Chapter Text
Yoongi leans up on tip-toes, wrapping his arms around Hoseok’s neck, rubbing the material of his scarf between his fingers. “Thanks for walking me home,” he whispers between them, the urge to kiss the younger growing stronger by the second.
Hoseok smiles, pulling Yoongi closer. “You’re welcome.” Yoongi shivers as Hoseok leans in a little further, the gap between them barely a gap at all. “Thanks for agreeing to go on a fifth date with me.”
“You’re wel- wait.” Wait. “Fifth date?” Has it really been that many?
“Don’t tell me you’ve lost track, Hyung,” Hoseok laughs, squeezing Yoongi around the middle.
Yoongi hadn’t forgotten, not exactly. He just hadn’t realised how long he’s been seeing Hoseok. Hyerin, Yoongi’s neighbour and Hoseok’s best friend, had introduced them two months ago, ensuring the pair of them that they were ‘perfect for each other.’
They’d started on a double date with Hyerin and her girlfriend, Hyojin, and though Yoongi had been reluctant to hope for it, after years of failed relationships, something had blossomed between them. The next date they’d done solo; a movie that Yoongi had found boring but Hoseok had cried at. Yoongi had found it cute, how willing Hoseok was to just let it all go in front of him and weep at the whiney couple on screen. He’d wanted to kiss him, even then, but he hadn’t.
He’d saved that for their third date.
“I just didn’t realise it was our fifth,” Yoongi says honestly, “that’s a lot, right?”
Hoseok shrugs, shivering slightly. Yoongi can see his breath as it hits the chilly December air, and pulls away a little to adjust Hoseok’s scarf a little tighter around his neck.
“It’s quite a few, I guess. Why, getting sick of me?” Hoseok’s voice is teasing, but Yoongi can sense the genuine question within it. Do you want me to go home, now?
For a moment, Yoongi considers his options. He’s freezing, Hoseok had lent him his gloves but his hands still feel numb with cold, and the tip of his nose is no doubt red, so he wants to make it quick. The decision whether to lean in and kiss Hoseok, something sweet and chaste, and call it a night, or consider something more this time. Hoseok won’t force anything; he’s been very patient with Yoongi and his slow pace; his working up to trust and comfort in Hoseok’s presence.
He knows that if he says good-night now, that will be all for the night. But he likes Hoseok, likes him a lot, and he doesn’t want to say good-night.
“Not quite yet,” he answers, returning the smile Hoseok gives him. “Do you want to come up?”
Hoseok’s smile falters a little. “Up like… Into your flat?”
Yoongi gives him a tiny nod.
“Hyung, are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’m ready. I’m ready for you to meet them.”
Hoseok beams, and Yoongi pulls him inside and up the stairs to his flat; two steps at a time.
Once they get to Yoongi’s door, he finds himself feeling more nervous than he expected. Certainly, more nervous than a normal person should be over something like this. But it’s important. Important that they like each other, or at least, can stand to be in the same room together. Because if they can’t, Yoongi and Hoseok haven’t a hope in hell of lasting.
“Relax, Hyung,” Hoseok says, kindly, when Yoongi fumbles around for his key. “It’s going to be, okay? I’m sure I’ll love them.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about,” Yoongi mutters, finally finding the key and easing the door open a fraction. “Okay, guys, best behaviour, okay?” he says into the crack in the door. He can hear movement. “This is Hoseok. Hoseok, this is-”
Suddenly, the door is nudged open, and out fly the dogs, knocking straight into Hoseok’s shins. Collie at full force, followed by Bolognese a fraction slower, followed by Poodle, who has never run a day in her life, yet suddenly is racing like a hound out of hell.
“Guys, come on,” Yoongi sighs, going to grab them before they start running ragged around the corridor. It’s not that late, but he can’t say his neighbours would pay kindly to Yoongi’s three dogs scurrying around at nine o’clock at night.
