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"I see that your skills remain decidedly average."
Jeongguk snorts at the insult, bouncing the basketball and quickly dodging out of the way of the next attack. He's not quick enough though, the ball getting stolen from his possession and Junghyun taking a shot. It misses the hoop, clanging loudly against the backboard instead
"Says the guy who hasn't made a shot yet."
"I'm just hustling you,” comes the reply.
"I think the point of that is that you actually get good at some point," Jeongguk retorts.
Junghyun laughs as Jeongguk dribbles the ball, throwing it up and deftly sending it flying through the hoop. Junghyun's laughter turns to quickly to a defeated sigh.
"Give up yet?" Jeongguk smirks.
"Never."
Jeongguk smiles and the game continues. His body floods with a warm sensation of nostalgia. He remembers everything so vividly and, for the moment, it's like nothing's changed. Their sneakers still scuff harshly against the concrete; they still break the quiet with exchanges of insults; the sky still turns that beautiful shade of dusky pink as competition drags on into the evening. Even the air seems the same. The way the humidity starts to fade away when hazy hues replace bright sunlight, and the way the salty tang of the ocean is ever present despite living a fair distance from the actual coastline.
The smack of the basketball resonates dully in Jeongguk's ears. If he closes his eyes he could almost imagine that he's a kid again, challenging his hyung to just one more game before their mom would chide them for staying up past their bedtime - even though she was fully aware of the fact that she was the one who let them play on for another hour.
It's all so familiar and yet- entirely different. Their beds are no longer inside the cosy house; Junghyun's is at an apartment nearby with his fiancee, Jeongguk's is far away in Seoul with the six other members. And their mom doesn't step outside to chide them tonight. Instead she is currently focused on washing up the plates from dinner, chattering away to Yoongi as he helps her do so.
As a boy, Jeongguk never would have imagined that one day he would have a boyfriend to bring home to his parents. The concept of loving another boy in that way would have been entirely alien to Jeongguk back then. But now here he is, and here Yoongi is, the elder already settling into his second visit to Busan with as much ease as the first. Jeongguk can hear the low, rolling tone of his voice as he makes comments now and again in response to the story Jeongguk's mom is telling. Jeongguk hopes it isn’t anything embarrassing about him.
"I regret ever suggesting that Yoongi comes to visit," Junghyun sighs as a light trickle of laughter floats out from the kitchen, whatever Yoongi said apparently leaving their mom rather amused. "He makes us look like terrible sons."
Junghyun does have a point.
From their very first meeting Yoongi managed to win over both his mom and dad with surprising speed. Jeongguk had been nervous to the point of almost vomiting prior to their initial encounter, but Yoongi is a master at knowing what to say and when. Jeongguk's parents fell in love with him almost instantaneously, to the point of actually chastising Jeongguk for keeping him secret for so long. Jeongguk supposes that he should be grateful - and honestly, deep down he is - that his parents are just as supportive of his love life as they have been of all Jeongguk's endeavours.
So it's great, really it is. It's just not so great when your own boyfriend starts making you look bad. It's not like Jeongguk's an awful son - it's just that when he comes home, he's home. He wants to laze about and be fed and to make as much of their family time as he can based around sitting on a couch.
But Yoongi keeps offering to clear away the dishes, which inevitably means Jeongguk has to help too, and rather than spending their days idly lounging around the house, Yoongi keeps enthusiastically agreeing to family activities that involve going out and doing stuff. It's like he suffers some sort of personality transplant when they pass the invisible line into Busan.
He knows that, really, it's incredibly sweet that Yoongi tries so hard, and Jeongguk sometimes wonders if he does so because it's nice to have the acceptance from at least one family. So he tries not to comment too much on Yoongi's perfect behaviour and leaves the teasing to a minimum. He'd much rather his parents love Yoongi than dislike him.
Eventually the clatter of utensils in the kitchen fades away and soon enough the door to the back yard starts to open. Yoongi steps out, shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows from helping clean the dishes. Something about the way he looks, so happy and casual and stood in front of Jeongguk’s childhood home- well, it just makes Jeongguk’s chest clench in a wonderful way.
“Think fast.”
