Chapter Text
The café is packed full. Hoseok had seen it through the front windows, but he hoped there would at least be one free table somewhere in here. Just a small one with one chair, even in a back corner although Hoseok doesn’t like those. He prefers the window seats where he can watch people. He did come to be alone, technically. It just feels less lonesome facing the busy streets and people-watching is entertaining so it will keep him from staring at his phone. But he can’t see even one table free. The girl before him in the queue gets her coffee to go and leaves the store. Hoseok throws a last glance around. The weather wasn’t quite warm enough to sit outside in the park, and he didn’t want to go back to the apartment just yet.
He knows the three baby-devils are all home right now and probably doing justice to their nickname. Hoseok loves them, but his students have been especially exhausting today and he isn’t ready for more screaming and running and jokes followed by unnecessary loud laughter and questions after his well-being. This café has always been his recluse if he wasn’t feeling like going home. It’s cozy, reasonably priced and close. He became really good friends with the owner seokjin, after helping him at the counter one day when he had an emergency.
Just as his eyes go back to the counter to order something to-go he discovers one free chair in the far corner. Normally he wouldn’t sit there, as the second chair at the table is already used by a guy. And sitting with a stranger is usually not Hoseoks favorite activity. But it would have to do the job. Hopefully the other guy wasn’t waiting for somebody.
Hoseok fully turns to the counter and orders his usual latte and a piece of jins famous chocolate-peach cake. Newcomers often think it’s an unusual combination, but it is actually the best dessert Hoseok ever ate. When he has a bad day, he treats himself to a piece. The college girl behind the counter tells him his total and hurries to make his latte. Hoseok has seen her here before. she’s fast with the machines, every hand move practiced from sheer repetition, not an ounce of energy too much put into any part of the process. They quickly exchange the food and money.
Hoseok makes a light bow and says goodbye, turning around to head over to the corner. He’s careful not to bump into anyone and spill his drink. Or get someone’s drink spilled on himself. Or even worse, trip, fall down, then get spilled on and lose his own latte. Hoseok shakes his head at himself, his thoughts went wild again. he is a dancer, he never falls should he not want to, it’s an unnecessary concern to have.
The stranger at the table has black hair and is also clad in black, although Hoseok can only see his coat and slacks. but he is sure, the shirt underneath won’t be any different in color either. He looks expensive and serious even from behind, but Hoseok isn’t one to be intimidated by anyone. He names the guy ‘businessman’ for now. He arrives at the table safely and notices businessman working on a laptop, fingers typing rapidly as he stares at the screen. His hands are nice, big and veiny. Hoseok shakes his head. bad thoughts. Businessman is not reacting to Hoseok standing next to him at all.
Not motivated to stand there awkwardly for minutes, Hoseok clears his throat loudly to be heard over the chatter and clinking of dishes. The guy looks up to him immediately, face questioning and somewhat impatient. Now that Hoseok can see him, he is even less intimidated. Businessman has a small face, fair skin, pink lips and cat-like eyes. Despite his rude expression, Hoseok can already guess that with a smile he would appear as cute. Now he looks just handsome and rude.
“Can I please sit here if it’s free? The café is full otherwise”, he asks, doing his best to sound polite and not like he would be an annoying table-sharer. Like the ones that suddenly talk to you about their whole life, or loudly slurp their coffee, or spew cake crumbles all the way over someone else’s laptop. businessman stares at him. no reaction. His gaze is cold, and it definitely does not make Hoseok feel like he would say yes. Bummer.
After a minute of staring at each other Hoseok raises an eyebrow. The least the guy could do is answer him. even a ‘no I’m waiting for someone’ would be okay. Maybe disappointing, but he understands wanting to be alone. But this silence? Just rude. Which is why he won’t give up so easily. Just when he settles in to demonstrate just how long he can stare, the guy lets out a sigh, sounding like Hoseok just asked him to do a weeks’ worth of work in a single hour. then he turns back to his laptop, lifting one hand and gesturing to the free chair with a nonchalant wave. Hoseok interprets it as consent to his request because he wants to, and the guy isn’t giving him much to work with.
