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theharrowing · 8 months

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Showstopper 📸 3: Nobody has ever made me feel this way

Hoseok knows the rumors.

Everyone in the industry knows the rumors.

Min Yoongi is a player. Min Yoongi is a snake. Stand in front of Min Yoongi’s camera, and you will be just another one of his victims – prey for him to use as he pleases and toss away when he gets bored.

📸 Hoseok x Yoongi

📸 word count: 18.7k

📸 strangers to lovers, model & photographer au, angst, smut, fluff, slash, nsfw, 18+

📸 warnings: Hoseok & Yoongi switch; they are both hot and cold & there is plenty of angst; footsie that turns to cockstepping; explicit discussion of sexual acts; jealousy; attempts at communication; dry humping; hair pulling; use of "good boy"; mouth spitting; blowjobs; deepthroating; a lot of drool; brief delicate cheek slapping; cum swallowing; some overstimulation; frotting; Yoongi is surprisingly submissive; sexual acts happen while somewhat under the influence but not drunk.

📸 notes: this chapter is very dialogue heavy!!! i hope some plot points don't feel too rushed or contrived, but i am trying to squeeze everything into my 4 planned chapters, since i have so much on my plate! 💜

📸 written for the BTS Found Fest!

📸 thanks to @neoneunnajimin for beta reading.

📸 posted jan. 2024 | read on ao3

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Hoseok cannot, for the life of him, pretend that kiss never happened.

He may as well be drunk each day with the way he spaces out, misses instruction, and does not seem to be fully aware of his surroundings. He is clumsy, always staring at Yoongi's hands, and forgetting to change poses without being told.

And to make matters worse, Yoongi's moodiness has ramped up. He is quick to snap his fingers and bark instructions.

"Model," he will say, not using Hoseok's name, "get your head out of the fucking clouds, what is going on with you?"

With a shrug and maybe a yawn, Hoseok will sigh and bat his eyelashes. "Sorry, boss," he will make his voice soft and sweet as candy floss, "just tired this week."

The thing is, Hoseok is coasting until he finds out whether Dior wants more from him. He already has the cover and the money shots – the shit he is doing this week is all random filler images that Yoongi will keep a stock of in case he needs something for an ad. Random outfits, random backdrops, random accessories.

Why he is bothering to do any of this right now seems pointless. It is almost as if Yoongi is just asking him to be around for the sake of having him around, and Hoseok finds it tedious. After his hot shot Dior campaign, he deserves a vacation. He wore a merkin, for fuck's sake.

During the third day of this nonsense, Namjoon comes sighing into the makeup room, shaking his head. There are other models around, so he waits to get up close to Hoseok's ear to mutter, "You're really getting under his skin. Are you trying to get fired?"

Hoseok simply stares at him with one eyebrow raised. He knows Yoongi has told Namjoon about the kiss – he tells Namjoon about everything.

Namjoon confirms that he at least knows something by rolling his eyes, shaking his head, and saying, "Well, he has asked me to invite you to dinner with him today so the two of you can speak."

"I have nothing to say to him," Hoseok says, holding out his perfectly manicured left hand to inspect whether his nails are still shiny and well-groomed – they are. "If he wants to invite me out, he can do it, himself."

On top of everything else, Hoseok is playing hard to get. If Yoongi wants to see or speak to him, he can earn the right. One does not barge into Hoseok's apartment, surprise him with a life-altering kiss, and then carry on like everything is fine. Absolutely not.

He wants to annoy Yoongi by playing footsie with him under a restaurant booth, or seduce him up in his big, dark office, but not let him have anything more than another kiss. Just to show him that he is not fully in control.

But he doesn't want to make it obvious to the other models. He has no desire to commiserate with them over the ways Yoongi has used them.

Ultimately, Hoseok wants to come out on top – figuratively and literally. He wants to have Yoongi sprawled out across that big, leather-topped desk of his, moaning Hoseok's name in his deep, raspy timbre. That's the goal.

Namjoon pulls out his phone and thumbs around, dimples on display as he smiles to himself. Hoseok likes it when Namjoon plays along with his cattiness, and he imagines that Namjoon is relaying his message to Yoongi.

Meanwhile, models come and go, all shooting with different photographers throughout the massive studio space. Only Hoseok and Sunmi have Yoongi's attention, and Hoseok has been attempting to watch like a hawk to see if any flirtatious behavior is exchanged, but much to his chagrin, Sunmi only seems to be behind Yoongi's lens when Hoseok is busy getting his hair and makeup done.

He wonders how many more models Yoongi will kiss this week. How many does he text to ask if they need a ride home? How many go out to lunch with him in secluded corner booths and shower at his home studio?

Whereas before, Hoseok thought he was catching feelings for Yoongi, now he is determined for it to be a power play only. He just wants to fuck him once to get it out of his system – mark up that round little ass of his. Then he can leave this whole stupid company behind.

Hoseok is balls deep in a mental image of Yoongi bent over his large desk when he hears the man's voice cut through his imagination, bringing him back to reality.

"Hoseok."

Hoseok looks up to find Yoongi's head peeking into the room. Namjoon is still present, still on his phone, but Hoseok can tell by his expression – by the way his eyes are staring unmoving at the device – that he is definitely eavesdropping.

"Yes, boss?" Hoseok asks with as much indifference as he can muster.

"How would you like to come on a little field trip with me? Dior wants to discuss a second round of outfits, and I could use some dinner."

Hoseok stretches his back and lets out a deep sigh, then he slouches in his chair and shrugs, acting bored. "Sure. Sounds fun."

Rather than respond, Yoongi simply leaves the room. Hoseok stands to follow, but Namjoon stops him in his tracks.

"Let's find you something nice to wear," he says.

Hoseok looks down at his favorite baby blue cropped tee and low-rise daisy duke denim shorts and says, "What are you talking about? I look amazing."

"I didn't say you didn't look amazing," Namjoon responds with a playful smile. "But I just think you should wear something a touch more put together."

By now, all of the models have left the room, and Namjoon closes the door.

"Why?" Hoseok asks conspiratorially. "Is he taking me somewhere nice? Gonna butter me up? Or finally apologize? Maybe try to corner me for another stupid fucking kiss?"

With a sigh, Namjoon turns to a rack of black and white clothing and begins to search until he pulls out a black blazer, black slacks, and a delicate off-white silk blouse. Hoseok rolls his eyes dramatically but cannot hold back a smile as he strips down and allows Namjoon to play dress up.

The blouse has a deep v-neck that hangs gracefully down to the valley of his pecs, and he wears the fitted blazer fully open, with the blouse tucked into tight, fitted slacks that are accentuated nicely with a black leather belt. Namjoon dusts a thin black line around Hoseok's eyes and chooses a pair of chunky black loafers for him to wear.

While Namjoon is digging through a chest for jewelry pieces, there are three soft knocks on the door, followed by it slowly opening and Yoongi sticking his head back into the room. Hoseok stares at his boss, watching as his eyes widen and then settle back to their cold natural state.

"We're just about finished, boss," Namjoon says.

Yoongi heavy-blinks and nods once, then says, "I'll be in the car."

Hoseok is no fool – he knows that behavior well. "He wants me so bad," he says, giggling to himself while cold metal is draped around his neck and fastened into place.

Namjoon has chosen a stack of delicate gold chains that drape and cascade beautifully with the deep neck of the blouse. Hoseok dances his fingertips along one of the thickest chains and smiles into the mirror.

"Joonie Baboonie, you have such an eye for style."

"Baboonie?" Namjoon asks with a chuckle as Hoseok spins on his toes and pats Namjoon on one of his big, strong biceps.

"Yes, Baboonie! You got this primal ape thickness to you," he says, giving Namjoon's arm a squeeze.

Namjoon gasps and yanks his arm away, pretending to be scandalized. "I don't even know what to think right now."

"Trust me, it's a compliment," Hoseok says as he turns toward the door, looking over his shoulder to add, "You're easily one of the hottest men on this peninsula."

The tips of Namjoon's ears turn a precious shade of red, and Hoseok grabs his phone, wallet, and keys from where they sit on the vanity counter and slide them into his borrowed pockets, giggling to himself over how fun it is to rile Namjoon up.

He takes his time walking through the studio, to the large front doors ahead, listening to shutters snap closed while photographers and directors instruct and praise and ask more from their models. Despite feeling fed up with Yoongi's antics, he is proud to be part of this world, and he holds his head high as he pauses before the sliding glass doors and waits for them to open wide.

It is early evening, still bright and warm outside. Hoseok spots the familiar sedan sitting curbside and is pleased to find only Yoongi waiting for him. He can play coy all he wants in the presence of others, but he is not so sure he can hold up the facade around Seokjin, and the man's absence is a relief.

Yoongi wears a black mask over his nose and mouth, as well as black sunglasses, and when Hoseok opens the door and slides into the front seat, Yoongi points to the glove compartment and says, "Disguise, please."

Now that Hoseok is alone with Yoongi, he fully takes in his appearance. Between being photographed by him earlier in the day and now, he has changed from his typical flowing black rags into a white button-up top with long, sharp lapels, and charcoal grey slacks that strain against his thighs. His hair has so much volume that the tips fan out in pretty waves, and Hoseok openly stares, feeling his feigned impassiveness crash down around him.

There is no way he is going to be able to have the upper hand if Yoongi is this fucking pretty.

"Hoseok," Yoongi says, "we don't have all day."

Hoseok clears his throat, blinks Yoongi from view, and leans to open the glove compartment. Inside is a pair of black sunglasses and an unused black mask, and he reaches for each item to put on.

"Why the disguises?" he asks.

"I don't like my identity being widely spread, and there always seems to be someone in the high-end districts waiting for me to waltz into a shop or restaurant. Better safe than sorry."

"Why is that?" Hoseok asks, adjusting the mask to fit comfortably over his nose.

Yoongi sighs. "The last thing I need is for the press to see me taking my models out to eat and spread the word that I'm fucking them."

"Because you are," Hoseok mutters.

"Flirting is not the same as fucking."

Hoseok rolls his eyes and tips his head in Yoongi's direction. His voice is low but challenging as he asks, "How many of them do you fuck, boss?"

It is a shame Yoongi's face is covered; Hoseok would love to see his expression as he says, "Currently, none."

With a hum, Hoseok turns to reach for his seatbelt. He does not believe Yoongi for a second, but he is still happy with the claim.

"Where are we off to?" Hoseok asks in a far more chipper voice.

Yoongi sighs, turning Hoseok's attention back to him. He has his sunglasses pulled down to the bridge of his nose, and his eyes appear somewhat sad.

"Look, I'm sorry for kissing you. I should have asked…or…I don't know…refrained."

"Yup," Hoseok responds snarkily.

"But we need to at least pretend things are normal, for the sake of professionality. Otherwise I will not be able to continue having you at M Magazine. I really don't want to let you go, Hoseok."

"Because I'm a good investment. I know."

Another sigh. "Is that really how you feel?"

Hoseok rolls his eyes again, thankful that his expression is hidden, because he suddenly feels dangerously close to crying. He takes his time to think about his response, and then he shrugs. Yoongi is fucking insane if he thinks Hoseok is going to give him an ounce of his dignity.

"I thought we didn't have all day?" he asks, instead.

Yoongi slowly blinks, then says, "We have time for this. If there's something we need to discuss, I can always make time for it."

"Wow, so caring," Hoseok drawls sarcastically. "You're really good at putting on the good boy act when it's just the two of us. How many other models do you do this for?"

Yoongi squints, pushes his sunglasses back into place, and presses the ignition start button. Then he simply asks, "Sushi?"

"Sushi sounds great," Hoseok responds genuinely as he sits back and looks out the windshield, eyes trailing over details he barely registers of vehicles and trees.

Off they drive. Hoseok spaces out entirely, blocking out everything ahead. Instead, he fights with his own emotions, unsure how he would like to proceed.

He wants to tease Yoongi, and ultimately break him down. And in order to do so, he knows he needs to drop the snark. But Yoongi has genuinely pissed him off, and it is difficult not to bring it up.

When the racing thoughts get to be too overwhelming, Hoseok reaches into his pocket and takes out his phone. He has Namjoon's number saved from their spa day, and he pulls up his contact.

Hoseok Joon Baboon, this man is driving me insane. Please snitch on your bestie and tell me what he said about The Kiss™. I feel claustrophobic in this car because I don't know what the fuck this man is thinking.

Hoseok assumes Namjoon is still at work, but there is a chance he is between models, or packing up for the day. It is rare for anyone to stay past five, and it is a quarter to five now.

For good measure, he also sends a text to Jeongguk. He is eager to pick his friend's brain if Jeongguk is willing to talk about his experience with Yoongi.

Hoseok Ggukieee!!! Drinks later? On me? I'm having a crisis that only you could understand.

He places his phone face down on his leg and patiently waits, staring out the side window at all the tall glass and concrete buildings. This side of the city is where all the money is. Designer shops, high-end restaurants, five-star hotels.

Yoongi pulls up to a valet stand, takes a deep, slow breath, and shuts the ignition off. Hoseok swallows thickly, wondering if there really might be members of the press lingering around, waiting to photograph his boss – and, by extension, him.

As soon as Yoongi is out of the car, Hoseok follows suit, unbuckling and slowly opening his door. He has no idea why his heart pounds, and he glances around at his surroundings, noticing the way people stop and take in his appearance.

"For Min," Yoongi says as he hands the valet attendant his key.

The attendant bows and Yoongi turns to Hoseok, nods his chin, and walks toward a large glass door.

Hoseok follows close behind, trying to elongate his steps to accentuate the beautiful garments he wears rather than prance ahead quickly. He feels like royalty in the outfit Namjoon has dressed him in, and he intends to savor each second he spends in it.

Yoongi holds the door open, and Hoseok steps inside. Immediately, he is hit with rich umami and spicy scents, and he stops and waits for Yoongi to step ahead and say, "Two for Min," to the hostess.

"Right this way," she says, leading the two of them through a lavish restaurant furnished in gold, crystal, and jade, with copious amounts of natural lighting.

She leads them to a section of private booths with tall wooden walls – an area that is much more dim and intimate than the main dining hall – and she points to a booth all the way at the end. There are no other patrons in this area of the restaurant, yet Yoongi only removes his sunglasses once they are seated.

"The usual?" she asks, and Yoongi turns his attention to Hoseok.

"I usually get an assortment of sashimi, as well as inari, miso soup, and sake."

"That sounds good," Hoseok mutters, feeling inexplicably shy as he removes his sunglasses and scoots to the center of the booth.

"The usual, for two," Yoongi nods to the hostess, who bows and walks away. He busies himself with unfolding his napkin and placing it over his lap, and then pulls out his cell phone.

Hoseok pulls his phone out, as well. And in that moment, it vibrates.

Joon Baboon All he said was that he made a mistake. He feels like he broke your trust and pissed you off, and for that, he feels guilty.

Hoseok rolls his eyes and bites his lip to prevent from smiling.

Hoseok Is that what this fancy as fuck sushi dinner is about?

Joon Baboon You didn't hear it from me…

Hoseok The magic words!!!

Joon Baboon But, yes.

"About Dior," Yoongi says, causing Hoseok to set his phone down on the booth beside his leg and lift his attention to his boss. "Technically, the contract is over if you are pleased with all we have done. But they have reached out to express interest in having you model the upcoming winter line."

"Oh?" Hoseok perks up and folds his hands over his lap, watching as Yoongi pulls the mask from his mouth and neatly sets it aside.

Yoongi is devastatingly pretty with his hair wild and curly. Especially with the crisp white shirt, his skin looks petal soft, and his lips have a slight gloss – kissable and sweet. Hoseok hates how quickly one look can make every wall he attempts to build around his heart buckle and crumble to his feet.

"Cardigans, hoodies, handbags," Yoongi continues, "possibly sneakers. Oh, and they have a grey wide-legged wool pant that I believe you would be particularly stunning in, if that interests you."

Hoseok licks his lips and nods. For once, he has nothing snarky to say, and instead, he sits back and takes a deep breath. More Dior means more time spent with Yoongi acting as his agent. He feels conflicted.

"Would this be something we begin soon?" Hoseok asks, suddenly feeling antsy and shifting in his seat. "Or would we draw up a new contract?"

Yoongi studies his face, then leans forward with his elbows on the table. "What would you like to do? Continue the current contract and get all of that out of the way, or pause with Dior in order to find representation with a more permanent agent?"

Hoseok gently nibbles on the inside of his lip. He figures he may as well be honest with Yoongi, despite how much he loathes putting his feelings on display.

Luckily for him, a server approaches with a tray of water and sake. Hoseok busies himself with pouring small glasses of sake while the server excuses themself. He can feel Yoongi watching him, and he swallows back his anxiety as best as he can.

"In the event that Dior keeps thirsting for my good looks, I think I would like to find a more permanent agent."

He glances up and sees Yoongi watching him, chin resting against his folded hands.

"S-so, if you wouldn't mind putting me in touch with some," Hoseok continues, pulse quickening the longer Yoongi stares, "I would appreciate it."

"Alright," Yoongi says. "I can set up some interviews for this week."

"Thanks, boss," Hoseok mutters as he slides a soju glass forward.

"Any particular reason you are eager to pay money for representation?" Yoongi asks in a teasing voice as he reaches for his glass before Hoseok has a chance to let it go.

The warm graze of Yoongi's fingers makes Hoseok swallow thickly and pull his hand away. Yoongi's signature smirk is back, and it fills his tummies with butterflies and regret.

"Maybe," is all Hoseok is willing to say.

Yoongi hums, then lifts his glass, waiting for Hoseok to lift his, as well.

"How much sake will it take until you comfortably tell me what's on your mind?" he asks.

Hoseok scoffs, referring to the other night as he says, "At least three bottles."

Yoongi lifts an eyebrow and softly chuckles. They tap their glasses together, and Hoseok shoots the liquid back, savoring the almost buttery quality that shines through the semi-sweet flavor.

"How much will it take for you to be honest about your intentions with me?" Hoseok tries.

Yoongi lets out a slow exhale. "My intentions are to assist you with finding an agent to represent you for the rest of your brand contracts, and to continue assisting you with putting your best face forward in the hottest magazine in South Korea."

Hoseok hums and licks his lips. He wants to challenge Yoongi further, but he worries that this is not the place for that.

The booth rattles with an incoming text message, and Yoongi's eyes follow the sound, then lift to Hoseok, asking, "You gonna check that?"

Hoseok rolls his eyes and laughs humorlessly to himself, reaching for his phone. "You're insufferable," he mutters under his breath.

"Well, you aren't willing to speak openly with me," Yoongi quips, "so you may as well entertain yourself somehow."

Hoseok tongues the inside of his cheek as he lifts his phone, sees that it is a message from Jeongguk, and unlocks his screen to read it.

"Do you like wasabi in your soy sauce?" Yoongi asks, and Hoseok flicks his gaze up briefly, annoyed with his sudden change in topic.

"Sure," he says, dropping his gaze down to his phone.

Ggukie Bun Drinks sound fun, but idk how much I wanna talk about that man…you'll have to loosen me up quite a bit to get me to spill, hyungie.

He sends a quick response—

Hoseok You got yourself a deal, bunny. I'll hit you up when I'm finished with dinner.

—and slides his phone into his pants pocket before leaning forward with his elbows against the table.

"You want me to talk?" Hoseok challenges, keeping his voice low in case there are people sitting in nearby booths. "Alright, boss, I'll talk about anything you want. Pick my brain, since you're so eager."

Yoongi smirks and the sight alone has Hoseok's frustration reaching an all new high. The audacity of this man to push his buttons so much; he is going to lose his fucking mind.

Hoseok watches as Yoongi uses his chopsticks to mix a dollop of wasabi into a small square dish that he has poured soy sauce into, eyes glued to his long fingers cradling the black lacquered utensils.

"So, you're saying I don't have to spend eight hundred thousand won on booze to get you to open up?" Yoongi teases as he lays his chopsticks down across an empty dish.

"Eight hundred—" Hoseok gasps, then looks at the ceramic carafe in the center of the table. "What?"

"I know, one hundred and thirty thousand won is a lot for just one bottle, but I rather like how smooth this one is."

Hoseok chuckles and shakes his head. "You cannot be serious."

Yoongi's voice drops an octave as he leans forward and says, "Don't think I wouldn't spend that kind of money on you, Hoseok. Especially if it gets those pretty lips talking."

All the little hairs on Hoseok's body stand at full attention. He has half a mind to excuse himself to run outside for some fresh air.

"Pretty lips?" Hoseok asks, instead, unable to hide the tremble in his voice.

Yoongi's smirk becomes a grin, and there is a devious glimmer in his eyes as he says, "I quite liked the taste of soju on your tongue, but I bet this sake would be even better."

Nervous laughter rocks through Hoseok's chest, and he holds his left hand up and shakes his head, muttering, "Okay, you need to stop."

"Awe, what's the matter, Hoseok?" Yoongi teases.

"I am so fucking serious."

Yoongi sits back, resting his hands on the top of the dark wooden table, and Hoseok allows himself to stare at his short, tidy nails and knobby knuckles.

"Is that why you no longer want me to be your agent?" Yoongi asks. "Eager for another kiss?"

"Fuck it," Hoseok grumbles to himself as he sits tall, looks Yoongi in the eye, and says, "Yeah. That is why."

Yoongi watches Hoseok, eyes trailing from his eyes to his lips and back up. He appears to have something to say, but for once, is holding back.

Servers approach with trays of food, starting with the miso soup and inari, then the sashimi. Hoseok thanks the servers, smiles impatiently at Yoongi, and then waits for him to start eating.

But Yoongi keeps his eyes on Hoseok. He slowly blinks, saying nothing, and Hoseok takes a deep, fortifying breath and says, "Yoongi-ssi, I would like to eat. Please start."

"Sorry," Yoongi utters softly, lifting his burgundy napkin and tucking one corner delicately into the neck of his shirt.

Hoseok rolls his eyes and sits back with a huff, crossing his arms over his chest. Whatever game Yoongi is playing at, it is wearing him out.

"I was just thinking," Yoongi says as he reaches for his small bowl of soup and lifts it to his lips. He blows delicately at the broth and says, "Seokjin may have room to represent you."

Hoseok sits forward and reaches for his own small black plastic bowl with red along the rim, and he lifts it to his lips. "Seokjin works as an agent?"

Yoongi sips at his soup and closes his eyes. A smile graces his lips, and Hoseok forgets for a moment how hungry he is – all he can do is stare.

"Seokjin started out as my in-house agent," Yoongi says as his eyelids flutter open. "But then he got bored of dealing with fussy models and slowly transitioned to becoming my assistant. Sorry, my goon."

A hint of a smile tugs at Hoseok's lips before he can stop himself. He has a sip of the miso soup, and the rich, savory broth instantly warms him, sending a chill along his spine as he adjusts to the sudden change in temperature.

With another salty sip, a small square of tofu glides between his lips and practically melts on his tongue, and Hoseok understands why Yoongi reacts the way he does to savoring this soup. It really is delicious, and the perfect starter to the meal.

"I'm not sure he would enjoy me, then," Hoseok jokes, holding the bowl close to his lips. Steam rises from the broth, and he enjoys the way it dances over his skin. "I'm pretty fussy."

Yoongi chuckles, shakes his head, and mutters, "You're not that bad," before having another sip.

Hoseok sets his half-finished soup aside and reaches for his chopsticks. The inari is calling his name, and he reaches for a piece while Yoongi sets his empty soup bowl down, and he dips it rice-side-down into the soy sauce and wasabi.

Although inari is a simple dish of sticky rice tucked inside a soft, fried pocket of bean curd, there is a semi-sweetness to it that, paired with soy and wasabi, is quite delicious. He does his best to only bite the edge of it, leaning over his bowl to catch stray grains of rice that fall.

He alternates between nibbles of the inari and slices of sashimi, hardly taking his eyes off the table until the meal is nearly finished. Yoongi fills the glasses of sake, and he stands slightly to reach across the table and set Hoseok's close to him.

With Yoongi hovering over the table, looming over Hoseok, the breath catches in Hoseok's throat. He watches as Yoongi smiles slightly and licks his lips, then settles back in his seat.

"How many models are you regularly kissing and flirting with?" Hoseok asks, reaching for his sake.

Yoongi shakes his head, and mutters, "Hoseok—"

"I'm serious," Hoseok interrupts, sitting tall in his seat. "Whatever it is you're doing with me, I don't want it if this is something you're doing with someone else, too. The rides home and gentle knee touches…all of it. I'm serious."

"I'm not taking anyone else on dinner dates or squeezing anyone else's knee," Yoongi insists. "The only other model I am spending time with is Sunmi, but I am not eager to piss off her partner."

"But if she were single—" Hoseok attempts.

Yoongi shuts him down, "No, Hoseok." He snickers and reaches for his cup of sake. "Not even if she were single."

Hoseok raises his eyebrow. "You aren't fucking Seori?"

At this, Yoongi chuckles. "Did Namjoon tell on me?" When Hoseok says nothing, he continues, "Seori and I had a fling once."

"When?"

"Months ago."

Hoseok tongues the inside of his mouth. "How many months ago?"

