Chapter Text
It had been a long while since No. 7 was quiet.
The rolling of suitcases. The chatter over bowls of noodles. The rowdy laughter and banter from strangers becoming friends disappeared as soon as the last car rolled out of the driveway.
The wedding group were now on their way to the airport, leaving the owners and staff of No. 7 settling down as soon as they had gone through the rhythm of their task list. With beds turned and floors polished, the team was settled by the kitchen counter, drinking their cups of tea and coffee, waiting for the next message of an oncoming guest.
Except for one.
Jeon Jungkook had been familiar with No. 7 for years but he remained oblivious to the home's "secret" room.
If it were truly a "secret".
Everyone but Jungkook seemed to have found where this "secret" room was.
Among the members, Taehyung was the first to find the room. It was a room that neither Jin nor Yoongi divulged to the members but here was Taehyung "accidentally" finding out what he described as the couple's "sex den." It was no surprise that Jimin found their "stupid" room after. To hear Hoseok confess that he found this "amazing" room during his second visit greatly frustrated the youngest. Namjoon suggesting that the room was a "treasure trove" was the final blow.
On all occasions, Jin and Yoongi never divulged how to find the room.
It was, after all, a "secret" room.
But not a "secret" to most of Bangtan. Even to Haru.
Jungkook felt frustrated as he climbed out of the library's window to see a ledge hug the outer wall. To be the last to know of this room's whereabouts hurt his pride. Jin and Yoongi raised him so he should know best their mindset as to where this room was and what it contained.
With nimble feet, Jungkook stepped off the ledge to get to the ladder that reached the rooftop. If this was the route Haru took every night to sleep in the "secret" room, Jungkook was mighty impressed by Tablo's eldest daughter.
Meanwhile, Haru's head was empty.
She was quite sure she heard Jin and Yoongi spoke a thing here and there but nothing was truly registering beyond the buzz of a dragonfly that found its way to the kitchen.
Jin was already pushing Yoongi to do something about it. Yoongi's brows twitched and told his partner to leave the dragonfly alone. More pushing and whining was done and Haru watched her seniors act like they were ten year olds with a small smile on her face.
How did it come to this?
When did she have the clarity of mind to focus on what is in front of her?
Two weeks ago, Haru could hardly put her mind unto one thing. Words flooded her brain and drowned her head with concepts too big that her heart often shuddered in fear. She'd sooner ease her worries with piles of tasks that kept her busy. Yet none of these really worked. Words clouded her mind like it was preparing for a storm. Anxieties raged like a typhoon coming to land.
For the first time in a long while, Haru's mind was as clear as a summer's day. The sudden break in rhythm in her life cleared words that hung heavy over her head. Comebacks and choreographies were the least of Haru's concern.
Instead, her mind clearly focused on the present.
The cool spring breeze on her face. The madness of her hosts struggling to catch a dragonfly. Their grey tabby joining in as it jumped in the air before falling on Jin's face. The dog barking thinking everything's a game.
Haru snickered in her seat.
Yoongi glanced at her. His arms locked Jin's head.
"This is nice," Haru said.
Jin felt otherwise as he tapped Yoongi's arm when the dragonfly landed on his nose.
Panicked screams turned to playful laughter, making everything so urgent and present.
Haru found herself hyperaware of the smile growing on her face and the grumbling of her stomach.
"So, since we don't have any guests, would you like to eat out for lunch?"
Haru smiled as her stomach grumbled in reply.
Meanwhile, Jungkook lost his footing.
He felt his right foot slip when he made a turn for the ladder. His fingers dug on his palm as he tried, with all his might, to cling on to the ladder as he secured his safety.
Getting to the "secret" room could not be this difficult. For Haru to emerge and disappear so effortlessly into this "secret" room for days shouldn't entail hanging on to ladders at the edge of a roof.
And yet here was Jungkook—breathing deep as he inched himself higher up the ladder. Not once did he lose sight of his goal. He didn't even notice Seokjin's car pull out of the driveway. His feet swayed ever so slightly as he pulled himself to the next step. Years of boxing gave gave him strong arms but this task needed a set of muscles he long ignored since he served the forces.
Still, Jungkook was hell bent in seeing that secret room.
With a cheeky smile, Jungkook pushed himself on the roof before collapsing to rest. He gathered his breath as he basked in the gentle warmth of the spring sun.
Really. It shouldn't be this difficult.
Then again, Jin and Yoongi never made things easy for him.
Yoongi, more so Jin, are the closest to Jungkook yet they were never the kind who spoiled him rotten. In reality, the eldest members served him copious amounts of humble pie. When he overcame their challenges, Jungkook took them as his victories. As such, he took it upon himself to solve the challenge of finding this mysteriously secret lair. Jungkook carefully crawled over the roof, looking for a hint as to where this secret room could be.
He knew from Haru that the secret room had a sky light. He went from the west to the eastern wing of the house in search of openings. He ignored a couple as it lit other places in the house. He focused on one that was ajar, letting a bit of wind flow into the room below.
