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hoseok had noticed it early on. jungkook would sneak into jimin's bed in the middle of the night and they would hug each other to sleep everyday, this happened when they were younger too but now the air around them seemed different. there was a tension between the two boys that one could cut with a knife if they wanted to.
he didn't say anything, though. he figured it was just how the two of them were, everyone liked affection and cuddles but some people needed more (especially if they were deprived of it for so long). the sleeping sessions kept going for months at their dorm, hoseok found them quite adorable to be honest. some days jimin wouldn't come back from practicing until the wee hours of the morning but jungkook would still lie on his bed and wait for him.
that day was one of those. he went to sleep early and woke up at 3am starving, only to see jungkook still half awake playing with his phone.
"jungkook."
"hmm hyung?" his voice was drowsy with sleep.
"why aren't you sleeping? you need to rest, we have an early schedule today."
"waiting for jimin hyung"
"you can wait while you sleep, you know" he said while sitting on the bed, the only light source in the room being jungkook's phone, it made everything look a bit blue.
"can't sleep."
"but you sound really tired, though?"
"hmm"
"is there something bothering you? we can talk about it" hoseok said in a soft tone, trying to get the younger to open up.
"i just... can't sleep" jungkook said, barely raising his voice.
"so that's why there must be something in your mind for you to be unable to sleep"
"..." an entire minute passed before jungkook sighed. "i need jimin." he said in a whisper.
"you need jimin to sleep?"
"hm."
hoseok didn't say anything, he waited for jungkook to elaborate. he got up from his bed and sat beside jungkook, tucking some wild hairs behind his ears and caressing his face.
"i just... i guess my body got used to sleeping with him and now my brain won't register that it's time to sleep if he's not here." jungkook tried to reason, but hoseok didn't feel like he was telling the whole story.
"so jimin is your sleeping pill?" hoseok booped his nose, which made jungkook smile.
"don't tell him that, otherwise he'll feel guilty"
"okay, i promise!" hoseok put three fingers in the air as if taking an oath.
he had noticed how the younger changed in the past couple of years, not only his appearance but the way he behaved too. he saw the nuances of his behavior towards certain topics the seven of them would bring up randomly — like dating, crushes or marriage — he would start fidgeting and sometimes pretend not to listen. jungkook was transparent, it was like he was wrapped in cellophane and you could see right through him. but neither hoseok or the others said anything about that matter directly to him, they figured that if jungkook felt the need to, he would talk to them.
"jk"
"hmm?" jungkook had his eyes closed now while hoseok kept running his fingers through his hair.
"you know you can trust us with anything, hm? we would never judge you or turn our backs to you"
jungkook kept his silence for a few seconds and then he opened his eyes to stare at hoseok.
"why this suddenly?"
"i don't want you to feel trapped here" hoseok answered, he noticed how jungkook broke eye contact and now seemed really interested in the ceiling. "this is your home and you should feel free from judgement, that's all"
"i do."
"you do what?"
"i trust you guys. it's just.." jungkook let out a deep sigh again and ran his hands through his face. "i don't know, it's quite complicated."
"it's okay, you're so young kook" hoseok gave him a half smile. "don't stress too much, it's totally normal to have feelings you can't understand or control."
"hm.."
"well, i hope our jimin gets home soon then!" he offered jungkook a full smile now, "both of you need sleep, in fact i think i'm gonna call him."
hoseok left jungkook on his own and made his way to the kitchen where he would call jimin and scold him for pushing himself too hard.
a few months later their wings comeback promotions had come and gone in the blink of an eye. everyone was tired but also really proud of the history they had just made at the end of the year award shows, it finally seemed like all of their hard work was amounting to something bigger.
they were heading to their first leg of the wings tour, after weeks of rehearsal and dedication everything was nearly perfect. except jungkook was exhausted and almost collapsed on stage, everything happened in a flash but it also seemed to drag on forever. the six of them were worried sick for their youngest but hoseok noticed how jimin wouldn't even think about leaving jungkook's side.
on the way back to the hotel hoseok spent the entire time meaning to talk to jimin and ask how he was doing. so as soon as he got to his room and freshened up he went to jimin's room. when jimin opened the door hoseok could immediately tell that he's been crying. he didn't say anything right away, though.
