Chapter Text
jin @wwhandsom 6:32 AM · Jan 8, 2018
Shoutout to my friend my roommate my bro @mmmaestro starting his new job today. Jin! you say, that's great and all but why are you tweeting this early? Because I answer as I pull my pillow over my head, he’s using 4538 alarm clocks to make sure he’s not late kmn
jin @wwhandsom 6:39 AM · Jan 8, 2018
Lol so he left so fast he forgot his keys. I /could/ drop them off for him but his first alarm was at 4:45 so I don't feel charitable
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minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:40 AM · Jan 8, 2018
Lmao so I take this ridic early morning train because I am committed™ to band like a loser and 3 stops in there's this guy that always sits in the same spot only this morning someone else took it two stops before
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:41 AM · Jan 8, 2018
Last time this happened he was SO PISSED but like she was this little old gran so he couldn't exactly get mad at her? But he definitely fumed the whole ride
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:42 AM · Jan 8, 2018
There's a chance nothing might happen but… nah p. sure there will be a smack down I will keep you posted this is ∞ times more fun than homework
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:48 AM · Jan 8, 2018
Omfg he just got on he looks ready to MURDER rip New Guy its too bad your beauty will be taken from this world so soon
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:51 AM · Jan 8, 2018
If looks could kill NG /and/ his ghost would be dead like six times over but he hasn't even noticed the death glares he looks like a zombie I'm dying
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:54 AM · Jan 8, 2018
Literal daggers are coming out of Old Guy’s eyes tbh I'm surprised the whole train doesn't know there's drama going down
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:59 AM · Jan 8, 2018
Old Guy (tbh not old at all, also fine as fuck) now typing on his phone with biggest frown and angriest thumbs I've ever seen mb chill dude?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:17 AM · Jan 8, 2018
NG got off the train. OG about to lunge across an take his spot back but some little old lady took it first he looks so salty but he gets off in like three stops anyways
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:25 AM · Jan 8, 2018
OG now off the train no one has died although we got close
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:25 AM · Jan 8, 2018
This has been: Early Morning Train Drama with your host Minnie tune in next week to learn about people who pull emergency alarms when they aren't necessary and how they are the cause of all evil in this world
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Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:59 AM · Jan 8, 2018
As if Mondays weren’t already bad enough I get on the train and someone is in MY SPOT
Jiminie @ddrevelation 7:11 AM · Jan 8, 2018
didn’t know they had assigned seating on public trains
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:12 AM · Jan 8, 2018
I wake up this early specifically to avoid the rush and use my spot and did I mention it’s MY SPOT D:<
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January 8, 2018
yoongi, 7:25 AM
The alarms are necessary to get to this job on time and without it I'd probably stop being able to afford rent and then you'd have to find a new roommate are you sure you can't bring me my keys?
eternal roommate, 7:43 AM
No
Definitely not
I am so handsome that I do not need a beauty sleep but I /like/ my beauty sleep and you RUINED it
But if you tell me your address I might send someone else with them
Someone who is exactly as handsome as I am but is called Kim Jinseok
---
Yoongi was not a huge fan of mornings in general. They started before he was properly awake, for one thing. For another, they usually involved him having to go from being horizontal and warm to vertical and cold. He didn't especially like being in either of those states and did his best to avoid them when possible.
Monday mornings in particular were a special kind of hell and the part of Monday mornings that happened before the sun peeked over the horizon? Well. That part of a Monday was to be avoided at all costs, unless he’d stayed up through the Sunday night and had nothing planned for the Monday daylight hours.
It was due to the inherent evilness of Mondays that Yoongi set six alarms on his phone, and another four alarm clocks that he bought from the dollar store hidden around his room and the bathroom, and two more out in the kitchen as added insurance. He cooked and packed his lunches for the week while Seokjin sat at their small kitchen counter and provided commentary on his cooking skills, and unwanted suggestions on how to behave on his first day in the office.
While funny at first, the commentary and suggestions switched to annoying long before Seokjin got tired of making them. Unfortunately Seokjin didn’t stop when Yoongi said “I do have some manners you know,” or when he said “Don’t you have something else to be doing?” so he had to resort to saying “Which of us is holding the very big, very sharp knife?”. As an apology Seokjin set out his coffee, the cheapest brand Yoongi could find at the convenience store but with enough caffeine to jumpstart his brain, and let him have first shower so he could get to bed early.
Yoongi didn’t get to bed early. He used the extra half hour he gained by being first to the bathroom to pull out his keyboard, reasoning he’d play for half an hour to wind down. Three hours later he was still playing and starting to regret the decision to start at all, because now that he’s started he couldn’t quite figure out how to stop. The keys were drawing him in, and kept drawing him in until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Seokjin standing there, pyjama-ed and barefaced.
Seokjin’s lips shaped the word “Yoongi”. Yoongi couldn't hear him over the sound of the synthesized piano in his headphones. “Go to sleep.”
Yoongi was already wearing his pyjamas, the same red flannel he'd had from their university days, and he let Seokjin cajole him off his keyboard bench and into his bed. “Do you need a tuck in?” Seokjin asked in his best imitation of a mother in any children's TV show. Yoongi hesitated, trying to think how he would answer on a normal day, on a day where he wasn't quite so freaked out of his mind, and that hesitation was apparently enough for Seokjin to drop the teasing and give him a concerned, if tired, smile. “Or maybe a water?”
“No, I'm good,” Yoongi said, rolling over onto his side. It was mostly true. He didn't need water, at any rate. “Thanks.”
By the time morning strutted up to their door and knocked, loudly, to be let in Yoongi had managed probably three hours of sleep total. His alarms did little to spur him into action and before long he was running behind schedule. By the time he left he was running so late that he had to scramble at the last minute to shove everything in his bag, his feet in his shoes, and get out the door with his coat trailing behind him like a banner announcing to the world that Min Yoongi wasn't enough of an adult to have his life together for his first real job.
He made the train but only just, collapsing into the seat beside the door. If he was going to make a habit of this he'd have to take up running, or maybe get one of those little scooters that fold up with a hinge at the front wheel. In his rush he’d forgotten his coffee and… with a groan he let his head thunk back against the window. He forgot his coffee and he forgot his keys that was not how he'd hoped to start the day.
The rest of the train ride he spent with his briefcase carefully balanced on his knees, his folded hands resting on top, his lunch bag between his feet, and his music turned off so he could hear the announcements for which station was next. He left his phone in his bag so he didn't have the chance to get sucked in to anything, and had nothing else to do except try not to fall asleep and observe his fellow commuters.
There was a woman who couldn't be anything except a medical worker of some kind - she was wearing scrub pants tucked in to her winter boots, and he could see a scrub top through the open front of her coat. The man sitting a few seats over from her was a construction worker, no questions asked, and a few seats over from that sat a highschool student. A probably a professor got on at the next stop along with a few more people and then Yoongi blinked and someone was glaring at him.
Yoongi wasn't quite awake enough to deal with figuring out what he'd done. He decided avoiding eye contact was the most prudent course of action, and picked a nice spot on the door to stare at until his eyes unfocused. He stayed that way, listening for his station stop, until the announcement came over the speakers. He stood, hand braced on one of the railings and, without even a glance at Mister Hot and Bothered-about-something, shuffled off the train and to his first day at work.
---
jin @wwhandsom 6:45 AM · Jan 9, 2018
“Two early morning tweets in a row Jin!” you say, surprised. Why yes. A certain someone snoozed all his alarms and left without turning them off this has been a call out of @mmmaestro
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minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:48 AM · Jan 9, 2018
Guys guys New Guy is back today and Mr Fine-as-Fuck looks like he swallowed a lemon honestly the best drama is real life
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Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:49 AM · Jan 9, 2018
The seat stealer is back does he not know it belongs to me
Jiminie @ddrevelation 6:50 AM · Jan 9, 2018
Have you tried putting your name on it?
tae @photaegraphy 6:50 AM · Jan 9, 2018
I bet I could find some spray paint!
Jiminie @ddrevelation 6:51 AM · Jan 9, 2018
Or some permanent marker!
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:51 AM · Jan 9, 2018
I know you think you’re helping BUT YOU’RE N O T why are you even up this early?
tae @photaegraphy 6:52 AM · Jan 9, 2018
Wouldn't you like to know
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:52 AM · Jan 9, 2018
on second thought no i don't pls don't share details think of the children
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Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:48 AM · Jan 10, 2018
VICTORY IS MINE
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minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:48 AM · Jan 10, 2018
He did a victory dance? Like,, with a hip wiggle?? And everything?? Dude it's a seat rela x
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January 10, 2018
yoongi, 7:10 AM
you could've woken me up when you turned off my alarms
dick
eternal roommate, 8:15 AM
but you looked so cute and fuzzy asleep!
and they'd been going off for twenty (20) minutes!
it's not my fault you sleep like you're dead!
yoongi, 9:24 AM
If I lose this job I won't be able to afford rent and you'll have to find a new roommate
eternal roommate, 9:25 AM
... I don't think I'd survive that at this point tbh...
yoongi, 9:26 AM
Ha!
eternal roommate, 9:27 AM
But if /you/ went to bed on time instead of waiting for me to tuck you in you'd wake up better!
Plus /I'd/ get to go to bed on time
yoongi, 10:12 AM
What?
eternal roommate, 10:13 AM
I can hear you playing at night, you know
yoongi, 10:15 AM
But I wear headphones?
eternal roommate, 10:17 AM
Sure, and stomp your foot and
well
I hesitate to call it singing...
yoongi, 10:17 AM
oh. sorry.
eternal roommate, 10:18 AM
:O :O :O
yoongi, 10:18 AM
won't happen again
eternal roommate, 10:19 AM
the late night or the apology
yoongi, 10:43 AM
dick
eternal roommate, 10:44 AM
<3
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:49 AM · Jan 11, 2018
*SIGH*
tae @photaegraphy 6:50 AM · Jan 11, 2018
At least it isn’t Monday?
Jiminie @ddrevelation 6:50 AM · Jan 11, 2018
@photaegraphy how DARE you steal my comment take that back I said it first
Hobi @rayofhope 9:57 AM · Jan 11, 2018
@photaegraphy he's been crying about this all morning pls don't do it again it wasn't even that funny
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:))) @polkaholka 7:16 AM · Jan 11, 2018
Hey @smaxiphonegirl no update on our favourite transit riders?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:18 AM · Jan 11, 2018
NG is back with a vengeance and OG looks ready to eat someone’s head but I gotta finish cramming so that's all the update for today :(
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January 11, 2018
yoongi, 6:51 AM
maybe he's plotting to steal my liver?
eternal roommate, 6:52 AM
what
yoongi, 6:55 AM
the guy on the train. Maybe he wants my liver?
eternal roommate, 6:56 AM
Yoongi you woke me up to text me about how someone on your train is plotting to take your liver?
your liver isn't even in that great a shape...
yoongi, 6:57 AM
oh you're right. Maybe he wants my spleen?
eternal roommate, 6:59 AM
Can I got back to sleep now?
And pretend this never happened
yoongi, 7:00 AM
you aren't being a very supportive roommate...
eternal roommate, 7:01 AM
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:49 AM · Jan 12, 2018
FINE! FINE! I'll tell you what I'll get a NEW spot and it will love me EVEN MORE than that one did!
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namjoon, 6:48 AM
I have a new plan
I will get a NEW spot
And /that/ will be my spot
and ain't no one can take it from me
My Hope, My Angel, 7:00 AM
You are so lucky my alarm woke me up not your texts otherwise your friendship card would be revoked
namjoon, 7:00 AM
... Bite me
My Hope, My Angel, 7:01 AM
No you'd taste all gross and shit
namjoon, 7:10 AM
And like I could probably be more disappointed but-
My Hope, My Angel, 7:11 AM
ARE WE STILL TALKING ABOUT THIS TWITTER WAS BAD ENOUGH honestly
namjoon, 7:11 AM
I picked the spot across from my old one and he might be kinda evil but he's also kinda hot?
[img attached]
My Hope, My Angel, 7:12 AM
... Okay fair.
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myg @mmmaestro 7:13 AM · Jan 12, 2018
All week long the same guy takes the same seat across the way from me and glares and okay, that's fine, you do you but today? I think he took a picture? Of me?
myg @mmmaestro 7:14 AM · Jan 12, 2018
This isn't normal behaviour right like I'm just sitting here?
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Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:18 AM · Jan 12, 2018
Not only does he STEAL MY SEAT but he also clips me on his way out r u d e
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minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:18 AM · Jan 12, 2018
Ahaha so NG accidentally bumped OG on his way off the train and OG looks about ready to burst a blood vessel over it did anyone else think you could make mortal enemies over seats on a train?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:19 AM · Jan 12, 2018
Trick question everyone knows you can make mortal enemies over almost anything on a commuter train
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:20 AM · Jan 12, 2018
Like this one time there were these two women who had purses and were sitting in one of those little like, corner areas? And they…
---
The thing was that his work life was fine! He liked his coworkers as much as he could like people he'd known for a week, and there was the bonus that none of them seemed to be serial killers. That had been a real concern when he'd seen the job posting, too good to be true, but he'd applied anyways because much as he loved his parents he loved his independence more and having to move back in with them was a real threat given his financial situation. He liked the small office they worked out of, a few stops shy of the main downtown area but since his wallet dictated he bring lunch as much as possible he didn't mind the fewer number of places to eat. He liked the money. Boy, did he like the money.
He did not like the commute.
Ignoring of course the excessively early hour (because the hour really was excessively early) he had to get himself to the office there was the commute itself. The apartment he and Seokjin shared wasn't what you might call “central” but it was both “spacious enough” and “reasonably priced” so he tried not to complain too much. It just… it meant so much time sitting on the train worrying that he might fall asleep and miss his stop and then be late and then get fired and that was not, exactly, the most stress-free way to spend his morning. Not to mention the constant low-level worry that he would somehow bump into someone accidentally and start a fight before he was properly awake, or the fact that his coffee never lasted him longer than the walk to the station and the first four stops, or the fact that it was fucking cold in the winter and he had to wear like three pairs of socks and six mittens plus a hot pack to make sure he didn't lose his extremities.
And on top of all that? The guy he usually sat across from either had a scowl as his resting face or was angry all the time. Any time he so much as glanced innocently in his direction the man, who Yoongi had mentally christened “Grumpyguts” or “Grumpy” for short, was glaring at him as though he'd killed his first born child or something. It made no sense! They'd never even interacted! Yoongi counted on Thursday and caught Grumpy staring at him at least once between every station, sometimes twice.
Friday was by far and away the worst. After the disaster that was Wednesday morning he'd set alarms for going to bed on time too, and given Seokjin permission to nag him about it sooner in the evening. (Seokjin was delighted to help him out this way, singing lullabies at full volume until Yoongi was through getting changed and brushing his teeth and was actually in bed. Yoongi reminded himself that even with a new job living on his own wasn’t financially feasible.) Yoongi didn't necessarily fall asleep as soon as he was in bed but the effort was there and he was feeling almost good about things until he caught Grumpy holding his phone in that awkward angle that people used when they were trying to take pictures and be sneaky about it.
It's too early for this shit, Yoongi thought as he glanced quickly away. Bad enough that he'd caught someone else trying to take a sneaky picture of him but worse would be the guy knowing. He didn't want to start a fight, and it wasn't like he was doing anything except sitting there being cold. It could even be a point of small talk with his coworkers, something to say instead if just “I'm fine” when they asked how he was. Actually...
He cocked his head to the side, and started trying to craft sentences that felt like they might have been off-the-cuff-natural-remarks about this mildly humorous interlude on his morning commute. Everyone else in the office seemed to be able to get those sorts of things out of their mouths without the words becoming all twisted up, and he wanted them to like him. Given the frequency with which surprise social interactions were popping up (kitchen, hallways, people randomly stopping by his desk to say hello) he hoped having something, anything, ready to go would help keep the spikes of adrenaline to a minimum.
So engrossed in his work was he that he almost missed his stop and had to scramble at the last minute to collect lunch bag, tote bag with piano books, and briefcase. It was just his luck that the book back gave Grumpy's knees a rather hard bump as he rushed past. He said "Oh, sorry!" on reflex but the sour expression on Grumpy's face, disproportionately angry for the situation, said quite clearly apology not accepted. Yoongi fled.
Chapter Text
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:55 AM · Jan 17, 2018
I don't think I have ever seen anyone as forlorn to reach the end of his coffee (probably? It’s in a travel mug, anyways) as the Seat Thief
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:56 AM · Jan 17, 2018
I'd feel bad for him except that he deserves to be punished for his seat-thieving ways
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:57 AM · Jan 17, 2018
Honestly you'd think his pet had died
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:57 AM · Jan 17, 2018
He basically does a whole burial ritual for his travel mug when he wraps it in a shroud and puts it in his bag? Like, dude. There are a million coffee places. I bet you can find a refill.
Jiminie @ddrevelation 7:15 AM · Jan 17, 2018
what is this now a play by play of your commute?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:23 AM · Jan 17, 2018
it's my twitter I will do what I want to
Hobi @rayofhope 8:15 AM · Jan 17, 2018
I hear that to the tune of “it's my party and I'll cry if I want to” and now it will be stuck in your head all morning you're welcome
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jin @wwhandsom 8:37 AM · Jan 19, 2018
it might just be my imagination but I think I only heard one alarm this morning??? Is this progress???!?
myg @mmmaestro 9:40 AM · Jan 19, 2018
I hate you so much
jin @wwhandsom 9:41 AM · Jan 19, 2018
THREE POSTS ON TWITTER DOT COM IN LESS THAN A WEEK I THINK THE APOCALYPSE IS COMING
myg @mmmaestro 10:53 AM · Jan 19, 2018
if you are trying to make me hate you less it isn't working
jin @wwhandsom 10:55 AM · Jan 19, 2018
FOUR
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Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:59 AM · Jan 23, 2018
okay so Seat Thief is still a mostly horrible person just to be clear but you can't be all horrible if you look at dogs the way he does
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:02 AM · Jan 23, 2018
and now he's sneakily holding his hand out to catch the dogs interest without the owner seeing
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:05 AM · Jan 23, 2018
oh, sure, act all surprised and delighted when the dog nuzzles you, say it's no bother, I bet you put bacon fat on your hand you cheater
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:05 AM · Jan 23, 2018
stealing seats and the hearts of dogs is there nothing this man won't stoop to?
tae @photaegraphy 7:30 AM · Jan 23, 2018
yes but did /you/ say hello to the dog or are you a heartless monster
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:35 AM · Jan 23, 2018
...
tae @photaegraphy 7:48 AM · Jan 23, 2018
you were too busy glaring weren't you
Jiminie @ddrevelation 7:50 AM · Jan 23, 2018
I bet he was doing that chin thing he does too, when he's judging people?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:10 AM · Jan 23, 2018
don't you have something to be taking picture of? And like… dances to learn?
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:11 AM · Jan 23, 2018
this is more fun
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myg @mmmaestro 7:15 AM · Jan 23, 2018
this is buster I met buster on the train this morning but sadly buster isn't going to join us commuters. He's a good dog.
[Image attached]
myg @mmmaestro 7:16 AM · Jan 23, 2018
things I might have googled how do you kidnap a dog
jungkook @kookimonster 10:32 AM · Jan 23, 2018
my friends have a dog! I'm sure they'd let you come visit it!
jin @wwhandsom 12:06 AM · Jan 23, 2018
are my sugar gliders not good enough?
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minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:13 AM · Jan 23, 2018
cutest dog ever on the train this morning, super well behaved, and OG? Glares at it, the whole time. Did he miss the memo about the pureness of dogs? Is there nothing he won't glare at???
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:14 AM · Jan 23, 2018
Also it turns out NG is Soft for dogs he unzombied instantly as soon as this one sat down beside him and got the cutest smile he doesn't really need to get more attractive, thanks
---
It wasn’t long before Yoongi had his morning down to a science. He managed to cut the number of alarms needed from ten to two, cut his morning routine down to dress, coffee, grab lunch, leave, and cut the coffee he drank at night down to none after seven pm although that was exactly as excruciating a task as he’d expected it to be. He started putting his keys and wallet in the pocket of his coat before he went to sleep and found that saved at least three minutes worth of frantic searching in the morning. Things were almost good, except that he still got the feeling that one of his fellow commuters wanted to harvest his organs.
If he really wanted to avoid the stare-down he could always change where he sat on the train, but by the time he’d figured out what was going on he’d got used to his spot and didn’t want to change it. Besides, those doors put him in the best position for the stop where he got off the train. He wasn’t about to increase the amount of walking he had to do just to avoid a bit of grumpy staring. Instead he could avoid eye contact, which was practically the same thing, and make sure he didn’t break any etiquette rules about taking up too many seats or needlessly crowding into someone else’s space.
The time on the train passed slowly, those first days, and he was still too nervous about missing his stop to listen to music or pull out his phone to play games or pull out the workbooks to grade. That left him with little to do except stare at his hands, which while objectively nice couldn’t serve as a point of fascination forever, or observe his fellow commuters. To pass the time he started making up stories about them, and given that Grumpy sat across from him every morning Grumpy made an easy target.
He was probably a nerd in school, Yoongi decided, the kind who never went anywhere without a notebook and a collection of pens and enough books to start his own library. Not once, in all the mornings they rode together, had he neglected to dip his long-fingered hands into his bag, pull out some incredibly thick book and crack it open, and it was never the same one two days in a row. Some days he was even more ambitious and would finish one, put it away, and pull out another. He read all genres too, fantasy and biographies and history and, on one especially memorable morning, a book that had two men on the cover in what could only be called a steamy embrace. Yoongi spent much of that ride trying to see whether or not anyone else had noticed.
Sometimes as he was reading Grumpy’s head would loll forward, his book slipping a bit, and then Grumpy would start back to wakefulness, shake himself a bit so a few locks of his styled hair fell onto his forehead in a frankly unfair way, and take a drink travel mug full of probably-tea-or-coffee. Yoongi privately thought that this problem could be solved if Grumpy drank his probably-tea-or-coffee like an actual adult, instead of sipping at it like it was a fine wine and not the vehicle by which the all-important caffeine would end up in his bloodstream. Given that Yoongi’s own coffee was usually empty well before the half-way point of his trip, especially on bad mornings, he had to exert quite a lot of willpower not to commit acts of petty thieving.
“Have you tried a thermos, instead of a travel mug?” Seokjin asked one night as Yoongi lamented the fact that no one had yet managed to make a travel mug big enough to last his whole commute.
“What, and pull it out on the train, and try and refill my mug, and spill it all over me?” he grumbled. He’d had a bad day, and mostly wanted to complain and get sympathy, not solutions. Seokjin apparently hadn’t received that memo. “No thank you, I get enough looks as it is.”
“That guy still sizing up your organs?” Seokjin asked continuing to show a distinct lack of sympathy for Yoongi’s completely valid concerns. At least this one wasn’t a solution.
“Yes,” Yoongi sighed, checking for the third time that he remembered to put all parts of his lunch in his lunch bag. He’d forgotten half of his when he’d left that morning, and hadn’t been able to work up the energy to go hunting for a cheap, moderately nutritious snack he could supplement it with. “But I haven’t noticed anyone else disappearing so I’m probably safe?”
“Well, don’t let him grab you, I really don’t want to have to find a new roommate.” Yoongi saluted as Seokjin disappeared into the bathroom.
Some mornings weren’t so bad though, and as the dog and its owner stepped on the train he could tell in his bones this would be one of the good ones. He loved dogs. If he and Seokjin didn’t live up five flights of stairs with no elevator and he didn’t have such long days sometimes Yoongi, in his new financially secure position, would seriously consider getting one for himself.
He resettled himself on his seat and started formulating his plan of attack. As a kid his parents had been very clear that he needed to ask before he pet someone else’s dog, and he definitely intended to ask, but it would be far less awkward to initiate a conversation with the owner if the dog showed even the smallest amount of interest in him first. It gave him an excuse, to an extent, and he was willing to put in the work to make it happen.
The owner, a woman who looked to be in her mid forties, was playing one of those flash games on her phone and the dog was looking around with some interest. It took Yoongi a full stop to work up the nerve to put his plan into action, and another of subtly twitching his fingers closer and closer, doing it gradually so it might look completely natural and absent minded, to catch the dog’s attention.
The dog looked between his fingers and his face, cocking its head to the side, and, when Yoongi smiled encouragingly, twitched its tail and leaned forward to nudge his hand. “Oh, hello there,” he said conversationally to the dog, and then, “Sorry, do you mind if I pet, um, what it’s name?”
The woman looked up from her game and sighed fondly. “He’s Buster. He’s not bothering you, is he? He’s very friendly.”
“No bother at all,” Yoongi said, taking that as permission to move his hand around to scratch behind Buster’s ears, and he spent most of the rest of his ride getting to know Buster, who apparently loved chasing sticks and swimming and had learned to break into the garbage containers. He asked for and got permission to take a picture, which she gamely went along with even if she seemed a bit confused as to why he’d want a picture of a stranger’s dog. He even forgot about his coffee until Buster and his owner left the train.
Grumpy glared after them. Not a dog person, Yoongi added to the list of things he now knew about the man. It was another black mark on his record, because really, how could you not like dogs? Grumpy glanced over and their eyes met. Yoongi felt the unpleasant twitch in his stomach he got whenever he accidentally made eye contact with someone he didn’t know and averted his eyes quickly, focusing on his travel mug. He’d been so distracted by Buster he hadn’t even finished it.
Had it been his imagination, or had Grumpy’s frown deepened? He wasn’t going to worry about it, he decided, as he gathered his things in preparation to get off. If Grumpy wanted to be grumpy that was his problem. He’d befriended Buster. Today was going to be a good day.
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:02 AM · Feb 1, 2018
How much more obnoxious can you get than playing air piano on your briefcase? Like, we get it. You are musical and shit
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:03 AM · Feb 1, 2018
Answer a lot more, especially if you startle and look furtively around like you hope people think you didn't know you were doing it
tae @photaegraphy 10:04 AM · Feb 1, 2018
pics or it didn't happen
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 10:16 AM · Feb 1, 2018
... You see what time it is, right? I'm already at work?
tae @photaegraphy 10:17 AM · Feb 1, 2018
pics. or. it. didn't. happen.
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minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:03 AM · Feb 1, 2018
NG apparently knows how to play piano since he's practicing on his briefcase. OG is staring at his hands like they are made out of maggots or the second coming hard to be sure
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:15 AM · Feb 1, 2018
lmao guys no matter how many of you tell me to yell "NOW KISS" at them I like being able to get to school thanx not looking to get thrown off the train forever
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jin @wwhandsom 6:23 AM · Feb 2, 2018
sooooo how much caffeine is too much caffeine asking for a friend
jin @wwhandsom 6:25 AM · Feb 2, 2018
no the friend is not me I caught @mmmaestro spiking his coffee with an energy drink and eating chocolate covered coffee beans this morning as I sprinted out
jin @wwhandsom 6:26 AM · Feb 2, 2018
early shoots are the worst can't even blame him for me being awake
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February 2, 2018
eternal roommate, 6:35 AM
But for real that stuff isn't allowed in my kitchen no wonder you are so short
yoongi, 6:40 AM
a) I'm only short compared to you, giant
b) it's literally how I make it through the train ride you wouldn't deprive me of that would you??
eternal roommate, 6:43 AM
There are other healthier ways of being awake! Like eating apples!
yoongi, 6:45 AM
wat
eternal roommate, 6:47 AM
I read it somewhere, eating apples is a healthy coffee replacement
yoongi, 6:50 AM
r u tryin to pOiSoN mE?
eternal roommate, 6:51 AM
I refuse to read that
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Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:50 AM · Feb 6, 2018
An update on Seat Thief today he pulled some workbooks out of his bag and a red pen and is just going to town
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:58 AM · Feb 6, 2018
I bet he’s failing everyone on principle he’s being very liberal with his corrections
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:07 AM · Feb 6, 2018
Stealing their hopes and dreams like he stole my seat
tae @photaegraphy 8:21 AM · Feb 6, 2018
... And your heart?
Hobi @rayofhope 8:40 AM · Feb 6, 2018
hey so maybe, here’s a thought, you could stop texting me? about it? since you are posting everything? on twitter? anyways?
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:54 AM · Feb 6, 2018
please don’t I would miss the rants I hear when I get to the studio
tae @photaegraphy 8:59 AM · Feb 6, 2018
I might have to record one they're solid gold
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February 8, 2018
yoongi, 9:35 PM
Did I hear correctly that the reason Jungkook didn't practice his piano this week is because he was playing Overwatch with you?
eternal roommate, 9:38 PM
Whoever told you that was lying
yoongi, 9:39 PM
Jungkook told me that
eternal roommate, 9:40 PM
Sounds like he's using me as an excuse
eternal roommate, 9:40 PM
He's a kid, I wouldn't trust him
yoongi, 9:45 PM
Stop corrupting my students!
eternal roommate, 9:46 PM
It's just the one! And he's really good!
yoongi, 9:47 PM
]<
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Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:49 AM · Feb 15, 2018
I… I’m pretty sure today he has blank staff paper and is writing music on it. Who… who does that? How much more pretentious can he get?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:55 AM · Feb 15, 2018
And he has those thick hipster glasses to go along with his hands and sheet music can I bathe my eyes with bleach
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:02 AM · Feb 15, 2018
... so just wondering have you seen your avatar?
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minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:13 AM · Feb 15, 2018
can we collectively agree that there is just Too Much School? I just want to draw and play my saxophone is that too much to ask apparently yes and I have to do math homework and shit to be ~well rounded~
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:16 AM · Feb 15, 2018
and before you ask because someone always does if I tweet in the mornings OG is still glaring but I caught NG looking back sometimes. The foeyay is strong with these ones, they are both hott, I ship it
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:17 AM · Feb 15, 2018
and like, let's be real, I'd ship either of them (maybe both?) with me but I can't even handle school right now I definitely wouldn't have time to give either of them the attention they deserve
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tae @photaegraphy 2:15 PM · Feb 15, 2018
well @namjeditor if I call you out in front of twitter and the world will you finally, finally remember that it's your turn to take out the garbage?
tae @photaegraphy 4:40 PM · Feb 15, 2018
no not like, a person who is garbage, this isn't a subtweet, we live together and it's HIS turn to take out the garbage
tae @photaegraphy 4:43 PM · Feb 15, 2018
he keeps saying “oh I'll take it on my way to the train” and then he spends so long in front of the mirror checking himself out he runs late and forgets
Hobi @rayofhope 5:28 PM · Feb 15, 2018
brb printing out that last one so I can paste it up everywhere
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jin @wwhandsom 4:10 PM · Feb 16, 2018
found the secret stash of energy drinks and coffee beans @mmmaestro the jig is UP
---
By the third week he was comfortable enough with the commute to let himself listen to music on the days where he could feel himself slipping toward apathy or unfounded nervousness, although he stuck to instrumental pieces without vocals so he could hear the station announcements. The music worked its usual magic, and he caught himself playing along with the song a few times, his briefcase a perfectly serviceable pretend keyboard. Each time he did he froze, opened his eyes, and glanced around furtively. No one seemed to be watching him, but he tried to remember to keep his hands folded so it couldn’t happen again. He generally did not succeed.
He’d figured out a solution to his caffeine problem too, and started adding energy drinks to his coffee. Seokin disrupted his plan by catching him at it one morning and confiscating everything, but he replaced it quickly enough with a new stash hidden under his bed. It might not be the healthiest choice he’d ever made but the important thing was it worked. He didn’t feel near as listless in the mornings. He walked in to the office with a spring in his step. It no longer took him an extra hour of getting and consuming a second coffee for his brain to come properly online, to be ready to face the problem of scheduling teachers and hunting down instruments in repair shops and finding sponsors to help fund the program.
One downside to the overall increased wakefulness during his commute however was he felt restless, downright jittery sometimes. Even if he pulled out music books to grade or blank staff paper to write down exercises or the very small seeds of a melodic idea he couldn’t quite get his brain to focus. As a result he spent even more of his time people watching.
Or, well, person watching, if he was being honest.
It turned out Grumpy wasn’t actually Grumpy’s natural expression, or at the very least it wasn’t the one he wore when he was reading any of his books, or tapping away on his phone. He’d always been hot, there was no denying it, but when he wasn’t scowling it got worse, and the few times Yoongi caught him smiling at something he’d read he’d noticed dimples, multiple. It wasn’t fair, really. No one should be allowed to be that effortlessly attractive.
Three mornings in a row Grumpy didn’t pull a thick book out of his bag but instead a thick folder with a built in clipboard and a pen. Those mornings he hardly checked his phone at all, completely absorbed in what he was doing, and Yoongi found that focusing on the way his hands moved over the paper, or the way he chewed his bottom lip as he thought, was far more interesting than checking whether or not students had filled in their worksheets about music keys properly. Sometimes he’d tap out rhythms with his pen, and other times he’d bite the end. Yoongi found it hard to look away.
It wasn’t until the third day that Yoongi was able to casually glance down at the papers as he got off the train. Assuming of course the whole stack was filled with the same double-spaced type he could only be editing a manuscript of some kind, or maybe some sort of really obnoxious legal document. Was he an editor? An author? A lawyer? A government employee? A speech writer?
He worried away at the question for most of the day while he wasn’t worrying about other things, and was still turning it over in his mind on his ride home. He’d never seen Grumpy in the evenings, he realized, and then started wondering which train he usually took. He was still idly considering if there was some way he could arrange his evening lessons for a while, thereby allowing him to take a different train home every day until he found the answer, as he walked into his apartment and directly into an ambush.
“Aha,” Seokjin said triumphantly, brandishing a bag of chocolate covered coffee beans in one hand, an energy drink in the other. Yoongi sighed. He should have thought of a better hiding place.
Chapter Text
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:57 AM · Feb 21, 2018
You know, I almost feel sorry for the guy. It doesn’t look like his coffee is working at all anymore :/
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:13 AM · Feb 21, 2018
I said almost guys no need to get all worked up about it. He's definitely still an Evil Seat Thief
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namjoon, 6:59 AM
But for real like the last three mornings he just sort of sits there, staring at his hands?
My Hope, My Angel, 7:00 AM
Joon I love you but I’m on a set I don't have time for this
namjoon, 7:00 AM
That's okay you can see it later
But like, I just sort of want to bundle him up in a blanket and give him some tea and send him home?