"Hello?" Jungkook peeked inside a room. "Haru?"
No one answered.
"Jin-hyung?" He bobbed his head inside, noticing a space he had not seen before.
Unlike the rest of the house that reflected the easy, laidback, if not minimalist lifestyle of his hyungs, this room looked like it was built twenty years ago. Jungkook slipped his shoulders through the window before gravity pulled him down to a cold futon.
"What the!?" Doe eyes scanned the room, surprised that he didn't see a dirty attic. Or a sex den.
Instead, Jungkook saw shelves upon shelves filled with memories his hyungs held dear. From the question mark lamp they gifted each other to the giant pink bean pillows and the many iterations of RJ, Shooky and Wooteo. There were fan-made dolls, letters, and a modest computer set-up that caught Jungook's attention.
"What is this~" Jungkook hummed as he took a seat in front of the computer, casting a glow on his amused face.
Yoongi was just as curious as his neck stretched out to look back at the kitchen.
Past the faint yet fragrant garlicky fog that clouded the restaurant were bowls of steaming gogi guksu heading to hungry tables.
Yoongi licked his lips while Jin popped a pill in his mouth.
"Are you all right?" Haru asked.
"It's just for my allergies," Jin drank a glass of water. "Just in case you didn't notice we're being steamed in garlic."
Haru chuckled. "Is HE all right?"
Jin glanced at Yoongi who was now leaning out of his table, trying to catch the chef's attention in the kitchen.
"Calm down, kitten," Jin pulled Yoongi back.
"Do you think ahjumaa noticed our order?"
"Should they notice our order?" Haru wondered.
"They should when Yoongi's flirting with the chef."
Yoongi excitedly waved and motioned his hands in the kitchen, sharing a dialogue with a large smile and a roll of fingers. The ahjumma nodded her head back which Yoongi returned with a finger heart.
"Well that's sorted out," Yoongi said as he started pouring water for Jin and Haru.
"Thanks?" Haru said.
"This is the real reason he bought a house in Jeju." Jin quipped.
"It's a fantastic reason to move to Jeju," Yoongi glared at his partner.
"That can't be the only reason, right?" Haru said. "I mean, there's also a lot of awesome dwaeji guksu places in Seoul."
"You've got to be kidding." Yoongi looked at Haru in disbelief.
"This isn't a battle you'll win, kid." Jin took a deep breath. "Trust me. I tried."
It didn't take long before Yoongi talked about the fantastic black pork being raised all over Jeju. The 38-hour stock the ahjumma prepared for days. Then there's the noodles—a delicate carrier for the strong flavours of pork and garlic in the broth.
The gogi guksu arrived just after Yoongi's passionate TED talk.
He licked his lips and said, "See for yourself."
Haru raised a brow.
"See if you can afford to not have this bowl at least once a week."
Haru looked at Jin. Jin was already risking his life by sipping the soup.
Yoongi's persistence was already convincing but the aromatic intensity of the broth sooner caught Haru's full attention.
With a sip, Haru's life changed.
As Yoongi pounded his fist in the air, Haru was starting to understand what Yoongi described as "marriage in a bowl." Rather than harmony, Haru noticed the discord between the strong flavours of pork and garlic. Both flavours demanded attention yet they selflessly give way for the other, making the other flavour shine just when your mouth tingled in delight.
Allergies or not, their lips were red and puffy. The soup really left a mark that even Yoongi refused to wipe the oil off his lips. As if to savour his meal, Yoongi ran his tongue round his lips, licking it clean.
"I told you it was good." Yoongi quipped.
"You have an odd understanding of marriage," Haru said as she lifted a column of noodles for a bite.
"It wouldn't be special if it wasn't odd," He glanced at Jin who scrunched his nose before he took another bite.
"Still, an odd reason to stay in this island," Haru quipped.
"What would make you stay in a place like Jeju?"
Haru looked at Yoongi.
"She'd stay for you," Jin said, stealing a piece of Yoongi's sliced pork.
"For me?"
"I reckon she'd want to collab with you."
"Sure."
"WHAT!?!" Haru almost snorted her broth.
"We could record," Yoongi said. "We don't have any guest so we could play some bars around and see what we could come up with."
"You've got to be kidding," Haru looked at Jin.
"He is a bit of a joke sometimes."
"Excuse me?"
Jin answered his perplexed partner with a playful wink. Yoongi smirked and shook his head.
"I'm not kidding about recording while you're here."
"Are you sure?"
"We still have some time before your flight."
"If things get late, Yoongi will book you a private jet in the morning." Jin interjected.
"I don't want to impose—"
"You're not imposing," Yoongi answered.
"Especially when it comes to music," Jin added.
Haru smiled. "Thanks."
Yoongi clapped his hand. "Let's get home and start recording!"
"And face the wrath of the chef with our still full bowls?"
"Are you serious about the jet?"
"What jet?"
There was mild confusion over some menial things on the table but it was clear that music was on their agenda. It wasn't long before Yoongi's fingers tapped beats on the table. Haru soon dropped a couple of rhymes. Jin followed up with a couple of puns.
