"Baby, what's taking you so long?" you called walking into his room and peeking inside his walk-in closet. He was still in his underwear and robe, just like when he came out of the shower.

Hobi had spent over an hour in there trying to figure out what to wear to meet your friends. You'd invited them over the moment you landed back in Seoul after your latest work trip to make sure your plans wouldn't get cancelled.

It would be something chill at your place so you could all be relaxed and not worry about being spotted. Still, Hobi didn't want to overdo it or underdo it. He needed to leave a good impression.

They were like your family, the people in Seoul who welcomed you when those back in Busan practically kicked you out. Even when you didn't see them all that often, when you got together it was like nothing had changed between you from what you had told him.

Hobi felt like he needed their approval if they were that important to you. His friends and family accepting you was a big deal to him, so what if your friends didn't like him for you? Would that affect your opinion on him?

What if they thought you could do better than him? Would they talk you into finding a better match? Someone that won't put your life in danger just by association? That won't bring even more negativity into your life and affect your mental health?

Hoseok was scared because he knew all of these points were valid and understandable. He worried about these things himself, so he had to prove he was worth it to your friends. Show them that he truly loved you and deserved the chance that you had given him.

The problem was that he also doubted whether he did. Was he actually worth it? He was conflicted. It sounded like such a hassle for the reward to be just him. His skills and talents hardly mattered when it came to being a good partner.

Dancing? Performing? Rapping? Singing? He was confident he could prove his worth in other areas. But he wasn't above average otherwise, he was plain old Hoseok. And he was terrified, like the skittish and guarded man he was.

"I don't know what to wear, I don't want them to think I'm being pretentious. But what if it's too relaxed and they think I'm grubby*?"

"Hobi baby, that's ridiculous. You won't be judged by your clothes, I have some expensive things too. And there's no way you'll ever look shabby, are you serious?"

He simply sighed at your words, he didn't know how to explain it. Yes, they wouldn't openly judge, but it would be part of how he presented himself and for some reason he was doubting what style was appropriate.

"You are overthinking this, you just have to be yourself" you said softly, walking in and sitting on the floor next to him.

"What if they don't like me?"

"I like you" you murmured laying your head on his slouched shoulder and wrapping your arms around one of his.

"But if they don't, then how would you feel?"

"It's our relationship, not theirs. They can respect my choice to be with you. You are a great man, Hoseok-ah, I don't see why they would have a problem though,"

"You know being with me is not easy, there's a long list of conditions, restrictions and all this burdensome baggage that's not even your problem. Who would want that for you?"

"I do. They can think whatever they like, we are doing this together. Their opinion is important to me, but it won't change how I feel about you, baby. Are you sure this is about them?" you knew he felt bad about the things you had to deal with because of him and the relationship being out.

It still wasn't much better, in fact it was getting worse with people refusing to give up speculating about the cursed photograph that should have never been.

You had even had some clients cancel future reservations because of the rumors and people tell you nasty things while you were out and about. Both related to your boyfriend, the supposed cheating and your degenerate nature.

"I know that it's a difficult reality to understand and I don't know if I would wish it on anyone. I chose it and I wasn't fully aware what it implied or where it would take me, but it was a decision I made."

"Hoseok-ah, I chose you! You are making it sound like you dragged me into this against my will," your tone was sad, but your words made him giggle.

"What's so funny?" you asked straightening up and looking at him with a confused smile.

"Hoseok-ah, I choose you!" he repeated your words in a thin voice and then squeaked "pikachu*²!"

"Awm, ireon!" you exclaimed now giggling and hugged him by the neck, planting a loud kiss on his cheek and making him laugh.

Once you both went quiet again, with you still hugging him and him with his arms around your waist, you sighed.

"Just dress like you normally would, think you are just hanging out with me. Whatever you choose will be right," you said pulling back and looking at him in the eye.

He nodded and you pecked him and got up to go back to your kitchen where you had been preparing some food for the evening.

As you walked away, Hobi watched you go and looked at your outfit. High waisted jeans, a graphic t-shirt tucked in and a blazer with rolled-up sleeves.

Deciding to follow your example, he took out one of his tees, a pair of loose ripped jeans and a sleeveless tartan shirt to go over it. Without thinking about it more than necessary, he put it all on and went looking for you in case you needed some help.

