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MONDAY
  This is the best idea you’ve ever had, Jin thinks, passing another corn dog through the window. A teenager with a Koya headband thanks him for the food—a scarce resource in these parts—and beelines back to their spot in line.Which is already absurdly long for the Monday afternoon preceding a Friday concert. Not even a concert! A “performance”. A glorified interview.Of course, RM's Moonchildren have always been a passionate bunch.Not to mention, it’s the interview of a massive global celebrity who hasn’t been States-side in the last three years, so the people in town are buzzing with excitement. And the people from out of town, if all the non-New York accents are any indication. Half of the people he’s talked to so far aren’t even American, just flew in for the show. Fandom is…Well, he won’t call his customers “crazy”. They’re…passionate. And, thankfully, financially irresponsible enough to buy his overpriced street meat. Hopefully they don’t discover that New York City does actually have grocery stores at any point this week. Not that they'd be willing to lose their spot in line to go to one.At this point, there still seems to be a truce amongst the Moonchildren. Many of them came in pairs or small groups, but they’re still holding each others’ places while they rush out for a hot dog or a bathroom break. There’s something very wholesome about their togetherness. It’s like a little community. Or a commune, the way they still share snacks and resources. Mayhaps a cult, but a nice cult. A cult that still supports small businesses.“May I please have a…po-go-stick?” A very good-looking young man (and Jin would know) requests at the front of the line. He’s dressed in a bright orange t-shirt and a black necklace with what looks like a clown-face on it, plus a crossbody bag with the tiniest little pouch Jin’s ever seen. It’s a fashionable (if totally impractical) look.“That’ll be five dollars,” Jin informs him, handing over the pogo. For just a single second, the man makes a disgusted face. Then he twists it into a heart-shaped smile. “Oh…kay.” He takes the pogo in one hand while reaching for his tiny pouch with the other.Jin feels a little bad for him. “Four if you speak Korean,” he offers, in a language he’s pretty sure they both speak comfortably.Heart-Lips sighs, relief obvious. “That’s nice of you, thank you” he says in Korean, but still hands Jin a five-dollar bill. Not one to revoke charity, Jin makes change and gives him back a dollar. “I’m trying to exploit the white people for a change.”“Four dollars is still way too much for whatever this is.” He eyes the pogo suspiciously. “What kind of meat is this, anyway?”Avoiding the question, Jin explains, “Food is more expensive America.”“Sure.” Heart-Lips rolls his eyes. Back in the parade of Moonchildren, a kid (if you can call a muscle-bunny covered in tattoos a kid) calls out, “Hyung!” and Heart-Lips turns to show him the pogo. The kid returns a thumbs up, jumping up and down like they can’t see him through the crowd. The hops turn into jumping jacks, then into burpees, and then push-ups down on the sidewalk. “Well, he’s obviously excited. Big Rapmon fans?” Jin asks, since the next person in line is still focused on their phone.“I’m just the chaperone. If I’d known the concert wasn’t until Friday I would have canceled the flight.”“Think of it as a new experience. Everyone seems pretty well-behaved so far, you’ll be okay.”Heart-Lips turns back to look at the queue of Moonchildren. “Nothing about this is okay,” he grumbles, and with a nod to Jin, leaves.The next person in line is short enough that Jin can’t really see their face while he’s staring down at his phone. Just the long black hair drawn up into half-bun, and the collection of rings adorning long, sturdy fingers.“Next!” Jin all-but-hollers, chuckling a little when his patron jumps.“Sorry,” the man mumbles. “Can I please get two hotdogs, a corndog, and three cans of iced tea?” He’s so polite, speaking as formally as if Jin was a chef or something (which he technically is, even if his fried-up street meat isn’t the best way to show-off his skills). He’s pretty cute too, in a different way than Heart-Lips, with round cheeks but a sharp jaw, and even sharper, cat-like eyes. “I don’t speak Korean,” Jin deadpans. In Korean.Cat-Eyes blinks.Winking back, Jin gets to work on his order, collecting all the items in the window. “Do you want a bag?”Another blink, as though it’s obvious. Jin feels a healthy ping of social awkwardness, but Cat-Eyes doesn’t actually look offended, just a bit tsundere. Luckily, it’s only Monday, so he’s got plenty of time to win over his customers. He rounds up all the items in a paper bag and faces it handles-out.“This is going to cost me a fortune, isn’t it?” Cat-Eyes grumbles.“A small one. Twenty-one bucks, but only twenty if you smile.”Cat-Eyes has a leather wallet, and draws out a twenty-dollar bill to place on the food truck counter. Then, he unzips the coin pocket, and places a single dollar coin down next to it. He takes the bag. “Thank you,” he says, serious but still polite, and waddles back to the concert line.Two men greet him there, hugging him before making grabby hands at the bag. Begrudgingly, he hands it over, but if Jin squints he can make out the eensie-weensie shape of a smile at the corner of his mouth. Tsundere, indeed.Him and his friends have set up a trio of lawn chairs, and when he sits, he accidentally rocks back and lightly knocks the person on the ground behind him. Who, now that Jin is looking, happens to be Heart-Lips (sitting on a plastic mat with a large bottle of hand sanitizer holding down one of the corners). He turns around, smile briefly becoming a scowl before Cat-Eyes turns too to witness it. Cat-Eyes must apologize, because Heart-Lips smiles even brighter, nodding in a way that looks forgiving. When Cat-Eyes turns back to his friends (who are busy chewing down a single hotdog Lady and the Tramp-style), his cheeks are pink.Well. It might be an interesting week after all.

TUESDAY
 “Excuse me!” A new patron calls to him, and Jin is ready to get back to the grind.It’s the guy’s friend from yesterday, the one who looks like a rabbit plushie glued onto a monster truck. He’s underdressed for the cool breeze, just a baggy tank top covering his midsection while his pecs attempt to escape through the sleeves, nipples precariously covered by just a sliver of white fabric. He’s probably wearing some semblance of pants too, but Jin is working very hard to focus on his face. “What can I get you?”“Koreans get a discount, right?” the kid asks.Jin rolls his eyes. “Only the polite ones.”“I’m polite!” It’s frantic and not at all deep enough to show respect, but the dude literally bows. Comes back up with long bangs over his eyes. “Now do I get a discount?”It shouldn’t be cute. It should be pitiful. It should be gross, this guy’s a stranger! “I’ll give you a deal if you don’t tell anybody.” Nose scrunching with the force of his smile, Muscle-Bunny orders three hot dogs and a caesar salad. Jin gives him the salad for free, but only because he’s pretty sure it’s for his “chaperone” from yesterday. That’s the only reason.“I’m Jungkook,” Muscle-Bunny tells him.“There’s at least a hundred people here, you expect me to remember that?”Unfazed, Jungkook smirks. “You’re Jin, right?”His name is plastered all over the food truck, and he even printed it on the napkins. His dongsaeng did warn him against calling it JIN’S MEAT (Not A Euphemism). “No,” he says, passing a cardboard tray of hot dogs through the window.Jungkook accepts it with another half-assed bow. “Thanks, Jin-hyung! I’ll see you later!” “Didn’t say you could call me— ugh .” He’s gone already, back to where Heart-Lips is deeply nested into what looks like a collection of plastic mats, arms and legs crossed as though terrified of the dirty sidewalk. He sanitizes his hands twice before accepting the salad, and Jin isn’t trying to be nosy, but between bites he appears to be talking to someone (that definitely isn’t Jungkook, the animal, whose mouth is already stuffed with not one but two hotdogs).It’s Cat-Eyes, still lounging in his folding chair, sipping from a paper cup and smiling just the slightest bit as the two men make conversation. He even laughs at one point (if you can call a silent chuckle a laugh, but Jin’s across the grass from them, so maybe he just can’t hear it). Despite how uncomfortable Heart-Lips looks and how stone-still Cat-Eyes is, it’s kind of cute to watch them get along, making friends amongst the growing line of psychos—ooops, Moonchildren —who are willing to sleep on sidewalks just to see a nerd who raps well.

🌭

It’s late when Jin starts packing up, unplugging the light-up sign on his truck as all the Moonchildren (who seem to have doubled already) tuck into their sleeping bags for the night. Even his favourite characters have started setting up what looks like a tent, and while it seems like it was Cat-Eyes who brought it for himself and the two friends Jin hasn’t seen today, he visibly invites Heart-Lips and Jungkook inside as well.Heart-Lips claps his hands together, bowing gratefully as he goes inside the tent. Jungkook is more tactile, hugging Cat-Eyes almost violently (and quite possibly drowning the shorter man between his pecs) (which definitely doesn’t make Jin jealous).They go inside and zip the tent closed, and with that, Jin’s entertainment is over for the day. He’s just about to shut the window when two men come barrelling toward the truck, holding up the glass to keep it open.“Sorry!” the shorter one cries, and Jin recognizes him as one of Cat-Eyes’ companions. “Do you have any charging cables?”The other man has his palms pressed together as though in prayer, and his mouth is wide open in a boxy smile, almost performatively hopeful. Jin sighs. He might as well at least try to help these two.“For what? A phone? A laptop? Be more specific, you gremlins.” It’s after hours, so he doesn’t need to be polite.To his surprise, the short one looks borderline thrilled with his unpleasantness, cherubic face all lit up. “It’s for an iPhone. Hyung usually brings everything we need, but he only uses Samsung.”“How unthoughtful of him.”“Exactly! Why even bring so many power banks if you’re not going to let us use them. Anyway, can we borrow your cord? My phone’s about to die, and RM’s doing a Live tomorrow.”Jin tries to scowl, he really does. “What makes you think I even have one?”And the tall one, the brat, reaches right into the truck and pulls his iPad off the charging cable. He’s just about to pull that out of it’s outlet too, but Jin slips his hands away, does it himself. Rolls the cord up gently.Boxy-Smile… well, he boxy-smiles, taking the not-quite-stolen cord right out of Jin’s fingers. “Thank you, Jin-ssi! We’ll bring it back first thing in the morning. What time do you open, by the way?”It’s only because he’s so bewildered that Jin doesn’t fight, and answers, “Right at eight.”“Perfect!” Angel-Face chimes. “Well, you know where to find us. Thanks again!”They skip away. “I absolutely do not know where to find you!” he calls, which isn’t true, because they unceremoniously let themselves into Cat-Eyes tent, loudly greeting the collection of squatters who already seem cramped in there.Jin grabs his opportunity to lock things up for the night, debates driving the truck home before remembering he bought a permit for the week. He isn’t far, and he’d rather walk home anyway. Plus, if anyone is stupid enough to vandalize his truck, the insurance payout would be worth it.It’s only out of curiousity that he decides to walk home along the sidewalk, loiter just for a second next to his new “friends’” tent. He can still see the shadows from their flashlights inside, hears a sharp, “Yah! I said no spooning!” that sounds like Cat-Eyes, a lilting giggle that sounds like Angel-Face. He wonders what RM would think of all his fans meeting like this, befriending each other in such a bizarre situation, their passion for his music forcing them to camp out on the street. He’d probably love it, Jin thinks. RM does value community over everything.Jin, on the other hand, values showers. So, he smiles to himself and leaves.

