22-Sing Now, Murder Later
The weekend always went far too quick, and the grind of classes and practice and other activities started again the next day. Jimin had told everyone else at dinner the night before about what had happened with Jungkook, and he had been pretty accurate about the reactions he got. Especially from Yoongi, who was dumbfounded despite hearing about what Jungkook had said. Namjoon and Jin didn't say much, but Jin's smile was enough, Jimin knew the eldest was happy for him. Now that everyone knew, things could go back to normal. Or as close to normal as it got for them.
"Are you sticking around for a bit?" Yoongi asked over his shoulder as he sent a text on his phone.
"Yeah, I'm exhausted," Jimin said, stretched out on the couch in the studio like a cat. "I don't think I'm going to move for a while I'm so sore."
"I told you you were going to hurt yourself in here," Yoongi shook his head. "Listen to your hyung once in a while."
"Yes sir," Jimin saluted as he closed his eyes and rested. "Telling Taehyung where you are?"
"Yeah, he'll be here soon," Yoongi nodded, smirking at the answering ping.
On the other end of the text, Taehyung grinned down at his phone for a moment, rereading the messages before tucking his phone back into his pocket. "Sorry eomma, Namjoon hyung, I'm gonna go meet Yoongi in the studio. His class must have finished." He checked the snacks in his backpack to make sure he had enough for himself and Yoongi if the older man was hungry. With an early class, he probably was.
Maybe he'd like coffee too, he was probably falling asleep on the mixing board.
Sipping at his coffee, Jin watched Taehyung with a suspicious eye. He hadn't been able to get the kid alone for a second to ask how his talk with Yoongi had gone, too many other things kept coming up. He blinked a little, frowning at what Taehyung said. "Yoongi doesn't have a class on Monday, all his classes are on Thursday."
"Hm?" Taehyung blinked, looking up at Jin. "But he had a Monday morning class in the first week." He was sure he remembered that being a thing.
Namjoon looked up from his textbook. "That was an orientation class for his lab. They only have class once a month, to check in on the students' progress."
Taehyung scratched his head, looking confused. "So why did he leave so early this morning?" Before Taehyung had woken up, even. Yoongi loved his sleep.
"You said he was at the studio, so maybe he had some work to do," Jin said. "Maybe he didn't get as much work done this weekend as he would have liked."
Taehyung nodded at that. Made sense. It was rather hard for Yoongi to get any work done during the day too, with people constantly popping in and out of the studio to bother him. "Okay." He hopped up to his feet, picking up his bag. "I'll see you both later then!"
"Don't tell Yoongi, but you'll see me in the studio after my class," Namjoon said with a wry smile.
"I'll be by later with lunch," Jin said, giving Taehyung a warm smile. "Make sure Yoongi gets up out of that chair once in a while, get the circulation going before his legs fall off."
"I will," Taehyung grinned widely, setting off. He did end up stopping at a coffee shop along the way, chewing on his thumbnail as he stared up at the menu and tried to remember what he'd last seen Yoongi drinking. He picked out what he hoped was the right thing before heading onto the campus, dancing to the music on his headphones.
When he arrived at the studio, he was surprised to see Jimin monopolizing the couch. "Ah, Jimin!" He grinned, taking his headphones off. "I didn't know you were here too. Are you recording more parts for Yoongi hyung this early?"
"Morning Taetae," Jimin waved lazily at him. "So to speak, but really I'm just here to bother him before class," he said, though he smirked a little, stretching his arms above his head.
"Something he's very good at," Yoongi said, not having looked up from the file he was working on, one headphone on. "Doesn't your class start soon?"
"Yeah, but I was waiting to see Taetae," Jimin said. "And Hoseok was meeting me here to walk over together."
"Ugh, can't you meet him outside?" Yoongi scowled, glancing over his shoulder at Jimin. "I can't deal with him this morning, I was up way too fucking early."
"I want to wait here with Taetae," Jimin stuck his tongue out at Yoongi as he flapped a hand at Taehyung. "Come here, sit with me."
"Okay." Taehyung didn't go straight to the couch though, instead stopping by Yoongi's chair to place the takeaway coffee cup to one side, within grabbing reach but away from all the dials and levers. Then he shrugged his bag off and dropped down onto the couch. "How's your dance practice going?"
"Pretty good," Jimin said, draping himself across Taehyung's lap. "Probably won't see much of me the next couple of weeks. Or Hoseok. I've got four group dances; Hoseok and I have a partner dance, and I have a solo performance I have barely started work on. I hope I'll be ready in time."
"I'm sure you'll be fine," Taehyung said, making himself comfortable even if he was half-squished under Jimin. "You're both amazing dancers, it'll be exciting to see you up on stage. Am I able to sit in on some of your practices, or is it closed doors?"
"Group dances are open, and I'm sure Hobi hyung won't mind if you watch us do our unit dance," Jimin said, settling in and closing his eyes. "You should take some dance next semester, it'd be so much fun."
"It would be, wouldn't it? I do have some free electives." Taehyung perked up. "Though they definitely won't be the same classes that you're in. Probably real beginner courses. Would you help me learn if I took it?"
"Of course! I help the instructor in some of the beginner classes," Jimin said, looking up at him. "And I'm sure Hobi would want to help you too. He'll be so ecstatic that it won't just be him against me and Jungkook anymore and we can do more complicated routines... oh I'm so excited."
"Well, might have a while to go before I can help with that," Taehyung laughed sheepishly. "You all have had years of practice after all. But I'll do my best?" He wasn't sure how he was going to practice in the summer when he went back home, but he'd find a way.
