Chapter Text
The loud cheers from the crowd seem to fade away as he zeroes in on the pounding of his heartbeat, the pressure in his mind, the sweat dripping down his forehead in concentration. All he can feel is the wheel under his hands, his own tight grip which seems detached from his body. Race cars zoom behind him - maybe even two cars besides him - but he’s first. He knows he is.
He’s in the lead.
People are cheering, cameras are flashing, the sun is beating down on the asphalt and there’s so much going on - it’s easy for Jeongguk to tune it all out and focus on the black and white checkered line in front of him.
Vrooooom - and instantaneous cheers rise from the crowd, bleachers shaking with how many people are jumping up and down and screaming.
Jeongguk feels weightless. He did it! He won the Universe 700 Prix, South Korea’s biggest racing championship - with this, he’s a legend! The youngest racer to ever win. They’ll talk about him for years to come after this in the racing community, maybe he’ll even get representation that’ll let him go out to international races - oh, the possibilities are endless.
He finally stops the car and literally hops out, taking his helmet off in one dramatic swoosh, a brilliant grin on his face as he looks at the huge screens above the crowd. He ignores the nagging voice in his headset, ignores the voices of his incompetent pit crew, and just focuses on the feeling of victory .
“Jeongguk! Why the fuck didn’t you stop for a tire change, you could’ve gotten seriously hurt, or you could’ve fucking died! Are you insane?!” His pit chief screams at him, but Jeongguk waves him away. “Relax old man, I got it covered! I didn’t need the tire change, just like I don’t need you nagging in my ear like my eomma!” He laughs mockingly, snickering at the older man’s red face. “Fuck this. I quit, asshole!!” His pit chief mutters, taking his headset off and storming off, the rest of the pit crew following after.
Jeongguk is still grinning, and he shrugs, even as cameras flash and paparazzi scream for his attention. He looks back at the screen.
Then he falters. They’re replaying the footage - frame by frame. His car, the “Golden Maknae” (red coat shining brightly under the sun, glimmering with golden sparkles in the light), right next to “Thunder Typhoon” (Jeongguk thinks Minho picked the worse vomit green color ever) and “The King” (Jeongguk will always begrudgingly respect the older racer Sungho, even if he’s gunning for SM representation and that beautiful cerulean blue color for his own career). It doesn’t matter - none of it matters , because in this very moment, Jeongguk realizes with horrifying clarity, that on the replay for everyone in the entire world to see - he wasn’t the only one in the lead.
The announcer crackles to life over the speakers, and throughout the entire arena, a voice booms out “Oh my god! Ladies and gentlemen, it seems like for the first time, we have a three-way tie! The Universe 700 Prix will go down in history!” The crowd goes wild. Chaos erupts and it seems like the entire world has turned upside down. “In one week, the three finalists will race in a tie-breaker in Seoul!”
Jeongguk’s jaw drops. He can’t hear the uproar that erupts around him - he can’t even feel anything from the top of his head to the bottom of his toes.
~
Normally, Jeongguk loves race afterparties. The racers always get invited to the fancy hotel restaurants or clubs, and there’s plenty of delicious food and drink to go around. He loves getting to flirt with the pretty ladies and the confident boys, loves laughing with other racers about their immaculate scores and playfully teasing each other with empty threats on slashing each other's tires in the pits (he doesn’t make that joke around Song Minho though. Jeongguk is 99% sure the bastard would actually sabotage him if given the opportunity). The glitz and the glamor is addicting to Jeongguk, who has always appreciated the finer things in life, so he usually eats this stuff up. And tonight is even more important because he needs to find Nam Soyoung, CEO of SM, the biggest oil company and gas distributor in South Korea, and squeeze himself into the CEO’s radar and secure representation by the time the year is complete.
But Jeongguk is off his game, mood souring as he watches the other racers and corporate smoochers flock around. There have been plenty of people around him, congratulating him on a “win” that feels so empty. Jeongguk feels petty and strangely uncomfortable in his own skin. He feels like nobody understands him here. Yes, winning meant he could move up in the world, move towards SM representation - he would become even more rich and famous than he already was. But more than anything, Jeongguk is pissed off. He’s pissed off that he didn’t win the first time . He’s pissed off that more people seem to be gravitating towards Song Minho who is laughing loudly with two arms wrapped around twins who look smitten.
Jeongguk swears that last week, those two twin girls were flirting with him all night back in Ulsan. That piece of information ticks Jeongguk off even more.
So now he’s here in the corner of the rooftop bar, dressed to impress, but with a menacing aura that seems to scare everyone else off, focusing on finishing the third or fourth drink in his hands and staring at the glittering skyline in the dark night. His agent was around somewhere, probably saving Jeongguk’s reputation, so he swallows down the bitterness and his responsibilities, failing to notice the older man walking up to him.
“Mind if I join you?” Looking up, Jeongguk almost does a double take when he recognizes Kang Sungho, the driver of “The King” and current representative of SM Company. Jeongguk widens his eyes and hastily bows out of respect and Sungho smiles slightly. He seems like an experienced and wise older man, but still healthy and fit, looking powerful and yet comfortable in his clean and formal suit.
“You raced well today.” Sungho comments, glancing at the nearly empty drink in Jeongguk’s hands. “You should still be proud. You have talent.”
“Thank you sunbae-”
“But you’re an idiot.”
Jeongguk blinks. “Excuse me?”
“You’re young, so you think the entire world revolves around you. You’re reckless, sloppy, and cocky. You’re like a shooting star, except you’re getting close to crashing to the ground. Watch yourself and how you behave, especially with your team. The only way to gain respect is to be respectful of others.”
Jeongguk is completely baffled, unable to speak as the older man looks out at the glittering skyline before them. Is he…getting a fucking lecture? Right now? At 25 years old?
“I don’t want to drag your night down with my rambling, so I’ll leave you be. But it was fun to race with you today. Think about what I said, and I’ll see you in Seoul. One week.”
Sungho bows slightly and Jeongguk finally remembers to bow back with as much dignity as he can muster. But as the man is leaving, Jeongguk straightens up, feels his competitive streak flare up as he says loudly with confidence, “Sunbae, I’m going to win in Seoul. I’m going to win the Universe 700 Prix.”
The King stops in his tracks, turning back slightly. There’s an easygoing smile on the older man's face but something akin to disappointment swims in his thoughtful eyes. “Sure. We’ll see.”
The King turns away, reuniting with his husband, who lovingly connects their hands together as he stands on his tip toes to whisper something into the King’s ear, who laughs softly. Jeongguk forgets about his bold declaration for a moment, losing himself in watching the domesticity between the King and his husband and ignoring the poignant feeling of yearning in his chest.
All of a sudden, Song Minho, driver of “Thunder Typhoon”, closer to Jeongguk in age, but with the mindset of a 12 year old jackass, claps his hands on Jeongguk’s shoulders, a nasty leer plastered onto his stupid face. “Hey perv. Checking out the King and his queen?”
