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Sometimes, Yoongi hates how long practices run. It was currently something after one in the night, and it was colder than he had expected it to be when he had walked through the morning sunshine. Granted, he did not like the sun, but he would also not like to die of hypothermia, thank you very much.
He sighed, shouldering his bag and getting ready to walk out when suddenly he felt a weight on his shoulder. He glanced back, gaze landing on a rather soft looking coat on them. His eyes travelled up to see another trainee ( really, why was this guy so tall? It was unfair ).
"Um," he began hesitantly, shifting his weight from one foot to another, "you were without a coat and it was predicted that it would be really cold today, so he– I mean, it is cold! So please take my coat, ah, Yoongi. Hyung," He tagged on.
Yoongi frowned at the other. His name was Namjoon, if he remembered correctly. They had talked a few times and he could confidently say that he disliked this brat less than he disliked the others. "Kid, I'm fine."
"I insist! My dorm is really close by from here, so I don't mind."
Yoongi's lips curved further downwards. He did not want anyone's help or pity, be it a stranger or his own family. The other may just be a nice but awkward person who probably gave umbrellas to stray animals ( He won't lie that he didn't do that too, because he did. He absolutely did. ) or tried to help everyone he saw, but Yoongi was not going to take his damn coat.
He opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say a single syllable the other was already bringing the coat around his shoulders and trying to manhandle him into it.
"Hey! What are you–"
"Hyung don't fight me on this! I noticed you had a cold two days ago– stop struggling, will you?"
"Yah! I'm your elder! Have some respe–"
"I'm not letting you get pneumonia on my watch!"
Yoongi was breathing hard with all the struggling he just did, but Namjoon had won and had somehow managed to push him into the coat. It was quite large, he noticed offhandedly, and he again cursed the other's height. He was the older one here for God's sake!
"You," He glared at Namjoon, who grinned innocently in between trying to catch his breath. "You are one stubborn mule, aren't you?"
"I could say the same for you, hyung. Someone would think I was trying to kidnap you from how you were fighting back." He paused, then showed off his dimples with a large smile. "How is it now?"
The smaller of the two looked away, clutching the sleeves of the offered garment. "It's warm," he said.
"I'm glad," Namjoon replied, falling in step beside him as they began walking towards the dorm. It was silent, but not awkward and Yoongi liked this. He liked this.
They stopped at Yoongi's dorm, where he bid a quiet goodbye to Namjoon, who walked on with a smile and a wave. Yoongi hesitates on the steps, debating with himself before calling out to Namjoon. "Hey, kid!" He started and looked back, patiently waiting.
"Thank you," he mutters, and he doesn't know how the other knew what he said with him being quite a few steps away, but he somehow does.
"You're welcome, hyung," comes the reply, before he faces away and turns round the corner.
( He got a kick from Yoongi the next day for lying about his dorm being near the studio. )
Yoongi actually did love all the members a lot, despite whatever it may seem like to those who did not knew him. Of course, sometimes they get into arguments and fights, but it's okay. They're a family and he knows that none of them will have it any other way.
He loves all these idiots of his, but sometimes he wished murder was legal. He, Namjoon and Hoseok had all worked for two whole days – despite their better judgements – on a song with an iffy bridge, and they were tired as fuck.
Beside him was their leader, who was resting his head on the window looking like he would slip into a coma any second now, and a glance to the front told him that Hoseok had already slipped into a deep sleep on Seokjin's wide shoulders.
The maknaes though...the maknaes seemed determined to get themselves killed one of these days with the ruckus they were making. He wondered where they even got this energy from, but then he put those thoughts out of his mind. He was not up for contemplating the younger ones' black magic while running on two hours of sleep in the last forty hours.
"Guys, would you kindly shut the fuck up?"
The three devils instantly shut up, craning their neck from the middle seats to give him guilty looks before muttering their apologies. Yoongi smiled slightly and leaned back further into the soft cushion of the car seat. He could at least cram in half an hour of rest before they reached the airport.
But life was a bitch, and not even five minutes had passed before they started up again. And– were they discussing about Pokémon?
That heatedly? He sighed and glared at Taehyung, who had looked over to him at the sound. The boy nudged his best friend and motioned towards Yoongi, who glared at him too. They quietened down instantly, and Jungkook promised it would not happen again from his place beside them.
"It better not," he replied and settled back into the seat again, determined to get some sleep. He enviously thought of Hobi, who was miraculously managing to sleep through the acts of the forces of nature that they called their three dongsaengs. Even Namjoon had seemed to have drifted off, and really, this was betrayal.
Seokjin was awake like one of the accursed morning people, but instead of doing anything about Yoongi's predicament the eldest had the gall to hide his mouth behind his hands and laugh. Laugh.
Out of all the days his roommate could have chosen to be an asshole, he had to choose this one. Absolutely wonderful. If Yoongi didn't like the man's cooking so much ( and he wouldn't admit it, but he was fond of the man himself as a friend and a brother ), he would have punched him right then and there.
