Hello, Hello (Tell Me What You Want Right Now)

Jeongguk IX/Hoseok III

Despite having talked to and gotten advice from Jimin, Jeongguk still hasn't talked to Hoseok. Jeongguk...he's never been the best at confrontation. And despite Hoseok's sunshine attitude and bright personality, he's still a little intimidating. Irregardless of the Beta having walked in on him getting off, he's also one of his oldest hyungs. And...there's this little thing of some confusing thoughts and feelings Jeongguk's been having, even before the incident.

Jeongguk has always looked up to and admired Hoseok. But not long after he presented he started thinking of his hyung a lot more. He thought about Hobi's infectious smile, his bright sunshine-y aura, about how hard he worked and if he was overdoing it. It's a little strange, especially considering Jeongguk's tends to overdo it a lot himself, but he figured it was just lingering effects from being with him through the hormone rush of his presentation.

A couple weeks went by and it didn't go away. He found himself wanting to spend more and more time with Hoseok, joining him on his late night dance practice runs and playing games with him more often at the dorm. With Taehyung spending more time with Jimin and Yoongi (which Jeongguk was glad for, because the three of them deserve it) and with Namjoon and Jin back together, he and Hobi ended up alone together a lot anyway. It was great for them to bond, but not so great for his budding feelings for the Beta.

And then the incident happened. Hoseok walked in on him with three fingers up his ass, and watched as he came untouched across his stomach. It still mortifies Jeongguk when he thinks about it. He shouldn't have been so careless, should have hung a sock on the door- or better yet, done it in the bathroom where he could lock the door. But it happened, and now Hoseok can barely look him in the eyes, let alone spend time with him. He's taken to sequestering himself in the studio with Namjoon and Yoongi, insists that Jeongguk doesn't come with him to the late night dance practices. "You need to sleep, Ggukie, I'm just looking out for you." He'd say.

Yeah, right. Avoiding him is more like it.

Jeongguk knows he has to make the first move, since its clear Hoseok isn't going to. He doesn't even care about his little crush anymore, he just wants his friend- his hyung back.

But it turns out he doesn't really have to do much. He's moping in his room, alone, with Jin and Namjoon having gone to bed and Jimin, Taehyung, and Yoongi preparing to do the same. Hoseok had stayed at the studio after their group practice. Probably trying to wait it out until Jeongguk falls asleep. Jeongguk can't sleep, though, an ache twisting deep in his gut. He misses Hobi, so much. Misses goofing around and playing games and just...hanging out. He's been thumbing through Twitter, but nothing keeps his attention. He ends up tossing the phone away and hugging his knees to his chest, staring at the folds of the blankets around his feet.

He doesn't hear the front door open (or close), but he does hear Hoseok's footsteps in the hall. He knows it's Hoseok, could identify his footfalls anywhere after living in close proximity and dancing together for so long. He hugs his knees even closer, making himself small. Their door opens and Hoseok steps inside, looking haggard and exhausted. His hair is hidden beneath a black beanie, but his eyes are dark with sleep-deprivation, heavy bags sitting underneath. Jeongguk aches for him; he knows that weary feeling deep in his bones. It comes with the life of being an idol.

Hoseok drops his go bag, not paying Jeongguk any mind. It doesn't seem like he's even noticed that the Omega is still awake yet, despite the fact that the light is still on. But then Hoseok pauses, his gaze suddenly swiveling over to Jeongguk's bed. Jeongguk peaks at him from over the tops of his knees, a greeting on the tip of his tongue. Might as well ease into it, right?

But before Jeongguk can say anything, Hoseok freezes. It looks like he's trying to keep his face impassive, but Jeongguk can see a hint of something there before the Beta can hide it. It looks a little bit like shock and...fear? It makes something ugly stir in Jeongguk's chest. Did Hoseok really not want to see him so badly?

Hoseok takes a step back, his mouth popping open. "I..." he says, eyes flicking away from Jeongguk's until he's staring at the wall behind the Omega's head. "I, uh, I'm going to go shower...yeah." Hoseok leaves the room as quietly as he entered.

