lovestrippedbare | Entries tagged with hoseok

When Jungkook can joined his band of hyungs a little over a year ago, Hoseok was one of the first that he had taken to spending a lot of time with. Even though he knew that Hoseok didn't necessarily think of it in the same way, there was something freeing about the fact that Hoseok wasn't beholden to any specific adults — that he had his own place, however small, where every decision was his to make. And even outside of the backdrop of his apartment, Hoseok always had a smile and a kind word to give, never giving Jungkook the impression that he was judging anyone in the slightest.

Being around Hoseok was comfortable, like having a true older brother.

It's only now that Jungkook realizes it's been weeks since he last spent time alone with Hoseok, caught up as he's been with the flush of a new relationship. He asks for his mom to pack him several extra kimbap, noting that he plans to visit Hoseok at the dance studio, and immediately his mother goes overboard packing a bunch of banchan, all the sides that Hoseok likes best. For good measure, he packs a couple bottles of Sprite too.

To be honest, dancing itself isn't the biggest thing on Jungkook's mind — his stomach flutters with the indecision of whether or not bring up the fact that Yoongi's told him about the shared kisses, the shared intimacy over the phone. It doesn't feel strictly necessary, but Jungkook hates the feel of it hanging over his head, ignored and unacknowledged.

Maybe a natural opportunity will come up, he thinks to himself.

For now, he rushes over to the room where Hoseok teaches, having arrived well before the first wave of students. Peeking through the door with a smile, Jungkook raps on the wood.

"Hyung!"

Ever since starting high school, Jungkook finds himself constantly searching for more opportunities to escape the house after class. He doesn't hate being home — he couldn't, when his mother is always there to welcome him with an embrace for her youngest, the only son she's had since birth. But there are times when returning to his home feels suffocating. When his stepfather's eyes watch too closely, looking for any trace of a misstep. When his stepbrother's feet always seem to be in the wrong place, jutting out enough to send him stumbling down the stairs, or tripping into a wall.

Home is a place where he needs to tread carefully, where the line between a safe haven and bruising can be so hard to spot.

Jungkook takes his time gathering his books and workbooks, carefully slipping them into his backpack, making sure none of the pages crease. From one of his ears hangs an earbud, playing quiet piano melodies. The music is his shield as he pads quietly through the house, rummaging through the fridge and pantry, pulling out ingredients that shouldn't be missed. He's not taking any of the nice meat. It isn't that Jungkook doesn't want to bring the best for Hoseok, but there's only so much he feels that he can take when he doesn't contribute to the household income.

And he would never want to leave his parents with the impression that any of his friends are leeching off their generosity.

"Mom," he murmurs, peeking his head into the living room. Finding her seated alone on the recliner, Jungkook bounds forward with a brighter smile, quickly pressing a kiss to her cheek, skin soft and warm.

"Aigoo," she breathes, brightening immediately. Subconsciously, Jungkook raises the collar of his shirt higher over his neck, hiding a small bruise from where his hyung hit his collarbone. His mother's hands slide over either cheek, pushing them together. "Jungkook-ah, you finally have time for your mother?"

His chest squeezes. "I always have time for mom," he replies, stomach twisting with guilt. "But I was planning to have dinner at Hoseokie hyung's tonight. He's going to help me with my studies. I'm just bringing a few things for budae jjigae." Jungkook raises his hand, the plastic bag rustling.

Mother's lips freeze for a moment, then soften again into that same smile. "Ah, I see. Yes, Hoseok is so good to our Jungkook, helping you with your homework even when he's juggling a job with his own studies. Go, go. Say hello to him for me, and take some of the extra banchan in the fridge."

Jungkook quickly presses another kiss to his mother's cheek. There are more wrinkles there now, he thinks, than there were a couple of years ago. "I will. He loves your banchan, mom. He always says he can't thank you enough."

"Don't be ridiculous," she chuckles, patting his shoulder. "Go. Be back before it's too dark."

It's not a promise that will be easy to keep, Jungkook thinks to himself, frowning at the way the sun's already dipping below the horizon when he arrives at Hoseok's doorstep. But perhaps her words were more sentiment than true suggestion. He's not sure how much he'll really be missed, even if he returns after everyone else has gone to bed.

"Hyung," he calls softly to avoid disturbing the neighbors, his knuckles rapping gently on the door. "Hyung, it's Jungkook."

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