Archive of Our Own ^beta

He’s a nice hyung, and that’s not lack of humbleness from his part. Yoongi is a fucking spectacular older brother and he knows it.

Still, even for him, some things go way overboard. There is a line, and it’s not because that line was never reached in the past that it won’t happen one day.

And Taehyung desperately needs to understand that.

Yoongi knows it before he even answers, because this is a first, and every first “No” you hear is a hard “No” to swallow. This is how his parents must have felt the first time he asked for a piano, when he was three.

Before that, Yoongi thinks he used to be a reasonable child. Wanting a piano was a life changing event for him. No turning backs.

He’s getting out of track here, and Taehyung is starting to look at him weirdly, ruffling his orange hair and tilting his head to the left, which is never a good sign, so Yoongi ends the drama before the younger decides to take his silence as consent.

“No.”

As predicted, it’s a big blow to Taehyung’s dreams and expectations. He immediately scrambles for any thread of hope he can get ahold of.

“But hyung, this is really import to me! It’s my dream job, and it’s been a month, I really need to show them results! They’re a start-up, and even if they’re doing great right now, I’m replaceable. They could hire someone else at any moment, there are so many apps working perfectly, I need to test mine as fast and best as I can!”

“Then why don’t you test it?”

Taehyung gasps, looking outraged.

“Because, hyung, I have Guk!”

“Then the app should match you with him, and problem solved. The app works, tested the best way possible!” He’s bullshiting, at this point, but everything is fair in love and war.

Which is another bullshit thing to say. Fitting.

“That’s not how it works, hyung.” Taehyung’s expression darkens, and he looks really mad now.

“Okay, okay, I know, you need someone else, but why me?”

“Because you’re single, you could use a walk in the park, Yeontanie too, and a few makeouts wouldn’t be bad for you!”

Yoongi stares at him blankly for a few seconds before raising his fist in the air and putting one finger up to each thing he mentions. “So… you want me out of the house, walking your dog for you, while I’m making you a favor…” He looks at the three fingers up and raises an eyebrow at Taehyung. “In exchange for a few makeouts? Damn. The economy really isn’t the same anymore. Inflation on kisses.”

“Yoongi hyung, I’m being serious!”

“Me too, Tae! Your app is still under development, all the people using it are friends of yours! And friends of your friends, at best. I am not going on a date with one of your friends.”

“You don’t have to, damn it, and there’s a lot of users already, okay! We just haven’t authorized the feature yet, but there’s people waiting for this! And the longer it takes to test it…”

“What if it matches me to you, Taetae? And then??”

“Ew, hyung, it would never, how dare you insult Tanie The App like this?”

“I still can’t believe that you named the app with your dog’s name, but whatever.”

It’s an interesting concept, Yoongi must admit. Tanie, “The App”, promises to end the awkwardness of first dates. And messaging, for that matter, because the second you agree to the match, you’re set to hang out with the other person.

To take your pet out in a walk, literally. Pet-friendly, and a great ice breaker, an idea like that had to come from his little brother.

Yoongi never said he wasn’t proud of him. But, really, did he have to be the one to test it?

Dating like a walk in the park. Casual, fun, and pet-friendly!

Taehyung even had a partnership with some animal shelters, to promote the app and adoption. Thinking about it makes Yoongi feel kind of shitty for being so unhelpful, but, really.

And okay, yeah, he might be single for, what, three years now, and he’s not the most sociable person around, but, ugh. The effort.

“Please hyung, pretty pretty please, I’ll be with you through it all, I’ll help you, I won’t force you to be interested in someone, I want it to work properly and not fake it. Please please please, I only trust you with this!”

Yeah, that’s a damn fucking low blow.

For a second there, Yoongi regrets ever moving to Seoul with his baby brother, and agreeing to take care of him. He was happy in Daegu, and he never knew it until now.

“This is bullshit.” The red-haired man says at the corner of the bar, empty glass on his hand.

The eighth shot of gin of the night.

“It’s the umpteenth time you say that, alright, I get it.” The other man says, a lot more composed and that’s probably due to the fact that there’s only a water bottle in front of him.

“Seokjin, why do you keep letting me do this?”

“Listen, Hoseok-ah, it’s your life. I’m only here to watch you make dumb decisions and help you when you realize how dumb they were.”

“A date! With someone from the college days! A woman! What was I thinking!!” Hoseok repeats, distraught.

“Although the last thing mentioned is really appalling, and I gotta admit it, wait until tomorrow, when the hangover hits you. Then you’ll regret what you really should. Which is, the entirety of this day. Can’t wait to see you at the gym, buddy.”

(Paw Prints )

The gym the next morning is certainly everything Seokjin expected it to be. Except, maybe, when they’re at the cafeteria, after workout, and Hoseok beams at him for the first time that day.

“I’m gonna install a matchmaking app.” He declares, as if he’s saying he’ll go to the groceries store to buy a few things.

Seokjin looks him dead in the eyes.

“Say that again, Hoseokie? Wait, let me record that, just as evidence for… later, when you remember dating apps are literally the worst disease of this whole disaster of a century.”

Hoseok laughs, then regrets it and grimaces for a second before answering. “No, hyung, you don’t get it. A friend sent me an invitation to this app just now, while we were training, and it’s completely new. They’re still running tests, but it sounds perfect! Look. It’s pet-friendly, there’s no pressure of texting and first dates… just a walk in the park. And pets!”

He doesn’t look at all impressed by anything Hoseok has just said.

“Yes, I get it, you want to date a dog. You’re a furry, great.”

“Seokjin-hyung, really…” Hoseok shakes his head, bringing his phone closer to himself again and tapping the screen. “I’m gonna try it.”

“Yeah yeah, can’t wait to see how that one plays out.” Seokjin watches from the corner of his eyes as Hoseok goes for it, already hating the whole ordeal.

Hoseok and dating apps are never funny, not even to him.

And Seokjin’s sense of humor really goes farther than most.