Jeongguk only has a moment to appreciate the sight before Junghyun’s hurling the basketball in Yoongi’s direction. Yoongi catches it deftly. He may be sedate and languid a lot of the time, but he’s quick when he needs to be. Yoongi bounces the ball a few times against the ground, arching a challenging eyebrow at Junghyun.
“Hey, you trying to ruin my beautiful face?”
“You talk like there’s something to ruin,” Junghyun jibes back playfully.
“Now, now, no need for jealousy,” Yoongi sighs. “Just because you’re facially challenged, don’t take it out on me.”
Junghyun snorts, keeping his eye on the basketball just in case Yoongi launches a surprise attack. Yoongi grins over in his direction and Jeongguk just watches from the sidelines. He enjoys the moments when the pair of them stop ganging up on him and fixate on teasing each other instead.
“You do know that people say I look a lot like Kook,” Junghyun retorts. “So essentially you’re insulting your own boyfriend.”
“Yeah, you wish you looked like me,” Jeongguk huffs.
Junghyun laughs and nudges Jeongguk in the side. Yoongi chooses that exact moment to toss the ball over to Junghyun. Jeongguk spots it, blocking the catch and taking possession of the ball. He quickly dribbles it around his brother, jumping up and passing it easily through the hoop. Junghyun sighs again, taking his phone out of his pocket as it starts buzzing.
“You're too good,” he mutters, seeming glad of the excuse of a phone call. "Sorry, I've got to take this."
He wanders inside to take the call. Probably Eunji wondering why he’s so late back to the apartment; Jeongguk gets that sometimes they just get too carried away catching up and lose track of time.
“He thinks you’re good?” Yoongi asks, as though stunned. “Obviously hasn’t seen me play.”
“Come on then,” Jeongguk grins, spinning the ball tauntingly on his index finger. Unfortunately it drops to the ground mid spin and Yoongi lets out a quiet burst of laughter.
“Yes, you’re clearly amazing,” Yoongi comments dryly.
They spend the next ten or so minutes playing one on one. Yoongi’s a lot better than Junghyun and, annoyingly, better than Jeongguk too. Yoongi's days of playing basketball at high school clearly have stuck with him and he darts around Jeongguk with ease, dunking the ball through the hoop again and again.
They end up bringing the game to a close when it gets too dark for them to see properly, the faint light from the kitchen window not giving them quite enough illumination. Yoongi’s beaten him outright and Jeongguk tries his best not to sulk, but he’s not really used to losing.
“So, what do I get for winning?”
“A celebratory punch to your face.”
“Aish, don’t be a sore loser,” Yoongi grins, wrapping his arms around Jeongguk from behind. Jeongguk can feel the soft flutter of Yoongi’s breath against the nape of his neck and it makes Jeongguk shiver slightly despite the warmth of the evening.
Jeongguk brings his arms backwards, hands settling on Yoongi’s hips and tugging him a little closer. Yoongi gives a low hum of contentment, chest pressing nicely against Jeongguk’s back.
“Fine,” Jeongguk relents. “Celebratory sex.”
“Hmm, kind of sounds like you win as well there, baby,” Yoongi replies, the smile evident in his voice. Jeongguk can feel the flash of teeth against his neck.
Jeongguk huffs loudly but when he turns around in Yoongi’s arms there’s a fond smile on his face. He leans down, brushing his lips against Yoongi’s. Yoongi kisses back softly, mouths parting for a brief and gentle glide of their tongues together, the cover of darkness making Jeongguk feel okay with doing this despite his parents being so nearby.
“Okay, fine,” Jeongguk says once they break apart, as though this suggestion is a real burden to him. “You can have whatever you like in bed once we’re back in Seoul. Within reason.”
“Well I like the sound of that,” Yoongi chuckles, finger tips grazing lightly over the small of Jeongguk’s back.
“I hope that you didn’t ask for sexual favours from your competition when you were on your school team,” Jeongguk grins.
“I didn’t need to win games for that,” Yoongi retorts, cocky but playful.
Jeongguk leans in again, drawing Yoongi into another slow, soft kiss. Yoongi’s here and he’s in his arms, and Jeongguk just feels so fucking happy. He’s so grateful that his parents have accepted all of this - his sexuality, his boyfriend - and similarly grateful that Yoongi tries so hard with his family. Though it doesn’t always feel like trying. Jeongguk thinks that Yoongi actually genuinely likes spending time with his family and that means more to Jeongguk than he can ever truly express.
