blush。hopekook

four

hoseok was nervous.

the supposedly calming song playing on the radio did not help him calm his nerves as he sat on the chair with hands intertwined on the table inside his favorite pastry shop in the heart of seoul. he made sure to be dressed quite nicely for today as he doesn't want to appear bad in jungkook's eyes; the thought alone could certainly send him into one of his terrible panic attacks, and he can't break down out in the public.

so he took a couple of deep breath while he glanced on his watch. jungkook was five minutes late, not that he mind, considering that he arrived here five minutes early.

a shaky sigh left his lips as he tapped his fingernails on the table, glancing out on the window and admiring the blue sky filled with white, cotton-shaped clouds floating across. it somehow made his mind calm, and soon after, hoseok's phone was already vibrating inside his pocket.

he quickly fished it out from his jeans, reading the name on the screen before answering the call.

"hyung?" he greeted with uncertainty, keeping his voice low.

"just so you know, hoseok," yoongi's raspy voice came on on the other line, and it sent shivers down hoseok's spine. "take care of jungkook, or else."

hoseok completely understood what "or else" meant, and he nodded his head furiously, nervously stuttering out a yes sir before yoongi hung up. hoseok released a breath he didn't realize he was holding, and he stared at his phone for a second.

"hyung," came jungkook's breathy voice that surprised hoseok, resulting him jumping up in his seat and knocking his knees under the table.

a few heads turned their way, and jungkook, who was rather dressed quite more nicely compare to hoseok, quickly sat down across from the older, watching in amusement as the latter stared at him in shock.

"when did you—" hoseok pointed a finger at jungkook, then closed his mouth and shook his head, a smile finally forming in his lips. "i'm glad you're here."

jungkook nodded, averting his gaze away from hoseok and down to the table. "it's my first time," he mumbled out softly, the tips of his ears reddening and hoseok's stomach was already having a war with butterflies and his heart seemed to be running in a race.

"you're cute when you blush," hoseok muttered absent-mindedly, and jungkook's head shot up with confusion.

"what is that?"

hoseok caught himself and shook his head quickly, letting out a nervous chuckle. "nothing," he dismissed with a wave of his hand. "i just said that you look cute."

hoseok clamped a hand on his mouth in shock, but he melted when jungkook blushed a warm shade of red, squirming in his seat like a little kid that makes hoseok want to tuck him in under the covers.

hoseok cleared his throat. "i already ordered, by the way, if you don't mind," he informed.

jungkook nodded his head, still looking down on the table with his hands on the table. hoseok watched as he fiddled with his fingers again and reached across the table to put his own hand on top of jungkook's, making the younger look at him with wide eyes.

hoseok gave him a soft smile and squeezed his hands. "it's okay," he told him. "relax, jungkook. enjoy the day, okay?"

"okay," jungkook murmured then gave a small smile, and hoseok felt like he can march around the restaurant and talk about the kindness in jungkook's smile.

jungkook let his tensed muscles relax and his mind be at ease once the cakes and drinks hoseok had ordered for the two of them arrived at their table. then they settled in a slow pace of getting to know each other as they both shove tasty cakes inside their mouths, enjoying each other's company, as well as the food.

hoseok grinned brightly when the color pink bloomed in jungkook's cheeks once again, and he failed to notice that their knees were touching.

+

"let me walk you home?" hoseok offered as they both exited the shop.

jungkook shook his head. "i'll be fine."

"no, i insist." hoseok smiled, already walking down the street. "come on, jungkook!"

jungkook smiled, catching up with the elder and walking side by side that their shoulders brush. they began to talk again, mostly about things from school or hoseok's puppy. the date was fun; they got to know more a lot about each other and they also found out that they share the same hobbies, such as dancing and playing the piano. hoseok had asked if they could do a duet someday, to which jungkook immediately but shyly agreed.

he was slowly relaxing more around hoseok, and he liked seeing hoseok's genuine smile and hearing his melodic laughter. it somehow made him feel secured and safe, but then he shouldn't give himself away that easily. for all he knows, hoseok might just be putting on a facade, but then again, the way hoseok talks to him and tells him things about his childhood days almost seemed real.

he's still capable of hurting you, his mind told him. he's like just any other guy you love. he'll throw you away once he gets bored with you.

with gritted teeth and a frown in his face, jungkook tried to push away all the negative thoughts inside his mind once they finally reached his neighborhood. after a few minutes, they were finally in front of jungkook's house, and not mention, yoongi was behind the window, narrowing his eyes at hoseok, who tried his best to ignore it and focus on jungkook's cute, cute face.

"so, uh, i'll see you?" hoseok cleared his throat, stuffing his hands inside his pockets and smiling at jungkook. "tomorrow?"

jungkook nodded, a small smile that hoseok already grown fond of tugged on the corners of his lips. "yeah, okay," he breathed out softly.

then silence fell. hoseok's heart was thundering loudly inside his chest and he was afraid that jungkook might hear it. jungkook, on the other hand, was looking down at this shoes, fiddling with the hem of his hoodie.

then hoseok gathered all his courage and stepped forward, wrapping his arms around jungkook, releasing a shaky breath that was soon followed by a light chuckle. jungkook stood still as his face reddened and hoseok's body heat radiated off on him even through their thick clothes.

"don't be afraid," hoseok whispered against jungkook's ears, causing goosebumps across the younger's skin.

then hoseok pulled away, his lips grazing softly jungkook's cheeks as stepped away from the younger's personal space bubble. jungkook was still frozen and flustered at the hug, staring into hoseok's eyes with silent shock.

"see you, jungkook," hoseok let out a light laugh as he scratched the back of his head, reaching out to ruffle jungkook's hair before bidding his farewell and walking away.

jungkook counted one to three as hoseok's silhouette disappeared, then rushed quickly inside the house, ignoring yoongi when the older called his name and locked himself in his own bedroom, sliding down with his back on the door with his hand clutching on his chest, where his heart beat rapidly. warmth surged throughout in his chest, but at the same time, confusion clouded his mind.

jungkook sighed, pulling his knees closer and burying his head between his knees, letting out a defeated groan.