“Thanks for the support.”

“Always, Hoseokie. Al-fucking-ways.”

Downloading the app was okay. Setting up a profile was a bit of a pain, but he’d never let Taehyung do it alone—much less with his boyfriend, Jeongguk, all doe eyes and bunny teeth on the outside, and the devil incarnate on the inside.

Dealing with Taehyung’s curiosity every fifty seconds was not what Yoongi signed up for.

“Please, Taetae, I’ll let you know whenever there is something for you to know.”

Jeongguk back hugs him, slowly swinging their bodies together as he tries his best to comfort Taehyung. “Baby, you know the app must be having a hard time to find him something. Maybe you could try it with someone else… Even if the whole world had a profile, Tanie would have a hard time with Mr. Cranky Pants over there anyway.”

“Who allowed you in my house, anyway?” Yoongi shoots back, instantly.

“But you love me, hyungie.” Jeongguk pouts, lowering his head and looking at Yoongi like a fucking dog abandoned outside, in the rain.

“Don’t you two have to, like, I don’t know, fuck or something?”

Yoongi would never admit to it, but Jeongguk’s words are like a stone inside his shoes. Bothering. Troublesome. A little bit too close for comfort.

Even if he doesn’t care, it’s not something nice to hear. He doesn’t dwell on it for too long, instead focusing on what he does best.

Piano.

Yoongi goes back to his practice, and his day is really productive. He plays it over and over again, even teaches Jeongguk some, and they laugh when Taehyung records the impromptu duet and Jeongguk misses a note, getting embarrassed about it which is always really cute and amazing to tease.

They even decide to see a movie downtown, and it’s obviously superheroes but Yoongi thinks, whatever, it’s a nice day.

Why would he even need a damn match in a dating app anyway?

He’s only doing this for his little brother and his dream job. That is exclusively it. Nothing else.

It’s in the middle of Spiderman Remake One Thousand and Nine that he hears a bark coming out of his jeans pocket, and Yoongi can say he feels at least a tiny bit intrigued. It quickly makes sense, however, as Taehyung jumps off his seat, sending poor Jeongguk’s head which was resting on his shoulder straight to hell, and points to Yoongi’s lap with the happiest expression Yoongi’s ever seen him with.

“It’s the app, hyung!!! Tanie found you a match!”

They’re shooed by a few people inside the cinema room, and Taehyung sits again and apologizes to his boyfriend, who probably has a kink on his neck now, besides a huge pout and a very unforgiving expression.

Taehyung goes back to Yoongi, however, as if nothing happened, eyes shining and movie forgotten.

“What?”

“Aren’t you gonna check it?”

“Now?”

“When else?”

“When we’re not watching a movie in a cinema? Taetae, please, people are annoyed already. Watch the movie. If I’m doing it, you can do it too.”

“Shut up, it’s a great movie, hyung. True art.” Jeongguk says, sounding offended.

“You’re only saying it because Iron Man is in it.” He points out, unfazed.

“Whatever.”

By the time that the credits roll, he can feel Taehyung buzzing at his side. Even Jeongguk looks mildly anxious, and Yoongi grabs his phone with a defeated sigh.

Still making them wait for it, just because he’s annoyed again. So much for a nice, pleasing day for Yoongi.

Tanie the App definitely found him a perfect match! and Yoongi dreads seeing one of Taehyung’s best friends there. He’s not, under any circumstances, dating a college boy at this point of his life—he’s been done with that for a while now, thank you very much.

Never again.

However, the man on the screen isn’t one he recognizes. Jung Hoseok, 25, Gwangju. A dog. Ugly as fuck, but kinda cute. If you ignore the huge creepy eyes. Haha, it kinda looks like Jeongguk.

The dog, not the guy. The guy looks pretty great, catfishing level is great. Yoongi feels unease, to say the least.

Not a known friend of Taehyung, and gorgeous? Seems fishy.

“How trustworthy is this app, Taetae? Would it perhaps have catfishing, already?”

“No, hyung! Why? Let me see!!”

“On my hands, I don’t want you clicking anything I don’t agree with. Keep your slimy fingers away.”

He turns the phone screen to Taehyung only when the younger puts his hands behind him, and Jeongguk stretches a little to see it too.

“I told you there were more people registering to the app! I have no idea who that guy is!”

“Looks legit though, hyung,” Jeongguk adds, raising his hand to probably scroll down the profile, but Yoongi swiftly pulls his phone away, which prompts him into a frown. “I wanna see the rest of the profile!”

“No hands I said! You’re both too curious, let’s get dinner and maybe I’ll show you.”

Their faces light up at that.

“You’re paying,” Jeongguk says, ever the exploiter.

“Then I’m not showing you anything.”

“Cruel.”

Taehyung stops looking from one to the other and pushes his boyfriend away, finally.

“Hyung is helping me, he makes the rules, you don’t get in the way, and I am happy! Now, Yoongi, tell me, do you agree to the match?”

“I don’t know, Tae, might have to look into it a little more before doing that.”

“Oh yes, I understand, I just meant, like, what’s your first impression? Is it a huge fuck no, or are you at least a little bit curious? It’s important, be honest.”

Taehyung looks at him so expectantly that, goddammit, Yoongi would be honest even if he didn’t want to. It’s borderline not fair. That is to say completely not fucking fair.

“I can say my curiosity was reached, yes.”

He whoops his hand in the air. “Yes! Let’s get hamburgers, it’s on me!”

When his phone barks at him, Hoseok doesn’t know if Mickey or him are more intrigued.

His dog honestly gives him a look, he swears it, and Hoseok almost explains himself to his dog when he sees the notification on the lock screen of his phone.

Only, wasn’t the app still in development? He opens it, and is greeted with a small notice.

“Woof woof, you were selected to… as we stated before, this app isn’t fully functional yet, but we’re running tests and if you agree to the terms, we found you a perfect match… oh my god… I need Seokjin.”