“Thank you,” Jeongguk murmurs against his lips.
Yoongi pulls back a little. “For what, having sex in high school?”
Jeongguk laughs quietly and shakes his head, whacking Yoongi lightly on the shoulder.
“No, for this,” he clarifies. “For spending time here with me. I know we don’t get much time off and-“
“Hey, I like your family and it means a lot that they want to see me,” Yoongi cuts him off. “It’s not some massive burden.”
“Still- thank you,” Jeongguk repeats.
“You don’t have to thank me,” Yoongi tells him. He pauses, sighing, soft and a little sad. “I just wish I could have made you feel as welcome in my family.”
“That’s not your fault,” Jeongguk reminds him, and not for the first time.
Yoongi doesn’t say anything for a few moments and Jeongguk keeps quiet, letting him take his time. He knows that this isn’t easy for Yoongi. He can’t imagine what it must feel like to not have your family fully accept who you are as a person, to have to keep quiet about your relationship. He still remembers it all vividly when it first all happened.
During their Christmas break after the Wings tour, when Jeongguk couldn’t find the right time to sit down with his parents and confess. Instead he just suddenly blurted out “by the way I’m gay” during their annual Christmas movie viewing, after a few too many Soju’s for courage.
They had accepted it easily, in a way that implied that they’d been expecting this moment for a long time. Junghyun had clearly been right in suggesting that their parents had an inkling about Jeongguk's sexuality. They were also incredibly relaxed when he mentioned that not only was he gay, but that he had a boyfriend too.
Admittedly they weren’t initially so keen upon hearing his choice of boyfriend. The age gap caused his parents concern, and the fact that he and Yoongi lived and worked together caused them even greater worry. It took some convincing them - with Junghyun's help - of Yoongi's good character and of how seriously they took their relationship. But ultimately they were pleased for him, letting things be with a so long as you’re happy, then we’re happy.
Jeongguk had barely been able to believe that things had gone so smoothly – better than smoothly: things had gone great. He recalls climbing into bed that night, full of giddy excitement as he dialled Yoongi’s number to tell him the good news. He also remembers the way that Yoongi didn't pick up, and the terse sorry, can’t talk right now he received back via text message, leaving him feeling deflated and confused.
It was only once he was back at the house in Seoul that Yoongi properly opened up and explained what had happened.
Explained how his own confession that he liked guys had been met with stony silence, and his admittance that he had a boyfriend had fared even worse. There was the initial outright refusal to believe him. Then the anger, as though he was doing this as some sort of ‘fuck you’ to his parents, although Jeongguk has no idea how they could think such a thing. Yoongi clearly adores his family. And then came the emotional blackmail, his mother lamenting the lack of a future family and his dad stressed out about what people would think. Yoongi’s brother was the only one who vaguely supported him, although even he started acting a lot more awkwardly around Yoongi all of a sudden.
Jeongguk felt heartbroken for Yoongi then, and he still does. He kept his own good news under wraps until Yoongi eventually got round to asking him how things had gone with his parents. When Jeongguk retold his own story Yoongi did seem genuinely pleased and happy for him, but Jeongguk knew it must have hurt greatly to hear it too.
“Hopefully you can meet them someday,” Yoongi eventually says, words almost whispered.
“Yeah, hopefully,” Jeongguk replies, trying to keep his tone as positive as possible.
He doesn’t think it’s very likely but he keeps that to himself. Yoongi's parents have eventually come to accept the idea that Yoongi is in a relationship with a man, but although they accept the fact, they don’t exactly ardently support it. So far they have shown zero interest in actually meeting Jeongguk despite him and Yoongi being together for so long now.
A seagull squawks overhead, breaking the heavy silence that settles over the pair of them. Yoongi ducks at the noise and it makes Jeongguk laugh, the mood lightening a little.
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you,” Jeongguk grins, squeezing his arms tighter around Yoongi. Yoongi struggles in his grip, trying to get away, but Jeongguk doesn’t let him. “Don’t be scared.”
“What, you gonna fight a seagull?” Yoongi huffs. “And fuck you, I’m not scared. They’re just a fucking menace.”
