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Hoseok didn’t know what he had signed up for when he decided to go on a road trip with the group.
They feel like going back to the good old days, and that’s how they end up in a trailer — not a nice, brand-new one given by their agency, but a beaten-up one. That was their choice, though. They told their new manager that what they really want to do is go out and about like when they were doing they Bon Voyage series — only, this time, without the cameras. It is a way they’ve found of reconnecting and recharging after everything that’s happened.
He is certain that the old trailer will break down at any second now, though.
“Would you mind opening the window a little bit?”, asks Seokjin. He is already taking off his flannel shirt.
“Sure”, Hoseok replies, opening only a crack — that is all the old window allows him to slide open. The breeze that comes in messes up his dark hair in a second.
“It’s boiling today,” Jimin adds.
Hoseok looks at his friend, noticing that he is glistening with sweat. Even though he wears a sleeveless t-shirt, the heat is almost unbearable to handle, especially in a trailer with no air-conditioner and broken windows. He watches as Jimin runs his hand through his dark hair, pulling them back easily as the wind hits him.
Oh, well, some things never change.
Even though it's been over ten years, his bandmate's beauty has never ceased to impress him. The way Jimin can look that handsome without even trying is effortless — and a little bit infuriating. His features match in such a perfect way. The sharp, long jaw with the plump, pinkish lips. The prominent cheekbones that highlight his face perfectly and makes his eyes look even smaller whenever he’s laughing — and his laugh is such a beautiful sound to hear.
Oh, right. All that is something Hoseok will never admit to anyone. Sometimes, not even to himself.
“Are we stopping at the beach today?” Yoongi asks. It is his turn to drive, so he has to shout a little to be heard in the back of the trailer. “We're close to that hidden beach the staff told us about. Dalui bimil, right?”
“Is it the one that's off the beaten track? We would have to hike to get there,” Jimin points out.
“Yeah, true, but don’t you think it would be amazing to go?” Hoseok felt his voice getting raspy after being silent for so long. He clears his throat before continuing, “An hour of hiking doesn’t seem like a bad thing to me, considering we would be basically on a private beach,”
“Besides, you love hiking, Jimin-hyung.” Jungkook adds, supporting Hoseok’s idea.
“And we could have some beer, maybe build a bonfire.” Namjoon is talking now. He is sitting next to Yoongi, and his sunkissed skin glistens with sweat.
“I second the beer, but don’t you think it is too hot already to make a bonfire, Joon-hyung?”
Taehyung has been quiet since that morning, probably suffering in silence with the heat. As usual, he is already bare feet on the trailer, resting his legs on top of the table and trying to get any bit of breeze coming in from the small window. Apart from his good-mornings, it is the first time he speaks that day.
“It’s settled, then. Let’s make it to the beach. There’s a few beers left in the trunk and we can get some ice on the way," Namjoon declares like he’s giving one of his speeches.
“And snacks!” Jungkook shouts, raising his hand to make himself noticed. “You know I can’t go to bed after drinking with an empty stomach. Let’s get some snacks and sweets!”
There is a unanimous murmur of agreement, and the trailer falls quiet again.
It is already twilight when they finally see the end of the trail to the beach. Hoseok is drenched in sweat, as are the other boys. He has already taken off his shirt and has it wrapped around his waist whilst taking turns in carrying the beer cooler. Jimin is the one helping him now, holding the left cooler handle. Despite trying really hard, Hoseok cannot resist checking out the muscles and veins in Jimin’s arms as they become more evident due to the strength he puts into carrying all of the cooler weight.
“Finally!” Jimin starts, taking a deep breath in. “We’re almost there.”
“Can’t wait to open up a beer and jump into the sea,” Namjoon says a few steps in front of them.
“After the last couple years apart, I think this will be a wonderful way to reconnect.” It is Yoongi’s time to talk. “You had a great idea, Hobi-ah.”
