Survival Instinct // Namkook

chapter 53 - best friends

The day started as usual for Hoseok, the farm a familiar sight of peace and routine. The morning sun bathed the fields in a soft glow, and the animals greeted him with low murmurs as he passed by. As always, Taehyung was there, already making a spectacle of himself. He waved dramatically from across the field, nearly dropping the bucket he was carrying.

"Hobi! You’re late!" Taehyung called out with exaggerated excitement, despite the fact that Hoseok was, in fact, right on time.

Hoseok shook his head with a laugh. "I’m literally right here, Tae. Relax."

They dove into their work with the usual flow—Taehyung talking non-stop, explaining every little thing in a way that only barely connected to the task at hand. Hoseok had grown used to Taehyung’s tangents by now, letting the chaos wash over him as they worked side by side.

The morning passed smoothly until a voice cut through the air.

"Taehyungie!"

Hoseok turned to see a young man approaching with a confident strut, his expression playful as he came closer. He was dressed casually, but something about the way he carried himself demanded attention. Taehyung’s reaction was immediate, dropping his tools and rushing over like a whirlwind.

"Jiminie!" Taehyung yelled, practically throwing himself at the newcomer, hugging him like they hadn’t seen each other in years. Now at a closer look Hoseok identified the man as Suga's lover.

He watched with an amused smile as the two embraced. The dynamic between them was clear as day, even without words. Taehyung was buzzing with excitement, while the other man—Jimin, apparently—stood with a kind of effortless coolness, a small, knowing smile on his face as Taehyung chattered on.

As they finally pulled apart, Taehyung waved Hoseok over. "Hobi! Come here, I want you to meet someone!"

Hoseok walked over, wiping his hands on his pants. Taehyung had his arm slung around Jimin’s shoulders, looking proud.

"This is Jimin, my best friend!" Taehyung announced with the enthusiasm of someone introducing a celebrity.

Jimin tilted his head slightly, his sharp eyes scanning Hoseok for a moment before offering a smirk. "So, this is Hobi," he said, his tone casual but laced with something playful. "Heard a lot about you."

Hoseok chuckled, feeling the intensity of Jimin’s gaze but rolling with it. "Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you too."

Jimin’s smirk widened, his eyes flicking to Taehyung. "Good things, I hope?"

Taehyung, as usual, chimed in before Hoseok could respond. "The best! You know I wouldn’t say anything bad about you, Jiminie."

Jimin shrugged, but the look on his face was pure satisfaction. "Well, I wouldn’t blame you if you did," he said lightly, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I’m a lot to handle."

Taehyung, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, grabbed Jimin’s arm and beamed. "Yeah, but you’re worth it."

Hoseok stifled a laugh at the way Jimin basked in the attention without even trying to hide it. He stood there, soaking in Taehyung’s praise like it was his birthright, but there was an ease to it—he didn’t force it, didn’t demand it. It just came to him naturally, and he accepted it with a casual grace.

The three of them fell into an easy rhythm as they continued working. Jimin jumped into the conversation without hesitation, making sarcastic comments here and there, while Taehyung countered with endless compliments and affirmations.

At one point, Jimin leaned against the fence, watching Taehyung struggle with a stubborn knot in the rope they were using to repair it. "You know, you could just untie it," Jimin said with a raised eyebrow, his voice dripping with playful condescension.

Taehyung looked up with a bright smile, not missing a beat. "I would, but it’s so much better to have you here watching me struggle. Makes me look strong, right?"

Jimin rolled his eyes but didn’t move from his spot. "Sure, if that’s what helps you sleep at night."

Hoseok found himself smiling more than he had in a while. The banter between the two of them was constant, and though Jimin never hesitated to throw out a sharp remark, it was clear he enjoyed the attention. Taehyung, on the other hand, seemed more than happy to provide it, constantly feeding Jimin little compliments or playful reassurances.

As the day wore on, the three of them worked together seamlessly, despite the constant teasing and distractions. By the time the sun began to set, Hoseok felt like he had known Jimin for much longer than just a day. The two of them might have had very different personalities, but they balanced each other in a way that was both entertaining and oddly comforting.

"Well, Hobi," Jimin said as they finished up the last task of the day. "You’re not as bad as I thought you’d be."

Hoseok raised an eyebrow, amused by the backhanded compliment. "Thanks… I think?"

Taehyung laughed, throwing his arm around Hoseok’s shoulders. "He means that he likes you."

Jimin smirked, not denying it, but not confirming it either. "Maybe."

Despite the sass and the sharp comments, Hoseok found himself quickly warming up to Jimin. There was something refreshing about his confidence and the way he never took things too seriously. Even with all the chaos, there was a sense of camaraderie forming, and Hoseok was more than happy to be a part of it.