Hoseok is at his friend’s door less than ten minutes later, and is greeted by Seokjin in pajamas holding a glass of wine. He shoves the phone to his face and paces around the living room as Seokjin reads through the notice, face relaxing when he understands what the heck is going on.

“Cool, you’re gonna be their guinea pig. Sounds like nothing could go terribly wrong!”

Sarcasm drips from each of his words.

Hoseok walks to him, ready to pull his hair off. “If I agree it doesn’t mean I have to accept the match, it will only show it to me. Who they selected. I am curious.”

“That you are.”

“It doesn’t mean I’m gonna actually go out with this guy and be their guinea pig.”

“Sure, sure.”

“I will only see, like, what bad can it do?”

“Mhm.”

Hoseok then steps closer to get the phone from Seokjin’s hand, but sees that his dear friend has already clicked the “I Agree With This Match!” button, and he’s scrolling down the match’s profile. “Hyung!”

“What, I knew you’d click it anyway. At least it’s a man, and a twink at that, two brownie points for this matchmaking thing.”

“What? Let me s– fuck. Okay. Yeah, definitely, brownie points. Oh, fucking hell. No. Yes. Why did you let me do this, man?”

“Your chaotic pansexual ass is already gay panicking, this is going to be fantastic. Maybe you’ll meet the developers, please tell them thank you for me.” Seokjin sips from his glass of wine, looking like a wine commercial or a damn Hollywood star.

Seokjin at least has the decency of not agreeing to the match in Hoseok’s behalf, although that also means that Hoseok is going to have to do this himself.

There’s no winning for him with dating apps.

Min Yoongi, 27, Seoul. There’s only one photo of his dog, which is shady, considering this is a pet based app, but Hoseok doesn’t dwell much on it for now. Maybe the guy didn’t want to seem too much like a dog dad, or something.

He’s cute, Hoseok thinks so, brown wavy hair and really good looking, otherwise his selfies would look like shit because he seriously isn’t trying at all with them. Weird angles. Cute face.

There’s one photo of him on a black grand piano at a white room with a high ceiling, and it’s honestly beautiful.

“Are you still eyeing his profile? Just hit the damn button, dude, I wanna go to sleep.”

“It’s Friday.” Hoseok mumbles, not moving from his spot on Seokjin’s sofa where he’s been for the past two hours.

“It is in fact already Saturday, and good luck walking yourself home. The temperature is below zero now.”

“What if he didn’t agree to the match yet? You know how I can get.”

“Then you have nothing to lose? Literally.”

“And what if he did agree to the match? It’s one in the morning, what kind of message does this send? Oh my god. I’m going to sleep this off, and deal with it in the morning. I’ll set an alarm, so it won’t be too late, but it can’t be too soon either or he’ll think I stayed up–”

Seokjin takes a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Why do you always overthink everything so much?”

“Uh, because…”

Seokjin snaps the phone from his hands, and almost gives him a heart attack. “You’re sleeping here, and your phone is staying with me. Goodnight, Hoseokie.”

“Hyung!” He watches as Seokjin stands up and walks in the direction of his bedroom. “Are you serious?”

“Yes! Go to sleep! Put some zen music on the speakers or something. Use youtube on the television, search songs to make you sleep. See you in a few! We’ll get breakfast at Starbucks, on me.”

Honestly, how could he even argue with that?

Hoseok lies down completely still on the sofa and stares blankly at the ceiling. There’s always a blanket on Seokjin’s sofa, and pillows, so it’s not really that bad to sleep there. Plus, it is one in the morning, and it looks pretty cold outside.

It does take a while for him to fall asleep, but exhaustion ends up catching up with Hoseok like it always does.

(Paw Prints )

And as it usually goes, when Hoseok is lucky, he wakes up completely refreshed, barely remembering the stress that was eating him alive before he went to sleep. The prospect of getting some donuts and freshly brewed beverages at the Starbucks near Seokjin’s apartment is the best possible thing to wake up to, and the weather is being cooperative too, all blue skies and fluffy white clouds here and there, temperature above six and it’s honestly everything he could ask for.

That, and a chocolate chip scones, a bagel, and a sweet caramel macchiato. Hoseok couldn’t ask for more.

“Here,” Seokjin gives him his phone back as they wait for their order, and Hoseok both hates and loves this decision.

Hates, because it could end his appetite—a hard thing to do, but not impossible—, and loves, because at least it won’t give you indigestion after eating.

He takes the phone, breathes in, breathes out, and does it. Unlocks it, opens the app, agrees to the match, locks his phone again, and puts it in his jacket pocket.

“Done.”

“I’m very proud of you, Jung Hoseok.”

“Thank you, hyung.”

Soon their order is called, and the morning proceeds without further complications.

Taehyung leans on his grand piano cutely, propping his face on both hands and blinking too many times behind his prescription glasses.

“Don’t you have a boyfriend to pester?” Yoongi asks, eyes unmoving from the music sheet.

“Guk is busy with his final project, he’s not even sleeping here tonight.”

“Sucks,” Yoongi says, not as dry as it may sound, but he keeps practicing completely unbothered by Taehyung’s clear attempt at distracting him.

“Sooo… did you agree to the match, Yoongie hyungie?”

The amount of cuteness makes him cringe and miss a note, which consequently makes him cringe more and instantly stop, giving Taehyung exactly what he wants. Looking him dead in the eye.

The truth is, he forgot about that thing completely.

At the burger place, they talked a bit about the profile and Yoongi even did a small search on the guy online, just to make sure he wasn’t being catfished or matching with a criminal. He actually considered agreeing to the match, after going through a clean search on his bed, only he ended up sleeping first.

And then, completely forgetting about it.

“Sorry, I forgot.”

“Oh, that’s okay! We can do it now? It’s better that I’m here, right? I can help you. Or just, uh, see how it goes?”

Yoongi blinks, considering it thoroughly.

“Sure.”

He is only doing this for Taehyung, after all, isn’t he?