Yoongi lifts his sake and shoots it back, then reaches for the carafe to give himself a refill. "Hoseok, you and I shared one kiss. That hardly gives you grounds to interrogate me."

With a heavy sigh, Hoseok extends his right foot, reaching until he feels the toe of his loafer make gentle contact with the side of Yoongi's leg. Yoongi looks down, then up, and raises an eyebrow.

"You intend to share more than just one kiss with me," Hoseok challenges, scooting forward and rubbing his toe higher. "Don't you?"

Yoongi swallows visibly. "This is hardly appropriate behavior to conduct with your boss, Hoseok."

"You started it," Hoseok says plainly, dancing the edge of his shoe against Yoongi's knee. "Call Seokjin. Ask him to represent me."

Yoongi dances his tongue between his teeth as he watches Hoseok. Then he rolls his eyes, reaches one hand below the table, and grazes his fingertips over the joint of Hoseok's ankle. Despite it being a light, innocuous touch, Hoseok's exhale comes out a bit shaky, and he sets down his neglected cup of sake.

"What is it that you want, exactly?" Yoongi asks.

He scoots forward, causing Hoseok's shoe to graze his inner thigh. And despite how unaffected Yoongi seems by the movement, Hoseok's heart pounds at the thought.

"I don't know," Hoseok lies, taking a deep breath and stretching his leg forward.

Hoseok can feel the moment the toe of his shoe very lightly grazes Yoongi's crotch. Yoongi's lips gently part, and Hoseok knows he must look ridiculous with his mouth hanging halfway open, but it is the only way he can hope to breathe; the air feels far thicker than it had moments ago.

"You don't know?" Yoongi challenges, scooting forward again.

The bottom of Hoseok's loafer presses firmly against Yoongi's crotch, and at the same time, both men gasp. Yoongi's eyelids flutter ever so slightly while Hoseok's mouth and eyes widen.

Yoongi tips his head to the side and asks, "Then what are you doing?"

"Fucking with you," Hoseok mutters before he can stop himself. "Wanted to see how far I could push you."

"Ah," Yoongi responds, resting a hand against Hoseok's shoe while the other pushes the hem of his pants upward to gently grab his ankle, skin against skin. "Well, you have yet to reach your limit."

A server approaches, and Hoseok instinctively attempts to yank his leg away, but Yoongi holds his foot in place with one hand while tugging the napkin from where it is tucked into his shirt and draping it over Hoseok's shoe.

"Is there anything more I can bring you tonight?" the server asks, glancing between Yoongi, Hoseok, and what is left of their meal.

"One more bottle should be good," Yoongi says, leaning forward and pressing himself against the sole of Hoseok's shoe while grabbing the sake carafe to give it a shake.

There seems to be liquid inside, and Yoongi reaches with his other hand, silently asking Hoseok for his cup.

"One more bottle coming right up," the server says as they turn to walk away.

Hoseok watches Yoongi, feeling trapped in place and dumbfounded, foot lodged between Yoongi's thighs.

"Cup?" Yoongi asks, making Hoseok heavy-blink and reach for his sake.

Hoseok slams back the drink, sighing through the sudden onslaught of very tasty liquid. He holds his cup out toward Yoongi, cradling it delicately in the fingers of both hands while Yoongi fills it with more clear sake.

He fills his own cup next, sets down the carafe, and lifts the cup. "To finding you an agent," he says with a grin.

Hoseok lifts his cup and nods, then shoots the liquid back. He reaches for the carafe, but Yoongi tuts his tongue against the roof of his mouth, insisting on being the one to handle it.

By the time the server returns, the sake is gone, and a new carafe is set between them. Yoongi does not seem to notice the fact that Hoseok's shoe is still in place between his legs, and Hoseok makes no move to drop it.

"Ah, right," Yoongi says after pouring them another glass. "I forgot that I have business to attend to."

Hoseok watches as Yoongi pulls out his phone, tipping his head to the side curiously.

Yoongi thumbs around, then holds the phone to his ear, eyes on Hoseok as he smiles and says, "Seokjin…might I ask you for a favor?"

* * *

The second round of sake renders the two of them unable to swing by Dior and peruse their winter line. Or, perhaps the game of footsie distracted them from their goal. Likely, it is a combination of both.

Hoseok opts not to get dropped off at home first, which is a mistake. Jeongguk is already at their favorite dive bar, and he watches as Hoseok gets out of Yoongi's vehicle, undoubtedly clocking the way he stumbles as his legs remember how to walk.

To make matters worse, Yoongi must notice Hoseok wave to Jeongguk, who sits directly behind where Hoseok stands, on a rickety metal chair on the bar patio, smoking a cigarette while wearing a skin-tight black shirt tucked into baggy black pants.

"You know him?" Yoongi asks, turning back to Hoseok, who pats his pockets down to make sure he has everything, standing beside the open passenger door. Yoongi wears the mask over his mouth, but his eyes are visible.

"I do," Hoseok says. "Why? Do you?"

Yoongi studies Hoseok briefly, then says, "He looks like someone I've photographed before."

"Interesting!" Hoseok chirps, drawing out the syllables.

"Something tells me you already know about this," Yoongi grumbles somewhat defensively.

Hoseok grins, sarcastically asking, "No…why would you think that?"

"Drink water," Yoongi says with a hint of concern that breaks through the annoyance in his eyes, clearly eager to change the topic and leave. "And text me if you need a ride home."

Hoseok sighs and waves Yoongi off, muttering, "I can take care of myself," then he closes the door and stumbles onto the sidewalk, giggling as he nearly trips over his own feet.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jeongguk grumbles as Hoseok approaches.

Hoseok is definitely more than tipsy, but he blames his giddiness for his inability to function properly. Seokjin had agreed over the phone to represent Hoseok, meaning once they sign a new contract, Hoseok will feel more confident to pursue his pretty boss.

He also felt Yoongi become rock-hard under his shoe, but that is a detail he does his best to block out for the time being. That one he will unpack later, once he is home alone.

"Business dinner," Hoseok responds, doing his best to act sober. He plops himself down in a chair across from Jeongguk and sighs dramatically, wishing he had a glass of water.

"Business dinner?" Jeongguk parrots incredulously. "Dressed like that? Stumbling around drunk? Be serious. I thought you were in crisis mode?"

"I am in peak crisis mode," Hoseok insists. "And anyway, Namjoon dressed me like this. Doesn't he have good taste."

"Namjoon," Jeongguk says in a dreamy tone, lips tugging into a smile. "Should have let him rail me, instead. He was way nicer."

"I bet you still could," Hoseok mutters, fighting the urge to take out his phone and text Namjoon to ask if he would be interested.

Jeongguk looks out into the distance, doe eyes bright and shining. Then he shrugs, and says, "Maybe some other time," and sits back, taking a drag of his diminishing cigarette. "So, what did you want to discuss?"

"Well, Ggukie, I was wondering if you would be open to telling me about what happened between you and my boss."

Jeongguk takes a sharp inhale of nicotine and holds it in. Then he shakes his head and blows a plume of smoke out toward the street. "Nah. Too sober."

Hoseok rolls his eyes and stands up quickly, holding his hand out to Jeongguk while saying, "Let's fix that."

* * *

Two bars and several rounds of shots later, Jeongguk and Hoseok are sitting on the couch in the back of some dingy neighborhood haunt that only people in their mid-twenties seem to patronize. Hoseok has his legs up on a low, wooden table on which neglected pint glasses of water sit creating rings of condensation around their bases, and Jeongguk has his legs draped over Hoseok's lap.

"It was just little shit at first, you know?" Jeongguk mutters, eyes half-squinted in part because there are several bright neon beer signs just to the right of Hoseok's head giving off a greenish-blueish glow.

Hoseok nods.

"Little touches here and there, using pet names and favoritism, asking me to come to his office, inviting me to his studio. He took it slow at first, as if to suss out whether I was interested. But of course I was interested. I mean, you've fucking seen him."

Hoseok nods a little more emphatically; he absolutely has seen him.

"But then he got really assertive, pressing against me in his office, muttering shit like," Jeongguk's voice drops to a low, mocking octave, "we shouldn't be doing this, and, you drive me crazy, and, I can't keep my hands off you."

Hoseok remembers Yoongi cornering him in the makeup room. But you understand why we can’t do that, yes?

"Then one thing led to another, and he had me draped over the couch of his studio with his tongue in my ass."

"Oh my god," Hoseok mutters, in part because he was not expecting this conversation to veer into this territory so abruptly and in part because he has sat on that couch several times!

Jeongguk says nothing more, only stares ahead as if whatever he is searching for is lightyears away.

"So…" Hoseok attempts, "then what?"

With a loud sigh, Jeongguk says, "Then we started fucking. Often. At his place, in his office, in the restroom at a fancy sushi spot."

"Oh my god," Hoseok mutters once more, eyes widening while staring out at the busy bar but not looking at anything in particular. "He took me to a fancy sushi spot."

"I've never had someone so eager to make me cum, like…god, the shit that man does. I pretty much stayed prepped and ready to bottom at all times."

"He was always in control?" Hoseok asks.

"Always. And it was amazing until it wasn't. Some girl named Seori was hired and he dropped me like a sweet potato."

Hoseok frowns, turning his gaze to Jeongguk. "Awe, Ggukie. Not a sweet potato."

Jeongguk nods slowly, nibbling on the inside of his mouth. "I know I shouldn't have taken it personally, but it was…it was a lot. He always said he wasn't into relationships but it was hard not wanting more from someone who made me feel so good."

Hoseok heavy-blinks, gazing around the bar, at people standing and sitting, talking and shouting about this or that. He idly traces his fingertips over the hems of Jeongguk's baggy jeans, trying to sort out what he should do.

On the one hand, he really wants to try to make Yoongi hand over control and grovel for him. But he also feels sad for his friend.

Jeongguk seems to have gotten lost in his mind again, and Hoseok is no better. He still has so many questions, but it is hard to pull any one of them coherently to the surface.

Finally, Jeongguk sits up straight, removing his legs from Hoseok's lap while muttering, "I think I'm going to venture out and find a sweet potato vendor."

"Okay," Hoseok says, mind still swirling with all the new information. He is definitely drunk enough to call it a night, but he also considers joining Jeongguk on his quest. "Yeah, okay, I think I would also like a sweet potato."

As Hoseok and Jeongguk venture out into the night, the details of events become foggy. He stumbles down the sidewalk for an indeterminate amount of time, and suddenly he is at a food cart, pulling notes from his wallet in exchange for a piping hot, foil-wrapped sweet potato.

Next, he is at a small metal table sitting next to Jeongguk, typing a haphazard text message to Namjoon that reads, Eating a sweet potato and thinking of you. Because you are semi-sweet and also thicc. You and Jeongguk would make a cute couple btw!

Then he is shivering, still at the same small table, answering a phone call from Yoongi. He hugs his arms around himself tight while Jeongguk stumbles off into the night, toward his apartment two blocks away – also in the direction Hoseok lives.

"You sure you don't need a ride?" Yoongi asks, voice deep and caring.

"I'm like three blocks away," Hoseok insists, getting up to stumble in the direction of his drunk friend. "It would take you longer to come to me than it would take me to walk there."

Yoongi hums. “At least stay on the phone with me while you walk?”

Hoseok grins, ignoring the fluttering of his heart as he mutters, “Geez, obsessed with me, much?”

"Excuse me for caring," Yoongi responds, sounding somewhat affronted.

Hoseok chuckles and walks slowly, watching his feet meet brick, attempting but failing to step on as few cracks as possible. He smiles and says, "I don't know, I'm drunk enough that I might start saying regrettable things."

There is a pause, followed by, "Such as…?"

"Such as that I know you used to fuck my friend," Hoseok giggles, squeezing his eyes closed for a second because he knows he must have pushed Yoongi's buttons. "He told me all about your moves, Yoongi, and how you pretty much used the same formula that you're using with me. Which begs the question…which cute newcomer will take my spot, and how long do I have before I'm dropped like a hot little sweet potato?"

The sigh on the other end of the line is so audible, Hoseok can picture the downturn in Yoongi's eyes and the way his lips slightly frown while he is thinking.

When he says nothing, Hoseok continues, "See, I warned you," dragging each vowel out dramatically.

"And what would you like me to say, Hoseok? Shall I call Jeongguk and apologize to him?"

"Nah," Hoseok responds, glancing up at brick buildings, pleased that he is still stumbling the correct way. "That would just piss him off."

Ahead, Jeongguk has stopped to lean against a tree and light a cigarette, and Hoseok makes note of the way his flat tummy curves from the way he stands slightly hunched over before his hips are swallowed whole by baggy jeans. He pictures Yoongi's large hands pressing on those hips, and the way Jeongguk must have gasped so sweetly.

Then, Hoseok shakes his head, attempting to dispel the thought; he needs to get laid.

"But you have some reason for bringing this up?" Yoongi asks.

With a sigh, Hoseok says, "I just hate to think my days are numbered. It's exciting to have caught your attention, but it seems," he drags the word out playfully, "that your attention is fleeting."

"We can talk about this when we're both sober," Yoongi mutters lowly.

Not wanting Jeongguk to overhear Hoseok talking to Yoongi, he stops in his tracks. Sadness sweeps over him, and his body undulates like overcooked pasta ever so slightly in place. Although the sweet potato has bought him a little time before blacking out, he is still quite drunk.

"Are we doing anything productive tomorrow?" Hoseok whines. "These last few days of random shoots have felt pointless, and…I might throw up."

"You might throw up tonight from being drunk, or tomorrow from being bored?" Yoongi clarifies.

"Honestly…" Hoseok screws up his face, thinking it over. "Both."

Yoongi chuckles. "I can't believe my top model is calling in sick because he was out drinking all night."

Hoseok is quick to push the blame. "You got me drunk first!"

Yoongi laughs, and it is a pretty, rich deep melody that causes Hoseok to sway. Then he says, "Seok…you know tomorrow is Saturday, right?"

Relief washes over Hoseok, and he nearly stumbles to his knees. "Oh, thank god."

"I would like to see you briefly, tomorrow, though," Yoongi adds. "If you are available. Seokjin would like to iron out a contract and have everything set in stone as quickly as possible so that he can move forward with your next round of Dior shoots. We can meet up in the evening, if you prefer?"

Ahead, Jeongguk has continued to walk home, so Hoseok continues, as well.

"Were these random ass shoots just your excuse to keep seeing me?" Hoseok asks coyly.

"Hoseok," Yoongi drawls, making Hoseok inhale deeply as a tingle works over his body from the sound. He hums in response, and Yoongi continues, "Please stay on topic. Will you be available to sign the contract tomorrow?"

Hoseok grins. "Only if you can admit that you kept me around this week just to see me."

"I would rather talk about my feelings for you once we are sober and you have that contract with Seokjin signed."

"Your feelings for me," Hoseok mutters, mostly to himself.

There is a pause, followed by Yoongi asking, "Are you home yet?"

Hoseok stares at the silhouettes of trees and square buildings ahead, the darkness broken by glowing street lamps. "One more block,"

"I could have picked you up by now."

Hoseok sighs. "You totally could not have. And anyway, I wanted to walk."

"Were you dishonest about how far the walk is? Or are you having a more leisurely stroll than usual?"

"Jeongguk stopped ahead and I didn't want to catch up to him while on the phone with you."

Yoongi sighs. "How long have you known that Jeongguk and I have a past?"

In far too chipper of a tone, Hoseok says, "Since the day I was hired."

Yoongi says nothing, and Hoseok wishes he could see his expression. At this point, he is too intoxicated to care whether he could be pushing Yoongi away. He still believes that no matter what, he will have a shot at fucking him at least once.

It is not as if Hoseok has any interest in pursuing anything more with him.

"Almost there," Hoseok chirps. He has a pep in his step now that his building is in view. It feels like ages since he has taken a nice hot shower, and he desperately wants to wash his face. "Oh, Hey, boss?"

Yoongi hums.

"Do you need this outfit back? Can you, like…deduct it from my paycheck, or something? Namjoon really put his babussy into this fit, and I might want to wear it again."

With a sigh, Yoongi mutters, "It's yours. Keep it."

"Thanks, boss. But how much do you think—"

"I'm not charging you for it, Hoseok. You're correct that it suits you well. Keep it."

Hoseok's cheeks warm, and he grins, raising his shoulders to his ears with glee and dropping them down. He makes his voice as soft as possible as he says, "Thanks, boss. You're too sweet."

Yoongi grunts, making Hoseok quietly laugh to himself. Either he has struck a nerve with Yoongi, the man is very tired, or both.

"Alright, I'm walking up to the front door of my building. I'm home safe. You don't need to stay on the line any longer."

"Hoseok," Yoongi says, making him stop with his hand lifted to the knob, key dangling between his fingers. "Tomorrow, will you come discuss a new contract with Seokjin and I?"

"Oh," he mutters, sliding his key into the knob and twisting it open. "Yeah. Tomorrow evening is fine."

"Wonderful. I'll bring a lawyer along so that we can get everything finalized quickly."

Hoseok makes his way to the stairwell, slowly taking each step. "And then we'll celebrate?"

A pause, then, "How would you like to celebrate, Hoseok?"

Hoseok hums, making a show of the fact that he is giving this matter very serious thought, despite only one thing running through his head.

"A kiss," he finally says, biting his lip as he shuffles down the hallway to his door. The closer he gets to his apartment, the heavier his limbs feel.

"Alright," Yoongi grumbles, making Hoseok grin. "I will kiss you to celebrate."

Hoseok punches his code into the keypad beside his door, and when it clicks open, he lets out a long, happy sigh. Home at last.

"I'm in my apartment now. Gonna strip out of these clothes and take a nice, hot shower."

Yoongi makes no sound, so Hoseok continues.

"Maybe while I'm in there, I'll think about earlier, at the restaurant, with my foot pressed between your legs."

Yoongi sighs, and Hoseok steps from his shoes, feeling victorious.

"I felt how hard you got under my toes. You liked it, boss."

"I did," Yoongi admits, voice low.

"I liked it, too."

"Yeah?"

Hoseok shrugs out of the blazer and delicately drapes it over the back of his couch, then he balances the phone between his ear and shoulder as he begins to unbuckle his belt.

"Yeah. The way your lips parted and eyes widened, so faint and so eager to hold your pleasure in. Beautiful."

"I could say the same for you," Yoongi responds, voice breathy. Hoseok wonders if he is touching himself. "I saw how affected you became."

"I want to see you like that when you're not having to hold back," Hoseok practically moans. "I want to make you unravel."

Yoongi hums and Hoseok holds his breath, waiting for whatever delicious thing he may have to offer.

But then he says, "We should talk about this when we're sober."

With a sigh, Hoseok's body feels worn and heavy; his spirits feel dashed.

"You're right," he mutters. "Good night, boss."

"See you tomorrow, Hoseok."

Hoseok lowers the phone from his ear, grumbling, "See ya," as he hangs up.

* * *

Despite the joyous occasion, Yoongi behaves rather coldly.

At first, Hoseok chalks it up to the fact that Seokjin and a lawyer are present to draw a new contract for his modeling representation. The document is straightforward; Seokjin insists on taking almost no money from Hoseok for his services, citing that he makes more than enough being Yoongi's personal goon – a word he says playfully, with a wink.

They discuss long-term plans that stretch further than Hoseok's employment with M Magazine, should he move on to other publications, and everything feels official and exciting in a way Hoseok hasn't experienced since he graduated from college as a fresh face getting scouted by seedy, desperate photographers and art directors.

But even as they bow to the lawyer and bid him farewell, there is something sour looming over Yoongi, like a bitter little stormcloud threatening to burst at any moment and become everyone else's problem. Seokjin even nudges him, attempting to crack jokes, but he rarely smiles, and he hardly makes eye contact with Hoseok.

It feels like whiplash after how playful he was last night, and Hoseok hovers around the sofa, not feeling welcome enough to sit, but not sure whether he should leave. Until finally, Yoongi stretches and yawns, and Hoseok sees that as an opening.

"Well, you're tired," he says, sliding his hands into the front pockets of his pressed, black fitted slacks. "I'm tired, as well. So I think I'll head out."

"Yah, Hoseokah!" Seokjin barks. "We should celebrate!"

A yawn works its way from Hoseok's chest, and he lifts his hand to cover his mouth. Seokjin flinches away as if he is at risk of catching some kind of virus from a yawn and frowns.

"We could schedule something for next weekend," he suggests. "Or whenever all of us are free."

"All of us are free right now," Seokjin insists. "Yoongichi, you don't have any extravagant dates planned, do you?"

Yoongi shakes his head, but his eyes are glued to his phone. He seems stressed out, and frankly, it annoys Hoseok. It feels rude to build up his excitement to see him this evening, only for him to act completely indifferent to Hoseok's presence.

"Why don't we all go out to celebrate once Seokjin and I have our first round of Dior shoots under our belt?" Hoseok recommends.

Yoongi nods, eyes never leaving his phone, and Seokjin sighs but agrees.

"Alright, sounds like a plan."

"Cool," Hoseok says, nodding listlessly, "then I'm going to head out."

Finally, Yoongi lifts his head to look at Hoseok fully. And for a split, brief, teeny tiny moment, Hoseok thinks Yoongi might finally be direct with him. But then his eyes fall back to his phone as he grumbles, "I'm glad the three of us could sort this out."

"Need a ride?" Seokjin asks.

Hoseok shrugs but happily says, "I would appreciate it."

Seokjin approaches Yoongi and mutters something lowly before giving him a slap on the shoulder, which Yoongi more or less seems to ignore. Then he makes his way to the door, where Hoseok trails along to slide into the pretty black loafers he wore just last night.

Hoseok does not say goodbye to Yoongi, and when they step into the elevator, he lets out a sigh.

"I hate when he gets preoccupied," Seokjin complains.

Hoseok chuckles. "It's honestly pretty rude."

Hoseok pulls out his phone and sends Yoongi a message—

Hoseok The way you hardly looked at me tonight is absolutely crazy. I no longer want that celebratory kiss.

—then tucks the device into his pocket. He does not expect a response to come any time soon.

"I love him, and he's a great businessman, but he is kind of an idiot," Seokjin says, making Hoseok laugh. "He has no fucking interpersonal communication skills."

It feels good to laugh, and Hoseok does not hold back. He bends in half, gripping his knees as the cords of his untied black, silk modern hanbok hang past his knees. He has to apologize to someone once the doors slide open and he steps forward, nearly barreling into them.

"Geez, it's not that funny," Seokjin complains despite still laughing.

"Oh, it definitely is," Hoseok insists as they make their way out into the evening.

* * *

Hoseok does not hear from Yoongi for the rest of the night while he is out with his friends at the club, nor the entirety of Sunday while he is letting Jimin distract him with brunch and shopping.

And by Monday morning, when there is still no word, Hoseok decides he no longer cares. He has a shoot later in the morning with Yoongi, and he begrudgingly gets out of bed and goes through his routine as if it were a standard early morning, with the plan of stopping by his favorite cafe for a sweet treat and a latte.

The weather is hot but not stifling, and Hoseok wears the same flowing black silk modern hanbok top he wore to Yoongi's place on Saturday, untied over a tight black tank top and mid-length, black wool shorts. And, of course, his favorite new chunky black leather loafers. He tucks his phone, keys, wallet, and lip balm into a small black handbag and sets out for the day with a forced smile.

And truthfully, the cafe trip does wonders for the residual sour mood Yoongi had put Hoseok in, leaving him in a much more positive headspace. That is until he arrives at the studio.

The familiar sights and sounds are like a weight on Hoseok's shoulders, but he holds his head high and makes a beeline through the expansive studio space to his sanctuary. The makeup room.

Upon entering, Hoseok finds Seokjin and Namjoon standing by a metal rack of clothing, sifting through outfits. He sets his coffee down on the long vanity counter by the mirror wall and prances over to see what they have in store for him.

"Yoongi wants us to start with this," Seokjin says as he pulls out a charcoal grey blazer and matching slacks.

Hoseok wonders if this is the grey wide-legged pant that Yoongi said he thinks Hoseok will look stunning in. He rolls his eyes at the memory, then smiles widely as he chirps, "Looks great, Jinnie-hyung!"

It takes no time at all for Namjoon to have Hoseok dressed in the grey suit with his hair slicked back and his face made up. By now, they have the process down to a science; Hoseok hardly has a chance to get comfortable in the makeup chair.

They opt not to pair the outfit with jewelry, but Hoseok wears black and white sneakers that he is not a fan of for this type of outfit. This look is currently all the rage with these high-end brands, and does not understand why.

"I'll let Yoongichi know we're ready for him," Seokjin says as he leaves the room, and Hoseok gives a thumbs-up.

"Wow, so Seokjin-hyung is your agent?" Namjoon asks.

Hoseok swivels around in his tall, black chair and smiles widely. "Yeah! I'm excited. He seems very knowledgeable and dedicated, and he doesn't want to take all my earnings."

"Of course, he doesn't," Namjoon chuckles. "The co-founder of M Magazine undoubtedly makes a pretty penny."