Summer was so far off though; school was only on it's third week. He'd think about that later.
The studio door opened wide. "Yah, Min! Here you are." Hoseok waved, stepping in. "What're you doing with grumpy so early in the morning? He's not good company at all. Hey Tae!" Taehyung waved happily in return.
"That isn't true, he's great company in the morning," Jimin said, rolling off the couch and hopping to his feet. "Long as you don't make any sudden movements and avoid direct eye contact. Yoongi, I'm leaving," he stepped up behind Yoongi's chair, leaning down to whisper something in his ear.
Yoongi grunted, pulled out of what he was doing and looked back at Jimin and Hoseok in confusion. "Oh... I thought you left already, hey Hoseok, get out."
"Good morning to you too sunshine," Hoseok stuck his tongue out at Yoongi, leaning his lanky body against the doorframe. "Let's go Min, we've got a long day of getting our asses whipped ahead of us."
"Good luck!" Taehyung grinned, shifting on the couch so he was more comfortable before pulling out his laptop to work.
"We'll be back later tonight, bye Taetae!" Jimin waved, ushering Hoseok out and leaving the room.
Yoongi made a face, turning back to the computer. It was then he noticed the drink next to him. That hadn't been there before, and Jimin wouldn't have been drinking it. He turned back to look at Taehyung, pointing at the cup. "Is this yours?"
Taehyung looked up from where he was booting up his laptop, headphones dangling around his neck. "Eh? Oh, that's yours. I wasn't sure how you like your coffee though, I think this is what you had last time."
"... You brought me coffee?" Yoongi just stared at Taehyung for a moment before turning back around to the computer. "Thanks."
Taehyung beamed, even if Yoongi couldn't see him with his back turned. "You're welcome." He turned back to his laptop, expecting to not hear another peep out of Yoongi until he resurfaced hours from now. He pulled his headphones up over his ears, scrolling through his music library for something to play.
Taehyung had been right, Yoongi was engrossed in what he was working on and barely moved beyond the modifications he made on the mixing board. Or to take sips of the coffee. He didn't even look up when the studio door opened again, this time Jin bearing containers of food.
"Taehyung," Jin was scowling at the younger. "Your phone is glued to you twenty four hours, did you not see my texts or were you just ignoring me?"
Taehyung jumped at the movement in his side vision. He looked up and blinked blankly at Jin as he slid his headphones down around his neck. "You texted?" He looked down at his phone on the couch beside him, seeing the LED flashing. "Sorry eomma, I didn't notice," he pouted sadly, closing his laptop. "I was working."
"This room is like a black hole, people come in and lose all contact with the outside world," Jin said, setting the containers down on the table before flopping down on the couch. "That was heavy carrying all the way down here. Has he moved?"
"Sorry," Taehyung apologized again, fanning Jin with his notebook. "Not really. He kinda grunts every now and then but that's it."
"So typical Yoongi," Jin chuckled. "Speaking of... you haven't told me how the talk went?"
"Ah?" Taehyung blinked up at Jin, eyes darting to where Yoongi was absorbed in his work. "It went okay?" Yoongi was dead to the world, yeah, but sometimes Yoongi woke up.
Following the look, Jin patted Taehyung on the leg. "Let's go take a walk hm?"
Taehyung glanced back at Yoongi, but he still hadn't looked up. He nodded, closing his laptop and sliding it to the side before hopping up off the couch. "Namjoon hyung already left for class?" He asked, checking the time on his phone as he followed Jin out of the room. It was later than he thought.
"Yeah, he left a little bit ago," Jin said, putting his arm around Taehyung's shoulder and leading him from the room. They didn't really walk far, just across the hall into the empty studio space. He settled them on the couch, the younger tucked into his side. "Okay, I'll ask again, how did the talk go?"
Taehyung made himself comfortable against Jin. "I think it went well?" He chewed on his lip before smiling, a small amount of red appearing in his cheeks. "I don't think we're... 'dating' exactly? We're seeing how things go."
"Interesting... but I want details," Jin said. "What'd you say, what'd he say, did he cry, oh please tell me he cried."
The red in Taehyung's face became more pronounced. "Eomma," he protested. "I didn't bother you about details for you and Namjoon hyung." Everyone else had, but Taehyung had left himself out of it. Probably for this very reason, unconsciously. "I just told him that I liked him back and hadn't meant to sound like I was rejecting him. He didn't cry. No one cried."
"Damn," Jin shook his head in dismay. "I was hoping I could get something to hold over his head. So... you haven't gone on a date yet, I would have heard about that... you planning on it?"
"I don't think so? I mean... like I said, we're not really dating," Taehyung rubbed the back of his head. "And I don't think Yoongi hyung is much for dates. He's pretty busy anyways."
Jin was confused and that was evident by the way he was looking at Taehyung. "Let me get this straight, Yoongi told you he likes you, you told him that you like him, but you're not going to date? What exactly are you going to do?"
"I don't know? Hug, hold hands?" Taehyung blinked. "We're seeing how things go, and I don't think he's ever been in a relationship before. He agreed that we shouldn't rush into anything, so... I think we're just taking things slow to start."
"Well, as long as you both agree that's what you want to do," Jin said, smiling a little at him. "How do you feel?"
"Much better." Taehyung smiled widely up at Jin. "Thanks, eomma."
"I just want my children to be happy," Jin said, crushing Taehyung into him. "And Yoongi really deserves to have someone like you in his life."