“Fuck off Minho.” Jeongguk mutters, pushing Minho off and tearing his gaze away from the King. Jeongguk’s brash attitude does nothing to deter the other driver, who joins Jeongguk in his spot, far too close for Jeongguk’s comfort. “What were you and the King talking about?” Minho hums, gleeful at Jeongguk’s discomfort. “I hope you two aren’t planning to work together to push me out of the race, hm? That would be cheating - totally against the rules! SM won’t like that. Maybe they’ll pick me to represent them next year!”
“Minho, please. I would never do anything to sabotage your race. Why would I need to?” Jeongguk flashes him a lazy grin. “I know I can beat you all on my own. I’m faster than you. And, I’m younger. Why would SM go for someone with a sooner expiration date?” It was a low blow, and Jeongguk knew it. Minho had similar goals as Jeongguk - the two of them had been gunning for SM’s attention since the season started, and Minho was only a few years older than Jeongguk himself. Still, age, beauty and popularity were a sore spot for Minho, whereas Jeongguk was so confident in himself that he could care less about what others (save for SM) thought about him.
The other racer’s eye twitches, but Minho carefully schools his expression, covering it up with a knowing smirk as he looks Jeongguk up and down with carefully calculating eyes. “How about this? Let’s have a competition.”
The familiar competitive streak flares up inside Jeongguk again. He glances at Minho, feigning nonchalance. “Oh?”
Minho waves over a waiter and four drinks are placed in front of them. “Let’s go crazy tonight. Drink as much as possible. Then tomorrow, at 8 am, we get in our cars and we drive to Seoul. First one there gets to schmooze SM until the race begins.”
Jeongguk raises an eyebrow at Minho. “I don’t get hungover.” He claims and Minho snorts. “Just say you’re a bitch and go home then Jeon. If you can’t drink with me for one night, how do you think you’ll ever defeat the King?”
The young racer looks over at the King again, him and his husband standing next to the SM CEO, all of them laughing together, surrounded by people and smiles. They all sure paint a shiny picture, glittering in the light like a mirage. It looks like a life that he’s always wanted. It looks like something that he can only attain if he wins .
Jeongguk turns back to Minho and grabs a drink. “You’re on.”
Something dark and dangerous flashes in his opponents eyes, and they clink their glasses, however tense the act seems. “May the better driver win.”
~
Jeongguk is a very healthy person, all in all. He works out regularly, eats healthy (for the most part) and doesn’t really drink all that often.
His alcohol tolerance is shit. He doesn’t know how he left the afterparty, has no clue where his agent or where Minho is, and he’s aimlessly wandering in the race garages where the cars are being stored for the night. He lost his jacket, but he’s rolled up his white dress shirt, revealing the numerous tattoos decorating his hands and arms.
And in reality, the situation is rapidly declining into a very very bad idea.
Because Jeongguk is trying to convince himself that he’s not cheating , he’s just giving himself a head start to Minho’s little challenge. And he’s not drunk! He’s perfectly fine and capable of driving, thank you very much.
“Aha!” Jeongguk slurs, whistling when he finds his car. His pretty, stunning, glorious darling 2022 Audi R8 LMS GT evo II. Painted a glorious bright apple red, shiny in the light, tiny flecks of gold reflecting under the fluorescent ceiling, Jeongguk carefully runs his hand over his girl. The back of the car is covered with sponsorship stickers and plenty of decal advertisements, but Jeongguk tries to focus on how clean and nice the car looks in the front.
For a moment, he stands still, thinking about how much he’s grateful for this beast. “You’re the love of my life.” He whispers. Then he grins, grabbing the keys and slamming the garage door open. “And you’re gonna get me to Seoul before that bastard!”
Moments later, the Audi peels out of the storage facility, and without much trouble, Jeongguk drives off into the night.
He whoops loudly, helmet discarded behind the seat as he speeds out of the city and into the nearest highway. It’s like the alcohol fades away (in his mind) and he focuses on nothing else but the weight of the wheel in his hands, his foot on the gas, his eyes on the road ahead. It’s so early in the morning, there’s barely any cars out on the road, and the few that are unlucky enough, Jeongguk just barely manage to avoid, ignoring the angry honking that follows him as he weaves in and out of lanes, increasing his speed.
“FUCK YOU MINHO!” He screams into the darkness of the night, speeding down the highway. The city is long gone behind him, and does Jeongguk really know where he’s going? Not much besides he’s going north, and at the moment, that’s good enough for him. Seoul is north of Busan, right?
Eventually, the adrenaline starts to wear off, and his eyelids feel heavier. “Ah…shit.” Jeongguk mumbles. He looks and sees that he’s been driving for an hour already, somehow miraculously in the middle of nowhere without so much of a scratch on his body or his car. He’s incredible…he thought he was way more drunk than this…
He’s driven from Busan to Seoul before - hell, he grew up in Busan, and now permanently resides in Seoul, so he should know the road like the back of his hand. But his mind and vision are blurring as he slows down, the darkness of the sky outside enveloping him in pitch black nothingness. He can’t see anything beyond his headlights, and he’s starting to doze off.
He sniffs, trying to force himself awake again. No time to sleep. He can literally be in Seoul by the time Minho wakes up at 8 am, and Jeongguk can’t wait to wipe the smug smirk off Minho’s face when the other racer realizes that Jeongguk isn’t afraid to play dirty to win-
Oh he’s drifting off again, dreams of victory calling softly to him, beckoning him to close his eyes…just for a quick moment…there’s no one on the road… it’ll be fine…
HONNNNNNNKKKKK .
Jeongguk jerks awake and swears loudly, blinded by headlights as he realizes too late that he’s drifted into the opposing lane, swerving to the side and losing control of the car. He swears as the car zooms off the highway, into the surrounding flat area. He curses and tries to get his car back in gear, and get back on the highway, but all of a sudden, Jeongguk sees flashing blue and red lights in the distance.
He pales.
Jeongguk can’t get caught drinking and driving by the police. It’ll ruin him- his career will be over. Goodbye SM. Goodbye racing professionally. Forever.
Unfortunately, he’s still a little drunk. He books it.
Back on the highway, he speeds away, panicking as the flashing police lights only seem to get closer and closer. Desperately, Jeongguk looks around, spotting an exit up ahead. He takes it without hesitation, leaving the highway behind and following the dirt road that is completely encased in darkness. Jeongguk is quiet, breathing heavily as he checks his rearview mirror constantly. He doesn’t see the lights anymore, which is a relief, but shrieks again when he almost runs into a large wooden sign.
He swerves again, losing control in the natural dirt of the ground, freaking out as his car doesn’t steer the way he’s used to. The car barrels into what seems like a small town, or even a village, although Jeongguk can’t tell because it’s nighttime and the only source of light are some flickering street lamps and a single blinking yellow stoplight hanging over the only intersection of the road.
Jeongguk’s vision is blurry and there’s not much of anything that he can see as he loses control of his car completely, swerving it to the side just in an effort to stop it, foot slamming on the brakes - before realizing that he’s going to crash into a row of carefully plotted plants and everything goes to black.
~
“Hey.”
“Hello? Wake up!”
“Good morning sleepyhead! Wake up now or else we’re going to sue you!”
Jeongguk’s eyes fly open, and he jerks, sitting up straight in the bed, panting heavily. Oh god, his head hurts. He feels like he just lived through a horrible nightmare…
He freezes.
