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Namjoon had gotten quite used to losing his keys or forgetting them. One time he had even managed to break his apartment key. What he is trying to say, is that being locked out of the house happened to be quite a common occurrence for him.
By now he has it all well planned out. Sit as close to the door as physically possible, so that the wifi signal is strong enough. Don’t sit too close to the annoying house plant his roommate purchased because the leaves will tickle him and he had the misfortune to be born extremely ticklish. Probably tell his roommate the house plant he bought is made of plastic so that his roommate would stop watering it everyday. Maybe find a name for said house plant. Wait for his roommate to return and to make fun of him and then open the door for him to let him into their shared home.
"Locked out again?" Hoseok said when he returned from his classes. "Why didn't you call, Joon-ah?”
"What is the point? Would it have made you come any sooner?” Namjoon said, not bothering to get up.
“Maybe, you never know. But it would have given me time to prepare ways to tease you,” grinned Hoseok. “Actually, probably not. I met the cutest guy today at dance practice, and actually, thanks for not calling me because I really didn’t want to leave him. The only reason I am back is because his best friend Jimin took him away from me.” He pouted and sat down next to Namjoon.
“Aren’t you going to open the door?” Namjoon asked.
“So, anyway.” Hoseok continued, ignoring Namjoon. “His name is Taehyung, and he has to be the most interesting person I have ever met. He has the brightest smile ever, and when he started talking I just melted. It wasn’t just me, he has like the power to steal everyone’s hearts. Like I thought Jimin was bad, he is so much worse.”
“Are you saying his smile is brighter than yours?” Namjoon asked, clearly not believing what he was spouting. Namjoon wasn’t the type of person to fawn over a person’s smile and even he had to admit Hoseok has the brightest smile ever.
“Let’s see, if my smile were a firefly his would be the sun.” He replied. “And when I went up to talk to him-“
“Wait, why did you go up and talk to him?”
“Because, Joon-ah, that’s what you do when you meet new people. But, shut up. I am trying to tell you how incredible this boy is. And he has a weird fascination to cut up the shirts he wears. And he introduced me to his elephant.”
“His elephant?” Namjoon asked, extremely confused. “I don’t think people do that when they just met or like ever, but you do you.”
“No! Not that!” Hoseok yelled smacking Namjoon. “Get your mind out of the gutter! The elephant on his hand!”
“This makes even less sense than before and it was making no sense to begin with.” Namjoon stated. “Why does he have an elephant on his hand? Also I take by your reaction that elephant is not his dick.”
“Not his dick.” He verified. “It’s like two spots on his arm and when he pinches the skin in between it looks like an elephant, but that’s not even what is the cool part. The cool part is how freaking proud he is of his elephant.”
“When are you going to ask him out?” Namjoon asked. “Also please open the door.”
“I was thinking about asking him out if he comes for practice again, maybe I’m not sure!”
“Okay, you ask him out next time but for now give me the keys.” Namjoon demanded.
“Oh, right. The keys. I don’t have them.”
“What?! Then what were we doing all this time!”
“Talking about the boy I met, haven’t you been listening? Do I need to tell you again?” Hoseok said, while getting up and picking up the potted plant. “It’s under the plant, by the way. I bought the plant to hide the key.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?!” Namjoon exclaimed. “I have been sitting here for over an hour.”
“You didn’t tell me you were locked out, Joon-ah.” Hoseok replied. “Besides why are you always locked out, this is like the fourth time this week.”
“It’s the third time, by the way, and it’s not like I do it on purpose, I was just born with bad luck of forgetting keys. And passports. And IDs. It's a curse, I tell you!"
"Right... Namjoon, I think you used your brain too much and now it's over heated or something."
"Brains don't do that-"
"Shhhh. Rest your brain for now.”
The next time Namjoon got locked out was the day after, which according to him was progress. Slow progress but progress none the less. He tried lifting the fake house plant to find the key only to remember that he left that key inside the house and had forgotten to return it back to it’s require place. Shit.
He could call Hoseok, but he was on a date with Taehyung the elephant boy and Namjoon didn’t want to disturb them. He heard enough about how excited he was and Namjoon would be Satan to interrupt that. He could just wait out again. But for how long? His date was suppose to be at 6 o’clock. He checked his phone for the time.
6:02pm.
Okay, so maybe waiting for him wouldn’t be the smartest idea he ever had. But he just came back from a full days work and the nearest Starbucks wasn’t even that close. Also walking is hard. And Namjoon had wifi here. Yeah, he could definitely survive sitting in the corridor.
Namjoon had fallen asleep sometime within the second hour. He still had this phone held up in front of his face, but is head was drooped back and his mouth was wide open.
“He has to be the ugliest sleeping face I have ever seen, Jin-hyung.”
“Don’t be mean, Yoongi.” This person called Jin-hyung replied.
“I think that is drool on his face.” Yoongi pointed out. “Do you think he is homeless, or dead? Do dead people even drool?”
“Yoongi. Shut up.” Jin said. “Let’s wake him up, it’s definitely not good to sleep here.”
Jin bent down in front of him and poked his shoulder. “Hey, wake up.” He called out. Namjoon didn’t stir.
“Wake up, stranger.”
Still no response.
Jin looked at Yoongi who was very willing to leave the sleeping/dead man there. Yoongi also wanted to sleep. But he refrained from sleeping in the corridor. Maybe he was a bit jealous.
“Wake up, god dammit!” Jin finally yelled.
That woke Namjoon up and he opened his eyes to see Jin in front of him.
Jin could firmly say that his sleeping boy looked better awake than he did asleep. Although, he still did look like deer in front of headlights. He looked so scared, but then again Jin did just yell at him. He blinked a couple of time. Closed his mouth. Sat up a little. Figured out he was in his corridor with the most beautiful person standing in front of him. Said beautiful person also just shouted at him telling him to wake up.
Namjoon was extremely confused.
“You drool in your sleep.” Jin said.
“Uh…” Namjoon so eloquently replied.
“You also snore.” he added. “Quite loudly actually. We could hear you all the way down the corridor.”
“Right.” Namjoon said making an effort of getting up. “Sorry for disturbing you, um, in the corridor? I don’t usually fall asleep here.”
“But you usually spend time in this corridor?” Yoongi asked.
“Well, kind of. I live here you see,” Namjoon said gesturing to the door behind him. “But I left the keys inside, so I am kind of stuck here.”
“I’m Seokjin although most people call him Jin. I live in the house next to yours. You can come inside my house and wait if you want?” Jin offered. Namjoon was about to decline, but something told him that Jin would force him to come in even if he tried.
“Thanks,” he said following Jin and his friend into his home.
“I’m going to cook you dinner, so come in make yourself comfortable.” Jin told Namjoon.
“You’re just going to invite some random person you found in the corridor for dinner?!” Yoongi hissed, softly enough that only Jin could hear. “He could be a serial killer!”
“He could,” Jin whispered back. “But he is hot, but also reminds me of a lost puppy.”
“If you want a puppy,” Yoongi said in a hushed voice. “Get a fucking puppy, don’t pick up weird humans with bleached hair.”
“You are a weird human with bleached hair, Yoongi.” Jin stated.
Namjoon was just standing a few steps behind them awkwardly contemplating if he should just make up some excuse and leave or not.
He was really wishing that he declined and slept in the corridor like a homeless/dead person as Yoongi put it. Hoseok was the social one. He was his unsocial friend who spent most of his time working. Or just doing things which didn't include introducing himself to new people and holding conversations. It’s not like he hated other people, in fact he really liked new people, but he found it really difficult to hold conversation without putting forth just how weird he was. He would rather them like him first before he opened his mouth and scared them off. His friends used to say he usually intimidated people, and he really didn't want to intimidate the beautiful human called Jin.
"I'm Namjoon, by the way." he said. "Kim Namjoon.”
