my gosh --”

“What do you mean?” another voice asks. Hoseok looks behind the girl and sees a man standing behind her. “I thought you were my Second for tonight, right, baby?” He asks as his hands touch her shoulders.

“Oh, Hyungi…” She says. “I forgot about that, sorry.” He nods.

“That’s okay. Get ready for our match. It’s the next one.”

“Okay, I thought that Yoongi was --”

“Yoongi’s doing the next one,” he says sternly and looks at her with sharp eyes. “Come on, let’s go and get ready.” The two are gone in an instant.

Hoseok slumps in his seat, eyes slanted and face disgusted. He watches as the girl follows Hyungi, holding her laptop close to her. The guy is already an asshole. The way he spoke was cocky and controlling, manipulative and stern. It was like he was talking to an object he owns rather than a person who’s free to make their own choices.

Hoseok rests in the chair and watches as the screen counts down until the next match. He gets comfortable, resting as he waits for the race to start. It’s midnight, he has an hour until his race… he might be able to work with that.

Probably not, but Jimin and Taehyung are showing on screen now. Hyungi is next to them, talking to Jimin while the shorter is glaring at him. Taehyung is sitting in Jimin’s car, messing with something and probably thinking of ways to end Hyungi in this race.

Jimin pushes Hyungi away and yells at him before walking over and getting into his car. Hoseok doesn’t know what just happened but Hyungi looks smug. Jimin slams his door and kisses Taehyung deeply before starting the car. He looks pissed. A whisper of words leave Jimin’s mouth as Taehyung holds his hand.

The girl is sitting in the passenger seat of Hyungi’s car. Hoseok watches as she sets up and pulls her hair up. There’s a name on the back of her neck with a heart on it and a ring on her hand. Hoseok hopes it isn’t from Hyungi, he can tell the girl already deserves better.

The race starts quickly. Hoseok watches the screen broadcasting Jimin’s car; the two inside are talking to each other and looking oddly calm, it’s different from how they were earlier when Hoseok saw them. He doesn’t say anything as Jimin and Tae take a path and Hyungi takes a shorter one. He watches carefully as Jimin runs through an area with trees and Taehyung rolls down his window and collects a few leaves. It’s weird to watch as they do their little missions.

It’s not just racing, there’s a lot of teamwork that goes into this. He looks over to a different screen and sees a newer team working together. They’re far less coordinated. As they try to do their missions, they’re messy. Far different from Jimin and Taehyung.

He looks over to Hyungi to see his mouth moving quickly as he speeds up. The girl is trying to say something but it looks like he’s ignoring her from the way she gets annoyed and the way he honks on the horn to shut her up.

Hoseok wants to at least punch him.

Jimin and Taehyung speed up, chasing after Hyungi. The race gets close towards the end; Jimin chasing after Hyungi. The two are head to head, Jimin looks mad as he steps onto the gas for the last stretch. Hyungi pushes into Jimin’s car, making the black haired male yell as he tries to not damage his car.

Hyungi ends up taking first place, Jimin not wanting to scratch his car up to no repair. The race only gets you three thousand dollars. No point in damaging a car more expensive than the award, Hoseok understands that. He’s mad though, for Jimin and for the girl and for Taehyung.

Hyungi is walking away, not giving a care as he leaves the girl to go take care of himself. She looks angry. Jimin and Taehyung park, Jimin slumping against the car as Taehyung glares at Hyungi.

Hoseok feels his insides burn with rage. Jimin suits the car off and walks away from the cameras. Taehyung and him walk away. Hoseok follows them.

It’s back to the first spot they were all at. Jungkook and Namjoon are sitting, talking quickly as they look at Jungkook’s computer screen. “Are you guys fucking racing tonight?” Jimin asks as he sits down; Taehyung sits next to him, a frown on his face. Jimin puts an arm around his waist, holding him close.

“No,” Jungkook says tiredly. “I’m too tired.”

“We didn’t sign up for one anyway,” Namjoon mumbles. “Just came for a good time, supporting you guys.”

“Yeah, sorry you had to waste your time,” Jimin sighs.

“What happened?” Hoseok asks.

“Taehyung—well, it’s not my place to tell,” Jimin mutters as he touches Taehyung’s hand.

“I—I have bad experiences… with, um, Hyungi. That’s why when we race I don’t—I don’t stay outside the car. His Second—Macy—hacked into my laptop and, she, I—“ Taehyung sniffles as he rubs his eyes.

“Want me to tell him?” Jungkook asks softly. Taehyung nods as Jimin cuddles him. “Hyungi’s a bastard. He always has been. He’s an absolute dumb cunt that thinks he’s above everyone and he talks shit and he—he—

Taehyung was his second once—“

“Jimin wasn’t here in Daegu. Taehyung has always been a good Second, he’s only improving,” Namjoon says. Jungkook and Jimin nod.

“So, Taehyung was his Second. Apparently being his Second also means being his—his play thing? Fuck, I fucking hate him he’s a fucking—“

“He didn’t do anything,” Namjoon says. “That’s how we met. Jungkook was walking, saw it, punched him and lead Taehyung here.”

“He’s so stupid. He’s dumb, a fucktwat. He goes around finding Second’s and messing with them. He should just get an official and fuck off.”

“Official?” Hoseok asks, jaw clenching tightly.

“An official Second is you’re only Second. If you have an Official they’re your only one. If you don’t have an Official you have to have a different Second every race,” Jimin murmurs into Taehyung’s hair.

“Hyungi is… he’s a—I don’t,” Taehyung stutters.

“It’s okay. I understand,” Hoseok says calmly as his fists clench. He turns around and walks away, feet heavy and heart pounding. His face in showing his emotions: Anger, hate, and disgust. They don’t stop him as he walks away. Jungkook sits up straight and raises an eyebrow, looking far too innocent as he does so.