WEDNESDAY
 He’s a little late to start the day, but the benefit of running a food truck instead of a restaurant is that there’s no social contract forcing Jin to open on a specific schedule. Either the truck is open or it isn’t, and it’s not like he’s the only joint along the New York sidewalk, multiple other trucks and stands capitalizing equally on RM’s fandom.So, he takes the opportunity to stroll the entire length of the sidewalk, from the end of the line (blocks upon blocks away from where the concert isn’t even set up yet) to the relative front (there’s a group of fans who have set up battlements around their tents and are threatening newcomers with what are probably just water balloons, but Jin doesn’t dare look up close).Reaching the tent where he really hopes his iPhone cord survived the night, he pauses, listening for signs of life. It’s almost completely silent, if not for the gentle snoring sounds of at least one, but maybe… two people? He takes a step closer, leans in, tries to decipher. Yep, it’s definitely at least two, one snore a low rumble and the other with a funny little whistling sound thrown in, almost melod—“Who do you think you are, Edward Cullen?” someone says loudly behind him, and Jin hurls himself back from the tent, knocking hard into… a wall?Oh, no. Not a wall. “Jungkook!” Jin chimes, as nonchalantly as he can (despite the urge to check if the guy’s chest is made of rocks instead of skin and muscles). “Fancy meeting you here! And on this fine morning, no less!”Jungkook is holding a large smoothie cup that Jin recognizes from a vendor across the intersection, an Auntie who he seems to meet at every event in this small-world city. She’s sweet, always complaining that he’s too skinny and force-feeding him the mangoes that she should be selling. “Ah, Fruity Ahjumma ! Lovely lady, always gives me an extra shot of matcha. Is that the Banana Blend? You should try—““Why are you spying on my tent?” Jungkook interrupts, suspicious.Forcing a laugh, Jin flounders, “Oh, ah, nothing strange! Just stopping by to collect my belongings. Your friends borrowed a cell phone charger from me, but there’s no rush of course! It does sound like they’re sleeping.”“Jimin-hyung and Taehyungie-hyung?” Jungkook asks, as though Jin learned the names of the two gremlins who robbed him. “They left ages ago. Said something about a naked cowboy who sells pictures.”Jin frowns. “I’m guessing they took my charger with them.”“Probably. I can check if you want?””No need, I brought an extra. Besides, I don’t want to interrupt the sleeping beauties.”Jungkook sips his smoothie thoughtfully. “I think Hobi-hyung is trying to self-induce a coma. He asked if I could strangle him just a little bit yesterday.”Hobi must be the smiley one, he has seemed miserable living on the dirty sidewalk. “Well, I appreciate you not turning my business location into a crime scene.”“No problem. Besides, they’d probably make us leave, and I am not sabotaging front row seats at the concert.”“Very moral of you.”“Obviously.” Jungkook takes the lid off his smoothie and swallows at least half of it. It does look like banana flavour (with chocolate chips), and that should make it way less attractive than it is. “Well, half my hyungs are MIA and the other half are asleep. Guess that means you’re stuck with me.”At that, Jin really flounders. “Pardon?”Jungkook is unfazed “I’ve never worked at a restaurant before, but I did used to deliver newspapers in Busan, so I can probably sling your hot dogs pretty far. If you give me a free slice of pizza for lunch then I’ll work for you for free.””First of all—” Jin tries to make a disapproving face. “Don’t talk about slinging my hot dogs. Second, we both know you’ll demand three slices at least.”“I’m a growing boy.”“Evidently.” It’s so inappropriate, and Jin doesn’t even know this kid, and he definitely isn’t here to do charity. But it is a quiet morning and he could use the company, so… “Fine. You’re hired. But only if you promise to wash your hands before touching anything.”After chugging down the rest of his smoothie, Jungkook grins, cheeks full. He looks like a very mischievous, oversized chipmunk. “Deal! And don’t worry, Hobi-hyung already made me take a wet-wipe bath this week, so I’m nice and clean all over.”“Disgusting,” Jin mutters, but Jungkook either doesn’t hear it or ignores it, and follows him back to his truck.

🌭

Despite talking a big game, Jungkook mostly stays out of Jin’s way, helping only by flipping the occasional burger and offering some decent conversation once they get onto the topic of video games. He’s a nice dude, kind of aloof but very sweet (despite his lack of etiquette). Jin wonders if they’ve ever played online together and just don’t realize it, two Overwatch addicts across a sea. He’s just about to ask Jungkook for his screen name when another familiar face appears at his truck window.“I didn’t see kidnapping on the menu,” Cat-Eyes grunts, watching Jungkook reorganize the chip-bag display (for the umpteenth time).Jin laughs, taken off-guard by his relative lightness. Cat-Eyes really isn’t as much of a grump as he seems. “This isn’t a kidnapping, it’s a hostage situation. Do me a favour and call the police, would you?”“I’m already here. Detective Min at your service.”“Hm, I’m not sure I believe you. Dressed all in black like that, you look more like a burglar.”The corners of the ‘detective’s’ lips twitch. “I’m a spy. Name’s Min. Yoongi Min. Now, Jungkook-ah,” the man Jin now knows as Yoongi scolds, “What did hyung teach you about getting into stranger’s trucks?”Jungkook throws a bag of chips from where he is decidedly not working. “I only met you two days ago. You haven’t taught me anything.”Yoongi frowns. “You think you know a kid.”“Can’t trust anyone nowadays,” Jin commiserates. “You didn’t strike me as the type to make friends.”“That is hugely offensive,” Yoongi says, not seeming offended even a little bit. “I’m very friendly. And generous.”Jin has to agree. “I noticed you shared your tent. That was kind of you.”Shrugging, Yoongi admits, “That one wasn’t up to me. I believe you met my other wards last night.”“The children of the corn?”“The twins from The Shining, actually.” “Ooh, incestuous.”Yoongi winces. “Anyway, we’re all stuck in purgatory together. We might as well all get along.”“Not a big RM fan, then?”A hand is suddenly slapped over his mouth, and at least Jin has half of mind to know it’s Jungkook’s, or he would have bitten it. Actually, he still feels the urge to bite it, because Jungkook is a brat who definitely deserves it. (But they’ve only known each other for a day and a half, so he resists.)“How could you say that!” Jungkook gasps. “Hyung is, like, the biggest RM fan I’ve ever met! After me, of course.”Before him, Yoongi looks very bashful, and Jin is grateful for the lack of line behind him, because he’s enjoying this conversation. “I’m surprised you’re not further up in line. I heard some fans showed up on Saturday .”Yoongi frowns. “Those aren’t fans, those are Twitter micro-celebrities,” he scoffs. “Besides, some of us have to work for a living.”“An unfortunate truth. Have you been a fan for a long time?” He’s already gotten the entire of history of Jungkook’s thigh fetish, so he hopes Yoongi’s appreciation for RM is a little more wholesome.“Since his Soundcloud days,” Yoongi answers, and suddenly he’s smiling, and it’s so cute that Jin sort of wants to scream about it. “I used to write songs too, and we messaged each other a couple times before he got picked up by a company. He’s an amazing lyricist.”It’s Jin’s turn to frown. “You never spoke again?”“It was just a message board thing,” Yoongi says, forgiving, but his eyes do look a little sad. “I just like seeing another Korean have some International success.”“Some is a bit of an understatement.” Jin would know. Yoongi shrugs again, and a group appears behind him, lining up. “Ooops, duty calls!” Jin announces. “Jungkook-ssi, are you still my employee?”Jungkook straightens up, pretending to actually be helping. “Are you still feeding me?”He’s already gone through an entire personal pizza and at least three cans of Sprite. “If you can cook 15 hotdogs in the next 5 minutes, then yes.”“Ay-ay, Captain!” he salutes, and to his credit, does start cooking.Jin turns back to Yoongi. “Did you want anything, or was this just part of your rounds, Detective Yoongi-ssi?”It’s such a surprise when Yoongi’s cheeks turn red. “I did want to ask you something, but… it can wait.”And it’s only because it’s been such an odd week, and Jin has already been so harassed by the makeshift group of Moonchildren that he offers, “I’ll come by your tent later?”With a nod and a tiny thanks, Yoongi leaves.Jin watches him cross back over the sidewalk and unzip the tent, revealing a very relieved-looking man (who must be Hobi) inside. He gets in, and when he closes the tent behind him, Jin can still hear a bright, cheerful laugh.“Where are those hot dogs, Jungkook-ssi?” he demands, and happily greets his next guests.

