2015 ENTRY #3: yes it's real (love)
Title: yes, it's real (love)
Pairing: J-Hope/Jimin
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: “So I need you to pretend to be my date, just for one day, that’s all.”
“And so I need you to pretend to be my date, just for one day, that’s all,” Jimin finishes, out of breath.
“Sure,” agrees Hoseok easily, taking a sip from his water bottle.
“You don’t even have to do much and I promise I’ll pay and - wait, you will?”
The surprise in Jimin’s voice is evident, as is the disbelief written on his face. Hoseok shrugs his shoulders and the look he gives Jimin is fond.
“Yeah, of course. Why not?”
Jimin can’t find an answer to that so he says nothing at all, just tackles Hoseok in a hug that knocks the breath out of them both. He can feel Hoseok’s laughter against his neck even as they part, thank you’s spilling from Jimin’s lips.
“Seriously, thanks hyung, I owe you one,” says Jimin.
He can’t keep the relief or smile off his face and Hoseok looks like he might pinch his cheeks soon, so Jimin ducks away, aiming for his own water bottle. He’d figured asking during their break at dance practice was the safest bet - at least that way, if Hoseok had said no, there would be something to occupy his mind before enacting Plan B. Something tells Jimin that asking Jungkook to be his fake date wouldn’t have ended as well as this.
Hoseok makes his way back to the front of the room, patting Jimin on the shoulder as he passes by, and the touch brings Jimin back to the present. There’s still another half hour until the session ends and the routine the group is currently challenging has them pushing their limits. Jimin wipes the sweat off his forehead and drops his towel and water bottle back down, ready to get back into practice.
From his position near the edge of the room, he can watch Hoseok in the mirror, follow the flow of his moves and, every now and then, catch the smile thrown in his direction. Yeah, Jimin thinks, this should work out alright.
-
Jimin has known Hoseok for approximately three months now, a friendship rooted in mutual friends and mutual interests. Namjoon was the one to introduce them after Jimin started following him around after class, too cheerful to shake off.
“You’ll probably get along with him,” he’d said, something like regret in his voice, “really well.”
He’d been right - Hoseok’s like the cool older friend Jimin never really had (Namjoon had made an indignant noise at that) and still down to earth enough that Jimin doesn’t feel self conscious around him. It was still fairly early in their friendship when Jimin had been comfortable enough to show off his dancing but from that point, they’d gotten to know each other even more. Hanging out with Namjoon lead to hanging out with more of their friends, lead to Jimin signing up for workshops with Hoseok’s crew.
“The crew that I’m in,” corrects Hoseok but Jimin steamrolls on, chatting to Namjoon about the last flip that Jackson had shown before that day’s session had ended.
Namjoon nods like he understands more than half the terms Jimin is using and Hoseok ends up nudging Jimin’s milk tea towards him, encouraging him to finish it off before the ice melts (and give Namjoon a break to breathe),
It’s pretty nice, hanging out with Namjoon and Hoseok. Jimin’s got his mind set on introducing his old school friends to them too, one day, but the chance doesn’t happen until a little down the track. When it does, it’s probably not how Jimin had imagined it either.
-
“Okay, but why does it have to be a double date?” Jimin whines.
Taehyung looks at him blandly. “Do you want me to scare off the guy I’ve been tracking for months?”
“If you keep using words like ‘tracking’, you won’t have to do anything,” replies Jimin. “Seokjin’s already agreed to go on a date with you, I’m sure he doesn’t need another couple there to act as a buffer.”
“But I do,” implores Taehyung. “Please, Jimin, I know you can find someone. I just need your help this once.”
Something in Jimin’s gut tells him it’s probably not ‘just this once’ but he sighs and gives in, like he knew he would from the start.
“It’s not going to be easy to find someone,” Jimin grumbles at Taehyung. “I barely know anyone here.”
“That’s a lie, and we both know it,” says Taehyung. His mood has perked up considerably now that he’s gotten Jimin to agree out loud. “Why don’t you ask one of dance friends? That Jungkook kid is pretty cute.”
Jimin balks at just the idea of asking Jungkook out on a date. “He’d eviscerate me if he sensed I’d even thought of it,” says Jimin.
“Really?” Taehyung sounds genuinely surprised. “I thought he was pretty sweet.”
“Maybe he is to you but I swear, he’s got it out for me. He’s always challenging me to dance offs during practice. And he makes fun of my height.”
Taehyung laughs. “It’s probably just his way of showing he thinks about you.”
Jimin hrmphs, standing up from the table to go and clean the dishes. Dinner cooked by Taehyung is good food and good company but Jimin does need to study eventually. At some point. Maybe after monitoring some of their dance practice videos. He grabs Taehyung’s bowl without making eye-contact and his annoyance is so fake they can both tell. He’s halfway to the sink before Taehyung calls after him.
“Jimin,” says Taehyung. He doesn’t turn around. “Thank you, seriously.”
Jimin smiles and starts to wash up, happy enough with the knowledge that even if he does have to ask Jungkook to be his date, Taehyung will be there to make it worth his time.
-
The contingency plan never does unfold and Jimin finds himself messaging Hoseok more often than usual in the lead up to The Date. The emphasis had started with Taehyung but now Jimin found himself thinking of it as a Big Deal as well.
we can go straight from practice but we might be early?
ha ha, i’d rather not be sweaty! is Hoseok’s reply. you can get changed at mine - it’s closer to the cinema, i think.
Jimin sends a thumbs up sign and three smiley faces to Hoseok, then shoots a quick message to Taehyung to figure out what they’re actually going to watch.
idk, seokjin hyung is picking is the helpful reply.
Jimin wrinkles his nose. He doesn’t know Seokjin well enough yet to gauge his taste in movies but then again, whatever it ends up being, he’ll probably enjoy it with Hoseok there.
Speaking of, a new message notification shows Hoseok’s sent him another message. also should i dress up? i need to look good and impress your friend.
Jimin laughs out loud, replying with you always look good, hyung, and the message sens before he even has a chance to rethink it.
He puts his phone back down, staring at the pile of reading he has to complete before his Friday classes. Just four days until the weekend and until The Date. It’s manageable. Jimin can do this.
-
Jimin can’t do this.
He’s so close to falling asleep that it’s going to take a coffee to pull him through the rest of practice. Hoseok is looking at him sharply, like he knows Jimin is off today but the attention doesn’t help the sluggishness in his bones.
“Dude,” hisses Jungkook when Jimin almost collides with him for the third time. “Seriously, watch it.”
It’s harsh but Jungkook also sounds kind of concerned, which is a nice change. Jimin nods determinedly and tries to buckle down.
The break leaves him slumped up against the mirrors and the only warning he gets is Jungkook nodding at him before a water bottle is tossed his way.
“Tough week,” Jungkook says, nudging Jimin along until they can sit next to each other. It’s an observation, not a question.
“I swear I didn’t have this many exams to study for last semester.”