Idk he just seems so tired, like a bone deep exhaustion
There was a dog sitting three seats down and he didn't even make any faces at it
It's probably a bad idea to ask a complete stranger if everything is okay
But I kind of want to anyways
My Hope, My Angel, 10:45 AM
Did you?
namjoon, 10:54 AM
Nah, chickened out
---
Yoongi’s adjustment to just-coffee-provided caffeine in the mornings was not easy. It didn’t help that it coincided with his boss being on vacation for the week, and the second-in-command out of the office on emergency leave for personal reasons. That left him as the one solely responsible for any necessary paperwork, and hunting down instruments, and fielding queries, and managing the schedule, all on a reduced-caffeine diet. It was… it was hard, and a bit overwhelming for his seventh week on the job. He was still trying to learn names, to figure out what was appropriate to say in an email versus what was appropriate over the phone. He wasn’t ready for this level of responsibility.
The revelation came to him on a Wednesday, as he dragged himself to the train for another long day. It felt exactly like exam periods had, back in school. That feeling of drowning, of time slipping through his fingers as he tried frantically to get everything done, of his future being entirely dependant on how well someone else thought he’d done with.
Identifying the problem helped him cope but it didn’t help him shake the weariness that had rooted in his bones and twined up to squeeze the air from his chest. He logged his hours, stayed let to get everything finished, and went home to tumble straight into bed. Sometimes he could work up the energy to hunt through the fridge for a container of leftovers he could eat cold. Only once did he manage to bring lunch from home. He couldn’t work up the energy to care that Grumpy seemed to be staring at him more than usual.
More worryingly, on Friday morning he hadn’t been able to work up the energy to say hello to the dog that sat beside him.
For all Seokjin was a horrible roommate who had some sort of problem with Yoongi’s entirely reasonable plan of replacing his blood with caffeine carrying substances he was also incredibly perceptive and declared Friday evening to be “Impromptu Pizza And A Movie Night.”
“We’re making it from scratch,” Seokjin said, setting the bags full of supplies on their counter. Something in them went ‘clink’. Yoongi hoped that bottle had alcohol.
“I don’t want to,” Yoongi said, his voice perilously close to a whine.
“You don’t have to then.” Seokjin began to unpack the bags. Nothing went into the cupboards, ingredients instead getting distributed over the counter top evenly so they’d be on hand when Seokjin needed them. “You sit there and make your usual grumbling and I’ll do all the heavy lifting. I’m the better cook, anyways.”
Yoongi lasted five minutes before he caved. “Get away from the stove, you always make it too dry,” he grumbled, accepting the spatula from Seokjin and poking at the meat in the pan.
The kitchen filled with the scent of yeast rising and meat browning and garlic cooking. With every breath he took Yoongi could feel himself coming back on a more even keel, the aromas restoring his mood almost as well as the food would. Seokjin didn’t comment on the change, but did start an argument about whether the toppings should go above or underneath the cheese. That transitioned somehow into a discussion about whether or not they’d be able to make lava cakes with just the supplies in their kitchen.
They could, as it turned out.
“It’s just a lot, you know?” Yoongi said as he scooped ice cream onto the still-warm cake. He was very, very glad he had two whole days of not going to work stretching out ahead of him. “I mean, they should be back next week, but what if they find that I missed something super important, and the next program can’t run, and they’ll decide they don’t-”
“Oh it’ll be fine, you’re doing great, and anyways you know I got a new contract, right?” Seokjin asked.
Yoongi paused, spoon half way back to the ice cream container. “Sorry, we were talking about me?”
Seokjin tapped Yoongi’s bowl with his spoon. Yoongi moved it so it was out of food stealing reach. He hadn’t even had a bite. “I got a new contract. If your salary goes back to just piano tutoring and odd jobs I can cover for you for a bit until you find something else.” That was Seokjin. That was Seokjin to his core. Make an incredibly generous offer, but offhand, as if it was no big deal. Yoongi tried to find the words to say ‘thank you but no thank you’ or ‘I can’t accept that’ but he knew, in the end, if Seokjin wanted to do it Seokjin would and he’d get no say in the matter. Seokjin knew him well and didn’t give him much of a chance to say anything. “Besides, Jungkook seems to think you could probably make a go of it as a teacher full time, if you really wanted to.”
That idea was much easier to grab hold to. Yoongi found his voice. “You talk to Jungkook?”
Seokjin shrugged. “We play overwatch together, and sometimes other topics come up. You happen to be something we have in common.”
Yoongi frowned down at his lava cake, then thought about Grumpy frowning down at his papers, and chuckled. Grumpy would probably frown at his desserts, as he decided which part he wanted to eat first. It would probably be quite the sight to see.
“You know it’s creepy when you laugh about nothing, right?” Seokjin asked, mouth full.
“Just, just had a though.” He shoved a spoonful of lava cake and ice cream into his mouth, an excuse not to say anything more. The cake was still too hot to eat properly but the ice cream helped keep his mouth from burning. It was delicious.
“You aren’t going to tell me what it was, are you.”
He swallowed. The cake ran down his throat and managed to find some space in his already very full stomach. The pizza had been good. “Not on your life.”
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:03 AM · Feb 27, 2018
You thought I was joking about the briefcase piano well I wasn’t
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:03 AM · Feb 27, 2018
See how well he pretends he doesn't know he's doing it? like he's completely forgotten the rest of the train exists? Despicable
[Video attached]
Jiminie @ddrevelation 10:57 AM · Feb 27, 2018
HANDS???
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 11:34 AM · Feb 27, 2018
I can see them don’t worry I am Aware. He's still evil
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minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:56 AM · Feb 27, 2018
Well folks the briefcase piano is back with a vengeance and I swear OG is so busy drooling he forgot to glare
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:57 AM · Feb 27, 2018
And like, same, dude, same. NG is looking Good this morning and he's really into this song none of the rest of us can hear
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:05 AM · Feb 27, 2018
Preeeeeetty sure OG just took a picture or video or something, he spent a looong time holding his phone at an awkward angle and staring at it intently
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · Feb 27, 2018
... Yeah okay its tempting to video NG is so super into it, it'd probably go viral and I'd make millions and could quit school forever
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · Feb 27, 2018
That's a viable life plan, right?
---
February 27, 2018
yoongi, 7:09 AM
He’s definitely doing something weird over there, he’s been shifty all morning
eternal roommate, 7:15 AM
Plotting to take more if your organs?
yoongi, 7:15 AM
I should never have mentioned that to you you have given me nothing but grief over it
eternal roommate, 7:16 AM
You gotta admit it is kinda funny
yoongi, 7:16 AM
I will do no such thing
---
February 27, 2018
namjoon, 7:35 AM
but seriously his hands
My Hope, My Angel, 8:45 AM
Trust me, I know, I've been made to watch that video three times while Jimin imitates how awkward you must have looked while filming it
namjoon, 8:59 AM
I was as smooth as a cucumber. That's the expression, right?
My Hope, My Angel, 9:00 AM
I can't believe they let you work with words for a living
---
Seokjin was right, the jerk. His boss had nothing but praise for how well he’d done given the circumstances, found no glaring errors that would end with him being thrown out on his ear. The dread and weariness retreated. He found he could breathe again, that he no longer had to fight to suck oxygen into his protesting lungs.
It shouldn’t have surprised him how much easier being able to breathe made his mornings, but it did. They were still painfully early. They were still painfully bereft of caffeine. They were newly, blissfully, empty of the sense of looming dread and foreboding. He practically floated to the train instead of trudging, his marrow made of helium instead of lead. His spirits were high enough he even treated himself to some upbeat piano music with lyrics and let himself play along on his imaginary piano. Let people stare. He knew he was good.
His good mood suffused his week, tinging everything with the golden, rosy glow of success. Even Jungkook noticed on their Thursday night lessons. “Someone putting a little something extra in your water today?” he asked as they sat on the piano bench in the university practice room.
Yoongi laughed. “Scales, not questions. Show me how much you’ve improved.”
Jungkook grumbled and complied. The sound of scales, running up, then down, then up, then down, filled the soundproof room. It was always strange, the way the noise stopped at the walls. Yoongi put the question of whether or not Seokjin was spiking his coffee out of his mind until he got home.
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:00 AM · March 8, 2018
Guys it’s happening it’s happening!
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:00 AM · March 8, 2018
No, they didn’t kiss, but remember I said OG has looks that could kill and I was just waiting for him to go off? Well he did!
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:01 AM · March 8, 2018
this gran got on with her grandkids, they’re probably off for a daytrip or something, but they look half asleep so OG being the gentleman that he is stands up and offers his seat
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:03 AM · March 8, 2018
and the guy beside him just does that thing on transit you do where you pretend not to notice someone so you don’t have to give them your seat
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:05 AM · March 8, 2018
so now OG is giving him the dressing down of a lifetime holy sh i t
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:05 AM · March 8, 2018
wouldn’t your parents be ashamed, OG wants to know, of his poor manners
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:06 AM · March 8, 2018
ahaha now questions are being asked about if this is how his own grandparents would’ve wanted him to behave OG does not pull his punches
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:07 AM · March 8, 2018
oh gosh he fled, he actually fled, as soon as the doors opened this has made my day this has made my life
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:07 AM · March 8, 2018
and OG is standing there in like, a victory pose, and tbh he looks like some hero in a tv show who has bested a rival so I can’t really blame him? Only if this were a tv show people would be clapping
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · March 8, 2018
gotta say righteous indignation and also victory is a Good look on him hot damn
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:10 AM · March 8, 2018
help I just caught NG’s eye and I guess he enjoyed the show too because he was smiling and then when he caught my eye he smiled wider and I think I my soul ascended to a higher plane maybe i'm dead
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:11 AM · March 8, 2018
Can you /believe/ there are some people who just won’t give up their seats for people who need them?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:12 AM · March 8, 2018
like honestly that’s public transit taking rules 101. What the hell.
Hobi @rayofhope 8:30 AM · March 8, 2018
wooooow lookk guys he used a final period! Someone’s maaad
Jiminie @ddrevelation 9:02 AM · March 8, 2018
fighting!
---
Yoongi was idly flipping his pen over his thumb when the woman got on the train. She wasn’t tall but she was sturdily built, with a young child hanging from either hand. There weren’t two seats beside each other anywhere nearby let alone three. Yoongi hurriedly started packing, ready to offer up his seat, but Grumpy beat him to it.
“Oh thank you,” the woman sighed, as Grumpy hastily stood and moved clear of his seat. She picked up the young girl and plunked her down so her pink rainboots swung in the air, then looked hopefully at the man in the next seat over. Yoongi looked at him too. It felt like the whole train was looking at him. Seats might be scarce, but no so scarce he wouldn’t be able to find another one easily.
It quickly became apparent he had no interest in finding a new seat. He had over-ear headphones on, music playing so loud it bled out, and was looking studiously at his phone. Yoongi recognized that look. That was the look of someone who was trying very, very hard not to notice what was happening around him. Yoongi frowned.
“Excuse me,” Grumpy said to the man in headphones. “Would you mind letting these people sit here?” He pointed at the sign on the window, one of the ones that kindly asked patrons to allow children and the elderly and those with mobility concerns the use of the seats.
The guy didn’t look up and Yoongi’s stomach turned over. This was going to turn into a scene. He started to steel himself to jump in, lend his voice to the side of Correct Public Transportation Etiquette. Normally he might not get involved but he wouldn’t have to be the lead. Grumpy had taken on that role - all he would have to do is provide backup.
“Excuse me,” Grumpy repeated, his jaw jutting forward, his eyes narrowing into that familiar glare. Yoongi had to bite back a grin at seeing it. It was completely inappropriate but he felt suddenly, helplessly, fond.
Grumpy was not about to be deterred by a pair of headphones. “Excuse me, but would you-” and he reached out and tapped the man on his shoulder.
“Don’t touch me,” the man snapped, springing to his feet and drawing himself up to his full height. The whole atmosphere of the train shifted. Anyone within hearing distance who had been pretending that they hadn’t been paying attention gave up. No one could resist a good piece of street theater.
The combatants sized each other up. Grumpy was taller by several inches (had Yoongi realized Grumpy was really that tall? Was he part giraffe? He was at least three quarters leg, honestly, it was indecent, and Yoongi wished he’d noticed that fact at a more appropriate time) but Headphones was broader in the shoulders. If he hadn’t been so obnoxious Yoongi might have been willing to admit they were nice shoulders.
Grumpy definitely had more presence. Yoongi (and at least half of the train car) watched as he used that presence to deftly maneuver Headphones away from the seat he’d lept out of. The woman sat, hurriedly, pulling the second child onto her lap. Headphones noticed and twitched forward, as though to reclaim his seat, before he remembered he was supposed to be being intimidating.
At his side Grumpy’s hands had clenched into fists. Yoongi started to worry this might actually descend to blows.
“If you’d listened when I spoke the first time I wouldn’t have had to touch you to make sure I got your attention,” Grumpy said, anger bleeding into his tone.
“That still doesn’t give you the right-” Headphones snapped, but Grumpy didn’t let him finish his sentence before starting in on the duties of those who lived in communities to ensure they were considerate to the needs of others.
At least, Yoongi was pretty sure that was what he was on about. In his defense it was still early, his brain hadn’t come fully online, and Grumpy was speaking very, very quickly. Not to mention his vocabulary! It was big, unsurprising given the number of books Yoongi had watched him read, and he used it to full effect. There were some words he could guess the meaning of from context but others he was completely out to sea, and Grumpy used them all with the same assured tone. Sometimes he would emphasize his point by waving one of his very beautiful hands around, or jabbing his finger at Headphones.
It was incredibly, ridiculously hot.
He pulled out his phone and debated the pros and cons of texting Seokjin to ask how inappropriate the situation was then thought better of it. Seokjin would find the situation hilarious. Yoongi would get no sympathy there. Twitter was out of the question for the same reason. He put his phone away.
The argument, which had really turned into more of a lecture, lasted until the next station. It would likely have lasted longer except that Headphones made a rather rude gesture and Grumpy, caught the eye of the woman and looked briefly ashamed, and stormed off. Grumpy glared after him, hands planted firmly on his hips. Yoongi tried to bypass his short-term memory to commit the image directly to long term. If it was a painting it would have a title something like “Transit Etiquette Warrior Victorious,” feature fawning puppies around his feet, the sun at his back turned into a crown, possibly a halo.
A part of Yoongi he didn’t feel like examining too closely wanted to jump out of his chair and give the man the applause he deserved for that performance. He didn’t, because that would be weird, but he did try and catch Grumpy’s eye to give him a supportive ‘Thank you for fighting the good fight’ smile. His plans didn’t bear fruit largely because, after glaring around the train defiantly as though daring someone to tell him he should have minded his own business, Grumpy pulled out his phone and frowned down at it. Maybe it was best he didn’t catch Yoongi’s eye, or Yoongi might have done something stupid.
Yoongi did make eye contact with someone though, completely accidentally, as she glanced up smirking from her phone. It was the highschool girl he saw most mornings. She looked like she’d wanted to clap, too. Seeing her smirk made him smile, and seeing her turn pink and glance hastily back at her phone made him smile wider.
Grumpy spent the rest of the trip angrily tapping at his phone. Yoongi tried and failed not to find it endearing.
---
March 12, 2018
jungkook, 4:30 AM
so you remember how you wanted me to find a song to work towards?
yoongi, 6:40 AM
why were you awake at 4:30
jungkook, 6:45 AM
we were cramming
Anyways I know what I want to learn now
yoongi, 6:46 AM
have you gone to bed yet?
jungkook, 6:47 AM
immaterial we are talking about important things
yoongi, 6:48 AM
how many energy drinks have you had?
jungkook, 6:48 AM
how many did you have before they got found? Your roommate is pretty cool, btw
yoongi, 6:49 AM
that SNAKE
jungkook, 6:49 AM
but the important thing here remember is that you wanted me to pick a song, remember! And I have!
yoongi, 6:49 AM
I can't believe he tells me off for drinking it and then turns around and gives it to a baby!
jungkook, 6:50 AM
the Overwatch theme!
Hey who are you calling a baby I'm taller and stronger and cooler than you are
yoongi, 6:52 AM
... The overwatch theme. Should have guessed.
jungkook, 6:53 AM
I can feel your disappointed sigh coming through my screen and I'm not going to let your negativity infect me I have a test to ace so I'm going to go study more wish me luuuuuuuuck~
yoongi, 6:54 AM
no more caffeine for you
jungkook, 6:54 AM
LUUUUUUUCK~
yoongi, 6:54 AM
you're just going to keep saying that aren't you
jungkook, 6:55 AM
L U C K L U C K L U C K
Hahaha look when I do it like that it almost looks like cluck like a chicken
yoongi, 6:56 AM
I really hope you get some sleep tonight
yoongi, 7:30 AM
But good luck
jungkook, 7:32 AM
<3!
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:50 AM · March 12, 2018
ugh gross gross gross who let this person with this face out in public I can't even look at his ugly mug
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:51 AM · March 12, 2018
This tweet bright to you by: the way he sort of scrunched his nose while laughing quietly at something on his phone
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:53 AM · March 12, 2018
and also the way he facepalmed right now does he think that's endearing??? Or something??
Hobi @rayofhope 8:19 AM · March 12, 2018
I've seen him, I'm p. sure society would agree his mug isn't ugly and he's p. endearing
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:45 AM · March 12, 2018
You saw a pic and I didn't??? BeTrAyAl oF tHe hIgHeSt OrDer!
tae @photaegraphy 9:14 AM · March 12, 2018
Disgraceful Hobi I expected better of you smh
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Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:48 AM · March 21, 2018
Yeah so protip guys deadlines are awful they steal your sleep and sap your will to live where possible don’t work up against them don’t procrastinate
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:49 AM · March 21, 2018
So much to do, and all of it by Friday. The joys of gainful employment
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 3:37 AM · March 22, 2018
Don’t you love when the fire alarm goes off and they hardly give you time to get your coat before they make you climb down dark stairwells to stand outside in the middle of the night?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 3:38 AM · March 22, 2018
Yeah, me too.
tae @photaegraphy 8:42 AM · March 22, 2018
At least you had a coat!
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:54 AM · March 22, 2018
When you get back from vacation you'd better watch yourself or all your coats might MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEAR
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:04 AM · March 22, 2018
so our options are that there’s some freaky friday stuff happening and OG and NG have swapped bodies or OG isn’t getting any sleep and NG bought a new mattress
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:04 AM · March 22, 2018
not gonna lie I’m kinda hoping for the freaky friday business
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:05 AM · March 22, 2018
especially if it comes with Wacky Hijinks that let them realize they need their relationship to Develop More
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:12 AM · March 22, 2018
OG is snoring so loud he’s getting Looks from half the train
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:15 AM · March 22, 2018
do I wake him up at his stop? Is that too creepy, that I know what his stop is?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:17 AM · March 22, 2018
lololoLOLOLlolol crisis averted NG was an absolute disaster this morning, practically tripped over OG’s legs on his way out the door he’s lucky he escaped with his life
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:18 AM · March 22, 2018
upshot is OG is now awake and glaring around and I’m saved the potentially awkward situation of overstepping my bounds as a fellow commuter as you were, twitter.
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:21 AM · March 22, 2018
Some people. Are so. Inconsiderate.
---
There came a week of mornings where Grumpy looked less like Grumpy and more like Sleepy. Monday he spent the entirety of their ride holding his book and not reading a word from it, blinking blearily around as though seeing the train for the first time. Tuesday he started to doze off and wake himself up within three minutes of sitting down, travel mug resting securely in his interlaced fingers and apparently completely forgotten. He didn’t even pull out a book.
Wednesday he wasn’t there at all. It unnerved Yoongi more than he cared to admit.
Thursday he was back. Yoongi let out a breath he hadn’t noticed he’d been holding, then watched with some concern as it took three seconds from Grumpy’s head to tip back against the window, his hands to slacken in his lap, and his mouth to hang open. Whatever he had going on in his personal life seemed incredibly unpleasant.
Yoongi expected the faint snoring they’d been treated to on earlier occasions when Grumpy dozed off. Yoongi was not expecting a sound that really could be best described as sawing logs. It was the kind of snoring was not endearing at all, at least in public. It was disruptive, earning him dirty looks and a few snickers from his fellow commuters.
Their trip wore on. Grumpy continued snoring. Yoongi started to seriously consider waking him up, if only to make the rest of the train stop glaring quite so much. On the other hand he obviously needed the sleep, and Yoongi had no idea if he would welcome the interruption or not. Given his earlier verbal dressing-down of Headphones and all the glaring that had filled their first weeks of riding together Yoongi was a bit wary of what might happen if he didn’t.
He still hadn’t made up his mind what to do as they approached his station. Grumpy had stirred only once during the whole trip, shifting his legs so they sprawled across more of the aisle than etiquette allowed for and rolling his neck into what looked like an even less comfortable position. He looked dead to the world, liable to miss his stop. Yoongi knew from past experience how unpleasant that could be, especially on the way in to work.
The train started to slow. Distracted as he was Yoongi mistimed standing up with all his bags and took a half step sideways. Now that would be an acceptable excuse…
Before he could overthink it he took another few stumbling steps and, as the train jerked to a halt, managed to get one bag to knock into Grumpy’s knee and ‘accidentally’ trip over one of his sprawling feet.
“Sorry,” he muttered in the face of a glare he hadn’t seen in a while. Sleep did not diminish its effectiveness in the slightest. Even though he’d expected it, probably deserved it really, it still made Yoongi’s hackles rise. He was trying to be helpful here, although Grumpy wouldn’t know that. “Sorry,” he said again, looking away, and stepped off the train. Hopefully his nap was enough he’d be able to stay awake until his stop, wherever it was.
Grumpy wasn’t on the train at all, on Friday. Yoongi tried not to take it personally.
Chapter Text
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:50 AM · March 28, 2018
What??? No seat thief??? What should I do guys, return to my One True Love or stay true to my current fling?
[poll]
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:55 AM · March 28, 2018
Yes I know I'll be at work before the poll closes I did it anyways because it's FUNNY come on people
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:49 AM · March 29, 2018
Two days in a row with no Seat Thief but tbh my old one feels strange now so I went back to my new one
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:51 AM · March 30, 2018
Thought for a second he was back today but was just someone else sitting in his spot when I got on. Something about this feels off
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:55 AM · April 3, 2018
It's strange to have my seat nemesis suddenly missing it feels like my mornings aren't complete without a solid judgemental staring session
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:00 AM · April 4, 2018
Hey so anyone seen a guy, black hair, brown eyes, big hands, (big heart), average height, drinks lots of coffee, sometimes plays air-piano on his briefcase? Asking for a friend
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:58 AM · April 5, 2018
Okay so while I do love getting pictures of cute boys fed straight (ha!) to my phone it's also kinda creepy that you guys are just taking pictures of randoms? I'm not going to stop you but like, at least ask for permission k?
tae @photaegraphy 9:10 AM · April 5, 2018
I ASKED FOR PERMISSION HE SAID YES
[Attached image of Jimin]
Jiminie @ddrevelation 10:03 AM · April 5, 2018
I ASKED FOR PERMISSION HE SAID YES
[Attached image of Taehyung]
Hobi @rayofhope 10:42 AM · April 5, 2018
I ASKED FOR PERMISSION HE SAID YES
[Attached images of Hoseok]
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 11:15 AM · April 5, 2018
Gooooodmorning everyone I've got some open friendship positions form found at the link https://bit.ly/1g7Xema
Hobi @rayofhope 12:34 PM · April 5, 2018
Did you just rickroll me?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 12:48 PM · April 5, 2018
NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP NEVER GONNA LET YOU DOWN NEVER GONNA TURN AROUND AND DESERT YOU
Hobi @rayofhope 12:53 PM · April 5, 2018
So I hate you but also you are the biggest sap love you too <3
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:53 AM · April 11, 2018
Okay it's been two weeks do I accept this as the new normal? Seat thief if you are reading this I take back what I said about you being a horrible person you are actually kind of cute and I miss seeing you on my train
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:54 AM · April 11, 2018
Hope you're okay!
tae @photaegraphy 9:10 AM · April 11, 2018
Who are you and what have you done to my roommate
Jiminie @ddrevelation 9:16 AM · April 11, 2018
Aww, I think it's sweet
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:57 AM · April 11, 2018
Guys NG hasn't been here for two weeks and OG keeps looking over at the empty seat and frowning, and then frowning extra hard when anyone sits in it I can't decide if it's hilarious or sad thoughts?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:12 AM · April 11, 2018
Ahaha love that ‘both’ is winning glad I’m not the only one on the fence
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:13 AM · April 11, 2018
He looks so lost poor guy
---
April 11, 2018
My Hope, My Angel, 8:04 AM
Hey man how are you doing?
namjoon, 8:06 AM
I'm fine
My Hope, My Angel, 8:06 AM
… Do I need to screenshot your tweets cause I will
namjoon, 8:07 AM
Just had a long couple weeks, and you know how I get with Change and apparently somehow this became part of that?
My Hope, My Angel, 8:08 AM:
I do yeah. But you know, people go on vacation, or business trips. Not the end of the world.
namjoon, 8:09 AM
Vacation? What is this word?
My Hope, My Angel, 8:25 AM
You should probably reacquaint yourself with the definition by taking one :P also Jimin says Tae is bringing you to the show tonight, in case you need the warning
namjoon, 8:30 AM
Uuugh but I just want to sleeep
My Hope, My Angel, 8:33 AM
Well you take it up with them, and when you fail to change their mind I'll see you at the show :)
---
Hobi @rayofhope 10:00 AM · April 12, 2018
Thanks everyone who came out to the showcase last night! Amazing crowd, we had a BLAST
jungkook @kookimonster 11:12 AM · April 12, 2018
You guys were the third act right?
Hobi @rayofhope 11:30 AM · April 12, 2018
Yep that was us :D
jungkook @kookimonster 11:32 AM · April 12, 2018
YOU WERE AMAZING I'd kill to be able to do half that stuff
Hobi @rayofhope 11:35 AM · April 12, 2018
The studio's always looking for new students! You can find the drop in schedule here if you want to check us out (link)
jungkook @kookimonster 11:40 AM · April 12, 2018
Perfect, will do!
---
April 12, 2018
yoongi, 12:40 PM
Hey listen mom still won’t let me leave sorry for cancelling lessons three weeks in a row
jungkook, 12:43 PM
Your health is most important take care of yourself more time for overwatch and dancing :D
yoongi, 12:50
And practicing scales? And like, school work?
jungkook, 12:52 PM
But overwatch! And this new dance crew I found?
yoongi, 12:53 PM
You won't get better if you don't practice and I'll take my money either way
jungkook, 12:54 PM
You are the worst I don't know why I put up with you. Fighting!
---
April 13, 2018
yoongi, 6:06 PM
But seriously can you please come rescue me I think she’s trying to play mind games and I can’t take it anymore
eternal roommate, 6:12 PM
I'm not sure
Downstairs still hasn't recovered from the shock of finding you knocked out at her door
Can we trust you to live in a building where stairs are present?
Have you learned how to fall down them safely?
Or better yet
NOT FALL DOWN THEM AT ALL???
yoongi, 6:14 PM
It wasn't my fault! I was running late, and I tripped, it could have happened to anybody!
eternal roommate, 6:17 PM
I realize you can't see the look I'm giving my phone rn but know that I'm giving it a look
It takes skill to get the bruises you did
And the mild BRAIN SWELLING
yoongi, 6:18 PM
I've learned my lesson I promise you please come save me
The doctor gave me a clean bill of health
Please please please please
eternal roommate, 6:20 PM
If you promise not to try and fly down the stairs anymore maybe, maybe, I'll think of coming to pick you up
yoongi, 6:20 PM
Pinkie swear and everything
eternal roommate, 6:41 PM
Have your bag ready in t minus 20 minutes
yoongi, 6:42 PM
You are the best and a lifesaver
---
It wasn't really his finest hour, running down the stairs so quickly he missed one, then tripped, then slammed unceremoniously into the wall, then the floor, and knocked himself out cold. By the time he came to he was already in the hospital. A helpful nurse explained he’d wrenched his shoulder, twisted his knee, and sprained his ankle. He wanted to tell her that he knew, his shoulder and knee and ankle had told him so, shouting as hard as they could to be heard over the pounding in his head. He found he couldn’t make his tongue work. It was unnerving. He didn’t like it.
“You’ll be a bit woozy for a while,” she explained as she fiddled with one of the machines behind him. “Hit your head pretty hard, someone will be in soon to give you the full update.”
He didn’t have to wait long for the update. Seokjin showed up first, carrying a paper cup full of coffee. The rich, slightly bitter scent of it permeated the room and made Yoongi’s mouth water. At least his salivary glands hadn’t been broken by his fall.
“Always running into things headfirst,” Seokjin said, shaking his head. Yoongi only saw it out of the peripherals of his vision. His eyes were glued to the cup.
“Could I,” he croaked, his mouth dreadfully dry, his throat like sandpaper, but Seokjin shook his head and cradled his cup protectively to his chest. It was probably for the best. Yoongi's voice echoed painfully in his skull, and his subsequent wince of pain also hurt. Everything hurt.
“Coffee is for people who don’t scare Downstairs half to death,” Seokjin said, sitting in the chair beside his bed and giving him a stare that reminded Yoongi quite forcefully of Grumpy. “You’re just lucky your mother is out of town.”
Yoongi remembered just in time not to nod his head in agreement. His mother was loving, and supportive, and the best mother he could ever have asked for, but she had a very low tolerance for what she liked to call Yoongi’s Escapades. This would definitely count as an Escapade.
“They don’t think anything is broken, at least,” Seokjin said as he kicked his feet up to rest them on the side of Yoongi's bed. “Only you would have a head so hard it doesn’t chip after a fall like that.”
“Is that a joke about being stubborn?” Yoongi asked. He wanted to cross his arms but the prospect of that much pain reduced him to glaring instead. Glaring at least didn’t hurt. Thank heavens for small mercies.
“I would never joke about you being stubborn.” Seokjin took the lid off his cup. Yoongi watched as a faint curl of steam escaped. “Would’ve been nice of you to let me know what you were planning yesterday though,” Seokjin continued, setting the cup down on the bedside table. Yoongi began to do the mental math on how much pain and wrath he was likely to incur by trying to lean over and take it. “I would’ve made sure I was more presentable.”
“Aren't you the one always saying you could make a garbage bag look good?” Yoongi asked, noticing for the first time that Seokjin was still in his pyjamas. “Isn't that what they make you wear sometimes anyways?”
“I can make anything look good,” Seokjin sniffed, “But it’s nice if the clothing takes some of the load, especially early in the morning.” He seemed to think the matter settled. Yoongi would have continued to argue except that Seokjin took the opportunity to sip his coffee. To his horror Yoongi felt a whimper escape his mouth.
When the doctor arrived it was to find Yoongi and Seokjin arguing about which of their neighbours would have had the funniest reaction to finding Yoongi sprawled on their landing, each with a cup of coffee in hand.
“It was a lucky fall,” the doctor explained in a chipper voice that grated on Yoongi’s nerves. “Nothing broken, although your shoulder will take a bit to recover, and we’re keeping you for a while to make sure there aren’t any complications up here.” She tapped her own head, still smiling, as though she hadn’t given Yoongi a whole realm of new possibilities and worse case scenarios to obsess over while Seokjin left to find dinner.
He texted Jungkook to cancel their lessons, then debated with himself whether or not it was worth telling his parents. He very briefly gave the nurses a scare when he realized that he hadn’t gone to work and the machines reading his vitals began to beep worriedly. The nurse from earlier had only just calmed him down when Seokjin returned bearing food.
Within three days he was tired of hospital food and messaged Seokjin as often as they’d let him look at a screen. He didn't care if it got him Looks from the nurses, he'd rather eat food that was nutritionally void but full of flavour than whatever they'd been serving him. After he called to explain the situation his coworkers sent him flowers with a sympathy card, and his boss told him she wasn’t going to let him back into the office until at least a week after he was discharged from the hospital.
He told his parents where he was when they got back from their vacation. They visited before they’d even unpacked their suitcases. It could definitely have gone better. In hindsight it was probably not a good idea to ask one of the nurses to remind them that the doctors had mentioned loud noises "like yelling" as being especially bad for him at this stage of his recovery before she let them in the room. The lecture they gave him was possibly worse, not better, when delivered in hoarse, furious whispers.
"I thought we raised you better than this!" his mother scolded, shaking her finger at him. "And now the doctors say there is possible swelling! In your brain! What did we tell you about running down stairs as a kid! Did you just forget?"
They decided to keep him for monitoring well past when he wanted to stay. He learned that there were a maximum number of naps he was capable of having in a day, an average of 187 little black dots on the ceiling tiles, and that if he got really, exceptionally board he could find diversion in counting the number of heartbeats between nurses dropping in to visit. Not being allowed to look at screens for long rated by large and at the top of things he found exceptionally annoying about his injuries. It was a very effective deterrent against re-injury.
After almost two weeks they pronounced him fit to leave the hospital. He wanted nothing more than to return to the apartment he shared with Seokjin and have people stop fussing over him for three minutes straight. At home he had his keyboard, and his computer, and his own bed. He really missed his bed.
Instead his mother used every trick in the book to convince him to return him home, to be pampered by her until it was time to return to the office. He went along with the plan reluctantly, fearful of the potential clashes that might arise with the three of them living together under one roof again. His fears were well founded, the first argument (about whether or not he should be allowed to use his phone unsupervised) cropping up in the car ride on his way home. The contests of will never dissipated - Yoongi had grown too used to having his independence, to doing what he wanted when he wanted.
The original plan called for Yoongi to stay until Sunday. He broke on Friday and texted Seokjin to come get him.
---
April 16, 2018
namjoon, 6:48 AM
Hes back
My Hope, My Angel, 6:48 AM
I just want to sleep is that too much to ask
Who's back
namjoon, 6:49 AM
The seat thief
My Hope, My Angel, 6:49 AM
Oh God not this again
namjoon, 6:49 AM
He looks like someone beat him up
My Hope, My Angel, 6:49 AM
Namjoon I'm going back to sleep now
namjoon, 6:50 AM
Seokseok please don't I'm having a crisis
My Hope, My Angel, 6:50 AM
Joon. Joon. It's not even seven yet.
namjoon, 6:50 AM
Should I go over and say something?