While bars and melodies were being written, guests waited by the driveway.
"This is unbelievable."
"It's about time we complain to management!"
"Maybe they went out for errands."
"You do know we could just help ourselves and enter?"
Pairs of eyes looked at Hoseok like he had said something wrong.
"We do know the code to the house," he reasoned.
"You're missing the point!" Jimin said.
"And the point is…?"
Taehyung took a deep breath. "We're dealing with hospitality but are the hosts being hospitable?!"
"THEY. ARE. NOT." Jimin interjected.
"It's been hardly five minutes," Namjoon leaned back in his seat.
"Wouldn't it be better if we wait inside than outside?" Hoseok continued to reason to the younger members who were increasingly aghast with the suggestion.
Just then, they heard a honk from behind.
A worldwide handsome man emerged from the car and apologised as he walked towards the gate of their driveway.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Jin said with a bow.
Jimin rolled their window down. "You call this proper service!?"
"We're sending a complaint to management!" V bellowed.
Jin stared at his complaining guests and picked up his phone.
"Yeobo…. It's just a bunch of impatient brats and a couple of stylish Grammy-winning producers."
"How dare you call us brats!?!" Jimin protested.
"I'm quite stylish myself!" Taehyung added while Namjoon rolled down his window and greeted Jin with a playful high five.
The management opened the gate, allowing a couple of regulars enter No. 7.
Hospitality was a lot more casual for this group. After all, these guests were closer to family. They didn't need to wait for Jin's invitation to sit nor did they have to wait for Yoongi to get out his car. As if they were the homeowners, they brought in their luggage and groceries, crashed round the sofa, and got some cold drinks in the fridge.
"What are you guys doing here?" Jin asked as he unwrapped a large box of premium hanwoo. "You flew all the way here for barbecue?"
"Is that how you should be treating your guests?" Jimin complained.
"Do you have confirmation of your accommodation?" Jin teased before looking at the cameras. "Are they seriously our guests?!"
"Who's our guests!?" Yoongi came in with their groceries in tow.
"Are they our guests if we haven't even charged them yet?"
Yoongi looked at the members by the living room. "I think we've never charged them for staying over."
"Now's a good time to start." Jin remarked.
"We should consider the interest too," Yoongi added.
"NAME A PRICE!" Jimin bragged while rubbing his fingers.
Yoongi took a deep breath. "They look like a handful."
"I'm quite certain one of them might break the sliding doors again."
Taehyung laughed at Jin's remark.
"If we consider everything, five hundred thousand won?" Yoongi suggested.
"Tsk." Jimin stood up and took out his Dior wallet.
"I say fifty million," Jin remarked, earning a nod from Yoongi.
"This is robbery!" Jimin protested.
"You're welcome to move to a cheaper room," Yoongi suggested. "How about the tent?"
"Oh!" Taehyung's eyes lit up. "I'll take the tent!!"
"Then the couch's all that's left for five hundred thousand won," Jin looked at Jimin. "Will you take it?"
Jimin shook his head. "What kind of institution is this!?!"
"A profitable one," Yoongi quipped, earning a thumbs up from his partner.
"Can I pay for a private room with a painting instead?" Namjoon suggested.
"Get a house of your own," Yoongi said, pointing at all the paintings Namjoon had already gifted them.
"There's a lot for sale down the road," Jin added.
Namjoon shook his head. "Are you also kicking me out!?"
"We're just thinking about your financial wellbeing."
Hoseok was already laughing on the floor.
"Seriously though, you should have told us that you were coming," Jin said. "We could have told Jungkook to prep your rooms and food."
"Jungkook is here?" Taehyung asked.
"I think?" Jin said before calling out the youngest's name.
"We haven't seen him since lunch," Yoongi took out his phone and called Jungkook's number. The phone rang in the living room.
Jin called again before he heard a faint click and the heaviest steps rushing down the stairs.
"Where have you been?" Jin asked as Jungkook approached him with the giddiest of smiles.
"I found your secret," Jungkook whispered to Jin.
"Congratulations for finally finding it," Jin said with apathy. "By the way, it isn't much of a secret."
"So should I tell Yoongi-hyung about it?" Jungkook's smile was cheekier than ever.
"Tell me what?" Yoongi popped by.
"About the bars I was drafting on Jin's computer?" Haru was quick to pick things up. It took a second longer for Jin to figure out what Jungkook meant.
"We should show that to our top Billboard artist," Yoongi threw a glance at Jimin. "Are you up for a session with Haru!?"
"I wouldn't pass up recording with her," Jimin quickly stood. "Are you making a comeback soon?"
"Why are you only inviting Jimin?" Namjoon quipped.
"Does she also accept Daesang winners?" Hoseok added.
"Aren't we all Billboard and Daesang winners?" Jin said, ignoring Jungkook's mild protest. The youngest certainly had seen something. And by the way Haru's creating a distraction, it was certainly something Yoongi shouldn't know. Just yet.