“Plus you’ve got your date with Hoseok after this,” Jungkook continues casually.
“Yeah, I - who told you that?” Jimin puts down the water bottle and looks quickly over to Hoseok, making sure he’s occupied. There’s a group next to the speakers running through some girl group choreo. Hoseok is, naturally, leading some of the sequences.
Jungkook smiles slyly, following Jimin’s gaze. “I have my ways.”
Taehyung really needs to stop doting on Jungkook.
“It’s Taehyung’s date - Hoseok’s just doing me a favour.”
“Sure, sure. Did you remember to bring flowers?” Jungkook’s smile is widening and Jimin would be retaliating but he’s still worn out.
“It’s not even a real date!”
The noise of frustration he makes has Jungkook outright laughing and tugging on Jimin’s arm before he storms off. Remembering that Jungkook did bring him water, and Taehyung’s words about Jungkook showing how he cared, Jimin stays.
“It’s not a real date,” Jimin says again. “Taehyung said to bring someone so I asked Hoseok to come along.”
“I’m offended you didn’t ask me,” deadpans Jungkook. “I’m clearly the better boyfriend material.”
Across the room, Hoseok has started dancing with one of the senior girls, dipping her backwards before setting her upright and parting with a bow. Jungkook flicks Jimin with his towel, getting his attention again.
“Taehyung suggested me but you asked Hoseok to be your date.” If Jimin didn’t know better, he’d think Jungkook’s tone is accusatory. Instead, he writes it off as Jungkook’s weird sense of humour and reiterates what he’d said before.
“It’s not a date, I’m not looking for a boyfriend, and would you look at that, the break time is over.”
Jimin makes sure his words run together before Jungkook can run him down any more, and he ducks away to join Halla in their row. The rest of practice is spent making sure his steps aren’t sloppy and trying to avoid Jungkook’s pointed looks. At one point, he pauses, feeling someone’s eyes on his back, and looks up to meet Hoseok’s gaze. His brow is wrinkled in worry and Jimin fixes his smile up a bit brighter.
“Alright, that’s it for the day,” calls Seunghoon and he claps. “Good practice everyone, enjoy the rest of your weekend.”
Hoseok goes out of his way to crash into Jimin, slinging an arm around his shoulder and dragging him over to where their bags sit waiting.
“You okay?”
“Just tired,” mumbles Jimin. His face is red and sweaty and Hoseok’s done this a million times, has always been handsy, but now Jimin’s too aware of the places their skin touches and the fact that others can see them. It’s not necessarily a bad awareness but it’s there.
“We can skip the movie, if you need,” says Hoseok. The offer is genuine and Jimin is half tempted to take it but -
“No, I promised Taehyung,” Jimin says. “I’ll just nap on the bus to yours, or something.”
Hoseok smiles, small but sweet and he lets go of Jimin’s shoulder to pick up their bags. “Sounds like a plan.”
Jimin probably wouldn’t usually let Hoseok carry his bag for him but he’s too tired to process anything properly, let alone the way his heart still hasn’t quite slowed down after practice. Hoseok ushers him out the door and waves goodbye to the others for them both and they’re in the cool air before Jimin even knows it.
It’s refreshing outside and the sun is still hanging strong in the morning sky. Hoseok’s hair is slightly ruffled and Jimin probably looks no better but he feels a bit brighter with the fresh air. Walking to the bus stop, Hoseok talks about Namjoon’s recent obsession with another underground rapper’s work and Jimin hasn’t got the heart to say he’s heard it from the man himself.
Hoseok prattles on until they reach the bus area and passes Jimin’s bag over so he can grab his wallet.
“Anyway, whoever this Gloss is, Namjoon’s probably going to try and collaborate with him soon.”
“Is this what Namjoon is like when he likes someone?” Jimin wonders aloud.
Hoseok laughs. “Yeah, you haven’t seen nothing yet, Jimin. He’s the most obvious person out there but he makes it work.”
Jimin nods, could imagine it happening. “I’m usually pretty obvious too,” admits Jimin sheepishly. “I don’t know if I’ve liked anyone without them knowing right away.”
“See, I’m the opposite of you two then. I’m only obvious when I need to be.” Hoseok says it like it’s something to be proud of and maybe it is.
There’s two minutes until the bus and Jimin finds himself wondering what it’d be like, actually dating Hoseok, if he’s not an open book. It probably doesn’t matter, he realises, since he can watch it from the outside when Hoseok does date someone; it’s probably an odd thought to have about a friend. When he looks at Hoseok, he’s on his phone and the curve of his neck looks smooth.
The bus hisses as it pulls to a stop in front of them and Hoseok’s head snaps up. Jimin can already see it’s packed and he sighs tiredly. Hoseok comes up beside him, lightly tapping his side.
“C’mon,” he says. “Let’s see how well you nap standing up.”
It’s silly but also not and the sway of people on the bus could lull him to sleep, bumping up between Hoseok and the pole he’s holding on to.
-
He’s been to Hoseok’s place once before, to borrow some of his Introduction to Composition notes, but didn’t poke around or stay long. Now that he has the chance to do both, Jimin just wants to go to the bathroom.
“I’ve already seen you shirtless,” comments Hoseok. “You don’t need to go there to change.”
Jimin feels kind of silly sitting on the arm of Hoseok’s couch, one socked foot dragging back and forth along the tiled floor.
Hoseok is searching through his wardrobe to find something to wear but Jimin doesn’t want to interrupt or get in his way.
“It’s not that,” Jimin says. “I need to pee, and maybe shower.”
“Oh,” says Hoseok. “Oh, yeah, sorry, I forgot. Uh - I have a spare towel somewhere in here, and the bathroom is just through the door.”
He waves his hand in the direction of the only other door in the studio apartment and Jimin feels like that’s a cue to feel comfortable moving about on his own. The door slides open to reveal a pretty small space. It’s clean, though, and it’s not too weird to look around and see Hoseok’s bright yellow toothbrush instead of his purple or Taehyung’s green one.
Jimin is washing his hands when Hoseok knocks on the door, passing over a worn beach towel.
“It’s all I have,” he says apologetically. “Feel free to use whatever, though. We’ve got another forty minutes.”
“Sure,” Jimin says. “Thanks hyung!”
Hoseok ducks out, leaving Jimin to his bathroom and whatever quirks the shower has in store.
-
“So then I hear this shriek and realise I’ve forgotten to tell Jimin that the cockroach in the soap holder is fake and that Namjoon had left it there -”
“I almost died,” complains Jimin but the other’s are laughing and Hoseok is elbowing his side, trying to get him to crack.
There’s a smile at the edge of his mouth but he can’t, won’t stand for this. It’s already unfair, how easily Taehyung and Seokjin and Hoseok get along but for Hoseok to then pull out the embarrassing stories card before Seokjin even knows Jimin’s last name, well. That’s almost rude.
