Invisible Affection | Taejin

41. Unspoken Currents

Seokjin took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell, shifting his weight slightly as he waited. Within seconds, the door opened, and Hoseok greeted him with a wide smile, his entire face lighting up the moment their eyes met.

"You made it!" Hoseok cheered as he reached out, trying to pull Seokjin into a hug, but his belly made the effort awkward.

Seokjin laughed softly, giving a careful half-hug before leaning back to look him over. "You are huge."

Hoseok groaned dramatically, resting a hand on his stomach. "I know. I am so ready for him to come out." Then his expression softened, his eyes glassy with emotion. "Oh my gosh, you're here. I'm so glad you came." He closed the door behind them and started leading Seokjin inside, still holding onto his arm. "Wait, where are your bags? Did you leave them outside with someone?"

"They're at the hotel—"

Hoseok stopped mid-step, turning to face him with disbelief. "You are not staying at a hotel. Are you serious?"

Seokjin hesitated, his fingers brushing against the cuff of his sleeve. "I just figured I would prefer staying there, but thank you, and Yoongi, for offering to let me stay here."

Hoseok stared at him for a moment, his lips pressing into a small pout before sighing. "I told you to stay here. That was the plan, Jin." Then, catching himself, he waved his hand dismissively and gave a short laugh. "It's fine, it's fine. I'm just disappointed because I had the best room set up for you."

Seokjin gave him a small smile, glancing around the entrance as he adjusted his bag on his shoulder. "Your home looks great so far, though. Even better than the pictures you sent."

That softened Hoseok's expression instantly. He pulled him into another hug, resting his chin briefly against Seokjin's shoulder before stepping back. "I'm just glad you're here," he said. "I missed you so much. Not having you close is the only downside of being here."

Before Seokjin could respond, Hoseok's attention shifted, his voice picking up with excitement. "Wait, did you eat yet? The food is ready, and you have to try it. Yoongi made sure everything was perfect." He paused for a second, lowering his voice. "No one's here yet. The rest of the guests won't arrive for about an hour. It's a small gathering, just like Yoongi wanted. Oh, and... I think he might have invited Taehyung."

Seokjin's breath stilled for the briefest moment, but he managed to give a soft smile and nod. "Of course. That's fine."

Hoseok studied him carefully, almost like he was trying to gauge if the answer was genuine, but then he nodded and tugged his arm lightly. "Good. Come on, let me show you the kitchen before Yoongi yells at me for keeping you in the hallway."

******

By the time they made it into the kitchen, Hoseok was already fussing over trays of food, pointing out everything Yoongi had "insisted" on arranging perfectly. Seokjin leaned against the counter, sipping water and smiling softly as Hoseok bounced between excitement and frustration, his energy filling the space in a way that always felt familiar.

As the first guests began to arrive, their cheerful laughter filled the entryway while gentle music played softly in the background. Seokjin greeted everyone politely, having quick chats with some familiar faces before moving to a quieter corner near the living room. He preferred to watch and listen rather than talk, finding it easier to enjoy the flow of the evening this way.

When the door opened again, Taehyung stepped inside, and Hoseok welcomed him before gesturing toward the kitchen.

Seokjin glanced up briefly and caught sight of Taehyung. It had only been a couple of months, but Taehyung looked both the same and different at once—his hair was a little shorter, and his frame was broader. Their eyes met for a fleeting second, just long enough for Taehyung to offer a small nod of acknowledgment before someone nearby pulled him into conversation.