You were arranging some snacks carefully on a plate when you felt your boyfriend wrap his arms around your waist to backhug you. He laid his chin on your head and looked down at your work.

"Have you finally chosen an outfit?" you asked and felt him nod against your hair.

"Matching with you" he commented and you turned around and held onto his shoulders to put some distance in between you two so you could check it out.

"Love it! If they say anything we can tell them I asked for it so it was my terrible idea" you teased him knowing no one would have anything negative to say about it.

Hobi's eyebrows were furrowed and his mouth was pressed in a line, he was so tense. You'd never seen him feeling this nervous about interacting with other people.

"So there's Gaeul, Jongdae, Ari and Dalrae," Hobi started and you nodded rolling your eyes, you had gone over this a bunch of times. He was anxious though and he didn't want to mess up.

"Gaeul feeds Boa when you are away and is straight. Jongdae is an ARMY, they go by they/them and are gay. Ari and Dalrae are girlfriends, Ari is bi but Dal is a lesbian,"

"Correct, then Mimi, who you know from work," you added just because he was reviewing the information you provided, you knew he hadn't forgotten her. There was no need to go over the only person you had in common.

It felt a little awkward to Hoseok to be meeting Miyoung in an informal setting like this. Especially because both him and her had been romantically involved with you.

You'd assured him she was totally fine with you two being together, but it was still unnerving. For some reason all he could think about was how you two had been friends with benefits and what they had in common was that they'd both been intimate with you.

The doorbell rang and your boyfriend looked at you feeling uneasy. You tilted your head cutely and smiled softly at him, he'd been following you around all day like a lost puppy.

"Can you get the door for me, baby?" you said pointing at the food you were preparing on the stove-top and he excused himself and went to get the door.

Hobi considered himself shy*³, though most people wouldn't exactly pick that word to describe him. Meeting new people was always a little awkward at first and having to impress them on top of that added to his anxiety.

He found himself in front of a guy with carefully styled hair and a very funky clothing style. It looked unique and he wondered if he had put it together himself. They gasped and brought their hands to their mouth.

"Ireon sesange, I was unprepared!" they shook their head as if trying to regain some composure and bowed.

"It's Jongdae, right?" Hobi guessed with a smile, assuming no one would react this way unless they were a fan.

"Oh, you know my name? My bias knows my name" they said fanning themselves with a stupid grin and made your boyfriend chuckle.

"Come on in" Hobi stepped out of the way and when your friend had changed into a pair of slippers, they turned around still looking like they were in a daze. They were most likely starstruck.

"Bodi told me you are a fashion designer, did you make your outfit?" your boyfriend asked trying to make some conversation to avoid the awkward silence.

"Bodi...that's so cute. Yes, thank you for noticing! You and your sister are my inspiration" they commented smiling widely and Hobi nodded and smiled.

Just when they were about to take a seat in the living room, there was someone at the door again.

"Can you get it, baby?" you yelled from the kitchen and Hobi froze mid-air as he was sitting down and straightened back up to walk away instead.

Jongdae awwed at the exchange and for some reason Hoseok felt embarrassed with all the attention on him. This was no performance.

"You must be Ari and Dalrae, it's nice to meet you, ladies" he welcomed the couple at the door with a little bow of his head and they giggled.

"I thought it was your name everyone knew, Hoseok-ssi! It's nice to meet you" Ari joked and walked in pulling his girlfriend by the hand as the latter waved at him with a shy smile.

He knew who was who by the description you gave him about their height difference. Apparently, they were both part of your friend group before they were together and they made everything awkward just like the guys claimed you two did when you refused to acknowledge your feelings for each other.

"Gaeul told me he's going to be a little late, but he's on his way and will pick up Miyoung" Dal commented before heading to the kitchen to greet you and see if you needed any help.

"So, Hoseok-ssi, what are your intentions with our girl?" Ari started after sitting down on the couch opposite him and Jongdae, clasping her hands in front of her and leaning over expectantly.

"I-I, uh" Hobi stuttered, eyes widening in surprise at the sudden question. He wasn't expecting anyone to be that straightforward and he felt uncomfortable.