"Co-founder?" Hoseok asks, shocked. "Yoongi only mentioned he was previously an agent and then shifted gears to work as his assistant goon."

Namjoon shrugs. "Seokjin-hyung has always done a little of everything, with the exception of photography. He has an eye for beauty and design, but prefers the more tedious duties that come with being an assistant. I think he likes being useful. And he tends to feign modesty, which is why nobody refers to him as the co-founder."

That checks out, and Hoseok nods. "Well, I am glad I have a use for him. Gotta get to stardom somehow!"

"Trust me," Namjoon says, leaning close. "You will."

Hoseok visibly swoons, causing Namjoon to lean away with regret painted on his face. "You're the sweetest, Joon Baboon!"

A deep, impassive voice cuts through the joy, with one simple word.

"Ready?"

Hoseok turns to find Yoongi standing in the doorway dressed in a white blazer unbuttoned over a white dress shirt, with matching white shorts, tall black socks, and black loafers. His hair is slicked back, combed behind his ears, there is a pair of black glasses tucked into the neck of his shirt, and he wears a scowl on his pretty face. His trusty camera is in his hand, strap wrapped around his wrist, and his eyebrows are raised high with impatience.

"Sure thing," Hoseok says flatly, mood instantly killed.

He slides from his chair and follows Yoongi out, into the studio, to the corner where he prefers to shoot, near the bottom of the steps that lead up to his office.

There is nothing for Hoseok to pose on or near, so he just stands against the dark backdrop, angling his body and elongating his neck and limbs. Yoongi shoots quickly, stepping back and moving forward, eye glued to the viewfinder.

When he finally does glance over the camera, it is to say, "Give me a little movement, like a twirl but with one foot kicking outward."

Hoseok does some twirls and kicks, accentuating the loose cut of the slacks and doing his best to embody fluidity. He feels as if these shots will be magnificent, and he waits for Yoongi to crack a smile and tell him he is doing well.

But instead, Yoongi drops his hands to his sides and says, "That's good," then he lifts his camera high enough to begin sifting through the photos.

On the breast of Yoongi's jacket is a pretty white flower that stands out in the bright glow of the box lights, and Hoseok curses himself for wanting to rub his palms across it, heavy-blinking to avert his eyes.

"New outfit?" Hoseok asks.

Yoongi shrugs. "If you have time for more, sure."

"If I have time?" Hoseok bites back. "I've barely been here for an hour."

Yoongi continues to flip through photos, making Hoseok wonder if he heard him at all. Then he says, "Yeah, whatever your agent wants," and walks off.

"What the fuck," Hoseok mutters under his breath as he turns and stomps back toward the makeup room. This behavior has him wishing he would have stepped on Yoongi's balls a little harder at the sushi restaurant.

Seokjin already has outfits laid out when Hoseok returns, and he is changed into more casual wear, sporting an array of hoodies, cardigans, and handbags. Yoongi is just as standoffish, giving Hoseok almost nothing to work with, but he continues to change shirts and pose, doing his best.

And then, suddenly, Yoongi's phone rings loud and shrill, making everyone but himself flinch. He sighs and stops what he is doing, muttering, "One moment, sorry."

Yoongi's phone is typically always on vibrate while at work, and he absolutely never drops everything to answer the call. How uncouth, Hoseok thinks, standing under the warm lights with his hands on his hips while Yoongi walks several paces away, talking lowly into his phone.

As soon as he returns, Yoongi mutters, "Something has come up, but it seems like we shot everything we need. Thanks for everything. Great job today." He only spares Hoseok a quick glance, and then he turns to walk up the stairs to his office.

Hoseok sighs, nods to himself, and begins back toward the makeup room. From the corner of his eye, he watches as Seori rushes in through the front doors of the building, dressed in a light pink hoodie and sweatpants and looking frazzled. She makes a beeline for the steps and runs to the top, where she quickly knocks but does not bother to wait before walking into Yoongi's office and closing the door behind her.

The feeling that swirls in Hoseok's tummy is envy mixed with something else – something even more bitter. Something numbing. He can't quite put his thumb on it, but he chooses not to dwell on it.

Until he enters the makeup room with a heavy sigh, and – upon realizing only Namjoon is present – begins to crumble emotionally. Despite feeling the desire to cry, tears only prickle gently around the edges of his lids but never fully gather. More than anything, he just feels defeated.

"I didn't follow your advice, okay," he admits, taking Namjoon somewhat by surprise as he throws himself on the makeup chair. "I should go home. I need to clear my head. I feel so—"

"What happened?" Namjoon asks kindly, approaching with his arms loosely crossed over his chest.

"You warned me about that man, and I listened! I really did! But my heart and my body did not, and now I feel like I am a marionette hanging from strings eager for a master. But rather than tug on my strings and make me dance, he just fucking leaves me hanging."

"That's…a beautifully pathetic analogy," Namjoon mutters, dimples on display.

Hoseok attempts to swat at the handsome man, but Namjoon simply leans slightly back, avoiding his fingertips.

"I don't even care about being in a relationship with him," Hoseok mutters somewhat under his breath. "Like, I'm foolish, but I'm not that stupid. I just…ugh! He…ugh!"

Namjoon chuckles and shakes his head. It is not the laugh of a man who wants Hoseok to feel foolish, but one of a man who has likely had this conversation this time and time again.

"He charms in his own way," Namjoon says. "And then he puts up a wall when he thinks he is getting close to someone. It's like he's terrified of just allowing himself to open up to people."

"Why?" Hoseok sighs.

Namjoon shrugs. "No idea. There's no shocking character reveal or tragic backstory, you know? Yeah, his parents are wealthy and they don't hover, but they are kind and supportive. His relationship with his brother is casual and positive. Aside from his playboy tendencies, he is a great person to work with, and a great person to work for. No gambling problems, no drinking problems, no sordid past. He just…doesn't like to commit to anyone."

Another sigh pours from Hoseok's mouth, this one drawn out with a groan. He drops his head back dramatically, feeling extra annoyed – exorbitantly annoyed.

Hoseok finds nothing inherently wrong with having commitment issues or with preferring to sleep around without strings attached. He and his friend group have always been pretty loose with hooking up, and it has never caused drama because they all know where they stand with one another.

But it is frustrating that the result is a lack of empathy and poor communication. Hoseok is fine with being someone's piece of ass on the down low, but he needs to know where he stands. And it annoys Hoseok that, rather than finding a reason to hate Yoongi and make the idea of backing away from him feel easier, he really sympathizes with the guy.

Hoseok laughs to himself, despite feeling little joy. "If he wanted to just fuck around, I wouldn't even object. And I have been rather forward with suggesting I am open to it, but he just clams up and doesn't say anything."

"Mmhmm," Namjoon grumbles in a tone that suggests he knows this all too well.

"Whatever," Hoseok sighs. "We did well today, and although he was the opposite of helpful or encouraging, I feel good about the shoots. So I suppose I could call it a day."

Namjoon nods and seems to glance at the time on his phone. "Seokjin left during the last shoot – said he had some important business to deal with – but he asked me to tell you that you are amazing, and doing great, and that he looks forward to going over the photos with you and Yoongi. He also says to take some time off and he will contact you with a schedule some time this week."

This time, the sigh that Hoseok lets out is one of relief. Relief to have an agent who is receptive and feels positively about the work they are doing. Relief to have some time off to relax, pamper himself, and get some fucking space from Yoongi.

He changes back into his black tank top, silk hanbok top, shorts, and loafers. With his arms hanging open, he convinces Namjoon to lean in for a semi-awkward hug, and thanks him for all his hard work. Then he opens that door with a fortifying breath and sets out toward the front doors, eager to get home and unwind.

The studio is quiet, with only one photographer and model on set in the far left corner. Hoseok does not even look their way, eager to reach the sliding glass doors. And he almost does, before he hears a familiar voice call for him.

"Jung Hoseok-ssi."

Hoseok physically recoils from the sound, closing his eyes to take a deep, annoyed breath. He was so close to making it outside – just a couple more feet from freedom.

With a plastered smile, Hoseok spins, asking, "Yes, boss?" as he searches for the source of the voice.

Yoongi stands at the top of the stairs, arms straight down at his sides. He asks, "Do you have a moment?"

Hoseok nods and makes his way through the large studio space, heart betraying him in a frantic dance the closer he gets. He wonders if there will be any visible trace of Seori on Yoongi's skin or any lingering scent of perfume.

With each footfall up to Yoongi's office, Hoseok feels his body undergo more and more duress. His legs and hands tremble, his palms begin to prickle, his breathing feels labored. Yoongi turns and enters his office as Hoseok gets close, and once he reaches the top, he takes a fortifying inhale.

"Yes?" Hoseok asks, attempting to come off as impassively as possible.

"Close the door, please," Yoongi says, making his way toward his desk.

Hoseok closes the door and gives himself a second to collect his composure before turning toward Yoongi and approaching. He expects to find Yoongi sitting at his chair, but instead, he is on the corner of his desk, half-sitting with one foot suspended somewhat, and his arms crossed over his chest.

"I owe you an apology," Yoongi says. His hair is all in place, and there is no sign on his clothing or skin that might suggest anything transpired with Seori.

Still, Hoseok scoffs, nods, and says, "Yeah, you do."

"I understand that sometimes my behavior can be a bit…" Yoongi takes a moment to choose his words, and Hoseok opts to fill in the blank for him.

"Confusing. Frustrating. Demeaning."

"Distant," Yoongi provides.

"Distant," Hoseok parrots with a humorless chuckle. "Sure, yeah, that's certainly one way to put it."

There is sincerity in his rich tone as Yoongi drops his arms to his sides and says, "I'm sorry."

"You could have at least sent a reassuring text message. Or even an apology. Any kind of communication at all."

"My distracted state the other night was nothing personal, but I should have given you a heads up that I had a lot on my plate."

"The other night, all weekend, all day," Hoseok corrects, allowing himself to feel the full range of his anger. "Not one word. You gave me nothing."

Yoongi sighs and slowly stands, remaining leaned against his desk.

"And, look, I don't feel like you owe me an explanation," Hoseok says, eager to make his desires clear. "But a simple heads up would be nice. I know that you and I are not an item, and I don't care that we aren't – that's not my goal with you. But don't let me play footsie with your cock under the table and tease me with promises of a kiss, but then give me the cold shoulder."

Something in Yoongi's gaze shifts – darkens. His lips part, and his stance relaxes.

"So what is it that you want?" Yoongi asks.

"Truthfully?" Hoseok says, and Yoongi nods. "More than anything, I want a healthy work relationship. I want to excel in my field and become a supermodel, and I know that you and your team have the means to do that for me."

Yoongi nods, cracking a smile, filling Hoseok with pride and encouraging him to continue voicing his desires. "I also want to lay you out on your big, expensive desk, and fuck your brains out."

Yoongi's lips part wide in a gasp. It is subtle the way blush rises to his pretty cheeks, but even in the dim light of his office, Hoseok can make out a shift in hue.

"I'm not interested in having strings attached," Yoongi says with the lift of an eyebrow as if in warning.

"No shit," Hoseok scoffs, holding firm, challenging eye contact.

They stare at each other unmoving for only a few seconds, but those seconds drag on, thickening the air with rich, palpable tension. Hoseok slowly breathes in through his nose, allowing himself to dwell on the familiar musky and floral notes that cling to the air and drive him wild.

"Come here," Yoongi commands softly, nearly a whisper.

As if tugged by some invisible force, Hoseok stumbles forward automatically. Yoongi's thighs spread, allowing Hoseok to get nice and close, standing taller than usual with Yoongi's hips bending slightly.

Hoseok sets his handbag down on the desk and looms, drinking in the heat exchanged between them. Whereas Yoongi had the upper hand last time – pulling Hoseok near, slotting their lips together, and pressing him into the wall – this time, Hoseok intends on giving him zero control.

"Tell me what you want from me," Hoseok says, placing his hands on the edges of the desk and leaning close enough to smell the sweetness of Yoongi's breath.

Yoongi's eyes fall to Hoseok's lips, and he very subtly smiles, saying, "I still owe you a kiss."

"You want to kiss me?"

Yoongi's lips twitch faintly. "Yes."

"Is that all?" Hoseok asks, tilting his head to the side as if giving into the command but keeping the miniscule distance between them.

"I want you, Hoseok." Yoongi's rich timbre is as deep and alluring as the ocean, and undoubtedly posing just as big of a threat. "Physically…in any way you will allow me to have you…I want you."

"If I let you have me," Hoseok says softly, annunciating every syllable with purpose, "I need at least a little communication. No fucking around with my feelings. Even without strings attached, I still have feelings, Yoongi."

Hoseok drops honorifics, wondering if Yoongi will care, and Yoongi just nods, eyes pleading. He seems genuine, but he has also seemed genuine in the past.

Still, Hoseok cannot hold back any longer. He rolls his hips forward, connecting their bodies before he connects their lips, breathing in the slight gasp that tumbles from Yoongi's mouth into his the moment their lips touch.

Yoongi sighs into the kiss, but Hoseok has no intention of going easy on him. He rolls his hips again, forcing Yoongi's thighs to spread further as he licks over his pretty lips and darts his tongue inside the small opening.

It comes as somewhat of a surprise the way Yoongi seems to melt and become pliant, hands still gripping the desk and giving Hoseok access to do as he pleases, moaning softly but unabashedly. Hoseok lifts a hand and cards it roughly into Yoongi's product-slickened hair, taking no care to prevent the strands from tugging before grabbing a handful.

With a gasp and a whimper, Yoongi's mouth falls further open, and Hoseok licks inside, darting his tongue around to taste and tease. He hums whenever their lips enclose one another, only for Yoongi to moan each time Hoseok forces him to open wide again.

Finally, Yoongi lifts his hands and grips Hoseok's hips, digging his fingertips and pulling him close. Hoseok rolls his hips again, picking up a slow but firm rhythm, connecting their clothed cocks somewhat haphazardly but with a promise to Yoongi of what could be his.

"Hoseok," Yoongi gasps against his lips, causing them to tug into a smile.

"Yes, pretty Yoongi?"

"Please," he rasps, fingertips digging with more purpose, pulling Hoseok's hips close.

"Please, what?"

With a needy sigh, Yoongi tips his head back as if gasping for air. His lips are kiss-slick, and Hoseok sucks the bottom one between his teeth, only releasing when Yoongi whimpers a high, broken sound.

"What is it, Yoongi?" Hoseok asks firmly, rubbing the tips of their noses together.

Yoongi heavy-blinks as if struggling to gather his thoughts. He lets out a breathy chuckle, and Hoseok wonders if it is some kind of nervous tick.

"I don't know," he mutters, eyes searching Hoseok's face. "I want more, but I'm not sure how we should proceed."

There is a shred of vulnerability in Yoongi's expression, laced in Yoongi's voice, that Hoseok so desperately wants to exploit.

He nibbles on his own bottom lip, backing up only enough to fully take in Yoongis's face. He wonders if it would be more exquisite to use his mouth to make Yoongi fall apart or have the other on his knees for him.

"I have an idea," Hoseok offers, cocking his head to the side before lowering to a nearby brown leather armchair.

Yoongi watches as Hoseok settles and scoots the heavy chair closer, leaning forward to press his palms against Yoongi's hips through the semi-soft, white wool of his trouser shorts. Yoongi's lidded gaze darkens, and he reaches slowly to graze the backs of his knuckles along Hoseok's cheek before pressing his thumb against Hoseok's bottom lip and dragging it down.

"Hoseok," Yoongi groans, taking a step forward to properly tower over him. "You have no idea how many times I have dreamed of having you like this."

Hoseok grins, nibbles on the tip of Yoongi's thumb, and opens his mouth to fully suck the digit between his lips when there is a loud knock on the door, followed by the handle rattling.

Panic rises, and Hoseok sits tall in the leather chair before instinctively slumping back. He is able to use his feet to push it back a little, putting space between himself and the desk.

Yoongi is quick to take a step back, cross one leg over the other, and fold his arms over his chest. He leans against his desk a stoic statue of a man, with his erection hidden nicely by the way he stands. Although there are subtle signs of Yoongi's lips having just been used, and his hair is somewhat out of place on one side, his expression is flat and gives absolutely nothing away.

In hindsight, Hoseok probably should have locked the door.

"Yoongi-ah," a breathy female voice calls, "I know you said our conversation was over, but I'm here to— oh."

Hoseok turns to find Seori standing with her arm outstretched, holding the office door wide open. She wears a red satin robe that falls just above her knees, and her nipples stand out beneath the thin fabric.

"Oh!" she says again, eyes darting between Yoongi and Hoseok. "I'm so— I'm sorry. I had no idea you were busy."

"What do you want?" Yoongi asks, running a hand over the hair that had come untucked behind his ear, flattening it somewhat.

Hoseok focuses his attention on his boss, impressed by how measured and blank Yoongi can become in an instant. Absolutely nothing gives away the heated exchange they shared only moments earlier, nor any hint of interest in the model.

"Can I, uh…talk to you?" Seori asks.

Yoongi gives a curt nod and steps away from the desk, arms falling limply at his sides. And despite the hushed way in which Seori speaks on the other end of the room, the sound travels just enough for Hoseok to detect.

"Please, I just want—"

"I told you, we're finished. Please accept that."

"But Yoongi, I—"

Yoongi speaks low and soft, but loud enough that Hoseok questions whether he wants to be overheard. "Please don't ruin your career over a brief tryst. You are a fine model, and I would hate to lose you because you cannot take no for an answer."

Whatever the woman says next is too pitchy and distraught for Hoseok to make out. He feels awkward eavesdropping now, cursing himself once more for not locking the door. Yoongi's voice drops to an octave that is undetectable at this distance, and soon the office door is clicking shut.

An exasperated sigh pulls Hoseok's attention, and he turns to find Yoongi standing with his face tipped to the ceiling, taking a deep breath. Really, Yoongi has no one to blame but himself for this mess, yet Hoseok finds he feels for the man.

"Wanna get out of here?" he offers.

Yoongi snaps his gaze to Hoseok, instantly relaxing. Hoseok stands from the chair and fully faces Yoongi, but does not approach, watching as the man studies his face, seeming to weigh his options.

Then he nods and says, "Yeah. Let's go."

Hoseok smooths his hands down his shorts and gathers his handbag while Yoongi quickly crosses the room and shuts off his monitor. He does not touch Hoseok as they leave, and Hoseok gives him space to lock up and walk down the steps toward the exit.

Across the room, Seori is on the phone, and she seems distressed. Hoseok glances at Yoongi, watching whether or not the man seems concerned, unsurprised when he does not. As they approach the door, within earshot of the model, Yoongi turns to Hoseok, expression as flat as can be, and begins to talk shop.

"So, as I said," he mutters just loud enough to be overheard, "once we have the greenlight from Dior, Seokjin and I will sit down with you to discuss what the next steps are. There is talk of another brand scouting you, but I think Seokjin should be the one to deliver the good news."

By the time Yoongi finishes his sentence, they are outside. The air is far cooler now that the sun is beginning to set, and Hoseok's shoulders rise instinctively as he shivers through an exhale. He wonders if what Yoongi just said about another brand scouting him is really true, or just something he made up on the fly.

Yoongi walks to the left, where his vehicle is parked on the curb, and Hoseok follows suit, slipping into the passenger seat as soon as the door is unlocked and making haste to buckle his seatbelt. No words are exchanged as Yoongi presses the ignition start button and drives off, and Hoseok sits back in the cool leather seat, accepting his fate.

Despite his attempts at fortifying his heart, Hoseok acknowledges that a small part of him does wonder what it would be like to be the only object of Yoongi's affection. Beyond his money and status in the industry, he imagines what it would be like to receive consistent, uninhibited attention from a man like Yoongi.

The ride remains silent until Yoongi pulls up to the curb outside his apartment, puts the car into park, and sits back with a heavy exhale.

"Seok," he grumbles, pulling Hoseok's attention. He likes that the nickname has returned, and he does his best to ignore the way goosebumps break out over his skin. "Out of an abundance of transparency, I just want to state that I am not currently, uh, seeing anyone else."

Hoseok has no idea what to say, so instead he stares. Despite Yoongi's innate ability to keep his expressions measured and cool, there are small tells that give away his nervousness, like the way he slightly darts his tongue across his bottom lip, and how his eyes seem to focus in and out while he thinks.

"Seori may seem like a current and constant nuisance, but she and I only hooked up once, months ago. I don't want to reduce her worth by calling it a drunken mistake, but that genuinely is all that the experience was. And, well, I don't want to point any blame, but it seems that your presence in the studio has caused her to ramp up her attempts at repeating what we did."

Yoongi sighs, screwing up his face as if he is pained as he says, "The other day, when I was on my phone during the contract signing, I was attempting to assuage her anger with me giving you the cover, as well as inside ads."

"You were text-fighting with her all evening?" Hoseok asks with more of an edge to his voice than he intended, because, truth be told, he is a bit angry that Yoongi felt he couldn't just say something.

"My reputation is somewhat exaggerated. I do not come onto every model I hire, but because I am not one to get caught in a dating scandal, rumors fly in favor of me appearing to be a fuckboy. I do occasionally give in to desire, and I am sure your friend Jeongguk has a story of his own…but it is never my intention to use people up and toss them aside."

"He told me the two of you were hooking up until Seori showed up and you dropped him like a sweet potato."

"So you alluded to, the other night." The edges of Yoongi's lips raise for the splittest of seconds, and then he sighs once more. "That was bad timing, at best. Jeongguk was fun to spend time with, but he was clingy and seemed to want a relationship, which I was not willing to provide."

"Clingy," Hoseok mutters, chuckling at the end of the word.

"I don't necessarily mean it in a bad way."

Hoseok tongues the inside of his mouth, voice low as he says, "Well, he seems pretty hurt."

"It's not like I dropped Jeongguk abruptly. We spoke about it on several occasions, but I admit, he was a hard one to let go of. We had fun."

With a slow, heavy exhale, Hoseok mutters, "Alright, well…I'm still annoyed with you for ignoring me all night, and all weekend, and... You could have at least clued me in a little."

"I shouldn't be telling you this," Yoongi drops his voice lower, "but Seori was attempting to blackmail me. She thought threats of defamation would put me in her palm, and although I have immaculate legal counsel, the whole thing put me in a sour headspace. You are right that I should have said something to you."

Hoseok hums, taking the information in, unsure what to say.

"I tell you all of this because I was thinking about the other night, at the sushi restaurant, just before your shoe happened to be tucked tight between my legs. You were asking whether I was kissing and spoiling any other models."

A shiver runs along Hoseok's spine at the memory, and he watches Yoongi's lips as he says, "I'm only spoiling you."

Hoseok wants to believe him. He thinks he really does believe him. But he is still determined to only give so much, and not allow himself to get too swept up in whatever Yoongi is trying to do.

If Yoongi is so eager to insist they are exclusive, where does the line draw between fucking and dating? It is no wonder Jeongguk seemed to misunderstand their arrangement, and Hoseok worries he will end up in the same position.

"Okay," is all Hoseok says because his heart whooshes so loudly in his ears that it is hard to form a more coherent thought.

"Seok," Yoongi mutters, formed like a question, "what's on your mind?"

"I want to go upstairs," Hoseok says somewhat robotically, eyes lingering on Yoongi's lips.

He watches as the tip of Yoongi's tongue darts out and wets his bottom lip, and he fights the overwhelming urge to lean forward and suck it between his teeth.

"Alright," Yoongi says. "Let's go upstairs."

Hoseok forgets he is wearing a seatbelt as he reaches for the handle and attempts to get out of the vehicle, finding himself momentarily trapped and flustered. Once he is finally free, he joins Yoongi on the sidewalk, attempting to be as calm as possible as they make their way through the lobby to the elevator.

Hoseok remembers Jeongguk saying Yoongi bent him over the couch in his studio, causing his stomach to tie in knots. He is not eager to have a repeated experience that his friend had.

Thankfully, Yoongi seems to have other plans. He holds his key to the pad in the elevator and hits the number five. Hoseok stares at the round button glowing with a golden ring.

He wonders how the apartment level differs from the studio level. How does Yoongi furnish his home? What kind of vibe is he into?

As the elevator dings, Hoseok sucks in a breath. He grips onto the straps of his handbag while the doors slide open, and Yoongi walks into the small hallway first, kicking out of his loafers and leaving them near tidy rows of shoes. Hoseok does the same and sets his handbag by his shoes while Yoongi enters the code to the door into the keypad.

For some inexplicable reason, the beeping sounds from the keypad seem louder than usual. Hoseok swallows thickly and licks his lips as Yoongi opens the door, switches on a dim overhead light, and shuffles into his home.

Hoseok is not at all surprised to find that everything is black and grey. The floors, the rugs, the walls, the furniture, are all black, with grey curtains and silver accents that add hints of lightness.

The entire far wall is a window, allowing a gradient of light to pour in from the setting sun, and hanging from the high ceilings are rectangular light fixtures, from which dim golden light glows, illuminating the space nicely.

From the marble floors, to the plush rugs and matte-finished woods, the textures are so rich and varied that everything appears to be its own shade of black, especially with the golden glow of the overhead lights. Plush, soft couches make a large u-shape in front of the massive window, and sprawled over black tables and shelves are books, various camera equipment, and file folders.