With a satisfied smile he puts down his latte and cake behind businessman’s laptop and sits down. businessman seems to decide to ignore him after reluctantly allowing him in his space and starts tying at his laptop again. Hoseok, as he has nothing better to do, watches him carefully. During the stare-down he only inspected his eyes, cat-like slanted and sharp. Striking in their unique form, Hoseok can’t deny he likes them and wants to see more. But he doesn’t want to be caught either and inconspicuously stirs his latte. Apparently, the dark scowl hadn’t been because of him asking for the seat. Because with every minute they sit there wordlessly businessman’s bad mood seems to worsen, his typing getting furious, the loud clacking even reaching Hoseoks ear through all the noise around them. Hoseok almost laughs at the angry noises but holds it back. He doesn’t want to be the target of that scowl.
Just when Hoseok swallows another bite of cake the man suddenly moves, grabbing his phone and typing equally furiously on that, causing Hoseok to almost choke. It just looks funny, a grimacing guy unloading all his pain and fury into the tiny alphabet on his electronics with almost admirable passion. The man holds the phone to his ear then, staring down at his laptop. Whoever he’s calling seems to pick up right away, cause without any warning he begins to talk, fast and angry, barely keeping his voice down.
“Joon, I fucking told you I don’t want-“
His voice is deep and pleasant, despite the annoyed tone. Hoseok grins into his latte, feeling not sneaky at all. one glance at him and businessman will know he’s listening in. and laughing about it.
“yes, sounds like a very nice tree”, he finally continues. Hoseok almost snorts loudly. “but I called beca- yes, go pet the cat, joon, can you-
Stop interrupting me!”
Businessman seems still enraged, but there’s badly hidden affection in his tone. Even if the man on the phone caused his angry typing, they are still friends, obviously. And even if ‘joon’ interrupted him with a nice tree and a cat, businessman doesn’t seem particularly upset about that.
“come on. ….. please don’t make me do this, you know I hate these fucking parties. How can a ‘party’ be this boring?
-
Tsk, friendly my ass. They only try to suck up to me because they think I would help them. But I won’t! And you’re not there, how am I supposed to survive?
-
Yes, I’m really sorry, I’ll watch my language from now on for your innocent ears.
-
A what?!? I’m not getting a Sugar Baby you idiot! Bye!”
With that he taps on his phone exasperated, letting it fall onto the table afterwards. He puts his elbows left and right of his laptop and lets his head fall in his hands, groaning. Dramatically, loud, deeply disappointed. He looks and sounds truly miserable about the sugar baby part and Hoseok can’t hold it in anymore, he laughs.
Businessman’s head shots up again, almost with inhuman speed. He stares wide-eyed at Hoseok, as if he forgot he’s actually sharing the table with someone. His surprised face makes everything even funnier and Hoseok clutches his chest as he bends over the table, giggles spilling over his lips uncontrollably. He wouldn’t have thought the stoic, black figure would entertain him in any way, least of all be this funny. Even his own previously melancholy mood seems vanished for now.
“hey! Are you laughing about me?”
Unfortunately, the indignant question only throws Hoseok into another fit of laughter, but he manages to get some words out in between. “Sorry, just, I’m not getting a sugar baby!”, Hoseok tries to make his voice as high and whiny and annoying as possible while imitating him and is struck by more giggles. “you sounded like an old, stuck-up lady, who some poor boy just told to carry her own luggage into her hotel room! And the dramatic hanging up, it was too much”, Hoseok explains. He takes a few deep breaths in between, trying to get himself under control. Businessman doesn’t seem to find it as funny as him, but he stops glaring angrily, his face becoming more neutral. He even relaxes back into his chair, letting out a sigh. Another few giggles pull Hoseoks body forward again, but he resists. It’s already a wonder he didn’t spill his latte earlier.
“okay”, businessman finally answers, still calm and without cracking a smile, “But it is a ridiculous idea, I’m not some old, perverted, ugly CEO whose wife doesn’t want them anymore. Or rather, never wanted them at all.”
Hoseok raises his eyebrows. Had he just joked, on purpose, talking to Hoseok? Well, it has to be rewarded. He lets out a small snort, careful to not be disgusting with it. Uncontrollable laughter is fine in private, if he just witnessed the baby-devils attempting to play charade but a little embarrassing in front of businessman. Still, he’s calmed down now. Without thinking much, he just earnestly goes on with the conversation. “Well, I don’t think it’s that bad. Some company is always nice, and you don’t have to actually fuck this person.”
To his surprise, businessman doesn’t seem to mind the ongoing talk. He sits up straighter, eyes now really looking at Hoseok for the first time. It feels like a subtle examination, careful but interested. “and how would that help anyway? Am I supposed to look at him during the whole party?”
“don’t know, you could… talk to him?”