Taehyung laughed, the sound muffled against Jin's shirt. "I hope I can make him happy." He had to turn his head so that he could still breath, arms wrapping loosely around Jin's waist in return. "Could you keep showing me things that he likes? Food, whatever?"
"Of course, but truthfully Yoongi eats just about anything you put in front of him," Jin said. "And I'm sure our grouchy friend has some mysteries I don't know, and he's rather oblivious to things so if you ask him something he'll probably answer without much thought."
"Oh?" So Taehyung probably could have asked him what his favourite coffee was rather than guess. Though he wasn't sure if Yoongi had drank much of it anyways, or if he'd even notice if it wasn't the proper blend with how focused he got. "I'll have to ask him then. When he's not busy. Are you staying long, eomma? Waiting for Namjoon hyung to get here?"
"Depends, do you want me to stay, or do you want him all to yourself for a little while longer?" Jin asked. "Once the others get out of class and get here, it's going to be chaos for the rest of the day."
"I don't know if I have him all to myself even when there's no one else here," Taehyung laughed at that, eyes crinkling as he pulled back to look up at him. "I was just doing homework until you got here, so if you want to stay, please stay." Jin didn't seem to get out of his apartment much... or Namjoon's apartment, these days.
"I guess, since you asked so nicely," Jin said, patting him on the head. "Namjoon's getting annoyed with me cleaning his apartment anyway. We should go eat before food gets cold, and shove some of it down Yoongi's throat before he passes out again."
"He's passed out before?" Taehyung asked, separating himself from Jin to stand up. "He gets that bad?"
"Yes, you think I'm just being overprotective eomma when I tell you to keep an eye on him?" Jin said getting up as well. "Especially around midterms and exams, those will be his worst weeks. He doesn't eat, doesn't sleep, we basically take turns making sure he's still breathing. But... Namjoon did find him in the studio one day, passed out, barely breathing... he doesn't take good care of himself like he should."
Taehyung's eyes widened, and he shook his head. "No... I... I'll try to make sure he doesn't get that bad." Did Yoongi really not care about his own health? Even the greatest composition wasn't worth dying over. Taehyung messed one hand through his hair, chewing on his lower lip as he opened the door and held it for Jin before they made their way back into the other room.
To their surprise, Yoongi was sitting on the couch, digging into the containers of food, his cheeks stuffed. He looked up, blinking at them in surprise as if caught. "...S'good Jin," he said around his chewing.
"Well that's one thing we don't have to worry about today," Jin laughed, pushing Taehyung to the couch while he pulled a chair over.
Taehyung perked up when he saw Yoongi had returned, letting Jin propel him forward before sitting down on the couch next to Yoongi. "How's the composition going?" He asked, picking up a container of rice to portion some out for himself.
"Slow," Yoongi shrugged. "I've got all the chorus worked out, and everybody's parts. Well not everyone's. Your gorilla of a boyfriend is holding out on me Jin."
"Maybe you shouldn't antagonize him so much, Yoongi," Jin said simply, helping himself to some noodles.
"He's no fun if I don't, he's the most boring person I've ever met, besides you," Yoongi countered.
"There's nothing wrong with being boring," Jin sniffed at that. "And he's not boring, he and I can talk for hours about some really interesting things."
Chewing on his mouthful, Taehyung listened to the argument with amusement. "Interesting things like what?" he asked once he'd swallowed, picking up a few pieces of spicy pork and mixing it with his rice. "What do you talk about when the rest of us aren't there?"
"I'm not sure I want to know," Yoongi was cringing. "Probably Namjoon's boring shrink talk, or waxing poetic about the follies of man or something."
"You know, you make fun of Namjoon for being smart and being an intellectual, but that's half the reason he can write the lyrics he does," Jin said, frowning at Yoongi before turning his attention back to Taehyung. "A lot of things, mostly about what he's studying, and how he's trying to understand people better."
"Ahh. That sounds interesting," Taehyung said. "So that's what he's in sociology for?" It would be nice to understand people better.
Speaking of... Taehyung looked back at Yoongi beside him, deciding to try some of that fishing for information Jin had suggested. "If that's not interesting, what do you find interesting conversation, hyung?"
"The kind where I don't have to talk," Yoongi said, not looking up. He could feel Jin's glare without even seeing it, and sure enough when he lifted his eyes, Jin had that disapproving look on his face. "Unless... I mean... it's something I want to talk about? Music. That's all."
Taehyung had looked confused by Yoongi's first answer. Having a conversation implied talking, after all. It wasn't a conversation if it was just one person talking at the air. The second answer didn't really help all that much either, since he'd already known it before even asking. "Just music? Like... all different types of music?"
"Yeah, I guess," Yoongi said, looking at Taehyung in confusion. "I mean I don't really have much else to talk about."
"But there's so much to talk about," Taehyung blinked, lowering his chopsticks instead of shoving another clump of rice into his mouth. "The city, or school, griping about classmates and teachers? Or food, friends? Ah..." He tried to think of something that would relate more to Yoongi. "Funny stories, your magazines, good tv shows? We don't talk about music all the time." Only most of the time, he supposed.
"Magazines?" Jin caught onto that one pretty quick and he glared at Yoongi. "What the hell have you been doing to this kid?"
"... Don't look at me, I do not talk about them with him, his head would pop off," Yoongi said.
"Eh?" Taehyung rubbed the back of his head. "But it's something you would talk about, no? It was just an example."
"I only talk about them cause he steals them," Yoongi jabbed his thumb at Jin. "I mean, we can talk about them if you want?"