As soon as Haru got most of Bangtan as her session artists, Jin laboured over their dinner.
The boys brought some lovely meat while they had bought some seafood from some fisherfolk they crossed along the way.
Knowing the boys, they'd want to eat some local delicacy and comfort food.
Jin juiced a couple of tangerines from the yard and soaked some of the beef ribs in the juice. He added a splash of soy sauce, a dash of chilli, and spoonfuls of garlic. He might have to skip some of the marinated beef, but a little garlic would never hurt.
Music was coming through the outdoor kitchen as Jin prepared the coals for the barbecue. This was usually Yoongi's job but it was now clear that music took all of his partner's attention. Not that this was a problem. Loving Yoongi meant accepting his immense love for music. Jin didn't mind coming second once in a while. As long as Yoongi was happy. That was all that mattered.
With little time she had left, Haru took advantage of the members' presence.
Not even her father had the fortune to collaborate with most of BTS. She's excited to flex that she got a couple of guides with the boys. Yoongi even suggested a song camp which was tempting to accept.
Haru found herself energised by the island and her company. More than escaping her daily grind, the show gave her new experiences, friends, and rhythms that she'd like to keep.
"Something's missing," Yoongi said as he played a guide again and again.
"Did you finally miss me?"
The group turned around to see Jin leaning by the studio door, holding a glass of tangerine juice.
"Dinner's ready," He said. "Let's eat before Tablo starts wondering if his daughter disowned him."
"You can stay another night, if you want," Yoongi invited making Haru shake her head.
"This was fun but I think I need to set a proper time for this," Haru answered.
"Let's plan a song camp," Taehyung eagerly suggested, earning nods from the other members.
"If there are other session artists you're interested in, invite them over," Yoongi added. Haru looked at Jin. Jin smiled and winked at her in reply.
Yoongi could not ignore the quiet exchange between the two. He wondered what he had missed and if he had, unintentionally, forgotten about his own partner during their session.
It wasn't that Jin had no knack for music. His voice belted notes that took any listener to space. The rigour that Yoongi had for music was lost on Jin. When Yoongi plucked notes with his fingers every minute, Jin played with the dogs or stormed a new level in his games. Jin found melodies in experience while Yoongi found his with his instruments.
They loved music at different paces. And this was okay.
From time to time, their paces would match.
When they didn't, Yoongi and Jin eagerly anticipated when they'd be in rhythm again.
For now, Haru seemed to have found a rhythm with Jin. Her deep laughter matched his pitched chuckles. Their adventures in the island caught the attention of the members who looked at Yoongi from time to time and asked "Where were you in all of this?"
"Cleaning." Yoongi answered to the members' surprise.
"Jin-hyung, how did you domesticate this wild cat?" Jimin asked as Jin answered by pointing to the cameras.
"I'm not doing this all for show!" Yoongi protested while tugging the sleeve of his partner's arm. "I can perfectly keep the house clean, right?"
"Of course, you can!" Seokjin playfully patted Yoongi's cheeks. "You can also pick up your socks and put it in the laundry basket."
"YAH!" Yoongi protested as Haru and the rest of the members laughed from behind.
Seokjin slung an arm around Yoongi. "For two introverts, we did quite well as hosts."
"Not a boring day in this house," Yoongi added, starting a string of stories about their guests that came and went in the last two weeks.
A savoury fragrance laced the chatter around the dinner table.
When plates were empty and wine started pouring, Taehyung gasped when he saw Yoongi take initiative in cleaning the table.
"Hyung, I can do it," Taehyung insisted, trying to take the dirty plates from Yoongi.
"You're our guest, Taehyung-ah," Jin said as he stood.
"So should I expect you to clean after me every time I'm over?" Taehyung wondered, since he planned on staying until the summer.
"Only until this bed and breakfast is open," Jin said.
"Which should end by tomorrow," Yoongi added.
"Cheapskates," Jimin hissed as Haru stood while Jin laughed.
"And that is officially my cue to go," Haru said, giving a polite bow to the members who said their goodbyes. Jin followed behind and helped Haru with her suitcase.
"Wait for me," Yoongi said as he flicked his wet hands dry.
"What for?" Jin turned around.
Yoongi looked at Haru and then at Jin.
"We can't leave our guests," Jin said.
"They're not exactly guests," Yoongi rebutted.
"That's unbecoming of a kind host, Yoongi," Jin turned to him with a measured smile.
In this small gesture, Yoongi worried if he had done something wrong. Did he miss a cue from Jin? Had he neglected Jin in the last few days? Was this one of the quiet ways in which Jin was pushing him away? Or was he being scolded?
"Let hyung handle this," Jin said. A phrase Yoongi heard when Jin took matters in his own hands. There were days when this phrase sounded sexy as fuck. Sometimes, it sounded comforting. Today, Yoongi felt it was a mild reprimand.
"Aren't you overthinking?" Jimin commented after Yoongi shared his mild concern to the boys once Jin was gone. "Maybe he got used to picking up your slack for the past weeks."