A lot to unpack there. First, businessman is gay, otherwise the choice of pronouns wouldn’t make much sense. Second, Hoseok has to tell him you can actually talk to people, which means aside from this Joon person he can’t have that many friends. but a social butterfly wouldn’t sink into despair at having to go to a party alone anyway. Third, his poker face game is practiced. He hasn’t cracked a smile once since Hoseok met him. People always tell Hoseok that they just have to smile while hanging out with him. Or call him the literal sunshine, in jimins case. Businessman is a hard nut to crack.
“yes, I know you can talk to people. I’m doing it right now”, businessman deadpans. “I just don’t think someone whose main personal trait is looking-pretty at my arm is a better conversationalist than the other people going to these parties.”
That sounds about true. Not that Hoseok is an expert. But he also won’t give up. All in all he doesn’t really know why he is advertising getting a sugar baby to some apparently rich and, in a funny way, rude stranger, but here he is. Life is still full of surprises. Besides, he’s invested now; he wants to see this through to the end. Maybe get some more information of businessman. It’s funny, discussing Sugar babies in an only half-joking manner with a stranger.
“okay, I’ll give you that, but you don’t have to pick some stereotype twink from a suspicious website?” In hoseoks mind there’s another sentence about businessman already having the face of a twink himself that he cancels out of his speech for obvious reasons. “Just ask someone who is good looking and fun. There are lots of cool people who wouldn’t say no to some extra cash for easy work. You’d find someone.”
“where?”
Hoseok, at a loss for words, opens his mouth, and closes it again. He thought businessman would be more vehement about the sugar baby thing after the dramatic first reaction. Not that he’d ask follow-up questions on where to get one. Hoseok doesn’t actually know where to ask around. He is neither rich nor that broke. Never has been either.
“see. The party is this weekend, how the fuck should I find someone for that?” businessman sighs. He’s still pokerfaced and sitting straight and his voice shows less emotions than Hoseok is used too. But his words tell he is in fact invested. “I’ll just have to go alone and practice suffering for hell.”
Hoseok giggles, businessman is way too dramatic. He sips on his latte to play for some time.
“just ask anyone, go to a club or a bar or something. if you offer enough, someone will go.”
“really?”, Businessman asks and furrows his eyebrows. But he looks weird now, head tilted as his eyes go up and down Hoseok once again.
“yes, trust me. It’s just a party, and who’d say no to some extra cash.”
Yoongis face grows even more serious, his eyes fixated on Hoseok. He bites his lips for a few seconds, but ultimately doesn’t hesitate long before speaking. “okay. Do you want to go with me to a party this Saturday evening? I’ll buy you anything you want.”
Hoseok promptly chokes on his drink, barely manages to not spit it over the table right in Businessman’s face. His skin gets hot in embarrassment, he tries to clear his throat turning away, desperate to breathe normally again. after he succeeds almost a minute later, he turns back and is shocked again- businessman is smiling. Already another surprise. As Hoseok predicted, it changes his whole aura. Instead of cold and rude, he suddenly looks cute, even with the smile being more of a smirk and quite small. It changes his sharp eyes to something round and adorable easily, shifting the lines of his face until Hoseok wants to coo at him. It feels like seeing a whole different man. Hoseok likes this one more.
He hesitantly grins back; almost afraid he’ll scare the smile off again with reacting to it. “why are you asking me?”
“you said I should just ask someone”, businessman explains, cold logic dripping from his words. He tilts his head, eyes flitting over Hoseok once more. “You’re good-looking enough and you seem to understand my problem. And you’re not boring.”
“I don’t know if any of this was a compliment”, Hoseok mumbles. His mind is still a little jumbled with the sudden offer, he doesn’t quite know what to answer.
Businessman just shrugs his shoulder. “Is that a no?”
Hoseok squints his eyes at his own latte and thinks about it. The three baby-devils are still in university, working some small jobs on the side to pay the rent and groceries. They are all kinda overworked and to a degree dependent on Hoseok for anything that’s not the cheapest in the grocery store. Jungkook studies graphic design and often needs new pencils and colors or software. Jimin spends too much time in the dance studio to get a good job with the rest of his time and is constantly exhausted. Taehyung is busy with his internship in the kindergarten. They promised to hire him after he finishes his last year, but that’s in the far future and not exactly coming with the best payment. Hoseok himself works all hours he can get in the small dance studio, but he supports them all and sometimes he does wish for just that bit more money to treat them all to a good meal or something off their amazon Wishlist, or even a weekend away. Just once.
