Hoseok laid back in his chair as he went over his thoughts and watched the sun set over the river that could be seen from his balcony.

He was glad that their hotel wasn't in the middle of the city center, it was still a popular area of Buenos Aires, but not the most accesible.

As he sipped on his wine, he tried to enjoy his alone time. It's not that he struggled with being on his own, but he was always itching to do something.

Hobi needed to learn to just sit back and relax sometimes, but he couldn't help feeling like he was wasting his time. Something, anything, he had to do.

“Look who it is!” you exclaimed with a grin and Hoseok chuckled.

“Hello neighbor” he greeted you with a little amused smirk as he brought his glass to his lips.

“No plans tonight?” you asked curiously knowing he had a concert the next day and figuring he would be out and about on his last free night in the country.

“No, the guys’ girls are visiting” his tone was strange, you thought. He was happy for them, he truly was, but even if he felt silly about it, he felt a little left out.

Namjoon was unexpectedly caught up tonight and they couldn't hang out as they usually would while the rest of the guys spent time with their significant others.

It was hard not to focus on the fact that he didn't have that, yet he didn't feel comfortable bringing the issue up to his friend frequently.

They were both in the same situation and focusing on him being down momentarily because it felt isolating wasn't going to change anything. He had to focus on the bright side.

Whatever that one was. He was trying to figure it out as he tasted the local wines. Jungkook had tried some apparently and said they were worth checking out.

“Mind if I join you?” you looked over at him and he smiled softly at your eager face before going inside his room for a minute to get you a glass.

Once he poured some wine in it for you, he handed it over and you stretched just a little over the railing to take it from his hand.

“Thanks, Hoseok-ssi” you said with a little nod and took a step back, crossing one arm over your middle while propping up your other on your wrist.

Over the last three weeks, things between you two had been much better. Hobi was no longer hostile towards you, he was friendly and more smiley.

His attitude towards you was the same he had towards everyone in the team and it was comforting. It's like you finally felt like you belonged to the staff with his approval.

Going out with the members and your coworkers here and there was fun. Sometimes it was just the staff, then others it was a few of the members too.

They all were very down to earth and didn't treat anyone they worked with like they were below them. It was very nice.

Not that you had been mistreated by previous employers, but it was not unexpected that they made a separation between them and their employees.

It was normal to focus on ranks and the role each person was there to fulfill. It was a regular professional work environment.

HYBE had a different philosophy, you still hung out to bond with the team, yet it didn't feel forced. You were not in any obligation to drink or do anything you were not ok with.

Spending all that time together working for Bangtan, they had just become a sort of family. It was sweet, they were all kind and polite to each other.

They genuinely cared about your well being, how you were holding up, how you were feeling. If you were tired or sick they'd check up on you. You felt contained.

“How come one of South Korea’s top bachelors is single?” you asked suddenly after both of you had just been hanging out there in silence.

Hobi laughed at that, but he didn't answer right away. The question didn't seem intrusive considering why they were both out here. You had nowhere else to be.

“I'm sure there's people lining up for you,”

He could surely have his pick if he wanted to simply sleep with someone, for instance. The notion that he could have anyone was only partially true.

Hoseok was not like that though, he wouldn't go down that road. Some people thought that their life was the life, but all the members kept each other grounded.

Fame and fortune could get ugly if you let them get to your head. It was important to always stay humble, to be grateful for every little thing and never stop working hard or rest on their laurels for too long.

“For money or an illusion. They are in love with my image, with J-Hope. Then they find out I'm a person and imperfect” he finally answered after giving it some thought.

“Mm, I understand. That must be tough,”

Hobi simply nodded looking at the scenery, there was no need to say anything else. It was clear enough that was a fact.

“With your schedules it must be difficult too, to have time for someone. I am familiar with that much” you added thinking about how your life and theirs had a little bit in common at least. Being busy and away from home often.

Friends and family time being limited by the hectic schedules and sudden bookings. Work plans could change within minutes, from one moment to another, forcing personal plans to fall through.

“Yes, but I think we, the members and I...we are meant to be doing this,”

“That's how I feel about flying. Even if being away regularly for work makes it difficult, I just can't give it up” Hobi looked over at you with an appreciative smile. You know the feeling, it seems. He's glad you get it.

“So, how do you go about it? If you don't mind me asking. I'm just curious, I promise I won't judge” you decided to go for it, ask what you'd been wondering.

The question might sound sort of personal, but from what you had learned about Hoseok these last few weeks, he was a very reflective kind of person. Also very practical and work-oriented, so hopefully he'd see it objectively.

“About...it?” he blinked his eyes repeatedly in confusion as he cocked his head.

