Chapter Text
Yoongi is hiding.
Is it cowardly? Kind of. Is it ridiculous? Probably. But he doesn’t care.
He’s pretty sure he’s not being very subtle about it. Or, well, he’s not really trying to hide that he’s… hiding. But he’s not saying it out loud, or acknowledging it. And Jungkook isn’t either. But they both know it.
It’s just that Yoongi feels trapped. It’s like he can’t go anywhere or even run his business with all the potential suitors lurking around. It’s like he’s being stalked, or hunted like some kind of prey animal. It’s making him feel jumpy and anxious, like there’s always someone waiting behind him to pounce.
The bell over the door has been jingling a lot more lately, but it feels like it’s rarely an actual customer. Sometimes, it’s a random man wandering in, dressed well and smiling, coming in to chat Yoongi up. Some of them are awkward, some of them are greasy, and all of them are annoying. They’re usually not too hard to get rid of, but the aunties are worse. They come in droves and try to show him pictures, make introductions and suggestions. At least they actually make some purchases, but Yoongi feels like they’re waiting behind every shelf and around every corner for him. Inside the shop, outside the door, halfway across town, popping up out of nowhere.
At this point, Yoongi’s about to start jumping at shadows. Ugh. All he wants is a moment’s peace.
So, the hiding.
Yoongi has taken to having Jungkook man the front of the shop for the past few days. He’s had a variety of excuses ready; cleaning and reorganizing the back workroom, prepping and hanging herbs to replenish stock, grinding herbs and packaging orders, and very thoroughly weeding the garden. There’s so much to do!
It is very obvious that Jungkook sees right through him, looking unamused and unimpressed. But he hasn’t called Yoongi on it. They both know he’s hiding, but Jungkook is letting it slide.
“Is it like pavlova’s dogs or whatever?”
Yoongi looks up from the garden bed he’s weeding, shading his eyes with his hand. “Excuse me?”
“You know, that guy that did the experiments with the dogs? With the bell or something?”
“I -” Yoongi frowns and sits back on his heels. “Do you mean Pavlov?”
“Isn’t that what I said?”
“You said pavlova.”
“Right.”
“Pavlova is a dessert, Jeon Jungkook.”
There’s a pause where Jungkook just stares at him, nose scrunched and brow furrowed. “I’m pretty sure I said it right.”
Sometimes, arguing is not the best option. Yoongi sighs and shoves his hair off his slightly sweaty forehead. “Whatever, what is like Pavlov’s dogs?”
“The bell above the door,” Jungkook (finally) clarifies. “I see the way you flinch every time it jingles.”
“Well…” Yoongi doesn’t have a good response for this. “I’m just a little on edge lately.”
“Right…” Jungkook frowns down at him, then he looks away and rubs the back of the neck. “You know, I think those beds on the other side by the fence could use more weeding.”
Yoongi looks toward the beds, then back at Jungkook. “You think so?”
“Yeah, you should probably stay out here and finish those, I’ll man the counter for the afternoon.”
For as annoying as he can be, there’s a reason Jungkook is his employee, and closest friend. “You’re sure?”
“Definitely.” Jungkook looks back at him and grins. “You’ve really been slacking on your gardening, grandpa. You gotta do a better job or I’ll have to fire you.”
And there he is. “Right.” Yoongi rolls his eyes, then smiles. “Thanks, Jungkookie.”
Jungkook winks and offers him a crisp salute before spinning on his heel and skipping back inside. Momentarily relieved, Yoongi turns back to the garden beds, fully aware how ridiculous he’s being.
-♡-
Pretty much the only real reprieve Yoongi gets is in his apartment after hours. Alone with Dotori, or with Jungkook there, sprawled across his couch and eating all his food, Yoongi gets any semblance of peace. The hours in the evening after the shop has closed, or even in the early mornings as Yoongi gets up, are a haven. Except, even if the moments he is by himself, he’s not quite alone.
Because he and Seokjin are still texting.
[Kim Seokjin]
Met the guy you rated 2/10
I’d give him a 4/10
Lounging back on his couch, Yoongi frowns down at his phone. A four? That guy was ridiculous, cornering Yoongi outside when he was taking out the trash. He leaned way too close, giving Yoongi a face full of his bad breath. And he had put an unwelcome and too forward hand on Yoongi’s shoulder, leering at him as he asked him to dinner. Yoongi nearly hit him with a trash bag.
[Min Yoongi]
You’re nuts
He was so creepy
[Kim Seokjin]
Okay, I’ll give you that
He was weirdly creepy when he brought his cat in for a check up
I don’t think the cat even NEEDED a check up…
[Min Yoongi]
And what about the bad breath?
[Kim Seokjin]
Oh yeah, it was haliTROCIOUS
The amount of ridiculous puns Seokjin has sent him by this point could fill a book. A book of very unfunny jokes that Yoongi does not laugh at. Just like he’s absolutely not smiling at his phone right now. Ugh.
[Min Yoongi]
And you still rated him a 4??
[Kim Seokjin]
Well…
His cat was cute
A cute cat? Honestly, that shouldn’t be worth two whole points!
[Min Yoongi]
Cuter than Dotori?
[Kim Seokjin]
Of course not
Dotori is a beautiful angel
Yoongi smiles to himself and pulls his knees up to his chest. The correct answer. Dotori is the cutest cat, in Yoongi’s (biased) opinion. It’s important that everyone recognize that.
[Min Yoongi]
Good answer
[Kim Seokjin]
˙ᵕ˙
[Min Yoongi]
Can we at least agree that he’s a 3?
[Kim Seokjin]
Hm… I suppose we can compromise
3/10 it is
Now, tell me the hot goss, any new proposals?
[Min Yoongi]
Firstly, never say hot goss again
Secondly, I’ve been hiding
What about you?
[Kim Seokjin]
Unfortunately yes
But this time halmeoni tried to set me up with her friend’s DAUGHTER
It’s become almost too easy to text Seokjin and have conversation flow between them. Almost too easy, like a habit, to spend his time alone with Dotori on his lap and his phone in his hands. Yoongi is thinking of it as… Some kind of coping mechanism, maybe? Because he and Seokjin can compare ridiculous attempted set ups and share stories about bad dates. And maybe, sometimes, talk about themselves a little too.