Taking this offer would mean spending one evening with the slightly prickly but handsome man in front of him. And get anything he wanted in return. being a Sugar Baby, essentially. Just the title, without anything else is honestly the worst thing about it. not that Hoseok has anything against sugar babies, everyone can do as they want, in his opinion. But he never saw himself being one. Never in a million years. A stereotype sugar baby is supposed to be small, soft, obedient, a pretty thing that’s dependent on some rich guy, dressing up in lingerie and getting fucked a few times a week. Hoseok may be cute sometimes, funny, and he likes to dress sexy but the rest? - no. just no.
But he himself just said businessman doesn’t have to actually fuck the person, only talk with them for one evening, nothing more. He also doesn’t seem like some creepy dude who would try to murder Hoseok later. Hoseok can’t really see his figure under the coat, but he doesn’t hold himself like e regular gym goer type. Hoseok could surely take him in a fight. Jimin, jungkook and taehyung would be overjoyed with some meat on the table and maybe a month of rent covered. He can just imagine their happy smiles, vividly. Is he really doing this? Really?
Hoseok looks up at businessman. Down at his latte, past the table, at his shoes. Old and worn down because he always only buys new dance shoes for work. He thinks about he baby-devils again, his family. It would make them happy. He’s totally doing this. Oh god. He’s doing it. a hiccup forces its way up his throat.
“okay. I’m in”, Hoseok speaks up. businessman doesn’t quite smile again, but he does seem a little relieved. “I want one month of my rent covered and some money for beef. The good kind. You’re not touching me anywhere inappropriately, you don’t behave like I’m some stupid fuck toy, I get the money first and I won’t play dress up for you.”
During the fuck toy comment businessman raises an eyebrow. Otherwise he seems rather unimpressed.
“can be arranged”, he easily waves off. Then his eyes trail down from Hoseoks face again. “But you need formal clothes, or this will be even more horrible for me in the long run. The sharks will try to get me for bringing someone to a high-end party without designer clothes. You will have to go shopping. I’ll pay, you can keep them afterwards. Dressing-up is unfortunately a must.”
Sharks? Designer clothes? A whole rent and some cash just easily dismissed like that? Hoseok seems to have caught someone very, very rich. accidently. He gestures down to his clothes, all kinda old but still doing their job. “I know I need different clothes than this. I meant I won’t dress like the ‘stereotype twink’ I mentioned, I wouldn’t feel comfortable. I’m okay with a suit or something.”
He gets a nod for that. Nice. Or is it? He just became a sugar baby, for one evening and without the sex, but still. Where in life did he take the turns leading to that?
At least his sugar daddy looks good. A second after thinking that, Hoseok gags inwardly. Just imagining calling anyone daddy is hell. Hoseok is not entirely kink-less or one to judge others. But the ‘daddy’ thing had always been simply cringe for him.
“My name is Min Yoongi”, comes suddenly from his newest party date, “I’m a freelance photographer, mainly for Gucci. And you?”
Gucci? to what the hell kinda party did Hoseok just get invited? Taehyung would be so jealous; the boy has a serious obsession with the brand without actually possessing anything Gucci. Hoseok can’t tell him anyway. He will take this secret directly to his grave. Hoseok leans forward and takes the outstretched hand. It’s bigger than his own and colder, but not uncomfortable.
“I’m Jung Hoseok. I teach dance in a small studio.”
While pulling his hand back, Yoongi looks at his watch accidently and suddenly his eyes widen. “ah fuck. Look, I have to leave. Can I have your number? I’ll text you and we can arrange a time for shopping, I don’t know your schedule but preferably Friday afternoon for me. Would that work?”
Hoseok knows he will be free, but normally he and the baby-devils hang out together, even if it’s only an endless twister competition due to a lack of money. They instated the weekly hangouts early on, so they don’t end up growing apart. It’s easy to lose sight of a roommate as a friend, Hoseok knows that. one day you think ‘I see them every day anyway, I don’t need to go out with them anymore’, and the next second you miss that they got into a new relationship. But it’s a whole rent he’s earning here, he’ll think of an excuse and bear the nagging of jimin, their ‘bonding-time’ dictator.
“I’m free.”
He takes Yoongis phone, newest Samsung model, who would have thought, and types in his number. He shoots himself a text and gives it back quickly. Meanwhile, Yoongi closed his laptop and put it in the probably-designer bag hanging off his chair. After throwing a short glance at his new contact, he pockets his phone, checks the table again and gets up.