Hoseok’s pace fastens and before he knows it he’s running to where he last saw Hyungi. He turns the corner, goes the same way and is running around wildly. He hears the stern and sly voice yelling. Hoseok’s blood runs crazily as he follows the voice. It gets darker and quieter as he gets closer.

“What do you mean? Stop squirming, stop moving — fucking answer me, we have a fucking race in ten minutes.”

“Stop if, you’re hurting my wrist,” someone else says. “Stop.”

“Then answer me. Why’d you delete the map?!”

“Stop it!” The other cried out.

“I’ve got some shit to say to you,” Hoseok announces as he walks close. Hyungi is gripping two slime and pale wrist, they’re turning red around his grip.

“You’ve got some balls coming to talk to me after the stunt you pulled,” Hyungi sneers. Hoseok gets even closer. He flipped the other person over, holding their smaller body close.

“Stop it!” They yelled.

Hoseok grabbed Hyungi and pushed him away. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Didn’t you ever learn to treat people with respect?” Hoseok asks, voice low and eyes wild.

“He’s my Second, don’t go around telling me how I should treat him.”

“He told you to stop it, didn’t he?”

“What’s your problem? First, you go and try to take Macy as your Second, now you’re trying to teach me a lesson on how to treat them? The fuck is wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with you, asshole? They’re people, you fuck.”

A bell rings in the distance.

“I don’t have time for you,” Hyungi says. “Come on, we have five minutes to get down there with the car.” Hyungi goes to grab the shorter but he moves away, stepping to Hoseok’s side.

“Find someone else, I’m racing with him,” he says as he holds Hoseok’s arm.

“Don’t play games—“

“Leave,” Hoseok orders. Hyungi glares at him and sends the shorter a look before walking away.

Once he’s out of sight Hoseok let’s a frustrated sigh leave his mouth. “Thank you,” the guy says, still awkwardly holding onto Hoseok. Hoseok laughs lightly.

“Where you serious about being my Second?” Hoseok asks.

“I—“

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Hoseok frowns.

“It’s… okay. I’ll do it. I haven’t raced tonight. We should go now—unless you race at a different time?”

“Oh, fuck. I race at one what time is it?”

“Twelve fifty-seven.”

“Oh, shit.”

Hoseok turns and runs, the other guy lets out a sigh but Hoseok hears his footsteps following him. He runs to the parking lot, remembering that he has to drive his car into the area. He gets there quickly, breathing hard as he opens the door and jumps in.

He hears the passenger door open as the other guy gets in and — fuck, Hoseok really doesn’t have time to stare and ogle at legs but in his passenger seat he can see pale, skinny legs caught in fishnets with short shorts hugging a thin waist with rips high on his thighs and —

“You have a minute to get there.”

He can stare later.

He puts looks around quickly then sees a thin path to get through quickly. He moves the car, speeding it through. “Careful!” His passenger yells, Hoseok clicks his tongue.

Hoseok can hear his phone ringing next to him on the charger, an old number calling that he forgot about years ago with a picture of a teenage Jimin showing. He reaches for it, answering it and letting Jimin’s voice come through the speakers of his car.

“What?” Hoseok grunts as he tries not to hit someone’s car.

“Where the fuck are you?” Jimin says.

“On my way,” Hoseok tells him.

“Fucking hurry, dumbass,” Jimin says as he hangs up. Hoseok grins.

When he pulls up Jimin is there with the others, talking to Seokjin who is trying to get the race started as quickly as possible. “Quick, what’s your name?” the guy asks.

“Jung Hoseok,” Hoseok says quickly without thought. Hoseok rolls his window down and Jimin throws a glare his way but then turns around and smirks at Seokjin.

“He’s new, give him a break,” Jimin laughs. Jungkook is opening the door and trying to pull Hoseok out and looks in his car.

“Who’d you get?” Jungkook whines.

“I got, uh—”

“Yoongi,” the other says. Jungkook raises an eyebrow.

“Why does that name sound familiar?” Jungkook asks himself. Seokjin walks over to the door.

“Your Second needs to sign both of you in and put your name onto the board, right now you need to get out and shake hands so we can start this race,” Seokjin says with a frown.

“Okay, okay,” Hoseok says and hops out of the car. Hoseok walks around and swiftly apologizes while shaking hands with the other racers and seconds. Some people laugh it off, saying it was okay, some just nod and offer him a small smile, and some, like Hyungi, glare at him and try not to shake his hand. Hoseok then grabs their own hand and makes him shake it. Their shocked expressions make him smile.

Hoseok gives Jimin and highfive and hug.

“Be careful,” Jimin says. “Some of these guys have tricks up their sleeves and aren’t afraid to put you in an accident.”

“Okay, I’m pretty cool and calm right now, I think I can drive pretty well and avoid it. As long as I have help from—”

“Alright, get in your car, we’re six minutes past the start.” Hoseok smiles at Jimin and sends him a thumbs up before going and jumping in the car again. He looks over to Yoongi; now that there is light, he can see a lot more.

Along with the shorts he’s wearing a giant white t-shirt that shows off his collarbones. There’s a beanie sitting on his head and his hair is longer than usual and colored white. A black masks sits underneath his chin, showing his lips that looks soft. His fingers are long and skinny and typing quickly on the keyboard of his laptop.

He’s hooked his laptop up and has it plugged into something Hoseok didn’t even realize his ca had. Yoongi’s legs rest on the dash, laptop in his lap as he buckles the seatbelt in. “Ready for this, Hoseok?” Yoongi asks with a grin.

“I think?” Hoseok mumbles.

