Perplexing Simplicities

episode [(fifty-three)]

It's now about three minutes later and neither of them has said a word.

Hoseok points at a plant store and asks, "Do you like plants?"

Yoongi grunts.

Hoseok hesitates and turns to Yoongi skeptically. "Did I freak you out?" He asks, swaying their intertwined hands ever so slightly and forcing Yoongi to semi-face him.

Yoongi shrugs, mumbles a quick, "What would have possibly freaked me out?" and tries to make a move for the entrance of the plant store.

Hoseok hauls him back by the hand and gives him a look.

What is Yoongi supposed to say, yes? Because Hoseok has had way more time to process this, and he thought he'd been dating Yoongi for like, months... or whatever and maybe Yoongi needs a little fucking time too. No, he could actually say that. He's about to open his mouth when Hoseok answers for him.

"Look I know you probably need a little time or whatever to come to terms with..." he gestures around with his free hand, "all this. I definitely did." He kind of trails off there and just examines Yoongi's reaction.

Yoongi is a fucking legend at the poker face but he nods gently so Hoseok knows he's actually listening. "Yeah, that would be... yes. I need that." Is all he says, and then Hoseok nods back and smiles.

"Well, that said, let me know when you need a second." He hesitates and then glances and half gestures at their hands, "Or when you need me to not do something."

Yoongi hesitates too, and glances between Hoseok's curiously waiting face and their hands. "This is..." he wants to run away, it's so fucking embarrassing, why is it so embarrassing? Why? "I like this. It's good."

He can swear the blush is going to completely consume his head and just swallow him whole. Why couldn't he have just said, "no it's fine, don't worry," or even "I'm okay." He could have remained completely silent and just kept walking, holding Hoseok's hand so Hoseok would be forced to assume it was okay. Idiot he's a fucking idiot.

I like this. It's good.

Yoongi grimaces deeply and tugs Hoseok so hard into the plant store that he trips right into him and they basically fall into the store, Yoongi catching them at the last second.

"Sorry." He mumbles and Hoseok stares down at him with the fondest little bewildered smile. Yoongi tries not to focus on it too much, he's pretty sure that smile is causing his allergic reaction.

They don't say anything else as they wordlessly stroll the isles, making comments here and there, little "I like this one," or "that's such a nice green," and when they stop to stare at a particularly lovely fern, Hoseok rests his chin on Yoongi's shoulder. Yoongi thinks his heart might just skeeter right up out of his throat.

"I'm kind of hungry," Hoseok murmurs which expectantly causes Yoongi to glance down at him, from where he looks up with the largest doe eyes and slight pout on his lips. They're faces are so close and Yoongi is a little star-struck.

When he finally collects himself, he turns slightly and squeezes Hoseok's hand, pulling him around and in front of him and gently pushes him towards the door. "You should have said something."

Hoseok chuckles and they find themselves back on the street. "Where do you want to go?"

Yoongi roles his eyes, "You're the one who's hungry, you decide. It's my treat."

Hoseok frowns and Yoongi knows he's about to argue so he quickly points across the street, "How about cheesy tteokbokki?"

Hoseok nods with a slight shrug and seems to completely forget about payment as he pulls Yoongi across the street towards the vendor.