"So, Namjoon, tell me something." Yoongi started. "Do you always snore that loudly, or is it just a corridor thing?"
This was definitely not the conversation Namjoon had in mind.
"Only if I am really tired." Namjoon replied. "But I am always really tired, so I guess always."
Yoongi chuckled.
"Yoongs, stop embarrassing him!" Jin scolded him while going into the kitchen. "I am going to prepare some food for us, and you better not try and intimidate this small boy, do I make myself clear?"
"He is anything but small." Yoongs muttered.
"Are we clear?" Jin said, using his hyung voice.
"Clear." he replied barely audible.
"And you, Namjoon?" Jin said smiling in the sweetest voice, almost like he was a completely different person. "Make yourself at home. Don't listen to him, this is my house."
"Okay. Yeah. Yeah.” Namjoon fumbled with his words.
"Not much of a talker, are you?" Jin teased. "That's alright, help me out in the kitchen."
"Um..." How do you say they call me the God of Destruction because everything I touch break?
“Sure” Yeah that's definitely not the way.
“Why are you making your small boy work? Is that why you bought him in?” Yoongi asked.
“Do you want to do it instead?” Jin replied.
“No, no. I don’t put effort where it is not required. Anyway, I think I might have to leave. So bye.” Yoongi said heading towards the door.
“Wait. No. Why?” Jin asked.
“Because I just remembered your food is quite, how to put it lightly? Experimental.”
“Are you calling my food bad?” Jin asked, extremely offended.
“No-“
“Yoongi, you have deeply hurt me.”
“I didn’t mean-“
“I’ll won’t forgive you” Jin spoke. “Unless you say, ‘Oh worthy one, my Jin-hyungnim is is best.’”
“Really?” Yoongi grumbled. Jin ushered him to continue. “Jin-hyungnim is the best…” He looked extremely done but he was still preparing to leave.
“Wait, why are you still going away?” Jin asked confused. Namjoon was also very confused, but he was confused from the beginning so that doesn't count.
“I have to pick up my younger brother from some dumb party, he just texted me.” Yoongi replied. “I really do regret getting a license.”
“Oh. Okay, bye then.” Jin said. “Say hi from my side.
And like that Yoongi was gone.
"Yoongi left." Jin stated.
"Yeah, I know. I was there." Namjoon replied, really not sure what to say. Jin made him buffer in his own brain, and Namjoon wasn't the sort of person who buffered. Ever.
He blamed Jin's extremely perfect face. And his smile. Namjoon realised that he might be someone who gushes over other’s smiles. But only when the ‘others’ looked like Jin.
"I guess we should get to make something to eat, when did you last eat?" Jin asked.
Namjoon thought for a while. A long while. He skipped breakfast because he woke up late and then managed to forget about food while working. He was thinking about getting take out once he got home, but that didn't happen. So basically nothing. He had nothing all day, and he had a strong feeling Jin wouldn't like to hear that.
"I don't remember." Namjoon lied.
"You haven't eaten anything, have you?" Shit. Note you self, don't lie to very pretty human who seems to be extremely passionate about food.
"Er, how did you know?"
"Yoongi does the same thing. I'm actually quite used to it." Jin stated. "I'm used to shouting at him about it. I won’t shout at you today, because we met today but food is very important."
“Sorry? But, you’re right, it is important. I’m just an idiot.” Namjoon agreed. "But, many other things are also important. Like hip hop. And Ryan."
"Who is Ryan?" Jin asked walking into the kitchen. "Is that your friend?"
How do you tell someone that Ryan is actually a cute bear character which he is not sure why he finds cute?
"Something like that." Namjoon said following Jin into the kitchen.
His brain really wasn't working.
Namjoon sat on the kitchen counter while he concentrated on Jin cooking. He did want to help, but when Jin figured out Namjoon had no idea how pepper looked, he gave up on getting him to help him.
But Jin did seem okay with allowing him to sit and watch him, while they talked about themselves. Namjoon started of with his love for music and talking about the artists he really admired.
In all honesty, Jin didn't care really about about these people he admired. He didn't even remember half of what he said and in the middle Namjoon would use some unknown term and forget to mention what it means. After the third time of that happening, Jin didn't even bother to ask what it means.
Even though Jin wasn’t paying any real attention to what he was saying, it was the way he talked which Jin really seemed to like. There was this shine in his eyes and his voice was a little higher than normal, and Jin liked to be around it. It was comforting and and pleasant.
Jin had his fair share of things he was passionate about but none could match up to the passion Namjoon showed for what he loves. Jin was kind of jealous, but mostly he was amazed. Intrigued. And curious, he wanted to know more about this really strange person he found on the floor of his corridor.
“You aren't really listening, are you?” Namjoon asked.
“What? No! Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I?” Jin replied, not fooling anyone.
“Sorry, if I am boring you. Here you are cooking for me and I am just being trash. Really sor-“
“No, shut up.” Jin shushed him.
“Okay.”
“And please continue being trash because you being you trash is the most mesmerising thing I have seen in a while.”
“You find me mesmerising?” Namjoon asked, feeling like he heard something wrong.
“You, Kim Namjoon, are an extremely mesmerising human specimen.” Jin stated. “Anyway, dinner is ready. Let’s go eat.”
During dinner Namjoon made sure to control himself and let Jin talk more than him. It really wasn’t as hard as he thought it would be, because once Jin started talking about his life Namjoon paid rapt attention asking questions at the right time coaxing him to continue.
Jin wasn’t used to talking so much while eating, or with anyone for that matter. He lived alone, and ate alone. Unless Yoongi was around, but Yoongi wasn’t much a talker on most days.
This was a change, but a welcome change. He really did enjoy eating with Namjoon. He also did seem to appreciate food almost as much as him. Almost. But there were somethings you couldn’t beat Jin in.
“Are you a chef?” Namjoon asked. “You cook really well. Like really well; better than my mom even, although don’t tell her I said that. She will be angry.”
“I wish,” Jin chuckled. “But I just cook because I like to cook.”
“Why aren’t you a chef?”
“I am, I cooked for you didn’t I?”
“Uh?”
“Being a chef does mean cooking for money, I cook cause I love to do it, why does that not qualify me to be a chef?”
“I guess it does.” Namjoon agreed. He never thought about it that way. It left Namjoon thinking. Maybe that does make sense. Earning a living out of something isn’t the only way to be a part of that profession. And then the barbie jingle, ‘be what you want to be’ started playing in his head. Namjoon wondered if Jin liked Barbie, but refrained from actually asking that. This was the first time they met.
Jin figured out something new today. That his weird neighbour’s thinking face is the cutest thing he has ever seen. He just wanted to squish his face, but Jin refrained from doing that he thought maybe, just maybe, it would be a little weird to squish someone’s face you have just met.
“So, is Ryan your boyfriend?” Jin asked. Namjoon had the most confused look he had ever seen.
“What?”
“Well, you just gave gay vibes and I figured that Ryan your friend… might be.”
“Um.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to assume anything.” Jin said.
“No! No, it’s not that. It’s just that…I need to go.” Namjoon said getting up and leaving. “I think my roommate should be back by now. Thank you for your home and the food.”
“Wait, Namjoon-“
“You are a really nice person. Bye.” Namjoon said getting into the elevator.
Before Jin could say anything the elevator shut and went down. Wait, didn’t Namjoon live next door? Was he running away? Or is he actually a homeless person?
It seemed like a pity, Jin really did like this guy who could be his neighbour or a homeless person, who ever Kim Namjoon was.
Namjoon wasn’t really sure why he just left. It was a misunderstanding, a very normal one. But Namjoon freaked out. He had been having a mental crisis about whether he was attracted to men or not for an extremely long time. And his freaking neighbour; after knowing him for barely enough managed to easily pick it up.
What? How is that even possible?