Maybe Yoongi finds it kind of nice, despite all of Seokjin’s horrible jokes.
-♡-
“Hyung, do you have any more pickled radish?”
Yoongi, arms full of cans of beer, frowns and turns back to the fridge. “I put out a huge bowl,” he complains as he fumbles for the handle. “How did you eat all of it already?”
“Jiminie and Jungkookie were fighting over it,” Hoseok calls with a laugh.
Of course. Rolling his eyes, Yoongi juggles some of the beers under his arm and manages to grab the container of pickled radish. Might as well bring the entire thing, he needs to make more side dishes next weekend anyway.
He makes his way back to the living room, where his friends are gathered on cushions around his coffee table. The table is laden with food and empty cans, Yoongi’s friends devouring the spicy stew he made them. Yoongi’s home isn’t the most spacious out of his friends, and it’s a little cramped around the table, but Yoongi doesn’t mind. He might complain about them taking up all the space, but he secretly likes having them all here and getting to feed them.
Which, well, he’s pretty sure they all know that too, not hesitating to get under his skin and annoy him. Like they think Yoongi will still indulge them (he will) and won’t stop cooking for them (he won’t).
“Thanks, Yoongi hyung!” Taehyung says, reaching to take some of the cans from beneath Yoongi’s arm. “Dinner’s great.”
“Eat more then,” Yoongi murmurs, passing out the rest of the drinks. “There’s plenty more in the kitchen.” When he sets the radish on the table, Jimin and Jungkook are quick to pounce on it. “Except for radish.”
Usually if it’s all of them, they go out for dinner or drinks (or both). But Yoongi likes staying in just as much, if not more. They’re noisy and Jungkook’s elbow is in Yoongi’s ribs, but it makes him feel content. And he would probably be cruel if he didn’t do this for Dotori every once in a while.
The little cat is in a state of pure bliss, moving from lap to lap to sprawl out and purr like a motor as she’s petted and scratched. She’s on Jimin’s lap right now, head tipped back and eyes closed as he scratches beneath her chin. So spoiled.
“This is great, hyung,” Hoseok says, cracking open a fresh beer and taking a sip. “But I feel a little bad.”
“Are you full?” Jungkook asks. “I’ll finish yours if you’re full.”
Hoseok frowns and wraps a protective arm around his bowl. “Eyes on your own meal, Jeon Jungkook. It’s not that, I just feel a little bad that we didn’t invite Seokjin hyung.”
Ah… damn. Yoongi hadn’t really even thought of Seokjin, or to invite him. “Well, we’re not really friends, you know,” he mumbles, feeling mean even as he does.
“That’s not nice, hyung,” Jimin huffs. “Just because you embarrassed yourself in front of him doesn’t mean you have to be weird. Are you purposefully excluding him because of that? Seokjin hyung is new in town, I’m sure it would have been nice to invite him for dinner.”
“I’m not purposefully excluding him,” Yoongi argues. It’s true, he’s not doing that. Because Yoongi absolutely is not a bad person like that. If someone had invited Seokjin, Yoongi would have been fine with it. “I just didn’t think of it.”
There’s a pause, and then Taehyung speaks up. “Can we invite him next time?”
“Ah, I don’t know…” Yoongi flounders here, flustered by the questions. He’s not sure why he feels so flustered. This is ridiculous, why is he reacting this way? Seokjin is just a normal guy, and Yoongi has been talking to him! Maybe they’re not friends, per se, but… why does he feel so weird about potentially inviting Seokjin to hang out with them? “I don’t even have his phone number to invite him.”
That one isn’t true, and Yoongi immediately knows it’s a mistake to have said it. He feels Jungkook go still beside him and when he peeks up from his bowl, Jungkook is staring at him with narrowed eyes. Yoongi gives a tiny shake of his head and looks back down.
“I have his number,” Hoseok says. “I’ll invite him next time if that’s cool?”
There’s hearty agreement from around the table, everyone chiming in. Except for Yoongi. There’s a pause and Yoongi knows they’re all waiting for him, all staring at him.
Yoongi looks up and - yep. They’re all staring at him. “Yeah,” he croaks. “It’s cool.”
-♡-
When everyone leaves, Jungkook stays to help Yoongi clean up. It’s nice of him to stay and help, even if Yoongi knows it’s because Jungkook wants to stay over so he doesn’t have to walk home. And so Yoongi will make him breakfast in the morning. What a brat. But Yoongi doesn’t kick him out.
Instead, they stand side by side, Yoongi washing the dishes as Jungkook dries them and puts them away. Jungkook is over so often that he knows where everything goes, which is maybe a little concerning. If he had more than one bedroom, Yoongi’s pretty sure Jungkook would have moved himself in by this point. For now he’s just ruining the cushions on Yoongi’s couch. Speaking of…
“You can’t share the bed.”
Jungkook, who had been humming as he dried, stops and glances at Yoongi. “You don’t wanna cuddle, hyung?”
When Yoongi just gives him a blank look, Jungkook giggles and grins at him. “All right, all right, I’ll take the couch.”
Totally unexpectedly, an hour later, Yoongi and Jungkook are both tucked into Yoongi’s bed, Dotori curled happily between them. Yoongi can’t even say he knows how it happened. They got washed up, Jungkook borrowed a pair of sweats from Yoongi, and then suddenly he was slipping under the covers of Yoongi’s bed? And Yoongi didn’t tell him to get out, just sighed and climbed in on the other side.
He definitely should have expected all of this. Especially when there’s an iPhone charger on that side of the bed and an extra toothbrush in Yoongi’s bathroom cabinet. Ugh. He’s getting too soft. It’s nice though, as much as Yoongi might not want to admit it. Jungkook is a familiar, comforting presence, even if he hogs the blankets.
With a sigh, Yoongi closes his eyes, tired after cooking and entertaining. A good kind of tired, but he’s still ready for bed. Especially with Dotori already sleepily purring between him and Jungkook.
“Hyung, can I ask you something?”