Like, make conversation?
Is it strange to tell a stranger you were worried about them?
My Hope, My Angel, 6:51 AM
Yes. Yes, Namjoon, that is definitely strange.
namjoon, 6:51 AM
I'm doing it.
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:41 AM · April 16. 2018
AN UPDATE TO EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE DRAMA new guy just got on the train guys I'm so excited for three stops from now
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:43 AM · April 16. 2018
What do we think is going to happen y’all my money is on enough UST we accidentally set off the fire alarm
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:43 AM · April 16. 2018
He looks kinda rough, wonder what happened...
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:47 AM · April 16. 2018
Here we go here we go here we goooooooo
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:48 AM · April 16. 2018
Old guy has also got on the train and he's looking at his phone he hasn't noticed the reappearance of NG and he sat down I can't take the suspense
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:49 AM · April 16. 2018
They made eye contact! I repeat they made eye contact and both looked very quickly away and I can see OG chewing the inside of his cheek WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:49 AM · April 16. 2018
Did I mention I ship it? Because yeah. I ship it.
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:51 AM · April 16. 2018
OG WENT FOR IT he just walked straight over and sat down
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:54 AM · April 16. 2018
Ugh what I wouldn’t give to have better hearing guys they look so awkward
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · April 16. 2018
UPDATE NOT AWKWARD ANYMORE whatever they are talking about they both just smiled and OG actually laughed I might be dead now?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:18 AM · April 16. 2018
NG got off and they actually exchanged “Have a good days” and for those of you not in the know saying that to a fellow commuter is like at least first base
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:19 AM · April 16. 2018
Seat Thief successfully located you guys can stop sending me pictures now
Hobi @rayofhope 8:30 AM · April 16. 2018
but look
[Attached image of Hoseok]
Hobi @rayofhope 8:30 AM · April 16. 2018
at
[Attached image of Hoseok]
Hobi @rayofhope 8:30 AM · April 16. 2018
this
[Attached image of Hoseok]
Hobi @rayofhope 8:30 AM · April 16. 2018
face
[Attached image of Hoseok]
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:32 AM · April 16. 2018
blocked. :|
---
April 16, 2018
yoongi, 7:34 AM
Well that was… strange.
eternal roommate, 8:00 AM
What was?
yoongi, 8:03 AM
You know that guy who was plotting to steal my… what organ were we on, anyways?
eternal roommate, 8:03 AM
Gallbladder
yoongi, 8:04 AM
Yeah so Gallbladder thief who has a great smile just sat down beside me and we had a perfectly normal conversation
And I didn’t like, freeze up or anything
It was weird
And he was just... nice?
Like, really friendly. Apparently he was worried about me?
And idk I just don't really know what to do with this information
eternal roommate, 8:07 AM
Embrace it? If you befriend him he probably won't steal your organs
yoongi, 8:07 AM
That's not actually as helpful as you think it is
eternal roommate, 8:08 AM
Yoongi I love you dearly but I just woke up can I have like two more minutes before you expect anything coherent?
---
Waking up on Monday after three weeks of no alarms was hard, almost as hard as it had been during his first week. Yoongi stumbled around his room turning off the alarms he had staggered to go off every two minutes, dressed in the clothing he’d already picked out, and took three tries to get his bedroom door open.
Seokjin was already awake and set a plate and mug down on the counter as Yoongi slid onto a barstool. “You look like shit,” Seokjin said cheerfully. He was still wearing his pyjamas, and even with his hair mussed and his eyes puffy from sleep he was still at least top five handsome men in the world. Yoongi reminded himself not to hate him too much. He had made breakfast, after all.
He took the stairs down carefully, one at a time, with one hand clutching the handrail. Seokjin had offered to walk with him, just in case he fell again, but Yoongi declined stiffly. Sometimes those things Seokjin thought hilarious jokes were not, in fact, funny.
Yoongi walked to the train station with a surprising spring in his step. Now that he'd had breakfast and started his coffee his morning felt right again, in a way it hadn't during his time away. It was comforting to see the familiar curve of the train as it rounded the corner into the station, hear the doors slide open with a hiss, and hear the automatic voice announce the train and station. The train was filled with it's usual mix of half-familiar, half-unfamiliar faces. Yoongi made eye contact with the highschool girl and returned her smile with one of his own. He'd... well, he hadn't missed her exactly, but it was nice to see she was still there. He wondered if Grumpy would be too.
Although initially a passing thought Yoongi couldn't seem to get his mind off it, turning it over and over in his mind as they got closer to the station where Grumpy boarded. Chances were Grumpy hadn't even noticed Yoongi's absence. Chances were he'd get on, same as usual, and sit down, same as usual, and occasionally glare in Yoongi's direction, same as usual. There was no reason to feel as nervous and jittery as he did and yet he couldn't stop his knee from bouncing up and down. He had to focus not to finish his coffee too quickly.
For almost a whole stop he considered changing seats and not sitting where he usually did. The problem with that plan however was the unwritten rules of commuters - changing seats while a train was in motion only happened at stops or if there was someone else in need. He might have enjoyed seeing familiar faces but that didn't promise he was ready to have more people looking at him than absolutely necessary. Not to mention they'd started pulling in to the station, and if Yoongi tried to move now there was a chance that Gumpy would catch him in the act.
There was only one thing for it, and as the doors slid open Yoongi unlocked his phone and started poking at it as though he were playing one of those flash games his students seemed enamored with.
Grumpy was the first through the door, as usual. Yoongi noticed he'd changed from his winter coat to a spring one. It was almost painfully fashionable. Yoongi let himself appreciate it out of the corner of his eye but only out of the corner. He was fairly sure if he made eye contact with Grumpy’s frowning face he would end up grinning for no good reason. Best to avoid it.
The door chime dinged (out of tune, as usual) and the doors slid shut. Yoongi kept his eyes glued to his phone. The train jerked forward and he started opening apps at random and closing them, hoping to keep up the illusion he was busy. Someone down the train car sneezed loudly. Yoongi looked up in surprise, then glanced at Grumpy before he could stop himself. Grumpy was looking back.
Yoongi looked down quickly, feeling an unpleasant warmth spreading through him. Why his body decided this was something worth getting excited over was beyond him but there he was, probably blushing bright enough everyone could notice. It was enough that he wasn’t tempted to look up again.
Someone sat beside him, unusual given the number of seats available in the train and the fact they were between stations, but not unheard of. Yoongi glanced at the knee automatically, eye drawn to the movement, then caught on the sight of a pair of very familiar hands. Unless he missed his guess, and he was willing to bet his very small paycheck on it, those hands belonged to Grumpy. He should know. He’d spent long enough staring at them.
Just to be sure he looked up and sure enough Grumpy was looking back at him. On the whole Yoongi wasn’t very good at facial expressions. He could do the usual gamut no problem (happy, sad, angry, excited) but found the more subtle ones difficult to read. Whatever expression Grumpy was wearing now it certainly wasn’t grumpy. Beyond that was anyone’s guess. Yoongi was finding it even harder than usual to guess, because Grumpy was looking at him with warm, dark eyes, some of his carefully styled hair flopping across his forehead. If he’d told Yoongi he was a famous actor Yoongi would’ve believed him in a heartbeat.
“You okay then?” Grumpy asked. His voice sounded very different from the last time Yoongi had heard it. Without the edge of anger it was smooth, low and comfortable, the kind of voice you wanted to sink into after a long day. “You’ve got, uh-” and he gestured at the side of Yoongi’s head, the skin still shiny from healing.
“I fell down,” Yoongi answered honestly, still surprised that they were speaking. He might take a passing interest in the lives of his fellow commuters but he wasn't sure he'd ever work up the nerve to talk to any of them.
“You fell down?” Grumpy sounded incredulous. “And it did, that?” He gestured at Yoongi’s face. Yoongi wanted to say yes, he knew what he looked like, but refrained. He didn’t want to get into a fight about it. “Must’ve been a bad fall.”
Yoongi floundered. What was the proper protocol for this type of conversation? He wasn’t used to random people on the train making conversation with him. He tried to find something, anything to say, but didn't manage anything more than a shrug of his shoulder and a quiet "Mmm." Smooth, Yoongi. Real smooth.
“But you’re okay now?”
“As well as can be expected.” Answering questions was much easier than trying to come up to replies to statements. Fuck, but this was nerve wracking. He almost wanted the words to tell Grumpy to go away, politely of course, so he could finish his train ride in peace but he found himself unwilling to actually follow through and end the conversation. Unfortunately he was finding that difficult, and the conversation was in danger of finishing without any assistance from him.
“Glad to hear it,” Grumpy said before the silence got too long, and he seemed painfully sincere. “Was worried about you. You’d hardly missed a day before that.”
“New job,” Yoongi said, and try though he might he couldn’t stop the faint smile spreading across his face as he mentioned it. Even now, weeks after he’d started, he still couldn't quite believe his luck. His job really was the best job. “Didn't want to be late for a new job before I had some tenure. Although,” he added ruefully, the words coming easier now, “If I’d just let myself be late I probably wouldn’t have fallen down the stairs.”
Grumpy tilted his head to the side, a clear enough 'please, continue' that even Yoongi could pick up on it. He told the abridged, humorous anecdote version of events, suitable for coworkers and, apparently, strangers on trains. “In hindsight it probably would've been better to be a few minutes late, instead of a few weeks, but the idea of being late...”
“I remember that feeling,” Grumpy said, nodding. “When I first started at the publishing house-” and he launched into his own tale that involved a train delay due to signal problems, a miscommunication with a doorman, a lost wallet and a bike messenger that had Yoongi smiling in sympathy and actually laughing once. Grumpy was a good storyteller, and laughed along with him, smile so wide his eyes almost shut.
The name “Grumpy” has seemed inappropriate for a while now but the laugh killed it. The right thing to do was probably ask what his name was, or suss it out using detective skills he definitely did not have, but in the meantime Yoongi decided a new name was in order. Given the pair of dimples on display it was easy enough to think of something new.
Almost before he noticed it Yoongi was offering up the story of the time he'd had to sprint across campus because his phone had died in the night and he didn’t have a backup alarm. “I don’t wake up easily,” he explained. “But you got a bonus for perfect attendance, since it was at 8:30 in the morning, and I needed all the help I could get.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad,” Dimples said, failing to conceal his grin.
“It was statistics,” Yoongi said darkly. “Whoever made statistics an 8:30 class three times a week was clearly sadistic.”
“Clearly,” Dimples said, his grin widening. “Not a morning person, not a statistic person, or both?”
“Both,” Yoongi answered. He raised his empty travel mug and shook it. “There’s a reason I drink so much coffee, and a reason I’m not an accountant.”
Dimples laughed again. “That why you always look so sad when you finish it?”
“What?”
Dimples’ smile froze. “Um… what?” Yoongi looked at him. “Look,” Dimples said. “I’ve sat across from you for months. People on the space station can probably tell you’re sad when you have to put that thing away.”
That was fair, Yoongi couldn’t really fault him for it. He’d made his own observations about Dimples after all. “They just don’t make travel mugs big enough,” Yoongi said after a pause. He could almost feel the tension bleed out of Dimples’ shoulders. Maybe he was getting the hang of this small-talk-with-strangers thing after all. “I try and pick up an extra on the way in so I’m at least half awake.”
“Smart thinking,” Dimples said, and the train pulled into Yoongi’s station.
It was about as graceful a way to exit the conversation he could have asked for. They’d never hit the awkward stage. “This is me,” he said, more to say something than because he thought Dimples really needed the information.
“Yes it is,” Dimples said, a half smile on his face. “Unless you’ve been getting off at the wrong-”
“I was going to say I hope you have a good day,” Yoongi interrupted before he could finish the thought, “but now I’m reconsidering.”
Dimples’ half smile grows. “Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Chapter Text
tae @photaegraphy 7:18 PM · April 16, 2018
It is possible my roommate has permanently lost his mind he’s been on the same easy to answer question for an hour
tae @photaegraphy 7:20 PM · April 16, 2018
Before you ask yes I checked behind the couch
tae @photaegraphy 7:21 PM · April 16, 2018
And under the bed
tae @photaegraphy 7:45 PM · April 16, 2018
Is there a polite way to say “If you don’t stop talking I’m ducttaping your mouth closed”?
---
April 16, 2018
My Hope, My Angel, 7:50 PM
Yes it’s weird to bring him coffee
namjoon, 7:55 PM
I don’t know what you’re talking about
My Hope, My Angel, 7:56 PM
Tae’s been texting us the whole time
Jimin is practically weeping tears in the studio he’s scaring the new recruits
Have you considered just going about your life without doing weird stuff for strangers?
namjoon, 8:03 PM
I mean nothing bad happened when I spoke to him!
It could be a random act of kindness?
My Hope, My Angel, 8:08 PM
If you don’t stop talking about this to tae I won’t give you my in for your pre-order on the next round of ryan plushies
namjoon, 8:10 PM
… you fight dirty
---
tae @photaegraphy 8:11 PM · April 16, 2018
I want it known far and wide that @rayofhope is an actual magician
Hobi @rayofhope 8:15 PM · April 16, 2018
*kissy face*
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:16 PM · April 16, 2018
You are both the wrost and I hate you
Hobi @rayofhope 8:17 PM · April 16, 2018
LOOK LOOK HE’S SO MAD HE MADE A TYPO
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:17 PM · April 16, 2018
Where is my edit button
---
myg @mmmaestro 6:55 AM · April 17, 2018
Someone brought me coffee on the train this morning there is still some kindness left in this bleak world find and hug a friend/neighbour/stranger spread the love and joy
jin @wwhandsom 8:15 AM · April 17, 2018
Are you sure they didn’t spike your coffee with something? Do I have to go looking for secret caffeine stashes again?
myg @mmmaestro 9:10 AM · April 17, 2018
Don’t you dare I have everything exactly where I like it
jungkook @kookimonster 9:11 AM · April 17, 2018
That’s not a no…
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:45 AM · April 19, 2018
Day three. Our scene: the interior of a train. Our mood: tense, waiting. Will OG come through, and bring coffee for NG a third day in a row?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:46 AM · April 19, 2018
Will he?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:50 AM · April 19, 2018
YES! THE ANSWER IS YES FOLKS!
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:51 AM · April 19, 2018
I think we officially have an addition to the morning routine, you heard it here first
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:53 AM · April 19, 2018
I’m going to go back to dying of math now, stay strong everyone!
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:43 AM · April 20, 2018
Day four. NG is holding a bag so hard his knuckles are white. He seems nervous. What’s going on?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:51 AM · April 20, 2018
OG has arrived with the coffee. NG looks even more nervous
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:53 AM · April 20, 2018
ABORT ABORT NG HAS BAKED GOODS I REPEAT NG HAS BAKED GOODS
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:55 AM · April 20, 2018
OG is looking at that bun like it’s gold plated I’m not sure he’ll be able to bring himself to eat it
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:56 AM · April 20, 2018
Is it possible to die of someone else being too cute asking for a friend
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:57 AM · April 20, 2018
He retaliated with baked goods I think I’m in love? At the very least my tastebuds are. He won’t even tell me where he got them :(
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:10 AM · April 20, 2018
Well that escalated quickly
Hobi @rayofhope 8:20 AM · April 20, 2018
Did we expect any less?
---
Yoongi wasn’t prepared to have a paper cup thrust under his nose. He looked at it, and then at the hand holding it, and up along the arm into a familiar face. It was Dimples. He dimpled as he smiled.
“What’s this?” Yoongi asked as Dimples continued to stand, smiling. It was a stupid question. There was a large logo on the paper sleeve to start (already a dead giveaway) but more importantly it smelled like coffee. Yoongi was almost finished the one he'd brought and felt nowhere near awake enough to handle the situation.
“It’s coffee,” Dimples said. Nothing in his tone suggested he had mentally added anything like ‘obviously’ or ‘idiot’ to the end of his sentence. If anything he smiled wider as Yoongi took the cup from him and stared at it, uncomprehending.
This left Dimples holding a cup of his own while he hunted with his other hand through the pockets of his coat. “I wasn’t sure how you like it, so I stole some creamers and sugar too.”
“What?” said Yoongi, trying valiantly to catch up with the situation. The train pulled away from the station and Dimples stumbled sideways, then fell heavily into his seat. Yoongi had wanted to reach out a hand, help steady him, but his hands were full of coffee.
“Ah!” said Dimples, triumphant. “Here, take some.”
“What?” said Yoongi again, looking down at a hand full of sugar packets and creamers. Given the quantity there was a decent chance Dimples really had stolen them. Yoongi hadn’t had a sip of his brand new coffee but found there was something warm in his chest anyway, curled right up underneath his heart.
“Um, thank you?” Yoongi drained the dregs out of his travel mug, slipped it into the canvas bag with his lunch, and carefully selected one creamer and one sugar to work with.
“Don’t mention it,” Dimples said happily as he slipped the rest back in his pocket. “Thought it might help you get back in the swing of things a bit faster, you know?”
He kept talking, something about having been worried the barista would make him late for the train she’d been moving so slowly, as Yoongi shuffled his briefcase to the floor and gently put the cup between his knees. There was a trick to opening this type of coffee so it didn’t spill everywhere, especially on public transit. The trick was to shove your heart up into your throat, hope very very hard, and take the lid off. He managed not to scald himself but by the time the time he'd mixed in cream and sugar, and felt like he might have a handle on to get his mouth to produce actual words again, Dimples had moved on to an involved discussion on the origin of the coffee bean.
Yoongi decided to delay having to say anything by taking a sip. The coffee wasn’t quite perfect (no one, not even under pain of death, was ever to learn how much he doctored his coffee) but it was so much better than not having any at all he couldn't keep the contented sigh in.
“Good?” Dimples asked, grinning at him. On Seokjin Yoongi would describe his tone as ‘teasing’. He decided to risk it, treat this interaction like he might one with Seokjin.
“It doesn’t have to be good,” Yoongi answered, deadpan. “It has caffeine.” Unfortunately this review didn’t get the laugh Yoongi had been hoping for. He felt his cheeks heat as the admittedly bad joke faceplanted between them. Dimples looked confused, so Yoongi looked at the cup, cradled between his hands, and said, more quietly, “Yes, really good. Thank you.”
“Ah! Good! And you’re welcome.” It sounded like Dimples was smiling again but Yoongi had to look, just to be sure. He wasn’t wrong, and smiled helplessly back.
It happened the next day too, Dimples handing him a cup of coffee as he sat down and started talking about the weather. It rained heavily against their window, had been raining all morning, and they compared stories of the people they’d seen on their way to the train running for cover, dodging the spray of cars on the sidewalk. It was nice, to be talking about people walking outside, getting wet and cold, while they sat cozy and warm in their train car.
The third day it happened Yoongi admitted at last that it looked like this was well on it's way to becoming a regular occurrence. It felt wrong, to be on the receiving side all the time. He decided it was time to give.
“Did you change jobs when I wasn’t looking?” Seokjin asked within seconds of stepping foot in the kitchen that night. Yoongi glanced up from where he was carefully forming the last of the buns.
“I bake sometimes,” Yoongi said. He sounded defensive even to his own ears.
“Suuuure.” Yoongi blushed. Seokjin walked further into the kitchen to peer over his shoulder, and kept talking. “When I bake, maybe, and even then I have to badger you to help. I think the last time you voluntarily used flour in these quantities has to be-”
“Do you want one or not?” Yoongi interrupted, whirling to face him, shaking an accusatory finger. “Because if you keep making a big deal about this I’m not letting you have any.”
“You’re not about to eat them all yourself,” Seokjin pointed out, leaning forward and poking one gently.
“I might be.” Yoongi poked Seokjin but got not reaction.
“No, you aren’t,” Seokjin repeated. Yoongi knew he was in trouble from the way the grin grew on Seokjin’s face, slow and inevitable. “This is for that guy on the train, isn't it.”
“He's been bringing me coffee,” Yoongi admitted, turning back to the tray of finishes buns. He didn’t want to see Seokjin’s expression during this part of the conversation. “I figured I'd do something nice, fair trade sort of thing.”
He made sure to open the oven door and slide the tray in as noisily as possible to cover Seokjin’s laughter.
Dimples' delight more than made up for the laughter, and Yoongi was pleased with himself for a whole three seconds before he started thanking Yoongi so profusely that Yoongi half hoped the train would burst into flames or something so he could die in peace.
---
myg @mmmaestro 7:50 AM · April 25, 2018
Guess who’s getting kicked off the train because of a fire on the tracks!
myg @mmmaestro 7:55 AM · April 25, 2018
Guess who’s train service has been suspended for the morning!
myg @mmmaestro 7:55 AM · April 25, 2018
Guess who is going to definitely be late for an important meeting now!
myg @mmmaestro 7:56 AM · April 25, 2018
Guess who kind of wants to cry?
myg @mmmaestro 7:57 AM · April 25, 2018
Oh oh I know, is it me?
jungkook @kookimonster 7:58 AM · April 25, 2018
Have a good walk!
---
April 25, 2018
namjoon, 7:58 AM
Help help help HELP help do you know what is the worst?
My Hope, My Angel, 7:59 AM
Is this going to be you talking to me about your crush again?
namjoon, 8:00 AM
… no
My Hope, My Angel, 8:06 AM
*sigh* fine what is it?
Joon?
Namjoon?
My Hope, My Angel, 8:12 AM
You went and talked to JIMIN instead of me???
---
April 25, 2018
namjoon, 8:00 AM
Jiminie are you awake?
minimin, 8:01 AM
Sksksjdndnd well I am now
namjoon, 8:01 AM
Perfect great so here’s the thing
We had to get off the train because of a fire on the tracks, but we’re far enough downtown that it’s not worth getting a cab so I’m walking and I’m walking with the seat thief who is kind of cute and he’s super stressed out and I don’t know what to say?
It’ll be awkward just to walk in silence the whole time?
Any suggestions?
Jimin are you there?
minimin, 8:04 AM
I JUST WOKE UP IF YOU STOPPED TYPING FOR TWO MINUTES HONESTLY
Give a man’s thumbs some time to work!
What were you talking about before you started walking?
namjoon, 8:05 AM
How we were probably going to be late, and then he started getting stressed :(
minimin, 8:05 AM
Okay, so probably not that then
namjoon, 8:05 AM
No shit
minimin, 8:05 AM
What have you read lately? Any movie you watched?
This is weird normally you never run out of things to say
Maybe talk about seeing the cherry blossoms?
minimin, 8:09 AM
He llo?
minimin, 8:12 AM
???
minimin, 8:16 AM
Okay well good luck! I’m going back to sleep now like a SANE person!
---
April 25, 2018
yoongi, 9:35 AM
You’d like his sense of humour
eternal roommate, 9:50 AM
I like most people’s sense of humour
yoongi, 9:51 AM
No, I mean, you’d /really/ like his sense of humour
He told me a construction joke
Or, he tried to
eternal roommate, 9:52 AM
Oh?
yoongi, 9:53 AM
Yeah. Wasn’t quite done, see. Still under construction
eternal roommate, 9:53 AM
… you’ve judged my sense of humour accurately
Was this on your walk?
yoongi, 9:56 AM
Yeah. I was freaking out about being late, and then we got to talking and…
Idk, but it helped
eternal roommate, 9:58 AM
Were you holding hands by the end of it?
yoongi, 9:58 AM
REALLY
eternal roommate, 9:58 AM
It’s a valid question!
yoongi, 9:59 AM
REALLY
eternal roommate, 9:59 AM
It is!
yoongi, 10:00 AM
No.
eternal roommate, 10:00 AM
No it’s not valid, or no you weren’t holding hands?
yoongi, 10:01 AM
Both
eternal roommate, 10:02 AM
But you wanted to, didn’t you
yoongi, 10:02 AM
I’m going back to my job have fun being delusional by yourself
---
A week later Yoongi started to regret his wish. Okay, yes, it wasn't that he was on fire so much as someone had done something to warrant a fire investigation in the tracks but the result was pretty much the same. Train: stopped. Time: ticking. Prospects of arriving at work on time: rapidly diminishing. It wouldn't be quite so bad if they'd had any other information, when they were going to be moving again, as an example, or what time they would be moving or even, as a suggestion, how soon they'd be moving again. He wasn't starting to get antsy; he was full blown antsy, his knee bouncing rapidly up and down, his fingers picking at his nail beds. He’d already shredded the disposable coffee cup Dimples had brought, and slipped the slightly soggy paper into his pocket. He was going to miss the strategy meeting.
Dimples was nattering on about the history of the emergency break on trains when the conductor’s voice over the loudspeaker interrupted him. “We apologize for the inconvenience, but due to a fire investigation on the tracks ahead the train will be put out of service. Please exit the train, this train is now out of service.”
“What,” said Yoongi, turning to look at Dimples. Something sour was happening in his stomach. Even if he could manage to run all the way there he’d still be late and it wasn’t his fault.
“You heard the lady,” Dimples said, not looking any happier. He was standing now, hovering on the edge of the crowd trying to squeeze it’s way out of the door. “Train is out of service. We have to get off.”
“They're just shutting down the train?” Yoongi asked, his voice strangled. “They can just...do that?”
“Unfortunately yes.” Dimples already had his phone out, poking at the screen, while commuters filed behind him and out the door. “At least we got most of the way in, we're only what, two stops from where you normally get off?”
Yoongi squinted at the map on the wall, where the stops were lit up red for stops they'd gone past and green for the stops they'd yet to arrive at. His stop was lit a cheery green, mocking him. “Three.”
“That's not a horrible walk.”
The sourness that had started in his stomach started to inch it’s way up his throat. He focused on breathing in and out, slow and steady, as he leveled Dimples with a flat look. “I take the train specifically so I don't have to walk.”
“You could always try a cab?”
Yoongi snorted. “During rush hour? With everyone else getting to them first?”
“C'mon, grousing about it won't get you where you work any faster.” His cheer sounded forced, and at the mention of work Yoongi felt his mouth turn down before he could stop it. There was no chance Dimples hadn’t seen - he stopped mid-way through stretching, his fingers braced on the ceiling, and said, very carefully, “Want to get going?”
Yoongi was fairly sure he could have settled down and raised grandchildren by the time they made it half way down the small platform. He stood on his toes, glaring at the inadequate door as they inched toward it. He pulled out his phone and sent several texts in quick successions to his manager, then pulled up walking directions to his office. Maybe there'd be a cab, but best to be prepared. She couldn't really hold it against him if he was late, not if it was a transit delay, could she? It wasn't like he'd set the fire!
The line for the cab stand was so long it hardly bore looking at. What small amount of hope Yoongi had clung to died. Dimples seemed unaffected, saying “This way,” and turning to the right.
“Are you sure?” Yoongi asked, frowning down at his phone. It looked like the map said go left, but he wasn't familiar with the area. “The map says-”
Dimples moved closer to him so they were both peering down at the phone in Yoongi's hands. It had been hard enough to breath with the idea of being late the only thing looming over him. Having Dimples looming too did not help at all. He felt his breath stutter in his chest. “Ah, see, you’ve got it so north is always up,” Dimples said, and reached out to tap a button on Yoongi’s screen. The map rotated. “There, see? Right.”
They walked in uncomfortable silence to the background sound of traffic rushing past and the low-level hum of people talking and walking and laughing. Dimples occasionally pulled out his phone and typed something hurriedly before tucking it away again. Yoongi kept his phone in his hand and checked it compulsively every few steps. No message appeared to let him know his manager was fine if he was more than a few minutes late.
By the second red light in a row Yoongi felt about ready to vibrate out of his skin, the sour bile from his stomach sitting heavy on the back of his tongue. The silence from his phone was bad (how hard was it to reply to one measly text?!) but the silence from Dimples was almost worse. How was it that they could carry on a conversation perfectly well on the train and then lose all ability to word good once they got off? It made no sense at all, and certainly wasn't helping matters.
At the third red light, an intersection with a closed corner and men working away industriously, Yoongi felt about ready to cry. He was considering saying he had to turn here after all just to get away when Dimples broke the silence.
“Want to hear a joke about construction?” Dimples asked, nodding at the men wearing their hardhats and workgear, industriously doing something with heavy machinery to a hole in the ground.
“Sure?” Yoongi answered, glancing reflexively down at his phone.
“I’m still working on it.”
Yoongi glanced at his phone screen again. “Okay?”
“The joke about construction,” Dimples said, slowly, enunciating every word clearly. “I’m still working on it.”
The second time was the charm. Yoongi looked up from his phone, aghast at what his ears informed him in no uncertain terms of what they had, in fact, heard. “Did you just-” he started to ask, but stopped in the face of Dimples’ perfectly innocent expression. He narrowed his eyes. “You’re still working on it?”
“Yep,” Dimples said, popping the p.
Yoongi groaned.
“You could say,” Dimples said, leaning closer, face still completely innocent, “That it’s under construction.”
“I hate you so much,” Yoongi said, covering his face with his hands. Through his fingers he saw the light had changed. He pushed Dimples off the curb, making Dimples let out a squawk of surprised laughter. “Get away from me.”
As it turned out Dimples had quite a few more horrible jokes in his repertoire. They discussed how shovels were a ground-breaking invention, and how graveyards were getting crowded these days, everyone just dying to get in, and how restaurants on the moon always had bad reviews no matter how good the food due to lack of atmosphere.
Yoongi was so busy arguing that no, having chalky white moonstone chairs would not improve matters substantially (“They’d be so uncomfortable to sit on! And you still wouldn’t be able to breathe!”) that he missed the intersection where he should have turned. At least he was only a block late. It could have been worse.
“Oh, uh, this is me,” he said as they approached the next set of lights. “I’m up that way.”
Somehow as they'd been walking he's managed to put his lateness out of mind. Kept at bay by their ridiculous, meandering conversation, his nerves came flooding back. His hand dove into his pocket almost of his own accord, and he pulled his phone out as Dimples said
“Oh!” sounding surprised, and maybe a little dismayed. “Oh, we’re already- okay, yes, that makes sense.”
“Right,” Yoongi said, and then let out a relieved sigh as he unlocked his phone and read the text waiting for him. His hadn’t been the only train impacted. They were rescheduling the meeting, and she'd see him when he got in. With the immediate concern out of the way he realized the silence had stretched long enough to feel awkward again, in a way it hadn’t after those first few minutes walking. “Um, so..”
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?” Dimples interrupted, smiling gently. Yoongi nodded. Dimples laughed. “This is weird, isn’t it.”
“Yes,” Yoongi agreed without hesitation. “It’s weird.”
Dimples looked like he might say something else, but the light changed in his favour. “Ah, that’s me then,” he said, and then he waved and hummed the doors closing chime as he stepped onto the crosswalk.
Yoongi laughed, he couldn’t help it. Dimples grinned at him over his shoulder, and nearly ran into a pedestrian trying to cross in the opposite direction. Yoongi laughed harder.
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:48 AM · April 30, 2018
OMFG he’s doing a crossword today? I mean, I love crosswords, can he get anymore perfect?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:50 AM · April 30, 2018
No I don’t care that he’s only doing it because his phone died
Hobi @rayofhope 8:28 AM · April 30, 2018
You used this as an excuse to lean over into his space a bit to see what he smells like didn’t you
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:43 AM · April 30, 2018
That’s… that a very specific accusation, and also a little bit creepy
---
April 30, 2018
My Hope, My Angel, 8:56 AM
But you did, didn’t you
namjoon, 8:58 AM
Not on purpose
But I could happily have gone my whole life without knowing he smells like a field of sun-warmed grass
My Hope, My Angel, 9:03 AM
Wtf Namjoon you were born and raised in a city
How do you even know what that smells like?
namjoon, 9:30 AM
I go hiking sometimes because I might have been born in the city but I can appreciate nature unlike certain people I know
My Hope, My Angel, 9:32 AM
Nature exists to give me something nice to look at through my window
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:07 AM · May 4, 2018
They are officially the oldest marriedest couple I know, and I don’t know them, they aren’t actually that old, and unless they got married without telling anybody they’re unattached
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:07 AM · May 4, 2018
Every. Day. This. Week. they did the crossword
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:07 AM · May 4, 2018
Every. DAY.
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:08 AM · May 4, 2018
Hello officer yes these two men RIGHT HERE are assaulting me with their domesticity
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · May 4, 2018
He! Brings! Him! Coffee! Daily! (this has continued to be A Thing and if you don’t think that’s the c*test sh*t ever you’re wrong)
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:10 AM · May 4, 2018
To be frank I am tired. Mayhap I should find somewhere else to sit for a time, I am honestly not sure whether or not I can deal with this much longer
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:15 AM · May 4, 2018
Ugh. ugh. Their faces as they pass the pen back and forth
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:16 AM · May 4, 2018
NG’s face when OG makes a suggestion. OG’s face when NG makes a suggestion
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:17 AM · May 4, 2018
... .- ...- . / -- .
---
Sometimes Kim Seokjin was one of the best roommates on the planet, and other times he did things like take Yoongi’s phone charger because he’d lost his (again) and put it back in the right spot without actually plugging it into the wall. Yoongi kept an extra one at his desk (his phone couldn’t actually last the full day without it) but of course to use it he had to get to his desk. There was a whole train ride to contend with in the meantime, and staring down the prospect of having to amuse himself at least until Dimples got on the train he caved and picked up one of the free newspapers for something to do.
After leafing through the incredibly poorly written articles he flipped to the back, where there was a crossword and started to fill it out. Or at least, he tried to start. It didn’t take long before he had to squash the urge to crumple the whole thing up and throw it with force down the length of the train car.
He switched to doodling around the edges, and when the now-familiar cup of coffee appeared in his peripheral vision said “Thank you you wouldn’t believe the morning-”
“Are you doing a crossword?” Dimples interrupted, sitting down heavily as Yoongi took his cup and peering at the paper.
”Um…” Yoongi looked down at the crossword. He’d managed to fill in five words. He wasn't sure that counted as 'doing'. “Sort of?”
“Aloe,” said Dimples.
Yoongi blinked, then took a sip of coffee. Dimples had started bringing it with one cream, one sugar, already added. “Aloe?”
“‘Aloe’,” said Dimples again, pointing at 4-down. “Cousin of yucca plant.”