Jeongguk laughs again, recalling vividly the incident earlier today. Not being from Busan, Yoongi wasn’t aware of the danger that comes from eating food in public along the beachfront. And Jeongguk certainly wasn’t going to be the one to warn him. It was totally worth the glares sent his way afterwards to be able to enjoy the moment when not one but two seagulls swooped in, trying to steal the snack out of Yoongi’s hands. Along with the very unmanly yelp that came from Yoongi at the attack.
“Hey, remember when my name in the group was going to be Seagull?” Jeongguk recalls airily, still not letting Yoongi escape his hold. Gym workouts paid off sometimes. “That would have been terrible.”
“It would have been apt,” Yoongi replies, trying to cross his arms over his chest in the confines of Jeongguk’s hold, but failing. “You’re a fucking menace too.”
Jeongguk smiles widely, leaning in to plant a quick kiss to Yoongi’s mouth.
“At least I don’t steal your food.”
“That’s the biggest lie I’ve ever heard,” Yoongi retorts. “You’re always stealing my food.”
“Only because you offer it to me” Jeongguk protests.
“And you’re meant to politely decline.”
Jeongguk just laughs again, pressing his lips to Yoongi’s cheek this time. Despite Yoongi’s argument, Jeongguk knows that Yoongi likes making sure that Jeongguk is getting enough food, even at the sake of his own. Yoongi makes a quiet noise of discontent but he follows it up by turning his head so that their lips meet softly.
His tongue swipes across Jeongguk’s mouth and the bickering dies away as they get lost in the slowly deepening kiss. Yoongi’s arms find their way around Jeongguk’s back, fingers gripping onto the loose fabric of his t shirt as their tongues explore familiar paths. It’s a strange feeling, being able to kiss outside, even if it is in the secluded back yard of the family house. It’s not exactly an option for them to do this back in Seoul. Jeongguk takes it all in; the gentle breeze against his skin, the heat of Yoongi’s mouth, the noise of insects stirring to life and the soft sound of their breathing when they break apart.
Even in the darkness Jeongguk can see how tenderly Yoongi smiles at him and he can’t do anything else but smile right back.
“You kiss pretty well for a seagull,” Yoongi tells him.
Jeongguk’s about to retort with a wisecrack about Yoongi having the hots for a bird but he’s cut off by the back door opening and Junghyun stepping out.
"Guys, please stop making out and come inside," he sighs. "Mom's got some awful movie she's going to force you both to watch."
"Great," Jeongguk mutters.
He doesn't mind though, really. His mom is big on family and he knows how hard it is on her for one of her sons to be living so far away, with so few opportunities to visit. He gets that she's simply keen to maximise their time together.
"Enjoy," Junghyun grins smugly as they follow him inside.
Junghyun goes to give his goodbyes before he heads off. Jeongguk and Yoongi hover in the kitchen for a few moments, sharing a small smile between them. Jeongguk touches his palm to the small of Yoongi's back, pressing a quick kiss into his hair.
Once Junghyun's left they are all seated in the lounge, ready to be subjected to some awful movie his mom's picked out. Jeongguk's about to voice his complaints when he sees the cover showing some lovesick looking girl and a handsome male looking aloof. He's certain that this is going to be terrible. He's quietened however by the stern look that his dad sends his way, although there's a look in his eyes that shows he's dreading this just as much as Jeongguk is.
He sits next to Yoongi throughout the movie. It feels weird, both of them sat stiffly upright with a good amount of space in between them. It's very different from how they normally watch movies, curled around each other and punctuating the plot line with endless drawn out and wonderfully lazy kisses.
"Well, that was- interesting," Jeongguk's dad comments awkwardly once the movie is finally over.
Truthfully it was very bland and the acting was atrocious, but it did actually supply a few laughs from just how bad a movie it was.
"Yes, it reminds me of when we started dating," Jeongguk's mom states. "Although it was you doing all the chasing rather than me."
Jeongguk laughs lightly as his dad huffs but similarly doesn't deny it. He tries not to think of his parents romancing each other; it's not something he's keen on picturing too vividly. It's weird to think that by his age they were already expecting their first child.
"Well, my courting clearly worked," his dad winks. His mom smiles fondly over at him and Jeongguk dies a little inside.