Jungkook’s quiet question has Yoongi reluctantly opening his eyes again. They’re close enough that Yoongi can see Jungkook in the dimness of the bedroom, his wide eyes fixed on Yoongi.
“You just did,” Yoongi mumbles, closing his eyes again.
“Hyung…”
Ugh. Yoongi opens his eyes again. “No cuddling,” he warns. Yoongi attempts an annoyed frown, though he worries the force of it is diminished by the way his cheek is squished into his pillow.
Jungkook snorts and grins at him in the dimness. “Not that, I know the rules. I’ll just cuddle Dotori.”
“Fine,” Yoongi huffs. “What is it?”
“Why did you lie before?”
The question catches Yoongi off guard. He stares at Jungkook’s shadowed face, blinking in the semi-darkness of his bedroom. What is Jungkook talking about? Yoongi didn’t lie about -
“I know you’ve been texting with Seokjin hyung.”
Oh. That.
“How do you know that?”
Another snort. “You’re not very slick, hyung. I’ve seen who it is. And I’ve seen you smiling at your phone.”
Fuck. “I have not been smiling at my phone,” Yoongi grumbles. Maybe that’s not entirely true… “But fine, yes. I have Seokjin’s number, we text sometimes. It’s not a big deal.”
“If it’s not a big deal, why did you lie?”
“I don’t -” Why did he lie? And why is he protesting so much? Why is this so weird? Yoongi has no idea why he’s reacting like this, doesn’t know why he feels so weird about Seokjin. He’s not a bad guy, Yoongi knows that. Maybe it’s because Seokjin’s grandmother tried to set them up and it feels weird, maybe it’s because Yoongi keeps embarrassing himself around him. Maybe it’s… “I don’t know,” Yoongi says finally.
Because he really doesn’t.
“Hyung…” Jungkook is staring at him, eyes big and round. “Do you like Seokjin hyung?”
“I mean, he’s fine.”
“No, I mean… do you like him?”
As much as Yoongi wants to pretend he doesn’t understand what Jungkook is getting at, even Yoongi can’t fake being that obtuse. The emphasis is obvious, and so is the question.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Because the question is ridiculous. Yoongi doesn’t like Seokjin like that, doesn’t like anyone like that. He has a busy and fulfilling life with his work, his friends, and his cat. Like he’s said a million and one times, Yoongi isn’t interested in dating. He doesn’t need a boyfriend to be happy, no matter what his friends and the nosy neighborhood aunties think.
Sure, Seokjin is nice and sort of funny. Despite Yoongi's early conjecture, Seokjin doesn’t seem to have an awful personality. And, yeah, Yoongi’s not blind. He knows Seokjin is good looking. With his broad shoulders and stupidly tiny waist, his full lips and the way his hair looks pushed back off his forehead. But that’s neither here nor there, that’s not the point.
It’s not like Yoongi has a crush on Kim Seokjin of the tiny waist and horrible jokes.
“I don’t have a crush on Kim Seokjin,” Yoongi adds.
Jungkook hums softly, sounding like he doesn’t quite believe Yoongi. He just stares at him and Yoongi finds that, even in the semi-darkness, he can’t quite meet Jungkook’s eyes.
“It’s not like that,” Yoongi insists. “I’m not interested in dating anyone.”
Another soft hum from Jungkook, his eyes searching Yoongi’s face. “I know you say you’re not interested,” he begins, “but is it just because you have a weird thing about people telling you what to do?”
“I don’t have a thing about people telling me what to do,” Yoongi argues. “What are you talking about?”
“I just mean that you’re so sick of everyone trying to set you up, maybe you’re sabotaging yourself?”
“Oh.” Yoongi isn’t quite sure how to respond to that.
Jungkook shifts slightly, moving a little closer. “What if Mrs. Kim never tried to set you up?”
“What do you mean?”
“Like… What if you just met Seokjin hyung organically? Like at the vet clinic or around town or something, without any meddling. Do you think you’d feel differently?”
When did Jeon Jungkook get so wise? When did Yoongi’s weird little dongsaeng who used to eat bugs grow up? Well, whenever it happened, Yoongi wasn’t quite prepared for it.
Yoongi has had three beers, he’s barely tipsy enough for Jeon Jungkook to pull some sort of uno reverse and make him self-reflect. That’s what Yoongi’s supposed to do as his hyung! But now…
“Jungkook, I don’t -”
“Just think about it, hyung. Really.”
Alright, well… Okay. It’s been so long since Yoongi feels like he organically met anyone that he really has to think about this. Seokjin is nice and good looking and sort of funny. And Yoongi enjoys texting with him, likes talking to him. It’s easy to get lost in a text conversation with Seokjin and lose track of time.
Maybe if things had been different…
“Maybe,” Yoongi says finally. “I don’t know, Jungkook. I haven’t thought about dating in a long time. I just don’t know if it’s what I want.”
“Okay. But, just maybe think about it more?” Jungkook suggests. “And maybe invite Seokjin to hang out next time too? If nothing else, it wouldn’t hurt to make another friend.”
Ugh. This logical, mature version of Jungkook is so weird and unnerving. “Alright, Kook-ah,” Yoongi replies. “I’ll think about it. Can we go to sleep now?”
“Can we cuddle?” Jungkook asks hopefully.
Yoongi rolls firmly onto his other side and closes his eyes. “Absolutely not.”
-♡-
[Kim Seokjin]
Halmeoni said you studied in Seoul
[Min Yoongi]
Yeah
I assume you did too?
[Kim Seokjin]
Sure did!
Halmeoni said we went to the same university
Maybe we had some of the same classes?
[Min Yoongi]
Maybe
I feel like I would remember you
[Kim Seokjin]
Because of my devastatingly handsome face? (✿◠‿◠)
[Min Yoongi]
Because of your bad jokes
[Kim Seokjin]
Yahh Min Yoongi!
So cruel!!
And speaking of cruel…
I heard you had a dinner party and didn’t invite me?
Ah, shit. Since having his friends over and his conversation with Jungkook, Yoongi has been feeling a little… weird. Guilty, maybe, for not inviting Seokjin. And for pushing him away, maybe? Not being welcoming? Really, Jungkook is right about the fact that Yoongi could at least make a new friend.