There is a man. Sitting in front of his bed. Smiling at him, albeit quite sheepishly and not really suspicious at all. Jeongguk looks around. This isn’t his hotel room. He can’t smell the ocean through the open window, so it doesn’t seem like he’s in Busan anymore. The bed he’s in looks and feels more like a cot, now that he thinks about it.
Then he looks around and sees bars. Metal bars.
The strange man is behind bars.
Wait.
Jeongguk is behind bars. His eyes pop out of his sockets. “I’m in jail.” He whispers, horrified.
The stranger clears his throat. “Well. Yes and no.”
Jeongguk looks around. He’s definitely in a cell of sorts. Thankfully, he’s still dressed in the same white dress shirt and dress pants as last night, and he spots his wallet on the counter next to the strange man who might be a police officer.
But Jeongguk doesn’t know what type of police officer wears a pink satin shirt and blue denim overalls rolled up to his calves and flip flops while on duty. This stranger is also wearing a wide straw hat to cover his hazel colored hair. The stranger is talking, but Jeongguk is no longer comprehending anything beyond the fact that he was arrested . He’s in jail. His career is over .
“-but yeah! That’s why until your trial, we kept you here, just so we could monitor you. The accident was pretty nasty to your car but you seem to be just fine, so that’s good at least!”
Jeongguk turns to the stranger with wide eyes. “My car! Is she okay?”
The stranger hesitates, but pulls out an old Iphone, using the home button to unlock the phone and showing a picture to Jeongguk, who nearly breaks down right there and then. That car was his ride or die, and the picture this stranger is showing him leads to the horrible revelation that Jeongguk really did drive drunk from Busan, and crashed into this town in the middle of nowhere. His life is over. His car is gone.
“It’s not…impossible to fix. You’re lucky you crashed into our town.” The stranger puts his phone away. “I’m Kim Taehyung, by the way! Resident tow trucker and town cutie. Your car is so cool, even though she’s broken right now. I bet she’s a beauty when she’s all cleaned up though.”
“Fuck...” Jeongguk swears, burying his head in his hands. There’s so much information for him to process all at once and the stranger - Taehyung - seems sympathetic to this.
“It’s about 10 am right now…Sheriff will be coming back soon and we’ll escort you to the courthouse and we’ll get you all settled.” Taehyung explains, looking at his watch, and Jeongguk finally looks at the man with an incredulous look. “...Sheriff?” He asks. “In 2023? Where am I?”
Taehyung smiles, something endearing and boxy. “You’re in Hybe Springs! Right next to Nakdong River, right in the center and heart of South Korea.” Jeongguk blinks. “I’ve never fucking heard ot this place.”
Taehyung laughs. “Most people haven’t.” A faint door opening in the distance and some gruff yelling, and Taehyung brightens up. “That’s Sheriff! You ready to get sued?”
Jeongguk pretends that he suddenly can’t hear.
~
Here’s what happened, Jeongguk is told - he essentially ruined the main street of this town. His car tore up flower beds and scratched the concrete and ruined the paint in the road. Then to top it all off, he crashed his drunken joyride into somebody's garden.
What’s even more horrifying is meeting the owner of the garden - a surprisingly young looking man with strong buff arms and calloused hands, hands of an automobile engineer. His name is Kim Namjoon and Taehyung calls him hyung, and asked how he was doing, before the beautiful giant nearly burst into tears.
Jeongguk knows that he’s not a great person. But seeing this man hoarsely explain the hours of effort and time and energy he put into caring for his plants hurts Jeongguk more than he cares to admit.
The courthouse is pretty empty, just a couple of people who are sitting and watching the whole affair with an air of solemness. The trial hasn’t even started yet because apparently the judge hasn’t even shown up. Namjoon is sniffling on the side, and Jeongguk is ready to pull out his credit card and face the consequences of his actions.
Two men in the front row seem to whisper encouragements to Namjoon, and Jeongguk leans over to Taehyung, who seems to have no problem sitting next to his criminal ass (while the rest of the people seem to avoid him like the plague), whispering “How many people even live in this town?”
“Are you kidding me? We have a full house this morning.” Taehyung whispers back excitedly. “This is the most interesting thing that’s happened in Hybe this entire year.” Jeongguk raises an eyebrow, but whatever he’s about to say dies on his lips as the doors to the courthouse slam open. Jeongguk nearly jumps out of his seat, and Taehyung almost falls off his chair.
Heavy set boots thud against the floor slowly, as the new arrival makes their presence known and clear to everyone in the room. “Somebody was being a goddamn idiot, a reckless bastard with no consideration for others. You drive drunk in my town, and ruin our property - don’t make me laugh.” Jeongguk gulps as the menacing aura from the judge gets closer and closer. His voice is low and raspy, but loud and clearly agitated that silences everyone else in the room.
The judge turns around to face Jeongguk, with a scowl on his face and eyes narrowed like a hissing cat, a black cowboy hat on his dark-haired head. “So you’re the hot rod who took a joyride with the bottle, huh. These goddamn kids get younger and younger every year.”
Jeongguk can’t process much more information, because this man in front of him looks strikingly familiar and Jeongguk can’t explain why.
The judge walks over to Namjoon, who quickly wipes his eyes with his plaid fleece. “You okay?” The judge’s voice has softened considerably and Namjoon nods. The man sighs and goes behind the desk where Jeongguk guesses the judge is supposed to sit (it’s a folding table). The man is wearing a dark black denim jacket and dark blue jeans, with heavy work boots landing on the table as he puts his legs on the folding table, and grabs the file the sheriff hands him.
“This is the judge?” Jeongguk whispers nervously, eyeing the cowboy hat with slight hesitation. Taehyung nods brightly. “Hyung is the judge, mayor, and doctor of the town!”
“What?!” Jeongguk hisses and the judge clears his throat - Jeongguk immediately snaps to attention. “Jeon Jeongguk. 25 years old. Born in Busan…the hell are you doing in the middle of Korea? Graduated high school but skipped college, going straight into a career of…” The judge trails off, reading silently now. The courthouse feels suffocating. Jeongguk is secretly panicking more and more, and even though the judge seems more like a cowboy than someone who could actually persecute him, he’s freaking the fuck out.
The file snaps closed. The judge clears his throat and stands. “I want him out of town. Namjoon, we’ll prepare a case for destruction of property and send it over to the kid's lawyers, and we’ll sue him the minute he gets back to Busan.”
Jeongguk starts to panic for real, confused but alarmed at the situation. “Wait! Namjoon-ssi, I sincerely apologize, and I’m willing to pay whatever the cost of damages are to your garden! My mom had a garden that she took really good care of, so I know that I ruined something precious to you.” Jeongguk looks at Namjoon earnestly and tightens his hands into fists as he stands in the courtroom, genuinely honest for a brief moment. “I’m sorry.” He repeats. Namjoon seems taken aback, eyes wide with surprise. Then Jeongguk turns to the judge as steadily as he can. “And sir, I’m not going to Busan. I have to get to Seoul. I have to race in the Universe 700 Prix in a week. I need to get my car and get out of here as soon as possible.”
