Perplexing Simplicities

episode㊲

The next day, Jimin left.

The trio of hurt kittens, {Hobi, JK and Tae} send him off with sad waves and silently uttered 'we'll miss you's'.

It was the Thursday, 4 days before Christmas and with Jimin gone, they all had frankly no idea what to do with themselves. It really shouldn't have changed so much considering Hoseok was always out, Tae and Jimin were fighting and Jungkook refused to talk to anyone, much, other than Hoseok when they would catch each other's eyes and silently leave for the studio (which still, no one knew about.)

But, oddly enough, it did.

In the mornings they'd fumble around sleepily, exchanging confused looks, like "who's going to make breakfast?" "where am I?" "who am I?" because with a missing part, the smooth-running machine that had become so accustomed to Jimin's presence, was stalling.

So, when Jungkook once again eye begs that they escape to the studio, it's only a matter of seconds before they're calling hasty goodbyes to a still sleepy Tae.

"I don't understand why you can't just tell them we're doing this..."

Jungkook sighs and tightens his grip on the handlebar that hangs from the ceiling of the bus. "Of course you don't."

Hoseok gives him an annoyed eye. "Awfully sassy today, aren't we?"

Jungkook sighs again and turns defeated to Hoseok. "I'm sorry, it's just, they wouldn't understand either okay? They'd understand even less why I'm doing this and they wouldn't be okay with me skipping classes or not telling my parents or mooching off of you who I technically should be paying." Jungkook sighs for what feels like the hundredth time that morning and Hoseok just silently comforts him with a pat on his back. "Okay, okay, that's semi-fair. Still not okay with the lying though..." He frowns, "or the skipping classes. Come to think of it how many classes have you been skipping exactly?"

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "Not that many. And trust me, if I weren't with you, I'd be doing other things they'd approve of even less so... really you're being the perfect guardian."

He gives Hoseok a cheeky grin that Hoseok can't deny and they both laugh it off, talking and chatting as they head down to the studio they've come to love.

They spend most of their morning there, taking a break for lunch and while they pretend to be avoiding their troubles during these little sessions, seem to end up discussing their love lives' like always.

"So... have you talked to Yoongi since the night you slept over?"

Hoseok winces at the mention just slightly. "Uh no. I ran into him that night though... He seemed so... off. I don't know. I have no idea anymore. I think I'm going to move to Bali and become an exotic dancer."

Jungkook laughs. "I might come with you at this rate."

They sit outside a small café eating sandwiches and sodas and watching the daily traffic flow. It's a surprisingly clear day considering all the snow they'd been getting. Still fucking cold, but they were used to it.

"Do you think Jimin's having fun with his moms?"

Hoseok shrugs sadly and gulps down another bite. "Probably."

Jungkook gazes forlornly at his food and drops the half sandwich. "God. I have to see my parents this weekend."

Hoseok looks up, eyes wide. "Seriously? How long has it been?"

"Not long enough," Jungkook moans into his hands, messing up his hair. "They want to see me before Christmas if I'm going to spend it with you guys. They actually haven't reached out in a while... I would try and get out of it, but it's better if I just get it over with."

Hoseok shakes his head sympathetically and pats his shoulder. "You'll be fine Kook." They're both quiet for a bit before Hoseok adds, "Hey, we'll be going together at least! I have to see my dad this weekend too."

Jungkook looks up and grabs his drink. "Really? You never talk about your family..."

Hoseok shrugs. "Not much to tell... Parents are divorced, mom remarried, dad never got over it... Stupid stuff. I try to visit him every once in a while, so he doesn't get lonely."

Jungkook's eyes grow really big as he listens to Hoseok talk and he pouts. "That's nice, Hoseok."

Hoseok laughs and shakes it off, "Yeah well, got nothing else to do, huh?"

Jungkook nods quietly, a smile playing at his lips, and raises his bottle, "To nothing to do!"

They both laugh, "Cheers to that!"

It's a while before they decide the cold is going to claim their toes and start heading back for the studio, Hoseok rambling on to Jungkook about Yoongi's smile because their conversations have once more dissolved into: this

"I'm telling you, it's like nothing you've ever seen."

"Please! I have to deal with Tae's smile and on top of it, Jimin seeing it and smiling and giggling and-"

"No, look, Yoongi's goes like this," Hoseok reaches for his face and forgets he's wearing gloves, "Shit. Well, it's really fucking cute okay?"

Jungkook laughs, "Yeah yeah okay. His smile is kind of the cutest thing ever."

Hoseok stops and glares at Jungkook. "Have you been looking at his smile?!"

"I- You? What?"

"Don't!" Hoseok shoves his hands in his pockets. "It's my smile."

They keep walking and Jungkook just stares at Hoseok trying to figure out how someone can get so freaking possessive over a man he refuses to date.

"Hey look!"

Hoseok glares at him, and then remembers he's being stupid and stops. "What?"

"The-The flyer! Studio for lease?!"

They're standing in front of an empty store-front. All clear windows and pale wood floors and wall mirrors on the inside. Hoseok stands in awe for a second. "H-Holy Shit."

He turns to Jungkook and they both fling themselves towards the posted notice. "Holy shit Kook, oh my god!"

Hobi skims it eagerly, "Leasing, 6-month contract... single room, call- *** *** ****"

Hoseok heart is pounding uncontrollably. Honestly money wasn't even a problem anymore, he just needed to find an actual building someone was willing to give him.

And here it was.

"Hyung, should we call?"

Hoseok bites back a scream and nods eagerly, "Yeah! Yeah, let's call."

By the time Jungkook and Hoseok get back to the café they're nearly bouncing through the door, and both engulf Tae in a spinning circle hug of joy.

It's been weeks of misery, and hopelessness, and being turned away and for once Hoseok feels like life has given him a damn break.

And all he can think about is how he wants to tell Yoongi. 

And how afraid he is of how he'll react.