“At least I can get ready without changing outfits three times,” Jimin says. Hoseok mumbles something about how he usually can and pulls at the collar of his jacket.
“I changed four times,” admits Seokjin and Hoseok lets out a short laugh at that. “I think Taehyung’s only seen me in work clothes so I wanted to look good.”
“Exactly,” agrees Hoseok. “There’s nothing wrong with looking good.”
“You look the same as usual,” Jimin says, eyeing Hoseok over, from the fit of his jacket over his shoulders to the leanness of his thighs in dark wash jeans.
“I think you look nice,” Taehyung interjects and now Jimin knows Taehyung’s trying to win Hoseok’s favour.
“Like I said, the same as usual,” repeats Jimin.
Hoseok looks like he might actually blush at that but instead he knocks shoulders with Jimin again, reaching over to steal the last of his fries.
“For that, I’ll buy the popcorn,” Hoseok says.
His words have Seokjin checking his watch and then ushering them all out of the booth towards the cinema. Seokjin had purchased all four tickets online and suggested eating something beforehand and no one said no. Having lunch before the movie means saving money on popcorn and drinks and it let Jimin grill Seokjin. Most importantly, it let Taehyung meet Hoseok and Jimin’s glad his two friends have hit it off fairly well.
It’s Hoseok and Taehyung who go off to buy the snacks and Jimin’s left with Seokjin. He figures now is a good a time as any to talk.
“Hey, uh, Seokjin,” Jimin begins. “I - uh. Taehyung’s my best friend and I just wanted to. Um.”
“You can be comfortable with me,” Seokjin says. “At least, I hope you can. I’m used to Taehyung visiting me at work and my boss threatening to shave my eyebrows if I get distracted again, so whatever you have to say, I’m ready.”
Jimin’s own eyebrows shoot up at that and he sputters a little. “I mean, okay, yeah, he can be a bit annoying at times and he’s really persistent and loud and attention-attracting but Taehyung is nice and smart and my best friend, and I just want to make sure that you’ll, uh. That you’ll be nice to him as well.”
His words started pretty strong but Jimin’s trailed off by the end of it and he has to force himself to look back up at Seokjin, make that eye-contact.
“I will,” is his reply, firm and unwavering. Seokjin smiles at him comfortably and Jimin immediately feels a lot less awkward about how, well, awkward that whole outburst just was.
“Okay, well. Yeah. I mean, you do seem nice,” says Jimin and it’s true.
Seokjin is calming and seems like the kind of guy who can set the mood in a situation. Hoseok’s kind of the same, except maybe more with energy. Jimin’s not sure which he likes more but he can sense that Seokjin is probably good for Taehyung, which is the minimum he’d hoped for.
“Thanks,” replies Seokjin brightly. “I’m glad you like me, especially since Taehyung said how important you were to him. And by the looks of it, he’s giving your boyfriend the same talk you just gave me.”
Jimin’s confused until he sees Taehyung with his back to them, hands on his hips, Hoseok clutching at the food and looking for some sort of escape. Jimin laughs and scratches at the back of his neck.
“I hope I didn’t look as ridiculous as Taehyung does now.”
“Nope,” Seokjin says. “You probably looked more.”
The quip is unexpected enough that Jimin actually laughs and it sets Seokjin off too, the noise catching Taehyung’s attention and allowing Hoseok to escape over to them, passing Jimin the popcorn and still nodding to whatever Taehyung said.
It’s only when they’re settling into their seats that Jimin realises he didn’t mention that Hoseok’s not actually his boyfriend.
-
“I didn’t know you were so bad with horror films, hyung.”
Jimin says this in a low tone, like any loud sound will startle Hoseok back to screeching again. Maybe it will, Jimin genuinely doesn’t know.
They’re seated outside the movie theatre, what’s left of the soda in Hoseok’s right hand, ice melting while they wait for the movie to finish. Jimin took them out halfway through, when Hoseok had stopped watching entirely but kept flinching at every gory slasher sound effect.
“It’s not that I’m bad at watching them,” says Hoseok, voice almost steady. “I just, uh, prefer other genres.”
Jimin says nothing but scoots a bit closer to Hoseok and grabs ahold of his free hand. It’s still clammy but when he squeezes, Hoseok squeezes back, reassurance accepted. They sit like that for a bit longer, sharing sips of the drink and, when Hoseok’s pulse is no longer thrumming, sharing stories, bits and pieces of their lives right now, until Taehyung and Seokjin come out, looking not too much worse for wear.
-
what kind of flowers do you like?
???
you’re not allergic, are you?
Jimin puts on the last playlist Namjoon had created for him, something smoother, more pop and acoustic than rock or rap, and waits for Hoseok to message him back.
It’s been maybe three days since they saw each other for lunch and five since they went out along with Taehyung and Seokjin. It’s probably only been a few hours since the last silly twitter video that Jimin had linked to Hoseok but an idea had crossed his mind so he sent the question off anyway. There’s nothing wrong with messaging others, Jimin figures.
When he thinks about it, they have been messaging more often than usual lately but it’s a mix of exams, more classes and skipped dance sessions that has left most of their friendship to their phones, until they can catch up briefly for lunch or to hang out in the studio after practice. If they do meet for longer, it’s because Namjoon’s finally come out of his cave and wants to prove he’s doing fine, or Seokjin has suggested they go out as a group.
The latter has been happening more often than Jimin could have ever anticipated and he figures that maybe Jungkook was right, and he should get Hoseok flowers. Not that he’d ever admit that it’s Jungkook’s idea. A buzz startles him and Jimin quickly reads through Hoseok’s reply.
i’m not allergic. irises look interesting?
He smiles and starts to search for a nearby flower shop. How hard can it be.
-
“You asked Jungkook for flower delivery services?”
Jimin nods, shoving Taehyung along on the couch so that they can both fit. Exams are finally over and Taehyung’s binging anime but he’s been nice enough to pause while he chews out Jimin.
“You, who freaked out at the idea of asking Jungkook to hang out at the movies?”
“Hey, I just didn’t want to ask him on a date. I’m perfectly fine with hanging out with Jungkook.”
Taehyung narrows his gaze. “You said he was out to get you.”
Jimin sighs, settling into the couch and placing Taehyung’s legs across his lap. He reaches over to grab some chips from Taehyung but he’s holding it just out of reach until Jimin replies.
“Fine,” sighs Jimin. “Okay, he’s not that bad. He’s been pretty nice to me lately and I know he sends flowers home on Parents’ Day. I wanted to send some to Hoseok, alright. That’s all.”
“Hah,” Taehyung says triumphantly, dropping the bag of chips to fist pump in victory. “I knew it.”
Jimin just sighs again and grabs some food, since it’s in reach. “Knew what?”
“I knew Jungkook could win you over once he stopped trying. It’s almost like once he knew you were off the market, he could get over his crush and become a real human around you.”
“Off the market? Crush?” Jimin says, confused.
Taehyung rolls his eyes at Jimin and tucks the food back into his side, the one further from Jimin.