"Do you think managing more than fifty guests in two weeks is easy?" Yoongi quipped.
"Just getting seven beds in order is tough," Jungkook sighed as he filled Yoongi's glass with whiskey. "And then there's breakfasts."
"Which I assume Jin-hyung managed?"
Jungkook and Yoongi nodded to Namjoon's question.
"We did have assigned duties in the house," Jungkook remarked, "But some of them seemed easier than expected."
"Because hyung handled it?" Hoseok wondered.
Yoongi knocked his drink back in one swig. "We actually prepared a lot of things beforehand to make things easier."
"That's fantastic." Namjoon refilled Yoongi's glass. "I could barely get my books in order."
"We try." Yoongi took another swig. He let the heat of his whiskey fill his throat before he added, "I tried."
"YOOOOONGI!!" Hoseok bellowed as he patted his shoulder. "You're overthinking again!"
Yoongi smirked in resignation.
"This reminds of that time when Yoongi worked in LA," Hoseok added. "He's so cute when he's overthinking."
Namjoon put on an deadpan expression. "Is it morning in Seoul? Do you think Jin-hyung's awake?"
And then Namjoon pouted his lips. "Has he seen your messages? He hasn't opened our GC. He must be busy preparing for his drama. Why did he only reply to Jungkook!?"
"Why didn't he reply to my greeting?!" Hoseok followed.
The members laughed. They'd seen iterations of this pining Yoongi whenever Jin was not around. More often than not, this needy Yoongi had a couple of drinks and was amongst friends who knew of their precious and intimate relationship.
"He said I was his eternal roommate so why haven't I seen his apartment!?!" Namjoon opined making Hoseok roll off his seat in laughter.
"If you truly were his eternal roommate, why haven't you given him the song he's been asking for?" Taehyung raised.
"I've passed a couple of songs to Jin and all he could say was 'nice'," Yoongi pointed a finger at Taehyung.
"That's as empty as your grimace," Jimin remarked.
"Hey! Is it my fault that A&R didn't approve my submission?!"
"If you took his request seriously, then A&R would easily approve it," Namjoon said.
Yoongi pouted. "Are you saying I don't take my music for him seriously!?"
"I think if you really faced Jin's music head on, you would have made great music together," Namjoon added.
Yoongi bit his lip. He didn't like how Namjoon could read through him.
In his head, Yoongi always had a perfect song for Jin. So perfect that he was bothered if it was truly Jin's music.
"And then Yoongi would complain, 'why does Namjoonie and Hoseokie have more songs with Jinnie!?'" Hoseok teased.
"Why does he have to go to Chris Martin when I can also play the piano and guitar!?" Taehyung added.
"I can seriously play guitar as good as Chris Martin." Yoongi lamented before sipping his whiskey. "Can't Jin tell how well I've played over the years!?"
"Have you asked him to even perform songs together?" Jimin asked.
"I—"
"How could Jin-hyung know what you want to do when your best reply is a thumbs up!?" Jimin commented.
"TELEPATHY!" Taehyung mimicked his hyung with a pout.
"That's right," Yoongi raised his glass. "Need I remind everyone that we're soulmates?"
"Perhaps we should give Yoongi more credit for making space for Jin. Take his wonderful intro in Autumn Leaves." Namjoon explained. "And then there's So Far Away."
"Where he got shy and asked Jungkookie to sing with Jin," Taehyung said. "He probably couldn't contain himself if they were left alone in the studio."
"Maybe that's the reason why he couldn't make a song with Jin," Jimin teased.
"YAH!" The flush on Yoongi's cheeks grew deeper.
"Can you blame Yoongi?"
The group turned towards the hall where Jin leaned by the patio door.
"That painting is really ugly," Yoongi mumbled as he looked at painting behind Jin— his old offering to the fishing gods. "On the other hand, you're immensely handsome."
Jin stepped out and looked at Jimin. "Even a genius finds it hard to write when he's distracted by this beautiful face."
"He even locks his studio so that the rest of the world doesn't get distracted," Jungkook added.
"I'm doing the world a service," Yoongi explained.
Jin laughed as he headed towards Yoongi who was patting the empty space beside him. "So what other great deeds have you shared with the boys?"
"You've taken too much these past two weeks, hyung," Yoongi answered. "I worry that you pushed yourself too hard."
Jin smiled at Yoongi and sang, "My dear, don't you worry about a thing."
"Saying those things make me more worried."
To which Jin sweetly answered, "Just let the past be the past. It's meaningful that way."
Yoongi sighed and smiled. "Then take it easy for the night."
"Is that your way of saying you'll clean up tonight?" Jin asked earnestly.
Yoongi bit his lip and said, "I'll get the intern to clean up."
"That's not me right," Taehyung pointed at himself.
Jungkook looked around and noticed the dirty grill and mess all over the patio. "I can manage."
"See," Yoongi leaned towards Jin. "You don't have to handle everything, hyung."
"I didn't exactly handle everything in this house," Jin relaxed into his seat. "This little show wouldn't be this fun if I did it all."