Just then the elevator door opened to the ground floor and standing outside was his very reliable and extremely social roommate Hoseok. Namjoon had never been this happy to see him in his entire life.
“Jung Hoseok.” Namjoon said hugging him. “I need your help.”
“Namjoon where are your shoes?” Hoseok asked hugging him back. He really wasn’t one to decline a hug. Specially when it was from Namjoon who rarely showed physical affection.
“Oh, I left them in our neighbour’s house,” Namjoon explained. “Do you think we can go out like this?”
“Without shoes?” Hoseok asked. “I don’t see why not.
So Namjoon took his roommate to the not-so-nearby Starbucks.
“Why can’t we have this conversation at home?” he asked.
“Because it’s dangerous there.”
“And why am I here?”
“Because you are my room- you are my best friend.”
He seemed surprised to hear Namjoon say that. Namjoon always referred to him as his roommate, although they both knew they were best friends. That was something they just used for special occasions. He had no idea why this was a thing, but Namjoon was a weirdo and he just rolled with it.
“Fine, I’ll sit here and hear you talk about your pr,oblems while you are shoeless. Shouldn’t there be a no shoes, no shirt no service sign applying to you?”
“Guess they couldn’t be bothered,” Namjoon shrugged.
“I’ll listen if you call me that,” Hoseok said. “You only use that if you are desperate, and you are.”
“What? Of all the things you could ask for, you ask that of me?” Namjoon asked, very confused.
“Come on, I like hearing it from you.”
“Fine.”
“Fine?”
“Fine, Hobi.”
Hobi seemed extremely pleased with himself.
“So, tell me Joon-ah, what is bothering you so much.” he finally asked.
“Do you think I am gay?” Namjoon asked.
“Wait, you’re not?” Hobi asked.
“I mean, no- I don’t know- maybe?- why do you think that?”
Hobi started to laugh. Really loudly. A few heads turned but no one really cared enough to pay attention to the laughing man and the man without shoes.
“Why are you laughing?” Namjoon asked.
“Joon-ah. Namjoon-ah.” Hobi said trying to contain himself. “I have known you for 7 years, and in those 7 years I think I know you better than you know yourself.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is. You spend so much time trying to understand and empathise with other people, you just forget yourself.”
Namjoon huffed.
“Also, I have seen you checking out guys.” Hobi stated.
“I don’t check out guys, I admire them because them aesthetically. Aesthetically.”
“Haha, no.” Hobi laughed. “Who are you trying to fool? Because the only fool here is you.”
Normally Namjoon would have argued with him. But normally Hobi wasn’t right. Namjoon really didn’t like it when Hobi was right.
“Okay, but how did this come up?” Hobi asked.
“The key wasn’t under the fake plant-“
“That plant is fake?!”
“I was locked out again. As usually. And then this very aesthetically pleasing man and his friend came, and he is apparently our neighbour and invited me in to eat.”
“So, you fell in love with him at first sight?” Hobi questioned.
“I am not in love with him.” Yet. Maybe. Probably not. “It’s just that he thought Ryan was my boyfriend, but I had mentioned nothing about liking men and I freaked out and ran away.”
“Isn’t Ryan that plushie you own?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“So how did Ryan become your boyfriend, not that I am against it.” Hobi stated. “I will accept you no matter how fucking weird you are.”
“Thanks.” Namjoon said, his face not amused.
"You haven't left the house in two days, Namjoon." Hobi stated leaning against the door frame. Namjoon was lying face down on his bed, in two day old Ryan pyjamas.
"I'm working from home now." Namjoon declared.
"No, you aren't."
"Why not?" Namjoon asked. "My boss said I can work from home till I am better."
"That's because you told your boss you have influenza!"
"I do!" Namjoon argued. "In my mind. Everything is buffering. It's influenza in my mind."
Hoseok had had enough of this. Namjoon was supposedly a grown adult, so him acting like this was an absolute no-no. He walked up to Namjoon and used his leg to kick him of the bed.
"Ah! What the fuck?!"
"New plan, I hurt you and then we go to the hospital and get you out of this house."
"How about you hurt me and then I die and I never leave this house so that I never have to be seen by him.
"Him?" Hobi asked. "Who?"
"It doesn't matter I am going to sleep."
"Okay, what happened with him at you can't even get out of bed?"
"I embarrassed myself. And probably him. Or worse, he might think I am a homophobe, or those guys who are really insecure about their masculinity. Who knows?! I am not taking the risk." Namjoon word vomited, and buried his face back into his Ryan plushie.
Hoseok sighed and let him be in his extremely sad and Ryan covered state.
If Namjoon wasn't going to do anything about it, he would have to do it himself.
Hoseok went to his neighbour’s door, and rang the bell. No one opened. Maybe he got the wrong door. Hobi was about to leave when the door was finally opened.
A tall blonde man was standing in front of him in a fluffy pink bathrobe. He looked groggy, like he had just woken up but quite still attractive. Hobi couldn't deny he was attractive. Maybe not as attractive as Taehyung, but he was up there.
"Can I help you?"
"Are you Kim Seokjin?" Hobi asked.
"Yes...?"
"I'm your neighbour, Hobi."
"Oh, Namjoon's roommate." Jin stated. "Right, how can I help you? Does this have to do with Namjoon, because I am not exactly sure why he ran away- I guess he and Ryan aren't boyfriends..."
"No, no. Ryan is his boyfriend, kind of." Hobi lied. "But that's not why I am here. I just thought since Namjoon keeps forgetting his keys, I could just leave a pair with you. You don’t mind, do you?”
"Uh, yeah. That’s not a problem.” Jin said.
“I can trust you, right?” Hobi asked.
“Yes, you can trust me.” Jin stated. “I’m not a serial killer.”
“Good enough,” Hobi smiled and handed Namjoon's pair of keys with a Ryan keychain attached to it.
"Thank you, Jin-ssi." Hobi said and went back into his own house.
"Namjoon," Hobi said walking into the house. "You better go for work tomorrow or I will burn your entire wardrobe. Maybe give it to a homeless shelter, half of them look like they do belong there anyway."
"Hoseok, your empty threats aren't going to work." Namjoon replied, only slightly fazed.
"Alright, but I did call your boss and told him you were perfectly fine, and will be coming in tomorrow."
"No!" He exclaimed getting up. "Even you aren't that stupid."
"Oops." Hobi said, feigning regret.
The next day, Namjoon did get ready to go to work. He wasn’t certain if his stupid friend was bluffing or not but he didn’t want to take a chance. Plus, he really couldn’t put his life on hold just because he doesn’t want to embarrass himself in front of his neighbour.
So he did the next best thing, he planned to run out of the apartment as fast as he could so that the probability of seeing him would decrease. It wasn’t a good plan, in fact it was a terrible one but it was the only one he got.
“Hobi!” Namjoon called out. “Hobi! Have you seen my keys?”
There was no reply.
On normal days Namjoon would not care and leave home, hoping his friend would be at home when he had to get back but Namjoon didn’t want to risk it.
He wasn’t exactly sure why he couldn’t see Jin. He really didn't want to admit that it was because of the way he made him feel, no. Definitely not that. It was because he was pretty hopeless, and apparently had a boyfriend called Ryan.
“Fuck this.” Namjoon muttered, running out of the house. He didn't want to be late, although knowing him he probably was.
Returning back home, Namjoon conveniently forgot that he didn’t have his keys. He rang the bell once. Twice. No one answered. Normally Hoseok should be at home around this time, but he apparently he wasn’t.
He searched under the fake plant for the keys, and there a note there instead of the keys. A note in his roommate’s terrible handwriting.
I left your keys with our wonderful neighbour Jin because I was sure you would forget them.
Love,
Your Hope.
Note to self; strangle Your Hope when you next see him.
Namjoon really didn’t want to do this. He was pacing across the small space outside his house. Maybe he could just wait outside, or like go out and never come back. That seemed like a great plan.
