Just as the elevator's doors were about to close, you reached out and clung onto the side to stop them. You hurriedly hopped on apologizing profusely, but you were going to be late for a meeting and couldn't afford to wait for the next one.

Hoseok looked up at you startled by the clunk of the metal, but his expression quickly turned to the usual cold, hard gaze after acknowledging your presence. He went back to the screen of his phone only with a slight nod to serve as a reluctant greeting.

"Hoseok-ssi"

Hobi merely looked up because he had never heard you call him anything other than 'neighbor'. You were looking at him with a serious expression and your lips were pressed together so tightly they were jutting out. You'd never been anything but smiles.

"I would like to talk to you, about what happened the other day" you offered nervously, you really wanted to figure out what he thought of you and hopefully clear up any doubts.

"It's none of my business" he replied dryly and looked away, anywhere but you.

"I feel like I do owe you an explanation by what you said then" it was clear that things between you two were not well and you wanted to restore peace on the floor you shared.

"You don't need to explain yourself" it was true, he meant that.

It was not his problem and he shouldn't have said anything. It was your flirty invitation that rubbed him the wrong way and he couldn't keep quiet.

"But I want us to be on good terms. I don't know many of my neighbors even if I've been living here for years. I'm really sorry if I made you uncomfortable in any way" you insisted being as pleasant and polite as you'd always been and he once again asked himself how you could be this two-faced.

Hoseok looked at you with a smile and you furrowed your eyebrows taken aback by his sudden display.

"No hard feelings, neighbor," he was ready to get past this and move on. The doors slid open on the ground floor and he instantly made his way out.

"Have a good day."

"You too." you replied with a sad smile.

The moment Hobi turned away from you and took a few steps ahead, his lips dropped into a tight line once more. He would remain civil for his own sake, but he had no desire to hang out with you.

You were trouble and being associated with you when you'd be walking around with multiple people could add a layer of complications to his life that he had no desire to entertain. He wasn't interested in being friends, but politeness wouldn't kill him.

If you wanted to flirt with everyone and sleep with anyone you pleased, you had all the right to do so. It was your life after all and now that Miyoung was out of the picture, there was no reason why he should bother giving it all second thoughts.

It was not that he didn't feel bad about what had happened, but he didn't know his co-worker well enough. He wished her the best, she could do much better for sure. Now their interactions would go back to what they normally were: exclusively professional.

No more awkward encounters in the hallway with him feeling somewhat responsible for keeping quiet. No more guilt whenever he made eye contact knowing a secret he didn't ask to keep.

A weight lifted off his shoulders.

Several weeks went by and Hoseok's mood improved, he was a lot more relaxed now that he didn't feel as involved in the drama that his neighbor's life was.

"You seem to be doing better these days, any news you want to share?" Namjoon teased him after they were done practising and Hobi chuckled.

"No, the issues with my neighbor down the hall are unexpectedly sorted" he commented with a satisfied smile.

"Oh really? That's good to hear" Joon hadn't been told all that much, his friend just mentioned there was a problem in passing. It hadn't seemed like it was such a big deal, but he was happy that he wasn't stressing over it anymore.

"I'm excited for the tour, I've packed everything already. I just need to do some shopping for my airport outfit" Hobi chirped, the tone of his voice filled with enthusiasm.

"It's been so long, I'm so ready for this" he added clasping his hands together and smiling brightly.

"I know, hasn't it? Between Jin hyung leaving, then us and Yoongi returning months later, the preparation for the comeback a few months back and everything...it's been a little over three years."

"I hope this is not the last one*" Hobi said gloomly and Namjoon said nothing, just nodded. It was a hard topic to talk about, but with the end of the contract happening in a couple years, it was inevitable.

The band had talked about it multiple times and they did want to do something about it, beyond the contract. They had yet to sit down and properly discuss it though, see how it could work and analyze whether they really could put up with everything.

Their bodies were not the same in their thirties as they were in their twenties and performing was just different. No matter how fit they were still, they didn't respond the same to the level of exertion their shows demanded.

Hoseok planned their dances just as thoroughly, but as their energy changed when they were in their late twenties as opposed to when they were in their early twenties, the shift was happening now as they were in their early thirties.

They could adapt though, Hobi was confident there was a way to go about it and he would keep up their spirits*². Not all hope was lost until Hope was lost.

It was necessary to keep a positive outlook.

"We'll be the Bangtan Papas*³, just like you said. I'll keep going out on stage until I can't no more!" he clenched his fist and raised it and puffed out his chest filled with determination. Joon laughed at his whole silly demeanor.

"As long as ARMY's still around and we aren't embarrasing to them" he commented smiling amused.

"No, no, we are going to be cool" Hobi added laughing, he wasn't so sure of it himself. They'd try to look cool at least.

Later that week Hoseok found himself laying his airport outfit on the bed and taking pictures of it to upload to social media. Their fans really seemed to like this kind of content and he was thrilled to share it. Fashion was something he was always interested in and he was more than happy to show off.

After taking a few selcas once fully dressed, he made sure they looked good enough and put his phone away in his handbag to carry his suitcase to the main door. Any minute a car would be here to pick him up and take him to Incheon*⁴.