Taehyung is vibing as Yoongi picks his phone and unlocks it, searching for the app and being greeted by the same message as before. Tanie found you the perfect match! He taps it, looks at the profile for a few seconds again, and yeah, maybe he had forgotten how beautiful this guy actually is. Damn.

Not catfishing, Yoongi chants like a mantra before tapping the “I Agree With This Match!” button.

Taehyung makes a mini dance, coming closer to see it better.

“What happens now?” Yoongi asks, just curious as to why they’re watching the app.

“If he already agreed to the match, it should set you up on a park walk, somewhere in between your locations, but also considering the best parks available and your pet’s comfort. Of course, you two will be notified and you can change the date and everything, if you want.”

Indeed, a message pops up, and Yoongi taps it.

“Dude, this is too far to take a dog for a walk.”

Taehyung sighs, looking worried. “Yes, that’s one flaw. If you don’t have a car, that kinda ruins the app. Oh, look! He’s typing something! Let’s see what he says.”

ah, that’s a beautiful park, but it’s kind of really far away, isn’t it? we can go another day there, but tomorrow I could take mickey with me to seoul. would you prefer to meet there?

won’t it be a bother to you? I won’t lie, it’s kinda hard to go with yeontan here, yeah, but it’s only fair

oh no, I don’t mind at all. I already go to seoul everyday anyway!

“Ask him about it, hyung!” Taehyung immediately suggests, looking dead serious about it.

“Isn’t the app supposed to save you from awkward texting?”

“Yes, but that’s not being awkward at all! See how fast you started talking to each other.”

Taehyung does have a point. Yoongi tries something, and sends it after Taehyung’s enthusiastic approval.

oh, really? what do you do here?

I work at a fashion magazine! In gangnam, but tomorrow I can go earlier and take mickey with me

oh, won’t that be too much trouble? do you have somewhere to leave him after that?

nah, people at the mag love him
and I can always leave him with a friend if the need comes up
thanks for worrying, though :)

nice :)
Cheongdam Park?

yeeeeeeees, I love it, it’s so pretty!!

so… tomorrow at… nine?

nine is just perfect!

“That’s… really early.” Yoongi sighs, really asking himself if this is worth it.

Hoseok seems like a nice guy from the ten text messages they exchanged and all, but still.

“You have the weirdest sleep schedule I’ve ever seen, shut it. I always wake up at seven thirty with a piano recital happening in the living room.”

“You’re welcome.”

Taehyung suddenly starts shaking him. “It’s working, hyung!”

“Yeah, yeah, we’ll see.”

“He sounds nice, doesn’t he? And he’s a fashion editor? That’s amazing. You’re going to have so much fun tomorrow, you’ll see!! You have a date!”

Yoongi ends up laughing, but only because Taehyung is so happy with everything, it’s heartwarming.

He’s not about to ruin his expectations by reminding him how bad Yoongi usually is with first dates, or first meetings in general, or just, like, new people.

(Paw Prints )

Whatever gave Taehyung the idea, Yoongi sure had to compliment him for it. Having dogs with you really does make things easier.

It’s a lot more casual, and not really nerve-wracking, but Yoongi doesn’t even know who he’s going to meet. He’s not even sure he’s going to like this guy, or even just be attracted to him, since it all happens too fast.

Of course, that’s the app’s fundamental idea. Behind the surface, it’s a dating app that tries to make the dating less… app. Less fake. You actually meet someone and get to know them before anything else. It can develop into something, or not.

Like real life. Only it puts together two people who might’ve never met each other otherwise.

He meets Jung Hoseok near the entrance of Cheongdam Park, the morning sun reflecting the red strands of his hair and giving him an angelic aura as he sees Yoongi and puts his phone down, immediately opening a big smile.

“Hi, Yoongi-ssi, nice to meet you. And Tanie, isn’t it funny how you have the same name as the app that introduced us?”

Yoongi chuckles. Yes, it’s hilarious, Hoseok has no idea how much.

Maybe he should tell him, Yoongi realizes.

“Uh, about that, it might be because my younger brother is the main creator. Of the app, I mean.”

Hoseok looks genuinely surprised. “Oh, oh really? That’s amazing. I really enjoyed the layout and everything else so far.”

And everything else so far, and everything else so far, and everything else so far.

That shouldn’t work with him, not that easy, but it kinda does something to his ego, Yoongi guesses.

“I’m glad.”

“So was this match unintentional, or did your little brother searched all the candidates after what was best for his hyung?” Hoseok teases, clearly joking, and Yoongi laughs shyly.

“No, he wouldn’t mess with the app. No one respects the algorithms and everything else more than him.”

He gives a short nod.“I believe you.”

“So this is Mickey.” Yoongi smiles and waves to the dog, who barks happily at him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too, you both.”

“Let’s go in, then?”

“Sure.”

Hoseok is very talkative, and he goes on about his dog, his job, what his dream job actually is—he wants to be a fashion designer himself, but for now he’s happy with his spot as a fashion editor at GQ Korea —and while he talks, Yoongi notices he cleans up well.

His love for fashion is apparent, even if he’s dressing casually because they’re walking their dogs at a park. Jeans shorts, no belt, a small and colorful bag hanging from one of the loops. White t-shirt, way too big, the front hooked inside the shorts and how that even works is beyond Yoongi's understanding of life. His red hair is wavy here and there, the lack of earrings surprise Yoongi because he figured someone like Hoseok would have at least two or three of those—Yoongi himself had three when he was younger, but kept only one in both ears, very rarely using the second and never touching the third because that’s the one that always swells or itches.

Despite talking a lot about himself, Hoseok is very attentive. He asks about the piano on one of Yoongi’s profile photos, and gets really excited when Yoongi tells him that he’s a professional pianist, mentions how he traveled for courses and competitions until he established himself well enough to be invited to Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and how now he basically works on his own, holding a few concerts here and there, mostly being invited to perform or join other musicians at events.