Or bribed either Jungkook or Jimin in doing it. Whatever.
The brats had began making a ruckus again. The rapper screwed his eyes shut, trying one of the methods to calm down that Hoseok had taught him years ago. He was never good at raising his voice at anyone, but if their youngest trio did not shut up right now , they were going to hear some choice words from him.
''Yah! Make less noise!''
Yoongi takes back everything he had just said about Jin. The man was clearly an angel descended from heaven.
''Hasn't Yoongi-ah here already told you this...what? Twice?''
''Yes hyung. Sorry hyung.'' They flitted their eyes from the eldest to Yoongi briefly, who merely grunted.
''You have to understand that some of us are very tired,'' Seokjin continued, ''and would like some peace and quiet.''
''Yes hyung. Sorry hyung.''
I know you all have a lot to talk about, but this can wait till you get into your hotel room.''
''Yes hyung. Sorr-''
Taehyung interrupted the chant with an excited yell. ''You mean me, Chim and Kookie are sharing a room!?''
Jin smiles fondly and nods. The other three vocalists shout in joy and clamour for more information, nearly climbing on the seats in their haste to properly look at the eldest.
''You never let us share a room!''
"Kookie is right! What changed?''
"I'm in charge of assigning rooms," Namjoon ( how long had he been awake? ) speaks up from his place beside him, "and if you cause trouble I can change your rooms."
Horrified gasps and promises to behave follow this announcement.
"We'll be good!" One half of the 95 line pipes up.
"Scout's honour!" The second, taller half agrees, wildly waving his hands as if to show his sincerity.
Yoongi feels something trickling down the front of his jacket, and on following Taehyung's suddenly terrified gaze he sees a large, wet spot on it. Everyone turns to look at Taehyung's now empty cup of passion tea, eyes filled with pity.
"Oops."
He ignores everyone's babbling, choosing to focus on the stain that was slowly seeping into his jacket. He takes it off in a hurry, but unfortunately the tea had already soaked through his shirt. His plain, white shirt.
Yoongi waves away Taehyung's frantic apologies - he really could never stay angry at the kids - looking towards Seokjin for any words of advice on what to do.
''You can't be seen in the airport with that,'' his hyung replies.
''No shit.''
''Yah! Be more respectful! Namjoon, are you seeing this?''
Namjoon looked like he was going to scold them, but Yoongi had known him for years. He knew the man was silently laughing inside. ''Yes hyung,'' he says with a voice that he can tell is carefully controlled, ''I have eyes.''
Hoseok was outright laughing along with the maknae line, and Yoongi would have found the rare snark from Joon hilarious, but he had a more pressing problem.
''If you have eyes I'm assuming you can see this huge ass spot on my shirt, do something.''
Namjoon reaches out a hand to touch his shirt, patting the stain lightly. ''You can cover this with a coat, and change in the hotel.''
''But we already sent the luggage along with Sejin-hyung,'' Hoseok interrupts. ''Unless spare jackets fall from the sky-''
( ''That would be so cool'', they hear Taehyung whisper to Jimin. There is a defeated sigh from Jungkook. )
Their leader is already taking off his leather jacket, cheeks dimpled with the smile he shoots Yoongi. ''You can use this one, hyung.''
Yoongi would have argued, but this was Namjoon . Compromising he may be in most cases, but when he puts his foot down not even he or Jin could deter him. Add to that the fact that the youngest rapper among them had an amazing way with words, and honestly, Yoongi would rather not spend an hour debating with him.
It still made him a little uncomfortable with sharing clothes, but he didn't mind as much as he would have, say, four years ago. He had been living with the six of them for a long time, they were family now. And it was an emergency, so he had minimal choice in the matter.
Therefore Yoongi sucks it up, reaches out and takes the jacket, and puts it on without the word. He lets out a relieved breath to see that it hides the spilled tea on his shirt, although it was a tad too large on him.
''Thanks, Joon-ah.''
Namjoon's dimples deepen as his lips curve further upwards. ''You're welcome Yoongi hyung.''
( If Yoongi was to be completely honest, if he was asked about the person he was completely at ease with sharing clothes with, he would reply that the answer was Kim Namjoon. )
Jung Hoseok was trying to kill him.
Well, that was one of his major conspiracy theories at least. The other rapper may be the living embodiment of sunshine and a very sweet and cheerful man to spend time with, but one should not take him lightly. He had known and worked with and lived with Hoseok for quite a while, he was aware how hellish he was when he got serious.
And there were few things that made Hoseok more focused than dance.
Yoongi falls to the floor as soon as the music stops, feeling the ache in what he was sure was every single muscle in his body.
''Come on hyung,'' Hobi calls out from where he is, miraculously, standing. ( He sometimes forgets about the insane stamina in their main dancer, the man was terrifying ). ''You are capable of more than that.''