"Oh my god," Jin covered his face with both hands. "Yoongi you are the worst at this."
"Worst at what? He's the one being weird," Yoongi said, going back to focusing on eating.
Taehyung bit his lips; maybe that hadn't been as successful an attempt to find out Yoongi's interests as he would have liked. He rubbed one red ear before picking up his chopsticks again. Maybe he'd just... try again another time. "So, um... when does Namjoon hyung's class end?"
"Hour and a half or so from now," Jin said, relieved that that roller coaster was over. Of all the things Taehyung could have asked about, conversation? From Yoongi? Jin sighed internally, shaking his head at the two. They were so awkward it was adorable.
"You gonna be taking off then?" Yoongi asked, glancing up at Jin.
"Maybe, we'll see," Jin shrugged noncommittally. He shot a warning glance at Taehyung once Yoongi looked away. Namjoon coming by was supposed to be a surprise.
Chopsticks in his mouth, Taehyung blinked at the look Jin was giving him before he remembered. Right. No talking about that. But that didn't leave much else to talk about, with Yoongi at least. Taehyung could easily hold a conversation with Jin, but now that he had Yoongi's semi-attention for the ten minutes it took him to inhale food, he wasn't sure what else to say.
So he lapsed into uncomfortable silence for a moment before looking up at Jin. "Would you mind if I showed you my essay later? Grammar and format check? Or is it better if I ask Namjoon hyung?"
Jin blinked at Taehyung, shaking his head. "No, I'm no good at proofreading, and honestly Namjoon would just pick your whole essay apart and leave you feeling like you're absolutely worthless... not that he does that intentionally." He gave Taehyung another look, nodding Yoongi's direction.
Deflating, Taehyung looked confused by Jin's behavior for a moment before he realized what the older man was telling him. He turned towards Yoongi, a hopeful expression on his face. "Hyung? Would you be able to proofread my essay when it's done?"
"What?" Yoongi looked up at him. "Uh... sure? What's it about?"
"Uh... should the term 'indie' no longer be used in music," Taehyung said, biting his lip; maybe it wasn't a good idea to ask Yoongi for help. What if he didn't like Taehyung's opinions and conclusions?
"Oh?" Yoongi actually perked up at that and he nodded. "Of course, can't wait to read it. Sounds like an interesting topic."
Jin slumped a little in his seat, just shaking his head at them. Had he and Namjoon been this bad from the outside perspective? Probably worse, but watching these two was maddening.
Taehyung blinked at him before smiling again. Maybe it would be alright. "Great... thanks."
They were just about finished their portions of lunch when the door swung wide open. "Look at that, the hermit lives." Hoseok grinned to see Yoongi on the couch and not on his chair. "That chair hasn't permanently fused with your ass yet?"
"Great, there goes my good mood," Yoongi groaned, dropping his chopsticks on the table and getting up. "Where's Jimin? You didn't leave him behind at the studio again did you?"
"You think I would do that? With that homophobic asshole still in our program? He'll be here soon." Hoseok leaned back against the wall out of the way of the door. "So did the smell of Jin's food call you out of your coma, or did they have to bring out the pots and pans?"
"Of course it was my food, it's the only thing that really works," Jin said.
"Anyway, how long are you here for Hoseok, you need to run through your lines again, there was a problem with your track," Yoongi said, going back to sit at the desk.
"What problem, my track was perfect." Hoseok stretched his arms out above his head. "But I'll record another equally perfect one if you ask me nicely." Taehyung grinned, watching them out of the corner of his eyes as he helped Jin reorganize the containers for those who had yet to eat.
"Perfect my ass," Yoongi sniped at him. "It took ten takes to finally get one that worked and when I listened to it back there was a buzzing sound from a feedback loop because you had your phone too close to the mic."
"Not my fault your equipment is so testy," Hoseok shrugged, pushing away from the wall to head into the booth. He removed his phone from his pocket, dangling it for Yoongi to see before placing it on the table on the way.
"Once he's done, I can kill him right? No one needs him after today?" Yoongi asked, glancing at the other two behind him.
"No Yoongi, no murder today," Jin shook his head. He sat down next to Taehyung on the couch, watching Yoongi try to corral Hoseok into doing the lines properly. Hopefully it wouldn't take another ten tries or Yoongi might actually hurt Hoseok.
It was during the third run through when the studio door opened, a nervous looking Jimin peering in. But he wasn't alone. Jimin pulled Jungkook in behind him, the younger seemed to be fascinated with the floor, not looking up at anyone.
Taehyung looked away from where Hoseok was doing his lines to the door. He blinked, then a small smile formed on his mouth. "...Hey, Jimin, Jungkook. Wanna sit?" He didn't make too much fuss with Jungkook being there (Yoongi would do that soon enough when he was done berating Hoseok), just scooting off the couch so they could fit. Hoseok hadn't noticed they were there either. Probably because he was actually trying to get the lines right this time, eyes half-closed and attention on his words.
"Go sit down," Jimin pushed on Jungkook a little, the younger had that frightened bunny look still but he shuffled over and nervously sat down next to Jin. Jimin took a deep breath and approached Yoongi, and leaned down to whisper in his ear. The reaction was immediate, Yoongi stopping the play back on the track and whirling around in his seat. His eyes darted around the room until they landed on Jungkook.
"You little shit," Yoongi was on his feet. "I have half a mind to break every bone in your miserable little body but that would make Jimin sad so count yourself lucky."
"Suga hyung calm down," Jimin had wrapped his arms around Yoongi from behind and was holding him still. "I asked him here to apologize to everyone, together."