Jin recounted to the members the exceptional energy Yoongi shared to the guests they welcomed to their home. Yoongi was surprised that Jin even noticed the small talks he had with a couple of guests. He showed off some dance moves to some of the younger guests and even took some to play basketball.
Yoongi, honestly, didn't think too much about these things.
Yet Jin genuinely appreciated that Yoongi made great efforts to care for their guests.
"Handwritten post-its. A solo world tour. A proposal in Jeju. Do you honestly think you haven't done enough?"
If not for the rolling cameras, Yoongi wanted to kiss Jin.
"What I'm saying is you can be greedy, hyung."
Jin smiled and turned to Taehyung. "Can you make me a spicy fricken?"
"Why are you asking from him!?" Yoongi complained.
Taehyung stood up. "Do you even know how to make a spicy fricken!?"
"How hard could it be!?" Yoongi smugly protested.
The balance in Taehyung spicy fricken was surprisingly difficult to copy.
What was more surprising was how Yoongi got drunk.
The boys hadn't noticed how Yoongi's glass was never empty. They didn't even notice Yoongi went through various stages of drunkenness. His needy tirade should have made the members notice that he reached his fifth level of drunkenness. Mumblecore Yoongi was level eight. By them time Yoongi slowly blinked his eyes like a cat showing his affection, Jin knew he had to take Yoongi to bed.
"Ahmsteeelawake," Yoongi mumbled to Jin who carried him like a princess. "Eezalmostmid"
"You can enjoy tomorrow tomorrow, Yoongi." Jin whispered.
"Niiiiiiiiiiiight." Yoongi gushed just as Jin laid him to their bed.
"Take a rest and we'll have all the fun tomorrow," Jin said as he tucked Yoongi under their covers.
"Turning4-oh," Yoongi curled under their covers.
"Is that how kids count forty?" Jin asked before Yoongi pulled him close.
"Stay." This was the most coherent thing Yoongi said in the last twenty minutes.
"I'll join you soon," Jin replied. "I just need to make sure they know how to lock up the house."
Yoongi let go of Jin and curled to his side.
Jin returned to the boys who seemed to be surprised by his presence. The clock just struck midnight. Jin, as usual, was first to greet Yoongi.
"Hyung!"
"What the heck have you done!?!"
"You're really the best."
"You should have kept him up!"
"Just when did you make this?"
"Yoongi-hyung would love this."
Jin smiled at the members. "You honestly think so?"
"It's awesome."
"You should make all of us a gift like this."
"Only a heartless man would hate this."
"And Yoongi-hyung's got a lot of heart."
"Too much heart."
"A very horny heart."
Jin looked at Taehyung with furrowed brows.
"Don't be so innocent, Jin-hyung."
Jin framed his face with his fingers. "Do I look innocent?"
"Innocent enough to deny the nasty playlist Yoongi-hyung has in your bedroom!"
A loud gasp came from most members except Namjoon.
Jin was more surprised that Namjoon didn't react.
"He tried to pass them to A&R under a new pseudonym and I had to hear it," Namjoon confessed.
A sudden rush of blood came on to Jin's ears. He hid his embarassment with a chuckle.
"I can't believe that he tried to pass those songs!" Taehyung remarked.
"Just how nasty are these songs?" Jimin wondered. Taehyung pointed it to Jin who was increasingly red.
"You weren't supposed to hear those songs, by the way," Jin turned to Taehyung.
"How could I resist a playlist named 'D-Low'!?" Taehyung's excuse was unconvincing.
"I'd like to hear Agust D's horny brother," Jungkook raised his hand.
"Can we play it on the speakers?" Hoseok wondered. "Would it wake Yoongi up?"
"OH! HE WOULD FRIGGING WAKE UP!" Taehyung excitedly said. "He would get out of that bed and drag Jin-hyung under the sheets… among many other things he said he'd do to you on that one song."
"NOW I HAVE TO HEAR THIS," Jimin said.
"You would have heard parts of it already if they booked your hotel room beside theirs," Namjoon remarked. Jungkook hid his embarrassed face in his hands.
"Just what is this playlist!?" Hoseok's curiosity was larger than his amused smile.
"It's supposed to be a playlist for my ears only but—" Jin deeply sighed before glaring at Taehyung.
"As a fan of Daegu's Gloss to Agust D, do you think I'd miss it for the world!?" Taehyung reasoned.
"Shouldn't this gift be for Yoongi's ears only?" Jungkook asked.
"You make it sound like it's a naughty song," Jin quipped.
"It's cheesy," Jungkook added.
"You heard it already?!"
"I listened to it when I was stuck in your secret lair," Jungkook huffed.
"You finally found Jin-hyung's game room?" Jimin asked.
"Congrats on finding their sex den." Jin wondered where Taehyung was getting all this horny energy.
"I'm not sure if it's fitting for D-Low's playlist but it's taken a lot of guts to profess this much affection for Yoongi-hyung," Jungkook taunted. Seokjin could only blush.
"Was it really too much?"