“I’ll text you. Goodbye!”
With that he walks out with big strides, not waiting for a response. Hoseok shakes his head and starts to eat the rest of his cake. He really hopes he won’t regret this. it seems equal parts crazy and funny. Min yoongi is a wild card too, but he seems to be warming up to Hoseok already. Minutes later he finished the latte and cake, gets up too and walks outside. his table is taken up immediately by a couple. Maybe seokjin will have to expand soon if his evenings during the week are already that full.
The rest of his way home Hoseok skips along the sidewalk, hums melodies and smiles at random dogs and graffiti paintings he discovers. His sour mood is gone completely, he’s feeling refreshed and ready to face his friends at home again. Ready to actually interact with people he knows and loves. his talk with Min Yoongi seems to have helped greatly. It was rather funny without getting personal, so Hoseok doesn’t question it further.
When he finally steps into the apartment, it smells amazingly like home. A combination of taehyungs candles, something he never identified (that’s probably fabric softener) but associates with jungkook now, and the slight smell of burnt food. The usual. Hoseok breathes in deeply and smiles to himself.
He finds the baby-devils waiting for him on the living room couch. They rope him in to sit in the middle to watch some Netflix with them, arguing even if they all have to get up tomorrow K-Dramas are worth the eye bags. Hoseok gives in easily. If there aren’t too many loud fight scenes, he’ll just nap on the couch until they wake him up to go to bed. with a soft sigh, he snuggles closer into taehyungs side and closes his eyes, all thoughts of his new business partner for now brushed out of his mind. A minute later he’s asleep.
- ☼ -
The taxi stops, Hoseok thanks the driver and hops out quickly. Eyes searching the sidewalk and street, he can’t find a black-clad man anywhere, so he must be the first to arrive. Yoongi told him to wait in front of the store if he’s late. Hoseok throws a glance at his watch, he’s five minutes early. Hopefully Yoongi will be punctual. The baby-devils had been disappointed about him leaving but didn’t ask further after he rambled about a supposed emergency at the dance studio. They didn’t notice the taxi waiting for him outside, luckily.
Hoseok stays next to the entrance, standing out like a sore thumb. He’s wearing the same blue coat as last time, with different jeans and a simple shirt. They have the same quality though, old and worn soft over the years. Pure comfort, but not very fancy. He lets his eyes wander over the people bustling around him, trying to find Yoongis face. It’s kinda full, although there is only a limited amount of people who have the money to shop here for real, the rest probably comes here to just look at the clothes. The whole street is filled with designer brand stores and expensive cafés, Hoseok has never been here before. He only vaguely remembers taehyung talking about it.
After standing there only for two minutes he’s already been stared at by five old ladies in disdain, who all looked like they murdered their husbands for their money. Or they didn’t and the husbands are alive, rich and the exact people who had normal sugar babies because their wives wish to murder them. He hates it here already. If this is the crowd Yoongi has to put up with at the party, he understands why he described it as hell. Hoseok can only hope they’ll be nicer to him once he looks like he belongs to this circle.
Luckily, he finds Yoongis usual scowl nearing in from his right soon after. He’s wearing an expensive coat again, but this one is dark grey. His black hair is a bit unruly, but it looks good on him. Hoseok can just imagine Yoongi waking up in the morning, handsome as fuck with his pale skin glowing in the sun- Hoseok stops that train of thought quickly. He’s not here for a hook up. Yoongis remaining clothes are as black as that day in the café. Slacks, dress shoes and a simple pullover. It’s all rather plain, not what Hoseok would wear if he were rich. Although Yoongi does look well-dressed and attractive like that so it’s not exactly a mishap.
Yoongi sees him too right then and nods in greeting. Hoseok takes a step in his direction, and they meet right in front of the entrance door.
“hello. Did you wait long?”, Yoongi asks, his voice with the same unvarying gruff to it like in the café.
“nah, just a minute. But some old ladies didn’t like me here.”
Yoongis eyes quickly swipe over his whole body, not obtrusive or judging, just assessing the situation. “well, you do look like the probability that you’ll steal something is higher than you having the money to buy something.”
“that is offensive”, Hoseok argues while pouting. “Even if it’s true.”