If he’s been thinking about things other than friendship, well, that’s Jungkook’s fault. And something he’s tried to push down. Because Yoongi still doesn’t think he wants to date anyone. Especially not with the pushiness he’s been experiencing. But talking to Seokjin is nice. Nice in ways that Yoongi isn’t quite ready to think about yet. They still talk about failed dates and awkward setups, but they’ve shifted too. Now it’s more about themselves, and Yoongi is finding that he likes learning more about Seokjin.
[Min Yoongi]
I’m sorry
I really didn’t think of it until everyone was already here
[Kim Seokjin]
Oh wow, I was just teasing you don’t have to apologize
But does this mean I’m invited to the next one???
Biting his lip, Yoongi curls up smaller on his couch.
[Min Yoongi]
If you want
[Kim Seokjin]
I want!
I heard you’re an excellent cook
Almost as good as you are a fisherman
[Min Yoongi]
You made that story up
[Kim Seokjin]
˙ᵕ˙
I did hear you like fishing though
Have you ever been deep sea fishing?
[Min Yoongi]
No but it sounds cool
Have you?
[Kim Seokjin]
I have! And I caught a TON of tuna!
It was FINTASTIC
[Min Yoongi]
Ugh
Come on, Seokjin-ssi
[Kim Seokjin]
Oh come on, I’m just squidding around!
Despite his protests over text, Yoongi can’t hide the way he’s grinning down at his phone. Thank god Jungkook isn’t here.
-♡-
At some point Yoongi’s going to have to stop hiding. It’s been a couple of weeks and he has spent a little more time in the shop, but, really the garden has needed a lot of attention. Jungkook is definitely losing patience though, so Yoongi’s going to have to suck it up eventually before Jungkook explodes at him.
And, when he hears the door to the garden open, Yoongi thinks his time may have come. He braces himself, ready for Jungkook to demand or beg or -
“Here he is, my favorite garden gnome!”
“Yah!” Yoongi straightens up onto his knees and turns around, ready to glare and scold but -
Jungkook is not alone. Seokjin is with him. Jungkook is standing there, grinning extremely smugly and Kim Seokjin is beside him, lifting a hand to give Yoongi a little wave.
“Hmm, I thought garden gnomes were supposed to be taller than this, Jungkook-ah.”
“Yah!” Yoongi repeats, pushing to his feet now. “What is this? I am a perfectly average height!”
“I don’t know, hyung,” Jungkook giggles. “Maybe for a mouse!”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Yoongi frowns as the two of them giggle together. “Neither of you are funny. Why are you back here? Customers aren’t allowed in the back of the shop.”
“Aw, but what about friends?” Seokjin asks, giving Yoongi a bright smile.
“Well, I -” He can feel his cheeks heating, why does Seokjin make him feel so flustered? He clears his throat and uncrosses his arms to fiddle with his gloves. “I guess that’s fine then.”
The smile Seokjin gives him is very pleased. “I stopped by to see how Dotori is doing.”
“I don’t believe you,” Yoongi responds.
Jungkook snorts and takes a step back toward the door. “I gotta get back to the front, you guys have fun.”
When the door closes behind Jungkook, Yoongi and Seokjin are left alone. Seokjin is still smiling, looking unperturbed by Yoongi’s disbelief. “Are you hiding back here?”
“Ugh.” Yoongi deflates a little. “Maybe. And Dotori is fine, you know she’s fine.”
“Yeah, I do,” Seokjin shrugs. “I came to pick up halmeoni’s tea and asked Jungkook if you had a day off today. He said you were out here playing in the dirt. And hiding.”
Yoongi’s mouth twists into a grimace. “One of those might be true.”
“Should I guess which?"
“No,” Yoongi huffs. “Maybe they’re both a little true.”
Seokjin laughs and takes a step forward. “Do you need some help?”
“In the garden?”
“Sure.”
“Uh.” Yoongi glances behind him at the garden beds, and then back at Seokjin. There’s a flutter in his belly, nerves or maybe something else. “Can you weed?”
“Absolutely.” Seokjin begins pushing up his sleeves. “You just rip off all the flowers, right?”
Despite Seokjin’s jokes and the strange nerves in his belly, working with Seokjin is a lot different than Yoongi expected. He expected awkwardness and stilted conversation, but maybe he shouldn’t have. Especially not when talking to Seokjin over text has become so easy. Because talking to him now, in person, while they kneel in the garden, seems just as simple.
It’s just weeding, nothing fun, boring manual labor, but Seokjin doesn’t seem perturbed. Instead, he seems interested. He asks Yoongi about all the different plants and grows and what he brings in already grown, how he prepares them, and what they’re good for. Yoongi can’t say he isn’t surprised by the interest, but it’s nice, refreshing to share his knowledge and what he learned from school and his grandmother.
“Is this what you went to school for?” Seokjin asks. “Botany?”
“More or less,” Yoongi replies. “I learned a lot from my grandmother too. But I was in a graduate program in Seoul before I had to quit and come back.”
Seokjin makes a questioning sound. “You didn’t finish?”
“No.” It’s not necessarily hard to talk about his grandmother and why Yoongi had to come back before he finished his program, but it still hurts a little. And feels strange to talk about. “My grandmother passed away and left me the shop and everything so…”
“Shit,” Seokjin breathes when Yoongi trails off. “I’m sorry, that was insensitive of me, huh?”
Yoongi shakes his head, smiling slightly down at his hands in the dirt. “You didn’t know, it’s not a big deal. But, yeah, I came back and took over the shop. It was always my plan, just happened a little sooner than I thought.”
“Makes sense,” Seokjin replies. “So you never wanted to stay in Seoul full time?”
“There were a couple moments where I thought I might want to, I enjoyed the city and everything, but I was always homesick.” He looks up at Seokjin, finding the other man already watching him. “Seoul was so different from here, but I always knew I wanted to come back home.”
Seokjin nods along, studying Yoongi for a moment. “That makes sense. And it is really beautiful here, and very different from the city.”
“Do you miss it? The city?”
“Bits and pieces.” Seokjin sits back on his heels, looking thoughtful. “Some of the conveniences were nice, but there are a lot of things I don’t miss. I was looking for a change and it feels like this was the right move.”
