Work Text:
With winter around the corner, Jungkook could barely get enough of the small space heater he and Hoseok had bought. It was a cheap one, cheaper even when the price was split between two, but powerful enough to keep him warm while attacking his most recent art escapade; escapade meaning landscape. He had never painted a landscape before. It was exhilarating.
Except it really wasn’t - nothing seemed to look right, every house seemed wonky and every little cloud seemed far too non-cloud-like. Landscapes were proving to be far more difficult than anticipated. Jungkook missed still life. He had always found that easiest.
The only problem with the space heater was that it was meant to be shared. Meaning he couldn’t have it at every available moment.
“Jungkook, do you have the space heater?” Hoseok asked, even though he could very clearly see that Jungkook did, indeed, have it.
“No.”
“Can I use it?” Translation: I’m taking this now.
“No.” Translation: NO.
Hoseok apparently didn’t care about what Jungkook said (and what his actual meaning was) because he made his way over to the heater anyway, pulling the plug from the socket. He even ignored Jungkook’s indignant cry, smiling pleasantly.
“I’m cold, Jungkook. Please?” Really, how dare Hoseok exploit Jungkook’s weakness of a nice smile on a cute boy. Not that Hoseok actually knew about this weakness, but still.
“Uh-”
“Thank you!” Hoseok called back as he skipped off, Jungkook’s beloved space heater in his arms.
“Hello darkness, my old friend.” Jungkook mumbled to himself, wrapping his cardigan tighter around himself. He was already beginning to feel the chill of the late autumn air. Part of him was tempted to follow Hoseok into the bedroom and just sit in front of the heater. Unfortunately, though, bills don’t pay themselves and his artwork needed to be completed if he had any hope of selling it.
He had made a name for himself in the local art community, at least, and it was rare a piece of his didn’t sell. He never made much off his art - a couple hundred thousand won at the very best - but money was money. Hoseok was a lenient roommate, always alright with paying a little bit more rent money every now and then until Jungkook could pay him back.
“Jungkook, this is Hoseok. He’s looking for a roommate too.”
Yoongi, a mutual friend, had introduced them. He met Hoseok through a love for rap and Hoseok and Jungkook found they could connect through a love for dance. While Hoseok danced for a living, Jungkook danced for a hobby, and this worked out nicely.
Hoseok ran a small dance school for young people and Jungkook was allowed to use a studio whenever he pleased, provided there was no class running. In return, Jungkook let Hoseok run endless amounts of choreo by him for an extra opinion. Their nice arrangement, plus the cheaper rent, was good from every point of view.
It had taken a while for Jungkook to warm up to Hoseok. He was naturally shy and a loud, sunshiney man like Hoseok was expected to bring out the introverted nature in Jungkook. Being around Hoseok at first was intimidating and a little exhausting. Jungkook liked the peace and quiet; Hoseok was the opposite.
“Do you want to order takeout?” Hoseok had asked one night, taking Jungkook’s attention away from his sketchpad. “You can pick.”
“Uhm.” Jungkook hesitated. “Well… can we order from that little Japanese restaurant down the road? I really like that place.”
It was over eating noodles with Hoseok at 11pm at night that Jungkook realised that he wasn’t the worst company to keep. Sure, Hoseok could be talkative and excitable and loud but he could wind down when necessary. Jungkook felt truly comfortable in Hoseok’s presence for the first time since they moved in together a month beforehand.
Three months on, and Jungkook felt like he could at least class Hoseok as a good friend. They weren’t the closest two ever (Jungkook’s natural evasion to anything intimate helped with that) but at least they could bicker easily without any massive fallout. For example: the space heater.
The coffee he bought was still warm by the time Jungkook got back to their apartment, thank God, because it meant he could use it to warm his hands for a little longer. His latest art exhibition had gone over well, he was a thirty thousand won richer than he was before and today seemed like an overall good day.
Their room was empty - Hoseok was probably out teaching a class - and Jungkook took solace in the quietness. Good day or not, excessive interaction with the public just made him want to curl in a ball and spend the rest of his day staring at a wall. Not that he would actually do that, of course. Empty house meant watching anime without headphones - he wasn’t going to go through the humiliation of having Hoseok think he was watching some weird porn again.