“I see you’ve got some wins under your name. Let’s try and get another one, alright?” Yoongi asks. There’s something about his tone that makes Hoseok wonder. “You’ve got to trust me when I saw something, okay? There can be no hesitation, as soon as I say it you need to do it.”

“I need to trust everything you say?” Hoseok says. Yoongi just nods again.

“Everything I say,” Yoongi repeats.

“Okay…”

“That didn’t sound like you trusted me,” Yoongi pouts.

“I don’t know you.”

“That didn’t stop you from checking me out earlier,” Yoongi says. Hoseok sighs. “Listen, I won’t do anything too risky because I don’t know how you drive yet and I kind of don’t want to die. I’m trusting you too, trusting that you know what you’re doing behind that wheel. I’m putting my existence in your hands, okay, Hoseok?”

Hoseok blinks and takes a deep breath in. Now that he’s thinking like that, it’s a little more difficult. It used to be just him on the line, now there’s another life in his car with him.

“Okay.”

Yoongi grins, wide and smiley as he holds a pinky out to Hoseok. Hoseok returns a smile and wraps his pinky around Yoongi’s own. Then there’s a shot going off and the cars are going.

“Don’t go above thirty for five seconds,” Yoongi says quickly. “That’s mission one. They just popped up.” Hoseok moves at twenty-seven. “Okay, go,” Yoongi says. Hoseok complies. “This race is a little shorter than all the others, probably because of the time we have. Take a right up at the light.”

Hoseok moves some gears and drifts to the right before speeding up again. He can see the other cars taking a left.

“Why’s everyone else going left,” he asks quickly.

“It’s the quicker way,” Yoongi says. “But you have mission that you need to do this way. Speed up some more and go straight until you see, uh, I can’t pronounce that—just, slow down slightly now and take a left down this small street.”

Hoseok can hear cars honking and people yelling from the all around. There’s sirens in the background but he can’t see any lights, he’s guessing that’s a good thing.

“Now, go the regular speed,” Yoongi says. Hoseok slows down a lot and swerves to stop from hitting another car. He looks at Yoongi, eyes wide, Yoongi points out his window. They’re passing a police station. “Getting cops to follow you is something you never want. They’re hard to lose here. Your second mission was to pass by this station. It’s out of sight now, take a left and speed up.”

“That’s oddly specific,” Hoseok says. Yoongi nods.

“So, you’re actually not far behind—take a right. You have one more mission that can actually put you in first place if you do it right.” Hoseok nods, he can see the other cars now. They’re on the other side, he can see them turning away. “Okay, last mission is coming up. This one is dangerous so please be careful.” Why does he say it like that?

“What is it?”

“Just, hm, don’t pay attention and speed up fast. There’s no one on it, just go fast.” Hoseok gulps. He steps on the gas, trusting Yoongi every though his stomach is clenching and he feels like he’s going to throw up just from the sight.

It’s a raising bridge.

“D-don’t think about it!” Yoongi says. “Just go, it’s makeable.” Hoseok clenches his jaw, eye wide and teeth biting into his bottom lip. Hoseok steps on it once again and can feel his stomach burning. He closes his eyes and keeps the wheel straight as he feels weightless for a moment, car in the air.

“Fuck, fuck, oh god,” Yoongi mutters as he grips Hoseok’s arm. Hoseok feels woozy.

The car lands with a bounce and loud noise. Hoseok's eyes shoot open as he controls the car from behind the wheel. “Holy shit!” Hoseok yells. Yoongi lets out a scream as well.

“Take a left and follow that street, go as fast as you want, it’s the final stretch!” Yoongi says loudly. Hoseok listens and does so. He follows the road, only there’s a lot of turns and twists. After following a few more directions from Yoongi he finds himself on the same road entering the place, only opposite now. He slows down and hears people cheering. It’s weird, exciting and blood rushing. Yoongi laughs loudly and hugs Hoseok.

Hoseok is taken aback, but wraps his arms around Yoongi and hugs him as well. He smells sweet, even though he’s slightly sweaty—it’s okay, Hoseok knows he’s in a way grosser state.

“You’re hot when you’re concentrated, by the way,” Yoongi says with a smile. Hoseok grins.

Hoseok’s door opens and Jungkook is standing there once again. “Jimin said to get out of the car.” He’s smiling brightly, like a bunny. Other cars start to come in, Hoseok is amazed that they made it this far a head of the others.

“Okay, I’ll be on there, hold on,” Hoseok says. Jungkook smiles and nods, shutting the door. “Want to come with me?”

“What?” Yoongi asks.

“You sound shocked, do you not want to come? You don’t have to, I was thinking we could go to dinner or something afterwards though; if you would like to, of course,” Hoseok says, only slightly stumbling over his words.

“No! I’d like to, it’s just that no one has invited me to do this before? After the race that’s just it, usually,” Yoongi mutters. “It’s their race, I don’t help—”

“What?” Hoseok cuts in. “It’s your race too, you were the one feeding me directions and telling me where to go. I wouldn’t have won without you, we won this together.”

“We won, right,” Yoongi says. He closes his laptop in his lap and takes a breath in. “It feels good to win something.”

“What? Was this your first win?” Hoseok asks. Yoongi nods. “You’re lying. You’re like a professional or something. You’ve had to have won lots and lots…”

“You’re the first person to fully follow my instructions. I don’t know if you’re stupidly gullible or an extremely trusting person.”

“I saw no reason not to trust you,” Hoseok tells him.

“Other than I’m a complete stranger?” Hoseok laughs at him.

“The pinky promise tied it together, honestly,” Hoseok says. “That and the fact that you’re also in this car, so unless you were a maniac that was looking for death, I didn’t think that you would try to actively get me killed.”