Hoseok looks impressed, and even though Yoongi enjoys the attention and praise, being a fashion editor at GQ sounds pretty amazing itself, and so he points it out, making Hoseok a flustered mess as he says it’s not a big deal, really, he knew a guy who knew a girl who knew another girl and so on, until he made it to GQ and apparently befriended a very important model who now is one of the main associates there.

“I’m not an editor because of him, that’s not what I’m saying, but I guess… I had a lot of luck.”

Yoongi scoffs, knowing that’s probably true, deep down, but also knowing not everything can be accomplished just by sheer luck. And he tells Hoseok just that.

It’s a surprise that their walk on the park actually goes smoothingly, Yeontan and Mickey enjoying the walk outside and even getting along—lots of friendly barking involved—, and time slipping by unnoticed.

Yoongi notices it first, and invites Hoseok to a coffee shop before even thinking it through—he just wants (needs) a coffee, and it sounds like the right thing to do. Inviting Hoseok along, that is.

Gratefully, Hoseok checks his watch and agrees after the surprise, saying “I should really eat something before going into work.”

Yoongi smiles, and watches as the man lowers himself to play with his dog, also being attacked by Yeontan even though Yoongi tries to contain him.

“Ahh, you’re so cute, Tanie. We should see each other again.”

And maybe that wasn’t meant for Yoongi at all, but it makes his heart do something.

(Paw Prints )

“It wasn’t a skip.” He declares, as soon as Taehyung’s eyes get as big as the sun and his mouth makes a perfect circle.

“It was definitely a skip!” Taehyung screams, as soon as Yoongi finishes denying it.

“Must be the age, and you’re dying.” Jeongguk pitches in, stopping to work for a moment, and adjusting his round glasses as he takes off his eyes from the notebook screen in front of him to look at Yoongi at the opposite side of the table.

Taehyung laughs at first, but soon he’s clinging to Yoongi and promising he’s not old, he’s at the peak of his life, and falling in love.

“Tanie The App totally works! I’m a genius!”

“I’ve been saying that for the past decade.” Jeongguk deadpans, unamused.

Yoongi sighs, because he’s been doing the same. “Probably the only reasonable thing you’ve ever said, to be honest.”

Jeongguk doesn’t argue, shrugging and even giving a small nod in agreement. “You’re probably right.”

“Shut it the both of you, I’m just happy! We have to celebrate!”

“It’s Monday. Who celebrates anything on a Monday?” Yoongi asks, offended.

“I mean, not right now, we’ll celebrate together with Hoseok when they’re officially dating and planning to get married and have kids!”

Yoongi pulls a grimace. “Ew, no.”

“Too far, I went too far, but celebrate!! I’m opening a champagne right now!”

“I shouldn’t even be here,” Jeongguk complains, looking desperate. “The only thing you should open for me is a Red Bull.”

“For a moment I really feared this was going somewhere completely different.”

Jeongguk looks confused for a second, then he’s smiling and chuckling.

“What’s so funny?” Taehyung asks from the kitchen.

“Nothing, Taetae,” Yoongi answers, still a little traumatized.

Taehyung comes back with Red Bulls instead, and wins a sweet kiss from his boyfriend—PDA enough for Yoongi for the rest of the week.

“Aw hyungie, don’t worry, soon it will be you and Jung Hoseok, under a tree, with your dogs–” Taehyung suddenly stops, looking very emotional. “They grow up so fast, Guk.”

“Awn baby, it’s okay, come here.” Jeongguk pulls him to his lap and yes, that’s it, that’s Yoongi’s cue.

“And I’m out.”

They set up another date—park walk, not date, or is it a date? Yes, it’s a date, but a friendly date. With maybe future intentions of something. This is so confusing, the app never mentioned that.

Hoseok really doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. But they met through a matchmaking app, after all, didn’t they? That kind of makes it a little harder not to expect certain things.

Anyway, this time he checks with Seokjin if he’ll be able to leave Mickey with him first. Because Seokjin has an office for himself, and even though Hoseok has one as well, it’s always bustling with people in and out.

Everyone loves Mickey, that’s a given, but Hoseok isn’t trying to stress his dog out with all that goes on there.

Wednesday it is, and even though he’s even more nervous this time around, he also can’t wait to see Yoongi again.

They had a really good time together. That’s all. It’s not like he’s in love, but yeah, Hoseok could see that. Being in love with Yoongi. That could definitely happen, in the future.

They exchange a few messages, nothing big, Hoseok sends him a photo of Mickey at the office, Yoongi sends him a photo of Yeontan napping on his lap. Hoseok mentions a movie he’s going to watch, Yoongi asks him to give an opinion when he’s done so he knows if he should check it as well.

(Paw Prints )

Even though the weather is just as nice as Monday, Yoongi comes with the same kind of outfit. Dark jeans, dark t-shirt, a flannel shirt above it. Cap, to protect his face from the sun.

It brings a smile to Hoseok’s face, seeing him smile first, and give a small and shy wave in Hoseok’s direction.

That’s mostly how all their meetings go, from then on, although Hoseok doesn’t see it as lack of effort—by all means, he thinks Yoongi looks good, and they are walking their dogs, after all, so there isn’t much one can do about that.

Hoseok himself wears caps, and even sunglasses when it gets too much, although he takes it all off as soon as they step into a pet-friendly coffee shop, or stay outside to enjoy their drinks without having to leave the dogs alone.

For some reason, Hoseok feels weird, like he can’t put sentences together or even think of things to say, and Yoongi ends up having to keep the conversation going between them. That proves to be interesting, but not bad.

Until Yoongi says, “Weather’s looking good today.”

And indeed it is, but for some stupid brain-related shit, Hoseok ends up saying “You know who’s looking good today?”

Yoongi looks at him puzzled. “Who?”

And that’s it. Hoseok realizes what he’s done and he wants to die, but it gets even worse when he answers.

“Me.”