"Oh, please, Ari! This man is sunshine personified, he's literally Hope as a person. There's no need to be so harsh" Jongdae defended him passionately gesticulating as if to showcase Hoseok.

"You are a biased fan, we can't trust your judgement" Ari said with a smirk and her opponent scoffed.

"I am indeed biased, but can't you trust my taste? You offend me,"

Hobi just stared in awkward silence as they discussed him as if he wasn't there.

"I still won't forget that one day you did a dark concept for the first time. For your first album, that stage was historical, hyung!"

"Lollapalooza?" Hobi asked and Jongdae bit their lip and threw their head back with a dramatic and loud exhalation.

"Ari, you should have watched him. He is sweet as candy and rainbows, but he was so damn sexy rapping with his long wavy hair and owning that stage like the rockstar we knew he was!"

Hobi was so embarrassed he had started laughing inappropriately. His hand hovered over his mouth as they talked animatedly without letting him get a word in edgeways.

"Sure, artistic skills are all very nice, but they don't come in the picture when it's about a relationship. Do they?" Ari countered and Hoseok swallowed thickly hearing his own worries being voiced.

"Ari-yah! Leave him alone, you are going to scare him," Dalrae said placing a tray on the coffee table before sitting on her girlfriend's lap even though there was plenty of room for all of them to be comfortable.

"What is going on here?" you asked playfully scolding them as you walked in the room after Dal carrying another tray with shotglasses and some soju to drink with the finger food.

"Ari is giving our Hope a hard time," Jongdae filled you in as you took a seat inbetween them and your boyfriend.

"Oh, don't worry, she's a troll," you said giving his thigh a little affectionate squeeze.

"Hoseok-ssi doesn't know that. What sort of things did she say?" Ari's girlfriend questioned and yet again your boyfriend didn't get to speak.

"She was interrogating him like she was your mother...or father," Jongdae scrunched their nose and Ari stuck her tongue out. Hobi flinched at the mention of your mother, but you didn't seem to mind.

"Ah, I see, eomma. You can trust my judgement, after two years of—" you were interrupted by the doorbell, you put your hand on Hobi's shoulder so he'd stay in place and went to open it this time round.

He watched you helplessly as you left the living room. If he could have got the door, he could have had a couple minutes to gather his thoughts.

Miyoung and Gaeul entered the room shortly after, ahead of you, and found a place to sit next to the girls.

"Speaking of the devil...hello Mimi!" Ari exclaimed and Hobi looked at her warily.

"You work together, don't you?" Jongdae hurried to ask searching for an ally.

"Uh, same building, but different departments. You could say so though," Miyoung answered nervously.

It was true that you seldom came across one other, but you'd both had pleasant interactions with each other. Or so Hobi hoped. When you saw his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed, you squeezed his thigh again and offered a soft and comforting smile when he turned to you.

"Tell Ari there's nothing to fear," Jongdae knew she was only half joking, she was very protective of you. She was your first openly gay friend, fellow bisexual and therefore the one who experienced your struggles with your grandparents right when you were going through them.

"Hoseok-ssi is a good and sensible man, that much I can assure you," your ex said and he took a deep breath finally being able to pull himself together.

He didn't know how she felt about him being in a relationship with you, especially after he found out she had feelings for you still and lied to keep him away.

On the other hand, you knew you could trust Miyoung. She was a good person, she had her issues, but she was not intentionally malicious. She wouldn't get in the way of your relationship knowing more than anyone how you felt about your romantic life.

"Finally someone who broke the spell!" Dalrae commented and you rolled your eyes.

"There was no spell, I just hadn't met my person," you looked at your boyfriend briefly, taking his hand in yours and he smiled fondly.

"Your little Bodi here had sworn off love two years ago. At first we thought she was joking, but then we thought there was no coming back from it. She was damn serious," Dalrae shared and you shook your head and sighed loudly.

You got a lot of shit from them for staying away from serious relationships and now you would for falling for someone. Although it was all in good fun, nothing would suit them.

Hoseok was reminded of his so called curse and smiled thinking about the way your friends saw your encounter. You were both in a terrible place and changed everything for each other in the most unexpected of ways. It truly sounded fateful.