"Wow, so bright and colorful," Hoseok chides as Yoongi leads him to the right, toward the large open kitchen – the same placement as in the studio downstairs.

"What can I say, I'm a man of simple tastes," Yoongi drawls over his shoulder. "Water?" he asks, tugging open the door of a massive black refrigerator. "Soju? Whiskey? Beer?"

Yoongi looks over his shoulder, illuminated by the bright white glow of his fridge. He has given Hoseok too many options, and he finds he cannot choose.

"Water is fine," he mutters when Yoongi impatiently lifts his eyebrows. "Unless you want a little something to take the edge off."

Hoseok feels nervous – why does he feel nervous? His hands fidget in the wide sleeves of his hanbok top, and he finds his gaze wandering around the apartment, unable to stay in one place. Perhaps it is the conversation in the car that has caused the excitement from earlier to shift into nervous energy.

"I don't have an edge to take off," Yoongi responds. "Do you have an edge?"

This kitchen is not as barren as the one in the studio. Yoongi appears to have every appliance known to man, all neatly in place along countertops and storage shelves. This place actually appears lived in and cared for, and Hoseok finds the enveloping darkness surprisingly calming.

"No," he lies, realizing he had been stuck in his head. "No edge."

Yoongi chuckles and closes the fridge empty-handed, then he moves to the right, to where cabinets sit tall above a large sink, and he produces two shot glasses and a large glass. As he turns on the sink and switches on a filter that is attached to the faucet, he glances over his shoulder and nods to a nearby cabinet, saying, "You seem to have a slight edge. Pick your poison and we'll do a shot to loosen up."

To the right of the sink, above the countertop, is a cabinet with a glass window showcasing several bottles of whiskey. Hoseok finds a Japanese one with an inviting white and black label and pulls it out while Yoongi shuts off the sink and sets down a tall glass of water.

"Nice pick," Yoongi says as he reaches for the bottle, uncorks the top, and pours two shots.

Hoseok inches nice and close – close enough to smell the cologne Yoongi wears – and reaches for one of the shots. They clink the glasses together softly and shoot the liquid back, and although it is rich and smooth, the strength makes Hoseok wince, which in turn makes Yoongi chuckle.

"It's good," Hoseok insists, feeling somewhat embarrassed despite having no reason to be. "Just strong."

"One more?" Yoongi asks, leaning close. "Or is your edge softened?"

"One more," Hoseok responds, tipping his chin upward in a challenge. "I wanna taste it on your tongue."

Yoongi snickers then pours two more shots, which they quickly drink back, and this time, Hoseok does not react as strongly to the earthy, semi-sweet flavor. This time, he picks up hints of caramel and enjoys the way it settles over him like a warm hug.

Ordinarily, two shots are hardly enough to make Hoseok feel anything but warm and energized. But he only ate breakfast today, a realization that makes him feel somewhat foolish, all things considered, and the whiskey has a bit of an effect on him.

Hoseok feels light around the edges. Fuzzy tendrils of frenetic energy erupt from him like tiny solar flares ignited by Japanese whiskey and Yoongi's proximity. He places his hands against Yoongi's hips and turns him until his ass is against the counter, then he slides his hands to rest against the countertop, caging Yoongi in like he had in his office.

"Kiss me," he whispers, elated as Yoongi obeys immediately, leaning close to lick over Hoseok's lips and then part his own.

Hoseok sucks Yoongi's bottom lip into his mouth, smiling as he whimpers. He licks over Yoongi's tongue, tasting remnants of heady caramel and something far sweeter and more personal. As if driven mad by the flavor, leans his body against Yoongi's to rut his hips forward.

"Bed," Yoongi mutters against Hoseok, to which Hoseok nods without disconnecting their lips. He is not ready to stop tasting Yoongi just yet. He wants to commit the flavor to memory.

Yoongi's hands find Hoseok's hips and grip tightly, working to both spur him on and calm him down. Hoseok parts the kiss with a heavy sigh and nods once more, resting his forehead against Yoongi's and allowing himself to return to earth.

Then he reaches for the cold glass of tap water and takes a long, slow gulp, hips still pressed against Yoongi with a slight twist to them. He drinks half of the glass down then holds it for Yoongi to have, and takes a step back to give both of them a little space.

Yoongi drinks then sets the glass aside, takes Hoseok's hand, and leads him through the apartment, past the large glass wall through which the sun sets into an inviting greyish blue with pink hues. The door straight ahead is open – the same place the door to Yoongi's studio can be found on the floor below – and Yoongi walks in and flips a switch that invites a soft purple glow.

Similar to the rest of the house, everything is shades of black, save for the bedding, curtains, and rugs which are forest green. Two of the walls are made of glass, allowing the light from the setting sun to pour in through sheer dark green curtains, and there is dark furniture throughout, but Hoseok's attention is on the bed – a wide mattress on a low black platform that is lifted inches from the floor, under which a purple light glows.

"You can change the color if you'd like," Yoongi offers, speaking directly into Hoseok's ear and fanning warm breath against his cheek.

Hoseok tugs Yoongi's hand toward the bed and says, "I bet purple would look nice against your skin," as they stop and face each other.

Hoseok begins to yank open Yoongi's white blazer, which absorbs the light into a pretty lilac shade, and Yoongi chuckles and takes over, very delicately removing the item and handing it to Hoseok.

"Leave it there," he instructs with a nod of his chin, and Hoseok turns to find a small armchair nearby, to the right of the bed, over which a black blazer rests. He drapes the new blazer beside the other and turns back to find Yoongi unbuttoning and untucking his white dress shirt.

With each inch of skin that Yoongi reveals, Hoseok feels his heart begin to race. He shrugs quickly from his hanbok top, tossing it in a heap onto the armchair, then yanks his tank top over his head and chucks it aside.

When his fingers reach the button of his shorts, Yoongi's large, knobby fingers stop his movements, pulling his hands away. Hoseok looks up from his interrupted task to find Yoongi shirtless and sinking to his knees.

"Let me do it," he insists.

Hoseok nods and swallows thickly, watching as Yoongi's knees are engulfed by a soft, dark green shag rug. Yoongi rubs his hands up Hoseok's thighs, causing a warmth to simmer in the pit of his tummy, and he breathes deep and slow, doing his best to maintain his composure.

As Yoongi yanks at Hoseok's shorts, pulling them past his knees, he sits high and wafts his breath against his black briefs, warm then cool on his growing erection. With his gaze directed at Hoseok's eyes, Yoongi nudges his nose and lips against him, taking deep breaths as if savoring his musk, and Hoseok reaches one hand to grip Yoongi's product-slick hair and give his head a rough tug.

Yoongi whimpers, and the sight of him on his knees, submissive and making such pretty sounds kicks Hoseok's need to tame him into overdrive. Yoongi reaches for Hoseok's waistband, but Hoseok shakes his head and says, "Hands at your sides."

With a gasp, Yoongi's eyes widen – pretty and endless depths of inviting brown. Hoseok tongues the inside of his cheek and grips Yoongi's hair a little rougher.

"You have to earn it."

"Earn it?" Yoongi responds almost sardonically, and Hoseok yanks at his head just enough to make him whimper and sigh.

"You heard me. Earn it."

"Please?" Yoongi tries, batting his long, dark lashes like a pretty little doll.

"Please, what?"

"Please let me taste you."

"Only good boys get to suck my cock, pretty Yoongi," Hoseok responds in a mocking tone. Yoongi's pupils react to his words, and Hoseok snickers. "Are you going to be a good boy for me?"

"Yes, Seok," Yoongi practically moans. "I'll be a good boy for you."

"Not just tonight," Hoseok says, tipping his head to the side and peering down at Yoongi with squinted eyes. "You're going to be good to me for as long as we do whatever it is that we are doing. No more miscommunications. No more half-truths."

"I'll be good for you," Yoongi insists, eyes wide and pleading.

"You're still my boss, so we will have to navigate that dynamic one day at a time," Hoseok continues, reaching his other hand to drag his thumb along Yoongi's bottom lip the way Yoongi did to him in his office. "As long as we are not at work, we are equals, and you will treat me as such."

"Yes, Seok," Yoongi mutters.

Hoseok gives his hair a tug and grits, "Louder," through his teeth.

"I'll be good to you, Seok," Yoongi's voice switches from coy desperation to firm insistence, deepening as he says, "Please let me be so good to you."

Hoseok's head spins. He nods and releases Yoongi's hair, then drops his arms to his sides and says, "One thing I like about you is your quick wit and sharp tongue…and I'm sure that is not the extent of what that pretty mouth can do."

Yoongi grins, then lifts his hands to paw over Hoseok's cock and grab for his waistband. Arousal soars through Hoseok – lava in his veins – and he does his best to keep his composure, whimpering softly while he holds firm eye contact with Yoongi.

That is, until he pulls Hoseok's briefs down, and Yoongi's gaze falls to his freed cock. His eyes widen, and he licks his lips as he sits high on his knees and shuffles a little closer. With slow strokes, Yoongi makes Hoseok dizzy, dragging against his foreskin before pushing it down, revealing a flushed head and length.

With a delicate flick of his bubblegum tongue, Yoongi laps up the precum that drips from Hoseok's tip, sending a shiver down his spine. Yoongi drags his lips over the tip and crown, gaze intently returning to Hoseok, teasing with feather-light touches.

Hoseok smirks down at the man – eager to knock him off his pedestal a little – and asks, "How many other pretty models have you dropped to your knees so easily for?"

Yoongi's eyes widen, burning with something Hoseok struggles to discern, and a scoff comes from between his lips. He seems incensed but so terribly aroused. Hoseok grins.

"That's what I thought," Hoseok grumbles bending as he grips Yoongi by the chin and tugs enough to make him sit even higher. He feels powerful and possessive. "This is all for me. Now, open."

As soon as Yoongi's lips part, Hoseok spits into his mouth. Yoongi's eyes widen further, and he keeps his mouth open as if he is waiting for instruction. His submissive side has Hoseok simmering with desire.

"You're so perfect, Yoongi," Hoseok praises just above a whisper. "So fucking perfect. Now put those pretty lips to good use."

Yoongi nods once – a shallow, quick movement – then wastes no time taking Hoseok's length deep into his throat. Hoseok feels Yoongi swallow and possibly begin to gag, but he is slow with the way he pulls back and sinks down, sucking with his lips tight around the tip each time, eliciting bursting waves of pleasure.

"Fuck, Yoongi," Hoseok groans, reaching to grip his hair with his right hand. He cannot believe this is finally happening. "Your mouth feels amazing."

Yoongi hums and moans, increasing his speed but never seeming rushed, and Hoseok's head spins as his arousal builds and builds. It has been far too fucking long since he has had someone so pretty down on their knees, and the sight alone of Yoongi's doll lips wrapped around him while tears pool around his delicate, long eyelashes builds his pleasure too fast.

"I won't last long," he whimpers. "Feels too good."

As if spurred on to push Hoseok over the edge, Yoongi swallows his cock deeper, holding it lodged in his throat until his face begins to redden and his eyes bulge. The sensation is exquisite, especially as Yoongi pulls back, mouth full of thick saliva, making the slide smooth as silk.

And again, Yoongi sinks down as deep as he can and holds Hoseok there, gaze trained upward despite the way his eyelashes flicker. Hoseok reaches with his free hand and gives Yoongi's cheek a delicate slap, then lower to cradle Yoongi's throat and feel himself buried deep from the outside.

"Holy fuck," he babbles, nodding. "Fuck, you drive me crazy, Yoongi. Such a good boy, perfect, perfect."

This time, when Yoongi pulls back, saliva pours from between his lips, and he uses both hands to stroke along Hoseok's length while he bobs his tightened lips just past the head, laving with his tongue.

Hoseok is overstimulated in a way he has never experienced from a blowjob, and his resolve crumbles in an instant.

"Gonna cum, fuck," Hoseok warns. "Can I cum in your mouth?"

Yoongi heavy-blinks and attempts to nod, lips and hands still working Hoseok over. Hoseok's entire body feels hot – set alight, threatening to combust.

"Fuck, fuck," Hoseok whimpers, trembling from pleasure that teeters just on the edge of insanity.

Yoongi stills his head, holding his mouth open and tongue flat while stroking Hoseok with both hands. The tip of his cock drags along Yoongi's pretty tongue, and with one more measured stroke, Hoseok releases, moaning and gasping, practically folding in half as his cum spurts in long ropes, painting Yoongi white.

Although the strokes slow, they do not stop. Yoongi's large, soft hands milk him of every last drop until Hoseok is gripping Yoongi's shoulders and he is begging him to have mercy.

"Fuck, Yoongi," he gasps, lowering to his knees, no longer able to hold himself up.

Yoongi's tongue continues to lay flat, cum and drool dripping down his chin, and Hoseok sits high and spits once more into his mouth before commanding him to, "Swallow."

Hoseok watches intently as Yoongi closes his lips and swallows his cum, then his hands are on him, lazily gripping at his throat and neck. He feels drunk with power and desire – feels ready to allow the blaze inside him to swallow both of them whole.

"On the bed," Hoseok commands.

Yoongi's face is flushed and covered in a sheen of sweat, his once-style hair is fucked up and sticking out on the sides, and his lips are pretty kiss-swollen petals. He breathes slow and deep as he nods, eyelashes fluttering as if he too is coming down from a high.

Rather than stand, Yoongi turns haphazardly on his knees, gets onto his hands, and crawls. His white trouser shorts hug his plump round ass, swaying with each movement like a beacon of pleasure, and Hoseok crawls behind him, eyes never leaving his prize until they must – until Yoongi climbs up the platform bed and turns, sitting with his feet planted on the floor.

Hoseok crawls to Yoongi's shins, then sits high on his knees and uses his palms to spread his thighs. He licks his lips and reaches for Yoongi's button and zipper, but Yoongi grips Hoseok by the wrists and yanks.

"Come here, Seok."

Nodding, still feeling somewhat delirious, Hoseok gets up onto his feet just enough to crash down onto the low bed, caging Yoongi's legs as the man chuckles and crawls backward to the center of the mattress.

"I have an idea," Yoongi promises, rotating to scoot until his shoulders are against the dark headboard. He pats his legs and says, "Come here," while he hastily shoves his shorts and briefs down, and his voice is rougher than usual, no doubt from deepthroating.

For the first time since all of this has started, Hoseok gets a good look at Yoongi. His complexion is soft and supple against the dark bedding, and his body is a gorgeous blend of thin and muscular – similar to Hoseok, yet different. His shoulders are wide, his hands are large, yet he is knobby and slightly lanky, small against the large bed. Breathtaking.

The hair at the base of Yoongi's hard, leaking cock is trimmed low – an inviting patch of black against lilac-tinted skin. Hoseok leans close to kiss along Yoongi's hip and breathes in his musky-sweet scent, but before he can tease, Yoongi has both hands on Hoseok's cheeks and jaw, tugging him upward.

Hoseok lifts and wiggles beside Yoongi, who has slithered down into a lying position. "Kiss me," he groans, still pulling Hoseok by the face, forcing him to crash down against him, licking against his lips.

As Hoseok settles onto his side, Yoongi drapes a leg around Hoseok's hips and rolls their bodies together. Already, Hoseok's cock is becoming erect, and with each roll of Yoongi's hips, he feels hypnotized.

"Fuck, Yoongi," Hoseok groans, sinking low against Yoongi's chest to leave marks with his lips and teeth that will be hidden under clothing tomorrow. "You don't know what you do to me."

Yoongi lifts his hand to Hoseok's lips and rasps, "Spit," and Hoseok obeys, gathering saliva under his tongue only to trickle it into his palm. Then Yoongi reaches between them, engulfs both cocks in his warm grip, and thrusts.

"Oh, shit," Hoseok whimpers in tandem with a deep, needy groan from Yoongi.

Hoseok spits hastily into his own hand and reaches to engulf them further, then he sets a rhythm with his hips, pushing when Yoongi pulls and pulling when Yoongi pushes. Pleasure grips Hoseok tight, threatening to drag him into the hot, inviting depths of hell, and Hoseok whimpers as he leans into Yoongi, sucking his lips between his teeth.

The kiss is a sloppy gnash of teeth and tongues with nobody in control. Yoongi seems to be losing his composure quickly, and the more he moans and trembles against Hoseok, the more persistently Hoseok strokes their dicks.

Their rhythm is hypnotizing – a dance between two bodies so fluid and perfect, Hoseok has a lingering thought that perhaps the two of them were meant for each other. Their connection feels so intense, it scares the shit out of him.

"Seok," Yoongi whimpers, lower lip caught in Hoseok's teeth. "Close. So close. "Gonna—"

"In my mouth," Hoseok insists, releasing his hold on their cocks and haphazardly sliding down the length of Yoongi's body.

He is quick to sink Yoongi deep into his throat, wasting no time sucking as if his life depends on it. Yoongi stays on his side and grips onto Hoseok's hair, hips trusting, never losing their dizzying rhythm.

Hoseok can feel Yoongi pulsate against his lips and he swallows him deep, moaning and humming around him until Yoongi's hips tremble and he shoots his load straight into Hoseok's throat. Yoongi's voice is pitchy and broken, his body quakes with bliss, and Hoseok breathes through his nose, doing his best to swallow each drop without his gag reflex interfering.

Suddenly exhausted, Hoseok releases Yoongi's spent cock, gasping for air. It is messy the way Yoongi attempts to pull Hoseok's lips back to his, body bent in half while Hoseok stretches and strains until he finally finds the strength to crawl up to him and kiss him properly.

"Seok," Yoongi gasps against his lips, eyes wide and filling Hoseok's vision. "You're incredible. Nobody…" he pants, "nobody has ever made me feel this way."

Honeyed words taste bitter against Hoseok's tongue as he considers all the different times Yoongi must have used that line before. How many models did he sink his claws into similarly, only to drop without a care in the world? What is worse is that Hoseok almost believes him.

Yoongi holds Hoseok in place against him, lips lazily dragging, eager to kiss despite losing the strength to move. Hoseok's mouth moves on instinct alone, erection long forgotten to the brewing storm inside his head.

"Nap," Yoongi grumbles, body falling limp and relaxed around him. "Then food."

"Okay," Hoseok whispers as he reaches for the soft comforter on which they lay, folding it over them rather than bothering to attempt to crawl beneath it.

Yoongi smiles, drifting to sleep, and Hoseok leaves soft pecks against the tip of his nose and the apple of his cheek, eager to kiss and kiss and kiss. He wants to commit this moment to memory in the event that this is the last time.

As Yoongi's body becomes heavy as lead, lost to the firm grasp of sleep, Hoseok waits for him to lightly begin to snore. He waits, laying on his side and tracing each shape of Yoongi's beautiful face, shoulders, and chest with his eyes.

He waits and he waits until Yoongi rolls onto his back, limbs slipping away from Hoseok's nude body. And then he waits just a beat longer before he slowly, silently slips out from beneath the comforter, collects his clothing, and tiptoes into the living room.

It is still early in the night, and Hoseok stares out the window at the city below the hill, at the river in the distance, at the cars that drive by. He slips into his clothing, tiptoes to the front door, gathers his handbag and shoes, and, in the elevator, calls for a cab.

Over and over, Yoongi's voice plays in Hoseok's head. Nobody has ever made me feel this way.

Over and over, his pretty, tearful eyes and soft, kissable lips sear into Hoseok's mind, taking up permanent residence, threatening to drive him mad. Hoseok stares at his reflection in the elevator doors, unsure how he is supposed to feel.

He got it out of his system. He successfully fucked with the pretty man with the reputation for using people, and he slipped away in the night, giving him a taste of his own medicine.

But he does not feel satisfied. It is as if vines have snaked their way into his chest cavity and they squeeze, threatening to puncture his lungs with their thorns and steal his air.

He feels defeated. Deflated. He has accomplished his goal, yet he does not feel victorious.

Nobody has ever made me feel this way.

Those pretty words spoken in that raspy voice taunt him over and over, and Hoseok walks out into the chill night feeling emptier than before.

one more chapter left!!! and don't worry, these two idiots will have a happy ending, okay. i just have to drag you through the angst mud a little more because it's funnnn. 😍😍😍 apparently i can only focus on one bestie at a time, so i will do my best to bring Taehyung into the spotlight in chapter 4!

also i feel like it is silly to have described Yoongi living in an all black and grey space with my whole entire chest, but this is what i had in mind:

MORE COMING SOON!!! COMMENTS & REBLOGS WILL MAKE ME WANT TO WORK ON IT FASTER! LIKES ARE ALWAYS SO SO APPRECIATED!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!!!

tag list: @codeinebelle @dasexydevitt13 @fluffybuns69 @giriiboyy @idkjustlovingbts @itsmina29 @mgthecat @moonleeai @m1sss1mp @spookyminyunki 📸 want to be added to this tag list for part 4? or the list for all of my member x member fics?? or everything i post??? or maybe this fic isn’t for you and you want to be removed???? comment or dm! i will make your dreams a reality.

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Showstopper is copyright theharrowing 2022 - 2024. no translations or reposting allowed!

#hoseok x yoongi #yoongi x hoseok #yoonseok #yoonseok angst #yoonseok smut #bts writers club #sope #sope angst #sope smut #yoongi angst #yoongi smut #hoseok angst #hoseok smut #bts angst #bts smut #fic: showstopper

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theharrowing · 11 days

Text

Showstopper 📸 4: Completely different wavelengths

Hoseok knows the rumors.

Everyone in the industry knows the rumors.

📸 Hoseok x Yoongi

📸 word count: 20.7k

📸 strangers to lovers, model & photographer au, angst, smut, fluff, slash, nsfw, 18+

📸 warnings: a lot of angst (Yoongi is really mean; Hoseok cries a lot; heavy drinking); smut (bottom Yoongi, top Hoseok; anal fingering & sex; sex against the wall; masturbation)

📸 notes: we meet again!!! i have missed you, dear readers.

📸 written for the BTS Found Fest!

📸 thanks to @neoneunnajimin for beta reading.

📸 posted sept. 2024 | read on ao3

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It is a little after 9:00 pm when Hoseok's phone begins to vibrate.

In hindsight, putting it on silent would have been better. Despite the lack of shrill ringtone blaring through the room, the way the phone rattles against his coffee table has his shoulders rising to his ears and his anxiety ramping up.

He knows that it is unlikely that it is Jimin, Taehyung, or Jeongguk because they are all the type to text first and then call, unless it is an emergency – with the exception of Jimin's love of facetime. And it would be lit up with a photo of one of them if that were the case.

From where he sits, it is clear that the screen is black with white text on the top, and there are very few people who Hoseok communicates with regularly who he has not saved a contact photo for.

With each second that passes, Hoseok finds he has to force himself to breathe just a little slower. And then it stops, and he lets out a large huff. SpongeBob yells in his strange, silly vibrato on the television screen while Hoseok stares at his phone, waiting for it to start ringing once more.

Seconds pass, and his shoulders begin to relax. His breathing begins to slow. He thinks he may be in the clear.

But then his phone buzzes against the table just once to indicate a text message has come in, and Hoseok gasps, shoulders jumping toward his ears once more. He lets out a sharp breath and leans forward to pick up his device conceding finally to finding out what is going on.

The screen taunts him with one missed call from Min Asshole, but it is the message notification that really makes bile spread throughout Hoseok's guts. The message is short and to the point, and not at all what Hoseok could have expected.

Min Asshole I suppose I deserve this.

Hoseok almost feels guilty. There is a tremble to his hands as he stares at the message, reading and rereading it. Suddenly, he feels the urge to respond – to console. He wants to apologize for slipping out, and he wants to speak his mind and tell Yoongi just what led him to panic and run away.

But what difference would it make? He and Yoongi are not only on completely different wavelengths, Hoseok wonders if the two of them are from separate dimensions.

He cannot fathom how someone can speak to Hoseok the way he does but then insist that they are nothing more than fuckbuddies. Nobody has ever made me feel this way.

Hoseok rolls his eyes, sinks back against the couch, and groans, "Fuck off," to his own thoughts, to his racing heart, to the audacity of feeling the urge to respond. How dare Yoongi expect Hoseok to coddle his feelings at a time like this.

He stares at the silent, black device that rests in his palms and he spirals thinking about all the things he might say in response. "I just think it's real funny that—" "Yeah, you fucking deserve—" "Pray tell, Min Yoongi, why do you feel that way??? Hmm??? Are you finally becoming self-aware???"

With a sigh, Hoseok tosses his phone to the table, gets up, and walks away. He storms into the kitchen where he paces back and forth in front of his refrigerator, basking in the overwhelming anxiety that swims.

He wishes he could be an asshole like Yoongi. He thinks things would be so much easier if he had the ability to just pretend nothing happened and ignore him for several days, the way Yoongi did with him just last weekend.

But he cannot. Already, Hoseok feels his resolve crumbling. He paces, fighting the urge to crack open a bottle of soju, deciding that drinking away his frustration alone in his apartment is not the honorable thing to do.