Yoongi blinks. “What?”

“What?” Hoseok asks back, on full panic mode now.

Certainly enough, Yoongi laughs. He laughs so much, Hoseok thinks he might end up crying. Even Yeontan seems shocked by that, and Hoseok laughs embarrassed to his fucking core.

Yes, about that dying bit. How about now? It would be perfect, thank you.

It’s honestly a fucking surprise when Yoongi asks him when they can meet again, that afternoon, not even waiting for next day or for Hoseok to mention it first.

He isn’t sure if he just screwed everything or scored it big time.

“You did what?” Seokjin asks when he tells him, at dinner, Mickey running around his apartment as if he hasn’t visited Seokjin’s place in years.

“I panicked!! Okay!”

“Oh, Hoseok… That you did. But what about him?”

“Well, after the awkwardness he laughed, of course.”

“And at afternoon he was asking when you two could meet again?”

“Yeah…”

Seokjin hums. “Well. At least he’s as dumb as you are, so this seems to be working perfectly somehow. This app really is something, isn’t it? I might install it.”

Hoseok widens his eyes. Seokjin never even considered downloading a dating app. Ever.

“Wait. Really?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“Wow.”

“Shut up, dinner is ready.”

“Thank you for treating me, hyung!”

“Yeah, let’s see if eating proper meals will give you some brain cells back.”

“I’m not sure if this was a mean comment or not.”

“It’s both.”

Hoseok nods, and digs his bowl of udon happily.

(Paw Prints )

Things progress naturally, and Hoseok enjoys that. He enjoys it immensely, enjoys every time he gets a message from Yoongi, or when Yoongi asks if they can facetime so he’s able to show Hoseok that brand new thing Yeontan is doing, or randomly just sends him a video.

Hoseok is quickly smiling at his phone even at just the notification which carries Yoongi’s name at its top.

He’s so gone, it’s ridiculous. But also so, so good, he can’t help but indulge in the feeling.

Until, of course, he feels the urge to do something else. It’s not even that different, but it’s something more. Because so far they’ve only hung out together to walk their dogs, and now Hoseok wants to catch a movie. Go to that new barbecue place together.

Ask Yoongi out. It doesn’t have to be romantic. Just something else.

And for that exact reason, it feels completely different.

“I want to ask him out, but something other than walking our dogs.”

Seokjin raises his head from all the papers he’s going through on his desk. “Then do it.”

“Can I?” He asks, conveying how insecure about it he actually feels.

“Of course you can! What kind of question… How many times have you seen each other already? Walking your dogs together and then grabbing coffee? Do something different for once.”

“But then it won’t be casual.” Hoseok reinforces, just in case Seokjin isn’t on the same page as him.

“Of course it will be casual, just pick something else that’s also casual, like lunch. Grab lunch together, or just a coffee, but without your dogs.”

Hoseok exhales sharply.

“That’s harder than it sounds.”

“He’s not going to say no, Hoseok. It’s what people do, we hang out. It’s normal. It’s casual.”

“It doesn’t feel like it, because so far the dog walks were like… a safe zone. It’s comfortable. No risks besides not getting along well, which wasn’t the case, thankfully.”

Seokjin stares him dead in the eyes, and nods. “You can do it, Hoseokie.”

Hoseok laughs nervously.

“Thanks, hyung.”

He’s already considering leaving it for the next day and going to bed earlier—he was six the last time he slept at eight o’clock sharp but whatever—when his phone pings, and Yoongi literally saves his life.

hey seok
I’ll be playing at the mall this Saturday, and I have some extra tickets to myself
would you perhaps like to come and see me?

Hoseok sighs, relief flooding his system, and thanking everyone responsible for this for a whole minute before replying a quick “yes”.

I’d certainly love to, yoongi!!

Invite Hoseok. Prepare for the concert. Play at the mall. Take Hoseok out to dinner, after.

It’s a great plan. Taehyung and Jeongguk help him through it, in every way they can, and Yoongi feels optimistic about it.

Hoseok doesn’t know about the dinner bit, but he accepted the invitation to watch him play, right? Why would he decline a dinner after? For someone uninterested in a relationship, the concert part would be much more boring than a diner, yes?

It’s not that he’s worried. He isn’t. He’s one hundred percent okay. He’s not even that into Hoseok, he just likes him. Hoseok’s okay. He’s fun, sure. But it’s not that big of a deal. If he declines dinner, it won’t be a problem too. Jeongguk and Taehyung will be there, and Yoongi will just third-wheel them for the billionth time.

He doesn’t even feel like a third wheel at this point, so it’s completely fine.

“Hyung, he’s going to love it. You’ve been hanging around to walk your dogs how many times now?”

“Fifty. And I’m not even joking.” Jeongguk answers, looking worried for some reason.

“I’m fine, I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s just the pre-concert jitters. Now stop distracting me.”

At least he won’t be meeting Hoseok before the concert, that would probably maybe completely wreck his concentration. And the jitters would be about something else completely different, so it wouldn’t go away the moment he started playing.

Yoongi usually feels like this before concerts, but it’s a good kind of anxiety. He wants to play, he’s not afraid of playing. The piano was never his enemy, why would he fear it?

So he focuses, takes deep breaths, shower, changes into fancy clothes, and fixes his hair with a little of Jeongguk’s help—he has to be some kind of help eventually, hasn’t he?

It’s just one more concert, and he’s done that a billion times before.

He only snaps out of this haze when he hears the standing ovation, bowing from the stage, and stands up to see his little brother, Jeongguk and Hoseok on the front row, and his heart does a little somersault at the heart-shaped smile that’s directed to him.

They meet him backstage, and Hoseok is the first to speak.

“Ah, Yoongi hyung, that was amazing!”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“I mean, I knew you had to be great, but wow. I wasn’t ready.”

“You get used to it.” Jeongguk mumbles, head propped on Taehyung’s shoulder.

“I wonder… I don’t know, that’s pretty impressive.”