"can i come in? it won't be long"
"sure" jimin said and moved so hoseok could walk in. "i haven't showered yet.."
he sat down on the bed and tapped beside him for jimin to join in.
"are you okay? your eyes are puffy."
"i'm fine, it's just... i can't see him like that hyung" his voice was so small it broke hoseok's heart to hear. "why didn't i notice he wasn't doing so well? he shouldn't feel like that.." jimin sniffed and looked up, probably trying to not cry again.
"hey now," hoseok put his hand on jimin's back, making circle motions, "don't blame yourself for what happened. it's not your fault at all and you know how jungkook is when it comes to his own hardships."
"i do. and i've told him so many times to not put himself through that, but he's so stubborn."
"jimin"
"hmm"
"i think you should go to his room and make him company tonight."
"ah hyung.."
"what? it's not a secret you two sleep together" hoseok laughed a little and jimin blushed. "your bed is literally next to mine."
"i don't know.."
"jimin, i think jungkook would really appreciate your company right now."
"me too." jimin said it so quietly hoseok thought he imagined it. "ah, my chest hurts"
hoseok took jimin's hand in his.
"chim, do what your heart wants. who are you harming if you stay by his side, hm?" he gently caressed jimin's hand with his thumb. "take a shower, grab your things, go to his room and hug him to sleep!"
jimin laughed quietly at him, but after a few seconds he answered.
"okay."
it was early october when jungkook knocked at hoseok's door.
"hyung, can i come in?" he heard his muffled voice ask.
"yes jungkookie~ the door is unlocked!"
jungkook came in and sat on jimin's bed, facing him.
"can you talk right now?"
hoseok noticed how his voice seemed to tremble a little, so he put his phone down and focused all of his attention on him.
"is something wrong?"
"no, no! don't worry.."
"ah.. then what is it hmm?"
jungkook was fidgeting a little now, playing with his rings.
"remember when you said i could tell you guys anything?"
"of course!" hoseok said and smiled at him, encouraging.
"well.. i have something to tell you." he said with his brown eyes looking quite big, like a cute and innocent deer. hoseok nodded at him as if saying "go on."
"i'm gay" jungkook said after a long breath, "and i'm in love with jimin."
"oh jungkookie.." hoseok felt himself melt in place. he expected jungkook to come out to him, but not to admit to loving jimin.
"but i don't want you to think anything different of me," he said with his hands doing some weird shapes, "i'm still the same jungkook.."
"of course you are, silly!" hoseok made his way to sit beside jungkook. "you don't need to say that to me, just because you're out now doesn't make you any different from who you always were." hoseok pat his head like he was a puppy, "i want you to know i love you just the same, hm~ you're our baby" he squished jungkook's cheeks with one hand.
"hyunnngg" jungkook whined, "stoooop"
they both started laughing, but hoseok saw jungkook wiping his sweaty hands on his pants.
"you're not mad that.. it's jimin of all people?"
hoseok made a confused noise. "why would i be mad? you don't choose who to fall for"
"it's just.. we are in the same group, i don't wanna cause trouble for bangtan. being gay is already enough.."
"hey, hey.. stop this." hoseok started making an X sign with his arms. "don't say that again. there's nothing negative about you being gay, it's your nature and it's a part of bangtan. if anyone has a problem with that then they can excuse themselves."
"hyung, you're gonna make me cry" jungkook said, and hoseok could see his eyes watering.
hoseok stared at his doe eyes for a few seconds.
"does he know?"
"i haven't told him yet."
"so you plan on doing it soon?"
"i prepared a present for his birthday" jungkook said with a smile.
"oooh, really?" hoseok looked at him with a knowing face. "can you tell me?" he whispered.
"actually i was planning on asking you for some advice."
"oh my god, you want sex ed?"
"HYUNG!!! NOOO" jungkook threw himself on the bed and covered his face with a pillow.