Yoongi huffs, but stays quiet. He appreciates Hoseok's faith and patience in him, and he definitely did not want to disappoint him, especially since the other was younger than him. Their new choreography was significantly harder than their previous ones, so the dance line had decided to work solo with a member first to get it down pat before they went into syncing and coordination.
He was glad Hoseok was with him, because as much as he loved the other two kids, he worked better with the rapper, because he was closer in age and well...a rapper.
"Hyung, don't make me kick you.''
Yoongi suddenly wished he had switched spots with either Jin or Namjoon ( Taehyung didn't need much help with dancing, that talented rascal ).
He understood where Hoseok was coming from, they had only been at this for three hours, it was not even ten in the morning. In normal conditions, they could go for four with only a few extremely short breaks in between for water, and five before choreographer Son granted them a break.
But Yoongi had gone for a walk last night to clear his head after a long day of sitting around in his studio, and had not only skipped dinner, forgot about the food that Seokjin had kept covered with plastic wrap just for him, but he had also promised their eldest that he would pick something up on the way after deciding that he'll take another short walk in the morning.
And he did mean to eat something on his way, but he had gotten distracted watching a dog that looked exactly like his Holly, and before he knew it he was nearly late for the dance practice.
So yes, it was of no surprise that he was already tired. He wondered how in hell did Jimin manage to practice as hard as always- harder, if he were to be honest- with those unhealthy at-this-point-im-more-trying-to-kill-myself-with-starvation-than-lose-weight diets? Yoongi felt faint with not eating for just 12 hours. He remembered years ago when he had to go without food on several instances.
( He knew he should be glad that he was in better situations now, but a disgusting part of him couldn't help but be disappointed over his current lack of ability to go without food. )
He debated whether or not to take a break and get food AND brave a long ass speech that he would undoubtedly get from Hoseok. And also Seokjin, later when the eldest would inevitably find out. He's glad that the vocalists were away for a recording session and were not present in the dance studio. Facing the combined wrath of Jin and Hobi? He would never make it alive.
Yoongi decides to fuck it and satisfy his stomach. It was a better option than choosing to go on and waste both time and energy. He tears his eyes away from the ceiling to the other's face. ''Can we go and eat first?''
''Eat? Hyung, didn't you have breakfa-'' the dancer's eyes narrow in realization. ''Yoongi hyung, how long has it been since you ate?''
''I ate!'' He protests while pulling himself up from the floor. ''Yesterday,'' he tags on. ''...at lunch.''
''You want me to punch you or kick you?''
"I'd rather you kill me after I've eaten.''
Hoseok sighs and replies, ''You really need to take better care of yourself, hyung.'' He crosses the expanse of the studio to get to the showers, Yoongi following him. When they return to the studio, they find Namjoon sitting cross legged on the floor, browsing through his phone. He looks up and gives them a wide smile, standing up to greet them.
"I was surprised to see no one was here! Did you end practice early?"
"Yeah," Yoongi replies before Hoseok could get a word in. "How did your meeting with Bang PD go?"
"It went well, we went over the tracklist one more time. He thought we should change a few things in the outro and–"
"You can fill us in over food," their main dancer interrupts from where he was taking out a cardigan from his bag. "Hyung here is hungry."
Namjoon's features sharpen, and Yoongi knows that he understood what Hobi was getting at without any further details. The man was perceptive that way, always subtly keeping an eye on all of them.
He sighs and loops an arm around the oldest rapper, pulling him close. "You take too little care of yourself, Yoongi."
"Exactly my point!"
Yoongi grumbles at the double attack from both his juniors. Overprotective, the two of them.
Namjoon withdraws his arm from his shoulder, and Yoongi would be lying if he didn't feel a little disappointed. "Well, let's go then," he says. "To the usual place?"
Hoseok opens the door, ready to head out. "I was thinking of this new place that opened a month ago," he says, "it's a bit farther than the usual restaurant but it's got better food."
"Good privacy too," he continues when Namjoon opens his mouth. "Don't worry man, I went there twice to meet my sister and there was no problem."
The leader concedes with a smile. "That's fine then." He holds his hand out to Yoongi and sings in a horrible rendition of Shall We Dance, "Shall we go?"
"You suck," Yoongi laughs.
"Guuuuys," Hoseok whines from the doorway. "Hurry already! Especially you, hyung! You're the one who's dying for food!"
"I'm not fucking dying for fo– What is it Namjoon?"
Namjoon had taken off his windbreaker and was pushing it into Yoongi's hands, his face adopting a confused look. ''What do you mean? I'm asking you to wear this.''
The eldest of the three pauses, looks at the windbreaker and then back at Namjoon. "Why?"
"You're already susceptible to getting sick as it is, and the walk is longer than usual and there are pretty strong winds today so I don't want you to catch a cold."
"Yeah," Hobi laughs, "you're in a...weakened state too, frail and starving." The man continues on cackling, completely ignoring the glare that Yoongi was shooting him. He didn't know if the other was brave or suicidal.