Something prickles beneath Yoongi’s skin and he sits back on his heels as well. “Do you think you’ll stay then? Or is this temporary for you?”
Yoongi could pretend he’s just being polite, making conversation, but he’s not so sure that’s why he’s asking.
“I think I’d like to stay,” Seokjin says, eyes still on Yoongi. “I think I could be really happy here.”
There is a big part of Yoongi that used the ephemerality of so many of his suitors as a deterrent. It was easy to brush things off, to not get attached, when he knew they weren’t staying. He wasn’t going to be some city boy’s fling while he was slumming it in the provinces. Been there, done that. Yoongi doesn’t need to get burned again.
And yet… Seokjin wants to stay. He wants to stay here and not go back to the city. Put down roots, have something permanent. Something flutters in Yoongi’s chest and he tries to swallow past it, eyes fixed on Seokjin’s warm smile.
“Hyungs!”
The sudden voice startles Yoongi out of his thoughts and has both him and Seokjin whipping toward the door. Jungkook is standing there, hands on his hips and a smug grin on his face.
“What?” Yoongi huffs, trying to school his face into apathy.
“It’s closing time,” Jungkook explains, which… Yoongi didn’t realize how much time had gone by. “What’s for dinner?”
Oh. Of course. “Ugh. Are you staying again?”
“Do you always cook for Jungkook?” Seokjin asks, looking confused.
“Not by choice,” Yoongi grumbles. “He just won’t leave. Eats all my food, sleeps on my couch, tries to steal my cat.”
“Well, she is very cute,” Seokjin laughs. “But why don’t you just say no?”
“Because Yoongi hyung is way softer than he looks,” Jungkook laughs. “He’s practically a gooey marshmallow. And besides -” Jungkook cups his face in exaggerated aegyo. “Who could resist this cute face?”
Yoongi rolls his eyes as Seokjin laughs. “We’re having gamjatang as long as you don’t do anymore aegyo.”
“Nice!” Jungkook claps his hands together then looks at Seokjin. “You should join us, Seokjin hyung!”
What? Oh Jeon Jungkook is horrible. Yoongi should have fired him when he had the chance…
As he gets to his feet, Yoongi glares at Jungkook, but the other man only smiles angelically. “What, hyung?” Jungkook asks sweetly. “You always make too much.”
“Well…” Seokjin begins and Yoongi turns to glance at him. Seokjin looks a little sheepish, his ears slightly red. “Gamjatang does sound good, you know, if you don’t mind…”
“You sure?”
“I don’t have anywhere to be,” Seokjin replies. “I still don’t know many people.”
Ah. Right. Making friends. So Yoongi nods and offers a smile. “Alright then, let’s go.”
-♡-
That flutter of nerves is back as Yoongi leads the way up the stairs in the back of the shop. He’d like to pretend he’s just hungry, but Yoongi isn’t that good at gaslighting himself. Yoongi feels nervous to have Seokjin in his space, a new person in his apartment. Maybe that’s not so strange, though. Yoongi is introverted, he’s had the same group of friends for years. Making a new friend and inviting them into his space is a big deal. That’s probably it. Or at least part of it…
When Yoongi opens the door, the three of them are greeted by a loud meow. Dotori trots down the hall toward them, tail held high and letting out a string of chirps and meows. It’s adorable, and gratifying, when he hears Seokjin let out a hushed aww.
Normally Dotori spends time in the shop or the garden, but she was asleep in a patch of sunlight earlier and Yoongi hated to disturb her. So she’s been alone most of the day, and is clearly ready for affection now. She winds around their ankles, Seokjin’s included, eager for attention.
“Hi, baby,” Yoongi murmurs, reaching down to lift Dotori up like a baby. She immediately melts into his arms, purring as she blinks up at him. “Did you miss me?”
“Clearly she missed me,” Jungkook chimes in, stepping up to scratch beneath Dotori’s chin and then scoop her out of Yoongi’s arms and into his own. “Hi bestie.”
Rolling his eyes, Yoongi watches as Jungkook nuzzles against Dotori’s furry head. Then Seokjin approaches, holding out his hand for Dotori to sniff.
“Remember me, pretty girl?” Seokjin murmurs. There’s a moment where Dotori sniffs him, then stares, but then she bumps her head against his fingers and Seokjin smiles. “So sweet.”
It takes a little while for them all to move away from the front door, but eventually they get their shoes off and move into the apartment. Yoongi leaves the two of them on the couch with Dotori while he heads into the kitchen. As he gets out his ingredients, Yoongi listens to the two of them cooing over his cat. It’s cute, why was he even nervous in the first place?
Yoongi loses himself in setting out everything he needs and beginning to prep, letting the sounds of laughter and conversation fade into a content rumble. He’s mostly distracted, focused on cooking, when there’s a knock on the doorway into the kitchen. Embarrassingly, it startles him, Yoongi can’t help it, jumping a little and letting out a mortifying noise as he jerks around to face the doorway.
“Sorry!” Seokjin says, holding up his hands as if to show he’s not a threat. “I was trying not to sneak up on you, you looked like you were in the zone.”
“Oh, yeah I -” Yoongi pauses, realizing he’s still holding a knife and quickly sets it down. “Sorry, I guess I kind of was.”
“I thought so.” Smiling, Seokjin takes a step into the small kitchen. “You were making a really serious face. Very scrunched and pouty. It was cute.”
“I -” Cute? “What?”
“Do you need any help?” Seokjin breezes right past the comment, smiling genially and gesturing to the ingredients laid out on the counter. “I’m a good cook.”
Yoongi blinks at him, surprised for a moment. “Jungkook never helps me.”
“I like to help,” Seokjin laughs. “And I like cooking. Halmeoni never lets me cook or help, she’s too focused on feeding me to let me get near the stove. I miss it.”
“Well, I won’t turn down some help,” Yoongi replies, waving Seokjin over. “Can you peel and cut the potatoes?”
Seokjin snaps to attention, throwing Yoongi a crisp salute. “Heard, chef!”