Yoongi only shrugs his shoulders. Which means Hoseok will just have to get used to his bluntness regarding everything. They both turn towards the entrance and walk in next to each other silently. Something bugs Hoseok right then, but he can’t put his finger on it. Inside the store Yoongi takes the lead and unerringly strides over to a section with suits for men. Hoseok feels deeply misplaced between the luxurious furniture and expensive vibes. The whole store is brightly lit, full of people who seem to just irradiate ‘snob’. Yoongi ignores every single one of them. Some of their eyes linger on him though, full of interest.
“just pick a few you like, and I’ll tell you if they are appropriate. then you can try them on. We’ll get a shirt and shoes after”, yoongi takes control of the whole operation. It sounds like he’s talking to an assistant at work.
Hoseok salutes him playfully. “okay, sir!”
His humor doesn’t seem to be appreciated, however. Yoongi only throws him an impatient look.
The next minutes Hoseok follows Yoongi along various suits, sometimes pointing one out he likes. Yoongi either gives a dry comment why he would not buy this one or he nods slowly and waves to the employee trailing behind them, lazily gesturing at the chosen piece. Yoongis comments vary from ‘too colorful’ over ‘clashes with mine’ to just a simple ‘no’. Hoseok resists the urge to point out some really ugly ones just to see what Yoongi would say. Barely. He doesn’t want to shock the employee, who is already giving them looks because of his current clothes and Yoongis rash behavior. Although that seems to be the norm, looking around Hoseok can’t find a single friendly and happy face among the rich ones. It’s not exactly that Yoongi is an asshole to the employee and doesn’t treat him like a human being, but he’s very obvious about not enjoying this outing that much.
What feels like an hour later Yoongi seems finally satisfied and steers them to the fitting room, where he directs Hoseok to try on the first one. It’s all black. Hoseok normally doesn’t wear much black, but he knows he looks good in it. He goes in without a protest, hearing the employee trying to make small talk with Yoongi and failing spectacularly. Then some rustling sounds through the wall and he hears Yoongi ordering the employee to get some fitting shirts. He chuckles to himself. Yoongi really is a handful today.
He's quick to change clothes, turning around to look at the mirror. As expected, he looks classically handsome, immediately fitting better with the overall atmosphere. He opens the door and walks out to Yoongi, who looks up from his phone upon hearing the door. Hoseok observes Yoongi carefully, trying to guess if he likes it. Which is not easy at all. Yoongis face does not change, not even a miniscule twitch. Only his eyes wander up and down, checking Hoseok out, before looking back at his screen.
“not this one.”
What a cold dismissal. Hoseok observes him a minute longer, but he doesn’t do anything except looking at his phone. Suddenly it hits Hoseok- what irked him since Yoongi arrived. It’s his height. He is smaller than Hoseok, not much but still noticeable. In the café they didn’t stand next to each other, one always sitting. Yoongis presence seems always so sharp and big, his behavior confident and superior. Hoseok just assumed that would be reflected in his appearance and he would be taller. But this… is nice.
Hoseok smirks and steps closer to Yoongi, who now notices Hoseok hasn’t left and looks back up finally. He meets Hoseoks eyes, now a little questioning. Raises his eyebrow again. It seems to be a signature move, if Yoongi could convey his intentions without words and only an eyebrow, he would do it.
“you’re shorter than me.”
Yoongis eyes flit a little upwards to where his head ended clearly above Yoongis own. He blinks once. Twice. And looks down again, shrugging his shoulders. Apparently, he doesn’t care about being the tallest man in the room. Or he is a good actor. Either way, Hoseok is not too entertained by that answer. It does make Yoongi nicer in his eyes though, he can’t stand idiots who always try to compensate for something unnecessarily. Still, Hoseok turns around and goes to try the next suit wordlessly.
One and a half hour, too many head shakes from Yoongi and jokes from Hoseok later they leave the store, Hoseok carrying a dark red suit with a white shirt and shoes in bags. He chooses to not think about the price Yoongi paid without a second thought, because it was entirely too much. Yoongi walks down the street into another store, Hoseok following wordlessly. Inside Yoongi tells him to pick a new black mantle to go with the suit. Then he leaves him standing alone in there.
Hoseok watches him leave, doesn’t even try to stop him. Instead, he walks over to the coats and mantles and jackets. They are all really nice, and it isn’t too hard to find some he likes. Even in black. While choosing, he thinks about Yoongi. The photographer had been especially curt today, not reacting to Hoseoks jokes at all. He didn’t crack a smile once, was on the verge of rude, short-clipped answers and orders, tense shoulders. First Hoseok just thought it was Yoongis normal but thinking back to their chance meeting in the café, he concludes Yoongi must be in a really bad mood. Back then Yoongi did smile once, made a joke and was overall more approachable, especially after he’d warmed up to yoongi a little. Normally Hoseok is able to cheer up anyone when he tries. But nothing seemed to work on Yoongi today.