( Neither, because everyone knew that Yoongi was soft for all of them. )
"Weakened state? Really?" Yoongi asks, incredulous. "What am I, an rpg character with low hp?"
Namjoon snorts at that. "Wow, Jungkook has turned you over to the dark side."
He snatches the garment from Namjoon's hands and puts it on, pointedly ignoring the two idiots who were finding this hilarious for some reason. "Can we go now?"
Idiot one and idiot two smile and nod, leading the way out.
"What about your mana, hyung?" Hoseok pipes up after a few minutes.
"Shut up."
The sky was filled with dark clouds that day, and Yoongi regretted not checking the weather report in the morning. He loved this kind of a day, but he definitely didn't want to be caught in the rain. Not only it would make him wet ( duh ) but also cold, and he hated the feelings of wet clothes sticking to his skin. So no. Yoongi wanted to be inside before it started raining.
Although it still looked like it was quite a while before the rain began, the sky still not dark enough to truly indicate a heavy fall. He supposed he could afford to complete his walk to the Bighit building rather than turning back into the apartment. Smiling behind his face mask as cool winds ruffled his hair, he began walking at a leisurely pace. It was nice to be able to take a stroll like this. With their increasing busy schedule, it was often difficult to find both the time and the privacy to just go out in public and enjoy themselves.
He had always liked walking and just enjoying his surroundings, similar to Namjoon. But while the leader preferred the solitude of tall trees and old rocks, he preferred the company of a bustling city and being lost in a sea of strangers.
Both of them had a lot of respect for Hoseok, a man who could gain inspiration and peace even among chaos of friends and family and people and events and incidents and life and– how. They'd go as far as to say that he preferred it, the madness making his mind work better.
His train of thought was broken by the local Starbucks, and he paused in front of it, considering. He enters it, deciding to get a little something for them. Namjoon didn't specify how long they'll be there, but their producing sessions run well into the night ( ft. long ass speech from Jin-hyung ) and he needed sustenance, damn it. He gets a caramel macchiato ( Namjoon ) and a mocha with extra pumps of whipped cream and sugar ( Him ). The barista thankfully, didn't seem to have recognized him. He pauses for another moment, then adds on an order of Americano ( Jimin ) and a strawberry green tea ( Taehyung, who doesn't like coffee ). If he was remembering the schedule correctly, the 95 liners were currently at vocal practice. It was never a true visit to Joon's studio without one of the kids dropping by.
He exited with heavier hands and a lighter wallet– because might as well get some food too– and a reminder to self to get something for Jungkook, who was back at home with the remaining two members, watching some kind of k-drama. The main female lead was Jungkook's and Hoseok's favourite actress or something. He had tuned them out. He guessed he could buy something for Jin and Hoseok on his back back too.
( Namjoon was going to be the one to carry those bags, naturally. Yoongi was not going to lug around that shit twice in a day. )
A raindrop landed on his nose.
Yoongi looks up in surprise, eyes widening when he saw the dark, dark clouds hanging low in the sky. How did the weather change so rapidly?
A few more drops fall on him, and he quickened his pace. There were still fifteen minutes before he reached Mon Studio– and why didn't he walk faster before, damn it– but maybe he wouldn't get completely soaked. A thin hope, that became even thinner as the rain fell down faster and faster, Yoongi breaking into a run.
He reached Namjoon's studio at record speed. The last he had done so was when his idiot had accidentally tripped on the carpet and nearly split open his head. It was lucky that Hoseok was there at the time, Yoongi did not want to think about what would have happened otherwise. Aforementioned idiot started when the older slammed open the door and rose from his seat, eyes widening when he took in Yoongi's state.
"Hyung!" The honorific slips from the younger's lips, something he hadn't used to address Yoongi with since years, except on tv. "You got caught in the rain?"
"No, I decided to jump into a lake for shit and giggles. Of course I got wet from the rainfall!"
Namjoon is already rummaging in the lower cupboards for some towels– something a fed up Seokjin had stowed ages ago, after one too many coffee spills. "Take off your clothes, Yoongi. You'll get sick."
The other puts away the coffee and snacks and zips down his jacket, removing it first before moving on to his shirt. Namjoon stands there, towels in hand, and it feels...odd. He's not embarrassed, they've all seen other naked more times they can count, and it stopped being weird a long time ago.
But it definitely felt different, with Namjoon's eyes silently following his movements as Yoongi took off his jeans. He demands some of the towels from Namjoon and dries himself. He's cold, stripped down to his boxers and the other rapper seemed to realize that, because he removed his large ryan bear hoodie and looked at Yoongi with those damn sincere "i-just-want-to-help" eyes of his. He sighs and lets Namjoon help him into it, and he practically melts in into the soft and warm hoodie. It was so comfortable, Yoongi would swear he could fall asleep at that very moment.
Namjoon goes back to sit on his chair, patting the space between his legs. "Come here, your hair's still wet."
"I can dry it myself, thanks." But he's already moving as he speaks, settling down in Namjoon's lap. "You can do this but you don't bother with drying your back?" He teases the taller with a laugh.
