Two: Close Quarters

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Namjoon

The sunlight was blinding as Namjoon stepped out onto the deck of their rented beach house, the soft crash of the waves against the shore providing a peaceful backdrop. He inhaled deeply, savoring the clean, salty air. Jeju had been a good choice for their getaway, he thought. It was serene, a welcome change from the hectic pace of Seoul.

As he stretched and looked out toward the horizon, Namjoon's gaze wandered to the neighboring house. The girls next door were outside, laughing and chatting, seemingly settled in after their move-in yesterday. He hadn't seen much of them—only a few quick glances from across the property—but it was hard not to notice their energy.

The rest of the guys had spent most of the previous night joking about making introductions, but Namjoon wasn't in a rush. He had come to Jeju for a break, to unwind and relax. Meeting the neighbors wasn't high on his list of priorities, though he had to admit, their presence intrigued him. They seemed lively, full of energy, the kind of group that would bring a different dynamic to the quiet retreat he'd imagined.

As he leaned against the railing, his thoughts drifted. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to get to know them a little. They'd be staying next door all week, after all. And with Jungkook and Taehyung already making plans to introduce themselves, it was inevitable that they'd all cross paths soon.

His musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. He turned to see Hoseok, sunglasses perched on his head, a wide grin on his face.

"You're up early," Namjoon commented, smiling as Hoseok joined him on the deck.

"Couldn't sleep," Hoseok admitted, stretching his arms above his head. "I kept hearing the waves. It's weird having so much peace and quiet."

Namjoon chuckled. "That's the point, though, isn't it?"

Hoseok shrugged, his eyes flickering over to the house next door. "I saw the girls yesterday when we got here. They seem cool."

Namjoon followed his gaze. "Yeah, I noticed. I think the others are already planning their introductions."

Hoseok grinned. "You think?"

Yoongi

Inside the house, Yoongi was sprawled out on the couch, an iced coffee in hand, already absorbed in his morning routine. He wasn't much of a morning person, but something about Jeju had him waking up earlier than usual. The natural light pouring in through the large windows helped, casting the living room in a warm, golden glow.

He took a sip of his coffee, savoring the taste, as he heard the faint voices of Namjoon and Hoseok on the deck. He could guess what they were talking about—the girls next door had been a hot topic of conversation since they arrived.

Yoongi didn't mind the idea of neighbors, but he wasn't as eager as the younger members to make contact. He was here for peace and quiet, a break from the constant buzz of life as a musician. Besides, he didn't know if he had the energy for new introductions.

Still, his curiosity was piqued. There was something about the girls, their carefree laughter and the way they seemed so at ease, that caught his attention. Maybe, if they ended up meeting, it wouldn't be so bad.

"Thinking about the neighbors?" Seokjin's voice broke into his thoughts.

Yoongi glanced up to see Jin walking in from the kitchen, a playful smirk on his face.

"Not really," Yoongi lied, his tone casual. "Just enjoying the coffee."

Jin raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, I have a feeling we'll meet them sooner or later. Might as well be friendly, right?"

Yoongi shrugged. "We'll see."

Seokjin

Seokjin stepped into the living room, glancing out the window as he passed. The girls next door were already outside, their laughter carrying on the breeze. He smiled to himself. It was nice to see people enjoying themselves so early in the morning.

Though the rest of the guys had varying levels of interest in meeting their new neighbors, Seokjin had always been the sociable one. He wasn't one to shy away from introductions, and he figured it might be nice to have a bit of company during their stay.

As he walked over to where Yoongi was lounging, Seokjin picked up his phone and casually scrolled through messages. The idea of inviting the girls over for dinner had crossed his mind. It would be a nice gesture—after all, they were neighbors for the week, and it would be a good way to break the ice.

"What do you think about inviting them over tonight?" Seokjin asked, glancing at Yoongi, who looked at him over the rim of his coffee cup.

"For dinner?" Yoongi asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's a little... forward, don't you think?"

Seokjin shrugged. "Why not? It's a friendly gesture. Besides, I'm sure the others would be on board."

Yoongi considered it for a moment, then sighed. "Fine, but you're in charge of cooking."

Seokjin grinned. "Deal. I'll run it by Namjoon and Hobi."

As he headed toward the deck to talk to the others, he couldn't help but feel a little excited. Maybe this trip to Jeju would bring more than just relaxation—it could lead to new connections, new experiences. Whatever happened, Seokjin was ready for it.

Hoseok

Hoseok was leaning against the deck railing, sunglasses still on as he watched the waves crash against the shore. His mind was clear, free of the usual whirlwind of thoughts that filled his days. For the first time in a long time, he felt at ease.

He turned to Namjoon, who was still deep in thought, and nudged him lightly. "So, you gonna say hi to the neighbors?"

Namjoon chuckled, shaking his head. "I think I'll leave that to you guys."

Hoseok grinned. "Come on, it'll be fun. Besides, it's not every day we get to meet new people in such a relaxed setting."

Namjoon sighed, but Hoseok could see the hint of a smile on his face. "Alright, alright. We'll say hi, but let's not make a big deal out of it."

Before Namjoon could say anything else, Seokjin stepped onto the deck, a playful glint in his eyes.

"I have an idea," Jin announced, clapping his hands together. "Let's invite the girls over for dinner tonight. I'll cook, and we can get to know them. It'll be fun."

Hoseok raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the suggestion. "Dinner, huh? That could work."

Namjoon, however, looked a little hesitant. "Are you sure that's not too much? We don't even know them."

"That's the point," Jin said, waving off Namjoon's concerns. "We'll get to know them. And besides, who can resist my cooking?"

Hoseok laughed, already on board with the idea. "I think it sounds great. Let's do it."

With Namjoon reluctantly agreeing, the plan was set. Tonight, they would invite their new neighbors over for dinner, and perhaps, get to know the girls who had piqued all of their curiosities.

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