Thankfully, Seokjin does prove to be competent in the kitchen. He peels and cuts the potatoes with ease, as well as chopping up the green onion and mushrooms. Yoongi is used to cooking alone, but it’s nice having some help with preparing things. Especially when, even in the small space of Yoongi’s kitchen, they work well together, moving around one another with only a few bumps of their elbows and shoulders.
And Yoongi definitely is not feeling a little flushed from that. He’s a grown ass man, not a teenager.
As they work, they make conversation. Like outside in the garden, it’s not too difficult to keep things flowing. But even when they fall quiet, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable.
“You said your grandmother doesn’t really let you cook, are you planning to keep staying with her?”
“Probably not,” Seokjin says, adding the mushrooms to the pot on the stove. “I love her but she still treats me kind of like a kid. And I like having my own space.”
“That makes sense, I like having my own space too.” Yoongi pauses, considers. “Even if Jungkook is often invading it.”
Seokjin laughs and nudges Yoongi with his elbow. “But apparently you’re a marshmallow, right?”
“Ugh.” Yoongi does not let himself blush as he nudges Seokjin back. “Have you found an apartment or a house yet?”
“I have a few options, I’m hoping for something close to the clinic. I like an easy commute and it’s nice to be close in case of emergencies.”
Emergencies. Like the emergency Yoongi thought he had… Embarrassing.
“Hopefully you find something soon. Do you feel like you’re settling in so far?”
“I think so,” Seokjin replies. “A lot of changes to get used to and it’s a little lonely, but I think I’m starting to make friends.”
Yoongi glances up, finding Seokjin smiling at him. His heart sinks a little. “I’m sorry, again, about dinner last weekend. I should have invited you.”
“Ah, Yoongi, really, I was only joking when I brought that up before,” Seokjin hurries to reassure him. “I wasn’t serious. I get it.”
“Okay, well, you’re invited next time. Any time. Like tonight.”
“Technically Jungkook invited me tonight.”
Yoongi frowns at him. “I -”
“Just kidding! So a standing invitation then, like Jungkook?”
“Yes. We’re friends, right Seokjin-ssi?”
“If we’re friends, you should call me hyung.” Seokjin smiles. “If you want.”
“I -” Something flutters in Yoongi’s belly again and he wants to kick himself. This isn’t even a big deal, everyone else calls Seokjin hyung. But why, as Yoongi finds himself smiling back, does it feel like a big deal?. “Okay, Seokjin hyung.”
Seokjin beams at him. “Excellent.”
-♡-
Dinner with Seokjin and Jungkook is loud and a little ridiculous.
Seokjin and Yoongi bring the food out to Yoongi’s coffee table. As expected, Jungkook has set out the cushions on the floor and is sitting with Dotori in his lap.
“Everything looks great, hyungs!” Jungkook says, looking over the spread before sitting back and pulling his shirt over his head.
“Jungkook, please,” Yoongi groans.
Seokjin looks nonplussed, sinking slowly onto his cushion as he glances between them. “Uh… why are you taking your shirt off?”
“It was a misunderstanding.”
“You’re the one who said you wanted to eat in our underwear, Yoongi hyung,” Jungkook huffs. “And, besides, this way I won’t stain my shirt.”
Yoongi contemplates upending the hot soup onto Jungkook. “I absolutely did not say that, Jeon Jungkook.”
“Well, if those are the rules…” Seokjin wiggles his eyebrows. “We could all eat dinner in our underwear, I’m game.”
There’s no mistaking the way Seokjin’s gaze quickly moves over Yoongi in his jeans and baggy sweater. Yoongi quickly looks away, trying not to read into any of that. And also trying not to think about Seokjin in his underwear. Because Yoongi doesn’t need to imagine what that would be like, he’s seen Seokjin in just a towel. And he knows how good he looked and -
Nope. Not going there.
“Everyone is keeping their clothes on or no one is eating,” Yoongi says firmly. “Jungkook put your shirt back on.”
Thankfully, Jungkook puts his shirt back on and they all dig in. Seokjin and Jungkook eat well, praising the food and having seconds. Yoongi thinks it came out better than usual, maybe because of the help in the kitchen. Either way, even with how loud the two of them are, Yoongi enjoys himself. He finds himself laughing easily, and smiling almost fondly, managing to mostly ignore the smug looks Jungkook keeps sending him.
It’s only when Jungkook starts yawning, that Yoongi realizes how late it’s gotten. The light outside the windows has grown dark and Yoongi glances at the clock, surprised to see it’s almost nine.
“Ah, it’s getting late,” Seokjin says, checking his watch. “I should head out.”
“Me too,” Jungkook says through another yawn. “I’m surprised Yoongi hyung hasn’t fallen asleep yet since it’s almost past his bed time. Sorry grandpa.”
Yoongi glares at him. “Keep talking like that and you’re not getting any leftovers.”
Immediately, Jungkook’s smile vanishes, shifting into an exaggerated pout. “Aw, hyung-nim, please. I’ll starve otherwise!”
“Maybe I’ll just give all the leftovers to Seokjin hyung instead.”
“Seokjin hyung?”
Ignoring Jungkook’s comment, Yoongi stands and begins to gather the dishes. “Hyung, I’ll package up some leftovers for you if you’d like.”
“Absolutely, that would be great,” Seokjin says, picking up some dishes to follow Yoongi into the kitchen. “Sorry Jungkookie!”
“What if I wrestle you for them, Jin hyung!” Jungkook follows after them with Dotori in his arms, whining about Yoongi playing favorites and being mean. He sets Dotori on the counter and gives Yoongi big puppy eyes. “All I have in my fridge is old take out and beer, I’ll die without you.”
“You’re so dramatic,” Yoongi grumbles as he snaps lids on tupperware containers. “You know how to cook.” But he still shoves a stack of containers into Jungkook’s hands. “Get out of my apartment.”
Lifting another stack of containers, Yoongi holds them out for Seokjin. “Thanks for your help in the kitchen.”
“Thanks for having me over.” Seokjin smiles as he takes the containers. “This was fun.”
“It was,” Yoongi agrees as he walks Seokjin down the hall to the door. “And the invitation is always open.”