Hoseok feels really bad for his bandmate for being the last one to leave the military service, and that is one of the reasons they are there right now, in the middle of a deserted beach. After spending all those months apart in the army, away from family, friends and fans, the hurdles they’ve been facing while trying to come up with a new album seems to be everlasting. They know people are expecting a great BTS comeback, but they’ve been feeling exhausted after being forced to temporarily abandon their career to serve the country. Six months had passed after all of them were finally discharged, and six months back into their routines have them still banging their heads against a concrete wall trying to come up with a new concept for an album, so far unsuccessfully. Hence, Hoseok had decided it was about time to regain control of the situation.
Everybody instantly agreed to his suggestion to go on a road trip by themselves. Reconnection and inspiration, that’s their goal for this experience. And, even though some days are harder than the others on the road, they are making a lot of progress when it comes to composing.
“We need to set up our tents first,” Jungkook reminds them. The youngest of them could be impulsive and carefree despite his introvertness, but he is certainly worried about their wellbeing, especially out in the open. “We probably won’t be in our right minds to do it properly later.”
“I’ll help you out,” Taehyung offers, quickly joining Jungkook.
“Wait a second, Hobi-hyung.” Jimin asks, and Hoseok feels the cooler being pulled when Jimin suddenly stops, placing his side of the cooler on the ground. Hoseok takes these few seconds to rest his arm as well, observing while the younger kicks his flip flops away, leaning down afterwards to hook them on his fingers. “I want to feel the sand in my toes from the first second to the last”, he explains.
They resume walking, only a few steps away from the beach. Jimin’s bare feet on the sand now, and Hoseok watches as he wiggles his toes in it. He’s smiling brightly now that the wait is over. A playful expression laces across his face, and right there, under the twilight with the sun almost gone, Hoseok admits to himself that Jimin looks absolutely dreamy.
They quickly find a nice spot to set up their tents, which takes around an hour to be ready — thanks to Taehyung and Jungkook, who keep messing everything up. It’s only when Yoongi decides to jump in that they get things really done. With the three tents up, all that’s left to do is decide who they’re going to share them with for the night — which isn’t a problem, since they’ve been sharing rooms since the beginning of their friendship. This time, they choose their own roommates instead of playing a game to decide. As always, Yoongi and Jin pair up quickly — both of them really used to their sleeping schedules. The next pair to be made is Taehyung and Jungkook — according to the youngest, he had never shared a room with Tae and feels like this is the perfect time to do so. Having no other options, Jimin, Namjoon and Hoseok are left with the last and bigger tent. Hoseok is already used to sharing a room with Jimin, having done it since the very first night, but he’s trying really hard not to sound too happy about being paired up with him again anyway.
They all throw their belongings inside, spreading the sarongs in front of the tents and fetching their first beer of the night. Hoseok takes a long swig, feeling the coldness refresh his body from the heat of the day. Then, after staring at the ocean for a few seconds, he makes a run towards it, the beer still in his hand.
It doesn’t take more than a minute for everybody to join him, spilling water in each others' faces, jumping on each others’ backs and having as much fun as they are allowed to. The sun is officially gone by now, and that leaves them with only the moon as a light source, reflecting gorgeously in the ocean. Thankfully, the beach is completely empty — probably because, apart from being a hidden beach, it is also a weekday. They feel free to be themselves without having to hide or behave as famous people, afraid of having their lives’ on a gossip instagram account in the next hour.
“It’s been so long since I’ve felt this type of freedom,” Taehyung shares with the group, finally leaving his bad mood behind and enjoying the moment with his friends.
“I know I’ve told this before, but you have no idea how much I’ve missed us,” Yoongi confesses. Even though there is not enough light, they are all able to see the glistening tears under his eyes. “It’s been a tough two years.”
“Well, that’s a nice theme for our next album. Hurdles. Don’cha think so?” Seokjin shakes his head to remove the hair from his eyes, which sends water splashing all over them. “I’ll get us some more beer.”