“C’mon, Jimin, not everyone is as obvious as you, but I even said that was his way of showing affection.”
“I thought you meant friendly-affection, not dating-affection,” Jimin says. His voice is a little strained and he’s trying not to overthink Jungkook’s early attitude but he can’t, when everything is cast in a new light.
Taehyung lets him gather his thoughts, just nodding when Jimin’s shoulders drop in either acceptance or defeat. “Like I said, it was there, even if you couldn’t see it.”
Jimin wants to sink into the couch even more or, better, for Taehyung to unpause the episode so they can just watch. He lasts for a minute before he has to look at Taehyung again.
“I’m not off the market,” Jimin says.
“What about Hoseok?”
The weight of Taehyung’s gaze is making him squirm or maybe that’s just Jimin’s insides doing their own thing. He shrugs, trying to keep nonchalant.
“We’re friends and he’s doing me a favour by going on fake dates with me.”
Taehyung’s gaze narrows further. “You bought him flowers.”
“To say thank you,” insists Jimin. “Look, I’d do-”
“You would not send me or Namjoon flowers to say thank you, we both know that.”
Jimin’s now the one who won’t break eye contact, determined to make Taehyung drop the topic. “If you pretended to date me all the time, I would.”
A toe digging into his thigh makes Jimin cry out and grab at Taehyung’s ankles.
“What the hell was that for?”
“Why do you keep pushing this ‘fake’ date thing? Those dates seem pretty real to me - and I’m being honest, because I have to watch you two at it.”
Jimin tightens his grip but Taehyung soldiers on.
“Seokjin thinks you two are dating. He thought you were dating at the first movie date.”
Thinking back on it, Jimin can see why. Jimin feels why, with the way Hoseok will be the one to offer to hold hands now. He feels it with the way Hoseok greets him, a wholehearted hug. He feels it in the way he can recognise Hoseok’s moods now, better than before they’d started all this business. He feels it in so many ways that the feeling has become the problem.
“I get it, okay. I know we look like we’re dating but we’re - we aren’t.” He lets go of Taehyung’s legs, slumps down further on the couch. “Those were all fake dates. Favours. I asked Hoseok for a favour and he’s too nice to say no. Even if I - if I want it to be real, Hoseok sees them as something he has to do for me.”
Taehyung kicks him again. “What the hell does that even mean, Park Jimin.”
Jimin sniffs, making sure his voice won’t waver when he speaks. “It means that I like him but he doesn’t like me and I’m too stupid to say anything or to stop.”
It’s the feeling of Taehyung shifting, wrapping an arm around him that gets Jimin to really break his mask of calm, curling up a bit so that he doesn’t have to look at Taehyung.
“Listen to me,” Taehyung says, like Jimin has a choice. “Hoseok is nice but not that nice. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t do that kind of stuff for Namjoon or Donghyuk or any of his friends.”
“The fake dates -” interjects Jimin.
“You go out. Who pays?”
Jimin makes a confused face. “Both of us? I don’t keep track.”
Taehyung soldiers on. “Do you enjoy yourself? Does he ever invite you out too?”
“Yeah, I guess. And like, as friends, we hang out.”
“But it’s just the two of you. Sometimes you go out to eat. Sometimes he takes you to the movies. I know, because you’ve told me.”
Jimin can already see where Taehyung is going but can’t seem to find words.
“What made it fake? How is any of that fake, apart from you calling it that?”
Slowly, Jimin uncurls from himself and into Taehyung’s offered hug. It feels a lot better than moping about it himself but the idea that Hoseok might - emphasis might - actually be going on dates with him properly is a lot to handle, and Jimin had just thought it was too easy to be true.
“You’re right,” mumbles Jimin against Taehyung’s neck and his best friend laughs, the sound vibrating through them both.
“Of course, I am. So go and ask him, properly, to date you. It’s not that hard, Jimin.”
Jimin nods, the set of his mouth getting more resolute. “I should just ask him to date me.”
“That’s what I just said.”
“I mean, he’s already my friend. I like him and it’s just going to be weird if I don’t say anything - I should just say it.”
He sits up straight, almost upending Taehyung as he does so, and starts looking around for his keys, wallet and phone. Taehyung is tracking him with his gaze but Jimin doesn’t really care, not when he has so much he could gain - or lose. Scratch that last bit. There’s so much to gain. Jimin puts his shoes on and turns to face Taehyung head on.
“How do I look?”
“Perfect, now go. Seriously.”
Jimin smiles, his revelation shifting his mood from morose to hopeful and Taehyung’s supportive words mean Jimin’s out the door before his friend has even turned back to the TV.
-
Hoseok’s place is the same as it always is, except this time Hoseok’s dragged the blankets to the door with him, clearly fresh from a mid-afternoon nap. When he sees who it is, though, he perks up considerably.
“Ah, Jimin, hey. Uh, come in, I guess. Did I forget you were coming over?”
Oh. There had to be something Jimin forgot.
“No, sorry,” apologises Jimin. “I forgot to message, I woke you, didn’t I?”
“I don’t mind,” Hoseok says, not denying it. He sits down on his couch and Jimin is tempted to sit next to him but he knows he shouldn’t. He needs to do this standing, with his full breath and with the chance to leave quickly if it gets awkward fast. “So, what is it?”
Hoseok’s question puts him on the spot and it’s only rehearsing the whole trip here that lets the words fall of his tongue in some sort of order.
“I like you. Really like you, in a romantic way. I think you know that because we talked and I said I was obvious with my feelings and you said you weren’t. I don’t know how you feel then but I do know you don’t mind going on dates with me and I like going on dates with you, so I was wondering if you wanted to do that properly. For real.”
When he stops for breath, Hoseok is still looking at him. His eyes are still sort of sleep-logged but he’s blinking it away and swallowing. Maybe he’s looking for words and Jimin discovers so more, hidden in his own throat.
“Hoseok, hyung, I know I’ve been pretty bad at this. I kept calling them fake dates in my head but Taehyung pointed out that they’ve been pretty real and I figured that at least if you don’t actually like me, I’ve said this much and -”
“I like you too.”
Hoseok interrupts him, the words more than enough to grab Jimin and get him to stop the flow of words.
“Jimin, I like you too,” Hoseok smiles. “I’m glad you’ve sorted out your feelings and I guess it’s time for me to be more obvious about mine. I kind of thought I was, since we’ve gone on so many dates but just to be clear -” and he clears his throat, “- I like you, Park Jimin. I would like to date you properly, for real. That would be great.”
“Oh,” says Jimin. “Well. That’s great then. That’s. Awesome. That’s - wait, really?”
Standing up, Hoseok leaves the blanket on the couch, and walks over to Jimin, taking his face in his hands. He pauses, gives Jimin the chance to back out before move in to kiss him on the lips, soft but sure.
“Really. This is real.”
It’s all Jimin needs to close that gap again, kiss Hoseok and fall into something like love.