"i'm sorry!! i got scared for a second!!" he removed the pillow from jungkook's face, which was as red as a tomato. "come on, what was it?"
jungkook took a long breath to recover from his mild panic and sat again. "i was gonna ask you," he gave hoseok a pointed look, which made him throw his hands up in surrender, "do you think i should do it? what if he rejects me and i lose him forever because i made things awkward?"
hoseok could see how jungkook was worried about this, even if he was talking calmly he noticed he was pulling the loose threads of his ripped jeans.
"tell him. i can't assure you how things will go because i can't predict the future unfortunately, but," hoseok took jungkook's hand and made sure to look him straight in the eyes, "you will never lose jimin."
"i planned a trip." jungkook blurted out. "only the two of us, to japan"
"really?" hoseok's eyes bulged out a little, that was unexpected.
"yeah, it will be his birthday present. you know how he always said he wanted to go somewhere alone with me."
"hmm, and you always rejected him~"
"hyunngg"
"so, you're gonna confess there?"
"that's my goal, and if it doesn't happen… well, at least we spent some time together."
"kook, i believe in you." hoseok squeezed his hands. "and.. i think everything will turn out well."
"thanks, hyung" jungkook let out a really long breath. "wow, i never thought this day would come." he laughed.
"have you told the others?"
"not yet. i need to talk to them in private like i'm doing with you now, but everyone is quite busy.. i'll do my best to tell everyone by the end of the month."
hoseok was so fond of him that his heart felt like it was going to explode.
"kook, i'm so proud of you." he pat his head and pinched one of his cheeks. "you've become a wonderful man. jimin is lucky to have you, hm~"
"hyung, is your goal today to make me blush?" jungkook said, hiding behind his hands.
"maybe~" hoseok said in a joking tone.
"thank you," jungkook hugged him suddenly, "for being so understanding and listening to me." hoseok could hear his voice wavering.
"hey, no crying baby" he hugged him back even tighter, "that's what friends are for, right?"
"hmm~" hoseok could tell jungkook was smiling.
jimin and jungkook hadn't told him (or them) how things went when they were back from japan, but anyone with eyes could see how everything had changed. it was in the way their hands lingered on each other a second too long, or how their eyes would meet and they'd smile, it was in their whispers and giggles around the dorm and practice room. it was their business anyway, he figured they would tell them when they felt more comfortable with their status.
hoseok was delighted, both of them seemed to be glowing in every aspect and he wanted nothing more than his friends to be happy. but when he saw the video, his jaw dropped to the ground. hoseok paced around all day until he had time to speak to jungkook alone, he finally got him in an empty room at the company building.
"jungkook."
"yes, hyung?"
"what is that?"
"what's what?" jungkook looked genuinely confused.
"the video!!"
"oooh, did you like it?"
"jungkook. is that your way of letting us know?"
jungkook didn't say anything for a while and hoseok waited in silence.
"not only you guys, but…" he made a broad move with his arms, "everyone."
"everyone?"
"hyung, you know most people won't read it like that "
"okay, okay" hoseok took a deep breath. "kook, it's a really lovely video."
"thank you, hyung" jungkook smiled. "i don't wanna hide my love for him." he said after a few seconds. "and he's my best friend before he's my lover, so even if people just see it like that.. i'm happy."
"you're such a sap" hoseok rolled his eyes and they started laughing.
"jungkookie?" it was jimin's voice, he was poking his head behind the door.
"jiimin-ssi, i'm here"
"oh, hoseok hyung"
"do you need to talk to him alone? i can leave" hoseok said pointing at the door.
"no, it's okay" he entered the room and stood awkwardly beside jungkook.
hoseok looked at the both of them and started laughing, "jimin, it's okay.. i know." he saw jimin's eyes get big and his head whipped to look at jungkook.
"it's okay, baby" jungkook hugged him sideways, jimin tucked his head under jungkook's chin.
"first of all, the two of you aren't subtle at all . second of all, that video was so romantic that i was expecting you two to kiss at the end."
jimin and jungkook started laughing. hoseok couldn't handle them anymore.
"one more thing, please don't start making out with me in the room. some of us are single."
"okay~" jungkook said turning to jimin and giving him a peck on the lips.
"oh my god," hoseok said, exasperated, and started making his way to the door. "i'm leaving! i can't believe i'll have to deal with this everyday from now on." he could hear the younger boys laughing as be closed the door.