The man raises an eyebrow under the brim of his hat. “Your car is wrecked. It’ll take a week for a truck to get here and cart it off to whatever shop you’re taking it to.” Jeongguk widens his eyes. “Just call an Uber and get the hell out of my town. Find a new car to race with. We’ll send you your car whenever we can.”
Jeongguk shakes his head vehemently. “You don’t understand sir. That car is everything to me, I can’t afford to race without it!”
“Then you should’ve thought about that before you drove while under the influence!” The judge snaps, and Jeongguk flinches before the courtroom door slams open again. Everybody snaps their attention to the doors. Besides Jeongguk, Taehyung sighs dreamily. “Ah, always making an entrance.”
Jeongguk doesn’t really hear the other man - he zeroes in on the boy that walks into the courtroom immediately and swears he can hear angels singing. The man who walks in has bleached blonde hair, perfectly shaped peachy tinted lips and black shades hastily placed on top of his head. He’s wearing a clean pressed pale blue dress shirt tucked into these devastating ripped blue jeans, and heeled BOOTS click throughout the room. The boy has a messenger bag falling off his shoulders but he tucks a stray strand of hair behind his ear and flashes a brilliant smile to the room. “Sorry I’m late, your honor!”
The sheriff and the judge simultaneously sigh, and Jeongguk realizes, this must be his team! This delicious looking chic fashionable man must be from Seoul or Busan, must’ve been somebody that his manager sent last minute when they realized Jeongguk was missing this morning! He’s saved!
The pretty lawyer walks towards the judge, and Jeongguk turns to the boy, smiling cockily as he takes the boy in. The boy sets his bag down on the chair next to Namjoon, then turns to Jeongguk, hands on his hips, his smile gone from his face and replaced with a severe frown. “Will you stop staring at my ass?”
Jeongguk isn’t deterred. “It’s a nice ass.” Jeongguk smiles sweetly, and the other boy splutters. Jeongguk smiles lazily, unconsciously flexing to show off his arm muscles. “I’m glad my team sent you over. Hey, how about you and I hang out after this, go back to a hotel, get a nice dinner and maybe some…dessert afterwards. We can discuss how I’m going to get my girl back for the Universe 700 Prix re-match and how if I become the SM rep…I could bring you along for the ride with me - you could be my baby, if you wanted.”
The boy seems less pissed off, and more amused now, something knowing swimming in his stunning hazel eyes. “Oh, really?”
“Yeah.” Jeongguk grins confidently - hook, line, and sinker. “And hey, watch out for some of the crazies in this town. We’re in the middle of buttfuck Korea and they’re wearing cowboy hats like we’re in a western movie.”
The boy smirks. “Mhm.” Then he looks over at Taehyung. “Hey Taetae.”
Taehyung grins, unable to hold in his snickering. “Hi Jimin.”
Jeongguk freezes. Jimin looks over at the rest of the courthouse congregation and waves. “Morning everyone.” A chorus of greetings swarm Jimin, who goes over to the judge.
“You know him?!” Jeongguk elbows Taehyung, who snickers. “Yeah. Jimin’s my soulmate.” Jeongguk does a double take and Taehyung snorts. “Well, platonic soulmate. But he’s also the town attorney and motel owner. And he dances. He’s a beautiful and smart man of many, many talents.”
“Good morning Yoongi-hyung.” Jimin smiles sweetly, picking up the file and flipping through it quickly. “You seem chipper.”
“Save it Jimin. Kids leaving and going back to where he belongs. Namjoon can fix the garden, it’ll be fine. We’ll send the kid the settlement package and he’ll take it.” The judge - Yoongi - mutters. Jimin tsks. “No, it shouldn’t be that easy. Drunk driving is a serious offense.”
“We could settle it through paperwork and fines easily.” The sheriff reminds them. “Nobody was hurt.”
Jimin shakes his head. “Joonie-hyung’s plants were hurt. Our town pride is hurt. This miscreant needs to be punished for his actions! Don’t you guys agree?” Jimin calls out to the rest of the town in the courthouse, who all seem to vocally agree. Jeongguk pales. “Jimin…” Yoongi says in warning, but the younger man pays him no mind as he waves Jeongguk’s file around. “Citizens of Hybe Springs - we are not so easily forgotten, right? We used to be the most modern hub of automobiles in all of South Korea, and our reputation is important to our community! Here’s what I propose - Jeon Jeongguk must stay in Hybe Springs and complete service projects and volunteer work in the community, to repair the damages he’s done to our town and our people. If you agree with me, let me hear you!”
The surprisingly small number of people burst into loud cheers, and Jimin smiles victoriously at Yoongi, who groans. “I’m going to regret this.” He mutters. Then he sighs loudly. “Fine! Jimin wins.”
The courtroom burst into cheers again, and Jeongguk stammered. “What?! How long do I have to do community service?!”
Jimin glances over at Jeongguk, looks him up and down and smirks. “For as long as we say so, doodles.” Jeongguk’s face turns red and Taehyung howls with laughter beside him. “Doodles?!” He hisses, looking down at his beautiful glorious tattoos. How dare-?! “Oh, I am so not taking you to dinner and dessert!” Jeongguk growls and Jimin laughs, something light and tinkling like diamonds in the air. (Jeongguk, get a grip, man.)
“It’s alright doodles. I think you’ll get a chance to spend some quality time with each and every crazy person here in the middle of buttfuck Korea.” Jimin smiles.
Jeongguk wants to scream.
~
His first community service project? Picking up trash along the only street in town. It sucks. It’s hot outside, and Jeongguk hasn’t changed out of his clothes, wearing a hazard vest over his dirtied white shirt and slacks. His feet are killing him, they haven’t given back his phone or his wallet. The trash stinks, and there’s so much junk everywhere, which is insane because there are so few people that seem to be around. The whole “town” is like a ghost town, and if Jeongguk wasn’t so unbelievably pissed off, he would be uneasy at how empty the place was.
He’s not alone though.
Taehyung is sitting in a sage green painted International Harvester Tow Truck, vintage but in seemingly good condition, with the windows down and jazz music playing loudly from the radio. The man is sitting in the driver's seat, watching Jeongguk and chewing gum obnoxiously loud. Jeongguk sighs and hopes his body language is enough signal that he doesn’t want to talk.
This signal goes completely over Taehyung’s head as he turns the music down. “So are you really a racer?”
Jeongguk flips his attention to Taehyung real quick. “Yes?! Obviously! I have the race of my fucking life on the line in a week, and I’m stuck here, because of your stupid town. Forget about my car at this point - you and your crazy judge and attorney can’t keep my phone from me and not let me call my actual fucking lawyer!”
Taehyung blinks at Jeongguk’s outburst and the younger man sighs, deflating after a minute. “Sorry. I’m just really stressed out right now. And I’m fucking starving. I think my stomach is caving in on itself.”
Jeongguk turns to go back to work as Taehyung sits silently in his truck.
After a couple of minutes, Jeongguk feels worse and turns back to apologize properly to Taehyung - before he just barely manages to catch a wrapped package in his hands, letting the trash grabber fall to the ground. Jeongguk blinks and Taehyung puts the lunch bag back in the passenger's seat, eyes expectant. Slowly, Jeongguk opens the package and reveals a sandwich - his eyes bug open. He looks up at Taehyung, who is now conveniently looking away and whistling along to the radio. Jeongguk softens.