He manages to grab Byeol and Micha, sighing at the sight of Bomi wagging her tail happily, as if she knows she’s escaped getting pulled inside. He rolls his eyes when he sees that she’s brought a tennis ball out to greet him with; so typical of her collie character to want to play at this time. Before Yoongi can ask, Hoseok scoops her up from behind and she yelps in defeat.
“This one is Bomi, right?” Hoseok says, giggling when she twists in his hold and tries to escape his arms. She’s the youngest, but biggest, of the three. “The Poodle is Byeol, and the Bolognese is Micha?” he recounts, as if he’s studied for this.
Yoongi smiles and nods, trying to keep Micha away from licking his freezing nose. He had shown Hoseok pictures of them on their very first date, and he’s talked about them relentlessly every date since then, but he’s still touched that Hoseok has remembered which name belongs to who. “Yep, that’s them. Jung Hoseok meet my babies. Babies, meet-”
“You’re home already? You guys are so lame!” Yoongi whips around, to find Hyerin standing in his doorway, a bowl of popcorn in her hands. She’s smiling knowingly, and Yoongi gives her a look that says plainly, ‘do not make a big deal about this or I will kill you.’
“If we’d stayed out any longer, Noona,” Hoseok says, laughing whilst he tries to get Bomi over his shoulder, “we’d have frozen to death coming home.”
“Oh, is it cold?” she says, zipping up her onesie all the way up her neck. “I didn’t even notice. The kids were angels, by the way.”
“Hyerin, what are you doing here?” Yoongi says, starting to feel embarrassed.
“You asked me to check in on the dogs!”
“Yeah, to feed them and take them out to pee! Not to make popcorn and watch- Is that-” Yoongi pushes her back inside, fumbling with the dogs in his arms. “You’re watching Harry Potter on my TV!”
Hoseok shuffles in behind him. “Oh, hey, I haven’t seen this movie in years!”
“Me neither!" Hyerin cries, ignoring Yoongi. In his own home. "I wanted to watch with Hyojin, but she’s working late. So, I decided to watch it with my girls whilst we waited for you to come home!”
“Hyerin…” Yoongi starts. Ordinarily, he doesn’t mind her being here; he’s thankful for the human contact and he loves her dearly, he’d even given her a key to the flat not too long ago. Plus, she’s always great at looking after the dogs for him, always doing so without question. In fact, without her doing that, there’s no way Yoongi would feel comfortable leaving them alone for hours at a time to go out with Hoseok. Working from home has its benefits, but it also means he’s barely had to be apart from his dogs, and none of them are very used to separation from each other.
But right now. Right now, Yoongi wants to be alone with Hoseok. Not completely alone, the dogs can stay. But Yoongi can’t see himself kissing Hoseok with Hyerin here, can’t see them finishing the night off in any way other than a smile and a hug, if she’s here, lounging on the sofa in her pyjamas.
“Could we watch the movie with you, Noona?” Hoseok says before Yoongi can hint to her that he wants her to go. He sounds so excited by the prospect, and Yoongi’s heart almost drops at how cute he is.
“Oh, I don’t know, sounds like Yoongi doesn’t want me here,” she pouts teasingly.
“Ah, Hyung, come on. Let’s watch the movie?” Hoseok pleads, “Look, even Bomi wants to!”
Yoongi eyes Bomi, wriggling happily in Hoseok’s clutches.
“Bomi like popcorn, not movies," Yoongi mutters, "but fine. Sit down, Hoseok-ah, I’ll get you a drink.”
Hoseok smiles, letting Bomi down, taking off his jacket and scarf, and sitting down. Bomi hops on after him, detirmed to befriend this stranger. Yoongi drops Micha on the sofa next to them, and Hoseok immediately laps up the attention she gives him, curling into his lap and pushing Bomi away. Yoongi opts to continue cuddling Byeol close to his chest as he goes to the kitchen, knowing she might take a little longer to warm to Hoseok. She’s the smallest, small even for her breed, and understandably gets the most stressed when Yoongi is away.