🌭

The day goes by surprisingly quickly with Jungkook at his side, sometimes going on some tangent about nothing, sometimes starting an impromptu karaoke competition. “You’re a good singer, hyung,” he compliments, and Jin still isn’t sure when he gave Jungkook permission to speak to him so comfortably, but that seems to be standard for the kid, who has collected hyungs like Pokémon ever since Jin first saw him.After convincing Jungkook to leave through the door instead of parkouring through the window, they lock up the truck together, and there’s an awkward moment where they’re suddenly out of sight from the sidewalk, relatively alone but for the taxis on the busy street.“Aren’t you gonna thank me?” Jungkook goads, not making any moves to return to his tent (or go anywhere Jin isn’t, it seems). Jin swallows. “Thank you for what? Eating me out of business and not even knowing how to brew coffee?” It’s not entirely true. Jungkook was surprisingly useful during the lunch rush, and the dinner one, actually focused on the task at hand and serving customers when Jin was busy trying to prevent a grease-fire. He was perfectly polite to them, if not way too flirty in his oversized tank top, entire chest and tattooed arms exposed for Jin’s innocent consumers to lust after.Ah well, he’s not so bad, really.They glare at each other for a second, or maybe ten seconds, and then Jungkook starts laughing. “Jin-hyung, you’re hilarious,” he declares, and Jin has no idea what he’s referring to, but he doesn’t disagree.Jungkook leads the way back to the tent, which is already unzipped. And overpopulated, the entire collection of Jin’s new acquaintances nested inside. It’s pretty spacious, considering how easily Jungkook can barrel inside with everyone, crawl over to the man-sized pigeons that still haven’t returned Jin’s belongings.Then there’s Hobi, who giggling at some absurdist yarn Yoongi is spinning about “drop-kicking a brown bear” and “training its young to tap dance.” They’re a funny pairing: Yoongi is serious but sardonic, while Hobi is bubbly yet awkward. Well, they’re both awkward, but in different ways. No wonder they get along so well.“And what did you two get up to in that truck of yours?” the Not-So-Angelic Angel-Faced one goads, glancing pointedly between Jin and Jungkook.“Hyung let me sling his hot dogs,” Jungkook gleams, and Jin really can’t tell if he knows what he’s implying, but he’s too exhausted from a day of… fine, hot dog slinging!…to argue. He sighs, catches Yoongi’s eye. “You wanted to speak with me?”Yoongi nods, already standing. “I’ll be right back,” he tells Hobi, who’s returned smile seems forced, even nervous. “Don’t worry, hyung, we’ll keep him company,” the one with the Boxy-Smile winks.Seeing Yoongi’s grimace, Hobi chuckles lightly. “It’s okay, see? I’m safe here with Taehyungie.””And me!” Angel-Face whines.”And Jiminie,” Hobi agrees.Satisfied, Yoongi gestures for Jin to step out of the tent, following him before zipping it closed. Then, once they’re out of sight from those inside, he clamps a parasitic grasp around Jin’s wrist and drags him all the way to the other side of the street (dodging the cars as they run for it).Once they’ve reached a stopping point, Jin wrenches his arm back. “Is this a runaway love affair?” he demands, rubbing his sore wrist. “Are you confessing your star-crossed love to me?”Yoongi wraps his hands around the back of his neck. “Sorry…” he mumbles, and he looks so genuinely bashful that Jin stops being mad immediately. “I just didn’t want them to hear.”“What could possibly be this big of a secret?”“I wanted to ask you for a favour,” Yoongi explains, “and I think you’re going to say no.” His skin pales suddenly. “Wait, fuck… obviously you’re going to say no. I’m being completely ridiculous. You’d have to be totally insane to say yes to this—”“To what—?!” “—What kind of lunatic thinks he can ask a stranger— I shouldn’t even ask a stranger, stranger-danger, I don’t know what I was thinkin—”“Yoongi-yah!” Jin claps his hands together in front of Yoongi’s face, startling him into silence. Then: “Are you even older than me?”“How should I know? How old are you?”“I’m 93-Line.””Fantastic. I’m ‘92. I’m a kind old hyung, Yoongi-yah, please take advantage of me.”The smile Jin gets in response to that looks sort of like a square bracket, and it activates his cute aggression so dramatically that he almost pinches Yoongi’s cheeks. But he holds back.Yoongi looks down at his feet. “Do you live around here?” he asks.Um. “Wait. Is this a secret love affair? Because no offence darling, but while I appreciate cats and catboys, I’m more of a dog person myself. Or perhaps flying squirrels, they have lots of character—”“It’s not a love affair!” Yoongi whines. “And you look like a flying squirrel person.”“I feel like I should be offended by that.” Yoongi doesn’t justify him with a response. Jin sighs. “Fine. Yes. I do live around here. You’re not planning to murder me, are you?”“Not yet,” Yoongi shakes his head. “It’s Hoseok.” Ahhh. Jin should have guessed this was about Yoongi’s (apparent, possible, future) beau. “Of course, the apple of your eye. What about him?””He’s not the— never mind.” Yoongi blushes. “It’s just… he’s got this thing about germs. And sleeping on the ground. Or in a tent. And… obviously I wouldn’t expect you to, like, let him sleep at your place or anything. But…” He looks up, a pleading look in his eyes. “I think he’d feel so much better if he could just, like, wash his hair or something? Have a real shower? Not that he smells bad, obviously!”“Obviously.”“I just really think it would help him make it to Friday. But of course you can say no”“Why would I say no?” Jin asks before he can even stop himself.Theoretically, he should say no. These people are strangers. And sure, they’re around his age and Korean and sweet (except for the little thieves holding his charger hostage, though even they don't seem truly evil)… but they’re literally just his customers. They aren’t his friends, couldn’t be after just a few short days.Then… Jin doesn’t have many friends. Not with his lifestyle. Not really.It takes Yoongi clearing his throat for Jin to escape his own head. “What I mean to say, is… I’m not saying no. Not necessarily.”“Are you saying yes?” Yoongi looks so hopeful. “I can pay you! I thought about getting a gym membership or something but you have to have a local address. Plus those things are impossible to cancel, and I don’t feel like getting deported for starting a fight with customer service.””That does sound impractical,” Jin agrees. “There’s no need to pay me. You can come over tonight. I’ll even feed you.”Maybe he didn’t expect Jin to say yes so easily, because Yoongi looks incredulous. “Why?”There’s no good reason. “Why not? Isn’t this the new trend, saying yes to things? Living for the plot? Worst case scenario, you both rob me blind, and then I really do get you deported.”Yoongi snorts. “As if you’d ever find me.”“Don’t push your luck.”“Noted.”

🌭

Hoseok is overjoyed when they tell him, leap-frogging out of the tent in a single bound, like he’s never been more excited to go anywhere. Maybe he hasn’t, it’s not like Jin actually knows him. Jungkook follows, reasonably, probably to protect his travel buddy from being kidnapped.“We’ll stay here,” the man Jin now knows as Taehyung declares.Jimin snuggles close to him, fingers curled suspiciously around Taehyung’s thigh. “Oh yes, someone needs to stay and guard the tent.”“And hold our place in line.”“I don’t wanna know,” Yoongi grumbles as he zips up the tent to protect their, erm, privacy.And then they’re off, Jin leading his three new acqauintances down the New York streets, just a few blocks to his neighbourhood. It’s not until they’re rounding the final corner that Jin wonders whether this was a good idea, or if he should declare his mind changed and turn back. They haven’t done anything to deserve that, though, and he really does have a problem saying no to people.“Wow, you really do live close,” Jungkook marvels, swinging his arms in a way that seems purposefully intended to knock against Jin’s.(He knocks back, perhaps overly aggressive. But Jungkook doesn’t seem to mind it.)Yoongi hums. “The rent must be really expensive,” he notes. He’s got own arm hovering behind Hoseok’s waist, almost like he’s guiding him, but too wary to actually touch him. Jin doesn’t mock him for it though… they can fall in love at they’re own pace.“It’s definitely not cheap,” Jin tells him, honest, because… it’s not. Well, it wouldn’t be, if he paid rent.They reach his building, a shiny black skyscraper in the heart of Midtown. The doorman greets him. “Mr. Kim! How’s business today?”Jin shakes his hand out of habit. “As electric as ever, Brian! Even made a few friends,” he says, gesturing to the others, who are frozen behind him.“My wife and I keep trying to get a reservation. Feels like an impossible feat.””I keep telling you to name-drop me. I can get you in this weekend.”“You’re a good man, Mr. Kim!” Brian opens the door for him. “I’ll be sure to tip handsomely.”“I never doubted you,” Jin winks, and walks into the lobby. His new friends don’t follow him at first, but it’s Jungkook who takes the first steps, blowing through the door as though Brian is going to slam it on him.Yoongi gestures for Hoseok to venture ahead in front of him, giving Brian a perturbing ‘up-and-down’ as he joins the rest of them. The lobby door closes gently behind him, leaving their small crew alone in under the domed ceiling (apart from the front desk manager, who’s busy on the phone, no doubt listening to another complaint call from one of the many Karens in the building.Hoseok swallows. “You work at a restaurant?” he asks.“One of my many talents,” Jin winks at him. Hoseok looks a little shell-shocked, and Yoongi makes a humming sound. Jungkook is still staring at the mural on the ceiling. While they react, Jin catches the eye of the desk manager, and she sneaks her hand under the front desk, pressing the elevator button on his behalf. “Up we go,” he chimes, leading the way to the opening elevator shaft.They crowd in and Jin presses 44, noting the suspended silence of his new friends. “Four is my lucky number,” he explains.“Do you live in the penthouse?” Hoseok asks.“Goodness, no!” Jin laughs as the door shuts. “I’m terrified of heights. I went up there for a dinner party once and nearly fainted off the edge of the balcony. I’m lucky to be alive.”The elevator pings every ten floors, and it only takes a few seconds for the high-speed lift to reach its destination, letting them off just steps away from Jin’s unit door. He points to the other entrance down the hall. “Mr. Lee owns the South-side unit. Nice guy, and a hell of a musician, but he’s got at least a dozen boyfriends and all of them sing as loud as blowhorns. His downstairs neighbour thinks he’s rehearsing a musical in there.”Even now, the loud clanging and belting can be heard in the hallway. Some… other noises, too. Hoseok makes an, “Oh!” sound.“They might be dancers, too,” Jin smirks, and opens the door to his own unit, holding it politely for the others to enter.Again, Jungkook is first inside, zipping through and kicking his shoes off before the offer is rescinded. Then Hoseok, anxiously, looking back at Yoongi as though for reassurance.Yoongi makes a face. “You make this much running a hot dog truck?”“God, no!” Jin exclaims. “I came by this place honestly. By having a very rich father.” He goes into the apartment, letting Yoongi grab the door before it closes. “You coming in?”Blank-faced, Yoongi does come in, toes off his shoes, and the door soft-closes and auto-locks behind him. Small luxuries. Inside, he knows his wealth is obvious. Generous ceilings, real-wood floors, stainless steel kitchen appliances (and not just one but two ovens!). “You’re, like, really rich,” Jungkook marvels.“I prefer the term ‘Nepo Baby’. ” Gesturing to the sunken living room, Jin holds in his laughter as his newest dongsaengs slowly lower themselves onto his pink velvet couch (just because he’s rich doesn’t mean he lacks taste), visibly terrified to get it dirty.It’s fine. He can afford to have it cleaned.He sits down across from them, facing Hoseok. “The guest suite is down the hall, you’ll find towels and things in the linen closet. There’s laundry in the bathroom, should you like to do a round. I can bring some loungewear for you in the meantime, I’ll just leave it on the bed.” Smiling at the others, he adds, “You’re all welcome to use the facilities, of course. I’ll cook something for you to eat after.”No one says anything. Yoongi and Hoseok stare at him. Jungkook is busy curling his toe socks into the fur of Jin’s white rug.“Hello?” he prompts.Hoseok blinks. “Are you going to murder us?” Cackling like a maniac probably isn’t the greatest response, but it’s what Jin does, slapping his knees and getting up to open the fridge and retrieve some fresh beef he had delivered this morning. “Hoseok-ah, you have first dibs on washing up. Yoongi-yah, you look like you have nimble fingers, come help me in the kitchen.”Jungkook makes an offended noise. “I thought I was your… what did you call me earlier… soup chef?!” “Sous -chef, and I absolutely do not trust you beyond street meat.”“Then what do I do?”“Try not to break anything,” Jin answers him. “But also, my vintage game library is in the office, I dare you to try and steal something.” Unsurprisingly, Jungkook sprints into the hallway. Jin just hopes he won’t find the karaoke machine in the storage closet.It’s the silence that seems to urge Hoseok into action, standing and bowing deep to Jin in thanks before he does follow Jungkook into the hallway. Based on the echoing of doors opening, he seems to find the guest room without too much trouble, leaving Jin with Yoongi in the main room.He understands their hesitation: they’re visiting from a different country, in a city they’ve never been to, and in the home of a stranger.“I don’t know how I feel about this,” Yoongi says, sitting on the edge of the couch like he’s ready to jump into action if needed. He’s an honest person, Jin thinks, or perhaps blunt is a better word for it. Perfunctory. “I don’t trust rich people.”Jin retrieves a few more ingredients from various cupboards. “Yet, you trusted me.”Scoffing, Yoongi complains, “I thought you were like us! Just a struggling millennial in the land of opportunity or something. How was I supposed to know you’re… independently wealthy, or whatever.”“I’ve been reliably informed that I have the handsome face of a Chaebol heir. It’s not my fault you assumed I was a rags to riches story.” Yoongi scrunches his nose, but doesn’t argue.Instead, he stands, and joins Jin behind the island counter. “What are we making?”“Just some grilled beef and side dishes. You’re helping?”“I’ll feel safer with a knife in my hand,” Yoongi deadpans, and if Jin really is the one murdered at the end of all this, then at least he’ll have a great story to tell in the afterlife.“I’m a dual-citizen, by the way,” he tells Yoongi, who hisses something to himself about privilege.