“Even when I told you to jump the bridge that was rising?” Yoongi asks.

“That was scary as fuck, holy shit,” Hoseok says. Yoongi laughs. “So, do you want to come with me? We can celebrate our first win together afterwards.”

“Okay.”

Hoseok grins and pulls the keys out of the ignition. He opens the door and jumps out of the car. Yoongi gets out of the other side, his laptop case strapped to him. Hoseok smiles slightly and offers his hand out to Yoongi. This is flirting, right? That’s what Hoseok is trying to get through.

Yoongi grabs his hand, squeezing it and smiling brightly as Hoseok leads them towards the others who seem to be celebrating and more hyped than both Hoseok and Yoongi.

“It’s tonight’s rookie racer and sugary second that are the winners!” Namjoon says with a dimpled smile.

“Don’t say that again,” Jungkook says.

“Anyway, I was kind of shocked when I saw that you signed up with Suga,” Jimin admits. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person. I’ve heard lots about you, good and bad. I’m Jimin,” Jimin says as he holds a hand out to Yoongi. Yoongi half-smiles and shakes his hand.

“Oo—my god, your shorts are cute,” Jungkook mutters as he walks behind Yoongi and looks. Yoongi blushes slightly.

“You’re really close already,” Taehyung says with a grin as he points the their hands. Hoseok smiles.

“Calm down, you guys,” Hoseok says.

“Yeah, calm down. They’ve had enough excitement tonight, didn’t you see them jump over the bridge?” Namjoon asks.

“That was scary,” Hoseok mutters. “I thought I was going to throw up.”

“That would’ve been bad,” Yoongi says. The others nod in agreement.

“So, Seokjin is still lowkey pissed off because of how late you were, but you managed to win and there were a lot of bets placed that Hyungi would win, so Jin is profiting. That’s put him in a better mood than earlier,” Jimin says.

“You fucking beat Hyungi the Asshole. You have no idea how happy I was when I saw that. This day should be marked in history or something. Mark it as another day he was pulverized and thrown to the ground and his pride was demolished and—” Namjoon places a hand over Jungkook’s mouth.

“Jungkook was a very happy camper throughout the whole thing. He was actually watching the race and not playing Overwatch for once,” Namjoon says.

“He’s always playing Overwatch,” Jimin says. “Both of them.”

“We’re in grandmasters,” Taehyung says. “We’re a crazy duo. Jungkook plays a crazy widowmaker.”

“Taehyung’s Mei isn’t too shabby either,” Jungkook says.

“Anyone have any idea what they’re talking about again?” Namjoon asks. Jimin and Hoseok laugh.

“I’m already in top 500 this season, I got the gold elimination medal my last game as D.va,” Yoongi says. Jungkook and Taehyung turn to him, eyes wide.

“You’ve already played fifty games this season?” Jungkook asks. Yoongi nods.

“We should play sometime!” Taehyung says.

“And they’re all nerds now,” Jimin says.

“Do you guys all want to go and get something to eat?” Hoseok asks. “It’s our first win here. Might as well celebrate it, right?”

“Right. You’ll stick around, right, Suga?” Namjoon asks.

“Um, yeah. Do you mind calling me Yoongi? Suga is just a silly name I made years ago and haven’t changed,” Yoongi says.

“Okay,” Jimin says.

“So, any idea where to go?”

***

Jungkook and Namjoon left halfway through the meal. The two not able to keep it in their pants as they rushed out of the restaurant.

Taehyung was pretty quiet, eating and enjoying his food. Yoongi awkwardly sat there, eating and listening to the conversation that Jimin and Hoseok were having.

“It really is different racing here. I don’t think I’ve been that excited since my first Seoul race,” Hoseok says. Jimin grins as he takes a drink of his water.

“It’s fun here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a race end the same way twice. There’s always something different happening and always different pairs that race together,” Jimin says.

“I was surprised to see you paired with Yoongi,” Taehyung pipes in. “I’ve heard that you’re really good with directions and can lead anyone. That’s kind of amazing. I’m still not good with directions and finding the fastest route.”

“I’m not really. This was my first win tonight. You’ve had a lot, obviously you’ve been doing something right,” Yoongi says shyly.

“He’s great. I was able to focus completely on driving and the path ahead of me without thinking about what directions to take and how to get there the fastest. Yoongi was doing all the for me and it really was so helpful,” Hoseok says. “It’s so different to race here. I’d like to do a few more, actually.”

“Stay here for a while,” Jimin says. “Daegu is a nice place, you can visit and see all kinds of places. It’s different from Gwangju.”

“I’ll think about it,” Hoseok says. Jimin nods.

“Message me if you need anything, I think we’re going to head out. It’s really getting late,” Jimin says. Taehyung nods.

“I’m tired,” Tae yawns.

“Have a goodnight,” Hoseok waves. They wave and leave. Hoseok looks over to Yoongi, who is messing with his food, not really eating. “It’s kind of hard to eat, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. My stomach still isn’t settled from tonight's race,” Yoongi says.

It’s weird. There’s been many small flirting gestures that Hoseok wants to do more about but he doesn’t know what to do. Should he initiation something else? Should he wait for Yoongi to do something? What if Yoongi doesn’t do anything. Is that a sign that he doesn’t want to flirt anymore? People have boundaries, would Hoseok be passing one if he continues to flirt with Yoongi? Yoongi’s cute though. He wants to flirt with Yoongi and maybe go out when it’s just them.

With a shaky hand Hoseok places his hand on Yoongi’s knee. He waits for a reaction. He averts his eyes away and towards the other side of the restaurant. If Yoongi doesn’t say anything in the next few moments he’s going to move his hand away and act like this didn’t happen. Ignore the awkwardness.