First port of call, however, was the space heater. Oh, how Jungkook adored that space heater. It was probably his favourite thing to ever exist (don’t tell his copic pens). He could already feel the beautiful way the heater softened his frozen limbs and warmed his cold, dead heart. He felt love for nothing except the space heater.
Except, when he tried to turn on the toasty heaven machine, nothing happened. There was no signs of life and, more importantly, no signs of heat. Naturally, Jungkook panicked.
Hoseok picked up after the third ring, sounding a little out of breath. ”Hello?”
“Hyung,” Jungkook began, trying to remain calm. “Hyung, the space heater won’t turn on?”
“Is it switched on at the wall?” Hoseok was clearly distracted, the telltale shuffling on the other side of the line indicating that he was doing something else while talking to Jungkook.
“Yes! I already checked!” Jungkook cried out while checking it was definitely switched on at the wall because he didn’t want to look like a complete fucking idiot. “Do you really think I wouldn’t consider that?”
“I wouldn’t put it past you, to be honest,” Hoseok replied, much to Jungkook’s disdain.
“Bite me. When will you be home?”
“Later.”
“Hyung, I need you to fix the heater.” Jungkook pleaded, putting on the most desperate voice his dignity would allow. “Please.”
“Seriously, Jungkook, I’ll be home later, okay?” Hoseok’s voice was patient and Jungkook actually had no idea how. “I’ll fix it for you then.”
Hoseok couldn’t fix the heater and Jungkook felt like death would be sweeter. Neither of them could figure out the exact cause behind the sudden failure of their only heat source, which made things even worse - who could they blame if there was no obvious person to place the blame on?
The days had been getting colder and colder, the nights even more so, and Jungkook was actually sure he was going to freeze to death. He was already wearing in the thickest hoodie he owned just for the few hours he had been waiting on Hoseok; the weather wasn’t even at it’s coldest yet he had spent a good part of that time shivering violently. It could be said that Jungkook didn’t do well with low temperatures.
It was bad enough that he was struggling to focus on all his artwork for the following days, always too busy wiggling his toes about to make sure he didn’t lose feeling in them. He was always a little paranoid about frostbite and his toes falling off (something he read in his childhood - don’t ask).
Then winter hit. Yeah, Jungkook was going to fucking die.
At first, Hoseok acted like he wasn’t overly bothered by the freezing temperature, unlike Jungkook who made a point of making a small exclamation every time he shivered, but his facade began to crack during the nighttime. It was obviously his first winter without some form of heating and he was definitely feeling the effects.
It wasn’t like they didn’t have the option of paying for heating, it was just that- well, paying. They weren’t completely broke but they definitely didn’t have enough money to spare on a large heating bill. They had both agreed it was better to avoid it completely than to get a few nights of heat and spend the rest colder than before.
“Oh my God, Jungkook. Please.” Hoseok whispered into the darkness of their room, exasperated. “Please, shut up.”
Jungkook tried to talk through the chattering of his teeth. “I can’t.”
“Jungkook, I can’t sleep at all with that noise.” Hoseok begged, rubbing at his face. His bed was a good three foot and a bit away from Jungkook’s but he swore he could hear the chattering as if it were right next to him.
“I c-can’t help it!” Jungkook whined, a shiver wracking his body. “H-hyung, I’m actually freezing.”
“And I’m actually trying to sleep.”
“Hyung, I’m cold!” Jungkook tried again, rolling around in his bed.
“What do you expect me to do about it?”
“Hyung…” Whatever Jungkook was about to say, Hoseok already knew he’d disagree. “Hyung, can we turn the heating on?”
“No!” Hoseok hissed. “We agreed! No heating. Are you gonna pay for all of it?”
“You’re cold too, right? Just for one night!”
“No, Jungkook.” Hoseok said as firmly as possible.
Jungkook groaned loudly and flipped over onto his stomach. Then flipped back over. Then onto his side. The teeth chattering started up again soon after. Hoseok was losing his damn mind.
“Oh my God, Jungkook, come here.” Hoseok huffed, lifting his covers a little to signal Jungkook over. The cold air that hit his chest made him shiver violently.