Seokjin grins and steps into his shoes, joining Jungkook at the door. “Jungkook was right about you,” he laughs. “You really are soft.”
“I take back my invite,” Yoongi huffs. “For both of you.”
Even when he closes the door, he can hear Jungkook and Seokjin’s laughter on the other side. They’re ridiculous and annoying, but as Yoongi walks back down the hall to the kitchen, he finds himself smiling.
Dotori is still there on the counter, meowing at him when Yoongi reappears. “Hi, baby,” Yoongi coos, scooping her up and pressing a kiss between her ears. “What do you think, hm?” he whispers, like it’s a secret just between them. “Do you like him? Do you like Seokjin?”
-♡-
Despite placating him with dinners and mountains of leftovers, Jungkook is starting to get fed up with Yoongi’s hiding. So he’s been trying to spend at least a little more time in the front of the shop helping customers. It gives Jungkook a bit of a break and also lets Yoongi make sure things are running well. Though that’s not really something he needed to worry about. Their walk-in and delivery sales are good, and they’ve been doing a decent online business since Jungkook set up a storefront for them online. Yoongi’s still not entirely sure how it works, but people seem to like the teas and lotions they offer and Jungkook spends a good amount of Friday afternoons packing boxes.
Business is good, but the rest… Unfortunately the aunties are still persistent. And word of Yoongi’s return to the front counter seems to have spread. He is still inundated with aunties and grandmas coming in either with their eligible grandsons and nephews, or with pictures and promises, trying to introduce Yoongi and set him up. Even after a small break from it, it’s still frustrating and tiring. And it’s not long before Yoongi feels overwhelmed again.
So, when he can’t take it anymore, Yoongi escapes. He leaves Jungkook in charge for the afternoon and flees to the back of the shop, or to the garden. Or, sometimes, sneaks out of the shop entirely.
Like now, when Yoongi is slumped against the check out counter at the grocery store Hoseok’s family owns, face buried in his arms. “I just want to do my work in peace,” Yoongi whines. “I feel like everyone’s trying so hard to get me to fuck their grandsons -”
“Ew,” Hoseok chimes in primly.
“Well that’s what it feels like,” Yoongi mumbles into his sleeves. “Like I’m some show dog or prize pony they’re trying to put out to stud!”
“Oh hyung,” Hoseok coos, petting Yoongi’s hair. “Don’t say that, it’s not true.”
“Thanks Hoseok-ah, I just -”
“If anything, you’d be a show cat!”
Yoongi lifts his head to glower at Hoseok. “I’m being serious.”
“I know, it’s just hard to take you seriously after you were hiding behind the produce earlier when Mrs. Lee came in,” Hoseok laughs. “Do you want to hide under my apron next?”
“Maybe…” Yoongi grumbles. “I’m just tired. If everyone could just -” His phone vibrating loudly on the counter has Yoongi cutting off. Both he and Hoseok turn to look at the screen and -
A new text. From Seokjin.
“Oh, what’s this here?”
Quickly swiping his phone off the counter, Yoongi shoves it into his pocket. “None of your business, shut up.”
Hoseok bursts into a fit of giggles, flapping his hand at Yoongi. “Why don’t you just get a boyfriend already?” he asks through laughter. “You have plenty of prospects,” he adds, giving a pointed look toward where Yoongi’s phone is now in his pocket.
“You’re single,” Yoongi points out. “You could be my boyfriend.”
“No thanks,” Hoseok says immediately, laughing again.
“You know if you laugh when I ask you out, it doesn’t feel great.”
“Aw, hyung.” Hoseok reaches out to pinch Yoongi’s cheeks. “You already asked me before, remember? To pretend to date you or whatever, you know I can’t lie. And I love you, you know that too, but you’re not my type. You’re too much of a twink.”
Yoongi frowns, trying to pull away from Hoseok’s pinching fingers. “I’m not a twink.”
“Sure, honey. Anyway, we’re both too alike and don’t fit together like that. Like we both want a big, strong man to spoil us and whisk us away to the city.”
“I don’t want to go back to Seoul,” Yoongi grumbles.
The rest is, well, sort of true…
“Of course you don’t, Yoongi.” Hoseok lightly pats his cheeks before withdrawing his hands. “And maybe that’s why you’re still texting Seokjin.”
“You’re the worst,” Yoongi huffs. “Maybe you should date Seokjin, if he’s so much your type.”
“If he’s my type, he’s yours too,” Hoseok teases. “And maybe I will, how does that make you feel?”
“Fine,” Yoongi snaps. Even though it makes his belly feel a little sour.
“Perfect.” Hoseok laughs again. “I’ll date Seokjin hyung and you can finally take Jimin and Taehyung up on their offer to be their third.”
Maybe hanging out with Hoseok isn’t the break Yoongi thought it would be. “Goodbye, Hoseok.” He pushes away from the counter, holding up his middle finger at Hoseok’s laughter as he leaves.
-♡-
“I had to stay an extra hour cleaning paint off the ceiling!”
“How does that even happen, Taehyung-ah?”
“Yeah, hyung,” Jungkook chimes in. “You teach five year olds! How did paint get on the ceiling?”
“I wish I knew,” Taehyung groans. “I’m pretty sure Sungho and Jieun ate some of the paint when I was trying to wrestle the paint away from Minwoo.” He sighs and shakes his head. “The paint is nontoxic so it’s probably fine, right?”
Beside him, Jimin pats Taehyung’s arm reassuringly. “I’m sure it’s fine, babe,” he soothes. “Kids eat the weirdest things, right? Like, didn’t Jungkookie used to eat bugs?”
“I didn’t!” Jungkook protests.
“He definitely did,” Hoseok stage whispers before bursting into giggles.
Yoongi laughs and leans back, lifting his beer to take a sip. Next to him, Seokjin leans a little closer and whispers, “Did Jungkook really used to eat bugs?”
“Absolutely,” Yoongi whispers back.
And now Seokjin is laughing, bumping their shoulders together before leaning away again and joining the conversation. Yoongi’s arm feels warm where Seokjin bumped him. They’re all out for drinks again after dinner, another Saturday gathered around a table talking and laughing. Something Yoongi definitely needed. It’s a little different this time though, because Seokjin is here. And he’s been here from the start. Invited to dinner and then to drinks. Not by Yoongi, necessarily, but Yoongi had texted him to ask if he was coming so…
Sort of an invite. That open invitation or whatever.