Hoseok had looked up in confusion when the track suddenly stopped, mouth opening to protest. Then he saw what was going on outside the booth, hanging up the headphones before stepping out. "...Then let's hear what he has to say," he said, arms folding across his chest as he looked at Jungkook. "You can kill him after, Yoongi."
Taehyung winced, perching himself on the edge of the couch on Jungkook's other side. At least Yoongi would have to either get past him or Jin to get to Jungkook? Or lunge over the table.
Jungkook looked so small and vulnerable as he sat on the couch, eyes wide and face pale. Yoongi almost felt bad for him. Almost.
"Come on Kookie, it's okay," Jimin had let Yoongi go, holding his hand to beckon Jungkook forward. The younger did get up, looking at Jin beside him for a moment before going around to the other side of the table and stand in front of Yoongi and Hoseok with his head bowed.
"Um... I made a lot of mistakes, and I've been an asshole to Jimin, and to you two," Jungkook said, his voice wavering a little. "I have no excuse for my behavior towards anyone. All I can say is that... I'm ready to do the right thing by Jimin, and take care of him properly. I..." he looked up at Jimin, uncertainty clear in his eyes but Jimin just smiled and gave him an encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath, he finally lifted his head up and looked between Yoongi and Hoseok. "I want to ask your permission to date Jimin properly, and to beg for your forgiveness for being stupid."
Jin wasn't sure if Jungkook had fainted the way he dropped to the ground so quickly, but when he realized he was giving a formal bow, forehead to the ground, he made a soft gasp in the back of his throat. The kid was serious.
Taehyung leaned forward to better see Jungkook around the table, eyes wide. Hoseok seemed caught off guard too, looking down with an unreadable expression at Jungkook with his head pressed to the ground just in front of their feet. He stepped forward so he was beside Yoongi rather than behind him.
"...You know forgiving isn't the same thing as forgetting," Hoseok said. "And it's going to take a hell of a lot more than an apology for that to happen. You're going to have to show us you mean what you say, and if you fuck up again you'll get far worse than a punch to the face." He glanced at Yoongi beside him. "...But I'll give you that chance to try again."
Yoongi was a little conflicted. He had not expected this kind of apology, and he felt a little uncomfortable now that all eyes were on him to hear his response. "Yeah, what dipshit said," he finally said after a nudge from Jimin. "I'm still pissed at you, and will be watching you like a fucking hawk. If I hear that Jimin is even upset at you for any reason, I will murder you. You get one more chance Jungkook. Now get up, that floor's disgusting."
Sitting up, Jungkook glanced at the older men, swallowing nervously. "I promise, things will be different."
"They better be," Jin said from behind. "I won't help you a second time, and neither will Namjoon."
"I understand," Jungkook nodded and he look up at Jimin with a hopeful smile.
"Okay, now that that shit's all done, Hoseok, take a break," Yoongi said, going back to his chair. "Jungkook, you're going to make it up to me by getting your ass in this booth and singing this damn song."
"Yeah, of course!" Jungkook scrambled to his feet, ducking around Hoseok to get into the booth and closed the door. Yoongi had to snort. He liked this more compliant Jungkook.
Hoseok shook his head at the both of them, going to lean against the wall by Jimin. "So, is he coming back to our room?" he asked, arms folding across his chest. "Or is he living at Jin's place till he proves himself? Not that Jin seems to mind crashing at Namjoon's for longer."
"Yes Jin does mind!" Jin huffed from the other side of the room.
Jimin chuckled a little at that, shaking his head. "I told him he has more to prove, but I already talked to Jin and Namjoon about it and he'll stay at Jin's for a little while. I'm... not a hundred percent ready to let him back in. Space is good for us. But, he will be around, not as much as before, but I will be spending time with him. Okay?"
Hoseok sighed, nodding. "Alright. You take as long as you need, okay? Don't let him pressure you into anything you aren't ready for with those puppy eyes of his." He mused one hand through Jimin's hair. "And don't have sex in Jin's room again, I don't think his hospitality extends that far."
"It wasn't like I planned it," Jimin muttered, swatting at Hoseok's hand but leaned into him. "You know I'm weak against him. None of this mess would have started if I could have just learned to say no to him from the start."
"Well, this could be good practice?" Hoseok stopped purposely messing up Jimin's hair and just ran his fingers through the locks of pink instead, detangling them. "Gotta learn it eventually, especially if you two are trying for an actual relationship this time."
"You think he'll be able to do it? Handle a real relationship with me?" Jimin asked quietly. "Cause I'm not so certain."
Taehyung glanced over at them from Jin's other side, able to just faintly hear what they were saying. "I think he's willing to try, what with smushing his face against the floor and all," Hoseok replied. "Whether or not he follows through, we have to see, but you've got all of us here for support either way. Hm?"
"Yeah, I know," Jimin smiled, just leaning into Hoseok and closing his eyes. He was startled when Yoongi started shouting.
"See! That's what was missing!" Yoongi was actually out of his seat, hands on his hips as he stared at Jungkook through the glass. "You're not allowed to fuck up anymore Jungkook, my grade depends on it!"
"There went half of Yoongi's stress," Jin leaned over to whisper to Taehyung. "I bet he'll be less grouchy going home tonight."
"Still grouchy." Taehyung grinned, but his eyes had lit up at the expression on Yoongi's face. He knew how much Yoongi had been stressing out at that beginning part. And now he didn't have to compromise by having one of them sing the part instead... as long as Jungkook didn't mess things up with Jimin again.