"She just needed Prince Charming here to break it, and ain't he a handsome one?" Jongdae commented matter-of-factly and Hobi didn't know what to do with all the compliments they had been showering him with since they arrived.

"There was nothing wrong with her lifestyle, why do you all have to be so dramatic?" Gaeul, who seemed to be the quietest, chimed in.

"Easy for you to say when you are aro*⁴," Dal retorted and he nodded.

"Well, true, you've always been kind of a hopeless romantic...Bodi" he chuckled teasing you about your new nickname. They all knew about it and were going to have a ball with it.

"The bracelets, the rings, the lovelock, you're living the whole drama," Dal listed and you felt your cheeks burn. You had told all of them about that, of course you'd been thrilled.

"Shut up," you demanded shamefully while you poured the glasses of soju blushing furiously.

"Oh yeah, you are ruining her bad bitch image, everyone" Ari joked and they all giggled. They obviously knew you were sweet and caring underneath that badass exterior, just like he had come to find out.

"Okay, Sunshine. It's been noted that you are the hope of BTS. I'd like to see the bad boy in you that can handle my friend," she turned to him with a mischevous smirk and Hobi stared like an idiot in shock and at loss for words. This woman kept throwing him for a loop.

"I've got this, hyung!" Jongdae said resolutely and started furiously browsing their phone.

"What? How?" Hobi asked puzzled.

"He's got a voice, I was starting to wonder how a rapper could be mute," Ari relentlessly went at him.

"Please, you are insufferable and you haven't had your first shot of soju!" Dal slapped the arm wrapped around her waist playfully and her girlfriend laughed.

"Lolla-pa-looza, hyung. That was the wake-up call," Jongdae answered him without minding the girls.

"Oh, no, no..." Hobi laughed nervously and tried to stop them to no avail.

"Trust me. Have you watched Lollapalooza 2022? First Korean headliner of the American festival?" your friend assured him and then turned to you. You looked at them curiously.

"No, I actually haven't. What is it, baby?" you looked at Hobi with a playful gaze and grin, making him giggle nervously.

"I was really anxious, it was my first concert all on my own without the guys and for my solo work," your boyfriend explained feeling like it was not the best idea. He was proud of it at the time, it was a huge deal, but it was years ago and he had improved since.

"Look at your baby at your age shedding that bright image to reveal his raw side for the first time," Jongdae announced and connected their phone to your TV through bluetooth to play the concert.

"My boyfriend has to prove you all nothing" you said resolutely and Hobi nodded relieved.

"Um yeah, we don't have to watch this" he added motioning to the TV.

"But wow, now I'm actually curious, look at you" your eyes were fixed on the screen as his younger self jumped out of a box on stage wearing an all black outfit.

"Oh, this is nice, I like the rock n' roll sound" Gaeul commented.

"Thank you, I didn't want to stick to any particular genre for this, but this album was heavily influenced by what I grew up with*⁵ as a street dancer."

"You are right, Jongdae, that's pretty hot," Ari commented after you had watched about half of the concert.

"See, I told you. She's one lucky bastard," they commented pushing your arm and you slapped their hand away with narrowed eyes. Both giggling unaware of the fact that Hobi was melting on the couch next to you wanting to fall inbetween the pillows to disappear.

"Aw this is so cute!" Dal pointed out when they got to Hope World and BTS' songs and there was more choreography and dancing.

"This was before my album, a different theme mixed in with songs of Bangtan. Hope World is actually a mixtape so it is much more informal than Jack in the Box was,"

"Ireon sesange!! This one is my favorite, the stage of the boys' concerts is unbelievable," Jongdae started dancing in place as Just Dance's music played.

"Ooh, I loved the solo from your concert in Europe. Let's see," you said animatedly patting your boyfriend's arm.

"This one's for you" he muttered before you asked about the lyrics and you looked at him puzzled.

Truth is he had to write about young love*⁶ and he wrote about what he wanted it to feel like. It wasn't really dedicated to an ex, but just to be safe.

"You would look nice with longer hair, baby" you looked at him and brushed his fringe back with a playful lip smile.

"It's pretty flat without the perm, actually,"

"Then get one, there's a solution. I can't dance to save my life, that can't be helped, but this is now my song according to you," Hobi rolled his eyes at your statement, maybe you should keep listening to really hear what it is about.