It’s been four seconds and he lifts his hand to move it but Yoongi places his own hand on top of it. Hoseok feels his heart beat in his chest. He looks over to Yoongi and sees that the other is looking at their hands.

“My name’s Jung Hoseok, I’m from Gwangju and I’ve been racing since I was seventeen,” Hoseok says to Yoongi.

“Min Yoongi, born here in Daegu, I’ve been doing this for about three years now.”

That was the start of something.

They paid and sat in Hoseok’s car. They didn’t leave right away. Hoseok didn’t even put the key in the ignition. Yoongi leaned over and placed a kiss on Hoseok’s cheek. Hoseok smiled brightly.

“Lets learn more about each other,” Yoongi says. Hoseok nods. Then they kiss.

It’s not the first type of learning that Hoseok thought of, but he’s learning about Yoongi still. When he places his hands on Yoongi’s hips the smaller hums happily and leans into Hoseok. He learns that Yoongi’s lips are indeed soft and that Yoongi can be noisy when he wants to be.

The position is uncomfortable, Hoseok leaning over with his hands on Yoongi’s hips and Yoongi is leaning against the door and it’s sort of digging into his back and he wants to say something but Hoseok’s lips are addictive.

Hoseok pulls away and leans his seat back. He pushes it back, giving more space and reclining it slightly so he’s at an angle. He smiles and Yoongi climbs over. It’s sweet and enduring, something Hoseok hasn’t had in awhile. Yet, he thinks he prefers Yoongi’s lips over whoever his last kiss was with.

He doesn’t remember them. Can’t even think of them when he has this beautiful man perched on his lap and is able to kiss him senseless.

It slows down. It turns into something more and it’s breathtaking. Hoseok holds Yoongi close and lets Yoongi wrap his own arms around Hoseok. They’re pacing themselves, letting the other explore.

After that they relax and play with each others hands. It’s soft and comfortable and Hoseok feels happy and content. Yoongi isn’t too heavy, it isn’t uncomfortable for him to lay on Hoseok. It feels nice. They both feel fine.

“You can stay the night at my place,” Yoongi says quietly. “We can put a movie on and fall asleep to that.” Hoseok hums but doesn’t move to raise his seat. “We can enter another race tomorrow too, if you want.”

“I’d like that,” Hoseok answers.

“I can show you around, too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

They drive to Yoongi’s place, Yoongi directing Hoseok as the radio plays lightly in the background. They’re both tired, bodies weak. They spent too much time in the parking lot, the clock reads four thirty-six in the morning. Some people, as crazy as it sounds, are probably waking up to get ready for the day.

When they pull into the apartments Hoseok parks away from the other cars, not wanting anyone to accidently hit his or something. Yoongi gets out and leads the way up the stairs and into the apartment. It’s small and cozy, comfortable.

Hoseok takes his jacket off and Yoongi tells him to just leave it on the couch. Both their shoes rest next to the door. Yoongi leaves to change clothes and comes back offering Hoseok a pair of shorts.

They cuddle on the small couch. There’s a soft blanket draped over them as they hold each other. This isn’t how Hoseok expected his first race in Daegu to end but he’s not complaining one bit. He’s actually really happy. He dozes off to the sound of some random movie playing in the background.

***

Yoongi shows him around. It’s almost four in the afternoon when they wake up, they’ve wasted most of their day but it’s okay. They walk around Daegu when Hoseok sees a store he can buy clothes from.

“Lets stop by here,” he tells Yoongi.

“Why?” Yoongi asks. There’s a restaurant Yoongi wants to show him. He says it’s special.

“I need some clothes if I’m going to be staying here awhile.” Hoseok doesn’t think when he says some stuff and he needs to. He hasn’t even asked if he can stay here with Yoongi for awhile. He hasn’t even made any kind of plans or anything.

“You’ll be staying here?” Yoongi asks again. Hoseok doesn’t answer, he looks away. “Where are you going to stay?” He shouldn’t have brought this up. He really shouldn’t have. “You know, you can stay with me. Last night was, it was nice. I don’t have a lot of people over and don’t talk to people so it was nice to—to socialize again. And to cuddle and all that.”

“Will you not mind me staying?” Hoseok asks.

“I really wouldn’t,” Yoongi admits with a small smile. “It’s been so long since I’ve been able to talk to someone without having to act a specific way, you know?” Hoseok thinks back to all the past races he’s had. When someone came up to him and asked how he won, asked what he did and asked why he’s so good; he never knew how to answer those questions. It’s something he just does. That might sound wrong but he loves it. It isn’t exactly what Yoongi’s describing, but Hoseok thinks it might feel the same.

“I know what you mean,” Hoseok says. “This is nice.”

“We can go there after, and a few other places if you want to look for clothes. I know a few stores around here and there,” Yoongi says. “I want to take you to this restaurant first. It’s like home.” There’s a twinkle in his eyes that Hoseok can’t read. It’s worrisome but he trusts Yoongi.

They walk and talk until Yoongi step aside and opens a door. It smells nice. There’s chatter all around the restaurant and music playing through the speakers. Many people are happy and talking to the waiters and waitresses almost like they’re friends; they might be, Hoseok doesn’t know.

Yoongi leads them in and sits at a table. He grabs two menus and hands one to Hoseok. Hoseok looks at him confused but Yoongi just smiles. “Get whatever you want,” Yoongi says. Hoseok looks over the menu and ask Yoongi what he thinks, Yoongi tells him a lot about everything on the menu, like he’s been here a million times. He might’ve been.

An elder woman comes their way and Yoongi raises his menu with a smile. “What?” Hoseok asks.

“Hello, how’re you today?” she asks happily.