Namjoon's cheeks flush lightly. "Shut up, it's just too much effort."
Yoongi laughs and leans back on Joon's broad chest, nesting himself comfortably. It was kind of irritating how tall the other was, but it made his position comfortable at least. He guess he couldn't complain about the height difference this one time.
"How has the work on the new albu–"
"Hyung!" The door is thrown open, and as predicted, it's Taehyung. "We're here!"
Jimin peeks out from behind him, and they both pause and give twin owlish looks. "Oh, I didn't know you'd be here too Yoongi hyung. Is Hoseok hyung also–"
"Are we interrupting something?" Taehyung cuts him off, and Yoongi mentally makes a note to talk to him about letting others speak. Then the question actually registers in his mind, and he sits upright, spluttering.
"You're not interrupting anything."
"Oh great, it would be weird as hell to see– is that for us?" He motions to the coffee, and on seeing Yoongi's nod, takes the tea for himself and passing the Americano to Jimin. "–you're the best, Yoongi-hyung! So anyway, you sure you don't want us to go?"
"It's alright," Namjoon says. "Yoongi just got caught in the rain." He gives a last pat with the towel, and says a satisfied "done."
"I guess we should go now," Jimin says while munching on one of the doughnuts, feeding a piece to Taehyung. "Have fun, hyungs! We're unfortunately needed back there again."
Namjoon says his goodbye while Yoongi waves them away with a lazy flick of his hand, but he doesn't miss the knowing looks the two 95 liners give them.
Jimin mutters something that sounded suspiciously like "hobi-hyung" and "money", with Taehyung letting out a whine. He wondered which bet again Hoseok they lost, and he himself would put money on it that it was something related to him and Namjoon.
Suddenly the door slams open again, and Taehyung runs in and grabs two more of the doughnuts. "Thanks again, hyungs! Love ya!" He yells and runs back again. Yoongi gets up with a sigh to close the door, and then returns to his designated seat on Namjoon's lap.
"Sometimes," Namjoon begins, hugging Yoongi like one of his beloved Ryan plushies, "I feel more like a father of three rather than a leader."
He laughs, their leader was not wrong. He was sure all the hyungs felt like that, they all had a soft spot the size of Korea for their maknaes. "Think about Manager Sejin or Bang PD then."
Namjoon hides his smile in the crook of Yoongi's neck. "Fair point. They must feel like they have seven kids." He pauses for a second. "Ayo Hitman Bang introduces–"
"Stop," the other cries, swatting at Namjoon's head. "I don't want to hear that again!" He takes a second to compose himself and stop his laughter. "Tell me about the new album instead."
Namjoon acquises, and they both lose themselves in creation and editing of new tracks until the two kids pop into the studio again, demanding that it's time to go home before they kill themselves from overworking. Their words, not his.
The rain had stopped by then, and Yoongi tries to look up at the sky as many times as he could. The faint chatter of Taehyung and Jimin floated up to his ears, and he could feel Namjoon's gentle presence next to him. Yoongi was happy, a content smile stretching over his face as he called out to the others to stop for a moment and buy something for the rest of his family at home.
"Yoongi?"
Yoongi started, whirling around his chair to see Seokjin standing at the doorway of his room. He cursed mentally, seemed like he had forgotten to lock it.
"You scared me, hyung."
Seokjin's eyes flitted to the open notebook on his table and back to Yoongi again, a wry smile on his face. "Maybe you would have noticed that I have been standing here for a few minutes already if you were not too engrossed in writing your lyrics."
"Reviewing my lyrics," he corrected. "You need something?"
"What do you want for dinner?"
He thought for a second, the answer obvious. "Meat", he answered at the same time as his hyung clarified, "Except meat." They stared at each other, but the eldest was unmoving. Of course, this was Seokjin. Mere stares won't move someone like him.
"Hyung, everyone would want to eat it. Don't lie, you would too."
"Everyone does want to eat it. You're the last one I asked, you know." Jin pouts, and sometimes Yoongi wonders if he wasn't secretly the maknae. "I want to have some good meat too! But we need to eat something healthy."
"Meat with...salad or something?"
"No."
Yoongi sighs, rubbing his face with one hand. "Just make anything you want hyung. We'll eat it."
Seokjin goes away, looking thoughtful, and Yoongi turns back to his lyrics. If he could tweak the bridge just a little, it would be perfect for Jimin's angelic voice. And maybe he should slow the pre chorus down a little, to better accommodate Taehyung's rich and smooth vocals. He needed to go over this with Namjoon and Hoseok once, before conferring with the staff.
He flipped over to a fresh page and began on another song. He had wanted to rework one of his scrapped pieces. He could take out some good lines and put it in the newer one, considering the themes were similar. He was thankfully uninterrupted for the better part of an hour, when there were a few quick knocks on the door.
Definitely Namjoon. He always knocked first before using the doorbell. "Come in", he called out. The man entered, cheeks dimpled with a smile.
