Jungkook's words leave Hoseok speechless.

He'd never said it out loud before and hearing it from Jungkook makes it too real.

"N-No." Hoseok says shaking his head. "I didn't mean that."

"But he is. Isn't he?" Jungkook asks.

"Look Jungkook." Hoseok stands so he's face to face with Jungkook. "It's complicated. Alright? And I can't~. I'm not supposed to be telling you anything of this."

"You think he's a sex addict?" Jungkook asks.

Hoseok sighs. "Yes. But who am I to say. I don't know anything."

Jungkook shakes his head. "That explains why he's never in school. And why he never hangs out with us. And why he always has marks on his neck and wrists."

"Yeah. I guess it does explain a lot." Hoseok frowns looking at his shoes.

"I won't say anything." Jungkook says. "I won't tell Taehyung you told me anything."

"Thanks." Hoseok says feeling relieved that Taehyung wouldn't know about any of this.

"I just. I wish you would have told me." Jungkook says.

"If I would of told you you wouldn't of even given him a shot." Hoseok says.

"You're right." Jungkook nods. "I guess it's a good thing you didn't then."

"Taehyung really is a good person~ he's a great person. He's not himself lately. But when he is he's amazing." Hoseok says.

Jungkook nods. "Thanks Hobi. I should go."

"I'm sorry again Jungkook." Hoseok says.

"Don't apologise. And I promise I'll give him a shot." Jungkook says before turning and letting himself out.

Hoseok plopped down on the couch with a huff and grabbed his phone.

He immediately starts to panic when he sees he has three missed calls from Taehyung.

He quickly dials the boy back and silently hopes like hell he's alright.

"You finally called me back." Taehyung says sounding perfectly fine.

"Yeah. You called like three times, are you alright?" Hoseok asks.

"Yes. And I also have the answer." Taehyung says.

"The answer to what?" Hoseok asks.

"The egg came first Hoseok. The egg came first!" Taehyung exclaims on the other line.

"That's impossible. Something had to lay the egg." Hoseok argues.

"Exactly. Something had to lay the egg. Care to hear my theory?" Taehyung asks.

"You called me three times back to back to discuss the chicken and the egg?" Hoseok asks. "Are you on drugs?"

"It's important!" Taehyung says. "Are you listening?"

"Yeah. I'm listening." Hoseok says laying down on the couch.

"There was a creature." Taehyung starts. "The creature evolved into another creature. And that creature evolved into another creature until eventually it evolved into a chicken. And only then did a chicken lay an egg."

"So the chicken came first." Hoseok says.

"No. Animals have been laying eggs far before the chicken evolved so that means the egg was here before the chicken evolved." Taehyung says.

"How long have you been thinking about this?" Hoseok asks. "I asked that question like. Last year."

"Since last year then." Taehyung says. "And I'm right, right?"

"I guess. I didn't think about all that evolution shit so yeah." Hoseok says.

"Yes." Taehyung says happily on the phone.

"Hey Tae?" Hoseok says.

"Yeah?" Taehyung asks.

"You should stay at my house tonight." Hoseok says.

"I would but I have plans." Taehyung says.

"Who exactly is your plan tonight?" Hoseok asks.

"Ha ha. Very funny." Taehyung says. "But that's actually not the plan."

"What's the plan?" Hoseok asks.

"I'm not sure yet." Taehyung says.

"Is it going to end in sex?" Hoseok asks straightforwardly.

"Most likely." Taehyung says.

"Taehyung. You know how much it worries me when you go out during the night and no one knows where you are unless something bad happens." Hoseok says.

"Nothing bad is going to happen Hyung. Woah. That felt weird saying that to you." Taehyung says.

"Call me if you need me. And be aware of your surroundings. And don't take things from strangers. And don't go back to a drink you left~"

"Alright alright. Jeez. You're starting to sound like Jin." Taehyung says.

"Can't you just go out on weekends? We have school tomorrow, you shouldn't be out late." Hoseok says.

"I've heard this a thousand times Hobi and each time I tell you that I'm fine. I don't even feel that tired in the morning." Taehyung says.

"It just. It worries I guess." Hoseok says.

"Don't worry. Okay?" Taehyung asks.

"I'll try." Hoseok says dryly.

"Alright. I'll see you at school tomorrow. Love you." Taehyung says.

"Yeah. Love you too." Hoseok says hanging up the phone.

--

It's Friday which means Taehyung is attending Jungkook's, quote, 'parent's stupid dinner party' tomorrow.

Taehyung walked around the store in search of a suit while Hoseok roams around the expensive part of the clothing store acting like he's actually gonna buy a sixteen thousand dollar suit.

They invited Jungkook to join them but he said he'd sit this hang out out claiming he wanted to be 'surprised' when he saw Taehyung.

Taehyung found it cute but was a little confused.

What was surprising about a cheap black suit?

"Taehyung. I found the perfect one." Hoseok says running up to him.