Hoseok snorted, watching them both. "Is this why you brought him down here, Min?"
"I figured it'd help soften the blow if Jungkook was within striking distance of the mic," Jimin nodded. "Yoongi can't focus on anything else when he's in this room. Two birds with one stone."
"Well, it worked. Until Yoongi gets caught up in a minor detail somewhere and wants to strangle him along with the rest of us," Hoseok snorted. He looked down at Jimin's face. "Except for you, he adores Jiminnie's voice too much."
"That's because I have the voice of an angel, unlike some of us," Jimin said, nudging Hoseok in the ribs. He couldn't help watch as Jungkook continued to sing, the younger giving it his all. He did have to admit, Jungkook's voice fit the beginning better than anyone else, and also, he seemed more at home singing than he did dancing. Like it was what he was wanting to do more than anything else. "Yet, I can still be envious of someone who looks like that, and can sing like that, and can dance effortlessly."
"That's because you can't see yourself as well as you see other people," Hoseok snorted, tugging lightly on a lock of Jimin's hair. "You're way better than that little upstart."
"You're biased, doesn't count," Jimin said. "But it's nice having my own little fanclub."
"Does too count," Hoseok huffed. "And ask any of the others, they'll say the exact same thing."
"Ask what?" Taehyung piped up, having heard that.
"Nothing, Hobi hyung's trying to lift my spirits by embellishing my talents," Jimin said, pinching Hoseok in the arm.
Hoseok squawked at the pinch. "I'm not embellishing anything! You're super talented!"
"He's right about that," Taehyung beamed. "I wish I was as good at everything as you are."
"Listen to this kid," Jimin shook his head. "You're just as good as me Taetae." Pulling out of Hoseok's hold, Jimin moved over to the couch to plop himself in Taehyung's lap. "That's why we're such good friends."
Taehyung automatically stabilized Jimin with hands at his waist, blinking up at him in blank-faced amusement. "Why am I a kid, I'm the same age as you."
"I'm still a kid too," Jimin laughed, putting his arms around Taehyung's neck and leaning against him. "But you're younger than me so I can call you a kid."
Taehyung pouted, letting Jimin lean against him; he was used to the physical contact by now, and after they'd finally established clear boundaries he was more than happy to cuddle with his new friend. "Well, I guess I can still call Jungkook a kid." He looked up at Jin beside them with a grin, seeing Hoseok watching them out of the corner of his eye. "Eomma just calls everyone kids."
"Well you're all children to me, especially that one," Jin said, pointing at Yoongi. "Biggest kid here."
"Anyone else find it funny our appa is younger than Yoongi hyung?" Jimin snorted a laugh. He didn't noticed that Jungkook was hanging the headphones and Yoongi was paying a bit more attention now that Jungkook was leaving the booth.
"There's no way in hell I'm ever calling that oversized gorilla 'appa'," Yoongi said, not turning around. "I don't care if he can break me in half, I'm still older than him dammit."
"I thought Yoongi was 'grandpa'?" Taehyung mused, but he perked up when he saw the door had opened out of the corner of his eyes. Someone else stepped in.
"Who exactly, are you calling a gorilla?"
"He is a grandpa, but he's still a child," Jin said, lighting up when he saw Namjoon walk in. "You are, apparently."
"... Eomma, why you do this to me?" Yoongi flinched, looking at Namjoon with a bright, fake smile. "Hi. I don't know what he's talking about. No gorillas here."
"..." Namjoon shook his head at Yoongi. "You look like a serial killer, please go back to scowling." He shrugged his backpack off, rummaging around inside. While he did, he looked up at Jungkook before glancing at Yoongi again. "So he's here and no one's dead, I take it the talk went well."
"Well I wasn't going to kill him, I needed his voice," Yoongi said, already turned back to the computer. He didn't see the way Jungkook skirted around Namjoon, finding a wall to press himself against and looking around with wide eyes.
"Anyway, Namjoon, there are two vocal lines missing for this track," Yoongi said. "When am I going to hear this verse you keep promising me?"
Namjoon sighed heavily, looking back down at his bag. He pulled out a folder and separated a sheet of paper, holding it out to him. "Here. Review it, if it passes inspection I'll record."
Taehyung took pity on Jungkook, who looked like he'd have a heart attack if someone so much as poked him. "Jungkook, we've got room over here," he called, shifting himself and Jimin to the edge so Jungkook could wedge himself between them and Jin.
"You're going to make me read it?" Yoongi grumbled, but took the paper and read it. He heard the shuffling behind him but ignored it. "... Why is there always some weird english in your lyrics? I don't know what half of this means."
"You should buy him a korean to english dictionary one of these days Namjoon, you know he's not going to look it up," Jin said, patting Jungkook on the shoulder when he'd settled into the small space on the couch.
"If he can't look it up online, he's not going to look it up in a dictionary." Namjoon leaned back against the wall as he waited for Yoongi's response. "And of course I'm going to make you read it, if you have an issue with the lyrics then you're going to have an issue when I record it."
"As if I've ever had a problem with your lyrics," Yoongi said, handing the paper back to him. "You're the only I never have to worry about but you make me wait so damn long for them I get antsy. But really though, what do those lines mean?"
"'It's all free for you'," Namjoon replied, drawing one finger against the english line as he said it first in English, then in Korean. "Ready to record? Or do you need a minute after wringing Jungkook dry."
Taehyung rested his cheek against Jimin's shoulder. "Namjoon hyung knows English?" He hadn't known that. "Did he study in America or something?"
