just because he carries it well
doesn't mean it ain't heavy.
***

Jihoon was not entirely surprised when he received a message from an unknown number saying: "This is Jung Hoseok, we need to talk."

They met at a café, both arriving early with serious expressions on their faces as they took their seats opposite each other at a table next to the window.

"We both know why we're here.", Jihoon started the conversation skipping any formalities. His grim glare eliminated any assumptions of him being inferior to the way taller Hoseok.

"Indeed.", Hoseok agreed without hesitation.
"I would suggest you state the options your party is taking into consideration and I will see what we can do about them."

"Well,..", Jihoon started but they were interrupted by a waitress. "W-would you like to order a-anything?", she stuttered intimidated by the tension between the two males.

"I'll have a Sprite, please.", Hoseok stated politely shooting her a big smile that nearly made the poor woman faint.

"I'll have coffee.", Jihoon added still sporting a grumpy look on his face. The waitress didn't dare ask what kind of coffee so she just hurried away.

Left alone Jihoon and Hoseok resumed their negotiations.

"I have to admit that Jimin is really fond of the person in question. So a termination of acquaintanceship seems out of question.", Jihoon started with a concession that he didn't seem to be too happy about. "BUT as said person has proven the lack of dependability and ability to cope with certain situations on several occasions something will have to be done about that."

Hoseok just nodded keeping his pokerface while cheering on the inside.. this didn't sound like a bad start at all.

"Rules have to be established..", Jihoon continued his elaborations. "There have to be boundaries. Jimin is very sensitive so I will not tolerate any games whatsoever."

The waitress brought their drinks and rushed off again as soon as she had placed them safely on the table.

Hoseok took a sip of his sprite.
"Well..", he said slowly taking everything in Jihoon had just informed him about.
"I guess we agree on the fact that this is a matter of caution concerning Jimins' condition, but you will have to understand that Yoongi also has some needs and interests. First of all I would like you to tell me about your relationship and intentions with Jimin."

The motion of Jihoons eyebrows moving upwards signalled Hoseok that he had caught him off guard. "Did you think we wouldn't be informed about certain.. incidents between Jimin and you?", Hoseok asked, a smug smile playing on his face as he saw his opponent shuffle in his seat uncomfortably.

"There indeed.. have been.. situations.. that could be seen as somewhat an.. approach or something of that sort but I want to clarify that my intentions were never.. of an inpure nature." Jihoon had been playing with his spoon but now he looked up and made eye contact with Hoseok placing the spoon back on the saucer. "I cannot even start to explain how important Jimin is to me. I-I can't think of anything I wouldn't do that is in my power to make him happy..", at the end Jihoons' voice was only a whisper.

Hoseok was speechless. The sudden switch from utter aloofness and lack of emotion to the look displaying in Jihoons' eyes now, an expression that showed an amount of love and worry Hoseok hadn't expected, was enough to let Hoseok fall into silence.

"But no..", Jihoon continued slowly.. "I don't have any romantical interest in him.", he clarified. "It's just...", Jihoon was visibly struggling to find the right words. "..I don't know anything about the experiences you made in life so I don't want to allege anything but... I-I just think no one will be able to comprehend how it is like.. to really care about another person so much.. Jimin is like family to me.. and to see this person suffer as much as he did."

Jihoon broke eye contact and started playing with his spoon again. There was another moment of silence. "He's been through so much and all I want is for him to be happy.. and yes maybe my methods are not always very... well.. not very conventional, but.. When Jimin and I met I used to be in a really dark place and he helped me a lot..."

Hoseoks gaze was fixed on Jihoons hands that were still playing with his spoon. His eyes followed the movement of Jihoons fingers to his hands and his wrists. Jihoons shirtsleeves had travelled up his forearms exposing the skin. Hoseok felt an icy feeling travel down his spine when he realised the pattern that was drawn on his skin was made of scars. With goosebumps building he understood this had to be the darkness Jihoon was talking about.

"I owe Jimin everything, so I will do anything to see him be happy.", Jihoon concluded in the meantime. He looked back up at Hoseok, his eyes clearly searching for a reaction in Hoseoks eyes.

"Enough about me now.", Jihoon resumed with a half smile as he noticed the devastated expression on Hoseoks' face. "Isn't the way more important question how the hell we're gonna set up our best friends?"

Hoseok couldn't help but let out a shaky laugh. "You're right.. let's.. make a plan!", he agreed with a smile.

***
a/n: I wasn't expecting this to turn out the way it did but well.. I hope you don't mind.