Work Text:
— Good morning, I am Jeon Jungkook! How can I help you?
Yoongi is a little startled by the sudden appearance of such an energetic boy, but eventually he answers the greeting.
— Hi, I'm Min Yoongi… I'm looking for a pin, but I don't really know…
— Oh don't worry I am a living encyclopedia of flags and symbols! What is it that you want to represent?
The blush on Yoongi's cheeks is adorable, and Jungkook has to fight with himself not to voice it.
— Um… The aro flag?
— Ah, sure! They're over there, come on! How do you want the pin? We have a lot of stuff here, not just the basic flag, you know. But if you want just the flag that's cool too!
A voice comes out of nowhere telling Jungkook to stop overwhelming the client, and after looking around Yoongi sees a man at the checkout, and he's not even looking at Jungkook. It feels like this phrase is second nature to him, and, after one minute with Jungkook, Yoongi can understand why.
Not that he feels overwhelmed per se — sure, he's not really used to that much energy, but it feels good, like when a cup of coffee hits just right. Or a glass of whiskey. Jungkook's fun to be around. And what's better, he's helping Yoongi get out of his head and stop overthinking the gesture.
It doesn't have to be a big deal. He's just going to buy some cute little pins and maybe go around with them. Maybe go to Taehyung's shop with them. Just because he needs to go there to buy some stuff anyway. Might as well go with his cute new pins.
And his new bracelet? Because Jungkook somehow convinced him to get one too.
— Ok, but do you have one with ace colors?
— Oh, sure! In my opinion they're not as cute, which is why I don't really use them, but that's fine too!
— Jungkook-ah, stop badmouthing our merch! — Yoongi wonders how the man can listen to Jungkook all the way from across the store. Maybe he's tuned in to the boy, knowing him.
— Hyung! Not doing that! — And then to Yoongi: — Hyung, I was doing that just a little, but please… Oh no sorry I didn't mean to I was just still in my head I'm sorry I don't want to be disrespectful…
— That's ok, you can call me hyung. — Yoongi didn't expect the bright smile he got, and he somehow wishes he had said that earlier.
The fact they've only just met is completely ignored by Yoongi.
— So, Yoongi-hyung, is this for you or a gift?
He doesn't understand why, but Jungkook's eagerness makes him want to tell the almost stranger — despite the whole call me hyung thing — everything. He holds back, though. A little.
— They're for me, but the aro pins are more of a gesture for… a friend. I'm ace.
— Cool! Me too!
Someone should research this boy, because he lifted his fist and Yoongi didn't even hesitate before fistbumping him. He'd feel awkward, if not for how Jungkook makes everything feel so natural.
— It's very nice of you to support your friend! Hey. What was that.
Yoongi doesn't think he quite understood the meaning of whiplash until now.
— That what?
— I saw your face. Uh! You like your aro friend! Don't you! — Now, this has got to be some kind of witchcraft. How can this boy know this already? Yoongi secretly looks for the nearest exit. — Hyung, that's so cute of you! You know, I'm also in love with people that might be out of my league. I don't mean you aren't a catch, quite the contrary, but being aro is just a whole other level, you know? But you go, hyung! Show that aro that queerplatonic relationships are the shit!
Even if Yoongi knew what to say, which he definitely doesn't, he wouldn't be able to get a word in. Jungkook just steamrolled his way through the conversation for about three minutes straight, talking about how he's in love with his two hyungs who happen to date and how they should start a club for "poor little aces with misguided hearts".
— I don't know about that…
— Oh hyung did I scare you? Seokjin-hyung says I'm too intense sometimes but I don't really listen to him but also please sorry I just thought our vibes matched and nothing better than a crying buddy but that's ok if you want to leave and never think about me again…
— Jungkook-ah, breathe. — Jungkook shuts his mouth, and the look he gives Yoongi is just. A low blow. — Sure, let's start a club for aces with unrequited crushes. Can I give you my number? Is it allowed? I don't want to take advantage of…
— Here! — Jungkook shoves his phone in Yoongi's hand, already with the contacts app open. — I'm not really familiar with the store policies, I'm sort of new here, but I'll take the risk. Ok thank you very much hyung I'll get in contact with you see you soon!