When the doorbell rang, he took a few more pictures of his surroundings to add to his post and promptly exited his apartment on he made sure everything was in place and secured.

Hobi hummed a little melody as he hopped on the elevator. His limbs couldn't seem to stay still, he had been in such a good mood since he woke up. He kept bursting into little dances, even his fingers couldn't seem to stay still.

On the ground floor he stepped out doing a little twirl as he pulled his bag behind him and made his way out to the car. A couple staff members awaited together with a few of his bandmates they'd picked up before him.

It was more like a carpool now that they were all over the city. They could have all gone to the company, but the flight was so early they didn't want to bother waking up even earlier. It was 3 a.m. right now as things were.

"Good morning everyone" Hobi beamed as he hopped in the car to find a sleepy Yoongi with his partner, next to a sleeping Jimin and a bright eyed Taehyung.

"Morning, hyung!" the youngest replied just as excited as Hoseok seemed to be by the wide smile that adorned his face.

Yoongi rasped out a greeting and curled up against his sleeping girl's side once more. As happy as he was to be going on tour after so long, he was exhausted and he would take advantage of any pause they had to get in some much needed sleep hours.

The way to the airport was quiet, the two men that couldn't seem to sleep thinking about all what was about to come just stared out the windows reflecting.

Things were going to be different having the girls around, not all of them could come from the start, but they were going to visit here and there.

It was in moments like this when he felt specially single, he was determined not to let that occupy much of his mind though. There was a lot to be grateful for and look forward to and he was blessed to be leading the life he lead.

Dwelling on not having met someone by now sometimes felt a little selfish. As if he didn't have enough, as if he was just being greedy wanting to have everything in every aspect of his life sorted. Just wanting fullfilment all around, maybe it really was too much to ask for.

All seven members met at the tarmac. At this point in their career, they simply didn't go in through the front doors and the cars were allowed to drive directly up to their jet. The media was still present, but only to see them check in and watch their cars drive into a restricted area.

As Jungkook and Jimin helped the staff get all the luggage out of the trunks and onto a cart, Namjoon and Hobi collected their documents to hand them to their manager.

Once ready they walked up to the jet with tired steps, sleepiness starting to set in at the knowledge that they had several hours ahead on board and with not all that much to do.

Hoseok stopped on his tracks all of a sudden. Their manager and the leader caught him by one arm each as if worried he was going to fall on his back with how dramatic his movement had been.

"What is wrong, Hob-ah?" Joon asked with knitted eyebrows looking around for the reason of the fear in his eyes as he swallowed hard.

This can't be happening. No.

"W-what is she doing here?" he whisper-shouted and Sejin looked towards where his gaze was directed.

"That's our flight crew this time round. What's the matter?" their manager looked at Namjoon and then back at the shocked expression on Hobi's face as if demanding an explanation. They were supposed to board in the next few minutes.

"I'm sure everything's fine" Namjoon smiled trying to reassure him and motioned for him to walk ahead so he could have a minute with his friend.

"Who is she?" he asked puzzled.

"My neighbor" Hobi said in disbelief. Did she really have to be a flight attendant, part of their staff? The universe just seemed to hate him and he wanted to scream.

"Were things really that bad?"

"They..." he just sighed and let his head hang. They weren't, no one's personal choices mean they can't be perfectly decent professionals. He was just delighted with the idea of being away for a while without the risk of bumping into her.

"Do you like her or something?" Joon nudged him and he gave him a dirty look, his nose as scrunched up as physically possible. His friend chuckled thoroughly entertained.

"Alright, I was just asking! You should just tell me what's going on that you are acting like this" Namjoon shrugged his shoulders giving him a knowing look. He couldn't really help if he refused to give him the details.

"Nothing's going on, Namjoon-ah" he grumbled annoyed as they reached the stairs of the jet.

Hoseok stopped in front of the three crew members last after everyone else politely greeted them. There was one man and two women including his neighbor. He respectfully nodded his head.

"I look forward to flying with you, gijang-nim" Hobi addressed the person standing in the middle with a warm smile assuming he was in charge. To his right, someone cleared their throat.

Hoseok turned to you looking slightly taken aback by your way of calling his attention. He had just greeted all three of you as he should, there was no need for this.

"Let me introduce myself. I'm going to be your captain for the duration of this world tour" you said with a bright smile and proceeded to introduce your team. Hobi's jaw dropped as you continued to bow respectfully.

"I look forward to working with you these next nine months."

He smiled weakly and walked up the stairs to the aircraft with wide eyes and a racing heart.

Fuck my life, whatever did I do to deserve all this?

-

* https://www.koreaboo.com/news/bts-shares-thoughts-disbanding-retiring-break-silence-episode-6/

*²

*³ https://www.koreaboo.com/news/bts-rm-name-future-bangtan-grandpas/

*⁴ Incheon International Airport (sometimes referred to as Seoul–Incheon International Airport) is the largest airport in South Korea. It is the primary airport serving Seoul and one of the largest and busiest in the world.