Hoseok contemplates asking him what is so upsetting, but also doesn’t want to pull the mood down even more. Maybe not. But maybe it would help? Hoseok takes off the coat he chose and tried on and walks over to the cash register, hoping Yoongi will find him there. He tries to look like he is supposed to be here, not wanting to explain his situation to some employee. But the Gucci bags hanging off his arm seem to help, nobody tries to get him to leave. After waiting almost ten minutes he thinks about calling Yoongi.
He reaches for his phone, looks up a last time. And sees Yoongi entering the store, carrying a small shopping bag. He spots Hoseok quickly and comes over.
“you done?”
Hoseok shows the piece, really hoping it would be approved. He is not motivated to look for another one. Not when grumpy Yoongi will hover around him. “okay, I’ll go buy this.”
Yoongi grabs the coat and goes on to the cashier, paying fast and pulling Hoseok out of the store by his arm. It’s not a very strong grip, but as Hoseok wants to leave too, he just follows. Outside Yoongi lets go of him but doesn’t stop walking until they stand in front of a café. He drags Hoseok inside, directs him to sit in a corner and goes to order. Hoseok contemplates moving to a window table, partly to be petty, but stays put in the end.
Yoongi comes back quickly enough, takes his coat off and sits down opposite Hoseok. “I ordered a latte for you, that okay?”
Slightly surprised, Hoseok nods. Is it a coincidence or did Yoongi remember what he was drinking Wednesday? Maybe he is one of those secretly nice and attentive people whose exterior doesn’t match.
Yoongi plunges right in. “we should talk about the money; do you want cash? Or I could transfer it, whatever you want.”
So that’s why they are here. “cash would be best.”
“I’ll give it to you tomorrow before the event. How much?”
Hoseok pondered over that since he agreed to the deal. Yesterday he decided to take the rent and add their grocery budget for a month. It’s a lot, food for four men in their twenties who sometimes eat for six and rent for an apartment with four rooms. But judging by the stores they just went to Yoongi won’t have a problem. Getting it tomorrow in cash is good. He tells Yoongi the amount, getting only a nod in return. Inwardly, Hoseok sighs in relief. He can’t believe he’s getting that much money out of a single evening and today’s outing.
Then their drinks arrive, Yoongi ordered tea for himself. Another thing Hoseok is surprised by, he put Yoongi as a black coffee type of guy and his mug had been already empty on Wednesday. He should stop assuming things about Yoongi, or he’ll be surprised all the time. As if to prove his point, Yoongi suddenly holds out the small bag he got while abandoning Hoseok.
He’s not quite looking into Hoseoks eyes, but he sounds sincere. “here, this is for you, it goes well with the suit. I’m sorry for being in a shitty mood all day.”
An apology and a present? Hoseok can only stare for a second, not having expected either of it. Yoongis aloof personality didn’t indicate him caring about Hoseoks feelings much today. Hoseok wouldn’t have blamed him much, sometimes you just have a bad day. But even with Yoongi obviously having one, he recognized his lacking attitude towards Hoseok. He’s certainly not the usual rich snob. Hoseok takes the bag from him, setting it in his lap and opening it right away, curious what would ‘go well with the suit’.
In there is a slim box. Hoseok takes it out, throwing Yoongi a glance. “Thank you for apologizing. But you didn’t have to get me anything, really. If you want to talk about it, you can rant to me?”
Maybe offering an ear would get him farther than just outright asking what was up. But first he opens the box, Yoongi watching him. It’s a golden watch with a slim black leather strap. Classy, filigree, polished- looking like Hoseok could pay another month of rent with it. or rather a few months. He just stares for a few seconds, wrapping his mind around it. Yoongi bought him a whole ass expensive watch to apologize for being in a bad mood. Wow. Hoseok puts it back quickly, hoping he didn’t scratch it.
“I can’t take this! Your behavior wasn’t that bad”, he declines, shaking his head. he sounds a little more panicked than intended, but he feels like half a criminal just holding the box. To his surprise, his reaction finally interrupts Yoongis stoic expression. It wasn’t his intention but he’s glad anyway. The small smile playing around Yoongis lips makes him look younger and softer right away. A very welcome change.
“just take it, I threw away the receipt.”