🌭

Jin does sneak away while Yoongi does the grilling (one of his countertops flips up to make a full-sized grill, Yoongi threw a fit over it) to leave three sets of spare sweats in the guest room. On his way back, he finds Jungkook sprawled out on the couch in his office, dressed in his clothes, and playing Super Mario. He leans against the doorway. “Why are you damp?” he questions.Jungkook doesn’t even look at him. “I jumped in with hyung,” he says, like it’s obvious. “Found these in your closet, I hope that’s okay.””What if I said no?”“You literally told me to rob you.” Well, Jin can’t argue with that. “Plus, you’re super rich, it’s the least you can do.”On Jin’s widescreen monitor, Mario kicks shells down the edge of a cliff. “Are you and Hoseok together?” he finds himself asking (for Yoongi’s sake, of course).Jungkook pauses the game. He sits up. “Yeah? We came here to see the concert together.” Jin raises a brow expectantly. Jungkook continues to stare innocently. Then: “Oh! Ew, hyung is like, my mom! ”Not the most typical descriptor Jin has heard about a young man in his twenties, but he still exhales in relief. Jungkook doesn’t seem too stilted by boundaries in general, so it’s not much of a shock that he would intrude on as private and personal time as a shower. “Well, I think Yoongi is itching to be your dad, or step-dad, or…” Jin loses track of the metaphor. “Yoongi definitely wants to smash your mom.””Oh, yeah, obviously.”“And you are fine with that.”He seems to consider it. “I mean, hyungs are gross, but it’s fine I guess.”Jungkook draws his legs under himself, twisting them into a position that can’t be comfortable, but does leave room for Jin to join him on the couch. He does, sitting cross-legged, already strangely comfortable with his new… friend?“Yoongi-hyung is really cool, and we all live in Seoul, so I don’t think it’s a bad idea. What, are you worried about them screwing in your bed?”“What a lyrical voice you have.” Jin crosses his arms. “Yes, I would prefer if they didn’t soil my guest room.”“But you’re gonna let us stay here anyway?”It’s like this guy can read his mind. “If you can make it through supper without incident, then I don’t think I have good enough reason to exile you back to the tents.”Jungkook bounds across the couch and tackles Jin into what is probably more of a hug than an attack. “You’re the best, Jin-hyung!” It’s sweeter than Jin deserves, so sweet that he can almost taste the sarcasm, but he doesn’t much mind it. He can’t exactly judge a brat when he’s already one himself, can he?

🌭

He announces his decision while setting the table, his guests looking comfortable and soft and clean (and very grateful, if Hoseok’s teary eyes are any indication). It’s really not a big deal: the guest suite might be grandiose, but Jungkook seems eager to spend his night on the futon in the office (though Jin suspects he’ll be keeping them up all night with the karaoke machine he did, in fact, discover in the closet).“That leaves you two in the suite,” Jin declares, somehow keeping his eyebrows from waggling as he looks meaningfully at Hoseok and Yoongi. “I hope you don’t mind sharing.”“N-no, that’s fine,” Yoongi says first, like the opportunity might disappear if he doesn’t snatch right away. “I’m fine with it.”“Me too,” Hoseok agrees, much more flirtatiously.(Jin makes a mental note to leave an extra set of sheets outside the suite.)As usual, Jin’s cooking is perfection, and he’s pretty impressed with Yoongi’s contribution as well, his side dishes reminding Jin fondly of his childhood. The conversation is light and cheery, veering into interview territory as Hoseok asks about celebrities he’s met and Jungkook tries to bully him into revealing his Maple Story username. Yoongi is mostly silent next to him, but in a fond way, satisfied just to listen. It’s been a long time since Jin had company like this, most of his friends spread out across the world, and few of them as interested in him. That’s the trouble with being rich: everyone only wants you for your money. But his guests tonight don’t act like that—of course they’re grateful for his hospitality, but him being rich just takes the pressure off, lets them know he’s not put out. That’s the nice thing about being rich: you can take care of people and ask for nothing in return (even though many rich men do).’By the end of the meal, it’s clear they’re all exhausted. Yoongi yawns, stretching his arms up over his head (Like a cat, Jin barely holds in). His shirt rides up as he does it, visibly catching Hoseok’s attention.“Jungkook-ah, help hyung clean up,” Jin declares, giving him what he hopes is a meaningful look. The table shakes as Jungkook tries to kick him under it, but his legs aren’t long enough.“Don’t you have people for that?” he jabs.Hoseok tuts at him. “Be polite,” he says. “We‘ll help, come on.”Jin holds up a hand. “No, no, the boy asked me to put him to work, let us take care of it.” He turns to Yoongi. “You get a good night’s rest, okay?”It’s a miracle he doesn’t waggle his eyebrows while he says it. Yoongi’s face looks like he did it anyway, eyes darting back and forth between him and Hoseok.“Yeah, okay. Goodnight, Jin…hyung.”He stands, and so does Hoseok. “I can stay in the office too,” Hoseok offers, but Yoongi shakes his head.“No, no, it’s a big bed. We shared a tent, it’ll be fine. Come on, Hoseok-ah.” He starts walking to the hallway.Hoseok follows hastily. They’re both doing a great job of hiding their eagerness. Performance of the century. “Goodnight, Jungkook-ah! Jin-hyung!” Hoseok chimes.“Goodnight!” they both chime back in unison.Once the lovebirds have escaped down the hall, Jin stands. “Well, these plates won’t wash themselves.”Despite his earlier protest, Jungkook does actually help. He picks up all the plates and helps Jin load the dishwasher, a lot more opinionated about their placement than Jin expected. He even helps wipe down the counters, quietly going about his tasks in a way that’s sort of comfortable, the two of them winding around each other like busy ants.“Jungkook-ah?” Jin ponders as he presses START.“Yes, billionaire-hyung?”“Not a billionaire. Why do I feel responsible for facilitating the sex life of a stranger?”Jungkook is sat atop his counter, kicking his ankles against Jin’s expensive cabinets. “Because you have a God complex.”“Do I have a God complex?” Jin asks, somewhat rhetorically. “I mean, I find their love story very compelling and definitely want to keep it happening, but I don’t think I have a God complex. Do you think I have a God complex?”“Not actually,” Jungkook answers easily. “You just have a kink for people pushing your boundaries.”“What do you mean?”“Dude. You let three strangers take over your apartment.”“That’s not kink, that’s—that’s charity!” Jin can feel his ears turning red already. “You should be bowing to me in debt, you brat!”Smirking, Jungkook hops off the counter, crosses by him. “I wanna sing something. Karaoke?”Jin crosses his arms. “It’s past my bedtime.”“You’ve heard how loud Hobi-hyung laughs. You really wanna hear his other noises?”And Jin, despite his investment in Yoongi and Hoseok’s romance, doesn’t.

THURSDAY
 The next morning, it’s abundantly clear that zero funny business happened. Yoongi and Hoseok show up to breakfast fully-dressed and dead silent, walking just far enough away from each other that their arms don’t brush. Yoongi’s cheeks are blushing pink, and he’s murmuring something about making coffee, and Hoseok thanks him just as bashfully.It’s so cute that Jin doesn’t even call them out on their awkwardness, watching from the corner of his eye while he scrambles an entire carton of eggs. He wonders if they built a wall of pillows between them to sleep. If they turned their backs to each other and laid awake, wondering if the other wanted something to happen, too polite to initiate. Woke up a little closer than when they fell asleep, perhaps one curled up against the other’s chest, drooling a little on their—“Batman-hyung, is there more meat?” Jungkook all but demands, perching haphazardly on a barstool.As it happens, there’s maple bacon in the oven, but Jin still hisses, “Only for polite dongsaengs. You can have the leftovers from yesterday.””But we ate everything!” “That’s true. I guess you’ll starve.”Jungkook blows a raspberry at him. “I’ll just make myself something. We’re opening the food truck today, right?”He says it like it’s his truck too. Jin doesn’t have the emotional energy to correct him.“We should head back to the tent,” Hoseok says. “Jimin and Tae could probably use a break.”“They’ve probably completely desecrated the place by now,” Yoongi gristles, spry fingers deftly figuring out Jin’s fancy coffee machine (Hoseok’s going to be a lucky man). “But you’re right, we should let them out of the enclosure before they traumatize the rest of the line.”