“Yeah, like...Miyoung and I became friends with benefits after we broke up. A relationship on a deeper level wasn't going to work for us,”

Hoseok choked on the wine he was swallowing feeling the alcohol burn at the back of his nose.

“I don't do...no” he answered feeling only mildly uncomfortable. It looked like it was a genuine question, not one made because one's just nosy.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it awkward” you hurried to say apologetically as he retrieved a napkin from somewhere behind him.

“You see, dating just doesn't work for me so I keep it all strictly casual. I was hoping you had a secret solution I'm unaware of,”

Hobi chuckled at your statement. No, no one had the holy grail, not even celebrities. There's no manual on how to go about human relationships.

“No, I wish. I just...date” Hoseok replied shortly. No serious relationships though, they didn't ever end up becoming serious, unfortunately.

By the time he gathered the courage to say something about what he felt, his physical needs were usually covered or the person walked away for one reason or another.

“I figure hooking up with fans isn't easy with your fame. You are not just any band” Hobi's eyes widened as he shook his head quickly denying that possibility.

“Even as a rookie that didn't feel right. Again, fans have an ideal picture of us in their head and it would feel like taking advantage of them. I would never do that. We were too busy with work anyway, you know?”

“And you can always do your own thing, ride solo, though it's not the same” you offered coolly as if you were not talking about self-pleasuring. You didn't even blink as you stared at the colorful skies.

Hobi laughed, his face was bright red, but you were just so natural, he couldn't really feel that awkward. You wouldn't care, you'd always been so open, since the first day he met you a couple years ago.

“You really have no reservations, do you?” he said shaking his head amused. He wasn't sure if being shameless was completely positive, but it also wasn't completely negative.

“Does that scare you?” your tone was a little hesitant from what he figured. You were a handful to some, they were either too traditional or too pruddish.

That made them feel some sort of way with themselves that they seemed to want to keep hidden. It related more to them than you, you thought.

You could understand though, society could be pretty strict, even if these things were natural human needs. You didn't think there should be any shame associated.

It was something so widely shared by people, but at the same time, so taboo. As if not everyone experimented sexual attraction or needs.

Well, some didn't, but the point was it was not a rare, dark side of humanity that no one ought to mention.

There was a time and place for sure. You were chatting with someone you hoped was open minded enough over some wine. It should be ok, right?

“I...it's different. Refreshing, I suppose” Hobi answered also looking attentively at the orange hues swirled with pinks and purples in between the few clouds.

He liked your confidence, the fact that you didn't hold back and expressed yourself freely. You were well intentioned as far as he could tell.

His chest filled with guilt suddenly, for having been so judgemental about your ways. It was not his way of going about his situation, but you were getting by in your own way.

You were still being sensible as far as he could tell. It didn't mean your were promiscuous or immoral as he had assumed.

It certainly didn’t mean you were leading the life he feared people would believe he had if they didn't know better.

Hoseok hadn't wanted to be judged for dating different women, but he had been quick to picture the worst scenario for you.

“That's good to hear. I just can't help it, you either get to know me as myself or not at all” you brought him out of his head and he was a little lost.

“What do you mean?”

“I can't pretend, this is me. I don't have anything else to offer if who I am is scary to some” you spoke softly and he wondered where those feelings came from. He didn't fully understand why you'd talk about fear.

However, some people did fear what was different, what was not their normal. So, in a way, he could imagine what you were trying to say.

“It's important to be true to yourself” he reaffirmed being sure of that at least and you smiled at him feeling understood.

You took a deep, satisfying breath. Getting past this each time with everyone you got to know was unnerving.

You weren't a stranger to violent reactions, with people being scandalized by the topics you would casually bring up. Or being called names for being comfortable in your skin and your sexuality as if that made anyone abnormal.

It could get ugly, but this felt nice.

“I wholeheartedly agree, Hoseok-ssi” you answered raising your glass and he did as well in response. A serious expression on your faces.

It was no joke to be brave enough to stand up for yourself when others make you question who you are and what you do.

“You can call me Hoseok, it's fine. I think after that conversation...” he started a little shyly as he considered his next few words.

“...we can drop the formalities?” you giggled and he looked away bashfully. Although he did with a little giggle and a small nod to confirm your words.

“I'd like that, Hoseok-ah.”

“Yeah” he said simply, his lips curling in satisfaction.

Hobi liked that he felt more relaxed around you nowadays. The whole issue was taking a toll on him for the longest time and for no good reason, now he knew.

You were rather peculiar in the way you carried yourself, but you were seemingly just being yourself and he truly respected that.

Hoseok was glad you were at peace with what you were like at least in this aspect of your life. It was admirable, he could never be like that, he was too skittish.

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