At the very least, Jungkook didn’t need to be asked twice before he was stumbling across the room, his own blankets wrapped around his shoulders. He waddled across the wooden floor, hissing at the chill it brought against his feet, and clambered onto Hoseok’s bed with the grace of an elephant.
It appeared that desperate times called for desperate measures in Jungkook’s mind, because he had no shame in pressing himself onto Hoseok, cuddling into his chest like Hoseok was the only available heat source (which he was but, you know). Hoseok was surprised at first - he couldn’t remember the last time Jungkook had shown so much affection - but made quick work of their blankets, ensuring they were both wrapped up tightly in the warm covers.
“So cozy…” Jungkook murmured, apparently already nearing sleep. He must have actually been really tired, Hoseok realised. Maybe the cold had been affecting his sleep more than Hoseok had really considered. Truthfully, it was more comfortable sleeping together with double the amount of blankets. It wouldn’t be too bad, just for one night, Hoseok supposed.
Jungkook was already out of bed by the time Hoseok woke up - another surprise. Jungkook was usually the one that wouldn’t get out of bed until midday then complain that he had missed out on half the day. The fact he was first out of bed was odd.
Hoseok found him in the living room, in front of a canvas. He was painting again, but it was too much in it’s early stages for Hoseok to actually figure out what it was. Whatever it would end up being, Hoseok already knew it would be amazing. Jungkook’s art always was.
“You’re up early,” Hoseok commented. Jungkook jumped in fright at the unexpected voice from behind him, his brush coming dangerously close to the painting.
“I wanted to get an early start at this piece.” Jungkook gestured towards the art in front of him, a slightly nervous gesture. “Early bird catches the worm and what-not.”
“Mmm.” Hoseok hummed, gently ruffling Jungkook’s hair. He didn’t miss the way Jungkook stiffened. “Well, I’ve got to shower then I’ll be heading to the studio. Make sure you eat at some point, alright?”
“Yeah, hyung.” A small smile crept onto Jungkook’s face as he blinked up at Hoseok, and a warm feeling came over Hoseok’s chest. Jungkook’s small smiles were a very nice thing.
One night ended up becoming every night. It wasn’t that Hoseok was complaining because cuddling with Jungkook was an extremely pleasant experience. Jungkook’s body was warm and he was incredibly clingy for someone who could be so standoffish. If there was something Hoseok enjoyed a lot, it was snuggling with a person who snuggled back.
The first night after, Jungkook obviously tried to remain cool about the whole situation, but the cold was clearly getting to him. The moment his teeth chattering started up again, Hoseok called him over; there was no way he was dealing with that racket like before. Jungkook didn’t try to resist.
Two invitations, at least, convinced Jungkook to start taking the initiative and crawling into Hoseok’s bed first. He ended up just leaving his own duvet covers tangled up with Hoseok’s during the day. The sight of something so strangely domestic made Hoseok’s heart feel a little weird.
So, yes, sharing a bed with Jungkook was good. It was just that Jungkook talked. Once he had caught up on all the sleep he had lost to the cold, Hoseok realised Jungkook had that bad habit of asking questions out of the blue. He was the embodiment of that one sleepover goer that asks if birds have feelings at 3am. Except, with Jungkook, it was insects.
“Jungkook, spiders probably don’t have big enough brains to feel emotions.” Hoseok sighed. “I’m sure running away is just an automatic survival reaction, not fear.”
“But how do you know?” Jungkook countered, his head resting on Hoseok’s shoulder. Hoseok had been resisting the urge for nearly half an hour to start brushing his fingers through Jungkook’s hair.
“Because I just do.” Hoseok whacked the arm laying across his stomach. “Now, please go to sleep. Don’t you have work to do tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Jungkook huffed and pressed his nose against Hoseok’s shirt.
They lapsed into silence, to Hoseok’s relief, and he waited for the telltale signs of Jungkook finally finding sleep. His breathing would slow and his body fell completely still. It wasn’t until Hoseok had been sharing body heat with Jungkook that he realised the younger found it difficult to keep still. He always had a leg twitching or a hand fidgeting. It was subtle and Hoseok wasn’t sure how he felt about finding out such a small detail about Jungkook. It wasn’t a bad feeling at least.
The painting still didn’t make sense to Hoseok.