Hyerin follows him to the kitchen, setting down her popcorn on the counter and going straight to the fridge to fish out two bottles of water. “Here, for Hoseok,” she hands one to Yoongi, winking.
“What are you really doing here?” he says, exasperated.
“What do you mean? I’m looking after your-”
“You were waiting for us to get back.”
“Well, I was waiting for you to get back, so you could fill me in on the date. I had no idea you’d actually bring him home this time.” She wiggles her eyebrows, and Yoongi blushes.
“The date went well,” he shrugs, innocently, trying to hide behind Byeol.
“Must have went really well, if you’re introducing him to your babies! Are you guys getting serious?”
Yoongi pauses, not quite knowing the answer. He doesn’t want to assume anything, or tell Hyerin something he hasn’t confirmed with Hoseok. He doesn’t want to look stupid if he feels something Hoseok doesn’t. He trusts that anything he tells her won’t get back to him, even if they are best friends, but he also knows that Hoseok will probably tell her his share too. He wants to clear things with him, wants to be on the same page before he lets other people read the book.
“Like I said, the date went well.”
“Ah, Min Yoongi, you’re so boring! Isn’t your daddy boring, Byeol?” She takes Byeol from Yoongi’s arms, nuzzling their noses together and wondering back into the living room. Yoongi sighs, grabs another water for himself, snatches up her popcorn, and goes to back to the living room.
Hoseok has restarted the film; the fifth one, if Yoongi’s guess is correct. He’s sitting in the middle of the couch, Bomi on his right side, nudging at Micha, who’s still curled up on his lap. Micha is the easiest to win over; you just have to fuss her and tell her she's pretty. Bomi takes a little longer. She's friendly to everyone, but it takes a lot for her to trust. Hyerin is on Hoseok's left side, already snuggled in a blanket and rocking Byeol like a baby. Byeol is watching Hoseok closely, as if trying to work him out. Yoongi smiles reluctantly at the scene; his favourite people, all in one place.
“Hyung,” Hoseok says, turning to look at him, “Bomi stole your spot.”
“Bomi-yah, off,” Yoongi says, softly, approaching the sofa. She sits up, looking up at him with her soft, brown eyes. He sighs again, “fine. I’ll squish you then.” He sits to her right, tickling her around the middle and laughing when she yelps and tries to nip his hands. Hoseok laughs too, joining in with the tickling.
“Aish, you two,” Hyerin whines, “Stop being cute and watch the film.”
Yoongi blushes again, and he’s pretty sure Hoseok does too, before reaching his arm around Yoongi, and pulling him into his own side gently.
“Okay?” he whispers, as if afraid it was the wrong move.
Yoongi grabs Bomi, shuffles a little closer so his leg touches Hoseok's, and deposits her back to lie on his left thigh, and Hoseok’s right. Micha sniffs indignantly and the disruption when the younger puppy snuggles into her, but doesn’t move. Yoongi melts into Hoseok’s side, smiling.
“Okay,” he whispers back, turning to watch the film before he can blush any more.
They don’t make it to the end of the film before they hear Hyerin start to snore. Hoseok giggles when he first hears it, clearly tries to hold it in, but once it gets so loud that Byeol hops out of her arms to her bed, even Yoongi can’t contain his laughter. They laugh quietly together, leaning into each other, Hoseok’s head resting atop Yoongi’s and his hand stroking figures-of-eight up and down his arm softly.
“So, Hyung,” Hoseok says, when they’ve composed themselves, “do I get the pup’s seal of approval?”
“I think so,” Yoongi says, petting the top of Bomi’s head. “I know it was dumb, how much of a big deal I made out of you meeting them. But they’re important to me, you know? They’re family.” The only family I have, he doesn’t say.
“It’s not dumb, Hyung.” Hoseok kisses the top of Yoongi’s head. “Not dumb at all.”