“Ah,” said Yoongi. “That makes more sense. Thanks.” He switched his hands around so he could fill in the clue properly, and had only just taken the pen off the paper when Dimples pointed again, saying, “Opera,” with his finger on 21-across. “Twenty-one across.”
“How are you doing this?” Yoongi asked, filling in the next answer. “Do you have a psychic connection with newspapers? Are you a crossword whisperer?”
“I like words,” Dimples laughed, “I work with them for a living. Forty eight across, ‘Enter’.”
As it turned out, crosswords were a lot less frustrating when he had someone who had an entire dictionary in his head helping him out. Yoongi found that with some of the letters filled in already thanks to Dimples’ work he was even able to contribute one word for every six or so Dimples could. Privately he thought he could have had a better ratio if Dimples didn’t keep leaning in to peer at the newspaper, brushing their shoulders together, smelling of something like wind through trees, although which type of trees exactly Yoongi couldn’t say. It was distracting.
They reached Yoongi's stop with four words left. “I’ll expect a report tomorrow,” he said as he stood. “I might die if I don’t learn the answers.”
“You know they print those, right?” Dimples asked, flipping the page over and pointing to a small square filled with letters. “Day after.”
“Doors are closing,” said the polite voice.
“Yes, I did,” Yoongi said. “Just testing.”
“Of course.”
“Please stand clear of the doors,” said the polite voice. Yoongi ducked out as the chimes sounded, trying to convince himself 'fled' wasn't a more accurate term.
It took three more rides for the crossword to officially become part of the routine. Yoongi brought a paper along the next morning, so they could go over the answers together. Dimples had missed two. They had the paper anyways so they started in on the crossword while they talked, and that meant Yoongi had to grab another one the day after because they’d missed six.
Some mornings Dimples grew impatient with Yoongi’s speed and would tap the back of Yoongi’s hand to make him hand the pen over. It did something funny to Yoongi’s chest, made his hand tingle in a way that was definitely pleasant long after the contact was gone. Some mornings Yoongi would get a particularly difficult word, and Dimples would be almost more excited than he was.
Yoongi learned that Dimples had strong opinions about the crossword, expressed with quite a lot of hand-waving when he grew agitated. Yoongi learned not to suggest pulling out his phone to check an answer as that was tantamount to blasphemy. Yoongi learned that he had to be prepared for Dimples to stick any pen handed over in his mouth while he thought, and learned that if he thought watching Dimples’ hands was distracting that was nothing on watching Dimples think, his brow furrowed, his lip caught between his teeth or else pulled back around the pen.
Crosswords, as it turned out, could be fun.
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:50 AM · May 9, 2018
Guys guys GUYS pay attention now because! As if last week! Wasn’t bad enough! today! OG and NG! (now collectively known as the Gees or possibly the Jeez as in Jeez Louise kiss already) are sharing headphones!
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:52 AM · May 9, 2018
Minnie r u sur you might ask
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:53 AM · May 9, 2018
Yes I Am!
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:53 AM · May 9, 2018
I can see it it with my own TWO EYEBALLS OG walked on the train looking like the collective hounds from the underworld were chasing him and hardly looked at NG when he handed over his coffee
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:54 AM · May 9, 2018
And they sort of sit there for a bit, and OG keeps like bouncing his leg and fidgeting and NG PUT HIS HAND ON HIS KNEE and then leaned over and said something
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:54 AM · May 9, 2018
I would give my left kidney to know what he said I stg because OG just got the softe s t look on his face like not happy but just… idk words cannot describe
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:55 AM · May 9, 2018
And then NG pulls out his headphones and passes one to OG and they are listening to whatever it is together
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:55 AM · May 9, 2018
Oh no the Piano Hands are back and NG looks like he’s explaining something he’s got a half smile on this is how I die
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:02 AM · May 9, 2018
IT KEEPS GOING how is it still happening to me
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:06 AM · May 9, 2018
Lololololololololol how has NG not noticed OG and also the whole train staring at his hands
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:15 AM · May 9, 2018
NG finally stopped attacking us with his hands because it’s his stop I might live to see the rest of today
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:17 AM · May 9, 2018
Actually you know what I’ve got a test how much do you think it would cost to have him come back and kill me slowly and softly with piano?
---
tae @photaegraphy 9:01 PM · May 9, 2018
Can anyone explain to me why my roommate who knows nothing about classical music and claims to hate it was humming bits from the moonlight sonata to himself all evening?
tae @photaegraphy 9:02 PM · May 9, 2018
*badly humming. It took me a couple hours to figure it out
Hobi @rayofhope 9:05 PM · May 9, 2018
Have you tried asking him?
tae @photaegraphy 9:05 PM · May 9, 2018
Who asks people things directly anymore?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 9:06 PM · May 9, 2018
You know I follow you on twitter right?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 9:06 PM · May 9, 2018
And also am sitting on the couch beside you?
tae @photaegraphy 9:06 PM · May 9, 2018
Are you going to answer the question?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 9:07 PM · May 9, 2018
No, but thanks for giving me the name! I’ve been trying to remember it all evening
Jiminie @ddrevelation 9:09 PM · May 9, 2018
Taehyung I’m disappointed with you I’m willing to bet my bottom dollar it has to do with piano hands remember the drama with the coffee???
tae @photaegraphy 9:10 PM · May 9, 2018
!!!!!! why didn’t I think of that!
tae @photaegraphy 9:10 PM · May 9, 2018
ty Jimin man after my own heart
Jiminie @ddrevelation 9:10 PM · May 9, 2018
<3!
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 10:32 PM · May 9, 2018
How do you put up with nosey roommates without killing them asking for a friend.
Hobi @rayofhope 10:53 PM · May 9, 2018
You know this is twitter, right? Not a search engine?
---
The morning Dimples slouched on the train and didn’t even glance at the crossword as he handed over Yoongi’s coffee Yoongi knew something was up. “Morning,” he said into the unnatural quiet.
“Morning,” Dimples said, shifting in his seat as though trying to get comfortable and taking a deep breath. He didn’t ask how Yoongi’s evening had gone, or if he’d burned down his kitchen, or whether he’d seem any good dogs lately. He didn’t look tired, not exactly, but his expression was pinched, and he seemed spread thin, a small drop of jam trying to cover a whole slice of toast.
Yoongi felt out of his depth. “Severe, as criticism,” he said as he took a sip of coffee.
He knew the answer - the paper had used the clue a week ago. He noticed they recycled clues the way Yoongi recycled the paper they were printed on, and he was determined that he’d try and remember the clues at least half as well as Dimples.
Dimples didn’t have an answer. Dimples stared somewhere in the middle distance with the corners of his mouth drawn in tight and his jaw set in a firm line. It was unnerving. Yoongi didn't like it at all.
“Severe,” Yoongi repeated, but the only change to Dimples' expression was a frown, wrinkling into life between his eyebrows. Yoongi gathered up what small amount of courage he had and nudged Dimples purposely with his elbow, ignoring the goosebumps that ran up and down his arms. “Hey. You okay?”
It took a while to get a response. “Didn’t sleep well,” Dimples said through grit teeth, hunching his shoulders up around his ears as though to protect them from an attack.
Yoongi felt out of his depth. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked at last. “Or do the crossword? Or-”
“We’re… someone’s late, handing something in, and we’ve got a deadline, and a contract, and a printer all lined up, and I can’t start the final read until they hand it to me. That's all. Nothing I can't handle.” The words ran together, Dimples speaking so quickly Yoongi had to think for a few seconds to parse the sentence properly.
“That sounds unpleasant.” It was an understatement, but he wasn’t sure what else to say.
“Yeah,” Dimples said, slouching down further in his seat and wrapping his arms protectively around his middle. HIs hands clenched into fists convulsively. His knee jiggled up and down, bumping against Yoongi’s leg, and Yoongi unthinkingly reached out and put his hand on it, pushing down until it stopped. “You’ll shake off all the luck,” he said quietly, but Dimples didn’t even crack a smile. He just looked at Yoongi, and something around his eyes reminded Yoongi strongly of that feeling he got in his stomach right before he had to perform.
In short he looked the picture of complete misery. Yoongi had an idea.
Tucking the newspaper under his leg he passed over his as-of-yet-untouched coffee and pulled his phone and headphones out from his briefcase. He unwrapped the wire and slipped one earbud into his right ear, holding out the other for Dimples saying, “Here.”
Dimples looked at it. “What?”
“It’s an earbud,” Yoongi said slowly, in his best ‘I can’t believe you asked that’ tone. “It goes in your ear.”
“I know what it is,” Dimples grumbled, their fingers brushing together as he exchanged Yoongi’s coffee for the earbud. Yoongi swallowed, hard. “Why?”
“You’re going to fly to the moon,” Yoongi said in his best deadpan, although it came out a bit strangled. That earned him the barest hint of a smile, sidling in around the corners of Dimples’ mouth. “And then find aliens. Probably discover the secret of the big bang.”
“All that?” Dimples asked, slipping the earbud into his ear.
“Yes,” Yoongi said, flicking his phone on and scrolling through his music until he found the playlist titled KCACO. It seemed like Dimples could do with some Keeping Calm and Carrying On about now. “Obviously. Only dweebs use headphones to listen to music.”
Was it possible to be friends with someone without knowing their name? Yoongi considered the question as he tapped ‘play’. If Dimples had said his name, back when they first started talking, Yoongi certainly hadn’t remembered it. He figured they were at least friendly acquaintances though, given the number of crosswords they’d completed. It wasn’t weird to want to see your friendly acquaintance less stressed, and therefore this wasn't weird, and therefore he didn't need to overthink it.
The song began, and when the fingers of Yoongi's free hand twitched, the way they always did around piano music, he let them play. He spoke over top of the music, explaining how the chords fit together, the slight hesitations were necessary to keep the listener engaged, the way the music rose and fell almost as though it were the breath of some ethereal creature. His fingers played along, and he caught Dimples tracking them. He grinned to himself, handed his coffee cup back, and started playing with both hands.
Half way through the track Dimples had relaxed enough it didn’t seem like he was carefully counting his breaths in and out. Yoongi felt pleased with their progress, and as the music transitioned into it’s more up-beat section he kept going.
He didn't stop playing until they'd pulled up to his station. Dimples handed back his coffee, now a lukewarm temperature coffee almost never had the chance to get around Yoongi, and Yoongi took a grateful sip. It had been a while since he’d done so much enthusiastic talking and he’d forgotten how dry and parched his throat got if he wasn’t supporting his voice properly.
It was entirely worth the sacrifice however. Dimples was smiling properly now, first a small contented smile while he stared at his hands, and then his much larger, more natural smile as he watched Yoongi’s expression change at the disappointment of less-than-scalding-hot coffee.
The train slowed to a stop and the doors opened. Yoongi didn’t say “Hope you have a good day,” or “Things will get better soon” or any other platitude because spur of the moment comforting words were never his strong suit. He smiled instead, and Dimples smiled back, and Yoongi had to look away.
“See you tomorrow then,” he said, standing, leaving the newspaper behind. It was just his luck he’d forgotten Dimples still had one of his headphones. By the time he managed to corale it so it wouldn’t swing all over and get tangled with anyone when he left the train the doors were closing. Dimples’ laughter rang in his ears long after he was out of earshot. He didn't much mind.
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:04 AM · May 11, 2018
NO one on this Planet should have to be subjected to this sight with their eyeballs and yet here we are
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:04 AM · May 11, 2018
What is it Minnie? You ask
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:05 AM · May 11, 2018
WELL DEAR FOLLOWERS it is the sight of OG, big, glare-y OG, slumped over on NG’s shoulder and snoring
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:06 AM · May 11, 2018
And whenever he gets too loud NG sort of pokes him, and OG shifts and keeps sleeping
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:10 AM · May 11, 2018
We thought headphone sharing would be the death of us and WE WERE WRONG
---
May 11, 2018
yoongi, 7:04 AM
Hypothetically speaking how weird is it to let a stranger sleep on your shoulder
eternal roommate, 7:10 AM
……… what???
yoongi, 7:10 AM
You know what nevermind
eternal roommate, 7:11 AM
No, Yoongi, I am awake now, you’re going to give me the whole story
yoongi, 7:11 AM
There isn’t a story
eternal roommate, 7:12 AM
Like hell there isn’t a story
eternal roommate, 7:12 AM
I’ll get it out of you at supper just you wait
---
The rest of the week Dimples seemed marginally less stressed but Yoongi carefully didn’t bring it up. If Dimples wanted to say he could, but Yoongi wasn’t going to pry. There was one morning where Dimples opted out of the crossword again, saying, “Got no sleep last night, I don’t think I can think of any more words”, and even though he was doing it out of tiredness, not the distraction caused by nerves, Yoongi passed over the earbud.
“Nothing too upbeat or loud,” Dimples warned through a yawn. “I want a nap.”
Yoongi grinned to himself and found an album of children’s lullabies. Dimples already had his head tipped back to rest against the window in a way that made his mouth fall open slackly, eyes closed, but as the music started he sat up straighter and gave Yoongi what could only be called A Look.
Yoongi laughed.
Within minutes Dimples had slid down in his seat a bit, his body listing so it leaned against Yoongi in a way that made him feel hot and prickly all over. With a few careful adjustments Yoongi figured out a way to get Dimples’ head mostly supported by his shoulder instead of bouncing against the seat back or the window. He spent the rest of the train ride like that, as still as he could stay while on a moving train, so Dimples could have his nap. Every so often Dimples would start to snore, and Yoongi would nudge him a bit until he snuffled and stopped. It was nothing short of adorable, and he was almost sad when he had to get off at his stop.
“This is me,” he said as they pulled in. “C'mon, wake up so you don't fall over.”
“Mrmph?”
“Wake up,” Yoongi repeated, and Dimples sat himself fully upright with a groan.
“Do I have to?”
“Not really, but I'm getting off anyways.” The only word Yoongi could think of to describe Dimples' face at hearing this was 'pouting'. It seemed the safest thing to do was beat a hasty retreat before he did anything especially embarrassing. “Try not to miss your stop.”
“Thanks,” Dimples said through a yawn. “Try not to miss yours.”
Yoongi didn’t think how it might be considered weird until he was well off the train. In hindsight texting Seokjin about it was a mistake and a half. True to his word Seokjin cornered him after supper and through a combination of threats, blackmail, and extortion got the full story out of him.
“So this is more than a passing crush eh?” Seokjin said. Yoongi wished he was teasing, but instead of teasing he had an expression on his face that said “I understand” and that was somehow worse.
“No,” Yoongi said. “No crush here. He’s just attractive.”
“Sure he is,” Seokjin said, patting Yoongi on the head as he stood and wandered from the living room into the kitchen. “You keep telling yourself that.”
Yoongi did keep telling himself that, and kept telling himself that, until he couldn’t.
---
myg @mmmaestro 7:08 AM · May 24, 2018
Sometimes the things you see on public transit are super weird? And this morning someone had a bucket. Full of crabs. What even???
jungkook @kookimonster 9:45 AM · May 24, 2018
No time to get down 'cause I'm moving up
myg @mmmaestro 9:48 AM · May 24, 2018
Yes, I made that connection
jungkook @kookimonster 10:05 AM · May 24, 2018
No time to get down 'cause I'm moving up
myg @mmmaestro 10:06 AM · May 24, 2018
Are we really doing this?
jungkook @kookimonster 10:37 AM · May 24, 2018
No time to get down 'cause I'm moving up
myg @mmmaestro 10:37 AM · May 24, 2018
Please stop
jungkook @kookimonster 10:38 AM · May 24, 2018
Ah, ha
myg @mmmaestro 10:38 AM · May 24, 2018
Don't you dare
jungkook @kookimonster 11:59 AM · May 24, 2018
Check out the crabs in the bucket
myg @mmmaestro 12:01 PM · May 24, 2018
I hope you’re happy with yourself
jungkook @kookimonster 12:14 PM · May 24, 2018
:)
myg @mmmaestro 12:15 PM · May 24, 2018
Just for this you’re doing nothing but scales tonight
jungkook @kookimonster 12:16 PM · May 24, 2018
:(
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · May 24, 2018
We have finally found a contender for ‘cutest thing in the universe’ the title which was previously held by NG and dogs
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · May 24, 2018
Would you like to know what it is? (of course you would)
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:10 AM · May 24, 2018
It’s OG and…. Wait for it…. Crabs
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:11 AM · May 24, 2018
Crabs, gentlefolk of the internet, of the hermit variety as far as I can tell
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:12 AM · May 24, 2018
OG is looking at them with the softest expression, and NG is looking at him like he’s got all the answers to the universe or something
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:17 AM · May 24, 2018
If this drama gets resolved while we’re on summer break I will be SO MAD at the universe that I missed it
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:25 AM · May 24, 2018
There is nothing in the world more pure than a hermit crab in a custom 3D printed shell
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 7:25 AM · May 24, 2018
I want twelve
tae @photaegraphy 8:45 AM · May 24, 2018
You can’t even keep a spider plant alive how would you take care of twelve hermit crabs
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:47 AM · May 24, 2018
I’d learn!
tae @photaegraphy 8:50 AM · May 24, 2018
I’d end up doing all the work. No hermit crabs for you >[
Hobi @rayofhope 8:53 AM · May 24, 2018
When he’s the voice of reason you know it’s a bad idea
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:55 AM · May 24, 2018
You guys are no fun at all since you became responsible adults
tae @photaegraphy 8:56 AM · May 24, 2018
If I’m a responsible adult does that mean you’ll stop nagging me about brushing my teeth?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:56 AM · May 24, 2018
No. Dental hygiene is important
---
“They’re so small,” Dimples whispered, Dimples on full display as he cradled the hermit crabs in his hand. “And look at it’s shell.”
The older woman sitting beside them, who had a bucket full of hermit crabs for no particular reason that Yoongi had been able to find out between Dimples saying “There are so many!” and “Look it tried to pinch me!” and “Have you ever seen such a pretty colour?” looked torn between bemusement and pride in what Yoongi could only assume were her hermit crabs and their shells.
The shell Namjoon was referencing in particular was in the shape of a tiny teapot. Try as he might Yoongi couldn’t keep his mouth completely straight. It was cute.
He’s cute too, his brain pointed out, and in the face of Dimples' open expression, and shining eyes, and enthusiasm for something so small, and genuine joy in the universe, and those dimples Yoongi finally admitted, at least in the privacy of his own mind, that he had something more than an idle crush. It was a bit embarrassing, given he didn’t even know the man’s name, but it couldn't be helped.
“Here, look,” said Dimples, passing one over. Yoongi glanced hurriedly at the owner, to make sure it was alright, but the crab was in his hand even before he’d been given confirmation. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He pointed at the crab’s shell, and then tucked his finger under one of the small, waving pincers.
Yoongi looked at him. “Yeah,” he breathed, “Yeah. It is.”
---
May 24, 2018
yoongi, 7:18 AM
You are the worst
eternal roommate, 8:10 AM
Someone had his moment of truth revelation then?
yoongi, 8:13 AM
The. Worst.
Chapter Text
tae @photaegraphy 12:12 PM · May 28, 2018
PLEASE STOP WITH THE HERMIT CRABS for the love of PUPPIES
Hobi @rayofhope 12:18 PM · May 28, 2018
Is he still on about that?
tae @photaegraphy 12:24 PM · May 28, 2018
All. Weekend. There were two (2) topics of conversation total I counted
Hobi @rayofhope 12:30 PM · May 28, 2018
Do I win a prize if I guess the other one?
tae @photaegraphy 12:32 PM · May 28, 2018
I don’t think it counts as guessing if you know the answer already
Hobi @rayofhope 12:35 PM · May 28, 2018
Ahaha so it was That One?
tae @photaegraphy 12:39 PM · May 28, 2018
Yeeeeup. I swear I’m /this/ close to moving out
Jiminie @ddrevelation 12:40 PM · May 28, 2018
You can always borrow our couch until you find somewhere better!
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 12:53 PM · May 28, 2018
Hello? You are having a conversation in public?
tae @photaegraphy 12:55 PM · May 28, 2018
Did we ask you into this twitter thread? I don’t see your name anywhere?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 12:56 PM · May 28, 2018
I know what a subtweet is, thanks
Jiminie @ddrevelation 12:57 PM · May 28, 2018
HE HAS GROWN TOO POWERFUL RETREAT RETREAT
---
May 30, 2018
yoongi, 7:03 AM
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
yoongi, 7:07 AM
Whyyyyyyyyyyyy
yoongi, 7:10 AM
Whyyyy
eternal roommate, 7:12 AM
You could always change trains you know, get to the office a whole 15 minutes later
yoongi, 7:13 AM
But then I wouldn’t get to see him or get a second coffee or chat about the universe or do crosswords anymore
eternal roommate, 7:16 AM
You’d also stop texting me things like “whyyyy” at ass o’clock in the morning
yoongi, 7:18 AM
You put your phone on silent don’t pretend like I’m waking you up
eternal roommate, 7:19 AM
I didn’t used to need my phone on silent and yet here we are
---
jin @wwhandsom 6:28 AM · May 31, 2018
Caught a certain someone primping himself in front of the mirror this morning on his way out
jin @wwhandsom 6:28 AM · May 31, 2018
I asked if he had a date and he said no people don’t have dates this early don’t be silly
jin @wwhandsom 6:29 AM · May 31, 2018
And then he blushed
jungkook @kookimonster 6:30 AM · May 31, 2018
If you don’t get back in the game I swear I’m never letting you buy me breakfast ever again we are not losing again
jin @wwhandsom 6:30 AM · May 31, 2018
GOOD THAT WILL SAVE ME MONEY
jungkook @kookimonster 6:30 AM · May 31, 2018
WE’RE ALL DYING HURRY UP
myg @mmmaestro 6:41 AM · May 31, 2018
I can’t tell which of you is a worse influence on the other
myg @mmmaestro 6:42 AM · May 31, 2018
But Jungkook if you try and tell me you’re too tired for our lesson, or you ‘just forgot’ to practice, know that I have receipts, and will not be pleased
jungkook @kookimonster 6:44 AM · May 31, 2018
… shit
---
jin @wwhandsom 6:49 AM · May 31, 2018
I want it known far and wide that my roommate is a horrible person who has no consideration for a person’s video game experience
jin @wwhandsom 6:50 AM · May 31, 2018
We could have had a /winning record/ but noooo he went and scared someone into dropping mid-game
jin @wwhandsom 6:50 AM · May 31, 2018
Ahaha he was so flustered he forgot to take his coffee he's probably half dead somewhere at this point
myg @mmmaestro 7:31 AM · May 31, 2018
Blocked
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:53 AM · May 31, 2018
Some people have no right looking as put together as they do when I know for a fact they are actually half asleep. It’s frankly unfair
tae @photaegraphy 7:53 AM · May 31, 2018
Hey @ddrevelations do you see what I see?
Jiminie @ddrevelation 7:55 AM · May 31, 2018
I do Tae I do @rayofhope do you also see it?
Hobi @rayofhope 8:02 AM · May 31, 2018
I do yes I do
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:13 AM · May 31, 2018
Okay so this time you’re having the conversation on a thread I started /tagging me each time/
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:13 AM · May 31, 2018
Fine, fine, we’ll stop replying
Hobi @rayofhope 8:14 AM · May 31, 2018
(will we though?)
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:14 AM · May 31, 2018
(check some non-twitter apps on your phone)
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:15 AM · May 31, 2018
Applications for Best Friends position open yet again!
---
If Yoongi had even dared hoped that admitting to Seokjin that he maybe, potentially, had something of a small, microscopic really, crush on a not-exactly-a-stranger would cut back a bit on the teasing he would have been sorely disappointed. He had not hoped, and so felt little disappointment. He could now text Seokjin things like “whyyyyyy” when his feelings became so large and loud they threatened to spill out of his mouth in inappropriate situations, but it also meant he had to put up with things like Seokjin saying “Enjoy your date!” when he caught Yoongi checking his reflection in the hall mirror one morning before he left for the train.
It wasn't exactly expected, and Yoongi flinched so hard he knocked the stack of unopened junkmail off the table. He scooped up the spilled letters and after a few seconds to pull himself together turned to find Seokjin grinning at him over the back of the couch, laptop on the oversized lapdesk that let him game in the living room. Yoongi could see a game running on the screen, something involving shooting. He was willing to bet whoever Seokjin was playing with wouldn't be pleased by this interruption.
“People don’t have dates this early in the morning,” he said, sniffing as derisively as he could manage when still severely under caffeinated.
“Sure they don’t,” said Seokjin, uncowed, propping his chin on his hands. “That’s why you definitely don’t look like you’re going on one, wearing your date shirt and accessories. I didn’t know you even owned bracelets like that.”
Yoongi could feel the blush, originally a byproduct of being startled, transform into one of embarrassment as it spread out from his cheeks until he probably resembled a tomato. Alright, fine, so maybe he’d been taking a bit more care when choosing his clothing, but a guy could want to look nice, couldn’t he? And he might have picked out a couple bits of jewelry too, but he’d worn bracelets before in his life, it wasn’t anything especially special!
He took a second to thank any powers that were in the universe he hadn’t worked up the nerve to try Seokjin’s concealer, which he’d been eyeing in the bathroom. Seokjin would never have missed it, and would never have let him live it down.
“I’m going to work now,” he said with another sniff. “You have fun playing… Overwatch?”
“Yep!” said Seokjin happily, as Yoongi opened the door. “You have fun on your not-date. Stay safe! Use protection!”
Yoongi fled.
It wasn't until he was safely ensconced in his usual seat that Yoongi realized he'd left his coffee in the front hall. He groaned, letting his head tip back until it hit the window. It was going to be One Of Those Days, he could tell. He didn’t even start doing the crossword before Dimples showed up, opting instead to keep his eyes closed and think, very hard, about absolutely nothing and especially not not-dates.
“You’re looking extra tired today,” Dimples said as he sat down. Concern coloured his voice, and Yoongi noticed that his smile didn’t even reach his dimples, let alone his eyes. “Didn’t sleep well?”
“Forgot my first coffee in the front hall,” Yoongi admitted, accepting the coffee Dimples handed over with both hands. Dimples was still looking at him with that mildly concerned expression. Yoongi tried to sit up straighter, look like he felt less lackluster than he did. “Morning got a bit thrown off.”
The concern melted completely into a laugh. “Here I was thinking something serious had happened, and it turns out you just look very, very dead if you haven’t had your morning coffee.”
“Sounds about right,” Yoongi agreed, dredging up the energy for a half smile and scrubbing his hand across his face a few times. “This coffee has probably saved my entire workday. I, my coworkers, and especially my boss, thank you from the bottoms of our collective hearts.”
“Oh I’m sure you wouldn’t be that bad,” Dimples said, going a bit pink.
“Oh but I would,” Yoongi said, and he took his first long sip. It was the perfect temperature for drinking, hot enough to slide comfortably down his throat but not so hot the flavour was lost. There was no way any of the caffeine had worked its way into his system but he already felt more awake and sighed happily.
There was a noise beside him. Tired as he was he couldn’t find the words to describe it, and when he turned to look Dimples was staring down at the crossword, chewing on his lip.
“Hmm?”
“Indecent,” Dimples said, pointing. “57 across.”
“Mmm,” Yoongi said, passing over the pen. “Good one.”
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:08 AM · June 1, 2018
Gooooooooood morning everyone from the hottest, stinkiest, sweatiest train that you’ve ever been on
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · June 1, 2018
I think the air conditioner took one look at the number of people we were trying to fit in here and said ‘nah thanks we good’ and ditched
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:10 AM · June 1, 2018
Excuse any weird autocorrect I’m typing one handed because today? Today the first two trains never showed up
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:10 AM · June 1, 2018
(Preeeeetty sure they were stolen by aliens? Because like. What other excuse do you have for losing MASSIVE SEVERAL THOUSAND TONNE TRAINS)
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:19 AM · June 1, 2018
One handed tweeting: still hard but! I’m Making The Effort, and I want you to appreciate this, because today NG and OG are practically hugging each other and my heart can’t take it
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:21 AM · June 1, 2018
The train was so packed basically everyone is standing now, and there’s not enough poles and handles and things for everyone to reach so OG has his hand braced on the ceiling NG is borrowing OG’s shoulder?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:26 AM · June 1, 2018
Every time the train like sways or starts or stops OG wraps his arm around NG to make sure he doesn’t fall?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:29 AM · June 1, 2018
They’ve got their faces real close and are talking real quiet and they keep laughing and have literal stars in their eyes?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:35 AM · June 1, 2018
Find someone who looks at you the way they look at each other FOR REAL
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:36 AM · June 1, 2018
I… was that an actual bona fida hug? That I saw? RIP me, was nice knowing y’all, think I’m done?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:38 AM · June 1, 2018
Ahahaha train was so packed that NG almost couldn’t force his way off at the right stop and OG looked so fond?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:39 AM · June 1, 2018
Maybe I will write a book one day
---
When the scheduled time for two different trains came and went without any actual train appearing at the platform Yoongi texted his boss to let her know he’d be late and fought the urge to throw his phone at the speaker announcing that the next train would be arriving 'shortly'. Probably very late he amended in a follow up text, and this time he received an acknowledgement right away. With that off his mind, at least as much as it could be under the circumstances, he found he had nothing substantial enough to distract from the thought that he probably wouldn’t get to see Dimples this morning.
He’d finished his coffee and at least a quarter of the crossword by himself by the time the train slid into the station. It was already full enough he opted to stand rather than take one of the few seats that remained from someone who might need it more. By Dimples’ usual stop he was regretting the decision - there were enough people trying to squeeze their way in that having the seat, and the associated breathing room it afforded, would have been really, really nice.
It came as a surprise when, in the shifting press of bodies, he found himself bumping into Dimples.
“Wasn’t sure I’d see you this morning,” he said, trying not to smile too brightly.
“Oh?”
“Considering how late the train is. Thought you might have found alternate transportation.”
“Couldn’t have you going without your coffee,” Dimples grinned, handing it over. “It’s probably cold now, but hey, we’re basically in summer, and iced coffee is a thing isn’t it?”
The crowd shifted as more people tried to squeeze on board even as the conductor said in increasingly irate tones “There’s another train right behind us, a much emptier train, please stand clear of the doors, the doors are closing.” Yoongi found himself stranded in the middle of the aisle, unable to comfortably reach any of the handholds. He braced himself but still stumbled back as the train accelerated out of the station.
“Whoops,” said Dimples as he wrapped one of his arms around Yoongi’s shoulders to help hold him in place. He had the other braced against the ceiling. “Careful there. Want to borrow my shoulder?”
“If you don’t mind,” Yoongi said, squinting up at him. “Not all of us can have freakishly long limbs.”
“My freakishly long limbs do make it easier to not fall over in this one specific instance,” Dimples agreed. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t call them ‘freakish’ when you, too, will be benefiting from their services.” He was smiling as he said it though, so Yoongi was decently sure he hadn’t taken offense.
Crowds under the best of circumstances were less than pleasant to deal with. This was far from the best of circumstances, but Yoongi didn’t mind it as much as he might have. He could focus on Dimples instead, the definitely well muscled shoulder under his hand, the way Dimples’ arm kept coming up behind his shoulders as the train swayed and there was a chance he might stumble, the way they were occasionally knocked together.
It felt almost like they were dancing, made him feel a bit floaty and, to his mild horror, giggly. The only thing keeping the horror mild instead of growing to full-blown was the fact that Dimples seemed equally giddy. There wasn’t anything particularly funny about their conversation topics (starting with: whether or not Dimples was half-giant, moving smoothly to whether or not Yoongi was half-dwarf, leading to the obvious question of what would tactics look like in a giant-dwarf war for supremacy in commuter train aisles) and yet Yoongi found himself laughing often, which seemed to make Dimples laugh, which set him off again.
His stomach hurt from it by the time the conversation switched to strategies Yoongi could use to get off the train, crammed in as they were.
“You use your pointy elbows-”
“They aren’t that pointy!” Yoongi protested.
“-and jab everyone in the ribs, if you can reach that high, and I’ll push real hard, and we’ll pop you out.”
“This sounds unnecessarily violent.”
“It’s not my fault you get off the stop before a transfer station! If you got off a stop later you could just get off with everyone else, no violence necessary.”
“It’s not my fault the train was late, I’m not about to make myself later by purposefully missing my stop.”
Dimples considered the problem. Yoongi watched as his expression shifted very slightly from considering to mischievous. “What if I pick you up and toss you over their heads? You’re small enough, I could probably manage it.”
There was no way Dimples would be able to bend down enough to pick him up at all but Yoongi didn’t feel like bringing logic into the situation. “I’d probably botch the landing, in all honesty, unless we can get someone on the platform to catch me?”
They stared at each other, both trying to keep straight faces. Yoongi broke first, his laugh cut short as the train jerked it’s way to a sudden stop that had people on all sides crying out in surprise. Yoongi hardly noticed. Dimples’ arm had tightened around his shoulders again, stronger this time, essentially hugging him to keep him in place. All thoughts of getting off the train were neatly swallowed by the larger, encompassing through that the not-hug felt very, very nice, and that maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing if he rode one stop farther to avoid getting through the crowds.
Dimples didn't give him long to consider it, dropping his arm when the train stopped and saying, “C'mon then, put those pointy elbows to use and get out of here.”
Yoongi missed the warmth of the arm but did not let himself sway forward. He stuck out his tongue instead, scrunching up his face just in case he hadn't made his displeasure clear enough, and pointedly said, “Excuse me!” at the top of his voice. He squirmed out of the press of bodies without any elbowing, gave himself a mental pat on the back, tried to get his heart to calm down, and pulled out his phone.
---
June 1, 2018
yoongi, 7:39 AM
Fuck I think I might die?
jungkook, 7:39 AM
Same TBH
yoongi, 7:40 AM
Like. His arms. And chest. And just. GAH
jungkook, 7:40 AM
Exams are killer
yoongi, 7:40 AM
You’re not Seokjin
jungkook, 7:41 AM
I know that?
But anyways who are you talking about?
yoongi, 7:41 AM
No one
Go back to studying
jungkook, 7:42 AM
I can’t now I’m curious and I won’t be able to focus on anything
Who isssssss itttttttttttttt
Whoooooooooooooo issssssssssss itttttttttttt
You know I’m just going to keep texting you until you tell me
Come on come on come on
This is so much more fun than literally anything else I have going
I can keep this up forever
yoongi, 7:45 AM
When was the last time you got any sleep?
jungkook, 7:45 AM
Like… Tuesday?
yoongi, 7:46 AM
It’s Friday
jungkook, 7:47 AM
Your point?