Jin opened his apartment door.
“Hey, Namjoon.” he smiled. “Are you locked out again?”
“I was… um, thinking.”
“Come in,” he said. “I want to tell you something.”
Namjoon looked at Jin like a deer in front of headlights, yet again. He was planning to run away, yet again. Running away just seemed easier than confrontation.
"No, don't even think about it." Jin said, grabbing Namjoon’s hand. Why are his hands so soft? Oh my god! Is this what moisturising does to your hands? Maybe I should try it.
He obediently followed Jin. He was too scared to actually not listen. Namjoon had a strong feeling that it would be better to follow him than defy him.
"So, hi.” Namjoon finally broke the silence.
"Listen, I am really sorry if I stepped some sort of line,” Jin started. “I mean, I really had no business trying to talk about your private life."
"What?"
"I'm trying to apologise." Jin stated.
"But, you didn't even do anything. It was me who was an idiot by running away.”
"So you don't mind talking about your boyfriend, Ryan?"
"Ryan is not my boyfriend." Namjoon sighed.
"Oh, is it a complicated relationship? I get at I was once young like you."
"What, no! There is nothing going on between Ryan and I." Namjoon declared. “Why are you so sure that I am gay?”
“Well, you give off such vibes, I guess.” Jin stated. “But your roommate told me...?"
"When did you talk to him?!" Namjoon exclaimed.
"Yesterday," Jin replied. "He came to give me your spare keys since you seem to forget them a lot. But back to the important part- who is Ryan?"
"A bear, a character. It doesn't matter, what matters is he is not my boyfriend and that I don't have a boyfriend."
"Good." Jin said. "That's a relief.”
"A relief?" Namjoon questioned.
"You know, because… never mind you need to get inside your house. I have the keys, I'll open it for you."
“Right, of course." Namjoon replied.
Jin took out a pair of keys. More specifically Namjoon's keys. His keys with his Ryan key chain.
“Um, Jin?” Namjoon said. “That key chain, that. That is Ryan.”
Jin looked at the key chain. He stared at it for a while. Well, more like glared at it. Namjoon wasn’t sure, but he thought he saw anger flicker through Jin’s eyes.
“I’m more handsome than Ryan.” He finally stated.
“I can’t argue with that.” Namjoon agreed trying to reach for the keys in Jin’s hand. Jin didn’t give it to him pulling his hand back.
“You aren’t getting them,” Jin said. “You’ll forget them again, and be stuck out. Again.”
“So you are going to keep my keys?” Namjoon asked.
“That’s the plan, yes.” Jin said. “Just find me and I’ll open the door for me. It’s a fool proof plan, really.”
“What if you aren’t there?”
“You will be stuck outside,” Jin stated. “It’s not like that is something new to you.”
“Fair enough,” Namjoon shrugged. It wasn’t like he could disagree with him. It probably wasn’t the worst thing to meet his neighbour. Everyday.
His very attractive neighbour.
Everyday.
Okay, this was a terrible idea.
Curse Hoseok for doing this.
Curse Jin for… his attractiveness.
A few days passed and they had fallen into a routine. Namjoon would just ring Jin’s door bell instead of his own and Jin would proceed to call him inside because he was sure he hasn’t had food. Most of the time he was right.
It became a nice change. For one, he didn't have to wait in his corridor anymore, or hear Hobi tease him about his forgetfulness. Not that Jin didn't tease him, but Jin was different. There was also the fact that he used to get free food almost everyday. And good food at that.
It was a rainy day today. And Namjoon was wet, because obviously remembering to take an umbrella was expecting way too much of him. Hobi had warned him that it was going to rain, and rain a lot in fact. Not that he cared much, because now he would be back in dry space and could look out at the rain from the comfort of his own dry home.
So, he rang Jin’s bell to get to his house.
And Jin opened the door. He looked panicked, and slightly crazed.
“You aren’t him.” He said a in defeated tone.
“Um, sorry?” Namjoon said not quite sure what to make of it.
“Namjoon-ah,” Jin started. “I lost Kookie!”
“How do you lose a cookie?” Namjoon asked very confused.
“What? No. Kookie is person.” Jin exclaimed. “He is the small boy I lost.”
“How did you lose him?” asked Namjoon, trying to be calm.
“I went to pick him up from his school and he wasn’t there, so I thought okay maybe he has some after school club or something.”
“And he wasn’t there?” Namjoon asked.
“Not only that, he hasn’t been in school at all!” Jin screamed. “He isn’t even picking up his phone and what if he is dead?!”
“He’s probably not dead.” Namjoon stated.
“How do you know?! You don’t even know him!”
“Then tell me about him.” Namjoon said. “Maybe we can find him together.”
“He is my younger brother. A high school student.” Jin said. “Jungkook. And he is small and a complete squish. Like the cutest thing you will see. And mom and dad told me to take care of him for a few days, but he is lost!”
“Are you sure he didn't just skip school to do something else?” questioned Namjoon. “I mean, I did that all the time, not that I was stupid enough to get caught.”
“Kookie is not like that!” Jin argued. “He is a good boy. A model student. Don’t say stuff like that!”
Namjoon sighed. He figured Jin was too worried to be thinking straight. Maybe this was his time to shine, and not be known as a clumsy forgetful man to Jin. Maybe he could actually put it to good use and find the lost boy. Try to think about it with a calm mind and is not freaking out over losing their cute younger brother.
“Have you tried calling his friends?” asked Namjoon.
“Tae!” Jin exclaimed. He pulled out his phone and frantically started to search for him. ‘Tae’ picked up on the third ring.
“Yo what’s up, hyung?” he answered.
“Have you seen Jungkookie?!” Jin asked.
“Put it on loud speaker.” Namjoon interfered. Jin glared at him. “What? I want to know what’s happening.
Jin rolled his eyes, but did it anyway.
“Hyung, who is that talking? Is it your boyfriend?” Tae asked. “Is it that cute neighbour you were telling Kookie about?”
“Tae, shut up!” Jin almost squealed. “Do you know where Kookie is or not?”
“He went on a date. And left me all alone in this lonely world.” he said fake crying. “How could he leave me like this?! After all we’ve-”
“So, do you know where he has gone on this date?” Namjoon asked interrupting him.
“He wouldn’t tell me because they said I would gate crash. I mean I have a boy- ”
“You probably would actually.” Jin interrupted. “Thanks, Tae. Bye now.”
Jin hung up.
“So, who is that cute neighbour he was talking about?” Namjoon asked raising his eyebrows.
“Not you, that’s for sure.” Jin answered glaring him. He went to get his umbrella. “Come on, we are going to look for him.”
“We are?” Namjoon asked. “But you know he isn’t lost. Plus it’s raining. Heavily. And I am wet.”
“Fine, don’t come.” Jin declared. Walking out of his house. Jin was adamant to find Kookie and apparently a little bit of pitter patter wasn’t going to stop him.
Namjoon followed him within seconds. He declared to himself that he can’t leave a frantic Jin alone in the big city. But he knew that was a lie, he just wanted to be with his neighbour. And maybe find out if he actually finds him cute. Probably finding his brother should also be on the list, but Namjoon prioritised.
They reached downstairs and it was still raining.
“Do you want to wait till the rain dies down?”
“No way in hell,” Jin replied. “I need to shout at that lil’ shit. Do you know how worried I was?! And he is out on a date? He is an infant, he isn’t even allowed to date!”
“Okay, so we find him and you shout at him.” Namjoon nodded. “Sounds like a stellar plan. So any idea how to find your brother?”
“Um…”
“Seriously? You say all the I need to find him immediately shit and you don’t have a plan?”
“It was more of an in-the-moment sort of thing.” Jin replied. “I just figured I would think of something.”
“And you didn’t.” Namjoon stated.
Jin shrugged.
