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Hoseok enters the employees room in the club and it feels so heavy in there it makes him stop on his tracks. Then, he sees Namjoon in shorts and he understands why as he looks around and Jungkook and Yoongi are also there, the three looking like they're trying to pretend the others aren't there.
— Can someone tell me why Namjoon is naked?
— Hey! — Namjoon glances down at his gym shorts and frowns. — I'm dressed!
— First of all, it's absolutely adorable that you had to check. And with thighs like these, Joon-ah, shorts don't cut it.
Almost as if he's hypnotized, Jungkook moves his head in agreement.
— Do you want me to change?
Jungkook honest to God whimpers at that, which makes everyone look at him, which makes him feel so embarrassed his eyes fill up instantly. He tries to cover his face, but he can't hold back his sob and in less than two seconds he's got three hyungs by his side.
— No, Kook-ah, don't cry, sweetheart! It's OK, we all know Joonie's thighs are a sensitive topic to you. It's all good, though, right, Namjoon-ah, Yoongi-hyung?
There are two very different types of yes said after that, but they're an affirmation nonetheless.
Yoongi sits on the armrest and pulls Jungkook to his chest, and the boy just lets himself be held.
— OK, I think it's time we have a little talk!
— Hob-ah, I don't mean to be rude, but we have a lot going on… — Yoongi's voice lowers and lowers until he just stops talking because of the look Hoseok is giving him.
It's a look none of them can quite pinpoint; despite the serious undertone to it it's still happy, and it's happy but it's different from his usual pep talks, so it makes them wonder.
— Let me see if I got this right… Jungkookie and Namjoonie were in their own little world, Yoonki-hyung arrived and they felt ashamed and stopped, but hyung hasn't really asked you to while also not knowing how to say you can continue with whatever you were doing. Did I get it right?
They can't deny it even if they tried, and Namjoon almost does, until he realizes it's futile to argue with facts. And with Hoseok.
— Why you people make such a mess of pure feelings is beyond me. But don't worry! Hobi is here to steer you to the path of love!
— No offense, Hob-ah, but you're maybe not exactly qualified to give us a love pitch.
Hoseok scoffs hard at that.
— Well, offense taken, hyung. And maybe I am the best since I have an outside point of view kind of thing, you know? Also, no, wait, fuck you, actually. Are you questioning my love for you? For all of you?
Now it's Yoongi hiding behind Jungkook more than Yoongi holding Jungkook.
— Yeah, that's what I thought. Now, I don't mean to be insensitive, I just think you would benefit from some tough love.
Hoseok finds it ironic that he, the only aromantic in this group of theirs that's shaping itself to be more than just workmates, is the one becoming responsible for the Talks™.
— That's Jimin's job, isn't it?
— I'd say it's more his hobby.
If common ground is what gets them talking, Hoseok will let the banter go unchecked. For now.
— Do any of you feel uncomfortable right now? I want to help you see reason, not damage our friendships.
They all look at Jungkook, who mumbles the weakest "I'm good" ever, but Seokjin just had the Don't Lie About Yourself To Us talk, so Hoseok trusts Jungkook's words.
— Great! Let's get to it. Yoongi-hyung and Jungkook-ah, did you ever have a conversation about your relationship? And I don't mean the "we're together now!" one, I mean the one where you talk about the shape your relationship will take and how malleable it would be.
— Just ask us, Hob-ah. I'm pretty sure I can say for the three of us that we're not following you.
Jungkook and Namjoon both nod, looking at each other for a second before bowing their heads as their cheeks heat up.
Hoseok thinks it's adorable that they're already including Namjoon in their relationship, even if they don't really notice that's what they're doing. But Hobi is here to make them see the light!
— Did you define your relationship as containing only the two of you, ever?
— We agreed we wouldn't date anyone else, if that's what you're asking. It's still unclear.
— Should I be here for this? — Namjoon asks, feeling beyond unsure. The only answer he gets for a while is Jungkook reaching out to hold his hand.
And then Hoseok jumps in.
— I mean, ideally, this conversation would have taken place a long time ago, with just the two, at first — Hoseok puts a lot of emphasis on the "at first", because he really can't stress enough that this is something that's equally about the three of them —, but now you're all so emotionally gone that it would feel wrong if you weren't part of this. And you're also part of the solution, so it all adds up.