🌭

Which is the push they need to head back to the tents. After everyone is fed and caffeinated (except Jungkook, who Jin offered extra bacon in exchange for never seeing him after a cup of joe), they venture down the block to Jin’s food truck, chatting happily about the city and pointing out buildings they recognize from movies.“Oh good, you’re alive,” Jimin greets them, laying out on a towel in front of the tent. Taehyung is next to him—at least, Jin assumes it’s Taehyung, but he’s wearing a newsboy hat over his face. They’re both topless.“Did you hope we wouldn’t be?” Yoongi hisses. “Why are you naked?”Under the hat, they can make out Taehyung answering, “Beach day.”Yoongi rolls his eyes. “Well, we’re here now, so why don’t you take the beach somewhere else. Preferably far away, where I can’t see you.”Jimin rolls onto his stomach. “Nah, we’re comfy here. Besides, people are getting bored. Might as well give them something nice to look at.”There’s a loud groan from Yoongi, and a laugh from Hoseok, but in Jimin’s defence: the rest of the line does seem to have ventured out of their own tents to catch a glimpse of the two very attractive men sunbathing next to the sidewalk. And, consequently, next to Jin’s truck. Could bring in good business.Which reminds him, “I should open up, it’s almost lunchtime. Unpaid intern, are you coming?”He probably says yes, but Jin gets distracted by his tank top. If you can call what Jungkook is wearing a tank top, which is generous considering how much torso he’s managing to show in it. Really, it’s more of a napkin with sleeves. Either way, Jin latches onto the back of it, and drags Jungkook to the truck with little effort.

🌭

Jungkook seems to hit his stride today, slinging hotdogs with real prowess. He’s a quick learner, and always eager to do more. His hair is tied up in a scruffy ponytail, just his bangs plastered against his forehead with sweat from all his effort. Honestly, Jin would pay him if it wasn’t illegal. Actually, with how many hotdogs Jungkook’s shoved inside his mouth throughout the day, he should be paying Jin. It is what it is.It’s still light outside when Jin decides to close up, but the line still has an evening vibe, little dinner picnics everywhere and some people crawling back into their own tents for the evening. Jin can see that the sunbathers have migrated back inside, leaving Yoongi and Hoseok out chatting on their towels. They don’t touch, but now and then Hoseok laughs loudly enough for Jin to hear him easily, and look fast enough to see him fling himself into Yoongi, who has a sweet little grin.Jin gets an idea.“I’m taking you all out to supper tonight,” he declares, locking the window.Jungkook in turn opens the door and jumps haphazardly onto the pavement. Jin follows him down, using the steps instead of risking his life. “Out? Like, to a restaurant?”Jin shuts the door. “Good, you’re familiar with the concept. Surely you brought some item of clothing resembling a shirt you can wear.” His key gets jammed in the lock. He really needs to get a fresh one made.He fiddles with the lock for a few seconds, surprised by Jungkook’s rare silence. Oh no, what if that was too rude? Jungkook isn’t exactly the pinnacle of polite society, but that doesn’t mean Jin can be actively mean to him. “I didn’t mean—””Do you not like my shirt, hyung?” Suddenly, Jungkook’s hand is on his, his chest pressed up against Jin’s back as he all-too-effortlessly manoeuvres the key out of the lock. He doesn’t back away when he’s done. Just stays there, all cozied up to Jin, one hand braced against the truck.The truck is between them and the line. They can’t be seen like this, except by cars passing by on the other side of the road. And they should be too focused on driving to notice Jin turning himself slowly under Jungkook’s (tattooed, muscly) arm to face him.Somehow, Jungkook gets closer. So close that Jin has to lean back against the truck so they don’t bump heads (or lips). And Jungkook is shorter than him, but not by much, and Jin slouches to create more space between them, leaving him looking up at Jungkook’s squinted eyes, his pouty lips.“I said,” he hums, “do you not like my shirt?”The arm holes are so wide that Jin could easily slip his hands through them, hold onto Jungkook’s sides, maybe even cling onto his back. He can’t help picturing it, dragging Jungkook against him fully, latching onto his neck with lips that really want to admit just how much he likes this fucking shirt.Instead, he answers, “This glorified grocery bag? I know times are tough, but it’s no excuse to walk around nude. You know what they say: no shirt, no shoes, no—”Jungkook kisses him.It’s hard and vicious and immediately devastating, Jin grabbing onto Jungkook’s hips just so he doesn’t crumble from the force of it. God, it’s good, a little messy and more infuriating, but Jungkook’s enthusiasm makes Jin’s skin light up in goosebumps. He feels so wanted, and that’s coming from someone who is very often wanted, but seldom by people he wants.He wants.But they can’t get too raunchy, even on a New York City street, so he throws his hands up in surrender. “Okay, you win! I like the shirt! Now go change it so we can eat.”“Wow, you’re asking me to take my shirt off? So forward, hyung.” He’d really like to wipe that smirk off Jungkook’s face, but Jin doesn’t think he could if he tried. “Take me out to dinner first.”“I am literally trying to take you out to din—”But he’s already away, shouting, “Hyung is buying us overpriced food!” as he runs around the truck to their camp.

🌭

It feels wrong to leave the twin demons in a tent while the rest of them go out to a legitimate meal, but to Jin’s surprise, Jimin and Taehyung could not be less interested in dining with them. “We ordered pizza!” they exclaim when he invites them (fully willing to pay off a stranger to guard their place in line). “You ordered pizza… to the line?” Hoseok confirms.“Yes!” Taehyung chimes. “From three different pizza places. Whichever one finds us first gets the biggest tip.”Yoongi doesn’t seem surprised by this in the slightest. “I told you to stop harassing delivery drivers.”Jimin sticks his tongue out. “No, you told us to stop harassing Kakao delivery drivers. They don’t have Kakao in New York.”“You know what? Fine,” Yoongi concedes. “Just please never tell me what weird shit you plan on doing with three separate pizza orders.”“We were planning on eating it. You’re the one making this weird, Yoongi-hyung.”“…I’m not going to justify that with a response. Can we leave?” Yoongi turns to the rest of the group pleadingly.Jin chuckles. “Sure, let’s go.”Jungkook has actually put on a proper shirt.It’s nothing fancy, just a black t-shirt that he’s accessorized with a silver chain, but it’s enough for where they’re going, and it’s not like Jin’s changed out of his own short-sleeved button down since the day started. Plus, there’s no way they’ll be refused service. It’s Jin’s restaurant, after all.

“Oh, hello Mr. Kim!” the hostess greets him. “I thought you were taking the week off?”“And I thought I told you to call me Jin, Fatou?”Fatou smiles, shrugs. “Shouldn’t we at least pretend this place has some decorum?” Ah yes, there’s the hostess Jin hired. “Table for four?”“If you can squeeze us in.”“I’d love to.” She pokes a couple buttons on her tablet. “Follow me.”Again, Jin is endeared by the way his new friends (and Jungkook, whatever he is) enter the dining room as though the floor is made of glass. For their part, Hoseok and Yoongi don’t look too out of place, both dressed up a bit for the occasion. But their faces betray them, clearly new to the world of Michelin star dining.Fatou chats on the way to their table. “I let you in before this absolutely Karen of a walk-in. We’re going to get a terrible review.”“I’ll be sure to dock my pay.”“You’d better leave a huge tip. Should I add a gratuity?”“I’d be surprised if you didn’t. Treat us like a party at least three times our size, we intend to be a nuisance.”She seats them in the best booth at the back, which Jin knew she would. It’s a round table large enough for eight, allowing them to spread out comfortably. Still, they seem to naturally couple, Yoongi and Hoseok sitting together on one side with Jungkook and Jin on the other. Jungkook doesn’t leave any meaningful space between him and Jin, actually, so his ears must be quite red when he asks Fatou to, “Send Soobin, please.”“Is this where you usually work?” Hoseok asks as she leaves, setting his fingers carefully on the table as though to show he’s not hiding anything.Jin just shrugs.“You own this place, don’t you?” Yoongi accuses him, crossing his arms and leaning back against the booth.This time, Jin can only grin.“I can’t stand the wealthy. I’m giving this place a terrible review.”“I’ll be sure to earn it,” Soobin announces his entrance, making Yoongi jump almost a foot. He bows his head. “My name is Soobin, I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Can I get you some waters to start?”Under his breath, Jin hears Yoongi whisper, “I need a drink.”Smiling at his top server, Jin says, “And some wine I think, please.”