“Yes, you were quite the romantic,” she agrees, looking unnervingly giddy at the memories.
“Really don’t want to know,” Jeongguk declares bluntly.
“Aish, I’m sure even you’ve had your romantic moments, sweetie,” his mom chides.
"It's been known on occasion," Yoongi smirks.
“Never,” Jeongguk contradicts quickly. It’s not entirely true. He would die of mortification though if his parents ever knew how sappy he can get with Yoongi sometimes.
“Well then you need to step up your game, son,” his dad grins. “Got to keep that spark alive before Yoongi finds it with someone else. ”
Jeongguk groans and covers his face with his palms. The other members always talk about Jeongguk's penchant for ruthlessly teasing his hyungs; really, growing up with a family like this, it was impossible not to end up with one. He always had to hold his own against this kind of thing.
“Dad, please stop,” Jeongguk requests through his palms. “This is so embarrassing."
“Don’t worry, one day you’ll be the one embarrassing your kids,” his dad chuckles.
An awkward silence settles over the room. It’s way too soon for him and Yoongi to have ever discussed such a thing, but it doesn’t really matter. It’s not something that could ever happen anyway and everyone seems to realise that.
“Well, I would have learnt from the best,” Jeongguk says in an attempt to break the odd tension. His dad smiles but looks a little upset at having made the atmosphere turn from his words.
Eventually they all head up to bed, after Jeongguk’s mom ends up feeding them up even more, declaring them both too skinny and shoving some sweet rice cakes into their hands. Jeongguk stands outside his bedroom door and Yoongi heads into the guest room after saying his goodnights to everyone. Jeongguk’s parents may be accepting but they’re still a little traditional, and Jeongguk and Yoongi are made to stay in separate rooms, same as Eunji and Junghyun are whenever they visit.
It’s gone midnight by the time that Jeongguk tiptoes along the hallway, silently pushing open the door to the guest room like he did last night. He’s happy to keep up the appearance of respecting his parents wishes, but what they don’t know can’t hurt them.
“Mm, hi,” Yoongi murmurs sleepily as Jeongguk slips underneath the covers, immediately nestling into Yoongi’s side.
He wonders if Yoongi had drifted off whilst waiting for him. He had tried to convince Yoongi to visit his room last night instead, but Yoongi said all the Big Bang posters freaked him out too much. Jeongguk thinks he's just jealous of his childhood crushes, an accusation Yoongi denies a little too vehemently.
They share a slow, lingering kiss, deep and unrushed. Yoongi’s arms wrap around Jeongguk, pulling him closer as their tongues slide smoothly together. It's not heady and passionate, rather tender and reassuring, though it still makes Jeongguk's heart pound that little bit faster.
"Thanks again," Jeongguk murmurs softly against his lips. "For coming here with me."
Yoongi doesn't answer, simply deepens the kiss once more. He tugs Jeongguk to lie on top of him, hands drifting to rub lazily against the small of Jeongguk's back, pushing up underneath his shirt just enough. He sighs happily into the kiss and Jeongguk breathes it in, ridiculously content.
Jeongguk's phone buzzes on the bed. He brought it in with an alarm already set so that he can wake up ridiculously early to creep back into his own room. He ignores it but then it buzzes again, and again. He huffs and picks it up, ready to mute his notifications. His brow furrows though when he sees that the messages are from his family group chat.
Dad
Jeongguk thinks he's being sly again
As if we can't hear him sneaking about
Junghyun
Dad you really don't need to update me of this information
Mom
Yes please go to sleep dear
Junghyun
Are you texting each other from the same bed?
Also you do know that Kook is on this chat too right?
Dad
Yes to both questions
He's probably too busy to read this right now though
;) ;) ;) ;)
Junghyun
OK who taught dad about emojis?
Mom
Unfortunately I did
Jeongguk
I am not too busy
Just please stop typing
Dad
Sure
Just keep it down boys
I've got to be up early for work tomorrow and the springs in that mattress are rather loud
Junghyun
Omg
I'm going to sleep
Yoongi really has no idea what kind of family he's joined does he
Dad
Do you think we should add him into this chat?
Jeongguk
NO
GOODNIGHT
Mom
We'll add him in the morning dear
Jeongguk
I'm leaving this family