Chapter Text
The bus was slowly moving away which caused Yoongi to curse as he tried to not drop the guitar case in his hand. He had done it multiple times the past few months, however that didn’t make it any easier. “Stop!” He managed to call out as he finally reached its door. Boarding the bus, he paid for his ticket. As always, the musician didn’t care where the journey took him. He just had to keep moving.
“This is the last stop.” Were the words he heard as his eyes fluttered open. By now, he was the only one left standing, well sitting. As the bus pulled up along the countryside, he clambered out, fishing out his phone. He balanced his guitar case against his back as he held the phone up to his ear.
The familiar voice made him smile. “Hoseok?” His oldest friend. Admittedly, he hadn’t seen him since the day he left. Not on purpose, he always reassured him that.
“Yoongi! Where are you now?”
Dark eyes surveyed the area. “Umm, I’m not even sure?” He laughed. Everywhere he looked he saw nothing but greenery. He wasn’t complaining, it was nicer compared to the last place he was. “I promise, I’ll be back soon.” He sighed, although he still didn’t know when soon would be.
“That better be next month, I've started to forget what your face looks like.” Hoseok whined, which made Yoongi chuckle as he hopped over a fence and onto a nearby field, seeing it was quicker to the next road.
“Unlikely,” He shook his head, noting a few cows in the field just by. Hmm this was more rural than he first thought. Just then, he saw someone step out and onto the field, his eyes going straight to Yoongi. “Uh shit I’d better go,” He mumbled as he tried to put this phone away although all he could hear was Hoseok’s laughter. He'd have to fill in for him later. He stood there for a moment, not knowing what to say. ‘ Hello? Hey?’
Why were words too difficult? Introductions were never his forte. However he was in luck as the man approached first. Though lucky may have not been the right word. “Excuse me, but what are you doing?” The taller man asked as Yoongi just shrugged, because honestly he had no idea.
“Um I was travelling and the bus just dropped me off and-“ he started before the man cut him off.
“You’re trespassing!” His arms folded against his chest. Oh shit . Yoongi’s eyes widened.
“Sorry I had no idea, you live here?”
“I own here actually. This is my farm.” The man’s tone was less menacing, or at least Yoongi thought as much. Maybe he was already used to people cutting over his fence. Probably.
Yoongi’s cheeks burned red as he stared at the ground. “Sorry I had no idea,” he bit his lip as he finally met the man’s gaze. “It’s nice though, I don’t come to the country often.”
“Yeah I think so. You were travelling?” He asked as his arms dropped to his sides.
“Mhm yeah. I’ve been on the road since…March? I think?” He had no idea, time had pretty much lost all meaning. At least for him lately.
The man laughed. “You think? You must sleep deprived or something.” And he wasn’t wrong. “Hmm…” The man stopped for a moment, deep in thought. “How long you been travelling?”
“Uh today? Like four hours.”
“Oh man,” the man’s expression softened. “You hungry? I have cake, and tea?”
Yoongi laughed. “That’s very kind of you but I kinda wanna keep on going.”
“Where?” He asked. And it was a simple question, not something that Yoongi could answer.
He just shrugged as his guitar case fell to the ground. That seemed to answer for him. “Um, maybe a few minutes to rest my legs wouldn't hurt.” He rubbed the back of his neck as the taller man just smiled.
“Exactly, my house is just up there.”
~~~
‘Just up there ‘ must have meant something else to the man as Yoongi reckoned it was at least two miles before they reached the small house. He was ushered into the sitting room and promptly sat down in one of the armchairs. He plonked his guitar case down as the man that had welcomed him into his home disappeared into the nearby kitchen.
“Is tea fine?”
“Yeah sure.” He didn't really mind it and any sort of beverage was welcome at this point. His water bottle was pretty much empty. As far as planning went, Yoongi was usually fairly good at it. These past few months had been hectic but he had managed to thoroughly plan them out. Not so much right now, which he put down to exhaustion. He hadn’t slept in at least two days.
Snapped out of his thinking by a mug being placed in front of him, Yoongi looked up. “Sorry, did I wake you?”
Yoongi’s cheeks flushed again. “I was not…I’m very much awake actually.” He copied the man’s tone from earlier which only made the other chuckle as he sat down on the opposite armchair.
“The name’s Namjoon by the way.” He held out his hand. Yoongi looked at him for a moment then shook his hand.
“Yoongi.” Was all he said as he picked up the mug and held it in his hands. He couldn't remember the last time he had tea made like this for him. He figured Starbucks didn't count.
“And you’re a musician?” Namjoon nodded towards his guitar case.
Yoongi chuckled. “I guess you could say that. Hardly a professional though.” He shrugged.
“I dunno, I wish I could play an instrument but I’m not really creative. Practical, maybe.” Namjoon mused.
“Well music is pretty practical since you have to actually pick up the guitar with your hands.”
Namjoon snorted. “You’re…definitely something.”
“So I’ve been told.” Yoongi yawned as he settled back against the chair. “I’m sorry, by the way, for trespassing.”
Namjoon frowned, shaking his head. “It’s fine, I shouldn't have been that rude. It’s just been a long day and I’m tired too, not as much as you I take it.”
“Nah I dunno, don’t farmers have to get up super early?” Yoongi commented after he took a cup of the mug in his hands.