Yoongi is rushed to the checkout and when he's leaving he hears the other man say something along the lines of "how can you not be familiar with the rules? New here? You've worked here for over a year, you little brat", and he smiles at the audacity of the young man.
When he's been away from Jungkook for some minutes, he resumes his second guessing. Is it really a good idea to walk around Taehyung with these pins? There is a chance he likes them and the gesture, but what if he thinks Yoongi is pushing it? What if he gets mad at Yoongi?
But then the choice is taken from him.
— Hyung! Hey!
Yoongi turns and it's to meet Taehyung, who had his big smile on until he saw the pins — Jungkook had made sure they were all on place already on Yoongi's bag, being the good little sales clerk he is —, and then his smile turns into an expression of wariness.
— Hey, Taehyung-ah! — Yoongi tries to put his bag to the side, in a way Taehyung can't see the pins, but it's too late.
— What are those?
— One of my clients — you know, I told you about him, the boy who always wears jewelry that has a cause behind them — told me about this shop that sells all kinds of pins and flags, so I went there to check it out. It's really nice, if you…
— Hyung. Why do you have pins with the aro flag colors if you're not aro?
Suddenly it hits Yoongi that they're standing in the middle of the sidewalk on a random street. It isn't what Yoongi wants for this conversation.
— Taehyung-ah, do you want to grab a coffee with me? We can talk more, it's better than here.
— You know what, come with me.
Taehyung grabs Yoongi's hand and guides him, a little bit faster than he'd have liked, until they're standing in front of Taehyung's apartment building.
— Do you mind?
— No, not at all. — He figures it's better than being dumped in public. Even though they never even dated. It's a strange situation altogether, at least Taehyung will be comfortably at home by the end of it.
They enter the apartment and Taehyung scurries off to make some tea. It's his comfort drink and it makes Yoongi even more nervous and certain that things are about to go very wrong.
Because the thing is, last time they talked didn't end very well, at least in Yoongi's mind. Yoongi was trying to be subtle, talking about falling for friends without really putting himself out there, when Taehyung blurted out he was aromantic and wouldn't understand the feeling.
What Yoongi got from that was that Taehyung was shutting Yoongi out, telling him without telling him that they were done. Because as much as Yoongi didn't say it, Taehyung is no fool. He must know by now Yoongi is absolutely gone for him.
Yoongi thought that showing he understands Taehyung is aro, understands his limits, would help him in showing he doesn't want to cross any boundaries, he just wants Taehyung in his life, in any way they're both comfortable with.
Now he doesn't think the pins are the gesture he thought it was, he just feels he veered into creepy territory. He isn't aro, why should he walk around with these?
— Hyung, I made you a cup. Come here?
They sit by the kitchen counter and Taehyung passes Yoongi his cup.
— Thank you… Ok, I'm just gonna ask, do you want me to take them out?
— What, why? Why would I say what you should and shouldn't wear?
— Because I… I got them for you, or for me but as a gesture for you, but I don't know if it was the right decision, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable or something like that.
— For me?
Taehyung looks at Yoongi like he just gave him a gold bar — truly touched but also doesn't understand why.
— Yeah, I don't know, it seemed like a good idea, I didn't really think it through… I just ran with it and now I feel like an idiot who doesn't have an explanation for what he does.
— Hyung, I'm very touched. It isn't often that people do that much to show they got what I said.
Yoongi shrugs his shoulders and stares at his cup. He debates whether he should say what he feels to Taehyung, he's afraid it will come out as crossing his limits, now that he knows… Actually, he doesn't really know how he feels about romance and romantic feelings, he just knows he doesn't really feel them.
— Do you mind if I ask you something? I don't want to pry, you can say no…
— Hyung. It's just me. Stop worrying.
That's true. He's afraid he might say the wrong thing, but if he does it will not be on purpose, Taehyung knows that, and he can correct himself.
— I know you don't fall in love, but how about romance? Relationships? How do you feel about them?
The way Taehyung plays with the cup edge before answering is very cliché, but Yoongi won't comment on it because it's also super cute.