????
jungkook, 7:50 AM
If you get any screenshots or anything from anyone just ignore them I promise you I have kept this in the Strictest Confidence
jungkook, 7:51 AM
The silence is terrifying
yoongi, 7:52 AM
You're lucky it isn't Thursday
---
June 1, 2018
eternal roommate, 7:46 AM
Yoongi what are you doing going and texting impressionable minds something like that?
yoongi, 7:46 AM
I don’t know what you’re talking about
eternal roommate, 7:47 AM
[Screenshot attached]
yoongi, 7:48 AM
……………. Can I plead the fifth?
eternal roommate, 7:49 AM
No?
yoongi, 7:50 AM
Ah. Well.
eternal roommate, 7:50 AM
You meant to text me about it anyways so spill
---
jungkook @kookimonster 7:53 AM · June 1, 2018
BRB gotta pack my bags dye my hair grow a beard get new teeth maybe new nose and flee the country
Jiminie @ddrevelation 7:54 AM · June 1, 2018
Nooo you can’t we have practice tonight!
jungkook @kookimonster 7:55 AM · June 1, 2018
The group survived without me before you can do it again
Jiminie @ddrevelation 7:55 AM · June 1, 2018
Not sure I can tho :(((
Hobi @rayofhope 7:59 AM · June 1, 2018
Show up to practice on time or your solo is cut from the showcase
jungkook @kookimonster 8:00 AM · June 1, 2018
SIR YES SIR
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:01 AM · June 1, 2018
What happened to catching more flies with honey than with vinegar :(((
---
jungkook @kookimonster 7:53 AM · June 1, 2018
BRB gotta pack my bags dye my hair grow a beard get new teeth maybe new nose and flee the country
jin @wwhandsom 7:55 AM · June 1, 2018
Oh don’t worry he’s a pushover he’ll get over it… eventually
myg @mmmaestro 7:57 AM · June 1, 2018
It was a BETRAYAL OF TRUST
jin @wwhandsom 7:58 AM · June 1, 2018
It was your own fault for not checking who you were texting!
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:10 AM · June 1, 2018
Okay, fine, alright, you win
tae @photaegraphy 8:20 AM · June 1, 2018
DOES THIS MEAN WHAT I THINK IT MEANS
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:29 AM · June 1, 2018
I THINK IT DOES
Hobi @rayofhope 8:30 AM · June 1, 2018
WHY ARE WE YELLING
tae @photaegraphy 8:31 AM · June 1, 2018
THAT THING WE SAID IN THE GROUP CHAT YESTERDAY
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:31 AM · June 1, 2018
You guys have a group chat I’m excluded from
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:32 AM · June 1, 2018
Of course we have a group chat? You were the one who told us to set it up
tae @photaegraphy 8:32 AM · June 1, 2018
Is this the part where we pat ourselves on the back?
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:33 AM · June 1, 2018
I think it is, as a matter of fact
Hobi @rayofhope 8:34 AM · June 1, 2018
Excellent! Let’s have that as our first order of business at class today then
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 8:40 AM · June 1, 2018
I hope you guys sprain your shoulders trying
Hobi @rayofhope 8:43 AM · June 1, 2018
See, the thing with being good at dancing, is we’re very flexible
Jiminie @ddrevelation 8:45 AM · June 1, 2018
Yep! No sprained shoulders here!
tae @photaegraphy 8:46 AM · June 1, 2018
Jimin showed me some stretches so I’m all good but thanks for worrying!
---
myg @mmmaestro 1:26 PM · June 14, 2018
Dreams coming true left right and centre holy shit holy shit holy shit
jungkook @kookimonster 1:30 PM · June 14, 2018
Can I please have some of that luck for my exam?
myg @mmmaestro 1:31 PM · June 14, 2018
You can have as much luck as you like <3!
jungkook @kookimonster 1:34 PM · June 14, 2018
… @wwhandom did your roommate get kidnapped or body-swapped or hacked or something?
jin @wwhandsom 1:48 PM · June 14, 2018
Nah, apparently it’s legit. Congratulate him then go kick b*tt on your exam
jungkook @kookimonster 1:49 PM · June 14, 2018
And then Overwatch?
jin @wwhandsom 1:50 PM · June 14, 2018
Finish your exam, then we’ll talk ;)
---
June 14, 2018
yoongi, 1:29 PM
Holy shit
Holy shit
Holy shit
They’re sending me to the classrooms
Starting monday
Suyoung’s pregnancy got complicated and so she’s supposed to go on bedrest and like, that sucks for her
I didn’t think this would happen until September at the EARLIEST
But
I’m going to get to /actually teach kids/
eternal roommate, 1:39 PM
I mean you already teach Jungkook on Thursdays
yoongi, 1:40 PM
I’m going to get to /teach actual kids/
eternal roommate, 1:41 PM
I see what you’re trying to do and I maintain that Jungkook still falls into the category of actually a kid
yoongi, 1:43 PM
Can you just be happy for me?
eternal roommate, 1:45 PM
Of course :)
I know you have to wake up early for work, so I’ll be kind and not take you out to celebrate until Friday night eh?
yoongi, 1:47 PM
We don’t have to celebrate it
eternal roommate, 1:48 PM
You texted me ‘holy shit’ three times. We’re celebrating :)
---
Thursday morning on the train things were normal. He and Dimples did their crossword, chatted about the weather, talked over any vacation plans (Dimples was taking two weeks off in July, Yoongi still felt bad about the weeks he’d missed earlier in the year so was holding off until October or November) and said goodbye.
Thursday evening on the train things were decidedly not normal and Yoongi thanked his lucky stars Jungkook had cancelled their lessons for the second time in three weeks. Jungkook would have made a horrible student, what with the prospect of imminent exams, and Yoongi would have made a worse teacher, distracted as he was. His smile felt wide enough it stuck out past his cheeks on either side of his face. Some of the people already sitting down seemed a bit startled by his expression but for once he didn't care. If he didn't smile the sheer joy inside him might shake him apart and he really, really wanted to stay alive for at least another week.
Dimples was there, to Yoongi’s surprise, sitting in his usual spot and staring intently down at his phone. Yoongi sat beside him, in his usual spot and, when Dimples didn’t look up, cleared his throat and said “So guess what.” Dimples jumped so hard he fumbled his phone and dropped it. “Oh, shit, sorry!” Yoongi bent over and grabbed it, quickly checking the screen for any cracks. He handed it back, saying “Sorry” again, not even trying to get his grin under control.
“I uh, just wasn’t expecting you,” Dimples said, eyeing him suspiciously. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you going the other way.”
“I don’t normally catch this train,” Yoongi said, still smiling.
“You seem… different,” Dimples said carefully. “Is this what you're always like in the evenings? I, uh, don't know if I've seen, you this…” He gave up on words and instead waved his hand in Yoongi’s direction.
“Oh!” Yoongi said. “Oh, no, I’m not normally like this, it’s just that something really great happened at work today. That’s what you were guessing before you dropped you phone. Do you still want to try?”
“A promotion?” Dimples tried, a soft answering smile spreading across his lips.
Yoongi made a face, which was harder than he expected, given he had to fit it around his grin. “Close enough! Someone has to take some leave, and I’m the one they want to cover for her!”
“And that’s… good?”
“Yes!” Yoongi didn’t care if it was childish to bounce in his seat. He couldn't help himself. “I’m going into the field! I’m going to put my degree to work!” Dimples was still smiling, but his expression was definitely getting more and more confused by the second. Yoongi marshaled his thoughts and tried again. “I’ve got a music education degree, see, and I work for this not-for profit that goes around to different schools, introduce kids to all kinds of instruments, sort of just enrich the music programs that are already in schools. Or, I mean, I say ‘we’, but really I’ve just been in the office answering phones and things, except starting Monday I’ll be out in the schools too!”
“Oooh,” said Dimples, expression shifting from confused to excited. “Oh that’s great!”
Yoongi smiled impossibly wider in response. He wondered if he should be concerned about straining any of the muscles needed for smiling and decided he didn’t care. “Yeah, yeah it is. And I mean, it’s technically a temporary thing for now, but we just got some more funding so if I do well I might even get to switch to it full time!”
The whole ride home it felt like their roles were reversed, Yoongi easily the higher energy of the two, Dimples more quiet although not exactly disengaged from the conversation. He even asked questions, about where the schools were, and how the program worked, and Yoongi answered happily, with entirely more detail than Dimples would want or need. He didn’t care. He was too excited.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” Dimples said at one point, and Yoongi realized they were pulling in to his station. The ride had flown by.
“Yes!” Yoongi agreed, and even his ‘yes’ came out embarrassingly enthusiastic. “See you tomorrow!”
Dimples laughed as he stood, swinging his bag onto his shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow!” Yoongi said again, as he watched Dimples and his bag disappear off the train. “Goodnight!”
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 5:25 PM · June 14, 2018
Hey so how do you ask out hot, funny, smart, kind, strangers who you’ve been doing crosswords with for the last couple months? Asking for a friend
Hobi @rayofhope 5:32 PM · June 14, 2018
Does your friend also bring this stranger coffee and accept baked goods?
Jiminie @ddrevelation 5:35 PM · June 14, 2018
Does the friend spend at least half an hour talking about this stranger’s hands when he’s drunk?
tae @photaegraphy 5:37 PM · June 14, 2018
Is the friend also named Namjoon?
Hobi @rayofhope 5:38 PM · June 14, 2018
Tae no that’s not how we do it that’s too obvious
Jiminie @ddrevelation 5:39 PM · June 14, 2018
Yeah you gotta say something like “does the friend also not understand twitter isn’t actually a search engine?”
tae @photaegraphy 5:40 PM · June 14, 2018
Oh sorry my bad is the friend also named Kim Namjoon?
Hobi @rayofhope 5:41 PM · June 14, 2018
Points for trying I guess!
---
June 14, 2018
namjoon, 5:42 PM
Listen can you just… not, for a bit?
My Hope, My Angel, 5:43 PM
Is this for your friend? ;)
namjoon, 5:44 PM
I’m being serious here. I really like the guy, it looks like I might never see him again, and I want the least creepy way to ask for his number
My Hope, My Angel, 5:45 PM
D: what happened?
namjoon, 5:45 PM
It's the seat theif, I ran into him on the way home today, and it sounds like he's got a new job?
And isn't going to be taking the trains in in the morning anymore?
Because he'll be going around all different places and stuff
And I'll miss him
My Hope, My Angel, 5:45 PM
And you want my help with that?
namjoon, 5:45 PM
No, I want you to not lead the 'let's all tease Namjoon about something he cares about' hour :/
My Hope, My Angel, 5:46 PM
Ah. Yeah. Sorry
My Hope, My Angel, 5:56 PM
I really am sorry about it
My Hope, My Angel, 6:00 PM
Joonie?
namjoon, 6:02 PM
Don’t worry about it. I’m just sadder than I thought I’d be.
My Hope, My Angel, 6:03 PM
:(
Well, if I think of anything that isn’t “Just use your words and ask” I’ll let you know, okay?
namjoon, 6:10: Thanks
---
Friday morning dawned bright and clear and Yoongi woke before his alarms he was so excited. He took extra time picking out what he was going to wear, styling his hair, and even looked at a bottle of scent before deciding he was better off leaving it alone.
Seokjin was already in the kitchen, the coffee brewing, when Yoongi got there.
“You’re up early,” he said, squinting suspiciously.
“Just excited,” said Yoongi as he got his lunch out of the fridge and shut it again with a bump of his hip. “Last day in the office, you know?”
“I do-” Seokjin started, but was interrupted by his phone buzzing. “Car’s here,” he said, glancing a the screen. “We still on for tonight?”
“As long as you’re buying!” Yoongi said happily.
“You in a good mood in the mornings is strange,” Seokjin commented as he slipped on his shoes. “Very strange. Stop it.”
Yoongi grinned defiantly and maintained eye contact. “Make me.”
Seokjin stooped as though to pick up his bag, picked up an extra shoe instead, and threw it at Yoongi's head.
Yoongi yelped and ducked, the shoe bouncing off the stove behind him and scattering magnets. “Hey!”
“Much better,” Seokjin said approvingly. “Now, don't forget to pick up the magnets before you leave. See you tonight!”
---
Yoongi’s good mood lasted until he got to the train station.
June 15, 2018
yoongi, 6:27 AM
Shit excitement gone
eternal roommate, 6:30 AM
Well that was fast
yoongi, 6:31 AM
I’m not going to go to the office any more
eternal roommate, 6:32 AM
You are supposed to be excited about that
yoongi, 6:32 AM
But it means I’m going to be taking a different train
eternal roommate, 6:33 AM
This is about crossword guy isn’t it
yoongi, 6:33 AM
Yeah
Is it weird to ask him for his number?
Or give him mine, at least?
And then he can decide if he wants to text me or not
Like I don’t see why he would, but just in case he misses me?
But really who would miss me
Maybe I won’t do it
It’s a stupid idea
Nevermind
eternal roommate, 6:36 AM
… Did you chug your coffee? I didn’t know your fingers could go this fast in the morning
yoongi, 6:36 AM
No
Maybe
You can’t prove anything
eternal roommate, 6:37 AM
Where’s the harm in trying?
yoongi, 6:37 AM
He might laugh at me in front of the whole train?
He might say no?
eternal roommate, 6:38 AM
And if he does you never have to see him again
Besides, I’m pretty sure I’ve been telling you to get his number for weeks
yoongi, 6:38 AM
Yeah well
eternal roommate, 6:39 AM
Got nothing eh?
yoongi, 6:39 AM
I hate you so much right now
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:06 AM · June 15, 2018
Trouble In Paradise? NG and OG are real off this morning folks, don't think they've managed even half their crossword
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:07 AM · June 15, 2018
And they've only managed half as many smiles too :(
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · June 15, 2018
No cute whispers, no giddiness, no nothing
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:18 AM · June 15, 2018
A VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE: we got close to the spot where NG normally gets off and he stole OG's phone and started doing things
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:19 AM · June 15, 2018
I am willing to bet literally all of my lunch money for the next year this was an Official Exchange of Numbers
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:19 AM · June 15, 2018
And then they got the absolutely BIGGEST smiles like I might have been blinded could defs have used sunglasses
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:20 AM · June 15, 2018
It is possible also that I got cavities from it ti was so sickeningly sweet how will I explain this to my dentist
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:20 AM · June 15, 2018
They'll probably need like root canals or something tho, I was sitting far away but they were like looking /directly at each other/
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:21 AM · June 15, 2018
And then OG nearly dropped his phone and NG nearly didn't make it off the train because he was too busy smiling
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:21 AM · June 15, 2018
And then! And then! NG turned back and waved at the train as we pulled out of the station
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:22 AM · June 15, 2018
And OG waved back, and pointed at his phone, in support of my 'exchange of numbers' theory
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:22 AM · June 15, 2018
What. A Time. To Be. Alive.
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:23 AM · June 15, 2018
How is a girl supposed to survive this???
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:23 AM · June 15, 2018
(spoiler she didn't I'm actually a ghost haunting her phone)
---
Things were off from the minute Dimples got on the train. He handed over the usual coffee, and Yoongi thought back to how many times he’d gotten his act together to bake something, or bring anything in exchange. It... it wasn't often. He wasn't proud.
“Morning.” Dimples sounded about as happy as Yoongi felt.
Yoongi found his throat didn’t seem to work, a lump stuck just below his adam's apple. He nodded a greeting instead, trying to smile around the nervous ball of words stuck behind his teeth. He tried taking a sip to see if that would help. It did not. The coffee felt slimy somehow, coating his teeth, churning together with the first coffee in his stomach unpleasantly.
The silence stretched until it grew uncomfortable in a way it hadn't been even at their earliest days of sitting together. Yoongi's brain felt blank and he stared grimly at the crossword as though there might be something to say in that jumble of letters. Dimples finally reached over, grabbed the pen from Yoongi’s hand, and filled in a ‘epoch’. Something unwound in Yoongi's chest, and the knot in his throat slipped lower down to let his voice escape. Instead of taking the pen back he said “Mutual.”
“What’s that?” Dimples asked, glancing over. Yoongi noticed he was chewing on the end of the pen again. Yoongi was going to miss telling him off for that starting Monday. He wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to do it now.
“Hey,” he said, mustering up some of his usual grouchy tone as he swatted at Dimples' hand. “What have I said about chewing my pens?”
“Right, sorry,” Dimples said, taking the pen out of his mouth. Yoongi could already see a fresh set of teeth marks on the cap.
“Mutual,” he said again, “Six down.”
“Got it.” Dimples filled the word in carefully. Yoongi let himself stare at his hands. He wouldn't have much chance after this and he wanted to remember the way they handled a pen. They really were nice hands.
Things went easier after that, a little. The conversation went in fits and starts, disjointed - a rush of words one minute followed by dead silence, before they would both speak at the same time, and then both say, “No, it’s okay, you-”. Yoongi couldn’t seem to get his knee to stop shaking. Dimples couldn’t seem to stop chewing the pen. They both shifted in their seats far more than usual. There were half as many smiles. Yoongi wasn’t sure he caught even a glimpse of a dimple.
At the half way mark of their ride Dimples turned to him, eyes serious, and asked, “Everything okay?” with such obvious concern that something in Yoongi's chest ached. He fought the urge to reach up and press on it firmly.
“Yeah,” Yoongi lied. “Just… just excited for Monday, I guess.”
The silence descended again, and this time it was heavy. The pink elephant in the train car expanded until it pressed up against Yoongi’s chest, making it hard to get air into his lungs. Dimples was quiet too, and for a full minute Yoongi feared he’d ruined everything, that they wouldn’t speak again until it was time for his stop, that he’d missed his chance, but then he figured out “Direct” and Dimples said “Good one,” and things got back to not-quite-normal. Yoongi wished he’d put a touch of liquid courage in his coffee even if it meant showing up to the office slightly tipsy. What little courage he'd managed to find over the course of their morning kept slipping through his fingers when he tried to gather it to do... to say... well, he wasn't quite sure what, but something, anything had to be better than this stilted silence.
It wasn't until the last, possible moment, with the conductor saying, "Now arriving at," that he threw caution to the wind.
“Pass me your phone,” he said. Well, demanded was probably closer in tone. He held out his hand but Dimples didn’t seem to know what was going on.
“What?”
“Phone,” Yoongi said, and then, when Dimples took too long, he reached over and grabbed Dimples’ phone for himself. He lucked out - Dimples had it unlocked already and was exactly the kind of organized person who would keep his contact organizer on the first page.
“Hey!” Dimples complained but he was too late. Yoongi already had the contacts open, entering in his name and phone number with frantic fingers as the train pulled into the station. There was no time to add a picture.
“Text me,” he said as firmly as he could, shoving the phone back at Dimples. He couldn’t quite keep his voice from shaking slightly.
“Yeah,” said Dimples, and he sounded a bit breathless, stunned, even. “Yeah, okay. I will. I’m Namjoon.”
“I’m Yoongi,” Yoongi said, stumbling a bit as he tried to stand up and gather his bags while the train lurched to a stop. “It’s been…”
“Yeah,” said Dimples, his slack-jawed expression sliding into a brilliant grin. “Yeah it has. I’ll text you.”
Yoongi considerd, very briefly, saying “You said that already,” but he felt too happy, too bubbly, even to tease. “Good,”he said instead. “Excellent. I look forward to it.”
“Doors are closing,” chimed the voice.
“I’ll talk to you later,” Yoongi finished, then ducked outside. He took three steps on the platform then paused, and turned back to the train. He met Namjoon’s eyes through the window. He waved.
Namjoon waved back. Yoongi’s heart ached again, but different, this time.
He didn't skip to the office but it was a near thing. He left his phone in his pocket the entire way, determined to reward his bravery on the train by ensuring that by the time he checked it there would be a text. Namjoon had said he'd text, after all. There was no reason he wouldn't.
---
June 15, 2018
eternal roommate, 10:28 AM
Whose idea was it to have photoshoots outside in full sun in the summer in giant coats
eternal roommate, 10:34 AM
It's so hot I think I might be melting?
eternal roommate, 11:02 AM
Can you sweat so much you just become a mummy while you're still alive?
eternal roommate, 11:15 AM
If I die before drinks tonight get some top shelf stuff in my honour
eternal roommate, 11:23 AM
And be kind to my ghost, I'm sure it will haunt you for a bit
yoongi, 11:30 AM
Can you just like… not text for a bit?
eternal roommate, 11:43 AM
???
yoongi, 11:45 AM
It’s really bad for my nerves
eternal roommate, 11:45 AM
??!!??!!?!?!?!
yoongi, 11:51 AM
I’m waiting for someone to text and you keep freaking me out
eternal roommate, 11:52 AM
Is it crosswordboy???
yoongi, 11:55 AM
If by crosswordboy you mean Namjoon, then yes
eternal roommate, 11:56 AM
Phone numbers and a name??? My little Yoongi, all grown up ;_;
yoongi, 11:57 AM
Go away
eternal roommate, 11:58 AM
See you at five!
---
eternal roommate, 4:28 PM
Still nothing?
yoongi, 4:30 PM
Still nothing :(
eternal roommate, 4:35 PM
I'm sorry :(
yoongi, 4:40 PM
It's okay. It's not the end of the world. I'll survive.
Usual place right?
eternal roommate, 4:42 PM
Yeah, usual place. I'm there in five minutes, I'll get the booth
yoongi, 4:42 PM
Thanks. See you soon.
---
June 15, 2018
namjoon, 7:18 AM
Hey! It’s Namjoon! Now you have my number too :)
namjoon, 5:14 PM
Hope your last day in the office went okay, and that you have a good weekend!
---
June 18, 2018
namjoon, 6:54 AM
Good luck today, I know you’ll do great!
Chapter Text
jin @wwhandsom 6:13 AM · June 18, 2018
My roommate got a promotion(?) that means he doesn’t need to get to work as early! So he decides to set fourteen (14) alarms! This makes sense and logic, right?
myg @mmmaestro 6:17 AM · June 18, 2019
I said I was sorry
jin @wwhandsom 7:30 AM · June 18, 2020
You didn’t need fourteen (14!) alarms Yoongi
myg @mmmaestro 7:31 AM · June 18, 2021
I didn’t want to be late
jungkook @kookimonster 8:59 AM · June 18, 2022
How early were you?
jin @wwhandsom 9:00 AM · June 18, 2023
^^^
jungkook @kookimonster 9:14 AM · June 18, 2024
Notice the lack of answering
jin @wwhandsom 9:15 AM · June 18, 2025
I did notice, yes, I did
---
June 18, 2018
namjoon, 6:57 AM
I just don’t understand
Why would he give me his number, and his name, and just… not reply?
I know, I know “we’ve been hearing about this all weekend”
But I’m just on the train so it’s sort of all more Here, you know?
namjoon, 7:05 AM
At least I remembered not to bring his coffee today
The barista looked at me funny when I said just one
namjoon, 7:10 AM
Anyways
Sorry if I woke you up
My Hope, My Angel, 8:02 AM
You didn’t, but even if you had I wouldn’t be mad
It would be like trying to be mad at a kitten who just got in out of the rain or something
namjoon, 8:12 AM
… I’m not sure if I should be saying thank you or not
My Hope, My Angel, 8:15 AM
Go for the safe bet and say thanks
namjoon, 8:16 AM
Thanks :)
My Hope, My Angel, 8:20 AM
You want to come out tonight?
namjoon, 8:29 AM
It’s monday?
My Hope, My Angel, 8:30 AM
And? People can go out for a drink or two after work without it getting too messy
namjoon, 8:34 AM
‘People’ maybe but you not so much
My Hope, My Angel, 8:35 AM
I feel so loved
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:53 AM · June 18, 2018
NG’s not here this morning and OG took NG’s spot? What’s happening?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:59 AM · June 18, 2018
Since some of you asked, no, NG did not look like he had an “if you know what I mean” kind of weekend
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:03 AM · June 18, 2018
I mean he does look like he didn’t get a lot of sleep, but the lack of sleep almost definitely wasn’t for fun reasons
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:04 AM · June 18, 2018
Oh! He only had one coffee with him! So I guess he knew NG wasn’t going to be here today?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:14 AM · June 18, 2018
What so I notice things like “he’s only got one coffee in his hand” that’s not creepy that’s using my eyes don’t @ me
---
June 18, 2018
jungkook, 9:17 AM
A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME YOU GAVE SOMEONE YOUR NUMBER?????
… uh, a little bird also said that I maybe shouldn’t say anything
Sooooo let’s just ignore this :)
How was your weekend?
Shit that was probably also a bad question to ask you
yoongi, 12:00 PM
I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at other people, but I’m not going to text you for a bit
jungkook, 12:01 PM
That’s completely fair!
I’m going to go flush my phone down the toilet
yoongi, 12:05 PM
That seems a touch extreme
jungkook, 12:06 PM
Naaaah seems like it’s a proportional response to me?
yoongi, 12:09 PM
“Proportional response”? Really?
jungkook, 12:10 PM
I know I can’t believe it either. Let’s blame it on all the studying?
yoongi, 12:11 PM
Whatever helps you sleep at night
---
yoongi, 12:03 PM
I get the two of your are close but did you stop to consider that maybe I didn’t want to spread this everywhere?
And that if I had maybe I would have announced it to twitter?
eternal roommate, 12:45 PM
It just sort of slipped out?
yoongi, 12:49 PM
I can see that :/
eternal roommate, 1:03 PM
Sorry
eternal roommate, 1:18 PM
I really am sorry
eternal roommate, 1:45 PM
??? are you there?
eternal roommate, 2:00 PM
Shit, can we talk about it when you get home?
yoongi, 3:45 PM
I have classes to teach now, you can’t expect me to reply right away
3:46: I appreciate that you are sorry
3:47: I’d also appreciate it if my not-love-life didn’t get talked about outside our apartment
eternal roommate, 4:12 PM
Got it. Noodles for supper?
yoongi, 4:13 PM
If you’re cooking
----
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:50 AM · June 22, 2018
Oh no guys oh no so OG is looking super tired again and is holding two coffees and looks like he’s about to cry
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:52 AM · June 22, 2018
Guys this is the saddest thing?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:53 AM · June 22, 2018
After the joy of probably-exchanged numbers last week I was fully expecting some early-morning smooching but it definitely did not happen
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:55 AM · June 22, 2018
NG hasn’t shown up all week, and OG is just… like before NG even he’d you know, read, or write, or do… anything really
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:56 AM · June 22, 2018
And all week he’s just been sitting
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:59 AM · June 22, 2018
My heart hurts :(
---
While technically he didn’t need to wake up quite so early in the morning to get to his teaching position Yoongi set his alarms anyways. He hadn't been late for his first day at the company and he certainly wasn't going to ruin that by being be late for the first day in his new role. Unfortunately in his determination to not be late he forgot there was such a thing as being too early. He spent most of the extra hour and a half he found on his hands obsessively setting up recorders and glockenspiels and xylophones, making sure he had all the worksheets he needed for the different grades, checking that the projector would work with his laptop. It helped keep his mind off a pair of kind brown eyes, and large warm hands, and coffee with one cream and one sugar. To his annoyance it could not keep him from noticing the way his heart turned over every time his phone buzzed. He tried setting his phone to silent, just in case that would help, but instead he found himself wanting to check it every five minutes. He had to turn it off, then put it in his bag, and put his bag in one of the cupboards.
The classes were probably the best distraction he could have devised. The kids were, for the most part, eager and well behaved, excited to see new instruments they could attempt to make music with. Some just wanted to make as much noise as possible but almost half could be counted on to listen attentively, to try and complete their worksheets, to learn.
The permanent, full-time teachers were friendly, glad of the break in their day, and invited him to eat lunch with them in the staff room. They talked about nothing of consequence, and Yoongi felt himself on firm enough ground that he fished out his phone and turned it on.
The afternoon flew by and before he knew it he was home, grading worksheets, making lunch, tweaking his lesson plan for the next day. Seokjin arrived a few hours later. They turned on their TV but didn’t actually watch it. Yoongi turned off half his alarms.
By Friday he was resigned to the fact that his sleep patterns had been altered during the previous six months. Even when he set his alarms for late he woke early, with more than enough time to make and drink his coffee leisurely before leaving.
“I thought you liked two milk, two sugar,” Seokjin yawned as he stumbled to the fridge.
Yoongi hated how easily he blushed, although possibly not as much as he hated the fact that Seokjin was familiar enough with his usual coffee drinking to know when he’d changed it up. “The store messed up my order one day,” Yoongi lied, cradling his mug protectively. “And it didn’t taste that bad.”
“What, so instead of correcting them you adjusted your tastes? Doesn’t seem like you.”
“How can you even tell from this?” Yoongi asked, peering at the milky coffee in his cup, hoping desperately to get away from the ‘whys’ of his change before he superheated. “It’s not like we use sugar packets or anything.”
“No, but you use a spoon,” Seokjin explained patiently, as though talking to one of Yoongi’s students. “And you only put in one spoonful, not two. Plus the colour is all wrong.” He tapped the side of the mug for emphasis.
“The colour… why do you know what colour my coffee should be?”
“How long have we been roommates?” Seokjin asked in his ‘this is a rhetorical question’ voice. Yoongi opened his mouth to answer anyways but found Seokjin’s hand already covering it. “Rhetorical-” Yoongi licked a long wet stripe on his palm and regretted it almost immediately.
Seokjin jumped back, glaring. “Did you… did you just…”
“You were trying to silence me,” Yoongi huffed, crossing his arms in annoyance. “And all I was going to do was call you ‘creep’.”
Seokjin gave him a long look. Yoongi took a long sip of coffee, hoping the mug would hide any of the smile he was trying to suppress that might have fought its way to his face.
“I know what your coffee order looks like, and I can tell you’re smiling.” Seokjin gave a superior sniff. “You are fond of me, don’t try and deny it.”
Yoongi didn’t.
---
myg @mmmaestro 7:15 AM · June 26, 2018
I miss my second coffee in the morning :(
jungkook @kookimonster 8:27 AM · June 26, 2018
You know they have stores that make those, right?
jin @wwhandsom 8:45 AM · June 26, 2018
He’s not talking about the coffee
jungkook @kookimonster 8:46 AM · June 26, 2018
Oh…
jungkook @kookimonster 8:46 AM · June 26, 2018
OH…
jungkook @kookimonster 8:47 AM · June 26, 2018
Oh :(
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:52 AM · June 27, 2018
OG had to touch one of those free papers ‘cause someone left it on his chair and he held it with just the very tips of his fingers, like it was liable to explode
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:54 AM · June 27, 2018
And the Look he gave it, honestly, you’d think it had kicked a puppy or possibly stolen candy from infants
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:01 AM · June 27, 2018
He can’t take his eyes off it guys this is possibly sadder than the first time NG went missing
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:04 AM · June 27, 2018
He’s just staring at the crossword
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:09 AM · June 27, 2018
NG if you and your hands are out there please come back? He misses you :(
---
June 27, 2018
roomie<3, 4:45 PM
Come help me take pictures tonight
We’re doing some behind-the-scenes stuff for the dance thing, at the rehearsal hall
namjoon, 6:38 PM
i don’t want to
roomie<3, 6:45 PM
I don’t care. If you aren’t by the front door in fifteen minutes Jimin and I are going to break down your door and get you
---
minimin, 6:45 PM
we really will break down your door
namjoon, 6:46 PM
what is he keeping you updated with our texts now?
minimin, 6:48 PM
so what if he is?
we would find out when he showed up without you anyways, and we’re tired of you moping
namjoon, 6:50 PM
i’m not moping
minimin, 6:51 PM
you’re totally moping. now hurry up and get dressed in something that isn’t pyjamas
Unless you want the troupe to see your pyjamas
In which case keep wearing them :)
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 11:23 PM · June 27, 2018
Sometimes all you need for a good night out is some friends and a camera or four
Hobi @rayofhope 11:24 PM · June 27, 2018
You’re just lucky you didn’t break any lenses
tae @photaegraphy 11:25 PM · June 27, 2018
Is this where I get to say I told you it would be fun?
jungkook @kookimonster 11:26 PM · June 27, 2018
It was nice to meet you!
---
June 28, 2018
seagull, 8:30 PM
So he’s pretty bad eh?
seokjin, 8:32 PM
Oh hello Jungkook, how nice to hear from you today, this is unexpected?
Have you been having a good summer?
seagull, 8:35 PM
So okay here’s the thing, we definitely talked this morning already, and this afternoon, and also in like an hour we’re going to be talking again while we shoot things with a variety of weapons
seokjin, 8:36 PM
And you’re using that as an excuse to forget your manners?
‘Niceties’ are called ‘niceties’ for a reason, you know
seagull, 8:38 PM
Yeh okie sure they are but! More important! I messed up my scales three times in a row on purpose and I didn’t even get glared at
seokjin, 8:39 PM
Damn
seagull, 8:39 PM
I know
It’s real unnerving
seokjin, 8:40 PM
This is worse than I thought
seagull, 8:40 PM
Maybe you should get him out of the house?
seokjin, 8:41 PM
What did you have in mind?
seagull, 8:42 PM
There's a thing the bar on campus is hosting, with some mingling after
seokjin, 8:43 PM
We’re neither of us university students
seagull, 8:44 PM
Never said you were, gramps!
---
Hobi @rayofhope 10:00 AM · June 29, 2018
Don’t forget, we have a showcase next week! We’ve got three new full group ensemble numbers and more unit acts then you could shake a stick at
jungkook @kookimonster 10:03 AM · June 29, 2018
@wwhandom this, this is what I was talking about
Hobi @rayofhope 10:05 AM · June 29, 2018
You in charge of our promotions now? ;)
---
tae @photaegraphy 9:58 AM · July 3, 2018
Alright this is a PUBLIC CALLOUT I need y’all to go shower user @namjeditor with some love. He’s especially fond of:
- Puppies
- Crabs (crustacean, not sti)
- Nature
- Music
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 11:20 AM · July 3, 2018
So this is why my phone keeps buzzing? My coworkers kept asking me what was going on
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 11:21 AM · July 3, 2018
(thanks <3)
Jiminie @ddrevelation 11:38 AM · July 3, 2018
Is that… did he leave a heart?
tae @photaegraphy 11:39 AM · July 3, 2018
I can’t be sure I think I might have gone blind
---
It was easier the second week. Having successfully survived the first Yoongi no longer felt like his world was going to end with every little mistake he made. He got used to drinking both of his morning coffees before he left his apartment. It still felt strange to take the wrong train (a different train, he corrected himself), felt strange that he wasn’t starting his day with a half hour of verbal sparring with Namjoon, but it was manageable.