He already has the unhealthy habit of pining for a man like Yoongi to ruin his life; he does not need to become someone who gets drunk alone whenever his heart is challenged. He would never be sober again.

Hoseok storms back to his phone and picks it up. He sends out a distress beacon to his friends, telling them that he needs to unwind. There is a chance of disappointment, being that it is the beginning of the week, but it is not as if his friends work typical nine-to-five jobs.

Luckily for Hoseok, one of the trio reaches out immediately, and he springs into action getting ready for a night out at the club.

* * *

Being the type of person who likes to match people's energy is often quite challenging when it comes to Hoseok's friendship with Taehyung because the man is so eccentric, he never knows what to expect.

Tonight, Taehyung's style is somewhat subdued with a plain white tee tucked into relaxed-fit blue jeans. A black leather belt and black boots compliment the dark black eyeliner and shadow that accent his eyes, and tucked away in a coat check closet is a black leather jacket with white tassels that hang from the seams on the chest and arms.

His dark brown, wavy hair is shaggy and hanging in his eyes, similar to Hoseok's, which is styled just enough to appear unstyled, as always. Hoseok wears his favorite tan and light blue silk shirt covered in the Dior logo, buttoned to the top and hanging loose over tight black mid-thigh shorts, and black sneakers.

The pair shoot back strawberry-flavored concoctions and grind on the dancefloor. Hoseok touches and flirts with his friend, but he feels more distant than usual. Whereas he usually allows himself to let go and give in to excitement and pleasure, especially with Taehyung, tonight the spark just isn't there.

Taehyung must sense it because he keeps a bit of a distance, and is more playful with his glances and winks than usual. Hoseok is grateful for his friend's ability to read his mood, which allows him to relax a bit more.

Once they have had their fill, panting and sweating with smiles on their faces, Taehyung nods his head toward the exit. Hoseok knows that he is asking if he would like to go outside to talk, and Hoseok nods in response.

Hoseok heads to the bar to order two whiskey sours while Taehyung retrieves his jacket from coat check. The lines are thankfully not too long, and Hoseok finds Taehyung leaning against the wall near the front door, waiting with his jacket draped over his shoulders.

"Thanks, hyung," Taehyung says as he takes his drink from Hoseok and spins toward the door, tassels fanning out from the movement.

To the left of the entrance is a fenced-in patio, and Hoseok frowns as they walk through cigarette smoke to get to a table on the far end, near the wall. The black metal seat is cold, and he hugs his arms around himself as he settles.

"You seem to have a lot on your mind," Taehyung pouts, pulling his drink to his lips.

Hoseok takes a sip and lets it settle on his tongue, tangy-sweet. Then he places the glass down on the small, round metal table and sighs.

"It's Yoongi-ssi," Hoseok grumbles. "It's always Yoongi-ssi."

Taehyung's eyes widen, and he asks, "No hyung?"

This makes Hoseok chuckle and warmth rise to his cheeks. "He never gave me permission to call him hyung, and I never asked."

Taehyung nods as if taking in what Hoseok has said, and he watches as if patiently waiting for him to have more to say.

Hoseok sighs. "We've been getting…close, I guess. But it feels like he's stringing me along the same way he did with Jeongguk."

Taehyung frowns, causing Hoseok's shoulders to tense. He knows what that delicate, rectangular frown means – either Taehyung is thinking something out of pocket and dramatic, he is about to say something uncomfortably profound, or a combination of the two. Hoseok is unsure whether he can handle either right now.

"What is it?" Hoseok asks, grimacing as he watches the wheels turn in his friend's head.

Taehyung pulls his frown into a straight line and shrugs. "You know what I'm going to tell you, hyung."

Hoseok does know. Taehyung is the patron saint of clearly communicating how one feels regardless of the situation and what it may do to the other. At the end of the day, Taehyung wholeheartedly believes that above all else, there needs to be honest and open communication at all times. And he is not wrong.

"I just…I feel like whenever we talk about anything, we just go in circles. We're not taking steps forward or backward, we're just oscillating endlessly in a loop."

Taehyung lifts his mixed drink, fixing Hoseok with a thoughtful expression. "Then you aren't opening up enough."

Hoseok snickers, but he is not given a chance to defend himself.

"How do you feel about him? Be honest."

Lifting his drink to his lips, Hoseok allows his focus to blur, mulling over the question. "I like him a lot," he admits softly. "I think our personalities are compatible, and I like the way he makes me feel. There's this…I don't know, Tae…electricity."

"And you've told him this?" Taehyung asks sternly.

Hoseok doesn't have to answer; his face must give it away. Taehyung rolls his eyes and shakes his pretty mop of hair.

"You have to tell him precisely how you feel, hyung. Otherwise he may not realize the damage he is doing. He may not realize that he is stringing you along."

"But I don't care about whether or not we date."

At this, Taehyung sits up straight, fixing Hoseok with an incredulous gaze. "Don't you?"

Hoseok sighs dramatically, sitting back against his seat in a heavy slump that causes his body to slide down into a slouched position. The smile Taehyung reveals is nothing short of demonic.

"He said something earlier," Hoseok grumbles like a scorned child. "I was at his place and things got pretty heated, and then he pissed me off, so I waited for him to fall asleep and I left."

The way Taehyung gapes at Hoseok is somewhat comical. "I have so many questions."

Hoseok feels somewhat meek as he mutters, "I don't know if I want to talk about it yet." He rubs his fingertips along the condensation of his glass, creating streaks that leak down onto the table.

With a knowing nod, Taehyung also sips his drink. Then he asks, "What did he say that pissed you off so much?"

Hoseok manages to wiggle back into an upright seated position, and says, "He told me, nobody has ever made me feel this way."

Taehyung's mouth drops open, taking Hoseok somewhat by surprise; he half expected his friend to make fun of him.

"Wow," he says, searching Hoseok's face and adding, "yeah, I could see how that made you mad."

"Thank you!" Hoseok shouts, instantly feeling as if he is being too loud despite being out on a patio where others are plenty loud.

"You need to tell him," Taehyung insists.

"I can't," he insists, feeling anxiety fill his lungs with heavy, muted air. "What if that's something he just says, and then I end up looking like an idiot for taking him too seriously."

Taehyung blinks owlishly, then reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone, saying, "Only one way to find out."

Before Hoseok can protest, Taehyung is lifting his phone to his mouth, with the call he has placed put on speaker. The dial tone is loud, and with each ring, Hoseok feels his nerves spike.

"Tae-hyungie," Hoseok hears coming from the phone, making him roll his eyes at how cute his youngest friend is.

"Jeongguk-ah," Taehyung mutters, smiling. "Sorry for interrupting your sleepover."

"You should be," Jeongguk responds. "You're making Jimin-ssi pout."

Taehyung chuckles, and Hoseok thinks he can hear the sound of Jimin's voice, shrill and angry about the nickname, among other things. Jeongguk specifically calls him that just to make him angry.

"I'll make it up to you two. Listen, I have a question to ask you about you-know-who." On the other end of the line, Hoseok hears Jeongguk sigh, and Taehyung continues, "It's for scientific purposes. I'm here with Seok-hyung."

"Ah," Jeongguk grumbles, "he in another of his crisis modes?"

Hoseok feels the urge to argue, but he really has no right to. Of course, he is in another of his crisis modes. This is a very critical situation!

Instead, all he says is, "Wow," making Jeongguk giggle.

Taehyung smiles widely as he asks, "When you and you-know-who were intimate, did he ever say anything that led you to believe he was into you on an emotional level?"

Hoseok holds his breath waiting for Jeongguk's response. He knows he has no right to feel upset if the answer is yes. If anything, it will prove what he already believes, which is that Yoongi just flippantly says shit like that to everyone he fucks.

"Nah," Jeongguk responds. "Nothing outside of how good I looked or how my body felt, you know? He called me fun a few times, but that was the extent of it; never anything that made me think he had feelings for me. Why?"

During Jeongguk's response, Hoseok had managed to lean forward, out of his seat, and now he bends partially over the table, listening intently while trying to process what he has just heard. Taehyung meets his eye, still smiling.

"He never told you anything like…nobody has ever made me feel this way?"

As Taehyung says the words, a shiver runs along Hoseok's spine. Over the phone, he hears Jeongguk make a sound – a snicker, maybe. Or possibly a gasp.

"Shit," he says, "yeah, no. Wow. Definitely nothing like that."

Hoseok can't help but scoff at the disbelief in his friend's surprise, and he sits back in his seat, feeling petulance rise as he says, "Thanks, kid," under his breath.

"Hey, Seok," Jeongguk says, making Hoseok's eyes widen. "I don't mean to say that I'm surprised he said that to you, you know that. You're breathtaking; anyone with half a brain would say that to you and mean it. I'm just surprised Min Asshole is capable of saying something like that to anyone."

At his friend's admission, Hoseok lets out a deep breath and smiles. Jeongguk really can be charming when he wants to be, and Hoseok knows that he is not saying any of this to make him feel better.

"Told ya so," Taehyung teases, fixing Hoseok with a playing grin.

"Alright," Hoseok grumbles, then speaks up to say, "Thanks, Gguk. I appreciate it."

"Any time, Seok-hyung," Jeongguk sing-songs brightly.

Once Taehyung hangs up the call, the two of them down their drinks. Suddenly, Hoseok is eager to be tucked into bed with his makeup washed off.

"I think I'm gonna head out," Hoseok pouts, feeling bad for dragging his friend out for such a short night.

Taehyung smiles, seemingly unfazed. "I could distract you from this drama," he offers with a waggle of his eyebrows, and Hoseok giggles.

"Honestly…it wouldn't make me feel better tonight," he admits.

"I know," Taehyung chirps. "Just thought I would offer, in case."

"I think…" Hoseok says, eyes wide and gaze blurry. He can tell Taehyung is sitting at eager attention, but it isn't until he blinks Taehyung's face into view that the expression is clear. "I think I have feelings for him."

Taehyung blinks a few times, then grins. It is a dopey, cute expression that has Hoseok feeling exasperated before the man even speaks.

"Of course, you do. Call him."

Hoseok nods and mutters, "Yeah, I will," then he stands to hug his friend goodbye.

This club is in the same stretch of businesses that is only a couple blocks from Hoseok's place, so he sets off down the street hugging one arm around himself while he dials Yoongi's number. It is late enough now that Yoongi is probably asleep, so he is somewhat surprised when he hears a groggy voice on the end of the line.

"There you are."

Hoseok sighs. "Here I am."

Silence hangs, and Hoseok stares at the sidewalk ahead, watching each brick that disappears under his shoes. Now that he has Yoongi on the phone, he has no idea what to say to him.

"Listen, I don't know how I managed to fuck it up this time," Yoongi grumbles, "but I likely owe you an apology."

As Yoongi speaks, Hoseok hears the shifting of fabric and imagines he must be in bed. "Did I wake you up?"

"Sort of," Yoongi says through a yawn. "I was watching television and starting to doze on the couch, but I wasn't planning on sleeping here. You did me a favor by calling."

Hoseok hums and glances around at familiar shadows of trees and buildings. "You made me mad," he finally says.

"Was it something that I said?"

Yoongi actually sounds concerned, which makes Hoseok feel even more frustrated. He sighs but tries not to let the sound come out too loud.

"You told me nobody has ever made you feel this way. Which…I don't know, hyung—fuck, can I call you hyung?"

Yoongi chuckles softly, "Of course."

"It's fucked up to say something like that to someone you don't seem to want strings attached with. That feels like a statement that comes with strings. Or," Hoseok adds emphatically, feeling himself spiraling and grateful Yoongi is not one to interrupt, "maybe you are aromantic and I'm being pushy, which also makes me feel terrible. Or you're just a terrible person who has no concern for what I must be feeling. Am I crazy? Am I misinterpreting things this badly?"

After a beat, Yoongi asks, "Can I come over? I feel like we should talk in person."

Hoseok's shoulders raise defensively, and he feels tears form in his eyes. Behind his ribs, his heart goes wild, and all he wants is for Yoongi to show up and wrap him in a warm, tight hug.

"I'm not sure I can handle seeing you right now," he admits. "Every time we speak in person, the conversation fizzles into something physical and we become distracted."

Yoongi hums in understanding. "Hard not to want to touch you."

"But is that all you want?" Hoseok asks meekly as he approaches his apartment door. He reaches into his tight shorts pocket to produce his keys and unlocks the knob. Once inside, he rolls his shoulders back and takes a moment to breathe.

Yoongi simply responds, "No," like it is nothing, and Hoseok nearly trips over his feet on his way up the short flight of steps.

He stops mid-way and asks, "What?"

"I like you quite a bit, Hoseok. I think that if anyone could break me out of my shell a little more and allow me to express myself more freely, it could be you."

Hoseok stares at the white wall of the hallway, still standing on the steps. "Oh…kay…"

"But," Yoongi adds, causing Hoseok to squeeze his eyes closed and let out the breath he was holding, "I'm sure you can understand the position that dating can put me in."

Hoseok finally begins to make his way up toward his door, saying nothing and allowing Yoongi to continue.

"If I date models, it can be seen as a power imbalance. If I date someone in a similar position of power, it could be seen as me trying to monopolize this or that within the industry. If I date some random citizen, I run the risk of being used for my money, or being completely misunderstood."

Hoseok begins to laugh as he approaches his door, shaking his head. He punches in the passcode to his apartment, then shoves his way inside.

"Hyung, you've just listed off normal risks of dating, period."

"And that is why I don't date."

Hoseok toes out of his sneakers and makes his way to the kitchen for some water. "It's okay to admit that you have a fear of commitment."

Yoongi grumbles, "Fear is a strong word," making Hoseok laugh.

After another pause, Yoongi asks, "Sure I can't come over?"

"I need to sort out my thoughts," Hoseok sighs. "Without distraction."

Yoongi hums in understanding, and Hoseok decides he is going to be a little more bold.

"I really like you, hyung. A lot. And if no strings attached is really all you can do, then I may be able to accommodate, especially if that is the only way I will be able to touch you the way I want to…" He takes a fortifying breath. "But eventually, I will grow attached, and for my own sake, I will need to stop."

Hoseok feels hopeful as he stands in front of his sink, staring at the empty metal basin. He waits patiently for Yoongi to respond, heart thumping heavily.

"Alright," Yoongi finally mutters. "I'll give you space."

Dumbstruck and blinking rapidly, Hoseok fights the urge to cry. Is that really all Yoongi has to say to him?

"Okay," he says, glancing around his kitchen mindlessly as if willing some magical solution to appear out of thin air. But no magical solution comes, so he says, "Good night, hyung," then lowers his phone from his ear before he can hear a response.

* * *

My Favorite Goon Hoseokah, I have a big contract on the horizon. Meet for lunch?

Hoseok rubs his eyes and fights the urge to scream. He is over the moon about the prospect of a new contract, but not nearly awake enough to fully comprehend it.

He wonders what could possibly top Dior.

With a groan, Hoseok sits up, rests his head against the wall, and takes a deep breath. More contracts mean more money, but it also means more Yoongi. He hopes for a lull in between so he can take a bit of a breather.

Hoseok Lunch sounds great! My day is wide open.

Hoseok stretches his legs and shifts around until he is reluctantly out of bed, with his feet planted on the floor. He takes his phone with him into the bathroom and smiles at the incoming text that rattles against the sink as soon as he sets down the device.

My Favorite Goon Of course, it is; I have nothing scheduled for you. Pick you up at 12?

Hoseok shoots off a text to Seokjin—

Hoseok 12 is perfect, boss!

—and then takes a slow, hot shower. He tries his hardest to think of anything but the beautiful man who continues to disappoint him, but all he can picture as soon as he closes his eyes is Yoongi sprawled out on dark bedding with his skin tinted a pretty lilac.

Hoseok hates the way he knows he will absolutely cave the moment Yoongi requires even a second of his time. He hates that he has no ability to firmly tell him no.

Not that he wants to tell Yoongi no. All he wants is to tell him yes until he is blue in the face and give him absolutely everything.

Although Hoseok feels down, he puts his best face forward, dressing in a tight white tee and loose-fitting grey Dior slacks with hideous Dior sneakers and silver hoop earrings. He uses product to make his hair appear unstyled and messy, and lines his eyes in black.

Seokjin arrives at 12 on the dot, and Hoseok is already closing his apartment door and on his way down the stairs when his phone buzzes. He is grateful for Seokjin's bright smile and teasing remarks as he sinks into the front seat of his sedan, and even more grateful for the man's taste in restaurants.

The ramen spot Seokjin pulls up to is an elegant little shop that appears as a hole in the wall from the outside. They get a table in a private room, and as Hoseok settles down onto his cushion and tucks his burgundy napkin into the front of his shirt, Seokjin orders a bottle of hot sake for the table.

"Let's dive in so that we can enjoy our food in silence," Seokjin says as soon as their server is gone.

Hoseok cannot hold back his smile.

"Louis Vuitton wants you," Seokjin continues, speaking quickly and confidently. "I told them we would do no fewer than three spreads, which means you will be showing their current men's wear selection twice, and their upcoming seasonal outfits before they drop. It will be similar to the pre-shoot you just did for Dior's winter collection."

Seokjin stares at Hoseok, who can only stare back. He always wanted to model for Louis Vuitton, but now that the opportunity has presented itself, it feels fake.

Hoseok heavy-blinks, and begins to nod, and Seokjin rolls his eyes.

"Hoseokah, you really cannot tell me that you are surprised by this news."

Hoseok shakes his head, muttering, "I'm not."

"Good. Because you are the best of the best right now, and I am only submitting your Dior shots to the top brands."

"You submitted my Dior photos?" Hoseok asks, feeling his pulse quicken.

Seokjin scoffs. "Yah! What do you think my responsibilities are? Do you really think I am going to sit idly by and wait for you to be discovered? You have money to make."

A server brings a steaming white carafe and sets down two small ceramic cups. They appear as if they are going to ask what the two of them would like to order, but Seokjin holds up his hand and says, "Give us another moment, please," then returns his attention to Hoseok as the server walks off.

"What is it you think agents do, Hoseokah?"

Hoseok's response is delayed as he takes in all of this information. Then he says, "I don't know," earning him another roll of Seokjin's eyes.

"The spicy miso here is the best," Seokjin says, pointing to the menu that sits to the right of Hoseok's placemat. "Get as many toppings as you wish. Do you like gyoza and karaage? You have earned the right to eat as much fat and grease as you can stomach today."

There is so much information on the menu that Hoseok feels overwhelmed, tracing his eyes over lists of toppings and sides. He nods and says, "Yeah, sounds good."

"Good. You have the week off to prepare. Namjoon will take you to the spa tomorrow. Any questions?"

"No," Hoseok mutters, shaking his head. "Thanks, boss."

Finally, Seokjin cracks a smile. It is far from warm, but it does serve to warm Hoseok's heart. He says, "Anything for you, Seokah," and Hoseok believes him.

* * *

Hoseok is not expecting Namjoon to arrive at the crack of dawn on Wednesday with a massive bouquet of wildflowers. He rubs the sleep from his eyes, forgoing embarrassment over the fact that he only wears a long black tee that he threw on when he heard the door knock, over tight blue briefs.

"Good morning, sunshine," Namjoon sing-sings as Hoseok accepts the heavy glass vase in which the large bouquet sits, and stumbles into his place, turning this way and that to decide where to put it.

The kitchen counter seems like the best spot, and Hoseok shuffles in that direction as he mutters, "Make yourself at home. Coffee?"

"We'll grab some coffee," Namjoon responds as he closes the apartment door. Hoseok turns to find him leaning against it, patient. "Take your time! I can wait."

Namjoon wears a simple black tee tucked into joggers, so Hoseok decides to match his energy as he returns to his bedroom to clean his face, brush his teeth, and get dressed. When he returns, Namjoon remains leaned against the door, thumbing through his phone.

"Seokjin-ssi didn't warn me you'd be here so early," Hoseok says, voice still rough and groggy.

Namjoon looks up with a bright smile. "Ah, my apologies."

"Can we stop for food?" Hoseok asks as he runs a hand through his hair and makes his way toward the pile of shoes Namjoon appears to be guarding. He uses his toes to retrieve one black sneaker after another and shoves his feet haphazardly into them.

"Absolutely," Namjoon says as he steps from the front door and pulls it open. Hoseok pats his pockets to feel for his wallet, phone, and keys as Namjoon adds, "I'm hungry as heck."

Namjoon drives a familiar little black sports car to the other side of town where he and Hoseok get breakfast sandwiches and lattes. They talk mainly about the upcoming shoots and Seokjin's expectations, and discuss Hoseok getting a hair trim.

Hoseok does his best not to breach the topic of Yoongi, and he is grateful that the man only comes up in passing, and strictly for business purposes. That is, until they have received deep tissue massages, and are sitting in leather chairs while technicians give them pedicures.

"You seem a little quiet today," Namjoon says cautiously as if attempting not to scare away a nervous animal. "Is there anything on your mind?"

Hoseok sighs and takes the bait. "Just spit it out."

With a chuckle and a clearing of his throat, Namjoon says, "Listen, I, uh…I talked to Yoongi."

"Of course you did," Hoseok grumbles, making Namjoon laugh more.

"He didn't tell me everything," Namjoon says, lifting his hands as if in surrender. "Just that he fucked up. Again."

"At least he acknowledges it," Hoseok says, sinking a little into his seat.

Silence hangs, save for the soft pop music that plays from speakers high in the corners of the room, and the sounds of people chattering lowly.

Hoseok closes his eyes and says, "I really like him, Joonie. It's terrible."

"He likes you too," Namjoon replies as if it is nothing.

Hoseok frowns. "If he likes me so much then why is he so annoying?"

Namjoon chuckles again, making Hoseok crack a smile. Then he says, "Being annoying is in Yoongi's blood. It's just the way he is."

"I lied when I said I don't care whether we date."

"I know."

Hoseok opens his eyes and turns his head to the left. The smile that greets him is warm.

"What do I do?"

Namjoon shrugs and says, "Just be honest. And hold him accountable."

Hoseok pouts, muttering, "You make it sound so simple."

"I know," Namjoon responds easily. "He can be a pain in the ass. But this is the first time I have seen him consider giving up his bachelor ways, and I think the two of you are good for each other."

Hoseok huffs and sinks lower into his chair. He should be pleased with the fact that Namjoon thinks this time is different, but it feels like a lot of pressure. What if Yoongi scares easily, and it will all be for nothing?

After their spa day concludes and Hoseok's hair is trimmed a few centimeters shorter, falling just barely below his ears and above his eyebrows, he returns home and collapses against his couch. It is already evening, and he knows Yoongi should be done for the day. He dwells on the idea of texting him before taking the plunge and thumbing through his phone.

Hoseok Spa day with Namjoon was nice. I got my hair trimmed.

The moment Hoseok hits send, he regrets sending anything at all. There is something so stuffy and impersonal about this message, and he just knows Yoongi is going to see through the charade and assume he is grasping for anything to send him.

His phone vibrates so fast, he enters multiple stages of grief, first assuming he had imagined it before convincing himself that it had to have been one of his friends messaging him out of the blue. Even when he reads the name of the recipient, he has to convince himself that it is Yoongi responding so quickly.

Min Asshole Not too short, I hope. I like your length.

Hoseok groans and squeezes his eyes closed. There is no way in hell Yoongi chose to say those words without fully understanding the myriad ways Hoseok's dirty, lonely mind would choose to read them.

He plays along, biting his lip as he rolls onto his stomach.

Hoseok You like my length? Tell me more.

Hoseok stares intently at his phone, watching as three little dots appear and disappear. He wishes he could see the devious little smirk on Yoongi's face if only to find a way to make it fall away.

Min Asshole I would rather show than tell.

With a sigh, Hoseok gently drops his phone to the floor and closes his eyes. Seeing Yoongi right now feels like a bad idea. They need to have an open conversation that cannot be sullied by their inability to keep their hands to themselves, and he knows that if he caves and lets Yoongi show him anything at all, they will continue to chase their tails and never get anywhere.

Instead, Hoseok stares at the edge of his coffee table and considers the best way to tell Yoongi no.

* * *

Thursday, Hoseok tucks his phone away and ignores it completely.

He has no reason to think Yoongi would reach out to him while he is at work, but he keeps the device out of sight and earshot just in case. Dior bags and boxes have been piling up, and Hoseok takes the time to organize his closet, then he swaps out his bedding for fresh sheets & pillowcases.

Around lunchtime, he untucks his phone from beneath the couch cushion, ignoring the urge to text Yoongi about how good his closet looks with his outfits put away, and pops in a pair of earbuds, then he walks down to his favorite café for a latte and strawberry danish.

He ignores the urge to text Yoongi to tell him that he is excited about Louis Vuitton and people-watches until he becomes antsy and takes his latte back home. As he settles down onto his couch to find something to watch, he ignores the urge to text Yoongi to tell him he hopes he eats something healthy for lunch and settles on SpongeBob reruns, spacing out almost immediately.

By dinnertime, Hoseok is exhausted and does not feel like making himself food. He fights the urge to text Yoongi to find out when he might be done for the day and sends a group text out to his friends to see if anyone would like to grab a bite to eat.

