Enter, You

It's nothing more than that, really

As a teacher, it's usually quite rare when you're able to see students so unfiltered. Working through as a TA, he could visibly see students hide before teachers out of fear of getting in trouble. Seeing them at this point of view, Hoseok watched as the students distanced themselves from teachers before true bonds could truly be formed. Hoseok reviewed Seokjin's previous assignments as Seokjin worked in the kitchen. At first, he denied eating anything out of respect, but Seokjin insisted. Crackling noises filled the awkward silence as Hoseok noticed the previous grading scores from the teacher before him. His papers were technically perfect, but they were so boringly cookie-cutter that he couldn't push himself to read it. Brushing through several pages, Hoseok could fit a timeline of essays spanning through-out his school years. The oldest paper was probably the most interesting to read, but it was covered with red marks, and the grading sheet quoted that there were too many standards that weren't filled. The contrast between this and his most frequent one was so drastic that one could've mistaken them for having different writers. Hoseok looked over at Seokjin now, who was busying over the details of plating such a simple dish. Hoseok wondered if that filter was still there as Seokjin smiled so sweetly to him.

Over the course of a brief dinner, Hoseok started doing what he was actually there for. Even while taking the time to break down the lesson, it didn't seem to get to Seokjin. Hoseok could feel Seokjin losing his focus as his eyes grew blanker. There was a moment in which there was no full connect, Seokjin remaining silent in ways where Hoseok's sunny disposition couldn't even bring him back. In a misconstrued attempt to regain his attention, Hoseok touched Seokjin's shoulder gently. His eyes snapped back, almost physically repulsing. Hoseok moved his hand back and looked directly into Seokjin's eyes. In his entire adult life, he's seen confusion before but never this intense.

"Seokjin?"

The younger cleared his throat and forced himself to smile for Hoseok.

"Sorry, I'm a little distracted."

Seeing his friend in pain caused Hoseok to stir emotionally, breaking the student-teacher boundary by hugging Seokjin. Hoseok couldn't see Seokjin's reaction from there, wondering if this was taking things too far. He shouldn't even be here, but he couldn't retract it now.

"Is something wrong?"

The tenderness in his voice seemed to reach Seokjin as he grew weaker into his arms.

"Would that be too much to explain?"

Hoseok released Seokjin from his hug to show a direct smile.

"I won't leave until I manage to teach you."

They moved over to the couch, getting their pants wet as they sat down. While Seokjin rested against Hoseok, his tense expression could melt away comfortably. He didn't particularly know why he was willing to talk to a new friend about his problems, but it would've just hurt to keep it in his head unattended.

"Where can I start?"

Hoseok gazed over to Seokjin and gave a supportive smile.

"The beginning, if you're alright with that."

Seokjin sighed of hopeful relief and sank into Hoseok's body.

"Have you ever fallen in love with someone?"

Hoseok accidentally left a few seconds of hanging emptiness before he replied.

"I've fallen in love before."

Seokjin sat up straighter in curiosity.

"How did you know?"

Deep breaths.

"I don- I didn't. You don't know if you're in love until it hits you."

Seokjin went back down on the couch.

"I should be hit then, right?"

Hoseok pet Seokjin's head playfully.

"It'll come later if it's my type of love."

Seokjin looked up to Hoseok and grinned.

"What's the teacher's type of love?"

He refrained from smirking out of some hopes of keeping professionalism.

"My type of love is what almost seems impossible until they say it back."

Seokjin laughed.

"You're into chasing lovers and hoping they look back?"

Hoseok broke into a genuine smile. It's almost funny how it always happened around him.

"Those are the most exciting chases you can ever get."

Seokjin nustled against Hoseok's waist, causing a hard to ignore blush.

"Do they look back?"

It almost hurt Hoseok for not being able to give an honest answer. If he said "They already are", he would've gone into even more trouble. Already edging the relationship of friends to silly crush, having Seokjin so close to him was dangerous. He probably shouldn't have skipped all those grades or he would've been able to ask out the poor guy. If that last attempt at love wasn't so awful, he would've probably bothered attending his own graduation. When was the last time he saw Yoongi anyway? Wondering what should've been wasn't getting him anywhere as Seokjin's eyes still awaited a response.

"It would be nice if they did."

Hoseok accidentally let his hopeful tone slip. The response was surprisingly intense as the other's eyes seemed to glow at the news.

"You like someone, don't you?"

Hoseok swallowed the collecting saliva in his throat.

"It's not illegal for a teacher to have a crush, is it?"

He was also asking himself this question.

"Answering my question with another question. It's alright, I won't tell anyone~"

Seokjin was bordering on flirtatious in order for Hoseok to give him a reply.

"Are you in love with someone then, Seokjin?"

He pouted.

"I'll tell you if you tell me."

Hoseok pets his head again dismissively in order to distract him from the shifting in his seat.

"I guess I'll never know."

Seokjin's natural pout was so attractive even when he was forbidden from touching.

"It's just a little crush. Nothing to get obsessed over."

"And when a crush turns into love, you'll have to tell me first!"

Hoseok laughed softly.

"That's how it usually works."