He had taken to spending his daytime huddled next to Jungkook if he didn’t find himself in the studio, sitting on the floor just below Jungkook’s chair. The warmth of Jungkook’s legs with his thick joggers on was exceptionally effective in driving the cold away. Jungkook didn’t seem to mind.
“What are you painting? I just… can’t tell.”
Jungkook smiled. “You aren’t supposed to be able to tell.”
A frown marred Hoseok’s features, his eyes landing back on the painting. It was mostly done in cool colours with a splash of pink dotted across the middle. The shapes were distorted and choppy, and while it looked beautiful, it held very little resemblance to anything in the real world. Hoseok wondered if this was what Jungkook’s mind looked like.
“It’s a new style I’m trying out.” Jungkook speaks up after a minute. “I just wanted to see how it would work out. I’ve been putting off this specific theme for a while now.””
“What’s the theme?” Hoseok asked. Jungkook didn’t reply.
Something Jungkook found himself doing a lot was chilling at Hoseok’s dance studio, except chilling was the wrong word. He was only there for the central heating that warmed the entire building and, in turn, Jungkook himself. Whenever he was feeling unproductive (or lonely), he would head down to the dance studios where he would hang around Hoseok while he worked.
Hoseok danced well. In fact, he danced more than well - he was incredible. The passion he exude while doing what he so clearly loved was everything Jungkook needed to bring back any lost inspiration. Hoseok looked beautiful while he danced and Jungkook’s fingers itched to sketch out his limbs, track his movements with the pencil. He had never felt something like that before.
Even better was when Hoseok would take a break because, when Hoseok took a break, he would come and sit beside Jungkook. While sweaty people weren’t usually his thing, Jungkook was sure he could make an exception for Hoseok. Especially since Hoseok’s biceps looked nice in a tank top and felt even nicer pressed up against own.
Of course, even that didn’t hold up to the feeling of Hoseok holding him in his arms as they slept together for warmth, but Jungkook kept that idea to himself.
“Hyung, could you teach me some of that choreo?” he asked instead. Hoseok smiled in answer.
Hoseok took Jungkook out for coffee once they were done, huddled together in the small cafe’s booth. The excuse was for warmth - that was always the excuse - but they both knew that it was unnecessary. The cafe was warm enough on it’s own.
Jungkook found he liked being close to Hoseok, though. It was a bit embarrassing to admit (which was why he didn’t), but it was the truth. It was also the source of a feeling Jungkook couldn’t quite place his finger on. One he didn’t want to put his finger on.
Winter passed slowly. The weeks consisted of coldness, the shared heat of another body and the everlasting smell of paint surrounding their little world. The world moved and so did they, always together. The way they began to gravitate towards each other was obvious, if the sly smiles from their friends said anything.
Hoseok watched as Jungkook’s art progressed. The painting never became any clearer, but it did become more beautiful with every stroke of Jungkook’s brush, his skilled hands steady and precise.
There was a little niggling feeling in Hoseok’s chest whenever he observed Jungkook working. It was familiar by now, appearing at random other times. It appeared when he was laying in bed with Jungkook, when they were sitting eating a meal together. It appeared when he reviewed Jungkook’s progress with a recent choreo he taught him and it appeared when he watched Jungkook get excited about something he was interested in.
He knew what it was and he knew why he felt it. His only issue was whether Jungkook felt the same.
Hoseok had a sneaking suspicion that Jungkook liked him too but he didn’t like to assume. Jungkook was so shy and unused to intimacy - Hoseok had no idea how he would react. He didn’t want to force anything on Jungkook that he wasn’t ready for.
“The theme is school.” Jungkook had whispered into the darkness of their room. Hoseok hadn’t expected Jungkook to speak again that night so he flinched a little at the sudden noise. Jungkook giggled and apologised quietly.
“What theme?” Hoseok asked once he regained his composure.
“For that painting. It’s school.” Jungkook licked his lips, picking out his words carefully. “It’s sort of… this idea of the college life I expected to have. It just… got distorted, I guess.”
Hoseok let his hand ghost over Jungkook’s hair, almost in comfort. “What happened?”
“It just wasn’t what I hoped for. It nearly killed my passion.” He felt Jungkook shrug. “I dropped out. I’d rather struggle and love my art than be financially stable and hate it completely.”