"Were you busy?"
Yoongi looks at all the work he had to do, and closes his notebook. "I have time."
Namjoon's smile widens, and his eyes were positively sparkling. He sits on the bed, facing Yoongi, and unfolds the black cloth in his hand that the elder was wondering about. Now opened, he could tell that it was a black hoodie, the kind that zips up the front. Yoongi delicately raises an eyebrow, waiting for the other to explain why exactly was he so excited over a simple jacket.
"I was cleaning my closet today– Taehyung had been nagging at me for days about it, something about how I was letting all those clothes go to waste– and I found this."
"Congratulations."
Namjoon frowns. "Let me finish! I honestly don't know when I bought this, but I know you would love this one."
Yoongi looks at the hoodie again, really looks at it, wondering what special quality it had that the leader ( who was muttering about how he didn't recognize where he had gotten half the clothes from, and that Taehyung was right after all ) was convinced it was perfect for him. He couldn't find anything except that it was black, and he owned at least three similar hoodies.
"Why?" he asks finally.
"I don't know why I forgot when I bought the clothes–"
"No, not that." Yoongi clarifies. "Why would I love this one, Joonie?"
The confusion clears from the younger's face, and he turns the hoodie over while chuckling. "I should have shown this first," he says.
Yoongi's eyes widen by a fraction when he sees the positively adorable Kumamon print- and that too a limited edition one? Where does their leader get these stuff?- on the back and Namjoon smiles knowingly. "Gimme," Yoongi demands, holding both his hands out to Namjoon.
"On second thought," the other says with a teasing lilt in his voice, standing up, "I think I'll just keep this for myself."
''Yah!, he shouts, pouting. ''Listen to your hyung, you asshole!''
Namjoon looks at him in surprise, before laughing again. ''Did you really just pull the age card on me? Ah, you've been spending too much time with Seokjin.''
Yoongi doesn't mention how the eldest had just been there an hour ago, instead making grabbing motions towards the hoodie. ''Come on Namjoooon,'' he whines, ''give it to me.''
''You really want it?''
A nod.
''Really?''
"Yes!''
The other rapper scrunches his eyes shut- a habit when he sees something cute- and takes a moment to compose himself. ''Here,'' he says, passing over the Kumamon merch into Yoongi's waiting hands. He puts it on, and it's large ( Yoongi expected it to be, it Namjoon's after all ) but other than that, he has no complaints. He experimentally tugs at the sleeves and watches them cover his hands so that only the fingers are visible, and tries to smooth down the large folds.
His eyes catch Namjoon's, and the amount of fondness in there made him pause. " What?", he asks, somewhat self conscious. He chastised himself for feeling that, because this was Namjoon. Namjoon . If there was anyone who knew nearly everything to know about him, it would be him. There was no reason to feel awkward around him.
The younger walks over and ruffles Yoongi's hair, making him feel like he was the younger one here. "Nothing Yoongs, you're just too cute today."
He swats the hand away. "Don't call me Yoongs! And don't call me cute either!"
"I'm sorry," Namjoon replies, mirth clear in his voice. Yoongi could tell he was going to say something's that would make him want to punch the other. "I'll call you adorable then."
And there it was. But he decided to let the poor boy get away just this once, since he gave him that Kumamon hoodie. He cranes his neck to look up at Namjoon, who was smiling at him, posture wary.
Yoongi takes deep breath, and watches with amusement as Namjoon subtly takes a step back. "Lean down, you giraffe."
"I hope you're not planning to hit me," Namjoon mutters, but he leans down all the same.
"Further."
Namjoon leans down a bit more, and Yoongi presses a small kiss on his forehead. "Thank you." He laughs at Namjoon's wide eyes. They're not strangers to physical affection, but between the two of them, it was more of a quiet friendship of constant support rather than something like what Taehyung and Jimin shared.
He lightly pushes Namjoon and said, "Now go, I have work to do."
The man agrees and moves to the door, but pauses at the threshold. He turns back to stare at Yoongi who was staring at him with a confused face, and runs back to give him a quick kiss on the cheek ( "return gift", he whispers ) before getting out of the room and closing the door behind him.
It takes Yoongi all of fifteen minutes before he starts work again.
''H-hyung,'' Jungkook whimpers, tears streaming down his face. Yoongi rubs his back in an attempt to comfort him. Their maknae may be a cheeky kid, but they all knew his heart housed lots and lots of love for his hyungs.
Jimin was sniffling, attached to Yoongi's side like a limpet, and if Yoongi could have refused his conscription, he would, no questions asked. The kids had taken Jin's conscription hard, and now when the eldest was back, it was his turn to go.
He refused to think how would they feel when three of them- he, Namjoon and Hoseok would be away in the army. It gave him pain when he thought about the maknaes hurting.
''Jungkook-ah, it's going to be okay,'' he says to pacify him. ''Two years will pass by so quickly you won't even feel it.''