🌭

Dinner is a quiet affair at first, the three of them visibly savouring Jin’s top chef’s cooking (and the very expensive wine Soobin chose for them). And he loves entertaining, so he can’t find it in himself to regret the offer. It’s what got him into the food industry in the first place: it’s a pleasure to see your guests well-fed.And very well-entertained, Jin thinks as he watches Hoseok and Yoongi flirting on the other side of the table. “Try this part,” Yoongi says every so often, putting together what he proclaims is a ‘perfect bite’ of their meal. He looks disappointed when Hoseok recreates the combination on his own chopsticks instead of eating straight off Yoongi’s, but based on their easy chemistry, Jin thinks they’ll have plenty of time to discover each others’ utensils in the future.Before he can surrender himself to the many soft and gooey thoughts running through his head, he tries to pick up the conversation.“So, what’s everyone’s favourite RM song?”Yoongi is the first to stop chewing. “That depends. How well do you know RM?”It’s an offensive question, almost as offensive as the way Jungkook keeps swinging his feet next to him, kicking Jin in the ankles. “How well do I, Kim Seokjin, know the artist formerly known as Rap Monster?” He scoffs. “Why, indisputably! Completely! Intimately!” (Though admittedly, that was just one time.)Yoongi rolls his eyes. He’s sort of leaning into Hoseok, doesn’t even seem to realize he’s doing it. “In that case, fanboy-hyung, I’m pretty fond of Ddaeng.”“How dare you say that like it’s so obscure. Any Moonchild worth their salt has discovered Joon’s SoundCloud.”“Joon?” Hoseok picks up, and Jin tries to convey a look of extreme righteousness. Before he can argue, Yoongi cuts in: “Oh, so hyung is a sasaeng! Is that why you set up the food stand? Hoping that Joonie will come for a taste of your hot dog?”There’s little heat in it, but Jin’s never been one to turn down a fight. “As if you always call him by his stage name. I’m on Twitter, I see all your little pet names for our overgrown Runch Randa.””Besides, hyung’s hot dogs are mine,” Jungkook sort of grumbles, and he pretends very hard not to hear it.Yoongi is chuckling, seems sort of comfortable in their bickering, clearly trying to think of a new angle. Jin is smiling too, appeased by the promise of their blossoming, contentious friendship (his favourite kind). Then Hoseok says, “I don’t get it. Who’s Joon?”Only ambient restaurant sounds mask the immediate silence. Yoongi whips his head around and Jungkook makes a face and even Jin has to remind himself to exhale. Jungkook throws his head back. “ Hyuuung , you’re so embarrassing! They’re talking about RM-hyung, duh!”Hoseok huffs. “Well, sorry I’m not the expert, Kook-ah!” He looks at Jin. “I’m more of a Top 40 fan myself.”“RM is Top 40,” Jungkook reminds him. “You just like those English songs.”“They’re not all in English!” Hoseok takes a sip of wine, his face almost as red as the rim of his glass. “Doesn’t that one Justin Bieber song have Spanish in it?”It’s almost amusing how betrayed Yoongi looks, eyes almost competing with Jungkook’s for most doe-like. He’s fiddling with the cuticle of his thumb, tongue poking out between his teeth every few seconds like he wants to say something. Jin takes the pressure off him.He tries to keep it light: ”Hoseok-ah, did you come all this way just to babysit? Are you not a Moonchild like your brethren?”Hoseok giggles. His cheeks are as red as the glass of wine he’s been nursing. He couldn’t be drunk on that, could he? “No, no! I mean, RM is good and all, I’ve heard a couple of his songs. But I’m not crazy.” Oh. Uh-oh. “Did you just call me crazy?” Yoongi asks, deflating. He doesn’t even sound angry. He doesn’t look any type of way that Jin’s already seen him, which isn’t surprising after just three days, but for the first time, his unpredictability is disconcerting.“Not like you , of course,” Hoseok backpedals, but he’s still oblivious, hasn’t fully realized how hurt Yoongi clearly is. “You just like his music. But all those people in line talking about how they’d do anything to meet him and how they don’t listen to any other artists except for him . It’s nuts! All those people out there are nuts! ”“I listen to other artists,” Yoongi mumbles.Yet Hoseok’s still going: “I mean, I get being a fan, but I’ve already told Jungkookie that travelling halfway across the planet just to see some rapper is a massive waste of money.” He laughs, swatting Jungkook’s arm. “You definitely promised me a New York Minute vacation, not a camping trip. Luckily we met Jin-hyung, otherwise I would have really gone crazy!”“I’m gonna go back to the tent,” Yoongi announces, and suddenly his wallet is on the table. He’s opening it.Jin reaches across the table to hold the fowl thing closed. “I’m paying! I get a hell of a discount, remember?” Yoongi nods, frowning, and since he’s at the end of the booth it’s easy for him to shuffle out. Jungkook pouts. Hoseok just looks confused.Then Yoongi stops, turns back to the table, crosses his arms. Uncrosses them. Clenches his fists instead. “You know what?” he growls, and Jin has half a mind to have Soobin tackle him before he says something he’ll regret later. But some fights are inevitable, and Yoongi deserves to say his piece. Face made of stone, he proclaims: “Actually, I am crazy. I have this weird, parasocial relationship with a dude I met on the internet thirteen years ago, and I think all the time about what would have happened if I got to be his friend in real life before he got famous, if he’d even remember who I am now. I keep his lyrics on my phone like weird mantras, and I can barely function unless I listen to Wildflower every. Single. Day. And yeah, I know that some of his fans are actual sasaengs, and they’re rude and weird and only care about charts and winning, but a lot of us just really care about him! And if you think that’s crazy, then… well, I think you’re crazy!” A few guests look over at their table. Yoongi looks like he’s close to crying now.. “But I’m still crazier, because here I was thinking I found someone who understood my crazy. Or at least respected it. But I guess you wouldn’t know that song, either.”With a stern pivot, Yoongi vanishes into the crowd of other  tables. Hoseok just sits there, stunned. Jungkook glances between him and the leftover strips of beef he has left.Soobin does come over then. “Did you want to order dessert?” he asks, cringing.“Just the bill, I think,” Jin answers.

🌭

Hoseok, understandably, accepts Jin’s offer to stay over another night. “I don’t know what to say to him,” he mourns on Jin’s couch. “That was so mean, I shouldn’t have had anything to drink.”“You had half a glass of wine,” Jin reminds him.“That’s a lot for him,” Jungkook explains. “Poor alcohol-averse hyung, it’ll be okay.” He’s sitting in Hoseok’s lap.Which is apparently quite comforting. “I know, sweetie,” Hoseok coos gratefully. “Wait, the line! You’ll lose your place.”Jungkook shakes his head. “I don’t think hyungs would do that to us. Besides, Jin-hyung can just buy us tickets to his next concert or something.” Aish, this brat. Not that Jin corrects him. He likes seeing his dongsaengs happy. Hm, maybe there is something to this whole sugar daddy thing.“I’m going to sleep it off,” Hoseok decides, gently pushing Jungkook off of him. He sort of slumps down the hall, leaving Jin alone with Jungkook, who is watching him expectantly. They may have had their tongues down each other’s throats earlier today, but Jin feels awkward, nervous. Despite his practically AI generated face, he really doesn’t get a lot of action, especially from men he actually finds attractive (and charming) (and sweet) (and weird in the best way). So, when he stands and announces, “I’m off to bed,” he doesn’t expect Jungkook to stand with him, or to follow him so confidently.Jungkook joins him in brushing his teeth, washing his face, slapping on some moisturizer, and stealing Jin’s hairbrush. Once his hair is suitably untangled, puffing around his face like a little bob, he follows him into his bedroom and steals his clothes, the two of them changing into (Jin’s!) pyjamas. He even follows Jin to the bed, crawling heavily over him to lay down on the opposite side, tucking his legs under the covers.“We should get some sleep,” Jin whispers, despite all the bedroom walls being double-insulated (just in case). “Yeah, I’m pretty tired,” Jungkook agrees. Under just the lamplight, he looks soft and dreamy, a small smile playing on his lips as he scrunches his nose cheekily. Then, he leans in, and Jin can’t help but kiss him again, letting Jungkook pull him closer and curl their legs together.They makeout just like that for a couple minutes, slow and experimental. Jungkook, despite his confidence, comes off a little needy. His hands find their way under the short-sleeved button-down of Jin’s summer pyjamas, so Jin helps him by unbuttoning it swiftly, lets Jungkook kiss down his neck to his chest. When he comes back up, it’s Jin who swoops in, tugs on the hem of his t-shirt to coax him into removing it, and when they’re finally chest to chest and getting heated, Jin lets his hands wander too.He runs his palm down Jungkook’s back and under his cute Iron Man boxers, and Jungkook only giggles in response to that, so he slings his leg over Jungkook’s hip, presses forward so Jungkook can feel how hard he’s getting–“What do you want me to do with that?” Jungkook quizzes, pulling back so Jin can see his face.Jin chuckles, gives him a peck. “I mean, I’m happy to do this the other way. I’m not picky.”“Do what the other way?” Huh? “...Aren’t we going to have sex?”At that, Jungkook gasps. “Presumptuous hyung!” He rolls onto his back and crosses his arms. Jin can’t see his face well from the angle, so he sits up on his elbow to find him sulking.Which is fair, honestly. “Sorry. I guess I thought this was like… a one-night stand sort of thing? Not that I want it to only be a one-night thing!” He adds quickly when Jungkook looks offended. “But you live so far away and we only just met so… I thought for you this was just a sex thing.”Jin’s leg is still on top of Jungkook’s stomach, and instead of swatting it away, he pokes annoyingly at Jin’s exposed knee as though pinching it will take his own pout away. “Ew, no. Sex is gross,” he grumbles and… Ah. “I am so glad you feel that way,” Jin exclaims, dropping back onto his side and letting his head sink into the pillow. “Sex with you would be infuriating anyway. All that unregulated energy? You’d be just insufferable in bed.”At that, Jungkook does bat Jin’s leg hard enough that he too rolls onto his back from the momentum. “Hyung, we’re in a bed right now!” he whines, sitting up and crawling over to cage Jin against the mattress.Jin can’t help smirking. “Exactly. And already I’m in agony. I’m barely hanging onto my sanity.”Jungkook pinches Jin’s nipple, making him cry out sharply. Then the brat has the audacity to smile. “I like you, chaebol-hyung.”“And I tolerate you, demon-spawn.” Jin closes his eyes. “Now go to sleep.”Lips meet his in silence, softer than either of them have earned, softer than Jin’s felt in a while. Then he feels Jungkook sink down, resting his head on Jin’s chest and kicking his leg (hard!) between Jin’s knees, ruining the moment completely. But he doesn’t dwell on that, feeling warm as he drifts off to sleep.

FRIDAY
 They have to get up extra-early, which is a crime against humanity, but it’s a little more bearable when Jin wakes in the arms of a hot, tatted, bunny-nosed stud. “You smell like yesterday,” the stud complains, and still it’s one of the best mornings Jin’s had in years.Breakfast is quiet. Hoseok gave them a look as they stumbled into the kitchen (it’s hard to walk with someone hugging you from behind, okay?) but didn’t ask questions. Jungkook sang a little under his breath while they ate, clearly excited for the concert, and Jin sent a text message that he’s still keeping secret.Then it’s off to the tents.Hoseok is understandably nervous during their short commute, fussing with the hem of the t-shirt he borrowed from Jin’s closet, an old concert tee with RM’s smirking face in sunglasses plastered on the front.“I feel like I’m not allowed to wear this,” he worried when Jin handed it to him.But Jin insisted that, “Yoongi will love it,” and he’s still sure of his choice as they tiptoe up to the place their tent used to be.

