RACERS to RINGS

Chapter 11: Unspoken Affection

Yoongi’s POV

I tried to keep my attention focused on the conversation with my friend, but Minji was making it nearly impossible. Every time she pressed her arm against me, I could feel her leaning closer than I wanted, her voice softening, her fingers barely brushing my sleeve as if I’d be enchanted by it. It wasn’t subtle, and it wasn’t welcome.

I kept nodding at whatever my friend was saying, but my irritation simmered below the surface, building with each bounce of Minji’s persistent presence. The way she leaned against me, too close for comfort, was a constant reminder of her intent, and it grated on me more with every second. How many times had I moved a few inches away, only for her to inch back even closer?

I glanced sideways, eyes seeking out Hoseok in the crowd. My heart eased a little when I saw him. He was standing with Seokjin, but something about his expression was off, paler than usual, and his jaw seemed a bit too tense, as if he was fighting to keep himself steady. His eyes darted toward me for a second, and I saw something there, annoyance, discomfort? Whatever it was, I felt a pull in my chest.

Without a second thought, I shook Minji’s hand off my arm, finally done with her clinginess. She huffed in protest, but I ignored it, crossing the room in a few strides to get to him. Seeing Hoseok so unlike his usual self made something twist uncomfortably in my gut, and I hated that I couldn’t tell right away what was wrong.

The moment I was close enough, I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. “Are you okay, Hoba?” I asked, careful to keep my tone soft. I didn’t want him to feel crowded, but he seemed so tense, almost like he’d been holding his breath.

Hoseok’s POV

When Seokjin caught sight of Yoongi’s approach, a smirk spread across his face, and I could feel his teasing gaze on me. “Looks like someone’s coming to your rescue,” he murmured under his breath. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, but instead, I gave him a small shrug, acting indifferent even though my heartbeat had quickened.

I glanced Yoongi’s way, only to find him already making his way over. His eyes were sharp, a slight frown creasing his forehead. Was he… worried about me? The idea sent a flush of warmth through my cheeks. Just as he reached me, he leaned in slightly, his voice low.

“Are you okay, Hoba?” he asked, his tone gentle yet full of concern. I swallowed, taken off guard by the nickname, the way he called me “Hoba” with such familiarity. I nodded, trying to keep my cool, but the sound of his voice alone was doing something to me that I couldn’t control.

Before I could answer, he asked again, even softer this time, “Are you sure, sunshine?” That nickname, spoken so tenderly, sent a shiver down my spine. And as if he didn’t even realize what he was doing to me, he stayed there, his voice a soothing balm, repeating, “Hey… you’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you, Seokie?”

Each gentle nickname made my cheeks burn hotter, and I could feel the tips of my ears reddening too. I was mortified by how flustered he was making me, yet there was this deep, unexplainable thrill racing through my veins.

Finally, I mustered up enough composure to answer, my voice a little shaky, “Y-yeah, I’m fine. Really.” I couldn’t look him directly in the eye without feeling like I might combust, so I looked down, clenching my fists just to stop my hands from trembling.

When I dared to glance back up, I noticed Minji across the room, her face twisted in annoyance as she watched us. A surge of pride bubbled up in my chest, and without thinking, I shot her a smirk. 𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕, I thought smugly. 𝒀𝒐𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒊 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖

And as Yoongi stayed close, still speaking in that soft voice only meant for me, my heart filled with a wild joy. I wasn’t just someone convenient for him tonight I was the one he came to, the one he cared about.

Third Person POV

As Yoongi disappeared down the hall, responding to his father’s call, Hoseok’s gaze lingered a little longer than he intended. The warmth and ease Yoongi’s presence had brought now faded, leaving a slight emptiness in its wake. Before Hoseok could sink too deeply into thought, Seokjin nudged him, pulling him back to the moment.

“Already missing him, huh?” Seokjin teased, his voice laced with playful amusement but tempered with that ever-present, knowing edge.

Hoseok rolled his eyes, though a faint, sheepish smile escaped. “Hyung, you’re worse than a matchmaker,” he muttered, feigning nonchalance.

Seokjin chuckled, his expression softening but then shifting to a more serious, cautious tone. “How’s the racing going?” he asked, dropping his voice to a whisper as he cast a quick glance around. “You’re still planning on continuing, aren’t you?”

The question struck a familiar nerve, and Hoseok’s expression hardened just slightly. He nodded, his voice quiet but firm. “Yeah. I am. I can’t give it up,” he replied, a hint of defiance in his tone. Racing wasn’t just a hobby; it was a way of life, a space where he could escape, even if just for a little while. Out there, on the dark, reckless streets, he wasn’t just Jung Hoseok, heir to a corporate empire. He was J-Hope, fast, free, and untamed.

Seokjin studied Hoseok carefully, his eyes shadowed by an unspoken worry. Hoseok caught it immediately, tilting his head in curiosity. “What? You don’t think I can handle myself?” he asked, trying to brush off his cousin’s concern with a small grin.

But Seokjin didn’t smile back. Instead, he hesitated, weighing his words with unusual caution. Finally, he asked quietly, “Do you… ever think about telling Yoongi? About your racing?”

The question hit Hoseok harder than he expected, catching him off guard. He opened his mouth, but the words failed him, leaving an uncomfortable silence between them. He’d never let the thought cross his mind he’d purposely kept it shut away, in some far-off corner where it couldn’t bother him.

Seokjin watched his reaction with a quiet, almost resigned look. “I’m just saying,” Seokjin continued gently, “if things keep going the way they are between you two… he’s bound to find out eventually. And you’re going to have to be the one to tell him, Hobi.”

Hoseok’s chest tightened at the thought, and a flicker of guilt began to rise, unbidden. How would Yoongi react if he found out the truth? Racing wasn’t just a pastime; it was a world of danger, the thrill of it almost intoxicating but undeniably reckless. What would Yoongi, calm, composed, and so deeply embedded in his own rigid world, think of it? Would he even understand?

Or worse would he be disgusted?

The thought gnawed at him, twisting his insides uncomfortably. He imagined Yoongi looking at him differently, with judgment or disappointment in his eyes, that admiring warmth replaced by something colder. Maybe he’d be weirded out, or maybe he’d dismiss Hoseok as nothing more than a thrill-seeker who’d never grow up. That single image was enough to make him shudder.

“I… don’t know, hyung,” he murmured finally, his voice wavering. “Yoongi doesn’t need to know about that part of my life. It’s… separate. And he wouldn’t understand it. Maybe he’d think I’m reckless… or stupid.”

Seokjin’s expression softened, and he reached out to give Hoseok’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I know it’s complicated,” he said. “But if you’re serious about Yoongi, about wanting something real with him, then you’ll have to face it sooner or later. You might be surprised  he may see more in you than you think.”

Hoseok managed a small, grateful smile, but his mind remained weighed down, the conflicting emotions swirling like a storm. As he looked down the hall, catching a glimpse of Yoongi’s distant figure, a pang of uncertainty gripped him. There would come a time when he’d have to open up, to break down the carefully constructed barriers and let Yoongi into every part of his world.

But for now, he’d keep his racing hidden in the shadows. He’d savor the freedom it gave him for a little longer, away from anyone’s judgment even if that meant one day facing the risk of losing Yoongi’s respect.

𝙾𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚒𝚏 𝚑𝚎 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚠.

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Kinda short chapter but hope u guys liked it