Anyway, it doesn’t matter. They’re all here and it’s fun, Yoongi feels some of his stress from the past week melting away as he sips his third beer and listens to his friends get louder. Or it was fun, until the focus shifts to Yoongi.
“I heard Mrs. Lim complaining to her husband earlier today,” Hoseok begins during a lull in conversation. “She was talking about how someone wouldn’t go on a date with her grandson.”
Yoongi takes a much larger sip of his beer. “He’s a hedge fund manager,” he grumbles. “You know I hate capitalism.”
“Hear hear,” Seokjin agrees, lifting his beer.
“You own your own business,” Jimin points out.
“Yes,” Yoongi agrees. “Which means I don’t work for the man. Anyway, Mrs. Lim is just one of a dozen aunties I’ve had to politely turn down. I’m not sure what else to do at this point.”
“You’re too nice,” Jungkook says. “You need to be firmer, no means no, hyung!”
It’s true, but… Ugh. “I don’t want to burn bridges or lose customers,” Yoongi sighs, running a hand through his hair. “The set ups are annoying, but I do like the aunties. They give me all the best gossip and bring me cookies and spend money at my store.”
“Greedy,” Taehyung whispers, shaking his head disapprovingly.
“I’m not being greedy! It’s nice they treat me like a grandson, I just don’t want to really be their grandson.” He shakes his head. “You know I’m not interested in that.”
There’s a pause and then Hoseok leans around Seokjin to look at him. “Not interested in those guys or not interested in anyone at all?”
“Well, I - “
Why is this question suddenly so difficult? A few weeks ago Yoongi would have been able to answer without thinking. But now… Without really meaning to, Yoongi’s gaze flicks to Seokjin. He’s already looking at Yoongi, their eyes meeting for a moment, then Yoongi looks away, feeling suddenly flushed and flustered.
“I don’t know,” he says finally, mumbling into his beer. “I’m just tired of all this.”
Just like he’s tired of the guy at the bar who’s been eyeing him for the past few minutes. Yoongi’s been through this enough times that he knows what’s going on. And maybe that’s his cue to leave.
Draining the last of his beer, Yoongi stands and grabs his jacket off the back of his chair. “Speaking of tired… I think I’m gonna head out.”
“Aww hyung, don’t go! We’re just teasing,” Jimin whines.
“It’s not you guys, I really am tired.” Yoongi shrugs on his jacket and pushes in his chair. “I want to go home and hang out with my cat.”
There are goodbyes all around, but then the scrape of a chair. When Yoongi glances over beside him, he sees Seokjin has stood up too.
“I’m pretty tired too, I think I’m gonna head home too. Goodnight guys!”
Another round of goodbyes and then Yoongi is walking toward the door, very pointedly not looking toward the bar. Seokjin trails just behind him, holding the door for Yoongi when they reach it. Maybe just to be polite, but maybe to make it undesirable for the guy to try to follow.
Once they’re outside, Yoongi shoves his hands in his pockets and nods at Seokjin. “Goodnight, hyung.”
“Ah, why don’t I walk you home?”
Yoongi blinks in confusion. “Your grandmother’s house is in the other direction.”
“It’s fine.” Seokjin shrugs and smiles good naturedly, inclining his head toward the sidewalk. They begin to walk and Seokjin leans toward him a bit. “Besides, what if some wayward courtiers appear and try to whisk you away to be their bride?”
“Yah!” Yoongi elbows Seokjin, nearly knocking him off the sidewalk. “You’re being ridiculous.” But he doesn’t complain when Seokjin stays with him.
“Maybe,” Seokjin laughs, recovering and falling into step beside Yoongi. “But clearly you need someone here to protect your honor.”
“My honor does not need protecting.”
“Oh ho? Perhaps you’re not very honorable, Min Yoongi?”
“Don’t make me elbow you again,” Yoongi warns. “Are you calling me a floozy or something?”
Seokjin holds up his hands in defense and grins. “No, no, definitely not!”
They walk together in companionable silence for a little while. It’s nice, the evening is a little chilly but it’s clear and pleasant. The streets are quiet, only the scuff of their shoes on the sidewalk, the sound of bugs in the grass.
“I really do wish I could tell everyone off,” Yoongi murmurs after a while. “But I do like the aunties, like your grandmother, she’s great.”
“She is,” Seokjin agrees. “But pushy.”
“Yeah.” Yoongi laughs and shakes his head. “They all are.”
“Mm, they can be. I get it.” Seokjin is quiet for a moment, then speaks again. “I have an idea though.”
When Yoongi glances over, Seokjin isn’t looking at him. His head is tipped slightly back, eyes fixed on the sky. “What kind of idea?”
“How you can get everyone to leave you alone.” He turns his head, meeting Yoongi’s gaze. “Get a boyfriend.”
Yoongi looks away, biting his lip. “It’s not that easy.” He lets out a dry laugh. “And I don’t even want a boyfriend.”
“Mm, you said that. Or maybe just not one of them. But maybe it could be that easy.” Seokjin stops walking and Yoongi stops with him, turning to face him. There’s quiet for a moment, then Seokjin tilts his head and smiles. “Date me.”
“Date you?” Yoongi stares at him in confusion. “What is this? A teen romance movie?” He shakes his head, gaze slipping to the ground between them. “I already tried that with Hoseok, though he wouldn’t go for it. Pretending to date someone won’t get the town's grandmas to leave me alone.”
“Who said anything about pretending?”
Yoongi’s eyes snap up again, finding Seokjin’s. He stares, lips parted and thoughts suddenly frozen. “Oh,” he breathes.
There’s silence between them again, but Seokjin doesn’t seem impatient. He just waits, hands in his pockets, still smiling.
And Yoongi thinks about Hoseok’s question. About how, for once, Yoongi had struggled to find an answer. He doesn’t want to date anyone, unless, maybe…
“I -” Yoongi thinks he should refuse, but maybe he doesn’t really want to. Instead, he says, “Okay.”