lovestrippedbare | 𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕠

When Yoongi takes the lead, Jungkook lets himself linger a half-step back, more than happy to have Yoongi figure out the best path to their destination. There's a certain comfort that comes from being led, from being able to put his faith and trust into Yoongi's judgment. There are so many walks of life where Jungkook has felt forced into wading the waters himself, but at least while he's with Yoongi, journeys can be taken side by side. Time is never fully lost when they're in each other's company.

"Don't they? They sound like they'd be nice and warm... ah, I wanna try the really spicy ones, I've heard they don't hold back with the spice as much here as they do in Seoul," Jungkook grins, closing his eyes as a breeze blows down the street, weaving through his hair. "And the seafood's probably better overall, right? Because we're basically right on the ocean. We should make the most of that while we're here. I wanna eat lots of crab."

Yoongi laughs. "Crab and the spiciest fish cakes we can find," he says. "You got it." Those shouldn't be hard to find in a seaside city like this. All they have to do is follow the road and follow the map — eventually, follow their noses to the source of the delicious seafood smells. There's salt in the air, reminding him faintly of trips to the beach, the seven of them piled into Jin's truck and driving down to the ocean.

He's been saving carefully, money split into two funds, one for Busan and one for if they ever need to run. There's enough there he doesn't feel bad about the idea of just splurging all weekend, showering Jungkook with whatever he wants, as much as he possibly can. It may be his birthday, but what makes Jungkook happy makes him happy. That seems like present enough.

Glancing at the map on his phone, he takes another turn. "And yeah, it should be nice and fresh. Ah, now I'm getting hungry again."

When the request is parroted back, Jungkook finds himself laughing at the ridiculousness of how it sounds — the two of them venturing all the way to Busan and moseying around in search of fish cakes and crab — but maybe that's part of the magic of this trip, Jungkook thinks. It doesn't have to be some grand gesture, it doesn't have to be the type of trip one watches in dramas or movies. Even here, what makes the trip magical is how easy it is for them to be with one another, to show themselves as they are without any pretense.

He steps a little closer, grabbing on tightly to Yoongi's arm, subconsciously focused on matching Yoongi's gait.

"Getting hungry is good. Means we made the right choice," Jungkook chirps in response, turning as Yoongi tugs him along. He licks his lips, grinning to himself as a thought strikes him, cheeks deepening to a dusty pink. "Because even if I filled you up, it wouldn't do much for your stomach."

Yoongi laughs, head tipping back. When they're in bed, saying such things comes easily, but outside the room, it's still a surprise to hear how dirty Jungkook can be when no one else is listening. "I don't think I'd mind," he says. "I like that too much to worry about my stomach. But, ah, you're probably right."

Besides, as much as those words spark desire, he really is hungry, and they came to Busan to see the city, not just hole up in a motel. They'll have all night for that, no need to worry if they're being too loud. It's the best of both worlds, all he could ask for for his birthday.

"Later, though," he says, grinning. "Definitely later."

For now, he takes in the sight of the city around them, scanning street signs to determine they're headed the right way.

Maybe he should have expected a positive answer — he probably should have — but hearing Yoongi make the promise of intimacy later in the evening sends an immediate shiver down Jungkook's spine. His gaze lingers on Yoongi's smile for an extended moment, on the way his eyes narrow when he laughs, and it suddenly requires a lot of self-restraint to keep himself from sweeping Yoongi into some hidden corner for a kiss.

Jungkook settles instead for stroking his thumb over the contour of Yoongi's palm, then rubbing down the center, following palm lines and wondering what stories they'd tell to a reader.

It doesn't take too long before the sudden appearance of colorful overhangs, little tendrils of smoke and steam rising in the air from the carts of food vendors, and the inviting scent of oil, chili paste, and seafood mingled together.

"Ah, let's take a look here," Jungkook ushers Yoongi excitedly. "Tell me if anything looks really good to you."

Yoongi loves holding Jungkook's hand, loves the warmth, the closeness, the constant reminder of his presence, the gentle touches. Nothing seems entirely impossible when Jungkook is next to him. Even a hand becomes something precious to explore when it's the two of them together.

He's mastered taking pictures one-handed as a result, swiping the map app closed in favor of the camera to get a quick shot of the myriad bright colors of the food stalls. Then he drops his phone back into his pocket, eyeing the food.

"Can I say everything?" he asks. "It all looks good. I don't even know where to start."

For a moment, Jungkook's tempted to pull out his own phone for pictures, but something holds him back — maybe it's the expression Yoongi wears as he captures the moment, eyes roving over the stalls and searching for the right composition. There will be time for him to take photos later, Jungkook's sure, but for now it's nice to switch things up from the usual dynamic.