“You had a great idea there, Hobi-hyung,” Jimin says in a lower tone, swimming closer to Hoseok. They aren’t in a deep part of the sea. However, Jimin manages to lower himself in the water up to his neck. His hair is wet and thrown back, leaving enough leverage for his bare face to glisten with water — and for Hoseok to admire every inch of it. “I wish we’d done this sooner.”
Hoseok lowers himself down into the water too, intending to be at the same level as Jimin. He is mostly lying on his stomach, his long fingers sinking in the sand below him. He shares a genuinely proud smile with Jimin.
That is the moment when Hoseok feels a soft hand touching his own under the water. Soft, but wrinkled, gently caressing the back of Hoseok’s hand with his thumb, but at the same time searching for his palm with the other fingers. His smile falters for a second when Jimin gazes adoringly at him, plush lips curving in a soft smirk that makes Hoseok tremble. Good think he’s lying on his stomach, because he would’ve definitely fallen if he was standing on his feet.
“Worldwide handsome Kim Seokjin is back and bearing beer, everyone!” Jin singsongs, approaching quickly and splashing water on everybody near him while running through the waves.
Hoseok pulls away from Jimin, utterly startled, hastily breaking their gaze and pulling his hand away. Grimacing at Jin and trying his best to act normal, he accepts the beer, giving it a huge gulp and swallowing slowly. He feels Jimin’s burning stare on his nape, but he can’t bring himself to look back.
Later that night, the seven of them are gathered together around a tiny project of a bonfire, sitting on the sarongs. The temperature has dropped a bit as the night goes on, and they are now regretting their decision of not bringing their hoodies to the beach — which made perfect sense at the time of the decision-making, given that it was really sunny, warm and everybody was sweating buckets.
Now, they are quietly watching the ocean waves breaking on the shore, invading the sand only to retreat back to their place in the ocean. The sound of the crashing waves in addition to the fire crackling awakens a feeling of peacefulness and gratitude.
Hoseok has a notepad on his lap. From time to time, one can hear the sound of pencil scribbling on the paper. Jungkook is sitting next to Hoseok, his head resting on his hyung’s shoulder. He holds a bag of snacks for dear life, munching while murmuring encouraging words whenever Hoseok resumes writing.
“This one is coming up great, hyung,” he sounds excited, breaking the silence amongst them. The boys look at them, curiosity filling their eyes.
“What’s that about?” Namjoon asks. He’s sitting across from Hoseok, so he can’t peek at what he’s writing like Jungkook can, but he leans over as if that alone will magically allow him to see through the paper.
“Just something I’ve been thinking about lately.” Sighing, Hoseok seems to have trouble figuring out how to finish that piece of snippet. He swiftly shakes the pencil between his thumb and index finger, biting his lower lip.
“ Thrown in the deep end, but we won’t shiver; in the eye of the hurricane, our true colors shimmer… ” Jungkook reads aloud, ignoring Hoseok’s wish to keep it to himself for now.
“Hey, stop it!” Hoseok pouts and turns the notepad to the other side, blocking the words from Jungkook’s view.
“ The wind’s gonna blow, the beats are gonna groove; let this song rock ya when you’re feeling gloomy, together we can reach the moon ,” Yoongi finishes reading from the other side of Hoseok, to where he keeps the notepad turned.
“Damn it, Yoongi-hyung!”
“I don’t know what to think yet,” Taehyung cocks an eyebrow.
“Yeah, it needs work, I know,” Hoseok sighs, shooting a glare at Jungkook, and then Yoongi. “ That’s why I didn’t want to show you yet. Thanks, both of you.”
“Sure!” Jungkook smiles innocently, followed by a giggle from Yoongi.
“Well, I think it has potential. It just needs to be polished.” Jimin shrugs.
He sits next to Namjoon with his legs crossed, arms around his knees and hands locking in front of them. With his head tilting to one side, a few strands of hair fall angelically on his eyes, and the cutest smile Hoseok has ever seen appears on his face. Jimin looks heaven sent. From where he is sitting, it’s possible for Hoseok to see the dancing flames reflected in Jimin’s irises. There’s only one person hovering in Hoseok’s mind right now — someone that has been preoccupying him for quite some time lately: Jimin. Whether it is his voice, his health, his work — it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s Jimin-related.