“It’s okay, I think I might have a plan.” Namjoon said, grinning taking Jin’s umbrella and opening it. “So, you coming?”
“Your plan was to go to Starbuck!?” Jin exclaimed. “I didn’t get wet trying to share an umbrella with you for freaking Starbucks!”
“Jin-hyung, chill.” Namjoon said. “Which teenager wouldn’t go to Starbucks on a date? I’ll have you know most high schoolers aren’t very creative while planning date.”
“Kookie is a creative young boy,” Jin argued. “You keep your mouth shut.”
“Fine, fine. Although you want to get something to eat since we are here?” Namjoon asked, already walking towards the counter.
“Whatever is the prettiest drink.” Jin replied. “I deserve nothing else. I had to get wet for this.”
“You wouldn’t have got wet if we were closer.”
“We were already close.” Jin said. “So close I could smell your cologne.”
“Yeah, but we need to be closer.”
Jin huffed and looked away. He came to find his brother, not a date with Namjoon to Starbucks. Wait, this was not a date. He wouldn’t come to Starbucks for a date.
Namjoon came back holding a some pink drink in front of Jin’s face. Jin had to admit it was pretty.
“It’s some red velvet thing,” Namjoon said. “It’s looked pretty on the board. Did you know that Red Velvet is actually not a flavour? It’s like just red colour mixed in the cake batter that makes in red velvet.”
“It’s cake,” Jin said. “Any sort of cake is good cake, even in liquidised form apparently. And what do you have?”
“Iced Americano.”
“A.K.A. the most boring drink you could have ordered.” Jin said.
“Whatever.” Namjoon huffed. “Where is the closest Starbucks from here?”
“Um, do you have short-term memory loss or something?”
“Well, we can’t just check one, they might be in another one. I refuse to be wrong about this.”
Jin sighed. Maybe finding Kookie wasn’t important. The brat could find his own way back home. And then Jin could go and take a nice warm bath instead of being out in the cold rain
“Let’s just go home, Namjoon-ah.” Jin said.
“No! No. Definitely not. We aren’t giving up.” he declared.
Namjoon took the umbrella and handed Jin his drink. Putting his hand over Jin’s shoulders he opened the umbrella. He figured they could at least stay dry like this. Jin didn’t even question it. He just held the two cups. He even held Namjoon’s cup in front of him to drink.
Namjoon was very much enjoying himself, until he came to the realisation of how romantic this was. And his mind went to a spiral of thoughts of how it would be to date his neighbour.
It could happen. He did find him cute. Unless he was talking about Hobi. Shit what if he was talking about Hobi. Hobi was very cute, he couldn’t deny it.
He decided to be an optimist and believe that the cute neighbour was him. Besides Hobi has met him like one time, and Namjoon… more than once.
“Are you alright, Namjoonie?” Jin asked, looking at his scared expression.
“Yeah, um. Yeah. Why are your shoulders so broad? Not that it is a bad thing. It’s a great thing. Shoulders are attractive.” Namjoon rambled.
“Thanks? I grew them myself.” Jin replied.
“Right… well, here is the next Starbucks.”
“Let’s go in.”
“But we already have Starbucks cups. Won’t it be weird?” questioned Namjoon.
“They’re empty, it doesn’t matter.”
“Fine, I’m getting something else, and you can look for Kookie.” Namjoon said and walked to the counter for the second time that day.
Jin didn’t find his brother. He honestly wasn’t expecting to find him either. Namjoon’s plan seemed quite flawed to begin with.
Meanwhile, Namjoon was waiting for their drinks. He didn’t really get why he was doing this but it just felt weird to walk into the place without getting anything.
And then he saw him.
A boy. Who looked like a high schooler. Who was small and squishy. That was Jin’s description of him.
He was cute. But not the Jin sort of cute, more like the puppy sort of cute.
That could be Kookie.
“Hey.” Namjoon said walking up to the stranger.
“Hello?” He said. He seemed quite confused as to why a stranger was talking to him.
“Are you by any chance Jungkook?” Namjoon asked.
“No, I’m Jimin.”
“Oh, sorry.” Namjoon seemed to deflate. “Sorry to both-“
“Though I do know a Jungkook.” Jimin said. “In fact he is somewhere here.”
“Are you the one dating Jungkookie?” Namjoon asked, elated.
“Are you a stalker or something?” Jimin questioned, backing up.
“No, I’m Jin’s friend.” Namjoon explained. “And he is searching for his younger brother. But that isn’t important. So are you on a date at Starbucks?”
Jimin just stared at him not answering.
“Namjoon! I found him.” Jin called dragging a boy with him.
“Yes, I was right!” Namjoon celebrated .
The boy Jin was dragging behind him was neither as small nor squishy as his date was in Namjoon’s humble opinion. He was actually quite muscular and pretty tall.
“That’s Kookie?” Namjoon asked. “He is nothing like you described him.”
“What? Are you calling me blind? He is exactly how I described him.” Jin argued.
“Hyung? Is this your boyfriend?” Jungkook interjected. “You guys sure argue like a married couple.”
“Shouldn’t he be his husband then?” Jimin said, handing Kookie his drink.
“Oh, brother in-law! Hyung, you didn’t tell me you were married? I wasn’t even called to the wedding!” he said, feigning sadness.
“That’s it.” Jin said. “My house, now.”
Namjoon couldn’t point out what it was but something about his voice made all of them listen to him without any arguments. Even Jimin.
They walk back to silent. Jin and Namjoon were still sharing his umbrella, but with even the high schoolers staring at them it wasn’t uncomfortable. Namjoon refused to accept how nice it felt to be pressed up against Jin.
Jimin and Jungkook on the other hand each had their own umbrella but chose to share one, because one, Jungkook was sure his older brother wouldn’t and couldn’t stay mad at him for too long, and two, he really wanted to talk to Jimin about Jin’s knew boyfriend.
“Kookie, didn’t you tell us that Jin-hyung had a crush on his neighbour?” Jimin whispered. “So who is that guy?”
“Maybe he is the neighbour, who know?” Kookie replied. “It’s not he has that many friends to begin with.”
“And he is still more social than you, Kookie.” Jimin pointed out. Kookie pouted and huffed but didn’t disagree.
“I ship it,” Jimin added.
“I ship us more but, yeah, how can you not ship it?” Kookie responded. “Forget about that, why are you so far away from me? Aren’t you getting wet?”
“No, not really.” Jimin said. “I’m quite dry. You just want an excuse to get me closer, right?”
“Ha, no.” Kookie said, avoiding eye contact. But a moment later pulled Jimin closer anyway.
Meanwhile, Namjoon and Jin were having there own intense conversation.
“So, I have a theory.” Namjoon started.
“About how to scold Jungkook?” Jin asked.
“No! About us getting wet.” Namjoon said. “I blame your broad shoulders. If your shoulders weren’t so broad, we would have easily fit.”
“Stop getting my shoulders into it! That’s just plain rude.”
“No, that’s not out I meant! Your shoulders are like the most attractive thing I’ve ever seen! After your face. And maybe fingers.”
“Yes, I have to agree with you on that.” Jin smiled. Quite satisfied with the answer. “But how do I scold Jungkook?”
“Um, I don’t know how to help you with that.” Namjoon answered. “What do you usually do?”
“I don’t scold him, he is a very nice boy.” Jin answered. “And it’s so hard to be angry at him because he is just so cute. And that boy with him, like I thought I would be mad at him for stealing Kookie and making him go on a date, but he happens to be adorable and now I am conflicted.”
“How about don’t give him dinner?” he suggested.
“No! I can’t do that.” Jin exclaimed. “He is a growing boy who needs his food.”
“Okay, I can’t help you.” Namjoon gave up.
“Can you scold them?” Jin asked.
“Jin-hyung, I don’t even know them.”
“That’s okay, teachers scold their students all the time.”