Pairing: J-Hope/Jimin
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Summary: “So I need you to pretend to be my date, just for one day, that’s all.”
“And so I need you to pretend to be my date, just for one day, that’s all,” Jimin finishes, out of breath.
“Sure,” agrees Hoseok easily, taking a sip from his water bottle.
“You don’t even have to do much and I promise I’ll pay and - wait, you will?”
The surprise in Jimin’s voice is evident, as is the disbelief written on his face. Hoseok shrugs his shoulders and the look he gives Jimin is fond.
“Yeah, of course. Why not?”
Jimin can’t find an answer to that so he says nothing at all, just tackles Hoseok in a hug that knocks the breath out of them both. He can feel Hoseok’s laughter against his neck even as they part, thank you’s spilling from Jimin’s lips.
“Seriously, thanks hyung, I owe you one,” says Jimin.
He can’t keep the relief or smile off his face and Hoseok looks like he might pinch his cheeks soon, so Jimin ducks away, aiming for his own water bottle. He’d figured asking during their break at dance practice was the safest bet - at least that way, if Hoseok had said no, there would be something to occupy his mind before enacting Plan B. Something tells Jimin that asking Jungkook to be his fake date wouldn’t have ended as well as this.
Hoseok makes his way back to the front of the room, patting Jimin on the shoulder as he passes by, and the touch brings Jimin back to the present. There’s still another half hour until the session ends and the routine the group is currently challenging has them pushing their limits. Jimin wipes the sweat off his forehead and drops his towel and water bottle back down, ready to get back into practice.
From his position near the edge of the room, he can watch Hoseok in the mirror, follow the flow of his moves and, every now and then, catch the smile thrown in his direction. Yeah, Jimin thinks, this should work out alright.
-
Jimin has known Hoseok for approximately three months now, a friendship rooted in mutual friends and mutual interests. Namjoon was the one to introduce them after Jimin started following him around after class, too cheerful to shake off.
“You’ll probably get along with him,” he’d said, something like regret in his voice, “really well.”
He’d been right - Hoseok’s like the cool older friend Jimin never really had (Namjoon had made an indignant noise at that) and still down to earth enough that Jimin doesn’t feel self conscious around him. It was still fairly early in their friendship when Jimin had been comfortable enough to show off his dancing but from that point, they’d gotten to know each other even more. Hanging out with Namjoon lead to hanging out with more of their friends, lead to Jimin signing up for workshops with Hoseok’s crew.
“The crew that I’m in,” corrects Hoseok but Jimin steamrolls on, chatting to Namjoon about the last flip that Jackson had shown before that day’s session had ended.
Namjoon nods like he understands more than half the terms Jimin is using and Hoseok ends up nudging Jimin’s milk tea towards him, encouraging him to finish it off before the ice melts (and give Namjoon a break to breathe),
It’s pretty nice, hanging out with Namjoon and Hoseok. Jimin’s got his mind set on introducing his old school friends to them too, one day, but the chance doesn’t happen until a little down the track. When it does, it’s probably not how Jimin had imagined it either.
-
“Okay, but why does it have to be a double date?” Jimin whines.
Taehyung looks at him blandly. “Do you want me to scare off the guy I’ve been tracking for months?”
“If you keep using words like ‘tracking’, you won’t have to do anything,” replies Jimin. “Seokjin’s already agreed to go on a date with you, I’m sure he doesn’t need another couple there to act as a buffer.”
“But I do,” implores Taehyung. “Please, Jimin, I know you can find someone. I just need your help this once.”
Something in Jimin’s gut tells him it’s probably not ‘just this once’ but he sighs and gives in, like he knew he would from the start.
“It’s not going to be easy to find someone,” Jimin grumbles at Taehyung. “I barely know anyone here.”
“That’s a lie, and we both know it,” says Taehyung. His mood has perked up considerably now that he’s gotten Jimin to agree out loud. “Why don’t you ask one of dance friends? That Jungkook kid is pretty cute.”
Jimin balks at just the idea of asking Jungkook out on a date. “He’d eviscerate me if he sensed I’d even thought of it,” says Jimin.
“Really?” Taehyung sounds genuinely surprised. “I thought he was pretty sweet.”
“Maybe he is to you but I swear, he’s got it out for me. He’s always challenging me to dance offs during practice. And he makes fun of my height.”
Taehyung laughs. “It’s probably just his way of showing he thinks about you.”
Jimin hrmphs, standing up from the table to go and clean the dishes. Dinner cooked by Taehyung is good food and good company but Jimin does need to study eventually. At some point. Maybe after monitoring some of their dance practice videos. He grabs Taehyung’s bowl without making eye-contact and his annoyance is so fake they can both tell. He’s halfway to the sink before Taehyung calls after him.
“Jimin,” says Taehyung. He doesn’t turn around. “Thank you, seriously.”
Jimin smiles and starts to wash up, happy enough with the knowledge that even if he does have to ask Jungkook to be his date, Taehyung will be there to make it worth his time.
-
The contingency plan never does unfold and Jimin finds himself messaging Hoseok more often than usual in the lead up to The Date. The emphasis had started with Taehyung but now Jimin found himself thinking of it as a Big Deal as well.
we can go straight from practice but we might be early?
ha ha, i’d rather not be sweaty! is Hoseok’s reply. you can get changed at mine - it’s closer to the cinema, i think.
Jimin sends a thumbs up sign and three smiley faces to Hoseok, then shoots a quick message to Taehyung to figure out what they’re actually going to watch.
idk, seokjin hyung is picking is the helpful reply.
Jimin wrinkles his nose. He doesn’t know Seokjin well enough yet to gauge his taste in movies but then again, whatever it ends up being, he’ll probably enjoy it with Hoseok there.
Speaking of, a new message notification shows Hoseok’s sent him another message. also should i dress up? i need to look good and impress your friend.
Jimin laughs out loud, replying with you always look good, hyung, and the message sens before he even has a chance to rethink it.
He puts his phone back down, staring at the pile of reading he has to complete before his Friday classes. Just four days until the weekend and until The Date. It’s manageable. Jimin can do this.
-
Jimin can’t do this.
He’s so close to falling asleep that it’s going to take a coffee to pull him through the rest of practice. Hoseok is looking at him sharply, like he knows Jimin is off today but the attention doesn’t help the sluggishness in his bones.
“Dude,” hisses Jungkook when Jimin almost collides with him for the third time. “Seriously, watch it.”
It’s harsh but Jungkook also sounds kind of concerned, which is a nice change. Jimin nods determinedly and tries to buckle down.
The break leaves him slumped up against the mirrors and the only warning he gets is Jungkook nodding at him before a water bottle is tossed his way.
“Tough week,” Jungkook says, nudging Jimin along until they can sit next to each other. It’s an observation, not a question.
“I swear I didn’t have this many exams to study for last semester.”