A hum vibrated through Hoseok’s chest. “I understand. What did you hope for?”
“Inspiration, maybe. Something… what’s the word? Vibrant? Something that would become some defining moment in my life, something I could look back on happily. I don’t know. It was just a feeling.” Jungkook chuckled. “That’s why the painting doesn’t make sense. The idea itself doesn’t make sense.”
“No, I get what you mean.” Hoseok spoke slowly. “I… I can definitely get that kind of feeling from the painting. An idea that was supposed to be clear but wasn’t?”
Honestly, Hoseok was talking out of his ass; he didn’t understand art like Jungkook did, but he could at least pretend he did. The pleased hum he got from Jungkook was enough of a reward for his efforts.
“Yeah, something like that. I’m glad it’s being conveyed right. It’s more… a feeling I want to make people feel rather than an object I want them to see.” This was a side of Jungkook that Hoseok didn’t get to see as often as he wanted, the Jungkook who loved art so much and truly wanted to share his passion for it with others. “It’s this confusion and slight anxiety? I wanted to evoke a little unease, but for it to look like it should put you at ease. Does that make sense?”
And really, some of the things Jungkook said didn’t make complete sense in his head, but Hoseok nodded anyway, humming and ahhing at the appropriate moments. Like this, he listened to Jungkook ramble on about his art and his dreams and his fears, the younger boy’s head tucked under his chin and his lips moving against his chest as he talked. Hoseok wasn’t sure he’d ever felt so content.
Jungkook, on the other hand, could feel his heart race at the prospect of Hoseok knowing so much about himself - he wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing yet. He had yet to decide. If his gut instinct was right, though, Hoseok knowing would be good. He liked the thought of Hoseok understanding him better.
He had already had suspicions about his feelings for Hoseok. He already knew they were a little more than platonic (it was so hard to not fall for Hoseok, even a small bit) but he avoided dwelling on them. Having Hoseok listen to him to attentively, however, changed things. It was clear to him now, that Jungkook liked Hoseok. Like like.
Since he was already talking out everything he’s ever felt anyway, Jungkook desperately wanted to tell Hoseok but- no, he couldn’t. If Hoseok didn’t like him back, what could he lose? He could lose his listening ear, his warm hugs, his sweet laugh, his comforting presence, his funny antics, his constant support. There was so much Hoseok did for Jungkook that was subtle and went mostly unappreciated until Jungkook realised he could lose it.
“Kookie?” Hoseok prompted quietly when Jungkook fell silent, a brooding expression on his face. “What’s up?”
But what could he gain? More laughter, more support, more hugs, more love? Would he regret it if he never said anything?
“Hyung.”
Was it worth it? Jungkook didn’t know. Maybe exhaustion was beginning to cloud his judgement.
“Yes, Kookie?”
He called him Kookie. It was a new nickname and Jungkook secretly adored it. He liked the affectionate endearment Hoseok created just for him. Would Hoseok make more for him?
Did it ever hurt to try?
“Hyung, do you want to go out tomorrow?” Jungkook asked, so very quietly. Hoseok tried to smother his sudden smile. “Like… a date?”
“A date, huh?”
“Only if you want to.” Jungkook was desperately trying to hide his embarrassment (and his fear).
“Hmmm. Depends on the type of date.” Hoseok chuckled when Jungkook’s head snapped up to look him in the eyes. “I don’t kiss on the first date.”
“O-okay, th-that’s fine,” Jungkook spluttered, his cheeks red.
“Maybe after the date though.”
Bonus Information:
Hoseok didn’t lie - he doesn’t kiss on the first date. He did, however, kiss Jungkook immediately before their first date because he thought Jungkook looked so soft and adorable in his big sweater that he couldn’t resist.
Previous statement retracted - Hoseok does lie. He kissed Jungkook three times on their first date. One on the cheek (for offering to pay), one on the forehead (for laughing so cutely on Hoseok’s shoulder) and one big smack on his lips (just because Hoseok felt like it).
Furthermore, Hoseok kissed Jungkook as soon as they got home from their first date. Really, it was a problem. Jungkook wasn’t sure his heart could take much more.