As soon as Yoongi puts his phone away, Jungkook leans in and presses another quick peck to Yoongi's cheek, before quickly pulling away and glancing across the stalls.

"Everything isn't a bad idea, but we gotta prioritize," Jungkook laughs, tugging Yoongi along and taking the lead, heading directly to a long cart of fish cakes bobbing in broth. "You can handle your spice, right?"

Everything's a little clumsier when he holds onto Yoongi's hand, but Jungkook forges ahead nonetheless, grabbing a small cup and filling it with a bit of soy sauce, a bit of chili oil, then reaching for one of the sticks marked with red tape.

Yoongi arches an eyebrow at him, watching as he gathers the food. "Of course I can handle my spice," he says. "Bring it on." Starting with fishcakes seems like a perfect idea, his stomach rumbling as he takes in the fragrant scent wafting up from the stall. It's ridiculous when they ate not that long ago, but at least it means he has room for all the delicious food on this street.

He's loathe to let go of Jungkook's hand, but he does, reaching for a cup to fill with broth. They can't get food, pay, or even eat if they're holding hands.

Well, no, he thinks, they'd figure it out. They've managed before. It's just easier this way. It leaves him unencumbered enough to pay the nice woman running the stall, too, before looking around for somewhere they won't be in the way as they eat.

There's a momentary feeling of loss when Yoongi's hand slips away from Jungkook's, though he gets over the disappointment quickly — it is easier to navigate the stall and the food vendors with the use of both hands, after all. It's early enough in the afternoon that Jungkook spots a relatively clear space by a hidden alley, presumably used to help wheel out ingredients and supplies. He wanders there and stops by the opening, nodding for Yoongi to follow as he tips the end of his fishcake in his cup.

"Say ahh," Jungkook instructs, smiling to himself. Chances are that he should have waited for Yoongi to grab his cup first so that he could follow suit with broth instead of soy sauce, but that miss isn't enough to dissuade Jungkook from wanting to feed Yoongi, to indulge in the little freedoms that they can grab as a couple.

Only once Yoongi's had a bite does Jungkook grab one of his own, tilting his head to and fro with excitement. It tastes so much more freshly made than what they typically find in Seoul, heavy with all the broth the cake soaked up.

Yoongi almost can't eat for laughing, both at the way Jungkook tells him what to do and how adorable he looks after he takes his own bite, so giddy and eager he's almost childlike. "Mm, that's good," he says, nodding. The flavor is bolder than at home, the freshness of the well-spiced fish complemented by the chili oil, and he closes his eyes to savor it for a moment — not just the food, all of it. Huddling close to Jungkook, the warmth of a body close to his, the faint hint of ocean salt in the air, the sound of hawkers and customers chattering up and down the street. It's all so vibrant. And they get to be here as a couple, not free of social rules, but far enough from home not to care much about that.

"Definitely the right choice to get the spicy one." He grins and leans over, snapping his teeth playfully at Jungkook as he takes the stick to dip into the soy sauce again.

"Everything's better with more gochu," Jungkook confirms, laughing as Yoongi bites through the air and easily relinquishing the stick. With his attention momentarily freed, he leans back slightly to get a look down the alley again, watching the aunties and grandmothers seated at tables, waiting to flag any passersby down for a bowl of noodles. Jungkook finds that markets are always comforting in a way — far from the pressures of school and work, where the most concerning matter is what food one wants to stuff their stomach with.

He could lose himself forever in a place like this, he thinks. Not that he minds Seoul necessarily, but there's something romantic about being a little further away from the city, too. Maybe next time, they should head out to the countryside, Jungkook thinks — where there isn't a single high-rise in sight.

"You gonna save any for me?" he teases, leaning back in and echoing Yoongi's earlier biting motion, just barely scraping against the curve of his cheek.

Yoongi turns his head to look at Jungkook, eyes bright with amusement, close enough he could lean in and kiss him. He wants to. Even tucked away to the side like this, though, they're not completely hidden from view. It's probably not the best idea.

"No," he says lightly, and presses a quick kiss to his lips anyway. His heart is racing, though the danger is relatively minimal. What's going to happen, some auntie decides to chase them off? No one will see them here. Most of them would probably just think they imagined it anyway, and they're all busy working and chattering away to each other. No, there's hardly any risk, and still, Yoongi's heart pounds with excitement, his smile a measure smug. There may be hardly any danger in what he's done, but it still feels like he's gotten away with something. He holds up the stick to offer to Jungkook. "Fine, I guess you can have some more."

In one moment, all of the teasing disappears from Jungkook's expression. He blinks, surprised by the contact and suddenly transfixed, instinctively bringing one hand back to his chest to curl in the fabric of his coat. The kiss wasn't one that he expected, and his heart races now from nerves and excitement and love, warmth seeming to shoot out to every last fingertip as his face splits with a smile again.