It's a lie, and they all know that. It's not that the years don't pass by in a flurry, because they do, especially with a schedule like theirs. But that doesn't mean they didn't feel Seokjin's absence in every song, every choreo, every joke, every single moment.
Taehyung comes and gently whispers to the other two, coaxing them away from him. They cling to him instead, and Yoongi shoots him a grateful smile. The younger's habit of hiding all the negative emotions was concerning most of the time ( Joonie always liked to say it was probably a Daegu thing ) but in times like this, he was grateful for that. Taehyung met his eyes, and he nods. They'll talk later, when things have calmed down.
( He braces himself for the younger's mini breakdown later. )
"Hyung," Jimin says, looking at him with fresh tears on his cheeks, "you'll come back quickly, right?"
"Of course he will!", Hoseok says gathering Jimin in his arms, leaving Taehyung to focus on Jungkook. Hobi was doing an admirable job of being pulled together for the sake of the kids, and he feels strangely proud. They're good people, all of them.
( Yoongi would claw his way through hell again, just for this. )
Jin nods, eyes sympathetic as he looked at Yoongi. The elder has already been through this, of course he'd be aware of what Yoongi was feeling. "We'll personally drag him back if he's even a second late in returning home."
Namjoon is silent, his eyes focused on the ground no matter how hard and how long Yoongi stares at him. He does not think anything about it, it was an unsaid ritual among them to hash out any problems or pains together in private. It originally started as a way to share the anxiety of an album release, but sometime over the years it had extended to personal issues and just de stressing in general.
Yoongi stays silent for a long time, until the sobs of the maknae line quieten down to the occasional whimper, and the few stray tears that had slipped from Hoseok's eyes had dried.
"Okay," He says firmly, clapping his hands. The action drew a few startled jolts from the others, the kids looking at him like owls. "It's getting late, we all should sleep." Jimin opens his mouth to protest, but Yoongi doesn't give him a chance to speak. "We still have tomorrow morning, and you don't want to send me off with the grumpiness that comes with sleep deprivation, do you?"
Jimin shakes his head forcefully, aghast at the very thought of an improper farewell. He asks hesitantly if he could sleep with Yoongi that night, Taehyung chiming in with a request of his own, and Yoongi gives his consent. They didn't even have to pull their infamous puppy eyes, he would have agreed either way.
"That extends to all of you, you know?" He says to the rest of them, Jungkook brightening up significantly. Hoseok runs and engulfs him into a hug, while Seokjin laughs that windshield laugh of his. Namjoon is still stubbornly silent but he meets Yoongi's eyes, and that is enough for now.
''I'll get the blankets,'' Taehyung announces, rushing out of the room. Seokjin looks at Yoongi, silently asking if he needs to come, but the rapper shakes his head. It's better to handle the younger alone. He might not be as attuned to Taehyung as Jimin, Jungkook, hell even Namjoon, were, but he still recognized enough traits of the boy to have an understanding of how he works.
It turned out that he was right about his decision. Taehyung had been ashamed of his breakdown, and it had taken longer for Yoongi to make him understand that no, he had absolutely nothing to be distressed and conscious about than it had taken him to calm the vocalist down. But Taehyung eventually does smile again, and all is right in the world.
Yoongi leads Taehyung to his own bedroom, where the others were probably piled on top of spare mattresses, chatter and laugh drifting up to his ears even through the closed door.
( He tries not to think about how he wouldn't be able to hear this for years, until Jungkook is done with his term in the military. )
''Hyung, you're not coming?'' Taehyung asks when Yoongi stops at the door.
''I'll be right back. You go in, okay?'' He answers, ruffling Tae's silky hair. ''Hyung has some things to do.''
The second youngest member nods, allowing Yoongi to go to the living room where, as he had expected, Namjoon was waiting. The leader was sitting with hands clasped in thought, eyes towards the floor. He looks up when Yoongi clears his throat and scoots over to one side of the loveseat he was sitting on, making space for him. Yoongi takes the offered seat, waiting for Namjoon to speak first.
"So," Namjoon begins after a long silence, "Tomorrow?"
Yoongi hums in agreement, leaning his head on the other's shoulder.
"Did you pack?"
"Yeah."
They lapse into silence again, but it's not the usual comfortable one, where they go hours without needing to talk. There's a definite elephant in the room, but Yoongi doesn't know what it is. What he does know, is that it goes beyond his army drafting.
This time, it's Yoongi who breaks the quiet. "You'll see me next year." Namjoon says nothing, so he continues, "you and Seok, both."
The other rapper still doesn't reply, instead just rests his head on Yoongi's own head. The silence becomes drawn out and Yoongi is about to speak again when Namjoon releases a heavy sigh. "You're so small, Yoongi."
He raises his head and leans back. "You're so small, so how do you manage to take up all the space in my heart?"
Yoongi whips his head to stare at Namjoon, too stunned to speak. The leader meets his gaze with complete seriousness, an expression that he had often teased Namjoon about, claiming it would deceive people by making them think he was cool and sexy, when he was just a cute lovable dork.