When they all agree to meet up for sushi, Hoseok fights the urge to text Yoongi to ask for recommendations.

It feels nice to meet up with his friends, and Hoseok gets dolled up in some plain Dior pieces that were gifted to him, that he never got a chance to shoot in. He wears a plain black tee tucked into black slacks and carries a sleek black Dior handbag that he decides Jimin may really like.

Much to his chagrin, the guys ask about Yoongi before they have a chance to settle in and order food. Hoseok shrugs and says he has been too busy to spend much time with him, and they all see through his façade, asking whether that is what he wants, whether he feels fulfilled, whether he regrets getting close to him.

"Guys," Hoseok barks, holding both palms up. The three of them close their mouths, and Hoseok sighs. "Can we please just…not? I don't want to talk about it tonight. Grill me next week."

Jimin swishes his freshly pinked hair and says, "Deal," while Taehyung and Jeongguk exchange frowns. The rest of dinner is relaxing, but Hoseok checks his phone multiple times, wishing Yoongi would text him.

By Friday afternoon, Hoseok is pacing around his apartment, clutching his phone in his hand. He has come up with a list of things he could do on his day off, but he does not set any activities into motion.

He feels like a volcano ready to burst.

Finally, he sends Yoongi a text.

Hoseok Are you free for dinner, by chance? I think I am ready to talk things out. And I guess I miss your grumpy face.

He takes a nice slow, hot shower, all the while waiting for his phone to ding from the bathroom sink. By the time he dries off and begins his face routine, still without a response, he starts to feel even antsier than before he sent the text. Sure, Yoongi is a busy man, but there is no way he has not had a moment of alone time, yet. Most of his job is alone time.

Hoseok lays out a few outfits that would be appropriate for dinner, then he paces through his apartment with a towel wrapped around his hips, biting his lips. He checks to make sure his text has gone through, and he resists the urge to call him.

By evening, Hoseok is annoyed. He sits in a pair of pajamas with his arms crossed, staring at his phone. SpongeBob giggles in the background, and it only serves to make him feel more angry.

Hoseok Forget I asked

Hoseok chucks his phone onto the table, causing it to rattle toward the far end. When it begins to ring, he feels frustrated for having to get up.

Yoongi is calling, and all Hoseok says when he answers is a sharp, "What?"

"Wow," Yoongi responds with a chuckle. "Bad timing?"

"No," Hoseok lies, pacing into his kitchen. "Just didn't think I would ever hear from you."

Yoongi sounds bored as he says, "I was working, Seok."

Hoseok hums. He knows he sounds whiny as he says, "It takes two seconds to respond to a text."

"True," Yoongi says. "But maybe I wanted to hear your voice, instead."

"Could have fooled me," Hoseok grumbles.

Yoongi sighs once more. "Alright, perhaps I was holding off on responding for when I did have time. I'm sorry for upsetting you."

Hoseok says nothing. He feels the urge to cry. How is it that communication is so difficult for Yoongi? Surely, he must know he is driving Hoseok crazy.

"Are you still hungry?" Yoongi asks softly, kindly.

Hoseok hates the way he instantly feels lighter. "Yeah."

"There's a noodle bar near your place that I have been wanting to try out. Meet me there in fifteen?"

"Fine," Hoseok concedes, turning on the balls of his toes to walk into his room and find an outfit.

"You sure that's enough time to fuss with your hair?" Yoongi adds.

Despite feeling annoyed, Hoseok cracks a smile. He mutters, "Fifteen is plenty! Bye!" and hangs up.

Hoseok wears a simple white tee and grey track pants from his Dior collection, applies some lip balm and perfume, and heads out. He is only somewhat certain he knows which noodle bar Yoongi is talking about, and shoots him a text to make sure he has the correct place.

Yoongi calls, and Hoseok picks up on the first vibration.

"I was wondering if you would bother to ask where we were going," Yoongi teases.

"So is it the place or not?"

Yoongi chuckles deep and pretty, making Hoseok swoon. "Yeah, it's the place."

"Good," Hoseok says as he hangs up.

He turns a corner to find Yoongi's sedan parked halfway down the block, and the man himself standing against the door with a black mask over his face. His hair is wild and wavy, and he wears a crisp black button-up tucked into black slacks.

Just seeing Yoongi makes Hoseok's heart go haywire. He struggles to not reach out and touch Yoongi, feeling his face go red hot as they exchange polite, distant hellos.

Hoseok barely talks through his meal – barely registers any of the flavors he eats. They exchange pleasantries about the upcoming Louis Vuitton contract and drink two glasses of beer. At the end of dinner, Hoseok insists Yoongi come back to his place.

"I thought you wanted to talk more?" Yoongi grumbles against Hoseok's lips as Hoseok presses his palms into Yoongi's hips and struggles to toe out of his black sneakers.

"We'll talk later," Hoseok insists, reaching for Yoongi's buttons without asking for permission. Luckily, Yoongi does not seem to mind. "I just…need to feel you."

They kiss and undress haphazardly, and then Hoseok moves Yoongi around and shoves at him until he is bent over the arm of his couch with his bare feet planted on the ground. Hoseok spreads Yoongi with his palms and considers getting on his knees, but Yoongi whines.

"Seokah, let's go to your room."

Hoseok groans impatiently but concedes, grabbing Yoongi by the wrist and yanking him into his bedroom. A bottle of lube sits on his bedside table and he scurries over to grab it, forgoing turning on any lights as he returns to where Yoongi leans against the wall to finally drop to his knees.

The room is dim, but Hoseok can clearly see everything he needs to as the evening sunlight pours through the windows. He grabs at Yoongi’s hips and forces him to turn around, causing a pretty chuckle to fall from his lips.

“So impatient,” Yoongi playfully complains.

Hoseok pops the lube open, dribbles some onto two of his fingers, and spreads Yoongi’s cheeks to begin prodding and stretching. Yoongi is so warm but so tight, and Hoseok moans in tandem with each slick pass of his fingers, eager to feel more. Once he has two fingers pressed deep inside, he gets to his feet, grabs Yoongi by the hair, and yanks him close, arching his back.

The sounds Yoongi makes are low and desperate, and his fingertips are white where they attempt to grip onto the wall.

“You have no idea,” Hoseok grits through his teeth as he pulls his fingers out and begins to slowly insert a third. Yoongi squeals, tightening and relaxing through shuddered breaths. “No idea how fucking badly I’ve needed this.”

Yoongi’s voice breaks on a sob as Hoseok works him open to the knuckles. He mutters, “I have some idea,” making Hoseok grin.

Once Hoseok has Yoongi stretched around three fingers and begging in a mindless, raspy babble to be fucked, Hoseok stands, squirts lube onto his cock, and begins to tease the tip against Yoongi's hole.

"Do I need a condom?" Hoseok asks, mainly as a courtesy.

Yoongi frantically shakes his head with his forehead pressed into the wall.

"Good. Getting impatient." Hoseok grits as he presses forward just enough to breach Yoongi's rim.

Yoongi moans, begging Hoseok to take him, pleading that he needs him.

"Patience, hyung," Hoseok teases. "Wanna feel every inch of you as I fuck you open."

Pitchy sobs fall from Yoongi's lips as Hoseok presses in and pulls out, again and again, nice and slow. He feels high, incapable of fully comprehending the fact that the two of them are having sex without preamble. He always expected it to feel like more of a big deal – or, perhaps, he simply hadn't expected Yoongi to allow him to take what he wants so easily.

Yoongi turns into putty as Hoseok presses as deep as he can go, panting against the wall, which he has all but melted against, fingers splayed as he does his best to hold himself in place.

Hoseok keeps his hips still, feeling the way Yoongi's hole pulsates around him, warm and wet, squeezing and releasing as if desperate for something he is not asking for.

"Shit, you feel so good," Hoseok groans, pulling back nice and slow, making Yoongi whimper and scrape his fingernails against the wall. He takes Yoongi by the hair and yanks gently, making him wince as his head meets Hoseok's shoulder. "Tell me what you want."

"F-fuck me," Yoongi whimpers. A sheen of sweat covers his forehead and his eyes stare widely at the ceiling. "Please, Hoseokah."

Hoseok pulls his hips back and snaps them forward, mouth hanging agape on a wide smile as Yoongi moans and squeezes him nice and tight. He pulls back once more and thrusts nice and deep, again and again, rough, fluidless movements just to make Yoongi scramble and squeal.

Then he lets go of Yoongi's hair and gently wraps his hand around his throat, delighting in the way Yoongi sinks into the feeling as he sets a nice steady pace. Yoongi leans back against Hoseok but keeps his hands on the wall, moaning and sobbing as Hoseok's hips work him in a quick but even rhythm.

It has been far too long since the last time Hoseok has felt this level of pleasure and it simmers through him with each thrust, building his high as Yoongi tightens and relaxes around him. He feels like heaven and Hoseok never wants it to end.

"Want to see you," Hoseok groans as he slowly pulls out, causing both of them to wince. "Turn around."

Yoongi stumbles as he turns, back crashing into the wall. His hair is a mess and he looks fucked out and radiant, eyes and smile droopy but pleading. Hoseok bends and grabs Yoongi's thighs and lifts, then presses Yoongi – who clings like a koala – against the wall while reaching with one hand to line them back up.

With one long thrust that has Hoseok standing onto his tippy toes, he spears Yoongi deep, causing him to bonk his head against the wall and giggle.

"Careful," Hoseok mutters as he adjusts his stance nice and wide and grips Yoongi tight by the thighs.

He presses Yoongi against the wall as leverage, pulling his hips down and thrusting them up. Knowing Yoongi is this easy to lift and hold is dangerous, and Hoseok attempts to keep himself focused on the deed at hand despite how his mind wanders to so many other ways he might enjoy him.

"T-too much," Yoongi whimpers, head bobbing like a doll from each deep thrust.

Hoseok smirks and leans close, deepening his thrusts despite having less room to pull out. "Too much?" he mock-pouts, causing Yoongi to bleat desperately. Despite his teasing, he is gentle as he asks, "Do you need me to stop?"

"No!" Yoongi practically shouts. "No, please don't stop."

"Good." Hoseok quickens his pace. "I'm just getting started with you, hyung."

Hoseok's muscles begin to burn in his legs and in his lower back, but all he cares about is keeping a steady pace and showing Yoongi precisely what can be all his if only he lets Hoseok in a little more.

Orgasm builds, and Hoseok does his best to stave off the urge. He wants Yoongi to cum first, then he can worry about chasing his own high.

"What's gotten into you?" Yoongi manages to ask through gasps and grunts while his head rubs against the wall.

Hoseok slows his hips and presses his body against Yoongi, who wraps his arms and legs around Hoseok and hugs him close.

"What do you mean?"

They breathe each other's air, staring into one another's eyes despite being too close to clearly see anything else. Yoongi smiles, seeming glad to catch his breath.

"We've barely spoken all week," Yoongi groans.

Hoseok tilts his head in a challenge; is Yoongi really going to do this right now?

"And whose fault is that?"

Yoongi chuckles, but it does little to assuage Hoseok's brewing frustration. "I just mean this feels so hasty."

In a swift movement, Hoseok pulls out and lowers Yoongi to his feet. Yoongi frowns but keeps his arms around Hoseok's neck.

"I didn't hear you complaining before," Hoseok counters, defensive. He lifts his hands to Yoongi's wrists, ready to remove his hold on him.

But Yoongi smiles sweetly. "And you don't hear me complaining now. I'm sorry for being chatty. Please don't stop."

Conflicted, Hoseok takes a step back, forcing Yoongi's arms to drop from around his neck. He ignores the way Yoongi frowns as he runs a hand through his tousled hair.

"Why are we always sparring like this?" Hoseok asks, defeated. "Can't we just be normal?"

"Hoseokah," Yoongi groans, stepping close. He reaches with one large, warm hand and engulfs Hoseok's cock, giving it a slow, firm stroke and squeezing the tip. Hoseok gasps, frustrated by how good it feels to be touched by him. "I wasn't trying to start a fight. I was simply impressed by your stamina. I've never been fucked against the wall like a ragdoll before."

Hoseok rolls his eyes at the same time Yoongi rolls his palm over his leaking tip, and they groan in tandem, Yoongi with wide eyes and a winning grin.

"Don't stop," Yoongi pleads despite his gaze piercing in the commanding way it often does. "You make me feel so good."

Hoseok leans in to capture Yoongi's lips, taking him by surprise. Yoongi stumbles into the wall, fist still gripping Hoseok's length, and Hoseok presses them together as he licks into Yoongi's mouth. They exchange moans, urging Hoseok to lift Yoongi once more.

Yoongi wraps both arms around Hoseok's neck, and Hoseok thrusts deep in a quick, fluid motion that forces both of them to whimper. Then he holds Yoongi tight and fucks as hard as he can manage in this position, bobbing him up only to slam him down.

The slap of skin against skin is lewd, and it takes all of Hoseok's concentration not to cum. Yoongi is tight and warm, and he feels incredible.

"Hoseokah," Yoongi whines, head lolling back and lightly hitting the wall. "Gonna cum. Please don't stop."

As if Yoongi's promise isn't enticing enough, he squeezes Hoseok's length in a dizzying rhythm. Yoongi's leaking cock is trapped between their bodies, rubbing and slapping against their tummies with each movement and Hoseok can feel as it pulsates against him before Yoongi lets out a sharp, needy moan and sprays the two of them with his release.

Yoongi trembles and whines, spurting cum as his head rolls haplessly on his shoulders. He looks and sounds almost like a man possessed, and he feels way too fucking good, squeezing the life out of Hoseok and forcing him to follow closely behind.

Hoseok presses Yoongi against the wall as orgasm rushes over him, forcing his limbs to tremble so violently, he worries he could drop Yoongi. Luckily, Yoongi holds onto him like a lifeline, clinging with his limbs as Hoseok fills him with a release that squelches from his hole, making a mess of them both.

He rests their heads against the wall a little too roughly as he pulls out, then slowly begins to loosen his hold, allowing Yoongi to slide onto his feet, where he stumbles before finding his balance.

They pant and sigh, and Hoseok leans to kiss Yoongi once more. "You're fucking incredible," he mutters against Yoongi's lips, but Yoongi turns his head away.

Hoseok lets out a heavy sigh, feeling all the joy and bliss dissipate like mist. Yoongi's eyes are trained to the floor.

"Don't do this," Hoseok pleads, unsure where he could have gone wrong. Sure, he got defensive earlier, but they finished on a high note.

"That was good," Yoongi mutters, thorns in Hoseok's heart. "Great," he corrects, but Hoseok is already taking a step back and turning away.

"Great," Hoseok mutters under his breath, eyes on the floor. Yoongi hovers for a second and then begins to leave the room, and Hoseok turns toward him, willing his feet to move forward but standing in place. "So why are you leaving?" he tries, frustrated by how shaken he sounds.

"You left last time," Yoongi mutters, throwing a sad smile over his shoulder. "And anyway…I have too much on my mind. It wouldn't be a good idea for me to stay."

"But we still need to talk."

Yoongi nods, then shrugs. "I think I need to clear my head first."

Hoseok feels sick to his stomach and angry, voice cracking as he asks, "Then why did you come at all?"

And as if it were the easiest thing in the world, Yoongi says, "Because I wanted to," before walking away.

Cum dries to Hoseok's chest, tummy, and cock, sticky and beginning to itch. He would find the fact amusing if he were not so angry. Is Yoongi really going to put his clothing back on in this state and leave? Is staying just long enough to clean himself really that awful?

Hoseok is furious. Finally, he finds the energy to storm into his living room, ignoring the fact that he is completely naked. Yoongi already has his underwear and undershirt on, and he is reaching for his slacks.

"What is your fucking problem?" Hoseok bites, doing his best not to shout.

Yoongi's movement pauses before he continues to slide one foot into his slacks after the other. "I told you, I'm not into relationships."

Hoseok stews in anger, watching as Yoongi gets dressed.

"So you just showed up to use me for sex, and now you're going to drive home with cum dripping out of your ass."

Yoongi has the audacity to crack a smile before schooling his expression and finally looking Hoseok in the eye. He slides his hands into his slacks pockets over the untucked ends of his black button-up.

"Hoseok, you told me that you were okay with there being no strings attached."

Hoseok heavy-blinks, feeling the urge to cry. All he mutters is, "I—" and he feels shocked when Yoongi interrupts him.

"You also warned me that eventually, you would catch feelings and need to stop. But it seems like none of that was true, because you are already acting cold and defensive."

"I just wanted to kiss you," Hoseok mutters, dropping his gaze to the floor and cringing inwardly at how childish he sounds.

Yoongi sighs. "Well, I wasn't in the mood for a kiss."

How can Hoseok blame someone for having boundaries? This whole situation has him feeling so fucked up that he is struggling to consider how Yoongi might feel because he is so caught up in the crushing weight of what Yoongi may not feel.

"You're right," Hoseok responds, unable to lift his gaze. "I respect your boundaries. I'm sorry for becoming upset."

Yoongi hums and Hoseok watches as his feet spin and make for the door, where his shoes are. Hoseok is cold, and he wraps his arms around himself. He wishes he had grabbed a robe or something before storming out here to confront Yoongi.

"Clearly, we are incapable of talking through whatever is on our minds," Yoongi says. His tone is too disconnected – too stern. It reminds Hoseok of the way Yoongi spoke to him when they first met – all business with a hint of attitude. It makes him feel small. He adds, "Sorry I came over tonight. Clearly this was a mistake."

Tears build, and Hoseok allows them to fall. He does not lift his eyes as Yoongi leaves, and he stands in silence as his gasps and voiceless sobs fill the space before forcing himself to stumble to the shower.

* * *

The photoshoots are awkward, to say the least, but Hoseok feels like a veteran at saving face, especially around Yoongi. Sure, Hoseok has to keep his eyes averted from the man's actual face as much as possible, and he is either silent or snippy when given instructions, but at least he does his job, and does it well.

Although he despises the way Yoongi handled their last tryst, Hoseok finds he cannot hate him for it. It was immature and lacked any modicum of productive conversation, but it is nice to at least be aware of how Yoongi feels. Baby steps, he tells himself.

Yoongi may be blunt and straightforward, but as much as he bosses Hoseok around and tells him what he likes, he does not easily and concisely express his feelings. And anyway, he already told Hoseok that he does not do relationships, so Hoseok thinks it is also his fault for letting things get as far as they did.

Even though Yoongi did say he could want something more with Hoseok. He knows he was not imagining things.

The worst part of working with Yoongi now is knowing how his voice sounds when he cums – how easy he is to pick up and how easy he might be to toss around. Despite how amazing it was in the moment, Hoseok finds himself wishing he had never discovered any of it.

He curses himself for not heeding Jeongguk's warning.

At least it is clear to Hoseok that Yoongi is not handling things perfectly well, either. His eyes are sleepier than usual, droopy with dark bags, and he does not seem to have his head in the game the way he often does. Even his snide remarks and barked orders lack their usual bite.

Hoseok finds it a relief that Yoongi seems miserable, but he would prefer it if they could just get along, instead. He thinks that perhaps he should be the bigger man and just forget his physical attraction, but each time the thought crosses his mind, he is bogged down by the impossibility of it all.

There is no way in hell Hoseok could simply forget his attraction to Yoongi.

Yoongi may as well be a mass the size of the sun with the way he pulls Hoseok into his orbit. Or, Hoseok thinks, he may be the gas giant and Yoongi the planet. It is painfully clear to Hoseok that Yoongi would rather be alone, and yet he continues to slip into Hoseok's gravitational force and make himself known.

"Good enough," Yoongi says, pulling Hoseok from his planetary exploration of their relationship – if whatever they are doing could be considered as such.

Hoseok stands up straight, rolls his shoulders back, and watches as Yoongi clicks through the digital photos he has taken. He wears his standard uniform of flowing black fabric that looks as comfortable as it does pretentious, and two film cameras dangle from around his neck.

After what feels like an eternity, Yoongi cracks a smile, glances up, and regards Hoseok. Hoseok holds his breath and his blood whooshes in his ears as he foolishly allows himself to bask in the silent weight of something so simple.

The smile fades as Yoongi's gaze lingers, but when he says, "Great work today," Hoseok knows that he means it.

With a bow of his head, Hoseok mutters, "Thank you," and Yoongi walks off.

Hoseok thinks he can handle this. Small smiles and earnest compliments are better than nothing.

* * *

After exactly two weeks of small smiles, earnest compliments, and a growing distance one would need a bridge to traverse, Hoseok feels as if he has reached his limit.

They wrap the Louis shoots, which have gone longer than expected because they asked whether Hoseok would be willing to model more items from the line than they originally intended. And then, at last, Hoseok decides it is time to work elsewhere.

"Well, I admit that it is strange to swim against the stream," Seokjin says once the news is out.

Hoseok's palm is clammy where it holds his phone; he had been dreading this conversation for several days. He paces around his apartment in sweatpants and an oversized Dior tee.

Seokjin continues, "But it is not impossible. Plenty of fish do it."

Essentially, what Seokjin is suggesting is that Hoseok has already been hired by the best magazine to work with the most esteemed professional and that switching companies seems like moving backward. But M Magazine is rarely a long-term gig. Models typically have guest spots to get themselves out there, and then get hired elsewhere.

Is Seokjin suggesting that Hoseok may have a long-term position with M? Is he saying Hoseok could have stayed there much longer had things worked well? As curious as Hoseok is, he also fears the answer.

"I appreciate it, Seokjin-ssi," Hoseok says, attempting to sound chipper despite feeling utterly conflicted.

"I know you do," Seokjin responds with a smile evident in his tone. "Yoongichi will not appreciate it, but it is not bad for him to be reminded that the world does not revolve around him."

Doesn't it? Hoseok wants to ask. Could have fooled him.

"Sit tight and try not to get into any trouble," Seokjin instructs, tone switching to something more stern and managerial. "It may take me a week or so to get you any offers, and longer to get you in front of another camera. Try not to change your appearance too much, and do not blow through all your money."

Hoseok is certain that he could order takeout for every meal until the end of the month and go clubbing several nights a week without spending all of the money he has managed to earn while working with Yoongi. Still, he appreciates Seokjin's warning, and says, "Yes, boss," with a smile.

"If you change your mind, you will continue to have a spot at M Magazine, regardless of what Yoongichi may think about the idea."

Hoseok hums, unsure what else to say, and Seokjin ends the call, stating he will be in touch and hanging up without giving Hoseok a chance to respond.

With his arms hanging limply by his sides, Hoseok glances around his living room, unsure what to do with himself. The early evening sun glows into the windows in hints of pink, and although Hoseok has not eaten all day, he feels empty but not hungry. Hollow, perhaps.

He wants to call Yoongi to tell him about his decision if only to hear the man confirm he has done the right thing by muttering something dissonant that no doubt hides his true feelings. He wants to invite his friends out for drinks and a distraction.

Instead, he shuffles over to the couch and plops down. He turns on the television and almost immediately spaces out, seeing the images as they flash by, one channel after another after another, but he does not really take in any of the sights and sounds.

Finally, he stops his search on an episode of a drama he has never heard of and vaguely watches the handsome man in a suit who is probably a chaebol confess his feelings for a plain but pretty woman who is probably poor. They come together for a stale press of lips that passes on television as a kiss, and Hoseok lifts his legs to the couch, curls into a fetal position, and closes his eyes.

* * *

For two weeks, Hoseok is without a work schedule.

He sits in his apartment and reads books. He spaces out while the television is on. He orders a meal kit service and experiments with cooking healthy food for dinner. He walks around his neighborhood, visits his favorite café, finds new cafes to try, and continues going to his favorite café in lieu of the others. He considers buying a bicycle and even shops around online, but never finds one he likes enough to buy. Eventually, he cancels the meal kit service.

And, for two weeks, Hoseok fights the urge to contact Yoongi. But he thinks about him constantly.

He wonders whether Yoongi has found any new restaurants. He wonders who will be centerfold in the next magazine, whether anyone else has been smeared in paint with Yoongi's bare hands, whether anyone else has had to wear a merkin.

Namjoon texts from time to time to check in, and Hoseok resists asking about Yoongi. He tells himself that he is going through a detox of sorts - that he needs to flush Yoongi out of his system entirely.

A new routine is always strange, he tells himself. It always comes with an adjustment period. But it is a good thing. Change is good. Change is healthy. Hoseok has worked with many other small photographers before, and he is certain that he can do it again.

But when he arrives to a new studio, he suddenly begins to rethink his choices. The space is cramped compared to M. The makeup and outfit consultant is a wisp of a woman who frowns as she works, only speaking to tell Hoseok where to sit and how to tilt his head. The photographer gives vague, odd directions, and tends to sigh after each shot, seemingly uncertain whether he likes any of the work he has done.

Bodies walk simultaneously too fast and too slow, bumping shoulder to shoulder with apologies given in sharp, hushed, unapologetic tones. There is no food provided, but Hoseok is given an hour to leave the studio and find something to eat during his break.

There is no Namjoon to share gossip with or tell him he is beautiful. No Seokjin to roll his eyes and deliver blunt sarcasm with a winning smile. No Yoongi to tell him he has done a job well done.