“I’m really glad they like you, Hoseok-ah.”
“I am too. Would you have broken up with me if they hadn’t?”
“Maybe,” Yoongi says seriously, “depends. Is there something to break up?”
“What’d you mean, Hyung?”
“I mean, do you…” Yoongi takes a breath. Be brave. “Do you want to be my boyfriend? Like officially?”
“Yeah…” Hoseok breathes after a second, like the word is something he’s been holding on to for a while. “Yeah I really do.”
Yoongi looks up, and Hoseok looks back, and for a moment, Yoongi forgets the lapful of dogs, the snoring Hyerin on Hoseok’s other side. He forgets everything but this, looking at Hoseok. Feeling content. He moves to kiss Hoseok, and Hoseok moves with him.
A knock at the door makes them both jump. Suddenly, the dogs are up in arms; barking and running around the room like madmen. “Aish, girls, quit it!” Yoongi groans a couple of pitches too high when Bomi accidentally steps on his balls by mistake. Hyerin rouses a little, but merely smushes into Hoseok’s side and remains asleep.
“She could sleep through a hurricane, this one,” Hoseok laughs, poking her cheek, moving her hair from her face. Yoongi smiles, getting up and stepping carefully over Micha who is rolling on the floor madly for absolutely no reason, and heading over to the door.
He opens it, and is relieved to see Hyojin, clad in her waitress uniform. She looks exhausted.
“Do you have my girlfriend in there with you?” she says, tired but fond. She's never been big on greetings.
Yoongi opens the door a little wider, letting her peer inside to find Hyerin’s sleeping form.
“Hi, Noona!” Hoseok says, cheerfully, “we took good care of her, promise!”
Hyojin smiles, rolling her eyes at the scene. Micha and Bomi jump at her, Bomi yelping a little as if she knows Hyojin has come to take away her Hyerin. Hyojin pats them lightly. "Where's my god-daughter angel?" she says, scanning the room.
"Byeol retreated to her bed once your girlfriend started snoring."
"I wish I had a separate bed to retreat to when she does that. Seriously. She's like a chainsaw."
Hoseok laughs, and Hyerin groans beside him. "Too loud," she mumbles, sticking her thumb in her mouth.
"Home," Hyojin says firmly, walking to scoop up her girlfriend. She wakes slightly, enough to be walked out of the flat, Hyojin’s arms around her waist. The dogs move to walk them out, and Hyojin has to be careful to stop Hyerin stepping all over them.
“Bye, boys. Have fun,” Hyojin says for the both of them once they’re just about out the door. Yoongi and Hoseok both wave, Hoseok already pulling Yoongi back on the sofa, this time spreading out enough to lay Yoongi’s back against his stomach, kissing Yoongi’s neck as soon as the door is closed.
“So, what do you want to do now, boyfriend?” Hoseok says, squeezing Yoongi around the middle. "Movie's finished."
Yoongi turns his head, sees that the movie has at least five minutes left.
"Well, as good as," Hoseok says, slyly. "So what'll it be, Hyung?"
Yoongi bites the side of his cheek, feigning deep thought.
“Hm, put the kids to bed?" Hoseok raises an eyebrow. "Maybe put ourselves there while we’re at it?”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Been wanting to kiss you for hours now.”
Hoseok pats his side, signalling Yoongi to get up. “No time to waste then,” he says, jumping up, his smile so wide and bright now Yoongi has to pause to catch his breath.
It makes him smile, watching Hoseok chase the dogs around the room, tiring them out before bed time. Bomi, it seems, loves Hoseok’s energy, bounces around with him even when the older two have stalked off to their beds. Micha appreciates the way Hoseok brushes her, playing with her ears and singing made up songs about how pretty she is. Even Byeol has warmed to him, looking up at him with her sparkly eyes in a way she usually reserves for Yoongi and Hyojin.
Family, Yoongi decides, is exactly what you make it to be.