Color of My Pain

19|

When HyeJin's footsteps sounded in the hall, Hoseok cut off his teasing. Yoongi pouted, having failed at discerning the other's plans for the weekend. Nevertheless, he reached over and squeezed Hoseok's hand reassuringly. Hoseok stood, still grasping Yoongi's hand for comfort.

"She'll love you," Yoongi whispered, "I was just teasing you."

He shot a smile over his shoulder, heaving one more breath before he was faced with the ultimate judgement.

HyeJin knocked on the door lightly, "I brought home dinner whenever you're ready."

Somehow, approaching HyeJin was more terrifying than waiting for her. But Hoseok made the trip to the dining room with Yoongi's hand in his and his nerves ebbed. Their small table was set with four places, colorful dishes were ready to be filled with whatever was in the stack of styrofoam takeout boxes. MoonByul winked at them from the fridge where she was filling a pitcher with ice. HyeJin was digging through a drawer of silverware for serving spoons.

"Do you need me to get anything?" Yoongi voiced, dropping Hobi's hand to step towards his mom.

"Nope, everything's ready." She tiptoed to planted a kiss on Yoongi's forehead and he ducked down to allow it. "We don't want to keep you too long, I don't like the idea of you two driving in the dark for so long."

"Hoseok's a really careful driver." Yoongi promised.

"Oh, look here he is." MoonByul chirped, as though she sensed his rising panic.

"HyeJin, this is Jung Hoseok, my soulmate." Yoongi beamed between the two of them.

HyeJin eyed him up and down and Hoseok suddenly felt very small under her calculating gaze, but he stood his ground and held out his hand.

"It's so good to finally meet you, Yoongi says you've been taking very good care of him."

Something shifted in HyeJin's eyes and she smiled. "I've been trying. It's good to meet you too."

Hoseok felt the weight lift from his shoulders as she ushered them into their seats, "And I said I wasn't gonna keep you."

The dinner went quickly, MoonByul and HyeJin carried most of the conversation, leaving Yoongi and Hobi to hold hands beneath the table and smile at each other. Totally subtle. Totally.

It was almost 6 when the pair left the home. Yoongi's whole body was tingling with excitement to be with Hoseok for the whole weekend.

The ride went by too quickly, the gravel disappeared under the tires like the sun dips beneath the horizon and soon Hoseok was parking in the drive way. It was Yoongi's turn to be reassured. He was visibly shaking, wiping his hands over his jeans and scratching at his neck. Habitually, he drew his collar up around his neck. Hoseok reached over and smoothed it down.

"Baby, you don't have to hide. They already love you as much as I do." Hobi flicked Yoongi's chin lightly, "Besides, there's nothing there to hide."

Yoongi released a small breath and nodded, leaning over to kiss Hoseok's cheek. "I love you."

"I never get tired of hearing that."

"Say it back!" Yoongi pouted.

"You know I love you more than the stars Yoongs."

A soft blush tinted his complexion as the front door opened to reveal Namjoon's semi familiar physique, his taller boyfriend close behind. The pair got close enough to knock on the glass.

"Your dad says to stop making out in the car and introduce us to your soulmate." Joon laughed, holding Jin's hand close to his chest.

"But we didn't even get to start!"

"Hoseok!"

"Kidding... sorta."

They got out of the car and headed upstairs to leave Yoongi's bags out of the way. Yoongi plucked at the hem of his frayed tshirt and worried at his lip.

"Do you think I should have worn something nicer?" he wondered. "I mean, your parents are lawyers. And Jin even was wearing a button down."

Hobi stuck his fingers through Yoongi's belt loops and drew him in. "I think you look fancy, and besides, I wear tshirts all the time and my lawyer parents still love me."

Yoongi giggled at the reassurance and the tickle of Hobi's breath on his ear. He let Hoseok's lips brush his cheek lightly.

"Your parents are waiting." Yoongi pointed out.

Hobi sighed, "Just when I thought I'd get to give you a real kiss."

He stepped back, walking out of the room with a shit eating grin on his lips even as Yoongi reached for him.

"No, no, we still have a minute or two." Yoongi reached for him.