This is one of many times, Jungkook thinks, that he can definitively say he's fallen in love with Yoongi all over again.

"If you're not careful," Jungkook warns in an undertone, "I might end up having some of you instead." In contrast with the words, he leans forward and scrunches his nose as he takes another bite of the fish cake, less searing hot than it was before, and chews with satisfaction.

He's so cute like that, Yoongi thinks. The way he wrinkles up his nose — no wonder the other kids used to say he was a rabbit. He looks just like one, nose scrunching, munching away at the fish cake like he's so pleased with himself. Absolutely adorable and entirely irresistible.

"How did you get to be so bad at threats?" Yoongi asks, voice hushed, shaking his head. "Why is your default threat, 'Be careful, I might give you a blowjob'? You only encourage me."

He glances around and, as if to prove his point, leans in for another quick kiss.

Jungkook lets out a small noise against the kiss, leaning forward when Yoongi threatens to lean back, chasing after just a little more contact. With some fish cake still tucked away in his cheek, he can't exactly deepen the kiss in the way that he wants, but the contact is enough to set his mind wandering. It can't be completely unexpected, Jungkook thinks. They're young, still early in their relationship, now with an entire weekend and city all to themselves.

"Maybe it's because you're always on my mind," Jungkook murmurs, nearly pressing their foreheads together as he keeps his voice in an undertone. "I told you before, right? I get distracted during class... get distracted when I'm home alone. I can't help it if you're so hot that I'm basically horny all of the time. Nope. Can't be blamed for that."

With a grin, Jungkook snatches the stick and pulls off the remainder of the fish cake, walking out to the main alley and searching for the next stall to visit.

"Gguk-ah," Yoongi exclaims, hurrying after him. Pulling up alongside him, he swats at Jungkook's ass, but he can't quite manage to pull his face into the scowl he intends. It's impossible to hear such things and not get a little riled up, but Yoongi is all too aware that they're back on a busy street, surrounded by aunties who, while they've probably seen plenty, would undoubtedly be shocked all the same if they knew what the two of them were whispering about.

It's a hurdle, but he likes it, too, admittedly.

"You can be, I'm blaming you right now. You can't just say these things." Not and leave him hanging like this. They've got hours before they head back to the hotel, he's sure, and he has to spend them with these thoughts dancing around his head.

"Ooh, and here I thought I left you off pretty easy," Jungkook snickers, rubbing a hand over the spot that Yoongi smacked. Maybe it's the backdrop of Busan that emboldens him, far away from anyone they know, or maybe it's simply the passage of time that makes Jungkook lean further and further into this relationship, unwilling to hold back all of the love and sentiment he feels for Yoongi. Whatever the reason, his eyes shine wickedly now, Jungkook leaning in to make sure no one else overhears, that no one can glance over and read his lips.

"I wondered earlier if there was anything we could get away with on the train. You know, when our trays were down and everything," he murmurs, meeting Yoongi's gaze as he bites at his lower lip, grinning before leaning back and scrambling away again, lest Yoongi spank him again.

Jungkook rushes ahead, seeking the shelter of a busy queue lined up around a hotteok vendor, the smell of frying dough wafting through the air.

Yoongi gapes at him for a moment before hurrying to catch up. Perhaps it's true; compared to that image, Jungkook did let him off light a minute or two ago. The coquettish smile, the way he bites his lip — Yoongi can hardly believe sometimes how easily he's undone.

"Aish, such an exhibitionist," he murmurs once he's back at Jungkook's side, brow lifting. He can't fault him. Maybe it's just the nature of their relationship, of having to hide all the time, that makes flirting with getting caught so exciting. He's perhaps overly cautious when they're out in Seoul, but here, where no one knows them, it's hard to care very much if they scandalize anyone. "And yet you didn't tell me so we could try." He clucks his tongue in feigned disappointment.

"I decided that I didn't want to risk getting arrested before our perfect weekend," Jungkook snickers, inordinately pleased with himself for having dipped a little bit into scandal, even if it's only conceptual for now. Even though Jungkook knows that he'd prefer to live in a world where their relationship was accepted, sometimes he can't help but lean into the forbidden aspect, trying to tease what fun out of it that he can. Little, harmless fantasies, sometimes set out in public, but more often about their usual haunts. The classroom, most of all.

"But, you know," Jungkook adds, pivoting from side to side with a gently lifted brow. "If you'd be up for that kind of challenge. There's always the train ride back." He glances to either side, surveying the area. "Always some public bathrooms... and I wonder how many people really walk the beaches at night..."