“Thank you,” Hoseok answers, still unable to look at Jimin for more than a few seconds.
He is trying to, though. Every time Jimin isn’t paying attention, Hoseok glances at him, admiring the features of his face. The way his dark hair falls around his round face, shaping it perfectly. Or the way his whole body shakes when he is laughing, turning him into a clumsy hurricane able to fall anywhere or drop anything. Damn, he even stared at his muscles and the way they flex every time he leans on his arms, dropping his head back to look at the sky.
How could Hoseok ignore feeling this way about his bandmate for so long?
What exactly is he feeling?
“Hobi?” Jimin calls out for what seems to be the millionth time, judging by the way he’s weirdly looking at Hoseok.
“Yeah, sorry. What did you say?” Hoseok asks promptly, clearing his throat. He had zoned out thinking about the boy’s beauty, and now he can feel everybody’s gaze on him.
“I said I can help you out,” he repeats himself, bringing back the sweet, crooked grin on his face. “I mean, if you don’t mind. And if you want to,” he adds.
“O-of course!” Hoseok stutters, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. He feels his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Why the hell is he embarrassed? He’s known Jimin for over ten years, they’ve been together through a lot of issues, a lot of drama, a lot of conquests and a lot of music-making. Why is he feeling so overwhelmed after five seconds and a half of hand-touching under the sea?
“Alrighty, children.” Yoongi claps. He quickly stands up, showing no signs of being drunk. “It is bedtime. At least for me it is. Don’t want to cause an accident tomorrow.”
“I’m also going, then. I don’t want Yoongi throwing a tantrum if I wake him up getting into the tent later.” Clearly drunk, but acting no different than how he normally would, Seokjin stands up, stumbling his way to Yoongi’s and his tent.
“I don’t throw tantrums, Jin,” Yoongi shoots back, getting a glare from Seokjin as an answer, “ hyung. Jin-hyung.”
“Good night, y’all.”
Yoongi grunts and pouts, but ends up following Jin into the tent without saying anything else.
“I’m going, too,” Namjoon announces, brushing the sand off of his shorts when he gets up. “Don’t go to sleep too late. We’re hitting the road early in the morning.”
“Then we should go, too—”
“No, Hobi-ah. I’m not like Yoongi-hyung, you can come to the tent later and I won’t wake up. Just don’t end the night too late, alright?” Namjoon shoots a quick glance to Jimin, then back to Hoseok. “This goes to the two of you.”
“Are you sure?” Jimin double checks. Hoseok sees him looking at Jungkook and Taehyung, who seem to be lost in their own world.
Namjoon clears his throat.
“Kookie-ah, Taetae-ah, time to sleep.”
“ What ? Why? It’s early!” Jungkook whines.
“Are Jimin-ah going too?” Taehyung asks.
“No, he’ll stay to help Hobi-ah clean this mess.”
“We can help them, Joon-hyung. Why do we have to go to bed now?” Jungkook tries again, whining like a baby girl.
“Jungkook, you’re driving tomorrow, and Taehyung, you’re impossible to wake up. So, chop-chop.”
“But—”
Namjoon raises his hand in a stop sign, tilting his head towards the tents. Pouting like babies getting their first no , Jungkook and Taehyung get up, stomping their way to their tent.
“Joon-ah, was that really necessary?” Hoseok cocks a brow, leaving the notepad and the pencil in the sarong next to him. “What’s happening tonight? Normally I’m the one who gets knocked out first.”
“Someone has to be feeling good in the morning to take care of your hungover asses.” Namjoon shrugs.
“I’m never hungover,” Jimin points out, a confident smug on his lips.
“Yeah, but our little friend over here always is.” Namjoon’s voice is laced with teasing. Hoseok rolls his eyes at him. “Anyway, I’m going now.”