“Thank you.” He mumbles. Then he takes a bite.
Taehyung’s lip quirk up.
~
Two people that he vaguely recognizes from the courthouse that morning show up in the afternoon as Jeongguk throws his morning collection into the dumpster while Taehyung chatters on about the incredible but seemingly useless nature of tricycles.
Jeongguk freezes as the two older, but drop-dead beautiful men approach them. Taehyung stops himself and waves eagerly. “Hi hyungs! Coming to pick up Jeonggukie for his next shift?” The man on the left - tall, sandy-colored hair, broad-shouldered, with a confident step - nods with a sweet smile aimed towards Taehyung. Although when the man glances over at Jeongguk, his eyes turn a little sharper, smile dimming slightly. Jeongguk gulps.
The other man has a dazzling smile and seems to be putting on an act in front of Taehyung as well. But Jeongguk immediately zeroes in on the intricate and bold tattoos visible on the man's toned chest underneath the denim shirt that’s only buttoned half way. Beyond the bold fashion statement, Jeongguk can’t tear his eyes away from the incredible designs of flowers, animals, and hangul phrases. Tattoo man clears his throat and nods at Jeongguk. “Hello. I’m Jung Hoseok.”
“Kim Seokjin.” The other man says, a pleasant smile not hiding the sharp bite of his voice. Jeongguk nods. “Jeon Jeongguk.”
Seokjin scoffs. “Everyone knows.” Hoseok nudges him slightly, and Taehyung giggles, entirely oblivious. “Jeongguk, you’re going to go with Hobi-hyung and Jinnie-hyung now! Help them with cleaning up their stores!”
“I’m not their employee. I thought I was doing volunteer work for the community.” Jeongguk mutters. Seokjin narrows his eyes but Hoseok laughs. “We are the community! C’mon. You're gonna help me clean up my place a bit. Then you’re going to help Jinnie with the evening dining rush.”
Jeongguk frowns. “This town isn’t capable of rushing anything.”
Regardless, he follows Hoseok to his store - which is a tattoo parlor called Hope World. It’s a colorful, bright store, even with the bright red painted brick outside to the warm yellow and oranges splashing against the walls in an artistic and almost transcendental modernist fashion. The store isn’t a dumpster by any means, but when Hoseok hands him a broom, Jeongguk sighs and gets to work sweeping all the dust away.
Hoseok works at the front desk while Jeongguk sweeps, presumably sketching new drawings in what seems to be a notebook of ideas and doodles. Jeongguk sweeps a little closer, just hoping to catch a glimpse of something cool. Hoseok’s collection of chest tattoos is designed so well - Jeongguk can’t help but ask, “Did you design your own tattoos?” Hoseok looks up at him and his lips quirk up into a smirk. “Yup. I’ve been doodling my entire life. Got my first tattoo when I was 17. Did my first tattoo on someone else when I was 18. Haven’t looked back since..”
“They’re actually pretty good.” Jeongguk says begrudgingly (however petty he’s feeling, Jeongguk can recognize talent when he sees it). Then he looks around the brightly colored, but desolate store. He clears his throat awkwardly. “Do people come here often to get tattoos?” Hoseok’s smile dims slightly. “Oh yeah. People all over the country are just clambering to get to my doorstep.” He says almost bitterly, and goes back to his desk, effectively ending the conversation. Jeongguk takes the hint and goes back to sweeping.
After a while, Hoseok puts on some chill R&B music over the speakers, and the mood lightens, and Jeongguk finds himself getting lost in cleaning the store mindlessly, mentally checking out. For community service, this isn’t too bad. The bell chimes as the door opens and the man from before, Seokjin, walks in. Jeongguk glances up from wiping down the mirrors to seeing the sun starting to set outside, encompassing the entire sky in a warm golden glow.
Seokjin doesn’t even spare him a glance, instead going straight over to Hoseok to drape his long elegant arm over tattooed shoulders. Jeongguk looks away and busies himself with wiping at a specific stain that isn’t going away. But in the reflection of the mirror, Jeongguk finds himself watching Seokjin lean into the crook of Hoseok’s neck. The man closes his eyes and mumbles something into Hoseok’s skin, quiet enough only for Hoseok to hear and chuff lightly at. Jeongguk doesn’t realize he’s openly staring. All of a sudden, there’s that funny feeling back in his gut again.
The King and his husband standing amongst glitter and glamour, only looking at each other, as if time had stopped.
Hoseok and Seokjin, standing in an empty tattoo parlor, bathed in yellow light as the night approaches, whispering silly secrets and jokes like they have all the time in the world.
Jeongguk suddenly wonders what it would feel like to slow down in life like that. Slow down with someone . He swallows those thoughts down.
Then Seokjin sighs very loudly, and Jeongguk jerks back to scrubbing the windows. “Alright delinquent! You’re relieved of shop cleaning duties and now you get to come help me.” Jeongguk sighs and tosses the rag over his shoulder, annoyed with how he’s starting to grow tired. “I don’t even get a break?”
“Should’ve thought about that before drinking and driving.” Seokjin snips, and Jeongguk grimaces. Hoseok, at the very least, gives him a small smile and a thumbs up so Jeongguk sighs, resigning himself to follow the broad-shouldered man out the door.
“Say hi to the regulars for me!” Hoseok calls out after them. Jeongguk has no idea what he’s talking about, so he keeps moving forward, without looking back.
Jeongguk follows Seokjin to a retro diner labeled “Omelas” in a flickering neon sign, and gets an apron tied around his waist, and is told, “You’re going to replace our usual waitress tonight, she’s off on a camping trip.” Jeongguk balks at the older man. “I’ve never been a waiter before.” He says slowly and Seokjin pushes him towards the door. “It’s easy. Make our regulars happy, don’t fuck up their orders, and be quick about it. Don’t tell me you’re too slow to get this.”
At that, Jeongguk narrows his eyes and huffs at Seokjin (who seems pleased that he got Jeongguk so riled up). “How hard can it be? Flirt with a couple of ladies, maybe I’ll get some tips.” Seokjin actually laughs out loud. “Oh, please flirt , that’ll be hilarious. Our regulars might love you after all. There they are.” He points outside where a bus screeches to a stop in front of the diner. It’s a large bus, steel grey with a crude painting of an elderly person in front of a rainbow smiling over words that read Happy Life Assisted Living Facility .
Turns out, the bus door opens to reveal an entire hoard of senior ajumma’s and ajusshi’s get dropped off and they all file into the diner all at once. Jeongguk’s eyes boggle out of his head when he’s hit with a bunch of older grandmas cooing over this “new waiter boy” and Seokjin starting to yell out orders from the back.
Jeongguk has never been a server in his entire life - but he finds the speed and the adrenaline of rushing orders, reciting menu items from hastily practiced memory, eerily similar to the rush that he feels when racing. He loses himself in the zone, his competitive streak flaring up because he mainly wants to prove to the snarky Seokjin that he can do a good job, even if he doesn’t want to do a good job.