— I'm not repulsed by romance, but there are some things that bother me. I don't mind being in a relationship, but it bothers me to call the other person my boyfriend or to be called boyfriend. — He even shivers at that, and Yoongi feels a little guilty. — I like touches and hugs and whatnot, but not when it's in a very romantic way, you know? Like, if you want to hold my hand, I'd be fine with it, but not if it's to show we're together. — Then Taehyung realizes what he said and his wide eyes are just adorable. Yoongi scolds himself for being so cheesy. — Not that we are a couple! I just meant in general, you as in the other person…
— I get that. How do you feel about people liking you romantically?
— I mean… It's not like I can control how people feel about me…
— Sure, but you might not want to be around a person who is in love with you, and it would be understandable.
Taehyung stares so deep in Yoongi's eyes that he feels he just reached his very soul. And his next words prove it.
— Hyung, you are in love with me.
It's not a question, it's a statement. Yoongi can't decipher Taehyung's expression, so he just looks down, wondering if he should just leave the boy alone. He is obviously not excited about the idea, and…
And then Taehyung is hugging him and Yoongi doesn't know what to do.
— Hyung, you are in love with me — why does he have to keep repeating it? — and you're still here. You like me and didn't run off. Hyung. Be with me.
— What?
Yoongi looks up and he's so close to Taehyung. So close he could kiss him if he wanted. But he's too confused now for that.
— I can't love you back the way you love me, but I do love you, hyung.
— Wait. What? Please, Taehyung-ah, just…
Yoongi pushes Taehyung very delicately, and he remembers Yoongi doesn't like to be touched sometimes, when emotions get too much. He immediately backs off and tries to apologize, but Yoongi cuts him off.
— How would it work?
— We can discuss as we go?
— No.
The firmness of his answer doesn't really match how Yoongi feels, but he has some limits of his own. Taehyung can understand that.
— Ok, hyung, then let's talk. As I said, I'm comfortable with the main idea of relationships, I like to kiss and hold hands, I don't like when things feel too lovey-dovey. I like it when it feels like a Ghibli movie, hate it when it feels like a romantic movie.
— Ok, nice way to put it, but practically. How would it work?
Taehyung smiles at Yoongi, feeling very endeared.
— We can go out together. Stay in together. We can kiss. Share our day. You can buy me food every now and then.
— Oh, I can now, can't I?
— You're the hyung here after all.
Yoongi can't help his smile, but he still recoils when Taehyung makes it to get closer to him. Things are still too uncertain for him, he needs them to be clearer. Taehyung can understand that, but he doesn't really know what he can say that'll help Yoongi, so he tries another approach.
— Hyung, you tell me then. What does a relationship look like to you?
— Um. Let's not go there.
The look of worry on Taehyung's face makes Yoongi grab him by his shirt and pull him into a hug. Since Taehyung's arms are being pressed to his sides, he can't return the hug, so Yoongi feels comfortable to stay that way for a little while.
— Ok, hyung, then how do you want our relationship to look like?
— I just… I don't want to cross your limits.
— Now we're just going back and forth here. Let's say we are together now, for the sake of this thinking exercise. — For Taehyung they're already together and this is not a drill. — What would you want us to do tomorrow and on the weekend?
The spotlight on him is a little less bright when he can't see Taehyung's eyes on him, so Yoongi pulls him again to his arms. With no resistance. Whatsoever. Taehyung even rests his head on Yoongi's head.
— I have to work late tomorrow. I wish we could message while I'm on my breaks, like we usually do. This Saturday I'll be on my research moment so I don't really acknowledge the existence of the outside world and we wouldn't really do anything together. At all. On Sundays I usually prepare food for the week to come, if you could be there it would be nice. But no helping, just being there.
— Ok, then.
Taehyung just knows Yoongi is frowning, and he holds back the urge to wrap his arms around Yoongi and just crush him.
— What?
— Let's do that.
— But. And you? What do you want?
— Mostly I just want someone who'll not lose sight of who I am. And someone who'll ask me questions. I mean, it's ok to be confused, sometimes even I don't know exactly how I feel about something, but I like to be respected, you know.
— I don't like not knowing what you want.
— Right now, all I want is to finish my tea and cuddle you into tomorrow. Does that sound good?
Taehyung doesn't really get an answer, he just takes Yoongi's slightly angry and also very cute grumbles as a yes.