“I’m not their teacher.” Namjoon argued.
“Please? Please please please do it for me. I’ll do anything.” Jin begged.
“Fine,” he grunted obviously not being able to deny him when he asked like that. Jin’s face lit up, he looked so relieved. Okay, maybe scolding two kids couldn’t be that bad if it could make Jin that happy.
They reached home. Jin’s home. But Namjoon had started referring it to it as home in his head. It was so much more homely than the apartment he shared with Hobi. Not that there was anything wrong with it, besides being empty most of the time, no real food being cooked in their kitchen and being a complete mess. The mess was only Namjoon’s though, but he believed that a messy house is still a home as long as it’s liveable.
“So what’s for dinner?” asked Kookie removing his shoes.
“I’ll make something for us. Namjoon change into something dry, or else you’ll probably die.” Jin said running away to the kitchen. Before going in he made eye contact with Namjoon and pointed towards the kids. Namjoon sighed and took his keys to his house.
“Is Jin-hyung leaving the scolding to you?” Kookie asked, grinning as Namjoon made his way back to the other apartment, now dry.
“Yeah,” Namjoon nodded. “How do you know? Does this happen often?”
“Well, usually it’s Yoongi-hyung.” Jimin replied. “And usually it ends with him not doing anything.”
“So you’ve met him before?” Namjoon asked.
“Oh no, Kookie just talks a lot.”
“Okay, but I am not Yoongi-hyung.” Namjoon said. “So I think I have to actually tell you something, not that it will effect you seeing your shit eating grins. But if you have to skip school at least get someone else to give your attendance, it used to be called proxy when I was your age and like have an alibi. Jeez don’t you know anything about skipping school?”
Kookie and Jimin’s mouths hung open. They were expecting many different variations of what Namjoon might say, but this was surely not one of them. For the first time since they met, they didn’t have a retort.
“So, how good are you at acting?” Namjoon asked.
“Pretty good, I think.” Jungkook replied.
“Okay, you lie to your brother that I actually gave you a deep meaningful lecture about what you did wrong and if he buys it; the next time we meet I’ll tell you all my secrets about skipping school. And I have a lot.”
“Done.” they both agreed immediately.
“Namjoon, I need your help.” Jin shouted from the kitchen. Jimin and Kookie snickered looking at each other.
“Okay, kids, you know the plan, right?” Namjoon verified.
“Don’t worry, I lie to him a lot.” Kookie said, plunking himself down on the sofa. Jimin sat down next to him.
Namjoon sighed and headed towards the kitchen.
“What help do you need?” he asked.
“Don’t touch anything, that would be a lot of help,” Jin replied. “But, I would like you to tell me what happened? Were they brats about it? Did they talk back? Kookie always has a retort for everything, it’s quite inconvenient actually.”
“Jin-hyung,” Namjoon laughed. “Relax. They are good kids, they understood. Now, I can’t tell that they won’t ever do it again. But they are kids, maybe try to help them out a bit.”
“You want me to help my baby brother date some other guy?” Jin whisper shouted. “Are you insane?”
“Jimin is also a baby.” Namjoon whisper shouted back. “I’m pretty sure he is younger than Jungkook. And besides didn’t you ever skip school when you a teenager?”
“You are wrong, Jimin is definitely older.” Jin said. “And no, I didn’t go out on dates in high school.”
“With your good looks, how did you not go on dates?” Namjoon asked, clearly confused.
“Well…” Jin thought for a moment. “It’s not like I didn’t get asked out. I did, 16 times, but I have really high standards.”
Namjoon nodded, as though that make total sense. Great, any chance I might have had with him is totally gone out of the window. Of course he has high standards! Why wouldn’t he? Who wouldn’t have high standards if they were Jin? Great my chances are getting slimmer by the hour.
Dinner soon commenced. And it was very very comfortable to his surprise. Namjoon did think that it would be slightly awkward with him and the kids around but he was quite wrong.
He realised Jungkook was quite a silent type of person, usually talking only if he needed to annoy Jimin or Jin. But mostly Jimin. It truly seemed to make him happy to annoy his boyfriend.
Jin had instantly warmed up to Jimin when he appreciated his food and offered to help him out by being his cooking assistant. By the time food was served Jin had practically adopted Jimin as his son.
Jin had also forgotten that he just suppose to be angry at the kids, and they weren’t going to remind him.
“So, Jimin-ah.” Jin said, “How old are you?”
“I’m two years older than Kookie,” he replied. “I’m in the same class as Taehyung.”
“Told you,” Jin said to Namjoon with a lopsided smile.
“Fine, you were right.” Namjoon replied. “But he still looks small.”
“That’s cause he is small.” Kookie added.
“Yah, I am older than you.” Jimin whined.
Wait Taehyung. The name sounded familiar. Where had he heard it before? It was Hobi’s boyfriend’s name. It can’t be the same one, can it?
“So, how is Taehyung like?” Namjoon asked. Curiosity getting the best of him.
“He is a complete weirdo.” Jungkook replied and went back into eating. “First time I met him he insisted on showing me he elephant on his arm.”
“He is kind of an idiot,” Jimin agreed. “But he is also really nice person and super popular, like so popular he has a boyfriend who is a dance instructor or something. We’ve never met him, but if he dances he is probably pretty hot.”
Shit it’s the same Taehyung, Namjoon concluded. Namjoon pulled out his phone to text Hobi about this new information he gathered.
“Namjoon, no phones on the table.” Jin scolded.
“Um, sorry this is important.” Namjoon said, getting up. “Actually really important. So much that I need to leave like now. Sorry. And thanks for dinner.”
He headed out and tried to open his own door, realising he needs Jin to get in he was about to ring the bell when Jin opened his own front door.
“Namjoon, did something happen?” Jin asked opening his door for him. “You seem like you just found out something terrible.”
“It’s something like that, I think.” he replied. “I need to talk to Hoseok about it actually. Like really need to talk to him, and probably shout at him. But it’s not really something you should get worried about. Thanks for the food. We should go out on a date again.”
And with that Namjoon closed the door.
Jin was standing in the corridor. “That was actually a date… my first date with him was at a Starbucks.”
“Jung Hoseok!” Namjoon shouted as a walked in his apartment. “Where are you?”
“Sofa,” he shouted back. “What do you want?”
“Hoseok,” he started slowly. “You have to be honest with me, are you dating a high school student?”
Hoseok looked at him sitting up straight. But stayed silent.
“Is your ‘Tae’ a high school student?” Namjoon asked again.
“How did you know?”
“Why are seriously dating a high schooler?!” Namjoon shouted. “Are you insane?! Is that even legal?”
“In my defence I didn’t know he was a high schooler until afterwards.” Hobi argued.
“You could get into trouble.” Namjoon stated.
“I know,” he agreed. “But it’s worth it.”
“Is it?”
“Taehyung is worth it.”
Now Namjoon wanted to be angry. He really did. He had this whole argument prepared in this head, and was all ready to drill some sense into his best friend. But he saw how sincere he looked while talking about Taehyung, and he didn’t have it in him to be angry at him.
“You know Juliet was only 13 when she fell in love with Romeo.” Hobi said.
“Yeah, and they both died.” Namjoon said.
“And fixed a broken kingdom, it was for the greater good.”
“Are you trying to say that your love for Taehyung is for the greater good?” Namjoon asked.
“Maybe,” Hobi said. “You don’t know what our future holds.”
“Okay, okay. Just be careful.” Namjoon said. “Both of you.”
“Now, did you forget your shoes somewhere?” Hoseok asked, “Because I don’t think you removed them while coming in. Or have you been making it a habit to leave your shoes behind.”
Namjoon looked down and realised that he had indeed forgotten his shoes. At Jin’s home. The same person he just declared he went on a date with. He was definitely not going to go back to get his right now.