Besides, he won’t complain about the attention he’s getting from the ajummas about how much of a good boy he is. (He flirts just a little bit, but nobody has to know.)
The first agonizing 30 minutes of chaos eventually settle as the elderly people all get their food and are satisfied with Jeongguk’s surprisingly exemplary service as he checks in on each table and each patron throughout the dinner. The first hour of the night stretches into two, and three as Jeongguk helps usher some of the older ladies out back to the bus. Jeongguk even stands outside and waves as the bus drives away.
Inside, the diner is relatively quiet as Seokjin watches the kid outside with a contemplative glance from the kitchen. Hoseok walks in through the backdoor and goes over to press a quick kiss on the cheek to the older man. “Was he a lot of trouble?” Seokjin blinks. “Not even a little bit. They loved him. It’s weird…he wasn’t grossed out by old people like I thought he’d be. He did what he was told. He did more than what he was supposed to do.”
Hoseok hums and grabs a spare fry, popping it in his mouth. “He’s a good kid, hyung. Taehyung already told us.” Seokjin turns away from the window as Jeongguk walks back inside, going straight to clean the tables the nursing home residents left behind. He lowers his voice, “It doesn’t change the fact that he did a stupid thing yesterday. He’s lucky nobody else was out. He’s lucky he didn’t hurt himself.”
Hoseok levels Seokjin with a fond look. “Yeah, but we did stupid shit like that when we were younger too. Everybody makes mistakes. At least the kid is owning up to it. You know he could leave if he really wanted to. Yoongi-hyung could’ve easily sent the kid a lawsuit and sent him on his merry way. But he stayed.”
“Jimin forced him too.” Seokjin hisses and Hoseok rolls his eyes. “We can unpack that later.” Hoseok leans around Seokjin and pokes his head out the window. “Yah, Jeongguk!”
The boy snaps his head up. Hoseok waves lazily. “What do you want to eat? Jin-hyung will make it for you.” “YAH!”
Jeongguk blinks. “Uh. It’s okay. I’ll get something from a convenience store or something if someone could give me my wallet back.”
Hoseok walks out from the kitchen and sits at the counter, patting the seat next to him. “Nah, Tae stole it from the sheriff, so there’s a slim chance you’ll get it back any time soon.”
Seokjin huffs. “Also, how dare you insinuate that convenience food is better than my food?! Sit your ass down.” Jeongguk rolls his eyes. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to insult you-” Seokjin starts literally banging on pots and pans loudly, and Jeongguk sits down.
Hoseok hands him water as Jeongguk unties his apron and sets it to the side. “You got family, Jeongguk? Friends? Anybody you should call to make sure you let ‘em know you’re okay?” Jeongguk frowns slightly. “I thought you guys were keeping me prisoner here. I have to complete this stupid community service because you won’t let me leave.” Hoseok raises an eyebrow as Jeongguk obviously dodges his question. Before the older man can say anything, the door swings open, bells chiming to alert them of a new presence in the diner.
“That’s right!” The door closes and Jeongguk and Hoseok turn around to find Jimin standing behind them, bristling with anger. Taehyung pops out from behind Jimin and waves. Hoseok waves back. “Hey guys.”
“Hoseok-hyung, stop undermining this asshole’s punishment!” Jimin snaps, and Jeongguk tenses. “Hey.” Jeongguk‘s frown gets deeper. “I said I was sorry! I fucked up, I know I did. I’m owning up to my mistake.” Jimin scoffs. “Like you’re taking any of this seriously.” Jeongguk raises an eyebrow. “How the fuck am I supposed to take this town seriously?!” He gestures around the diner. “It feels like I’m in a western movie right now! Taehyung’s wearing a cowboy hat!”
Taehyung slowly takes the cowboy hat off his head.
Jimin sneers. “City boys like you are the worst. Always living life in the fast lane, too good for the rest of us. You can’t see anything else besides yourself. And you’re all talk, and no bark. I know the type of person you are.” Jimin steps forward and jabs a finger in Jeongguk’s chest. “People like you never reach the finish line.” He hisses. Jeongguk takes a deep breath. Then his eyes get dark and he stands, towering over Jimin. “You don’t know anything about me.” He gets out through gritted teeth. Jimin glares up at Jeongguk, bold eyes unwavering and defiant. Hoseok and Taehyung watch the scene unfold before them with baited breath.
Then the diner bell rings, and Seokjin places a plate of jajangmyeon noodles on the counter. “What the fuck did I miss?” He says, and Jimin seems to be broken out of his trance. The blonde hair boy scoffs and goes to leave.
Before he can get out the door, Hoseok clears his throat. “Jiminie. Where’s Jeongguk going to sleep tonight?”
Jimin freezes. “He can stay with you, if you’re so warmed up to him.” Jimin says in a sickly saccharine tone. Hoseok hums, playing along. “Oh, but we don’t have a pull out bed anywhere. And I’m sure Jeongguk would hate to sleep in bed with me and hyung.”
“Yah, Hobi-ah, I resent you. Anybody would be honored to sleep in the same bed as me.” Seokjin squawks.
Jimin waves his hand carelessly. “Then he can bunk with TaeTae.”
Taehyung blinks. “Sure, but Mei Mei, Na Na, and Yi Yi already claimed my bed tonight. So if Jeongguk wants to share the floor with me, that’s cool. We could make a pillow fort.”
Hoseok sighs. “It seems like Taehyung’s got his hands full with his stray puppies. How can Jeongguk complete his service if he doesn’t have a place to sleep?” He sniffs the air and grimaces. “Or shower? If only there was an inn or motel around town that could accommodate him…”
Jimin turns back around, fury evident on his face. “He can go back to the jail cell or sleep on the street then! I don’t care!” He glances at Jeongguk and freezes. The two seem to stare at each other. Jeongguk didn’t realize how deep the other boys eyes were, endless pools of deep brown that seems to pull Jeongguk further and further into darkness-
“Ugh.” Jimin shutters his entire expression, turning away and pulling out a key from a ring of keys. He throws it at Hoseok who catches it with impressive skill and Jimin huffs. “He stays for four nights. He needs to finish his community service in five. I’ll send him an invoice later.”
“What else do I have to do?” Jeongguk finally finds his voice again, shaking away the funny feelings swirling in his gut.
Taehyung clears his throat and unfolds a piece of paper that he hands to Jeongguk. Jeongguk starts to read and he scoffs. “A community service to-do list? In comic sans?!” Jeongguk keeps reading and balks. “This is impossible for just one person. You’re basically asking me to fix up this entire town in less than a week.”
“You can’t do it?” Jimin challenges and Jeongguk narrows his eyes. “Of course I can do it.”
Jimin squints. “Fine.” Jeongguk leans back and crosses his arms, feeling cocky. “Fine!”
“Great!” Taehyung smiles, clapping his hands eagerly. Jimin takes a deep breath and storms out of the diner without another look back. Jeongguk stares long and hard after the departing man, and finally deflates after a few moments of tense silence.
