ウマノアシガタ
autumn

This was clearly a situation requiring more than one opinion -- or at least that's what Jungkook thought. He felt that he should probably ask someone that isn't his mother, and went to the next person he felt mildly comfortable speaking to: Jimin. But, with Jimin came Hoseok and the younger male soon found himself getting lunch at the dancer's apartment as his friend tried to find out what the matter was.

Hoseok made good sandwiches, the brunette found as he focused all his attention on the food and avoiding the topic he really needed help on. The older pair watched him, waiting for him to speak. Time, they figured, was what he needed right now.

"So how's work at the flower shop been going?" Jimin asked, trying to fill in the space. He was done with waiting silently, to some degree. Even if the younger wasn't going to say exactly why he was here, they weren't going to sit in an awkward silence til they'd all finished lunch and drinks. However, he soon realised that his choice of topic might not have been the best. He guessed this from the way Jungkook immediately tensed, his fingers freezing mid-tear of the crust of the bread. Curiosity immediately perked, but Jimin had to stop himself from prying the information from his friend. He had to be patient ― Jungkook would tell him eventually... Hopefully.

"It's been like it always has." Jungkook responds, lifting a piece of crust to his lips. He chews on this for a few moments, still not looking up at the older pair. Hoseok decided to get up and make them all coffees, also hoping that maybe his absence might make the younger more likely to open up. He figured they weren't the closest of friends yet, whereas Jungkook and Jimin were like brothers; if anyone was going to find out what was wrong, it was going to be Jimin. So he left, grateful the kitchen was still within earshot.

"That's good, right?" Jungkook shrugged. "Is normal not good?"

"It is good, but it's not completely normal." The brunette ate another piece of his sandwich. "I mean, it should be. But it's not."

"Why?"

"I overhead something I shouldn't've." Jimin's curiosity was really itching now, as Jungkook continued to tease him with these snippets that seemed to just avoid mentioning the details of exactly what had happened. "I didn't mean to, I just arrived to work and Taehyung and Seokjin were talking in the backroom. I tried playing my game and distracting myself but it didn't work ― god damn Taehyung's loud voice."

"What'd you hear...?" Jimin asked cautiously, trying to draw out the information. He suppressed a sigh as he watched the younger shove the rest of his sandwich in his mouth, successfully rendering himself unable to speak as he ate it. The older male could tell he was purposefully eating slowly; Jimin had seen the brunette eat before and, boy, could he stuff his face when he wanted to. There'd been a time when Jimin had tried to convince him to compete in the eating competitions, but Jungkook had been too worried about losing his masculine physique back then and refused to touch anything that might cause him to put on weight.

When Jungkook finally finished, Jimin repeated the question.

"I heard a confession, of sorts. I think." Hoseok rejoined the group, doing his best to carry the three coffees without any accidents. He set them on the table and took his seat beside Jimin. The pair instantly interlaced fingers underneath the table, hands resting in the space between them. "Taehyung told Seokjin that he likes ― loves me. And not in the, like, friendly 'hey, I think you're a cool friend' type of way but in the 'my chest hurts at the thought of him and I'd, like, totally do him if that was an option' type of way because that's just how Taehyung thinks. I bet he wants to do me ― what if that's what the flower meant―"

"Jungkook, I'm going to need you to calm down." Hoseok interrupted, breaking the younger's train of thought. "You're speaking too fast and I can't understand what you're saying. Jimin, do you understand what he's saying?"

"I can speak the language of a freaking out Jungkook, but I can understand how someone less experienced in the language might struggle."

"Exactly. So, Jungkook, take a deep breath and please talk a little slower."

Jungkook took an exaggerated breath in, and then exhaled slowly. It was clear this had little effect on him. He grabbed his cup of coffee ― maybe not the best choice of drink in hindsight ― and took a long sip. The drink was burning his tongue but he ignored that; he needed to stall for time right now and this was the best option.

"This is a really good coffee, Hoseok." He said as he placed the cup down on the table. "Have you ever thought of being a barista?"

"No, not really. They're pretty average coffees."

"No, these are really good. Like, they're the best ones I've ever tried after Jimin's. Because, man, have you tried Jimin's? They're great." Despite the compliments being thrown at him, Jimin frowned. He sighed as he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, making sure Jungkook could sense his mild (mild) annoyance. It was noticed, and the younger slumped in defeat. "Sorry. You want the story, don't you?"

"It'd be nice."

"Okay, so I was in the shop, right? And I'm just sitting there and then I hear Taehyung say how he doesn't know what to do and Seokjin tells him to just tell whoever he's talking about about whatever they're talking about. Taehyung says he can't 'cause Mysterious Man is straight and he can't just make a move on this guy even though he's done to straight guys before because it's not the same. Because, you know, there's everyone else and then there's Jungkook. Jungkook is different ― I'm the Jungkook, by the way."