“Your loss. I’ll stay a bit longer.” Jimin says. “The night is mesmerizing tonight.”
“Make sure to help your hyung clean everything when you’re done being mesmerized .”
Jimin darts his tongue out, lying down on the sarong and crossing his arms under his head. He sighs deeply while staring at the night sky, brightened by the huge moon and shiny stars.
“Suit yourself. See you tomorrow.”
“Wake me up if I sleep in,” Namjoon asks before closing the tent.
And then there were two.
The thought of being alone with Jimin, even when he isn’t even looking at him, makes Hoseok’s heart skip a few beats. He can feel his stomach twisting, a knot forming at the beginning of his throat given how nervous he is to be left alone with him — even if just for a few minutes.
Which, again, makes no sense, taking into account that they’ve been sharing a room since debut days.
Trying to act normal, he stands up, looking around at all the mess his friends had made. There’s an alarming amount of empty bottles of beer and snack packs scattered around. Slowly, he begins to collect them, putting the litter in a plastic bag near the tents. Hoseok doesn’t like to keep things messy, especially when it comes to nature.
While he’s busy being a good environmentalist, he takes a moment to peep at Jimin, trying to see if there’s any change in him — or if Hoseok should be alarmed by anything. Jimin hasn’t moved a bit, though, and is still lying in the same position, except that now his eyes are closed. Hoseok notices how he breathes soundly, and wonders if he has fallen asleep. After fighting with himself for a few seconds, he decides to let him be and turns his back to him, collecting whatever’s left of the rubbish.
“You’re strangely quiet today for someone who’s normally so bubbly.” Hoseok hears when he finishes tying a knot in the plastic bag.
“Oh?” he coos, turning to face Jimin. He can feel the heat coming back to his cheeks, and that makes him curse himself for being so affected by the boy’s presence. “I’ve just got a lot in my mind.”
“A penny for your thoughts, then.” Jimin standsup, the sly smile never leaving his lips.
Hoseok shrugs, grinning shyly in response. He isn’t ready to share his thoughts yet. Damn it, he isn’t even sure if he’ll ever be ready.
“I don’t—”
“How do you feel about taking a dip right now?” Jimin interrupts him, blurting out the unexpected question. It is quite cool at this time of night, but he’s already taking off his t-shirt and not even bothering to put it on the sarongs — instead, he simply throws it in the sand. “I know it’s a bit cold, but I feel like it. It will help clear your thoughts, too.”
Without waiting for Hoseok’s answer, he makes a run to the sea. Hoseok watches amused as Jimin dips his toes first, trembling a little before stepping into the ocean. Hoseok bites his lower lip, unsure of what would be the best — or should he say, safest ? — option.
Oh, fuck. Whatever .
Hoseok takes off his shirt and runs, deciding he shouldn’t be overthinking the situation. He notices Jimin is deep in the ocean, water up to his mouth with only his nose and eyes out of the water. He makes his way to him, noticing he can still easily touch the bottom of the sea with his feet. Jimin is probably with his knees bent to sink more in the water. As Hoseok approaches Jimin, he sees how intensely Jimin scans his every movement, eyes glued to him until he finally gets to him.
Hoseok quickly dives. He really needs to wash away his thoughts.
“I’m glad you decided to join me,” Jimin says sweetly when Hoseok surfaces again, and mimes his action by sinking down in the water and coming back up. He shakes his head, spilling water.
“You made it look like a great idea,” he answers. “The water really helps ease my mind.” Although he shakes a little bit, he doesn’t regret going in. His body just need a few more minutes to adapt to the sea’s temperature.
“You’re shivering!”
Casually, Jimin brings his hands to rub Hoseok’s arms, running them up and down their length to try and keep him warm. Hoseok can’t help his stupid mind from thinking that Jimin’s surely doing it out of guilt, after dragging Hoseok into the cold water and finding it hard to stay there. However, in a ridiculous duality, he wishes from the bottom of his heart — and, for a moment, allows his mind to wonder that far into his own imagination — that there is some other meaning to Jimin’s warm gestures.