"Hobi I'm not buying a thousand dollar suit." Taehyung says not even looking at what Hoseok has.

"It's only five hundred to rent it." Hoseok says.

"Five hundred? Just to rent? How much does it cost?" Taehyung asks.

"I didn't ask. But come on. I'll go half." Hoseok says.

"Hoseok." Taehyung groans. Hoseok always made Taehyung feel pressured to spend money but he never told him that.

"I'll pay three fifty." Hoseok says. "Actually, I'll pay the whole thing."

"No!" Taehyung exclaims. "Stop being ridiculous. I told you before we got here if the rent is over two hundred we're not getting it. It's stupid if I'm only wearing once."

"Don't you want to impress Jungkook's rich ass parents?" Hoseok asks.

"Why would I want to impress them?" Taehyung asks.

"I don't know. Everyone wants to make a good first impression." Hoseok says.

"I don't think an expensive suit matters when it comes to first impressions." Taehyung says.

"Just try it on. And if you like it I'll buy it and you can pay me back with a movie and staying with me tonight." Hoseok says.

"A seven dollar movie and company doesn't pay back five hundred dollars you fool." Taehyung says.

"Fine. You can also buy me dinner." Hoseok says pushing Taehyung towards the fitting rooms.

The two get a few glares from the uptight lady who has been keeping a close eye on the two since they got there.

"Can I try this please?" Taehyung asks.

"That's a twelve thousand dollars suit young man." She says.

"Is there a problem?" Hoseok asks.

"That suit costs twelve grand. And 500 to rent for a night. Where would the two of you scrape together that kind of money?"

Hoseok's expression changes from the kind and sweet expression he always wears to one Taehyung was familiar with.

"Is that any of your concern?" Hoseok asks.

"We don't take cash here." She says.

Hoseok pulls his wallet out taking his card out. "Didn't think so."

The lady glares at them once more before unlocking the fitting area.

"Old bitch." Hoseok mumbles as they enter.

Taehyung's eyes widen because he is absolutely positive that she heard Hoseok.

"Works in a clothing store for a living and has the audacity to look at us like we're broke." Hoseok says.

"To be fair. I am broke." Taehyung says.

"Not when you're with me." Hoseok says smiling sweetly and returning to his happy mood.

"You have bipolar. Get that checked." Taehyung says.

"You get your ass in there and try on the fucking suit." Hoseok says.

Taehyung sighs going to try the overpriced suit.

After he puts it on he steps out to let the guy there help them fit it properly.

"Wow it actually looks decent." Hoseok says as he looks at Taehyung in the mirror.

"It looks the same as the fifty dollar one." Taehyung says.

"The neck tie just screams 'I have money' doesn't it?" Hoseok laughs.

"Great. I can live a lie for a night." Taehyung says.

"Get out of the suit so I can pay for it." Hoseok says.

"I'll pay you back Hoseok." Taehyung says.

"You don't have to. I owe you." Hoseok says.

"Are you still trying to make up for the other night? I already told you that it was fine, why are you stressing?" Taehyung asks.

"I'm not. Now hurry up. We still have to go get the make up to cover the bruises." Hoseok says.

Taehyung sighs for the umpteenth time and listens to his friend.

Taehyung steps into the dressing room but before he changes he looks at himself in the mirror.

For some reason he found himself actually hoping he pleasantly surprised Jungkook with the suit.

Why does he want Jungkook to like his suit?

It's just a stupid suit. It looks like any other suits.

Taehyung shakes the thought and quickly changes careful not to damage any of the clothes.

After Hoseok pays for the rental they leave and go to the cosmetic store to have Taehyung matched to the right foundation color.

They get a few stares and questioning glances but it's 2018 and neither of them give a fuck.

"Now you're all ready for the dinner. Jungkook's really happy you're going with him." Hoseok says as he hangs the suit on the hook outside Taehyung's closet.

"Is he?" Taehyung asks sitting on his unmade bed.

"Yeah." Hoseok says joining him.

Taehyung's dad was at work this afternoon so they didn't have to worry about him being around the house until later.

"I'm glad. I know I haven't really made much of an effort to get to know him." Taehyung says.

"Yeah. But he still likes you." Hoseok says. "Maybe a little more than you think."

"What are you talking about Hobi? Jungkook has every girl in the school at his feet. Why would he even think about wasting time on me." Taehyung says.

"Are you saying you like him too?" Hoseok asks hopefully.

"What? No. I barely even talk to him." Taehyung says.

"That doesn't mean you can't like him." Hoseok says.

"We're friends. And we're always gonna be friends. All three of us." Taehyung says.

"Alright. But when you do date~. I called it." Hoseok says.

Taehyung rolls his eyes and lies back on the bed.

Hoseok's happy that they hung out today, he was starting to worry they'd never hang out like this again.

Hoseok just wished he had his friend back, the one that would chose him over a guy without a second thought, the one that always came to him for comfort and not to another guy.

The one that used to love him more than sex.

--