Now, it’s all rolled up into a backpack on Yoongi’s shoulder, Jimin and Taehyung collecting bits of trash off the ground around him. He’s dressed in a similar outfit, with an even older RM concert t-shirt, one he must have found on eBay. He doesn’t say a word as they walk up to him, but his cheeks flush when he sees Hoseok, lips squishing together in a little pout.Suddenly, Jin is tackled by a gnome. “You came back!” Jimin exclaims, hugging each of them in turn. Behind him, Taehyung claps is hands together, clearly pleased to see them. “We were scared you’d miss the show!”Beyond the barricade, music is playing, probably running a sound check. They’ll get to go in soon.“You think I’d let them come this far across the world just to not see Kim Namjoon? What kind of hyung do you think I am?!”“Wow, cool shirt, Hoseok-hyung!” Taehyung chimes, pulling at Hoseok’s clothes like there’s not a body inside of them. “I didn’t know you were such a fanboy.”It’s so clearly a test that it’s almost unfair. Hoseok goes quiet, face red. Jin should say something, rescue him, but Jungkook gets his grabby little fingers through his belt loop, pulling him closer as if to say, ‘He needs to deal with this himself.’ Which it seems like he won’t, until his shoulders roll back and his chin hardens and he smiles and… “Isn’t it cool? Jin-hyung lent it to me. And there’s nothing wrong with being a fanboy, is there?”He’s looking at Yoongi when he says it. They all are.Yoongi’s little pout turns up at the edges, just a concept of a smile.Apparently that’s enough, because Taehyung lights up, teeth taking up half his face while he grins. “I didn’t say there was! This is going to be the best day ever!”“It is, indeed!” Jin agrees, and escapes Jungkook’s hold so he can mug Yoongi’s backpack off his shoulder. “You won’t want to be bogged down by all this, let hyung guard your things.””I knew you’d rob us eventually,” Yoongi complains. “The rich always do.”“You know where I live,” Jin reminds him.It’s Jungkook’s turn to pout. “You don’t want to watch the concert with us?”God, he does. He wants to jump and sing along and cheer like crazy with this boy, this man with the doe eyes and monstrous arms and cheeky smile. But, “I’ve seen him before. Plenty of times. Thousands, even. It wouldn’t be right to claim a spot from all the Moonchildren who spent a week camping out for him.”“I guess not,” Jungkook concedes, and in a flash he’s right in front of Jin, pulling him down into a long kiss (someone claps, probably Taehyung again). “Thank you for getting us here, hyung,” Jungkook says once they’ve come up for air. “He’s right,” Yoongi agrees, back straighter now that he’s not bogged down by camping supplies. “We wouldn’t have lasted without you.”“Speak for yourselves,” Jimin sneers, holding hands with Taehyung. “We did just fine on our own. You’re all just babies.”“M’not a baby!” Jungkook whines, and then a PA is screaming from the front of the line, calling the crowd to enter. It’s time.The line explodes with excitement, all the Moonchildren buzzing about which songs they think they heard from sound check, bouncing from the thrill of nearly seeing RM in the flesh. It’s a beautiful sight, everyone coming together to enjoy music together, to appreciate an artist who clearly inspires them (even if it’s to do outrageous things like camp out on the New York streets). It’s amazing. Music is amazing.

Within minutes, Jin is left alone with his friends’ supplies, Yoongi’s backpack hanging heavy on his back and several other packs around his feet. He feels rather exposed now on the sidewalk, no more crowd to hide in, the only sound now from traffic. He’s all alone. Which is fine, because Jin has a plan.He packs all their belongings in his food truck, locking it all up safe before before approaching the barricaded concert entrance. “We’re at capacity,” the PA informs him in English. “You can watch the show on ABC. Sorry.”“I’m on the guest list,” Jin politely counters. “Seokjin Kim. Would you please show me backstage?”

“Hyung, you made it!” Namjoon beams when he finds Jin behind the screen, hugging him precariously on the scaffolding. He’s not always so touchy-feely, but apparently he’s in a good mood, smile practically tattooed on his face. “I wasn’t sure I’d see you this visit.”Jin slaps him on the shoulder (is it bigger than his now? No, couldn’t be.) “Try and get rid of me, I dare you. You seem perturbingly happy this morning?”Namjoon shrugs, bashful. “Let’s just say I… had a good night.”“You’ve been in town for 24 hours and already getting more action than your hyung? No fair.” Jin blinks. “Oh god, it’s not J—”“—Nope, oh my god, I’m never seeing him again. Right place, wrong person and all that. Pinky swear.” Jin lets out a relieved sigh. Namjoon laughs at him. “Anyway hyung, I seem to remember you mentioning some new friends. Anyone I should know about?”“I’ll never tell. Actually, I will tell. I met your biggest fans in the lineup outside. They’ve become very precious to me. Won’t you give them a good show?”Grabbing his arm, Namjoon drags him up the ramp to the monitoring deck, points at a screen. The entire crowd is visible, a huge turnout for a Korean artist in the States. It’s always a shock for Jin to see Namjoon’s success like this, his childhood best friend becoming his biggest hero, his inspiration. He’s so proud he could explode with it, but there are bigger fish to fry right now, so he points out his new collection of dongsaengs in the front row. “That’s them, they waited for you all week.”Namjoon nods, but he suddenly looks pale, biting his lip as he offers Jin a little, “Okay.”He’s probably just nervous for the performance. He shouldn’t be. He’s a monster onstage. “Break a leg, Joon-ah.”“Always a possibility.”“True.”

It’s one of his best performances, Jin thinks, watching from the wings. But he’s distracted by his view of the crowd, his new friends dancing in the front row, screaming lyrics back at the stage. Jungkook and the traumatizing twins are having the time of their lives, and Hoseok seems more familiar with the music than Jin expected, his excitement palpable even from so far away. Yoongi watches him as much as he does the stage, letting Hoseok grab his hands and maneuver him into awkward little dance moves, laughing and cheering and— Oh no, is Jin crying? No, that is in fact just a raindrop. His eyes are a little damp, but the tears don’t fall, so it definitely doesn’t count as crying. He’s just… happy for them.  They’re going to be okay, he thinks. They’re going to be amazing.

🌭

Jin leaves the venue early, getting back to his food truck to retrieve everyone’s things before the rain starts really falling. They find him waiting there, bounding up to him with the biggest smiles and so many stories and Yoongi and Hoseok are holding hands and Jimin and Taehyung still singing ‘Groin’ and Jungkook is wrapped around him and…He can’t not invite them back to his place, announcing an impromptu party.And they do go back to his place, washing and drying up a little after dropping off their things. But when the afternoon turns into evening and Jin has made them all some snacks, he announces a second surprise.“We’re actually going to the penthouse,” he tells them. “I’m friends with the owner, he invited us for a celebration.”“Celebration of what?” Hoseok asks while Jungkook reminds him, “But you’re scared of heights.” And it’s true, Jin is, but it’ll be less scary with this man by his side.Actually: “You’ll probably try to throw me off the balcony. But it’s a great view. It’ll be worth it.”

He gets them to dress up a little, which Jimin and Taehyung take seriously, having somehow stuffed formalwear into their unassuming backpacks. Hoseok and Yoongi still have their dinner looks from the other night, and Jungkook is a thief, but Jin doesn’t think he minds seeing him in his clothes.He does get a little nervous in the penthouse elevator, which has a small window to outside, just a hint of what’s to come once they get all the way up there. Even the penthouse lobby has a window, and Jin already feels vertigo when he looks outside, but he clutches Jungkook’s waist to stay upright. (Jungkook clutches his left buttcheek. It should not be as comforting as it is.)“Who wants to do the honours?” Jin asks, gesturing to the doorbell. “Yoongi-hyung should do it,” Hoseok declares. “He’s the cutest. They’ll have to let us in.” Yoongi gives him a betrayed look, but clearly wants to look brave in front of his… well, Jin shouldn’t assume.Anyway, it’s exactly what he hoped for: Yoongi waddles up to the door and pushes the buzzer briefly, taking a small step back as they wait for the door to open. Behind it, Jin hears music playing, people chattering, and it’s possible that anyone else could open the door, but they don’t.It’s Namjoon who appears in front of his biggest fan, looking like the Idol he is, but more relaxed after performing.He greets Yoongi, “You must be hyung’s new friend. New friends,” he adds, peering at the rest of them. His eyes shake when he looks at Jimin and Taehyung (and Jin can’t really blame him because they’re gorgeous), but he recovers quickly. “I’m glad you could come.”Yoongi looks so shell-shocked that Jin worries he might faint for a second. His lips quiver, stuttering together like he wants to say something. Oh god, is he actually going to faint? Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe—“Are you going to invite us in or not?” Jimin’s voice cuts through the tension, and then Namjoon is stepping to one side, gesturing into his apartment for him and his boyfriend to enter. As he passes Namjoon, Jin catches Taehyung’s murmur of, “Hello again, yeobo,” and—Oh. Oh ho ho ho. He is not letting Namjoon live this one down. Judging by Namjoon’s bashful look as Jin lets himself into the penthouse, he knows that too.Jungkook rushes forward next, and in an act of decency Jin didn’t think he was capable of, actually bows to Namjoon. “RM-ssi, it is such an honour to meet you,” he says to the floor. “My name is Jeon Jungkook. I am such a huge fan. You’re, like, my hero. I’ve been, like, in love with you since I was a teenager. Oh my god, I wasn’t supposed to tell you that. I’m not actually in love with you. I mean, I’m in love with the idea of being in love with you. You’re my Idol. You’re my Idol’s Idol. Is somebody ringing a bell in there? You know, I always thought when I met my soulmate that I would hear a b—”“Okay, let’s go inside,” Jin decides, dragging Jungkook through the doorway by his collar. As soon as they’re through, Jungkook straightens, coming back up for air. Then, he shoves his face into Jin’s neck, screaming.“Nice to meet you, too?” Namjoon tries.Jungkook screams again.“Okay,” Jin chuckles. “We’re going to the snack table,” he tells Namjoon.“I’ll come say hi later,” the Idol promises.That leaves only Yoongi and Hoseok beyond the threshold. Hoseok is looking expectantly at Yoongi, still waiting for him to speak, or maybe even breathe. But Yoongi is frozen, eyes pink, and Jin should probably rescue him, but he really wants this for Yoongi. Maybe that’s stupid, to do all this just so that a stranger can meet his online bestie. But Yoongi isn’t a stranger anymore. None of them are. “Are you coming inside?” Namjoon asks, and Yoongi swallows.And then Hoseok says, “This is Min Yoongi. You actually met each other on a music forum more than ten years ago. What did you say your username was, Yoongi-hyung?”Yoongi blinks, swallows again. “I— I didn’t.”“Oh, well, what was it then? Was it your rap name? Agust-something, I think you told me.”“Agust D,” Jungkook supplies, unhinging himself from Jin’s neck. “I looked you up, you’re really cool.”“I…” Yoongi turns his gaze to Jungkook, and his lips poke up at the corners, grateful. “Thanks, Jungkook-ah. Yeah,” he nods then, and shakes his shoulders in a shimmying motion before braving another look at Namjoon. “I’m Agust D.”Is it weird that Jin wants to cry? It’s probably weird that he wants to cry. He should not be this proud of a grown man, but no one should be allowed to judge him if he cries. Right? “That’s impossible,” Namjoon says.Yoongi frowns. Oh no, what if the person Yoongi used to talk to wasn’t Namjoon at all? What if it was some stranger who claimed to have Namjoon’s career, or Yoongi just made a wrong assumption? Jin wants to cry again, but stops himself. He doesn’t want to make it worse.“I’ve been trying to find you,” Namjoon explains, “for over a year.”Wait. What? “What?” Yoongi asks, mirror all their faces.Namjoon’s jaw is hanging. “Your DMs are off,” he explains. “I forgot my password, and I couldn’t remember which email address I signed up with, but there was a sample you made that I couldn’t get out of my head so I made a new account and followed you. You didn’t follow back,” he adds, crossing his arms.“You…” It’s almost funny, the way Yoongi hasn’t blinked since Namjoon started talking. “…forgot your password?”“Why did you think I never use it anymore? I could find you, I just couldn’t connect with you. And you’re not at a label, so it’s not like I could get your number. Honestly, you need at least a manager or something, my friend Yijeong has been trying to find you even longer than I have. Anyway,” Namjoon sighs, totally oblivious to the carnage he’s created, “We need to talk about Spring Day. Do you still have it?”Yoongi finally blinks. “I—yeah. I have it. I never used it, obviously. I mean, it’s not only mine, it’s… I have it.”“I’m so happy! Come on in and eat something, I can’t wait to talk to you. Your real name is Yoongi, right?”“Uh-huh.”“And you’re older than me. I remember. It’s so good to meet you in person, hyung. I called you hyung then, didn’t I?” “Yeah.”“Good.” Namjoon takes a step back and gestures to the doorway. “Come on in.”Yoongi stands frozen for longer than even Jin finds unalarming, so he tries to wave him inside, smiling in a way he hopes is comforting. Apparently, it’s not, because Yoongi doesn’t move an inch.“Do you…” Namjoon‘s shoulders (which are not wider than Jin’s, not by a longshot) droop. “Do you want to come inside?”Hoseok takes Yoongi’s hand, startling him. Then, he holds out his other hand to Namjoon, shaking it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Namjoon-ssi. The concert today was wonderful. My name is Jung Hoseok, and I’m afraid we’re going to have to miss your party.” 
WHAT?! 
That really seems to wake Yoongi up. “You see, while champagne with the stars sounds fun, I’d really like to take Yoongi here on our first date.” He gives the Yoongi in question a kiss on the cheek. “I was thinking dinner and a Broadway show. Shall we?”Blushing, Yoongi looks both bashful and mortified, whipping his face back and forth between Hoseok and Namjoon that Jin worries for his neck. Then he stops, closes his eyes, takes a deep breath. Looks Namjoon dead in the eye. “I’m sorry, Namjoon-ah. I think we’re going to have to raincheck.” It’s disappointing. Jin was hoping for the reunion of the century, a meeting of the minds, the future of the music industry. But this is pretty romantic, too. And Jin knows all about romance. His own recent paramour is currently pinching his left ass cheek, trying to provoke him into what Jin assumes will be a fist-fight. It’s practically Shakespeare.Namjoon, defeated, shrugs. “It’s understandable, Yoongi-hyung. I would love to get your number, though?”“Of course,” Yoongi agrees, reaching out for Namjoon’s cell phone. Hoseok slaps his hand down. “Are you joking!? ” he complains. “Huh?” Yoongi stares at his abused fingers. “Wow! I knew you were down bad for me, but turning down a soulmate meet-cute with your online bestie for a cheap meal and rush tickets? It is so over for you.”Jin, the only person without a horse in this race, can’t help bursting into laughter. “I think fate is back on your side, Joonie,” he announces. “There’s plenty of food inside. And it’s good, I know it.”“That’s because you catered it,” Namjoon reminds him.“Exactly. Best dishes in town. Now get in here before I really do kidnap you!”Yoongi—still pink and sweet but grinning like Jin hasn’t seen him do yet—tightens his grip on Hoseok’s hand. “Let’s have dinner, Hob-ah.”At last the final couple crosses the threshold.