But Yoongi knew for a fact he was both, he had seen the man on stage, he had seen the man in facing down a crowd of haters, had seen him work on music, had seen Namjoon in every aspect of life– the man was so brilliant, how could anyone ever tear their eyes away?– he was aware that the rapper was cool and sexy and cute and nerdy and a lot, lot more.
"This is not the best time for a confession, Joonie."
Namjoon nods and runs a hand through his hair, his frustration clear from his body language. "I know, it's just that– that I– it's stupid, but I feel like I'm losing you. I know that I'm just being irrational and logically–"
Yoongi shushes him with a gentle finger on his plump lips before he could get more and more upset. "Joon-ah, you don't always have to be the genius. It's okay to act on your feelings sometimes. It's a lesson that you all taught me, so don't forget, okay?"
Namjoon blinks once, twice, and then nods.
The older's lips curve up in a small, satisfied smile, and he removes his finger from his lips. "I'm not going anywhere, okay?"
"But you are."
His smile widens, and he pulls his feet up to fully turn to face Namjoon. "But you keep me in your heart, don't you? Ah Namjoon, you're becoming forgetful."
Namjoon averts his eyes. "It's not the same."
Yoongi says nothing in reply, instead he tugs on Namjoon's cute jacket ( complete with little bear ears on the hood ). "I want this."
He snaps up to look at Yoongi again. "What?"
"This jacket. I want it."
"But why ?" He stresses the last word, confused.
"I don't know Joon, why do people need clothes? To wear, obviously."
"But–"
This time, it's Yoongi who's the one to sigh. "Look, I'm going to miss you a shit ton, and I need something to keep close. I would honestly rather have you than anything, but I have to wait a year for that, and I'm not that patient that I go a whole year without any trace of my boyfriend."
He has the rare pleasure of seeing a stunned Kim Namjoon, and Yoongi stows the memory away in his brain to remember later.
"Yoongi," the man manages to say. "Is that a...is that a yes?"
He merely smiles in response, and a smile slowly spreads across Namjoon's face until his beautiful dimples are at full display. "Really?"
"Really." Yoongi pauses, considering. Two years is a long time, and he isn't so stupid that he would consider himself an ideal romantic partner. "Unless your feelings change."
"Never." The reply is firm, and if it was anyone else, he would have been skeptical. But he doesn't doubt Namjoon. It's not that the rapper hadn't fucked up ever in his lifetime, because he had, once grossly overstepping his boundaries during their debut year that had earned him a scathing response from Yoongi, but he had never gone back on any of his promises. Not as far as Yoongi was aware, anyway.
Namjoon takes one of Yoongi's hands, lacing them together. "Is this okay?"
"Mm."
He gently cups one of Yoongi's cheek with the other hand, and presses a kiss on the crown of his head. "And this?"
"It's okay."
Namjoon dips his head slightly, kissing his nose. "What about this?"
"Yeah."
He kisses the cheek not covered by his hand, lips lingering close to Yoongi's ear. "This?"
Yoongi laughs at the tickling sensation and removes Namjoon's hand from his face. "You know Joonie," he begins, placing his hands on the other's shoulders, "this is fine too."
The kiss was soft and slow, both of them trying to pretend they have all the time in the world, trying to disregard the conscription letter still lying on Yoongi's bedside table. Namjoon's hands had settled at his waist at some point, holding him as if he was subconsciously afraid that Yoongi was going to bolt any second.
Yoongi's the first one to break apart, taking a long deep breath. "This is fine too," he repeats, looking into Joon's eyes.
Namjoon looked speechless once again, just blinking at Yoongi. He then closes his eyes and rests his head on Yoongi's shoulder. "Ah Yoongi, are you trying to kill me?"
"Maybe," he replies, smiling. "We should go now, the others would think both of us ran away."
The younger laughs. "I think the word you're looking for is eloped."
"Which one of us proposed?"
Namjoon wags his eyebrows at him, getting up and holding out a hand. "Clearly you did, you're the one who bought the rings."
Yoongi's confused for a moment, before he remembers the rings from Dubai. His retort is interrupted by a shout from Namjoon, who zips down his jacket and drapes it around Yoongi's shoulders. "I nearly forgot about this."
Yoongi accepts the offered hand, using it to pull himself up while clutching the jacket with his left. "One year," he says.
"One year", Namjoon echoes. "But I have another year after that," he points out.
"I know it's useless saying this to you, but don't think too much." He reaches up and pats Namjoon's soft hair. "We'll live through it. And it's maybe a bit early to say this, but we have forever to go."
A part of him says that it was rather about time this happened.Yoongi can't and won't bother to pinpoint when exactly Namjoon went from stranger to acquaintance to friend to best friend to something more, but it's been years. He's known him for well over a decade, and has considered Namjoon the closest person to him, so is it really too early?
Namjoon nods, failing to hide his wide smile. "We do."