“I ate them.” Namjoon replied.
“Did they taste good?”
“Not really, I wouldn’t recommend them.”
Hoseok nodded, approving his answer.
Namjoon went to his room and dived face first into his bed. Sleep seemed really great after the long day he had. But with his bad luck he wasn’t sleepy at all.
And then his phone vibrated.
From Neighbour Seokjin
UR BEST FRIEND IS DATING MY TAEHYUNGIE OH MY GOD
From Neighbour Seokjin
Plot twist
Namjoon was going to reply but then thought fuck it and called him instead. He felt that the situation would be better addressed while talking. Not because he wanted to hear Jin. Nope, that is definitely not the reason.
Jin picked up after two rings.
“Hello” He spoke.
“Uh, hi.” Namjoon started. “Um, yeah so, Hobi is dating Tae.”
“Is that why you called?”
“Well, I thought it would-“
“I heard it all of it through the door. You’d be surprised how thin the walls are.”
“Are you standing outside my door?”
“Um… yes.”
“Come in.”
“What?”
“You have the keys, come in.”
“Okay, but-“
“My room is the first door on the left. Ignore Hobi, if he says anything.”
He could hear the shuffling of the keys and the door being opened. He wasn’t sure why he asked Jin to come in. Part of him thought that Jin wouldn’t agree and just go back to his home.
“Just so you know,” Jin said opening his door. “Your roommate thinks we’re going to have sex and I didn’t agree to any of this. Not till the third date.”
“We’ve been on two,” Namjoon argued sitting up.
“One. Which was a Starbucks, so I would like a redo.”
“Two. We went to two of them.”
“You know what,” Jin said. “I take that back, we’ve been on zero.”
“Why?” Namjoon asked pouting.
“I want to be asked properly, not just when I’m trying to find my brother.”
“Should I also go down on one knee?” asked Namjoon.
“I wouldn’t be apposed to it,” Jin said. “I deserve the best.”
Namjoon just chuckled and got to up get down on his knee.
“Jin-hyung, would you please go out on a proper date with me?” Embarrassment evident in his voice.
“Yes.”
They both burst out laughing. Maybe it was the fact that they both knew they wanted this even though they never spoke about it. Or maybe it was the fact that Namjoon actually went down on his knee, and then started to get embarrassed about it.
“Tae!” they heard Hobi shout. “Namjoon finally asked him! OMG my ship is sailing! You have to come over, we need to celebrate!”
“Don’t you think he is a little too excited?” Jin asked.
“This is normal for him,” Namjoon assured him. “Don’t worry you’ll get used to it.”
“I mean, I have to since he is my boyfriend’s best friend.” Jin said. And then realised what he said.
“Boyfriend.” Namjoon repeated. “I like the sound of that.”
“Anyway, boyfriend.” Jin smiled. “I think I have to leave you because Jikook are on my couch, alone. And I really don’t want them to get upto anything.”
“Who is Jikook?” Namjoon asked.
“Jimin and Jungkookie, it’s what they call themselves apparently.” Jin explained. “It’s their ship name.”
“What’s our ship name?”
“Namjin.”
“I think you should let Jikook have their fun, and we should make Namjin real.” Namjoon suggested.
“Jikook are small children! Don’t even suggest such things!” Jin exclaimed. “And third date! I already told you.”
“I wasn’t thinking of anything sexual,” Namjoon mumbled. “I just wanted to spend time with you.”
“Come to my house then,” Jin sigh.
“Nah, it’s alright.” Namjoon said. “Tomorrow I’ll take you out on a proper date.”
Jin smiled and left.
Namjoon waited till he heard the outside door open and close to finally move. And he grabbed the closest pillow hugging it like a love struck teenager. He wanted to scream. He really did, but for now he would leave the screaming to Hobi.
“Hobi!” Namjoon finally got up, waddling out of his room. “I need your help.”
“How come whenever you come to me it is always about advice?” Hobi asked still lying on the couch, with his phone on his chest and Tae on the other line.
“Because you are good at giving advice.” Namjoon stated. “And you apparently know me better than I know myself.”
“Fair enough,” Hobi said. “But the answer I was looking for was that you love me so I’m not helping you.”
“Seriously?” Namjoon asked. “Please advice me.”
“Say you love me first.”
Namjoon glared at him.
“I love you.” Namjoon finally said, although it did sound more like a death threat than a love confession. Not that that fazed Hobi.
“I knew you would come around,” Hobi grinned getting up. “So, you want to know how to plan the perfect date?”
“How…?”
“Oh, I was eavesdropping on your namjin conversation.” Hobi said, “I ship namjin, so you have my approval.”
“Don’t you have anything better to do?” Namjoon asked.
“No, not really.” Hobi stated. “I’m actually quite bored. Tae can’t hang out today, and well… hey, do you think we could double date?”
“No. Help me first.”
“I’ve never really talked to Jin,” Hobi said. “I met him one time. So saying that I know him, well that’s not exactly true. I don’t think I can advice you this time sorry. But, I love you too.”
“I hate you,” Namjoon glared.
“No, you love me.”
Namjoon thought he wasn’t one to usually fuss over dates. Apart from his lack of a dating life, he also believed that if someone were to date him it was because of him and not the dates they go out on.
Now he didn’t believe that Jin said yes for any other reason other than being with him, but Jin deserved the best. And Namjoon had no idea what the best was.
Hoseok was his only hope. But he did have a fair point. Hoseok didn’t know Jin.
He knew Jin.
And he knew that Jin liked pink, and food, and he double knotted his shoe laces. He knew that Jin worked out and actually kept fit. He knew that Jin could be very dramatic if he chose to be. And he liked dad jokes.
But none of that helped him with plan a date.
He tried to go to his trusty friend google, but that idea failed because none of that would be worthy enough for Jin. Namjoon knew somewhere down the line that he was putting him on this pedestal, he was smart enough to know that, but damn it he couldn’t help himself.
To Neighbour Seokjin
do you have any particular place you want to go to?
From Neighbour Seokjin
Yes. Mcdonalds. I’m really craving chicken nuggets right now.
From Neighbour Seokjin
But I’m always craving chicken nuggets
To Neighbour Seokjin
ill get you a chicken nugget
To Neighbour Seokjin
a single chicken nugget
From Neighbour Seokjin
I prefer a six pack, in men and nuggets.
To Neighbour Seokjin
shit i dont have either
From Neighbour Seokjin
That’s alright, you have a six pack in your mind. And that works too.
To Neighbour Seokjin
thanks
Great, now Namjoon was craving Mcdonald’s in the middle of the night. Jin was really unhelpful and got him thinking about chicken nuggets. It wasn't that Namjoon particularly liked chicken nuggets to begin with, it’s just the fact that Seokjin mentioned it made him want to have it.
He wasn’t sure what had gotten into him to actually go out of the house, and go to the closest Mcdonald’s. He wouldn’t do this on a normal day. But he seemed to have lesser and lesser normal days as Jin got into his life.
He got out of his room, only to be greeted by Hobi and Taehyung who were lazing on top of each other on the couch giggling. Taehyung was giggling, and Hobi was somewhere between screaming and laughing.
Guess Taehyung could finally make it.
Namjoon had been friends with him long enough to not be affected by it.
The night was chilly, but not quite unpleasant. It probably would have been better if he had a jacket and wasn’t in Hobi’s fluffy slippers. In his haste of trying to not interrupt his roommate and Taehyung, he managed to wear his ugly slippers. Namjoon’s was pretty sure these weren’t meant to go out in, and also that if he wore these to long he would probably end up tearing them.
Namjoon walked for a total of five whole minutes before he decided this wasn’t worth it just for chicken nuggets, but maybe it was worth it for Jin.
And that is how he got the idea to call Jin, at what is considered an ungodly hour for most humans.
Jin picked up after the third ring.
“Hello,” he answered.