“I’m sorry,” Hoseok says dumbly, gaze shifting from Jimin’s eyes to his mouth and back again. He’s not even sure why he’s apologizing.
Jimin frowns. Hoseok can see the question lingering in his expression, and he sighs, knowing he doesn’t have the answers for it. But when Hoseok shifts his gaze to Jimin’s lips again, they curve into a smirk. It was a quick, slender smirk, but it didn’t go unnoticed to Hoseok, and that’s how he knows he’s caught.
Not that there was even the slightest chance he wouldn’t. With the both of them being this close, both of them looking at each other like that, of course Jimin would see it. What was Hoseok thinking, for God’s sake?
Jimin’s hands slip down Hoseok’s arms, tracing them until they reach his hands, and continuing further to his fingers, entwining them together. They are barely touching, lightly hooked by their fingertips, and yet Hoseok can feel electrifying waves rushing from the point where their skin connects, spreading throughout his whole body.
“I think I should explain myself. For what happened earlier, I mean. I don’t want you to misread the situation—” Jimin starts.
Hoseok feels his face getting drained out of blood. Of course he knows, he simply knows he’s been overthinking the whole situation and seeing it from an awry point of view.
“Oh, no, don’t worry!” Hoseok interrupts, abruptly pulling his hands. He raises his arms in front of his body, gesturing desperately with his hands in denial. The last thing he needs is Jimin thinking he got the signs all wrong. “I didn’t misunderstand anything. We’re friends. You were being friendly.”
Jimin flutters his eyelashes in apparent confusion, reaching over to hold Hoseok’s hands once again. A disbelieving chuckle escapes his mouth right before Jimin lowers their hands underwater, gaze piercing into Hoseok’s eyes.
“See, the thing is… You really misread the situation”, Jimin declares, the smirk reappearing on his lips and getting bigger by the second. “I wasn’t just being friendly. I was being into you .”
Hoseok can’t hold a disbelieving giggle that comes out of his mouth. He rolls his eyes, waiting for Jimin to say he’s only messing with him to see his reaction — but it never happens. Jimin doesn’t say that — instead, he holds Hoseok’s gaze fiercely, smirk faltering with each passing second without Hoseok saying anything. When he realizes Jimin’s being serious, Hoseok’s jaw drops, and he stammers agape while trying to come up with something to say — but he’s completely lost for words. He feels Jimin’s hand moving, leaving his hands to caress his arms until he finally places his gentle hands on Hoseok’s waist. He pulls Hoseok closer, shiny brown eyes focusing intensely at his heart-shaped lips.
“Hobi-hyung?” Jimin calls out. Hoseok needs to blink twice to be able to focus again, still shocked.
“Y-yes?” he stammers, unable to stop himself from looking at Jimin’s plush lips.
“I’ll only kiss you if you let me,” Jimin continues, his thumbs caressing Hoseok’s waist and sending a completely different kind of shiver throughout his whole body.
Hoseok’s head spins so fast. He’s way in over his head. Does he want Jimin to kiss him? Is it a good idea? Is it proper ? He can’t unravel his feelings, and it feels like a million seconds have passed since he heard Jimin’s question. All he can think of is how the waves strike them and throw him slightly off balance, and how the sand feels soft, but gritty between his toes, and how he isn’t cold anymore, but feeling very, very hot, almost like he’s boiling under Jimin’s embrace.
He’s surprised. So surprised that he doesn’t know how to respond. In all those years, he had never imagined that Jimin would feel this way about him — hell, up until a few weeks ago Hoseok didn’t acknowledge his own feelings. However, here they are now, in each other’s arms, Jimin waiting patiently for Hoseok to show any kind of interest — but failing miserably. As a consequence, Jimin’s eyes start to cloud, probably taking Hoseok’s silence as a denial. His thumbs stop caressing Hoseok’s waist, and his hands start to slowly, almost painfully slide away from his waist.