Was that supposed to be a joke? Hoseok grins, but he’s still shocked. Yoongi really doesn’t shy away from spending money on him. even if they know each other for two days only and probably won’t meet again after the party. well, if he insists Hoseok won’t resist too much. The watch is very nice. He puts the box inside the bag and sips on his drink. It’s hot and tasty, but he likes seokjins more. Expensive ingredients aren’t everything. Hoseok contemplates asking Yoongi again about his mood, but just then he speaks up himself.
“there’s nothing to rant about, really. It’s just namjoon, the one with the sugar baby idea”, he grimaces at saying it, “he can’t come to the party because he is traveling Europe. Originally, he planned to come back next month, but now he will go to Spain instead. He’s been away now for three months, four with the next.”
Hoseok blinks half-surprised once again. The situation is unfortunate, just imagining to not see either of the three baby-devils for that long makes Hoseok upset. “and you miss him?”
Yoongi keeps his face neutral again but gives a slight nod. It’s probably already a lot for him to tell a stranger about missing his best friend at all, not to speak of showing his sadness even more. Hoseok gets that, he doesn’t open up that easily to everyone either.
As there’s nothing Hoseok can do about Yoongis problem, he just tries to distract him a little. He likes talking about his best friends, maybe Yoongi would too. Hoseok asks why namjoon is even traveling, and an easy conversation starts between them. It’s pleasant, they understand each other pretty well for meeting the second time now. Hoseok tries to get Yoongi to smile again, which he doesn’t, but his neutral face looks happier still. Although maybe it’s wishful thinking.
An hour later they are both done with a second drink and stand up to leave. They mostly talked about their friends and their lives, although not in great details. Tomorrow Yoongi himself will pick up Hoseok at his door. He doesn’t know if he is looking forward to or dreading the party. He does know by now that he enjoys Yoongis company if the other isn’t in his shit mood- but he trusts Yoongis judgement, and if Yoongi hates this party, it can’t be very nice. Hoseok does look forward to the money though.
Outside Yoongi flags down another taxi for him and pays the driver too much. He looks at Hoseok, says, “see you tomorrow”, and hurries away. Hoseok chuckles about him. Yoongi being so curt and intimidating in front of the employees and taxi driver is a little funny after he just talked about his best friend for an hour, voice fond and eyes soft.
- ☼ -
Back at home, Hoseok opens the apartment door and hurries to his room. To his luck, the baby-devils are in jungkooks room, he can hear them talking. He has to be fast, scrambles through his door and hides the shopping bags first, careful to not crinkle the suit. Only the thought of it brings him an image of Yoongi nagging him. Jimin sometimes robs their closets, but after tomorrow he can fold it and hide it away.
He shuts the closet doors, puts the watch inside his bedside drawer and stands straight again. Just in time, because a second later the door opens and his three flat mates and best friends pile in. They are all in pajamas, hair looking like they had a pillow fight sometime earlier. They probably did. All four of them love pillow fights, who doesn’t? Automatically, Hoseoks mind conjures up an image of yoongi in pajamas, pillow in hand, hair mussed up, face flushed in excitement- he should really stop that. It’s already the second time. Luckily the baby-devils are extraordinarily distracting.
“and? What happened? Was it a fire?”
“tell us hobi!”
Tae and jimin are too excited for their own good, loud as they hug Hoseok at the same time. Jungkook is right behind them, saying nothing but looking just as interested. Luckily, Hoseok thought of a lie while talking to Yoongi in the café, one he could also use for the event tomorrow. he squeezes them before letting go and stepping back.
“no fire, just more work. They made a special special workshop for working adults and students, Saturday evening. We instructors will share the hours. I’ll do it this week and get paid extra. I’ll treat you to some bulgogi next week!”
Their reactions are not disappointing, all three starting to holler and dance around. Now jungkook is the loudest, never one to be reluctant about food. Hoseok smiles. This is exactly why he said yes. Seeing them so carefree and happy is amazing, always warming Hoseok right up to the core. They all had to worry about stupid adult shit often, but when it was just them during the weekend, they were always happy. Excited about the smallest things, even more if it included food, joking and laughing around, free with cuddles and the occasional forehead kiss.
Hoseok loves them with all his heart. They became part of his family long ago after he met them in university. To make up for his disappearance during the day, Hoseok proposes a sleepover. They quickly shove another mattress into jungkooks room. after playing a few board games, talking and joking for a few hours, they all pile onto the makeshift huge bed and sleep cuddled together