“Try living with him your whole life,” Taehyung says, with a wink at the end. “I still find it amazing, though. A great background music, too. Easy to impress any and all visitors.”

They laugh, and Yoongi is happy, but there’s something he needs to do and his brain is screaming at him. Do it. Do it.

“Hey. Wanna grab dinner? With me.” Yoongi blurts it, incredibly nervous but doing his best not to sound ridiculous.

He fails. But that’s okay. Probably.

“Oh, sure! Are you all going?” Hoseok asks, looking from Yoongi to Taehyung and Jeongguk.

He panics, but Taehyung is faster than him. “Oh no, we only came to support hyung. Guk is too tired.”

Jeongguk nods, not really needing to mention how tired he is when he looks like death itself. “Final graduation project, man.”

Hoseok whistles. “Ouch, tough. Good luck with that!”

“Thanks. I need it.”

They say their goodbyes and leave as fast as they can, throwing Yoongi a thumbs up when Hoseok isn’t looking.

“So… you and me,” Hoseok states, a certain mischief in his eyes, but his tone is almost emotionless.

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

“No, not at all. I think it’s wonderful.”

Yoongi smiles, relieved. “Good. Me too.”

“Just one thing.”

His heart starts beating fast, and Yoongi smiles as if he nothing is happening.

“What?”

There’s a brief pout to Hoseok’s lips before he answers. “Is it a date? Because you look like you’re dressed for a hell of an expensive date.”

He chuckles, embarrassed. “Sorry about the clothes, it’s just an etiquette thing, if they are a problem I can go home first...”

“Oh no, I love it. You look amazing in a suit, Yoongi.”

“T-thanks.”

He curses himself mentally. Stuttering now, great. It’s just, well, he wasn’t ready for this kind of praise at the moment.

“So?”

“What?”

Hoseok raises one eyebrow, and Yoongi is pretty sure that smile on the corner of his lips is a smirk. “It’s not a date then?”

“Well, if, uh, it can be a date, for me, but it doesn’t have to be one, if you’re not comfortable with it–”

Hoseok starts chuckling, and Yoongi feels the tip of his ears burn.

“You’re adorable. Yes, of course I want it to be a date. Look at you. People didn’t dress up this nice not even for my graduation party.”

The relief of hearing a “yes” puts at bay any thought of revenge Yoongi could get, at least for the moment, and he says, “That’s kinda sad, in a way.”

“I didn’t dress up this nice, either. Who cares about etiquette anyway, right?”

Yoongi laughs, and Hoseok joins him. “Right. Let’s go, then.”

It’s a date. A real date. No dogs, a restaurant, dinner, and they said the word. It is an official date.

He lets it sink in, and there’s a chance that Hoseok is doing the exact same.

“I just wish I had dressed up better. Tonight, I mean, not at my graduation.”

And it’s so easy to laugh when Hoseok’s around, that’s why he feels like it’s a familiar presence. It’s almost the same thing as being around an old friend. “You dressed just right.”

“Aren’t you ever the charmer?”

This time, Yoongi reaches to tickle his side. Hoseok proves to be very sensitive to tickles, and their hands brush as he pushes Yoongi away.

His heart skips a beat, he swallows it down and asks, still trying to sound at least a tiny bit mad. “Why are you being like this?”

Hoseok briefly hides his face with his hands, then looks away and maybe he’s blushing. “I don’t know, I guess I’m just really happy you invited me to see you perform today, I loved to see you play the piano, and now you’re taking me out to dinner. It’s perfect, Yoongi.”

“Oh. Uh, I’m glad.” He looks away, biting his lip. “I can play for you if you want. You could come home someday.”

“That sounds great, in fact, although vague. Someday?”

“Yeah, any day.”

“Any day?”

“Sure?”

“Then tomorrow?”

Yoongi smiles in adoration. “Yeah, I don’t see why not.”

“Amazing.”

They’re leaving the restaurant after what’s probably the best night Hoseok has ever had. If he wasn’t sure before, now he is. He likes Yoongi, but it’s not just that. He’s falling.

It’s thrilling that Yoongi seems to be falling, too.

“You really don’t have to take me home,” Hoseok says, coyly, because there’s nothing he would like more than that. It’s really late now, he didn’t think they would have dinner together after the concert, and they had wine.

“My friends literally lent me the car today so I could do this,” Yoongi admits, half mad with the suggestion and half shy for the admission.

Hoseok’s interest peaks at the information. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Namjoon and… Jimin?”

“Them, exactly. The married friends.”

“Hmm…” Hoseok heard about Jimin and Namjoon a few times, a couple of musicians who are Yoongi’s best friends for a long time. Jimin is a violinist, and Namjoon is also a pianist. They are wonderful together, Yoongi tells, and he makes it sound like he’s not referring to their profession alone.

“So? Can we go now?”

Hoseok pretends to be thinking about it. “Will you kiss me goodbye before I get out of the car?”

Yoongi visibly deflates, probably tired of all the teasing he’s being put through the entirety of their night.

“Oh god… ”

“So we’re playing hard to get now, okay.”

Yoongi opens the passenger's door, looking him dead in the eyes. “Just get in the damn car or I’m leaving you here and never talking to you again.”

“Just when I thought we were going so well!” He says, doing his best not to laugh and entering the car.

Yoongi closes the door, and Hoseok opens the window with a smile.

“That was before you started to be so damn annoying the whole time, it’s like I’m dating Jeongguk, only a little less annoying and also with a better sense of style. And prettier. And less of a brat.”

“Stop it, you’re making me blush.”

He goes around the car for the driver’s door, and Hoseok sees him smile as he enters the car.

He tones down the teasing after that, of course, he just felt bold enough to make it clear that he wants a kiss. He really wants it, damn, even needs it. The ride is quiet, soothing music playing in the background and pleasant conversation, just as they did during dinner.