Yoongi laughs, brow arching, wanting to pretend to be scandalized and not able to manage it. "You can't just call it a challenge," he says, "and not expect me to do it." He can't help it if he's sort of competitive. He likes to prove he can do anything. It's not his best quality, he thinks, but he likes to win. Sometimes that comes in handy.

He licks his lips thoughtfully, stepping forward as the line moves ahead of them. The beach seems like a terrible idea; sand gets everywhere. Other places, though — Jungkook is irresistible and there's always a thrill to be found in risky situations, like they're almost daring the world to find them. He never would have thought bathrooms could be as exciting as they are before all this, but when it's one of the only places at school where they can escape into each other's arms...

Jungkook had a point earlier, he thinks. When his boyfriend's this hot, how can he help being turned on all the time?

"Mm, this smells good."

"Maybe that was my plan all along," Jungkook remarks, wiggling his butt as they stand in line, his eyes already roving and scouting for different areas where they might be able to hide out. Most public bathrooms by the immediate market area probably aren't great, seeing far too much foot traffic from tourists. But surely, somewhere along their walk to the beach, there might be a place where they can step inside without drawing too much attention.

His face flushes at the thought, and Jungkook can't help tilting his head back and laughing just a bit. Even if they don't end up sneaking away at all, just the exercise of imagining it alone leaves him giddy. He wraps an arm around Yoongi's, pulling him closer as they stand together in line.

"It does smell good, doesn't it? I really like hotteok back home, but these look really interesting too. Look, it's just so many seeds! And the dough looks pretty thin," muses Jungkook, watching as the auntie shovels seeds into each split hotteok.

Yoongi shakes his head, huffing out a quiet laugh. Even like this, talking about such things, Jungkook is adorable. If Yoongi had his way, he'd just pull him close and hold him, tangled up and inseparable even standing in line. He settles for resting his hand atop Jungkook's, glancing over with a smile. He can't even tease him for being insatiable when he knows he's just as bad.

He wonders briefly if they're being too obvious anyway, if people looking over will see how they cling to each other and know they're a couple. Here, though, far from home, he doesn't care.

The hotteok looks different from the kind they get or make at home, but that only piques his interest. "Well, I guess trying different things is part of traveling, right?" he says, stepping forward to order as the line disappears from before them.

"You're not going to pay for everything on this trip, you know," Jungkook pipes up before Yoongi can pull out his wallet, nudging him with his shoulder before getting out some cash of his own. Normally, Jungkook is fairly content to let elders step in and pay — with exceptions made for Namjoon and Hoseok, who don't have allowances to fall back on — but one of the things that he appreciates about his relationship with Yoongi is that it feels fairly even. They feel like equal partners, more so than they did prior to dating, and it's a dynamic that Jungkook finds himself loving.

"But yeah, I feel like food's probably one of the things I'm most interested in when I travel," Jungkook muses, handing off the cash to the auntie and waiting for their hotteoks to be stuffed into little traveling cups. "Plus places that are great to take pictures of. The pictures help preserve the memories, and the food is like. Like getting a glimpse of what people's lives are like, I guess."

Yoongi's mouth twists, a laugh barely suppressed. Of course he couldn't get away with paying again. It won't stop him from trying; he can't help it if he likes taking care of Jungkook. But he likes this, too, the back and forth, if only because it reminds him that, one day, almost all of their expenses will be shared. Things like that, even thinking of finances, all the mundane details of a life ahead of them, they excite him. In a way, it's like he's just waiting to be able to go home.

There's a lot to be said for the present, though — for seed-stuffed hotteok handed across to them and Jungkook's musings. Yoongi bows his head to the auntie as he takes his hotteok, ushering Jungkook off to the side. "Yeah, a literal taste of their lives," he says. "And it's just interesting how different things are from place to place." He blows gently across the hotteok, watching steam rise off of it, and smiles. "The beach will be perfect for your photos."

"Yeah, makes you wonder what caused all those changes. Like, was it someone influential around Busan who decided that they just really like seeds? Or, you know, do they just grow and sell a lot of seeds here? Things like that. Lots of the time I never even look up the real answer, but," Jungkook laughs, hovering over his hotteok and giving it another sniff, enjoying the way the scent of the seeds manages to permeate even the heavy scent of oil. He glances up at Yoongi, waiting for him to take the first bite, knowing that if Jungkook tried now, he'd probably burn his tongue.

In the meantime, he takes some steps back in the opposite direction, considering what food they might want to line up for next. Maybe ddeokbokki, he thinks to himself, spotting another quickly growing line.

"The beach will be great, that's for sure. But I think I'm even more excited about getting to take pictures of you," Jungkook confesses with a grin. "I'm the only one who gets to see Min Yoongi on his birthday this year. I wanna remember that."

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