“Plus you’ve got your date with Hoseok after this,” Jungkook continues casually.
“Yeah, I - who told you that?” Jimin puts down the water bottle and looks quickly over to Hoseok, making sure he’s occupied. There’s a group next to the speakers running through some girl group choreo. Hoseok is, naturally, leading some of the sequences.
Jungkook smiles slyly, following Jimin’s gaze. “I have my ways.”
Taehyung really needs to stop doting on Jungkook.
“It’s Taehyung’s date - Hoseok’s just doing me a favour.”
“Sure, sure. Did you remember to bring flowers?” Jungkook’s smile is widening and Jimin would be retaliating but he’s still worn out.
“It’s not even a real date!”
The noise of frustration he makes has Jungkook outright laughing and tugging on Jimin’s arm before he storms off. Remembering that Jungkook did bring him water, and Taehyung’s words about Jungkook showing how he cared, Jimin stays.
“It’s not a real date,” Jimin says again. “Taehyung said to bring someone so I asked Hoseok to come along.”
“I’m offended you didn’t ask me,” deadpans Jungkook. “I’m clearly the better boyfriend material.”
Across the room, Hoseok has started dancing with one of the senior girls, dipping her backwards before setting her upright and parting with a bow. Jungkook flicks Jimin with his towel, getting his attention again.
“Taehyung suggested me but you asked Hoseok to be your date.” If Jimin didn’t know better, he’d think Jungkook’s tone is accusatory. Instead, he writes it off as Jungkook’s weird sense of humour and reiterates what he’d said before.
“It’s not a date, I’m not looking for a boyfriend, and would you look at that, the break time is over.”
Jimin makes sure his words run together before Jungkook can run him down any more, and he ducks away to join Halla in their row. The rest of practice is spent making sure his steps aren’t sloppy and trying to avoid Jungkook’s pointed looks. At one point, he pauses, feeling someone’s eyes on his back, and looks up to meet Hoseok’s gaze. His brow is wrinkled in worry and Jimin fixes his smile up a bit brighter.
“Alright, that’s it for the day,” calls Seunghoon and he claps. “Good practice everyone, enjoy the rest of your weekend.”
Hoseok goes out of his way to crash into Jimin, slinging an arm around his shoulder and dragging him over to where their bags sit waiting.
“You okay?”
“Just tired,” mumbles Jimin. His face is red and sweaty and Hoseok’s done this a million times, has always been handsy, but now Jimin’s too aware of the places their skin touches and the fact that others can see them. It’s not necessarily a bad awareness but it’s there.
“We can skip the movie, if you need,” says Hoseok. The offer is genuine and Jimin is half tempted to take it but -
“No, I promised Taehyung,” Jimin says. “I’ll just nap on the bus to yours, or something.”
Hoseok smiles, small but sweet and he lets go of Jimin’s shoulder to pick up their bags. “Sounds like a plan.”
Jimin probably wouldn’t usually let Hoseok carry his bag for him but he’s too tired to process anything properly, let alone the way his heart still hasn’t quite slowed down after practice. Hoseok ushers him out the door and waves goodbye to the others for them both and they’re in the cool air before Jimin even knows it.
It’s refreshing outside and the sun is still hanging strong in the morning sky. Hoseok’s hair is slightly ruffled and Jimin probably looks no better but he feels a bit brighter with the fresh air. Walking to the bus stop, Hoseok talks about Namjoon’s recent obsession with another underground rapper’s work and Jimin hasn’t got the heart to say he’s heard it from the man himself.
Hoseok prattles on until they reach the bus area and passes Jimin’s bag over so he can grab his wallet.
“Anyway, whoever this Gloss is, Namjoon’s probably going to try and collaborate with him soon.”
“Is this what Namjoon is like when he likes someone?” Jimin wonders aloud.
Hoseok laughs. “Yeah, you haven’t seen nothing yet, Jimin. He’s the most obvious person out there but he makes it work.”
Jimin nods, could imagine it happening. “I’m usually pretty obvious too,” admits Jimin sheepishly. “I don’t know if I’ve liked anyone without them knowing right away.”
“See, I’m the opposite of you two then. I’m only obvious when I need to be.” Hoseok says it like it’s something to be proud of and maybe it is.
There’s two minutes until the bus and Jimin finds himself wondering what it’d be like, actually dating Hoseok, if he’s not an open book. It probably doesn’t matter, he realises, since he can watch it from the outside when Hoseok does date someone; it’s probably an odd thought to have about a friend. When he looks at Hoseok, he’s on his phone and the curve of his neck looks smooth.
The bus hisses as it pulls to a stop in front of them and Hoseok’s head snaps up. Jimin can already see it’s packed and he sighs tiredly. Hoseok comes up beside him, lightly tapping his side.
“C’mon,” he says. “Let’s see how well you nap standing up.”
It’s silly but also not and the sway of people on the bus could lull him to sleep, bumping up between Hoseok and the pole he’s holding on to.
-
He’s been to Hoseok’s place once before, to borrow some of his Introduction to Composition notes, but didn’t poke around or stay long. Now that he has the chance to do both, Jimin just wants to go to the bathroom.
“I’ve already seen you shirtless,” comments Hoseok. “You don’t need to go there to change.”
Jimin feels kind of silly sitting on the arm of Hoseok’s couch, one socked foot dragging back and forth along the tiled floor.
Hoseok is searching through his wardrobe to find something to wear but Jimin doesn’t want to interrupt or get in his way.
“It’s not that,” Jimin says. “I need to pee, and maybe shower.”
“Oh,” says Hoseok. “Oh, yeah, sorry, I forgot. Uh - I have a spare towel somewhere in here, and the bathroom is just through the door.”
He waves his hand in the direction of the only other door in the studio apartment and Jimin feels like that’s a cue to feel comfortable moving about on his own. The door slides open to reveal a pretty small space. It’s clean, though, and it’s not too weird to look around and see Hoseok’s bright yellow toothbrush instead of his purple or Taehyung’s green one.
Jimin is washing his hands when Hoseok knocks on the door, passing over a worn beach towel.
“It’s all I have,” he says apologetically. “Feel free to use whatever, though. We’ve got another forty minutes.”
“Sure,” Jimin says. “Thanks hyung!”
Hoseok ducks out, leaving Jimin to his bathroom and whatever quirks the shower has in store.
-
“So then I hear this shriek and realise I’ve forgotten to tell Jimin that the cockroach in the soap holder is fake and that Namjoon had left it there -”
“I almost died,” complains Jimin but the other’s are laughing and Hoseok is elbowing his side, trying to get him to crack.
There’s a smile at the edge of his mouth but he can’t, won’t stand for this. It’s already unfair, how easily Taehyung and Seokjin and Hoseok get along but for Hoseok to then pull out the embarrassing stories card before Seokjin even knows Jimin’s last name, well. That’s almost rude.
“At least I can get ready without changing outfits three times,” Jimin says. Hoseok mumbles something about how he usually can and pulls at the collar of his jacket.