Hoseok hates it here.

Not every studio is this abysmal, but many of them are. And now that Hoseok has returned to this hustle, he wants to run for the hills and never look back.

At the end of the second day, he calls Seokjin. He apologizes profusely but tells him that he hates it.

"You still have a place at M," Seokjin insists. "Yoongi wasn't even angry to learn you had left. It seems like he expects you to return."

More likely, he expects Hoseok to come crawling back with his tail tucked between his legs. Truth be told, Hoseok thinks that is the better option.

"Yeah," he says. "Alright."

"We have a bunch of shoots lined up for Sunmi this week and next," Seokjin informs. "She has become more or less the female you. Once we wrap with her shoots and begin looking ahead to future issues, we will bring you back on. Can you handle another small vacation?"

Financially, Hoseok is more than set. Emotionally, however…

"Yeah," he says, doing his best to sound chipper and appreciative because admitting to his loneliness feels humiliating. "Of course. Just let me know when you plan to bring me back, boss."

"Sounds great," Seokjin says, ending the call without a goodbye.

* * *

Two blocks from their usual nightclub, a new spot has opened. Tonight is their soft launch, and being that it is two days away from Jeongguk's birthday, the group has assembled at Jimin's place to get ready for a night on the town. Seokjin had called Hoseok earlier in the day to let him know that his name was on the list – a perk of being friends with M Magazine – and Hoseok decided it would be a nice surprise for Jeongguk.

"Will Yoongi be there?" was the first thing Hoseok asked, and Seokjin assured him that Yoongi was not the type to go to a club on a Friday night.

Soon-to-be birthday boy Jeongguk is dressed in his usual black baggy pants, with a black mesh long-sleeve shirt and so many silver chains around his neck and wrists that he jangles whenever he moves. His hair has been cut rather short and he wears it in a messy bedhead style.

Jimin, whose hair is freshly pink and coiffed over his forehead in pretty waves, lines Jeongguk's eyes in black. He is Jeongguk's opposite, covered head to toe in shimmer and iridescent plastic in the form of a pink choker and skirt. A skin-tight white tank is tucked into the short, stiff skirt that shines in tones of blue and purple as the light hits it.

Taehyung wears a simple white tank tucked into loose black jeans, with a black leather choker around his neck sporting silver letters that spell the word SLUT. His freshly lightened and dyed hair is bright blue and cut in a messy bowl that fans out over his ears and above his brow.

As his friends get ready in Jimin's large bedroom strewn with clothing, shoes, and makeup products, Hoseok stares at himself in a vanity mirror, shirtless with his hair limp and unstyled, and he feels weighed down with a heavy sense of not belonging here. Depression, he thinks. This has to be depression.

"Seok," Taehyung calls, and Hoseok hums a low, "Hmm?" in response as he continues to stare blankly at his own reflection.

Seconds pass and then Hoseok is being tugged away from the mirror to the center of the room, where Jimin is holding several Dior pieces that Hoseok has brought with him. He holds up a black short sleeve button-up that has black logos covering it, and asks, "This plus white shorts?"

Hoseok shrugs, and it is all the encouragement his friends need. Suddenly, hands are tugging off the tan Dior pajama shorts that he wore over, and they are guiding him into a new outfit, mussing up his hair, painting his face, and covering him in accessories.

By the time they are finished with him, the shirt is unbuttoned and only tucked in on one side, with a white mesh shirt underneath. He wears gold chains, stud earrings, rings, and bracelets, and his eyes are lined in black and gold. As he stares approvingly at his reflection, he is reminded of Namjoon's handiwork.

"Thanks," Hoseok says, still feeling melancholy but grateful for his friends. "I look great."

"Duh," Jimin responds, face practically pressed against Hoseok's face. He rolls his eyes but smiles as he turns away from the mirror.

Although each outfit is unique, they all have something in common with someone else. Jeongguk and Taehyung with matching loose-fitting pants; Hoseok, Jimin, and Taehyung with their matching white tanks; Hoseok and Jeongguk with their chains and mesh. The feeling of not belonging begins to fade, and Hoseok reminds himself that he is an important part of this group and that they all want him here tonight.

Jeongguk retrieves a bottle of chilled clear soju, from which they all drink, and the alcohol warms Hoseok and loosens him up enough to pull him a bit out of his slump.

When he hands the bottle to Jimin, Taehyung asks, "Wanna talk about it?"

Rather than ask which it he is referring to, Hoseok shrugs and says, "Just in a slump. After shooting brands at M, everything else feels…"

"Empty," Jeongguk supplies.

Hoseok nods. "Yeah."

Part of him feels like an asshole for complaining at all. Jimin and Taehyung have never shot for M, and they are constantly bouncing from cramped, chaotic studio to cramped, chaotic studio. Jeongguk, who did shoot for M, never did high brands. He feels like a whiny, privileged little baby.

But, of course, his friends do not see it that way. All they see is that their friend is sad and that he could use some comforting.

"Adjustments are always difficult," Taehyung says as he wraps Hoseok in a warm hug, pinning his arms to his sides. "You'll get used to it."

Hoseok takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. He closes his eyes and smiles as he says, "I know." What he means to say is thank you, but he thinks Taehyung knows that already.

"Ready?" Jeongguk asks. Hoseok opens his eyes to see him holding what is left of the soju bottle out for him, and he manages to lift an arm and take the bottle, only thanks to Taehyung loosening his embrace just slightly enough.

Rather than clamber into a cab, they all slip into their black boots and chunky loafers and head out into the night. The club is no more than a twenty-minute walk, and it is a warm summer night with a light breeze that carries the scent of leaves and petals that are beginning to dry and change for the season.

Jimin and Jeongguk walk with their arms linked together, slightly hopping with each step. Hoseok and Taehyung are a few paces behind, quiet and lacking in enthusiasm as they move forward.

As cars and pedestrians pass, so too does the remainder of Hoseok's sour mood. He does not want to be a downer for his friend's birthday. And anyway, it has been a while since the four of them have put this much effort into their appearances to go out.

"Feeling better?" Taehyung asks as the lights of the neighborhood begin to brighten and the stretch of bars and clubs comes into view ahead.

Hoseok shrugs and wets his lips with his tongue. His eyes are plastered to the stone sidewalk and the backs of Jimin's boots. After a pause, he says, "Yeah. I guess so."

"Is it him?" Taehyung asks, voice low and conspiratorial.

This makes Hoseok chuckle, and he nods as he says, "Yeah. It's him."

Taehyung hums knowingly but says nothing more. The silence suddenly feels oppressive.

"I don't really know what to do about him, I guess," Hoseok admits, voice low. "He doesn't want a relationship and I…well, I'm needy and clingy. I want something."

Taehyung hums again, a low, "Mmhmm," that urges Hoseok to keep talking.

"I fucked him," he says.

Ahead of him, both Jimin and Jeongguk slow almost to a stop, causing Hoseok and Taehyung to abruptly stop.

"You, what?" Jimin asks, looking over his shoulder. Jeongguk continues to look straight ahead.

"It was unceremonious and rushed," Hoseok says. "And perfect. We had dinner and beers one night. I told him we needed to talk. But, of course, we didn't talk. We never do. I took him to my place, and as soon as the door to my apartment was shut, my hands were on him, pulling his clothing off and bending him over the couch."

The four of them continue on, and when nobody says anything Hoseok says, "But then I tried to kiss him and he pulled away. He got dressed, and I got upset, and we exchanged unpleasant words, and he left."

"Have you spoken about it since?" Taehyung asks.

Suddenly, Hoseok wants to cry. His eyes begin to wet, and he hugs his arms around his tummy, squeezing himself tight. He feels cold and unwanted.

"No," is all he says.

For two more blocks, nobody says a word. They approach the front of the club, where a long line of people waiting to be let inside snakes around the outside of the building.

"Follow me," Hoseok says as he makes his way to the security guard stationed at the door. He says, "Jung Hoseok," and watches as the man eyes him up, checks his list, and nods.

"How many?" the man asks.

"Four," Hoseok says, smiling widely as the final dredges of his bad mood begin to disappear.

Once inside, Jimin wraps Hoseok in an excited back hug, and Jeongguk says, "Whoa! Thanks, hyung!"

"It was all Seokjin's doing," Hoseok says as they make their way to the bar.

The club is an enormous square with a dancefloor to the back and a bar to the right. On the left wall is a set of steps leading up to a VIP area, guarded with a black velvet rope and a burly man in uniform, and the center of the space is littered with high-top tables.

It is typical nightclub fare with rainbow lights, lasers, and loud, remixed pop music. The space is already pretty packed, though not to the point of having to squeeze through crowds to get to where they need to go, and the lines for the bar are not too long.

The four of them order three rounds of shots of something that smells like strawberry and the astringent scent of clear hard liquor, and one round of bright blue long islands. They head toward the dancefloor, which is semi-partitioned with a row of wood slats all set five or so feet apart from one another. Tables litter the outer edge of the space, all of which are occupied with glasses ranging from full to empty, and there are dim hallways on either side of the dancefloor that lead off to restrooms and an outdoor patio.

Hoseok chugs his drink and leaves the empty glass behind, grimacing through a burst of brain freeze as he shimmies his way into the loose throng of bodies. He closes his eyes and lifts his arms, allowing the music to flow through him and sway his body from side to side. Then he opens his eyes in time to watch Jimin throw his arms around his neck and pull him close.

"You're the best, Seokie-hyung!" Jimin shouts over the music. He presses a kiss to Hoseok's cheek that leaves behind a glossy, sticky smudge.

"Anything for our Jeonggukie," Hoseok says as the other two approach and close in on them.

They dance in a semi-circle until Jimin presses his ass to Jeongguk's crotch, initiating the grind line. Taehyung is already somewhat positioned to be in front of Jimin, facing Hoseok, and they move together as one, wrists draping over shoulders and around hips.

Hoseok pushes his fingers into Taehyung's newly blue hair and rests his face against his shoulder, swishing but not really grinding, finding he doesn't really feel up to it. Taehyung does not seem to mind, moving in smaller sweeping motions along with Hoseok rather than the sharper, hornier movements of a typical grind.

"You miss him," Taehyung says, the side of his mouth pressed against Hoseok's temple.

Hoseok does miss him. With a nod, he closes his eyes.

After one and a half more songs, Hoseok feels antsy, warm, and tipsy. He peels out of Taehyung's loose but comfortable hold and announces that he is going to get another drink. Jeongguk breaks away from Jimin's eager hips while Jimin wraps himself around Taehyung, urging him to stay.

Although the music blasts throughout the entire space, it is loudest on the dancefloor. As they walk between two wooden partitions, the air feels slightly cooler and less all-encompassing, and Hoseok lets out a relieved sigh.

"Happy birthday," he says as he wraps an arm around Jeongguk's waist and pushes him toward the bar.

The two of them take more shots, this time of grapefruit-flavored soju, then they order two more bright blue drinks and find a place near the edge of the bar to stand where there are fewer people.

"You're quiet tonight," Jeongguk says, to Hoseok's chagrin.

Hoseok lets out a long, dramatic, exasperated sigh, bending at the knees and hips as if it physically pains him to carry the weight of Jeongguk's words. Jeongguk's face scrunches up into several moon shapes and he lets out a cute giggle.

"I know," Hoseok mutters with the bright pink straw of his drink caught between his teeth. "I'm not really all here."

Jeongguk shifts his weight back and forth a little. He pulls his drink to his lips, then lowers it as if he is going to speak, only to raise it again and pull blue liquid through his yellow straw.

"What is it?" Hoseok asks, feeling impatient. He knows Jeongguk wants to ask about Yoongi and the longer he spends not doing so, the more antsy Hoseok feels.

Unable to stare at his friend, who seems to be thinking about what he wants to say, Hoseok allows his eyes to trail around the room. He loves the chaos of a nightclub. The sweat, the intoxication and lower inhibitions, the sex. Something about this raucous environment always makes him feel so alive, even when he is feeling a bit less enthusiastic, like tonight. As some cute girl with long, straight black hair grinds against their friend at the bar, mouthing the lyrics to some raunchy pop song, Jeongguk clears his throat, pulling Hoseok's attention.

"I guess I wasn't fully honest about what happened between us," Jeongguk says. "But I didn't want you to think I held back for the sake of myself…or whatever."

Hoseok pinches his straw between his teeth and cocks his head at Jeongguk, curious what he means.

"I never thought that Yoongi and I could be anything once he said it was over," Jeongguk clarifies. "Honestly, I wasn't even really all that hurt by it. I think part of me was jealous by the prospect of the two of you. Or maybe I was worried about feeling replaced."

"When I started working there?" Hoseok asks, straw still in his mouth.

Jeongguk nods.

Hoseok knits his brow. "What makes you think we would have done anything in the first place?"

With an incredulous expression that causes Jeongguk's entire posture to sag, he asks, "Seok, for real? You're you. And he's him. Of course the two of you would have bickered your way into one another's pants."

This makes Hoseok laugh so abruptly that he ends up blowing air into his straw and causing his drink to bubble, nearly spilling over the top of the glass. Stunned by the drink nearly erupting, Hoseok laughs even harder, this time holding the glass a safe distance from his face.

Jeongguk sets his glass down on the edge of the bar, nearly doubling over. It really wasn't that funny, but there is something about the sudden chain of events between Jeongguk's remark and Hoseok's clumsiness that sends both of them over the edge. Surely, the booze is also to blame.

Once the two of them catch their breath, Hoseok gently rubs one of his knuckles below his eye to wipe away any mascara that may have smudged from his eyes tearing up.

"We definitely do have chemistry." Saying it aloud has Hoseok feeling wistful.

Jeongguk nods. "I can imagine. We had fun, but there was definitely a power imbalance. I like being controlled and naïve but I always got the impression he was hoping for someone to boss him around."

"I know this about you, Ggukie," Hoseok says through a chuckle. "And him, because you're right. The man loves to let go of control."

"You also know I am too clingy for my own good. Even though I had you, Taehyungah, and Jiminah, I still wanted him all to myself. We talked a lot about ending things."

Hoseok rolls his eyes and leans forward to gently punch Jeongguk on the shoulder. "You told me he dropped you like a hot little sweet potato."

Jeongguk shrugs and grins. "You know how I like to get!"

At the same time, the two of them say, "Dramatic."

Hoseok feels relieved that the stories are a bit more straight between Jeongguk and Yoongi. Knowing Yoongi did not simply use Jeongguk and toss him aside as he may have suggested has him feeling better about his own situation.

Briefly, he thinks he feels hopeful. But then he reminds himself that things between the two of them are over. At least he can sleep at night knowing he hasn't been the shittiest friend alive to his darling little Jeonggukie.

"Wanna get back onto the dancefloor?" Jeongguk asks.

Hoseok nods quickly then slurps down the remainder of his drink. He leans to place the empty glass on the edge of the bar and turns toward the dancefloor, only to be stopped by the sound of a familiar male voice shouting, "Hoseokahhh!"

The voice sounds like it belongs to Namjoon, and Hoseok whips around, scanning the room for a familiar face. He spots Namjoon approaching haphazardly through the crowd as if coming from the steps that lead to the VIP area.

Excitement fills Hoseok, and he skips ahead. As soon as he is close enough, he leaps into Namjoon's outstretched arms, wrapping his arms around his neck and forcing Namjoon to catch him.

"Joon Baboon, I have missed you," Hoseok whines, breathing in Namjoon's cologne without any sense of shame.

Namjoon chuckles and slowly sets Hoseok back down onto his feet. "It is nice to see you again."

As Hoseok releases his hold from Namjoon's neck, he turns to glance over his shoulder and spots Jeongguk back where he left him, shifting back and forth on his feet with his gaze glued to the floor.

"You remember Jeonggukie?" Hoseok asks, turning back to Namjoon.

Namjoon glances past Hoseok and his eyes widen. Clearing his throat, Namjoon's voice is deep as he says, "Oh. Wow." Then, much louder, he shouts, "Hey, Jeongguk!"

"It's his birthday in two days," Hoseok adds, nudging his elbow toward Namjoon.

The two of them exchange greetings and the tension between them is thick. Hoseok is delighted by how shy and curious they seem around one another. He considers giving them space and returning to his friends, but then it dawns on him how strange it is to see Namjoon out at a club.

"Wait," Hoseok says, interrupting the two of them. "What are you doing here?"

Namjoon licks his lips and raises his eyes as if he is attempting to glance behind himself. Hoseok instinctively looks up toward the steps that lead to the VIP area and finds a familiar man standing at the top of those steps, face covered by a black mask. Both the familiar man and Joon Baboon wear black button-ups tucked into black slacks, and Hoseok realizes it must be some work-related thing.

Before he can stop himself, he says, "Oh."

Namjoon clears his throat. "We actually…we, being M Magazine…uh, we have a surprise for you."

It takes Hoseok a beat too long to realize Namjoon is talking about him. He blinks owlishly and blurts, "Huh?"

"Upstairs," Namjoon adds.

"But…" Hoseok heavy-blinks, voice lowering, "Seokjin said he wouldn't be here."

"Ah, yeah, well," Namjoon visibly swallows, "I think Seokjin was attempting to keep the surprise alive. He doesn't…know…does he?"

"Seokjin?" Hoseok asks, and Namjoon nods. "No, he doesn't know."

Namjoon nods, nibbling on his bottom lip as if trying to come up with something to say. Then he sighs and says, "Well, I am going to head up, and you should too. At least for a little bit. I promise the surprise is worth it. And, well, I worked really hard on it. Jeongguk, you're welcome to join us if you would like to." Namjoon begins turning his body toward the staircase.

Hoseok half expects Jeongguk to decline, and is surprised when he says, "Sure! As long as there's free booze."

With a nod that shows off Namjoon's adorable dimples, leads the way through the crowd to the steps. A security guard asks, "How many?" to which Namjoon says, "Two more," and then they are allowed access past the black velvet rope.

At the top of the stairs, Yoongi continues to wear his face mask, standing with his side profile visible. He reaches out to grasp the hands of a female model and raises them while bowing his head as if to kiss them.

Hoseok knows he should not take the movement seriously. He knows he should not be watching the two of them interacting at all. But she is a tall, slender goddess with long orange wavy hair and a bright, beaming smile, and Hoseok feels envy and sadness sloshing around with all the alcohol in his stomach as he slowly makes his way to the top of the stairs.

Foolishly, Hoseok hopes Yoongi and this gorgeous woman being together in some way is not the surprise. Of course, why would it be? Flaunting the two of them in front of him would be the nastiest surprise anyone could give him. Yet it is all he can think about. Suddenly, Hoseok thinks to himself that he may just be drunk.

As they make their way to the top of the stairs, there is cheering and clapping from inside the closed-off VIP area. Yoongi and the woman make their way into the room, disappearing from view, and Hoseok sees streamers and balloons decorating the walls and ceilings. He thinks he even hears a bottle of champagne get popped.

Namjoon reaches the top first, then takes several steps forward and turns so that he is both facing the steps and the room beyond. As Hoseok crests the top, he sees a cardboard cutout of the female model standing near some tables along the back wall, as well as framed photos of her centerfold and cover.

This…is a strange surprise for Hoseok. Has he just been brought over to celebrate this woman?

"Everyone!" Namjoon shouts while raising his arms. He turns to look at Hoseok, making him regret coming up here at all. Everything feels weird, and Hoseok instinctively takes a step backward, but Jeongguk places his hands on Hoseok's back, shoving him toward Namjoon, who says, "Look who I have!"

Yoongi, who has removed his mask and is busying himself with pouring a glass of whiskey in the back end of the room, looks up and meets Hoseok's eye. He smiles slightly but quickly schools his expression to something more stern and professional. Hoseok is certain that others have turned to look at him, but the only person who has his attention is Yoongi, who places the whiskey down and stands up straight.

"Now that the guests of honor are both here," Yoongi announces, raising his glass, "we can have ourselves a proper party. Everyone, please help me in congratulating our two latest cover and centerfold models, Jung Hoseok and Lee Sunmi."

The room erupts into applause, and Hoseok glances around the space, confused by just what the fuck is going on until he spots, opposite Sunmi's cutouts and framed magazine shots, are his own. He steps forward, feeling oddly powerful as the crowd parts for him, to approach several cardboard versions of himself in Dior and Louis Vuitton outfits.

Tears build in Hoseok's eyes and he pulls his hands to his mouth, scared he is going to let out a nasty, wet sob and embarrass himself. Hands delicately rest on his shoulders and he allows himself to believe it could be Yoongi, knowing full well that it is not.

"Look at you," Jeongguk says, voice lilted with pride. "These perfume shots are fucking insane."

Hearing one of his closest friends praise him has tears escaping in fat trails down Hoseok's cheeks. He sniffles and says, with a choked, solemn voice, "I had to wear a merkin."

"Ah, Jeongguk-ssi," Yoongi says from somewhere behind Hoseok. "How nice to see you again."

Hoseok nearly laughs at the absurdity of the three of them standing together at last, and he wonders whether Jeongguk is going to say anything scathing or snippy. Apparently, he is in a good mood, because he simply says, "Hey, Yoongi-ssi. Congrats on the latest issues."

Yoongi chuckles and it sounds too measured and clean. Not…fake…per se. But definitely not the chuckle of a man who is fully comfortable in his own skin at the moment.

"The congratulations all go to your friend here, and to our darling Sunmi. I just snap the photos and make tiny edits to enhance their already existing perfection."

Hoseok turns, rolling his eyes dramatically. He decides that for now, he is drunk enough to be in a good mood in the presence of the man who walked out on him moments after getting railed against his wall.

"Oh, please, Yoongi-ssi," Hoseok teases, "your modesty is unbecoming. You staged every bit of these shoots, did you not?"

Yoongi's expression softens long enough for him to shrug and cock his head to the side, toward where Namjoon stands across the room. He says, "I had help," and then his smirk returns.

Suddenly, Hoseok feels spent. He has nothing more to say, and the thought of conjuring a subject for conversation between Yoongi and Jeongguk of all people has him wishing he could turn into water and seep down through the floor.

Luckily for him, Seokjin has arrived and is shouting and cheering jovially. "Ah, there he is! My pride and joy!" Seokjin announces as he approaches with his arms held out toward Hoseok.

Unsure what to do with himself, largely because Seokjin hugging or making any other form of physical contact feels alien, Hoseok stands stiff as a board and waits for the older man to do whatever it is he intends to do.

Seokjin slaps his hands down on Hoseok's shoulders and says, "Congratulations, my brilliant, beautiful protégé," and then rests his arms to his sides. Physical contact over.

Yoongi chuckles and says, "Please, most of these photos were taken when he was under my representation."

With a dismissive flick of his wrist, Seokjin mutters, "Technicalities." Then he looks from Hoseok to Jeongguk and glances around, confused. "The bouncer said you were a party of four. Where are the other two?"

Hoseok also looks around despite not needing to; he knows exactly where his friends are. "Oh, uh, downstairs dancing."

With a heavy sigh, Seokjin turns to Jeongguk and says, "Jeongguk-ssi – nice to see you again, by the way." Jeongguk mutters that it is nice to see him too, but Seokjin continues, "I hate to ask this of you, but would you mind retrieving your friends? I would like for everyone to celebrate Hoseok's big moment."

Jeongguk bows his head, and, with a hand on Hoseok's lower back, says, "I shall return momentarily."

"I need a drink," Hoseok says, mostly to himself the second his emotional support Jeonggukie is gone.

"This way," Seokjin responds, holding out an arm toward the back of the room beneath the row of Sunmis.

Hoseok follows, gazing up at the photographs. She really is a beauty, with perfect lines and facial expressions. She has a knack for wearing really funky, strange outfits; some of the images feature runway looks from the upcoming Alexander McQueen line, with shoulders and hips that are more bulbous than usual, and long strips of useless fabric hanging from everywhere imaginable, making the air around her appear to be incarcerated.

But none of her shoots are similar to the perfume shoot Hoseok did, nor the one where he was smeared with gold paint. She is always fully covered and demure.

Still, he lingers on the photographs containing stranger outfits and says, "I want to do that."

"Funny you should say that," Seokjin responds, still hovering close, to Hoseok's amusement. He has never seen Seokjin quite so chipper before. "I am in the process of something huge."

"Oh?" Hoseok says as he takes stock of the long refreshments table and decides he would like a gin and tonic.

"It comes with a catch, however," Seokjin adds as Hoseok pours fizzy tonic water into a tall glass of gin.

"What sort of catch?"

From his left, Hoseok hears the clearing of a throat. He is eighty percent sure that the throat belongs to Yoongi, and so he ignores it, using metal tongs to gently place cubes of ice into his already full drink. Perhaps, he thinks, he is a bit too intoxicated to be performing tasks that require a certain order of operations.

"Hoseok," Yoongi says, confirming his suspicion and causing him to drop a cube into his drink too quickly, disturbing the carbonated tonic water and spilling some of his clear concoction onto the white tablecloth below.

Hoseok grins, turning to Yoongi as he says, "See what you made me do?"

To Hoseok's chagrin, Yoongi watches him sternly, unamused. Not that Hoseok is surprised.