He still got a shock of hope every time he saw someone with the right height, the right lanky build, heard the right laugh, but that was silly. The city was big. The city had a lot of people in it. Of course it made sense that there existed more than one tall, lanky man with a warm laugh who rode public transit. It didn’t stop the sharp quick pang of disappointment every time it wasn’t Namjoon.
With a concerted effort he did not let himself obsess over the reason, or the many reasons, why Namjoon might not have texted him. It didn’t matter what the reason was - it mattered only that it hadn’t happened, and there was nothing he could do about it by worrying. After careful consideration he came to the conclusion that he didn’t even regret having waited until the last possible second to give Namjoon his number. The rejection would have stung that much more keenly if he’d had to sit in it while he waited for the doors to open.
Thursday was the only day he slipped up. Jungkook’s lessons hadn’t moved even if Yoongi’s job had, so after teaching actual children all day he hopped on a bus to take him over to Jungkook’s. He didn’t even consider that heading home he’d be taking his ‘usual’ train until he found himself sitting in his ‘usual’ spot.
The ache in his chest surprised him. He knew that the physical trains didn't always run on the same schedule, and there had been a lot of mornings where he and Namjoon sat side by side. They might have done a crossword together in this very train car. The ache moved from his chest to the back of his throat. He opened his phone and clicked through twitter, then the news sites, then twitter, then the news sites again. He tried very hard not to think until he got home.
“It’s probably not a good idea to try and take the train before class tomorrow, just to see if he’s okay?” he asked as he chopped green onion. He hadn't known he was going to ask until the words were already out of his mouth. He froze, knife poised to make another slice and looked wide-eyed at Seokjin. Seokjin’s eyes were round as the mushroom caps he was stuffing. Yoongi couldn’t really blame him - he’d been studiously avoiding any mention of the Namjoon Situation after the Jungkook Incident. He could hardly believe he’d said anything.
Seokjin recovered first. He turned back to his mushrooms as though this were a perfectly normal conversation to be having stone cold sober while they cooked dinner. “Definitely don’t do that,” was Seokjin’s advice. “Definitely not. Jungkook said-”
“Are the two of you talking about me behind my back again?” Yoongi demanded, rounding on Seokjin with his knife brandished.
“Do you think,” Seokjin said, voice strained, “That possibly, maybe, waving a knife at me is an overreaction.”
“I do not,” grumbled Yoongi as he set it down. “But I would really appreciate it if you-”
“Didn’t talk about you in any context,” Seokjin finished with a sigh. “Yes, yes, so you’ve said.”
“And you keep ignoring me.”
“You just seem… down.” There was something careful in his tone, like he thought Yoongi was fragile, easy to crack. Yoongi got angrier, and not because Seokjin was wrong. He was down. He’d been trying really, really hard to hide the fact. Apparently it hadn’t been working as well as he thought it had. “Jungkook noticed it too.”
“Nothing to notice,” Yoongi grumbled, redirecting his anger to a very aggressive round of slicing green onion. He could feel Seokjin’s eyes on the back of his neck. He refused to turn around again.
Seokjin sighed, and Yoongi could hear him go back to his own work as he said, “I know it says ‘finely chopped’ on the recipe, but maybe don’t chop them so fine they become a paste?”
---
July 6, 2018
yoongi, 5:31 PM
But I said no?
eternal roommate, 5:32 PM
Well it sucks to be you then, doesn’t it. You’re coming to support your student in his extracurricular endeavors
yoongi, 5:33 PM
Wooooow, who died and made you the king of my schedule
eternal roommate, 5:34 PM
Your sense of fun, and me
yoongi, 5:34 PM
Excuse u? My sense of fun? It’s alive and well, thx :/
eternal roommate, 5:36 PM
“Alive and well” sorry brb gotta bust a gut laughing
You’ve been moping for /three weeks/ now
yoongi, 5:41: I have not!
eternal roommate, 5:42 PM
Oh yeah?
When was the last time you did something in the evening that wasn’t teaching the brat?
And know that I’ve been home pretty much every evening this week
So I’ll know if you’re lying
yoongi, 5:50 PM
… I did laundry?
eternal roommate, 5:51 PM
Exactly. So you’re coming.
yoongi, 5:59 PM
Did you really have to drag him into this?
eternal roommate, 6:00 PM
It worked, didn’t it?
yoongi, 6:03 PM
I hate you both
---
jungkook, 5:51 PM
C’moooooooon it’ll be fun!
You’ll get to watch a bunch of people dance around
You can critique everyone’s choice of song
yoongi, 5:55 PM
I don’t want to
jungkook, 5:57 PM
Sorry the message you were trying to send was not received
yoongi, 5:58 PM
That sounds fake but okay
jungkook, 5:58 PM
Please?
I’ve got a solo
And I’m worried no one will cheer
yoongi, 6:00 PM
You fight dirty
jungkook, 6:01 PM
So you’re in?
yoongi, 6:03 PM
I hate you both
---
jin @wwhandsom 6:03 PM · July 6, 2018
Dream team mission accomplished
jungkook @kookimonster 6:05 PM · July 6, 2018
[high five]
jin @wwhandsom 6:07 PM · July 6, 2018
You too lazy to find a gif? I'm disappointed :/
---
Hobi @rayofhope 5:00 PM · July 6, 2018
Tonight’s the night! See you all at seven!
---
July 6, 2018
minimin, 4:43 PM
Come let us in
namjoon, 4:44 PM
What?
minimin, 4:45 PM
Come
Let
Us
In
namjoon, 4:47 PM
I don’t understand?
minimin, 4:47 PM
We’re at your apartment
namjoon, 4:48 PM
I’m at work?
minimin, 4:48 PM
You definitely aren’t at work we called them
namjoon, 4:49 PM
What the hell
minimin, 4:50 PM
We knew you’d try and ditch if we gave you too much warning
namjoon, 4:51 PM
Who says I would try and ditch
minimin, 4:51 PM
Literally all of us now let us in
namjoon, 4:51 PM
Have Tae do it
minimin, 4:52 PM
His shoot ran late so he said to come over and start getting you dressed
So are you coming to get us or do I have to scale the side of your building
I'll do it you know
namjoon, 4:54 PM
Yeah, I know
You're really annoying you know that?
minimin, 4:54 PM
Yeah, I know
Now, are you coming to let us in?
namjoon, 4:55 PM
Under protest
minimin, 4:55 PM
Duly noted :)
---
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 5:12 PM · July 6, 2018
Sometimes ‘friends’ can be so pushy :/
Jiminie @ddrevelation 5:14 PM · July 6, 2018
Oh shut up and put your pants on
tae @photaegraphy 5:15 PM · July 6, 2018
Tell Jimin he’s wrong about the shirt choice
Jiminie @ddrevelation 5:17 PM · July 6, 2018
The purple is the way to go! I am not wrong!
Jiminie @ddrevelation 5:18 PM · July 6, 2018
No I don’t care that we’re sitting beside each other it’s more fun to tweet :3
Jiminie @ddrevelation 5:18 PM · July 6, 2018
Lolol no
Jiminie @ddrevelation 5:19 PM · July 6, 2018
Because it’s funny to watch you get more and more annoyed
tae @photaegraphy 5:21 PM · July 6, 2018
So… since my phone wasn’t confiscated… does that mean I win?
---
With his first placement under his belt Yoongi felt a lot more confident walking in to the new school. He still had some of the first day jitters but they weren’t as bad. The coffee in the staff room was better, although it disappeared more quickly. The staff were friendly, the students were well behaved, and he realized on Monday evening that he’d taken two trains without looking for Namjoon. The pressure on his lungs eased up, and he was tentatively hopeful that things were looking up until Seokjin decided he was going to attend Jungkook’s dance showcase.
He fought it the whole week, but with the combined powers of roommate manipulation and Jungkook’s incredibly effective doe eyes he found himself sitting in a dark room, hunched over a small circular table, drink bracketed between his hands.
“When is this going to start?” he complained, raising his voice so he could be heard above the background chatter of students well on their way to getting tipsy and the tinny, loud music. The whole event was definitely geared toward students.
“Didn’t I tell you we could have got here later?” Seokjin asked, licking the sauce from his chicken wings off his fingers. “But nooo, you were all ‘if we don’t get there early enough we won’t get a table-’”
“We wouldn’t have,” Yoongi pointed out, gesturing at the crowd. He was possibly pushing his luck with that claim. There were very few people standing.
“‘And I’m not standing for the whole thing,’” Seokjin continued in his ‘imitating Yoongi’ voice.
“Oh I don’t sound like that,” Yoongi muttered. Their server appeared a few feet away, looking hopefully at their nearly empty beer glasses. Yoongi didn’t like paying bar prices for alcohol that he could get just as easily and even more cheaply back in his apartment. He waved her off, and her pasted on smile turned into a far more genuine grimace.
“We could have got here later, is all I’m saying,” Seokjin said as he waved the server back with a winning smile. The subtext of I told you so was loud enough it was nearly textual. “Another round, please, on him, yes, you, yes, on him, thank you.”
A group of probably freshmen wandered past, yelling happily to each other but only managing to contribute to the din instead of be heard over it. Yoongi looked at the meagre amount of cash in his wallet and decided that, on the whole, he wouldn’t mind paying for a bit more alcohol if it would help him deal with the crowd that promised to show up.
Show up they did, filling every seat at the tables and crushing up against the walls before trickling, one or two at a time, onto the dance floor in front of the stage to twirl and hop and grind until the main event got started. At a certain point, although he couldn’t say for sure what exactly that point was, the noise level seemed to plateau and, fresh drink in hand, Yoongi found himself almost enjoying crowd watching. He enjoyed it even more once it became apparent that Seokjin planned on critiquing everyone’s fashion choices.
It felt like days later when the lights finally dimmed (or, well, dimmed further. They were already pretty dim to begin with) and the dancers took the stage. Yoongi caught himself smiling as the first low bass notes rang through the obviously excited crowd, and then caught Seokjin catching him smiling. He tried to school his face into something impassive, something that would prove he had not been moping, he had not needed cheering up, but by the time Jungkook took the stage he gave it up as a lost cause.
Seokjin looked impossibly smug. “If you say any combination of the words “told”, “I”, “so” or “you” you’re sleeping on the couch tonight,” Yoongi warned, tipping his half-empty beer glass in Seokjin’s direction.
“That makes no sense,” Seokjin snorted, tipping Yoongi’s glass back toward him with a delicate finger. “I have my own bed, you know. In my own room.”
“Couch,” repeated Yoongi, clapping enthusiastically as Jungkook, flushed with exertion and excitement, took his bow. “For serious.”
He lost track of the dances after that, the songs and choreography bleeding into each other in a frenzy of light, sound, and very athletic people doing any number of wonderful and downright astonishing things with their body. Yoongi would never have suspected Jungkook, awkward university student, to have quite that level of muscle control, but then he would never have suspected he’d end up where he was, so that wasn’t saying much.
---
July 6, 2018
yoongi, 9:37 PM
You did great :)
jungkook, 9:38 PM
Thanks!
Where are you? We just got out, I can come find you?
yoongi, 9:39 PM
Sort of half way back, wall across from the bar
Oh, hold on, I’ve been told we’re finding you
Stay put and don’t go anywhere
Roger!
jungkook, 9:45 PM
Oh… sorry…
But in my defense you never told me his name!
---
When the stage had cleared for the last time and the lights changed from stage to dance-floor configuration Yoongi stood, stretched, and started to look for a way to make a graceful exit. Their server had already settled up with them and told them any further drink orders should be done at the bar. The dancing had been fun to watch but there were so many people, there were people everywhere, and he was looking forward to getting home, and his bed, and sleep.
“Ah ah ah,” Seokjin said, grabbing his arm. “You aren’t leaving just yet. You haven’t even said congratulations to Jungkook!”
“Sure I have,” Yoongi said, waving his phone at Seokjin. It’s open to their conversation.
“In person or nothing,” Seokjin said firmly. Yoongi fought not to roll his eyes. He knew that tone. That tone said that in the grand scheme of things it would cost him less energy to go along with things than to fight it. He’d probably get home quicker too.
Yoongi glanced at his phone and tried a different tact. “Well, he’s trying to find us, so we could just sit down and-”
Seokjin scoffed. “And me have to sit here listen to you complaining while he tries to fight his way through the crowd? I don’t think so. Come on, we’ll find him.”
Yoongi let himself be dragged across the floor with token protests, one hand wrapped in the fabric of Seokjin’s shirt to make sure he didn’t lose him in the press of people. He wasn’t short compared to normal people, but trailing behind Seokjin, with his height, and his broad shoulders, Yoongi couldn’t see where they were going. It came as a surprise when Seokjin stopped, saying “Jungkook!” and waving frantically.
Yoongi peered around Seokjin’s shoulder and saw Jungkook, standing with someone he didn’t recognize. “Ah, there you are!” Jungkook yelled, bounding over delightedly. “Guys, this is Hoseok, he’s the one who choreographed basically everything! Hoseok, this is Seokjin and Yoongi, Yoongi teaches me piano and Seokjin teaches me how to shoot people.”
“In video games!” Seokjin squawked, half the volume due to his indignation and the other half to be heard over the music. Yoongi’s throat already hurt thinking about the amount of effort it was going to put into just being heard. “In video games, honestly, you make it sound like I’m some sort of serial killer if you phrase it like that!”
Jungkook laughed delightedly. “That’s the whole reason to phrase it that way!”
“Brat!” Seokjin grumbled, draping his arm around Jungkook’s shoulder to pull him in close and ruffle his hair.
“I’m glad to see it’s not just me he does that to,” Hoseok said, also pitching his voice to be heard above the music. “Glad to meet you!”
“You too,” Seokjin and Yoongi yelled back in unison, and then in less unison variations on the theme of “Congratulations, it was really good.”
Hoseok didn’t get the chance to graciously accept their compliments however, as a fifth person joined the, coming up behind Hoseok. Jungkook’s smile got impossibly bigger at the latest arrival, and he scream/said “Oh! Namjoon! Come and meet-”
The rest of his words were lost to Yoongi. Still half blocked by Seokjin’s thankfully broad shoulders Yoongi had a full three seconds to watch Namjoon’s face, smiling and happy, before he caught sight of Yoongi. It was almost like watching the last six months compressed into two seconds and reversed - Namjoon’s open, happy expression shifted to the glare Yoongi had seen that very first day. It wasn’t what Yoongi was expecting, if he was being honest. He’d been expecting Namjoon to look uncomfortable, not annoyed or angry. He was the one who got to be annoyed and angry! He was the one who had been unceremoniously dropped!
He narrowed his eyes and nodded once, saying “Namjoon,” as politely as he could when yelling to be heard because he was an adult with a full time job and not a petty child. Namjoon continued to glare.
“You know each other?” Jungkook asked into the ensuing pause in the conversation.
---
July 6, 2018
hoseok, 9:43 PM
Tae get Jimin get over here right now
We’ve found Yoongi
If you miss this because you are making out in the bathroom don't come crying to me about it
taetae, 9:45 PM
We aren't! The director came over to schmooze with Jimin and he won't let me abandon him to it I need details
d e t a i l s, I can see you guys are saying things but I’m not close enough!
---
tae @photaegraphy 9:45 PM · July 6, 2018
tfw you want to eavesdrop on a conversation but it is literally across a crowded room. why does real life not come with subtitles. why can’t i lip read. what did i do to deserve this
---
July 6, 2018
taetae, 9:45 PM
Details I’m going to need further elaboration on:
Is yoongi that very attractive man
Why does he have his arm draped around jungkook I thought he was gone on namjoon
Who is the very attractive man’s friend
… okay so based on the way Namjoon is glaring at him I’m going to make some educated guesses re: identities of Attractive Man’s Friend and say /that/ one is Yoongi
Is it as entertaining to be in that discussion as it looks?
What did Yoongi say to make Namjoon cross his arms
What did namjoon say to make Yoongi take an actual step back
How are you surviving being that close to that much unresolved sexual tension
Like, I can legit smell the pheromones from here
Why did you take his phone?
Are they actually having eyesex right now?
In front of everyone?
Now there is smiling???
No! No no no you can't let the muscle pig drag you away!
---
unknown number, 9:50: Well. This is awkward
---
hoseok, 9:52 PM
If I die of joy remember me fondly
And we thought Namjoon was a disaster
taetae, 9:53 PM
That has answered legitimately none of my questions
Also are you going to come and save us now?
hoseok, 9:53 PM
I'll think about it
Gotta buy the kid a drink first
taetae, 9:54 PM
Buy for us too and then come rescue us and give us the details :*
---
tae @photaegraphy 9:50 PM · July 6, 2018
Tfw the conversation you wanted to eavesdrop on is done now and the people who were part of it are being coy about sharing the details and you start to search how to get away with murder
Jiminie @ddrevelation 9:51 PM · July 6, 2018
They’re the worst, aren’t they?
tae @photaegraphy 9:52 PM · July 6, 2018
They really are. We should have our own juicy conversations and then not give them any details
Jiminie @ddrevelation 9:53 PM · July 6, 2018
This sounds like an excellent plan
tae @photaegraphy 9:53 PM · July 6, 2018
Shall we move six feet to the left?
Jiminie @ddrevelation 9:54 PM · July 6, 2018
Not until they come back with the next round I don’t want to miss out on free alcohol
---
Yoongi still hadn’t managed to look away from Namjoon’s glare, and was trying to figure out how to explain how, exactly, they knew each other when Namjoon spoke.
“We rode the train together a few times.” Namjoon crossed his arms and tilted his chin up. The amount of eye contact was getting unnerving but Yoongi was helpless to do anything about it. “He took my seat.”
“Wait,” said Hoseok, looking a strange combination of confused and delighted. “This is that Yoongi? The seat thief?”
“It’s not like there’s assigned seating or anything,” Yoongi protested, hating how defensive he sounded but incapable of stopping it. It felt like he was being attacked for something, but he wasn’t sure what exactly, or why. Namjoon couldn’t be that offended he’d tried to give him his number, could he?
“Yeah,” Namjoon confirmed, ignoring Yoongi’s protests. “Steals seats, kicks people on his way out of the train, listens to music loud enough everyone else can hear. Bad at crosswords too.”
Yoongi was surprised by the way Namjoon’s words made his chest ache. It was stronger than he thought it would be. He wanted to defend himself, but he wasn’t rightly sure how. He grabbed for the first thing he could and regretted it almost instantly. “Bad at crosswords!” Yoongi screeched. His voice broke on the last syllable. He wondered if his voice sounded as desperate out loud as it did inside his head. “Bad at crosswords? I got at least half my guesses right toward the end! And as for all the other stuff, well, I just want to say-”
But Namjoon wasn’t listening. He’d apparently been compiling a list of the ways Yoongi had slighted him as he caught his breath (yelling above the music took some effort, Yoongi wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to keep it up) and he wanted to make sure Yoongi heard all of them. His glare narrowed as he shared with the group. “Brought him coffee and everything-”
“And I brought you baking! That I baked!”
“Ungrateful-”
“You baked?” interjected Hoseok gleefully, looking up from his phone.
“I know right?” said Seokjin, laughing and throwing his arm that was not around Jungkook around Yoongi’s shoulders. “Who does that?”
“People who are trying to be nice,” Yoongi grumbled. It was just his luck the background music chose that exact moment to go very briefly quiet. His voice sounded unnervingly loud in the lull.
“Namjoon is the guy you gave your number to?” Jungkook asked as the music swelled. He had the air of one who had finally caught up with the conversation happening around him.
Yoongi found himself incredibly tired of the conversation. “Fat lot of good that did me,” he scoffed, looking down and away.
Namjoon’s arms were crossed again. “Not sure why he bothered, since he apparently doesn’t own a phone.”
Yoongi took a step back, stunned and hurt. “You’ve seen my phone! Of course I have one dickwad but since you apparently forgot how to type…”
“Me forget how to type?”
“Well it’s not like I had your number!”
They both opened their mouths, and then paused. Several things clicked into place in Yoongi’s head at the same time, and unless he was much mistaken something similar was happening for Namjoon. Trying to sort out and articulate the varied feelings he had running through him felt like an overwhelming job so he put that to the side and tried to figure out what to do next.
The silence (as silent as things could be, in a crowded bar) stretched out longer.
“Oh my God,” Hoseok said into it. Yoongi could hear the laughter lurking around the edges of his voice. “Oh my God, give me your phone.” He held his hand out to Yoongi.
“What?” he asked, brain still busy trying to re-frame his experience of the last three weeks.
“Your phone you dimwit, I cannot believe…”
Yoongi unlocked his phone and handed it over, trying his best to ignore the knowing looks Seokjin, Hoseok and Jungkook were exchanging over his head. He wasn’t especially successful. He risked a glance at Namjoon who was watching the proceedings with an unreadable expression.
It took Hoseok less than ten seconds before he was handing the phone back to Yoongi. It was open to the messaging app, ready to send to a number instead of a contact. Yoongi started typing before he could think twice about it.
Well. This is awkward.
As one they turned to look at the phone in Namjoon’s hand. The screen lit up. Yoongi could read “Unknown Number” even upside down.
“Oh,” said Namjoon, staring at it for another five seconds before looking up at Yoongi. His expression had shifted, or else the lights on it had, but Yoongi could see something there that gave him hope that maybe, just maybe, things would work out alright. It was a good thing the light was so dim - it did a good job hiding the blush on his cheeks. He looked up and met Namjoon’s warm, brown eyes. He could see the beginning of a smile lurking in the corners, even if his mouth was still partly open in surprise.
“You put in the wrong phone number!” Seokjin shrieked, wiping actual tears from his eyes. From his tone he’d been waiting a long time to say that. “I can’t believe you, and you’ve been whining about this for weeks-”
“You have?” asked Namjoon, the corner of his mouth twitching. Yoongi was saved having to answer by Hoseok, cutting in with,
“Yours too? Namjoon hasn’t shut up about it since it happened, honestly you’d think it was some sort of-”
Yoongi stopped listening. The promise of a smile in Namjoon’s eyes had come to fruition on his mouth, revealing both of his dimples. It was a good look on him. Yoongi couldn’t stop staring at it. He could feel an answering smile on his own face and found he was not one whit embarrassed.
“I think,” Jungkook said, his voice sounding strangled and strained. “That maybe I am going to get a drink? Over there? And far away from here?”
“You do that,” Seokjin said. “’m staying right here, this is better than the dancing, no offence meant of course.”
“None taken,” Hoseok laughed. “I'm inclined to agree.”
“I think,” Jungkook said again, his voice impossibly higher, “That both of you should buy me a drink. Right now.”
“But I don’t want to miss-” Seokjin started. It was too late. Jungkook was the youngest unless Yoongi had completely misjudged Hoseok's age but he was far from the scrawniest. He had no problem dragging Seokjin and Hoseok bodily away, disappearing into the crowd so it was just Namjoon and Yoongi. Yoongi made a mental note to bring him food the next time they had a lesson.
“Want to get out of here?” Namjoon asked, leaning in close so he could speak at a more normal volume. Yoongi could feel his breath, hot against his ear. He shivered.
“Yes. Yes, I really would.”
---
July 6, 2018
yoongi, 9:55 PM
Hey listen gotta run but I’ll see you when you get home
eternal roommate, 9:57 PM
If you’re going to have sex please warn me first so I can make sure I’m somewhere else for a very long time
yoongi, 9:57 PM
Really
Really that’s where you’re going with this
eternal roommate, 9:58 PM
You’ve been moping about this for actual weeks
I get to take this wherever I want to
---
namjoon, 9:55 PM
Heading out, will see you at home
roomie<3, 9:56 PM
NAMJOON I’D BETTER GET DETAILS OF THIS LATER
Also let me know if you’re bringing him back to ours, I’ll crash with Jimin
namjoon, 9:57 PM
Dhghjd isn’t that a bit fast???
roomie<3, 9:58 PM
You’ve been on so many dates at this point it isn’t even funny
---
jin @wwhandsom 10:02 PM · July 6, 2018
Sometimes you want to be a supportive roommate, and then sometimes your roommate tries to give the guy he's been talking about non-stop for weeks his number and makes a typo and all you can do is laugh
myg @mmmaestro 3:14 AM · July 7, 2018
You are the worst roommate
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 3:15 AM · July 7, 2018
Idk, he kinda has a point
jin @wwhandsom 8:20 AM · July 7, 2018
^^^^^^
jin @wwhandsom 8:20 AM · July 7, 2018
Also do I want to know why you were awake at that hour?
Chapter Text
July 7, 2018
taetae, 2:54 AM
There is an extra pair of shoes in my hallway
Jiminie there is an Extra pair of Shoes in my hallway
Do you know how I know they are extra?
It's because our shoes all have homes and these shoes are new
jimin, 2:55 AM
!!! Did Yoongi stay over then
taetae, 2:55 AM
If I am being frank I am Nervous to find out
jimin, 2:56 AM
You can always come crash with us if you want <3
taetae, 2:56 AM
Gonna do some reconnaissance first
Wish me luck
---
jimin, 2:56 AM
Hobi Hobi Hobi Tae found shoes at Joon's place that don't belong
Shoes! That don’t! Belong!
Do you Know what this Means!
If you don’t I have a whole song and dance prepared to explain it to you!
hobi, 2:57 AM
Jimin I love you I really do but if you don't stop squealing in the next thirty seconds I will murder you
jimin, 2:58 AM
Tae helped me choreograph it for just such an occasion
hobi, 2:58 AM
I can hear you through the walls
jimin, 2:59 AM
But then you'd have to find a new roommate! And break them in!
hobi, 2:59 AM
I'm turning my phone off now
And you don’t shut up soon I'll be coming to turn you off
jimin, 3:00 AM
You wouldn’t want to break in a new roommate just when things are getting interesting, would you?
Would you?
---
roomie<3, 2:58 AM
Namjoon I need to know if I am going to see anything traumatizing when I walk through here
Will my virgin eyes be assailed by sights they were never meant to see
Because if I die Hobi and Jimin will probably kill you
I’m not sure if the silence is making me more or less nervous
Okay look I really need to use the washroom
… I really hope you aren’t in the washroom with the owner of the extra pair of shoes
Please. Please do not be in the washroom
I’m begging you
roomie<3, 3:01 AM
Oh shit no
---
taetae, 3:01 AM
Oh God Jiminie I found them
Oh God how am I going to survive this
jiminie, 3:01 AM
ARE YOU OKAY
do you need brain bleach
taetae, 3:01 AM
Oh God they are full clothed asleep on the couch
jiminie, 3:02 AM
???
taetae, 3:02 AM
Oh God this is too cute
jimin, 3:02 AM
??!!?
taetae, 3:02 AM
Here look
[Image attached]
Look at the way Namjoon has his head on Yoongi's
jimin, 3:03 AM
And their hands? Holding? Resting above Namjoon’s heart?
taetae, 3:03 AM
And the way his other arm is around Yoongi’s shoulders?
jimin, 3:04 AM
This feels like we’re watching a sex tape except worse somehow?
taetae, 3:04 AM
Oh god you’re right it totally does
Why did you say that now I’m not going to be able to unthink it
jimin, 3:04 AM
I thought it and now you have to suffer with me
How do you like them apples
But we’re saving this for blackmail, right?
taetae, 3:05 AM
Oh, definitely
---
roomie<3, 3:08 AM
Shit sorry please don’t kill me I didn’t realize the bathroom door was going to slam that loud
namjoon, 3:10 AM
It’s okay it’s good I needed to readjust my neck anyways
roomie<3, 3:11 AM
Is… is that a euphemism?
Because if that is a euphemism could you please stop euphemisming long enough for me to make it between the bathroom and my room?
namjoon, 3:13 AM
Nah, we went back to my room anyway
roomie<3, 3:13 AM
WE??!?
namjoon, 3:13 AM
It was that or have another argument about who was going to take the couch
roomie<3, 3:14 AM
… did you fall asleep on the couch arguing over who was going to take the couch?
namjoon, 3:14 AM
I mean, by the point we fell asleep I think we’d switched to arguing about whether you could really say the sun was rising or not once you took relativity into account
roomie<3, 3:15 AM
Oh God
namjoon, 3:15 AM
But we’d been arguing about the couch thing before that
---
taetae, 3:15 AM
Jiminie I’m moving in for the duration
jimin, 3:15 AM
?????????
taetae, 3:15 AM
Their honeymoon phase is going to be insufferable
---
eternal roommate, 8:13 AM
So I notice SOMEONE didn’t come home last night
eternal roommate, 8:21 AM
Thanks for letting me know you were alive ON TWITTER
Some friend you are :(
eternal roommate, 10:32 AM
Should I expect you home at all today?
eternal roommate, 11:18 AM
Given the extended silence I’m imagining not
eternal roommate, 11:56 AM
Well, just check in at some point okay?
eternal roommate, 12:57 PM
It’s like. Almost tomorrow. Are you alive?
yoongi, 1:03 PM
I didn’t know tomorrow started at 1 pm
eternal roommate, 1:04 PM
We’ve officially passed the half way point of today, ergo almost tomorrow
yoongi, 1:06 PM
Not sure you understand how time works but thanks for checking in on me
---
When Yoongi opened his eyes he had no where am I? moment of confusion. His field of vision was filled almost completely with Namjoon’s face, slack in sleep. A thin string of drool connected his mouth to the pillow they were apparently sharing. Something went horribly soft in Yoongi's chest. The scene was one which, objectively speaking, should have been more than a touch gross. This was either a very bad sign or a very good one.
It was hard to tell from the quality of the light filtering in through the window what time it was. He had a vague memory from the Before of talking late into the night, of being woken up by the sound of a door closing, of an aborted return to the argument about who should take the bed, of stumbling sleepily into Namjoon’s room with his arm slung over Namjoon's shoulder, of tumbling onto Namjoon’s bed, of putting his phone… ah! He turned over slowly, rolling away from Namjoon so he faced the bedside table and his phone which, when he woke the screen, read a too-early-for-Saturday “6:45 AM”.
No one would think less of him for going back to sleep so he did, rolling back to the middle of the bed and pressing himself into Namjoon's chest without a second thought. Namjoon sighed heavily, one of his arms reaching out to wrap itself around Yoongi's waist as a warm, comforting weight. Yoongi let out a sleepy, contented sigh of his own and drifted off.
The second time he woke it was because Namjoon was stretching. Yoongi stretched with him and, faced with an awake Namjoon, found himself suddenly embarrassed by the sheer amount of contact between their two bodies. He rolled onto his stomach, and more importantly away from Namjoon, then shifted so they were once again face to face.
“Good morning,” said Namjoon in a low, sleep rough voice, blinking up at him through a half-smile.
“Morning,” Yoongi said, resisting the urge to slide forward and taste the smile on his face. “Sleep well?”
“Mmm.” Namjoon confirmed, then stretched again. When he was done stretching his ankles had somehow slotted themselves between Yoongi’s. His skin prickled pleasantly at the contact. He decided against pulling away. “You?”
“Yes,” Yoongi said, his voice higher, more breathy than it had been.
Namjoon laughed. Yoongi, already warm from their cuddling, went hot. “I told you the bed would be more comfortable.”
“I think you’ll find that I told you the bed would be more comfortable.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree,” Namjoon muttered, closing his eyes.
“Only people who know they’ve lost say that.”
“Only people who want to sleep say that.”
The third time he woke Yoongi was alone in the bed, the sound of running water in the distance hinting that Namjoon was probably having a shower. He wasn’t used to waking up in someone else’s bed, something he’d now done three times in one day, but he was even less used to waking up in someone else’s bed alone. He used the opportunity to take stock of himself (clothing still on except his socks, mouth sort of sandpapery, throat sore like it went when he yelled over bar music, mild stiffness in his neck) and find his phone.
His phone showed a worrying number of notifications, a very low battery and a time that was definitely after noon.
He dealt with the texts first, then used some of his precious remaining battery life to use his self facing camera as a mirror. His face looked… and his hair looked… well, it certainly wasn’t his best look, but there wasn't much help for it. He did his best to scrub the sleep off his face and get his hair to look less like a bird had nested in it. When he checked his camera again even optimistically he could only say he met with moderate success.
As prepared as he could be for the day, or at the very least the afternoon, he faced a new question: would it be more or less awkward to still be sitting on Namjoon’s bed when he came back from the shower? Yoongi’s brain very unhelpfully conjured up an image of Namjoon, wet and glistening, a towel around his waist, being surprised to find Yoongi still sitting on his bed. Best to be in the living area, he decided at last, and of course that was the moment the water shut off. He sprang into action, throwing the covers back on Namjoon’s bed and scrambling to his feet, but had only managed to locate one sock when he heard the door, already ajar, swing open fully.
“Oh! You’re awake!”
Yoongi had known it was coming but jumped in surprise anyways, spinning to see Namjoon framed in the doorway. It was unfair that he could look as put together as he did when he was only wearing a loose t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. His hair was ruffled from where he must have hastily towel dried it, sticking up in damp clumps that said effortlessly stylish in the way that it usually took half and hour and three quarters a bottle of gel to get. On top of that he looked clean and fresh. Yoongi felt even grubbier by comparison. There was a one hundred percent chance he stank of the stale air of the bar and on God he’d probably made Namjoon’s sheets all gross too. Some guest he’d turned out to be.
“Yeah,” he said, blushing and looking down. “Yeah, I, uh. Just woke up.”
“Tae made some coffee, if you want,” Namjoon offered as he walked in the room and scooped his own phone up from the bedside table. “Or we could go to this coffee place I know, they do a great breakfast on weekends.”
“Um, maybe a rain check?” Yoongi felt his blush deepen. “I feel all… grotty, not fit for public consumption.”