“I changed four times,” admits Seokjin and Hoseok lets out a short laugh at that. “I think Taehyung’s only seen me in work clothes so I wanted to look good.”
“Exactly,” agrees Hoseok. “There’s nothing wrong with looking good.”
“You look the same as usual,” Jimin says, eyeing Hoseok over, from the fit of his jacket over his shoulders to the leanness of his thighs in dark wash jeans.
“I think you look nice,” Taehyung interjects and now Jimin knows Taehyung’s trying to win Hoseok’s favour.
“Like I said, the same as usual,” repeats Jimin.
Hoseok looks like he might actually blush at that but instead he knocks shoulders with Jimin again, reaching over to steal the last of his fries.
“For that, I’ll buy the popcorn,” Hoseok says.
His words have Seokjin checking his watch and then ushering them all out of the booth towards the cinema. Seokjin had purchased all four tickets online and suggested eating something beforehand and no one said no. Having lunch before the movie means saving money on popcorn and drinks and it let Jimin grill Seokjin. Most importantly, it let Taehyung meet Hoseok and Jimin’s glad his two friends have hit it off fairly well.
It’s Hoseok and Taehyung who go off to buy the snacks and Jimin’s left with Seokjin. He figures now is a good a time as any to talk.
“Hey, uh, Seokjin,” Jimin begins. “I - uh. Taehyung’s my best friend and I just wanted to. Um.”
“You can be comfortable with me,” Seokjin says. “At least, I hope you can. I’m used to Taehyung visiting me at work and my boss threatening to shave my eyebrows if I get distracted again, so whatever you have to say, I’m ready.”
Jimin’s own eyebrows shoot up at that and he sputters a little. “I mean, okay, yeah, he can be a bit annoying at times and he’s really persistent and loud and attention-attracting but Taehyung is nice and smart and my best friend, and I just want to make sure that you’ll, uh. That you’ll be nice to him as well.”
His words started pretty strong but Jimin’s trailed off by the end of it and he has to force himself to look back up at Seokjin, make that eye-contact.
“I will,” is his reply, firm and unwavering. Seokjin smiles at him comfortably and Jimin immediately feels a lot less awkward about how, well, awkward that whole outburst just was.
“Okay, well. Yeah. I mean, you do seem nice,” says Jimin and it’s true.
Seokjin is calming and seems like the kind of guy who can set the mood in a situation. Hoseok’s kind of the same, except maybe more with energy. Jimin’s not sure which he likes more but he can sense that Seokjin is probably good for Taehyung, which is the minimum he’d hoped for.
“Thanks,” replies Seokjin brightly. “I’m glad you like me, especially since Taehyung said how important you were to him. And by the looks of it, he’s giving your boyfriend the same talk you just gave me.”
Jimin’s confused until he sees Taehyung with his back to them, hands on his hips, Hoseok clutching at the food and looking for some sort of escape. Jimin laughs and scratches at the back of his neck.
“I hope I didn’t look as ridiculous as Taehyung does now.”
“Nope,” Seokjin says. “You probably looked more.”
The quip is unexpected enough that Jimin actually laughs and it sets Seokjin off too, the noise catching Taehyung’s attention and allowing Hoseok to escape over to them, passing Jimin the popcorn and still nodding to whatever Taehyung said.
It’s only when they’re settling into their seats that Jimin realises he didn’t mention that Hoseok’s not actually his boyfriend.
-
“I didn’t know you were so bad with horror films, hyung.”
Jimin says this in a low tone, like any loud sound will startle Hoseok back to screeching again. Maybe it will, Jimin genuinely doesn’t know.
They’re seated outside the movie theatre, what’s left of the soda in Hoseok’s right hand, ice melting while they wait for the movie to finish. Jimin took them out halfway through, when Hoseok had stopped watching entirely but kept flinching at every gory slasher sound effect.
“It’s not that I’m bad at watching them,” says Hoseok, voice almost steady. “I just, uh, prefer other genres.”
Jimin says nothing but scoots a bit closer to Hoseok and grabs ahold of his free hand. It’s still clammy but when he squeezes, Hoseok squeezes back, reassurance accepted. They sit like that for a bit longer, sharing sips of the drink and, when Hoseok’s pulse is no longer thrumming, sharing stories, bits and pieces of their lives right now, until Taehyung and Seokjin come out, looking not too much worse for wear.
-
what kind of flowers do you like?
???
you’re not allergic, are you?
Jimin puts on the last playlist Namjoon had created for him, something smoother, more pop and acoustic than rock or rap, and waits for Hoseok to message him back.
It’s been maybe three days since they saw each other for lunch and five since they went out along with Taehyung and Seokjin. It’s probably only been a few hours since the last silly twitter video that Jimin had linked to Hoseok but an idea had crossed his mind so he sent the question off anyway. There’s nothing wrong with messaging others, Jimin figures.
When he thinks about it, they have been messaging more often than usual lately but it’s a mix of exams, more classes and skipped dance sessions that has left most of their friendship to their phones, until they can catch up briefly for lunch or to hang out in the studio after practice. If they do meet for longer, it’s because Namjoon’s finally come out of his cave and wants to prove he’s doing fine, or Seokjin has suggested they go out as a group.
The latter has been happening more often than Jimin could have ever anticipated and he figures that maybe Jungkook was right, and he should get Hoseok flowers. Not that he’d ever admit that it’s Jungkook’s idea. A buzz startles him and Jimin quickly reads through Hoseok’s reply.
i’m not allergic. irises look interesting?
He smiles and starts to search for a nearby flower shop. How hard can it be.
-
“You asked Jungkook for flower delivery services?”
Jimin nods, shoving Taehyung along on the couch so that they can both fit. Exams are finally over and Taehyung’s binging anime but he’s been nice enough to pause while he chews out Jimin.
“You, who freaked out at the idea of asking Jungkook to hang out at the movies?”
“Hey, I just didn’t want to ask him on a date. I’m perfectly fine with hanging out with Jungkook.”
Taehyung narrows his gaze. “You said he was out to get you.”
Jimin sighs, settling into the couch and placing Taehyung’s legs across his lap. He reaches over to grab some chips from Taehyung but he’s holding it just out of reach until Jimin replies.
“Fine,” sighs Jimin. “Okay, he’s not that bad. He’s been pretty nice to me lately and I know he sends flowers home on Parents’ Day. I wanted to send some to Hoseok, alright. That’s all.”
“Hah,” Taehyung says triumphantly, dropping the bag of chips to fist pump in victory. “I knew it.”
Jimin just sighs again and grabs some food, since it’s in reach. “Knew what?”
“I knew Jungkook could win you over once he stopped trying. It’s almost like once he knew you were off the market, he could get over his crush and become a real human around you.”
“Off the market? Crush?” Jimin says, confused.
Taehyung rolls his eyes at Jimin and tucks the food back into his side, the one further from Jimin.