Seokjin hums. “I understand what you meant earlier now.” He says to Hoseok who smiles knowingly. “Hey. Eat. Then go to bed.” Jeongguk turns back to the food and blinks, as if he was still stuck in his and Jimin’s conversation. Hoseok places the key next to Jeongguk’s chopsticks and Jeongguk picks it up carefully. “Am I sleeping at Jimin’s place?” He asks, and Taehyung guffaws. “Oh GOD no! Jiminie owns and runs The Cozy Cat, the only motel in town. They’re all separate little cat houses, but people sized!”
Jeongguk stares at Taehyung. He waves off Jeongguk’s confusion. “We’ll show you later. There are a lot of stray cats around here. I had to protect all the doggies in my house.”
Jeongguk is even more confused, if possible. Seokjin sighs and pushes the chopsticks into Jeongguk’s other hand. “Eat. You’re letting my food get cold.” Hoseok claps a hand on Jeongguk’s shoulder. “We’ll get you some fresh clothes for tomorrow. You’ve had a long day.”
This doesn’t really hit Jeongguk - not until he thanks Seokjin for the food and Hoseok sends him off with some spare clothes. It’s not until Jeongguk follows Taehyung to The Cozy Cat, where the other boy was right - each motel “room” is actually its own separate small building, like a tiny home, each decorated to look like a small cat house. It is quite cozy, Jeongguk thinks dumbly, as Taehyung leads him to Cabin 13, where Taehyung bids him goodnight and a promise that Jimin won’t bother him and that he’ll come pick Jeongguk for their first item on their to-do list tomorrow morning.
(Jeongguk asks if Taehyung stole his wallet. Taehyung runs and tries to jump over a fence, but catches his foot at the last minute and lands in a puddle of mud. A beat passes, and Taehyung gets up quickly and takes off into the night.)
It’s not until Jeongguk sets Hoseok’s spare clothes on the dresser with cat paws for handles that Jeongguk finally takes a step back to breathe. The room itself is small, quaint, and decorated with cat and kitty symbols and pillows. It’s not exactly the 5-star luxury hotels that Jeongguk is used to. But it strangely feels like more than his bland and empty apartment back home. Jeongguk exhales. He’s just tired.
Showering helps. Changing into a clean t-shirt and sweatpants helps too. Crawling underneath the soft comforter and turning off the kitty lamp helps even more, and before Jeongguk even thinks about the craziness that is his life right now…slumber overtakes him like gentle ocean waves lapping against the shore, glittering in the moonlight. Slowly but surely, everything fades into darkness.
~
The next morning, Jeongguk finds himself at the garage. Kim Namjoon’s garage. The garage with a taped off section in front of the building, where the remnants of Namjoon’s garden that Jeongguk destroyed are laid to rest. Jeongguk is shaking on the inside, brimming with nervous energy. Why would “make sure Namjoon doesn’t hurt himself” be an actual act of community service to this stupid town? Why would they make Jeongguk and Namjoon be within strangling distance of each other? Kim Namjoon seems to be the type of guy who’s strong enough to strangle you, and the type of guy who’s emotional enough to strangle you about his dead plants.
Taehyung seems unbothered, wearing a denim vest with ripped white jeans, despite having grease and dirt all over his hands. There’s also three small puppies sniffing around curiously, all tied to one leash that Taehyung has looped loosely around his wrist. Kim Namjoon is looking at the puppies warily.
“Tae…Having puppies around the garage is a huge liability for me.” The older man fiddles with his hands nervously, eyes darting from the puppies to Jeongguk to the remnants of plants and ceramic pots in a pile in the middle of the garage. Taehyung tilts his head, eyes unreadable behind the huge green sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose. “Hyung, I have to walk the puppies! But Jimin put me in charge of watching Jeonggukie at the same time. So I’m multitasking!”
Jeongguk sighs. “Taehyung-ssi, I can-”
“Hyung! I’m twenty seven, treat me with some respect!” Taehyung whines and Namjoon mutters, “You don’t act twenty seven, Tae.” Jeongguk shuffles nervously. “Namjoon-ssi, please let me know what I can do to help. I know there’s a lot I need to pay for the damages, but maybe I can help glue some of the pots back together?”
Namjoon sighs and nods. Jeongguk exhales with relief and goes over to the pile, beginning to put pieces of a broken pot together. “Glue. We need glue.” Namjoon mutters to himself.
Then one of the puppies starts to bark at a stray cat that emerges from the garage office. Namjoon gasps, rushing to the cat to pick it up before it scratches at the puppy. “Tae! Take your dogs on a walk. Jeongguk and I will be fine.” Taehyung shrugs and smiles at Jeongguk before tugging the puppies out into the street. Jeongguk stays quiet and Namjoon re-emerges from the office, cat safely behind the door and a bottle of glue in his hands.
Now with the garage relatively quiet, Jeongguk begins to feel more nervous. He and Namjoon sit on the floor, the pile of broken pots in between them. Namjoon starts to collect the plants into small mounds of dirt, while Jeongguk puts together a pot slowly with the glue. Namjoon is quiet, eyes sad as he focuses on saving the plants and Jeongguk’s guilt weighs heavily on his mind.
“For what it’s worth, I’m really sorry.” Jeongguk finally says slowly. “It was a mistake. I never intended to hurt anyone like this.” Namjoon doesn’t say anything, looking at Jeongguk with a curious expression. Jeongguk blinks and bites his lip. “Yeah. I don’t expect you to forgive me obviously, but I have a habit of breaking things. I broke some of my mom’s plants and stuff when I was a kid. Guess I never learned my lesson.”
Namjoon blinks. Jeongguk looks away because it’s clear to him that he’s pissed off the other man, and he needs to stop talking about the broken garden if he wants to keep his hands attached to his body. But somehow, as Jeongguk finds himself looking around the garage, his eyes land on a car.
Specifically, a 1939 Auto Union Silver Arrow race car. Jeongguk’s eyes bug out of his head. “Holy shit.” The words spill out of his mouth before he can stop himself. “How do you have one of these?!” Jeongguk can’t help but jump to his feet, abandoning the pot in favor of going over to the garage corner, where the Silver Arrow rests in pristine condition, almost glittering in the morning light sneaking into the garage. “Did you restore this?!” Jeongguk keeps asking questions, without even waiting for Namjoon to answer. When the other man says nothing, Jeongguk looks back at the pile of broken shards he left behind. “Oh shit. Sorry. I just got excited.” Namjoon keeps staring at him, and Jeongguk tries not to let his nervousness show. “Uh…I’m not a mechanic obviously, but I know some of the basics. My dad was a car engineer. He taught me some stuff.” For a moment, Namjoon says nothing.
Then finally Namjoon clears his throat, and slowly steps over the broken garden plants and walks over to Jeongguk and the car. “My dad owned this garage and I helped him restore the silver arrow for my birthday.” The older man explains quietly, placing a gentle hand on the car. Jeongguk’s eyes widened. “It was the same day I told him I wanted to help him run this garage. I was 18, and it was the first time he ever took me seriously and said okay to me becoming his apprentice.” Namjoon smiles then, and oh , Jeongguk can see dimples . “And now, I can carry on his legacy and our family business. I’m really proud of the work we did for this car. I’m glad that other people can recognize that work too.” Namjoon looks at Jeongguk and tilts his head, like a curious dog. “Don’t worry about the plants. It’s a side hobby of mine, not the end of the world. And you know that you made a mistake, and the fact that you’re here, says enough about your character for me. Wanna take her for a ride?”