“Oh.” Yoongi might have thought he’d imagined Namjoon’s disappointment except the next thing out of his mouth was, “You could borrow our shower, if you want? I’m sure I’ve got some extra clothing that would-”
As much as he liked Namjoon, and as much as he’d been very quietly been wondering about asking to borrow the shower, somehow it felt like too much. He found himself shaking his head, and cutting Namjoon off. “Thanks for the offer, really, but it’s already pretty late, and I’ve got-”
“Oh, yeah, right, of course,” Namjoon agreed, before Yoongi had to figure out what kind of excuse he had for extracting himself from the situation beyond that is maybe too much too fast and I’m not sure I feel ready for it at this point? “You sure you don’t want breakfast or anything?”
Yoongi’s stomach gurgled at the idea of breakfast but both he and Namjoon ignored it. “Yeah, I’m sure,” he answered, nodding once. “But I’ll, uh, text you?”
“Yeah! Yeah, that would be great. But, uh, really text me this time, okay?” Yoongi might have found offence in that comment except that Namjoon was showing off his dimples, such a big, broad smile stretched across his face there was no way he wasn’t joking.
We have jokes, Yoongi had time to think, and he went a bit squishy inside before he said “Good! Yes, yes, of course I will.”
They found Yoongi’s other sock together, shoulders brushing as they carefully peeled off the blanket and sheets and shook them out. By the time they were done Yoongi’s body felt as though it had been somehow dipped in ice and set on fire at the same time. It definitely didn’t feel healthy, and the feeling got worse as Namjoon walked him to the door.
“I’ll text you when I get home,” he repeated as he slipped his shoes on.
“You said that already,” Namjoon laughed, and as Yoongi straightened Namjoon caught him by the shoulders. Yoongi shivered pleasantly. “But if you don’t, I know how to find you now. Oh God that sounded really creepy didn’t it. Can we pretend I didn’t say that? Invent a time machine maybe?”
“You’re fine,” Yoongi smiled up at Namjoon. “I get it. I’m just impressed you like. Don’t hate me. For ghosting you.”
“It was an accidental ghosting.”
“Still…” The silence stretched, the two of them smiling at each other. Yoongi wondered if they were having a moment. His eyes dropped briefly to Namjoon’s mouth and he considered-
His phone buzzed.
He jumped, and by the time he looked back at Namjoon the spell was broken. Namjoon was still smiling as he said “This was fun,” but the tension, the waiting, had gone out of the air, replaced with something warm and comfortable and familiar-feeling for all its newness.
“Yeah.” Yoongi wished he could come up with something funny, more interesting to say. Instead he put his hand on the doorknob. If he didn’t leave soon he wasn’t sure he ever would. “Yeah, it really was.”
“Okay,” Namjoon said, dropping his hands from Yoongi’s shoulders. “Um, so,” and he leaned down and kissed Yoongi on the cheek. Yoongi had to fight to keep his hand from flying up to rub at the spot. It felt like he’d been branded, like the world would be able to see it on his face as soon as he stepped outside that Namjoon had kissed him. “Stay safe.”
“I will,” he squeaked, and fled.
It wasn’t until he was a block away that he remembered the cardigan he’d brought with him to the bar. He considered going back to get it and decided, on reflection, that maybe he liked it exactly where it was.
---
July 7, 2018
namjoon, 3:34 PM
Hey listen, I found a sweater here that isn’t mine? And I could bring it over, if you want
Or not! Whatever’s easiest for you!
yoongi, 3:40 PM
Oh! Thanks! If you’re sure? It’s sort of gross out, you don’t really need to :)
namjoon, 3:41 PM
I’m just reading some things over this afternoon, and I could use the break :)
yoongi, 3:42 PM
A break sounds heavenly right now tbh
namjoon, 3:44 PM
I can be a convenient excuse if you want?
yoongi, 3:47 PM
Haha sure!
namjoon, 3:48 PM
And I mean with the weather I feel like some shaved ice? If you want?
yoongi, 3:50 PM
That’d be perfect
Lemme find my buzz code, I’ll send it and the address over. Took me maybe half an hour to walk?
Try not to melt on the way :)
namjoon, 3:52 PM
I’ll do my best!
---
July 8, 2018
eternal roommate, 2:13 AM
Yoongi, my darling, my dearest roommate, there are an extra pair of shoes in the hall that i know definitely don’t belong to either of us
They are too stylish for you
And not stylish enough for me
Yoongi if I come farther into my apartment where I am one of the people who lives here am I going to be scarred for the rest of my life?
---
seokjin, 2:15 AM
Junkgook
Jungkook
Kookie
seagull, 2:16 AM
It’s only been half an hour?
seokjin, 2:16 AM
Look!
[Image attached]
seagull, 2:16 AM
I’m flattered you like me but this is maybe a touch excessive?
oh god
oh dear god
my eyes
do you have any acid on hand?
I think I have cavities.
Can I crash at yours?
seagull, 2:19 AM
If you crash here who is going to give them shit tomorrow morning?
seokjin, 2:19 AM
… that’s a good point
You’re very smart
seagull, 2:19 AM
We were… out at a computer cafe?
seokjin, 2:20 AM
Yes! and it got late!
seagull, 2:20 AM
And you’d had too much to drink
seokjin, 2:20 AM
And you’d had too much to drink
And thought you’d lost your keys, and your building gets locked after hours
seagull, 2:21 AM
… damn that’s better
k I’ll be there in a bit
seokjin, 2:24 AM
Don’t bring your keys
Yoongi is sneaky and he’d probably be able to find them
And then our cover would be blown
seagull, 2:26 AM: Roger
---
It wasn’t often Yoongi spent two nights away from his bed without intending to but here he was, waking slowly on the couch. His neck ached from the slightly awkward angle it was at, and he was a touch too warm, but he found that the weight of the arm across his chest and the rise and fall of the chest under his back meant he didn’t mind too much. He tried to ease the crick in his neck and Namjoon snorted, making Yoongi jump.
“Sorry,” Namjoon muttered. “Sorry. Hair up my nose.”
Yoongi chuckled. “S’okay. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever spent a night this close and yet this far from my bed in my life?”
“Not my fault we decided to reenact the couch debate,” Namjoon said softly, into the top of Yoongi’s head.
“Some of us still have a single bed,” Yoongi pointed out.
“Probably still would’ve been better than the couch.”
“Not my fault you’re stubborn.”
“The sleeping beauties awaken!” Seokjin’s voice said from the direction of the kitchen. Yoongi jumped harder, the top of his head smacking into Namjoon’s chin painfully. He could hear Namjoon’s teeth click shut with the impact. Seokjin sounded unrepentant as he continued, “Jungkook, look, aren’t they sweet all curled up together? Now, get up and set the table, breakfast is almost ready.”
Yoongi turned to glare in the direction of the kitchen, where Jungkook was grinning at them with a knowing smile and Jin with a smug one. Yoongi didn’t suppress the urge to stick out his tongue at them. It had the added bonus of making Namjoon laugh, a warm, deep rumble that reverberated through his chest.
By rights the breakfast should have been awkward, with Namjoon and Seokjin and Jungkook having hardly met before, but somehow it never quite contrived to be. Jungkook knew some of Namjoon’s friends and Seokjin had an easy and enviable way of getting along with everyone. After the first five minutes Yoongi found himself relaxed enough that he could enjoy his coffee rather than nervously force down every mouthful.
He and Namjoon did the dishes as thanks for Jungkook and Seokjin having done the cooking, and had a repeat of their standoff in front of the door except this time with the addition of an audience and the corresponding subtraction of a cheek kiss. Yoongi tried not to be too disappointed as he shut the door behind Namjoon.
“Wah, not even a goodbye kiss?” Seokjin demanded, glaring at him over the back of the couch where he and Jungkook had settled in, game controllers in hand. “I feel cheated!”
“I’m not here to be your entertainment,” Yoongi said in the loftiest tones he could muster while also being disappointed about the lack of kissing. “You’ve got video games for that.”
“Your love life or lack thereof is way more interesting than any video game.”
“Shhhh!” Jungkook shushed him, placing a hand on Seokjin's controller. “Not in front of the game! You’ll hurt it’s feelings!”
“It won’t know the difference,” Seokjin spluttered, “But Yoongi will, because- Hey! Yoongi! Where are you going? Get back here!”
Yoongi spent what was left of his morning hiding in his room, alternately doing more grading, checking over his lesson preparations, and texting Namjoon. He snuck out sometime mid afternoon for a snack and, finding the apartment deserted, took the opportunity to scrub everything to within an inch of its life. It was easier not to give in to the desire to see if Namjoon wanted to go for a walk, or maybe grab dinner, or visit the record store, when he was busy cleaning. He wanted to do this properly and properly meant no rushing things.
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:02 AM · July 9, 2018
Alright guys this is your Official OG Update
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:03 AM · July 9, 2018
He is smiling this morning? Straight up grinning? Practically skipped into his old spot?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:03 AM · July 9, 2018
Keeps pulling out his phone and smiling at it and going back to is crossword?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:04 AM · July 9, 2018
If I had to make a guess, and lbr here of course I'm going to make a guess, Someone found themselves a New Person
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:04 AM · July 9, 2018
I'm glad he's happy! Just sort of a fast turnaround you know? Would that I could come back from apparent heartbreak/sadness this fast
---
July 9, 2018
namjoon, 5:40 PM
I have to stay late tonight :(
Rain cheque?
yoongi, 5:43 PM
Yeah, of course!
namjoon, 5:45 PM
I’m sorry :((( I was really looking forward to it too
yoongi, 5:46 PM
It’s not like the used bookstores are all going to close up shop between today and tomorrow
namjoon, 5:46 PM
True, but they won’t have the same kinds of sales!
yoongi, 5:47 PM
They’ll have different sales, and even if they don’t isn’t half the fun in just reading the backs of the books?
namjoon, 5:47 PM
Yes, but the /other/ half of the fun is in buying the most ridiculous sounding ones for dirt cheap
namjoon, 5:48 PM
And then the other other half of the fun is finding the ones you actually want
yoongi, 5:53 PM
That’s three halves
namjoon, 5:54 PM
Well would you look at that, so it is!!!!1
I never noticed!!!!1
yoongi, 5:55 PM
You know I know what sarcasm is right?
namjoon, 5:55 PM
:)
yoongi, 5:55 PM
Tomorrow then?
namjoon, 5:56 PM
Yeah, tomorrow. Thanks for understanding
yoongi, 5:56 PM
No worries :)
And lmk if you want a break eh? I have some stories from today I was saving for in-person time
namjoon, 6:00 PM: Will do!
---
July 10, 2018
yoongi, 4:25 PM
The fates conspire against us
namjoon, 4:26 PM
Oh no :(
yoongi, 4:30 PM
I SPECIFICALLY SAY for them not to bring ANY food or drink in and what does that little snot Songhun do?
namjoon, 4:30 PM
Brings in food and drink?
yoongi, 4:30 PM
A /soft drink/ no less, in the /last class of the day/, and /spills it everywhere/
namjoon, 4:32 PM
It’s probably for the best you can’t actually text in italics
yoongi, 4:33 PM
Do you know how long this is going to take to clean up? :/
namjoon, 4:33 PM
Sorry
I shouldn’t be laughing
yoongi, 4:35 PM
No you shouldn’t
But you are, aren’t you
namjoon, 4:35 PM
I definitely, 100% am
Tomorrow then
yoongi, 4:36 PM: Tomorrow, for sure
---
July 11, 2018
yoongi, 4:25 PM
So I know we said used bookstores but cleaning last night took longer than I thought so I have more marking than anticipated
namjoon, 4:30 PM
I was just about to text saying I have some last minute revisions
yoongi, 4:34 PM
I don’t want to say rain cheque
namjoon, 4:36 PM
Me neither
yoongi, 4:37 PM
We could just… work in the same space?
namjoon, 4:39 PM
That sounds really nice :)
yoongi, 4:40 PM
Cafe? My place? Yours?
namjoon, 4:45 PM
Your couch was really comfy. I can bring some takeout?
yoongi, 4:49 PM
Brilliant. Amazing. Wonderful.
namjoon, 4:50 PM
Stop talking about yourself for a second and say yes or no
yoongi, 4:51 PM
Woooooooow
Yes. I don’t care what kind as long as it would make a nutritionist weep to look at it
namjoon, 4:52 PM
A man after my own heart <3
---
jin @wwhandsom 6:40 PM · July 11, 2018
TFW YOU JUST WANT TO PLAY SOME VIDEO GAMES BUT INSTEAD TWO DORKS HAVE TAKEN OVER YOUR COUCH
myg @mmmaestro 6:45 PM · July 11, 2018
we offered to move some of the papers for you to sit down!
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:46 PM · July 11, 2018
we were really polite about it :( there’s no need to yell :(
jin @wwhandsom 6:47 PM · July 11, 2018
WHAT IF I WANT TO YELL
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 6:47 PM · July 11, 2018
then I guess there’s nothing we can do to stop you?
myg @mmmaestro 6:48 PM · July 11, 2018
But we also would like you to stop eating our chicken
---
jin @wwhandsom 9:15 PM · July 11, 2018
Oh. My. God. Are we sure they haven’t been secretly dating for a year? Because I feel like they’ve been secretly dating for a year
jungkook @kookimonster 9:17 PM · July 11, 2018
Is this about who I think it’s about?
jin @wwhandsom 9:17 PM · July 11, 2018
Do you think it’s about two people who are both very good at sidestepping the word ‘date’?
jungkook @kookimonster 9:18 PM · July 11, 2018
Yes
jin @wwhandsom 9:18 PM · July 11, 2018
Then yes, I think we’re on the same page
Hobi @rayofhope 9:20 PM · July 11, 2018
When will they get their act together?
jin @wwhandsom 9:21 PM · July 11, 2018
Who even knows at this point
jin @wwhandsom 9:21 PM · July 11, 2018
There wasn’t even a /hug/ goodbye let alone a kiss
tae @photaegraphy 9:22 PM · July 11, 2018
If it isn’t soon are we allowed to lock them in a closet?
Hobi @rayofhope 9:22 PM · July 11, 2018
Yes
Jiminie @ddrevelation 9:23 PM · July 11, 2018
Yes
jungkook @kookimonster 9:23 PM · July 11, 2018
Yes
jin @wwhandsom 9:23 PM · July 11, 2018
Well glad to see it’s unanimous
Hobi @rayofhope 9:27 PM · July 11, 2018
Laughing @ how I know for a /fact/ at least one of them checks twitter often enough to see this and there’s nothing but radio silence
jin @wwhandsom 9:28 PM · July 11, 2018
The proof in the quiet
Hobi @rayofhope 9:29 PM · July 11, 2018
Close enough
---
July 12, 2018
yoongi, 3:40 PM
We still on for dinner tomorrow?
namjoon, 3:57 PM
I’ve already made a reservation :)
yoongi, 4:25 PM
What do you think the chances are that Jungkook tries to subtly ask me about it during our lesson
namjoon, 4:48 PM
Subtly? about 50/50
Ask though? 100%
yoongi, 4:55 PM: … Those are good points you make there
---
tae @photaegraphy 6:24 PM · July 12, 2018
He’s whistling while he works this is possibly the most obnoxiously happy any human has ever been
Jiminie @ddrevelation 6:27 PM · July 12, 2018
… but he can’t carry a tune?
tae @photaegraphy 6:28 PM · July 12, 2018
He’s giving it his best shot! And that sort of effort should be rewarded… I think…
tae @photaegraphy 6:29 PM · July 12, 2018
On second thought maybe I can come over?
---
July 12, 2018
yoongi, 9:00 PM
It definitely wasn’t subtle
namjoon, 9:13 PM
What did you tell him?
yoongi, 9:24 PM
What do you think?
namjoon, 9:25 PM
;)
yoongi, 9:25 PM
<3
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:58 AM · July 13, 2018
Officially a full week of happiness and joy from one OG. Probably won't ever get a nice resolution to the other story but then hey, real life, yk?
---
July 13, 2018
seokjin, 5:50 PM
jeon jungkook if you love your life you’ll find me somewhere to crash for the next two nights
seagull, 5:53 PM
did you have a fight?
seokjin, 5:55 PM
they have an actual date
to a nice restaurant
and if i have to spend any more time around the two of them and their unresolved sexual tension I might combust
And like. I don’t want to be here when they get home.
Because this might be the night they might resolve that tension.
And as funny as it would be I would also need brain bleach.
seagull, 5:59 PM
YOONGI LIED TO ME
TO MY FACE
How did you find out?
seokjin, 6:02 PM
Yoongi doesn’t normally get changed into /fancier/ clothing after he gets home if he’s staying in
But I caught sight of him in the bathroom just now
He’s wearing a tie
And he didn’t eat any of the leftovers I had in the fridge for him, which normally he’s all over
seagull, 6:04 PM
Lookit you Mr Detective
Alrite c’mon over my suite mates are gone for the weekend so you can crash here
seokjin, 6:07 PM
Is this officially becoming a full weekend of video games and junkfood?
seagull, 6:07 PM
Yes
I might see if Taehyung wants to come if that’s okay? Maybe the others?
seokjin, 6:10 PM
Anything to get me out of here.
---
Given the way his week panned out Friday could not come quickly enough. With two postponed meet-ups and one that wasn't so much postponed as it was re-purposed Yoongi was excited at the prospect of having multiple hours in a row with nothing to do but enjoy Namjoon's company. It felt more date-like than any of the other plans they'd made, with a reservation and everything, but neither of them had actually used the word date and Yoongi wasn't about to go first. He still erred on the side of caution and pulled out a dress shirt Jungkook had told him suited him well, and a skinny tie Seokjin had assured him was fashionable when he'd bought it.
All in all he didn't think he looked bad exactly, even if he felt a bit like a child playing dress-up in it's parents' clothing. If only he could get his tie knot done properly he felt sure that feeling would go away, so for the third time he situated himself in front of the mirror in the bathroom, undid the knot and started tugging on the fabric until it draped properly around his neck.
“Going to head to Jungkook’s, won’t be back until tomorrow, don’t wait up!” Seokjin called from the direction of the front door as Yoongi started to wrap one side over the other.
“Have fun!” he yelled back belatedly, just as the door closed. He wasn’t sure Seokjin had waited to hear the reply at all. It was a relief, really. Keeping Seokjin from seeing that he was dressed up had been difficult but necessary if he wanted to avoid a full half hour of teasing.
With nothing left to do but wait, and no roommate around to make fun of how he was dressed, he moved into the living room and tried to settle on something to do to pass the time. Nothing stuck, and he bounced between reading on his phone, flipping through his Netflix queue, and staring moodily at his phone willing it to ring with the door buzzer.
He was surprised then when instead of his phone ringing there was a sharp knock on the door. Sometimes Seokjin was lazy enough that he would buzz his own phone for building access and then make Yoongi unlock the door to let him in. He flipped the lock open, yanked open the door and found himself face to fist with Namjoon. Hi hand was raised in the air, ready to knock again.
“Hi,” he said. Yoongi struggled to find his words. “Oh,” Namjoon continued, shaking his wrist to check his watch. “I guess I’m a bit early? And since someone was coming out I sort of let myself in? I probably should have texted or something, I’m sorry I-”
He faltered to a halt and bent forward slightly to look at Yoongi. Yoongi had been half way through forming three sentences (Oh, it’s okay, I’m almost ready, come on in, and I don’t mind, let me grab my keys and we can go, and We aren’t supposed to let strangers in the building, how am I sure you aren’t a stranger) so what came out of his mouth was a garbled mess of “I’m almost ready don’t mind aren’t supposed to stranger” before he managed to clamp his mouth shut.
It was Namjoon’s fault, really. If he hadn’t done whatever it was he’d done to his hair, and then paired that with a well tailored shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms, and a pair of slacks that somehow made his legs seem as long as a giraffe’s while somehow still proportional, Yoongi would have been just fine. Or mostly fine. Reasonably fine at the very least.
Instead Yoongi was most emphatically not fine, his mental faculties almost entirely given over to trying to decide where he wanted to slide his fingers first. Through the belt loops he decided, just as Namjoon said “Yoongi? Are… Are you okay?”
Yoongi swallowed, hard, and locked his fingers behind his back so they wouldn't end up at Namjoon's belt loops anyways. “Um, listen,” he said, trying to figure out where his mouth was going with this. “There is a very, very small amount of ‘more forward’ that I can be, here.” He could feel the following sentences forming and was powerless to stop them. “Because see, I gave you my number-”
“The wrong one.”
“Shut up I’m talking and then I gave you my number a second time and also let you sleep on my couch and is there a reason that you haven’t really tried to kiss me yet?” He sped up as he went, feeling his eyes widen in horror as his mouth just kept going. “Unless I’m misreading everything? But like. Cheek kisses? And this feels like a date?”
“Definitely a date,” Namjoon said hurriedly. “Definitely a date. I, um, wasn’t sure? And it’s not like you tried to kiss me, and we’ve sort of only just reconnected and-”
“Is that a no to the kissing right now?” Yoongi interrupted, trying very hard not to sound disappointed and failing so hard he might as well not have bothered.
“Definitely not.”
“Oh good. Could you bend down a bit then yes that’s-”
Yoongi couldn’t be sure later which of them had the common sense to maneuver them out of his doorway so they could close the door and then kiss up against it, nor which of them was the one who lead the valiant attempt to cross the distance to the couch. It didn’t much matter. He was too focused of the feeling of Namjoon’s mouth against his, hot and warm and welcoming, and the feeling of Namjoon’s hands in his hair, and the feeling of Namjoon’s hair in his hands.
At some point Namjoon stopped them kissing long enough to cancel their dinner reservation, because he was an incredibly thoughtful man. Yoongi hated it more than a little that his stomach went hot at the sight to see Namjoon, hair mussed, lips swollen and spit-slick, a flush starting at his hairline and disappearing beneath his open collar, speaking with hardly a quaver in his voice as he apologized profusely and agreed that he, too, hoped he’d be able to join them at a future date.
Yoongi took advantage of the interlude to undo a few buttons of his own. He felt flushed all over, warm almost to the point of unpleasantness. He considered taking off his tie entirely but before he had reached a decision Namjoon hung up the phone and used it to reel him in for another kiss. He was glad he'd left it on.
The kiss was lazy and slow, a mirror almost to the way their interactions through the week had been. Yoongi was surprised to find he didn’t mind the pace at all. It had been quite some time since there had been anyone he’d actually wanted to kiss, let alone kiss like this, and it was very, very satisfying to start to start his catalogue of all the ways Namjoon liked to be kissed.
An hour or so later they surfaced long enough to order fried chicken, delivery, and managed to make themselves just presentable enough that the delivery person only looked at them mildly askance when she dropped off their food. There was nearly an argument about who was going to pay but Yoongi pulled the clever diversionary tactic of pressing a light, chaste kiss to Namjoon’s lips any time he tried to open his mouth to argue and won the race to the door. It proved remarkably effective, and Yoongi was very pleased with himself until Namjoon bracketed him against the counter in the kitchen and started an answering volley of kissing any time Yoongi tried to unpack their food or get out plates.
“Please don’t,” he said at last, the third time he reached for a glass and had to bring his hand back to clutch the counter as Namjoon pressed a warm kiss behind his ear. Namjoon was cheating, frankly, his hands on Yoongi’s hips, thumbs rubbing soft circles into the skin just above Yoongi's dress pants. It was making wonderfully shivery things happen in his gut, and that was incredibly distracting when he was trying to be a good host. “I just want to get a glass down, and you’re making it very hard.”
“Should’ve thought of that before you used underhanded methods to pay for dinner,” Namjoon muttered against the incredibly sensitive skin of Yoongi’s neck. “Do you want to try again? I really am thirsty.”
“My roommate will be very angry if I break any of these,” he said desperately. “They’re… they’re family heirlooms!”
“I’m sure they are,” Namjoon laughed. It rumbled through Yoongi’s chest and made his knees go weak. He clutched at the counter harder. “You’ll have to be very careful then, won’t you.”
Yoongi was very careful, and took another three tries before he managed to get the glasses down.
The chicken was cold by the time they ate it, standing in front of the counter. Namjoon stole pieces from Yoongi’s plate even though they were the same as the ones on his plate. Yoongi let him. There was more chicken in the containers after all, and it was fun to see how far Namjoon would go to try and goad him into further action.
As it turned out the breaking point was when Namjoon stole a small piece and, instead of putting it in his own mouth, fed it to Yoongi. That started the third round of distraction kissing and at last Yoongi put his foot down. “C’mon,” he said, leading Namjoon by the hand away from both kitchen and couch, “it’ll be more comfortable than the counters, at any rate.”
“I thought you said your bed was too small for two people,” Namjoon teased, following easily.
“Only if they’re trying to sleep,” Yoongi snorted. “And I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to sleep yet.”
---
tae @photaegraphy 12:22 PM · July 14, 2018
Some afternoons I stay up wondering where my roommate is, and some nights I decide I’d rather not know
jin @wwhandsom 12:33 PM · July 14, 2018
Ah shit
tae @photaegraphy 12:36 PM · July 14, 2018
???
jin @wwhandsom 12:37 PM · July 14, 2018
Well if they aren’t at yours…
tae @photaegraphy 12:38 PM · July 14, 2018
Yeaaaaaaaah I would maybe not go back just yet
Hobi @rayofhope 12:46 PM · July 14, 2018
Give them some privacy
jungkook @kookimonster 12:48 PM · July 14, 2018
Are they finally gettin’ it on?
jin @wwhandsom 12:50 PM · July 14, 2018
How did you contrive to leer over twitter?
jungkook @kookimonster 12:51 PM · July 14, 2018
It’s a skill of mine :)
jin @wwhandsom 12:53 PM · July 14, 2018
You sure as heck didn’t learn that from me!
---
July 14, 2018
eternal roommate, 12:35 PM
Tell you what I’m gonna just keep staying here for another day, okay?
Please do not wreck the place in my absence
No going in my room for any reason
Just, you know, be courteous of the common spaces
yoongi, 1:45 PM
Got it
Give us warning before you come back
eternal roommate, 1:47 PM
Oh God I didn’t need to read that with my own two eyeballs.
yoongi, 1:48 PM
You pester me for details and when I give them I get this?
Let me paint you a word picture
eternal roommate, 1:49 PM
Please don't
yoongi, 1:49 PM
Namjoon and Yoongi sittin' in a tree
eternal roommate, 1:50 PM
o h g o d
---
jin @wwhandsom 1:50 PM · July 14, 2018
Please help who has the brain bleach I am in a Desperate Need
---
They did sleep, eventually. Yoongi woke up more times than he could count. If he had actually had anything to do or anywhere to be he would have been very annoyed but as it was he mostly kissed Namjoon, sighed happily, tried to find a more comfortable position, and fell back asleep. Namjoon snored faintly and if he ever woke up Yoongi certainly didn’t notice.
They ate the rest of the chicken when they finally pried themselves out of bed. It was well in to mid morning and they were both sticky and quite a bit gross. They took turns showering. Yoongi disobeyed Seokjin’s explicit instructions to retrieve clothing for Namjoon that had a better hope of fitting properly. They didn’t stay clothed for long, and quite soon between the heat and their other activities found the need to shower again.
Sunday morning they emerged from Yoongi’s apartment long enough to acquire coffee, a few snacks, and the newspaper. They set up on Yoongi’s couch, shoulders touching, paper spread across an upturned tray on their laps, and did the crossword together.
“I think my eyes will never recover,” Seokjin moaned as he caught sight of them. “I asked if it was safe to come in Yoongi, and you said yes. I almost would rather have known what his dick looks like.”
“That could still be arranged,” Yoongi pointed out, taking note of the hot blush that flooded Namjoon’s face. He squeezed his knee in a wordless only joking which had the added bonus of making Seokjin groan again dramatically.
“Please no, never, I’ll just grab some clothing and move in with Jungkook for the rest of the summer then shall I?”
“I didn’t know things were so serious between the two of you.”
Seokjin let out another heartfelt groan and disappeared into his room, the door left ajar. Yoongi turned back to Namjoon, flush with success, and caught him with a strange expression on his face. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” Namjoon answered, whatever his expression was melting into a smile. “Glad it isn’t just me who lives with someone who gives me a hard time.”
“Oh, he’s harmless enough,” Yoongi commented, pitching his voice so Seokjin would hear it. He was gratified by the indignant shout, chuckling to himself as he set his shoulder more comfortably against Namjoon’s chest and picked up his pen. “All bark and no bite.”
It was a full three minutes before Namjoon said, “You sure you going home this week?”
Yoongi had been scrupulously avoiding the thought. Technically when he'd originally made the plans with his mother he'd told her he'd be home sometime today, but he'd been a bit distracted (understandably, in his opinion) and hadn't even started packing.
“Very sure,” he sighed, resting his head on Namjoon's shoulder as he filled in the word accrued. “They expected me on a train out this afternoon, actually.”
“You haven't packed yet, have you.”
“There have maybe been other more interesting things to do in this apartment than pack.”
“Hmm,” Namjoon said, planting a kiss on the top of Yoongi’s head.
“Gross,” said Seokjin, from the kitchen this time. “Is this going to be my life now?”
“C'mon, go pack,” Namjoon said, stealing the pen out of Yoongi’s hand. “Don't want your mom mad at me for making you late.”
“I hate how responsible you are.” Yoongi stood, stretching out the kinks in his back and thrilling at the feel of Namjoon’s fingers touching feather light along the strip of skin bared as his shirt rode up. The skin tingled pleasantly but he tramped down any arousal. They had an audience and that was definitely not something he was interested in.
“I hate how cute you are.”
“GROSS!” Seokjin yelled from the kitchen. “GROSS! Will I have to institute a roommate PDA fine?”
“Nah,” said Namjoon. Yoongi could hear the smile in his voice. “We’re moving to the bedroom anyways.
There was a garbled noise behind them. Namjoon’s answering smile was so smug Yoongi had to kiss it.
---
jin @wwhandsom 2:04 PM · July 15, 2018
Now I need a full vat of brain bleach and also possibly some memory wipes? Anyone going to help a boy out?
jungkook @kookimonster 2:32 PM · July 15, 2018
You can come play more video games if you want!
jin @wwhandsom 2:37 PM · July 15, 2018
Nah it’s okay they’ve decided to vacate the apartment
tae @photaegraphy 2:45 PM · July 15, 2018
They are leaving your apartment? They aren’t coming to my apartment are they?
jin @wwhandsom 2:49 PM · July 15, 2018
Yoongi did have a suitcase…
tae @photaegraphy 2:52 PM · July 15, 2018
WE DON’T HAVE SPACE FOR THREE PEOPLE
myg @mmmaestro 3:15 PM · July 15, 2018
Isn’t it bad manners to ask someone to move in without consulting the existing roommate anyways?
jin @wwhandsom 3:17 PM · July 15, 2018
Nah, they were just going to the train station.
Jiminie @ddrevelation 3:20 PM · July 15, 2018
Couples getaway already? They move fast!
---
jin @wwhandsom 5:30 AM · July 16, 2018
Does anyone want to guess who went on vacation and didn’t turn off any of his SIX ALARMS
Jiminie @ddrevelation 6:15 AM · July 16, 2018
Was it me
jin @wwhandsom 6:15 AM · July 16, 2018
No
jungkook @kookimonster 6:19 AM · July 16, 2018
Was it me
jin @wwhandsom 6:19 AM · July 16, 2018
No
myg @mmmaestro 6:30 AM · July 16, 2018
Was it me
jin @wwhandsom 6:30 AM · July 16, 2018
Yes
myg @mmmaestro 6:31 AM · July 16, 2018
Do I win a prize?
jin @wwhandsom 6:31 AM · July 16, 2018
Grocery shopping for a month
myg @mmmaestro 6:32 AM · July 16, 2018
I don’t like that prize can I get another one?
jin @wwhandsom 6:32 AM · July 16, 2018
NO.
---
July 16, 2018
yoongi, 6:50 AM: Morning!
namjoon, 6:51 AM
Why are you awake?
You’re on vacation
With your family
You don’t need to be awake this early
yoongi, 6:52 AM
The months of early commuting might have permanently rewired my brain :(
I’ll go to sleep after this but i figured you might like the company anyways?
namjoon, 6:53 AM
Of course :)
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:58 AM · July 16, 2018
Again with the smiling at his phone. I'm sure he's texting. Hasn't even looked at the crossword. I'm glad he's happy :)
---
July 18, 2018
yoongi, 11:04 AM
Happy Wednesday!
namjoon, 11:10 AM
Did you just wake up?
yoongi, 11:11 AM
… maybe
namjoon, 11:11 AM
What happened to mr “Early commuting has ruined sleeping in forever?”
yoongi, 11:11 AM
That was a different me
A me from two days ago
(and there’s a slim chance I stayed up all night but shhh don’t tell anyone)
namjoon, 11:15 AM
It’s nice to see you enjoying your vacation :)
yoongi, 11:15 AM
Honestly it’s nice to be enjoying my vacation
Thought I’d completely lost my ability to pull allnighters when I got an adult job
namjoon, 11:18 AM
I still have to pull them sometimes :(
yoongi, 11:21 AM
I’d offer to use my newfound powers to keep you company but tbh I suspect they will disappear when school starts again
namjoon, 11:22 AM
Nah, don’t stress, when I pull them it’s cause I have to work anyways. They aren’t the fun kind
yoongi, 11:26 AM: I bet I could make them fun ;)
namjoon, 11:30 AM: Are you trying to flirt over text?
yoongi, 11:37 AM
No
Why?