“I’m good, I think?” Hoseok asks.

“This your first time here?”

“Um, yes, it is—”

“Since it’s your first time here you can get a free sample of anything on the menu, we want you to try something before you buy it. So, is there anything you’d like to try?”

“What?” Hoseok asks. Yoongi kicks him from under the table. “Ow, what the heck Yoongi?” The woman puts her notepad down and takes Yoongi’s menu away then hits him in the head. Hoseok’s confused.

“Boy, does a cell phone not exist to you anymore? Can you no longer walk? Are your legs getting shorter, making it too tiring for you to walk here?” She asks him. “You know, your brother stops by everyday to greet me and your father. When was the last time you stopped by to even say hello? Hm?”

“I’ve been busy, mom,” Yoongi pouts. Ah.

“And who is this? I haven’t seen him before. He’s very handsome, you know. Perhaps you should take some tips.”

“This is Hoseok,” Yoongi says. “Hoseok this is my mom. She’s a very pleasant person, especially to her favorite child, you can see.”

“Whoever said you were my favorite?”

“Mom.”

***

“Your parents are funny,” Hoseok says.

“They just like to make fun of me,” Yoongi says with a smile.

“They love you.”

“I know. You really hit it off with them too, I’m a little surprised, honestly,” Yoongi hums. “Usually, they ask a lot more questions too. You tamed them or something.”

“It’s my handsome looks.”

“Shut up,” Yoongi laughs. “Your handsome looks totally shocked my parents so much that they forgot to interrogate you.”

“I have that effect on people,” Hoseok says. Yoongi punches his arm. They walk into the clothes shop Hoseok wanted to visit and buy a few things. Yoongi helps Hoseok match outfits and steers Hoseok away from the tracksuits that he keeps trying to buy. He sneaks a few bucket hats into the shopping car behind Yoongi’s back.

Hoseok pays for his clothes and they both carry them back to the apartment. They laugh and smile and link arms. Hoseok loves it so much. It feels comfortable and right. Yoongi makes him feel more comfortable. Yoongi doesn’t make the situation awkward and he doesn’t say weird things that make Hoseok regret interacting with him.

Yoongi is funny and sweet. He can say some things to his parents that normal people probably can’t. He’s cuddly and cute and likes to hold hands. He doesn’t judge Hoseok or look at him a specific way and expect him to say a specific thing. He’s calm and collected but can be upright and bounce around happily to match Hoseok’s energy.

Hoseok likes Yoongi just a little more than he should considering they just met yesterday, not even twenty-four hours ago.

Yoongi opens the door when they get back. He lets Hoseok hand his clothes in his closet so they don’t wrinkle. Yoongi’s room is normal minus the Kumamon pillows and plushy on his bed. It’s cute. Hoseok likes it.

“It’s almost dark out,” Yoongi says. “Do you want to take a shower than go sign up for a race?” Yoongi asks. Hoseok nods.

Yoongi takes a shower first, it’s quick so Hoseok can get in after. Yoongi walks out only wrapped in a towel and Hoseok wonders if it’s rude to jack off in a person’s shower while thinking about them. He takes a cold shower, not wanting to risk being rude or weird. In some weird way he thinks Yoongi would be flattered though.

He gets dressed in the bathroom and walks out to see Yoongi putting on a top that tucks into his shorts. It’s hot. Hoseok walks behind him and loops his fingers through the belt loops on the waist-high shorts. Yoongi smiles and leans back. They’re already so close. It’s scary. Hoseok is scared but at the same time Yoongi is open and so cool about this. It’s calming to Hoseok.

“Do you like them?” Yoongi asks as he places his hands on Hoseok’s. “These are one of my favorite pairs.”

“I like them,” Hoseok says. “I liked the ones you wore last night too.”

“I noticed,” Yoongi laughs. “Lets go, maybe we can meet up with your friends.”

“They’re your friends too,” Hoseok says.

“I’ve known them for a day.”

“So have I,” Hoseok tells him. Yoongi rolls his eyes.

***

“Go faster, you can do it, come on!” Yoongi says with a smile as Hoseok carries him on his back and runs. “Come on, my grandma can run faster than this, Hoseok.”

“Yeah? When can I meet her?” Hoseok pants.

“She’ll boil you alive,” Yoongi tells him. “Okay, let's stop here. There’s an ice cream shop.”

“I’m in the middle of exercising and you want to take me to eat ice cream?” Hoseok asks. Yoongi doesn’t answer he just walks in.

Hoseok’s been in Daegu for two weeks now. He’s only raced once since the win. Someone put a virus in Yoongi’s laptop and it’s doing a lot of damage. Yoongi says he can repair it back to new but he’s too lazy to sit around and actually do it.

He told Hoseok to race with a different Second but Hoseok always said no. He doesn’t know why, he and Yoongi aren’t Official in either way. He wants to be, he really does. He’s learned so much about Yoongi and they’ve gone on a lot of dates, yet neither of them has asked the question. Hoseok wants to ask but he’s scared. What if Yoongi isn’t looking for that?

They still go to support the others every night. Jimin and Taehyung race every single night. Sometimes they even have two races a night. It’s crazy but they’re fun to watch. Yoongi and Jungkook don’t always pay attention, the two have become close. They play Overwatch and buy clothing together while the races are going on.

“Why’re you even working out all of a sudden, Hobi?” Oh, yeah. That nickname developed too. Yoongi was drowsy and they were cuddling. Instead of saying Hoseok he said Hobi and now it has just stuck around.

“It feels good,” Hoseok says.

“That’s a bullshit reason,” Yoongi replies. They order ice cream and then take a seat in a booth away from the small children that are on the other side of the parlor. They’ve both learned that their conversations can turn very R rated and that it’s not appreciated by parents.