Your heartbeats were in sync sometimes, he knew it. Hoseok could feel it when you held him tightly, when you finally entrusted yourself to him despite being initially reluctant. You had danced around each other for the longest time until you finally decided to leave your fears aside and did it together.

It was strange to hear his lyrics as he mumbled them*⁷ and realized what he had sang about so long ago.

"But you're my friend, yeah my friend. Just..." it simply worked, it made sense. Suddenly you wrapped your arms around his neck since he was still a puddle next to you and he squeaked taken off-guard.

"I like the feeling of being together with you, the dances we do together just following how our bodies move. I feel it, baby" you whispered back his lyrics in his ear and he felt the heat raise up from his chest all the way up to his face.

"Awe, look at our Birdie and her cock" Ari said moved by the hug and you pulled away from it to glare at her.

"That's enough, you have to calm down, jagiya" Dal scolded her girlfriend and she complained.

"She's dating no tit, is she? It's just a joke!" Ari whined and you snorted.

"It's fine" Hobi interrupted before you could contradict her. You didn't want him to be uncomfortable and that had been somewhat inappropriate. She didn't know him well enough.

"He gets it! Thank you, Hoseok-ssi," Ari crossed her arms and sulked.

"He is a good one, not gonna lie"— you started and he looked at you with wide eyes and an amused smile —"but he is actually one fine crow tit*⁸."

"Absolutely! Those hips, just let me—" Jongdae agreed fervently and pulled out their cellphone ready to look up the performance of Baepsae to support you.

"NO! That's not...necessary, don't" Hoseok tried to desperately stop them, the tone of his voice a little higher than intended. His hand clasping your friend's shoulder, reaching out behind you, in an urgent plea not to help him further.

Jongdae looked up at him with wide eyes and their jaw fell open. They glanced down at their shoulder and then back at their idol and for a moment Hobi panicked thinking he had made them uncomfortable.

They looked down blushing after dropping their phone and your boyfriend quickly took his hand away and apologized profusely. Jongdae paid it no mind.

"My bias touched me, ireon" they whispered to themselves and smiled like a lunatic.

"I promise I'll care for your friend just as much as you, Ari-ssi," Hobi said sitting up and getting back on topic. He was looking at your girl friend dead in the eye.

"Know your limits," she countered and he chuckled at her challenging tone.

"Oh, in that case, I'll care for her more than you," he said with a cheeky smirk and they all burst out laughing.

"Buuuurn, Ari, he did in fact light that flame," Jongdae clapped entertained.

"You'd better or I'm gonna find you and chop off—"

"ARI-YAH" Dal yelled over her girlfriend and she cackled. No one here understood her humor but Hoseok?

"Call me Ari," she said being a little more friendly, but still keeping her distance. It was progress nevertheless.

"Call me oppa," Hobi answered with a wide excited smile and you were pleased with the exchange. Surely your friend would warm up to him eventually.

You spent the rest of the night drinking and chatting, things were more relaxed after that. There was some awkwardness, but nothing as unexpected.

They learned more about him and he learned more about them. But also a lot more about you, things you'd never told him about.

When you'd first met the band, you didn't know much about them. You only met Jongdae a few months later. When Big Hit Music called to hire you last year, they gave you a crash course on Bangtan Sonyeondan.

They were also the first supporter of your relationship when they found out your neighbor was none other than their ultimate bias: J-Hope of BTS.

Ari stayed out of it for the most part knowing how much you'd struggled with past relationships. She quietly listened the few times you and Dalrae talked about your new love interest.

Gaeul and Miyoung were on the quiet side, but they both silently supported you. All they really wanted was for you to be happy and they could both see the difference from before you left and after you came back from the tour.

As much as seeing you with someone else was hard for Miyoung, she knew Hoseok was a good man and she couldn't complain. You had tried, but you weren't compatible and she couldn't hold that against you or blame him for what wasn't.

Once they were all gone, Hobi helped you take everything back to the kitchen and immediately went to do the dishes since you'd done all the cooking.

"Baby, go to bed, you are falling asleep" between the soju and the busy work week, his eyes kept closing for a second too long.

"No, I just want to clean this up and get it out of the way," he mumbled refusing to let the dirty dishware sit in the sink all night.