“Hi,” Namjoon said. “I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to get some chicken nuggets right now?”
“Do you even know what time it is?” Jin questioned. “You didn’t even ask if I was asleep or not,”
“You are playing video game, I can hear the mario kart theme in the background.” Namjoon argued. “And besides you are the one who made me start craving chicken nuggets and then come out in the cold and, take responsibility for your action, hyung.”
“My actions?” Jin scoffed. “It’s not even my fault!”
“Jin, please. I want you.”
There was silence on the other end. The silence lasted for a whole of 15 seconds.
“Fine,” Jin spoke. “I’ll be there in 5 minutes.”
Namjoon stood under a streetlamp. Not for any practical reasons, but he just figured that looked more aesthetic, and he was wearing Hobi’s ugly slippers and wanted at least something to make it look cooler.
And then he spotted Jin. In a pink sweatshirt and jeans. Goddamit he looked stunning. He had two problems with that, the first he looked like trash compared to him and two, his face was extremely distracting. From what he wasn’t quite sure. But it was distracting.
“Ah, if you were in your nightwear why did I bother changing?” Jin cribbed when he saw him.
“This is not-“
“I wore pants for you, Namjoon!” Jin exclaimed. “I actually wore pants for you.”
“Well, you didn’t have to…” muttered Namjoon.
“Of course you would prefer me without pants,” Jin said rolling his eyes.
“Right…” Namjoon nodded, and started walking forward. He refused to continue that conversation because imagining Jin in such a state wasn’t good for Namjoon’s health. No. No. Think about other stuff. Like puppies and Kanye West or Ryan. Yes, Ryan would save him.
“Why are you walking so fast, Namjoon?” He heard Jin whine behind him.
“Sorry,” he said slowing down. “I was just…really thinking about chicken nuggets.”
“You are suppose to get me my single chicken nugget.”
“I’ll get you a six pack,” Namjoon said. “You did say you like a six pack… also, just on a completely unrelated note how do you know I don’t have a six pack? It’s not like you’ve seen me naked.
“Do you want me to see you naked?” Jin asked, completely casually. As though he didn’t just suggest being naked. Jin started laughing, a laugh that shouldn’t look that attractive. “You’re blushing, Namjoon-ah.”
“You are the one saying dumb shit.”
“But you are the one who likes it,” he said with a wink.
He isn’t wrong, Namjoon thought.
Thankfully they had reached Mcdonald’s. Although the one near their house was a shady one, and at this time probably only had questionable people but it also had chicken nuggets which is what he wanted. Or rather Jin wanted, but you know what same difference really.
After a few more minutes of placing their order and Jin paying for their food because in his haste Namjoon had forgotten his wallet. Jin didn’t really seem to mind, and being the older one he said it was his responsibility to pay.
Jin didn’t even order a six pack. He ordered a nine pack.
“Maybe I lied,” Jin said. “I don’t really like six packs, okay they aren’t that bad on men, but seriously six chicken nuggets aren’t enough. It’s like you inhale and they are over.”
“Yes, I get you.” Namjoon agreed, not really seeing the point in ranting over six pack of chicken nuggets but if it was Jin. And he could be doing anything and Namjoon would still look at him with a smile. There was just something in him that was so purely… Jin.
And that is when Namjoon came to terms with the fact that he is probably completely whipped.
He didn’t even mind. It was worth it.
“Do I have something on my face?” Jin asked. “You’ve been staring, with this almost creepy grin on your face.”
“Yeah, there is actually something here.” he replied, and then proceeded to licked the side of Jin’s lips.
Jin’s face was many different shades of pink, which made Namjoon laughing. This was definitely his favourite Jin expression.
“I knew it.” Jin whispered.
“Know what?” Namjoon whispered back.
“That my boyfriend is a pervert.”
Namjoon’s creepy cute grin came back, and he tried covering his face.
“Why are you the one getting shy?” Jin asked, utterly confused. Wasn't Namjoon the one who just licked Jin, wasn’t he the one who was suppose to be shy?
“I just remembered I’m your boyfriend.” he giggled.
“If every time I mention boyfriend and you have that reaction, it’s going to get quite problematic. ” Jin sighed. “Beside, what else would you be? I mean, you did choose our first date to get chicken nuggets past midnight.”
“Wait, what? This is our first date?” Namjoon questioned. It didn’t click that it was a date, until he mentioned it. He just wanted to be with Jin.
“Now it is.” Jin declared. “It is a date, with my boyfriend. Who is very smart, but also very dumb.”
“I’m not dumb, it’s just… I’m just like this around you.” Namjoon confessed.
“What is it about me?” Jin asked, “I’m just me. Simple Jin who makes dad jokes and laughs about it himself.”
“I don’t see how that’s a bad thing, actually it is a great thing.” Namjoon said. “And I happen to really like your dad jokes. And like you smell great. That’s definitely a key selling point for you, Jin.”
“Of course it is.” Jin scoffed.
“So, this is our third date, right?” Namjoon asked.
“No, it’s the first. Haven’t you been listening?”
“Okay, but can we make it our third date?” he pleaded.
“Do you want to sleep with my that badly?” Jin asked.
“Well, yeah. But, no not for that.” Namjoon said. “I mean, let me rephrase that. Of course, I want to sleep with you. Who wouldn’t, you are fucking gorgeous and incredible. But, no. I don’t really care about having sex, I mean you call me your boyfriend and that still seems unreal.”
“Then what is the problem?” Jin asked.
“Taehyung is over at our apartment. And they both are really loud individuals.”
“Are you saying that your best friend is sleeping my small son, Taehyung?!” Jin exclaimed, getting up and rushing out of the door. “He is a high schooler! He is young and naive and small, how did I not know about this?!”
“Hyung!” Namjoon whisper-shouted, followed him trying to catch up and calm him down. “Jin-hyung!”
“You can’t stop me, I don’t care how cute you are. Taehyung is a child!” Jin continued, stomping his way back home.
“Jin-hyung!” Namjoon said, holding his arm. “Jin.”
Jin finally stopped his exclamations and looked at him, clearly angry.
“They aren’t loud because they are having sex, they are loud because they stay up all night playing video games.” Namjoon explained. “I mean, I have never been disturbed by them in anything … indecent, but I know Hoseok is smarter than to do anything wrong. I trust him.”
“Fine,” he huffed. “But then what is the problem? Because from what I know, you aren’t exactly a light sleeper.”
“Yeah, I would love to sleep,” Namjoon said. “If they let me. See, the thing about those two is that they both strongly believe in the concept of the more the merrier and I am usually the only one that they can get a hand on. Last time he was over, Hobi forced me to stay up with them and play Overwatch. I am terrible at video games, and can’t keep up with these children. You see my problem?”
“Namjoon-ah?” Jin coddled. “You do realise that I was playing video games before you called me out here right?”
“But I like you!” Namjoon exclaimed. “I mean, I like them too. But it’s different.”
“How is it different, Namjoon-ah?” Jin teased.
“I like-like you.” Namjoon smiled and leaned closer to Jin. He was millimetres any from Jin’s lips, his smell overwhelming him. Finally, Jin closed what little distance was between them.
Their kiss lasted for a while. Until the cold night got to them, and they figured going home was a better idea.
“I’m not allowing you to sleep over though,” Jin said.
“Why?”
“Do you know how loudly you snore?” Jin exclaimed. “Also Kookie is home, and he took the spare bed.”
“I’ll take the couch.”
“Namjoon, no.” Jin said. “Besides playing Overwatch doesn’t seem that bad.”
“I’m tired, hyung.”
“Maybe you should sleep in the corridor,” Jin chuckled. “Like how I first found you.
In the end, Jin didn’t have it in him to deny Namjoon and ended up letting him stay. Even share a bed, which normally would have other thing attached to it but both of them were so tired they fell asleep almost immediately.