Nothing adds up at all for them, only Hoseok seems to know what's going on. And he doesn't seem in a particular rush to explain it to them.
— And thank you, hyung, yes, that was what I was looking for. Now, I'm going to ask you to do something and you're going to have to trust me on this, yeah?
They are afraid to say yes and even more afraid to say no, so they do nothing and Hoseok takes their stunned silence as an agreement. Because that's the answer that will move things forward.
— I'm gonna ask you some different questions that in the end are the same, and you're going to answer me with a yes or a no. Easy enough, right?
— I fear it won't be that simple…
— Tsk, hyung, trust Hobi! So, here's the catch, sort of: you're going to answer just to me. No one is going to leave, but you'll shield your pretty mouths and only I will know the answer. Like that game, remember? OK? — It's like they've turned into statues. — I'll take this as a yes as well.
Hoseok stands up and gently pushes Namjoon's to the other side, so that he doesn't look, not even by accident. Then he turns to Yoongi, who feels so not brave right then. His desire is to burrow himself in Jungkook's back and just ignore Hoseok. Too bad Hoseok knows just how to get to him.
— Let's start with the oldests so that our Kookie has a little time to breathe and prepare, yeah?
Just the thought of taking care of Jungkook makes Yoongi sit up a little, fix his posture. Hoseok lets himself smile a bit — when what he really wanted to do was squish Yoongi's cheeks until they turned a bright pink.
— Hyung. Yes or no, ok? Don't think too much, just answer whatever comes first to your mind.
Yoongi nods and puts his hands around his mouth when Hoseok gestures to him to do so. From where Jungkook is sitting he can't really see Yoongi's face and Namjoon is obediently facing away, but Hoseok thinks it can help with the nerves.
— Are you in love with Jungkook? — Yoongi is quick to answer with a yes. — Are you in love with Namjoon? — Yoongi is not that quick this time, but the way Hoseok is looking at him with the most encouraging look ever gets him to say another yes.
Namjoon and Jungkook use every bit of their self-control to not turn and demand Yoongi repeat himself. Especially Namjoon.
— Great! Now, Joon-ah!
As Hoseok walks to the other side of the armchair they're all huddled in, he notices Yoongi hugs Jungkook a little bit tighter from where he's sitting beside Jungkook, and is returned with a hand on his thigh pulling him closer.
Namjoon had sat down on the armrest when Hoseok moved him to the side, and now he's practically with his back to the two sitting down, and too afraid to move. But, lo and behold, Jungkook's hand is still in his, holding tighter than ever.
— Namjoon-ah, first of all, thank you for not peeping. Now, since they can't see your mouth, you don't need to amuse me on the covering thing. — He knows Namjoon would see right through him and take offense at the slight condescension, but the fact he doesn't is yet another sign to Hoseok that he's too deep in his own head and needs out. — Just answer me with your heart, ok? Yes or no. Are you in love with Yoongi-hyung? — Namjoon closes his eyes and mouths a yes. — Are you in love with Jungkook? — Another yes follows a deep breath.
The hands linked by Namjoon's side? Almost white from how hard they're holding each other.
— Jungkook-ah, still good?
— Why didn't you ask this to them? I'm not that fragile…
— No, I just like you best. — Hoseok ruffles Jungkook's hair after saying this, and Jungkook is too squished between Yoongi and Namjoon to be able to do anything about it.
Not that he would anyway, but it's good to have an excuse.
— Wait until Jimin hears this.
— You wouldn't dare, hyung! See, this is what you get for helping your friends. Treason.
— I'm not sure you can use treason in this context… — Namjoon chimes in, his too big of a brain being unable to step back.
— Oh, my God, shut up, I need hyung to ask me so we can move on!
— Sweetie, you said you were good?
— Are you going to ask me if I'm in love with Yoongi-hyung and Namjoon-hyung? Because it seems like you are. And the answer is yes.
In the rush to turn around, Namjoon falls flat on the ground, and Jungkook follows him, making Yoongi topple over them as well.
Hoseok steps aside, knowing they need their moment.
But he'll be damned if he won't go back and make them have a proper talk after they've finished fighting with each other over who started crying first.