"Come on, baby, it's not that big of a deal,"

"It'll take ten minutes tops," he kept scrubbing and nodding off and it was equal times cute and concerning. You walked away with a plan B in mind and quickly changed into some sleepwear to lure him to bed.

"Baby~" you called him cutely from the threshold, leaning forward just a bit, and he sluggishly turned his head.

"Wha-wow" he suddenly looked more awake and his eyebrows shot up.

You were not one to show a lot of skin or wear anything short other than crop tops around the house. It was a rare sight to see you in a satin night dress that was barely long enough and was basically see-through at the chest and hips.

"Come to bed with me, baby. I can't sleep without you," you'd make use of your goddamn insomnia if it played in both your favors'.

"Aein, you look so...oof. Hang on, I'm almost done," you shook your head in disbelief as he turned back to the dishes and worked a little more eagerly to get them done quicker.

"Seriously? Leave those and follow me, I'm going to pass out and you'll have to pet yourself to sleep," you teased him and he groaned.

Hobi looked back up at you as you walked away, the goddamn piece of fabric couldn't even hide half your ass and he tilted his head to a side*⁹ staring.

"W-wait, I'm coming!!" he rinsed his hands hurriedly and wiped them on his jeans as he sheepishly followed you at last.

Looking over your shoulder and smiling at him, you reached behind you and he took your hand so you could lead the way as he closed his eyes and trusted you wouldn't let him get hurt. Seconds after you let go, you called him and he opened his eyes to see you laying in bed, patting the empty space next to you.

With a sleepy giggle, he got underneath the sheets and let himself fall heavily half on top of you. His arm curled around your waist almost instantly, just like yours wrapped his and started to gently caress his arm with you fingers.

"Aein, did it go well?" he muttered, cheek squished against your chest. His eyes had shut the second he hit the mattress, he was exhausted, but still worried.

"Yes, baby. I'm sorry about Ari, she was really intense today. They all really liked you though, even her, don't worry."

"It's fine, she's alright. I'm happy you had someone so fiercely protective of you."

You smiled to yourself and just stared at him for a while thinking about his words. Appreciating the feeling of his skin under your fingers, his weight on your side and his zealous embrace despite having fallen asleep the minute after he said the last few words.

You had found everything you'd ever needed in him. Hobi would never let anyone touch you or hurt you again, your best friend could rest assured.

-

I just love Hobi's performance of Just Dance, specially in Sao Paulo.

* In honor of grubby Tae and Kook: https://twitter.com/taekookfolder/status/1354055211984195584?s=20&t=6AwvTKZF6Jawc1BtkqvQaQ

*² Hobi saying Pikachu in the cutest way:

https://youtube.com/shorts/8mSnhg_6Sck

And then there's this, hahaha:

https://youtu.be/VLX3BE0yqmU

*³ At 9:10:

https://youtu.be/nw1qH6vR-8o

*⁴ Aromantic (often shortened to aro) describes people who do not experience romantic attraction or experience little-to-no romantic attraction.

More info: https://lgbtqia.fandom.com/wiki/Aromantic

*⁵ He's commented this on one of many of his interviews for Jack in the Box, I'll edit it in when I figure out which.

*⁶ I read an article a while back, not sure which but the one below is pretty close, about the Trivia songs following a 4-part Chinese narration form known as giseungjeongyeol (기승전결). Just Dance is about the beginning of a relationship, falling in love with someone. Then Love is about the developmental phase, Seesaw about falling out of love and finally Answer: Love Myself is the conclusion.

Source: https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/bts-love-yourself-answer-album-review-8472127/

*⁷ https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2018/08/24/trivia-just-dance/

*⁸ Crow Tit (the song is also known as Silver Spoon and Baepsae 뱁새) is a word that represents an underdog in Korean. In English birds don't have the best of names, so it was fun to play with them. Cocks, tits, boobies, shags, loons, scrubs, they all sound terribly unfair.

About the song: https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2018/08/02/baepsae-silver-spoon/

Some more silly bird species: https://www.boredpanda.com/bird-species-silly-names/

*⁹ A little habit of Hobi when he's surprised or considering https://twitter.com/jhopestudio/status/1278939212994224129