Hoseok has to say something. Do something, anything . So he does the only thing his brain can think of.
Hesitantly, he places his hands on the back of Jimin’s neck. Hoseok bites his lips, gathering all the courage inside of him to pull Jimin closer and glue their lips together.
The electricity he feels when their lips touch is something he had never felt before. It’s like his lips are meant to fit Jimin’s, and only Jimin’s. He wonders if Jimin feels the same about him right now, and, although he can’t read his mind, he certainly notices Jimin’s hands hold onto his waist again. Jimin’s lips curl into a subtle grin during the soft peck, and that is the breach he takes to dart his tongue out, rubbing the tip gently on Hoseok’s lips.
If Hoseok thought he was electrified with a peck, he couldn’t even begin to imagine — let alone describe — what it feels like now that their tongues finally touch, dancing in pure sync with each other. Giving into the moment, Hoseok brings his hands to Jimin’s hair, running his fingers through it lazily, feeling their silky texture. Jimin’s grasp on him isn’t as smooth anymore, becoming rather intense with each second, pulling Hoseok even closer in a way that made their chests bump. Hoseok lets out a gasp and Jimin takes the opportunity to bite on his lower lip, trapping it between his fingers and pulling it teasingly. Hoseok responds by tangling his fingers in Jimin’s dark hair and pulling them ever so slightly.
Euphoria takes over Hoseok’s body, making him feel like hell could swallow him whole and he would pay no mind, he wouldn’t even be bothered. He’s engulfed in a blissful experience, one which he hoped to undergo during all those years, but never truly believed it could happen.
“You’ve no idea how long I’ve wished for this,” Hoseok breaks the kiss, although his lips are brushing against Jimin’s.
They are both heaving, trying to keep their balance against the waves, all the while unwilling to let go of each other.
“You should’ve done it sooner,” Jimin murmurs, touching their foreheads.
His eyes are still closed, and Hoseok takes the chance to peck his lips again,gently, tenderly. Before he notices, they’re kissing again, only this time they do it at a slower pace than before. Jimin takes his time exploring Hoseok’s lips and mouth, a kiss so tender that Hoseok feels like he could melt under his touch. He’s feeling lightheaded, bewitched by Jimin’s touch and warmth.
And, well, he has. He knew from the very first day that Jimin was no ordinary boy, and the connection grown between them is stronger than with anyone else. The friendship, the belief, the confidence, the hope…
The love.
It suddenly hits him. He’s been so engrossed in becoming a reliable member to his bandmates, so focused on their careers, that he neglected every other aspect of his personal life. He put aside everything that wasn’t BTS related — which meant his feelings for Jimin. Hoseok had put him in a box, and he’d been avoiding opening it until now. Until they survived the worst days of their lives in the military. Until they were finally able to be alone and give in to what their hearts desire.
That’s it.
It has finally dawned on him.
Gently, he pulls away from the kiss. Bringing his hands to Jimin’s cheek, he gently caresses the soft skin with his thumb, a genuine smile springing lightly on his face.
“I don’t want it to be a one-time fling,” Hoseok confesses, breaking the silence. He holds his gaze on Jimin’s eyes, searching for reassurance in the way he looks back at him. “I want it — us to keep happening.”
“I guess we’re a thing, then.”
With both of them smiling so widely, they resume kissing.
“ Please keep it down, I can’t stand your voices this loud in my head right now,” Yoongi grunts bitterly, a displeased look etched across his face.
He’s in the copilot’s seat, right beside Jungkook, who’s getting ready to start the ignition of the trailer. They were supposed to have hit the road two hours ago, but no living soul managed to wake Taehyung and Jungkook up. They are way behind their schedule now, which makes Yoongi really annoyed.
“Yoongi-hyung, I love you,” Jungkook starts, tightening his grip around the steering wheel before looking at Yoongi. “But I can’t drive with you next to me if you’re going to be this grumpy. I need you to calm down and be cheerful to keep me awake.” Yoongi rolls his eyes. Jungkook sighs. “Can you do that?”
