[Wednesday, October 16th]

"So when are you going to move in with him?"

Yoongi almost choked on his dinner after Jungkook's question. He was at the restaurant after a long shift, eating dinner with his family. They hadn't even been talking about Hoseok at the time, but Jungkook was never one for subtlety.

Namjoon and Jin shot a look at the youngest as Yoongi coughed and took a drink of water.

"What?!," Jungkook's eyes were wide as he put his hands up defensively. He addressed Yoongi again, "He's been having dinner with us here every time you work evenings. You hardly come home since you've been staying at his place. I know you're on the lease with me, but honestly, what's the point? I mean, I'm so happy for you, hyung, don't get me wrong - you two were made for each other... but do I need to look for a new roommate or what?"

It was true. Although Hoseok wasn't feeling well tonight and opted to go home, he had become part of their "family" dinners several nights a week. Aside from their work schedules, they were hardly ever apart. At this point, Yoongi had his own drawer filled with spare clothes in Hoseok's room and bought his own toothbrush to keep in Hoseok's bathroom medicine cabinet.

"Kook, I'm not going anywhere.... You can't get rid of me that easily." Yoongi answered when his coughs subsided.

Yoongi turned back to his meal and continued to poke his food around when he noticed Jin and Namjoon looking at him peculiarly.

Jin took a sip from his tea before he began, "Well, since we're so keen to inquire about the future..."

Namjoon continued the thought, "Yoongi, we love having you here - you've helped so much in the restaurant. But we want to make sure you're going after what will make you happy..." he passed a glance to his husband.

Jin nodded and rushed onward, "... You don't want to be in our little restaurant your whole life. And we know it's been hard - believe me, we know. BUT, you need to revisit options that will help put you back on the right path. Now, Hoseokie has been telling us -- don't look at me like that! I'm cool. He talks to me too." the eldest pouted. "He's been telling Joonie and I about an upcoming opening for a piano instructor and accompanist in the company he and his friends work for. I think you might like that way more than chopping vegetables."

Namjoon chimed in again, "Yes, you would have more spare time to work on your own music and the work you do should involve music, not waiting tables. What do you think?"

Yoongi sat, looking baffled. It was a lot to take in... and Hoseok never mentioned any of this to him.

"I don't know."

"That's okay. It's... It's just important to start thinking about it. We want you to be happy. So does Hoseok."

-    -    -

For the rest of the meal, Yoongi sat quietly while the others chatted together.

Admittedly, his life had been kind of stagnant, career-wise. He'd obviously intended to pursue music after leaving Busan so long ago, but months of inaction and paralyzing fear turned into years. Before he knew it, he was frozen here, convincing himself that this was fine. That he didn't have to be passionate about his job.

And now Hoseok wanted to be part of fixing that part of his life, too. Yoongi smiled and thought how unbelievably lucky he was to have him.

Even though he'd been part of the conversation for a while, Yoongi hadn't called or texted his boyfriend yet. He was sure that Hoseok would already be sleeping off his sickness.

So he was surprised when his phone vibrated.

Hobi 🌞:

i know i'm diseased

(i think one of my students has a cold)

but would you still want to stay over?

i'll quarantine myself, i swear

i don't think i can

fall asleep without you

Yoongi 😴:

of course

you weren't at dinner 😔

i missed you

Hobi 🌞:

awww

Yoongi 😴:

it was really quiet

without you

Hobi 🌞:

...

jerk!

i know I'm loud

but damn

Yoongi 😴:

noooo, not like that

it's just...

i've gotten so used to tuning them out

because your voice

is the only thing I want to hear

Yoongi 😴:

it was really quiet without you

Hoseok 🌞:

my heart

boy, get over here so we can cuddle

and bring some of Jin's soup please