“The real reason is stupider,” Hoseok sighs.

“Is something wrong?”

“Last night I thought about how we met. That means thinking about Hyungi and how he bruised your wrist,” Hoseok says. He knows Yoongi doesn’t like Hyungi either. They’ve talked about this before, about him. “Thinking about him means thinking about what he did to Taehyung. It makes me think a lot, you know?”

Yoongi nods and takes a bite of his ice cream.

“He talked to me the other night, when we were watching Jimin and Tae,” Hoseok says. He hasn’t told Yoongi this yet, or anyone for that matter. He didn’t feel threatened at all, Hyungi is nothing. Now, that he’s thinking about it though, Hyungi actually isn’t that weak. His muscles have been more defined lately and he holds himself better.

“Tae’s alright. He’s not going near Hyungi every again. Hyungi’s human trash. He doesn’t even deserve to be known by you,” Yoongi says.

“I know,” Hoseok smiles.

“You shouldn’t work yourself because of this. He isn’t going to start a fight,” Yoongi says. “It’s against the rules. He can be banned for that. Racing is the only thing he’s decent at, Hobi. He wouldn’t risk that.”

“You’re right again. I can never seem to prove you wrong,” Hoseok says.

“If you really want to beat him though we should race him again,” Yoongi tells him. “Beat him when he has a Second. Last time we beat him he didn’t have one, that’s why he still shows his face around. You have to beat them when they’re at their best to keep them down longer.”

“That’s right.”

“Let's sign up for a race, Hobi,” Yoongi says seriously. “I’ll remove the virus tonight. Tomorrow is Saturday. It’s been three weeks since a win.” Yoongi licks his lips and smiles. “I think it’s time we win again, don’t want people to think we’ve died, do we?”

Hoseok thinks he’s falling harder for Yoongi everyday.

***

His computer is back to normal. Hoseok didn’t understand anything that happened but he still watched as Yoongi impressively pressed buttons and then restored his computer completely.

They leave Saturday night and head out. Hoseok is holding Yoongi’s hand as he drives. He hums along with Yoongi to the tune of the current song. They park the car and then hop out and walk straight to Seokjin’s small building.
Yoongi walks in first and holds the door for Hoseok. Hoseok rolls his eyes. “Well, well, well, what do we have here? Two idiots that haven’t been racing?” Seokjin says.

“Don’t be mean. We’re here to sign up for a race,” Hoseok says.

“Oo, shocker.”

They sign up for a race which “coincidentally” is the same one Hyungi is racing in. Jimin, Taehyung, Namjoon, and Jungkook are also in the same race. Hoseok finds it a little weird that they were all racing together.

“Is there something going on that I don’t know about?” Hoseok asks as he looks at the people signed up. It looks like a normal race. There’s nothing special about it.

“As soon as the gates opened so did Hyungi’s mouth. He said some shit to Jungkook and Taehyung and then they all signed up for a race. That’s really it, I don’t know what he said. They’re outside in their regular spot though.’

“Thanks, Jin,” Hoseok says. Yoongi holds his hand as they walk out. Hoseok doesn’t mind at all, he knows Yoongi has a thing for holding hands, even if the other won’t admit it.

They’re deadly silent when Hoseok and Yoongi walk up. Jungkook and Taehyung are actually doing something with codes on their computers as Namjoon and Jimin are messing with their keys.

“Hey, guys,” Hoseok says.

“We need to beat Hyungi,” Jimin says sharply.

“I know.”

***

Hyungi is cocky as they all shake hands. Hoseok doesn’t know why, but it frightens him a little bit. It doesn’t seem normal, the smile he pulls. Hoseok doesn’t want to know what he has planned. He’s going to try and stay away from Hyungi for tonight.

He watches as Jimin shakes his hand and walks away. Hoseok remembers when Hyungi tried to ignore his hand shake. Hoseok does the same, only this time Hyungi grabs his own hand and makes him shake it. He grips Hyungi’s hand tightly and shakes it. They glare at each other. Hoseok doesn’t know what’s going to happen but his stomach turns and churns. The look in Hyungi’s eye is crazed.

The race starts and Yoongi tells him to go fast straight from the beginning. “Reach over the speed of one hundred in the first thirty seconds,” Yoongi tells him.

“Okay.”

The race continues smoothly, shockingly enough. They’ve done all their missions successfully and are now racing to the end. Only, at the end there are guns pointed at them and ready to shoot.

“Turn back, turn back, oh my God Hobi, turn back!” Yoongi says as he ducks down with a scream. Hoseok curses and turns back, the sound of bullets hitting his car scare him. They’re aiming for him and for Yoongi. A multi-call from Jungkook and Taehyung is coming in through the radio, Yoongi answers it.

“I’ve got a problem,” Jimin says through the speakers. “I’m being shot at.”

“We all are,” Jungkook says and yells something at Namjoon.

“Not all of us,” Yoongi says loudly. “That asshole is already passing the finish line.”

“I suspected so—TAEHYUNG PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN, BABY!”

“They’re aiming to kill,” Namjoon says. “Don’t risk it. Go back the way we came. Hurry.”

“Take a right,” Yoongi says. Hoseok does so and speeds away to get back. He sees Namjoon and Jimin driving in front of him, also trying to get back. There are gunshots in the background. He can hear them hitting cars and other things as well as people screaming.

They make it back quickly, Seokjin is out and yelling as well as other people. Hyungi is sitting on his car not looking bothered at all. “Ban him!”