"Can we speak, please?" Yoongi asks.

Hoseok sighs dramatically and nods, but rather than follow Yoongi deeper into the room, he first grabs a small white paper napkin and blots at the spill.

"Avoiding him or just being a brat?" Seokjin asks.

Once more, Hoseok sighs, and he mutters, "Two things can be true at once," as he reluctantly turns to the right and approaches the far end of the room where Yoongi waits. He wedges his straw between his teeth and stares at Yoongi's polished black loafers.

Quietly, Yoongi clears his throat once more. When Hoseok does not meet his eye, he lets out a quiet, frustrated groan, yet manages to keep his voice measured as he says, "I know this is not the optimal time and place for a chat, but I wanted to ask how you are doing."

"This is definitely not the optional time or space," Hoseok says, realizing after he has spoken that he has said the wrong word. Maybe another drink was a mistake. "Honestly, what are we doing? Being amiable?" He lets out a wet, dramatic pfft!

"Alright," Yoongi says. "Follow me to the patio, then? I think the two of us could use some fresh air."

Fresh air does sound great but with Yoongi? Hoseok would rather choke. Still, he grumbles, "Sure, fine," and turns to head toward the exit.

Namjoon asks if something is the matter, but then his gaze must clock Yoongi coming up behind Hoseok because he does not press the matter further. Hoseok wishes he would press it further, but Namjoon is the type of sweetheart who would rather let people sort their own bullshit out.

Hoseok holds onto the railing, stomping a little too hard down the stairs. Between the coordination involved and the combination of loud music and bright rainbow lights, he feels burdened by the task. When he makes it down to the bottom, he glances over his shoulder to see that Yoongi, who has put his mask back over his lower face, is several paces behind.

Rather than wait for him, Hoseok continues, scanning the crowd for his friends so he can tell them what is going on. When he doesn't spot them, he continues on toward the dancefloor, and then into a hallway that leads back along the right side of the building to an open door.

Hoseok slurps his drink down, anxious as he anticipates actually needing to have a conversation with Yoongi and questioning why he can never seem to just tell the man no. He slurps it down so fast, in fact, that as he approaches the door, the sound of air coming through the straw greets him. Disappointment quakes through Hoseok as he sets the empty glass down onto a table full of empty glasses just beside the door, bidding farewell to the thing he was planning on fidgeting with.

He walks out into the cool night air and takes a deep, slow inhale. There are only a handful of other people present, and they are scattered about the rather large, fenced-in space, sitting at wooden tables and in their own worlds.

Yoongi walks past Hoseok to a table along the back wall, near the corner, and sits with his back facing the door. Hoseok kicks a small pebble around on the blacktop ground and then concedes to walking forward and joining him.

On the small table sits two tall cups of clear liquid that Hoseok wishes would be more gin and tonic but assumes to be water. As he sits on the chair furthest from Yoongi, Yoongi uses two fingers to slide one of the cups toward him.

"This got awkward fast," Yoongi says, voice semi-muffled from his mask.

"How are you going to drink yours with your mouth covered?" Hoseok asks as he lifts the cup to his lips. The water is nice and cold, despite not having any ice, and it sends a shiver through Hoseok as he sips.

"Why don't you let me worry about that," Yoongi responds.

Hoseok rolls his eyes.

"Perhaps surprising you was a mistake," Yoongi says. "I want to apologize for that. Seokjin was given strict directions to get you here, but you and your friends must have arrived a bit too early."

Hoseok feels petulant. Is this because he had been drinking? Is Yoongi trying to berate him? "Sorry for being too drunk for your liking," he grumbles angrily, staring at his water.

"What I mean is that the situation seems to have made you uncomfortable. I don't care that you're drunk."

Hoseok hums a tone that suggests he is unconvinced. "Crazy that everything I do lately is controlled somehow by you."

There is a pause, then Yoongi says, "Do go on," in an amused tone that really pisses Hoseok off.

"I came here to celebrate my friend's birthday and it feels weird shifting the attention onto me like this. I mean, what kind of asshole fucking friend have I been to Jeongguk? First you and now this."

Hoseok waves an arm out, gesturing widely despite no longer being inside where the party is. He meets Yoongi's gaze and is surprised by how disgusted he looks with him.

"You're mad because we threw you a congratulatory party?" Yoongi asks. "Fine, I'll be sure to tell your manager that next time we want to thank you for all your hard work, we'll need to be sure to schedule it for a time when none of your friends have upcoming birthdays."

Hoseok rolls his eyes. "Great. Whatever. Fuck, I don't know." His mind whorls. As he attempts to sort out why he has brought up any of this, all he can focus on is the fact that he was having a really good night with his friends, and now Yoongi is here and everything is back to feeling really fucking weird. "I'm not in a good head place to do this right now," he mutters.

"A good headspace?" Yoongi asks.

Hoseok scoffs, chuckles, and then rolls his eyes. "Yeah. Sure. Headspace. Go fuck yourself Yoongi."

The patio spins as Hoseok abruptly stands and then shifts his body in the direction that he thinks the door is. And then it continues to spin, and his butt is back to being planted in his seat, the wooden legs scraping against the blacktop.

"Go fuck myself?" Yoongi snarls, standing up with his palms on the table, leaning so close to Hoseok that his cologne fills his senses. His voice is low, measured, and biting. "All you do is take and take, and then complain when things don't go your way. I show you kindness and vulnerability and you sneak out while I'm asleep only to cry about how something I said to you was too nice. I show up to your place to talk things through and you fuck me against the wall and then cry about how I'm no longer in the mood to talk. Now I throw you this party and you cry about how I'm ruining your night out with friends. How are you always this self-absorbed?"

Tears fill Hoseok's eyes and he hugs his arms tight around himself, shaking his head no despite having nothing to say to counter Yoongi's words.

"You're a spoiled little brat who throws a fit when you don't get your way. You have no respect for people's boundaries, but all the audacity in the world to hurl accusations. I wanted to get close to you, but it wasn't fast enough for your liking, so you pushed me away. Even now, after everything you have done, I still want to give you runway model contracts and shower you in praise, and sneak off away from everyone else to be alone with you, but all you want to do is sit here and pout like a scorn child."

A sob pulls from deep in Hoseok's chest, and he squeezes his eyes closed as he says, "Please stop."

"If you want to talk to me like a man, you know where to reach me, but I won't sit here and be told to go fuck myself. Sorry for dragging you all the way out here away from your friends with the hope of talking to you for the first time in weeks. Have a good night, Hoseok."

Wood scrapes against blacktop, and then Yoongi is walking away. Hoseok buries his face in his hands and cries. He knows that what Yoongi says is true, but he refuses to believe he is the only one to blame. If only he were a little more sober, he would have been able to think everything through and come up with a response, but in this state, he has nothing. He feels like nothing.

"Um, what the hell?" a male voice asks. It takes Hoseok a moment too long to realize the voice belongs to Seokjin.

Hoseok looks up past his hands to find his boss assessing him with an expression of confusion and anger. Seokjin squats down and places a hand on Hoseok's elbow.

"Yoongichi said I would find you here, but I was not expecting to find you like this."

"Please," Hoseok hiccups and sniffles. "It's too embarrassing. Don't make me do this."

"Did he make you cry like this?"

Hoseok nods. He wants to tell Seokjin that the situation has nuance and that he is not all innocent. But he can't find the words.

"Yah, Yoongiah!" Seokjin shouts, and Hoseok glances up, worried he will see Yoongi again before realizing Seokjin is on his phone. "Get your ass back out here and sort out whatever mess you made."

"I don't want him to come back," Hoseok groans.

"I don't care what your drama outside the studio is, but we are celebrating Hoseok tonight, and whatever you said to him, you need to take it all back."

Hoseok reaches for Seokjin, who sits just barely too far. He shakes his head, pleading. "No, please, he and I can talk it through tomorrow. I don't want to see him again."

Seokjin moves his phone away from his ear and sighs. Hoseok has no idea whether Yoongi is still on the line or not.

"Yoongichi tells me the two of you became…close."

Hoseok swallows a lump and sniffles loudly. Then he very meekly nods his head and says, "Uh huh."

"He says things became awkward and you decided to leave M Magazine to create distance."

Hoseok drops his face into his hands once more. This is too embarrassing.

There is movement. A sigh before standing, shuffling around, and pulling a wooden chair close. Then there are hands delicately pulling Hoseok's hands away from his face.

"You are drunk, so I am going to keep this concise," Seokjin says, making Hoseok groan and wince. "Yah, Hoseokah! I'm not berating you for being drunk at an establishment that caters to serving their patrons alcohol. I just mean to say we're in no position to have the meaningful conversation that needs to eventually be had."

Hoseok sniffles and nods, accepting what Seokjin is saying. He lowers his hands and stares down at the wooden table.

"Yoongi is my best friend in the world. I love him more than I love most humans. But sometimes…well, sometimes he can be a dickhead."

Hoseok smiles at Seokjin's candor. He opens his mouth to agree with Seokjin, but is interrupted by Yoongi saying, "Gee, thanks."

At the sound of his voice, Hoseok raises his shoulders to his ears and closes his eyes. He had already forgotten that Seokjin called him to tell him to come back.

"We need to fix this," Seokjin says. "Hoseokah is expected to return and be celebrated for his achievements. Whatever it is you said to him to make him cry – even if you were not fully in the wrong – take responsibility for it right now and fix this mess. I want him back upstairs in no more than fifteen minutes. Hoseokah, please have some water."

At that, Seokjin is standing and leaving, and Hoseok is back to wishing he could disappear.

Yoongi sighs but says nothing. Hoseok sinks further into his seat. He reaches for the cup of water and drinks it all in one gulp, then puts the cup down and considers drinking Yoongi's neglected cup, too.

"You look nice tonight," Yoongi finally says.

Hoseok chuckles. "Okay."

"Look, I was out of line," Yoongi says as he sits down where Seokjin just was. Hoseok keeps his eyes on the table, nibbling on the inside of his lip. "I shouldn't have said all that to you. Obviously I'm frustrated, and we haven't been communicating well, but I picked the wrong time and place. And, being more sober than you…it wasn't a fair fight."

"It shouldn't be a fight at all," Hoseok mutters. "Fair or otherwise. But it always is. You call me a spoiled brat but then you act like a spoiled brat when someone tells you to go fuck yourself."

Yoongi hums, then quietly admits, "It pissed me off."

Hoseok finally glances up, glaring at Yoongi as he asks, "Why?"

Yoongi has his mask pulled down past his chin, and he runs his tongue along the bottom row of his teeth.

"Was it the words that pissed you off or just the fact that I said them?" Hoseok asks.

When Yoongi says nothing more, Hoseok pulls his phone from his pocket and fumbles to turn the camera on. He checks himself on the screen, upset by how red his eyes are, but proud of his makeup for barely smudging. With his thumb, he rubs just below the corners of his eyes and then turns off his screen. He feels semi-sobered up compared to moments ago and takes a deep, slow breath in, then out.

"I have a lot to say about all that mean shit you said to me, but I am too drunk to be doing this," Hoseok says, finally getting back to his feet and standing. He realizes far, far too late that he barely ate food all day, which must explain why he began to feel so intoxicated almost all at once. "And I am supposed to be getting celebrated, so I am going to go back in there and drink some water and eat finger foods and allow your rich little asshole friends to tell me how beautiful I am."

To Hoseok's surprise, the edges of Yoongi's mouth quirk into a brief little smile.

"I am not a spoiled brat," Hoseok says, placing his hands on his hips for balance. "And I do respect boundaries. But I am sorry that I haven't been respecting yours enough. I'm not used to falling for people who have walls built up so fucking high. And you send mixed signals! This is not all my fault." Hoseok jabs his right index finger into his own chest.

Yoongi nods, sitting back in his chair while continuing to look up at Hoseok. And, god, Hoseok hates how badly he wants to lean down and kiss him.

Instead, Hoseok says, "Apologize so that I can accept it and return to the party."

"I'm sorry," Yoongi says, tilting his head to the side.

Hoseok raises his eyebrows. "For…?"

Yoongi sighs and rolls his eyes, but he smiles too, sitting up tall. "I'm sorry for overreacting and calling you names. It was uncouth of me."

"Uncouth," Hoseok mocks.

Yoongi's voice drops an octave, and he looks up at Hoseok through his eyelashes as he says, "I meant it when I said you look nice tonight."

"Great," Hoseok says, slapping his hands to his thighs. "Apology accepted."

Hoseok begins to make his way to the door, and Yoongi must stand quickly because his chair scrapes loudly.

"Wait," Yoongi says. "That's it?"

Hoseok turns to find Yoongi has already raised his mask back over his mouth, and Hoseok steps forward, so close that their noses touch through the fabric.

"Why? You want something more from me."

Yoongi's eyes widen. He says, "Of course, I do," and Hoseok is grateful he can't see him smirking.

Hoseok's mind swirls with thoughts of telling Yoongi off, of pulling Yoongi into a dark corner, of taking Yoongi by the hand and leading him all the way back to his apartment, of detouring with Yoongi to get a piping hot sweet potato from the street vendor.

Instead, he turns and walks away. The music is loud as he makes his way down the dark hall and into the main bar. As he walks toward the stairs, he has to turn sideways and shuffle past bodies, muttering apologetic phrases that are too low to be heard.

Seokjin stands at the bottom of the steps with his arms crossed at his chest. As soon as he spots Hoseok, he raises his chin and gives a curt nod.

"Right on time," he says, although Hoseok has no idea whether that is true. Seokjin unclasps the end of the velvet rope and holds it open, adding, "Up you go," while continuing to hold it for Yoongi.

Hoseok does not check to see whether Yoongi is right behind him as he makes his way back up. He is still drunk but feels more in control of himself. Everything that happened on the patio seems like a blur. A nightmare.

The way Yoongi spoke to him was uncalled for, but Hoseok understands what it is like to explode on someone and be perhaps meaner than intended. He wants to give Yoongi grace, really, he does. He also wants to slap him across the mouth.

As soon as Hoseok reaches the top of the stairs, he finds his friends in a circle chatting with Sunmi. Taehyung is the first to spot him, and he yells for Hoseok, causing the others to turn around.

Trepidation fills Hoseok at the thought of talking to the beautiful woman who Yoongi has been spending a lot of his quality time with. Yoongi claims he is not interested in her, but how can Hoseok be so sure? She is absolutely stunning.

As Hoseok approaches, he is pulled into a group hug by his friends, all of whom ask where he was.

"Stepped out to get some fresh air," he says, doing his best to sound as sober and assured as he can. "And I had something I wanted to discuss with the boss men."

As he says this, Yoongi, whose mask has been removed, walks past them to the refreshments table. Hoseok fights the urge to stick his tongue out at the man's retreating form.

"Hoseok-ssi?" a small, feminine voice says.

Hoseok glances around and realizes the voice belongs to Sunmi. He feels his cheeks warm as he says, "Hey, Sunmi-ssi."

Sunmi rolls her eyes and steps forward, saying, "Please. Call me noona." She throws her arms open as wide as she can without hitting any of Hoseok's friends with her arms, adding, "You're the Hoseok that Yoongi-ssi talks about endlessly. Congratulations! Your centerfolds are stunning."

Hoseok is shocked, taking a step back from the force of the embrace and wrapping his arms around her. She is tiny even in heels, resting her head comfortably under Hoseok's chin, and so dainty in his arms, Hoseok worries he might break her if he squeezes too hard.

"Oh," he says, sobering up more by the second, because what did she just say about Yoongi talking about him endlessly? "Thank you so much, noona."

Sunmi pulls from the hug but Hoseok's arms hover around her as if creating a protective shield. "Congratulations to you, as well. I love the McQueen shots."

"Oh my gosh, thank you!" Sunmi beams. "I can't wait to share the runway with you next time!"

Hoseok cocks his head to the side and blurts out a confused, "Huh?"

With wide eyes, Sunmi's hands fly to her mouth, and she glances around apologetically before mouthing, "Oops!" to Yoongi, whose presence behind Hoseok is told through smell, alone.

"Ah, well, the cat is out of the bag," Yoongi says. A large, warm hand sets on Hoseok's right shoulder, and Hoseok resists the urge to wiggle it away. "Seokjin-ssi, join us a moment."

The group parts for Seokjin, who arrives with a cookie hanging from his mouth and two flutes of champagne in his hands. He holds one out to Hoseok, who takes a step to the left, giving Yoongi space to join them and also to stop touching him. As his friends crowd around, Hoseok also spots Namjoon stepping up close to Jeongguk.

"Hoseok-ssi," Yoongi says, raising a glass of whiskey. His eyes are somewhat bloodshot, and Hoseok wonders whether it is from the alcohol. He has a crooked, cute smile on his face, and he opens and closes his mouth several times before turning his gaze to Seokjin. "Actually, Seokjin-ssi, as his agent and manager, perhaps you would like to share the good news."

Seokjin nods, still chewing on cookie, and washes it down with some of his champagne, grimacing undoubtedly from the combination of flavors before flashing a wide smile.

"The news I mentioned earlier, that comes with a catch. A little bird involved with Paris Fashion week has been asking about you," Seokjin says, raising his eyebrows. "You and Sunmi, to be exact."

"Oh," Hoseok says, unable to fully absorb the news.

"Oh?" Seokjin asks, glowering suddenly. "Oh?! Yah! This is the best news of your life!"

Hoseok heavy-blinks and nods, looking around at his friends, who are thrilled, most of all Jimin, who is bouncing on his heels.

"Sorry," he finally says, licking his lips. "I'm thrilled, honestly. It just…feels fake."

Yoongi chuckles and places his dreaded warm, large hand back onto Hoseok's shoulder. "It is very much real. So? What do you say?"

For a beat too long, Hoseok stares into Yoongi's dark, pretty eyes. They are wide with hope and joy, and it breaks his heart. What he would give for Yoongi to always look at him this way, even after the way he made Hoseok cry earlier.

"Yes," Hoseok says, eyes welling with tears. "Yes, of course, I will go."

"Wonderful!" Seokjin cheers. He raises his half-consumed champagne and says, "To Hoseok and Sunmi!"

Hoseok raises his glass with both hands and bows his head, overwhelmed with emotion. Tears streak his cheeks, and he keeps his head lowered. He wants to revel in this moment for as long as he can before reality crashes back and claims his good mood.

Once everyone has tapped their glasses to Hoseok's and patted him on the back, he raises his head, sniffles disgustingly loud, and gulps back the champagne. Then he sobs and sobs, engulfed in the bodies of his friends and thrust into darkness.

For the remainder of the night, Hoseok drinks water. Sunmi's long-term girlfriend is present, and they chat about where they grew up, what got them into modeling, and the upcoming trip to Paris. Hoseok wants to bring his friends, and although they insist that it is too generous and that they couldn't possibly tag along, he is already planning on choosing outfits from his collection for all four of them to wear.

People begin to file out, but Hoseok feels obligated to stay until at least Seokjin or Yoongi leaves. He is relieved when Yoongi thanks everyone for coming out tonight, does a deep bow to Sunmi and Hoseok, pulls his mask to his face, and departs.

Hoseok is on the upswing to sobriety, but still intoxicated enough to consider slipping away and trying to leave with Yoongi. He curses himself and begins to help staff clean up, gathering empty glasses onto one table so it is easier for them to place them into a tub and take them downstairs. Then he begins the process of saying his goodbyes, thanking everyone who remains.

Jimin, Taehyung, and Jeongguk grind in the far corner while Sunmi and her partner giggle and kiss, and Hoseok sighs. He feels lonely.

"Gonna head home," he says as he approaches the group.

Jimin whines, but Taehyung and Jeongguk nod in agreement. The walk down and out through the club is convoluted; the entire space has become a dancefloor.

Once outside, Hoseok hugs himself and leads the way toward their apartments. Arms wrap around his waist, and he is glad when he looks down and sees mesh-covered tattoos.

"Birthday baby," he mutters, closing his eyes momentarily while wrapping his arms around Jeongguk's arms. "Sorry your night became my night."

Jeongguk giggles a sweet, drunken sound and rests his chin on Hoseok's shoulder. "Bullshit," he grumbles. "I have a birthday every year. You deserve to be celebrated, too."

"We all do," Hoseok says, and Jeongguk hums. "That's why you're coming with me to Paris."

He expects Jeongguk to put up a fuss, and is glad when he says, "Okay."

Once they are home, Taehyung suggests a sleepover and Hoseok agrees. They all pile into Taehyung's unit, which is identical to Hoseok's in size and shape, but covered in artwork, books, and clothing. They peel out of their outfits and pile into the shower, alternating standing below the water and shivering. Then they towel off and head to bed nude, with Jimin and Jeongguk kissing and giggling while Taehyung curls up to Hoseok's back and drapes his limbs over him.

"I needed this," Hoseok says with a sigh, smiling.

Taehyung places a kiss on Hoseok's neck and says, "I know."

Hoseok is certain that nonsexual affection from Taehyung is a quick way to cure his depression and the secret to his clear skin. In a matter of minutes, he is worry-free and asleep.

* * *

The bed is full when Hoseok wakes, but Taehyung has rolled over and draped himself over the other two. Hoseok rolls onto his back and stretches, causing a ripple effect to take place as the others begin to stir.

The dredges of a dream remain in place, and Hoseok plays the scene over in his mind. Yoongi on his large desk – larger in his dream – naked, with his wrists bound. He is sobbing and drooling around Hoseok's cock while Hoseok thrusts far too rough for a human throat to withstand. Hoseok lowers his hands to his erection, attempting to cover it as he sits up and gets out of bed.

"Too early," Jimin groans, and Hoseok hums in agreement. Even with all the water he drank last night, his head aches.

Hoseok grabs Jeongguk's phone before finding his own, and squints to see that he has 2% of his battery left. Unsure which strewn clothing on the floor is the clothing he wore last night, Hoseok finds a pair of silver basketball shorts and a long white tee, and he slinks into them before returning to the bed, kissing his boys on the face, and heading home.

He cannot shake his dream, and he is glad his phone is nearly dead because he wants to call Yoongi. The moment he is safe in the confines of his apartment, he sets his phone down onto its charging dock, settles into his favorite spot on the couch, and touches himself.

Hoseok thinks about the dream, but he also thinks about Yoongi bathed in purple light, Yoongi clinging to his bedroom wall, Yoongi kneeling on the floor with his tongue covered in cum. He does not take his time, twisting his palm over the tip of his cock in a way that practically begs his orgasm to come quickly.

At the thought of picking Yoongi up and pressing him against the wall, legs draped over his hips while he sinks his cock in deep, Hoseok cums, moaning unabashedly as his release coats his hand and drips onto Taehyung's shorts. He breathes heavily, resting his head back as he continues to imagine Yoongi's deep voice moaning his name.

When his phone rings, shining the name Min Asshole in bright white letters, Hoseok practically screams. He is hungover enough to fear that somehow Yoongi knows what he just did and now he is calling to reprimand him.

Cum drips from Hoseok's hand and he glances around for a tissue or towel before wiping his mess onto the leg of his stolen shorts and reaching for his phone.

"Were your ears itching?" he asks as he answers.

There is a pause, then Yoongi says, "Huh? Were you talking about me?" in a rough, groggy tone.

Hoseok grins as he says, "Hmm, not quite," and when Yoongi begins to inquire more, he says, "That's not important. What can I do for you?"

Again, there is a pause, and then Yoongi says, "Sorry for bothering you on this fine Sunday morning. Seokjin-hyung is inviting the two of us to join him for dinner tonight."

Hoseok frowns. "Why didn't the goon call me, himself?"

Yoongi sighs. "Yes or no, Hoseok. Will you be there?"

With an eye roll, Hoseok says, "Wouldn't miss it," then hangs up before Yoongi can say anything more.

"Fuck," he mutters under his breath, still dizzy from everything that has transpired. He stands and makes his way into the kitchen, walking in circles. "Fuck, shit, fuck, I have to see him again."

He has no idea what he is doing in the kitchen, and instead returns to the living room, circling his couch, the table, and the couch again before plopping down and closing his eyes.

He is going to need to dress to impress. But first, he needs to sleep a little longer.

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hello, my lovelies. you may have noticed that this fic is not over. 😅😅😅 i intended on finishing at part 4, but then got to 20k with these two still bickering, so i decided it needed one more part. i hope you are willing to wait a bit longer for the conclusion!!! please don't hate me for how nasty Yoongi was hahaha. these two are truly the worst parts of me, ngl.

MORE COMING SOON!!! COMMENTS & REBLOGS WILL MAKE ME WANT TO WORK ON IT FASTER! LIKES ARE ALWAYS SO SO APPRECIATED!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND FOR YOUR PATINCE WHENEVER I DISAPPEAR!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!

tag list will be in a reblog. 📸 want to be added to the tag list for the final chapter? or to all of my tag lists?? or just mxm tag lists??? dm me!

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Showstopper is copyright theharrowing 2022 - 2024. no translations or reposting allowed!

#hoseok x yoongi #sope fic #yoonseok #hoseok smut #hoseok angst #yoongi smut #yoongi angst #bts smut #bts angst #yoonseok smut #yoonseok angst #fic: showstopper

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