Now Hoseok can put faces to at least two names Yoongi always talks about, Taehyung and Jeongguk, and it makes everything he says way funnier because he can actually see the boys doing the things Yoongi tells him about. And Yoongi says they are way more responsible now, young adults, and Hoseok knows that probably doesn’t mean anything because once you’re born a menace, you’ll probably go down as a menace.

At least at heart.

“It’s right there, the last building!”

Yoongi parks the car as near as he can, and then he turns the engine down.

Hoseok takes his seatbelt off, and Yoongi’s too, when he notices Yoongi isn’t doing it.

“If you don’t want to, it’s fine, but I would also be happy with a hug, so… Can I get a hug, Yoongi?”

“I want to.” Yoongi replies, unmoving.

“A hug?” Hoseok asks, confused.

Yoongi turns to him, the look in his eyes full of intent.

“I meant kiss you, Hoseok.”

“Oh…”

And then there’s silence. Not even the background music is playing, now that the car was turned off. Yoongi leans in, only the slightest, eyes attentive. Hoseok’s brain shouts at him. Lean in too, you idiot!

He obeys.

Now Yoongi is the one smirking, and it’s not unexpected at all, but it still brings out the competitiveness in Hoseok.

He leans until their noses are almost touching, and stops, eyes locked on Yoongi’s, slowly going down to his lips, and licking his own. Yoongi’s lips part, in a clear invitation, but then he licks them too.

He’s looking into Hoseok’s eyes when looks up, and that’s it. Hoseok ends the distance, connecting their lips, hands reaching for Yoongi’s neck and lap, just to make the position less uncomfortable.

Yoongi lets him guide the kiss, allows him to peck slowly, bite, and even lick into his mouth without deepening the kiss. He doesn’t open his eyes, the sweet thing, just waiting for Hoseok’s lips to come back, and they sure do. Hoseok kisses him with no hurry, even if his neck is to strain, and his back hurts a little, but Yoongi’s too sweet to let go, and he’s right there. Just waiting for Hoseok’s lips to come back, just waiting to be kissed again and again, each time a little deeper until Hoseok finally gives in and stays, pries his mouth open, gently pulls Yoongi’s head a little to the right, and slides their tongues together.

He hears Yoongi’s breath catching, and smiles into the kiss.

When he pulls apart, Yoongi finally opens his eyes, pupils blown wide.

Hoseok pecks his swollen lips. “You should stay over.”

There’s a hint of blush he can see even though the bad lightening of the street is the only thing lightening the inside of the car.

“I don’t want you thinking this was my intention all along.”

“I’m not. And I won’t. Promise. Besides, I’m only inviting you to sleep here. Who said anything else is going to happen?” Hoseok teases, even daring to wink.

Yoongi laugh is full of skepticism.

“We had wine.”

“That you’re absolutely right, we did. So? Are you coming in, or are you drunk driving yourself all the way back, alone?”

“I’m not drunk.”

“Then?”

“Well, when you put it like that you don’t really leave me a choice, do you?”

Hoseok chuckles, already opening the car door.

“I leave you all the choices, Yoongi.”

He waits at the sidewalk only for a moment before Yoongi is joining him, and they behave all the way to Hoseok’s apartment—especially because there isn’t an elevator, so they have to go up the stairs and that would just be too messy and even though it’s late, those are the times your neighbors will somehow find a way to walk into you. And manage to make it awkward.

Mickey is at the door as soon as Hoseok unlocks it, password pressed into the door lock.

“Heya boy, look who’s visiting tonight!”

It’s a party, Yoongi’s gummy smile at full display as the dog runs in circles around him and all over the place, coming back for some pats and them sprinting away again.

“He’s always like this at nights?”

“Only when I arrive late. Haven’t been home all day.” Hoseok explains, putting his things away and taking off his jacket. “Do you want something? Water, more wine? A kiss?”

Yoongi takes off his suit, laughing. “Water.”

“No kiss?” Hoseok pouts. “I can do better, I swear. It takes some practice to make it perfect, you know?”

“Shut up, you’re embarrassing. I just want water first.”

Hoseok laughs, already heading to the kitchen. “Feel free to put on some music if you want, it’s bluetooth.”

Of course Yoongi has already figured out everything when he comes back with a glass of water, and there’s a nice beat playing through the living room speakers.

“Nice system you have here.”

“Thanks. You into hip hop?”

Yoongi shrugs, nonchalantly. “A bit. Sometimes. You?”

Hoseok copies his shrug. “Same.”

Yoongi drinks his water, bus his eyes never leave Hoseok.

Makes him wish he had brought a glass of water to himself, too, instead of drinking it at the kitchen. Would at least give him something to do instead of watching Yoongi drink.

He puts the glass down on the closest surface, then plants a hand on Hoseok’s chest and pecks him, lips still wet.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Then he snaps out of it, and leans down to capture Yoongi’s lips again. They kiss again, and this time the angles are a lot better, and hands roam free everywhere waist up. They kiss until his lips are numb, and Hoseok makes an offer.

“Wanna sit maybe?”

“Yeah.”

They end up lying down on the couch, Hoseok between Yoongi’s legs, kissing down his neck, Yoongi’s hand slipping under his t-shirt and slowly dragging it up. It gets unbearably hot, and they either need to stop this, or move to the bedroom.

“Yoongi–”

“Yes.”

“We could just sleep.”

“We could.”

“Do you want to sleep?”

“Not really. You?”

Hoseok smiles, biting down his lip.

“Nope.”

When they finally lie down to sleep, in between messy sheets, too many pillows and crumpled blankets, Hoseok snuggles close to Yoongi, who’s staring at the open window.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Yoongi says, mindlessly.

This time Hoseok is getting this right.

“You know who else is beautiful?” He asks, smiling full of confidence.

Yoongi smirks, turning around to face him, and answers:

“You.” Then he kisses Hoseok’s lips. “You were completely right that time.”

And Hoseok grunts, flustered and utterly defeated.

(But he doesn’t really care.)