Jungkook laughed. "Are you sure you're ready for the world to know how much you're whipped for Yoongi?"
"Oh we have to listen to it now," Hoseok rubbed his hands in excitement.
"I'm quite confident by how embarrassed the whole world will feel when they hear this song," Jin spoke warmly.
"Would that include Yoongi?" Taehyung wondered.
It definitely included Yoongi.
Beyond his beet red cheeks, Yoongi was at a loss for words.
He heard the song first—no thanks to Jin's note on his Samsung Galaxy's S50 wallpaper.
Happy Birthday, Yoongichi! (Kiss emoji)
I've got a gift for you on Weverse. I did it mostly by myself (and Haru!) Now stream it like a passionate ARMY.
Please Like and Subscribe!
Love you~!
Always first, Jinnie.
All the other notices on the phone were suddenly secondary. Yoongi's curiosity made him open their Weverse account despite his brewing hangover. As the morning sun slowly lit their bedroom, Yoongi felt a growing warmth from his ears, to his face, and down to his fingertips. A strong bass led a cheerful tone that greeted Yoongi with joy. The melody was like a smile that greeted him every morning. A little dimpled by their laugh lines. A slight wrinkle by the corner of its eyes.
There was playfulness in the melody that Yoongi couldn't help but tap his fingers on his sheets. The notes were unexpectedly jumping from one bar to the next. Nothing about these changes made sense yet they sound so pleasant to the ears that before the first note was sung, Yoongi was already rushing towards the piano in the living room, ready to play the first notes with his fingers.
"Is he for real?" Yoongi got a couple of the underlying chords down. His fingers tried to catch those jumping notes in the melody yet he found his notes a little off as it chased after the next. Dexterity was crucial in this play. As his fingers warmed to the morning sun, Yoongi found himself stumbling upon the colourful notes Jin wrote in the introduction of this song. When he managed to play the full intro, Yoongi noticed the colours of the sea change from grey to orange.
A growing excitement hit him. Yoongi felt like a child slowly unboxing his gift.
The first verse was astounding. Just like the jumping notes, Jin's voice painted a vibrant image of spring in bloom. There's a fascinating trill that led to the chorus, making Yoongi smile.
"Damn," Yoongi's fingers remained busy.
He tried his best to follow the notes that eluded his keys yet he kept on getting distracted by Jin's warm if not alluring voice. It was strange. Yoongi wasn't sure if he was just horny and was misreading the way Jin sang seductively to his ears. The lyrics were far from the seduction Yoongi witnessed by their bedside. At best, Jin invited him to relax and join his adventure.
Yoongi listened like a willing companion. There were lyrics and melodies that took him to sea. On the road. Up the mountains. And through the forest. There was a comforting rhythm capturing Jin's reassuring presence by his side. Urging him to take it slow. Enjoy the now. Bask in the love they have.
His smile grew gummy as he listened to words he heard in private yet Jin sang so boldly in this song. Embarrassing as some of these words were, Yoongi was impressed by Jin's confidence. It's amazing how shameless Jin could get. Honestly, Yoongi found that hot.
As he played through the bridge, Yoongi felt his ears warm up. His partner's affection overflowed with every lyric and note. From sushi to music dates, this song was in many ways Yoongi's but it was very much like Jin to share this affection to everyone. Some might describe him shameless. Yoongi always felt he was generous.
The almost anthem-like ending made Yoongi's fingers stop. He closed his eyes and imagined a crowd, maybe a club, best yet a stadium, singing this melody with Jin. It's insane that so much of this was directed to him. As loud as the quiet ways Jin expressed his love.
Once the track ended, Yoongi started from the beginning. Playing the notes that made his heart skip a beat. Discovering Jin's music that he hadn't imagined before. Drowning in a loving melody.
"Yoongi-yah."
The deep throaty greeting made Yoongi sit straight by the piano.
"Hyung," he greeted in a sing-song, playing those excited notes on the piano as he turned to smile at his partner.
"Happy Birthday," Jin greeted back, patting Yoongi's shoulder. "You're playing the piano early."
Yoongi swayed and played more notes from Jin's song. His gummy smile big and unwavering.
"You're going to wake the kids up." Jin stood by the piano and yawned.
"It's a nice song to wake up to," Yoongi scooched to his side of the bench and made space for Jin. "Have a seat."
Jin was still a tad sleepy to disobey. Yoongi continued filling their living room with their song.
"It was a nice surprise, hyung."
Jin yawned. "Was it really? I'm quite certain you've caught me playing parts of the song a couple of times."
Yoongi narrowed his eyes. "I thought you were just playing some anime theme."
"Should I pass it as a theme song for a BL webtoon?"
"Will the webtoon be about your obsession with me?"
Jin smirked. "Is that what you think this song is about?"
Yoongi gave Jin a knowing gaze. Jin's ears turned red.
"If it took me eight years to finish this song then I guess I'm a little obsessed."
"Eight years!?!"
"You told me not to delete the tracks I'm working on!"