Thankfully, Namjoon’s party is calm but populated, enough people milling about that they can more or less disappear if they want to. But no one looks like they want to disappear, making easy conversation about the hors d’oeuvres and the concert and whatever they all plan to do for the rest of their vacation.In one corner, he finds Hoseok discovering how the terrible twins must have spent their time alone, face in awe as they loudly explain that it’s actually very easy to go backstage at an outdoor venue and the rehearsal space is right across the street from the tent, really badly-kept secret, anyone could sneak right in… In another corner, he finds Namjoon and Yoongi chattering away about the latest Epik High album, where it stands on the tier list they made as teenagers, why their song is not exactly hip-hop but it reminds me of leaving home, growing older, growing apart, and there’s gotta be a place for music everyone can feel like that… And just outside the grand French doors next to him, a young man awes over the city, leaning further over the balcony ledge than Jin can stand. The rain has fully cleared now, turning all the pretty lights into a pretty haze, a spotlight for Jin to enter too.“If you jump, I’m not coming after you.” “Pfft . Coward.” Jungkook leans heavy against him. “I’m surprised you made it this far.”So is Jin, standing by the ledge like a normal, not-terrified-of-heights person would. “What can I say? You’re worth it.” He groans. “Cheesy.”“I like cheese.”“On pizza?”“Hyung.” Jungkook turns, leaning his back against the ridge. New York frames his face, almost as bright as his eyes. “I’m supposed to go home tomorrow.”Jin sighs. “Back to grind, I suppose? A totalitarian boss? Wife and kids?”“Well, somebody has to take care of mom and dad.” He gestures over Jin’s shoulder, where a brief glance finds Hoseok and Yoongi mooning over each other.(Another glance finds Namjoon flanked by the Nightmare Combo, suddenly realizing he has enough hands to hold both their waists and enough ears to listen to all their perturbing fantasies.)(Jin hopes his own fantasies are less excruciating.)“What would you do? If you had more time?” he asks, barely able to turn back.The answer comes quicker than he expects. “Take you on a date, probably.”There’s no answer that feels right enough, but Jin tries anyway. “What makes you think I’d say yes?”“When have you ever said no to anyone?” God, he’s falling for that bunny smile. “I’ve turned down plenty of people!” Jin argues. “Why, just last weekend I declined an invitation to one of Mr. Lee’s ‘Super Socials’. Those are exclusive! He usually only invites his hoard of gentleman-callers, at least seventeen of them—”It’s rude that Jungkook never lets him finish a sentence, but Jin’s mouth is way too busy to complain. When he finds his back pressed against the ledge, though, he barely contains his scream.“Yah! Is this an attempted murder? I knew you only wanted me for my money.”“Jin-hyung,” Jungkook pouts, hands so firm on his waist that he’s never been less afraid of falling. “Would you take care of me? If I stayed.” I think I’d do anything for you, Jin doesn’t say. He says: “I’d keep you somewhere air conditioned. I’d feed you something warm. I’d show you whatever you want to see.” He traces a free palm over Jungkook’s tattoos, revealed by his rolled-up sleeve. “I know just about everyone in town, and I’m very good at pandering for free tickets.”Junkook laughs to himself. “I do love music. But I can listen to music anywhere.”Jin checks his wrist. “At midnight I turn into a pumpkin.”“Good. I turn into a rabbit.”“I’ll take care of you.”“I thought you might.”

🌭

“Finished soiling my balcony, have you?” Namjoon quips when Jin saddles up to him, drink in hand and ears hopefully not as red as they feel. “I would never do such a thing. On a totally unrelated subject, my fear of heights is suddenly cured.”“I’ve never liked you.”“Patently untrue.”Jungkook races over to the two gremlins by the buffet table to undoubtedly announce his extended stay in the city (and his upcoming trip to Milan) (and Paris) (and the Taj Mahal).(Jin’s still on the waitlist, but he’s pretty sure he gets a plus one on his SpaceX flight. Jungkook would fit in perfectly–he’s a star in Jin’s mind, after all. And don’t all rabbits love the moon?)“And what of your young paramours? Anything special there?”Namjoon chokes on a cheese-skewer. “They’re devils, both of them. They dressed up like janitors and said I had a stain on my pants. They never even told me they were fans.”“And the pants? Did they make it out alive?”A shrug. “I can buy more pants.” He chuckles to himself. “Taehyung is an artist, he said paint splatters are in fashion. He’s funny. He said I should make my own double-headed lightstick and just call it my Nuts. ”“...Inspired.”“And they’re both sweet: they told me about all of you, but I didn’t know it was you- you until today. Or Yoongi-hyung. Small world.”“Isn’t it.”“Not to mention Hoseok. I don’t think he even remembers me.” Blink. Blink. “Huh?”The Terrible Trio (at least, that’s what Jin and Namjoons’ respective beaus look like in this moment) barrel over, Jimin and Taehyung landing on each of Namjoon’s arms and Jungkook slinging an arm over his shoulders, dragging Jin down to his height. As though summoned by magnets, Yoongi and Hoseok also join the circle, and they all somehow squeeze themselves onto just one and a half-couches.  Jin’s never had a squad of friends like this, or even a steady group-chat, but he thinks it might feel similar. It feels right. “Namjoonie was just telling me about his secret history with Yoongi’s boyfriend.”Yoongi doesn’t even argue with the title. He looks utterly offended.Hoseok looks understandably confused from his perch on Yoongi’s armchair. “Sorry?”“My dad got a vacation house in Gwangju for a year,” Namjoon explains, filling the silence. Jin is none the wiser. “I went to stay with him long enough that he enrolled me in the high school. We did Romeo and Juliet.”Recognition flashes across Hoseok’s face. Everyone else still looks confused. “Hoseok-hyung, what is he talking about?” Jungkook demands, jostling Jin atop his thighs. Which should definitely be humiliating. Why isn’t it?Then Hoseok, despite his previous bafflement, makes an Ah-ha! noise: “It was an all-boys school. I played the Nurse.””I had, like, three lines. I was terrible. But you were so nice to me, helped me memorize them.”“What the fuck is happening?” Yoongi hisses, holding Hoseok’s hand so tightly that his circulation must be suffering. “Hyung,” Jungkook marvels, pushing Jin off him and sideways into Jimin’s lap. Jimin leans on his hip, treating him like no more than a pillow. He should be angry, but he isn’t. “Do you… know… RM?!”“No, but I remember Kim Namjoon,” Hoseok admits. “You had the worst haircut I’ve ever seen. I think I must have blocked it from memory.” Ah yes, the curls. They still haunt Jin as well. Even Namjoon cringes.“I don’t get it,” Jungkook whines. “You knew RM-hyung all this time and you never realized? I showed you pictures of him!”Hoseok puts a hand on his hip. “Not of his face.” That really wakes Yoongi up. “I beg your pardon?!” he gasps, then groans loudly.There’s arguing. There’s laughing. There’s a less-than-healthy amount of wrestling that seems to scare the other guests out of the penthouse, leaving just the seven of them piled around Namjoon’s living room, behaving like wild animals.Best idea you ever had, Jin thinks, and lets fate have its way with him.

FIN.