“ Yes ,” he grumbles.
“You don’t sound confident at all…”
“Dammit, I’ll do it!” Jimin raises his hand, already fed up with the tense atmosphere. “Yoongi-hyung, please go sit in the back. I’ll go with Kookie-ah in the front, he likes it better when I’m picking the songs, anyway.”
He shares a knowing look with Hoseok while changing seats with Yoongi. Although they aren’t ready to come out to their friends yet, Hoseok was hopeful that they would be able to sit together during the rest of the day, cuddling stealthily in the back. Knowing that that wouldn’t happen now gives him a sour taste in his mouth.
He fastens the seatbelt, letting his thoughts wander far away while the trailer starts to move. The last crash of waves fills his ears and is swiftly replaced by the sound of vehicles when they finally get back to the road. Reaching for his notepad in his back pocket, he opens it and starts to scribble down a few words.
“‘ There's sand between my fingers, and the sun begins to set; the summer breeze is whispering our secrets in the air… ’”
Hoseok startles, jolting so high in his seat that he almost hits the roof of the trailer.
Namjoon is sitting behind him, leaning forward and slightly over the back of Hoseok’s seat to peek over his shoulders. He’s blatantly reading what Hoseok’s writing. Extremely embarrassed, Hoseok promptly closes his notepad, trying to keep it from Namjoon’s knowing eyes. Hoseok is so caught off guard that he places a hand over his heart.
“Why is everybody suddenly snooping around my stuff?” he falters, furrowing his eyebrows.
“I dunno. I was just curious to see if you’re writing a song about last night.” Namjoon shrugs his shoulders. “Guess I’m right.” And then adds casually, lowering his voice to no more than a whisper so only Hoseok will hear, “I’m sure Jimin’s going to love it.”
Hoseok gets as stiff as a brick, a sensation of being trapped inside a casket taking over his body and mind. He feels like drowning, sinking lower and lower. Again, he’s in shock, left with an open mouth trying to say something. When nothing comes out, he closes it again.
This is getting ridiculous. Hoseok hates being lost for words — he’s never been speechless before.
“Don’t worry,” Namjoon adds, seeing that Hoseok’s taken aback and trying to bring him back to his senses. “I won’t tell anyone. That’s for both of you to do when and if you want to.”
Hoseok feels like he can breathe again. Taking a long, excruciating breath, he feels his lungs finally go back to work.
“How did you know?” Is all he asks.
“Jimin told me he wanted to be alone with you, so, when hyungs went to sleep, I did what I could to give you two privacy.”
“So that’s why you and Jimin were exchanging so many looks yesterday!”
“You saw that, huh?” Namjoon snickers.
“I mean, you’re not the most discreet person, Joon-ah.”
“I tried my best, though!” Namjoon defends himself. “And I’m glad that things worked out for you two. I mean, I guess they did, considering that you woke me up last night with your giggling and kissing in your sleeping bags.” Hoseok scratches his nape. Once again, heat is rushing to his cheeks, and he lowers his head, unable to keep looking at Namjoon. “Thank God that’s all that’s happened with me in the tent.”
“I’m sorry,” Hoseok says wholeheartedly. Then, he grins. A heart-shaped, beautiful smile spread across his face. “And thank you.”
“Let me know when you finish the song. I’m sure this one’s going to turn out extraordinary.”
He sits back again, leaving Hoseok alone with his thoughts. Hoseok rests his head on the window, looking at the side mirror. His heart takes a wild leap when he sees Jimin looking at him and beaming sweetly and radiantly as their eyes lock for an instant. Hoseok feels weightless. Like he has nothing to be ashamed of or scared about — because he doesn’t. He really doesn’t, not now. With that in mind, he opens the notepad again.
“ Underneath the moonlit sky, the stars watch us, beaming; the waves sing us a lullaby, and every moon-kissed moment makes me feel like I’m dreaming; the flames sparkle in your eyes, making me soar into the sky. ”