Jeongguk can't help it. All the tension, all the heartache, all the confusion was already sitting under the surface of his skin, and Hoseok dismissing him so blatantly makes it all come crashing out. His face crumples as he buries it into his knees, eyes screwing shut and mouth pinching closed in an effort to stop the tears that are already forming. It's no use. He starts sobbing, heartbroken and so lonely. His mouth drops open in a gasp, sucking air deep in his lungs that comes back out as a wail. He should be quiet...the rest of the house is asleep, but he just doesn't care. He wants his hyung back, he wants Hobi back, but the Beta isn't going to let that happen and Jeongguk hurts.

There's a soft, "...Ggukie?" from the doorway and it takes Jeongguk a moment to realize Hoseok has come back. He curls himself into a tighter ball, making himself small.

"Go aw-way," he cries, breath shuddering and hiccuping hard in his chest.

"No, Jeonggukie. What.. what's wrong?" his voice is closer and Jeongguk flinches away. A gentle hand is placed on his shoulder and Jeongguk acts on instinct. He tenses up before pushing himself away to cower against the wall. He looks up through blurry eyes to see Hoseok standing there, arm still outstretched.

"D-don't touch me!" Jeongguk wails, pressing closer to the wall and looking at Hoseok with wild eyes. "You c-clearly think I'm disgusti-ing, so just l-leave me alone!"

A look of shock and hurt crosses over Hoseok's face. He drops his hand, eyebrows pulling together and his mouth dropping into a deep frown. "Jeongguk, what...what do you mean? I could never, I would never..." He trails off, clearly at a loss for words.

Jeongguk whines a little, drawing his knees back up to his chest. How could Hoseok not realize how his actions came across, how clear it seems to Jeongguk? "Y-you've been avoiding me, h-hyung. You won't even t-talk to me anymore, not since you..." Jeongguk can't finish the sentence, but he's sure Hoseok will get the jist. "I o-obviously made you uncomfortable, that's the second time you've had to watch me get o-off. I know...I know how grossed out people g-get when we catch Jimin and Y-Yoongi-hyung, so it's not th-that far of a stretch for you to feel the same towards m-me..."

"Oh, Ggukie," Hoseok sighs, sitting lightly on the edge of Jeongguk's bed. Jeongguk watches him warily. "I could never think you're disgusting. The only, the only reason I avoided you was for your sake, I thought. I knew you were so embarrassed, I was...I was just trying to give you time."

Jeongguk snorts, his tears having slowed but his voice is still thick in his throat. "I-it's been weeks, hyung."

Hoseok chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah. Maybe I let that one get away from me." Hoseok takes in Jeongguk's red face, tear-stained cheeks, wobbly lower lip and the Beta's eyes fill with sadness. "I haven't been a very good hyung, have I? I'm so sorry"

Jeongguk hums a little, finally dropping his legs so he's a little more open to Hoseok. "Maybe not." Hoseok flinches like he's been burned so Jeongguk hastily adds, "but you can m-make it up to me n-now."

Hoseok looks at him, a small smile curling in his lips. "Yah? And how might I do that?"

Jeongguk shrugs in fake nonchalance. "You could scent with me tonight. M-maybe."

Hoseok smiles a little wider. "Maybe?"

"Yeah. Maybe."

Hoseok laughs, full-hearted, and it makes Jeongguk grin. He's missed that sound so much. "Okay, Ggukie. Just let me change first."

Maybe it's a little selfish, Jeongguk thinks as Hoseok gets up to change into sleep clothes, to use Hoseok's guilt to get a cuddle buddy. But Hoseok isn't one to do things he doesn't want to do, and the grin still on his face is evidence enough that he doesn't mind. Jeongguk situates himself under the covers as Hoseok goes to turn off the overhead light. Then the Beta crawls in by Jeongguk's side, and the Omega curls into him immediately, inhaling deeply to fill his lungs with oranges and cinnamon. God, he had missed this so much. Hoseok's scent, his warmth, just his presence. A purr trills up Jeongguk's throat and Hoseok hums happily in response, tucking his nose into Jeongguk's hair. "Goodnight, Jeonggukie." He whispers.

Jeongguk tightens his arms around Hoseok, making sure the Beta doesn't try to leave. "Goodnight, Hobi-hyung."