"So Taehyung likes you..?" Hoseok asked, trying to figure out if he'd been following this conversation properly.

"No. Loves, apparently. That's what he said, at least."

"And you said things were how they usually are... I mean, this is a bit of a big thing, Jungkook." Jimin said. "Love is a big thing, especially when best friends are involved."

"I know." Jungkook huffed as he took another drink of his coffee. "This is all stupid. I can't do anything about it anyway; I don't know why I'm getting so worked up about it. It's simple: I wait til Taehyung tells me directly and then I reject him."

"I really hope you do it more gently." The dancer piped up, as Jimin nodded in response. "Like Jimin said, this is a big thing. It could either improve or completely destroy your friendship."

"Confessing almost destroyed ours." Jungkook looked up slowly at the couple, the curious glint shining lightly in his eye. "Y'know, Hoseok said he liked me and I was ready to reject him. I told him to let me think about it―"

"And then went and avoided me for a week. Even for school things, it was just a few words and that was it." Hoseok added. "I regretted opening my big mouth for that whole thing, wishing I could've just turned back time and stopped myself from confessing."

"But it all worked out in the end."

"Yeah, you rejected me and then, out of nowhere, just started kissing me a few hours later. Like, we were in public and you just grabbed me like this," Hoseok gestured, grabbing an invisible collar and roughly pulling the invisible body closer. Jungkook had a feeling he'd been forgotten as the couple reminisced about the way they got together. "And just started kissing me."

"I was dealing with some seriously pent up emotions ― recovering from the denial stage."

"I mean, I'm not complaining... You're a good kisser."

"I don't need to know these things." Jungkook piped up, returning the attention back to him. He sighed again ― today was a day for sighing ― and drained his coffee. "I think I'm going to get going. Grandma wanted me home early today. I'll see you guys later."

"Just keep in mind what we said, okay?"

"What, that Jimin's a good kisser?"

"No, that this is a fragile situation. Approach things carefully―"

"But follow your heart. It'll know the best course of action." Hoseok adds.

"Right." It was clear that Jungkook wasn't really contemplating this course of action. He gave them a small goodbye smile, a tight curve of the lips as he waved and saw himself out.

Hoseok and Jimin both exhaled simultaneously, sitting back in their chairs.

"I hope it all works out." Jimin spoke first, looking down at his own coffee cup. Hoseok looked up at his boyfriend, smiling a little as he reached up to push a little bit of hair behind his ear. The younger leaned into the small touch, before he continued leaning and ended up with his head resting against the dancer's shoulder. He shut his eyes, feeling tired after the short encounter. "I really hope it all works out."

"I'm sure it will, for better or for worse."

"Better, I hope. I just want Jungkook to be happy, without having to worry about what people think about him." Hoseok pushed more hair off the younger's face, gazing down at him as best he could. "He just worries so much about it, even if he doesn't say it. Like, when we were younger, a girl said he was too small for a boy and didn't look like a boy ― and as far as prepubescent kids go, he was doing pretty well ― but he took it to heart and started doing his best to look like what she expected of him. He didn't even like her. Called her a cow once, not to her face though."

"It'll be fine, Jimin. You worry too much."

"Only about Jungkook. That boy'll be the reason I lose my hair, I swear."

――＊――

Taehyung's mother possessed the same uncanny ability to know something's wrong and didn't even need her son to walk in the door to guess. She knew as soon as he said he was staying over for the weekend ― because her son only ever did that when he was trying to take his mind off something that was causing him grief ― and was waiting outside for him when he trudged up the little path leading to her house. Soonshim was waiting with her, because where her humans go she'll most likely follow, and bounded up to the florist when she noticed him.

"Hey Soonshim!" The male yelled out when she barrelled him over, laughing at her enthusiasm. "Did you miss me?"

Soonshim barked, with a tone that seemed to say, "Are you really asking that? Of course I missed you!"

The dog eventually calms down a little, enough for Taehyung to get back to his feet, and runs over to Ms Kim to remind her that Taehyung was visiting and that this was an occasion to be excited about. She then seemed to feel the need to tell the neighbours, rushing over to their fence and sending a brief barks their way. The response came from the quiet yips of the dog three doors down, who seemed equally excited about Taehyung's return. The effeminate male can remember 'borrowing' the dog before he got Soonshim, and being forced to return him whenever Ms Kim found out.

Like in the movies, more dogs joined in the chorus of barks and it wasn't long before the whole neighbour was being alerted to the florist's arrival in the language of dogs.

"I like your hair." was the first thing Ms Kim said when her son approached her, reaching up to push a strand of his fringe back. "Didn't you have this colour back in high school? I remember you wanting to make a statement..." Despite it being phrased as a question, Ms Kim could remember very clearly what colour Taehyung's hair was and what year he had it too ― after all, the graduation photo still hung very proudly in her living room, right beside a photo the Kim family had taken on their last vacation.