Is it working?
namjoon, 11:40 AM
Let’s say I’m looking forward to Sunday?
yoongi, 11:43 AM
Oh good. Me too :)
---
July 20, 2018
namjoon, 9:35 PM
I love my job don't get me wrong but sometimes having to edit the books really takes the magic of reading them out
yoongi, 9:37 PM
I love my family don't get me wrong but sometimes my mother doesn't understand me when I say “I’m full”
Hope you aren't after me for my looks, I think they'll be a lot rounder when I get back
namjoon, 9:45 PM
:///
yoongi, 9:48 PM
W o w
namjoon, 9:52 PM
<3!
namjoon, 9:52 PM
And! You'll be here soon!
yoongi, 9:54 PM
Not anymore :( Dad’s sister is coming over for supper and I've been told that since I'm on vacation anyways I have to make an appearance
namjoon, 9:55 PM
Family time is nice!
yoongi, 9:56 PM
I was looking forward to seeing you
namjoon, 9:56 PM
I was looking forward to seeing you too
But I’m willing to wait a day longer
Only one tho, k?
yoongi, 9:58 PM
I’ll do my best :)
---
jin @wwhandsom 3:00 PM · July 22, 2018
Tomorrow my roommate comes back from vacation. Over under on how long it takes them to sexile me is 60 minutes, any takers?
jungkook @kookimonster 3:18 PM · July 22, 2018
Want to avoid the sexiling and come over instead?
jin @wwhandsom 3:19 PM · July 22, 2018
That’s sweet of you but Tae and I have already planned a shoot as an excuse to be out of our respective apartments JUST IN CASE
myg @mmmaestro 3:37 PM · July 22, 2018
Vacation doesn’t mean I don’t check twitter?
jin @wwhandsom 3:38 PM · July 22, 2018
And??? Are you going to try and deny the chances of me getting sexiled
Jiminie @ddrevelation 3:50 PM · July 22, 2018
That’s a very telling silence right there
tae @photaegraphy 3:51 PM · July 22, 2018
Definitely was going to sexile at least one of us
jin @wwhandsom 3:52 PM · July 22, 2018
I’m glad we found each other in this time of need
tae @photaegraphy 3:53 PM · July 22, 2018
We can form our own support group
jin @wwhandsom 3:54 PM · July 22, 2018
I would make a joke about liking it better when they were moping over each other being better but… well
tae @photaegraphy 3:55 PM · July 22, 2018
Yeah, it was just sad, not funny
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 4:02 PM · July 22, 2018
Conversation??? In a public forum???
tae @photaegraphy 4:03 PM · July 22, 2018
Oh hi Namjoon we were wondering when you’d get here
---
July 23, 2018
yoongi, 6:04 PM
Of /course/ this is the day with a train delay
namjoon, 6:10 PM
I’ve got a manuscript with me, I don’t mind waiting :)
yoongi, 6:11 PM
You know that it could go on for a while right? ‘Signal issues’ is train-person code for ‘there’s a problem and we aren’t quite sure what it is’
namjoon, 6:12 PM
Lucky for you they’ve got comfy benches in the station then!
yoongi, 6:14 PM
You are just…
namjoon, 6:18 PM
Is that the text equivalent of when you try and come up with something nice to say and then get frustrated because you can’t find the words?
yoongi, 6:18 PM
No.
Maybe?
namjoon, 6:19 PM
:)
yoongi, 6:20 PM
You know that I can feel that smirk through my phone right?
namjoon, 6:20 PM
That was kind of the point
[...]
yoongi, 7:40 PM
Look I feel horrible please go home? I can come over tomorrow?
namjoon, 7:43 PM
I am a subscriber to the sunk cost fallacy
yoongi, 7:44 PM
Do I even want to know what that is?
namjoon, 7:45 PM
I’ve invested this much time in waiting, if I invest a bit more you’ll show up
yoongi, 7:46 PM
You are just
namjoon, 7:46 PM
You said that already
yoongi, 7:47 PM
Are you human?
namjoon, 7:47 PM
Last I checked!
yoongi, 7:48 PM
God I hate you
[...]
yoongi, 9:10 PM
I don’t see you???
… oh.
Oh someone thought he’d be /funny/ I see
namjoon, 9:50 PM
Worth it :)
Sleep well!
----
jin @wwhandsom 9:56 PM · July 23, 2018
Heard noises from the front hall. Assumed a burglar. Met with a baseball bat. Actually a roommate, who I’d assumed out living his best life as a kept boy
jin @wwhandsom 9:56 PM · July 23, 2018
Did you know he knew judo? No? Me neither.
Jiminie @ddrevelation 9:58 PM · July 23, 2018
D: No bruises I hope!
Hobi @rayofhope 10:00 PM · July 23, 2018
No broken nose?
jin @wwhandsom 10:02 PM · July 23, 2018
Perfect face as handsom as ever
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 10:05 PM · July 23, 2018
*handsome you know that it’s handsome right?
jin @wwhandsom 10:06 PM · July 23, 2018
Found the editor! Shouldn’t you be having sex right now? Why did you send him back here?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 10:10 PM · July 23, 2018
He was tired, and sleeps better in his bed anyways. You know that people who are dating aren’t always having sex, right?
jin @wwhandsom 10:13 PM · July 23, 2018
They aren’t? What’s the point of dating then?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 10:17 PM · July 23, 2018
I can see why you haven’t had any long term relationships
jin @wwhandsom 10:19 PM · July 23, 2018
Excuse you? We’ve been living together we’re basically married?
Kim Namjoon @namjeditor 10:23 PM · July 23, 2018
That is… okay so not what I meant but fair play
myg @mmmaestro 10:24 PM · July 23, 2018
Does this mean you’ll do groceries this week?
jin @wwhandsom 10:25 PM · July 23, 2018
No.
---
July 23, 2018
namjoon, 10:23 PM
I love your roommate
yoongi, 10:24 PM
Me too
Just don’t ever let him know
namjoon, 10:25 PM
Not as much as me tho :(
yoongi, 10:25 PM
Not as much as you :)
My bed, on the other hand…
namjoon, 10:26 PM
I know not even to try and compete in that area!
yoongi, 10:26 PM
Sleep well! I’ll talk to you tomorrow <3
---
Yoongi enjoyed his vacation home even if there was a distinct lack of Namjoon physically being there. He got to spend time with his family, and he got to spend time with his extended family, and he even managed to find some time to spend with his friends. He felt like he needed a secretary or something to keep track of all the social engagements he found himself invited to or told he was attending. There was one day he went for so many coffee's his eyes very briefly lost the ability to focus on his phone screen.
“If you were here longer than a week,” his mother would say any time he brought it up, trailing off into a pointed silence, but that was part of the problem. He loved his family, truly he did, but he couldn’t live with them the same way he used to. He’d been living with Seokjin too long to ever fold himself back into the person his parents were used to cohabitating with. It was an odd feeling, and a melancholic one, but he tried not to dwell on it.
Instead he played with his dog, who was getting older to be sure but still happy to see him and a complete puppy at heart. He sent Namjoon a frankly embarrassing number of pictures of the two of them together, and Namjoon replied with gratifying strings of hearts and related emojis that made Yoongi smile at his phone. All things considered though he was he was pretty good at not texting Namjoon as much as he wanted (excepting the dog pictures), which was constantly. Or at least, he thought he was, until his father asked why he was so interested in his phone.
“I’m always interested in my phone,” he answered, hoping that a history of sneaking out of family functions to play games or read something online would bear up under his father's scruitiny. He suspected it wouldn’t, not if his father was the one asking.
Sure enough his father didn’t bite. “Not like this you aren’t,” his father laughed. “Someone in particular you’re texting all the time?” Yoongi hesitated for a split second to decide between yes and no, and by the time he had an answer it was too late. “Well then, who are they?” his father asked with the patient tone he used when he was prepared to out-stubborn his children. Yoongi knew he could be stubborn, but he'd learned that from someone, and that someone was his father. He decided to go with the dignity saving option instead.
“Can I tell you in like another two weeks?” he asked after a pause. “Just in case?”
It obviously wasn’t the response his father was expecting. His father frowned, eyebrows drawing together. “That serious, huh?”
“Maybe,” Yoongi said, shifting uncomfortably under his father’s level gaze. “Could be. Don’t want to jinx it yet.”
“Let’s not jinx it then,” his father said, standing, “Now come help me make supper.”
Of course he loved his family less when they did things like decide on his behalf he needed to stay and extra evening so he could have supper with his aunt who was coming from out of town, but some things couldn’t be helped. He suspected that by rights he shouldn’t be as disappointed as he was that he wouldn’t be seeing Namjoon on Sunday as they’d thought but on Monday instead, but it was a disappointment he was willing to put up with. There was enough fun to be had, and besides, it was only one more day.
The train being delayed after he was already on it? Now that was beyond the pale.
He spent the extra hours watching as his battery levels depleted and trying to convince Namjoon to just go home and stop loitering in what had to be an uncomfortable train station waiting area. At no point was he successful. He didn't much mind, and the thought that he would be able to hug Namjoon at the end of the ordeal was the only thing that got him through the half hour of a baby crying inconsolably just as they started moving again.
Yoongi practically ran off the platform, bag over his shoulder and hardly looking where he was going while he tried to get Namjoon's exact location. When at last he looked up from his phone Namjoon was easy to spot - he’d made a “Welcome Home Yoongi” sign out of what looked like the combination of crayons, glitter, and glue. It looked like something Yoongi would have expected to find in some of his students’ classrooms, both incredibly tacky and incredibly touching. He sped up his step to reach the ridiculous sign and the man holding it faster.
“I’m not sorry you waited,” Yoongi said, dropping his bag and letting Namjoon fold him into a hug. The air conditioning on the train was obviously stronger than the air conditioning in the train station - Namjoon’s body was a welcome warmth after the ice-box Yoongi had been traveling in. “It was such a long delay, and you have work in the morning, and-”
“I didn’t mind waiting,” Namjoon laughed, pulling back a bit so they could look each other in the face. Yoongi could see the sincerity. “I really wouldn’t have been doing anything different at home.”
“Good,” said Yoongi, reeling him in for another hug. “I’m glad you waited. It’s really nice to see you. God I’m tired.”
“I’m unsurprised,” Namjoon said, stroking his large, warm hands down Yoongi’s back from shoulder to hip. It felt nice, it felt good, it felt- Yoongi yawned, trying to come up with another word and settling on really good when he drew a blank. “I know it’s late, and we’d just sleep, but do you want to come back to my place?”
“Hmm?” Yoongi asked, unsure if he’d heard correctly.
“My place,” Namjoon chuckled. “C’mon, you look half asleep on your feet. I’m not sure I’d trust you to take public transit home.”
“I’ve had a long day,” Yoongi protested, yawning again. “Cut me some slack. And… and like, any other day my answer would be yes but…” He bit his lip, looked away. “I really just want my own bed.”
He expected some sort of protest, some sort of attempt to needle him until he caved and went along with it. He did not expect that Namjoon would nod in understanding, and press a kiss to the top of his head, and say “That makes sense. Let me see you home at least? I’m serious about not trusting you on public transit.”
Yoongi was selfish enough not to try and refuse the offer. “Yes,” he said, lacing their hands together, rising on his toes to plant a kiss on Namjoon’s wide smile. “Yes. I would be honoured if you would see me home, kind sir.”
It really was a good thing he had someone to escort him, although how Namjoon, who had actually put in a full day’s worth of work, was able to stay awake for the duration of the trip was anyone’s guess. They held hands the whole way, Yoongi dozing off on Namjoon’s shoulder as least twice. The only reason he didn’t miss his stop was Namjoon shaking him awake and cajoling him off the train.
When they got to his building Yoongi turned to Namjoon and said his thanks, gave him a kiss, and then said “I’d invite you up but-”
“Yeah,” Namjoon agreed, face serious, a smile playing around his lips. “Your bed isn’t really that restful when there’s both of us trying to fit in it, is it?”
“Sorry,” Yoongi said, although for what exactly he wasn’t entirely sure. Namjoon just hummed and pulled him in for another hug, resting his head first on the top of Yoongi’s head, then sliding it down to rest on his shoulder. It was comfortable and warm, and he considered letting himself fall asleep like that. He was already half way there, he’d just have to close his eyes and-
Namjoon pulled back. “Beast,” Yoongi complained.
“Go to bed.”
“Fine. I will.”
“Good.”
“Fine.”
“See you Wednesday?”
“Yes.”
Tuesday Yoongi had existing plans with university friends who weren’t Seokjin (“You know people other than me from that hellscape?” Seokjin had asked when he found out) which was nice enough, although it did involve a few too many questions about his personal life for him to be wholly comfortable. He turned his phone off for the duration so he wouldn’t be tempted to give Namjoon a running commentary on the table talk.
Wednesday he picked Namjoon up from his office and the two of them rushed to the museum for their free-entry-on-Wednesday nights so they could attend the special exhibit on spiders. “Spiders?” Yoongi asked as Namjoon started with rapt fascination through the glass of the imported terrariums. His actions were in stark contrast to many of the others in attendance, hanging back nervously.
“They’re so cute,” Namjoon whispered, staring at them lovingly, and Yoongi was disgusted by how much fondness welled in his own chest. No one should ever be able to feel that much fondness in the presence of spiders.
He put up with Jungkook’s teasing on Thusrday by making him run scales until he could do a full three octaves with either hand smoothly once Yoongi gave him the key, and Friday Namjoon had a work event. Namjoon had invited him, but as much as Yoongi wanted to say yes, wanted to spend the evening with Namjoon, he did not want to spend it will all of Namjoon’s coworkers.
Namjoon laughed when he articulated this, saying, “You’d have been bored anyways. We can get lunch Saturday though?”
---
July 29, 2018
roomie<3, 9:14 AM
Next time maybe just a bit of warning before I wake up and walk into the kitchen to find you have a guest over?
Please?
I feel like it isn’t too hard to ask
namjoon, 9:18 AM
Shit sorry I meant to mention he was going to probably be here?
roomie<3, 9:19 AM
It’s cool, I don’t mind if he’s here, I’d just like the warning :)
namjoon, 9:20 AM
Ah, okay! I will do that next time :)
---
tae @photaegraphy 11:21 AM · July 29. 2018
I’ve changed my mind, this is worse than the moping
jin @wwhandsom 11:39 AM · July 29. 2018
It’s a beautiful thing <3
jungkook @kookimonster 11:43 AM · July 29. 2018
You say that like you /weren’t/ just whining about how you could catch them doin’ it already so you could and I quote ‘get it over with’
jin @wwhandsom 11:44 AM · July 29. 2018
The first scar is the deepest, and the not knowing /when/ is hell on the nerves
jungkook @kookimonster 11:45 AM · July 29. 2018
You can say that again
jin @wwhandsom 11:46 AM · July 29. 2018
The first scar is the deepest, and th enot knowing /when/ is hell on the nerves
tae @photaegraphy 11:48 AM · July 29. 2018
Wow, an actual retype, I’m impressed with your commitment to the cause
jungkook @kookimonster 11:50 AM · July 29. 2018
We’re sure they’re… you know.
Jiminie @ddrevelation 11:51 AM · July 29. 2018
Yes
Hobi @rayofhope 11:51 AM · July 29. 2018
Yes
tae @photaegraphy 11:51 AM · July 29. 2018
Yes
jin @wwhandsom 11:51 AM · July 29. 2018
Yes
jungkook @kookimonster 11:52 AM · July 29. 2018
Well. Just so long as we’re sure
---
They did get lunch on Saturday, at a small restaurant near the park. When their food was done and their plates removed Namjoon suggested a walk through the park, which turned into a picnic dinner, which morphed into an evening in the park before sidling very quietly, with a few giggles, into a night at Namjoon’s, quiet and slow because they couldn’t tell whether or not Taehyung was there and neither of them feel like announcing their intentions over text.
Of course they were found out the next morning when Taehyung walked out of his room to see them arguing over the correct way to make coffee at home. Yoongi froze, knowing full well what his reaction would be if Seokjin had someone sleep over without even a warning. He berated himself for his carelessness the night before in agreeing to go along with Namjoon’s plan of sneaking in. True, he had been distracted by quite a number of things (chief among them Namjoon’s mouth, and Namjoon’s hands, and Namjoon’s chest) but that was no excuse for their lapse in manners.
He managed to get his mouth open to speak, although he had no idea what he would say, when Taehyung rubbed his eyes and mumbled something about “next time just text please, it helps me not think someone is breaking in to steal my shoes” on his way to the fridge. Namjoon apologized profusely of course but they couldn’t really get Taehyung to say anything more before he stumbled back to his bedroom.
Just like that it was the start of another week. Yoongi would never have thought he would find himself wishing that work would start again but there was only so much sleep even he could get in a day. He helped Seokjin cook for his next video, he reorganized his room, and he spent a lot of time on Netflix. He went to the movies in the middle of the afternoon, wandered through used bookstores, and mostly tried to keep busy until Namjoon got off work.
---
August 2, 2018
namjoon, 4:43 PM
I know you have Jungkook’s lessons and stuff tonight but want to come over after?
Tae’s gone for the weekend, off shooting somewhere, so we can throw a wild party
yoongi, 4:50 PM
WILD PARTIES??? My favourite
namjoon, 4:53 PM
I thought they might be
I was thinking maybe just a quiet night in? You, me, some Studio Ghibli?
yoongi, 4:54 PM
That sounds really nice right now
Alright I’ll be there
namjoon, 4:55 PM
Hey you realize that makes every evening this week?
yoongi, 4:56 PM
Huh, hadn’t even considered
namjoon, 4:56 PM
You don’t mind, do you?
yoongi, 4:57 PM
Not. At. All.
---
“Absolutely bucketting down out there,” Yoongi complained as he swanned into the apartment. “I know it’s summer and all, but do you have any space heaters?”
Normally Namjoon might have laughed at that, pointed out that space heaters weren’t a common thing to have during the summer. Instead he gave a small smile, pointed Yoongi to the bathroom so he could have a shower to warm up, and found Yoongi something dry to wear. Yoongi recognized the sweatpants and t-shirt and sweater as belonging to Namjoon, and after a long internal debate he opted to use the loose boxers too.
The clothing was far too big but it was warm, and it was comfortable, and it lightened Namjoon’s expression by a few fractions when Yoongi emerged from the bathroom, hair tousled purposefully into as ridiculous a style as he could manage with nothing but water for a styling agent. He counted it a win, and also as confirmation that there definitely was Something Up that he needed to get to the bottom of.
Things stayed unnaturally quiet as they microwaved some popcorn and opened a bottle of wine but Yoongi held off asking anything until they were in the living room, had selected their movie, and were moving to the couch. It took a few minutes of gentle prodding and reassurance to get through to Namjoon that Yoongi was serious about getting to the bottom of this before they started their movie, not after. When Namjoon admitted what, exactly, he was overthinking, Yoongi had to bite back a laugh that in his current frame of mind Namjoon would almost certainly not appreciate.
“My days are made of nothing but time right now,” Yoongi pointed out. “There’s no way you’re taking up ‘too much’ of it.”
“Everyone’s days are made of nothing but time,” Namjoon said. “What matters is how we spend it.”
“Did you get that from the inside of a fortune cookie?” Yoongi asked. “And anyways, I’m choosing to spend my time with you, is that a crime now?”
“No,” Namjoon said, a slow smile breaking across his face. “No, no, I guess not.”
“Good,” Yoongi said, sliding over so he and Namjoon were sitting beside each other on Namjoon’s couch. He grabbed one of Namjoon’s arms and draped it around his shoulder, grabbed the other and wrapped it around his stomach. “Is there something else underneath the 'taking too much of your time' concern I should be fishing for, while we’re at it?”
He could feel Namjoon stiffen behind him but kept his thumbs rubbing small, smooth circles on the back of Namjoon’s hands. It didn't take too long before Namjoon spoke again. “It doesn’t feel too fast for you, does it? Us spending…”
“Definitely not,” Yoongi answered firmly when it became clear Namjoon wasn’t going to finish his thought out loud. “Not for me, anyways. You?”
“No,” said Namjoon. Yoongi could feel the smile he pressed into the top of Yoongi’s head. “No, me neither.”
“Good. Glad we're on the same page. No more freaking out necessary for either of us. Now that we’ve got the important things sorted out, movie?” Yoongi made grabby hands at the remote, and instead of the remote flying into his hands as it should have thunder sounded.
“I think you’ve got your magic spells crossed,” Namjoon laughed, and it was the real laugh again. Yoongi tucked himself under the arm more firmly and settled in happily as Namjoon pressed play.
The rain stayed camped directly above them as they watched the movie and argued about plot points. It was still there when the movie ended, and Yoongi eyed his wet clothing without bothering to hide his disgust. He didn’t want to go back outside in this weather at all, not when Namjoon was running his fingers slowly through Yoongi’s hair and had a bed big enough to hold both of them.
The problem was they didn’t have precedence for sleeping over on nights when Namjoon had work the next morning, or for asking to sleep over. As much as he wanted to find the words to ask Yoongi had used up most of the energy he earmarked for nerve-wracking things to ask Namjoon what was bothering him earlier.
Another peal of thunder sounded overhead and the apartment went dark. “Power’s out,” Namjoon said after a few heartbeats.
“Never would have noticed,” Yoongi said, metaphorically holding his breath.
“Probably in the streets too,” Namjoon said, like he was trying to justify something. “So it probably wouldn’t be safe to walk home?”
“Possibly not,” Yoongi agreed, heart in his throat.
“D’you… I mean, my bed is an actual adult sized bed, do you want to maybe stay over, uh, on purpose?” Namjoon asked. Yoongi had the sneaking suspicion that if the lights had still worked Namjoon’s expression would have strongly resembled that of a child told they need to ask the teacher for permission before doing something. “Like intentionally.”
Yoongi found himself filled with the desire to kiss Namjoon and so he did, slow and easy, even if it took him three tries to find Namjoon’s mouth in the dark. Namjoon didn't seem to mind. When he did finally find Namjoon's mouth Namjoon kissed back, matching his languid pace.
“You aren’t sick of me yet?” he asked when they next broke for air.
“Not sure I could be,” Namjoon said around a yawn. “Now come on, not all of us can take naps all day if they don’t get much sleep tonight.”
---
August 2, 2018
namjoon, 11:35 PM
Listen I know it’s short notice and you aren’t actually here but do you mind if Yoongi stays over?
It’s raining pretty heavy and it’s already kinda late
roomie<3, 11:40 PM
Yeah sure
But make sure you sleep in separate rooms young man
namjoon, 11:45 PM
Yes mom
roomie<3, 11:45 PM
(I really don’t care)
(I was joking about the scar thing)
(Well, mostly joking)
namjoon, 11:59 PM
(It’s okay, I got that it was a joke)
(We’re careful, anyways)
roomie<3, 12:00 PM
(I DIDN’T NEED TO KNOW THAT)
namjoon, 12:01 PM
(YOU’RE THE ONE WHO BROUGHT IT UP)
(IT’S A NATURAL ACT SOCIETY IS THE ONE WHO MAKES IT WEIRD)
roomie<3, 12:02 PM
You are just really you, you know that?
namjoon, 12:02 PM
lyt
---
yoongi, 11:42 PM
Crashing with Namjoon don’t wait up
eternal roommate, 11:43 PM
Glad you won’t drown trying to get home!
Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!
yoongi, 11:59 PM
So… do whatever I want basically?
---
August 3, 2018
Eunsook, 6:40 AM
YOU WILL NEVER GUESS WHO JUST WALKED OUT OF THE CAFE
Kanghee, 6:41 AM
You’re right, I won’t
Eunsook, 6:42 AM
Well you definitely won’t with an attitude like that
Kanghee, 6:45 AM
Eunsook, come on, it’s too early for this
Eunsook, 6:45 AM
Namjoon
And
ONE MILK ONE SUGAR!
Kanghee, 6:46 AM
One milk one sugar???
omg??? OMG???
Eunsook, 6:46 AM
i kno rite?
Namjoon just walked in, no big, and I mean you know how sad he was
Kanghee, 6:47 AM
oh god it was the worst
it was like the sun was crying
Eunsook, 6:48 AM
and then he just bounced back straight off and we all expected him to go back to his Usual Order
But he didn’t
And we all wondered why
Kanghee, 6:49 AM
Are you purposefully drawing this out to build suspense
Because if you are I Swear to God
Eunsook, 6:50 AM
Why would I draw this out
That would be really mean of me
Like, really mean
Kanghee, 6:50 AM
I SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING
if you don’t finish I’m going to go to Hwasan and ask her about it!
Eunsook, 6:51 AM
Fine, fine
anyways this morning he walks in HOLDING HANDS with a very attractive person
And we were all ????
And Namjoon ordered his drink
and this guy (apparently his name is yoongi) ordered coffe, one milk one sugar
and Sungnam shrieked legitimately shrieked “ONE MILK ONE SUGAR” and pointed at him
And poor Namjoon went bright pink
And Yoongi looked like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to be embarrassed or amused? but he was all over cute
like super cute
if he wasn’t clinging to namjoon and slightly terrified i’m pretty sure he could have gotten everyone’s number
Jiwoo gave them their drinks free and said “finally” when she handed them over
I almost died
Kanghee, 6:56 AM
What a time to be alive
Eunsook, 6:56 AM
The mystery is solved
Kanghee, 6:56 AM
I’m almost disappointed we never got to put our sleuthing skills to work :(
Eunsook, 6:57 AM
Same :(
Kanghee, 6:57 AM
But mostly I'm happy to know what one milk one sugar looks like
Next time he comes through get me a sneaky picture?
Eunsook, 6:58 AM
I'll see what I can do :)
---
While Yoongi might not like mornings still for all he was better able to wake up for them he was unsurprised to learn he liked waking up when it was to Namjoon’s breath warm and soft on the back of his neck and Namjoon cuddled up behind him.
Namjoon’s morning routines during the weekday apparently differed greatly from his weekend routine. There was no comfortable arguing over the correct way to make coffee in the kitchen, no lazy breakfast. There was apparently staying motionless in bed for as long as possible and then a frantic whirlwind of putting on clothing and grabbing of wallet, keys, and phone.
“What’s the rush?” Yoongi asked as Namjoon hoved while he tied his shoes up. “We’ve got time to get to the station! We’ll be almost a full train early.”
“Coffee,” Namjoon grunted. “C’mon,” and he grabbed his bag with one hand, Yoongi’s hand with the other, and stared at door as though it would open itself.
“I never thought I’d find someone worse than me before coffee,” Yoongi laughed, gently disentangling their hands so he could open the door and usher Namjoon through.
It wasn’t far to the coffee shop. By the time they arrived Namjoon had figured out how to wear his bag on his shoulder so he could hold Yoongi’s hand and open the door at the same time. “After you,” he said with a half bow, and Yoongi was chuckling as he walked in and noticed every staff person seemed to be staring at them.
He felt the smile freeze on his face. They weren’t doing anything to attract that level of attention, not when the place was a third full of customers. There was no line to order. Namjoon marched them in apparently oblivious to the obvious scrutiny of the baristas and the cashier. Yoongi could feel the temperature of the air drop with ever step he took toward the counter, and the person standing at the espresso machine seemed to be looking between their joined hands and his face far more than was polite.
“Morning Namjoon,” the cashier said, looking at Yoongi with a mostly neutral expression. Her name badge read Jiwoo. “The usual?” There was the smallest of frowns between her eyebrows. Yoongi fought the instinctive urge to drop Namjoon’s hand and instead gripped it tighter. Her frown deepened.
“Yes please,” Namjoon said, “And he’ll have the blond roast, one milk one sugar.”
It was as if he had spoken some magic spell. “One milk one sugar!” yelled the barista at the espresso machine, pointing. Jiwoo also said “One milk one sugar!” although she at least had the good manners not to point at him.
“I’m very confused right now,” Yoongi said to Namjoon, as from the back of the store Yoongi could hear “It’s one milk one sugar?” “They don’t usually get this excited when people order coffee, do they?”
“Name?” demanded Jiwoo, cup and sharpie already in hand.
“Yoongi?” he and Namjoon said in unison.
“We were worried about you Yoongi,” said the man at the espresso machine.
“What?” he asked, looking between Sungnam, according to his name tag, and Namjoon, who was definitely blushing.
“We were worried about you,” the guy said, leaning on the counter, “When Namjoon stopped- hey!” he broke off as Jiwoo elbowed him.
“You can ignore Sungnam,” Jiwoo said, her smile a bit stiff around the edges, as Sungnam rubbed his ribs with a hurt look. “Oh, no, this one is on me,” she said, waving away Namjoon’s attempt to pay. “Call it a regular’s bonus, or whatever you want. It’s not like we have loyalty cards.”
They walked out three minutes later, coffees in hand. They hadn’t been the most uncomfortable three minutes of Yoongi’s life (there were in fact quite a few periods of three minutes that would be above them in the rankings, this didn’t even crack the top ten) but there had definitely been a Vibe that indicated as soon as they were gone the employees were going to set to gossipping.
“Sorry about that,” Namjoon said as soon as the door shut behind them. “I know that they… but I didn’t think…”
Yoongi waited to see if Namjoon would say anything else, and when he didn’t he stood up on tiptoe to plant a kiss on Namjoon’s cheek. It was a bit tricky to get the timing right given the speed they were walking but Yoongi gave it his best effort.
“It’s okay. I just wasn’t expecting it.”
“Neither was I,” Namjoon said with a vehimance that Yoongi wasn’t sure was entirely warranted by the situation. “I’d sort of forgotten that they, they sort of, well you know, asked, sometimes, in a joking way-”
“It’s sweet,” Yoongi cut in, foreseeing another instance where there was a solid chance Namjoon would struggle for a few minutes before he figured out what he wanted to say. “That they cared, and remembered.”
“Sure,” Namjoon said, squeezing Yoongi’s hand. “Let’s go with that.”
They reached the train station with five minutes to spare. Yoongi found one of the bins with the commuter papers in it and they spent four of those minutes trying to see how many answers they could fill in before the train showed up and one of them arguing about whether or not cats were domesticated.
The train rumbled into the station and Yoongi felt a strange sort of squeeze in his chest. Some of what he was feeling must have translated to his face, because Namjoon pulled him in for a hug and then a kiss, right there on the platform. They broke apart as the brakes squealed the train to a stop and Yoongi said “Love you,” before he quite realized he had planned to.
It wasn’t that it wasn’t true. He’d been half in love with Namjoon even before the disastrous event with the phone number. It was just that, well, If Namjoon didn’t feel the same way it would be incredibly awkward, and they’d only really been dating dating for a couple weeks, and it might be too fast.
Namjoon’s expression was hard to read. Yoongi decided damage control without backing out of it was the way to go. “Sorry,” he said, looking down, “Sorry, I know it’s kind of early? Or fast? But it’s still true.”
“Ah, don’t be sorry,” Namjoon chucked. “No, really. I love you too. No, don’t give me that, I’ve been half in love since before I knew your name.”
“Same,” Yoongi said, breathless. Around them people started to file in through the doors. “Yeah, same.”
“Good,” Namjoon said, and kissed him again.
Yoongi pulled back almost at once. “Get on the train or you’ll be late.”
“You’re making it hard,” Namjoon whined.
“You’ll see me tonight,” Yoongi laughed.
“Tonight’s so far away!”
“The doors are closing,” announced the voice from the doors.
“Go!” Yoongi ordered in his most stern tones, pushing against Namjoon’s chest for emphasis. Namjoon stole a last kiss and rushed inside as the voice said “Stand clear of the doors” and the chime sounded.
Namjoon disappeared inside, moving to sit in the spot Yoongi had occupied for so long. He waved at Yoongi, and Yoongi was waving back when some movement a bit further up the train caught his eye.
It was the probably-highschool girl, another of the commuter regulars, her mouth open as she stared first at him, outside the train, and then presumably Namjoon, inside. Her expression morphed from one of surprise to a smile which was… well it was a bit weird, if Yoongi was being honest, but he had a coffee, and Namjoon loved him. He could put up with a little weird.
He waved at her too, and wasn’t surprised when she waved back, face bright pink, and then almost immediately looked away. Chuckling to himself he took a sip of his coffee and wandered off to find the stairs that would take him across the tracks so he could go back to his apartment and find something productive to do until the evening. Maybe he’d give the place a good, thorough cleaning. Maybe he'd sort out their food, chuck out anything that had spoiled. Maybe… Maybe he'd have a nap. A nap sounded like a good idea.
---
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:51 AM · Aug 3, 2018
I cannot believe what I just saw with my own two eyes??????
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:51 AM · Aug 3, 2018
Like. what? what. w a t h. w ha t/
minnie @smaxophonegrl 5:52 AM · Aug 3, 2018
So like, the last few weeks, same old same old more or less
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:52 AM · Aug 3, 2018
OG back to pre-NG levels, harmony was restored in my commute world
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:53 AM · Aug 3, 2018
Outstanding plot thread of "what in the world happened to NG" but like, life isn't a drama, you know? Sometimes you Just Don't Know
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:54 AM · Aug 3, 2018
And it sucks, but it happens (but it sucks)
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:54 AM · Aug 3, 2018
School ends, I start that intensive music course, things as-per-normal
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:54 AM · Aug 3, 2018
And then here I am an UNSUPECTING COMMUTER who on reaching OG's usual stop finds her eyes ASSAULTED
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:55 AM · Aug 3, 2018
"By what?" you might be asking yourselves. (ur probably also saying "hurry up and get to the point" but idk 'm having fun)
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:55 AM · Aug 3, 2018
By the sight of CERTAIN PEOPLE doing a TONGUE TANGO out there on the platform! when the train pulled in! Who even does that???
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:55 AM · Aug 3, 2018
(ahaha no there definitely wasn't that much tongue involved and I possibly now have diabetes from close contact)
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:56 AM · Aug 3, 2018
(gosh but they are sappy for each other. their smiles? as they waved goodbye? it was too much to hope NG was getting on the train too :( )
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:56 AM · Aug 3, 2018
Oh! And! Nearly forgot to say! NG? Smiled at me! Caught me staring and smiled at me! Now is when I can go jump off a cliff right?
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:56 AM · Aug 3, 2018
Anyways, moral of the story is they are definitely /definitely/ dating, no room for error at all
minnie @smaxophonegrl 6:57 AM · Aug 3, 2018
I hope their get-together story was just as cheesy as their hurried phone number exchange
minnie @smaxophonegrl 7:01 AM · Aug 3, 2018
If I ever see them show up in like, a pair of matching tuxes, or a pair of matching white dresses, I will let you know :)
---
August 3, 2018
namjoon, 6:50 AM
Love you
yoongi, 6:53 AM
<3 u 2
namjoon, 6:53 AM
You did that just to hurt me, didn't you
yoongi, 6:54 AM
The reply was so late because I had to fight with my keyboard
namjoon, 6:54 AM
If I say I love you again is it too soon
yoongi, 6:55 AM
Maybe, but it's probably worth a shot
namjoon, 6:55 AM
Love you <3
yoongi, 6:55 AM
Love you too <3
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