“That’s very true,” He laughed. “My stablehand also quit and it’s been just one pf those shitty days, sorry.” He frowned as Yoongi just half smiled. “Oh but you never did say where you were travelling to? Or where are you going? Is that play to ask?”
“You sure talk a lot.” Yoongi rolled his eyes but he was smiling all the same. “Honestly, no clue. I’ve just been going from one city to the next.”
“Touring?”
“I guess? I just pick up gigs when I can. I just wanted to get away from home for a bit.” Yoongi shrugged.
“Ah I see.” Namjoon smiled as Yoongi yawned once more. “You need a place to crash tonight?”
Yoongi raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, but are you sure you want to offer your home to a trespasser?” He joked. It was funny how everything worked out but he was too tired to care or think too much. It was already making his head ache.
“Positive. I have a spare room and it’s just for one night. You can get on moving tomorrow when you’re more rested.” It definitely seemed like the best option right now, and maybe it was the exhaustion kicking in but he decided to just trust Namjoon. And hope that this did not turn into some horror film.
“Alright. Just one night.”
~~~
It may have been a crazy idea to stay at a complete stranger’s house as he had been staying at hotels and guesthouses before, but luckily everything turned out okay. Much to his relief, he awoke in bed intact and to the noise of birds just outside the small room’s window. A perfect little arrangement, but that was just for the night. He had to catch the bus to the next town and keep on going. That was always the plan.
Yoongi had spoken to Hoseok before he fell asleep, and he was just as surprised at the turn of events as he had been. Though his first question had been
“Is he hot?”
“Seriously? That’s the first thing that comes to mind?”
Of course he didn’t answer, the night was pretty much a blur and sure he was tall, handsome and…he decided not to dwell on it too much. He’d be a distant memory soon enough anyway.
He grabbed his bag and guitar case, triple checking he had everything. A knock at the bedroom door startled him a little as he stopped.
“I made breakfast if you want something before you set off?” The voice offered and Yoongi shuffled to open the door.
“How can I say no to that?”
~~~
He was glad he didn’t as he couldn’t remember the last time he ate anything that wasn’t cup ramen. “Thanks for this , really.” Yoongi nodded as he took a bite out of the freshly made toast.
“It’s no problem, the least I can do. I don’t have guests around here often.” Namjoon shrugged.
“Could have fooled me, best host yet.” He smiled, wiping the corner of his mouth.
Namjoon laughed. “Now you’re just saying that,” He chuckled as he tidied the papers that laid on the breakfast counter. Yoongi did spot a letter with big red letters but it seemed like Namjoon did too as it was out of sight before long.
“I dunno, I have been travelling for a while now so I do know my shit about hotels.”
“I mean my farm is hardly one of those fancy places with fifty rooms.” Namjoon snorts.
“It’s nice though, the little touches are what makes a place. And corporate places are boring as hell anyway,” Which was true, they were all the same. That and it wasn’t like he could even afford to stay in a five star place anyway.
Namjoon shrugged. “I guess, but like I said it's usually just me here. My friends do come round sometimes to help out with things but they have their own jobs and own lives to attend to.”
Yoongi watched him frown, his brow creasing. “So it’s just you that does all this? Run the farm I mean?”
The other man nodded. “Pretty much. I had a stable hand but he found a better job. But I do have a friend that helps out with that so it’s not like I’m completely struggling.”
“I didn’t…” Yoongi felt as if he had said nothing wrong but the man shook his hand, taking away his empty plate.
“I know, I apologize. I’m just used to a lot of questions about how I’m coping during this season.” He sighed. “Things…haven’t been great.”
Yoongi frowned. “I’m sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say at the moment. “But I get it, I haven't had many jobs lately myself and finding places to stay that don’t cost the earth is near impossible.” He hadn’t meant to unload his own troubles but it just came pouring out. Maybe he wasn’t rested enough as he thought.
At first Namjoon didn’t say anything, he continued tidying away the breakfast area before grabbing a bucket by the side. “I’m just going to feed the chickens , I won't be long.”
“I could help?” He hadn’t done anything like this before, at all but something inside him stirred.
Namjoon's lips curved into a small smile. “Sure, can you grab that bag of feed? It’s just over there in that corner.”
It was hard to miss as Yoongi moved to pick it up. “Jesus…”
“Yeah it’s a little heavy.” Namjoon laughed.
“Nah I got it!”
~~~
“You’re a natural.” Namjoon commented as Yoongi did as he was told.
“Not sure about that. Or my shoes…” They were covered in mud.
“I did offer you my spare pair of boots so you can’t say I didn't warn you.”
He probably should have listened. Instead he just posted as he made his way back to Namjoon, walking back. “You have a busy day later?” He asked the farmer who just nodded.
“Yup, the day never ends. What about you? “ Namjoon tilted his head towards him.
“I was thinking of catching the 93 bus that takes me straight into the next town. It doesn’t come for a few hours yet.” He shrugged.
“Well you're welcome to stay here as long as you want.” He offered.
“ I’m in no rush , I would spend all summer here in that case. I’m already a chicken feeding expert.” He was joking but Namjoon paused for a moment.
“I know it’s crazy but…maybe that’s not such a bad idea.”