You Are Loved ◦ JungHope

Part 2

The day went on as usual, Hoseok continued his shift with Yoongi, sparing breaks and quick conversations with Jungkook who had started studying by the bar while they worked. It wasn't until the sign in the window switched from Open to Closed, that Yoongi, Hoseok and Jungkook were the only ones left in the small diner. Hoseok humming under his breath, Yoongi counting the register and Jungkook yawning by the bar.

"Yah! Jungkookie you should go home already." Yoongi barked when Jungkook's head fell down to rest on the piles of cash he was counting.

"Can't." Jungkook started, making no effort to move. "Wanna walk Hobi hyung home..."

Hoseok snickered. "Well pack up your books Kookie, we're getting you home first-" a blaring ringtone rang through the air as Hoseok stopped to pull out his phone, his chest tightening immediately after seeing the name. "Just one second guys, I'll be right back!" He quickly called back to the two as he stepped out the front of the dinner, the cool night breeze contrasting with the small tremors reverberating through him.

"Sangchul-"

"Hoseok. I'm looking at your location right now and you're still at the diner, what the fuck? What's taking so long? Usually you're on your way home by now."

"Sorry, I'm so sorry. We were just finishing cleaning up, I was going to walk Jungkookie-"

"Jungkookie?! You're choosing Jungkook over me now?"

"No Sangchul, we always walk home together you know that."

"Do I though? How do I know you're not with some other guy, huh? And after this morning you really want to make me wait even longer? You have no idea the things I put up with for you Hoseok. I had dinner ready, I was waiting for you."

"You were?" Hoseok's heart immediately filled with guilt. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were waiting- I'll send Jungkookie home with Yoongi hyung and be home soon-"

"Good. Remember I'm watching your location, so don't give in if the kid tries to persuade you."

"Do you not trust me?"

"You really have the audacity to be questioning me right now?"

"Right, sorry, I'll be home soon. I love you"

"You're going to have to do better to hear me say it back. Bye."

With the phone call dropped, Hoseok looked up. Willing the lump in his throat and the tears to stay at bay. How could he keep messing up like this? What was wrong with him?

A gentle knock on the window behind him brought Hoseok back to his senses, turning to find a slightly concerned Jungkook through the dusty window. Hoseok gave a small smile, the best one he could manage before turning to go in through the door. "Jungkookie, I have to be home a little earlier tonight. Would it be okay if Yoongi hyung takes you home instead?"

"Me?!" Yoongi's head snapped up from the register, his eyes changing to something watchful. As if there was something in Hoseok that he was trying to figure out.

"Hyung I'm not a kid, I don't need anyone to walk me home, I just like doing it with you since we live in the same direction. But why do you need to go home early? Is everything okay?" Jungkook's expression filled with worry, and Hoseok felt as if he was drowning.

"I...well, Sangchul made dinner and was waiting for me, I don't want to keep him waiting any longer then he already has." Hoseok spoke, eyes glued to the ground in shame as he walked behind the bar to collect his things.

Yoongi eyed him. "Did you know that he was making dinner, or did he drop this on you just now and blame you for not being there?"

Hoseok shook his head, not in the mood for another one of Yoongi's judgmental rants towards his boyfriend. "It's my fault hyung. I've just got to make it up to him. Somehow."