"Still—" Yoongi felt flattered Jin had this song in mind for a long time.
"The oldest track's the one I used for the bridge," Jin said. "And then bits and pieces came along the way."
"You got some tracks from Chris?"
Jin shook his head.
"You did the guitar tracks too!?"
"Some. I also used a sample from Guitar Hero."
Yoongi's jaw dropped. Jin lifted his wide shoulders.
"Are you impressed? It was Haru's suggestion."
Yoongi begrudgingly nodded. "I'm mildly upset that you kept this song from me!"
"Should I read to you the definition of surprise?" Jin leaned on Yoongi's shoulder.
"If I knew you were experimenting things on a track, I'd be happy to produce it."
"Surprise. Noun."
"I'd be so happy to record that intro."
Jin pulled away from Yoongi's shoulder. "An unexpected or astonishing event, fact, etc."
"This could have been the track we could have collaborated on!"
Jin gave Yoongi a knowing gaze. "I thought you won't work with me until I seriously worked on a song on my own."
"You could have passed this to me before it got to A&R." Yoongi whined.
Jin patted Yoongi's back. "Let's just say that I learned a lot from writing this song on my own."
Yoongi played the playful intro that he loved. "You did a lot of interesting things in here, hyung."
Jin smiled. "I'm glad it caught your fancy."
"Will you sing it for me?" Yoongi continued to play the intro.
Jin cleared his throat. "I've yet to warm up my voice."
"It's fine," Yoongi said. "It's like listening to your guides."
"Have you ever listened to my guides?"
Yoongi nodded and played a chord. "They sound amazing, hyung."
Jin chuckled. "Why am I getting so much compliments so early in the morning?"
Yoongi laughed loudly. "Yah! I woke up and I've listened to nothing but your cheesy compliments!"
"Thank you for streaming my track. Don't forget to leave a like."
"You'll get your like later," Yoongi said. "After I hear you sing the song live."
Their banter was more than enough to warm Jin's voice. Jin took a deep breath and stretched his arms. Yoongi's fingers eagerly jumped onto the first note. Jin's voice soon pulled the notes together, building a harmony that warmed the room.
It was a universally acknowledged truth that Jin sounded amazing live.
Yoongi wouldn't contest to that.
Years of performing together live, more so following after one of their best solo performances, convinced Yoongi that Jin deserved to be heard and receive all the accolades in person. This conviction was beyond what Yoongi heard. He felt it on his skin as Jin's energy seeped through his pores and down to his bones. It was a voice that often stopped his tracks. A warm melody that grounded Yoongi's steps, drawing him to look back on stage and and watch love emanate from Jin. To see that love change its direction over time made Yoongi long for the day when Jin would sing a love directed to him. Today was that day.
This morning, as Jin brushed his unruly morning hair while his voice sang like a soft spring breeze, Yoongi smiled as he listened to Jin's affection. His feet hit the piano's pedals, following Jin's measured pace. He felt a tingle under his skin. Sometimes, it felt like a tickle. His heart continued beating to a playful rhythm, as Jin reminded him of a romance that never aged.
When the song headed towards its conclusion, Yoongi's fingers stopped once he heard Jin immerse in his melody. His neck squeezed the sweetest note that proclaimed his utmost love, leaving Jin aglow in morning warmth.
Past his excitement and appreciation for his lovely gift, Yoongi tugged Jin down to show his gratitude. Exhilarated hands cupped a neck still hot from the last note. He puckered his lips and thanked Jin with a kiss. A smile was shared between them. So were more kisses.
"You're welcome," Jin leaned closer and whispered to Yoongi's ear.
"I love you, too," Yoongi whispered back.
Just as their lips were to touch again, more light crept in their living room, revealing the glint of the camera in front of them.
"Oh." Jin said before he exclaimed "OOHH!!!!!"
"What?" Yoongi squinted his eyes and noticed that the camera was recording. Jin's eyes were wide in exhilaration. "Have you forgotten we're recording the show?"
"Have YOU forgotten our bet on who will do the spring gardening?"
Yoongi tilted his head until he looked at Jin's pursed lips and then the cameras.
"Oh." Yoongi smirked. "I was willing to do them anyway."
Jin pulled Yoongi for a hug. "You did so well to last until the last filming day."
"Do you really hate cleaning out the yard that you'd rather not kiss me for these two weeks!?"
Jin squeezed him tight. "Yoongi-yah, I love you~"
"YAH!" Yoongi playfully struggled. Jin chuckled through Yoongi's resistance.
"Did you write this song to win this bet!?"
Jin laughed until wrinkles gathered around his eyes.
"Did you honestly think you'd get a kiss from me with a song!?"
"It worked didn't?"
Yoongi smirked. "It worked really well."
Jin pursed his lips which Yoongi kissed back lightly. "It really took a bet to make you finishing a song."
"It took a special guy and his special day to inspire my music."
Yoongi's snicker was wide while Jin's chuckled until his wide shoulders shook.
As the morning brightened the house, No. 7 was filled with much affection from the couple who called this house their home.