"I think so." There was a beat of silence, as mother and son stared at each other. The smile on the younger's lips grew and he wrapped his arms around his mum and pulled her into a bear hug. She laughed in surprise, not expecting a hug of such intensity. But still, she appreciated it and hugged him back nonetheless. "I've missed you, mum."

"I've missed you too, Taehyung. You need to visit more often."

"I'm sorry. Some stuff happened..."

"I take it you're going to tell me about this stuff. Is this stuff the reason for the visit?" The smile fell from Taehyung's lips as he nodded, following his mum inside. Soonshim was close behind, having finished telling all her friends about the exciting news. "Come on, I'll make some tea and you can tell me it over brunch. I made some biscuits too, knowing you were coming. If you'd told me sooner, I could've made a cake but I just didn't have the time to get all the ingredients."

"Biscuits are fine. I like your biscuits."

"But you like my cake more." Ms Kim shrugged. "Oh well, biscuits are still good." The pair made their way into the kitchen, where the biscuits were sitting on a cooling rack. Taehyung instantly picked one off, taking a seat at one of the stools as he bit into the hot biscuit. "Your father's in Australia right now, I think. It's hard to keep track of where he is but the last postcard he sent was from Australia -- a picture of some big, orange rock. He'll be home for Christmas, he says. Will you be?"

"I'm always home for Christmas, Mum."

"Just checking. You never know, one day you might find someone you want to settle down with and spend a Christmas with them. Or you might want to spend it with your rich friends ― I saw the pictures at the resort." Ms Kim took one of the biscuits and bit into it, drumming her manicured fingers against the kitchen bench. "So, what's up, buttercup?"

Taehyung let out a long, slow sigh, signalling to his mother that this was going to be a long talk. "It's a boy problem."

"Again? You're always having boy problems, Kim Taehyung." The older woman said as she poured hot water into the two teacups. She then placed them and the cookies on a tray and gestured for the younger to follow him into the lounge room. "Either it's 'you don't look enough like a boy', or it's 'you think this boy's into you but you can't tell if it's because you look like a girl or if he actually likes you'. And sometimes it's a commitment issue where you're pretty sure it's you who's having the issues with only being sexually attracted. So which one is it this time?"

"None of the above." Taehyung flopped down on the couch, reaching out for another biscuit. "I think this time I'm in love."

Ms Kim was silent for a few moments, making her son worried. This was, naturally, her intention. She looked at him, a rather serious glint in her eye as she frowned.

"You think you're in love and you haven't once told me about this mysterious boy? Who is he?"

"Jeon Jungkook ― you would've seen him in the photos."

"The muscly one?" Taehyung nodded. "Yeah, seems like the sort you'd go for. You can pick 'em, I'll give you that."

"Yeah, except Jungkook's straight. In fact, I think it goes way past straight and has just entered that land of repulsion. I think he accepts gays, but he definitely gets uncomfortable." The florist bit into his biscuit again. "And I was telling Seokjin how I'm pretty sure I like him, and I think Jungkook overheard me. He's been avoiding me ever since ― and I didn't realise he was there so I wasn't talking quietly. But I don't know, maybe it's something else..."

"Then ask him. Go up to him and say, Jungkook, are you avoiding me? and he'll tell you."

"No, I can't do that. Because what if it is just me jumping to conclusions?"

"Then you've jumped to a conclusion and you can find out rather than stress over it. It's not that hard, Taehyung."

"It is that hard. I've never liked someone as much as I like Jungkook and I don't want to risk stuffing up our relationship because these feelings of mine have stupidly crossed the line between friendship and more than that. Or by jumping to conclusions." The florist began fidgeting, briefly distracted by all the different ways his relationship with his friend could be ruined. He started chewing nervously on this thumb, biting at the skin and nail. "I'm just so scared. I like him so much, Mum; I think I'd honestly do anything to make sure his smile stayed on his lips. And I've been seeing that less these days -- what if I'm the reason he's not smiling? I don't want to be that. I want to be the reason he is smiling."

"Taehyung," Ms Kim lifted Taehyung's chin so he was looking up at his mother, smiling fondly down at him, "I've never seen you get so stressed over something. I think this is love."

"That's what I've been trying to tell people!"

"Well, whatever you do, I support you every step of the way. And if that boy doesn't want to be with you, then it's his loss." Ms Kim pulled her son in for a hug. "How is Seokjin, by the way?"

"Good. He's got a boyfriend again; this one's a baker."

"When you see him next, tell him he needs to visit his aunt more. And his mother -- I haven't heard from her in ages." Ms Kim fell silent as she thought about her relatives. "I'll give you some biscuits to give to Seokjin, make sure they get to him."

ーー＊ーー
I wasn't going to publish this just yet, but as I was exiting the app it clearly decided to publish it so I'm gonna take it as a sign