"No, he taught himself English in high school," Jin answered. "He was a big fan of hip hop and wanted to understand what they were saying."
"If I say I'm not ready you're just going to find an excuse later not to do it," Yoongi said, flapping his hand at Namjoon. "Go on, let's hear what kind of flow you've got for this."
Namjoon looked back at the others with a wry smile before heading into the booth, closing the door. "Taught himself? I couldn't teach myself more than counting to twenty," Taehyung said.
"That's cause Namjoon is insanely smart. He finished high school two years early to boot," Hoseok snorted. "He just prefers slumming it with us instead of bumping shoulders with the rest of the geniuses." He watched as Namjoon paused in front of the mic, sliding the headphones on and waiting for Yoongi to start the track.
Yoongi began the playback of the track, giving Namjoon a thumbs up. This probably wouldn't take long, Namjoon rarely took more than a couple of takes.
"He doesn't like being reminded he's a genius," Jin said, watching Namjoon with a smile. "Its why he studies so much, so he looks like an average student."
Taehyung wanted to ask why Namjoon wasn't already long graduated if he was a genius, but was distracted by the starting melody. He watched from around Jimin's shoulder as the track played, most of their voices already added save the ones Yoongi had recorded today. Namjoon was listening with his eyes closed, getting into the rhythm as he waited for his lines to come up. When they did there was no hesitation, the words filled with weight and emotion.
"The small pieces guttered down darkly, from my heart, a barren noise, I don't know if this is reality or a dream."
"Look," Jimin whispered to Taehyung, "Eomma Jin's getting all hot and bothered. I don't think our eomma's gonna be a virgin after tonight."
Jin was watching Namjoon so intently he didn't even register the others talking about him. Yeah, watching Namjoon in his element was a turn on. That one he had been well aware of from the last time they'd been in the studio together. At least he could recognize what it was this time and not a stroke like he thought it was last time.
Taehyung blinked, leaning back to see around Jungkook to where Jin was sitting. He had to admit the expression on Jin's face was rather interesting. "You think so? Tonight is still pretty far off."
Namjoon finished his lines with a sentence in English that Taehyung wouldn't have been able to understand at all if Namjoon hadn't translated for them prior. He stopped, leaning against the wall of the booth and looking up at Yoongi to hear if he wanted another take.
"I hope you were paying attention Hoseok, cause that's how you do this," Yoongi said. He gave Namjoon a thumbs up, pressing the button on the booth mic. "You do this just to piss me off. I got what I need. Hoseok, you're back up."
"..." Hoseok pulled a face at Yoongi's back. "He's going to lock me away in there for the rest of the afternoon, isn't he." He pushed away from the wall, waiting for Namjoon to get out of the booth before slipping past him through the door.
Namjoon tucked the lyric sheet back into his folder before going to lean against the wall beside Jin. "Hey. Is Hoseok the only one left to record?"
"He told me earlier there's chorus parts he wants me and Taehyung to run again," Jimin said. "But he was still working something out."
"I don't think he needs you or I," Jin said, looking up at Namjoon with a smile. "You... wanna help me take these leftovers back home?"
Namjoon nodded, lips curling in return. "Sure. You fine here, Yoongi?" He moved to the table, starting to stack up the empty and semi-empty containers.
"... Why, where are you going, you just got here," Yoongi turned his attention away from Hoseok in the booth to frown at Namjoon. "I have stuff to show you..."
"We can come back later, I'll bring you dinner," Jin said. "But these are going to spoil if I don't get them refrigerated."
"You'll have Hoseok in there for a while then you've got all three of our tracks to analyze, so you don't need me right away," Namjoon said, picking up the containers. "You three staying here to keep an eye on him?" He directed the question to those on the couch.
"I am," Taehyung nodded, resting his cheek against Jimin's back.
"We are too," Jimin said, his hand finding Jungkook's beside him and Taehyung. "It's actually really entertaining to watch Yoongi and Hoseok do this, I think they're kind of having fun."
"Oh I'm sure Hoseok is," Jin said, shaking his head. "Alright, I'll be back with dinner later. You know where to find us if there's an emergency."
"Right, we'll text first just in case," Jimin waved. "Have fun, use protection!"
Namjoon just sighed, having expected one of them to give one more quip before they left the room. He adjusted his grip on the containers to push the door open, holding it for Jin to pass as well. "I think I've become immune to their teasing." He walked down the hallway beside Jin. "You alright?"
"Hm? Oh, I'm fine," Jin said. The smile hadn't left his face since Namjoon had entered the studio, bolstered by his performance in the booth. "Just... thinking... about how nice it is to hear you performing and how I wished I got to see it more."
"Oh." Namjoon glanced at him, a small smile appearing at the expression on Jin's face. "Well... If Yoongi has his way, I'll be back in there often enough. I don't mind private performances either."
Jin stumbled over air, nearly losing control over the containers in his arms at that. "Oh.. private performances? Well.. I guess... I'm not sure it would be the same... guess we'll have to try?"
Startled, Namjoon freed one hand to try steadying Jin. "Probably not, no. It was an idea. The studio is as close as I want to get to full performances right now, until Yoongi drags us all on stage for the festival. But I don't mind showing you what I work on in my spare time."
"I think I'd be okay hearing it," Jin said, glancing at Namjoon out of the corner of his eye. There was an intensity Namjoon had when performing that he didn't have at any other time. It was like whatever fire had roiling inside him unleashed, but tempered by the lyrics he had put so much thought into. "I don't know why you don't like performing, you're a natural at it."