Jeongguk balks. “What the fuck, YES.” Namjoon laughs at that and gets in the driver's seat while Jeongguk jumps in the other seat. His mouth is in awe as he runs his hands inside the car console, the leather seats, and the smooth interiors. “Fuck, this is an amazing car.” Jeongguk breathes out. “Thank you, Namjoon-ssi.”
“Hyung is cool.” Namjoon hums, turning on the ignition, the fire from the engine roaring throughout the garage and settling into an anticipatory simmer in their blood. “I always thought being a racer was admirable. I never passed my test though, so I stuck with the garage.”
All of a sudden, Jeongguk freezes. “You didn’t pass your… drivers test?”
Namjoon grins, and shifts the gear into drive.
The silver arrow peels out of the garage, tires screeching throughout the streets of the town, and Namjoon whoops as he speeds out into the main road, Jeongguk’s panicked screams following behind. The silver arrow takes off, zooming past Taehyung who has the three puppies in a baby stroller somehow, who lifts his sunglasses up, a fond smile playing at his lips.
~
That night, Jeongguk finds himself back at Omelas after a long day of helping Namjoon clean up the garage after their impromptu joyride. Taehyung is there too, and they share a chilled beer as Hoseok laughs at Jeongguk’s reaction to Namjoon’s driving. Jin simply shakes his head. “I’ve been telling Joonie to get his license for forever, but Yoongi-ah keeps letting him slide. Favoritism is what's truly putting us all in danger. I love Joonie but he drives like a maniac.”
The door rings as it opens and Namjoon, freshly showered and dressed in a dark jean jacket and cargo pants walks in. Namjoon smiles sheepishly. “Hyung, I can’t help but think you’re making fun of me again.”
“I said I love you, but you drive like a maniac.” Seokjin repeats himself, staring at Namjoon with a straight face. Namjoon laughs it off anyways, sitting next to Jeongguk at the bar and clapping a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll have what the kids are having.” Namjoon requests and Taehyung cheers, face already a little pink. Jeongguk blinks, slightly confused at how familiar Namjoon is acting with him already, but doesn't say anything. He takes another sip of his beer and observes how Hoseok scolds Taehyung slightly for drinking too fast. Jeongguk watches Jin slide another beer down the bar with expertise, Namjoon fumbling slightly to catch it, but opening the bottle with ease.
Namjoon takes a swig, swallows, then lets out a sigh of relief. Then he takes his hand off Jeongguk’s shoulder and clears his throat. “I could help you fix your car. If you want.”
Jeongguk freezes. The others seem to stop in place too, Hoseok and Jin look at Namjoon incredulously. Taehyung has a knowing smile on his face though, and simply takes another sip of his beer. “W…what?” Jeongguk stammers and Namjoon pats the younger man on the shoulder again. “You’ll have to pay me. Obviously.” Jeongguk is quick to nod, but Namjoon continues. “I’m pretty good at fixing things-” (Hoseok snorts. Namjoon flips him off.) “-believe it or not, and I’m fast. I can have your race car ready to drive by the end of the week. It might take a couple all-nighters, but-”
“I can help! I can pay too! Holy shit, Namjoon-ssi, thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say.” Jeongguk doesn’t know what to do, frozen in place as his mouth runs without his brain fully catching up.
Namjoon turns serious for a second. “You’re not broke right? You have to pay me, or else.” Jeongguk nods rapidly and Hoseok snorts. “Okay Joon, you’re not a gangster. Relax. Jeongguk here is pretty famous, apparently.” Taehyung butts in, “And he’s rich!” Jeongguk rolls his eyes and mutters. “It’s relative. I could always be richer.”
“Well, we’ll never be rich like you, and we’re all older than you.” Jin says matter-of-factly. “So I’d say, fuck relativity. You’re rich.”
Jeongguk says nothing, voice catching in his throat, thoughts stuck swirling in his mind. The others seem to be unaware of his own brewing internal conflict. Taehyung sighs wistfully. “It must be so cool to be famous. You live in a nice house and have lots of friends, and you make more money than you know what to do with.”
(Jeongguk thinks of his bleak apartment in Seoul, empty since he just got it and hasn’t had the time or motivation to decorate it since he always went out if he wasn’t practicing at the tracks. Jeongguk remembers vividly the nights at the club where he wasn’t smashed, the sober reality of realizing he was in a room full of people who didn’t know anything about him or cared about him at all.)
(Jeongguk sees the King and his husband at that stupid afterparty, but the gold shines bright in his mind, and his heart wants and yearns and begs for more. More money? More fame? The King moves his hand to rest on his husband's lower back, pulling them closer to each other. Jeongguk’s brain feels fuzzy.)
He decides to stay quiet. But it doesn’t go unnoticed - Taehyung nudges him slightly as the other three keep talking, and Jeongguk glances at the boy. Taehyung raises an eyebrow. Jeongguk blinks, doesn’t say anything for a moment. Then he nods slightly.
A small little smile tugged at the edge of Taehyung’s lips and he brings the beer to his mouth for another sip. He pats Jeongguk on the back lightly, and jumps back into the conversation with the others. Jeongguk watches Taehyung for a second, and then looks back down at his beer. A small, but reassured line spreads on his face - a warm, distinct feeling spreading in his chest like a subtle wave, crashing and warming him up like a soft blanket. He loses himself in the fluorescent light of the diner and observes the other men around him.
For a second, he imagines them all covered with golden light, dust shimmering all around them. He has to hide the way his smile widens with another sip of his drink.
Unbeknownst to the five inside Omelas, two pairs of sharp eyes watched the warm interior from inside their own dark car parked across the street.
Jimin and Yoongi gaze upon the scene with thinly-veiled disdain and Jimin lets out an angry huff when Taehyung drapes an arm around Jeongguk’s shoulder and Hoseok lets out a particularly full belly-laugh at something Jeongguk said.
Yoongi’s face gives nothing away, but Jimin knows better. There’s a slight twitch in Yoongi’s right eyebrow that lets Jimin know how ticked off the older man is. “You regret letting him stay yet?”
Jimin crosses his arms and narrows his eyes, turning away from Omelas and looking in front of him steadfastly. “No. He needs to learn his lesson.”
Yoongi raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah. He looks like he’s really learning there.” Jimin huffs. “Like you were going to do anything. You were just going to kick him out. Just like you’ve kicked out tourists for the past two years.”
A snort. “You consider him a tourist?”
A glare. “I consider him useful. He’s a racer, and they have friends. He’ll talk about Hybe for sure when he gets back to town.”
A disbelieving scoff. “He’s going to talk about how this town is shitty, how we forced him to do community service to make up for a criminal misdemeanor. How is that going to help us at all?”
Jimin squares himself up. “Bad press is better than no press at all.”
Yoongi squints at the younger man, and a beat passes. Then something in his brain clicks.
“You think he’s hot.” Yoongi says incredulously. Jimin flushes and looks away. “Drive.”
“You actually think he’s hot, Jimin-ah.”
“I said DRIVE.”