Hoseok gets out of his car and storms over to Hyungi. “Did you think that was fun?” He asks loudly. Yoongi jumps out and follows him, grabbing Hoseok’s hands. “You could’ve gotten all of us killed. They were trying to kill us. You were trying to kill us. What is wrong with you? Tell me what the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Hobi, calm down, don’t touch him, it’s against the rules,” Yoongi says.

“And trying to murder us isn’t?”

“There’s no proof it was me who set that up. It came from her computer, she’s just a Second. We’re not Official so there’s nothing linking me to her now that that deadly race is over. It’s a miracle you’re all alive, isn’t it?”

Yoongi looks over to see Macy being pulled out of the car and escorted out by security. She’s crying and hiccuping. Yoongi feels his own blood boil, he knows that Macy is a nice girl and that she listens to whatever she is told by her racer, even if it’s Hyungi.

“You’re a coward,” Yoongi says. “You played with Macy.”

“It’s all part of the game,” Hyungi says.

“Race us again now that you’re little arms-men are gone,” Hoseok says. “Even ground. Just me and you and our Seconds.”

“Find one then,” Hyungi says. “You’ve already used Yoongi tonight. You need a different Second since you’re not Official.”

“What?”

“Have fun,” Hyungi says.

“Be my Official,” Hoseok says quickly. “Let’s beat him, come on, Yoongi.”

There’s no hesitation as Yoongi says “Okay”.

“We can get your jackets later and have you sign the paper, get in your car, we’re starting,” Seokjin says. Hyungi spits and gets in his car. A random girl with a laptop gets in the car with her laptop, Hoseok guesses that he messaged her or they had this planned out.

“Same rules apply, don’t get it twisted. The only thing that has changed is that there is no missions. First to get back here wins. For your Seconds that means they need to lead you through the fastest route.

Got it? Good. Three, two, one—go!” Seokjin says.

“Don’t go too fast, you’re taking a left at the first light,” Yoongi says. Hyungi speeds off, right down the street. Hoseok wants to follow him, wants to beat him at his route. He looks over to Yoongi and sees that he’s mapping out a path on his laptop. He bites his tongue and follows the path. Yoongi’s serious about this too. He can trust him.

“Right.”

“Straight then at the light take a right.”

“Take another right.”

“Take a left.”

“Take a—STOP!” Yoongi says, Hoseok presses down on the breaks and swerves the car to stop.

“Why?” Hoseok asks. He looks in front of him to see nails lying across the ground ready to destroy tires.

“Take a right and speed as fast as you can,” Yoongi says. “We’re going the other route.”

He follows the directions and speeds through. It’s narrow and there’s cars on both side of him but he does it. Yoongi flinches as the car jumps the curve to get back onto the main road. “Go straight, make it fast he’s up there.”

Hoseok doesn’t need to be told twice. He speeds up as fast as he can. He can see Hyungi up ahead. He presses faster and bites his lip as he gets next to Hyungi. The other looks over from his car and yells as he tries to run into Hoseok and Yoongi.

Hoseok pushes once more and he’s entering again. He pushes down on the breaks and slows the car as he passes the finish line, Hyungi behind him. He doesn’t hesitate as he leans over and kisses Yoongi.

“Bless you, fucking bless you,” Hoseok says. Yoongi nods.

His passenger door is opened and Hyungi grabs Yoongi and pulls him out of the car. His laptop falls to the ground and Hyungi steps on it, breaking the screen. Hoseok jumps out and runs over, fist ready but before he can Seokjin is already handling it; he punches Hyungi and throws him towards the security.

“It’s against the rules to put your hands on another person here,” Seokjin says. “The winner is Hoseok and Yoongi!”

“Are you okay?” Hoseok asks, Yoongi nods and hugs Hoseok.

“My laptop’s trashed,” he says.

“We can get you a new one and everything you need with it,” Hoseok tells him. “It’s okay.”

“We won again, on even ground this time,” Yoongi says. Hoseok smiles and nods. “And were Officials now…”

“Yeah.”

“Can we be the other type of official too?” Yoongi asks. Hoseok smiles.

“Yeah.”

***

“Here’s your winnings,” Seokjin says as he hands a bag to Hoseok.

“It’s heavy,” Hoseok mutters as he holds the bag.

“It’s for two races. What do you expect?”

“Two races?” Yoongi asks.

“Yeah. You guys never collected the reward for your first race. Dumbasses,” Seokjin huffs. “Honestly, you guys…” Seokjin walks out, leaving them alone.

“We can buy more than just your computer now,” Hoseok smirks as he leans in and kisses Yoongi.

“What else would we buy?”

“Maybe some more of these cute shorts,” Hoseok says as his hands graze the back of the shorts and enter the back pockets. Yoongi laughs and places a kiss on the corner of Hoseok’s mouth.

“For just the cuteness? Or is your dirty mind thinking of things?”

“My mind is innocent.”

“Right. So, you enjoy those cold showers?”

Hoseok clicks his tongue.

“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had sex?” Hoseok asks.

“No, and I don’t really want to know what’s happening right now,” Jimin says as he walks in.

“He’s a cockblock, always has been and always will be,” Hoseok tells Yoongi. Yoongi smiles.

“Congratulations on the win, the guys all want to go out and celebrate, but if you guys were going to do something I’ll tell them we can go tomorrow.”

“Tell them to call us tomorrow,” Yoongi answers, Hoseok thrusts up into Yoongi’s pelvis. “Wow, you’re deprived,” Yoongi mutters.

“Okay, use protection—or don’t, just make sure, y’know?” Jimin laughs as he leaves.

“Advice from Jimin, am I right?” Hoseok asks. “I’m clean, by the way.”

“So, am I… I don’t mind messes either,” Yoongi says.

“Fuck, my dicks twitching,” Hoseok mumbles.

“Then let’s get home.”

It was a very sinful night.