“C’mon, Jimin, not everyone is as obvious as you, but I even said that was his way of showing affection.”
“I thought you meant friendly-affection, not dating-affection,” Jimin says. His voice is a little strained and he’s trying not to overthink Jungkook’s early attitude but he can’t, when everything is cast in a new light.
Taehyung lets him gather his thoughts, just nodding when Jimin’s shoulders drop in either acceptance or defeat. “Like I said, it was there, even if you couldn’t see it.”
Jimin wants to sink into the couch even more or, better, for Taehyung to unpause the episode so they can just watch. He lasts for a minute before he has to look at Taehyung again.
“I’m not off the market,” Jimin says.
“What about Hoseok?”
The weight of Taehyung’s gaze is making him squirm or maybe that’s just Jimin’s insides doing their own thing. He shrugs, trying to keep nonchalant.
“We’re friends and he’s doing me a favour by going on fake dates with me.”
Taehyung’s gaze narrows further. “You bought him flowers.”
“To say thank you,” insists Jimin. “Look, I’d do-”
“You would not send me or Namjoon flowers to say thank you, we both know that.”
Jimin’s now the one who won’t break eye contact, determined to make Taehyung drop the topic. “If you pretended to date me all the time, I would.”
A toe digging into his thigh makes Jimin cry out and grab at Taehyung’s ankles.
“What the hell was that for?”
“Why do you keep pushing this ‘fake’ date thing? Those dates seem pretty real to me - and I’m being honest, because I have to watch you two at it.”
Jimin tightens his grip but Taehyung soldiers on.
“Seokjin thinks you two are dating. He thought you were dating at the first movie date.”
Thinking back on it, Jimin can see why. Jimin feels why, with the way Hoseok will be the one to offer to hold hands now. He feels it with the way Hoseok greets him, a wholehearted hug. He feels it in the way he can recognise Hoseok’s moods now, better than before they’d started all this business. He feels it in so many ways that the feeling has become the problem.
“I get it, okay. I know we look like we’re dating but we’re - we aren’t.” He lets go of Taehyung’s legs, slumps down further on the couch. “Those were all fake dates. Favours. I asked Hoseok for a favour and he’s too nice to say no. Even if I - if I want it to be real, Hoseok sees them as something he has to do for me.”
Taehyung kicks him again. “What the hell does that even mean, Park Jimin.”
Jimin sniffs, making sure his voice won’t waver when he speaks. “It means that I like him but he doesn’t like me and I’m too stupid to say anything or to stop.”
It’s the feeling of Taehyung shifting, wrapping an arm around him that gets Jimin to really break his mask of calm, curling up a bit so that he doesn’t have to look at Taehyung.
“Listen to me,” Taehyung says, like Jimin has a choice. “Hoseok is nice but not that nice. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t do that kind of stuff for Namjoon or Donghyuk or any of his friends.”
“The fake dates -” interjects Jimin.
“You go out. Who pays?”
Jimin makes a confused face. “Both of us? I don’t keep track.”
Taehyung soldiers on. “Do you enjoy yourself? Does he ever invite you out too?”
“Yeah, I guess. And like, as friends, we hang out.”
“But it’s just the two of you. Sometimes you go out to eat. Sometimes he takes you to the movies. I know, because you’ve told me.”
Jimin can already see where Taehyung is going but can’t seem to find words.
“What made it fake? How is any of that fake, apart from you calling it that?”
Slowly, Jimin uncurls from himself and into Taehyung’s offered hug. It feels a lot better than moping about it himself but the idea that Hoseok might - emphasis might - actually be going on dates with him properly is a lot to handle, and Jimin had just thought it was too easy to be true.
“You’re right,” mumbles Jimin against Taehyung’s neck and his best friend laughs, the sound vibrating through them both.
“Of course, I am. So go and ask him, properly, to date you. It’s not that hard, Jimin.”
Jimin nods, the set of his mouth getting more resolute. “I should just ask him to date me.”
“That’s what I just said.”
“I mean, he’s already my friend. I like him and it’s just going to be weird if I don’t say anything - I should just say it.”
He sits up straight, almost upending Taehyung as he does so, and starts looking around for his keys, wallet and phone. Taehyung is tracking him with his gaze but Jimin doesn’t really care, not when he has so much he could gain - or lose. Scratch that last bit. There’s so much to gain. Jimin puts his shoes on and turns to face Taehyung head on.
“How do I look?”
“Perfect, now go. Seriously.”
Jimin smiles, his revelation shifting his mood from morose to hopeful and Taehyung’s supportive words mean Jimin’s out the door before his friend has even turned back to the TV.
-
Hoseok’s place is the same as it always is, except this time Hoseok’s dragged the blankets to the door with him, clearly fresh from a mid-afternoon nap. When he sees who it is, though, he perks up considerably.
“Ah, Jimin, hey. Uh, come in, I guess. Did I forget you were coming over?”
Oh. There had to be something Jimin forgot.
“No, sorry,” apologises Jimin. “I forgot to message, I woke you, didn’t I?”
“I don’t mind,” Hoseok says, not denying it. He sits down on his couch and Jimin is tempted to sit next to him but he knows he shouldn’t. He needs to do this standing, with his full breath and with the chance to leave quickly if it gets awkward fast. “So, what is it?”
Hoseok’s question puts him on the spot and it’s only rehearsing the whole trip here that lets the words fall of his tongue in some sort of order.
“I like you. Really like you, in a romantic way. I think you know that because we talked and I said I was obvious with my feelings and you said you weren’t. I don’t know how you feel then but I do know you don’t mind going on dates with me and I like going on dates with you, so I was wondering if you wanted to do that properly. For real.”
When he stops for breath, Hoseok is still looking at him. His eyes are still sort of sleep-logged but he’s blinking it away and swallowing. Maybe he’s looking for words and Jimin discovers so more, hidden in his own throat.
“Hoseok, hyung, I know I’ve been pretty bad at this. I kept calling them fake dates in my head but Taehyung pointed out that they’ve been pretty real and I figured that at least if you don’t actually like me, I’ve said this much and -”
“I like you too.”
Hoseok interrupts him, the words more than enough to grab Jimin and get him to stop the flow of words.
“Jimin, I like you too,” Hoseok smiles. “I’m glad you’ve sorted out your feelings and I guess it’s time for me to be more obvious about mine. I kind of thought I was, since we’ve gone on so many dates but just to be clear -” and he clears his throat, “- I like you, Park Jimin. I would like to date you properly, for real. That would be great.”
“Oh,” says Jimin. “Well. That’s great then. That’s. Awesome. That’s - wait, really?”
Standing up, Hoseok leaves the blanket on the couch, and walks over to Jimin, taking his face in his hands. He pauses, gives Jimin the chance to back out before move in to kiss him on the lips, soft but sure.
“Really. This is real.”
It’s all Jimin needs to close that gap again, kiss Hoseok and fall into something like love.