"Because it would distract me from everything else I want to," Namjoon replied as they continued walking. "As much as I love it, I don't want to live and breathe only music like Yoongi does. So for now, I'm content with the amount I have while I work on other goals."
"But... private performances wouldn't distract you, would they?" Jin asked, keeping his voice down as they walked through the lobby of the building and out the doors.
"That's... a loaded question," Namjoon chuckled. "It's a distraction, but one I don't mind." Jin had been a very pleasant distraction, and one Namjoon didn't want to do without.
"I'll try to keep the distractions minimal," Jin said. The walk back to their building was quick, though uncomfortable with the amount of containers they had between them. Unlocking the door to his apartment, Jin was a little startled at how clean it was. He had not expected Jungkook to be as tidy as he was. "Just put them in the fridge, at least I know Jungkook will finish them off so they won't go to waste."
Namjoon was looking around the room as well, before taking off his shoes and doing as Jin said. "I'm surprised anything was left at all. Did Yoongi eat?"
"Quite a bit actually," Jin said. "I don't know if it was the smell or Taehyung having an influence on him, but he actually started eating before us." He sat down on the edge of the bed, surprised to find the sheets and blankets had been freshly laundered. Ah, so that was it. "... Jimin must have told Jungkook he let slip to me about them having sex in here, that's why everything's been scrubbed top to bottom."
Namjoon shook his head, sitting down next to Jin once he was done putting everything away. "Must have put fear of eomma into him." His arm found it's way around Jin's waist. It was almost automatic. "Yoongi taking care of himself is... a good sign. We don't need another collapse when midterms roll around."
"No we don't," Jin said, looking over at him and smiling. "I know it's only been a couple weeks, but have you noticed a change in Yoongi since Taehyung showed up? He's... more aware of himself it seems. Especially the last few days."
"You're right. It can't just be that he has a roommate now. Do you know what's happening with those two?" Namjoon raised an eyebrow at Jin; he knew Jin lived for drama.
"Of course I do," Jin snorted, turning a little to rest his chin on Namjoon's shoulder. "Taehyung likes Yoongi... and get this.. Yoongi confessed that he liked Taehyung. So they're... not dating but kind of dating?"
"...Yoongi confessed?" That surprised Namjoon more than anything. As long as he'd known Yoongi, the older man hadn't shown any interest in anyone beyond pure physical attraction. "What does that mean, 'kind of dating'." He smoothed one hand idly against Jin's side.
"Your guess is good as mine on that," Jin shrugged. "They're not going to go on dates, but according to Taehyung will be hand holding and hugging? They're going to see how it goes."
"Well... it's a safe plan. Especially for Yoongi. I don't think he's ever been in a relationship before." It wasn't something Namjoon had confirmed with Yoongi, but an educated guess. "So does that mean you have to hold off on your revenge until they're official?" he mused, looking down at Jin with a smile.
"... As if I could do that to Taehyung," Jin said in mock offense. "I had no idea Yoongi was going to go and actually like someone, it wasn't supposed to be a serious threat."
"That may be part of the reason why he hasn't said anything to anyone yet." Though he doubted Yoongi would have told anyone he and Taehyung were sort-of-not-dating anyways. "I'm glad for them. Yoongi deserves having someone around who can hold him back from drinking himself into a coma every other night."
"Yeah... though I wonder if Taehyung's... up for a challenge like Yoongi," Jin said, his arms going around Namjoon's middle. "He's a sweet kid, and Yoongi has that mouth of his. We already know he's upset Taehyung at least once, I'm sure it'll happen again."
"Taehyung's going to need a thick skin to be with Yoongi," Namjoon agreed. "And Yoongi will need some help on how to even deal with a boyfriend. I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on them. And keep Yoongi from drinking so much he makes an ass of himself."
"I don't know if I have the energy to keep him alive, plus make sure he doesn't make an ass of himself," Jin groaned a little "Plus we've got Jimin and Jungkook we have to keep an eye on when really, all I want to do, is look at you."
Namjoon's lips curled. He lifted his free hand, thumb brushing Jin's cheek. "Let's take a break from worrying about others until dinner. That's why you asked me to help you with the containers, right?" He lightly tilted Jin's chin so he could brush their lips together in a soft kiss.
Jin hummed into the kiss, his arm tightening around Namjoon. "Maybe have crossed my mind," he murmured, breaking the kiss for a moment so he could get more comfortable by shifting his weight and straddling Namjoon's thighs. "You... look so hot when you're rapping, I couldn't think about anything else but getting you home."
Automatically resting his hands at Jin's waist to support him, Namjoon's smile turned into a small smirk as he looked up at the older man. "Well... you've got me here," he murmured, one hand smoothing along Jin's thigh. "Now what."
Jin just looked at Namjoon, bringing his fingers up to trace along Namjoon's jaw and back to card through his hair. "Namjoon... this is hard for me to say... or even think about," he said finally, locking eyes with Namjoon's. "I've never met anyone like you, or felt this way about anyone... so I'm not sure, but... I think I'm in love with you."
Namjoon blinked, not expecting the sudden turn in conversation. He looked up into Jin's eyes, gaze searching for... something.
Whatever it was, he seemed to have found it. After a moment the wry smile returned, hand leaving Jin's thigh to curl around the other man's. "I love you too, Seokjin."
Jin returned the smile, leaning down to brush his lips against Namjoon's again. "I think that's enough talking for now," he murmured against Namjoon's mouth before deepening the kiss, his free hand curling to tighten in Namjoon's hair and not let him go.
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